JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/17/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000881

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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/17/09

Index:

1) TOP HEADLINES
2) EDITORIALS
3) PM SCHEDULE

Diplomatic agenda:
4) Prime Minister Aso in meeting with Pakistan's President Zardari
before donors' conference promises to provide $1 billion in
assistance [Yomiuri]
5) Aso and Zardari agree to step up talks on anti-terrorism measures
[Mainichi]
6) Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki tells Foreign Minister Nakasone
that he "respects" the Barack administration's conciliatory
statement [Mainichi]
7) In Yomiuri interview, Foreign Minister Mottaki indicates that
Iran's hard-line stance toward the U.S. could change [Yomiuri]
8) Foreign Minister Nakasone, South Korea's Foreign Minister Yu
agree to push for early resumption of Six-Party Talks [Nikkei]
9) In Nikkei interview, Foreign Minister Yang says China will try to
persuade North Korea to return to Six-Party Talks [Nikkei]
10) Nonpartisan group of Diet members visit U.S. EMBASSY to press
for talks with North Korea [Nikkei]
11) Former Vice Foreign Minister Yachi has unique proposal for
resolving the territorial issue with Russia: Push for the return of
3.5 of the 4 islands [Mainichi]

Defense and security affairs:
12) Anti-piracy measures: Government will defer building more patrol
ships for Japan Coast Guard, leaving anti-piracy role in hands of
Maritime Self-Defense Force [Tokyo Shimbun]
13) During February meeting with Secretary Clinton, Defense Minister
Hamada proposed issuing new security declaration [Tokyo Shimbun]
14) Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura: Japan looking into introducing
an early-warning system [Yomiuri]
15) Conference of U.S., Japanese experts held in Washington consider
cooperation on marine issues [Yomiuri]

Political agenda:
16) New Komeito secretly asked Prime Minister Aso to hold off Lower
House election until August or later [Sankei]
17) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to return to confrontational
stand in the Diet, attacking the supplementary budget [Tokyo
Shimbun]
18) DPJ President Ozawa, undaunted by recent scandal, will return to
stumping the nation on April 20 in preparation for the next general
election [Mainichi]

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Postgraduate law faculties to reduce number of students next fiscal
year, aiming to improve quality of education, students

Mainichi:
Welfare Ministry eyes unified 20% of medical fees shouldered by
patients between 65 and 74

Yomiuri:
Kanji body chief and others suspected of earning profits through

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improper business deals

Nikkei:
Chinese foreign minister expresses willingness to persuade North
Korea to resume six-part talks, hopes for U.S.-North Korea talks

Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun:
Former Best Denki executive and others arrested over illegal use of
discount postal service

Akahata:
No prospects in sight for U.S. to secure funds for infrastructure
construction in plan of building new military base on Guam,
according to report by U.S. Government Accountability Office

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Futenma relocation plan will not move forward only with
agreement
(2) Shukan Shincho must give more detailed explanation about false
articles

Mainichi:
(1) Establishment of a consumer agency expected to have bureaucrats
look at consumers, not producers
(2) Resignation of Kanji body chief: Thorough verification of
management necessary to regain public confidence

Yomiuri:
(1) Full inspection by third party needed on Shukan Shincho's false
report
(2) Judgment of acquittal in groping case: It is hard to prove
innocence

Nikkei:
(1) Can China stop deceleration of economic growth with
domestic-expansion measures?

Sankei:
(1) Shukan Shincho must reveal first who should take responsibility
for false accounts
(2) Guilty ruling to psychiatrist over records leak: Reporters must
keep new sources secret

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) False articles by Shukan Shincho tantamount to suicide act by
reporters
(2) Sharp decline in Chinese economic growth: Take measures to
improve private citizens' livelihood

Akahata:
(1) Clarify suspicion on sale of Kanpo no Yado inns

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, April 16

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 17, 2009

07:41

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Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto at the Kantei.

08:37
Attended an IOC evaluation committee welcome reception at the Hotel
Okura.

09:38
Arrived at the Diet building.

10:08
Met Consumer Affairs Minister Noda.

10:14
Attended a Lower House Consumers Affairs Special Committee meeting.

12:30
Attended a party to celebrate the completion of the Keidanren Hall
in Otemachi.

12:50
Arrived at his official residence.

13:38
Attended the spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Garden.

15:50
Met at the Kantei Finance Minister Yosano, Vice Minister of Finance
for International Affairs Sugimoto, Deputy Vice Minister Katsu,
Budget Bureau Director General Tango, and Tax Bureau Director
General Kato, joined by Local Finance Bureaus Director General
Sasaki.

17:45
Held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki.

18:42
Held talks with President Zardari of Pakistan.

19:30
Held a joint press conference, followed by a dinner party.

21:03
Chatted with JICA President Ogata.

21:09
Arrived at ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo.

22:49
Returned to his official residence.

4) Prime minister in meeting with Pakistani president announces 1
billion dollars in financial assistance

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Prime Minister Aso at a meeting with Pakistani President Zardari on
April 16 conveyed Japan's policy of extending to his nation up to 1
billion dollars or roughly 100 billion yen in financial assistance
to be spent for education and measures to fight poverty.

Aso also announced Japan's policy of helping Pakistan fight

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terrorism. Both leaders confirmed their stance of cooperating for
the stabilization of the region bordering Afghanistan, where Islamic
extremists are based.

The prime minister at a joint press conference held after the
meeting said, "Economic development and measures against terrorism
are keys to the development of Pakistan." The president responded,
"Japan is Pakistan's vital partner."

Zardari is visiting Japan to attend an international donors
conference on Pakistan to be held in Tokyo on the 17th. Determining
that the stabilization of Pakistan is essential to the stabilization
of Afghanistan, its neighbor, where the fight against terrorism is
continuing, the Japanese government will co-host the donors
conference with the World Bank.

The conference will bring together 29 countries, including the U.S.,
China and the European Union (EU),and 14 international bodies.
Financial assistance participating countries and organizations will
commit will likely total 4 billion dollars or roughly 400 billion
yen.

5) Aso, Zardari agree to accelerate antiterrorism talks

MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Naoyuki Inukai

Prime Minister Taro Aso held talks with visiting Pakistani President
Asif Ali Zardari at his office last night. In the meeting, Aso told
Zardari that during a Pakistan Donors Conference to be held in Tokyo
today, he would announce a plan to provide Pakistan with up to 1
billion dollars over two years in economic aid in order to bring
stability to its border with Afghanistan and other areas where
terrorist groups are based. Aso said: "The stability of Afghanistan
is decisively crucial for the stability of Pakistan." The two
leaders agreed to accelerate bilateral cooperation for stability of
border areas and talks on antiterrorism assistance.

President Zardari is visiting Japan for the Pakistan Donors
Conference. In the meeting, Prime Minister Aso said: "In the donors'
conference, it is important for the Pakistani government to announce
its strong resolve to implement economic reform and antiterrorism
measures." President Zardari said: "We are making serious efforts to
eradicate terrorism."

Touching on President Barack Obama's speech calling for a
nuclear-free world, Prime Minister Aso expressed his "strong hope"
for the ratification of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)
and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),while vowing
to provide support for enhancing controls on nuclear exports. In
response, President Zardari said: "We are ready to consider all
proposals for denuclearization."

6) Mottaki tells Aso: "We have listened to U.S. government's remarks
with respect"

MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly)
April 17, 2009

Shinichiro Nishida

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Prime Minister Taro Aso met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr
Mottaki last evening for about 20 minutes in his office. Mottaki is
visiting Japan for the Pakistan Donors Conference. Prime Minister
Aso brought up the fact that the Obama administration is searching
for ways to have a dialogue with Iran, saying: "Iran should also
proactively address the issue." In response, Foreign Minister
Mottaki took a positive stance about making contact with the U.S.
administration, saying, "We have listened to the Obama
administration's recent remarks with a feeling of respect." Prime
Minister Aso also indicated that in order for Iran to win
international trust, it is important to play an active role in
supporting Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the same time, referring to
Iran's nuclear program, the prime minister said: "By the same token,
it is most important to restore international trust."

7) Interview with Iranian foreign minister: There may be change in
Iran's hard-line stance to U.S.

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchefr Mokaki on April 16 gave
an exclusive interview to the Yomiuri Shimbun at the Iranian
ambassador's residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Referring to the Obama
administration's indication that it is prepared to hold direct talks
with Iran on the nuclear development issue, Motaki indicated high
hopes for improving bilateral relations. He noted: "Iran is
considering the U.S. administration's announcement properly and with
respect. If the Obama administration turns its word 'change' into
reality, there could be change on our side, as well."

President Obama has indicated his desire to commence talks with Iran
on the nuclear issue, without attaching any preconditions. Motaki's
statement hints at the possibility of Iran changing its usual
hard-line stance, if Obama shifts away from the policy of the former
Bush administration, which demanded Iran suspend its uranium
enrichment activities, and puts his words into action.

Motaki also gave high marks to President Obama's policy of seeking
an elimination of all nuclear weapons, noting, "It is a wonderful
idea." He, however, indicated a stance of firmly maintaining his own
country's basic policy of continuing uranium enrichment activities,
saying, "Every country is entitled to use nuclear energy."

Iranian President Ahmadi-Nejad on the 15th announced that he would
make a new proposal for settling the nuclear issue to talks with the
permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany. The
foreign minister added, "The envisaged proposal will be a revised
version of the previous proposal made in May last year." As the
reason for the nation looking into a fresh proposal, Motaki said,
"It is to respond to a new situation in the world." He thus
acknowledged that the new proposal is in response to the
inauguration of the Obama administration.

Motaki is visiting Japan to take part in a Pakistan donors
conference to be held in Tokyo on the 17th.

8) Japan, South Korea to aim for early resumption of Six-Party
Talks: Collaboration vowed at foreign ministerial

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)

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April 17, 2009

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on the evening of April 16 met
with South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan,
who is in Japan to attend a Pakistan Donors Conference, for about an
hour at the Foreign Ministry. In response to North Korea's
declaration to opt out of the Six-Party Talks, following its launch
of a ballistic missile Taepodong 2 under a cover of a satellite,
both foreign ministers confirmed their stance that Japan, the U.S.
and South Korea will cooperate for early resumption of the Six-Party
Talks.

This is the first time for the two foreign ministers to hold talks
since the adoption of the UN Security Council president's statement
condemning the missile launch by the North. During the meeting,
Nakasone and Yu praised the president's statement highly. They also
agreed to cooperate for the strict implementation of sanctions
against the DPRK, based on the UNSC resolution adopted following a
nuclear test conducted in 2006.

They confirmed their understanding that the role of China, the chair
of the Six-Party Talks, will become important. Concerning the
nuclear abandonment process, they shared the view that an agreement
on a specific framework for verifying the North's nuclear
declaration should be reached at an early date.

Regarding North Korea escalating its hard-line stance after the
adoption of the UNSC president's statement, both foreign ministers
shared the stance that it is important to respond to North Korea in
a cool-headed manner. Touching on the abduction issue, Yu said,
"South Korea would like to cooperate with Japan in every possible
manner."

Nakasone invited President Lee Myung-bak to visit Japan soon. Both
foreign ministers agreed to speed up coordination between the two
countries.

9) Chinese foreign minister in interview expresses willingness to
persuade North Korea to resume Six-Party Talks, hopes for U.S.-North
Korea talks

NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
April 17, 2009

Taku Shinada, Beijing

In an interview with Nikkei, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
expressed his willingness to try to bring North Korea back to the
Six-Party Talks, saying: "I would like to make a positive effort to
maintain the negotiation process." North Korea earlier declared it
would no longer take part in the Six-Party Talks on its
denuclearization. He further said: "I hope that relations between
the U.S. and North Korea will improve and move forward," indicating
that he would welcome it if the two countries were to make direct
contact. Yang also emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation
between Japan and China to contain the ongoing economic crisis,
adding that Japan and China are likely to hold high-level economic
talks shortly.

Noting that "the process of the Six-Party Talks will be to the
common advantage of all countries concerned," Yang stressed he will
make an effort to resume the talks. He stated:

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"China will keep in touch with North Korea. This year marks the 60th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
China and North Korea. Both sides have carried out a variety of
commemorative events. China will continue friendly exchanges with
that nation."

The Chinese foreign minister said, "China will also hold talks with
other countries concerned," stressing his willingness to cooperate
with Japan and other countries. In reference to China's approach to
the U.S., he said: "Both countries have held talks at various
levels. We will continue to make such efforts. Both bilateral and
multinational talks will move things forward." He indicated that if
the U.S. and North Korea hold direct talks, China would take them
favorably.

Pyongyang announced it would not participate in the Six-Party Talks,
in reaction to a presidential resolution adopted by the UN Security
Council condemning North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic
missile Taepodong-2, which it claimed to be a satellite launch. The
second-stage process of disabling North Korea's nuclear facilities,
as provided for in a document adopted at the Six-Party Talks, has
also been stalled. Countries concerns are worried about further
delay in North Korea's denuclearization process. They are now paying
close attention to a response by China, which chairs the Six-Party
Talks and has close connections with North Korea.

10) U.S.-North Korea talks sought by nonpartisan political group

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Members of the Parliamentarian League for Promoting the
Normalization of Relations between Japan and North Korea, a
nonpartisan group led by former Liberal Democratic Party Vice
President Taku Yamasaki, yesterday visited the U.S. EMBASSY in
Tokyo. According to Democratic Party of Japan Upper House member
Yoshihiro Kawakami, the league requested that U.S.-North Korea talks
be held on restarting the Six-Party Talks. In reply, Political
Minister-Counselor Meserve reportedly replied: "We will make efforts
first to find a breakthrough in the situation through U.S.-North
Korea talks, premised on [maintaining] the framework of the
Six-Party Talks."

11) Northern Territories issue: "Japan should accept return of three
islands and part of Etorofu," says former Vice-Foreign Minister
Yachi

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly)
April 17, 2009

Interviewed by the Mainichi Shimbun yesterday, former Administrative
Vice-Foreign Minister and Government Representative Shotaro Yachi
talked about finding a solution to the dispute over Russian-held
islets north of Hokkaido. He indicated that Japan should not be
fixated on the idea of having all four islands returned as a
package. He said: "In my personal view, Japan should accept the
return of 3.5 islands (instead of the four islands). I don't want to
see the northern territories issue becoming a stumbling block
between Japan and Russia."

Through their summit in Sakhalin on February 18, Prime Minister Taro

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Aso and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reached an agreement to
take "a new, innovative and unconventional approach" to accelerate
bilateral territorial talks. Yachi, who has been serving as Prime
Minister Aso's foreign-policy "brain" since he was vice-foreign
minister, accompanied Aso to the February summit. Yachi's comment is
likely to draw much attention ahead of the planned visit to Japan in
May by former Russian President and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
who retains a strong influence over the Russian government.

In the interview, Yachi said: "Two islands (the Habomai islet group
and Shikotan) account for only 7% of the total. Etorofu is a large
island. If the total landmass of the four islands were to be equally
divided into two, one portion would be the size of three islands
plus 20 - 25% of Etorofu." The government takes the standpoint of
regaining Japan's sovereignty over all four islands: the Habomai
islet group, Shikotan, Etorofu and Kunashiri. After the Japan-Russia
summit, Prime Minister Aso told the press corps: "The other side
(Russia) is willing to return two islands while this side (Japan)
wants all four islands. As a result, no progress is being made.
There is no other option but a political decision." Yachi's comment
is believed to reflect Prime Minister Aso's wishes.

12) JCG forgoes building new patrols

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged)
April 17, 2009

The Japan Coast Guard will not make a budget request in the fiscal
2009 supplementary budget for new patrol ships that can be sent out
for an antipiracy mission in waters off the eastern African coast of
Somalia, JCG Commandant Teiji Iwasaki revealed yesterday. The
government has now presented an antipiracy bill to the Diet,
stipulating that the JCG is to be primarily tasked with antipiracy
measures. However, the JCG is reluctant to send out its patrols on
an ocean-going mission. Even if the legislation is enacted into law
during the current Diet session, it will be synonymous with a law
for at least five years to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces
overseas.

The JCG gave up sending out its patrol vessels, so the government
dispatched Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers instead to Somalia
waters in March for maritime security operations under the
Self-Defense Forces Law. After the antipiracy bill is enacted into
law, the MSDF's antipiracy mission will be continued under the newly
enacted law. The JCG has now dropped its budget request for new
patrols in the extra budget that is for urgent funding. Accordingly,
its budget request for building ocean-going patrol ships will be on
the wish list of lower-ranking items for a medium- to long-term.
Even if the budget request is granted in the FY2010 budget at the
earliest, it will take more than four years to build a patrol ship,
so the MSDF will be tasked with ocean-going antipiracy activities
for the time being.

Iwasaki explained why the JCG will not make a budget request in the
current fiscal year's supplementary budget for building ocean-going
patrol ships. "I judged that it would not be appropriate to build a
patrol ship at huge costs to send it to the waters where there are
SDF vessels actually," he said.

The JCG needs at least three patrol ships for rotational shifts. For
now, however, the JCG can only send out the Shikishima, a 6,500-ton
patrol ship that came into service in 1992 to escort a

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plutonium-carrying ship.

13) Japan proposed new security declaration to U.S.

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, when meeting with U.S. Secretary
of State Clinton during her visit to Japan in February, proposed
discussing the idea of working out a new joint declaration on
bilateral security arrangements. The proposed declaration would give
heed to strengthening bilateral cooperation on such global
challenges as antiterror efforts and responding to the rise of
China, government officials revealed yesterday. The United States
withheld its response. The Defense Ministry is seeking to release a
new security declaration next year, 50 years after revising the
Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.

According to a government official, the new security declaration is
a preparatory step to establishing a general law or a permanent law
allowing Japan to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces Law overseas as
needed for such missions as international peace cooperation
activities.

Hamada has plans to coordinate how Japan can cooperate with U.S.
forces where the SDF can be dispatched as needed, and he wants to
set forth global cooperation between Japan and the United States. In
concrete terms, the agenda includes newly emerging threats such as
terrorism and piracy. In addition, Hamada will likely propose
discussing strategies toward China in anticipation of a crisis
across the Taiwan Straits.

Hamada, in his meeting with Clinton, proposed a new security
declaration, saying: "I want to strengthen cooperation between the
SDF and U.S. forces and define their roles to ensure stability in
Asia and deal with global challenges." Clinton said, "Our strong
alliance is important for peace and stability in Asia." However, she
did not respond to the proposal for a new declaration.

Clinton is believed to have avoided making a positive statement in
consideration of the political situation in Japan that reportedly
could see a change of government in the next House of
Representatives election.

14) Gov't mulls early warning satellite

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, meeting the press yesterday,
indicated that the government would consider introducing early
warning satellites for missile launch detection in response to calls
from within the Liberal Democratic Party. "Of course, I understand
that this is a matter to be considered for the space master plan,"
Kawamura said, adding: "It's important to think about the use of
space from the perspective of Japan's national security."

15) Japan-U.S. symposium starts for cooperation on sea issues

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 17, 2009


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Satoshi Ogawa, Washington

A two-day symposium started in Washington, D.C., on the morning of
April 16 (the night of April 16, Japan time) to explore ways for
Japan and the United States to cooperate on such maritime issues as
piracy and international friction over interests. The symposium is
the Third United States-Japan Sea Power Dialogue (cosponsored by the
Ocean Policy Research Foundation, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA,
the Pacific Forum CSIS; supported by the Yomiuri Shimbun). The
symposium is to release a special report of recommendations on April

17. Former Prime Minister Abe will deliver a keynote speech that
day. In addition to Abe, those participating in the event from Japan
include the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto)
Vice President Seiji Maehara, former Defense Minister Yoshimasa
Hayashi, and Government Representative Shotaro Yachi.

16) New Komeito secretly asks Aso to call Lower House election in
August or later

SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
April 17, 2009

It was learned yesterday that New Komeito Chief Representative
Akihiro Ota and Secretary General Kazuo Kitabata had secretly met
separately with Prime Minister Taro Aso and that the two leaders of
the New Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Aso's ruling
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),had asked the prime minister to call
the next House of Representatives election in August or later, after
the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.

Ota held talks with Aso over lunch at the Prime Minister's Office
(Kantei) for about one hour from a little past noon on April 15.
Kitagawa met Aso that evening at a bar in the Hotel Okura. The two
secret meetings were not included in the prime minister's schedule
for April 15. The two New Komeito leaders said that it would be
desirable to dissolve the Lower House and call a general election
after a certain period of time had passed after the Tokyo election.
They also asked that a consumption tax hike should be excluded from
campaign pledges for the Lower House election. Aso, however, was
noncommittal in his responses.

The secret meeting with Ota started with Aso making casual
conversation: "I heard that there are many posters of you mounted in
the Tokyo 12th electoral district (Ota's constituency)." When the
main topic was reached, their smiles disappeared. Ota asked Aso to
avoid having the Lower House and Tokyo elections come too close
together.

The New Komeito has been resisting having a general election be held
before the Tokyo assembly election. Ota and Kitagawa apparently
called for holding the snap election between August and Sept. 10,
when the terms of Lower House members expire.

17) DPJ to take confrontational stance over fiscal 2009 extra
budget

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts)
April 17, 2009

There is a rumor in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that
the House of Representatives might be dissolved in May for a general
election in June. Showing its willingness to fight, the main

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opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is now challenging Prime
Minister Taro Aso. The party has made it clear it will take a
confrontational stance against the government and ruling parties in
deliberations on a supplementary budget for fiscal 2009, which the
government is expected to submit on April 27 to the Diet. The aim is
to get the party ready to fight in the general election, after it
was shaken by the recent arrest and indictment of President Ichiro
Ozawa's state-funded secretary for violating the Political Funds
Control Law over donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co.

DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan stressed at a press meeting
yesterday:

"Many lawmakers in the ruling camp are now talking about the option
of a May Lower House dissolution and June general election. I think
some LDP members want to let (the prime minister) dissolve the Lower
House for a snap election. If that is the case, we will mount a
challenge."

Kan also indicated that his party would speed up drafting a
manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the Lower House election so
that it would be ready to fight in the election that would come
after Lower House dissolution in May.

Meanwhile, DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka met on
April 9 with his LDP counterpart Tadamori Oshima. Yamaoka sounded
out Oshima on dissolution through talks with an eye on the idea of
dissolving the Lower House on May 15 and holding the snap election
on June 7. Anticipating that Aso would not accept the idea of
dissolving the Lower House through talks, the DPJ appears to be
trying to shake up the ruling coalition by taking a stance of being
unafraid of an early Lower House dissolution.

With the party in turmoil following the fundraising scandal
involving its head, Ozawa, the DPJ is of course concerned about
Lower House dissolution in May. However, in consideration of a surge
in the support rate for the Aso administration, the main opposition
party appears to have determined to respond to an early dissolution.


Given the situation, the DPJ has decided a policy of carrying out
thorough deliberations in order to impress the public differences in
its economic stimulus package and the government's, forgoing the
planned submission of its proposals to revise the government-drafted
supplementary budget for fiscal 2009.

18) DPJ's Ozawa to resume nationwide stumping tour on April 20

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
April 17, 2009

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa yesterday
delivered a speech at a meeting in Tokyo of the Japanese Trade Union
Confederation (Rengo). Referring In it to the timing of dissolution
of the House of Representatives, he said:

"There are only two options: if an extra budget is submitted, the
Lower House may be dissolved in early June (after the passage of the
budget); or the Lower House may be dissolved in early August after
the Group of Eight (G8) summit."

Ozawa then stressed his determination to win the Lower House

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election, saying: "I can't go to my grave without first realizing a
change in government. I would like to achieve this great goal by
taking into consideration all necessary measures." He plans to
resume his nationwide stumping tour on April 20 from Fukuoka
Prefecture.

He visited Rengo, the largest support group for the DPJ, for the
first time since his state-funded secretary was arrested and
indicted for violating the Political Funds Control Law over
donations to his fund management organizations. He attended the
Rengo session to explain his party's emergency economic stimulus
measures. He apologized for the fundraising scandal, saying: "I am
sorry for making a fuss and worrying you. My recognition is that he
did not violate the law, but it's all my fault."

Rengo Chairman Tsuyoshi Takagi pointed out: "The public has severely
criticized you in the polls carried by the media. It is difficult to
go into the election under such circumstances." Ozawa then said: "It
will be the last battle [for me]. Thinking that taking the reins of
government is the biggest goal for my political career, I would like
to make every decision." He indicated in his remarks that whether
the DPJ can take political power will be the basis for his decision
to resign his party post.

ZUMWALT