DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/27/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 000964

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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA

SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/27/09

INDEX:

(1) Government considering introducing early warning satellite to
break away from its dependence on U.S. in MD operation (Sankei)

(2) China sticks to IT information disclosure system, with aim of
fostering domestic businesses; Plans to unveil details next month
(Nikkei)

(3) Japan, Russia to agree on four economy-related treaties on
occasion of Premier Putin's visit to Japan next month (Nikkei)

(4) Foreign visitors down 22 PERCENT in March due to yen's
appreciation (Nikkei)

(5) TOP HEADLINES

(6) EDITORIALS

(7) Prime Minister's schedule, January 5 (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) Government considering introducing early warning satellite to
break away from its dependence on U.S. in MD operation

SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged slightly)
April 25, 2009

Yasuto Tanaka

In the wake of the launch of a long-range ballistic missile launch
by North Korea (on April 5),the government and the ruling parties
have begun considering introducing a geo-stationary early-warning
satellite that can monitor missile launches and other events in
specific areas. An early warning satellite is indispensable for a
missile defense (MD) system. Japan now relies on U.S. early-warning
satellites. A decision has been made to incorporate the study of
sensors and the like in a basic space plan to be determined in late
May. Given the situation, the government will earnestly consider
(the introduction of an early-warning satellite) in the process of
revising the National Defense Program Guidelines and the Midterm
Defense Buildup Program (for fiscal 2010-2014). Some are cautious
about introducing an early-warning satellite which will require a
huge development cost. Many twists and turns are expected before a
final decision is made.

Defense minister holds a positive view

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada in a press conference on April 24
expressed a positive view about the introduction of an early-warning
satellite, saying: "We are going to discuss it in the process of
reviewing the National Defense Program Guidelines and other
programs. We won't be able to launch it immediately, and it will
cost a lot of money. We will have to consider a lot of factors,
including its cost effectiveness."

Military satellites can be roughly grouped into early-warning
satellites and reconnaissance satellites (information-gathering
satellites). An early-warning satellite is located 36,000 km above
the Earth in a fixed position and monitors a region covering up to
one third of the globe. The U.S. Air Force's DSP satellites use

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infrared sensors that can instantly detect heat from ballistic
missile plumes against the earth's background.

In contrast, reconnaissance satellites orbit 350 - 1,400 above the
Earth to take high-resolution satellite images and collect data.
Japan has three reconnaissance satellites. The U.S. Air Force's spy
satellites have a resolution of 10 cm, whereas Japan's satellites
have a resolution of 1 m, which is lower than the commercial
satellites' resolution of 60 cm. Japan must increase its satellite
radar performance.

In the MD system, early warning satellites are designed to
instantaneously detect a missile launch, Aegis-equipped vessels and
ground-based radars are to determine the missile's trajectory based
on the information and intercept it. The U.S. Air Force's current
satellite early warning system (SEWS) consists of five DSP
satellites which cover generally all the Earth's surface. The April
5 North Korean missile launch was first detected by one of them.

A launched North Korean satellite can land in Japan in seven to 10
minutes. Every second counts for information on a missile launch.
There are vocal calls in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for an
early introduction of an early-warning satellite, with former
Defense Agency Deputy Director General Hiroshi Imazu saying: "Should
Japan continue relying on the United States in obtaining vital
information?"

Enormous development cost

In the government, there are negative opinions as well. The North
American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) ballistic analysis
system to analyze radar data is the heart of the MD system. Without
an analyzer, operation of an early-warning satellite is not
possible.

Further, the U.S. Air Force has invested 630 billion yen in a
nine-year period in a project to develop and manufacture the
next-generation satellite. If Japan is to develop a satellite
independently, the cost might run higher. The development of
ballistic analysis software would increase the cost even more.

As such, there are more calls in the Defense Ministry for the
introduction of high-performance reconnaissance satellites than for
the development of an early-warning satellite.

Possessing the weather satellite Himawari, a geostationary infrared
sensor satellite, Japan has basic know how on the operation of an
early-warning satellite. There is a projection that the development
of a satellite will take Japan four years and accrue a cost of 100
billion yen. Politically and diplomatically, the introduction of an
early-warning satellite carries substantial significance. Such ideas
as increasing the functions of the next-generation weather satellite
to allow it to serve as an early warning-satellite and making the
communications satellites multifunctional are also being mentioned.

(2) China sticks to IT information disclosure system, with aim of
fostering domestic businesses; Plans to unveil details next month

NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
April 25, 2009

By Shunsuke Tabeta in Beijing

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The Chinese government will lay out in detail by May the system it
plans to introduce to force foreign manufacturers to disclose
security-related data about their information-technology (IT)
products. The governments of Japan, the U.S., and European countries
raised strong objections to China's decision, on the grounds that
their manufacturers' intellectual property might be passed on to
Chinese competitors. But the Chinese government, which is eager to
become an IT power, only renewed its resolve to introduce the
system. The new requirement might deal a serious blow to companies
of Japan, the U.S., and European countries, depending on which
products are subject to the new rule.

The Chinese government plans to add 13 IT security products to the
list of items that must be approved under the China Compulsory
Certification (CCC) program, its own safety standard. China plans to
include on the list software essential for the security of computer
systems and equipment, such as operating systems for IC chips and
network-monitoring systems. Japanese, U.S. and European companies
are strong in producing IT security products. If they fail to obtain
approval from China, they will become unable to sell their products
in that country.

China announced in January 2008 that it would introduce the new
system in May 2009. But in the face of negative reactions from
Japan, the U.S. and Europe, it stated in a meeting of the World
Trade Organization (WTO) this March its decision to postpone the
move. However, it has notified the Japanese government of a plan to
unveil the details of the system, including implementation rules by
May.

China explains that the aim of the new requirement is to enhance
information security. China is facing an increasing number of
cybercrimes. In addition, information related to the Chinese
Communist Party and government tends to spread beyond their
scrutiny. The government is stepping up efforts to monitor online
information under the pretext of public security.

A Chinese government source said: "By introducing the system, the
government actually aims at fostering the nation's IT industry." The
Chinese IT industry grew 12.8 PERCENT to 770 billion yuan, or
approximately 11 trillion yen, in 2008. But many Chinese companies
make hardware products, a business that yield small profit margins,
so the government hopes to have domestic manufacturers make a shift
to establishing information networks using advanced software.

The initial purpose of the CCC program is to check the safety of the
materials used to make such products as home appliances. If IT
security products are added to the list, firms might be required to
disclose source codes. An executive of a Japanese manufacturer
grumbled: "Our know-how could be leaked to Chinese firms. (The
Chinese government) might be aiming to nurture rivals (to foreign
firms)."

A member of the Chinese government panel that manages the CCC
program said on the 24th. "There will be no changes in our policy of
adding IT security products and our plan of postponing the
introduction of the system for the time being." The Chinese
government is expected to make a final decision upon analyzing other
countries' responses.

(3) Japan, Russia to agree on four economy-related treaties on

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occasion of Premier Putin's visit to Japan next month

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 26, 2009

Coinciding with a visit to Japan by Russian Premier Vladimir Putin
in May, the governments of Japan and Russia will conclude four
treaties and agreements on such economic areas as nuclear energy
development. The aim is to pave the way for promoting talks on the
dispute over Russia-held islands off Hokkaido, the biggest bilateral
issue. The territorial dispute will likely be concretely discussed
in a summit meeting between Prime Minister Taro Aso and President
Dmitry Medvedev slated for July. Whether the upcoming summit can
find a path resolving the dispute is unknown.

Putin's Japan visit in May was formally decided during the
Aso-Medvedev summit in February in Sakhalin, Russian Far East. Final
coordination is now underway with an eye to Putin coming to Tokyo
around April 12 and a meeting between Aso and Putin. Putin will
visit for the first time after stepping down from the presidential
post. He will meet with Aso for the first time, as well.

On the occasion of Putin's visit, the two governments are expected
to conclude four treaties (including agreements) regarding the
economy and business, areas where there is much demand. Of the four
treaties, Tokyo and Moscow have had difficulties particularly in
talks to conclude a nuclear-energy agreement. If such a nuclear pact
is signed, it would be easier for Japan and Russia to carry out
technical cooperation in the nuclear energy area, including uranium
enrichment and the processing of spent nuclear fuel.

A pact to ease visa procedures and a customs-duty mutual assistance
agreement are aimed to activate the flow of people and goods between
the two countries. A mutual assistance pact on criminal
investigations would smooth investigative cooperation regarding
international crime. Business circles have strongly called for the
conclusion of those treaties, citing that they are indispensable for
strengthening bilateral relations.

Japan and Russia will conclude those treaties because Moscow has
called for expanding bilateral cooperation, including technical
cooperation on energy development, with Tokyo. The Japanese
government has a strategy of paving the way for resolving the issue
of the Northern Territories by presenting concrete results in
strengthening bilateral ties.

Aso and Medvedev agreed in their summit in February to pursue a
"creative and unconventional approach" in resolving the territorial
dispute. This month, Shotaro Yachi, currently government
representative and former administrative vice foreign minister,
suggested in an interview by the Mainichi Shimbun resolving the
issue with the return of 3.5 islands, which include the Kunashiri
Island, the Habomai islet group and part of the Etorofu Island of
the four islands now held by Russia. All eyes are now focused on how
Russia will act.

The Foreign Ministry's position, however, is that Aso and Medvedev
will discuss the issue on the sidelines of the annual G-8 summit in
July in Italy, and that the Russian leader will present a reply to
Aso during their next meeting. Many government officials are of the
view that since Putin has strong influence over Medvedev, chances
are strong that he will convey to the Japanese government some sort

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of the message from Moscow.

(4) Foreign visitors down 22 PERCENT in March due to yen's
appreciation

NIKKEI (Page 4) (Full)
April 25, 2009

The number of foreigners who visited Japan in March dropped 22.2
PERCENT from the same month the year before to 568,900, marking the
eighth consecutive monthly decline, according to preliminary data
released on April 24 by the Japan National Tourism Agency. Affecting
the tally for March were the global economic slowdown and a large
number of canceled flights into Narita Airport stemming from a plane
crash.

In the month, 42.2 PERCENT fewer South Koreans, 21.5 PERCENT less
Taiwanese and 21.1 PERCENT fewer Americans visited Japan. The
strong yen was also blamed.

The only notable increase was seen in the number of visitors from
China, which jumped 11.3 PERCENT to 101,100. Flush with stock
market gains, affluent Chinese are eager to travel, and promotional
campaigns highlighting cherry blossoms helped drum up interest in
Japan.

(5) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun
Swine flu sparks global panic; WHO declares emergency; Eight
infected in New York; Infection suspected in Europe, Middle East and
New Zealand

Nikkei:
Rate of national pension payment falls to 62 PERCENT in FY 2008,
lowest-ever

Akahata:
JCP's second workplace seminar ends

(6) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Put an end to limited tender system
(2) Advanced research fund essential for solid foundation

Mainichi:
(1) People must be alert against swine flu
(2) Review of city planning must follow the decision to allow three
persons to ride a bicycle

Yomiuri:
(1) Nation must prepare for swine flu pandemic
(2) Google book search library and print culture

Nikkei:
(1) Swine flu pandemic requires swift international cooperation
(2) Action essential for economic recovery

Sankei:
(1) Northern Territories issue: Prime minister must uphold return of
four islands

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(2) Swine influenza: Correct information essential for calm
response


Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) G-7 fails to pave way for growth
(2) Nagoya mayoral election: Victory of individual overshadow
political parties

Akahata:
(1) Postal discount system for handicapped people abused

(09042702st) Back to Top

(7) Prime Minister's schedule, January 5

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 25, 2009

Spent the morning at his official residence.

14:06
Called at the Imperial Palace to sign a note to express gratitude
for the participation of the Emperor and Empress in the "Green"
Ceremony.

14:27
Attended a Tokyo general assembly of a trilateral committee of
experts from Japan, the U.S., and Europe at the Hotel Okura.

14:54
Arrived at his official residence.

15:54
Enjoyed shopping with his family at the clothing store "KAPITAL
LEGS" in Ebisu.

16:30
Dined with his family at the restaurant "The Terrace" in the Westin
Hotel Tokyo.

17:07
Returned to the clothing store in Ebisu.

17:33
Arrived at his official residence.

19:27
Attended a dinner party of a conference of cabinet ministers from
oil producer and consumer countries at the Hotel New Otani.

20:01
Dined at the steakhouse "Makoto" in Nihonbashi with his family.

21:41
Returned to his official residence.

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)

April 26, 2009



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10:04
Met crisis management officer Ito at his official residence.

10:24
Took a walk around his official residence.

13:17
Boarded the Japan Coast Guard's patrol ship Yashima at Harumi Pier
for an inspection parade, with Vice Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism Minister Kano and JCG Commandant Iwasaki.

17:04
Arrived at Harumi Pier.

17:35
Had his hair cut at a barbershop in the Hotel Pacific Tokyo in
Takanawa.

19:16
Returned to his official residence.

ZUMWALT