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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 16 TOKYO 000559 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 03/03/08 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, provisional gas tax, 
Aegis accident (Mainichi) 
 
(2) Fukuda's two competing advisors - Yosano, Nakagawa (Asahi) 
 
(3) Interview with LDP Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters 
Chairman Koki Chuma; Cabinet personnel affairs agency necessary 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(4) Defense Ministry reviewing communication system to enable speedy 
reports to Prime Minister's Office on emergencies (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Extremely regrettable: Koumura (Okinawa Times) 
 
(6) Impermissible: Okinawa Defense Bureau chief (Okinawa Times) 8 
(7) USFJ bans carrying firearms off base: U.S. consulate (Okinawa 
Times) 
 
(8) U.S. Consulate General releases statement saying carrying 
firearms outside bases is prohibited in principle (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(9) Consul General Maher waited in coffee shop while citizens 
protested (Okinawa Times) 
 
(10) Japan strengthening ties with Israel to deal with the North 
Korean nuclear issue (Nikkei) 
 
(11) Editorial: Changing relations between Israel and Japan 
(Nikkei) 
 
(12) Interview with Kazuhiro Suzuki on significance of deployment of 
the U.S. nuclear powered aircraft carrier George Washington (Chuo 
Koron) 
 
(13) Century of private-sector exchange between Japan, U.S.; 
Dispatch of intellectuals softens friction; Pop culture is driving 
force for exchange between new generations; Drop in number of young 
people studying in U.S.; Concern about inward-looking stance 
(Asahi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, provisional gas tax, 
Aegis accident 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
March 3, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female) 
 
Q: Do you support the Fukuda cabinet? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 30 (33) 28 31 
No 51 (45) 58 43 
Not interested 19 (18) 14 25 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why? 
 
 
TOKYO 00000559  002 OF 016 
 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 36 
(27) 36 37 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
9 (9) 8 9 
Because there's something stable about the prime minister 37 (36) 32 
41 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 14 (21) 17 11 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 7 
(9) 6 7 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
40 (29) 41 38 
Because there's no fresh image about the prime minister 8 (10) 9 6 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's policies 44 
(50) 42 47 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
 T P M F 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 26 (28) 24 27 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 23 (24) 30 17 
New Komeito (NK) 4 (5) 4 4 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) 3 3 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (2) 2 1 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (1) 0 0 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 0 0 
Other political parties 1 (0) 0 2 
None 39 (37) 35 43 
 
Q: In addition to the gasoline tax, the current rate of provisional 
taxation on gasoline has been maintained for road construction and 
other road-related infrastructure projects over the past 34 years. 
This provisional gas taxation is now a point of contention in the 
current Diet session. This provisional tax is to expire at the end 
of March. Do you support continuing the provisional tax rate in 
April and after? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 27  29 24 
No 66  67 66 
 
 
Q: The ruling and opposition parties have now agreed to reach a 
conclusion by the end of March on legislation intended to continue 
the current additional gasoline tax. Do you think the House of 
Councillors should take a vote on this legislation by the end of 
March? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 44  48 41 
No 49  49 50 
 
Q: Do you support the idea of revising the provisional tax bill 
through talks between the ruling and coalition parties? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 78  79 77 
 
TOKYO 00000559  003 OF 016 
 
 
No 17  19 15 
 
Q: In December last year, the government created a midterm plan to 
outlay 59 trillion yen for road construction and other road-related 
infrastructure projects over the next 10 years. Do you support this 
road-related spending plan? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 19  20 17 
No 75  76 73 
 
Q: The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis destroyer Atago collided 
with a fishing boat, leaving its two fishermen missing. Do you 
appreciate the government's response to this accident? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 2  3 1 
Yes to a certain extent 19  15 23 
Not very much 33  31 36 
No 41  48 35 
 
 
Q: Do you think Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba should resign over 
the Aegis accident and his ministry's way of dealing with it? 
 
 T P M F 
Resign at once 4  6 3 
Resign after taking appropriate measures to deal with the accident 
45  44 45 
Make efforts for preventive measures instead of resigning 39  39 40 
It's strange to call for his resignation 8  10 7 
 
Q: Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama has asked an advisory panel to 
discuss the advisability of amending the civil code to lower the age 
of majority from 20 to 18. Do you support this? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 36  44 28 
No 60  52 66 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) 
Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because 18 is old enough to take responsibility 29  28 31 
Because young people can realize their responsibilities at the age 
of 18 62  60 65 
Because the age of 18 is the mainstream in Western countries 9  12 
4 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) 
Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because young people are still mentally immature at 18 69  73 66 
Because I fear that young people will be legally allowed to drink 
and smoke at the age of 18 16  15 16 
Because I fear that young people will be legally allowed to enter 
into agreements on consumer and other loans without their parents' 
permission 14  12 16 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "0" indicates that 
 
TOKYO 00000559  004 OF 016 
 
 
the figure was below 0.5 PERCENT . "No answer" omitted. Figures in 
parentheses denote the results of the last survey conducted Jan. 
19-20. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Mar. 1-2 over the 
telephone across the nation on a computer-aided random digit 
sampling (RDS) basis. Answers were obtained from 1,043 persons. 
 
(2) Fukuda's two competing advisors - Yosano, Nakagawa 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
February 29, 2008 
 
Takashi Tonakoshi, Akira Uchida, Hiroshi Samejima 
 
Four months have passed since a one-on-one dialogue between Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the major opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan's (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa ended in failure. Fukuda still 
has hope of forming a grand alliance (with the DPJ). 
 
"Whether we will join hands depends on whom we will choose as a 
partner. Under the current divided Diet, it is difficult to enact 
bills into law no matter what they are. I wonder if other countries 
can trust such a Japan?" On Feb. 24, Fukuda made these remarks in 
Seoul, which he was visiting, apparently to try again to woo Ozawa 
with the idea of establishing a grand alliance. 
 
Fukuda's believes the only way to resolve the current lopsided Diet 
is to form a grand alliance. His idea has the backing of former 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano and former ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa. Yosano is 
on friendly terms with Tsuneo Watanabe, the chair of the Yomiuri 
Shimbun group who acted as a go-between last fall to set the stage 
for Fukuda and Ozawa to hold talks to discuss the idea of a grand 
coalition. Meanwhile, Nakagawa has won the favor of former Prime 
Minister Yoshiro Mori, who likewise acted as a go-between for such 
talks. 
 
Fukuda meets with Yosano and Nakagawa every time he faces an 
important political situation. This is evidence that Fukuda is 
looking for an opportunity to challenge again the idea of forming a 
grand coalition. 
 
Yosano and Nakagawa, who are seen as Fukuda's confidants for 
realizing a grand coalition, are on cat-and-dog terms. In fact, when 
Yosano, who favors hiking the consumption tax, declared, "We need to 
dramatically hike the consumption tax," Nakagawa, who attaches 
importance to economic growth, was quick to counter Yosano's idea, 
arguing, "Only a handful of people are in favor of raising taxes." 
 
In January, rumors flew around over the question of extending the 
term of the current provisional tax rate for gasoline. The situation 
at the time was so tense about a feud between Fukuda and Ozawa. 
Around then, Yosano dropped in at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei) and told Fukuda: "Insisting on retaining the 
current provisional tax rate could lead to abandoning the dialogue 
line with the DPJ. If you make concessions even slightly, there will 
emerge a slight opportunity to form a grand alliance." 
 
When Fukuda was dealing with the drug-caused hepatitis problem last 
year, Yosano handed Fukuda a suggestion containing plans that were 
close to what the defendants and the DPJ were calling for. Based on 
 
TOKYO 00000559  005 OF 016 
 
 
Yosano's suggestion, the government drafted a bill. 
 
Weeks later, however, Fukuda, seeing stock prices dive and his 
approval ratings plummet+, shifted emphasis to reforms. 
 
In February, House of Representatives member Tatsuya Ito, who is 
close to Nakagawa, was appointed for the post of prime ministerial 
advisor in charge of social welfare. This appointment was analyzed 
by political watchers in Nagata-cho that Fukuda shifted emphasis to 
economic growth. 
 
Sometime in February, when Ito visited Yosano to exchange greetings 
on the occasion of assuming the post of prime ministerial advisor, 
Yosano told Ito: "Don't be a member of the neoclassical economists 
group." What was referred to the neoclassical group by Yosano means 
those LDP members, including Nakagawa, who places emphasis on 
economic growth. 
 
Yosano recently joined a study group led by Hiroyuki Sonoda, deputy 
chair of the LDP Policy Research Council. The group is called "Group 
to Consider and Implement What Is Correct." What is correct for 
Yosano at present is, needless to say, raising taxes. Yosano has no 
interest in a government that is unwilling to raise taxes. 
 
Yosano said. "The Okada-led DPJ was brave enough to emphasize the 
need to raise the consumption tax 2-3 PERCENT , but Mr. Ozawa threw 
away the idea of raising taxes. It is impossible for one party to 
handle fiscal reconstruction singly. In this sense, forming a grand 
alliance is not an unlikely idea." He has begun considering using 
the notion of raising the consumption tax as a tool to attract the 
anti-Ozawa group in the DPJ. But recently Yosano said on a radio 
program: "I have no intention of acting as a liaison between Fukuda 
and Ozawa." 
 
"Work that only politicians can handle is piling up." This remark 
came from Nakagawa when he faced Fukuda at the prime minister's 
office on the morning of Feb. 28. Nakagawa advised Fukuda to 
strategically address, from a politician's viewpoint instead of the 
bureaucracy's perspective, problems facing the administration, such 
as selection of a successor to the Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor, 
reform of the Civil Service System, and the collision of an Aegis 
destroyer and a fishing boat. 
 
Nakagawa is of the opinion that only three approaches can resolve 
the currently divided Diet: forming a grand alliance; holding policy 
consultations, and realigning political parties. Such thinking is 
also held by Yosano. 
 
But the idea of hiking the consumption tax is not a tool that 
Nakagawa wants to use to woo some of the DPJ to the LDP side. 
Instead, he plans to woo them with the concept of reforming the 
bureaucracy at Kasumigaseki. "Even though we are calling for raising 
taxes, no bills for that end will ever be approved without the 
endorsement of the DPJ," said Nakagawa. He approached Fukuda, acting 
as if he was willing take the place of Yosano, in whom the 
bureaucracy has faith. 
 
At a meeting of the LDP National Strategy Headquarters, Nakagawa 
said, "We will draft a bill and discuss it in the party." He also 
indicated his determination to ready a lawmaker-initiated bill if 
the government-sponsored basic bill intended to reform the civil 
service system should be watered down. In this, he bared his 
 
TOKYO 00000559  006 OF 016 
 
 
confrontational stance toward the bureaucracy. Nakagawa advised 
Fukuda to take a second look at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure 
and Transport-initiated foreign capital restrictions on airports. 
His advice was accepted (and the restrictions removed from the 
bill). 
 
Nakagawa's position is close to some members of the DPJ with an 
anti-bureaucracy bent. At the end of last year, Nakagawa, along with 
former DPJ President Seiji Maehara, called on Fukuda and emphasized 
the study results of the Maritime Basic Law that bureaucrats had 
removed. 
 
Over the selection of a successor to the BOJ governor, too, Nakagawa 
gives consideration to the DPJ, noting, "I don't think the prime 
minister will push the appointment of someone opposed by the DPJ." 
 
Nakagawa openly displays his rivalry with Yosano. 
 
An LDP lawmaker close to Fukuda said, "The prime minister, in terms 
of his policy approach, lies between Yosano, who prioritizes fiscal 
reconstruction, and Nakagawa, who focuses on economic growth." The 
Diet member analyzed that Fukuda, somehow keeps a balance in the 
party by playing off the two veteran lawmakers, who are as 
incompatible as oil and water, against each other. 
 
But seen from another angle, because of such internal circumstances, 
Fukuda remains unable to come up with his own strong policy imprint. 
Reform of the civil service system and the issue of raising the 
consumption tax are both important policy subjects which neither 
Yosano nor Nakagawa can give way on. Fukuda has yet to make clear 
his position toward those two issues. 
 
Should Fukuda fail to keep the two in balance, the one who is 
defeated could become a leading player in rallying anti-Fukuda and 
anti-Ozawa forces. 
 
(3) Interview with LDP Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters 
Chairman Koki Chuma; Cabinet personnel affairs agency necessary 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
February 29, 2008 
 
A fierce tug-of-war is going on in the government and ruling 
coalition over reform of the civil servant system. The newspaper 
interviewed LDP Administration Reform Promotion Headquarters 
Chairman Koki Chuma, who is in a position to unite the party on the 
subject. 
 
-- The government's council on comprehensive reform of the civil 
servant system has produced a report calling for the establishment 
of a cabinet personnel affairs agency to exclusively handle 
personnel affairs related to public servants, as well as for 
restricting contacts between lawmakers and bureaucrats. What is your 
view of it? 
 
"The proposals are based to some extent on what has been discussed 
for years by the Administration Reform Promotion Headquarters. I can 
give pretty high marks to it." 
 
-- The cabinet personnel affairs agency vision has drawn criticism 
saying that it would infringe on the cabinet ministers' authority 
over personnel affairs. 
 
TOKYO 00000559  007 OF 016 
 
 
 
"In order for the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) to take the 
initiative, authority over personnel affairs must be placed under 
the cabinet. To do so, something like a cabinet personnel affairs 
agency is necessary." 
 
-- If contacts between bureaucrats and lawmakers are restricted, 
government officials might become even more reluctant to present 
information. 
 
"'Restrictions' is not the right word. Information must be exchanged 
under a set of rules. It means bureaucrats must contact lawmakers 
after obtaining approval from their respective cabinet ministers. It 
is designed to prevent government officials from carrying out 
spadework behind the back of cabinet ministers in a direction 
different from that of the cabinet. It would also be able to prevent 
lawmakers from calling in division directors just to force their 
views on them." 
 
-- The report also calls for the abolition of the fast-track career 
system. 
 
"This area must be worked out further. We must think of 
qualifications and a screening system that can truly determine 
individuals who are fit to bear responsibilities for the country. 
Civil servants' jobs cannot always be judged by figures, and that 
worries some LDP members." 
 
-- The propriety of granting basic labor rights, including the right 
to strike, to civil servants is also being discussed. 
 
"The party has yet to make its decision, but I personally think such 
rights should be granted to them. The merit system should naturally 
come with basic rights under certain conditions. 
 
-- Receiving the report, the government is planning to present to 
the current Diet session a bill amending the National Civil Service 
Law. Some in the LDP and government offices seem to be eager to make 
it toothless. There are cautious views in the Administrative Reform 
Promotion Headquarters as well. 
 
"There is no need to give heed to resistance by some government 
officials. An overwhelming majority of the executives supported the 
plan at an Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters meeting. 
There won't be a major setback." 
 
(4) Defense Ministry reviewing communication system to enable speedy 
reports to Prime Minister's Office on emergencies 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 2, 2008 
 
The Defense Ministry has outlined revisions of its communication 
system for emergencies, reflecting on its delayed report to the 
defense minister of the recent collision between the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force destroyer Atago and a fishing boat. 
 
Under the new system, officers will be obligated to also make 
reports on emergencies to the Prime Minister's Office and local 
governments concerned. Further, the ministry will exemplify 
emergency cases and present specific actions to be taken. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000559  008 OF 016 
 
 
Under the current system, emergencies are classified into three 
groups - normal, serious, and minor cases - and specific actions are 
shown for each group. However, observers have pointed out that 
confusion could occur because there are an increasing number of 
cases in which a subjective judgment on which type the incident is 
categorized is required on the scene. In the Atago collision 
incident, the incident should have been labeled as a serious case, 
and the Maritime Staff Office should have directly informed the 
defense minister of the accident. But the information was conveyed 
to the defense minister via the ministry's internal bureau. 
 
The ministry intends to abolish this classification system and 
instead present more specific examples of emergencies, such as an 
accident resulting in damage to property and a death accident, so 
that information will be automatically relayed. 
 
Under the new system, ministry officers will be mandated to relay 
information to the defense ministry "immediately" after an accident, 
instead of "within one hour" as specified in the current system. 
This change is based on this view of Defense Minister Ishiba: "I do 
not think it is permissible even if a report is made within an 
hour." 
 
Currently, the ministry is required to report to the Prime 
Minister's Office on emergencies "when necessary." Under the new 
system, the ministry will be required to inform the cabinet's 
information-collection center and cabinet secretaries of 
emergencies. The ministry will also be asked to relay information to 
local governments involved. 
 
The ministry's current communication system for emergencies was 
issued by the vice defense minister. Following the Atago incident, 
the system was promptly reviewed to obligate ground, maritime, and 
air staff officers to make reports directly to the defense minister. 
 
 
(5) Extremely regrettable: Koumura 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Abridged) 
March 1, 2008 
 
TOKYO-Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura stated before the House of 
Representatives Budget Committee during its meeting on Feb. 29 that 
it is "extremely regrettable" that Japanese employees working at a 
U.S. military base left the base while carrying guns at a U.S. 
military commanding officer's order. Koumura clarified that he had 
requested the U.S. government to enforce discipline in a 
thoroughgoing way. Koumura referred to the matter for the first 
time. He was replying to a question asked by Mikio Shimoji, an 
independent member of the House of Representatives. 
 
The Foreign Ministry's Status of U.S. Forces Agreement Division, 
according to its account, inquired of the U.S. Embassy in Japan on 
Feb. 26 about the factual circumstances. At the same time, the 
division made a request to the U.S. Embassy, saying: "If that is 
true, it's regrettable. They are prohibited from carrying any guns 
off base, so we want to make sure of this matter." 
 
In response, the U.S. Embassy explained on Feb. 28: "It seems that 
there was an order differing from what they should do, so the order 
has been withdrawn. The order was retracted 27 hours after it was 
issued." The division repeatedly requested the U.S. Embassy to 
 
TOKYO 00000559  009 OF 016 
 
 
enforce official discipline in an appropriate way. 
 
(6) Impermissible: Okinawa Defense Bureau chief 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Abridged) 
March 1, 2008 
 
An Okinawa-based U.S. Marine Corps provost marshal recently ordered 
Japanese security guards to carry guns with them off base. In this 
regard, the Defense Ministry's Okinawa Defense Bureau Director 
General Ro Manabe has indicated that there is a problem under the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). "That is 
impermissible," Manabe told a regular press conference on Feb. 29. 
 
"We think it is an act that is already questionable in connection 
with the SOFA's provisions," Manabe noted in the press conference. 
"In our understanding, it is impermissible to have local security 
guards carry guns with them off base," Manabe added. With this, he 
indicated that the Defense Ministry, if and when the provost 
marshal's order is confirmed, would call on the U.S. military to 
retract the order. 
 
(7) USFJ bans carrying firearms off base: U.S. consulate 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
March 1, 2008 
 
On the issue of an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine Corps provost marshal 
having had Japanese base workers carry guns with them off base, the 
U.S. Consulate General in Okinawa released a statement in written 
form on Feb. 29, saying U.S. Forces Japan basically prohibits 
Japanese security guards from carrying firearms with them off base. 
This is the first time that the United States has officially 
admitted to the problem. At the same time, the statement also 
stressed that the order has already been retracted. 
 
(8) U.S. Consulate General releases statement saying carrying 
firearms outside bases is prohibited in principle 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO 
March 1, 2008 
 
Japanese security guards working for the U.S. Marines military 
police in Okinawa have been moving about in civilian areas outside 
U.S. bases while carrying loaded firearms. Regarding these 
incidents, the U.S. Consulate General in Naha released a statement 
on Feb. 29 that went: "The U.S. Forces Japan basically prohibits 
Japanese guards from carrying firearms outside U.S. bases. The 
February 11 instruction (to travel between civilian areas while 
carrying firearms) was withdrawn within 27 hours." The statement, 
however, stopped short of mentioning in what way (the Japanese 
guards) actually carried the firearms in civilian areas. 
 
Okinawa Defense Bureau Director-General Ro Manabe said in a regular 
press conference on February 29: "In the past, there has never been 
any overture to allow (Japanese guards to carry firearms outside 
U.S. bases). We regard it as an act that could be a problem in terms 
of Status of Forces Agreement. We asked that the order be withdrawn. 
The act of (Japanese) guards carry firearms in performing their 
duties outside the U.S. bases should never happen." 
 
"As a step to respond to concerns over the February 11 instruction 
 
TOKYO 00000559  010 OF 016 
 
 
to Japanese guards in Okinawa to carry firearms when moving between 
U.S. bases, U.S. Forces Japan and their members are reviewing the 
implementation of the basic policy (banning carrying firearms 
outside the bases)," the U.S. Consulate General in Naha said in its 
statement. The statement does not touch on specifics, however. 
 
(9) Consul General Maher waited in coffee shop while citizens 
protested 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Full) 
March 1, 2008 
 
On February 28, the Okinawa Times morning edition reported in its 
social section: "U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher, who 
refused to see (a civic group representative), citing his tight 
schedule, enjoyed a long coffee break near the Consulate General." 
On February 29, Maher gave his own explanation of the situation, 
saying it had not been reported correctly. 
 
Maher explained that when he tried to return to the Consulate 
General after a meeting with a guest at a restaurant near the 
Consulate General, he found the entrance to the Consulate General 
blocked by citizens groups, so he "waited at the coffee shop to 
avoid a clash." It was for security reasons and, according to Maher, 
he "did not enjoy the coffee break." 
 
(10) Japan strengthening ties with Israel to deal with the North 
Korean nuclear issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 3, 2008 
 
Japan has begun strengthening relations with Israel. The two 
countries are geographically far away from each other, and neither 
country is rich in natural resources. A point of common interest 
between the two countries is the North Korean issue. Israel wants to 
prevent the proliferation of nuclear arms by North Korea to Israel's 
enemies next door, while Japan wants to tap into Israel's powerful 
intelligence-gathering system. 
 
"North Korea is a country far away from Israel, but we are concerned 
about nuclear proliferation. We want to share information." Prime 
Minister Olmert of Israel thus said to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda 
at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) on the night of 
Feb. 27 in referring to the North Korean issue. He indicated his 
enthusiasm toward working together with Japan. 
 
According to an official involved, the meeting lasted for some 70 
minutes, of which 20 minutes were devoted to a one-on-one dialogue 
between Fukuda and Olmert, joined only by interpreters. Apparently, 
they exchanged views on classified intelligence, such as the 
suspicions that North Korea was providing military technology to 
Syria and Iran. 
 
Olmert is the first Israeli prime minister to visit Japan in 11 
years. The two prime ministers issued a joint statement, the first 
between the two countries, which emphasized the importance of 
cooperation. Japan recognized Israel as a state in 1952, but it had 
cautiously kept a certain distance from Israel partly because of its 
dependence on Middle Eastern countries for oil. But Fukuda has now 
moved relations with Israel forward. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000559  011 OF 016 
 
 
Why are the two countries now moving toward a cooperative 
relationship? The reason lies in the North Korea problem. The North 
has delayed declaring its nuclear programs (as promised to the 
U.S.), an action required in the second-phase approach, but 
suspicions also have emerged that the DPRK might have cooperated 
with Syria in the area of nuclear development. Syria is one of 
Israel's neighboring enemies. If the suspicions are true, Israel 
would be vitally threatened. 
 
There was also a rumor that North Korea cooperated with Iran in the 
military area. Israel's desire thus is to prevent North Korea from 
proliferating nuclear and other weapons to the Middle East by 
joining hands with Japan. 
 
For Japan, cooperation with Israel on sharing intelligence, for 
instance, is alluring, given that Japan is rapidly expanding its own 
intelligence-gathering and security systems by establishing the post 
of intelligence analyst in the Cabinet Office next fiscal year. 
Israel has the Mossad, which is seen as one of the leading 
intelligence agencies in the world. A Japanese official in charge of 
security affairs had this wish: "Through exchanges with Israel, we 
would like to improve our country's intelligence-gathering 
capabilities, as well as enhance measures to counter terrorism." 
 
However, if Japan gives the impression that it is tilting toward 
Israel, Arab countries could react negatively. Perhaps for this 
reason, the joint statement between Japan and Israel was apparently 
intentionally focused on bilateral ties and referred to an early 
realization of the Corridor for Peace and Prosperity, a scheme 
introduced by Japan to help the Palestinians, based on consideration 
for the Arab states. 
 
How will Japan secure its national interests in cooperation with 
both Israel and Arab countries? Japan is going to be tested for its 
delicate diplomatic sense shortly. 
 
(11) Editorial: Changing relations between Israel and Japan 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 3, 2008 
 
It has been 60 years since Israel declared its independence in 1948. 
At a time when his country celebrates this 60th anniversary, Israeli 
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited Japan. The Israeli leader 
exchanged views with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Middle East 
peace. Olmert emphasized the need to prevent nuclear development and 
proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction by Iran, Syria, and 
North Korea. During his Japan visit, Olmert concentrated his efforts 
on diplomatic issues, as well as on the improvement of economic ties 
with Japan. 
 
Israel has now been rapidly changing to an industrial country. It is 
crucial for Japan to be aware of that change in order to understand 
the Middle East situation. It is also important for Japan's foreign 
policy toward the Middle East. 
 
Israel's gross national product (GDP) per capita seems to have 
exceeded 22,000 dollars in 2007 -- 2.5 times the level of 20 years 
ago. Reasons for the increase in per-capita GDP are that foreign 
investment in Israel has increased, and that the country's tech 
sector, including information and telecommunications, and bio-tech 
have flowered since the 1993 peace agreement with the Palestinian 
 
TOKYO 00000559  012 OF 016 
 
 
Liberation Organization (PLO). Another reason for the economic 
growth is that Israel was able to secure a high-quality workforce by 
accepting 1.15 million immigrants from Russia and other countries 
between 1990 and 2005. 
 
At the Japan National Press Club, Olmert said his country aims to 
become a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
Development (OECD) within 18 months. At the same time, the economy 
of the Palestinian autonomous region has deteriorated, and 
unemployment in the region has become increasingly serious. Due to 
this gap, a cycle of attacks between terrorists and the Israeli 
military have continued, resulting in the unstable political 
situation in the Middle East region. In order also to bring about 
lasting peace to the region, it is necessary to promote economic 
development in the Palestinian territories. In this regard, Olmert 
expressed anew high expectations for the role of Japan, which is a 
major donor of aid to the Palestinians. 
 
Although Arab nations' antagonism toward Israel remains deep-rooted, 
their boycott against foreign companies operating in Israel has lost 
momentum. The Arab countries have now given top priority to 
expanding foreign investment in their countries, as well as to 
improving communications infrastructure. Arab nations are in an age 
of relying on such major companies as Intel and Microsoft, which 
have invested in Israel and have production bases in it. 
 
China has promoted technical cooperation with Israel, which has been 
called the 51st state of the United States. Amid environmental 
changes caused by economic globalization, there is enough room for 
Japan to promote fresh cooperation with Israel. 
 
(12) Interview with Kazuhiro Suzuki on significance of deployment of 
the U.S. nuclear powered aircraft carrier George Washington 
 
CHUO KORON, 
March 2008 (Abridged slightly) 
 
The USS George Washington will be deployed at Yokosuka in August 
¶2008. It will be the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier deployed 
in Japan. How will the safety of the aircraft carrier be ensured? 
Based on Japan's security policy and peace and security in East 
Asia, the magazine interviewed Japan-U.S. Security Treaty Division 
Director Kazuhiro Suzuki of the Foreign Ministry North American 
Affairs Bureau. 
 
Maintenance of peace and security in East Asia 
 
First, tell us about the recent challenges facing the Japan-U.S. 
security setup. 
 
Suzuki: The Japan-U.S. security setup has long been functioning as 
the cornerstone for maintaining the peace and security of Japan and 
its environs and protecting the lives and property of the Japanese 
people. At the same time, as is shown by missile launches and a 
nuclear test by North Korea, there still remain unstable and 
uncertain factors in East Asia. Given the situation, it is essential 
to make greater efforts to enhance the deterrence and trust of the 
Japan-U.S. security setup. To do so, the governments of Japan and 
the United States have launched a variety of efforts. 
 
For instance, the two countries have been pushing ahead with defense 
cooperation to deal with the threat of ballistic missiles. The two 
 
TOKYO 00000559  013 OF 016 
 
 
countries succeeded in jointly intercepting a mock ballistic missile 
at sea near Hawaii in December 2007. The realignment of U.S. forces 
in Japan is designed to resolve two difficult problems: maintaining 
the deterrence and alleviating local burdens. Several projects are 
underway to implement the Japan-U.S. agreement reached in May 2006. 
In replacing the Kitty Hawk with the nuclear-powered George 
Washington this summer, close cooperation between Japan and the 
United States and a sense of trust and cooperative relations with 
local people are all essential. 
 
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of conducting long-term 
operations 
 
What is the significance of replacing the Kitty Hawk with the 
nuclear-powered carrier? 
 
Suzuki: The U.S. Navy has 11 aircraft carriers and of which 10 are 
nuclear-powered. All of them will be nuclear-powered in the future. 
 
Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are capable of conducting 
long-term operations because their fuel does not have to be 
exchanged for about 25 years and also because they can reach maximum 
power in several minutes. Armed with the highly capable 
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet is 
expected to continue contributing significantly to the peace and 
security of Japan and the region. 
 
It is also expected to benefit the local economy as well. The U.S. 
Navy estimates that the continued deployment of an aircraft carrier 
in Japan will generate economic benefits worth 7.6 billion yen to 
8.7 billion yen annually, utility costs, supplies, and capital 
investment combined. 
 
Safety proven by objective facts 
 
What about the safety of nuclear-powered flattops? 
 
Suzuki: It is my rule to point out objective facts in response to 
such a question. Facts in the past eloquently tell the safety of 
U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Since the 1960s, U.S. 
aircraft carriers have made over 1,300 port calls in Japan, yet they 
have caused no nuclear accident. Further, every time an aircraft 
carrier enters a Japanese port, both Japan and the United States 
monitor the environment. Any abnormal levels of radioactive 
contamination harmful to human health have not been detected. 
 
To begin with, a nuclear-powered carrier has always about 5,000 
people aboard, so maximum consideration is given to safety. Nuclear 
reactors in a carrier are surrounded by four sturdy walls, and the 
crew, including the captain, is strictly selected through vigorous 
training and tests. Furthermore, while in ports, the nuclear 
reactors are usually out of operation and a carrier is not repaired 
or its fuel is exchanged while in Japan. This is clearly specified 
in the U.S. government's fact sheet presented to Japan. 
 
Ensuring safety in cooperation with the U.S. and local residents 
 
Should an accident occur, is the government fully prepared and it is 
ready to work closely with local governments? 
 
Suzuki: The government thinks it is important to replace (the Kitty 
Hawk) with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier by securing safety 
 
TOKYO 00000559  014 OF 016 
 
 
and making people feel at ease, while obtaining understanding and 
cooperation from local residents. From this viewpoint, Japanese and 
U.S. government agencies and organizations concerned, including the 
city of Yokosuka, have repeatedly discussed since September 2006 
safety measures regarding the nuclear aircraft carrier. 
 
The talks have produced some concrete results. For instance, the 
U.S. Navy and the city of Yokosuka have signed a mutual assistance 
agreement specifying cooperation between the two bodies in times of 
disasters. In November 2007, based on a scenario in which a minute 
amount of radiation leaked, Japan and the United States conducted a 
joint drill covering an initial report and the public announcement 
of information with the participation for the first time of the U.S. 
Navy. There are also plans to train Japanese base workers on 
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Such efforts are intended to 
forge relations of trust and cooperation at the local level 
supporting the foundation for the stable presence of U.S. forces in 
Japan. 
 
For the sake of the safety and giving peace of mind to the people, 
the government will continue addressing issues in close cooperation 
with the United States and local governments in order to be prepared 
against every situation. 
 
(13) Century of private-sector exchange between Japan, U.S.; 
Dispatch of intellectuals softens friction; Pop culture is driving 
force for exchange between new generations; Drop in number of young 
people studying in U.S.; Concern about inward-looking stance 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
March 3, 2008 
 
Links between people of Japan and the U.S. in various fields, such 
as culture, the arts and sciences, and the economy, have sustained 
bilateral relations, which have been rocked fiercely due to various 
setbacks, including the two world wars and economic disputes.  The 
Japan Society, the largest Japan-U.S. exchange organization, will 
hold a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of its founding 
in Tokyo on March 4. On this occasion, Asahi Shimbun explored the 
meaning of and challenges facing private-sector exchanges between 
the two countries. 
 
A documentary film titled "John and Shige" is now being shot in the 
U.S. The film depicts how human exchanges have sustained bilateral 
relations, based on the 50 years of association between John D. 
Rockefeller 3rd (1906-1978), who served as executive  director at 
the Japan Society for 18 years, and Shigeharu Matsumoto (1899-1989), 
the founder of the International House of Japan (Minato Ward, 
Tokyo). 
 
Hiroharu Hayasaki (33), a filmmaker active in the U.S. noted, "The 
Bush administration is legitimizing its Iraq policy, citing the U.S. 
occupation of Japan as a successful case. However, the reason for 
the U.S. success in the postwar governance of Japan is that private 
citizens played a major role in confidence-building between the 
victor nation and the defeated country. 
 
John D. Rockefeller 3rd was born in an era when Japan began 
attracting a lot of attention as a modern state in the East. He met 
Matsumoto at an international conference held in Kyoto in 1929. 
Matsumoto at the time was harboring a desire to become an 
international journalist. 
 
TOKYO 00000559  015 OF 016 
 
 
 
Matsumoto was reunited with Rockefeller in 1951, when he came to 
Japan with the John Foster Dulles Mission. Rockefeller talked to 
Matsumoto, impelled by the idea that a bridge would be needed for 
private-sector exchanges between the two countries. The 
International House of Japan was then founded, assisted by the 
Rockefeller Foundation. Rockefeller 3rd took office as executive 
director of the Japan Society, though his efforts to promote 
bilateral exchange were temporarily interrupted by the war. 
Rockefeller 3rd became the best friend of Matsumoto. They did their 
utmost to promote the Japan-U.S. intellectual exchange program for 
reciprocal exchanges of academics and scholars. 
 
At first, part of the meaning of the U.S. setting up such a program 
was to implant democracy in Japan, the bastion of anti-communism, 
following the Korean War, according to an aide to the Rockefeller 
family. However, the program was eventually joined by a wide range 
of human resources, including Fusae Ichikawa, Eleanor Roosevelt, the 
wife of a former U.S. president and social activist, and writer 
Shusaku Endo. Michael Ausline, fellow at the American Enterprise 
Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI), said, "Human exchanges 
like that have played a role of softening political and economic 
friction between Japan and the U.S." 
 
Senator Jay Rockefeller, the eldest son of Rockefeller 3rd, 
emphatically said, "When Japan-U.S. friction was fierce, about 20 
Japanese companies established operations in my constituency West 
Virginia. That is because local citizens actually visited Japan and 
gained a deep confidence in those companies after seeing their 
actual production sites." 
 
Interest in Japanese culture ranging from foods to robots has 
dramatically deepened over the past decade. The driving force was 
pop culture represented by animated movies and comics. "Cosplay" 
(dressing up in outlandish garb) events were held in various parts 
of the U.S. The sales of DVDs of animated movies and comics reached 
60 billion yen a year. 
 
Douglas McGray (32), who visited Japan on the Japan Society's 
private-sector exchange program, released an essay in a foreign 
relations magazine in 2002, in which he referred to this trend as 
"cool." He introduced Japan as a country that is dominating the 
world with "soft power" amid the recession. 
 
In a survey Professor Napia of Tufts University conducted on fans of 
Japan's animated movies in the U.S., 65 PERCENT -75 PERCENT  of 
respondents noted that their interest in Japan deepened due to 
animated movies. Napia said, "This is not just a boom. It is 
connected with the trend of rediscovering Japan." 
 
However, according to a survey by the Japan Foundation, the number 
of those studying Japanese at U.S. schools fell about 16 PERCENT 
during the 2003-2006 period. A person in charge at the foundation 
said, "The objective of learning Japanese for most of those who 
learn Japanese was just to follow comics and animated movies. Their 
interest in Japan will not expand." The number of researchers on 
Japan also dropped significantly from 1995 through 2005. 
 
Japanese people's interest in the U.S. is also declining. According 
to the U.S. Institute of International Education, Japanese who study 
in the U.S. has dropped from the peak level of fiscal 1997. 
Japan-U.S. Educational Commission Executive Director Satterwhite 
 
TOKYO 00000559  016 OF 016 
 
 
pointed out, "One reason is that Japan's birthrate is declining. 
Young people in Japan are losing interest in foreign countries. They 
are increasingly taking an inward-looking stance." 
 
However, some take an optimistic view. Alexandra Monroe, who held an 
exhibition of Takashi Murakami, a champion of pop culture, in 2005 
said, "Americans are fascinated by the complexity and abstract 
nature of Japanese culture. Interest in Japanese culture will spread 
in the future." 
 
SCHIEFFER