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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001048 
 
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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 02/28/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Defense and security issues: 
4)   US Embassy official denies revision of Futenma relocation 
  plan 
5)   Asahi poll of Iwakuni City residents shows 71% against 
transfer of carrier-borne jets from Atsugi, while 60% call 
Iwakuni base a "nuisance" 
6)   Keen Edge: US, Japanese forces conduct desk-top war game 
positing North Korea, China as "hypothetical enemies" 
7)   USFJ realignment talks stall over cost to Japanese 
government of relocating 
8)   Foreign Ministry will not reopen historical investigation of 
charges of "secret pact" between US, Japan on Okinawa reversion 
 
Foreign Minister Aso in action: 
9)   Aso stiffed by Iran's foreign minister on nuclear issue: 
  "Inconceivable" that program will be halted 
10)  In apparent change of consideration, Foreign Minister Aso 
toning down rhetoric toward China 
 
11)  Prime Minister Koizumi approves target of doubling direct 
  inward investment in Japan by end of 2011 to equivalent of 5% of 
  GDP 
 
Livedoor e-mail fiasco: 
12)  Minshuto lawmaker Nagata to apologize today for fake e-mail 
  charging LDP Takebe's son with taking bribe from Livedoor's 
  Horie; Party may punish Nagata 
13)  Koizumi on Nagata's e-mail caper: "The boss (Maehara) 
usually commits ritual suicide"; Yokomichi, deputy LH speaker: 
"Maehara is still a school kid" 
14)  Why was Nagata so gullible to believe a phony e-mail? 
15)  LDP Secretary General Takebe threatens to sue for defamation 
of character 
16)  LDP plans to take hard-line stand toward Minshuto over e- 
mail fiasco 
17)  E-mail showdown not the first such row between the ruling 
and opposition camps in the Diet 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Home appliance makers to hire more new graduates in fiscal 2007; 
120% increase for Toshiba and 37% for Sharp 
 
Mainichi: 
Toshiba, Orix cancel joint Yamaguchi coal power plant plan due to 
global warming and Environment Ministry's opposition 
 
Yomiuri: 
Structural calculation sheets for 50 buildings lost or missing; 
Requests for calculation sheets growing following building code 
violation scandal 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
 
TOKYO 00001048  002 OF 012 
 
 
LDP Tax Commission to reexamine corporate depreciation system to 
allow capital investment to be recorded as losses 
 
Sankei: 
Japan-US Keen Edge command-post drill regards North Korea and 
China as hypothetical enemies; Improved liaison and coordination 
eyed for integrated operations 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Minshuto to avert Nagata's resignation over e-mail fiasco; 
Hatoyama responsible for party's measures considering punishing 
some party executives 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  Iraq crisis: Civil war may break out 
(2)  Iwakuni municipal plebiscite: State policy not a taboo 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Total defeat in the Winter Olympics: Athletic rejuvenation 
essential 
(2)  Pre-implantation diagnosis not a dream 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Stiffer penalties will not end bid rigging 
(2)  LDP think-tank insufficient to put end to bureaucracy-led 
politics 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Expectations and concern regarding President Bush's planned 
visits to India, Pakistan 
(2)  Price high for neglect of people by Arroyo administration 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Torino Winter Olympics end: More reform necessary for the 
next Olympics 
(2)  Iran's nuclear program: Suspicions must be dispelled 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  No room for optimism in determining earthquake-resistance 
levels and improving buildings 
(2)  Kyoto Protocol targets must be met 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 27 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
10:57 
Met at Kantei with Science and Technology Minister Matsuda, 
lawmaker Hiroyuki Abe, member of Council for Science and 
Technology Policy, and Cabinet Office Vice Minister Erikawa. 
 
15:00 
Met with Haruo Shimada, special advisor to the Cabinet Office, 
and METI Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau chief Ishida. . 
 
16:00 
Met at LDP headquarters with Tax Research Commission Chairman 
 
TOKYO 00001048  003 OF 012 
 
 
Yanagisawa, sub-commission chairman Ibuki, followed by Secretary 
General Takebe. 
 
16:33 
Attended LDP Election Strategy Headquarters meeting. Met with 
Takebe, General Council Chairman Kyuma, Policy Research Council 
Chairman Nakagawa and Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Hosoda. 
 
17:03 
Attended party board meeting. 
 
17:28 
Returned to his office. 
 
18:33 
Met at Lower House speaker's official residence with Speaker Kono 
and Vice Speaker Yokomichi, Takebe and Hosoda. 
 
19:55 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) US Embassy security unit chief denies revision of Futenma 
relocation plan 
 
TOKYO (Page 2) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
Kevin Maher, the security unit chief of the US Embassy in Japan 
gave a speech on Feb. 27 in Naha City in which he stressed that 
there is no current thinking in the US government about revising 
the basic plan to relocate MCAS Futenma to the coastal portion of 
Camp Schwab. He said, "It is not desirable to renegotiate a plan 
that was basically agreed to (by the US and Japan)." 
 
On the other hand, he recognized that there might be technical 
adjustments needed by Japan and the US even after the final 
report, stating: "Since it will take time to iron out the 
details, I think it would be possible that even after the final 
report is issued, it may take several months before we complete 
the concrete plan." 
 
Touching on the reversion of bases in the south central portion 
of the main island, talks on which are at the final stage, Maher 
said: "If we just carry out individual portions of the interim 
report, the whole thing falls apart." He stressed the US stance 
that implementation of the Futenma relocation was the overall 
premise. 
 
5) Poll prior to Iwakuni plebiscite on USFJ realignment finds 71% 
opposed to carrier-borne aircraft redeployment; 60% regard base 
as nuisance 
 
ASAHI (Page 38) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
The city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture will hold a 
referendum of its residents on March 12 to ask them whether they 
will accept the planned redeployment of US carrier-borne aircraft 
to Iwakuni base along with the realignment of US forces in Japan. 
The Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based public opinion 
survey of Iwakuni citizens on Feb. 25-26 to probe into their 
attitudes. In the survey, respondents were asked whether they 
 
TOKYO 00001048  004 OF 012 
 
 
would accept the redeployment of carrier-borne fighter jets to 
the base. In response to this question, 71% answered "no," with 
11% saying "yes." As seen from these figures, the greater part of 
respondents was negative about the redeployment. Asked whether 
they would go to the scheduled referendum, 67% answered "yes." In 
addition, 77% noted that the government should respect the 
outcome of the local referendum. 
 
The Japanese and US governments will release a final report on 
the US military realignment in late March at the earliest, and 
Iwakuni is the first among base-hosting municipalities in the 
nation to carry out a referendum on the realignment. Its results 
could affect the realignment talks between the two countries. All 
eyes are therefore on what judgment Iwakuni citizens will hand 
down. 
 
Among those opposed to the redeployment of carrier-borne aircraft 
to Iwakuni base, three-fourths picked "because it will increase 
the possibility of damage, such as noise pollutions and aircraft 
accidents." Among other reasons for negative answers were 
"because I have been against the base presence from the 
beginning," and, "because the government made the decision 
without listening to local views." In the survey, respondents 
were also asked whether they feel the base is a nuisance. In 
response to this question, "yes" answers-broken down to "very 
much" and "somewhat"-totaled 60%. 
 
The government is implementing pump-priming measures, such as 
infrastructure construction, in localities hosting US military 
facilities. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought 
Iwakuni base helps the local economy. In response, "very much" 
accounted for 8%, with "somewhat" at 44%. 
 
In the meantime, the Japanese and US governments agreed last fall 
on the joint military- civilian use of Iwakuni base. This is 
reportedly in return for the city's acceptance of carrier-borne 
jets. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought a 
civilian airport would be necessary. In response, negative 
answers accounted for 51%, with positive answers at 41% . 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted in the city of 
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Feb. 25-26 over the telephone 
on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. Respondents 
were chosen from among all eligible voters in the city on a three- 
stage random-sampling basis. Valid answers were obtained from 
1,020 persons (62%). 
 
6) North Korea, China regarded as hypothetical enemies in Japan- 
US CPX drill 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
February 28, 2006 
 
Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and US Forces Japan (USFJ) have 
been conducting a command post exercise (CPX), codenamed "Keen 
Edge," on a schedule from Feb. 23 through March 3. In this 
bilateral joint drill, North Korea and China are regarded as de 
facto hypothetical enemies, sources revealed yesterday. The 
Defense Agency and the SDF have both denied the "China threat" in 
their official views. The CPX drill, however, anticipates 
bilateral military operations aimed primarily at facilitating 
missile defense and maritime security operations. 
 
TOKYO 00001048  005 OF 012 
 
 
 
The ongoing "Keen Edge" exercise is mainly for the purpose of 
facilitating communications between the Ground, Maritime, and Air 
Self-Defense Forces (GSDF, MSDF, and ASDF) ahead of their 
integration in late March. In addition, the CPX drill is also 
intended for smooth liaising with USFJ. SDF and USFJ officers are 
conducting troop movements on the computer screen, as well as the 
flow of command orders and information. 
 
According to informed sources, Japan is a "blue nation" in a CPX 
scenario, with the United States being a "green nation". First, 
the CPX anticipates that the United States senses moves in a 
"purple nation" (North Korea) to fuel a ballistic missile. Japan 
and the United States, alerted by the moves, step up their 
lookout with US Naval Forces Japan (USNFJ), US Air Force Japan 
(USAFJ), and MSDF Aegis-equipped destroyers in the Sea of Japan. 
Tensions are growing high in a "brown nation" as well. The ASDF 
is then ordered to airlift Japanese nationals from South Korea. 
 
Furthermore, an "orange nation" (China) follows these moves on 
the Korean Peninsula, deploying its navy's submarines and other 
vessels teamed up with its air force's reconnaissance planes and 
other aircrafts. In the CPX drill, Japan and the United States 
anticipate a case where a seaborne group of foreign civilians, 
possibly Chinese nationals, makes an illegal landing on an 
uninhabited islet claimed by both Japan and China, with 
unidentified vessels coming around. The SDF is training for 
reporting the incident to the prime minister's office and 
liaising with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and the National Police 
Agency (NPA). 
 
At the next stage, the MSDF reports the moves of Chinese naval 
vessels and submarines staged around the disputed islet. This 
stage anticipates their intrusion into Japanese territorial 
waters. The MSDF then moves out into maritime security 
operations, with all its vessels and aircrafts nearby taking 
counteractions at once. 
 
The GSDF is also ready to swing its Western Army troops in order 
to cope with the invasion of the islet. The ASDF is also training 
to order F-15 squadrons based in mainland prefectures to stand by 
for operations at Naha base and Shimojishima Airport in the city 
of Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture. 
 
7) Japan, US to put off US force realignment talks 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
Japan and the US planned to hold deputy director-level talks on 
US force realignment in Japan in Tokyo on March 1-2, but they 
have now decided to postpone the talks, reflecting little 
progress made in negotiations on the planned transfer of bases in 
the southern part of Okinawa. The negotiations also cover Japan's 
share of the cost for relocating Marines to Guam. 
 
8) Government decides not to reopen investigation of charges of 
"secret deal" on Okinawa reversion 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00001048  006 OF 012 
 
 
In a press briefing yesterday, Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro 
Yachi indicated that the government would not reopen an 
investigation to find whether Japan and the US had actually 
reached a secret deal for Japan to bear the necessary cost for 
the return of Okinawa to Japan, as has been claimed by Bunroku 
Yoshino. Yoshino had been in charge of negotiations with the US 
on the reversion of Okinawa as chief of the Foreign Ministry's 
American Affairs Bureau. Yachi said: "In response to an inquiry 
by then Foreign Minister Yohei Kono (in 2000), the former chief 
replied that there had been no secret pact. What is the point of 
asking him another question?" 
 
9) Iranian foreign minister to Aso: Halting nuclear program is 
"inconceivable" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki, who arrived in Japan yesterday, 
met with Foreign Minister Taro Aso at the Iikura Guest House the 
same day. Aso conveyed to Mottaki the international community's 
strong concern about Iran's resumption of uranium-enrichment 
activities, calling for an early suspension of the activities. 
But Mottaki replied: "Halting our nuclear program is 
inconceivable." The meeting ended without any meeting of minds. 
 
The meeting lasted for 2 hours, though it had been arranged for 
only an hour. The two ministers spent one hour and 45 minutes 
discussing Iran's nuclear issue. 
 
Aso called for Iran to swiftly give up its nuclear ambitions and 
cooperate with inspections by the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA), saying: "Iran's refusal to give up nuclear 
activities will only lead to making it difficult to resolve the 
nuclear dispute. I hope Iran will make a wise, constructive 
response." 
 
In response, Mottaki said: "The peaceful use of atomic energy is 
Iran's right. We cannot accept nuclear apartheid." He reiterated 
Iran's determination to continue nuclear research and development 
activities within the nation. 
 
The two ministers also referred to an agreement reportedly 
"reached in principle" between Iran and Russia on establishing a 
joint uranium enrichment venture for uranium enrichment 
activities. On this issue, Mottaki just said: "We will continue 
negotiations." 
 
Iran is the third largest oil supplier to Japan in terms of 
volume, following Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Given 
this, imposing sanctions on Iran is undesirable for Japan, 
although it supports a plan to refer Iran to the United Nations 
Security Council. Mottaki is scheduled to meet with Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Economy, Trade and Industry 
Minister Toshihiro Nikai today. 
 
10) Foreign Minister Aso cools inflammatory remarks about China, 
perhaps out of consideration to that country 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00001048  007 OF 012 
 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso has recently been very carefully 
choosing his words when he talks about China. He appears to be 
making an effort to improve strained ties with that country ever 
since he was blasted for such his remarks as that it would be 
desirable for the Emperor to visit Yasukuni Shrine. 
 
Aso joined several senior Foreign Ministry officials on Feb. 26 
to view a move (with Ken Takakura) jointly produced by Japan and 
China. He praised the film, saying, "Maybe films and arts are 
taking the lead over politics." Asked on a TV program on Feb. 19 
about whether he would visit Yasukuni Shrine if he became prime 
minister, Aso responded to the question in a cautious manner, 
saying, "I will put national interests ahead of personal beliefs 
and interests." 
 
All the more because Aso is known for his provocative remarks, 
such as China's military strength being a "threat" to Japan, some 
observers see a big change in his recent words. They think that 
the reason is because Economy, Trade and Industry Minister 
Toshihiro Nikai met in Beijing with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao 
even though Aso himself has been unable to meet his Chinese 
counterpart since he assumed his post last November. 
 
Some see his change as a performance to play up that he is a 
politically balanced leader, with an eye on the upcoming Liberal 
Democratic Party presidential election in September. 
 
11) Prime Minister approves target of doubling inward foreign 
direct investment by end of 2011 to 5% share of GDP 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi yesterday met with Haruo 
Shimada, special advisor to the Cabinet Office, at the Prime 
Minister's Residential Office (Kantei) and approved a proposal to 
set a target for the rise in the outstanding balance of inward 
foreign direct investment, such as investment in Japanese 
companies and purchases of such. The target will be a doubling of 
the current 2006 level to a 5% share of gross domestic product 
(GDP) by the end of 2011. The government will hold a meeting of 
the Council on Inward Foreign Direct Investment (CIFDI), chaired 
by the prime minister, possibly next week and formally adopt the 
newly proposed target. The decision will be incorporated in the 
basic policy guidelines on economic and fiscal management and 
structural reforms for fiscal 2006, to be adopted at a cabinet 
meeting in June. 
 
The government has judged that it is now able to meet the current 
target of doubling inward foreign direct investment over five 
years that started in late 2001. The new target is aimed to 
double that amount as a share of GDP, which is to increase as the 
economy grows. The government will begin mapping out specific 
investment promotion measures, by setting up a taskforce under 
the CIFDI possibly the middle of next month. 
 
12) Minshuto to punish Nagata for e-mail fiasco; Nagata to make 
apology at press conference 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 28, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00001048  008 OF 012 
 
 
The main opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) 
decided yesterday to apply party rules to punish House of 
Representatives member Hisayasu Nagata, who had claimed by citing 
an e-mail that former Livedoor Co. President Takafumi Horie sent 
30 million yen to Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary 
General Tsutomu Takebe's son. Minshuto made the decision because 
it has learned through its investigation into the authenticity of 
the e-mail Nagata cited in the Diet that it is unlikely the e- 
mail was sent from Horie. 
 
The expectation is that the party will impose light punishment on 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Noda and other executive members 
for supervisory responsibility. President Seiji Maehara and 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama will hold separately press 
 
SIPDIS 
conferences this evening to offer their apologies. The two 
leaders will explain the party's decision. 
 
Prior to the other press conferences, Nagata is expected to hold 
his own one. Nagata had expressed his desire to resign his seat, 
but he has since told Hatoyama his intention to remain in the 
Diet. Hatoyama will convey the party's decision to Nagata today, 
hoping to put an end to the matter. Some Minshuto members, 
however, are concerned that the party's decision will not 
convince the public. They are demanding stricter punishment of 
Noda. 
 
Hatoyama talked yesterday by phone with Nagata, still 
hospitalized in a Tokyo, and he asked him to let him handle his 
political fate. Nagata responded, "I understand." Hatoyama then 
told reporters, "He should sincerely apologize for pursuing a 
private person, who is the LDP secretary general's son, based on 
inappropriate information." 
 
Hatoyama yesterday called at the offices of such veteran 
lawmakers as former party head Naoto Kan and former deputy head 
Ichiro Ozawa to explain the party's decision. 
 
13) Horie e-mail: "One way of DPJ taking responsibility is for 
party head to quit" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Slightly abridged) 
February 28, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Koizumi last evening dined with Lower House 
Speaker Kono, Vice Speaker Yokomichi and three top Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) at the Lower House Speaker's official 
residence. According to a participant, the prime minister, 
referring to the e-mail at issue, touched on a possible situation 
in which Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ = Minshuto) head Maehara 
and Diet Policy Committee Chairman Yoshihiko Noda may take 
responsibility, by saying, "There are ways of the head of the 
party stepping down or his subordinate quitting instead." 
Yokomichi, a former DPJ member who has temporarily left the party 
to serve as Lower House speaker, criticized the prime minister's 
remark, "Mr. Maehara is young." 
 
14) What made Nagata believe that partially blackened out money 
remittance e-mail was authentic? Minshuto's explanation vital 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
February 28, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00001048  009 OF 012 
 
 
The major opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) 
concluded yesterday that a copy of the e-mail produced at the 
Diet by its House of Representatives member Hisayasu Nagata was 
insufficient as evidence. The grounds for Nagata's allegation 
have thus collapsed. What made Nagata believe that the e-mail was 
conclusive evidence? Did he carefully examine it beforehand? 
Public distrust might grow stronger unless all these points are 
thoroughly explained in Nagata's press conference today and the 
party's interim report. 
 
Sender and recipient were one and same person 
 
When Nagata produced a copy of the e-mail in question in the Feb. 
16 Budget Committee session, its sender and recipient were 
blackened out with a marker. But Nagata categorically said in a 
subsequent press conference, "The e-mail was sent by (former 
Livedoor Co. President Takafumi) Horie and the recipient was a 
Livedoor employee." 
 
The party eventually obtained a copy of the same e-mail and found 
that the e-mail addresses of its sender and recipient were the 
same as that of the person who had provided the information to 
Nagata. This suggested that a copy of the e-mail Nagata has 
obtained was not authentic. 
 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Yoshihiko Noda revealed to the 
press last night that the e-mail's sender and recipient had been 
blackened out when Nagata obtained it from the person in 
question. 
 
Noda also indicated that when he told Nagata late last week that 
the e-mail's sender and recipient might be the same person, 
Nagata was flabbergasted. Noda emphatically said, "Those lines 
were not blackened out by Mr. Nagata." 
 
Nagata himself told the Feb. 16 press conference, "When I saw the 
e-mail, part of it was blackened out." Despite that, he insisted 
that former Livedoor President Horie had sent it. Nagata's basis 
for making such a judgment will be questioned today. 
 
15) LDP Secretary General Takebe to file suit claiming slander 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
February 28, 2006 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito yesterday 
held a meeting of the government-ruling coalition council, where 
the two ruling parties agreed to pursue not only the 
responsibility of House of Representatives member Hisayasu Nagata 
of Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), including his 
resignation as a Diet member, but also the Minshuto leadership's 
responsibility, including President Seiji Maehara. LDP Secretary 
General Tsutomu Takebe also declared he would file a suit 
alleging slander and seek compensation on behalf of himself and 
his son. 
 
In the council meeting, New Komeito Secretary General Tetsuzo 
Fuyushiba pointed out: "Minshuto President Maehara stated he was 
sure about (the suspicions). He has a heavy responsibility for 
that, aside from that of Mr. Nagata." Referring to Minshuto 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama's allegations that there were 
 
SIPDIS 
connections between the investment union used by Livedoor Co. and 
 
TOKYO 00001048  010 OF 012 
 
 
an LDP lawmaker, Fuyushiba indicated an intention to pursue him, 
saying: "He hasn't presented any grounds for the suspicions." 
 
Following Fuyushiba, Takebe also stated: "Minshuto members, 
including President Maehara and Secretary General Hatoyama, have 
repeated the suspicions in public as though they were fact 
without showing any grounds. Depending on what happens in the 
press conferences tomorrow, I would deal with them severely." 
 
16) Horie e-mail: Hard-line argument for not accepting lawmaker 
Nagata's apology rises in LDP 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
February 28, 2006 
 
In dealing with the e-mail that Lower House member Hisayasu 
Nagata of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ = Minshuto) brought 
up during Lower House Budget Committee sessions, the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito yesterday determined 
that they would take a harsh response, including pressing ahead 
with a disciplinary motion, which has already been submitted, 
unless Nagata quits as lawmaker. Some LDP members have said that 
it is better not to corner the DPJ. However, alarmed about such a 
stance being taken as complicity between the ruling and 
opposition camps, there are growing calls for a firm stance. 
 
LDP Secretary General Takebe during yesterday's consultative 
meeting between the government and the ruling parties insisted: 
"This issue cannot be settled with Mr. Nagata making a 
superficial apology to the public. I had the impression that Mr. 
Nagata entered the hospital in order to buy time and dodge his 
responsibility.  If he refuses to quit as lawmaker, I would like 
him to be punished." LDP Upper House Caucus Chairman Aoki noted, 
"There were news reports noting that the LDP said, 'It is easy to 
steer the Diet with Maehara in charge. But the case this time is 
different. We will absolutely not allow the case to vaporize." 
New Komeito Secretary General Fuyushiba echoed Aoki, "This is the 
fifth submission of a punitive motion against Mr. Nagata. He 
should be disciplined in a strict manner." 
 
In view of the DPJ's behavior eroding trust in the Diet as a 
whole, the LDP's Project Team on Dignity and Authority of the 
Diet yesterday held its first meeting in the Diet. The meeting 
decided to compile a set of proposals for better Diet discussions 
and to present a report to the Diet Steering Committee and other 
related panels. 
 
The prevailing view on this issue in the LDP had been sympathy 
toward Maehara, and Executive Council Chairman Kyuma noted, "It 
is not necessary for Mr. Nagata to take such a drastic step as 
quitting as a lawmaker." The LDP leadership, though, has 
determined that as Maehara has claimed that "there is massive 
darkness in the LDP," a failure to confront the DPJ could lead to 
doubts that the LDP has something to hide. 
 
The Diet Law stipulates four ranks of punishments: (1) 
admonishment; (2) apology; (3) suspension of attendance at Diet 
sessions; and (4) expulsion. LDP Acting Secretary General Ichiro 
Aizawa appearing on a TV program on Feb. 26, saying, "Mr. Nagata 
deserves a punishment harsher than admonishment." 
 
17) Horie e-mail issue: LDP-posed motion to punish Nagata comes 
 
TOKYO 00001048  011 OF 012 
 
 
into focus; Governing coalition looking into response by Minshuto 
(Democratic Party of Japan) 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
February 28, 1006 
 
Minshuto House of Representatives member Hisayasu Nagata and 
other lawmakers will today hold a press conference to apologize 
about the mess over the so-called Horie e-mail issue. Drawing 
public attention is what will happen to a motion for disciplinary 
measures the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has introduced in the 
Lower House. In many cases, such motions are proposed only as a 
gesture and come to nothing. This time seems different, however. 
Looking into how Minshuto will respond to the controversial e- 
mail issue, the ruling coalition intends to call for strict 
punishment if Nagata fails to show contrition properly. 
 
At a meeting yesterday of the government-ruling coalition 
council, LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe stressed: "If Mr. 
Nagata isn't going to resign, we'll then assume a tough stance to 
punish him." New Komeito Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, as 
well, pointed out: "The motion this time (for disciplinary 
measures) against Mr. Nagata is the fifth one. We think it is 
necessary to punish him severely in order to make clear who is 
responsible." 
 
Both the houses of the Diet are allowed to punish members. 
Punitive measures consist of four levels in the order of light to 
heavy: 1) reprimand; 2) apology; 3) suspension for up to 30 days; 
and 4) expulsion. When a motion for disciplinary measures is 
proposed, the motion is discussed first in the Steering Committee 
and then in the Disciplinary Committee. After receiving a report 
from the Disciplinary Committee, a plenary session makes a final 
decision whether to take disciplinary measures. 
 
The LDP on Feb. 17 introduced a motion against Nagata. The motion 
is now being discussed at the Lower House Steering Committee. 
Once the motion is sent to the Lower House Disciplinary 
Committee, public attention will be focused on what disciplinary 
measures will be taken against him. Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi, however, said at the party executive meetings yesterday: 
"Expulsion is like a death sentence. We need to give due 
consideration to public opinion." 
 
Motions for disciplinary measures introduced to date against 
House of Representatives member Hisayasu Nagata 
 
  ¶1.   Date of submission 
¶2.   Proponents 
¶3.   Reasons 
¶4.   Result 
 
  ¶1.   Oct. 6, 2000 
¶2.   LDP, New Komeito, and the now defunct Conservative Party 
¶3.   Interference with the explanation of amendment to the Public 
Office Election Law at the Upper House plenary session 
¶4.   Shelved 
 
  ¶1.   April 26, 2002 
¶2.   LDP, New Komeito, and Conservative Party 
¶3.   Shouted when a Conservative Party member explained a bill in 
the Lower House plenary session 
 
TOKYO 00001048  012 OF 012 
 
 
¶4.   Shelved 
 
  ¶1.   June 7, 2004 
¶2.   LDP 
¶3.   Obstructed the Upper House president's entry into the 
plenary hall over pension reform-related bills at the Upper House 
plenary session 
¶4.   Shelved 
 
  ¶1.   July 8, 2005 
¶2.   New Komeito 
¶3.   Slandered New Komeito's election campaigning at the Special 
Election Committee on Ethics 
¶4.   Shelved 
 
  ¶1.   Feb. 17, 2006 
¶2.   LDP (backed by New Komeito) 
¶3.   Slandered LDP secretary general's son based on e-mail that 
alleged 30-million-yen transfer of funds 
¶4.   Undecided 
 
SCHIEFFER