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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 14 TOKYO 000827 
 
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 02/16/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Defense issues: 
4)   In US breakdown of expenses for $7.6 billion move of Marines 
  from Okinawa to Guam, 60% will go for housing 
5)   US explanation of cost of Marine relocation deemed 
insufficient to achieve understanding 
6)   Iwakuni mayor says fate of USFJ realignment plan for base 
rests on the referendum in March 
7)   GSDF to start pulling out of Iraq next month, fully out by 
May 
8)   Expectations in Samawah that GSDF would continue its 
support, but some residents loudly welcome the troop withdrawal 
9)   US Navy sending four carriers to Asia-Pacific from June with 
China in mind 
 
10)  Tokyo will observe new Palestinian government carefully 
  before deciding how to proceed with its aid 
 
11)  China rebuts "China as threat" argument 
 
12)  Prime Minister Koizumi says it was only natural for him to 
  send a message to DPRK leader Kim Jong Il 
 
Beef battle: 
13)  Prime Minister Koizumi tells Lower House committee he is 
  waiting for US reply before deciding to restart US beef imports 
14)  BSE deliberations in the Lower House more cautious than 
before 
15)  Text of exchanges on beef issue in yesterday's Lower House 
Budget Committee 
16)  Japan to inspect 38 US beef packers 
17)  LDP, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) engage in bitter 
exchanges over whether plant they both separately saw in US was 
safe or dangerous 
 
18)  Six major banks register final business figures totaling 2.8 
  trillion yen, the best performances in 17 years 
 
Political agenda: 
19)  Koizumi bullish on support rate, points to two months of 
  high figures 
20)  LDP to write another draft constitution reconsidering 
wording of Preamble and Article 9 
21)  Komeito changing policy line toward national referendum on 
Constitution' 
 
22)  LDP rookie baseball team to take on US Embassy 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
More than 20,000 national public employees land jobs with 3,900 
state-affiliated organizations 
 
Mainichi: 
 
TOKYO 00000827  002 OF 014 
 
 
GSDF to start withdrawing from Iraq next month and completing 
withdrawal at end of May, ASDF to remain; final coordination 
underway with US, Britain 
 
Yomiuri: 
Housing to be 60% of 7.6-billion-dollar cost of relocating US 
Marines from Okinawa to Guam; Japan calls for more precise 
figures 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Six major banks likely to post record 2.6 trillion yen in 
combined net profit for first time in 17 years 
 
Sankei: 
Four JAL board members call on president to resign 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
LDP constitutional research panel to formulate second draft 
constitution 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  We are not wild with joy over opening of Kobe Airport 
(2)  China must allow more freedom of press 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Japan, too, should field its own candidate in UN general 
secretary race 
 
SIPDIS 
(2)  Government should provide Japanese children left behind in 
China during war with assistance so that they can live in Japan 
with peace of mind 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Influence of Japan Medical Association weakened 
(2)  20-year prison sentence for hit-and-run deaths is heavy 
punishment 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  A system for beyond the Kyoto Protocol should be created 
(2)  Policy shift needed following the opening of Kobe Airport 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Reform of medical fee system: Medical care system should be 
improved for patients 
(2)  Kobe and Itami airports should find ways for co-existence 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  Views of patients indispensable for medical reform 
(2)  The government must offer warm-hearted measures to women 
left in China 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 14 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
10:02 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Nagase. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000827  003 OF 014 
 
 
11:45 
Attended a gathering to express appreciation to former lawmakers 
in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the 
LDP at Hotel Okura. 
 
11:57 
Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). 
 
13:00 
Lower House Budget Committee session 
 
17:15 
Met with Policy Research Council Chairman Nakagawa at the Kantei. 
Then attended a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal 
Policy. 
 
19:03 
Arrived at official residence. 
 
4) US estimates cost of moving Marines from Okinawa to Guam will 
cost 7.6 billion dollars, of which 60% will be for housing; Japan 
seeks to check numbers 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
February 16, 2006 
 
The US government, in connection with the cost of relocating US 
Marines on Okinawa to Guam as part of the realignment of US 
forces in Japan, has announced the outline of the estimate it has 
given to the Japanese government. The total cost for the move 
will come to approximately $7.6 billion (or 813.2 billion yen 
using a conversion rate from the fiscal 2005 budget). Of this, 
expenditures related to housing construction occupy 60% of 
approximately 4.7 billion dollars (or approx. 502.9 billion yen). 
The troops being relocated total more than 7,000 personnel. The 
US has asked Japan to bear fiscally as much as possible of the 
7.6 billion dollar expense, but Japan has stressed the basis for 
the estimate is insufficient, and there needs to be a check of 
the contents." 
 
The outline of the relocation expenditures was presented by the 
US during the senior working level talks between Japan and the US 
in Tokyo. 
 
5) Huge US Marine relocation cost requires thorough explanation; 
US cooperation essential for winning public understanding 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Commentary 
 
The relocation of a large portion of the US Marines from Okinawa 
to Guam is a key element in measures to reduce the burden on 
Okinawa. In response to Japan's repeated requests, the United 
States has finally presented to Japan an estimated cost of 7.6 
billion dollars (813.2 billion yen based on the fiscal 2005 
exchange rate). But many Japanese officials remain skeptical, 
with one saying, "The US seems to have come up with the figure in 
order to build a new Marine base in Guam." 
 
Although there are US Navy and Air Force bases in Guam and about 
 
TOKYO 00000827  004 OF 014 
 
 
3,000 US military personnel are stationed there, there are no 
Marine facilities on the island. The relocation of US Marines to 
Guam means constructing a large base there. The US has asked 
Japan to bear a portion of the cost, saying, "If the US was to 
carry out the relocation independently, it would take 20 years, 
but with Japan's assistance, it would be completed in just six 
years or so." 
 
If Japan accepts the US request, it will be the first case for 
the government to provide financial assistance to build US 
military facilities outside Japan. Such a step forcing a huge 
financial burden on the public requires a close examination of 
the need to provide financial assistance. 
 
At present, there is no legislation governing Japan's financial 
assistance for building US military facilities. The Foreign 
Ministry and Defense Agency plan to reach a cabinet decision on 
legislative and fiscal steps after producing a final report in 
March in order to adopt the necessary legislation during the 
current Diet session for concluding an agreement with the US. To 
that end, the government needs to know how the US has come up 
with such a huge cost. A senior Defense Agency official said: "At 
present, a breakdown of the costs is not clear, and we cannot 
consult with the Finance Ministry. The US does not work out costs 
as meticulously as Japan." 
 
In order to alleviate Okinawa's burden with Japan's public 
understanding, the US needs to show a more cooperative stance. 
 
6) Iwakuni mayor conveys his decision to hold referendum 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Katsusuke Ihara, mayor of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 
yesterday met with Defense Policy Bureau Deputy Director General 
Hironori Kanazawa at the Defense Agency. During the meeting, 
Ihara conveyed to Kanazawa his decision to hold a referendum in 
March to determine whether or not to accept the transfer of 
carrier-borne jets to Iwakuni US Marine Corps Air Station, a plan 
adopted as part of the realignment of US forces in Japan. 
Kanawaza explained that the US military also wanted to relocate 
tankers to Iwakuni, though they are, according to the current 
plan, to be relocated to the Air Self-Defense Force Kanoya Base 
in Kagoshima Prefecture, to Iwakuni. 
 
7) Japan troops to pull out of Iraq next month 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Japan will begin to withdraw Ground Self-Defense Force troops 
currently deployed in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah in March 
and plans to complete the pullout of all Samawah-based GSDF 
personnel by the end of May, government sources said yesterday. 
The government has now entered into the final phase of 
coordination with the United States, Britain, and other 
countries. Iraq will launch a permanent government under its new 
constitution, but the inauguration is likely to be delayed into 
April or afterward. Meanwhile, however, Britain and Australia, 
currently tasked with public security in Samawah, have already 
announced that their troops will pull out of Iraq even before the 
 
TOKYO 00000827  005 OF 014 
 
 
new government is established, citing the restoration of safety 
in Iraq's southern districts. The GSDF will also pull out with 
the British and Australian troops. The Air Self-Defense Force has 
been conducting airlift missions between Kuwait and Iraq's 
southern areas. The government would like to obtain US 
understanding for the GSDF's planned withdrawal from Iraq with a 
plan to continue ASDF airlift operations for other Iraq-based 
multinational force members after June. 
 
Last December, the government modified its Iraq deployment 
masterplan, which is based on the Iraq Special Measures Law. The 
government then extended the current deployment for another year 
through December 2006. At the time, the government noted in the 
revised masterplan that it would take into account operations 
conducted by Britain, Australia, and other multinational force 
members, as well as changes in the multinational lineup. The 
government has already decided to recall the Samawah-based GSDF 
contingent along with the British and Australian troops. On Jan. 
23, there was a four-party meeting in London of working-level 
officials from Japan, the United States, Britain, and Australia. 
In that meeting, the British government clarified a plan to scale 
back on its Iraq-deployed troops in favor of sending 
reinforcements to Afghanistan. The Japanese government then 
decided to withdraw the GSDF troops by the end of May, and the 
government yesterday sent Foreign Ministry and Defense Agency 
officials to the United States, Britain, and other countries for 
final coordination. 
 
The GSDF's Samawah deployment began two years ago, and about 600 
GSDF members are engaged in humanitarian reconstruction 
assistance, such as road repairs. The United States wants the 
GSDF to stay on in Iraq. The US government has therefore sounded 
out Japan about the possibility of keeping GSDF troops in Iraq 
for participation in a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) 
consisting of armed forces and civilians. However, the PRT is 
likely to undertake security operations, such as escorting 
civilian personnel. For this reason, Defense Agency Director 
General Fukushiro Nukaga rejected the proposal as "legally 
difficult" when he visited the United States last month. 
 
The ASDF-currently basing about 200 troops in Kuwait for airlift 
missions-shuttles to and from Taril Airport near Samawah. In case 
the ASDF continues its airlift operations after the GSDF's 
withdrawal from Iraq, the United States will ask the ASDF for 
airlifts to other airports. The ASDF's deployment will be clearly 
characterized as rear-echelon support for the US-led 
multinational force. 
 
8) Samawah citizens call for extended SDF mission, but some 
loudly welcome planned withdrawal 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Muneo Takahashi, Cairo 
 
In response to interviews by the Mainichi Shimbun, many citizens 
in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, where Ground Self-Defense 
Force troops are deployed, expressed their hopes for the 
postponement of the planned withdrawal of the Japanese troops and 
continued assistance. At same time, some citizens who have not 
received any direct benefits from the SDF's reconstruction 
 
TOKYO 00000827  006 OF 014 
 
 
assistance welcomed Japan's decision to pull out troops, one 
saying, "Has the SDF done anything for us?" 
 
A 36-year-old engineer in Samawah called for an extension of the 
SDF mission in Iraq, saying: 
 
"The relationship between citizens here and the SDF is not just 
friendship. They are like our families. We will miss them 
terribly. I believe the deployment of the SDF will lead to 
Japanese firms' operations in the city in the future. I don't 
want to think Japan's assistance will end with (the withdrawal of 
the SDF). I'm afraid that even if Japan's assistance continues, 
corruption might spread." 
 
His words were tinged with worry that corruption would persist 
once Japanese supervisors are gone. 
 
A 26-year-old unemployed construction worker noted: 
 
"SDF activities were mostly simple work. Iraqi workers could have 
done such work. I want the Japanese government to send us 
engineers and equipment instead of troops." 
 
A tribal chief, 64, complained: 
 
"We have guaranteed the safety of the SDF, and not a single SDF 
member has been injured as a result. The SDF made huge promises, 
but they failed to deliver them." 
 
9) US Navy to conduct Pacific drills with China in mind, starting 
in June 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Washington, Takashi Arimoto 
 
The US Navy will conduct large-scale exercises in Pacific waters 
from June through August with four aircraft carriers on stage, US 
Navy Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Roughead said in Washington on 
Feb. 14. The US Department of Defense released a "Quadrennial 
Defense Review (QDR)" report on Feb. 3, in which the Pentagon 
sets forth a plan to reinforce carrier battle groups in the 
Pacific region with China's naval buildup in mind. The naval 
training planned this time also seems linked to the United 
States' policy of attaching importance to the Pacific. The US 
Navy has not revealed the names of aircraft carriers 
participating in the drills. However, the planned training 
exercises in the Pacific with a total of four flattops are the 
largest scale ever in the past decade, the Pentagon says. 
 
According to US Navy officials, the training exercises will be 
carried out in Pacific waters, including areas off Hawaii. In 
June, the US Navy will kick off drills with three aircraft 
carriers participating. In July, the US Navy will carry out this 
year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises with one flattop in 
convoy. In August, two carriers, including one homeported on the 
East Coast, will come around to participate in the exercises. 
 
"China is not a threat," the commander said. However, he called 
for China to heighten the transparency of its ongoing naval 
modernization, saying its intent is unclear in many aspects. 
 
TOKYO 00000827  007 OF 014 
 
 
 
In addition, the commander revealed a plan to deploy the USS 
Shiloh, an Aegis-equipped cruiser loaded with missile defense 
systems, to Japan later this year. The US Navy will also deploy 
the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to 
Yokosuka in 2008. The commander said there is no problem about 
its safety. 
 
The recently released QDR report describes that the US Navy will 
stage at least six carrier battle groups and 60% of its 
submarines in the Pacific region. The report warns of China, 
saying the speed and scale of China's military buildup are 
already jeopardizing the military balance in the region. 
 
10) Foreign Minister: Japan will decide on aid for Palestinian 
Authority upon ascertaining new government's moves 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso held a phone conversation with his 
Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni yesterday. Regarding assistance 
for the Palestinian Authority, Aso told Livni: "We will look into 
the possibility while carefully watching the new government's 
moves to see if it makes efforts to promote the peace process by 
peaceful means." Aso indicated that he would call on Hamas, the 
Islamic extremist group that won a landslide victory in the 
recent Palestinian council election, to take a down-to-earth 
approach, such as the suspension of the ongoing arms conflict. 
Livni replied: "It is necessary for the international community 
to send a strong message." 
 
11) Chinese Ambassador refutes "China as a threat" argument 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi refuted the "China as a 
threat" argument yesterday. In a speech at the general assembly 
yesterday of the Federation of Japan-China Friendship 
Parliamentary Members, chaired by Masahiko Komura, Wang said in 
reference to China's surging military spending: "As a result of 
our lifestyles becoming affluent, considerable personnel costs 
are needed. The purpose of the presence of our military is to 
defend our nation and do not constitute a threat to other 
countries." 
 
12) Prime Minister Koizumi says, "It's only natural" to send 
message to North Korean leader 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Koizumi late yesterday explained why he sent North 
Korean leader Kim Jong Il a message urging him to resolve 
outstanding issues to allow diplomatic normalization, saying: 
 
"It's only natural to do so. I'll work to resolve various pending 
issues in order to normalize diplomatic relations. This policy 
remains the same. I told our negotiators to convey to the other 
side and General Secretary Kim Jong Il my desire that they 
respond in a sincere manner to us." 
 
TOKYO 00000827  008 OF 014 
 
 
 
Koizumi was responding to reporters at the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence. 
 
This remark has made it clear that Koizumi has not given up on 
dialogue with Pyongyang. He also stated: "We have to resolve both 
the abduction issue and the nuclear issue." 
 
13) Koizumi says at Lower House Budget Committee session that the 
government will determine when to remove the second ban on US 
beef imports after seeing US report 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi indicated in yesterday's House 
of Representatives Budget Committee session that the government 
would make a decision on when to resume US beef imports after 
seeing a US reply. He said: "We will make a decision based on 
scientific knowledge. The United States (have been trying to 
determine the cause and crafting preventive measures), and we are 
waiting for a US response. We are determined to create a system 
enabling the people to consume beef without worrying about 
anything." Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shoichi 
Nakagawa also emphatically said regarding the government's 
decision in December to lift the import ban: "Japan established a 
set of solid procedures and the US responded to them swiftly. I 
don't think the step was hasty." 
 
In the session, the government's step drew criticism from even 
ruling party members. Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Koya 
Nishikawa said, "The government (decided to lift the ban) too 
hastily. The government's involvement was insufficient." Touching 
on the fact that against a cabinet decision, the government 
failed to carry out inspections in the US prior to lifting the 
ban, Koji Futada said, "The government should have conducted 
(inspections in the US), as planned." 
 
Meanwhile, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), based on its own 
fact-finding survey in the US, urged the government to conduct 
inspections in the US, indicating that work to remove specific 
risk materials had not met Japan's safety standards. 
 
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Jiro Kawasaki simply replied, 
"We will consider measures after seeing a US report." 
 
14) BSE deliberations at Lower House Budget Committee meeting; 
Cautious views prevail over resumption of US beef imports; Prime 
minister says, "I will make a decision based on US replies" 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
The Lower House Budget Committee yesterday intensively discussed 
the incident of specified risk materials (SRM) being found in a 
US beef shipment to Japan. A number of lawmakers both from the 
ruling and opposition parties urged the government to be cautious 
about resuming imports, some calling for thorough inspections of 
meatpackers before removing the import ban. 
 
Touching on a government stance toward resumption of US beef 
imports, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "The government 
 
TOKYO 00000827  009 OF 014 
 
 
will create a situation in which people can eat safe beef with 
peace of mind, based on the replies regarding measures to prevent 
a recurrence to be provided by the US." 
 
Calls for a cautious approach to early resumption of imports were 
heard both from ruing and opposition party members. Toshikatsu 
Matsuoka of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) stressed, "I will 
definitely oppose resuming imports, if the government cannot 
responsibly ascertain that an incident like that one would never 
happen again." He asked the government "not to leave the 
inspections of meatpackers to the US alone." Agriculture Minister 
Shoichi Nakagawa replied, "If there has appeared a situation in 
which the government judges whether to reinstate beef trade, then 
it must properly inspect the situation at meat-processing 
facilities." 
 
The opposition camp continued to pursue the accountability of the 
government for its decision to lift the import ban last December. 
Bringing up the issue the government failure to carry out prior 
inspections despite the mentioning of such a need in its written 
reply, Hiroshi Kawauchi of the Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) pursued the government, saying, "Part of the 
responsibility rests with Japan." The government's side 
reiterated, "The responsibility rests with the US, which failed 
to observe export conditions." 
 
15) Intensive deliberations conducted on US beef issue in Lower 
House Budget Committee meeting yesterday 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
The House of Representatives Budget Committee held Intensive 
deliberations on the US beef issue yesterday. Main exchanges 
follow: 
 
Koya Nishikawa (LDP): Wasn't the resumption of imports last 
December too rushed? 
 
Agriculture Minister Nakagawa: I do not deny that the period 
(until the resumption) was extremely short, as you pointed out. 
Regarding the Japan-bound export program, though, Japan and the 
US had exchanged data since (last) May. Both the Japanese and US 
governments do not think that the decision was made in a rush. 
 
Nishikawa: The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is 
planning to ease standard restrictions on beef imports. 
 
Nakagawa: We would like to respond extremely carefully to any 
plan that could affect the safety of food in importing countries. 
 
Takashi Shinohara (Minshuto): I am afraid that the Food Safety 
Committee might be conducting debates, reflecting political 
agreements, like one reached when US President Bush visited 
Japan. 
 
State Minister in charge of Food Safety Matsuda: We finalized 
(the report) based on a neutral and fair stance. It is not 
correct to assert there were political considerations. 
 
Mitsunori Okamoto (Minshuto): Of the 38 meat-processing 
facilities authorized to handle Japan-bound meat, how many plants 
 
TOKYO 00000827  010 OF 014 
 
 
had not violated (the rule on the process of removing specified 
risk materials (SRM)) in the past? 
 
Health Minister Kawasaki: There were two plants that had never 
breached the rule. 
 
Okamoto: The rule on removing SRM was not being observed 
satisfactorily under such a situation. 
 
Kawasaki: We acknowledge that they carried out the process 
properly in accordance with an order issued to them by the US 
Agriculture Department to take improvement measures. 
 
Okamoto: During the period between the resumption of US beef 
imports and the re-imposition of a ban on imports, are there 
cases in which US beef was used for school meals? 
 
Education Minister Kosaka: A sampling audit was conducted at some 
schools in February.  We have been reported that there was no 
such case. 
 
Chizuko Takahashi (Japanese Communist Party): American experts 
have inspected processing plants handling US-bound meat in Japan. 
It is important for Japan to ask the US to allow such inspections 
in the US by Japanese experts. 
 
Prime Minister Koizumi: Because the safety standards being 
adopted by the US are different from Japan's, the US must observe 
standards that will ensure that the Japanese people can feel 
safe.. 
 
16) Only 2 of 38 US slaughterhouses authorized to export beef to 
Japan have no record of infractions 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
During the Lower House Budget Committee's intensive deliberations 
yesterday on the US beef import issue, Health Minister Kawasaki 
revealed that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had 
reported to Japan in August 2005 that 36 of the 38 
slaughterhouses the US government had authorized as beef 
exporters to Japan had previously violated anti-BSE measures. 
 
The health minister also acknowledged that slaughterhouses that 
had violated the BSE measures in the past had been included in 
the 11 Japan inspected in December 2005 after with its decision 
to resume US beef imports. But the health minister underscored 
Japan's judgment that there is no problem with safety. 
 
The minister was replying to questions from Mitsunori Okamoto and 
Masahiko Yamada of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto). 
 
Health Minister Kawasaki stated: 
 
"(The slaughterhouses that had failed to meet BSE measures) took 
remedial action and succeeded in properly following the measures, 
such as removing specified risk materials. Food safety has been 
secured accordingly." 
 
He then indicated that certifying such facilities as exporters to 
Japan had been done afterwards, so there was no problem about the 
 
TOKYO 00000827  011 OF 014 
 
 
certification process itself. 
 
According to the USDA, there were 1,036 violations of anti-BSE 
measures from January 2004 through May 2005 at these 
slaughterhouses. 
 
In the intensive deliberations, asked about the timing of an end 
to the second ban on US beef imports, Prime Minister Koizumi 
reiterated his position in a firm tone: "I'll make a decision 
from a scientific point of view." 
 
17) Are US slaughterhouses safe or dangerous? LDP and DPJ 
lawmakers exchange barbs 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
By Kei Sato 
 
During intensive deliberations yesterday on US beef imports at 
the Lower House Budget Committee, lawmakers of the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) and Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) 
exchanged conflicting views about the safety of US 
slaughterhouses handling Japan-bound beef. Those lawmakers had 
earlier inspected US slaughterhouses as members of their parties' 
respective fact-finding teams. The two parties' battle over the 
beef issue has continued outside the Diet, but yesterday, the 
scene of the fight shifted to the Budget Committee. 
 
Koya Nishikawa of the LDP was the first to take the floor. He 
guaranteed the safety of the US slaughterhouses his party had 
inspected, saying: "As far as we saw, the slaughterhouses we 
inspected did a good job. I hope the time will come soon when the 
public is free from fear." 
 
Another LDP lawmaker, Toshikatsu Matsuoka who headed the party's 
fact-finding team, said proudly, "While I'm not going to say 
whether what another party is doing is good or bad, we on our 
part have disclosed results based on fact." 
 
Responding to Matsuoka and others, Prime Minister Koizumi 
remarked: "I take that very seriously." 
 
Meanwhile, Masahiko Yamada of Minshuto took issue with the safety 
of beef, directly confronting the position of the LDP inspection 
team, saying: "I felt America's removal of specified risk 
materials was inadequate. We, too, are saying what we saw." 
 
Minshuto sent its fact-finding team to the US from late January 
through early February. Not to be outdone, the LDP sent its own 
fact-finding team to the US Feb. 9-13 and inspected the same 
slaughterhouses. 
 
Minshuto President Seiji Maehara criticized the LDP for this at a 
press conference on Feb. 14, noting: "The LDP seemed to be trying 
to find fault with (Minshuto's fact-finding inspection) by 
inspecting the same facilities afterwards. This type of behavior 
does not serve the public." 
 
After the Budget Committee meeting yesterday, the LDP's 
information research officer, Sanae Takaichi, held a special 
press briefing, and in reference to Minshuto's reaction, she 
 
TOKYO 00000827  012 OF 014 
 
 
emphasized, "Our party members explained that our goal was not to 
find fault but to conduct an inspection with a critical mind." 
Exchanges of barbs between the two parties are likely to continue 
for a while. 
 
18) Six leading banks forecast 2.8 trillion yen in final profits, 
first new record in 17 years 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
February 16, 2006 
 
The six major banking groups are expected to post combined 
consolidated profits of approximately 2.83 trillion yen for the 
year ending March 31, 3.8 times greater than the previous year 
and a new record for the first time in 17 years. The sharp 
increase is attributable mainly to a rise in income from service 
fees and the return of loan-loss reserves as extraordinary profit 
due to the improved business performance of borrowers. The 
recovery in the financial sector has become clearer, but profits 
have yet to return to shareholders and depositors. 
 
Ratio of nonperforming loans drops to 2% 
 
The six leading banking groups are Mitsubishi-UFJ, Sumitomo- 
Mitsui, Mizuho, Resona, Mitsui Trust Holdings, and Sumitomo Trust 
and Banking. The six groups all revealed their forecasts for the 
fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 (January-March 2006) following the 
issuance of their financial reports for the first three quarters. 
The previous high for combined net profit (after-tax income) of 
leading banks (major commercial banks, the Long Term Credit Bank, 
and trust banks) was just over 1.7 trillion yen for the year 
ending in March 1989. 
 
19) Prime Minister Koizumi citing high approval rates in February 
rebuts claim that cohesion of his administration has weakened 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told yesterday Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) Policy Research Council Chairman Hidenao 
Nakagawa at the Prime Minister's Official Residence: 
 
"Generally, since I assumed office, public approval ratings for 
the cabinet have been low in February when opposition parties 
always pursue the government at Diet sessions. The support rate 
for the cabinet in February this year is the highest ever for 
February, however." 
 
Koizumi rejected the view prevailing inside and outside the LDP 
that his cabinet has lost its impetus. 
 
According to the outcomes of this newspaper's public opinion 
poll, the approval rate for the cabinet was 53.5%, a slightly 
higher than 53.0% in February 2002 and 47.7% in February 2005. 
 
20) LDP Research Council to write second draft of proposed new 
constitution, reconsidering such portions as Preamble, Art. 9 
 
TOKYO (Top play) (Excerpt) 
February 16, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00000827  013 OF 014 
 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) Constitutional Research 
Council (chaired by Hajime Funada) has decided to start composing 
a second draft constitution that will completely revise the 
party's new draft constitution written last November. It was 
judged that revising the first draft was desirable due to the 
strong-seated dissatisfaction within the party that the draft 
lacked "LDP features" such as the Preamble, national security 
provisions, rights, and obligations. In relation to the project, 
Funada in an interview to this newspaper stated, "We consider the 
current version as the first draft, but the second draft with 
additions will be the one that we battle over." 
 
21) New Komeito changes minimum age for granting voting rights 
for referendum bill to 18 or older 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 16, 2006 
 
The constitutional research panel of the New Komeito, chaired by 
Hiroaki Ota, decided yesterday to change the minimum age for 
granting voting rights from 20 years to 18 years, a key issue of 
a national referendum bill stipulating a set of procedures for 
amending the Constitution. The party aims to move ahead with 
negotiations with its ruling coalition partner Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) and the main opposition party Minshuto (Democratic 
Party of Japan), which has strongly called for setting the 
minimum age at 18 years. 
 
The LDP and New Komeito formulated the framework of a referendum 
bill in 2004, which wrote that the minimum age for granting 
voting rights should be 20. A flexible view is now cropping up in 
the LDP, with Constitutional Research Commission Chairman Hajime 
Funada remarking, "We have wisdom that the main rules would 
stipulate that the minimum age should be 18 but an additional 
rule would write that the minimum age should be 20 until the 
Public Offices Election Law is revised to change that age to 18." 
 
However, some are concerned that it would be technically 
difficult to make a list of voters that is different from the 
list of voters created based on the election law. 
 
22) "We're Baseball Children (WBC)"; WBC (pun on World Baseball 
Classic) also in political world; LDP rookies form team, ready to 
play US embassy 
 
NIKKAN SPORTS SHIMBUN 
February 13, 2006 
 
Hachisankai or 83-kai-a group of the ruling Liberal Democratic 
Party's rookie lawmakers elected to the House of Representatives 
in September last year for the first time-has formed a baseball 
team named "Liberty 83" and will play the US embassy at Tokyo 
Dome on March 15 for friendship, sources said yesterday. 
 
Yoshitami Kameoka, 50, a member of the House of Representatives, 
will be the field manager of Liberty 83. In his Sakushin Gakuin 
High School days, Kameoka was in a battery with Suguru Egawa (who 
was a "monstrous" ace pitcher, later joined the Yomiuri Giants, 
and is now a TV sportscaster and commentator), and he experienced 
an annual national high school baseball tourney at Koshien 
Stadium. According to Kameoka, the US embassy hosted a get- 
together gathering last year with newly elected lawmakers. US 
 
TOKYO 00000827  014 OF 014 
 
 
Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, 58, who greeted those first- 
time lawmakers invited to the embassy, was a co-owner of the 
Texas Rangers with US President Bush and others from 1989 to 
¶1994. In the meeting, they naturally began talking about 
baseball. Kameoka explains: "The ambassador said, 'If you have 83 
people (82 at present with Kazumi Matsumoto's resignation from 
his Diet seat), why don't you form a baseball team? Let's play a 
friendship game with our team.'" Kameoka accepted the envoy's 
offer. 
 
Kameoka invited his buddies in the LDP to join. There are 30 
entries for now. Unlike Kameoka, none of them appeared at 
Koshien. But some of them used to play baseball. Female lawmakers 
have offered to cheer the team, according to Kameoka. The LDP 
rookies and the US embassy will play a 7-inning rubber-ball game. 
In a sense of buoying up their spirits, the game is scheduled to 
coincide with the World Baseball Classic, an international 
baseball event involving Japan and the United States. Japan and 
the United States are now soured over the US government's cattle 
testing methodology for BSE in connection with Japan's ban on US 
beef imports. However, Kameoka voiced his willingness. "In 
baseball," he said, "we want to play fair by the rules." 
 
In the meantime, Taizo Sugimura, 26, also an LDP freshman, made 
fun of 83-kai, calling it "something like a homeroom of school 
kids." Kameoka yelled for Sugimura to join the team. "He's 
working for 'NEETs' (young people not in education, employment or 
training) and 'freeters' (job-hoppers), so I want him to join us 
and listen to many people," Kameoka says. However, there is no 
response from Sugimura for now, according to Kameoka. 
 
Profile: Yoshitami Kameoka, born in Tochigi Prefecture in 1955, 
graduated from Waseda University. He once appeared at Koshien 
Stadium as a catcher when he was in Sakushin Gakuin High School. 
He also played for the baseball club of Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd. in 
an intercity baseball tournament and later became an assistant 
manager of Waseda University's baseball club. He is an adopted 
son of his uncle, the late Takao Kameoka, who served as 
agriculture, forestry, and fisheries minister and construction 
minister. He aspired to become a politician. He first ran in the 
1990 general election and was defeated four times. In 2005, 
however, he was elected to the Diet for the first time. His home 
turf is Fukushima Prefecture's District 1. 
 
SCHIEFFER