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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002048 
 
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 04/17/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's weekend schedule 
 
4)   Jiji poll shows Koizumi Cabinet approval has slipped 3.2 
  points to 43.9% 
 
USFJ realignment talks: 
5)   Okinawa governor to attach new conditions for accepting 
  Futenma relocation plan 
6)   US, Japan agree on relocation of air-refueling planes to 
Iwakuni base, with long-term training at Kanoya, Guam 
7)   NLP to move from Iwojima Island to Kyushu or Seto Inland Sea 
area as part of Atsugi aircraft transfer to Iwakuni 
8)   Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe links consideration of local 
development package to move of US aircraft to Iwakuni 
9)   Defense Deputy Under Secretary Lawless meets JDA chief 
Nukaga to discuss issue of cost of relocating Okinawa Marines to 
Guam 
10)  Gap remains between US, Japan on Japan's share of Guam 
relocation cost 
11)  US, Japan to meet at cabinet-level in early May to seal the 
USFJ realignment agreement, with Guam relocation cost the only 
issue left to resolve 
 
Iraq reconstruction assistance: 
12)  GSDF troops may not withdraw from Iraq until after this 
  autumn 
13)  Government may leave the decision on SDF withdrawal to Iraq 
to the next administration after Prime Minister Koizumi 
 
Iran's nuclear ambitions: 
14)  Worried about future of its oil field project, Japan to seek 
  talks with Iran on nuclear issue 
15)  The question of oil field rights in Iran also involves China 
 
China issues: 
16)  China bans navigation in median-line waters between it and 
  Japan 
17)  Tokyo not informed officially of Beijing's ban of navigation 
in median-line waters 
18)  Japan to end grants to China, as well, shift ODA focus to 
India 
 
Issues with Republic of Korea: 
19)  Japan to start maritime research in waters near disputed 
  Takeshima isles 
20)  South Korea asks Japan to halt planned maritime research in 
waters near Takeshima isles 
 
Political agenda: 
21)  Minshuto head Ozawa meets leader of Komeito-backer Soka 
  Gakkai, setting off alarms in ruling parties 
22)  Foreign Minister Aso raps Ozawa for Yasukuni remark 
23)  With Fukuda, Abe now contenders for Koizumi's post, former 
faction head Mori says faction may chose candidate between the 
two by talks 
 
Articles: 
 
 
TOKYO 00002048  002 OF 012 
 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Recycling of mobile phones remains stagnant, with only 20% 
collection rate 
 
Mainichi: 
Government urges local authorities to upgrade system to prevent 
suicides, enact new legislation to support victims' families 
 
Yomiuri: 
Japan, US aim to transfer night landing practice facility from 
Iwojima in fiscal 2009 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Wage hikes average 1.65%, or more than 5,000 yen, for first time 
in five years 
 
Sankei: 
China bans vessels near gas field in East China Sea without 
officially informing Japan of the decision 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Police to question Kimura Construction, Huser executives over 
falsified quake-resistance data 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  In case of Kanemi oil poisoning, government must make up for 
delay in helping victims 
(2)  Long detention of man suspected of molesting woman intended 
to force confession? 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  On US force realignment, settlement that can convince people 
urged 
(2)  Gap in society (part 15): Adopt competitive market mechanism 
to enable making use of colleges basic research 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Standard test results should be released 
(2)  Discussion on organ transplant law should not be delayed any 
longer 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Companies facing major challenge of how to form next- 
generation-type research institutes 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Net reduction in number of public servants: Government 
agencies must be aware of public's harsh view 
(2)  Government urged to take steps from space to prevent 
expansion of neglected forests 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  Airline companies urged to safety operation measures 
(2)  China must take action to protect intellectual property 
rights 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
 
TOKYO 00002048  003 OF 012 
 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, April 15 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
April 16, 2006 
 
08:53 
Hosted a gathering to view cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen. 
 
09:59 
Returned to residence. 
 
15:25 
Delivered a stump speech in front of Daiei Shin-Matsudo Store in 
Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture. 
 
16:16 
Delivered a stump speech at North Exit of JR Minami-Nagareyama 
Station in Nagareyama City. 
 
17:50 
Delivered a stump speech in front of the Noda City Office 
Building in Noda City. 
 
19:48 
Returned to residence. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, April 16 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2006 
 
Stayed at residence all day. 
 
4) Poll: Cabinet support rate down to 43.9% 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
April 16, 2006 
 
The approval rating for the Koizumi cabinet in April was 43.9%, 
down 3.2 percentage points from March, in a public opinion survey 
released by Jiji Press yesterday. The disapproval rating also 
dropped 0.9 points to 34.4%. The leading opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), now headed by Ichiro Ozawa as 
its new president, stood at 9.1% in public support, showing a 
slight increase of 0.3 points. The DPJ still hovered low at a one- 
digit percentage even under the new leadership. 
 
The survey was conducted April 7-10 by sampling a total of 2,000 
persons chosen from among males and females, aged 20 and over, 
across the nation. The rate of valid respondents was 69.0%. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the DPJ 
remained flat at one-digit levels for the sixth month in a row. 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party stood at 27.0%, up 1.0 points 
from last month. Among other political parties, the Japanese 
Communist Party was at 3.0%, up 0.8 points; the New Komeito party 
at 2.8%, down 1.3 points; the Social Democratic Party (SDP or 
Shaminto) at 1.2%, down 0.1 points; the People's New Party (PNP 
or Kokumin Shinto) at 0.1%, remaining flat from last month. 
 
5) Okinawa governor leaves latitude for pragmatic response to 
Futenma relocation issue; Hints at new conditions 
 
TOKYO 00002048  004 OF 012 
 
 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 17, 2006 
 
Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine on April 14 noted that provided 
that the governments of Japan and the US reach a final agreement 
on the revision to the plan to relocate US forces' Futenma Air 
Station from downtown Ginowan to the coastal part of the Camp 
Schwab, he would "respond to the decision as a matter of course." 
He indicated his intention to propose new conditions to prevent 
the relocated heliport from becoming a permanent base, just as he 
attached such conditions as the 15-year limit to the use of the 
facilities when he accepted the plan to use reclaimed land off 
Henoko (previous plan). Inamine's stance leaves open the 
possibility of a pragmatic response, while firmly maintaining the 
basic position of calling for relocating the functions outside 
the prefecture unless the original plan is adopted. 
 
Inamine made this comment during a regular press briefing. He 
highly evaluated the development of the realignment issue as a 
whole. Regarding the revised coastal plan, which Nago and the 
Defense Agency have recently agreed upon, Inamine noted, "There 
are sometimes occasions when we need to make a judgment, taking 
into account whether what should be done for Okinawa in the long 
term. In my view, we can only opt for a better plan." He hinted 
at the possibility of proposing during future talks with the 
government conditions designed to avoid base facilities from 
becoming permanent, including altering the shape of the site and 
making the use of facilities temporary. 
 
6) Japan, US reach broad agreement to transfer air tankers from 
Futenma to Iwakuni and conduct long-term training at Kanoya and 
Guam 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 15, 2006 
 
Japan-US senior working-level talks were held in Tokyo yesterday 
between foreign and defense officials of the two countries on the 
realignment of US forces in Japan. As a result, regarding the 
relocation of KC-130 aerial tankers now based at the US Marine 
Corps' Futenma Air Station, the two countries reached a broad 
agreement to build a facility, including housing, at Iwakuni Air 
Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture and conduct long-term flight 
training at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kanoya base in 
Kagoshima Prefecture and Guam. Daily training will be conducted 
at the Iwakuni base. 
 
Although the Kanoya base is specified in the interim report as 
the primary site for the relocation of KC-130s, the US has been 
calling for a shift to the Iwakuni base in terms of user- 
friendliness. Japan has finally given in to the US call. In the 
March 12 plebiscite, the overwhelming majority of Iwakuni 
residents said "no" to the transfer of carrier-borne aircraft 
from Atsugi Naval Base to the base in the city. The broad 
agreement reached between Japan and the US yesterday may again 
draw a fierce reaction from Iwakuni residents. 
 
In anticipation of Iwakuni's strong reaction, the US has decided 
to relocate eight CH-53 helicopters from the Iwakuni base to Guam 
to reduce the noise level. The US has also decided to allow 
building a civilian air terminal at the Iwakuni base in 
 
TOKYO 00002048  005 OF 012 
 
 
compliance with Japan's request. 
 
7) US aircraft's night-landing practice to be transferred from 
Iwojima by 2009 to Kyushu or Seto Inland Sea 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) 
April 17, 2006 
 
The Japanese and US governments have reached an agreement to 
build a regular facility, with 2009 as the target, for night- 
landing practice (NLP) that has been carried out temporarily by 
US carrier-based aircraft attached to Atsugi Air Station 
(Kanagawa Prefecture) on the island of Iwojima (under Tokyo 
jurisdiction). This was revealed by a government source on April 
¶16. The aircraft are planned for relocation to the US Marines' 
Iwakuni Air Station (Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) in 
fiscal 2008 or later, so the US has been seeking a training 
facility close to that base either in Kyushu or the Seto Inland 
Sea area. The Japanese government would like to reduce the 
aircraft-noise level as much as possible, but it has no specific 
candidate site in mind, and the process of selecting one is 
likely to be difficult. 
 
8) US air wing redeployment to Iwakuni: Abe says gov't to mull 
economic packages for local communities 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe yesterday visited the city of 
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, for a campaign speech in the run- 
up to the city's mayoral election scheduled for April 23. In the 
speech, Abe asked for local understanding on issue of relocating 
a US carrier-based air wing to the US Iwakuni base and reiterated 
the government's intention to make efforts for local economic 
development. "The government will definitely support those 
shouldering the burden," Abe said. 
 
Abe also said, "Japan's national security is protected under its 
alliance with the United States." He went on, "We will complete 
(the Iwakuni base's) offshore extension at the earliest possible 
time, and those helicopters currently deployed here will be asked 
to go to Guam." 
 
9) Lawless, Nukaga discuss Okinawa Marines relocation 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 15, 2006 
 
Senior foreign and defense officials of Japan and the US failed 
yesterday to reach an agreement on the two countries' shares of 
the expenses required for the relocation of US Marines from 
Okinawa to Guam. They will meet again in Washington starting on 
April 24. The two countries plan to hold a Japan-US Security 
Consultative Committee meeting of foreign and defense ministers 
on May 2 to approve the final report. Japan had earlier proposed 
extending 3 billion dollars, or 333 billion yen based on the 
fiscal 2006 exchange rate, in loans for the planned relocation. 
In the latest talks, Japan has conveyed to the US its readiness 
to disburse an additional 3 billion dollars from the general 
account. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002048  006 OF 012 
 
 
Last night, Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga also 
discussed the relocation cost issue for about one hour in Tokyo 
with US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Richard Lawless and US 
Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer. A source connected with the 
Japanese government expressed confidence about settling the 
relocation cost issue yesterday, saying, "It's only a matter of 
time. A settlement is in sight." 
 
10) In talks on transfer of Marines to Guam, US presents reduced 
relocation cost, but no agreement reached on Japan's share 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
April 15, 2006 
 
In talks on the realignment of US forces in Japan held in Tokyo 
on April 13-14 by Japanese and US foreign and defense deputy 
directors general, Japan revealed it was considering a plan to 
finance part of its share of the cost to relocate US Marines from 
Okinawa to Guam from the national treasury in addition to the 
already announced payment under a loan formula. In response to 
Japan's call for a reduction in the transfer cost, the US said 
that the cost would be less than 10 billion dollars 
(approximately 1.18 trillion yen). As a relocation site for 12 
aerial refueling planes stationed in the US Marine Corps Futenma 
Air Station in Okinawa, both sides agreed in general to conduct 
training at the Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Base in 
Kagoshima Prefecture and to build housing for personnel and their 
dependents, as well as the command center at the US Marine Corps' 
Iwakuni Air Base in Yamaguchi Prefecture. 
 
Japan and the US, however, failed to find common ground on 
Japan's share of the Guam relocation cost. The two sides have 
decided to hold another deputy director-level meeting in 
Washington on April 24. 
 
In the talks held so far, the US estimated the total relocation 
cost at 10 billion dollars and asked Japan to pay 75% (7.5 
billion dollars or about 880 billion yen) of the amount. In 
response, Japan presented a plan to pay about 3 billion dollars 
(about 350 billion yen) in government loans as expenses to 
construct housing and facilities related to their daily lives. 
 
According to Japanese government sources, Japan indicated in the 
latest talks the possibility of financing infrastructure 
building, such as roads near the relocation site, with taxpayer 
money in addition to the loans. 
 
In a call for slashing the project 10 billion dollars as the cost 
of relocating Marines to Guam, Japan also asked the US to review 
its basis for the cost estimate. According to the sources, the US 
showed a list of itemized amounts totaling slightly less than 10 
billion dollars. 
 
11) Cabinet-level meeting at beginning of May between Japan-US on 
USFJ realignment, with issue of Guam relocation cost now in final 
stage of coordination 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
April 15, 2006 
 
In connection with the realignment of US forces in Japan, the 
Japanese and US governments have reached a basic agreement to 
 
TOKYO 00002048  007 OF 012 
 
 
hold in Washington at the beginning of next month a meeting of 
the Security Consultative Council (2-plus-2) of cabinet-level 
officials responsible for foreign and security-affairs. With 
coordination on the issue of sharing the cost of relocating US 
Marines on Okinawa to Guam now in the final stage, the outlook is 
for a final agreement to be reached on realignment issues at the 
2-plus-2 meeting. 
 
12) Government to defer GSDF withdrawal from Iraq to fall or 
later due to unstable security situation 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
April 17, 2006 
 
The government decided yesterday to defer the withdrawal of 
Ground Self-Defense Force troops from the southern Iraqi city of 
Samawah to the fall or later. 
 
The decision is ascribable to the unstable security situation in 
Iraq and unclear prospects for establishing a new government. The 
government also concluded it extremely difficult to conduct 
withdrawal work in the summer, when the temperature can reach 60 
degrees centigrade. 
 
The Defense Agency will issue an order later this month to launch 
the 10th 500-strong contingency mostly composed of the Eastern 
Army for rotational deployment to Samawah. 
 
The government had been making preparations for a GSDF withdrawal 
beginning later this month. But in talks held in London on April 
10, Japan, the US, the UK, and Australia shared the view that 
given the unpredictable security situation in Iraq, activities by 
multilateral forces would remain critical for the country, even 
if a permanent government is launched. As a result, Tokyo has 
decided to delay pulling its troops out of Iraq. 
 
The US has informally asked Japan to deploy troops in the 
southern Iraqi city of Basra and other places. The government 
intends to reject the US request, citing the prolonged GSDF 
deployment in Samawah. 
 
Prime Minister Koizumi is expected to discuss the withdrawal 
issue with President Bush during his US visit in June. 
 
13) Iraq deployment: Japan troops to stay on, withdraw under next 
premier 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
April 16, 2006 
 
Japan will continue its current deployment of Ground Self-Defense 
Force (GSDF) troops in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah and 
will postpone their pullout to this fall, government sources said 
yesterday. This decision is based on an analysis of the situation 
in Iraq at a meeting in London on April 10 of foreign and defense 
affairs officials from Japan, the United States, Britain, and 
Australia. The Defense Agency will shortly report this to Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi. It is certain that Koizumi will 
decide to continue Japan's troop deployment in Iraq and to send 
reinforcements there in May. Consequently, it has now become 
effectively impossible to complete the withdrawal of GSDF troops 
during the premier's term, which is due to run out in September. 
 
TOKYO 00002048  008 OF 012 
 
 
The next prime minister will take over the GSDF's Iraq 
deployment. 
 
The recent London meeting of officials from the four countries 
focused on the political process in Iraq, which has been thrown 
into confusion. They also spared much of their time discussing 
how to deal with the deterioration of local public security 
resulting from religious conflicts. Japan therefore could not 
propose recalling GSDF troops at an early date. 
 
In the meantime, Britain, as well as Japan, has had plans to 
withdraw its troops from Iraq at an early date. However, the 
British government told the Japanese government that Iraq, even 
after its permanent government is established, would likely ask 
the multinational force to stay on. This shows that the British 
government deems it difficult for its troops to pull out of Iraq 
at an early date, because Iraq's security forces cannot be 
expected to take over the multinational force's duties. The 
Japanese government judged that Japan would inevitably have to 
act in concert. 
 
The Defense Agency had initially intended to extend the 9th Iraq 
Reconstruction Assistance Group's deployment, which started in 
February and is scheduled to end in May, to prepare for its 
withdrawal with backup troops to be sent from Japan to Iraq, if 
the prime minister made a decision on early withdrawal. However, 
their withdrawal will now be substantially delayed. The 
government therefore decided to dispatch another detachment. 
 
The government also factored in Iraq's weather. "Iraq is so hot 
in the middle of summer," a government source said, adding: "The 
temperature is over 50 degrees (centigrade), so it's hard to 
strike camp during the hot summer." Japan's troop withdrawal will 
be completed this fall or afterward even if there is progress in 
the political process in Iraq, according to the source. 
 
14) Government to hold talks with Iran to discuss its nuclear 
programs; Will convey that its nuclear development program will 
affect development of oil field 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 17, 2006 
 
The governments of Japan and Iran have reached a basic agreement 
to hold bureau-director-level talks in Tehran to discuss Iran's 
nuclear programs as early as later this month. Japan will call on 
Iran to immediately suspend its uranium enrichment program. It 
will convey its concern that if Iran disregards Japan's call, it 
could affect the plan to jointly develop the Azadegan oil field 
located in the southern part of the nation. The project is 
expected to begin in 2008. The focus of the talks will be on how 
the Iranian government will respond. 
 
The meeting will bring together Foreign Ministry Middle Eastern 
and African Affairs Bureau Director General Motohide Yoshikawa 
from Japan and Foreign Ministry East Asian and Oceanian Affairs 
Bureau Director General Izadi from Iran. Yoshikawa will convey to 
Izadi that the UNSC chairman's late March statement calling on 
Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities within 30 days 
is an indication of the wishes of the international community. He 
will then press the Iranian side to end its nuclear development 
program so as to avoid direct confrontation with the US. 
 
TOKYO 00002048  009 OF 012 
 
 
 
The Azadegan oil field is an undeveloped oil field located in the 
southern part of Iran. It has the largest oil reserves in the 
Middle East, with estimated deposits of between 5 billion and 26 
billion barrels. Japan has a 75% stake in the development 
project. A cancellation would definitely affect Japan's energy 
policy. Foreign Minister Taro Aso in late February met with his 
Iranian counterpart Motaki and told him that Iran should suspend 
its nuclear development. 
 
15) Japan-Iran nuclear talks; Future of oil field interests 
involves China as well 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2006 
 
The government is now intensifying its efforts to persuade Iran 
to stop its uranium enrichment activities. Part of the reason for 
Tokyo's move is the concern that there is a possibility of China 
taking over Japan's interests over the oil field, if its plan to 
jointly develop Azadegan Oil Field with Iran has to be cancelled. 
Tokyo and Beijing are in fierce competition over energy policy, 
including the development of gas fields in the East China Sea. 
Chances are that the development of the Azadegan Oil Field could 
spark new friction. 
 
Iran was the third largest supplier of crude oil to Japan, 
following Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in 2005. If 
the Azadegan Oil Field is developed in 2008 as planned, Japan's 
independently developed crude oil imports are expected to rise 50 
%. If this precondition collapses, the government will have to 
reconsider its energy policy to a considerable degree. 
 
Japan-US relations are also greatly affecting the situation. The 
US has adopted a hard-line policy toward Iran, including the 
possible use of force. The US has been wary of Japan's 
participation in the joint Azadegan Oil Field development plan 
right from the beginning. Japan has taken part in the project 
nevertheless. If Iran continues its uranium enrichment 
activities, Japan could find it difficult to embark on the joint 
project with Iran. 
 
16) China bans ship navigation in waters around Japan-China 
equidistant line; Japan asks for China's accounting 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
April 16, 2006 
 
By Katsuhiko Iino, Beijing 
 
It was learned yesterday that the Chinese government had issued a 
notice prohibiting ship navigation, except for such boats as 
workboats, in the waters around the Japan-China equidistant line, 
as part of its ongoing exploration of gas fields in the East 
China Sea. According to an official at the Japanese Embassy in 
Beijing, the banned area includes Japanese territory, crossing 
over the equidistant line claimed by Japan as the border of its 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with China. Tokyo has inquired of 
Beijing about the matter and asked for an explanation because no 
prior announcement was given to Japan. 
 
According to the website of China's Maritime Bureau, which has 
 
TOKYO 00002048  010 OF 012 
 
 
jurisdiction over ship security and traffic, the traffic ban 
notice was issued as of March 1. The notice says all ship traffic 
will be banned during the period from March 1 through Sep. 30 in 
the waters around the Pinghu gas field, where exploration is 
continuing. The purpose is to lay pipeline and cables. 
 
17) No formal notice of ship traffic ban in East China Sea comes 
from China; Possibility of violating UN Convention on the Law of 
the Sea 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) 
April 17, 2006 
 
The Chinese government issued a notice banning general ship 
traffic in the waters around the Japan-China median line claimed 
by Japan in order to promote the exploration of gas fields in the 
East China Sea, but it failed to formally inform Japan of the 
notice for nearly one and a half months, several government 
officials revealed. China's move may violate such laws as the 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The government 
is gearing up to lodge a protest with the Chinese government as 
early as today. 
 
18) Government plans to cut off ODA grants to China, shift 
priority to India 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
April 17, 2006 
 
The government yesterday firmed up its intention to cut off non- 
reimbursable grant aid to China that is part of its official 
development assistance (ODA) program to that country. It will 
officially make the decision possibly this summer. In addition to 
the recognition that accompanying China's economic development, 
it is no longer appropriate to provide that country with non- 
reimbursable economic aid, the decision was made in consideration 
of strong domestic criticism of China for its handling of various 
issues, such as historical views and gas-field development in the 
¶E. China Sea. The government plans to shift to India the amount 
of ODA reduced to China. It will take a clear stance of placing 
ODA priority on India. 
 
19) Government to send a JCG ship to waters around Takeshima for 
survey and collect data necessary for nautical chart 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 15, 2006 
 
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) yesterday announced a plan to sent a 
survey ship to the waters around Japan's exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) near Takeshima (or Dokdo in Korean), an island claimed by 
both Japan and South Korea. On the same day, Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Shinzo Abe told a press briefing that the purpose is 
 
SIPDIS 
"to collect data necessary for creating a marine chart." The 
South Korean government, via diplomatic channels, filed a protest 
and called on Japan to stop the survey, but the Japanese 
government intends to launch the survey as planned. 
 
Survey likely to cause a dispute between Japan, ROK 
 
According to the JCG, the planned survey of the waters around 
Takeshima will be the first large-scale undertaking in about 30 
 
TOKYO 00002048  011 OF 012 
 
 
years. The survey had not begun as of yesterday. Seoul will 
surely raise stronger objections if the survey ship enters the 
waters near Takeshima. This move is likely to add a new dispute 
to the already strained relations between Japan and South Korea, 
for instance, a suspension of "shuttle diplomacy" between the top 
leaders of the two countries. 
 
20) Seoul calls for immediate cancellation of survey 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 15, 2006 
 
By Motohiro Ikeda, Seoul 
 
South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 
Yu Myung Hwan yesterday called Japanese Ambassador to South Korea 
Shotaro Oshima to his office and asked for an immediate 
cancellation of Japan's planned maritime survey by a Japan Coast 
Guard (JCG) boat in the sea area around Takeshima (or Dokdo in 
Korean). 
 
Pointing out that the planned area for the survey includes its 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ), South Korea asserts: "Conducting 
the survey without our consent is in violation of international 
law. We strongly oppose the survey." If Japan were to conduct the 
survey, South Korea would take necessary proceedings in 
accordance with international law and relevant domestic laws. 
Given this, "this matter could have a serious impact on bilateral 
relations," Yu warned. Oshima rebutted: "The survey will be 
conducted within Japan's EEZ." 
 
21) Minshuto head Ozawa meets with Soga Gakkai chairman, setting 
off alarms in ruling camp 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 16, 2006 
 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa met 
on April 11 with Soka Gakkai Chairman Einosuke Akiya and Vice 
Chairman Masaaki Masaki, the Yomiuri Shimbun leaned on April 15. 
The religious sect Soka Gakkai is the chief support body of the 
New Komeito, the coalition partner of the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP). 
 
Ozawa visited the religious sect's headquarters in Shinanomachi, 
Tokyo, on the evening of April 11 soon after telephoned to the 
headquarters, as part of his efforts to tell them his assumption 
of the presidency of the main opposition party. Ozawa has known 
the two Soga Gakkai leaders since he played a major role in 
forming a coalition with the New Komeito under the governments of 
Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata 
during the 1993-1994 period. The three met for about 10 minutes, 
according to a source concerned. 
 
Since Ozawa has called at such LDP's support bodies as the Japan 
Association for the Bereaved Families of the War Dead, the Japan 
Medical Association, and the Japan Dental Association after he 
assumed his post, the ruling parties are growing alarmed. 
 
22) Foreign Minister Aso blasts Minshuto President Ozawa's 
Yasukuni comments 
 
 
TOKYO 00002048  012 OF 012 
 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 15, 2006 
 
Speaking at a press conference on April 14, Foreign Minister Taro 
Aso strongly criticized Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) 
President Ichiro Ozawa's remarks that enshrining war criminals 
went against the spirit of Yasukuni Shrine, saying: 
 
"Even though Yasukuni Shrine has said it cannot disenshrine Class- 
A criminals from the other war dead, (Mr. Ozawa) says that the 
shrine can do so. I think his remarks go beyond his authority." 
 
Aso again expressed his opposition to the disenshrinement of 
Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni Shrine. 
 
23) "Fielding single candidate for LDP presidential race possible 
through talks," former Prime Minister Mori says 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
April 15, 2006 
 
In an interview recorded on April 14 for TBS television, former 
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori indicated that it would be possible 
for Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe and former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yasuo Fukuda to make a decision through talks on which 
 
SIPDIS 
of the two would run in the next presidential election of the 
Liberal Democratic Party. Mori said, "It's not good for a company 
to have two persons struggling for the presidency. The two should 
discuss it." 
 
Mori sought to check Abe and Fukuda, saying, "Mr. Fukuda is not a 
person who will say, 'I'll do it,' when Mr. Abe has his own 
intentions. I wonder whether Mr. Abe will say, 'Wait, It's my 
turn,' when Mr. Fukuda decides to run in the race backed by many 
supporters." 
 
SCHIEFFER