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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0130

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002481 
 
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 05/09/06 
 
TOKYO 00002481  001.2 OF 011 
 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Defense issues: 
4)   Prime Minister Koizumi wishes to coordinate with US to 
  publicize the recent USFJ realignment agreement at the summit 
5)   Prime Minister to place efforts on convincing locals to 
accept realignment pact 
6)   JDA chief Nukaga advises Prime Minister Koizumi to present a 
defense message at the upcoming summit meeting with President 
7)   Nukaga wants to revised bilateral defense cooperation 
guidelines to stress importance of USFJ realignment 
8)   Governor Inamine still pushing for temporary heliport 
concept at Camp Schwab 
9)   Ozawa, Kan, Hatoyama to attach the USFJ realignment 
agreement in Diet debate 
10)  Aussie troops to stay for while longer in Iraq just when 
Japan mulling its own pullout 
11)  Finance Minister Tanigaki: Chukibo  mid-range defense 
procurement plan  may have to be constrained to accommodate the 
cost of relocating US troops 
 
Diplomatic issues: 
12)  Japan to put energy conservation high of the G-8 summit 
  agenda 
13)  Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe: Coordination underway to put 
the abduction issue on the G-8 summit agenda 
14)  Lower House Speaker Kono criticizes Prime Minister in 
monthly magazine 
 
China connection: 
15)  China calling for a trilateral dialogue among Japanese, 
  Chinese and South Korean officials 
16)  Government giving careful scrutiny to future of ODA to China 
17)  -Prime Minister's office taking lead in restructuring ODA 
program, with China in mind 
 
18)  UN Secretary General Annan arrives on 16th for visit to 
  Japan 
 
19)  Team of US beef experts arrive next week for what may be 
  wrap up talks prior to decision on reopening market to US beef 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun: 
 
Half of middle-aged men are suspected of having metabolic 
syndrome, according to Health Ministry survey; 20% of women 
 
Mainichi: Nihon Keizai: 
Financial Services Agency considering suspension of all business 
activities by Chuo-Aoyama Audit Corporation for one to two months 
due to window-dressing by Kanebo 
 
Yomiuri: 
Russia summit; Japan to propose introducing Japanese-style energy 
 
TOKYO 00002481  002.2 OF 011 
 
 
conservation system; Prime minister intends to work on other 
countries to adopt top-runner method 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  Can decentralization take another step? 
(2)  WTO: Time approaching for political decision 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Drug use: Japanese baseball teams should take measures as 
soon as possible 
(2)  Thoughts on social divide: Change concept of social security 
benefits to prevent recipients from falling into poverty trap 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Certified public accountants: How should they audit 
companies? 
(2)  Speeding up patent application screening: Delay in 
examination will threaten intellectual property rights 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Remove anxiety over earthquake resistance of nuclear power 
stations 
(2)  Still no democratic election under Singapore's Lee 
administration 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Academic disparity: Revitalizing public education is of 
urgent necessity 
(2)  Prevent heinous crimes from spreading to provincial 
districts 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  Cuts in tax allocations: Do not pass the buck to local 
governments 
(2)  Internet and broadcasting: Reconciling copyrights and 
convenience 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 8 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
10:11 
Signed in to report his return at the Imperial Palace. 
 
10:32 
Met at Kantei with Nobuyuki Nakahara, former BOJ policy board 
member. 
 
11:23 
Attended Overseas Economic Cooperation Council meeting. 
 
12:02 
Attended meeting of the government and ruling coalition. Met 
afterwards with Foreign Minister Aso and Defense chief Nukaga. 
 
14:00 
Met with Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani and Cabinet 
 
TOKYO 00002481  003.2 OF 011 
 
 
Satellite Intelligence Center head Oda, followed by LDP Secretary 
General Takebe. 
 
17:03 
Attended LDP executive meeting at Diet building. Met with LDP 
Upper House Chairman Aoki. 
 
17:38 
Arrived at Kantei. 
 
19:03 
Dined with Aoki, LDP Upper House Secretary General Katayama, and 
New Komeito Upper House Secretary General Kusakawa at the 
Japanese restaurant Yamazato in Hotel Okura. 
 
21:16 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) Koizumi plans to highlight significance of US force 
realignment agreement in talks with Bush 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held talks at his official 
residence yesterday with Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Defense 
Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga. In the talks, the prime 
minister confirmed that he would seek to coordinate with the 
United States in the Japan-US summit talks in June to play up the 
significance of the final agreement reached recently between 
Tokyo and Washington on US force realignment. The prime minister 
apparently wants to highlight the significance of the stability 
of the Asia-Pacific region in view of China and other countries' 
growing alarm against the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance. 
 
In the talks, Nukaga urged Koizumi to lay the groundwork in the 
summit talks to send a political message on the significance of 
the final agreement on US force realignment and how it will 
contribute to the region and the world. After the meeting, 
Koizumi told reporters: "I will clearly express my views to 
President Bush. I also want to discuss overall Japan-US 
relations." 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe also said in a press 
conference yesterday, "The two leaders will discuss the Japan-US 
alliance in the world to share a common vision." 
 
Koizumi also attended a government-ruling coalition liaison 
meeting yesterday in which he emphatically said, "We must fulfill 
our accountability to the people." 
 
5) Koizumi orders Aso, Nukaga to make every effort to convince 
local governments on US force realignment to pave way for cabinet 
decision 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with Foreign Minister Taro 
Aso and Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga at his 
official residence yesterday and ordered them to make every 
effort to win the support of affected local governments for the 
 
TOKYO 00002481  004.2 OF 011 
 
 
final report on US force realignment. The government intends to 
devote its efforts to convince local governments displeased with 
US force realignment plans. The government also plans to make a 
cabinet decision next week to implement the realignment plan as 
scheduled even if it fails to win the concurrence of all the 
affected local governments. 
 
Koizumi said to Aso and Nukaga, "I want you to explain things 
thoroughly to local communities to obtain their understanding and 
to pave the way for a cabinet decision." Nukaga said in 
connection with the Koizumi-Bush meeting, planned for June, "It 
is necessary to lay the groundwork to send a political message on 
what the final agreement on US force realignment means to Japan 
and the US and how (Japan) will contribute to this region and the 
world." Koizumi responded positively to Nukaga's advice. 
 
6) Defense chief Nukaga proposes to Prime Minister Koizumi 
dispatching political message at Japan-US summit 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was briefed yesterday by Foreign 
Minister Taro Aso and Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro 
Nukaga on the final report on the realignment of US forces in 
Japan. Nukaga proposed to Koizumi that a political message 
explaining the significance of (the realignment of the US 
military facilities in Japan) for the two countries be dispatched 
at the upcoming summit between Koizumi and President George W. 
Bush. Koizumi expressed his understanding. Nukaga apparently 
suggested that the two leaders release a joint statement at their 
summit. 
 
Koizumi told reporters last night: "(The final agreement) is 
meaningful in view of the Japan-US alliance in the world. I will 
clearly express my views to President Bush." 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe at a press conference 
yesterday indicated that the strengthening of the Japan-US 
alliance through the USFJ realignment would become a major topic 
at the upcoming summit, saying, "I think (The two leaders) will 
discuss the Japan-US alliance, which has now matured, or the 
alliance in the world so that they will be able to share a common 
perception. 
 
7) Nukaga suggests need to confirm USFJ realignment's 
significance in joint declaration, eyes revising defense 
guidelines 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Following the final agreement reached between Japan and the 
United States on the realignment of US forces in Japan, Defense 
Agency Director General Nukaga met with Prime Minister Koizumi 
yesterday. In the meeting, Nukaga suggested the need for the two 
countries' leaders to confirm a "political message" incorporating 
the significance and objective of the force realignment. The 
Defense Agency wants a joint declaration to be issued in a summit 
for a review of the Japan-US Defense Cooperation Guidelines. 
However, the Foreign Ministry remains cautious about reviewing 
the guidelines. The US government is also insisting on the 
 
TOKYO 00002481  005.2 OF 011 
 
 
necessity of fast-tracking the realignment plan. 
 
The Japanese and US governments are now coordinating to schedule 
a summit for late next month. "I'd like to prepare an environment 
(for Japan and the United States) to issue a political message," 
Nukaga explained to Koizumi. After the meeting, Nukaga told 
reporters, "The prime minister also understands that, I think." 
 
Defense Agency Administrative Deputy Director General Takemasa 
Moriya also told a press conference yesterday: "It's my 
understanding that the prime minister has said Japan and the 
United States should issue a bilateral joint declaration to send 
a clear-cut message to the peoples of Japan, the United States, 
and Asia." 
 
In 1996, the Japanese and US governments released the Japan-US 
Security Joint Declaration after the Cold War. In 1997, the two 
governments revised the guidelines. 
 
The Defense Agency wants a political message now that the 
bilateral alliance has entered a new phase with the US military's 
realignment. "It's about time to consider renewing the goals and 
ideals of the two countries' security arrangement," Nukaga said. 
 
Japan and the United States held a "two-plus-two" meeting of 
their intergovernmental security consultative committee, in which 
Nukaga proposed creating a new framework to replace the 1997 
guidelines. "There were more events than we had expected when we 
worked out the new guidelines," Nukaga said in the two-plus-two 
ministerial. 
 
"The message must be clear," one of Koizumi's aides at his office 
also said, adding, "We've yet to decide whether to issue such a 
message in a joint declaration at the Japan-US summit meeting, 
but the two leaders will likely agree to start discussions on a 
review of the guidelines." 
 
According to a high-ranking government official, however, the 
government has yet to begin interdepartmental coordination. 
 
So far, Koizumi has not talked about a review of the guidelines. 
He stopped short of referring to the guidelines when he was asked 
by reporters yesterday evening about the necessity of issuing a 
political message like a joint declaration. "I'd like to think 
over what to do," he said. 
 
In the meantime, US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld told Nukaga in 
their meeting on May 3 that the United States was ready to hold 
talks about a review of the guidelines. However, Rumsfeld also 
laid emphasis on the necessity of carrying out the realignment 
plan, noting the importance of implementing matters regarding 
bilateral defense cooperation in a steady way. "We're now moving 
ahead with base realignment," a Foreign Ministry official said. 
This official went on, "The United States is not thinking of 
going back into the world of words at this time." 
 
8) JDA administrative vice minister: "Construction of temporary 
helipad is difficult" 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00002481  006.2 OF 011 
 
 
At a press conference yesterday, Administrative Vice Defense 
Minister Takemasa Moriya touched on Okinawa Gov. Keiichi 
Inamine's counterproposal for constructing a temporary helipad at 
Camp Schwab in connection with the relocation of the US Marine 
Corps Futenma Air Station and indicated that it would be 
difficult to accept his proposal, saying: "I'd like the governor 
to understand the central government's ideas and cooperate." 
Moriya pointed out: "Nago City, despite the difficulties it has 
faced, has declared it would accept the relocation plan. We'd 
like to respect the willingness of local communities." 
 
9) Minshuto's Ozawa, Kan, Hatoyama determined to pursue 
government on US force realignment cost 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa, 
Acting President Naoto Kan, and Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama 
exchanged views at party headquarters yesterday on measures for 
the Diet in its closing stage. Ozawa said regarding the 
realignment of US forces in Japan, "Our party must deal with the 
issue fairly and squarely." The three leaders confirmed that the 
party would grill the government on its accountability for 
Japan's share of the cost. 
 
10) Iraq deployment: Australia to stay on after Japan's pullout 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
May 9, 2006 
 
SINGAPORE-Australia will continue its troop deployment in the 
southern Iraqi province of Al-Muthanna regardless of Japan's 
moves, Australian Defense Minister Nelson was quoted as telling 
the Australian media. "Even if Japan announces its intention to 
pull out (of the southern Iraqi city of Samawah), we'd like to 
continue to provide training to Iraqi forces and to conduct our 
activities in that country's southern district." Australian Prime 
Minister Howard has implied the possibility of continuing 
Australia's troop deployment in Iraq after Japan withdraws Ground 
Self-Defense Force troops. However, it is the first time an 
Australian government official has clarified this course of 
action. 
 
11) On the cost for the realignment of US forces in Japan, 
Finance Minister Tanigaki says, "The budget for midterm defense 
buildup program needs to be constrained" 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
At a meeting yesterday of the Upper House Special Committee on 
Administrative Reform, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, 
touching on Japan's share of the realignment of US forces in 
Japan, stated, "Given the current tight state finances, we should 
not tack on the realignment cost to the budget for the midterm 
defense buildup program (chukibo)." He thus indicated that the 
budget for chukibo needs to be constrained. At the same time he 
remarked, "I have no idea how much the relocation will cost. We 
need to examine it closely," and noted that the total relocation 
cost and the basis for the cost calculation should be made clear. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002481  007 OF 011 
 
 
12) Russia Summit; Japan to propose introducing Japanese-style 
energy conservation system; Prime minister intends to work on 
other countries to adopt top-runner method 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
May 9, 2006 
 
A Group of Eight summit is to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, 
in July. As part of energy-conserving measures, Prime Minister 
Koizumi yesterday decided to work on other participating 
countries during the meeting to adopt a top-runner system, under 
which energy-conserving and fuel-efficiency standards to be 
achieved by all industries are set in compliance with products 
with the highest such performance on the market. He will also 
introduce a new environment-friendly technology aimed at 
promoting the use of coal and express his determination to offer 
assistance to countries that introduce this technology. Amid 
international concern over the sharp rise in crude oil prices and 
global warming, Japan wants to contribute to settling the issue 
using its advanced technology, by spreading its own strict energy- 
conserving standards and technology. 
 
The summit will be held July 15-17. Energy, education, and 
measures to deal with infectious diseases will likely top the 
agenda. 
 
The meeting will also focus on energy in response to the sharp 
rise in crude oil prices, which is posing a risk to the global 
economy. Participants will discuss measures to stabilize prices, 
including the promotion of investment in oil production, 
transportation, and refining capability, as well as measures to 
improve energy efficiency. 
 
In Japan, the top-runner method was applied to 21 items, 
including autos and refrigerators, based on the Energy 
Conservation Law revised in 1998. Since then, this method has 
been producing results. The prime minister plans to propose this 
method, which is premised on performance-based competition by 
companies. Among major industrialized nations, Russia is lagging 
far behind in energy conservation. With that country in mind, the 
government is looking into the possibility of dispatching 
engineers in order to raise the level of energy-conserving 
technology, a precondition for introducing the top-runner method. 
 
13) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe: Japan will raise abduction issue 
at G-8 Summit; Government to carry out coordination with US 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe told senior members of the 
ruling parties during a meeting of the government and ruling 
coalition that Japan would raise the issue of abductions of 
Japanese nationals by North Korea at the Group of Eight (G-8) 
Summit, which will be held in July in St. Petersburg. The 
government will begin coordination with relevant countries, 
including the United States, where the abduction issue has begun 
to draw wider attention. If the abduction issue becomes an 
important issue at the G-8 Summit along with North Korea's 
nuclear programs, it may affect the development of the six-party 
talks. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002481  008 OF 011 
 
 
Abe, in the meeting yesterday, hailed the meeting between US 
President George W. Bush and Sakie Yokota, mother of Megumi 
Yokota, one of the abductees, saying: 
 
"A strong message was sent to the world through the meeting that 
the abduction issue must be resolved. We will put our all energy 
into resolving the issue by strengthening cooperation with the US 
and other countries. We will do our best so that the issue will 
be taken up at the G-8 Summit." 
 
Following the North Korean leader's admission in his meeting in 
September 2002 with Prime Minister Koizumi of the abductions, 
Japan alone raised the abduction issue at the 2003 G-8 Summit in 
Avian, France, and the issue was included in the chairman's 
statement. The issue was also incorporated in the summit in 2004 
and 2005. Realizing that it has obtained Washington's 
understanding with Yokota's visit to the US, the government 
intends to present a common agenda after securing understanding 
from other countries. 
 
If realized, international movement on human rights issues, 
including the abductions, may grow before the stalled nuclear 
issue. 
 
However, the G-8 Summit will take place in Russia, which 
expresses understanding for the North. A government official, 
therefore, pointed out, "It will not be easy to obtain 
understanding from G-8 members." 
 
14) Lower House Speaker Kono criticizes Prime Minister Koizumi's 
foreign policy in monthly magazine 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
Yohei Kono, speaker of the House of Representatives, criticized 
the foreign policy of the Koizumi government in the issue of the 
monthly magazine Sekai that went on sale on May 8. He wrote: "I 
have doubts about whether the Diet should tamely follow the 
government, which blindly follows the United States because of 
the Japan-US alliance." He also pointed out: 
 
"When the US attacked Iraq, the Koizumi government immediately 
expressed its support for the US. The government says Japan will 
be in trouble when a problem occurs in North Korea if it does not 
back the US. Diplomacy is not that simple." 
 
15) Japan, China, South Korea to hold talks on energy in Latin 
America at China's proposal, probably with aim of easing "China 
as a threat" argument 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
May 9, 2006 
 
The Chinese government has proposed to the Japanese government to 
hold talks on energy in Latin America and military cooperation. 
In late April, Japan, China, and South Korea held their first 
bureau-director-level talks in Beijing. Amid their strained 
political relations, it is quite rare for the three countries to 
hold talks over diplomacy toward countries on the other side of 
the world. Some have speculated that China is also aiming to ease 
the "China as a threat" argument growing in the US, focusing on 
 
TOKYO 00002481  009 OF 011 
 
 
China's activities in Latin America. 
 
The first Latin America talks involving officials in charge of 
Latin American affairs from Japan, China, and South Korea were 
held on April 26 at the proposal of China. In the meeting, the 
participants agreed to meet annually. They also agreed on a plan 
in which their embassies in countries in Latin America will 
jointly hold a trade show. 
 
According to an attendee, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Latin 
American Bureau director general said: "I want you to accurately 
understand the state of our cooperation with Latin American 
countries in the energy and military areas." He then emphasized 
that the increasing volume of trade in natural resources is on a 
regular commercial basis. The Chinese official added that 
military exchanges between China and the Latin American region, 
about which the US is increasingly concerned, are "modest." 
 
16) Government council on ODA strategy holds first meeting, 
aiming for Kantei-led policymaking 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 9, 2006 
 
A strategic council on Japan's official development assistance 
(ODA) policy, headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, held 
its first meeting yesterday and started working out an effective 
ODA strategy for the country. A number of government agencies 
have been involved in ODA policy in the past. The council was 
formed with the aim of the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) 
taking the initiative in offering ODA funds for projects that 
will be more in Japan's national interests, focusing on such 
aspects as democratization, energy, and the environment. The key 
to whether the council will be able to take the lead lies in the 
conceptual abilities of politicians. Potential candidates for the 
next premiership will be tested over their diplomatic strategy. 
 
Focus first on yen loans to China 
 
"This is taxpayer money, so I want you to use ODA funds in an 
effective, strategic way so that they will serve Japan's national 
interests," said Koizumi. 
 
The council is composed of Foreign Minister Taro Aso; Finance 
Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki; Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister 
Toshihiro Nikai; and Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, in 
addition to the prime minister. These members will discuss the 
nation's basic strategies for ODA and aid through international 
institutions. Allocations for ODA will also be reviewed flexibly 
at the initiative of politicians. Its meetings will not be made 
public, since it aims to proceed with debates while giving 
priority to national interests. 
 
Under the current system, 13 government agencies take part in 
ODA. Sectionalism has hampered overall cooperation. In a press 
conference, Abe said: "Japan has not worked out its ODA policy 
from an overall viewpoint, including environmental protection and 
energy." 
 
The council intends to urge recipients to resolve global warming 
and other environmental or energy problems through ODA projects 
and to set up a system to give priority to assistance to 
 
TOKYO 00002481  010 OF 011 
 
 
developing countries making efforts to promote democratization 
and secure human rights. If the council is able to move things as 
it expects, its role as a diplomatic tool will increase. 
 
17) Deliberate discussions on yen loans to China in fiscal 2005 
held at first meeting of the strategic council on ODA 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 9, 2006 
 
The government's strategic council on overseas economic 
cooperation, headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, 
yesterday held its first meeting at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei) and embarked on a discussion on ways for the 
Kantei to lead strategic and efficient use of official 
development assistance (ODA). The focus of the discussion at 
present is what to do with yen loans to China planned for fiscal 
2005, which the cabinet has not yet approved. 
 
At a press conference yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo 
Abe said: "It's desirable for the council to deal with important 
countries and items swiftly from the perspective of overseas 
economic cooperation." Abe emphasized that the Kantei would play 
the role of "control tower" to reduce red tape. 
 
Abe also indicated the need to discuss sector-by-sector 
assistance approaches, noting, "In the past Japan has lacked the 
viewpoint of how it will contribute to the world in the areas of 
the environment and energy." 
 
On the question of new provision of yen loans to China, Japan and 
China have agreed to end yen loans prior to the Beijing Olympics 
in 2008. But calls for moving up the timing of ending yen loans 
or doing so immediately are emerging in the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP), behind which are China's moves to explore 
oil gas fields in the East China Sea and its proposal for joint 
development of waters around the Senkaku Islands, which are 
Japanese territory. After deliberate discussions, the council 
intends to come up with a conclusion about what to do with 
provision of yen loans to China for fiscal 2005. 
 
18) UN Secretary General Annan to visit Japan on May 16 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
The Foreign Ministry yesterday announced that UN Secretary 
General Annan will visit Japan for four days from April 16. Annan 
will meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other leaders 
and exchange views on the reform of the United Nations, including 
whether to expand the UN Security Council, and the international 
situation. Prior to his visit to Japan, Annan will visit South 
Korea and meet with President Roh Moo Hyun and others. Annan will 
also travel to China and Vietnam. He planned to visit these four 
nations (in Asia) last December, but he was forced to delay his 
tour after the UN fell into disorder over compiling its budget. 
 
19) Japan, US to hold experts' meeting on beef issue next week to 
examine US report 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 9, 2006 
 
TOKYO 00002481  011 OF 011 
 
 
 
The government announced yesterday that experts from the Japanese 
and US governments would meet next week to discuss a resumption 
of trade in US beef. This development reflects the likelihood of 
Washington presenting Tokyo this week with a report detailing the 
results of its second inspection starting in late April of 
slaughterhouses and packing plants in the US. The Japanese and US 
governments will shortly start final work in preparation for 
coming up with the final decision on Japan's resumption of US 
beef imports. 
 
In the meeting, experts will closely examine the US report. 
Representatives from Japan will also report on the results of 
public hearings held with consumers in 10 locations nationwide 
last month. If no problem is found with the contents of the US 
report, both sides will discuss specific conditions for Japan to 
reopen its market to US beef. 
 
If Japan reaches broad agreement with the US on conditions for 
resuming imports, it will set safety criteria. The Japanese 
government will then explain such criteria to consumers across 
the nation, taking about two weeks. Hearing public views there, 
the government will approve the decision in mid-June, at the 
earliest. 
 
Experts from the Japanese government will then visit the US to 
inspect meat-processing plants. If they confirm they are 
observing Japan's safety criteria, Japan will resume US beef 
imports. 
 
SCHIEFFER