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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002672 
 
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 05/16/06 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Opinion polls: 
4)   Kyodo poll: Gap narrowing between top Koizumi contenders, 
  with Abe at 40% popularity rating, and Fukuda gaining with 31% 
5)   Yomiuri poll: Abe still on top with 40% as public favorite 
to succeed Koizumi, but Fukuda rapidly rises to 23% 
6)   Only 17% see Basic Education Law passing this Diet session 
in Asahi poll, with public split over use of patriotic wording in 
the text 
7)   Nikkei poll: 28% find it unavoidable that Japan must pay 
part of the USFJ realignment costs, but 40% would exclude Guam 
relocation portion 
8)   Okinawa poll: 46% against the Nukaga-Inamine agreement on 
Futenma relocation, with many angry at Okinawa governor 
 
Defense issues: 
9)   In deference to Okinawa, government not clearly stipulating 
  V-shaped runway at Camp Schwab in alignment document set for 
  Cabinet approval 
10)  ASDF may transport UN personnel, goods in Iraq as 
reconstruction assistance 
11)  China interfered in scheduled charter flight carrying GSDF 
troops to Samawah, forcing equipment change 
 
12)  Prime Minister Koizumi denies press rumors of his making 
  another trip to Pyongyang 
 
Koizumi reforms: 
13)  Government's measures to counter low birthrate focus on 
  changes in the work place, assistance to local districts 
14)  USG criticizes NTT in public comment for "Impeding 
competition" 
15)  Government readying program to encourage inward investment 
into Japan 
 
16)  Minshuto head Ozawa embarks on nationwide stumping tour 
  already preparing for next year's Upper House race 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Measures on low birth rate: Government panel to map out package 
with focus on work styles and local assistance 
 
Mainichi: Yomiuri: Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun: 
Roster for Japanese World Cup team selected 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Honda Motors to construct new plant with annual production 
capacity of 150,000 units in North America to meet demand for 
fuel-efficient vehicles 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
 
TOKYO 00002672  002 OF 010 
 
 
(1)  Drugs: Cut off North Korean route 
(2)  Chinese yuan: Revaluation will provide springboard for 
development 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Changing sponsorship of shogi tournament: Make a fresh start 
(2)  Measures on low birth rate: Ideas and money should not be 
spared 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  DPJ's counterproposal on bill amending Basic Education Law: 
The opposition party should find common ground with government 
stance 
(2)  Police fabricate report in Setagaya murder case: Culprit 
won't be caught this way 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Child-rearing assistance measures lack feasibility and 
funding 
(2)  2006 World Cup in Germany: Opportunity to make friends 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Basic Education Law: DPJ plan not so bad 
(2)  2006 World Cup: We want to see exciting games again 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  2006 World Cup in Germany: We want to see improved play by 
Japanese team 
(2)  Fake police investigation report on Setagaya murder case: 
Police should go back to basics of investigation 
 
3) Prime Minister's schedule, May 15 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
10:31 
Arrived at Kantei. 
 
11:30 
Met Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry's Health and Labor Bureau 
Deputy Director General Tsuji, Policy Planning Director General 
Shiota, and others. 
 
15:00 
Met Foreign Ministry's Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau 
Director General Yoshikawa, and former Samawah Office head 
Kobayashi. 
 
16:30 
Met Nihon Keizai Shimbun President Sugita. 
 
17:01 
Attended an executive meeting in the Diet building. 
 
17:38 
Arrived at Kantei. 
 
19:00 
Met Upper House Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Yano, Deputy 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki, and others. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002672  003 OF 010 
 
 
4) Poll: Abe stands at 40%, Fukuda at 31% in post-Koizumi race 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 16, 2006 
 
Kyodo News conducted a telephone-based nationwide public opinion 
survey on May 13-14, in which respondents were asked who they 
thought would be appropriate for the next prime minister after 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. In this popularity rating, 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe ranked at the top with 40.1% 
(51.9% in a previous survey conducted in April). However, one of 
Abe's predecessors, Yasuo Fukuda, rose to 31.4% in the latest 
survey from 22.1% in the last survey. Fukuda closed in on Abe 
with their margin narrowed down from 29.8 percentage points in 
the last survey to some 20 points in the survey this time. The 
ruling Liberal Democratic Party is scheduled to elect its new 
president in September, and Yasukuni Shrine is likely to become a 
point of contention in the LDP presidential race. In the survey, 
respondents were asked if they thought the next prime minister 
should visit the shrine. In response to this question, "no" 
accounted for 51.8%, with "yes" reaching 35.8%. As seen from the 
figures, negative answers outnumbered positive ones. 
 
Fukuda is willing to redo Koizumi diplomacy in an aim to improve 
Japan's soured relations with China and South Korea. In the 
survey, his remarks seem to have given a favorable impression to 
the public and led to an increase in public support for him. 
Among other post-Koizumi candidates, Foreign Minister Taro Aso 
stood at 4.5%, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki at 2.7%, and 
Taro Kono at 1.6%. "Others" accounted for 1.4%. 
 
In the survey, respondents were also asked what the next prime 
minister should do about Koizumi's restructuring drive. In 
response to this question, 30.1% said the next prime minister 
should take over the Koizumi reforms, with 30.6% insisting on 
revising and 32.3% insisting on overhauling. The Koizumi 
cabinet's approval rating was 49.6%, up 2.4 points from the last 
time, and its disapproval rating at 37.6%, down 2.3 points. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the 
leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 
stood at 24.2%, up from the 19.9% rating in the last survey 
conducted right after Ichiro Ozawa became the party's head. The 
DPJ has now recovered its popularity to the level in March 2005, 
overcoming its email fiasco. The LDP was at 39.0%, down 4.4% from 
the last time, and the New Komeito party, a coalition partner of 
the LDP, was at 3.8%, up 0.8 points. Among other parties, the 
Japanese Communist Party was at 1.9%, down 0.7 points; the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) at 1.9%, up 0.4 points; the 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) at 0.1%, down 0.2 
points; the New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) at 0.2%, up 
0.1 points. Those with no particular party affiliation accounted 
for 27.2%, down 0.1 points. 
 
In the survey, respondents were further asked which political 
party they would like to vote for in the House of Councillors 
election slated for the summer of next year. In response to this 
question, 37.1% picked the LDP, with 28.9% preferring the DPJ. 
 
5) Poll: Fukuda surges to 23% in post-Koizumi race, Abe still in 
top position with 40% 
 
 
TOKYO 00002672  004 OF 010 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 16, 2006 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a face-to-face nationwide public 
opinion survey on May 13-14, in which respondents were asked to 
pick one from among nine persons in the ruling Liberal Democratic 
Party as the most appropriate person for the next prime minister 
after Prime Minister Koizumi, who will step down in September. In 
this popularity ranking, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe still 
topped all others at 40%, and one of his predecessors, Yasuo 
Fukuda, ranked second at 23%. Abe was down 4 percentage points 
from a survey conducted in April. In the meantime, Fukuda was up 
10 points, rising sharply in public support. Their margin has 
narrowed down from 31 points in this April's survey to 17 points 
in the latest survey. Many more people are apparently looking 
ahead into the LDP presidential race in the Abe-vs.-Fukuda 
showdown. 
 
Among other post-Koizumi candidates, Foreign Minister Aso stood 
at 4%, down 1 point from last month; former LDP Secretary General 
Koichi Kato at 3%, up 1 point; Internal Affairs and 
Communications Minister Takenaka at 2%, down 1 point; Finance 
Minister Tanigaki at 1%, leveling off from last month. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP 
stood at 42.3%, showing a slight decrease of 0.5 points from last 
month. The leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or 
Minshuto) was at 15.8%, up 1.8 points. The DPJ has topped 15% for 
the first time in one and a half years since a survey conducted 
in November 2004. 
 
The Koizumi cabinet's approval rating was 54.4%, showing a slight 
decrease of 1.6 points from the last survey. 
 
6) Poll: 17% want education law amended in current Diet session 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 16, 2006 
 
In a recent telephone-based poll conducted by the Mainichi 
Shimbun on May 13-14, respondents were asked if they thought the 
Diet should pass a government-introduced bill now before the Diet 
to amend the Basic Education Law in the current session. In 
response to this question, "yes" answers accounted for only 17%, 
with "no" reaching 66%. As seen from these figures, the general 
public apparently does not think the Diet should fast-track the 
bill, though how to handle this legislative measure will likely 
affect whether to extend the current Diet session. Among other 
answers, 7% insisted that the Diet should vote down the bill in 
the current session and scrap it. 
 
The government bill also incorporates patriotism, which is 
expressed as "respecting Japan's traditions and culture and 
loving Japan and its land." In the survey, respondents were asked 
about this wording. In response to this question, 40% said it was 
fine. However, 26% insisted on even more clear-cut wording, with 
25% saying there is no need to incorporate patriotism in the law. 
As seen from these figures, critical views totaled about 50%. 
 
7) Poll: 28% see Japan's payment for USFJ realignment as 
unavoidable 
 
 
TOKYO 00002672  005 OF 010 
 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
Japan and the United States released a final report on May 2, 
incorporating an agreement on the realignment of US forces. 
Meanwhile, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a public opinion 
survey on May 12-14, asking respondents if they thought it 
unavoidable for Japan to pay for the US military's realignment in 
Japan. In response to this question, 28% answered "yes." However, 
40% were cautious about paying for the relocation of US Marines 
from Okinawa to Guam, insisting that Japan's payment for the 
force realignment should be limited to base relocation in Japan 
only. Negative answers about Japan's cost sharing for the 
realignment accounted for 19%. 
 
Japan planned to carry out a survey of the sea near the disputed 
group of Takeshima islets (Dokdo in Korean), to which Japan and 
South Korea have been claiming territorial rights. Asked about 
South Korea's backlash against the planned survey, 50% said Japan 
should forego the sea survey for the time being and see South 
Korea's attitude, with 31% insisting that Japan should carry it 
out right away even though it may worsen the two countries' 
relation and only 3% saying Japan should never ever carry it out. 
 
8) Poll of Okinawa residents: 46% don't approve of agreement on 
Futenma relocation plan 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
Only 30% of respondents expect that the planned realignment of US 
forces in Japan based on the agreement between the Japanese and 
US governments would lighten the base burden on Okinawa, while 
66% did not have such an expectation, according to a joint survey 
of Okinawa voters on May 13-14. Asked about the recent agreement 
reached between Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine and Defense 
Agency Director General Nukaga on the government's plan to 
relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Cape Henoko 
in Nago, 46% said: "I don't approve it," overtaking those who 
said: "I approve it." 
 
According to the telephone survey, conducted jointly by the Asahi 
Shimbun and the Okinawa Times, 6% said: "The security burden on 
Okinawa will be significantly reduced" through the US force 
realignment, and 24% replied: "It will reduce it to some extent." 
But 47% said: "The burden will not be significantly lightened," 
and 19% said: "It will not be lightened at all." The poll showed 
that many are not expecting the realignment to lighten the base 
burden on Okinawa. 
 
On the entire picture of realignment of US forces in Japan, as 
well, 55% expressed "opposition," while only 27% expressed 
"support." 
 
Asked about the government's Futenma relocation plan, 69% gave a 
negative view, whereas 19% were positive. These figures are 
almost the same as those in the survey (72% against it, 15% in 
favor) conducted just after the interim report on US force 
realignment was announced last November. 
 
Although public support for Governor Inamine dropped to 58% from 
the 64% last November, many still support the governor. Asked 
 
TOKYO 00002672  006 OF 010 
 
 
about his agreement with Nukaga on the government's Futenma 
relocation plan, however, only 36% expressed "approval." 
 
9) Futenma relocation: Government not to specify V-shaped plan in 
cabinet decision out of consideration for local communities 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
The government decided yesterday not to specify the Japan-US 
agreement on V-shaped 1,800-meter-long runways to replace the one 
at Futenma Air Station in the document to be adopted by the 
cabinet for implementation of US force realignment. The decision 
reflects the government's consideration to the Okinawa 
prefectural government, which is calling for a temporary 
heliport, and the Nago municipal government, which is insisting 
on shorter runways. The document is likely to use ambiguous 
expressions, such as "based on the government's plan." But the 
government has no intention of revising the V-shaped plan, 
specified in the final agreement with Washington. The decision, 
therefore, is aimed at facilitating talks with municipalities for 
realizing the plan. 
 
A cabinet decision will formerly determine the government's 
policy to take necessary measures to implement the final report. 
The government has been making arrangements for making a cabinet 
decision on May 23 ahead of the Pacific Islands Summit to be held 
on May 26-27 in Okinawa in the attendance of Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi. After a cabinet decision, the government plans 
to set up a consultative panel with Okinawa and Nago and 
accelerate coordination in the government to establish 
legislation for facilitating US force realignment. 
 
The governments of Japan and the United States are in accord to 
relocate Futenma Air Station to the coastline of Camp Schwab in 
Nago. Their final agreement incorporated a plan to build two 
1,800-meter runways including 100-meter overruns in a V shape as 
alternative facilities. An absence of the V-shaped plan from a 
cabinet decision may draw fire from the US calling for the 
implementation of the relocation plan without fail. 
 
10) Government considering expanding ASDF Iraq mission to include 
airlifting of UN personnel, supplies 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
May 16, 2006 
 
The government is considering expanding the Air-Self Defense 
Force's mission to include the airlifting of United Nations 
personnel and supplies from Kuwait to Baghdad in accordance with 
the Law Concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and 
Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq. The government is considering 
such a step in compliance with an informal request of the world 
body, which is aiming to expand activities in Iraq. UN Secretary 
General Kofi Annan is expected to ask for Japan's cooperation in 
transport in his talks with Prime Minister Koizumi tomorrow. If 
there is such a request, Koizumi is likely to express his 
willingness to consider it positively. 
 
The United Nations substantially reduced its activities in Iraq 
following the August 2003 bombing of its headquarters in Baghdad. 
Currently, some 660 personnel with the United Nations Assistance 
 
TOKYO 00002672  007 OF 010 
 
 
Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) are operating in the country. The world 
body, which plans to beef up the functions of its Iraq office and 
expand its activities timed with the establishment of a new Iraqi 
government, has informally asked a number of countries, including 
Japan, to assist in airlifting UN personnel and supplies. 
 
11) Japan's chartered plane transporting GSDF troops to Iraq 
unable to fly due to China's pressure 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
May 16, 2006 
 
Japan's 10th detachment from the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) 
yesterday arrived in Samawah in southern Iraq for reconstruction 
assistance, but this unit had been forced to reschedule their 
departure due to China's pressure, several high-level government 
officials revealed yesterday. Specifically, Chinese authorities 
raised a red flag toward a flight plan by a commercial plane 
chartered by the Japanese government to send GSDF troops to Iraq. 
Reconstruction assistance to Iraq is part of Japan's 
international contributions and is a major pillar of its foreign 
policy. The government, being unable to fathom Chinese 
authorities' intentions, plans to review the previous way of 
dispatching personnel abroad for international contributions. 
 
According to government officials, the 10th detachment had 
initially planned to depart from Haneda Airport on May 7. 
Following the plan, it had chartered a plane from the Hong Kong- 
based Cathay Pacific Airways to fly to Kuwait, a transit point 
for Iraq. 
 
However, the moment Chinese authorities learned of this flight 
plan, they called on the airline company to cancel the flight 
plan. Coming under Chinese pressure, Cathay Pacific reportedly on 
May 5 informed the Defense Agency (JDA) via a Japanese 
intermediate agent of a last-minute cancellation of the flight 
plan. 
 
The JDA hastily rearranged the dispatch plan and sent the GSDF 
unit by using two regular flights, such as that of Qatar Airways, 
which departed from Kansai International Airport late at night on 
May 7. The unit of 140 troops was divided into two groups to get 
on two planes: one consisting of 25 troops and the other of 115. 
They got into the planes in plain clothes, although under the 
initial plan, they would have boarded in uniform. They arrived in 
Iraq via Qatar. 
 
12) Former diplomat doubtful about Prime Minister Koizumi's third 
visit to North Korea 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
Former Deputy Foreign Minister Hitoshi Tanaka, who behind the 
scenes orchestrated the first visit to North Korea by Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi, yesterday delivered a speech in Tokyo 
in which he expressed doubt that the prime minister would make a 
third visit to North Korea before he steps down in September, 
saying: "(The prime minister) will not go unless elaborate 
preparations are made and certain achievements are expected." 
 
13) Government council on declining birthrate to consider work 
 
TOKYO 00002672  008 OF 010 
 
 
styles and local support, puts discussion of funding on the 
backburner; Will hammer out differences between two proposals 
floated by ruling coalition 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) 
May 16, 2006 
 
The government's Council on Measures for the Declining Birthrate, 
chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe, yesterday shaped a 
package of measures to be adopted in June. The focus of the 
package is plans for economic support like improving child-care 
allowances, a review of work styles that includes corporate 
subsidies child-care leave, and the establishment of a child- 
rearing support system in each region, such as establishing a 
system of "child-rearing managers" (tentative name). But when it 
comes to financial resources for such plans, the Council cited 
only the need to establish "child-care insurance" and "a child- 
care fund." Based on this package, as well as proposals to deal 
with the declining birthrate the ruling Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP) and its junior coalition member New Komeito presented late 
April, the government will now begin final coordination regarding 
items for measures to be incorporated into the government's Basic 
Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Structural 
Reform, which will be approved at a cabinet meeting in June. 
 
14) NTT under fire from domestic competitors, US government; 
Communications Ministry releases publicly solicited views; 
Strengthening of group ties criticized as hindering competition 
 
MAINICH (Page 9) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) 
yesterday released the results of views solicited from the public 
regarding Japan's new competition policy for telecommunications. 
The US government and KDDI and other domestic companies expressed 
strong concern that NTT's strategy of strengthening ties with its 
group companies, such as NTT East, NTT West, and DoCoMo, which it 
released last fall, would mar the competitive environment in the 
telecommunications sector. They all called for the strengthening 
of regulations to restrict consolidated business management by 
the telecom giant and the introduction of a radical competition 
policy that would break up the monopoly. 
 
The US government pointed out that the reorganization of NTT 
Group under a holding company in 1999 has not been effective in 
terms of promoting competition. NTT in its mid-term management 
strategy issued last November unveiled a policy of integrated 
management of group companies. The US government also harshly 
criticized that policy as undermining the competitive 
environment. 
 
An interim report issued by the Panel to Consider 
Telecommunications and Broadcasting (chaired by Toyo University 
Professor Satoshi Matsubara), a private council that reports to 
MIC Minister Heizo Takenaka, incorporated a plan to spin off 
NTT's fixed-line service into a separate entity and not allow the 
new entity to use the NTT brand. The US government praised the 
report, noting, "The US is paying attention to the development of 
the proposal with interest." 
 
Domestic competitors, such as KDDI and Softbank, have expressed 
 
TOKYO 00002672  009 OF 010 
 
 
concern about a plan for NTT East, NTT West, and DoCoMo to offer 
services integrating fixed lines and mobile phones, saying that 
tie-ups between dominant players stifle competition. NTT has 
countered such criticism, claiming that in developing next- 
generation telecommunications services, it will open the door to 
other carriers. Howls of criticism from the US and domestic 
competitors will likely affect the mapping out of a new 
competition policy by the MIAC. 
 
15) Government drafts proposals to encourage investment in Japan 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
The government's Inward Investment Council, chaired by Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi, presented during its expert panel 
meeting yesterday a set of proposals to expand investment in 
Japan from overseas. 
 
The proposals were included in an Inward Investment Acceleration 
Program (tentative name) it submitted to the meeting yesterday. 
This program is composed of three parts: (1) strengthening the 
exploitation of and assistance to inward investment projects; (2) 
arranging an environment to facilitate investment in Japan; and 
(3) promoting PR. The panel plans to adopt specific measures by 
mid-June and incorporate them in the government's 2006 Basic 
Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management. 
 
Included in the program are measures to hold investment seminars 
joined by relevant cabinet ministers and governors and to set up 
a website on inward investment that posts information related to 
investments across the nation, such as industrial integration and 
R&D (research and development). In addition, the panel will study 
measures to (1) establish employment, education, and medical 
systems for investing companies; (2) prepare foreign-language 
brochures about administrative procedures for investment in Japan 
and digitize them; and (3) give special aid for regions eager to 
draw in investment. 
 
16) Ozawa kicks off nationwide tour for Upper House election 
beginning with Yamagata 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 16, 2006 
 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa 
visited Yamagata City yesterday to exchange views with 
prefectural chapter executives for the 2007 Upper House election. 
Ozawa, who places importance on single-seat constituencies, 
picked Yamagata as the first leg of his nationwide stumping tour 
for the upcoming election. In his talks with persons connected 
with influential local groups, such as Yamagata Keizai Doyukai 
(Association of Corporate Executives) and Rengo (Japanese Trade 
Union Confederation) Yamagata, Ozawa asked for their support for 
the party in the election next year. 
 
Based on the fact that labor unions affiliated with the All Japan 
Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union backed Social Democratic 
Party candidates in the 2004 Upper House election, Ozawa told 
Rengo executives: "We are considering joining hands with parties 
against the LDP-New Komeito coalition. It is important to achieve 
our common goal (of forcing the ruling coalition into a 
 
TOKYO 00002672  010 OF 010 
 
 
minority)." Rengo executives also expressed their willingness to 
work closely with Minshuto. 
 
Ozawa held a press conference in Yamagata City in which he 
exhibited confidence about his party making a leap in the 
upcoming election, stating, "The Upper House election next year 
will lead to a change in administration. We have the edge." 
 
Diet approval of amendments to the Public Offices Election Law in 
the current session will create 29 single-seat constituencies for 
the election next year. Of them, Minshuto has yet to determine 
its candidates in about 20 constituencies. Ozawa is scheduled to 
visit Kagawa and Tokushima later this month. He plans to visit 
all single-seat constituencies at a pace of a couple of places a 
week to determine candidates by mid-August. 
 
DONOVAN