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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002724 
 
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 05/18/06 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Beef issue: 
4)   US, Japan experts generally agree in consultations on 
  conditions for resuming US beef imports 
5)   Experts meeting boiling down final points of agreement 
including method of inspection 
6)   US delegates in experts meeting stress safety of US beef 
7)   Japanese government strongly dissatisfied with USDA report 
on re-inspection of US meatpacking plants 
 
8)   Senate in hearings asks USTR-designate Schwab to be more 
  forceful with trade partners like Japan 
 
Iraq reconstruction assistance: 
9)   Visiting UN Secretary General Annan finds Prime Minister 
  Koizumi amenable to request for ASDF to provide UN with air 
  transport assistance in Iraq 
10)  Koizumi has already put his seal of approval on expanding 
assistance to Iraq 
11)  Government has already internally decided to expand air 
transport assistance to Iraq 
 
12)  Iran's ambassador warns that if Japan joins coalition of 
  willing against his country, oil development rights will be cut 
  off 
 
13)  Japan aims to achieve 40% target of self-developed oil 
  supply 
 
14)  Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda quietly wraps up 
  successful trip to US, having met a host of VIPs 
 
15)  Mindan in reconciliation with Chosen Soren agrees to end 
  assistance for North Korean escapees 
 
16)  Delay in Cabinet decision on USFJ realignment agreement to 
  27th out of consideration to Okinawa 
 
Political agenda: 
17)  First party heads debate between Minshuto's Ozawa and 
  Koizumi fizzles toward the end 
18)  Koizumi says he will name his successor in late August or 
early September 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Court rejects woman's insurance claim, saying man was killed for 
insurance money; Death by poisoning recognized in civil trial. 
 
Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
False quake resistance data: Huser President Ojima arrested 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Government's bill against sale of copycat products on Internet 
 
TOKYO 00002724  002 OF 011 
 
 
auctions likely to obligate large sellers to disclose their 
names, including individuals 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  Ozawa-led DPJ: How will the party deal with the LDP? 
(2)  False quake-resistance data: Investigations into key persons 
will now begin 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Mindan and Chongryun: Two Korean groups must not turn their 
back on North Korean defectors 
(2)  Question time in Diet: Real debate now expected 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Question time in Diet: More in-depth debate on educational 
reform desired 
(2)  False quake-resistance data: Business practices gave short 
shrift to safety 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  We hope to see heated debate in question time in Diet 
(2) Reconciliation of Mindan, Chongryun is worth noting 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Reconciliation of two Korean in Japan: We hope Mindan does 
not turn into a second Chongryun 
(2)  Question time in Diet: In-depth review of post-war Japan 
needed 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  Koizumi vs. Ozawa: We expect US force realignment and 
Yasukuni issue to be put on agenda for their debate 
(2)  Mindan and Chongryun: Are these two Korean organizations 
able to distance themselves from their home countries? 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 17 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
08:43 
Arrived at Kantei. 
 
09:23 
Attended a Lower House Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee 
session. 
 
12:33 
Saw "life message exhibition" at Lower House No. 2 Diet Members' 
Office Building. 
 
12:49 
Returned to Kantei. 
 
14:08 
Met Minshuto lawmaker Yorihisa Matsuno. 
 
15:00 
 
TOKYO 00002724  003 OF 011 
 
 
Attended party-head debate. 
 
15:53 
Met with Secretary General Takebe at LDP headquarters. Afterward 
attended an election headquarters meeting and a national students 
exchange lecture meeting. 
 
16:53 
Met at Kantei with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan followed by 
Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano. 
 
18:29 
Dined at the Hotel Okura with Nippon Steel Corp. Honorary 
Chairman Imai, Toyota Motor Chairman Okuda, and others. 
 
20:44 
Returned to his residence. 
 
4) US beef: Experts to reach agreement in principle to resume 
imports as early as next month; Arrival of goods after inspection 
by Japan 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Tokyo and Washington are expected to reach agreement in principle 
on conditions for resuming US beef imports during today's 
bilateral experts meeting. The government will likely decide to 
resume imports before the end of June. Prior inspections of meat 
processing facilities by Japanese experts need to be conducted 
once such a decision is made. Because of this procedure, the 
actual resumption of imports will not take place before the fall. 
 
During yesterday's meeting, the US side explained the details of 
a report on the results of the re-inspections of its meat- 
processing plants that are allowed to export products to Japan. 
The Japanese side proposed having its experts accompany US 
inspectors on snap inspections and conduct prior inspections of 
eligible US meat packers, as well as creating rules to deal with 
problems that might occur after the resumption of imports. 
 
A meeting will also be held today. Since there is no major gap in 
the views of Tokyo and Washington, the two parties are expected 
to reach an agreement in principle on conditions for restarting 
beef trade. Chances are, however, if they fail to work out 
details, another meeting might be held on the 19th. 
 
The Japanese government plans to hold town meetings later with 
domestic consumers and importers. It will decide to resume beef 
imports after completing those sessions. It will take several 
weeks to complete that process, because such sessions will be 
held across the nation. 
 
In addition, even if the government decides to import US beef, it 
will take more than a month for Japanese officials to inspect all 
35 eligible US meat packers. Some have proposed that imports 
could be started from plants as they undergo prior inspections. 
However, the Japanese side needs to strengthen its quarantine 
procedures. Because of this situation, it would take even more 
time to restart beef trade. 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is expected to meet with 
 
TOKYO 00002724  004 OF 011 
 
 
President Bush in late June. If consumers conclude that Japan has 
decided to resume US beef imports under pressure from the US, the 
move would draw harsh criticism. As such, Tokyo and Washington 
want to create a system that enables the US to observe import 
conditions without regard to the prime minister's visit to the 
US. 
 
5) Bilateral experts meeting: Japan, US heading for agreement 
next month on importing US beef, boiling down such details now as 
method of inspection 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 18, 2006 
 
With a meeting of experts from Japan and US on US beef starting 
yesterday, bilateral talks on restarting imports of US beef have 
now reached the home stretch. The Japanese and US governments aim 
to reach agreement during the experts meetings on specific 
conditions for restarting imports, having in mind the laying of 
the groundwork for a decision to remove the import ban in June. 
However, the premise for that decision is there having been no 
problems with the US' re-inspection of US beef-processing plants. 
There is also a possibility that detailed discussions could have 
some left-over issues, such as the method of carrying out 
inspections (prior inspections) by Japan before the resumption of 
imports. 
 
6) US stresses safety of its beef during experts' meeting 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Experts of the governments of Japan and the US met yesterday at 
the Foreign Ministry to discuss the issue of Japan's re- 
imposition of a ban on US beef imports, following the discovery 
in a US beef shipment of a specified risk material (SRM), banned 
in Japan as a BSE agent. 
 
During the meeting, the US presented a report of several dozen 
pages on the outcome of its recent re-inspections of meat 
processing plants authorized to export to Japan and reiterated 
that there was no possibility of a recurrence. The Japanese 
delegates sought a continuance of the talks, saying that some US 
explanations were insufficient. 
 
7) Japanese delegation in experts meeting strongly dissatisfied 
with US report: "Being at an outline level, the contents are 
insufficient" 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Excerpt) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Although the spotlight is on the US report of its re-inspections 
of US meat-packing facilities, its contents have created a 
difference in views between the Japanese and US delegates. As a 
premise for holding the meeting, the report was presented ahead 
of time, but the contents being in outline form was deemed 
insufficient, greatly disgruntling the Japanese delegation. The 
US stresses that the vertical columns found in the beef shipment 
was "a unique case," and insists that all of its other facilities 
are safe. The report on the re-inspections backed up its 
assertion, and the Japanese delegation has been taking an 
 
TOKYO 00002724  005 OF 011 
 
 
extremely cautions position, calling for a careful examination of 
the report at the meeting. Although the US has been saying it 
would provide new documents, a Health and Labor Ministry official 
said, "The contents cannot be clearly said to be convincing." 
Some officials have pointed out that it may take more time than 
expected to confirm the data and the like. The meetings are 
supposed to end on the 18th, but some speculate that they could 
run over until the 19th. 
 
8) US Senator urges USTR nominee to "be even tougher trade 
negotiator" 
 
ASAHI (Page 10) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Kaoru Nishizaki, Washington 
 
During a Senate Finance Committee hearing to confirm the 
promotion of Susan Schwab, current deputy US trade 
representative, to be the top US trade negotiator, the Senators 
urged Schwab to be an even tougher negotiator in order to achieve 
progress in negotiations with China and Japan They were 
reflecting requests coming from their election districts and 
affected businesses. 
 
In the hearings, one senator, displaying a graph showing the US 
trade deficit last year as more than 700 billion dollars, said: 
"As a result of our trade imbalance with China sharply 
increasing, the US now a 200-billion dollar trade deficit. Can we 
say under such circumstances that our trade policy has obtained 
success?" Pointing out that the US has depended on money coming 
from Japan and China to cover its trade and fiscal deficits, the 
senator snapped: "This is unsustainable, a losing strategy." 
 
Many members also called for an early resumption of beef imports 
to Japan and China. In response, the chairman commented: 
 
"The US government's negotiating stance is overly amiable. I 
believe your bargaining power is strong, but I expect you to 
demonstrate a tough stance to Americans and have them feel that 
the government is doing its best to protect its national 
interests." 
 
In the 1980s, when Japan-US trade friction intensified, Schwab 
displayed great ability as the official in charge of legislation 
for Senator Danforth, known as a hard-liner toward Japan. She 
also worked for the US Embassy in Tokyo as a trade officer. 
Schwab said: 
 
"The agricultural negotiations I joined for the first time as an 
USTR officer were held in Tokyo and they were aimed to make Japan 
open its market to US beef.... I am determined to devote myself 
to removing barriers to US exports." 
 
9) Japan positive about airlift support for UN 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi yesterday met at his office with 
United Nations Secretary General Annan. In the meeting, Annan 
asked Koizumi to help the United Nations airlift its personnel 
 
TOKYO 00002724  006 OF 011 
 
 
and supplies in connection with Iraq's reconstruction. With this, 
Annan asked for the Air Self-Defense Force's airlift support. The 
ASDF currently stations a squadron of transport planes in Kuwait 
for airlift missions to and from Iraq. Koizumi stressed the 
importance of working together with the United Nations. "I'd like 
to consider the request in a positive manner," Koizumi added. 
 
The government will continue ASDF airlift services after 
withdrawing Ground Self-Defense Force troops currently deployed 
in Iraq. At the request of Annan, Japan will likely back up the 
United Nations in addition to its support for US forces. 
 
Touching on Japan's soured relations with South Korea over 
Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine, Annan asked Koizumi to 
improve the two countries' relations. "South Korea has never 
closed the door, so I want the two countries to talk," Annan 
said. "I'm optimistic about Japan's relations with South Korea 
and China," Koizumi replied. "I'm ready to meet with their 
leaders at any time," he said. 
 
Referring to Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security 
Council, Annan said the United Nations has yet to fully reform 
itself. "But," Annan went on, "I still don't think it's dead." He 
also said, "Most countries recognize it's necessary (to reform 
the United Nations), so as for the rest, it's a matter of how to 
get their consensus." Koizumi said, "Japan has been talking with 
the United States and other countries, and we'd like to continue 
talks for reform." 
 
Later in the day, Annan met with Foreign Minister Taro Aso in 
Tokyo. In the meeting, Aso took up Japan's financial contribution 
to the United Nations. He said, "If our unfair contribution 
continues, the Japanese people's frustration will be growing." 
With this, Aso asked Annan to review Japan's contribution rate as 
proposed by Japan. 
 
10) UN authorizes Japan to expand airlift activities in Iraq 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in his meeting with UN 
Secretary General Annan yesterday, showed a positive stance in 
 
SIPDIS 
response to Annan's request for the Air Self-Defense Force's 
airlift support for the United Nations. The government, out of 
consideration for the United States, is planning to expand the 
scope of ASDF activities after withdrawing Ground Self-Defense 
Force personnel currently deployed in Iraq. Annan's request was 
therefore what the government needed. 
 
The government coordinated to begin the GSDF's pullout in April. 
However, the government has decided to wait until this fall or 
later due to Iraq's political and security instability. However, 
the United States is trying to persuade Japan in various ways to 
stay on in order to prevent a withdrawal domino. 
 
In an aim to obtain the United States' consent, the government 
mulls expanding the scope of ASDF missions. The government is 
looking into the possibility of airlifting US military personnel 
and supplies to Balad and Baghdad in the middle part of Iraq and 
also to Qatar, where US troops are based. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002724  007 OF 011 
 
 
However, the ASDF's risk is certain to increase as a consequence 
of expanding the scope of its activities. A British transport 
plane, for instance, was shot down near Baghdad. In the case of 
expanding the scope of ASDF missions, the government could come 
under fire from the Japanese people. 
 
Annan's request, however, means that the United Nations has 
authorized Japan to expand the scope of ASDF activities. The 
government can also justify Japan's backup activities for US 
forces as helping the United Nations' assistance to Iraq in its 
reconstruction. 
 
11) ASDF to conduct airlift support for UN in Iraq 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 18, 2006 
 
The government decided yesterday to expand the Air Self-Defense 
Force's airlift activities in Iraq and will also conduct airlift 
support for the United Nations. The ASDF is expected to first 
airlift UN personnel and supplies to the northern Iraqi city of 
Arbil. The government deemed it possible to make an appeal on 
Japan's continued humanitarian and reconstruction assistance 
activities in Iraq after recalling Ground Self-Defense Force 
troops. 
 
UN Secretary General Annan, now visiting Japan, met with Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi at his office yesterday. In the 
meeting, Annan asked Japan to assist the United Nations in Iraq 
with ASDF airlift services. Koizumi positively responded to the 
request. 
 
Meanwhile, the United Nations has asked the Japanese government 
to help with its establishment of an office in Arbil. In concrete 
terms, the United Nations would like the ASDF to carry UN 
personnel and supplies on board its C-130 transports. 
 
The ASDF is expected to fly transport planes from Baghdad or 
Kuwait to Arbil. The ASDF has sent three C-130s and about 200 
personnel on airlift missions to shuttle GSDF supplies between 
Kuwait and Iraq's southern district. The Defense Agency, deeming 
it possible for the ASDF to support UN activities, will shortly 
check a local airport in Arbil. 
 
12) Iranian ambassador tries to discourage Japan from joining 
sanctions on strength of oil field 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
In a press conference yesterday, Iranian Ambassador to Japan 
Mohsen Talaei indicated the possibility that Japan would lose the 
rights it has to exploit the Azadegan oil field if Japan join 
sanctions against Iran over its nuclear development program in 
the event of such a measure taken under the lead of the United 
State. The ambassador said: "Sanction against Iran will turn into 
sanctions against Japan." 
 
Japan imports 15% of its oil from Iran - the third largest oil 
supplier to Japan, following Saudi Arabia and the United Arab 
Emirates. Japan has now concession rights for 75% of an estimate 
26 billion barrels of oil buried in the field, and the field is 
 
TOKYO 00002724  008 OF 011 
 
 
the largest one for Japan's independent development of oil 
resources. The ambassador said: "Japan should maintain the rights 
that are vital for its energy security and protect its national 
interests." 
 
13) Government sets goal to raise independent oil-development 
rate to 40% 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
May 18, 2006 
 
The government and the ruling camp have decided to nurture 
Japanese oil majors and raise the ratio of independently 
developed oil to imports from the current 15% to 40% by 2030. The 
government had continued to invest in independent oil development 
through the former Japan National Oil Corporation (JNOC), setting 
the goal of increasing the independent oil-development rate to 
30%. But since the corporation's business performance 
deteriorated due to failures in its oil development, the 
government has withdrawn its independent development promotion 
policy. Given recent oil price hikes, however, the government has 
decided to revive the policy. 
 
This policy switch was included in an interim report on the 
nation's comprehensive energy strategy - finalized yesterday by 
the Liberal Democratic Party's energy strategy panel. The 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will incorporate the 
policy decision in its report on a new national energy strategy 
due out by the end of this month. 
 
The interim report noted that amid oil prices skyrocketing, 
Western countries' oil majors, as well as Chinese and Indian 
emerging oil businesses have engaged in heated competition for 
resources development across the world. To counter such 
companies, the report suggested the government would provide huge 
amounts of funds for oil development. It also proposes setting up 
systems to have government institutions, such as Japan Oil, Gas 
and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), which has taken over 
the business of JNOC, and the Japan Bank for International 
Cooperation make investment, guarantee debts, and offer loans. 
 
14) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda's serene tour of US: Is 
he looking to robust calls for him to run in presidential race? 
He remains mum about details of his meetings with key US 
officials 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Takashi Tominakoshi, Washington 
 
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda completed his 
itinerary in the United States on May 16, including his meetings 
with key US government officials, members of Congress, and 
others. Fukuda, however, remains mum about the details of those 
meetings, although it is customary for lawmakers to reveal the 
details of their diplomatic activities overseas. As one of the 
contenders to succeed Prime Minister Koizumi, Fukuda is drawing 
wide public attention, following Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe. 
This is perhaps because the public pins hopes on Fukuda's 
diplomatic skills. Although he is well aware of such 
expectations, Fukuda appears unwilling at present to make himself 
 
TOKYO 00002724  009 OF 011 
 
 
seen as being eager (for the Liberal Democratic Party 
presidency). 
 
Fukuda arrived in Washington DC on May 10 and met successively 
with the three top administration leaders - Vice President 
Cheney, Secretary of State Rice, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld - 
and members of Congress. These three leaders also since last year 
have met with other post-Koizumi contenders, including Abe, 
Foreign Minister Aso, and Finance Minister Tanigaki. 
 
Former US Ambassador to Japan Baker, an old friend of Fukuda, 
took the trouble to make arrangements for Fukuda's meetings with 
US officials. The reason why Rice and other administration 
leaders agreed to meet with Fukuda, who is not a cabinet member, 
is perhaps because they have a high opinion of Fukuda's stance of 
aiming to improve relations with China and South Korea. Also, the 
realization of meetings between them and Fukuda is viewed as a 
manifestation of their expectations of Fukuda as a prime 
ministerial candidate to succeed Koizumi. 
 
When asked about details of his talks with US leaders by 
reporters, Fukuda repeatedly said, "We talked about all sorts of 
things." In addition to this remark, on May 16 Fukuda offered his 
impression: "I spent meaningful time here. I think it is 
important to keep this (good Japan-US) relationship in shape in 
the future as well." A senior member of the Mori faction to which 
Fukuda belongs explained: "Fukuda's judgment is that it is unwise 
to highlight the fruits of his US tour now because doing so would 
be taken as an expression of his desire to succeed Mr. Koizumi." 
 
 Yet, Fukuda seems happy to hear about the rise in his popularity 
in polls conducted in Japan while he was in the US. In a meeting 
with an official in charge of economic affairs, Fukuda reportedly 
said: "The presidential race depends on momentum." 
 
15) Mindan ends assistance to North Korean defectors this month, 
giving consideration to Chongryon, causing internal criticism 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 18, 2006 
 
The Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) yesterday announced 
reconciliation with the General Association of Korean Residents 
in Japan (Chongryon). In this connection, it was learned that 
activities by Mindan's North Korean Defectors Assistance Center 
have been suspended. The pro-Seoul organization said that in 
order to facilitate the reconciliation process, it gave 
consideration to Chongryon, which had been critical of its 
assistance for North Korean escapees. However, some Mindan 
members are critical of the move, which has just put the issue on 
the back burner. Whether the statement issued yesterday will lead 
to true reconciliation is unclear. 
 
Former North Korean residents in Japan returned to their home 
country, following the repatriation project, but many of them 
have fled to Japan since the mid-1990s after suffering 
persecution in North Korea. The center was established in June 
2003 in order to accept those returnees. The repatriation project 
was carried out from 1959 to 1984. Chongryon promoted the 
project, touting North Korea as a paradise. 
 
At present, approximately 100 North Korean defectors live in 
 
TOKYO 00002724  010 OF 011 
 
 
Japan, of whom about 70 are receiving assistance from the center, 
including job placement services and welfare benefits until they 
receive social security benefits. Some Chongryon members had been 
critical of these activities, claiming that such activities 
assist criminals who have illegally escaped from North Korea. 
Chongryon has reportedly expressed displeasure with the center's 
activities. 
 
The center suddenly suspended it activities early this month. 
Mindan said that the suspension was temporary, stating that it 
made the decision from an overall perspective, including 
consideration to Chongryon. 
 
16) Government to postpone cabinet decision on US force 
realignment until after May 27 out of consideration to Okinawa 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
The government decided yesterday to postpone a cabinet decision 
on a US force realignment implementation plan until after the 
Pacific Islands Summit to be held in Okinawa on May 26-27, 
attended by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The government 
originally planned to make a cabinet decision on May 23. The 
postponement reflects the government's consideration for Gov. 
Keiichi Inamine, who has reservations about a cabinet decision 
before the summit. 
 
The government sent Cabinet Office and Defense Agency officials 
in charge to Okinawa yesterday to confirm Inamine's wishes. The 
governor expressed his opposition to a cabinet decision ahead of 
the summit, saying, "I will explain things to the Okinawa public 
in stages. I need time." Inamine also called for the swift 
establishment of a panel for the government and Okinawa to 
discuss local economic stimulus measures and other matters. 
 
17) Party-head debate: Koizumi refers to Ozawa's book in 
defending ruling bloc's action, Ozawa argues people can change 
with reason 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 18, 2006 
 
One-on-one Diet debate took place yesterday between Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minshuto (Democratic Party of 
Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa with a focus on education. 
Reversing the usual patter of the opposition bloc fiercely 
pursuing the prime minister and the premier fighting back 
defiantly, the two leaders exchanged views calmly yesterday while 
sticking to their guns in a quiet atmosphere with no booing and 
heckling. Although the debate lacked heat, the two leaders fully 
exhibited their characteristics. 
 
At the outset of his debate with Koizumi, Ozawa politely referred 
to the fact that the ruling block railroaded a medical reform 
bill through the Lower House Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee 
earlier in the day. Ozawa criticized the act, saying, "The 
opposition bloc asked for more time for discussion. The ruling 
coalition should have a large heart to comply with it." 
 
In response, Koizumi said, "I agree with you." But he immediately 
broached a passage in Ozawa's book Blueprint for a New Japan to 
 
TOKYO 00002724  011 OF 011 
 
 
defend the ruling bloc's action, saying, "It's not right to give 
in to only a few spoiled brats." Koizumi also indicated that he 
had read Ozawa's book to learn his views. Ozawa retorted, "How 
could you say that you agree with me just after railroading the 
bill?" 
 
The remaining time was devoted to educational issues. Ozawa 
asked, "Who is basically responsible for education?" Koizumi 
replied "parents" without hesitation to underline the importance 
of education at home, adding: "Education begins with parents 
making their children feel loved in early childhood. Parents 
should hold their children tightly, put them down, and let them 
walk. This is more important than any law, and this is what 
parents should do in raising children." 
 
18) Prime Minister Koizumi likely to express support for 
successor "at the end of August or September" 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 18, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Koizumi late yesterday dined with Japan Business 
Federation (Nippon Keidanren) Chairman Hiroshi Okuda and others 
in Tokyo, and speaking of the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party 
presidential election set for September, he told them: "I'll make 
my position clear when (who will run in the presidential race) is 
made clear in late August or September." This remark was taken as 
an expression of his willingness to back a potential successor. A 
participant in the gathering revealed this information. 
DONOVAN