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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002816 
 
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 05/23/06 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Asahi opinion poll: 
4)   Monthly poll on favorite for next premier shows gap 
  narrowing between Shinzo Abe (41%), Yasuo Fukuda (29%) 
5)   Poll finds 56% of public would accept word "patriotism" 
inserted into revised education law 
6)   84% of public clueless about USFJ realignment, seek 
explanation, while 77% find the cited cost of realignment 
"unconvincing" 
 
Defense and security issues: 
7)   JDA haggling with Cabinet Office, Finance Ministry over USFJ 
  realignment funding and timetable 
8)   Central government, Okinawa remain at odds about USFJ 
realignment decision 
9)   Government's proposed cabinet decision on USFJ realignment 
to include consultative body to deal with Futenma relocation 
10)  Hatch falls off during flight of USFJ transport aircraft out 
of Atsugi 
11)  Government coordinating GSDF pullout from Iraq with Britain, 
Australia 
 
12)  Prime Minister Koizumi to travel to Canada before his US 
  trip 
 
13)  Hamas-connected Palestinian official, interviewed by 
  Yomiuri, blasts Japan for freezing aid 
 
14)  Prime Minister Koizumi announces 40 billion yen aid package 
  to Pacific Island states as part of effort to counter China's 
  growing influence in area 
 
Political agenda: 
15)  40% of Mindan local bodies refuse to go along with Chosen 
  Soren's policy of refusing to assist North Korean escapees 
16)  Minshuto head Ozawa exchanges views with Japan Business 
Federation leaders in bid for campaign contributions 
17)  Ozawa's Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) to make big 
effort to attract the female vote in next Upper House election, 
recruit more women candidates 
18)  Agricultural Minister Nakagawa suffers severe back pains 
while attending Diet: Result of back-breaking decision on US 
beef? 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
19 social insurance offices illegally waive pension premium 
payments for 42,700 people 
 
Mainichi: 
Education Ministry eyes strict measures for problem students in 
elementary and middle school 
 
Yomiuri: 
 
TOKYO 00002816  002 OF 011 
 
 
Welfare Ministry estimates 73% increase in payments for social 
security services in FY2025 over the level in FY2006 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
BOJ Governor Fukui: Adjustment to interest rate levels will be 
made slowly 
 
Sankei: 
Osaka District Court to arrest executives of companies involved 
in bid-rigging scheme for project to construct sludge disposal 
facilities 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Yokohama District Court orders Yokohama to pay compensation over 
plan to privatize four nurseries 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  New Iraqi government launched, but no exit in sight yet 
(2)  Companies reap profits, but next moves are important 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Revenue and expenditure reform plan: Visible results must be 
produced 
(2)  Lay judge system: Changes in citizens' consciousness 
necessary 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Cuts in tax grants to local governments should be main 
purpose of reform 
(2)  Give priority to improvement in security situation in Iraq 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Government, ruling coalition must come together to tackle 
challenges of economic growth, spending cuts 
(2)  Thorough debate necessary on Asia currency 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Improvement in public safety and livelihood must be pursued 
simultaneously in Iraq 
(2)  Local banks at a turning point 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  New Iraqi government expected to do its best to ensure 
security 
(2)  On multiple loans, aftercare is important 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 22 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
09:00 
Attended a meeting to discuss comprehensive reform of finances 
and the economy. Later, met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Suzuki. 
 
10:55 
Met with Justice Minister Sugiura. 
 
TOKYO 00002816  003 OF 011 
 
 
 
13:01 
Attended the Upper House plenary session. 
 
15:10 
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Yabunaka at Kantei. Later, 
joined a study meeting for the upcoming Japan-Pacific Islands 
Forum Summit Meeting together with Yabunaka and others. 
 
17:00 
Attended an LDP executive officers' meeting held in the Diet. 
 
18:37 
Dined with former Prime Minister Mori, LDP General Council 
Chairman Kyuma, and former chairmen of Lower House Committees on 
Finance and Financial Affairs at a Japanese restaurant at Shiba 
Park. 
 
20:14 
Had a hair cut at a barber's shop in Capitol Tokyu Hotel. 
 
22:38 
Returned to his residence. 
 
4) Poll: Abe stands at 41%, Fukuda at 29% in post-Koizumi race; 
Margin narrows over last month 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 23, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe ranked at the top of all post- 
Koizumi candidates with 41%, the Asahi Shimbun found from its 
telephone-based nationwide public opinion conducted May 20-21. 
Yasuo Fukuda, one of Abe's predecessors in his cabinet post, 
ranked second at 29%. In a previous survey last conducted in 
April, Abe stood at 45% and Fukuda at 20%. In the survey this 
time, the margin has narrowed, with Abe going down and Fukuda 
rising. Foreign Minister Taro Aso was at 3%, and Finance Minister 
Sadakazu Tanigaki at 1%. 
 
Respondents were asked to pick one from among four likely 
candidates in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party plus someone 
else among others. Among LDP supporters, Abe stood at 55%, with 
Fukuda at 26%. In the last survey, however, Abe was at 59% and 
Fukuda at 16%. In the latest survey, Fukuda closed in on Abe. 
Among those who support the Koizumi cabinet, Abe was higher than 
Fukuda, respectively at 52% and 27%. Among those who do not 
support the Koizumi cabinet, Fukuda topped Abe at 35% and 29%. 
 
5) Poll: 56% favor including patriotism in education law 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
May 23, 2006 
 
A government bill to amend the Basic Education Law is now before 
the Diet. A majority of the Japanese public, or 56%, is in favor 
of incorporating the wording "love Japan and its land" in the law 
as an objective of education, the Asahi Shimbun found from its 
recent public opinion survey. However, 73% said it would be 
better to continue discussions without taking a vote on the 
amendment in the current Diet session. As seen from this figure, 
an overwhelming portion of respondents indicated that there was 
 
TOKYO 00002816  004 OF 011 
 
 
no need to hurry. 
 
The focus is on how to describe patriotism. Respondents were 
asked if they were in favor of incorporating the wording "love 
Japan and its land" as a goal of education. In response to this 
question, "yes" accounted for 56%, with "no" reaching 29%. Among 
those in their 60s and over, the affirmative figure was almost 
70%. Among those in their 20s, opinion was split, with the 
affirmative figure accounting for 42% and the negative one 
reaching 43%. 
 
6) Poll: 84% see gov't as failing to fulfill accountability for 
US military realignment; Japan's cost-sharing burden unconvincing 
to 77% 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
May 23, 2006 
 
Japan and the United States agreed early this month on the 
realignment of US forces in Japan. In a recent nationwide public 
opinion survey conducted by the Asahi Shimbun on May 20-21, 
however, 84% of respondents did not think that the government has 
fulfilled its accountability to the public for this US force 
realignment. In the survey, respondents were also asked about 
Japan's burden of sharing costs for the US military's 
realignment. In response to this question, 77% said it was 
unconvincing. The figures show the general public's severe view 
of the US force realignment. The approval rating for the Koizumi 
cabinet was 45%, down from the 50% rating in the last survey 
conducted in April. The disapproval rating for it was 39%, up 
from 36% in last month's. 
 
"Do you think the government has fulfilled its accountability for 
the realignment of US forces in Japan?" In response to this 
question, "yes" accounted for only 6%. Even among those who 
support the Koizumi cabinet and those who support the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party, the affirmative figure was no more than 
10%, with the negative figure reaching 80%. 
 
On the side of sharing costs for specific realignment plans, 
Japan has agreed to build new facilities at its expense along 
with base relocation. In this cost sharing, Japan will pay 
approximately 700 billion yen for such facilities to be built in 
Guam. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought this 
cost sharing was convincing. In response, "yes" accounted for no 
more than 17%, far lower than "no." Even among those who support 
the Koizumi cabinet, the affirmative figure was 25%, with the 
negative figure reaching 69%. The US government has indicated its 
estimate of Japan's payment at 3 trillion yen. However, the 
Japanese government has yet to show any figure for Japan's 
burden. As seen from these figures, the general public seems to 
be growing doubtful about Japan's cost-sharing burden. 
 
The force realignment features alleviating Okinawa's base-hosting 
burden. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought it 
would lessen Okinawa's burden. In response, public opinion was 
split, with affirmative answers totaling 48% and negative answers 
accounting for 45%. 
 
Asked about the impact on Japan's national security, 39% said it 
would be a plus, with 26% regarding it as a minus. However, 35%, 
a considerable portion of the respondents, gave other answers or 
 
TOKYO 00002816  005 OF 011 
 
 
no answer. In an earlier Asahi Shimbun poll conducted May 13-14 
in Okinawa Prefecture, negative answers outnumbered affirmative 
ones, with "plus" accounting for 31% and "minus" at 43%. 
 
7) US force realignment brings discord to government; Cabinet 
approval for realignment plans likely to be delayed until May 30 
or after 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
The government now faces internal discord over the question of 
when the cabinet will give the green light to the realignment 
plans for US forces in Japan. The Defense Agency (JDA) has called 
on the cabinet to approve the plans as quickly as possible, but 
the Cabinet Office, wanting to first set a forum with local 
municipalities that will be forced to bear a new burden, is 
reluctant to agree. The Ministry of Finance (MOF), concerned 
about a new financial burden, also wants to take more time for 
coordination of views in the government. Cabinet approval for the 
realignment plans is likely to be delayed until May 30 or after. 
 
"The sooner the better, and setting a time limit is not our 
idea." At a news conference yesterday, Administrative Vice 
Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya expressed this frustration with 
a delay in cabinet approval for the realignment plans. 
 
The JDA appears somewhat isolated in the government. Deputy Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi said in a cool tone at a 
press conference: "The first thing to do is to speed up the 
process of coordination between local municipalities and the 
central government. It will take more time to do so before the 
timing for cabinet approval is determined." 
 
The JDA had initially insisted that cabinet approval be given on 
May 19. But Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, sensing slow 
progress in coordinating views among ministries and agencies, 
called a halt to the JDA's call. Koizumi is to attend the Japan- 
Pacific Islands Forum Summit Meeting that will take place in Nago 
City, Okinawa Prefecture, on May 26-27. The city is the planned 
relocation site for the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (in 
Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture). But there is no prospect that 
cabinet approval will be given to the realignment plans before 
this summit. 
 
One reason for the delay in cabinet approval is that Okinawa 
Prefecture has toughened its attitude. On May 11, Gov. Keiichi 
Inamine conveyed his intention to accept the Futenma relocation 
plan from Ginowan to Nago to JDA Director-General Fukushiro 
Nukaga. 
However, Inamine's official stance, perhaps out of concern for 
anti-base sentiment in the prefecture, is that he has not agreed 
to the government's plans. His real feelings are that it would be 
troublesome if the relocation work were facilitated at a faster 
pace. 
 
"We hope to see our prefecture's idea of constructing a temporary 
helipad reflected in the government's plans." Deputy Gov. 
Hirotaka Makino made this request to Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Futahashi yesterday. Gov. Inamine has asserted, "The 
 
SIPDIS 
central government will decide where to relocate, but how to 
relocate will be decided through consultations with Okinawa." If 
 
TOKYO 00002816  006 OF 011 
 
 
the central government moved to make the governor lose face, 
consultations would only drag on. 
 
The delay in consultations with the Okinawa prefecture would 
delay the process of creating relevant bills, as well as the 
process of creating local economic stimulus measures to be used 
to persuade local municipalities. 
 
The JDA intends to incorporate "carrots" in relevant bills in 
order to allocate new subsidies in proportion to the degree of 
local governments' cooperation. But the Cabinet Office, which has 
jurisdiction over the existing subsidies, is alarmed by the JDA's 
move because it may lead to reducing the Cabinet Office's budget 
itself. State Minister in Charge of Okinawa Yuriko Koike 
commented: "A hasty cabinet approval would only have a negative 
impact." 
 
How will Japan manage to pay the relocation-related cost 
estimated by US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Lawless at 
three trillion yen, in addition to a budget necessary for 
economic stimulus measures? MOF takes the view that such a cost 
should be paid from the defense budget. MOF has called on the JDA 
to find a financial source by reviewing the Mid-term Defense 
Buildup Program (Chukibo), which determines equipment purchase 
plans and others. The JDA is opposing MOF, arguing that a failure 
to maintain deterrent force would be putting the cart before the 
horse. Discussions between the two offices have now stalled. 
 
8) Cabinet decision on US force realignment likely to be delayed 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
Calling on Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi at 
the Prime Minister's Official Residence yesterday, Okinawa Vice 
Governor Hirotaka Makino briefed him on Okinawa's plan to build a 
temporary heliport on the land portion of Camp Schwab in Nago to 
relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from Ginowan. 
Makino asked that Okinawa's plan be reflected in a cabinet 
decision to be made by the government shortly for the 
implementation of US force realignment. In response, Futahashi 
simply said, "Okinawa's view is now clear." 
 
In a press conference after his meeting with Makino, Futahashi 
indicated that a cabinet decision would be deferred, saying: "The 
government must first speed up coordination with local 
communities. We need a little more time to determine a timeframe 
for a cabinet decision." 
 
The government originally planned to make a cabinet decision in 
mid-May. But that has been delayed due to Okinawa's strong 
opposition to the government-drafted text for a cabinet decision. 
The dominant view is that a cabinet decision will come May 30 or 
later. 
 
9) Futenma alternative facility: Government's draft plan for 
cabinet decision calls for discussion panel to come up with 
construction plan by October 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00002816  007 OF 011 
 
 
The contents of the government's draft plan for a cabinet 
decision for implementing the Japan-US final agreement on US 
force realignment were revealed yesterday. The plan does not 
specify the construction of two runways in a V shape in deference 
to Okinawa, which has been calling for a temporary heliport to 
replace Futenma Air Station. The plan incorporates a policy 
course to establish a panel by the central, prefectural, and 
affected local governments to discuss concrete construction plans 
to come up with specific plans by October. 
 
The relocation site for Futenma Air Station is described as 
"waters connecting Cape Henoko, Oura Bay, and Henoko Bay." 
 
Characterizing the final report as a significant achievement 
pushing the Japan-US security setup into a new phase and 
describing US troops in Japan as the core of the bilateral 
security system, the draft plan plays up the importance of US 
forces in Japan for maintaining the peace and stability of Japan 
and the Asia-Pacific region. The draft then lists specific 
realignment plans mentioned in the final plan, such as reducing 
the number of US Marines by 8,000 and returning land south of 
Kadena Air Base. 
 
10) US warplane drops hatch 
 
YOMIURI (Page 34) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
A US warplane mistakenly dropped its fuselage's ejection hatch 
yesterday morning when it was in flight over the Tanzawa 
mountains in Kanagawa Prefecture after taking off from the US 
Navy's Atsugi base in the prefecture, according to the Defense 
Facilities Administration Agency. The missing hatch was 60 
centimeters square and 13 kilograms. The DFAA received a report 
from US Naval Forces Japan (USNFJ) that evening and transmitted 
the information to the Kanagawa prefectural government. At the 
same time, the DFAA asked USNFJ to investigate the cause of the 
incident and take steps to prevent similar incidents. The hatch 
contains no hazardous materials or explosives, according to the 
DFAA. 
 
According to the DFAA, the US warplane that caused the incident 
is a C-2 transport deployed to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 
30 Detachment 5. The hatch is believed to have dropped a little 
after 7 a.m. However, it has yet to be located. The US military 
is expected to search for it today and afterward with cooperation 
obtained from local police. 
 
11) Pullout of GSDF troops from Iraq: Government intends to speed 
up coordination with Britain and Australia 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
The government is of the view that if the responsibility for 
providing security in Muthana Province is turned over to the 
Iraqis in line with Prime Minister al-Maliki's vision, the 
conditions will be right for a pullout of Ground Self-Defense 
Force (GSDF) personnel involved in reconstruction there. It is 
already making arrangements with the possibility of withdrawing 
GSDF troops as early as July. If British and Australian troops 
get in line with Japan, it would make it easier for Japan to 
 
TOKYO 00002816  008 OF 011 
 
 
persuade the US, which wants GSDF troops to continue their 
mission. The government wants to speed up coordination of views 
with Britain and Australia over future arrangements. 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso will meet with his Australian 
counterpart Alexander Downer, who will visit Japan on May 25 to 
attend the Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit. Tokyo is also 
exploring the possibility of holding four-nation talks involving 
the US. If it can obtain understanding, it will begin withdrawing 
GSDF troops from Iraq after the Japan-US summit to be held in 
Washington in late June. 
 
However, since terrorism is continuing in various parts of Iraq, 
some are concerned whether the transfer of authority will go as 
smoothly as Prime Minister al-Maliki has predicted. A senior 
Defense Agency official took a cautious view: "We want to take 
the move as a great leap forward. However, it is necessary to see 
whether the actual situation permits the transfer of authority." 
 
The government plan is that even if it pulls out GSDF troops, it 
will have Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) troops continue 
transportation activities out of consideration to the US and the 
UN, which are calling for the continuation of assistance 
operations. Tokyo intends to have the ASDF's transport operations 
cover Baghdad, where the danger of terrorism is high, but it will 
likely have to watch the security situation there up to the last 
minute. 
 
12) Prime Minister Koizumi to visit Canada before visiting 
Washington 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
The government is now arranging a schedule for Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi to visit Canada ahead of his scheduled trip to 
the United States in late June, government sources revealed 
yesterday. Koizumi is expected to meet in Ottawa with his 
Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper. He will likely to depart on 
June 26 for Canada and stay overnight in Ottawa. He plans to 
arrive in Washington on the 28th. 
 
13) Interview with PA foreign minister prior to Asia tour: Hamas 
places expectations on China as counterforce to US, criticizes 
Japan's freeze of aid 
 
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Mohmoud al Zahar, a 
senior member of the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas, 
responded to an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun in Gaza prior 
to his planned tour of Asia. He expressed a strong eagerness to 
establish relations between the PA and China, saying: "I place 
expectations on China as a counterforce to the US." 
 
Foreign Minister Zahar is scheduled to visit Indonesia, Malaysia, 
China, Sri Lanka, and other Asian countries starting May 25. He 
expressed expectations particularly for the China visit, 
remarking: "China, which has paid attention to oil in Arab 
nations, could be a counterforce to the US in Middle Eastern 
diplomatic challenges." He added: "Although the US and Europe 
 
TOKYO 00002816  009 OF 011 
 
 
have suspended assistance to us, China has offered a helping hand 
for a project to construct Foreign Ministry buildings on the West 
Bank." 
 
On Japan's freeze of its assistance to Palestinian Authority in 
line with the US and Europe, Zahar strongly criticized Japan, 
saying: "Japan has taken a stance of siding with Israel. Such a 
stance is likely to have some effect on relations between Japan 
and the PA in the future." 
 
In reference to a meeting held between PA Chairman Abbas and 
Israeli Foreign Minister Livni in Egypt on May 21, Zahar said: 
"There was no prior notice about the meeting." Although 
indicating that he would not oppose the PA chairman's getting in 
touch with the Israeli side, the foreign minister implied the 
seriousness of the rift between Chairman Abbas and the Hamas 
group, remarking: "We will not implement what the chairman 
decided on his own." 
 
On a response to Israel, Zahar said, upon admitting that senior 
members of the Fatah and Hamas groups reached an agreement to 
recognize Israel's right to exist: "This is a view held by some 
persons and is not a final decision." He thus admitted the 
existence of perception gaps in the Hamas organization. 
 
14) Prime Minister to announce outlay of 40 billion yen in ODA to 
Pacific nations in rivalry with China 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
The 4th Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit is to be held in Nago 
City, Okinawa, starting on May 26. The government has started 
final coordination of views on the outlay of over 40 billion yen 
in ODA to 12 Pacific countries and two territories over the next 
three years in order to help them strengthen measures against 
tsunamis. Prime Minister Koizumi will announce the plan during 
 
SIPDIS 
the summit. 
 
In early April, China also announced a plan to extend loans worth 
3 billion yuan (approximately 44 billion yen) to island countries 
in the region. In recent years, Tokyo has provided over 10 
billion yen a year to those countries. It appears to have decided 
to boost that amount, countering China, which is trying to 
increase its influence in the region. China's ODA will be 
extended in the form of loans, while Japan's ODA will focus on 
grant aid and technical cooperation. 
 
15) 18 Mindan branches do not support Mindan's decision to 
suspend assistance for North Korean escapees 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
Following its reconciliation with the pro-Pyongyang General 
Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun), the pro- 
Seoul Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) has decided to 
temporarily halt the activities of the Center to Support North 
Korean Escapees. However, 18 of Mindan's 49 regional headquarters 
have decided not to follow this decision, the Mainichi Shimbun 
learned through its nationwide poll. The survey points to strong 
criticism in Mindan against its decision. 
 
TOKYO 00002816  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
The survey also has learned that in addition to the Nagano and 
Niigata prefectural headquarters, which have announced that they 
will not follow Mindan's reconciliation with Chongryun, two more 
headquarters have taken a position of not supporting Mindan's 
decision to suspend support activities for North Korean escapees. 
 
The poll was conducted of senior members of all Mindan regional 
headquarters across the nation, but seven headquarters refused to 
answer questions. 
 
16) "We will compile basic policy properly," says DPJ leader 
Ozawa during meeting to exchange views with Nippon Keidanren 
 
NIHON KEIZAI  (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ = Minshuto) yesterday held a 
meeting in Tokyo to exchange opinions with members of Nippon 
Keidanren ((Japan Business Federation). During the meeting DPJ 
head Ozawa stressed, "The DPJ is a group of people who share the 
same views, though people say otherwise." He thus indicated his 
intention to quickly map out a basic policy on such matters as 
foreign relations and security, over which the party has been 
criticized as lacking unity. 
 
The meeting is the second following one in April last year, when 
Katsuya Okada was the party head. Ozawa reiterated: "It cannot be 
said that the Liberal Democratic Party's reform is true reform. 
It is time for a party with a broad international perspective 
free from any restrictions by central government agencies to 
assume the reins of government." 
 
However, how effective his statement was is unclear. Asked 
whether Nippon Keidanren would cooperate with the DPJ as well, 
President-elect Fujio Miterai after the meeting gave an evasive 
answer: "I am not yet sure about that. I need more time." Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe made an ironic comment on the 
contact between the DPJ and Nippon Keidanren, "It is a good thing 
for the DPJ to learn things." 
 
17) Minshuto making serious efforts to increase support from 
women, setting numerical targets and holding lectures to recruit 
female candidates 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
In preparing for the House of Councilors election and unified 
local elections next year, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), 
the largest opposition party, has begun making serious efforts to 
increase the number of female candidates. Setting numerical 
targets for female lawmakers to win seats in both chambers of the 
Diet, the party's incumbent lawmakers also teach prospective 
female candidates essential know-how for their election 
strategies. 
 
"I would like to see female candidates exhibit their real power 
in the unified local elections next year," Minshuto President 
Ichiro Ozawa said in a speech before the network conference of 
female lawmakers yesterday. He also indicated that his party 
would increase the number of female candidates running in the 
 
TOKYO 00002816  011 OF 011 
 
 
local and Upper House elections next year. 
 
Ozawa's comment reflects Minshuto's need to boost female support. 
In a nationwide telephone-based poll conducted earlier this month 
by the Mainichi Shimbun, Minshuto's support rate recovered to the 
20-percent level. By gender, however, support from men was 27% 
while that from women was 14%. 
 
One of the reasons is ascribable to the small number of female 
lawmakers from Minshuto. Of Minshuto's 113 Lower House lawmakers, 
only nine, or 7.96%, are female. The rate is lower than the 
Liberal Democratic Party's 8.84%. In fact, Minshuto's ratio is 
the lowest among the major parties. 
 
Given that situation, Minshuto will aim to: (1) raise the ratio 
of female lawmakers to 20% aiming at the next Lower House 
election; and (2) field female candidates in principle in Upper 
House constituencies with three seats or more. 
 
Male Minshuto lawmakers are also scheduled to hold a two-day 
lecture session on cooking and childrearing on May 27 in Kashiwa, 
Chiba. The purpose is to sell the party as an attractive party to 
female voters. A party gender equality promotion headquarters 
member also noted, "We want President Ozawa to take part in the 
event wearing an apron." 
 
18) Agriculture Minister Nakagawa exits Upper House plenary 
session due to backache 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 23, 2006 
 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shoichi Nakagawa had 
to leave the plenary session of the House of Councillors 
yesterday afternoon due to his old backache problem. He stepped 
forward to answer questions about a bill revising the Securities 
Exchange Law, but what he could was to read only the prepared 
text. Amid getting catcalls from opposition lawmakers, he managed 
to answer all questions. He then left the session supported by a 
security guard. 
 
According to the ministry, Nakagawa's lumbago has worsened over 
the past several days, having strained himself in dealing with 
the US beef import issue. Since he attended the session taking a 
pain killer, he was unsteady on his feet. He left last night for 
Paris to attend an informal ministerial meeting of the World 
Trade Organization (WTO). His aide expressed concern, saying, 
"Can he negotiate with other countries in such bad condition?" 
 
SCHIEFFER