VZCZCXRO6782
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2875/01 1450114
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 250114Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2465
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9005
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6380
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9601
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6329
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7540
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2445
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8623
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0423

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002875 
 
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 05/25/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
3)   Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Ambassador's diplomacy: 
4)   Sakie Yokota thanks Ambassador Schieffer for opportunity to 
  meet President Bush 
5)   Ambassador Schieffer nixes US interference in Yasukuni issue 
 
Political agenda: 
6)   Yamasaki faction favors removal of Class-A war criminals 
  from Yasukuni Shrine 
7)   Chairman of Bereaved Family Association Koga of the LDP 
rejects idea of turning Yasukuni Shrine into a state-run facility 
8)   In Diet deliberations on amendments to Basic Education Law, 
government's replies cautious about issue of inculcating 
patriotism in kids 
9)   LDP putting off hike in consumption tax with future election 
in mind 
10)  Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) lines up new set of 
four issues to pursue ruling camp in Diet 
11)  LDP's Kyuma: Diet extension of a week or so will only be 
needed 
12)  Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe will announce his candidacy for 
LDP president in July after the G-8 summit 
13)  Politicians squandering taxpayers' money with lavish meals 
at posh restaurants: Asahi investigation 
 
14)  Friendly mood seems to be slowly returning to Japan-China 
  relations with meeting of foreign ministers after a year's hiatus 
 
Defense issues: 
15)  Cabinet decision on USFJ realignment process put off until 
  after the Pacific Islands Summit 
16)  Commander US forces Japan asks that the entirety of USFJ 
realignment be looked at in assessing whether the cost is high or 
not 
 
17)  Japan to call for a new forum to discuss commercial whaling 
  outside the IWC 
 
18)  New Keidanren chief stresses need for Japan to develop own 
  technologies 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
In FY2002, 2003, 50 million yen used for wining and dining in 
funds for lawmakers' state affairs 
 
Mainichi: 
Pension fund federation to oppose renewal of audit contract with 
ChuoAoyama 
 
Yomiuri: 
National Examination Center scored tests despite erroneous 
entries for 23 years 
 
 
TOKYO 00002875  002 OF 010 
 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
LDP likely to forgo inclusion of consumption tax hike in fiscal 
2007 tax reform proposal 
 
Sankei: 
Abe to announce candidacy for LDP presidential race after G-8 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Japan Post books 1.9 trillion yen in profit in business year 
ending in March 2006 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  Japan-China foreign ministerial: Importance of bilateral 
ties underscored through one year of diplomatic vacuum 
(2)  Deliberations on Basic Law on Education: Minshuto plan also 
contains problems 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Is it impossible to restore relations with neighbors under 
Koizumi administration? 
(2)  Banks' earnings reports: Priority must be given to 
customers' benefits 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Dialogue necessary to resolve pending issues with China, 
South Korea 
(2)  Social Insurance Agency must correct lax system 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Mitarai should lead Keidanren based on principles 
(2)  Hoping for improved relations with China, South Korea 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Foreign ministerials with China, South Korea: Recognizing 
differences is important 
(2)  Social Insurance Agency must rectify bad practices 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  Japan-China foreign ministerial a turning point for 
improving bilateral ties 
(2)  New Keidanren Chairman Mitarai expected to demonstrate bold, 
clear-cut posture 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 24 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
08:07 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Nagase at Kantei. 
 
09:00 
Attended a meeting of the Lower House Special Committee on the 
Basic Education Law. 
 
14:14 
Met with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah at Kantei. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002875  003 OF 010 
 
 
15:02 
Met with Indonesian Vice President Kalla. 
 
15:53 
Attended the 5th regular general meeting of Nippon Keidanren 
(Japan Business Federation)) at Keidanren Hall in Otemachi, 
Tokyo. 
 
16:07 
Attended a tea ceremony at the Imperial Palace, along with the 
Emperor, the Empress, and visitors from Singapore and Thailand. 
 
17:34 
Met at Kantei with members of Japan-ROK and ROK-Japan businessmen 
conferences, including the ROK-Japan Businessmen Conference 
chairman. Later, met Secretary General Takebe. 
 
18:37 
Attended a Central Institute of Politics seminar 2006 at LDP 
headquarters. 
 
18:53 
Arrived at residence. 
 
4) Sakie Yokota to US ambassador to Japan: "I'd like to thank you 
for arranging a meeting with the US president" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 37) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
Sakie Yokota, mother of abductee Megumi Yokota, yesterday called 
on US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, who played a key role 
behind the scenes in arranging a meeting between Sakie and US 
President Bush in April, and expressed her gratitude to the 
ambassador. Attending a lecture meeting in Tokyo where the 
ambassador delivered a speech, Sakie said to Shieffer: "I can't 
thank you enough for our having had an opportunity to convey our 
sorrows to President Bush." 
 
Schieffer told Yokota, "As a longtime friend of President Bush, I 
was sure the president would be moved by Mrs. Yokota's story," 
indicating a rising interest in the abduction issue in the US 
government. 
 
It is said that the meeting between President Bush and Sakie was 
realized largely because of Schieffer's advice to the president. 
Schieffer and Bush have been close friends since before Bush went 
into politics. Schieffer has been actively addressing the 
abduction issue. For instance, this March he was the first US 
government official to inspect the scene of Megumi's abduction in 
Niigata City. 
 
5) US will not meddle in shrine visit issue, US ambassador to 
Japan says 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer, attending a meeting yesterday 
of the Japan-US Forum of the International Friendship Exchange 
Council, emphasized that his country's conventional stance of not 
interfering in the issue of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's 
 
TOKYO 00002875  004 OF 010 
 
 
visits to Yasukuni Shrine had not changed. "Whether or not to 
visit the shrine is a matter for Japan will decide and not a 
matter for the United States and others to say do as I tell you," 
he stated. 
 
Schieffer noted: "East Asia has seen the emergence of the 
unprecedented phenomenon of two major powers (Japan and China) 
standing side by side. Even without the Yasukuni issue, 
apprehensions and tensions could rise." He then stressed the 
importance of the Japan-US alliance contributing to bringing 
stability to the region. 
 
The Ambassador added: "While Japan-US relations are in remarkably 
good shape, US-China relations have also improved. It's incorrect 
to say that improving diplomatic ties with a certain country 
comes about at the expense of relations with another country." 
6) Koga calls for separate enshrinement at Yamasaki faction 
meeting, possibly with cooperation with Yamasaki in mind 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The Yamasaki faction of the Liberal Democratic Party held a 
policy study meeting yesterday by inviting former Secretary 
General Makoto Koga, who is also head of the Niwa-Koga faction. 
 
Explaining his policy proposal for unenshrining Class-A war 
criminals from Yasukuni Shrine, Koga said: "In order to allow 
people to pay homage at Yasukuni Shrine comfortably, we cannot 
avoid the question of separate enshrinement." 
 
Some Yamasaki faction members, including Lower House member 
Katsuei Hirasawa, said, "In reality, it is difficult to 
unenshrine them." But Koga sought their understanding, saying: "I 
believe the advancement of this idea will help spread the concept 
among the people." 
 
Former LDP Vice President and Yamasaki faction head Taku Yamasaki 
and Koga intend to put high priority on Asia diplomacy with the 
LDP presidential election in September in mind. Some observers 
regard the move as part of cooperation between Yamasaki and Koga 
for the presidential race. 
 
7) Bereaved Families Association Chairman Koga opposes state 
support of Yasukuni Shrine 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
Bereaved Families Association Chairman Makoto Koga, a former 
secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, attended a 
 
SIPDIS 
meeting yesterday of a policy study group of the Yamasaki faction 
of the same party. He there expressed his view opposing thinking 
in the party of placing Yasukuni Shrine under "state protection," 
under which it would lose its credentials as a religious 
institution. He said: "As a member of a bereaved family that lost 
loved ones in battle, I cannot approve of such thinking. It would 
remain as Yasukuni Shrine." 
 
8) Education reform bill: Government carefully answers to 
question about patriotism, "Assessing children's minds is not 
purpose of revision" 
 
TOKYO 00002875  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The House of Representatives Special Committee on the Basic 
Education Law started yesterday deliberations on bills revising 
the education law, centering on the description of "patriotism," 
as well as effects on schools. Opposition parties expressed 
concern that teaching students to take an attitude of loving the 
nation and homeland, which is included in the government- 
sponsored bill, might infringe on the freedom of thought. Kenji 
Kosaka, minister of education, culture, sports, science and 
technology, responded cautiously, "Assessing whether students 
have patriotism is not the purpose of revising the law." 
 
9) LDP likely to forgo inclusion of consumption tax-hike plan in 
fiscal 2007 tax reform proposal, out of concern about impact on 
Upper House election next year 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Top Play (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party's Tax System Research Commission, 
chaired by Hakuo Yanagisawa, is likely to stop short of 
stipulating a hike of the consumption tax rate in its fiscal 2007 
tax reform proposal. In the ruling party, many have voiced 
concern about the negative effect of a tax hike on the House of 
Councillors election slated for July of next year. In addition, 
some members have also suggested that the best timing for the tax 
should be worked out for the first time after the panel paves the 
way for revenue and spending reforms. The possibility is now 
strong that the tax-hike decision will be made in the summer of 
next year or after. 
 
The LDP tax panel noted in its tax reform proposal for fiscal 
2006 released late last year: "The nation's tax system, including 
the consumption tax, will be boldly reformed in fiscal 2007." In 
line with debates on revenue and spending reform in the 
government and the ruling camp, the panel has engaged in 
discussing how to promote the sweeping reform of the tax system. 
 
However, Fumiaki Ibuki, chairman of a subcommittee of the LDP 
panel, told reporters yesterday: "(Fiscal 2007) takes on meaning 
if we show a timetable for implementing reform plans." He thus 
referred to the possibility that the commission will only discuss 
a timetable for future reform plans without stepping into the 
margin of tax hike in debates on a fiscal 2007 tax reform 
proposal due out late this year. 
 
10) Minshuto to turn up the heat on ruling coalition with new set 
of four issues 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
For the main opposition party, Minshuto (Democratic Party of 
Japan) the issue of illegal handling of national pension premiums 
payments by a social security office has now become a new weapon 
to attack the government and ruling coalition. At a Lower House 
Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee session yesterday, Minshuto 
posed questions about this issue alone. At the second half of the 
current Diet session, the party intends to attack the government 
 
TOKYO 00002875  006 OF 010 
 
 
and ruling camp with a set of four issues: making "conspiracy a 
crime; education reform, national referendum for constitutional 
reform, and illegal pension payments. 
 
At the committee session yesterday, Kazunori Yamanoi pursued 
Social Insurance Agency Director General Seiji Murase's 
responsibility, arguing, "Don't you think the target of (rate of 
pension premium payments) was impossible?" 
 
Murase responded, "I don't think I ordered my staff to ignore 
statutes." However, Jiro Kawasaki, the minister of health, labor 
and welfare, has admitted that the wrongdoing was practiced with 
the consent of the social insurance office. He then said that a 
new Social Insurance Agency, which will be established after the 
present agency is abolished, would not hire malicious officials. 
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry intends to put an end to 
the scandal by coming up with measures to prevent a recurrence 
such as personnel changes across the nation before the 
establishment of the new organization. 
 
It is true that this scandal has become a good tool to attack the 
government and ruling camp. 
 
11) Kyuma: "Diet session will be extended for about a week" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
Liberal Democratic Party General Council Chairman Fumio Kyuma 
delivered a speech in Fukuoka yesterday in which he said 
regarding the ongoing Diet session: "Considering the prime 
minister's diplomatic schedule (US visit), the session may not be 
extended substantially." Kyuma thus predicted that the Diet 
session would be extended for a week at most. 
 
12) Abe to announce candidacy for LDP presidential race probably 
in July 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe indicated yesterday in a 
speech that he would announce his candidacy for the September 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election after the 
Group of Eight summit that takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia, 
in mid-July. 
 
He stated: 
 
"I will continue to fulfill my duty as chief cabinet secretary, 
and then decide what I should do next. The Diet is now in session 
and the G8 summit will be held. I will have to think about when 
to announce (my candidacy) sometime in the future." 
 
Asked how he felt about his high rating in opinion polls as a 
possible candidate to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, 
Abe said, "I feel honored and I would like to achieve results 
that meet everyone's expectations." Citing constitutional 
revision as a future political task, he said, "I have no doubt 
that that will become a major challenge for the next cabinet." 
 
Abe has already told his aides he intends to run in the LDP 
 
TOKYO 00002875  007 OF 010 
 
 
leadership race. After a series of political events -- the 
drafting in June of " big-boned reform policy guidelines" for 
economic and fiscal policy and structural reform, Prime Minister 
Koizumi's visit to the United States, and the G8 summit -- he 
intends to announce his candidacy, pledging that he will continue 
the Koizumi reforms. 
 
13) Lawmakers held meetings at restaurants, drawing 50 million 
yen from national administration research expenses; Lower House 
data for fiscal 2002 and 2003 unveiled for first time; Chief 
secretariat returned part of money he spent 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
National administration research expenses are funded by tax 
revenues for use by lawmakers when they conduct research on 
national politics. Data obtained by the Asahi Shimbun through 
access to official files found that the Lower House disbursed a 
total of approximately 100 million yen to lawmakers in fiscal 
2002 and 2003 to be used for their meetings and about half that 
mount was used for wining and dining at posh traditional Japanese- 
style restaurants or snack bars. The current Information 
Disclosure Law does not cover the Diet, because it limits 
information subject to disclosure to such held by administrative 
organizations. The Asahi Shimbun asked the Board of Audit to 
disclose expenditure-related documents received from the Lower 
House. This is the first time that the overall use of expenses 
for national administration research was unveiled. 
 
In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, Yoshihiro Komasaki, chief 
of the Secretariat of the Lower House, said, "We are fully aware 
that it is absolutely impossible to obtain an understanding of 
this." He revealed that he last weekend voluntarily returned 
940,000 yen disbursed from national administration research 
expenses, which he made settlement himself after taking office in 
November 2003 and used for wining and dining outside the Lower 
House. 
 
According to the Finance Ministry, as national politics research 
expenses the Lower House paid out 2.87477 billion yen in fiscal 
2002 and 2.67854 billion yen in fiscal 2003. 
 
The data the Asahi Shimbun obtained unveiled that of those 
amounts, the Lower House disbursed 45.1 million yen in fiscal 
2002 and 49.87 million yen in fiscal 2003 for wining and dining. 
The above money was used for meals provided during committee 
meetings as well, but 23.17 million yen and 30.69 million yen 
were used in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2003 respectively for 
meetings, which involved wining and dining. 
 
Meetings that involved wining and dining took place 71 times at 
hotels, 23 times at Japanese restaurants, including high-class 
traditional Japanese-style restaurants, and 20 times at snack 
bars. 
 
Hefty bills included one for 210,000 yen for wining and dining 
for three persons with 65,000 yen for each at a Japanese 
restaurant at Shinbashi, Tokyo. This "meeting" was held in 
October 2002 on the pretext of the speaker's meeting with the 
vice speaker and the former Die Steering Committee chairman. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002875  008 OF 010 
 
 
In March 2003, the Lower House paid a total of 450,000 yen for 
wining and dining, which cost 55,000 yen per person, to a 
Japanese restaurant at Akasaka. The "meeting" was held on the 
pretext of a meeting between the speaker and the vice speaker. 
 
A total of 960,000 yen was paid for wining and dining during 
meetings held at snack bars to exchange information with Diet 
policy committee members of various political parties. Expensive 
meals, such as top-grade sushi or finest broiled eel on rice 
(unaju), were often served at various committee meetings. 
 
A Lower House source said that the speaker or the chairmen of 
various committees have the discretion on what types of meals 
should be served at meetings. Officials in charge take orders 
from lawmakers attending such meetings, places such orders with 
restaurants and sends bills to the account division for 
settlement. 
 
14) Friendly mood played up in Japan-China foreign ministerial 
meeting, but no prospect in sight for resumption of summit 
meetings 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
Tetsu Okazaki, Doha; Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Beijing 
 
Japan and China held a foreign ministerial meeting yesterday for 
the first time in a year. "A friendly atmosphere never seen in 
the past several years prevailed at the meeting," a Foreign 
Ministry source noted. Both countries agreed to improve relations 
by expanding dialogues and to avoid any more clashes. But on the 
issue of Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine, all 
the two foreign ministers did in the meeting was to exchange 
statements of their respective principles, leaving open when to 
resume summit meetings. A friendly mood was displayed but it 
lacked a solid base. 
 
Talks held in a third country 
 
"We are neighbors, so it's not necessary for us to meet in a 
place far away from our countries...." Foreign Minister Aso made 
this remark to his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing and drew 
laughs from both sides. Li told Aso, "Japan and China can enjoy 
more benefits if we two countries get along well, but both of us 
will be injured if both have a quarrel." The two foreign 
ministers confirmed that Japan and China would expand dialogues, 
such as on security and defense. After the meeting, Aso 
emphasized to the reporters: "A trend of improvement in Japan's 
ties with China is forming." 
 
China, however, conveyed this position to Japan in the process of 
arranging the meeting: "It's still difficult for the foreign 
ministers to visit each other, but it's possible to have a 
foreign ministerial in a third country." Thus, a foreign 
ministerial would not have been realized if it had not occurred 
in a third country. 
 
Yesterday, Aso explained to the reporters why China responded to 
the foreign ministerial meeting this time: "Our country's 
investments in China are starting to show negative growth, and 
this could have a great impact on (China's) economic growth. 
 
TOKYO 00002875  009 OF 010 
 
 
China therefore thinks it is wise to (improve relations) with 
Japan. That country's sense of value is whether there is money to 
be made or not." 
 
15) Government postpones cabinet approval of US force 
realignment; bills' enactment difficult 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The government has decided to postpone giving cabinet approval to 
the government's plan to implement US force realignment until 
after the 4th Pacific Islands Summit that will begin in Okinawa 
on May 26. The postponement is ascribable to Okinawa's strong 
resistance to the Defense Agency-drafted implementation plan. 
"The Pacific Islands Summit, which Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi will also attend, may end up exposing the confrontation 
between the government and Okinawa," a Cabinet Office official 
said. This would make it extremely difficult for US force 
realignment bills regarding Japan's share in relocating Okinawa- 
based US Marines to Guam and other matters to clear the Diet 
unless the session is extended substantially. 
 
Koizumi has already told Defense Agency Director General 
Fukushiro Nukaga, "We don't have to give cabinet approval before 
leaving for Okinawa." Regarding a timeline for a cabinet decision 
in a press conference yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo 
Abe said, "Nothing has been decided." Asked about if Koizumi 
would hold talks with the Okinawa governor on the sidelines of 
the Islands Summit, Abe also said, "A meeting is not scheduled, 
as far as I know." 
 
Calculating the Diet timetable backwards, the Defense Agency 
until now has intended to seek cabinet approval of the US force 
realignment-related bills before the Islands Summit. The agency 
has also been seeking Okinawa's understanding, presenting it with 
the draft plan for a cabinet decision. 
 
The draft plan defines the relocation site for Futenma Air 
Station as "waters connecting Cape Henoko, Oura Bay, and Henoko 
Bay," instead of specifying the construction of two runways in a 
V shape. The description reflects the government's consideration 
to Okinawa, which is reluctant to specify a "V shape." The 
government has decided to compile a construction plan by October, 
it has also decided to allow a consultative panel involving 
Okinawa and Nago officials to study the matter. 
 
But Okinawa, which is calling for a temporary heliport at Cape 
Henoko, reacted strongly to such a plan. On May 22, Vice Governor 
Hirotaka Makino conveyed Okinawa's views again to Deputy Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi. 
 
16) USFJ Commander Wright: Look at the entire picture in 
considering the burden of US force realignment in Japan 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
Commander of US Forces Japan Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright in a press 
conference in Tokyo yesterday stressed that in assessing Japan's 
share of the total cost of US force realignment in Japan which is 
estimated as 3 trillion yen, "You should look at the entire 
 
TOKYO 00002875  010 OF 010 
 
 
picture of the burden on both countries before boiling it down to 
one number." He pointed out: "You should not just pay attention 
to such burdens as the construction costs in Guam, but also turn 
your eyes to the total burden placed on both governments in 
maintaining the US-Japan alliance, including personnel costs and 
training expenditures (for protecting Japan)." 
 
17) Government to propose establishing new framework outside IWC 
with aim of resuming commercial whaling 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The government yesterday decided to set up outside the 
International Whaling Commission (IWC) a new framework consisting 
of countries that support the resumption of commercial whaling. 
It will release the plan at the annual plenary session of the IWC 
to be held St. Christopher & Nevis in the Caribbean Sea starting 
on June 16. The aim is to have the outcome of discussions on the 
proposal reflected in the IWC's stance. A senior Fisheries Agency 
official said, "We want to break the rigid situation in the IWC." 
 
The new framework will aim to complete the revised management 
system (RMS), which outlines procedures for catching whales 
without decreasing such number. Commercial whaling has been under 
temporary suspension since 1986. Discussions on the RMS have been 
continuing since the 1990s, but no breakthrough has been found 
due to oppositions from anti-whaling countries, such as 
Australia. Under such circumstances, the government has judged 
that little progress can be hoped for even if discussions under 
the IWC continue. The RMS can be initiated by a three-fourths 
majority or more. 
 
The government plans to hold a meeting of concerned countries to 
discuss specific ways to hold a meeting of such a group during 
the plenary session of the IWC. Some on the domestic front had 
taken the view from way back that Japan should opt out of the IWC 
or another international organization is necessary. Chances are 
that anti-whaling countries might toughen their opposition to 
Japan's move, arguing that it could lead to the establishment of 
a new organization. 
 
18) Mitarai, successor to Keidanren Chairman Okuda, aims at 
making Japan a science-oriented nation 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) formally 
appointed Canon Inc. Chairman Fujio Mitarai, 70, as its new 
chairman to replace Hiroshi Okuda, 73, at a general meeting in 
Tokyo yesterday. He is the first chairman of the business lobby 
from the precision equipment industry. In an inaugural press 
conference, Mitarai said: "In order to make Japan an attractive, 
hopeful country for the people inside and outside Japan, I will 
make utmost efforts." He reiterated his determination to continue 
the reform line pushed ahead by Okuda. 
 
SCHIEFFER