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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003454 
 
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:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 06/21/06 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Tokyo, Washington agree on US beef import resumption: Japan to 
conduct prior inspections 
 
(2) Withdrawal of SDF from Iraq: Ruling parties highlight 
achievements through dispatch, while opposition camp calls 
withdrawal "natural" 
 
(3) Key points in Koizumi's remarks in press conference on SDF 
withdrawal from Iraq 
 
(4) Evaluation of SDF mission in Iraq 
 
(5) North Korea preparing Taepodong-2 missile launch, may be using 
missile card as bargaining chip in reaction to protracted US 
sanctions 
 
(6) Patriot deployment to Kadena base likely this year against North 
Korea's Taepodong missiles 
 
(7) Analysis of Patriot missile deployment to Kadena: Reversal of 
move to lessen Okinawa's security burden; MD rises to a new stage 
 
(8) Prediction of personnel changes in Kasumigaseki: Focus on who 
will be picked as directors general of bureau and department to be 
established 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Tokyo, Washington agree on US beef import resumption: Japan to 
conduct prior inspections 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
Evening, June 21, 2006 
 
Japan imposed the second ban on US beef imports, following the 
discovery of vertebral columns, a material banned in Japan as a BSE 
disease risk. The governments of Japan and the US have resumed 
bureau director-level telephone talks this morning at the Foreign 
Ministry to discuss this issue and ultimately agreed to resume beef 
imports. 
 
Following the development, inspectors of the Ministry of Health, 
Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry 
and Fisheries (MAFF) will start inspecting US meatpacking plants at 
35 locations as early as June. If they find no problems, the import 
ban will be lifted possibly in late July. 
 
US beef imports, which have been suspended for the second time since 
Jan. 20, will thus be resumed after a hiatus of about six months. 
 
The governments of Japan and the US also held a teleconference 
earlier that lasted from the evening of the 20th until shortly after 
12:00 a.m. on the 21st. Cliffhanger talks continued today. 
 
The Japanese delegation during the second round of the talks this 
morning reaffirmed import conditions, including the number of 
inspectors to be dispatched to US meat processing plants and the 
scope of inspections they will carry out. The two countries have 
also undertaken coordination on responses they will take in the 
event the US exported beef products that violate the export 
conditions that the two countries agreed on, such as the inclusion 
 
TOKYO 00003454  002 OF 010 
 
 
of vertebral columns. 
 
As a condition for Japan to resume imports, the US agreed to draft a 
working manual to be observed by meatpackers and other employees to 
make them fully familiar with export conditions for Japan-bound 
products. It has also been decided that Japanese inspectors would 
conduct inspections of US meat-processing plants and witness 
surprise inspections being performed by the US Department of 
Agriculture. 
 
As a domestic measure, it has also been decided that Japan 
strengthens its water's edge inspection system at airports. 
 
Japan suspended US beef imports, following the finding of a 
Canadian-born BSE-infected cow in the US in December 2003. Though it 
allowed the resumption of imports in Dec. 2005, Japan again imposed 
a ban due to the discovery of vertebral columns, a material whose 
shipment is in a violation of the Japan-US agreement, in a US beef 
shipment. 
 
(2) Withdrawal of SDF from Iraq: Ruling parties highlight 
achievements through dispatch, while opposition camp calls 
withdrawal "natural" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 21, 2006 
 
The government issued an order for the Ground Self-Defense Force's 
(GSDF) unit stationed in Samawah in southern Iraq to withdraw. Many 
senior members in the ruling camp have praised their achievements, 
one officer saying: "SDF troops' reconstruction mission has been of 
great help to the Iraqi people, resulting in showing Japan's 
willingness to contribute to the international community." 
Meanwhile, the opposition camp calls the withdrawal only "natural." 
It also raps the government's decision to expand the Air 
Self-Defense Force's (ASDF) services. 
 
Speaking before reporters at party headquarters yesterday, Liberal 
Democratic Party Secretary General Takebe heaped the highest praise 
on GSDF troops' activities: 
 
"They helped the Iraqis reconstruct and rebuild their nation, 
without having any casualties and even firing a single bullet. They 
have won high praise and have received words of gratitude. They can 
be proud of themselves." 
 
Yasuo Fukuda, who was serving as chief cabinet secretary when Japan 
dispatched the first reconstruction support group to Iraq, also told 
reporters: 
 
"No one was injured, and it was splendid. Some suggested that troops 
should be pulled out earlier, but (the timing) was good. Many 
countries now say that their troops should emulate the civil 
activities of GSDF troops." 
 
After meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, New Komeito President 
Kanzaki stated: 
 
"Their humanitarian and reconstruction assistance has produced good 
results and helped the Iraqis become independent in the 
reconstruction and security areas. The decision on the withdrawal is 
proper. ... In part because the request came from United Nations 
Secretary General Annan, it is important for the ASDF to transport 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TOKYO 00003454  003 OF 010 
 
 
food and medical goods." 
 
Former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato, who opposed the dispatch 
plan, commented: 
 
"The Iraq war waged by President Bush has come under heavy fire. No 
mass-destruction weapons were ever found, and in a move to promote 
democratization, the situation (in Iraq) fell into a state of near 
civil war. Whether the dispatch was proper should be discussed 
later." 
 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Secretary General Hatoyama, who 
has taken a negative stance toward the dispatch plan, said: "We 
appreciate SDF personnel's services despite the harsh conditions," 
but he made the following criticism in his statement: (1) Since 
services by the ASDF will be expanded, a decision on a complete 
withdrawal has been put off; (2) although the SDF's mission will be 
shifted to rear support, the government has yet to be fully 
accountable; and (3) the government's decision to pull troops out of 
Samawah, timing it with the British military's withdrawal, shows the 
lack of autonomy. 
 
Japanese Communist Party Chairman Shii emphatically said in a press 
conference: 
 
"Withdrawing troops is quite natural. The continuation and expansion 
of ASDF activities will lead to direct support for (the US 
military's) cleanup operations, so we ask the government to 
immediately decide to withdraw the ASDF troops, as well." 
 
Social Democratic Party President Fukushima told reporters: 
 
"I agree with the withdrawal, though it seems somewhat late. It was 
good that nobody was injured and that weapons were not used." 
 
But she added: 
 
"If ASDF troops' activities are expanded, they may be involved in 
operations in combat areas." 
 
(3) Key points in Koizumi's remarks in press conference on SDF 
withdrawal from Iraq 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 21, 2006 
 
After consulting with the United States, British, Australia, and 
other member countries of the coalition forces, the government has 
judged that Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops fulfilled a 
certain level of role in their mission to help reconstruction 
efforts and has decided to pull them out of Iraq. Japan would like 
to consider what it can do in rebuilding Iraq and to continue to 
provide as much aid as possible while cooperating with other 
countries and the United Nations (UN). 
 
I do not mean that I want to or must withdraw troops while I am in 
office as prime minister. But I am happy to be able to announce the 
withdrawal now, based on a judgment from a comprehensive viewpoint. 
I am not thinking about a tour of Iraq as of now, because my visit 
will cause other countries extra duties and consideration in terms 
of security. 
 
I think various steps taken against Iraq based on UN resolutions 
 
TOKYO 00003454  004 OF 010 
 
 
were proper. Successfully overcoming the perception gap that was 
evident when the war started, the international community now is in 
accord on the need for each nation to offer their appropriate 
assistance. While recognizing the importance of the Japan-US 
alliance, Japan will make efforts to deepen international 
coordination. Regarding a permanent law (pertaining to SDF dispatch 
overseas), we must thoroughly discuss it, without trying to 
hurriedly enact it, for instance, in the next Diet session. 
 
(4) Evaluation of SDF mission in Iraq 
 
ASAHI (Page 37) (Slightly abridged) 
June 21, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Koizumi yesterday announced the government's decision 
to pull out a Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) unit based in Iraq. 
He decided on the dispatch amid active debates over its pros and 
cons and has now decided to draw the curtain on it while he is still 
in office. Moves to choosing a successor to Koizumi are picking up 
speed. The Asahi Shimbun asked 10 readers who cast their ballots in 
favor of the Koizumi-led Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in last 
year's Lower House election to take part in a survey on how the 
public has viewed the dispatch over the past two and a half years. 
 
SDF personnel have done a good job; Opposed to idea of their 
carrying weapons 
 
Masahiko (25) of Osaka took part in an NGO's Peace Boat, when he was 
a freshman in college. On a three-month mission, he visited various 
countries in the world. When he returned home, he found that his 
views had dramatically changed. He now thinks, "War will never 
disappear." 
 
When he visited Eritrea, a country continuously engaged in conflict, 
children with glittering eyes surrounded him. He thought that they 
were welcoming him, but they attacked him and snatched his luggage 
away. At another time, he found himself to be at gunpoint, and he 
felt weak at the knees. There was no room for human contacts in such 
situations. He attended a peace lecture held on the ship, but now 
what he learned there sounds meaningless. 
 
He returned home in late 2002. Shortly after that, Japan was in a 
commotion over the dispatch of SDF troops to Iraq. He hates the idea 
of such thinking as "it is all right as long as my country is 
affluent and in peace." He thinks that SDF personnel did their best 
even though it was half-baked. However, he does not praise them. He 
thinks, "If I were to go to Iraq, I would like to go as a member of 
a military troop that can properly perform a security-keeping 
operation." In view of Asia diplomacy, he has pinned his hopes on 
Fukuda as the successor to the current prime minister. 
 
The next comments come from Masaru (43) of Hokkaido. In 2003, the 
year before SDF troops were dispatched to Iraq, Masaru's friend, who 
was engaged in PTA activities at an elementary school, told him that 
children were not energetic. 
 
There were many pupils whose fathers are SDF members at that school. 
Wives whose husbands were slated for Iraq were anxious, wondering 
how they should explain the situation to their children. Masaru has 
a friend who is an SDF member. However, they deliberately avoid 
bringing up the topic of the dispatch of SDF troops to Iraq. Even 
when there was a growing mood in the area to praise SDF troops 
dispatched to Iraq, SDF members and their families became even more 
 
TOKYO 00003454  005 OF 010 
 
 
reticent. Masaru thought the atmosphere during the war was perhaps 
similar to this. 
 
Masaru thinks that it was a mistake for Japan to have dispatched SDF 
personnel to Iraq. Weapons of mass destruction, the reason for the 
US attack on Iraq, have never been found, and yet, the government 
gave no explanation about that. 
 
"I am proud that we have completed our mission," says Joint Staff 
Council chairman 
 
On June 20, when an order on the pullout of the GSDF unit based in 
Iraq was issued yesterday, Hajime Massaki, chairman of the Joint 
Staff Council, told a news conference: "The GSDF has waged a united 
drive to perform its duties over the past two and a half years. I am 
proud that we have completed our mission and can now withdraw." 
 
To successor to Prime Minister Koizumi; Eyes of 10 watchers 
 
Question: What is your interest in the dispatch of SDF troops to 
Iraq after two years and a half? 
 
Answer 
Pollee (age)Place of residence 
Reason 
Favorite LDP presidential candidate 
 down 
Masahiko, fourth year university student (25) Osaka 
Why now? The medical services system and infrastructure in Iraq 
cannot have been fully consolidated. I wonder, have SDF troops been 
dispatched at the request of somebody and will they now return home 
at the request of that same person? 
Fukuda (in previous survey) down Aso (replied in this survey) 
 down 
Keiko, systems engineer (27)Kanagawa 
What I felt when I heard the news of the government decision to pull 
out the GSDF unit from Iraq was surprise that they were still in 
that country. 
Abe down Abe 
 down 
Kazuo, employee of manufacturing co. (34)Tokyo 
I was initially against the dispatch, but now I think SDF personnel 
have contributed as much as they can within the restriction under 
Article 9 of the Constitution. 
Abe down Abe 
 down 
Mie, housewife (35)Fukuoka 
It is strange to make a fuss only over their dispatch and pullout. I 
want to see the schools SDF personnel built, children's' smiles and 
the reconstruction process. 
Abe down Abe 
 down 
Masaru, first-class registered architect (43) 
The greatest objective of SDF troops operating in Iraq is to comply 
with the request from the US. Assistance for Iraqi reconstruction is 
the reason provided by the government. 
Abe down Abe 
 up 
Naoko, housewife (47) 
The dispatch might have been unavoidable in view of the presence of 
North Korea and other factors 
Fukuda down Do not know 
 down 
 
TOKYO 00003454  006 OF 010 
 
 
Asako, rice farmer (50)Fukushima 
I have an acquaintance whose husband has been dispatched, but she 
keeps mum about it. 
Aso down Aso 
 down 
Tadashi, employee of telecommunications co. (56)Tokyo 
Japan provided only money during the Gulf War, and its contribution 
was not appreciated. The prime minister should tell the world about 
the dispatch of SDF troops this time. 
Fukuda down Fukuda 
- 
Yukio, former department manager of travel co. (68)Aichi 
They have well fulfilled their duties in the savage heat. I want to 
say, "Thank you," to a transport plane, when it flies over my house 
on its way to Komaki Base. 
Abe down Abe 
- 
Michiyo, unemployed (72)Kyoto 
It is time for GSDF troops to pull out of Iraq. If they had stayed 
longer, it could have been said that they had invaded that country. 
Aso down Aso 
 
(5) North Korea preparing Taepodong-2 missile launch, may be using 
missile card as bargaining chip in reaction to protracted US 
sanctions 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
June 20, 2006 
 
Tensions are running high in the international community, mainly in 
Japan and the United States, as North Korea is preparing to launch a 
ballistic Taepodong-2 missile. Observers see Pyongyang's moves as a 
strategy of brinksmanship intended to draw the US into bilateral 
negotiations, but the US has no intention to hold negotiations with 
it. Why did Pyongyang decide to take provocative action? 
 
In the six-party talks on its nuclear development program in 
September 2005, North Korea signed a joint statement noting that it 
would disband its nuclear program in exchange for economic aid from 
and normalization of relations with Japan and the US. Washington, 
however, invoked financial sanctions against a Macao-based bank 
linked to Pyongyang's overseas holdings, citing North Korea's 
illegal activities, such as counterfeiting American 100 dollar 
bills. Since then, the nation's shortage of foreign currency 
reportedly has become serious. 
 
In reaction, North Korea, while boycotting the six-party talks, 
thrust a proposal at the US that it remove its sanctions in exchange 
for the North's return to the talks. But the US has declined this 
proposal. On June 1, Pyongyang called for Assistant Secretary of 
State Christopher Hill, the chief US envoy to the six-party talks, 
to visit the communist nation, but Washington turned the request 
down. It is fully conceivable that Pyongyang has decided to toughen 
its stance by resorting to the missile card, in addition to the 
nuclear card, dissatisfied that its compromise proposal was "repaid 
with malice." That nation must also have judged that it has used up 
all of its other resources. 
 
North Korea likely has in mind past successful cases of the use of 
brinksmanship. On the occasion of the first nuclear crisis during 
1993 -1994, the US agreed to provide the North with two light-water 
reactors, together with Japan and South Korea. When the Taepodong-1 
missile was fired in 1998, the US eased its economic sanctions by 
 
TOKYO 00003454  007 OF 010 
 
 
providing aid in return for its freeze on future missile launches. 
 
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il told South Korean Unification 
Minister Chung Dong Young when he visited Pyongyang in June 2005: 
"We are ready to scrap all our medium to long-range missiles if 
North Korea and the US could normalize diplomatic relations." It 
stands to reason that the North judged it possible to convince the 
US to enter direct negotiations by demonstrating its "nuclear and 
missile" cards. 
 
In addition, there seems to be another practical reason. North Korea 
has sold missiles to Syria, Iran, Pakistan, and other countries, 
reportedly earning 500 million dollars annually. Kim himself stated: 
"The export of missiles is trade. If there are buyers, we will sell 
the products." North Korea might anticipate that a success of a 
Taepodong-2 missile launch would turn into a perfect advertisement 
and contribute to making up for the money lost due to the financial 
sanctions imposed by other countries. 
 
(6) Patriot deployment to Kadena base likely this year against North 
Korea's Taepodong missiles 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full) 
June 21, 2006 
 
TOKYO-The United States has told Japan in their recent 
intergovernmental talks over the planned realignment of US forces in 
Japan that the US military would deploy state-of-the-art Patriot 
Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air guided missiles to the 
US Air Force's Kadena base in Okinawa Prefecture, officials said 
yesterday. According to an official in the realignment talks, the 
Japanese and US governments held a consultative meeting of 
working-level officials in Hawaii on June 17 to talk about missile 
defense (MD) and the US government then suggested the necessity of 
PAC-3 deployment within the year due to North Korea's making of 
preparations to fire a Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile. In 
the meeting, Japan did not refuse the proposed deployment of PAC-3 
missiles. Japan will instead ask the United States for detailed 
explanations about the planned deployment of PAC-3 missiles, 
including how to share intelligence. The Japanese government had 
initially expected PAC-3s to be deployed by the end of fiscal 2006. 
 
The Japanese and US governments have released a final report on the 
US military's realignment, incorporating their agreement on the 
Self-Defense Forces' joint use of the Kadena airbase with the US 
military. However, Kadena Town Mayor Tokujitsu Miyagi remains 
cautious about it. The mayor will likely oppose the PAC-3 deployment 
to the base, taking the position that it will lead to a further 
reinforcement of base functions. 
 
The US government told the Japanese government this year after their 
release of an interim report on the US military realignment that the 
US military would deploy PAC-3 missiles to the Kadena base, 
according to a Japanese government official. Their on-base 
deployment site is unknown, but the base's ammunition depot area is 
apparently considered. 
 
The Japanese and US governments have already agreed to deploy PAC-3 
missiles in Japan. The final report on the realignment of US forces 
specifies the US military's plan to deploy its PAC-3 capabilities to 
its existing facilities and areas and to make them operational at 
the earliest possible date. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003454  008 OF 010 
 
 
Japan and the United States are planning to introduce an MD system 
designed to detect enemy-launched ballistic missiles and intercept 
them before their landing. An Aegis-equipped ship on stage first 
launches a sea-based SM-3 (Standard Missile-3) missile to shoot down 
a ballistic missile in outer space. In case the SM-3 fails to shoot 
down the projectile, ground-based PAC-3 missiles will shoot it down 
in the atmosphere. 
 
The PAC-3 deployment is said to be mainly for the purpose of 
deterring North Korea and China against the threat of their 
ballistic missiles. In addition, the PAC-3 is also presumed to be 
operational with the intelligence-gathering functions of 
Kadena-based RC-135 electronic reconnaissance aircraft. 
 
(7) Analysis of Patriot missile deployment to Kadena: Reversal of 
move to lessen Okinawa's security burden; MD rises to a new stage 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
June 21, 2006 
 
It has been learned that in missile defense (MD) talks between the 
Japanese and US governments, the US argued for the deployment within 
the year to Okinawa's Kadena Air Base state-of-the-art Patriot 
ground-to-air intercept missiles (PAC-3). The proposal would speed 
up deployment now planned for the end of fiscal 2006. The reason for 
the early deployment lies in the moves of North Korea, which is said 
to be readying a launch of its Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic 
missile. The plan is to deploy the PAC-3 missiles first at Kadena 
and then in order at such bases as Iruma in Saitama Prefecture and 
Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture.  Accompanying the progress made in 
the realignment of the US forces in Japan, MD cooperation between 
Japan and the US also has entered a new stage. 
 
For the local governments in the area, such as Kadena-cho, the 
deployment of PAC-3s would only strengthen the functions of the 
base. Criticism is likely to come from affected local governments 
that this would reverse the principle of reducing the burden on 
Okinawa. 
 
In connection with the problem of North Korea readying its 
Taepodong-2 for launching, there is a strong view in the central 
government that it will not launch it. However, a senior official in 
the Defense Agency pointed out on June 16: "(Even if Taepodong-2 is 
launched,) we will be able to intercept and shoot it down in another 
several months." His comment seemed to suggest a deployment within 
the year could come, and it underscores that Japan and the US 
already are in agreement on the need for an early deployment. 
 
The Japanese government, having in mind the need to deal with a 
missile attack from either North Korea or China, is taking the 
position of "basically welcoming" a deployment in Japan of PAC-3 
missiles, according to a government source.  However, Kadena Air 
Base was once rumored to be the relocation site for Futenma Air 
Station, but the idea was withdrawn due to local objections. Such 
reactions can be expected if PAC-3s are deployed, as well. 
 
A government source stated: "Although we know the political risk, if 
we say anything, the US side will react sharply, asking us if we are 
again bringing in a local government issue." It seems that the 
government has no recourse but to accept the US proposal. 
 
(8) Prediction of personnel changes in Kasumigaseki: Focus on who 
will be picked as directors general of bureau and department to be 
 
TOKYO 00003454  009 OF 010 
 
 
established 
 
JIHYO (Page 43) (Full) 
June 2006 
 
Many in the Foreign Ministry believe that Administrative Vice 
Minister Shotaro Yachi will be retained in his post. He assumed the 
current post in January last year. He entered the ministry in 1969 
after completing graduate-school work at the University of Tokyo. 
Full-scale personnel changes of senior ministry officials will 
likely be carried out after Koro Bessho, who will have served as a 
prime ministerial secretary for five years and five months when 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi steps down from office, returns to 
the ministry. 
 
The focus of this summer's personnel changes is on who will be 
picked as director general of the International Cooperation Bureau 
and director general of the South Asian Affairs Department. The 
International Cooperation Bureau will be established by integrating 
the related sections of the Global Issues Department into the 
Economic Cooperation Bureau, in order to improve the planning 
function of the official development assistance (ODA). The South 
Asian Affairs Department will also be newly set up as an organ in 
charge of the Asia-Pacific region, excluding such countries as 
China, the Korean Peninsula and Australia, for which the Asian and 
Oceanian Affairs Bureau is responsible. The expectation is that the 
personnel changes will be announced as of August 1 in time with the 
organizational reform. A rumor is going around that Middle Eastern 
and African Affairs Bureau Director General Motohide Yoshikawa will 
be appointed as first director general of the International 
Cooperation Bureau, and that Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau 
Deputy Director General Toshihisa Takata will be picked as director 
general of the South Asian Affairs Bureau. Yoshikawa joined the 
ministry in 1974 after graduating from the Faculty of Arts of 
International Christian University. Takata entered the ministry in 
1976 after graduating from the Law Faculty of the University of 
Tokyo. 
 
The ministry is considering naming International Legal Affairs 
Division Director Takeo Akiba, who has never taken Chinese language 
training, as the replacement of China and Mongolia Division Director 
Hiroyasu Izumi. If Akiba is picked as director of the China 
Division, a non-China School member will serve in the post for the 
first time in 32 years. Akiba, a graduate of the University of 
Tokyo, served in such posts as director of the UN Policy Division 
and director of the Treaties Division after he entered the ministry 
in 1982. Vice Minister Yachi intends to have Akiba work on repairing 
Japan-China relations, which are cool because of Prime Minister 
Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine and other issues. Another reason 
is to stem growing political criticism of the so-called China 
School, whose members are known for always giving consideration to 
China. The China School members, however, strongly reacted to 
proposed personnel changes. The ministry initially planned to change 
the division directors in January, but the personnel actions have 
slipped to this summer. 
 
Yachi is also considering appointing Bessho when he returns to the 
ministry from the Prime Minister's Official Residence, to be the 
successor to Economic Affairs Bureau Kaoru Ishikawa, since Chikao 
Kawai, who joined the ministry the same year as Bessho, has been 
picked as director general of the North American Affairs Bureau. If 
so, there is a possibility that either Deputy Minister for Political 
Affairs Tsuneo Nishida or Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs 
 
TOKYO 00003454  010 OF 010 
 
 
Mitoji Yabunaka will retire or assume an ambassadorial post. Nishida 
or Yabunaka who will be retained in their current post will be the 
replacement of Vice Minister Yachi, who will likely retire next 
January or next summer. 
 
Post-Yachi candidates are Nishida, Yabunaka, and Ambassador to 
Indonesia Shin Ebihara. The Prime Minister's Official Residence 
highly appreciates Yabunaka's handling of North Korea diplomacy, 
such as the abduction issue, during his tenure as director general 
of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau until January last year. 
Nishida, however, failed in Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the 
UN Security Council. Ebihara was sacked in January by the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence as assistant deputy chief cabinet 
secretary. However, many take the view that Yachi's choice will be 
 
SIPDIS 
Ebihara. The Foreign Ministry desires to avoid anything that would 
prompt the Prime Minister's Official Residence to interfere in its 
personnel changes. The vice administrative minister race will likely 
move into full swing in the fall when Prime Minister Koizumi steps 
down. 
 
SCHIEFFER