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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 004372 
 
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 08/04/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
Foreign Minister Aso's surprise visit to Baghdad: 
 
1) Foreign Minister Aso in Baghdad promises that Japan will continue 
Iraq assistance, meets premier 
 
2) Aso's surprise Baghdad trip seen as another campaign stop in his 
bid for LDP presidency 
 
Yasukuni issue: 
 
3) Prime Minister Koizumi plans to visit Yasukuni Shrine once more 
before leaving office, but Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe will not go 
on August 15 
 
4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe visited Yasukuni in April in private 
capacity, China, ROK likely to erupt 
 
5) Abe, Chinese Ambassador Wang tangle on Yasukuni issue during 
meeting 
 
6) North Korea has 1,000 ballistic missiles and new base targeting 
Japan: Seoul official 
 
7) With both Koizumi, Abe out on the campaign trail the same day, 
crisis management in Tokyo will take a day off 
 
8) Okinawa to receive hefty development package for the northern 
part of the main island 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Foreign Minister Aso pledges continued assistance to Iraq during 
talks with Prime Minister Maliki 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Foreign Minister Aso yesterday visited Baghdad, Iraq, and separately 
met with Prime Minister Maliki and Foreign Minister Zebari. During 
the talks, Aso conveyed to them that following the pullout of Ground 
Self-Defense troops from the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, where 
they were engaged in reconstruction assistance, Japan would expand 
airlift operations by Air Self-Defense (ASDF) units and continue 
assistance for the consolidation of social infrastructure using 
official development assistance (ODA) funds. Aso is the first 
cabinet minister to visit Baghdad since the Iraq war started in 
¶2003. 
 
During each meeting, Aso underscored, "I have come to Baghdad in 
order to directly convey that there will be no change in Japan's 
stance of assisting Iraqi reconstruction even after the withdrawal 
of GSDF troops." 
 
Maliki asked for investment by Japanese companies, saying, "Japan is 
Iraq's first friend. We want to develop relations with Japan in a 
wide range of areas." Zebari expressed gratitude, "The Iraqi people 
will never forget the assistance Japan has provided." 
 
Aso left Japan for Kuwait on the evening of the 2nd on a commercial 
flight and moved on to Baghdad via an ASDF C130 transport plane. He 
 
TOKYO 00004372  002 OF 006 
 
 
stayed there for about five hours and went back to Kuwait on the 
same plane. The Foreign Ministry did not announce Aso's visit to 
Iraq until he left Baghdad due to the security situation there. 
Since the Iraq war started, then Defense Agency Director General Ono 
visited Samawah in December 2004 and Defense Agency Director General 
Nukaga in December 2005 for a tour of GSDF troops' activities 
there. 
 
2) Foreign Minister Aso's visit to Baghdad an attempt to play up his 
diplomatic skills with eye on LDP presidential election 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso made a surprise trip to Baghdad yesterday. 
He along with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe took the lead in 
imposing sanctions on North Korea in retaliation to the North's 
firing of missiles. However, Abe, known for his hard-line stance 
toward North Korea, grabbed the spotlight. Aso, therefore, was 
looking for an opportunity to play up his diplomatic skills. Since 
Abe has maintained his advantage over all other potential candidates 
for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election in 
September, speculation has been rife that Aso may be aiming to keep 
his position as foreign minister under an Abe government. 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also was considering a visit to 
Baghdad and the southern Iraqi city of Samawah where Ground 
Self-Defense Force troops were deployed, but he abandoned the idea 
due to the delay in the inauguration of the Iraqi government and the 
security situation there. In December 2004, then Defense Agency 
chief Yoshinori Oho visited Samawah and incumbent Defense Agency 
Director General Fukushiro Nukaga also visited there last December. 
It was, however, the first time for a Japanese cabinet minister to 
make a trip to Baghdad. 
 
Now that international interest has shifted to Lebanon and Iran, 
there is little diplomatic necessity to visit Iraq now. The reason 
for Aso's surprise visit to Baghdad is likely his desire to display 
his political identity as the incumbent foreign minister with less 
than two months left before the LDP presidential election. 
 
3) Prime Minister Koizumi to visit Yasukuni Shrine while still in 
office, centered on August 15; Will not compromise on issue with 
China 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has made up his mind to pay homage 
at Yasukuni Shrine before he leaves office in September. He is 
considering visiting the shrine on or around Aug. 15, the 
anniversary of the end of the war.  He has decide that after his 
tenure ends, he will continue to visit the shrine once a year, and 
that he would avoid being seen as having knuckled under to the 
demands of China, which refused to hold summit meetings with him in 
reaction to his continued shrine visits. On the other hand, Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, considered to be the most likely 
candidate to succeed Koizumi as premier, has decided to put off any 
visit this year to the shrine on Aug. 15. 
 
The Prime Minister when he first took office in 2001 clearly stated 
he would pay homage at the shrine on Aug. 15. But although he 
 
TOKYO 00004372  003 OF 006 
 
 
continued to pay a visit to Yasukuni once a year, he always went on 
a different date in apparent deference to external relations. 
Meeting the press corps on Aug. 3 at his Official Residence, Koizumi 
stressed: "In the midst of the pro and con debate, I am not thinking 
that it is wrong for me to pay homage at Yasukuni Shrine. Why is my 
judgment not being understood?" Asked specifically about Aug. 15, he 
would go no far than to say, "I can only say that I will make an 
appropriate decision."  Even at the time in July when a memo by the 
later Grand Steward Tomita was revealed in which the Showa Emperor 
expressed displeasure that Class-A war criminals were enshrined at 
Yasukuni, he denied that the words would have any effect on his own 
visit to the shrine. 
 
On the other hand, Abe, who annually visits Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 
15, has decided to postpone such a visit this year, wishing to avoid 
the Yasukuni issue becoming entangled in the LDP presidential 
election in September. However, if the Prime Minister visits on Aug. 
15, China and other countries will react sharply, and the propriety 
of such visits, as well as the revision of Japan's Asia diplomacy, 
will definitely become entangled in the LDP presidential election 
campaign. 
 
4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe paid homage at Yasukuni in private 
capacity this August; Sharp reactions from China, ROK can be 
expected; Aso does not intend to visit the shrine, even if he 
becomes prime minister 
 
TOKYO (Top play) (Abridged) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, it was learned late yesterday, 
paid homage at Yasukuni Shrine this year in April. This was revealed 
by a government source. Abe's visit to the shrine will inevitably 
bring about a sharp reaction from China and the Republic of Korea 
(ROK), since Abe is a leading contender to become the successor to 
Prime Minister Koizumi. 
 
According to the government source, Abe paid homage at the shrine on 
the morning of April 15 in a private capacity. At a press conference 
on July 24, Abe stated: "I paid homage to the those who died for 
their country by folding my hands, saying a prayer, and paying my 
respects." 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who intends to run in the September 
Liberal Democratic Party presidential race, has made up his mind to 
present a proposal that if he or any other candidate is elected 
prime minister, that person should not pay homage at Yasukuni Shrine 
as long as he is in office. He will present this private proposal to 
resolve the Yasukuni issue prior to August 15, when Prime Minister 
Koizumi is widely expected to visit the shrine. He will call for 
self-restraint on paying homage at the shrine, saying, "A proper 
judgment should be made, taking into consideration personal beliefs 
and one's public position." 
 
In his private proposal, he will state his thinking that it would be 
possible for Yasukuni Shrine to separate the souls of Class-A war 
criminals if it were made into a non-religious association. 
Specifically, the shrine should voluntarily return its legal status 
as a religious corporation and come under the government as a 
special corporation. At that point, it would de-enshrine the Class-A 
war criminals, preparing the environment for the Emperor and prime 
minister to visit the shrine. 
 
TOKYO 00004372  004 OF 006 
 
 
 
5) Verbal wrangling over Yasukuni: Abe says, "China should correctly 
recognize Japan"; Chinese Ambassador Wang says, "Let's built 
relationship of mutual trust" 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe and Chinese Ambassador to Japan 
Wang Yi attended a "Tokyo-Beijing Forum" held yesterday in 
Marunouchi, Tokyo. The two had a battle of words. Sparks flew 
between them amid speculation that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi 
may visit Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, the anniversary of Japan's 
surrender in World War II. 
 
Abe stressed: 
 
"The revival of militarism, which Chinese sources often talk about, 
is beyond the Japanese people's imagination and is impossible. We 
will be able to start a constructive discussion after China 
recognizes Japan correctly." 
 
He also pointed out: 
 
"According to an opinion poll, only 15% of the Chinese people feel 
friendship with Japan. One of the reasons for this low figure is 
Chinese people's misunderstanding about (Japan)." 
 
He continued: 
 
"In 2002, a view of China's economic development as a threat was 
spreading in Japan. Prime Minister Koizumi, however, clearly stated 
that China's economic growth is an opportunity, not a threat. We 
should prevent individual issues from adversely impacting on overall 
Japan-China relations. To that end, we should aim for an accurate 
perception of each other through dialogue." 
 
He again criticized China for refusing to hold a summit due to 
Koizumi's visits to the Shinto shrine. 
 
He called for resuming dialogue between the two countries, saying, 
"Let's build a relationship under which we will be able to carry out 
dialogue straightforwardly without worrying about friction, 
discarding a weak friendship." 
 
In response, Ambassador Wang obliquely criticized Koizumi's annual 
visits to Yasukuni Shrine, stating: 
 
"Japan-China relations have been strained due to a reason known to 
everybody. That is something we do not want to see. I hope the 
bilateral relationship will return to a normal path and improve, 
overcoming the current situation as early as possible." 
 
Wang added: 
 
"By correctly acknowledging history, we can build a stable bilateral 
relationship. Let's rebuild mutual confidence between a new 
generation of leaders. How to resolve the issue is a matter that 
should be determined by the Japanese public. China will respond in 
good faith to a wise decision by Japan, leading to a compromise." 
 
Wang's remarks are believed to have been a message to Abe, who is 
 
TOKYO 00004372  005 OF 006 
 
 
regarded as the front-runner in the September Liberal Democratic 
Party presidential election. 
 
6) North Korea has 1,000 missiles: World's fourth-largest missile 
power, according to South Korean analysis; Missiles bases under 
construction on coastline along Sea of Japan 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Seoul, Tetsuo Nakajima 
 
South Korea's state-run Institute of Foreign Affairs and National 
Security, which reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
Trade, in late July compiled a report on the development of 
ballistic missiles by North Korea. The details of the report were 
unveiled yesterday. According to the report, North Korea possess 
approximate 1,000 missiles of various types, which makes the nation 
the world's fourth-largest missile power, following the US, Russia, 
and China. The report read that new underground bases clustered on 
the coastline along the Sea of Japan are targeting Japan and US 
military bases there. It also pointed out that its relations with 
Pakistan and Iran, imports of parts from China, and the use of 
Russian engineers have contributed to Pyongyang's success in the 
development of missiles. 
 
Professor Yun Dok Min at the institute, who is a well-known expert 
on North Korea's nuclear arms and missiles, compiled this report. He 
traced the development and deployment of missiles by North Korea 
since 1960 and explained that long-range missiles targeting Okinawa 
are deployed at 10 underground missile bases. The report pointed out 
that a number of underground missile bases, which are now under 
construction or have already been completed, are for medium- and 
long-range missiles that target Japan and US military bases there. 
The report also noted that there is the possibility of Taeopodong-2 
missiles being deployed at some of those bases. 
 
7) Both prime minister, chief cabinet secretary leave Tokyo for the 
regions leaving no one in charge of Kantei 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
August 4, 2006 
 
Both Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Shinzo Abe will tour regional cities today. It is unusual for the 
prime minister and chief cabinet secretary to both leave Tokyo at 
the same time. What kind of crisis management system is this? 
 
The prime minister and chief cabinet secretary are responsible for 
responding to a state of emergency, including natural disasters, and 
to spearhead the entire government during such times. It is the rule 
that either the premier or the chief cabinet secretary should be 
somewhere nearby the Prime Minister's Official Residence even on 
holidays. 
 
However, Koizumi is expected to tour on Aug. 4-5 the historic place 
of Yoshida Shoin and other places in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Abe will 
attend meetings in Kyoto and Osaka to discuss his second chance 
support program. Therefore, neither  will be in Tokyo from the 
afternoon of Aug. 4 to the afternoon of the 5th. 
 
Abe, at a press conference yesterday, stated, "Deputy chief cabinet 
 
TOKYO 00004372  006 OF 006 
 
 
secretaries will be in charge of crisis management. So there will be 
 
SIPDIS 
no problem." Since Koizumi will visit the city of Shimonoseki, 
Yamaguchi Prefecture, Abe's home constituency, some observers think 
that the two are leaving Tokyo to stump for the LDP presidential 
election campaign. 
 
8) Government decides to allocate 8.5 billion yen for development of 
northern Okinawa: Allocation of funds next year not certain 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 4, 2006 
 
The government yesterday decided to allocate 8.5 billion yen for 
expenses for a pineapple cultivation research project in the 
northern part of the Okinawa mainland for this fiscal year. Futenma 
Air Station is set to be relocated to this area. 
 
This year's budget for development of northern Okinawa is 10 billion 
yen. A second allocation is scheduled for December. 
 
When it adopted its policy regarding USFJ realignment at a cabinet 
meeting, the government decided to abolish the 1999 cabinet decision 
that included development projects for northern Okinawa. It is, 
therefore, unclear whether the project will be continued into the 
next fiscal year and beyond. 
 
SCHIEFFER