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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 005091 
 
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 09/07/06 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) President Bush may meet new Japanese premier in November at APEC 
forum 
 
Defense and security issues: 
5) ASDF carries out initial cargo transport run from Kuwait to Iraq 
under new arrangement 
6) Newly declassified Pentagon document reveal nuclear-armed US Navy 
ships regularly made port calls in Japan 
7) Rear Adm. James Kelly, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan: New 
Navy carrier not likely to be homeported in Guam 
8) US, Japan military officers reviewing response to DPRK's July 5 
missile launches 
9) USFK's transfer of military authority to ROK forces could impact 
on USFJ realignment process, as well 
10) Minshuto, SDP to pursue Shinzo Abe in Diet for his remark on 
using collective self-defense right 
 
Foreign affairs: 
11) Japan, ROK vice foreign ministers carry out strategic dialogue 
 
12) National Defense Academy President Iokibe criticizes Koizumi's 
"paralysis in Asia policy" on prime minister's own e-mail magazine 
 
13) JCP Chairman Shii meets National Assembly speaker and other 
dignitaries in Seoul 
14) Minshuto President Ozawa participates in grass-roots exchange 
program in Colorado 
15) Foreign Ministry to loosen up way ODA grant money can be spent 
 
 
LDP presidential race: 
16) 80% of LDP lawmakers now back Abe for president 
17) Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe in campaign interview 
comments on Murayama statement on Japan's wartime acts 
18) Abe if elected will launch another reorganization of central 
government offices 
 
19) With birth of boy into royal house, Diet shelves until next 
regular session revision of Imperial Household Law that would have 
allowed female on throne 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Participation by crime victims in criminal trials now considered 
 
Mainichi: 
Poll: 80% of LDP lawmakers support Abe in presidential race; Abe 
leads in 31 prefectures ahead of the announcement of LDP 
presidential election tomorrow 
 
Yomiuri & Sankei: 
Prince Akishino and his family meet newborn prince at hospital 
 
 
TOKYO 00005091  002 OF 012 
 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Automakers to make China, India their bases for exports to Europe 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Fabrication of earthquake-resistance data: Aneha admits to charges 
 
Akahata: 
JCP Chairman Shii exchanges views with South Korean National 
Assembly Chairman Im Chae Jung on peace in East Asia 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Newborn prince: A blessed event 
(2) Control of money lending business: Who will benefit from 
revisions to the Money Lending Control Law? 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Newborn prince: Birth truly a blessed event 
(2) Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) and New Komeito: Choice of 
party head without vote is no good 
 
Yomiuri: 
Princess Kiko's delivery: Imperial birth truly a blessed event 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1) Newborn prince is a blessed event 
(2) "Exceptions" to interest rate control should be minimum 
 
Sankei: 
Princess Kiko's delivery: We'd like to warmly watch over the growth 
of newborn prince 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Newborn prince: A blessed event 
(2) MSDF ship's misfiring: Organizational problem? 
 
Akahata: 
Put an end to "disposable" labor force! 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 6 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
09:00 
Saluted by ceremonial troops at the Defense Agency. Met with Defense 
Agency chief Nukaga, followed by high-level SDF officers. 
 
09:58 
Met at Kantei with Environment Minister Koike. 
 
10:25 
Met with Administrative Vice Finance Minister Fujii and Vice 
Minister for Finance for International Affairs Watanabe. 
 
11:02 
Attended award ceremony for contributors to disaster prevention. 
 
11:32 
 
TOKYO 00005091  003 OF 012 
 
 
Signed at the Imperial Palace his name on the book cerebrating 
Princess Kiko's giving birth to a boy. 
 
11:45 
Singed at Prince Akishino's residence his name on the book. 
 
12:03 
Attended at Kantei government-ruling party meeting. 
 
13:53 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. 
 
15:30 
Met with Ambassador to Israel Maeda, followed by National Police 
Agency Commissioner General Uruma. 
 
17:00 
Met with Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani, followed by Japan 
Business Federation Chairman Mitarai. 
 
18:03 
Held informal meeting with high-level SDF officers. 
 
18:32 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) The first summit between US president and new prime minister may 
occur in November 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Masaya Oikawa, Washington 
 
A US State Department official yesterday said that though it is 
undecided when the first Japan-US summit between Japan's new prime 
and President Bush will take place, he added, "There is various 
speculations but if you look the political calendar, the 
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum would be about the 
closest." The official hinted that one option would be to hold a 
bilateral summit on the sidelines of the APEC conference in Vietnam 
slated for Nov. 18-19. 
 
Referring to the current mood in Japan that Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Shinzo Abe is seen as the most likely contender to succeed Koizumi, 
who has built a personal relationship with Bush, the official 
emphasized: "No matter who is elected, there will be no major 
change. Japan will not change its policy toward the United States." 
He also pointed out that "the President is certainly looking forward 
to the first summit meeting with the new prime minister." In 
addition, referring to calls by Abe and others for constitutional 
revisions, he said, "That is a matter for Japan to decide." 
"Expansion of the two countries' relations will benefit both greatly 
and potential for joint operations will expand," he added, revealing 
expectations for revision of Article 9 of the Constitution. 
 
5) ASDF planes make first flight to Iraq to transport UN supplies 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Kuwait-based Air Self-Defense Force C-130 transport planes, which 
 
TOKYO 00005091  004 OF 012 
 
 
have been on an airlift mission for the US-led coalition forces in 
Iraq, flew into Baghdad and Arbil in northern Iraq for the first 
time on Sept. 6 to transport UN personnel and supplies, the Defense 
Agency announced yesterday. After the Ground Self-Defense Force 
troops pulled out of Iraq, the ASDF has decided to provide transport 
assistance to the UN besides the coalition forces, given declined 
demand for transport to Tallil near Samawah. 
 
6) Nuclear-armed US warships regularly entered Japanese ports, 
proved by newly declassified US government document 
 
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
September 7, 2006 
 
The existence of a US government internal document has been revealed 
that prove US military vessels armed with nuclear weapons regularly 
paid port calls in Japan. The vessels included US military supply 
ships and fell under a secret agreement between Japan and the United 
States that allowed the carrying into Japan of nuclear weapons. 
 
On the existence of a secret compact that allowed the carrying into 
Japan of nuclear weapons by ships and other means, then Japanese 
Communist Party Chairman Tetsuzo Fuwa pursued the issue in the Diet 
repeatedly in 2000, citing several classified US government 
documents. This time, the newly declassified document clearly proves 
what Fuwa had pursued. 
 
The document is a list of agreements on nuclear weapons with 22 
countries related to US military being allowed to enter while 
carrying such arms. It was drafted by the office of the assistant 
secretary of the Defense Department on October 8, 1968.  The 
 
SIPDIS 
declassified document was made public by the National Security 
Archives (NSA), a private research organization in the United 
States.  About half of the document has been excised, and the names 
of the countries, as well, have been blotted out. But NSA's William 
Barr (TN: phonetic) pointed out that about five pages clearly refer 
to Japan. In the Japan portion, there is reference many times to a 
record of discussion that is the full text of the Japan-US secret 
pact that was signed in January 1960. It reconfirms the contents of 
the secret agreement that prior consultation did not apply to cases 
in which US warships armed with nuclear weapons entered Japanese 
waters or entered Japanese ports, and that there "exists a common 
understanding of this." 
 
7) US Naval Forces Japan commander: Navy not likely to deploy a new 
carrier to Guam 
 
SANKEI (Page 9) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Meeting the press yesterday, Rear Admiral Kelly, commander of US 
Naval Forces Japan, indicated that a new carrier the US Navy plans 
to deploy in the Pacific in the spring of next year -- the sixth for 
the region -- would not likely be deployed to Guam. 
 
As candidate locations for the deployment, Kelly confirmed that 
Bremerton in the State of Washington, San Diego in the State of 
California, Pearl Harbor in the State of Hawaii, and Guam are under 
consideration. Referring to the possibility of the choice of Guam, 
Kelly stated: "(In order to use it as the home port), the 
construction of infrastructure and some other construction works 
would be required so that it can maintain its current capabilities. 
 
TOKYO 00005091  005 OF 012 
 
 
We hope to make it maintain such capabilities as required for the 
carrier to stop there) and stay for a certain period of time there, 
but (Guam) will not be chosen as the home port." 
 
8) Japan-US to examine responses to North Korean missiles 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
The Japanese and US governments will hold the first Japan-US review 
meeting of foreign and defense officials of the two countries today 
in Tokyo to examine measures taken following North Korea's firing of 
ballistic missiles on July 5. The meeting will be joined by Foreign 
Ministry North American Affairs Bureau chief Chikao Kawai from the 
Japanese side and officials of US State Department, Pentagon, and US 
forces in Japan from the US side. 
 
9) South Korea wants operational command be shifted speedily from US 
military; Symbol of independence for Roh administration; US points 
to 2009 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Talks are underway between Washington and Seoul to transfer wartime 
operational command from the US military to the South Korean 
military. The United States has announced its intention to transfer 
command in 2009, three years ahead of the South Korean plan, 
reversing its reluctance to South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun's 
call for "independent defense." The focus is now on exactly when the 
transfer will occur. A view has emerged that given the North Korean 
missile and nuclear threats, a transfer of command would inevitably 
affect Japan, as well. 
 
USFJ realignment may be affected 
 
Once operational command is transferred, will there be a smooth 
transition to a defense system led by the South Korean military? 
Will it result in a major reduction in US forces in South Korea? The 
answers to these questions are unclear at present. Depending on how 
the talks unfold, the plan may have an impact on the realignment of 
US forces in Japan, as well. 
 
Once command is transferred, South Korean forces may have to fight 
on the frontline with US forces only providing support with less 
responsibility and more flexibility. This would coincide with 
Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's plan to review and realign US troops 
worldwide to increase efficiency. Former Ground Self-Defense Force 
Chief of Staff Hikaru Tomizawa, who is familiar with USFK, noted: 
"This represents Washington's strong desire to avoid being dragged 
into a ground war at Asia at a time when the Middle East is in 
turmoil." 
 
The Bush administration has decided to reduce the size of US forces 
in South Korea by one-third, mostly ground troops, as part of the 
ongoing global transformation of US forces. The administration is 
shifting the weight of deterrence against North Korea to the Navy 
and Air Force, while increasing the capability of US Navy vessels 
deployed in Japan and strengthening cooperation between the US Air 
Force and Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. 
 
How to reform the functions of ground force commands in Japan and 
 
TOKYO 00005091  006 OF 012 
 
 
South Korea have been a major challenge in US force realignment, but 
the US has not presented any specific plan to Japan. 
 
If US forces in South Korea are scaled down deeply after command is 
transferred, US Army 1st Corps headquarters may become the hub 
command to control US forces in Northeast Asia once it is shifted to 
Japan. If so, Japan might be integrated deeply into the US military 
strategy, in addition to bearing an increased burden for training 
and supplies. 
 
10) Minshuto, SDP to pursue Abe's comment on right of collective 
self-defense in upcoming Diet session 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
In reaction to Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe's eagerness to 
study the option of changing the government's view on the right of 
collective self-defense, the largest opposition party Minshuto 
(Democratic Party of Japan) and the Social Democratic Party 
indicated yesterday that they would pursue Abe's intention in the 
upcoming extraordinary Diet session. 
 
Minshuto Policy Research Council Chairman Takeaki Matsumoto told a 
press conference yesterday: 
 
"Whether or not to allow the government to alter its current view is 
controversial. But changes cannot be made beyond the country's 
exclusively defense-oriented policy under the Constitution. Japan is 
not allowed to exercise the right of collective self-defense beyond 
that." 
 
SDP head Mizuho Fukushima also said in a press conference: 
 
"Under the Constitution, Japan cannot exercise the right of 
collective self-defense. Any comments trampling on the government's 
view are not acceptable. We are going to point that out in the 
upcoming session." 
 
11) Japan-ROK strategic dialogue kicks off; Views exchanged on EEZ 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Kiyoshi Nakamura, Seoul 
 
The Japan-South Korea vice ministerial strategic dialogue between 
Japanese Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi and 
South Korean Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung 
Hwan began yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 
Seoul on a two-day schedule. 
 
The two officials exchanged views on talks on the demarcation of the 
exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the two countries, which had 
continued until the previous day in Seoul. After the meeting, Yachi 
spoke of Japan's planned radiation survey in waters around 
Takeshima/Dokdo and stated: "On the premise that Japan will conduct 
the survey, we are discussing what will be the best way. Our 
discussions are continuing." 
 
12) National Defense Academy President Iokibe criticizes Prime 
Minister Koizumi in Kantei email magazine for paralyzing Asia 
 
TOKYO 00005091  007 OF 012 
 
 
diplomacy 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
In the Koizumi cabinet's email magazine to be distributed today, 
National Defense Academy President Makoto Iokibe criticizes Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi, writing, "I wonder how much (the prime 
minister) has through the Yasukuni issue alone paralyzed Asia 
diplomacy and worsened the constructive relations with other 
countries Japan has built." It is an unusual for a message critical 
of Koizumi to be included in the magazine. 
 
In his contribution titled "My view of the five years of the Koizumi 
government," Iokibe said, "Confidence, which I call an external 
asset, was significantly damaged by the prime minister's persistence 
in visiting Yasukuni Shrine." He also wrote: "Prime Minister 
Koizumi's strong attraction and popularity among the public have 
prevented criticism of his Asia diplomacy." While praising his 
efforts for relations with the United States and his visits to North 
Korea, he wrote: "He made a big mistake in Asia diplomacy, but his 
successors have an opportunity to deal with it." Iokibe expressed 
his hopes for the next government's effort to repair soured 
relations with China and South Korea. 
 
13) JCP Chairman Shii meets with South Korean National Assembly 
chairman; Trying to wipe out image of being too close to North 
Korea 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Takeshi Nakagawa, Seoul 
 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Chairman Kazuo Shii, who is now 
visiting South Korea, met yesterday in Seoul with the National 
Assembly chairman and two opposition party leaders separately. At 
Yonse University, he had exchanges with students. He was desperately 
trying to clear up his party's image of having close ties with North 
Korea. 
 
In his meeting with National Assembly Chairman Im Chae Jong, Shi 
explained his party's position toward the prime minister's visits to 
Yasukuni Shrine, saying: "Whoever become the next prime minister, we 
will oppose the visits. The problem is not only that the shrine 
honors Class-A war criminals but also the views of history that 
glorify the war." Im then responded, "If Japan takes such a 
position, tension between the two countries will be eased." 
 
During his meeting with the Democratic Party, one member said with 
humor, "This is the visit to our party by the Japanese Communist 
Party, which reminds us of North Korea." Another lawmaker said, "I 
thought that you have had exchanges with North Korea." Shii is 
expected to call on five political parties. 
 
14) Minshuto head Ozawa hosts grassroots gathering in Colorado 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Hisayuki Hayashi, Denver, Colorado 
 
 
TOKYO 00005091  008 OF 012 
 
 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa, now 
visiting the United States, met on Sept. 5 (Sept. 6, Japan time) in 
Colorado Springs with about 200 Japanese and American citizens, who 
will take part in a grassroots gathering that Ozawa will host. 
 
This exchange program has been conducted since 1991. Participants 
are recruited from each country, and the members visit each other's 
country, alternating between Japan and the US every year, to 
strengthen friendship. They engaged in sightseeing and dialogues. So 
far, more than 20,000 have taken part in the program. 
 
Ozawa said: 
 
"Relations between Japan and the United States on the face of it 
have been doing well, but that is far from the case in reality. 
Since Japan-US relations are most important for Japan, we are 
conducting activities to strengthen bilateral ties." 
 
Ozawa will announce on Sept. 11 his candidacy for the party's 
presidential election. His US visit at this juncture is aimed to 
play up the promotion of private exchanges, in contrast to the 
official exchanges by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, according to a person close to Ozawa. 
 
Ozawa will return home today. 
 
15) Unrestricted framework for grant-aid ODA 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) plans to provide grant aid 
that can be, in principle, used at the discretion of recipient 
countries, starting fiscal 2007. Projects to help resolve poverty 
will become eligible for this scheme. MOFA has African nations in 
mind as chief recipients. Funds from this framework will be provided 
to between three and five countries, including Tanzania and Ghana, 
next fiscal year. The government intends to make this official 
development assistance (ODA) for measures to deal with poverty lead 
to strengthened relations with African nations. 
 
Under the grant aid assistance strategy for reducing poverty to be 
established anew, recipients will map out three-to-five-year 
development programs designed to reduce poverty in cooperation with 
the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Japan's 
funds will be used for such projects. MOFA expects that Japan will 
strengthen relations with African nations and that an increasing 
number of those countries will support Japan's bid for a permanent 
seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 
 
16) Poll: Abe lines up support from 80% of LDP lawmakers, on top in 
31 prefectures 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party presidential race will kick off 
following the official announcement tomorrow of the Sept. 20 
election. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, Finance Minister 
Sadakazu Tanigaki, and Foreign Minister Taro Aso have declared their 
candidacy, and from them the next prime minister will be elected. 
According to an opinion poll by the Mainichi Shimbun, 321, or about 
 
TOKYO 00005091  009 OF 012 
 
 
80%, of the 403 LDP lawmakers have decided to vote for Abe. A survey 
of secretaries general and other senior members of LDP local 
chapters also showed that Abe is on top in 31 prefectures, nearly 
70% of all the prefectures. An Abe landslide is now certain. 
 
In the LDP presidential election, the three contenders will contest 
703 votes: 403 held by lawmakers and 300 allocated to prefectural 
chapters. 
 
At present, Abe is likely to win 500 votes, or about 70%. It is 
certain that he will be elected on the first ballot. 
 
According to the Mainichi Shimbun survey, all members of both the 
Mori faction (86 members) to which Abe belongs and the Nikai faction 
(15) have decided to vote for Abe. Almost all members of the Komura 
faction (15) and the Ibuki faction (32) have also decided to support 
Abe. In the Tsushima faction (74) and the Niwa/Koga faction (48), 
about 80% favor Abe. Even in the Yamasaki faction (36), chaired by 
former Vice President Taku Yamasaki, who has been critical of Abe, 
about 60% are willing to vote for Abe. Among LDP lawmakers who do 
not belong to a faction (71), 57, or about 80%, have decided to 
support Abe. 
 
Those who have decided to vote for Tanigaki total 28: 15 Tanigaki 
faction members, 8 from the Yamasaki faction, including Yamasaki, 
several members from the Tsushima and Niwa/Koga factions, and LDP 
lawmakers of no faction. 
 
Aso has secured 22 votes: 11 members of the Kono faction, some 
members from the Tsushima, Niwa/Koga, Yamasaki, and Ibuki factions, 
and members of no faction. About 30 lawmakers have yet to decide on 
whom they will vote for. 
 
The survey of senior members of the prefectural LDP chapters was 
conducted from Aug. 29 through Sept. 4. Votes will be distributed to 
each chapter under the d'Hondt formula based on the number of party 
members. The survey found Abe in the lead in 31 prefectures, 
including Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Aichi. Tanigaki has a lead in 
Yamagata and Kyoto, while Aso is the top contender in his home 
district of Fukuoka and Ibaraki, according to the survey. In Iwate, 
Abe and Aso are neck-and-neck, and 11 prefectures refused to respond 
or remained undecided. 
 
17) Abe avoids clear comment on whether he would adhere to Murayama 
statement, suggests entrusting assessment of WWI to historians 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun and other news companies 
yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe avoided giving a clear 
response to a question asking whether he, if elected prime minister, 
would follow the 1995 Murayama statement. In the statement, Prime 
Minister Murayama expressed remorse and an apology for Japan's 
colonial rule and past military aggression. Saying, "That is a 
historical statement," Abe added: "Once the next cabinet is formed, 
the cabinet should express its views about Japan's past acts." Abe 
has stopped short of giving his assessment of World War II since 
assuming his current post last October. This remark indicates that 
even if he assumes the premiership, Abe will maintain his current 
stance of entrusting the assessment of the war to historians. 
 
 
TOKYO 00005091  010 OF 012 
 
 
The Murayama statement referred to the nation's colonial rule and 
war acts, noting: "Japan inflicted tremendous damage and suffering 
on people in Asian countries," and expressing "deep remorse" and "a 
sincere apology." Prime Minister Koizumi also clearly said in a Diet 
reply: "I share the same perception." 
 
Abe, though, was overheard expressing to his aides a sense of 
discomfort about the Murayama statement and the repeated apologies 
made by successive prime ministers based on the Murayama statement. 
 
In a press conference held just after the interview yesterday, when 
asked in what form he is going to issue a new historical view, Abe 
indicated he had no intention of issuing a statement expressing his 
own historical views, saying: 
 
"The Murayama statement is now a historical statement. I think there 
is no need to issue another statement and that historians should 
take charge of assessing the nation's past conduct." 
 
Asked if he would adhere to the Murayama statement, Abe only said: 
"The government announced (the statement) at home and abroad on the 
day marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the war." 
 
Regarding the neighboring countries provision mandating the 
government to give consideration to its neighboring countries in 
authorizing school textbooks, Abe commented: "We will take into 
consideration what feelings neighboring countries have. I have no 
intention of immediately scrapping the provision." 
 
18) Shinzo Abe considering further reorganization of government 
agencies to promote small government: Room to constrain public 
projects 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who declared his candidacy for 
the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, revealed 
during an interview with the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and other dailies 
a plan to consider further reorganization of central government 
agencies, provided that he becomes prime minister. He also expressed 
his desire to introduce a doshu system of reorganizing the current 
prefectural system into regional blocs. 
 
The aim is to create a small and efficient government by 
strengthening the functions of the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei) and downsizing administrative organizations. 
 
Commenting on the organization of the current government agencies, 
which were reorganized into one office and 12 agencies in 2001, Abe 
noted, "It is necessary to discuss their functions and organizations 
from the perspective of whether their organizations are all right as 
is, taking into account the possibility of carrying out further 
reorganization." He indicated plans to inspect the current 
government agency system, while taking into account the possibility 
of strengthening the functions of the Kantei. 
 
Regarding the doshu system, Abe revealed a policy of discussing the 
issue concurrently with the envisaged further reorganization of 
government agencies. He played up his idea of dividing government 
services into those to be provided by central government agencies 
and those to be carried out by local governments. He noted: "I will 
 
TOKYO 00005091  011 OF 012 
 
 
consider the doshu system from a perspective of assisting local 
regions. I will change the grand design (of the government)." 
 
Concerning public works projects, Abe stressed, "There still is room 
for a reduction. . . . Projects that must be carried out can be 
realized at lower costs by sorting out proposed projects or carrying 
out adopted projects in an efficient way." 
 
As to his views of wartime history, he noted that he intends to 
follow the 1995 statement of then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama. 
He then indicated his intention to reveal his own views on the issue 
once he comes into office as prime minister, noting, "A new prime 
minister should reveal his own view on this issue." Regarding the 
Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy, Abe pushed against another 
hike in interest rates soon, saying, "I would like the BOJ to 
undergird the Japanese economy on the monetary front." 
 
The LDP presidential election will be formally announced on Sept. 8 
and voting and vote counting will take place on the 20th. The 
presidential race will likely be contested among Abe, Foreign 
Minister Taro Aso, and Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki. The 
government and the ruling camp plan to convene an extraordinary Diet 
session to elect a new prime minister on the 26th. 
 
19) Revision of Imperial House Law not to be discussed during next 
year's regular Diet session, government decides 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
September 7, 2006 
 
Following the birth of a boy into the household of Prince Akishino 
yesterday, the government has decided to put on the backburner a 
revision of the Imperial House Law to allow females and males of 
matrilineal descent to assume the throne. Responding to reporters 
yesterday evening, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ruled out the 
possibility of revising the law at an early date. He said: "I think 
it is better for us to calmly observe the birth of a boy this time 
and spend ample time contemplating what the imperial family means. 
Revising the Imperial House Law is not an issue that should be 
debated in next year's regular Diet session." 
 
The prime minister also indicated his position that in view of the 
future, it will be necessary to allow females and males of 
matrilineal descent to assume the throne, noting: "Nowadays, it is 
not possible to have boys without fail. It would become difficult to 
maintain imperial succession unless males of matrilineal descent are 
allowed to assume the throne." The Experts Council on the Imperial 
House Law, an advisory organ reporting to the prime minister, last 
November formulated a final report on a revision of the Imperial 
House Law, including the assumption of the imperial throne by the 
emperor's firstborn child, allowing for females and males of 
matrilineal descent to assume the throne. In response, the prime 
minister categorically stated his intention in his policy speech 
delivered at the outset of the regular Diet session in January this 
year to submit a bill amending the Imperial House Law in accordance 
with the report during that session. With public opinion divided on 
the revision, it was found in February that Princess Kiko was 
pregnant. The prime minister then changed his policy and decided not 
to submit the bill to that Diet session. 
 
A view cautious about quickly amending the law commanded a majority 
yesterday in the ruling camp, as well. 
 
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SCHIEFFER