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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 005833 
 
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 10/06/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) Japan-China second summit meeting set for APEC forum in November 
 
 
North Korea problem: 
5) In interest of expediency, Japan may settle for UNSC press 
statement instead of chairman statement against North Korea nuclear 
testing 
6) Working level talks in UN Security Council are drafting statement 
on North Korea nuclear test issue 
7) US military steps up surveillance of North Korea for nuclear test 
signs, while Japan increase intelligence gathering 
8) US spy plane lands at Okinawa base after presumably observing 
North Korea activities 
9) North Korea uses dummy companies to purchase equipment it needs 
overseas 
 
Defense and security issues: 
10) Education and science ministry will not rule out that US sub 
leaked radioactive material near Yokosuka Navy Base 
11) US government loses bid-rigging case against companies that 
worked on projects at Atsugi Base 
 
12) Bid-rigging practices are prevalent in awarding ODA grants, 
study shows 
 
Iran oil deal: 
13) METI vice minister denies that Iran has cancelled contract for 
Iran's Azadegan oil field development 
14) Chief cabinet secretary says oil talks with Iran continue 
15) Japan loses right to Azadegan oilfield project: Delaying 
measures reach limit; Iran likely to further press Japan 
16) Inpex calls on Iran to maintain Japan's stake in Azadegan 
oilfield at 15% 
 
Political agenda: 
17) Minshuto head Ozawa is well and out of the hospital and ready to 
take on Prime Minister Abe in Diet debate on Oct. 18 
18) Second round of Diet interpellations today to focus on social 
disparity issue 
19) Abe: My grandfather and others made mistakes in judgment in 
starting a war 
20) Yasukuni Shrine, out of consideration to US, to change English 
descriptions at Yushukan Museum, but ignore words that offend Asian 
sensitivities 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Hino Motors employed 1,100 workers illegally under guise of 
temporary workers 
 
Mainichi: 
Prosecutors to file criminal charges against former Fukushima 
governor for bid rigging in violation of Public Offices Election 
 
TOKYO 00005833  002 OF 012 
 
 
Law 
 
Yomiuri: 
ODA projects awarded to firms at 99% of estimated prices in FY2005; 
Bid rigging rampant 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Aeon to begin negotiations with Marubeni to obtain trading firm's 
30% stake in Maruetsu 
 
Sankei: 
NHK to take legal action against 10 million people for not paying 
viewer fees 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Schindler Co. to face criminal charges over fatal elevator accident 
 
Akahata: 
Contract workers suffering heavy toll under strict parking 
enforcement 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Prime Minister Abe must discuss history humbly 
(2) Supreme Court's mistaken decision on vote disparity 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Is conspiracy legislation necessary? 
(2) Fiscal reconstruction requires zeal 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) New government and economy: Sustainable growth needs specific 
measures 
(2) Top court demands electoral reform 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1) Auto industry still in realignment 
(2) Hospital equally guilty for illegal organ transplant 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Shanghai's top party boss fired in power struggle 
(2) Convenience top priority for next-generation DVD format 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Changes in China a good opportunity for improving relations with 
Japan 
(2) GM-Nissan talks break off 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Illegal war in Iraq spreads danger 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, October 5 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
08:02 
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura. 
 
 
TOKYO 00005833  003 OF 012 
 
 
09:00 
Attended Lower House Budget Committee meeting. 
 
12:12 
Met at Kantei with Shimomura. 
 
13:00 
Attended Lower House Budget Committee session. 
 
17:30 
Attended Security Council meeting at Kantei. Met with Special 
Advisor Koike, followed by Foreign Minister Aso. 
 
18:05 
Met with Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. 
 
19:26 
Returned to his private residence in Tomigaya. 
 
4) Japan, China during Abe's visit to China on the 8th likely to 
agree to hold summit again in November on sidelines of APEC summit 
in Hanoi 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
October 6, 2006 
 
It is now likely that Prime Minister Abe and Chinese President Hu 
Jintao during their summit to be held on Oct. 8 will agree to hold a 
second summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic 
Cooperation forum summit in Hanoi Nov. 18-19, according to a 
government source. Japan-China summits have often been held on the 
sidelines of annual APEC talks. However, one did not take place last 
year due to former Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni 
Shrine. 
 
Prime Minister Abe is aiming to repair the strained Japan-China 
relations with his first meetings with Hu and Wen Jiabao as 
stepping-stones. Abe during the upcoming talks intends to ask both 
leaders to visit Japan at an early date. He also wants to put mutual 
exchanges of the leaders of the two countries back on track by 
holding a second summit on the sidelines of APEC without a long 
pause after the first one. 
 
5) As expression of international condemnation against North Korea, 
Japan aims to issue "press statement" instead of UNSC president's 
statement, with priority given to speed 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Masako Nagato, New York 
 
In response to North Korea's statement indicating a possible nuclear 
test, Japan, which presides at the United Nations Security Council 
(UNSC) during this month, has come up with a draft statement warning 
Pyongyang of additional action if it actually conducts a nuclear 
test. Yesterday, Japan decided that it would officially propose 
issuing a press statement of that sort instead of a presidential one 
that requires unanimous agreement. Tokyo aims to get this proposed 
statement adopted before the end of the week, bearing in mind the 
planed summit meetings with China on Oct. 8 and South Korea on Oct. 
¶9. 
 
TOKYO 00005833  004 OF 012 
 
 
 
The UNSC yesterday morning (early hours of this morning, Japan time) 
discussed the draft statement at a working-level meeting. 
 
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guanya said of Japan's proposed 
draft statement: "The question is what is written in it. We don't 
care whether it is issued in the form of a press statement or a 
presidential one." Japan drafted the statement in close 
collaboration with the United States, Britain, and France. According 
to Japanese Ambassador to the UN Kenzo Oshima, "It is important for 
the UNSC to issue an appropriate statement as quickly as possible," 
so Japan drafted a statement avoiding using the word "sanctions" and 
also decided to aim to issue a press statement that would not be 
recorded, instead of the presidential statement Japan initially 
wanted to issue. 
 
The draft statement expresses "deep concern" over North Korea's 
statement and warns that if it ignores international calls and 
conducts a nuclear test, that would endanger peace and security 
beyond the region and also "would provoke international 
condemnation." In addition, the draft statement calls on North Korea 
to return to the six-party talks unconditionally. 
 
6) UNSC starts talks on Japan's statement urging sanctions against 
North Korea 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Tetsuya Suzuki, New York 
 
The UN Security Council started working-level talks on Oct. 5 over a 
statement Japan drafted to urge North Korea to refrain from a 
nuclear test. The focus of discussion is on what expression should 
be used regarding sanctions if Pyongyang forges ahead with a test. 
China was cautious about intensifying pressure, but it has begun to 
indicate a flexible posture. The Japanese government aims at an 
early announcement of the statement, giving priority to an agreement 
by accepting even the form of a "statement to the press," lower than 
a president's statement in rank. 
 
China and Russia have close ties with North Korea. Avoiding using 
strong wording that they would oppose, the draft statement takes on 
a strong implication of warning. The statement, though, notes that 
should the North go ahead with a nuclear test, "The UNSC will take 
action to fulfill its primary responsibility as defined in the UN 
Charter." It thus refers to additional action that reminds us of 
sanctions in the future. 
 
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guanya told reporters the same 
day, "Of importance is its contents, rather than whether it should 
be a president's statement or a statement to the press." In 
coordinating this wording, there is likely to be much wrangling. 
 
7) US military aircraft watching for North Korean nuke test 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
In the wake of North Korea's recent statement on a nuclear test, 
Japan and the United States yesterday raised the level of warning 
and surveillance. US Forces Japan (USFJ) has additionally deployed a 
 
TOKYO 00005833  005 OF 012 
 
 
WC-135 atmospheric observation plane to Kadena Base in Okinawa 
Prefecture, and the WC-135 yesterday went on a surveillance flight 
mission with an air tanker. The Defense Agency is exploring signs, 
such as changes in North Korean radio communications, with the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's electronic surveillance aircraft and 
the Defense Intelligence Headquarters' telecommunications facility. 
 
The WC-135 has the capability of collecting and analyzing 
radiological substances in the atmosphere after a nuclear test. "We 
have various kinds of information, so we're intensifying our 
intelligence-gathering activities," Defense Agency Administrative 
Deputy Director General Takemasa Moriya told a press conference 
yesterday. He also said the agency could not definitely rule out the 
possibility of North Korea going ahead with a nuclear test. 
 
8) US reconnaissance aircraft takes off from Okinawa; Will it 
monitor North Korea? 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
The US Air Force's WC135-C reconnaissance aircraft capable of 
collecting and analyzing radioactive materials in the air yesterday 
morning took off from the US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture. 
The purpose appears to be to step up monitoring of North Korea's 
movements. 
 
According to observers who monitor the Kadena Base, the spy aircraft 
departed the base at around 11:00 a.m. yesterday. 
 
The aircraft is attached to an air base on the US mainland, but 
since May of this year, it has been apparently assigned to Kadena. 
 
Along with the spy aircraft, a refueling plane took off. The spy 
plane, if refueled, can remain in the air for hours. 
 
The US forces have temporarily deployed the spy aircraft at the 
Kadena Base in the past, as well, in order to watch North Korean 
moves for nuclear weapons development. 
 
9) North Korea trying to bring about remittances via dummy companies 
by getting cooperation from Russian trading firms 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
October 6, 2006 
 
As a means to evade financial sanctions, a North Korean special 
agency in charge of foreign trade asked Russian and Chinese trading 
firms to serve as dummy companies so that North Korea can receive 
remittances, sources revealed yesterday. Last month, Japan and some 
other countries imposed financial sanctions on North Korea, 
targeting some trading firms. If Pyongyang conducts a nuclear test, 
no doubt much tougher sanctions will await it. The North is 
apparently looking for ways to evade sanctions. 
 
According to informed sources in the Russian Far East, a North 
Korean spy agency has sought cooperation from Russian, Ukrainian, 
and Chinese companies on a plan that enables North Korea-affiliated 
companies earning profits in Japan to use dummy firms to remit money 
abroad. If those companies accept the North's request, their dummy 
firms will receive all the profits, and later, they will return 70% 
of the profits to North Korea-affiliated firms in the form of 
 
TOKYO 00005833  006 OF 012 
 
 
payments to their specified bank accounts abroad. 
 
If financial sanctions are further stepped up, North Korea will 
suffer from a greater shortage of foreign currency. The spy agency 
has already sold the North Korean won at considerably lower rates 
than the official rate in the Russian Far Eastern region and other 
places and instead has begun buying a large amount of such foreign 
currencies as the yen and the US dollar. 
 
10) US nuclear sub's discharge cannot be ruled out: MEXT 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Slight amounts of radioactive materials were recently detected from 
seawater in the port of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, after the USS 
Honolulu, a US nuclear-powered submarine, left port there. On this 
problem, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and 
Technology (MEXT) concluded yesterday that it could not rule out the 
possibility of discharge from the Honolulu. MEXT implied that it was 
not caused by an accident or trouble in the Honolulu and that 
radioactive substances mixed in drainage was discharged from the 
Honolulu into the sea. 
 
The Honolulu left port in Yokosuka on Sept. 14, but cobalt 58 and 
cobalt 60-low-level radiological substances that do not affect human 
health or the environment-were detected from samples MEXT collected 
that day from seawater near the Honolulu's stern. MEXT conducted 
another monitoring test of seawater and also surveyed sea-bottom 
soil. MEXT yesterday held a meeting of experts and checked into its 
analytical results. 
 
In the meeting, MEXT explained that cobalt 58 was detected again at 
a low level from samples collected from seawater near the Honolulu's 
stern. This substance was not detected from other samples collected 
from seawater near the Honolulu's stem or from the sea-bottom soil. 
MEXT also revealed that there are no laboratories using cobalt 58 
near the port of Yokosuka. 
 
MEXT therefore pointed to the possibility of discharge from the 
Honolulu. In the case of radioactive leakage resulting from an 
accident or trouble, radiological substances other than cobalt are 
also detected. This time, however, cobalt, the level of which is 
low, was only discovered in a narrow area in the sea. So MEXT ruled 
out the possibility of discharges resulting from an accident or 
trouble. 
 
According to MEXT's account, a slight amount of cobalt 58 and other 
radiological substances were once detected from a septic tank 
outside the radiation-controlled area of Chubu Electric Power Co.'s 
Hamaoka Atomic Power Plant. That was because a plant worker went out 
of the plant's controlled area with radiological substances on his 
body and washed his hands. 
 
In the expert meeting, one pointed out that cobalt mixed in drainage 
might have been discharged in the case of the Honolulu as well. 
"It's inconceivable that there were problems with safety," MEXT's 
nuclear safety division explains. MEXT wants to continue its close 
monitoring survey. 
 
11) Court rejects US claim for bid-rigging damages 
 
 
TOKYO 00005833  007 OF 012 
 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
October 6, 2006 
 
The Tokyo High Court yesterday rejected the US government's claim 
for damages over local contractors' bid-rigging practices for 
facilities construction and engineering work ordered by the US 
Navy's Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture. The US government 
instituted a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court against 13 
construction companies for damages totaling about 680 million yen, 
claiming that contract prices were raised in their repeated 
bid-rigging practices. The district court rejected the claim, and 
the US government made an appeal to the Tokyo High Court. The high 
court upheld the district court's ruling and turned down the US 
appeal. 
 
The high court, with Toshimi Ouchi as its presiding judge, looked 
into a total of 86 claimed contract cases to see if there were 
bid-rigging practices, and acknowledged 55 bid-rigging cases among 
those 86 contracts. "The US side's damage can be estimated at 
approximately 100 million yen," Ouchi said. "However," the judge 
added, "the US side has already received about 200 million yen from 
those companies out of court, so the damage has been compensated." 
 
12) Bid-rigging common in ODA projects: Contracts awarded at cost of 
99% of initial estimates in 80% of projects in FY2005 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
October 6, 2006 
 
In more than 80% of the 71 construction projects funded by 
nonrefundable official development assistance (ODA) grants in 
FY2005, contracts were awarded at a cost of over 99% of the initial 
estimates, according to an investigation by the Yomiuri Shimbun. 
Executives of several general contractors admit that rigging bids is 
common. In the nation, the government's crackdown efforts have 
contributed to lowering the successful bidding ratio. But the ratio 
remained high in the case of ODA projects in FY2004. Although the 
Finance Ministry ordered construction firms to correct their 
bid-rigging practices last year, the results of the investigation 
show that the instruction has been ignored. 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun looked into ODA grants for both general and 
marine projects, for which the Foreign Ministry has released cost 
estimates. In these projects, roads and hospitals are built, 
equipment is provided, and port facilities are consolidated. Allowed 
to participate in such projects are only Japanese firms with a 
proven track record working on overseas construction projects. In 
the FY2005 budget, 75.4 billion yen and 5.6 billion yen have been 
earmarked for general and marine projects, respectively. The total 
figure accounts for nearly half the total ODA grants. 
 
In 68 of the 114 projects in FY2005, the%age of successful bid 
prices to initial estimates was more than 99%. Excluding the 
provision of equipment, successful bids in 57 of the 71 projects 
worth 52.2 billion yen) were for more than 99% of the initial 
estimates. The average successful bidding ratio was a hefty 97.8%. 
Two rounds of bidding were held for 35 of these projects, but since 
the bidding firms' offers were higher than the initial estimates, 
the tender was withdrawn. As a result, contracts were awarded to the 
companies that offered the lowest prices. 
 
13) Azadegan oilfield: Vice METI minister denying cancellation of 
 
TOKYO 00005833  008 OF 012 
 
 
contract, saying, "Talks will continue for a long time" 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Referring to the difficult talks between Inpex and Iran over 
development of the Azadegan oilfield in Iran, Vice Economy, Trade 
and Industry Minister Takao Kitabata yesterday told a news 
conference, "Since there are many items of negotiations, the talks 
will continue for a long time." He denied a local media report that 
the Iranian side on Oct. 4 suspended the talks, noting, "The talks 
were held on the 5th as well." 
 
Though Iran has hinted at the possibility of canceling the contract, 
Kitabata countered: "This is an important project not only for Japan 
but also for Iran. I have no perception of Japan's right to 
developing the oilfield being cancelled." 
 
14) Chief cabinet secretary indicates that Azadegan oilfield 
development talks are continuing 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Commenting on Iran's Azadegan oilfield, Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Yasuhisa Shiozaki yesterday told a news conference, "I have no 
received report that the talks have been closed." He thus indicated 
his perception that the talks are still going on. 
 
15) Japan loses right to Azadegan oilfield project: Delaying 
measures reach limit; Iran likely to further press Japan 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Torn between diplomatic policy and the need to secure energy 
resources, the government has adopted delaying tactics in dealing 
with talks on development of the Azadegan oilfield in Iran. However, 
this strategy is now beginning to falter following Iran's statement 
on Oct. 4 that the Japanese company's right to develop the Azadegan 
oilfield has expired. In the event of expiration, Japan needs to 
secure new sources for its oil interests in order to increase crude 
oil developed on its own. However, this is not easy amid the global 
rise of natural resource nationalism. The government is again 
pressed to make a hard response to this thorny energy strategy 
following the situation with the Sakhalin-2 project. 
 
Commenting on the statement issued by the president of Iran's 
state-run oil company that Japan's right to the Azadegan oilfield 
development has expired, Vice Economy, Trade and Industry Minister 
Takao Kitabatake yesterday repeatedly told a news conference "I am 
not aware that this is the situation." He said, "The talks will 
continue." However, it is true that the government has been rocked 
by Iran's repeated provocative words. 
 
In dealing with the Azadegan issue, the government has tried to 
delay the talks until such international issues as the adoption of a 
resolution on sanctions against Iran by the United Nations Security 
Council (UNSC) and getting Iran to abandon its nuclear arms program 
are settled. The US is taking a hard-line approach to Iran. Its 
negative stance toward development of the oilfield, which will 
benefit the nation, has also affected Japan's policy. 
 
TOKYO 00005833  009 OF 012 
 
 
 
In the meantime, Japan on its part had no intention to propose 
ending the talks out of concern that if it does so, imports of crude 
oil from other oilfields in Iran, which account for about 14% of 
Japan's total crude oil imports, might stop. 
 
One METI official viewed Iran's provocative attitude as a 
negotiation ploy, explaining, "The government had no other choice 
but to distance itself from the talks, because once it directly 
involves itself, it will have to reach a definite conclusion." 
 
Aware of the position in which Japan finds itself, Iran is applying 
further pressure. Chances are high that Japan's delaying tactics 
have reached their limit. 
 
16) Inpex calls on Iran to maintain Japan's stake in Azadegan 
oilfield at 15% 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
A news agency run by Iran's Petroleum Ministry on Oct. 5 reported 
that Inpex has agreed to lower its stake in the Azadegan oilfield 
development project from the current 75% and is now calling on Iran 
to maintain the ratio at least at 15%. The Iranian government 
appears to want to lower Inpex's stake to below 15%. 
 
17) Minshuto head Ozawa released hospital; Diet debate with Prime 
Minister Abe on Oct. 18 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa was 
discharged from a hospital yesterday after 10 days of observation. 
Ozawa was hospitalized on Sept. 25 after feeling unwell. Party 
members are now feeling temporarily relieved. He will return to duty 
on Oct. 10 when the official campaign for Lower House by-elections 
kicks off. However, since he was admitted to the hospital soon after 
his re-election to the party's helm, absenting himself from 
interpellations at the Diet, concerns about his health still remain 
in the largest opposition party. Now that it has been decided that a 
face-to-face Diet debate with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will take 
place on Oct. 18, it remains to be seen how much Ozawa, 12 years 
older than Abe, can demonstrate his political presence. 
 
Asked about Abe's speech by reporters yesterday, Ozawa criticized 
Abe's replies at the Diet, saying: "He has not clearly stated his 
opinions. I could not see his views, as he only used flowery words." 
In a party executive meeting yesterday, Ozawa expressed strong 
eagerness for a confrontation with the Abe government, saying, 
 
"I want to devote myself to winning the elections. In order to get 
the reins of power, I will concentrate all my energies on the 
current Diet session and on victory in next year's Upper House 
election victory." 
 
Minshuto has been preparing for next year's Upper House election 
under the initiative of Ozawa supported by Acting President Naoto 
Kan and Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama. Due to Ozawa's sudden 
hospitalization, the party had to send Hatoyama and Kan to Diet 
interpellations in place of Ozawa. The party executive initially 
 
TOKYO 00005833  010 OF 012 
 
 
stated that Ozawa would be in the hospital two or three days, but a 
rumor was that he might be hospitalized for 50 days. A junior member 
voiced concern, saying, "The myth that Ozawa always wins elections 
may disappear," though Ozawa plans to start campaigning in the Osaka 
No. 9 constituency. 
 
In an attempt to win next year's Upper House election, Ozawa himself 
has visited electoral districts across the nation and met senior 
members of the People's New Party and other parties. Party members 
are concerned about his health, with a midlevel lawmaker saying, 
"I'm concerned about whether he will be able to go across the nation 
through next summer's Upper House election." 
 
It was decided yesterday that a face-to-face Diet debate between 
Ozawa and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would take place on Oct. 18 for 
the first time. The decision was in a meeting of the secretaries 
general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its 
coalition partner New Komeito in the form of accepting a request by 
opposition parties. The debate between Abe and Ozawa will likely 
affect the Oct. 22 Lower House by-elections for the Kanagawa No. 16 
and Osaka No. 9 constituencies. 
 
18) Minshuto to attack Prime Minister Abe, citing "social 
disparities" at today's Diet battle 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
At a House of Representatives Budget Committee session yesterday, 
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Acting President Naoto Kan 
barraged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who plans to hold summits with 
the top leaders of China and South Korea, with tough questions 
mainly about his views of history and Asia diplomacy. The main 
opposition party will send to today's Budget Committee session 
former Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, an independent, and former 
party head Katsuya Okada. Tanaka and Okada will question Abe about 
such issues as social disparities. They intend to attack Abe, who 
has vowed to take over the reform drive of former Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi, regarding the negative legacy of Koizumi's 
political approach. 
 
Referring to Abe's remarks that he will not reveal to whether he 
will or has visited Yasukuni Shrine, Kan pointed out: "(Before 
assuming the prime minister's post) he said that the next prime 
minister of course should go." He also said to Abe, citing Abe's 
book in which he writes that it is necessary to make a principle of 
the separation of politics and economy, "Your view that it is all 
right that if political relations are cold so long as economic 
relations are warm is wrong." 
 
In response, Abe rebutted: "I want you to read my book thoroughly. I 
did not write 'It is good that political relations are cold.'" 
 
The election campaign will kick off on Oct. 10 for Lower House 
by-elections for the Kanagawa No.16 and Osaka No. 9 districts. An 
Upper House election will be carried out next summer. Minshuto is 
attacking Abe's past remarks aimed at tarnishing his image so that 
the party will able to strengthen its hand in election battles. 
 
19) Abe: "Those in the leadership, including my grandfather, made a 
mistake" in deciding to sign war order 
 
 
TOKYO 00005833  011 OF 012 
 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 6, 2006 
 
In reference to the Tojo cabinet's decision to initiate war against 
the United States, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated in a 
question-and-answer session yesterday: "There were various 
circumstances at that time. Even so, politicians should take 
absolute responsibility, and naturally their decision was a 
mistake." He responded to a question by Minshuto (Democratic Party 
of Japan) Acting President Naoto Kan asking about the propriety of 
the signing by his grandfather, Commerce and Industry Minister 
Nobusuke Kishi (who assumed the premiership afterward), of the 
imperial order to open war as a member of the Tojo cabinet. 
 
The prime minister replied: 
 
"Japan was defeated in the war, and many people lost their lives. As 
a result, serious scars have been left among many Asian people. . . 
. Those in the leadership, including my grandfather, bear heavy 
responsibility." 
 
Asked about the statement on historical views issued in 1995 by 
Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, Abe categorically said: "Our 
cabinet honors the statement. It is also natural for me as prime 
minister to honor it." Regarding the statement on the problem of 
comfort women issued by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono in 1993, 
the prime minister said: "The government, including me, accepts 
it." 
 
Many have criticized the prime minister's historical views as 
inconsistent. In response, the prime minister told reporters last 
night: "Politicians have to take responsibility through elections. 
There are many people who agree with my views." 
 
20) Yasukuni Shrine to alter Yushukan descriptions in deference to 
criticism from US; No changes to Asia-related exhibits 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
October 6, 2006 
 
Yasukuni Shrine's top decision-making body decided yesterday to 
review US-connected WWII descriptions on display at its Yushukan war 
history museum in reaction to criticism from the United States. The 
shrine plans to produce corrected texts later this month to make 
changes to the displays before the end of this year. The shrine, 
however, does not intend to review exhibits that have drawn fire 
from Asian countries, such as China and South Korea, as lacking in 
awareness about the war of aggression and trying to justify it from 
the perspective of Asian independence. 
 
Corrections will be made to the following description on the global 
situation during WWII: (US President) Roosevelt's Grand Strategy -- 
The only path available to Roosevelt was to force resource-poor 
Japan into waging war. With (Japan's) participation in the war, the 
US economy completely recovered." The description drew a strong 
reaction from the United States. US Ambassador to Japan Thomas 
Schieffer and former Deputy Sectary of State Richard Armitage openly 
criticized it. 
 
Aug. 24, the Sankei Shimbun carried an op-ed by former Ambassador to 
Thailand Hisahiko Okazaki, a strong supporter of prime ministerial 
visits to Yasukuni Shrine, urging Yushukan to remove "immature 
 
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anti-US historic views." Yasukuni Shrine chief priest Toshiaki Nambu 
and others called on Okazaki the same day to ask his opinion. 
 
The shrine held consultations with military history experts and 
others. As a result, the shrine decided to change the title to 
"Roosevelt and America's participation in WWII," and to remove such 
descriptions as "forcing (Japan) into waging a war" and "the 
recovery of the US economy" and add Roosevelt's speech criticizing 
Japan as aggressive. The set of changes was reported to the top 
decision-making body yesterday, and the body endorsed it. 
 
A member of the body asked the shrine if it would consider reviewing 
China-related descriptions, as well. In response, the shine said, 
"There have been no specific criticisms." But in reality, Chinese 
press officer Liu Chienchao last November criticized the museum as a 
central facility of Yasukuni's historical views glorifying Japan's 
militarism. 
 
The shrine explained: "With the museum marking its fifth anniversary 
next July, we will consider reexamining them from the viewpoint of 
shedding light on Shinto deities." A person concerned said, 
"Admitting acts of aggression is inappropriate in shedding light on 
Shinto deities." 
 
DONOVAN