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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2174

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 005858 
 
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 
 
 
Index: 
 
DPRK's Kim lights nuclear fuse: 
 
1) Prime Minister Abe, President Bush in telephone call vow to push 
for tough UNSC resolution against North Korea for nuclear weapon 
test 
 
2) US, Japan to tighten encirclement net around North Korea, work on 
China, Russia, and South Korea to cooperate 
 
3) US, Japan agree to cooperate to impose effective sanctions on 
DPRK 
 
4) Shiozaki: Government to enhance intelligence cooperation with US 
on North Korea nuclear threat 
 
5) Japan eyeing own set of additional sanctions on North Korea 
 
6) Japan, US, ROK foreign ministers in teleconference agree to 
severe response to North Korea's nuclear test 
 
7) Japan, ROK agree in summit meeting to respond resolutely to North 
Korea nuclear affront 
 
8) Lower House of Diet to pass today a resolution condemning North 
Korea for testing nuclear weapon 
 
9) DPRK nuclear test may have been small size, much lesser in scale 
than Hiroshima bomb 
 
10) Increased North Korea threat to Japan likely to speed up missile 
defense deployment 
 
11) Japan-ROK summit meeting: Abe, Roh agree to "future-oriented 
relationship," joint study of history 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Abe, Bush agree on telephone to adopt firm UNSC resolution 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 10, 2006 (Extra Edition) 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a telephone conference with US 
President George W. Bush last night at the Japanese Embassy in 
Seoul. The two leaders shared the view that the United Nations 
Security Council should adopt a strong resolution against North 
Korea. 
 
Abe and Bush confirmed that North Korea's nuclear test poses a 
serous challenge to the nuclear nonproliferation framework. With 
North Korea's possible possession of nuclear strike capability in 
mind, Bush said, "US deterrence based on the US-Japan alliance 
remains firm." 
 
2) Japan, US to further tighten international noose around North 
Korea, work on China, Russia, South Korea to act together; US may 
inspect ships independently 
 
YOMIURI (Special edition) (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 10, 2006 
 
TOKYO 00005858  002 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
 
Takashi Sakamoto, Washington 
 
North Korea's announcement that it conducted a nuclear test will 
surely prod the United States to further toughen its policy toward 
that country. The US government, along with Japan, for the time 
being aims to get a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 
resolution adopted in accordance with Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. 
In addition, Washington has indicated its intention to take 
uncommonly harsh sanctions, such as boarding and searching North 
Korean ships calling at ports of US allies, as well as widening and 
strengthening financial sanctions against Pyongyang. Apparently, the 
US intends to urges the North to abandon its nuclear weapons. 
 
3) Tokyo, Washington confirm cooperation to impose effective 
sanctions 
 
On the heels of North Korea's declaration yesterday that it 
conducted a nuclear test, the Japanese government took action to 
work in close cooperation with the United States, South Korea, and 
other countries in order to further impose sanctions on North Korea. 
Whether Tokyo can get cooperation from other countries, including 
China and Russia, to encircle Pyongyang and impose effective 
sanctions is the major focus of attention for now. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki and Foreign Minister Aso yesterday 
afternoon met with US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer at the 
Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) and confirmed that both 
Japan and the US would act in concert to deal with North Korea's 
nuclear test and call for discussion at the UNSC. 
 
After the meeting, Shieffer emphasized to reporters: "The United 
States, as an ally of Japan and South Korea, reiterated its promise 
to defend the security of Japan and South Korea. The United States 
will bring up this issue at the UNSC. The United States is and will 
be with Japan." 
 
Shiozaki commented: "Both sides agreed to act in concert at the UNSC 
in order to jointly (deal with) the issue. We will keep in close 
contact to work together in the days ahead, as well." 
 
Prime Minister Abe yesterday afternoon met with South Korean 
President Roh Moo Hyun, and the two leaders agreed to work in close 
cooperation to deal with the North Korean issue. Japan, the US, and 
South Korea are now perfectly aligned. 
 
Debates at the UNSC will determine the response of the international 
community. Japan has already started discussions with the US and 
other countries about the contents of a resolution to be adopted at 
the UNSC. A senior Foreign Ministry official pointed out yesterday: 
"Presumably a resolution will be drafted in accordance with the UN 
Charter's Chapter 7, which stipulates the UNSC's enforcement 
action." 
 
4) Government collecting intelligence in cooperation with US 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Slightly Abridged) 
Special Edition, October 10, 2006 
 
The government is now doing its utmost to collect and analyze 
intelligence on North Korea's underground nuclear test in 
cooperation with the US. 
 
TOKYO 00005858  003 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
 
The government reportedly first obtained indications of a nuclear 
test by North Korea some time after 10:00 a.m. The Meteorological 
Agency detected seismic waves presumably caused by a nuclear test 
around 10:35 a.m. A government source, however, noted, "We received 
a report shortly after 10:00 a.m. noting that North Korea may 
conduct a nuclear test or might have already done that." Around 
10:30 a.m. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Nakagawa 
received a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noting that 
it has received intelligence that the North has begun preparing to 
conduct a nuclear test. 
 
North Korea reportedly informed China in advance of its decision to 
go ahead with a nuclear test. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki 
during yesterday evening's press conference said: "We have received 
reports indicating that a nuclear test has been carried out. We have 
reached an overall judgment based on such intelligence. Obviously, 
we are exchanging views with China." 
 
The Defense Agency identified indications in July that North Korea 
was preparing a nuclear test. Since then, it has continued 
monitoring its moves, using a spy satellite and the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's EP-3 electronic intelligence gathering plane. 
 
5) Prime Minister Abe: Japan to impose additional sanctions against 
North Korea 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
October 10, 2006 (Extra Edition) 
 
The government discussed yesterday its response to North Korea's 
nuclear test. As a result, it has decided to impose additional 
economic sanctions against the North on its own, as well as to make 
efforts to have the United Nations Security Council adopt as quickly 
as possible a resolution based on Chapter VII of the UN Charter. 
Tokyo regards the DPRK's nuclear test as a serious threat to Japan, 
and it intends to heighten the pressure on Pyongyang. It also 
intends to review its own defense system. 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, now visiting South Korea, stressed last 
evening: "We absolutely cannot allow North Korea to develop and 
produce nuclear weapons. Japan must assume a tough stance toward the 
North." He also added: "With North Korea's possession of nuclear 
weapons, the world will enter a more dangerous nuclear age. With 
North Korea having both nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, it 
has become a serious threat to the entire international community." 
 
Abe revealed that he had ordered his government to mull additional 
economic sanctions against the North, as well as to speed up 
discussions regarding another UNSC resolution. He stated: 
 
"We will closely cooperate with the United States in order to 
improve the credibility of deterrence of Japan-US alliance. We will 
also push forward with Japan-US defense dialogue, including a 
missile defense plan, while closely cooperating with Washington." 
 
Chef Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki released a statement last 
night at a press conference: 
 
"We regard North Korea's nuclear test as a grave challenge to our 
country. Japan can never accept such an act. We will take severe 
measures quickly against the North. We will take quick action at the 
 
TOKYO 00005858  004 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
UNSC, while cooperating with the international community, including 
the United States. Japan will reaffirm with the United States the 
Japan-US Security Treaty and strengthen bilateral cooperation." 
 
Prior to the release of the statement, the government held a meeting 
of the Security Council at the Prime Minister's Official Residence 
(Kantei) and discussed North Korea's aim and the impact on Japan. 
 
The government will likely expand its financial measures invoked in 
September in the wake of the North's firing of missiles in July, as 
well as to expand measures banning the entry of North Korean ships 
into Japanese ports. 
 
6) Japanese, US, South Korean foreign ministers agree in telephone 
conversation to deal with North Korea in stern manner 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 10, 2006 
 
Foreign Minister Aso yesterday afternoon participated in a 
three-party telephone dialogue with US Secretary of State Rice and 
South Korea Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki Moon to 
discuss North Korea's nuclear test. The three shared the view that 
North Korea's nuclear test is a grave challenge to Northeast Asia 
and the international community and that they should respond to the 
issue in a stern manner. 
 
Rice underscored, "There will be no change in the US involvement in 
its alliances with Japan and South Korea and security in the 
region." The three vowed to continue efforts to confirm the facts 
and keep in close touch with one another. 
 
The telephone conference was held for 15 minutes from 0:20 p.m. in 
response to a call from the US. 
 
7) Japan, South Korea agree to act decisively against North Korea 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 10, 2006 (Extra Edition) 
 
Seoul, Takashi Toriyama 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met yesterday afternoon in Seoul with 
South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun at the presidential office. The 
two top leaders shared the view that North Korea's nuclear test is a 
serious threat to the security of neighboring countries and the 
international community. Their countries cannot allow the North to 
develop and product nuclear weapons. The two countries, therefore, 
agreed to act decisively against the North. Abe and Roh also agreed 
to closely cooperate each other so that the United Nations Security 
Council will be able to adopt a resolution, which would include 
additional severe measures. 
 
In the summit, Abe pointed out: 
 
"The nuclear test this time has greatly changed the regional 
security environment. Proliferation of nuclear missile technology, 
in addition to proliferation of ballistic missiles will become a 
threat to the world." 
 
Abe also asserted: "Japan and South Korea need to dispatch a strong 
message. The UNSC should take an immediate firm action against North 
 
TOKYO 00005858  005 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
Korea." 
 
In response Roh agreed with Abe, saying, 
 
"The North's nuclear test violates the South and North Korea 
Nuclear-Free Declaration. Both Tokyo and Seoul are necessary to take 
a strong action against Pyongyang. We would like to coordinate views 
with Tokyo." 
 
Yesterday's Japan-South Korea summit, which was conducted for the 
first time in about 11 months since the one took place last November 
in Busan, lasted for about two hours. 
 
8) Lower House to adopt resolution condemning North Korea for its 
nuclear test possibly today; Ruling, opposition camps agree to take 
harsh measure 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Almost Full) 
Special edition, October 10, 2006 
 
Both the ruling and opposition camps are harshly condemning 
Pyongyang for its conducting an underground nuclear test. The 
outlook is that the Lower House will adopt a resolution condemning 
North Korea as early as today. 
 
The Liberal Democratic Part (LDP) yesterday set up a North Korean 
Nuclear Test Countermeasures Headquarters headed by Secretary 
General Nakagawa. It then intermittently held emergency senior staff 
meetings of the ruling parties, including New Komeito Secretary 
General Kitagawa, at its headquarters. Participants in the staff 
meeting reaffirmed their stance of dealing with the issue in a stern 
manner in the Diet and conveyed their determination to the 
opposition parties. Both camps have decided that chairmen of the 
Diet Policy Committees of the ruling and opposition parties will 
confer on the issue of adopting a resolution this morning. 
 
The ruling parties have also issued a statement, which went: "If 
North Korea has really conducted a nuclear test, it will be a 
serious threat to our country, Northeast Asia and the international 
community. It is absolutely impossible to accept such a deed. We 
should take action in cooperation with the international community 
for an immediate adoption of a resolution of sanctions against that 
nation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), based on UN 
Charter's Chapter 7." It also urged North Korea, to unconditionally 
return to the six-party talks at an early date and settle its 
nuclear, missile, abduction and other issues. The statement also 
noted: "If it does not change its attitude, the international 
community should not hesitate to take enforcement measures, 
including severe economic sanctions. Our country should strengthen 
the current economic sanctions imposed on Pyongyang." 
 
Commenting on the execution of a nuclear test by North Korea during 
Prime Minister Abe's China-North Korea visits, LDP Executive Council 
Chairman Niwa told a press conference at the party headquarters: "It 
is very regrettable. I see no stance in Korea of responding to a 
call for dialogue at all." LDP Policy Affairs Research Council 
Chairman Nakagwa also noted: "Did North Korea carry out the test 
during the prime minister's visits to China and South Korea 
accidentally or on purpose? To begin with, I cannot understand its 
intention to conduct a nuclear test. It is important for us to deal 
with the issue in a cool-headed and stern manner." 
 
 
TOKYO 00005858  006 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) yesterday set up a North 
Korea Nuclear test Countermeasures Headquarters led by deputy party 
head Naoto Kan. Meeting the press in Tokyo on the afternoon of the 
same day, DPJ chief Ozawa told a news conference: "The international 
community must cooperate and take severe restraint measures against 
Pyongyang. Various problems could occur, such as counteractions. All 
Japanese must take a stern attitude and be prepared to protect peace 
seriously." He rapped the government's North Korea policy to date: 
"I say there has been no strategy. If it has been confirmed that the 
test really occurred, the government should be perplexed." 
 
Kan told reporters in Atsugi City, Kanagawa: "The act of North Korea 
this time is utterly in violation of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang 
Declaration. The government has no other choice but to act, based on 
the perception that the Declaration has virtually been annulled." 
 
9) N-test possibly a small one 
 
YOMIURI-Extra edition for press holiday (Page 3) (Abridged) 
October 10, 2006 
 
Seismic waves were measured at various locations after North Korea 
reportedly carried out an underground nuclear test. However, the 
size of the explosion estimated from the seismic waves varied 
considerably at various observing locations. The tremor registered a 
magnitude of 3.58 to 3.7 on the Richter scale in South Korea, 4.2 in 
the United States, and 5.1 in Japan. 
 
The detonation calculated in terms of energy from the various 
estimates shows a wide difference of more than 100 times. 
Accordingly, it is difficult to specify its power at this point. 
However, its power is believed to be considerably smaller than the 
15-20 kiloton yield of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs. 
 
"Looking at the magnitudes of nuclear tests conducted in the past by 
the United States and the former Soviet Union, it's possible to 
surmise that the bomb tested this time had an explosive effect of 
0.5 to 3 kilotons-several times smaller than the Hiroshima atomic 
bomb," says University of Tokyo Earthquake Research Institute 
Professor Katsuyuki Abe. 
 
If the tunnel used for the nuclear test was large, however, the 
energy from the explosion could have been absorbed, resulting in a 
low magnitude, another expert said. 
 
At any rate, the explosive power of the bomb tested this time was 
small for a nuclear weapon. However, it is certain that it was 
several dozen times more powerful than the largest conventional 
weapon. 
 
10) Japan faced with growing threat, mulls frontloading missile 
defense 
 
YOMIURI-Extra edition for press holiday (Page 2) (Full) 
October 10, 2006 
 
The government has a growing sense of crisis about North Korea's 
nuclear test as a threat to Japan's national security. North Korea 
is presumably still incapable of payloading a missile with a nuclear 
bomb. In Japan, however, it is certain that there will be a rise of 
calls for reviewing Japan's defenses. 
 
 
TOKYO 00005858  007 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
Concerning the nuclear test conducted this time, a senior official 
of the Defense Agency notes that Japan's national security would 
face a serious crisis should North Korea become a nuclear power. In 
particular, if North Korea becomes capable of launching nuclear 
attacks with missiles, Japan will then be exposed to a serious 
nuclear threat. 
 
North Korea has already deployed about 200 Rodong intermediate-range 
ballistic missiles with a range of about 1,300 kilometers-enough to 
cover Japan almost in its entirety. In July this year, the North 
fired seven ballistic missiles and demonstrated its actual warfare 
capability. 
 
In the case of the Rodong, however, the maximum weight of its 
warhead is said to be about one ton. The Rodong needs to be 
miniaturized so that it can payload a nuclear weapon. "We wonder if 
they have the technical know-how to miniaturize a nuclear weapon as 
a warhead, and that's something else," Defense Agency Director 
General Kyuma said. "They are probably still unable to do so," the 
defense chief added. 
 
Furthermore, very high technologies are necessary for manufacturing 
a comparatively small detonator fit for missile payloading. In 
addition, technologies for heightening the reliability of a 
warhead's detonator are also necessary. "It will still take North 
Korea some time to deploy nuclear missiles," a senior official of 
the Defense Agency. 
 
There is no doubt that North Korea will try to miniaturize nuclear 
weapons. Before that, if North Korea's nuclear technologies flow out 
overseas, nuclear weapons could go into the hands of third countries 
and terrorists. 
 
Meanwhile, the government is introducing a ballistic missile defense 
(MD) system. However, the MD shield is planned to be deployed at 
only some bases for the time being. Japan is not ready to intercept 
the Rodong, whose speed is over 3 kilometers per second. 
 
Japan will begin to deploy the ground-launched Patriot Advanced 
Capability 3 (PAC-3) and the sea-launched Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) 
late in the current fiscal year and afterward. In late August, US 
Forces Japan (USFJ) sent an Aegis-equipped vessel loaded with the 
SM-3 for deployment to Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. However, one 
ship alone cannot cover all over Japan. The PAC-3 will go 
operational at the US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture for the 
first time in Japan. However, its deployment to mainland bases will 
be after that. There may be rising calls for moving up the 
deployment schedule. After North Korea's missile launches in July, 
there were discussions within the government and the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party about the advisability of acquiring a first-strike 
capability against missile sites in North Korea. The argument died 
down, since it was strongly feared to conflict with the 
Constitution. However, the debate is expected to be reignited in the 
wake of the nuclear test this time. 
 
11) Leaders of Japan and South Korea agree to build a 
future-oriented relationship; Joint study of history may be launched 
before the end of year 
 
YOMIURI (Early edition) (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 10, 2006 
 
 
TOKYO 00005858  008 OF 008 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10//06 
 
Hidetoshi Ikebe, Seoul 
 
Prime Minister Abe and President Roh Moo Hyun of South Korea in 
their meeting yesterday agreed to build a future-oriented 
relationship in order to improve bilateral relations that have been 
strained by such events as former Prime Minister Koizumi's repeated 
visits to Yasukuni Shrine. As part of this effort, the two leaders 
agreed to launch a joint committee to study history for a second 
term before the end of the year. They also reached agreement to work 
together to deal with the abduction issue. Abe invited Roh to visit 
Japan. In response, Roh said, "I'd like to visit Japan at an 
appropriate time." 
 
Speaking of the future of bilateral relations, Roh stated: 
"Japan-South Korea relations will definitely affect the order of 
East Asia. I believe Prime Minister Abe's visit to South Korea will 
give us a fresh opportunity to rebuild bilateral ties. I want to 
open the path for a future-oriented (relationship)." In addition, 
Roh indicated that the major factors that have strained bilateral 
ties have been (1) visits to Yasukuni Shrine, (2) school history 
textbooks, and (3) wartime comfort women. 
 
In response, Abe emphasized: "Japan has conducted itself in the 60 
years of the postwar period based on reflection of the suffering and 
scars our country left on Asian nations. I take seriously the South 
Korean people's sentiment toward the history involving both 
countries." 
 
On the Yasukuni issue, Roh referred to a concept now floated in 
Japan of constructing a national memorial facility and asked, "Isn't 
it possible to make that a reality?" But Abe took a cautious view 
about constructing such a facility, saying: "The reason why I have 
visited Yasukuni Shrine is to express respect for the dead and pray 
for lasting peace. My shrine visits are never intended to glorify 
past militarism or honor the Class-A war criminals." 
 
Abe then indicated his intention not to state whether he will visit 
the shrine in the future, telling the president: "I want to deal 
with the matter appropriately so that both sides can overcome 
political difficulties, as well as from the standpoint of promoting 
healthy progress in bilateral relations." 
 
SCHIEFFER