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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 005884 
 
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 10/11/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
North Korea nuclear fallout: 
4) Kyodo poll: 83% support additional sanctions against North Korea 
for nuclear caper; 90% see test as "threat" 
5) Asahi poll: 44% feel strong threat from North Korea, but 62% 
prefer "dialogue" over "sanctions" 
6) China, angry at North Korea, to go along with UNSC sanctions, 
worried also about proliferation also in Middle East, among 
terrorists 
7) Ruling and opposition camps in Diet unanimous in condemning North 
Korea for nuclear test 
8) Text of Diet resolution denouncing North Korea for nuclear 
testing 
9) - Government mulling complete ban of all North Korean ships 
entering Japanese ports 
10) Prime Minister Abe tells Diet that Japan will not possess 
nuclear weapons 
11) North Korea nuclear caper was a test of new Abe administration's 
crisis management capability 
12) Senior JDA officer: No other choice for Japan but to cooperate 
with US to face the North Korea threat 
13) Environment Ministry sees no rise in radiation emission after 
North Korea nuclear test 
14) JDA tells Diet that North Korea does not have the capability yet 
of mounting nuclear warheads on its missiles 
 
15) Coordination starts for visit to Japan by China's President Hu 
Jintao in Jan. 
 
16) Abe in Diet: What I said about history in the past was my 
personal opinion 
 
17) New Komeito, parent religious body Soka Gakkai in meeting agree 
not to allow Japan the use of the right of collective self-defense 
 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nihon Keizai, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
China implies acceptance of sanctions against North Korea for its 
nuclear test 
 
Akahata: 
International protests against North Korea's nuclear test; Emergency 
meeting now going on at UNSC 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
¶N. Korea's nuclear test: We strongly protest reckless act 
 
Mainichi: 
North Korea turns the world against it 
 
Yomiuri: 
 
TOKYO 00005884  002 OF 011 
 
 
¶N. Korea's nuclear test: A dangerous new nuclear age 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Force North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons with harsh 
sanctions 
 
Sankei: 
¶N. Korea's nuclear test: Now is not the time to let this stand 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
¶N. Korea's nuclear test: Challenge to peace and stability 
 
Akahata: 
¶N. Korea's nuclear test: Unified response by international community 
essential 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, October 9 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
Morning 
Left the Diao Yu Guest House in Beijing. Left Beijing Airport by 
government plane. Arrived in Seoul, South Korea. Laid a wreath at 
the national cemetery. 
 
Noon 
Luncheon at the prime minister's residence hosted by Prime Minister 
Han Myeong Sook 
 
Afternoon 
Met with President Roh Moo Hyun at the Blue House. 
 
Evening 
Press conference with Japanese and foreign reporters. Dinner meeting 
at the Blue House hosted by Roh Moo Hyun. Telephone conference with 
US President Bush at the Japanese Embassy. Left Seoul by government 
plane. 
 
22:32 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
23:08 
Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretaries Shimomura, Suzuki, and Matoba, and special advisors to 
 
SIPDIS 
the prime minister Koike and Seko. 
 
October 10 
 
0:00 
Arrived at private residence in Tomigaya 
 
09:01 
Cabinet meeting in the Diet. Foreign Minister Aso remains. Then met 
with State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Ota. Shiozaki was 
present. Then met with State Minister for Innovation Takaichi. 
 
9:56 
Entered his name in the register book to report his return home at 
the Imperial Palace. 
 
TOKYO 00005884  003 OF 011 
 
 
 
10:12 
Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. 
 
11:48 
Met with Shimomura and Suzuki. 
 
13:00 
Lower House Budget Committee meeting. 
 
17:22 
Lower House plenary session. 
 
17:51 
Met with Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. 
 
19:37 
Dined with his secretary at a Chinese restaurant at Akasaka Prince 
Hotel. 
 
22:06 
Arrived at private residence in Tomigaya. 
 
4) Poll: 83% support additional sanctions 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Abridged) 
October 11, 2006 
 
In the wake of North Korea's proclamation of its nuclear test on 
Oct. 9, Kyodo News Service conducted a telephone-based spot 
nationwide public opinion survey. In the survey, respondents were 
asked if Japan should toughen its economic sanctions against North 
Korea. In response to this question, total of 83.4% answered "yes," 
with 13.1% saying "no." In a previous survey taken right after North 
Korea fired ballistic missile in July, "yes" accounted for 80.7%. 
Even compared with this figure, the proportion of "yes" answers in 
the latest survey was high. This shows that the public wants the 
government to take strong countermeasures against North Korea. 
 
When asked if they felt a threat from North Korea's underground 
nuclear test, a total of 92.0% answered "yes," broken down into 
55.9% saying "greatly" and 36.1% "somewhat." As seen from these 
figures, the general public was seriously taking the situation. In 
an earlier survey taken in January 2003 right after North Korea's 
declaration of its breakaway from the Nuclear Nonproliferation 
Treaty (NPT) regime, "yes" accounted for a total of 88.4%. The 
proportion of "yes" answers in the latest time has increased from 
that figure. 
 
Meanwhile, 5.6% said "not very much," with 2.2% saying "not at 
all." 
 
Talks between Japan and North Korea to normalize diplomatic 
relations have been stalled since the Koizumi cabinet came into 
office. When asked if Japan should hurry to normalize its diplomatic 
relations with North Korea, negative answers outnumbered affirmative 
ones, with 36.6% saying "yes" and 25.7% "no." 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Oct. 10 on a random 
digit-dialing (RDD) basis. Among those randomly generated telephone 
numbers, those actually for household use with one or more eligible 
voters totaled 873. Answers were obtained from 603 persons. 
 
TOKYO 00005884  004 OF 011 
 
 
 
5) Poll: 62% want sanctions over dialogue 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
In the wake of Japan's recent summit talks with China and South 
Korea and North Korea's proclamation of its nuclear test, the Asahi 
Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public opinion 
survey. In the survey, respondents were asked if they strongly felt 
a threat from North Korea due to its nuclear test. In response to 
this question, 44% answered "yes." The figure topped the 38% in a 
previous survey taken after North Korea's firing of missiles in 
July. When asked if the international community should weigh 
sanctions against North Korea rather than pursue dialogue with that 
country, "yes" accounted for 62%. Meanwhile, 83% gave high marks to 
the Japan-China and Japan-South Korea summit talks. The rate of 
public support for the Abe cabinet was 63%, leveling off from the 
last time. 
 
This time, respondents were again asked if they felt a threat from 
North Korea. In response, 44% said "strongly," with 38% saying 
"somewhat." In this July's survey after North Korea's firing of 
missiles into the Sea of Japan, "strongly" accounted for 38% and 
"somewhat" 39%. As seen from these figures, there was an increase to 
a certain extent in the public awareness of a threat from North 
Korea. 
 
The United Nations Security Council is now beginning to discuss a 
sanctions resolution. In the survey, respondents were asked if the 
international community should weigh dialogue or should otherwise 
weigh sanctions. In response, 62% chose "sanctions," with 26% 
preferring "dialogue." Among men, "sanctions" accounted for 66%. 
This figure topped 59% among women. 
 
In the recent summit talks with China and South Korea, China called 
for Prime Minister Abe to resolve the history issue, and Abe stated 
that he would not say whether he would visit Yasukuni Shrine or not. 
Instead, Abe answered that he would like to deal with the problem in 
an "appropriate" manner. In the survey, respondents were asked if 
they supported that response, with 52% saying "yes" and 33% "no." 
Among those supporting the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the 
proportion of "yes" answers topped 60%. Even among those with no 
particular party affiliation, the proportion was nearly 50%. 
However, it was a little over 30% among those supporting the leading 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) and 20% among those 
supporting the New Komeito party, an LDP-allied coalition party. 
 
Asked if the recent visits of Abe to China and South Korea would 
improve Japan's diplomatic relations with these two neighbors, 57% 
answered "yes" with China and 56% also "yes" with South Korea. In 
the breakdown of these two figures, the proportion of men topped 
that of women. 
 
The rate of public support for the Abe cabinet was 63%. To the 
question of asking if Abe is a prime minister with ability, however, 
"yes" accounted for only 18%, with 56% saying he is falling behind 
in his popularity. The approval rating for former Prime Minister 
Koizumi and his cabinet was 78% right after coming into office, and 
it increased to 84% in a survey taken a month later. In that survey, 
37% saw Koizumi as a prime minister of ability, with 47% saying he 
was falling behind in his popularity. 
 
TOKYO 00005884  005 OF 011 
 
 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP 
stood at 42%, with the DPJ marking 14%. 
 
6) China open to sanctions against North Korea; UNSC discussion 
focused mainly on nuclear blast 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Excerpts) 
October 11, 2006 
 
Yasunori Ishikawa, New York 
 
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) yesterday morning (last 
night, Japan time) began discussing the draft resolution presented 
by Japan and the United States for imposing sanctions on North 
Korea. Asked later in the day by reporters about the draft 
resolution, which includes harsh measures like a total ban on 
imports from North Korea, a freeze on financial assets, and 
inspections of ships, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guanya 
revealed China would accept some sanctions, telling reporters: 
"Punitive measures are necessary, but they must be appropriate." 
 
In the UNSC, working-level discussions, as well as consultations 
among ambassadors from the permanent UNSC member nations plus Japan, 
were restarted. Ambassador Wang, asked yesterday by a Tokyo Shimbun 
reporter, stated China could not accept the draft resolution 
sponsored by Japan and the US without modification, noting: 
"Appropriate sanctions mean that sanctions should be limited to the 
nuclear test and missile launches." 
 
North Korea cleverly uses the international community's acquiescence 
to nuclear deterrent; Fear of proliferation of nuclear weapons into 
Middle East, terrorists 
 
Analysis 
 
Yuji Yamamoto, Seoul 
 
Following its announcement that it conducted a nuclear test, North 
Korea has now joined the ranks of the nuclear powers. This 
development has become a matter of fresh concern about proliferation 
of nuclear weapons and related materials. 
 
Pakistan, which has ethnic and religious divisions with India, 
conducted a nuclear test in defiance of international objections. 
Israel, which has fought four wars with Arab nations, has allegedly 
armed itself with nuclear weapons. The international community 
appears to have acquiesced to nuclear deterrence in the belief that 
in order to prevent a new regional dispute from taking place, 
possession of nuclear weapons is unavoidable. 
 
Cleverly using this international community's attitude, Pyongyang 
had proclaimed: "We are under America's nuclear threat. In order to 
defend our own security, we will pursue nuclear development." It has 
now proclaimed it conducted a nuclear test. The international 
community fears that Iran, which is going ahead with uranium 
enrichment, and North Korea will join hands. If that happens, a new 
source of trouble will emerge in the Middle East. In addition, 
should nuclear technology be transferred to an international 
terrorist group, a second or third terrorist attack could be brought 
about. 
 
 
TOKYO 00005884  006 OF 011 
 
 
Northeast Asia has now become even more volatile. Under the 
six-party framework, Japan, the US, China, South Korea, and Russia 
offered plans to help North Korea rebuild its economy in return for 
giving up its nuclear programs, but it has now become impossible to 
resume the six-party talks because of the North's announcement of 
its nuclear test. 
 
The five countries share the view that they will be hard on North 
Korea, but when it comes to sanctions, their responses differ. China 
and South Korea are unlikely to cut off all aid to the North out of 
fear of an outflow of refugees from that country. 
 
7) Ruling, opposition parties unanimously condemn North Korea; Word 
"sanctions" not included in Lower House resolution 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Slightly Abridged) 
October 11, 2006 
 
Following North Korea's announcement that it conducted an 
underground nuclear test, ruling and opposition parties yesterday 
criticized that nation and called on the government to make a 
resolute response. However, the word "sanctions" was left out from a 
Lower House resolution condemning the North, with the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) insisting that military sanctions should not 
be included, though the draft readied by the opposition parties 
included a mention. 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday afternoon held a 
meeting of the North Korea Nuclear Test Countermeasures Headquarters 
(NKNTCH), chaired by Secretary General Nakagawa, at the party 
headquarters. Nakagawa during the meeting slammed Pyongyang, "If a 
nuclear test was actually carried out, it is a challenge and threat 
that is unacceptable for peace in the international community and 
Japan." Former Deputy LDP President Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the 
security research council of the NKNTCH, released a statement 
saying, "Japan should seek self-reflection, an apology, and a 
nuclear policy change from the North in cooperation with the 
international community." 
 
A number of LDP members called on the government to take stern 
measures, with former Foreign Minister Machimura noting, "The United 
Nations Security Council (UNSC) must make a harsh decision based on 
the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter," and former Foreign Minister Komura 
saying, "Japan should consider adopting further sanctions, such as 
financial sanctions and restrictions on the movements of goods." 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) yesterday evening also held 
a meeting of its North Korea Nuclear Test Countermeasures 
Headquarters, chaired by deputy head Kan, in the Diet. Kan 
underscored the need for the ruling and opposition parties to deal 
with this issue in concert. He noted: "Our nation is indeed at a 
crisis. We want to make every possible effort to tackle this issue 
in order to prevent the North from making itself a nuclear state. 
 
Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chairperson Shii also 
criticized Pyongyang: "North Korea has defied the unanimous will of 
the international community. It should be criticized harshly." SDP 
Chairman Fukushima also told reporters, "The SDP is absolutely 
against nuclear testing. We strongly protest the nuclear test by the 
North." 
 
8) Gist of Lower House resolution condemning North Korea 
 
TOKYO 00005884  007 OF 011 
 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
The following is the gist of a resolution protesting the nuclear 
test by North Korea and demanding it abandon all its nuclear weapons 
and programs: 
 
There is no room for North Korea to justify the nuclear test it 
carried out this time, whatever reasons it might cite. Our country 
cannot accept such a reckless, outrageous act. 
 
The Lower House is against nuclear testing by any country in light 
of the fact that Japan is the only country that experienced nuclear 
bombings, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We lodge a stern protest 
against the nuclear test carried out by North Korea. We also 
strongly call on it to abandon all its nuclear weapons and 
programs. 
 
The government should convey our country's resolute determination to 
North Korea and urge it to return to the six-party talks at an early 
date without preconditions and abandon all its nuclear weapons and 
programs. It should also carry out diplomacy, making a united front 
with the international community, including measures based on the 
United Nation Charter's Chapter 7 in cooperation with concerned 
countries, and search for a peaceful settlement. 
 
9) Government considering additional sanctions, including total ban 
on port calls by North Korean vessels 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 11, 2006 
 
Following North Korea's announcement that it carried out a nuclear 
test, the Japanese government is considering as a main feature of 
its own sanctions adopting a total ban on port calls by North Korean 
vessels in compliance with the Law Banning Port Calls by Specified 
Vessels. It is also mulling extensively increasing organizations and 
individuals subject to financial sanctions, now imposed on 15 
organizations, including a North Korea trading house, and one 
individual. It also wants to restrict imports of agricultural 
products and ban entry of personnel into Japan with the exception of 
North Korean government officials. However, the government plans to 
implement these measures along with the international community, 
apart from sanctions it plans to implement independently. 
 
When the North test-fired ballistic missiles this July, the 
government banned port calls by the cargo-passenger ship Man Gyong 
Bong for six months. However, some say that since other cargo ships 
continue to make port calls, the efficacy of such a measure has been 
limited. For this reason, the government intends to extend the ban 
on port calls by the Man Gyong Bong, as well as to target other 
vessels so as to ensure the efficacy of the measure. 
 
The government is also considering banning port calls by vessels of 
third countries that come via North Korean ports. However, whether 
it will invoke such a measure is now an open question because of 
such factors as relations with China. 
 
10) Prime Minister Abe: Japan will not possess nuclear weapons; 
Lower House passes resolution condemning North Korea 
 
 
TOKYO 00005884  008 OF 011 
 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe clearly stated yesterday at a House of 
Representatives Budget Committee meeting: "Possessing nuclear 
weapons is not an option for Japan. I want to make sure that there 
will be no change in the three nonnuclear principles." Abe was 
replying to a question by Junji Higashi, vice representative of the 
New Komeito, as to whether the idea going nuclear might surface in 
Japan in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test. 
 
The United States and other countries are now concerned that Japan 
might choose to arm itself with nuclear weapons if the security 
environment of East Asia changes from the North's nuclear test. Abe 
appears to have made the reply to erase such international concern. 
 
The Lower House unanimously adopted at its plenary session yesterday 
a resolution condemning North Korea's nuclear test, demanding that 
it immediately abandon all weapons and its nuclear arms program. The 
resolution says that Japan absolutely cannot tolerate a reckless 
outrage. It calls on the Japanese government to aim for a peaceful 
settlement, including sanctions on the North. 
 
Abe then stated: "Following the resolution, our country will take 
stricter measures after determining the facts." He stressed that 
Japan would do its utmost in cooperation with other nations to have 
the United Nations Security Council adopt a harsh resolution. The 
House of Councillors is expected to adopt a similar resolution at 
its plenary session today. 
 
11) North Korea's nuclear explosion a test of the crisis-management 
capability of new Abe administration; Careful preparations and swift 
initial response, but weakness in ability to gather intelligence 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
October 11, 2006 
 
With North Korea's announcement of a nuclear test, the crisis 
management capability of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo 
Abe has been immediately been put to the test soon after its 
inauguration. The emergency situation occurred while the Prime 
Minister was in the midst of official visits to China and South 
Korea, but starting with the announcement by North Korea on Oct. 3 
that it would be making a nuclear test, simulations of response 
measures were carefully made under the lead of the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence (Kantei), so the first reaction (when the test 
occurred) was swift. On the other hand, the weakness of the Japanese 
government's ability to collect intelligence on its own, such as 
whether to confirm that a test actually had taken place, was again 
exposed. 
 
12) North Korea's N-test could lead to contingency for Japan: Senior 
JDA officer: Japan has no other choice but to follow US 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 30) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
Following North Korea's announcement that it conducted an 
underground nuclear test, senior members of the Defense Agency and 
the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are apprehensive, with one saying: 
"Should North Korea already possess nuclear weapons, it would be a 
serious threat to the world's security." Another officer said: "The 
 
TOKYO 00005884  009 OF 011 
 
 
nuclear test might lead to a contingency for Japan." 
 
The weight of the plutonium-type atomic bomb that the United States 
dropped on Nagasaki was about four tons. Although it is impossible 
to load such a heavy bomb on the ballistic missiles possessed by 
North Korea, there are other transport means available. 
 
A senior SDF member commented: 
 
"A senior US military officer told me that it would be possible for 
the North to transport such nuclear weapons by private aircraft or 
fishing boats in preparation for using them. The US, which dropped 
atomic bombs on Japan using a B-29 bomber, should fully understand 
the logic of the side that uses nuclear weapons, so its sense of 
alarm must be strong." 
 
In a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Oct. 9, Japan 
and the US presented a draft resolution calling for stricter 
sanctions against North Korea, including the inspection of ships 
coming in and from North Korea. However, the act of ordering ships 
navigating on the high seas to stop for inspection is viewed as 
illegal, so a revision of the Law of the Sea would become 
necessary. 
 
The SDF is allowed to voluntarily inspect ships only when the 
situation is recognized as an emergency in areas surrounding Japan 
on the basis of the Law on Situations in Areas Surrounding Japan 
enacted in 1999 in view of cooperation between Japan and the US. 
Even if the situation is recognized as an emergency, though, it will 
be necessary to obtain approval from the country to which the vessel 
in question belongs. Given this, many observers believe the 
ship-inspection measure will be ineffective. 
 
In the case of offering rear-area support, like the ongoing fueling 
services in the Indian Ocean based on the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law, as well, invoking the Law on Situations in Areas 
Surrounding Japan is imperative. In addition, a revision of the said 
law will become necessary if the SDF provides assistance to naval 
vessels other than those of the US military. 
 
Even if the US carries out ship inspections, it would be 
questionable if the situation comes under the category of "a 
situation that may lead to a military strike directly on Japan if 
the situation is left unheeded," a condition for Japan to invoke the 
law. A senior official said: "If there is no combat, obtaining an OK 
will be difficult. Preparing new legislation would be faster." 
Another senior SDF member categorically said, "Japan will have no 
option but to follow the US lead." 
 
This official laid out a worst-case scenario: 
 
"(If Japan takes military action in line with the US,) North Korea 
might launch a ballistic missile against Japan. The North would then 
begin an attack on Japan using special forces, and a huge number of 
refugees could eventually flow into the nation. Such a situation 
would indisputably be a contingency for Japan, and the people would 
be need to be prepared for this." 
 
13) No change in radiation levels across nation 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
October 11, 2006 
 
TOKYO 00005884  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
There was no change in the amount of atmospheric radiation measured 
across the nation as compared with that before North Korea's 
proclamation of its recent nuclear test, the Ministry of Education, 
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced yesterday. 
In addition, no radioactive substances were detected from dust 
gathered by Air Self-Defense Force aircraft at an altitude of 3 km 
in the skies over Hokkaido, Kyushu, and other regions on the evening 
of Oct. 9. 
 
The government, in a meeting of its radiation countermeasures 
liaison council yesterday afternoon, confirmed that it would 
continue its intensive measurements for about 7-10 days in order to 
monitor effects on public health and the environment. 
 
Radiation levels were measured across the nation by the governments 
of all prefectures and by the Environment Ministry at its 12 
facilities. In addition, the Japan Chemical Analysis Center in Chiba 
City also measured radiation. They compared their respective 
readouts during the 24 hours from 9 a.m., Oct. 8, before North 
Korea's proclamation of its nuclear test, with those during the 24 
hours from 9 a.m., Oct. 9. 
 
14) JDA director general: North Korea has yet to develop technology 
to load nuclear warhead onto missiles 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
In a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee 
yesterday, Defense Agency Director General Fumio Kyuma took a 
negative view about the possibility that North Korea has the 
technology necessary to load a nuclear warhead onto its ballistic 
missiles. He said: "In order to reduce the size (of a nuclear 
warhead enough to be loaded onto a missile), a considerable level of 
technology is necessary. At the present stage, we have not received 
any intelligence indicating that (North Korea) has already achieved 
the skills necessary for that." Kyuma was replying to a question by 
Social Democratic Party member Nobuto Hosaka. 
 
15) Coordination underway for visit to Japan by Chinese President Hu 
in January 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
The expectation is that the governments of Japan and China will 
start coordination on a plan for separate visits to Japan by Chinese 
President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao next January, 
several government sources revealed yesterday. 
 
During his meeting with President Hu on Oct. 8, Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe invited the two Chinese leaders to visit Japan as early 
as possible. Both Hu and Wen reportedly are positive about accepting 
the offer. 
 
It would be the first time for a Chinese president to visit Japan 
since then President Jiang Zemin came to Japan in 1998. 
 
16) Prime Minister Abe: My past remarks on history "personal views" 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00005884  011 OF 011 
 
 
October 11, 2006 
 
In reply to a question about his past remarks on his historical 
perception of the war, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated in a 
formal document adopted by his cabinet yesterday that the government 
is not in a position to respond to the question. He did not clarify 
his views besides his announcement that he would follow the 1995 
Murayama Statement. 
 
Social Democratic Party House of Representatives member Kiyomi 
Tsujimoto posed the question. Citing Abe's past remarks carried in 
 
SIPDIS 
magazines that the postwar history textbooks have taught a 
masochistic view of history, Tsujimoto questioned him in a strong 
tone, arguing: "You said that politicians should not display their 
historical views. If so, on what basis you have said that history 
textbooks are questionable?" 
 
Abe in the formal document evaded most questions, saying, "I made 
remarks as an individual politician." Regarding the issue of prime 
ministerial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, he responded that the purpose 
of visiting the shrine is to express respects to those who fought 
for the nation. The grounds for the response were murky. 
 
17) New Komeito, Soka Gakkai confirm stance of not allowing use of 
right to collective self-defense 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 11, 2006 
 
The Liaison Council of the New Komeito and the Soka Gakkai, a 
support religious group for the party, held a meeting at party 
headquarters yesterday, in which the representatives confirmed the 
stance of not allowing Japan the use of the right to collective 
self-defense as the government's view of the Constitution. 
 
The council met after a hiatus of about one year. Participating in 
the meeting yesterday were Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa, Diet 
Affairs Committee Chairman Yoshio Urushibara and others from the 
party, and Vice President Mitsuharu Harada and others from the 
religious group. 
 
A representative from the Soka Gakkai referred to a national 
referendum bill governing procedures for revising the Constitution 
and made this request: "Constitutional issues will affect the future 
of the nation. The government should clarify the points of 
contention and give a satisfactory explanation in a sincere manner." 
Some also called for measures to deal with such issues as an 
increased financial burden on the public and widening social 
discrepancies. 
 
SCHIEFFER