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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 006316 
 
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 11/01/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
TODAY'S FEATURES 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
North Korea problem: 
4) North Korea promises to return to six-party talks unconditionally 
 
5) Japan fears Pyongyang's decision to return to six-party talks may 
be a tactic to stall for time 
6) Cannot be optimistic just because North Korea has agreed to 
rejoin the six-party talks 
7) Japan worried that Pyongyang may try to add conditions when it 
returns to six-way talks 
8) Experts on North Korea do not really expect much progress in 
6-party talks 
9) Japan, US will keep their sanctions against North Korea for the 
time being 
 
Nuclear issue: 
10) Finland's parliamentary speaker discusses nuclear controversy in 
Japan with House Speaker Yohei Kono 
11) Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) plans to pledge in 
upper-house campaign goal of scrapping all nuclear weapons 
 
Defense and security issues: 
12) Futenma relocation issue dominating fierce gubernatorial battle 
in Okinawa 
13) Minshuto torn between party members who may vote for bill 
raising JDA to ministry and need to reject bill in order to support 
Okinawa candidate 
14) MSDF stretched thin: Need to supply fuel in Indian Ocean and 
prepare ships for ship inspections of North Korea cargo in waters 
close to Japan 
15) Prime Minister Abe in CNN interview says Article 9 of 
Constitution does not match the times 
 
16) Date for next summer's Upper House election may be either July 
15 or 22 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Six-party talks to resume as early as this moth 
 
Mainichi &Yomiuri: 
North Korea to return to six-party talks 
 
Nihon Keizai, Tokyo Shimbun & Akahata: 
Six-party talks to resume soon; US, China, North Korea agree 
 
Sankei: 
US, China, North Korea agree to restart six-party talks; No prospect 
for North Korea's abandonment of nuclear ambitions 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
 
TOKYO 00006316  002 OF 012 
 
 
(1) Cell phone number portability fiasco: Mr. Son, pull yourself 
together 
(2) Quagmire of Iraq war: Don't leave Maliki government in the 
lurch 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Resumption of six-party talks: Unacceptable for North Korea to 
possess nuclear weapons 
(2) Wakayama bid-rigging scandal: Governor must shed light on the 
scandal 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Restart of six-party talks: North Korea's possession of nuclear 
weapons must not be allowed 
(2) Nonlife insurance firms' failure to pay insurance amounts: Can 
insurers rid themselves of tendency of making light of the policy 
holders? 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1) North Korea's return to six-party talks is effect of sanctions 
(2) Interest rate should be normalized steadily 
 
Sankei: 
(1) UN resolution criticizing North Korea: Tighten the noose around 
Ozawa over abduction issue 
(2) Safety in products: Let's eliminate accidents with three-party 
cooperation 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Basic Education Law: Need for debate on the actual school 
situation before revising the law 
(2) BOJ report: The economy is not so strong 
 
Akahata: 
A bill revising the Basic Education Law should be scrapped through 
thorough deliberations 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, October 31 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
08:51 
Attended a Security Council of Japan meeting, followed by a cabinet 
meeting. Administrative Reform Minister Sata and Economy, Trade and 
Industry Minister Amari stayed on. 
 
10:15 
Met at Kantei with advisor Nemoto. 
 
11:10 
Met Ambassador to China Miyamoto and MOFA Asian and Oceanian Affairs 
Bureau chief Sasae. Afterward, gave an interview to US CNN. 
 
13:26 
Met LDP Secretary General Nakagawa. 
 
14:38 
Gave an interview to Britain's Financial Times. Afterward, met Lower 
House member Tokuichiro Tamazawa. 
 
TOKYO 00006316  003 OF 012 
 
 
 
16:13 
Met President Nguema of Republic of Equatorial Guinea. 
 
17:05 
Met Senior Vice Foreign Minister Asano. Afterward attended a Gender 
Equality Council meeting. 
 
19:01 
Met Yomiuri Shimbun Group Chairman Tsuneo Watanabe and Nippon 
Television Chairman Seiichiro Ujiie at the Hotel Seiyo Ginza. 
 
21:19 
Returned to his private residence in Tomigaya. 
 
4) North Korea to unconditionally rejoin six-party talks possibly 
this month 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
November 1, 2006 
 
Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Beijing 
 
North Korea agreed to soon rejoin the six-party talks during 
unofficial three-party talks held in Beijing among the senior envoys 
from the United States, China and North Korea on Oct. 31, according 
to an announcement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry the same day. The 
six-party talks have not been held since last November. If the talks 
resume, the crisis of another nuclear test by North Korea will be 
put off for the time being. The next round of six-party talks are 
expected to take place in November at the earliest. With conflicting 
views still left unresolved between the US and North Korea, however, 
stormy negotiations are expected. 
 
Since North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Oct. 9, the 
international community has called on that nation to unconditionally 
return to the six-party talks while implementing sanctions based on 
a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council. 
Following the agreement reached yesterday, the countries concerned 
will engage in a tactful game with an eye to the next round of 
talks. The US negotiator, Assistant Secretary of State (for East 
Asia and Pacific affairs) Christopher Hill, told reporters, "North 
Korea did not attach any conditions for rejoining the six-party 
talks," adding, "The six-party negotiations could resume as early as 
November or December." He also indicated his view that the North 
would not go ahead with a second nuclear test for the time being, 
saying, "An additional nuclear test is contradictory to the purport 
of our meeting today." 
 
North Korea has cited a removal of the US financial sanctions as a 
condition for its return to the six-party talks. Hill said that the 
US would set up a new working group after the talks are resumed. He 
also said that the next round would deal substantially with an 
agreement reached at the last session of six-part talks in September 
of last year. He then stressed that the US and China would not 
recognize North Korea as a nuclear power. 
 
5) Japan concerned about N. Korea's possible exploitation of 
six-party talks to "buy time" 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
TOKYO 00006316  004 OF 012 
 
 
 
The Japanese government, which has called for the resumption of the 
six-party talks, officially welcomes the move for the six-party 
talks to be restarted. But many are highly skeptical about whether 
North Korea will move to abandon its nuclear programs, because 
Pyongyang has repeatedly disappointed Tokyo in the past. A Foreign 
Ministry official, in fact, expressed concern: "The resumed talks 
may be simply exploited as a tool for that country to buy time." 
 
"The United States and China led the move this time," the official 
said. It was a little past noon yesterday when Japan was informed 
that US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill arrived in 
Beijing and began undertaking coordination for the resumption of the 
six-party talks. Around that time, Prime Minister Abe, too, was 
informed of this news, and soon he received a notification that 
there would be an announcement shortly that an agreement has been 
reached to resume the talks at an early date." Another Foreign 
Ministry official made this comment: "It's part of the campaign 
strategy for the midterm elections in the US. It's a surprise." 
 
A senior Foreign Ministry official said of when the six-party talks 
will be resumed: "Once the agreement has been reached, there's no 
reason to delay the talks. They may reopen ahead of the Asia-Pacific 
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum (slated for mid-November)." 
 
Yet, an aide to the prime minister was wary of North Korea's next 
move, noting: "It's only natural for North Korea to return to the 
six-party talks. We can't predict what attitude it will assume in 
the talks." "Japan will see how the North behaves while continuing 
own sanctions as well as other sanctions set under the United 
Nations Security Council," this aide added. 
 
Japan's position is that it cannot easily end the ongoing sanctions, 
as a senior Foreign Ministry official stated, "We must ascertain 
whether North Korea has agreed to immediately put a halt to nuclear 
testing and abandon its nuclear programs and nuclear weapons." 
 
6) Difficult road still ahead for settlement of North Korea's 
nuclear issue 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Slightly abridged) 
November 1, 2006 
 
A rocky path still lies ahead for a settlement of North Korea's 
nuclear issue. North Korea stressed in a statement issued by its 
Foreign Ministry, "Our nation is a nuclear power that is always 
responsible." The North, on the premise of possessing nuclear 
weapons, might begin to press other participants in the six-party 
talks for "arms reductions" in exchange for rejoining the forum. 
 
North Korea is likely to be at odds with Japan and the United 
States, which regard as the starting point the joint statement 
issued at the last session of the six-party talks in September 2005, 
in which North Korea promised to scrap all its nuclear programs. 
 
An expert on North Korea says that the process has been one of 
"agreement and violation" since the first nuclear crisis in 1993-94. 
Given this, the dominant view is that optimism may not be warranted 
only with the North's return to the talks. 
 
Many observers say that the Kim Jong Il regime is extremely eager to 
have nuclear weapons. In addition, North Korea always resorts to 
 
TOKYO 00006316  005 OF 012 
 
 
brinkmanship in a bid to draw out concessions from the other side. 
Should it see negotiations stalled, North Korea might come up with a 
new provocative act, such as another nuclear test or additional 
missile launches. 
 
US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill also said, "We are 
a long way from our goals here." Regarding the removal of US 
financial sanctions, White House Press Secretary Snow said, "We have 
not held negotiations," and indicated that the US would contact 
North Korea within the framework of six-party talks in principle. 
 
7) Japan wary of North Korea's possible presentation of conditions 
for rejoining six-party talks 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
Even while welcoming North Korea's decision to rejoin the six-party 
talks, the Japanese government is concerned about its return to the 
talks as a "nuclear power." The government intends to keep calling 
on the North to completely scrap its nuclear development program 
while continuing economic sanctions on that nation. However, with a 
change in the atmosphere in the international community, which has 
been so far unified with the stance of applying pressure on the 
North in accordance with a resolution on sanctions by the United 
Nations Security Council, Japan finds it difficult to make its own 
response. 
 
The agreement was struck in a day of three-party talks between the 
United States, China, and North Korea. According to several informed 
sources, the Japanese government had been informed of the talks by 
the US and China a few days in advance. 
 
In an interview with CNN yesterday morning, Prime Minister Shinzo 
Abe said, "North Korea should return to the six-party talks 
unconditionally." The US and China explained to Japan after the 
three-party talks, "North Korea agreed to unconditionally rejoin the 
talks." In response, a government source commented: "The North said 
it would return the talks, although the US has not promised to drop 
its financial sanctions. This might mean that the North has 
retracted its assertion." 
 
The government source, though, added, "North Korea might come up 
with (some conditions) in the next round of six-party talks." The 
Japanese government has urged the North in Japan-US-South Korea 
foreign ministerial meetings and on other occasions to take specific 
action toward scrapping its nuclear programs. But the agreement 
reached between the US, China, and North Korea reportedly does not 
include such an element. A senior Foreign Ministry official 
grumbled, "It is just that the party that had refused to attend the 
talks for its selfish reasons has decided to return to the talks, 
and we cannot rejoice exuberantly." 
 
There is concern in the government that the agreement in the 
three-party talks might contribute to realizing dialogue between the 
US and North Korea. Although the US now takes a tough stance toward 
the North, like Japan, if the US makes a policy switch, the nation 
might find it difficult to continue its "pressure" policy. 
 
8) Bleak expectations by experts for progress in six-party talks 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
 
TOKYO 00006316  006 OF 012 
 
 
November 1, 2006 
 
Kan Kimura, professor of Korean studies at Kobe University: Idea of 
establishing a working group is America's "empty promise" 
 
Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill made this suggestion 
about financial sanctions: "We are ready to set up a working group." 
Lying behind the suggestion is apparently Washington's intention of 
putting the matter in China's hands since America's North Korea 
policy is stick in a rut. The idea of a working group is not 
something to give assurance, namely, an "empty promise," which has 
no binding force. The United States has not stated it will lift 
financial sanctions. 
 
For the United States, it is a nightmare to see North Korea raising 
the capability of its nuclear arsenal by repeated nuclear testing, 
but it has no intention of expanding sanctions to use military 
force. The US essentially has no hand to play. 
 
Given that China's Hu Jintao government, which has begun shifting to 
a conciliatory policy toward the US and Japan, is stable at home, 
the US perhaps wanted to avoid China losing face. America's real 
intention about the working group would be to see "how well China 
can do," while also allowing North Korea to save face. 
 
Noriyuki Suzuki, director of Radiopress Inc.: China achieves 
diplomatic results, but the US, North Korea are unchanged 
 
China's diplomatic efforts have been noticeable. It has even 
declared its own tough economic measures against North Korea. State 
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan flew to Pyongyang where he met with General 
Secretary Kim Jong Il. Tang also met with Secretary of State 
 
SIPDIS 
Condoleezza Rice. China has also actively worked on the US. The 
decision by North Korea to return to the six-party talks, which will 
be resumed shortly, will be given high marks. It serves to relax 
tensions for the time being. 
 
Yet, the attitudes of the US and North Korea are unchanged. I wonder 
if the two countries will directly negotiate with each other at the 
six-party talks on such matters as financial sanctions. North Korea 
has insisted that its nuclear possession is "a deterrent against the 
US." North Korea appears unlikely to abandon its nuclear programs 
unless the survival of its regime is ensured by, for instance, a 
nonaggression pact with the US. On the other hand, it is unthinkable 
that the US will accept the North's possession of such weapons, so 
we should not expect the six-party talks to make progress. 
 
9) Japan, US to continue sanctions against N. Korea 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 1, 2006 
 
The government welcomes the agreement just reached among the United 
States, China, and North Korea to resume the six-party talks, but it 
remains wary of North Korea's move. Japan will continue own 
sanctions against the North, because Pyongyang has yet to take 
concrete action to abandon its nuclear arsenal. Also, Japan, in 
cooperation with the United States, firmly maintains its stance of 
implementing the sanctions under the United Nations resolution. In 
the resumed six-party talks, Japan intends to strongly urge the 
North to abandon its nuclear programs unconditionally. 
 
 
TOKYO 00006316  007 OF 012 
 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki late yesterday released a 
statement: "We welcome the move for the six-party talks to be 
resumed shortly." On the other hand, many in Japan are concerned 
that the resumption of the talks may help the North buy time for 
nuclear development. Japan thinks that the top priority for now is 
to ascertain whether North Korea has the will to implement the joint 
statement released in September 2005 by the six-party talks, in 
which the North pledged to abandon its nuclear ambitions. 
 
10) Finnish Parliament Speaker Lipponen questions Japan's argument 
on nuclear option 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
It has been learned that Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Paavo 
Lipponen expressed concern during his meeting on Oct. 30 in Tokyo 
with Japan's House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, noting: 
"I've heard that there is a view calling for debate on a nuclear 
option for Japan. How we should take such an argument?" Kono was 
quoted as saying: 
 
"It is unthinkable at present that Japan will possess nuclear 
weapons, changing its policy. Neither the Japanese people nor the 
Diet will reach such a consensus." 
 
Lower House Steering Committee Chairman Ichiro Aisawa revealed the 
exchange to reporters yesterday. 
 
11) Minshuto's manifesto for next year's Upper House election to 
specify nuclear disarmament, raising questions about nuclear option 
debate 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
The major opposition Minshuto's (Democratic Party of Japan) 
administrative policy committee, chaired by Hirotaka Akamatsu, urged 
the party yesterday to add the topic of nuclear disarmament to its 
basic policy platform that will serve as the foundation for the 
party's manifesto (campaign pledges) for next year's Upper House 
election. 
 
In the wake of a nuclear test by North Korea, such lawmakers as 
Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Shoichi 
Nakagawa and Foreign Minister Taro Aso have called for debate on a 
nuclear option for Japan. Minshuto intends to take a critical view 
toward such an argument. 
 
Policy Research Committee Chairman Takeaki Matsumoto told reporters 
yesterday: "The world may be headed for nuclear proliferation 
instead of nonproliferation. Although our party has been advocating 
nuclear disarmament from long before, there is a need to specify it 
(in our basic policy)." Matsumoto stressed his thinking including a 
party position critical of statements by Nakagawa and others. 
 
The party's manifesto for last year's general election indicated 
that the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, along with 
a resolution of the North Korean nuclear and missile issues, would 
clearly be in the best interests of Japan. 
 
12) Okinawa to announce gubernatorial election tomorrow; Clash over 
 
TOKYO 00006316  008 OF 012 
 
 
Futenma unavoidable; Ruling, opposition camps face dilemma 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged) 
November 1, 2006 
 
Okinawa Prefecture will announce its gubernatorial election 
tomorrow, with the issue of relocating the US Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station in Ginowan City as the biggest point of contention. The 
election, scheduled for Nov. 19, is expected to be a one-on-one duel 
between former Okinawa Electric Power Co. Chairman Hirokazu Nakaima, 
67, recommended by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic 
Party and the New Komeito, and Keiko Itokazu, 59, currently seated 
on the House of Councillors in the Diet and recommended by the 
opposition camp, including the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), 
the Japanese Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party 
(Shaminto). The ruling and opposition parties have their respective 
complicated circumstances. However, the outcome of the election will 
inevitably affect the realignment of US forces in Japan. 
 
The election will focus primarily on Futenma relocation. Both 
Nakaima and Itokazu are likewise opposed to the government's plan. 
Itokazu is absolutely against building a new base. However, Nakaima 
has shown a flexible stance, saying the best option is to relocate 
the airfield somewhere outside Okinawa Prefecture but its relocation 
within the prefecture would be unavoidable. 
 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, meeting the press yesterday, admitted to 
the necessity of sustaining the US military presence. "But," Ozawa 
added, "I think its present scale might be unnecessary for Japan." 
He also said, "We recognize that we will have to resolve the current 
state of Okinawa that depends on US military bases." With this, 
Ozawa underscored the significance of the opposition camp's joint 
struggle. 
 
The ruling and opposition camps will now kick off their election 
campaigns. Meanwhile, the Diet will also deliberate on a 
government-introduced bill raising the Defense Agency to the status 
of a ministry. The DPJ is now wavering over what to do about this 
legislation. Many of the DPJ's lawmakers are in favor of the 
legislation, and this makes it delicate for the DPJ to form a joint 
struggle with the JCP and the SDP, which are clearly opposed to the 
bill. SDP President Mizuho Fukushima called Ozawa yesterday and 
asked the DPJ to remain cautious about the legislation. JCP 
Presidium Chairman Kazuo Shii, in his press remarks, urged the DPJ 
to oppose it. 
 
On the other hand, the LDP is also in a dilemma. Nakaima, outwardly 
opposing the government's relocation plan, refused cabinet ministers 
and ruling coalition executives attending a ceremony to kick off his 
election campaign. 
 
The Nakaima camp is strongly dissatisfied with Okinawa Affairs 
Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks during her recent visit to 
Okinawa. Takaichi visited Okinawa on Oct. 21 and said as follows: "I 
won't promise we (government) will undertake all the economic 
development measures for the northern region (of Okinawa's main 
island) if there's no progress in the issue of Futenma relocation." 
The LDP has no other choice but to back Nakaima behind the scenes, 
according to one of the party's executives. 
 
13-1) DPJ to oppose 'Defense Ministry' bill 
 
 
TOKYO 00006316  009 OF 012 
 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
November 1, 2006 
 
The leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) 
yesterday began integrating its lawmakers' opinions to oppose a 
government-introduced package of legislative measures upgrading the 
Defense Agency to the status of a ministry. The DPJ will give first 
consideration to its joint struggle with the Social Democratic Party 
(Shaminto) and other opposition parties toward this month's 
gubernatorial elections in Fukushima Prefecture and Okinawa 
Prefecture and next summer's election for the House of Councillors. 
Some of the DPJ's lawmakers are in favor of raising the Defense 
Agency to a ministry. The focus is on how to hold down their 
revolt. 
 
In his press remarks, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa stressed: "The 
Defense Agency is tasked with Japan's national defense, and it's not 
good at all to leave it in a status with no initiative in cabinet 
meetings." However, Ozawa also noted the Defense Agency's 
'descent-from-heaven' post-retirement job-hunting practices and its 
officials' corruption scandals. "The Defense Agency should first 
straighten up itself, and if everybody thinks that's okay, it's all 
right to do so," Ozawa said. 
 
The DPJ has conservative lawmakers who are positive about raising 
the Defense Agency to the status of a ministry. "If they're prepared 
to be dismissed from the party, that's all right," one of the DPJ's 
executives said, adding that the DPJ leadership would punish them if 
they revolt. 
 
SDP President Mizuho Fukushima called Ozawa yesterday to remind him 
of her party's opposition to the legislation. "What to do about the 
bill is a touchstone for our joint struggle from now on," Fukushima 
said. 
 
13-2) "Defense ministry bill" wracks Minshuto; party torn between 
rebellious members and pressure from other opposition parties 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
November 1, 2006 
 
The Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) leadership is beset with 
troubles internally and externally in determining the party's stance 
on a bill amending the Defense Agency Establishment Law to raise the 
agency to ministry status. 
 
Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chairman Kazuo Shii 
said in a press conference on Oct. 30: "Minshuto should strongly 
oppose (the bill)." In her telephone conversation with Minshuto 
President Ichiro Ozawa on Oct. 31, Social Democratic Party (SDP) 
head Mizuho Fukushima also applied pressure on the largest 
opposition party, saying, "Even if we cannot kill the bill, we must 
block its enactment." 
 
In theory, any party should be able to determine its response to a 
bill free from pressure from other parties. But this time around, 
the rule does not apply to Minshuto, as it has jointly fielded a 
candidate with other opposition parties for the Nov. 19 Okinawa 
gubernatorial race. Ozawa is aware that if Minshuto supports the 
bill, solidarity among the opposition parties might collapse. 
 
Meanwhile, the Minshuto leadership is on alert that in a vote, some 
 
TOKYO 00006316  010 OF 012 
 
 
members might rebel against the party's ultimate decision on the 
bill. The exposure of discord in Minshuto would raise questions 
about its ability to govern. 
 
"Once our party decides to vote against the bill, I will abstain 
from the vote," a conservative mid-level member said. There are many 
Minshuto lawmakers who are supportive of the bill. But if the party 
decides to endorse the bill, members supportive of the current 
Constitution might revolt against it. 
 
14) Concerns voiced about nearby maritime defense; MSDF walking 
tightrope 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged) 
November 1, 2006 
 
In response to the Diet's approval of a one-year extension of the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, the government decided in a 
cabinet meeting yesterday to adopt a masterplan that extends the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's activities in the Indian Ocean for a 
half year up until May 1 next year. The MSDF will continue to task a 
supply ship and a destroyer with refueling US, British, and other 
foreign naval vessels at sea. The MSDF has been working in the 
Indian Ocean for nearly five years. However, there are also concerns 
about Japan's nearby maritime defenses with the MSDF's protracted 
activities in the Indian Ocean. 
 
Since December 2001, soon after the terrorist attacks on the United 
States, the MSDF has been refueling US, British, and other foreign 
naval vessels conducting naval blockades for their antiterror mop-up 
operations in Afghanistan. 
 
Meanwhile, North Korea carried out a nuclear test. In Diet 
deliberations over the law's extension, an opposition party lawmaker 
criticized the government for its decision to extend the MSDF's 
deployment, saying, "I wonder if it's all right for them to be out 
with faraway friends when a fire is about to break out nearby." 
 
In fact, the MSDF has only five supply ships, with one of them on 
stage in the India Ocean at all times. As it stands, if the MSDF 
actually conducts cargo inspections and backs up US forces in the 
Sea of Japan or in the East China Sea, the MSDF may have trouble 
continuing its refueling services. The MSDF is also facing 
difficulty in lining up destroyers for operations. 
 
"If we find ourselves in a fix, we would then have to modify the 
masterplan (for the MSDF's deployment to the Indian Ocean," Defense 
Agency Director General Fumio Kyuma said, adding, "We must consider 
Japan's national defense first." There is still no telling when the 
antiterror operations will end. The MSDF will likely be compelled to 
walk a tightrope in its fleet deployment for the time being. 
 
15) Abe: I will aim for constitutional amendment during my tenure; 
Article 9 does not fit the times 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave separate interviews yesterday to 
America's CNN Television and Britain's Financial Times at his 
official residence. The Cabinet Public Affairs Office has quoted Abe 
as saying in the interview regarding constitutional revision: "The 
 
TOKYO 00006316  011 OF 012 
 
 
LDP president can serve only two three-year terms. I want to aim for 
constitutional revision during my term of office." Abe thus 
indicated that he would aim for constitutional revision in the next 
six years. 
 
Abe also highlighted the need to revise Article 9, saying: "Article 
9 is a typical example for it does not fit the times. It must be 
revised in terms of the defense of Japan and Japan making 
international contributions." 
 
After assuming office, Abe delivered a policy speech, in which he 
only said this about constitutional revision, "I expect the ruling 
and opposition camps will deepen discussion and come up with a 
policy direction." Abe has been abstaining from making bold comments 
on the matter. 
 
About the question of visiting Yasukuni Shrine during his tenure of 
office, Abe also simply stated to the interviewers: 
 
"I will not say whether or not I will visit the shrine so as not let 
it escalate into a political or diplomatic issue. "Many past prime 
ministers visited the shrine to protect freedom, democracy, and 
human rights and contribute to world peace. (Among the prime 
ministers who visited the shrine), no one was a militarist." 
 
Abe also clearly denied Japan going nuclear, stating: 
 
"Japan is the only country that suffered from nuclear bombings. 
Japan has a sense of mission to spearhead the drive to eliminate 
nuclear weapons from the world. Japan has abandoned the policy 
option of nuclear armaments." 
 
These were Abe's first interviews with foreign media. 
 
16) Tug-of-war in LDP over setting day for next Upper House 
election: July 15 or 22? 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
November 1, 2006 
 
A tug-of-war over setting the day for the next House of Councillors 
election next summer started yesterday in the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP). Setting the date for July 15 -- which falls 
in the middle of a three-day holiday -- is regarded as more likely, 
but some members favor July 22 -- after the school summer holiday 
period begins. Chances are that voter turnout will be low not matter 
which day is chosen, regarded as better for the LDP. The LDP's 
maneuvering for party interests can be seen in the move. 
 
In its executive meeting on Oct. 30, the LDP decided to hold a 
convention on Jan. 17 next year. Since the party usually holds a 
convention immediately before the regular Diet session, it intends 
to coordinate for convening the next regular session on Jan. 19. 
 
If the regular session convenes on Jan. 19, it will run for 150 days 
until June 17. If so, under the Public Office Election Law, the next 
Upper House election would be conducted on July 15 or 22. 
 
Although some senior LDP members wish to hold the election on July 
15, other members say that the dominant view in the LDP Upper House 
is that the election should be conducted on July 22. The government 
and ruling coalition will determine the date while considering which 
 
TOKYO 00006316  012 OF 012 
 
 
date is better for them. 
 
In this connection, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President 
Ichiro Ozawa told reporters yesterday: 
 
"We have no choice but to follow what the cabinet and ruling camp 
decides because they have the right to make their decision at their 
convenience. We must make every effort to win the race." 
 
SCHIEFFER