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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 006420 
 
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 11/08/06 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
North Korea policy: 
4) Foreign Minister Aso, Secretary Rice in telephone conversation 
agree to coordinate approaches to resumed six-party talks on North 
Korea issues 
5) Rice, Aso confirm policy stance of not recognizing North Korea as 
a nuclear power 
6) US Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt: Talks with North 
Korea on counterfeiting will be separated from six-party talks on 
nuclear issue 
7) Pressure on North Korea still hot and heavy one month after its 
nuclear test 
 
China ties: 
8) Japan-China summit meeting being set up at APEC setting in Hanoi 
 
9) Japan, China to set up cabinet-level council on bilateral 
economic relations 
 
10) APEC meeting in Hanoi: Members will consider proposal for a 
regional FTA 
 
11) Prime Minister Abe at international exchange forum promises 
further international contributions from Japan, receives praise from 
Prime Minister Blair, by satellite 
 
12) WTO Director General Lamy, Agricultural Minister Matsuoka agree 
on need to restart round of negotiations 
 
13) Education bill expected to clear the Lower House on the 16th 
 
Defense issues: 
14) Comment by LDP's Sasagawa that Japan should consider scrapping 
principle of not letting nuclear weapons transit Japan causes sharp 
reaction in ruling camp 
15) JDA chief Kyuma: In emergency, new runway to be built on shores 
of Camp Schwab may have to be used for take offs, landings in both 
directions 
16) Locals strongly object to JDA chief's remark about using Futenma 
alternate runway in both directions 
 
17) Anti-Abe forces in LDP, forty strong, set up Asia policy vision 
study group 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Tornado kills 9, injures 23 in Saroma, Hokkaido 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Toyota to form capital, business tie-ups with Isuzu 
 
 
Akahata: 
Cabinet Officer apologizes for "staged questions" at town meeting 
 
TOKYO 00006420  002 OF 010 
 
 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Tornado in Hokkaido: How should we prepare for unexpected 
disasters? 
(2) Reform of Social Insurance Agency: LDP should present 
alternative plan 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) What Ishihara Sangyo did was illegal dumping 
(2) Criminal trends: Take specific measures 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Nuclear debate should be allowed 
(2) Honma-led Government Tax Commission should create tax system for 
fiscal reconstruction 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1) Contents of discussion in the Government Tax Commission to be 
questioned 
(2) Environmental technology prompts realignment of auto 
manufactures 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Six-party talks: Five countries must strengthen cooperation 
(2) Transplants of diseased organs from sick patients: Transparency 
necessary for medical treatment 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Government Tax Commission needs efforts to obtain public 
understanding 
(2) Japan, China should step up strategic dialogue for East Asia 
security 
 
Akahata: 
Government Tax Commission: Let's raise a protest against the Abe 
cabinet, which is trying to tax ordinary people even more 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, November 7 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
08:43 
Cabinet meeting in the Diet. Education and Science Minister Ibuki 
remained. Then met with Foreign Minister Aso, followed by Economy, 
Trade and Industry Minister Ota. 
 
09:42 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura at the Kantei. 
 
10:11 
Grand Cordon Award Ceremony at the Imperial Palace. 
 
11:00 
Arrived at the Kantei. 
 
13:25 
The Order of Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star Award Ceremony at the 
 
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Imperial Palace. 
 
14:44 
Met with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Koike. 
 
16:01 
Met with State Minister in charge of Disaster Management Mizote and 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management Noda. Then 
attended the government's Tax Research Commission meeting. 
 
17:09 
Japan Dream Creation Dojo (School) at the LDP Headquarters. 
 
17:38 
Met with former Foreign Minister Machimura, Lower House member 
Katsuyuki Kawai and others at the Kantei. Machimura remained. 
 
18:30 
International exchange forum "The Japanese Renaissance" at Palace 
Hotel. 
 
19:02 
Met secretaries and others at Grand Arc Hanzomon. 
 
20:35 
Returned private resident in Tomigaya. 
 
4) Foreign Minister Aso holds telephone dialogue with his US 
counterpart: Both agree to work together to resume six-party talks 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso yesterday evening talked with US Secretary 
of State Condoleezza Rice over the phone for about 10 minutes. They 
shared the perception that it is important for the five countries 
other than North Korea to work together for the resumption of the 
six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program. They will 
undertake coordination of views with foreign ministers of other 
countries on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 
(APEC) forum meeting starting Nov. 15. Aso and Rice also confirmed 
their refusal to recognize North Korea as a nuclear power. They also 
vowed to continue the sanctions resolution adopted by the United 
Nations Security as long as the North does not abandon its nuclear 
arms. 
 
5) Aso, Rice agree not to recognize North Korea as nuclear power 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso had a telephone conversation with US 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last night. As a result, they 
 
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confirmed the policy course that (1) the two countries will not 
recognize North Korea as a nuclear power; and (2) the international 
community must not weaken pressure on North Korea, such as sanctions 
measures under the UN Security Council resolution, just because the 
North would return to the six-party talks. They also agreed on the 
need to coordinate views among Japan, the United States, South 
Korea, China, and Russia ahead of the next round of the six-party 
talks through the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 
cabinet meeting and other occasions. 
 
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6) Interview with US Deputy Secretary of Treasury Kimmitt: May 
confer on fake US bills and other issues with North Korea "outside 
of working group under six-party talks" 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 8) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Visiting US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert Kimmitt 
yesterday announced that the US Department of the Treasury was ready 
to hold direct discussions with North Korean officials in order to 
call on them to stop their illicit activities, including 
counterfeiting (US) bills, which led Washington to impose financial 
sanctions. Kimmitt indicated a plan to confer on financial sanctions 
outside of a working group to be established under the six-party 
talks as a forum to discuss the issue. 
 
Kimmitt made these statements in an interview with the Nihon Keizai 
Shimbun in Tokyo. 
 
There is a gap between North Korea and the other members of the 
six-party talks, including Japan and the United States, about how to 
manage the working group in the multilateral forum. North Korea 
wants to see the financial sanctions removed quickly, while Japan, 
the US, and other countries want to lift the sanctions on the 
condition that the North stop illicit activities. This gap could 
derail the working group from the moment it is set in motion and 
impede progress in the six-party talks. 
 
The remarks made by Kimmitt are taken to mean that the US will 
effectively separate the financial sanctions from the six-party 
talks by showing a willingness to confer on the issue in a separate 
arena even if the North falls short of assuring it will stop illicit 
activities. The aim is to avoid a case of North Korea boycotting the 
talks citing slow progress in coordination on the financial 
sanctions issue. 
 
Citing the direct talks with North Korea held in New York in March 
of this year for the US to detail the financial sanctions to that 
country, Kimmitt stated firmly: "There is a possibility that a 
Department of the Treasury-led bilateral dialogue between the US and 
North Korea will take place." When asked about the relationship 
between the US-North Korea dialogue and (the six-party talks), 
Kimmitt stated, "That dialogue will have nothing to do with 
denuclearization," and emphasized that the dialogue would not be 
linked to the working group under the six-party talks. 
 
If the dialogue is realized, "We will discuss whether the North 
Koreans will act in accordance with American and other countries' 
laws," Kimmitt said, indicating the US would prod the North to end 
its illicit activities. The illicit activities cited by him include 
(1) counterfeit bills, (2) cigarette smuggling, and (3) procurement 
of technology relating to the manufacture of nuclear weapons. 
 
Asked about the reconstruction of Iraq, Kimmitt commented: "The Bush 
administration's stance of assisting Iraq will remain unchanged, 
regardless of the results of the midterm elections." 
 
Kimmitt indicated a plan to have full-fledged consultations with the 
concerned countries starting this month about international 
assistance in order to meet a reconstruction roadmap announced this 
summer by the Maliki government of Iraq. 
 
TOKYO 00006420  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
7) Differences in level of pressure on North Korea evident one month 
after nuke test 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Since North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Oct. 9, one month has 
passed. Various countries have implemented sanction measures against 
the North, based on a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council. 
With North Korea's announcement of its return to the six-party 
talks, however, the five other nations of the six-party talks are 
beginning to impose different levels of pressure on the North. 
 
United States Under Secretary of State Robert Joseph met Deputy 
Foreign Minister Tsuneo Nishida and Australian Foreign Vice Minister 
David Richer at the Foreign Minister on Nov. 6 to discuss sanctions 
against North Korea. 
 
China's strengthened overland cargo inspections reportedly prompted 
North Korea to return to the six-party talks. The US intends to 
inspect suspicious ships in ports, increasing the possibility that 
Japan will not have to invoke the Regional Contingency Law to assist 
US maritime inspections for the time being. 
 
However, in the Oct. 6 meeting, too, the US did not rule out the 
possibility of forcible maritime inspections. A government source 
said, "In the event that the US takes a forcible measure toward an 
apparently dangerous ship, Japan will immediately offer cooperation 
based on the Regional Contingency Law." 
 
Meanwhile, South Korea takes the stance that sanctions have already 
been implemented with such conventional measures as cargo 
inspections of ships heading toward third countries via South Korea 
and a ban on money remittances. President Roh Moo Hyun also 
announced that South Korea would continue the tours to Mt. Kumgan in 
North Korea. Russia reportedly has yet to take any specific action. 
These countries' responses are an element of concern before the 
six-party talks are resumed. 
 
Australia, which is not a member of the six-party talks, has banned 
North Korean ships from entering its ports. Prime Minister Howard 
indicated an eagerness about vessel inspections in the Sea of Japan, 
but Australia, like Japan, is watching US moves. 
 
The Japanese government has almost completed work to form a list of 
"luxury items" subject to embargo under the resolution. It plans to 
disclose the list possibly on Nov. 13, the deadline for Japan to 
report on the state of sanctions to the UNSC Sanctions Committee, 
and then intends to start banning trade in the listed items by 
revising the government ordinance on export and trade control based 
on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law. Included in 
the list are likely to be automobiles, liquor, cigarettes, air 
conditioners, perfume, and high-class beef. Japan, though, has 
already prohibited North Korean ships from entering ports and has 
imposed an embargo on luxury goods. The effect of the new sanctions 
is likely to be limited. 
 
8) Japan, China to hold a summit in Hanoi in mid-November 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
TOKYO 00006420  006 OF 010 
 
 
 
Nobuyoshi Sakajiri, Beijing 
 
Chinese Foreign Ministry Assistant Minister for Asian Affairs Cui 
Tiankai yesterday announced at a press conference that President Hu 
Jintao and Prime Minister Abe would hold a summit on the sidelines 
of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 
Conference in Hanoi slated for mid-November. What is expected to be 
high on agenda for the summit includes strengthening the strategic 
reciprocal relationship, the North Korean nuclear issue, on which 
the six-party talks will resume shortly, and how to implement 
sanctions against the North. 
 
Cui revealed that the Japanese and Chinese governments agreed to 
have a bilateral summit in Hanoi and indicated that the two leaders 
"will exchange even more in-depth views on international and 
regional issues that involve the two countries and are a matter of 
concern for both, building on Prime Minister Abe's recent visit to 
China." 
 
According to Cui, a US-China summit will be also held in Hanoi. 
 
9) Japan, China to establish annual conference of economic 
ministers, with such topics as energy and intellectual property 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
The governments of Japan and China have agreed to establish a 
Japan-China economic ministerial conference (tentative name), which 
would be tasked with promoting mutual economic cooperation on a wide 
range of issues. The ministers would meet once a year, and energy 
and the protection of intellectual property are expected to be on 
the first agenda list. When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited China 
in October, Abe and President Hu Jintao agreed in their meeting to 
launch a program to promote establishing a strategic reciprocal 
relationship. Setting up a new high-level conference is part of this 
program. Following the bilateral summit in October, Japan and China 
will construct multilayered government-to-government channels under 
a framework of cabinet-level talks. 
 
Abe and Hu will reach an official agreement on the new forum at 
their meeting to be held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific 
Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hanoi in mid-November. 
 
Japan and China held economic ministerial meetings even when their 
relations remained strained over former Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine, but there was no framework for 
relevant cabinet ministers to regularly meet. By establishing a new 
council, both sides aim to effectively promote talks in economic 
policy areas. They intend to use this conference as the major 
framework for bilateral economic talks between Japan and China, 
lined up with summit meetings and comprehensive policy talks by the 
foreign ministers. 
 
Participants in the cabinet-level meetings are likely to include 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Finance Minister Koji Omi, and Economy, 
Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari. It is still unknown who 
will attend from the Chinese side, but coordination seems to be 
underway focused on Vice Premier Wu Yi, Foreign Minister Li 
Zhaoxing, and Commerce Minister Bo Xilai. In a bid to produce 
results early, the two governments plan to set up sector-specific 
 
TOKYO 00006420  007 OF 010 
 
 
panels of experts after the first meeting of the ministers. 
 
In the energy area, Japan will provide China with energy-saving 
technology and know-how on developing alternative energy. For the 
protection of the environment, the two countries will work out 
specific measures. They have also decided to discuss the problem of 
China's violation of intellectual property rights, such as the 
spread of fake brand-name appliances and clothing. The ministers 
also are expected to discuss: (1) financial deregulation and the 
problem of bad loans in Japan; (2) IT (information technology); and 
(3) medical issues, such as coping with infectious diseases. 
 
10) APEC: FTAs involving all member nations to be put on meeting's 
agenda; Hanoi declaration draft unveiled 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 8, 2006 
 
An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum meeting is to be 
held in Hanoi, Vietnam on Nov. 18-19. The draft of a Hanoi 
declaration to be issued at a summit meeting to be held on the 
sidelines of the APEC meeting was unveiled yesterday. The draft for 
the first time incorporated a policy of looking into the feasibility 
of a free trade area for the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) to be formed by 21 
APEC member nations. 
 
The realization of an FTA involving all APEC member nations means 
the formation of a huge free trade zone that accounts for 40% of the 
world's population and 60% of the world's gross domestic product 
(GDP). 
 
The US wants to embark on joint research for the materialization of 
FTAAP with the summit declaration this time as the occasion. 
However, China and some other countries are bound to oppose the idea 
of the US deepening its involvement in Asia over East Asia's 
economic integration. To what extent APEC can come up with a 
forward-looking stance at the summit is drawing attention. 
 
11) International Exchange Forum; Prime Minister pledges further 
promotion of international contribution; British premier highly 
evaluates Japan's diplomacy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Prime Minister Abe attended the reception for the international 
exchange forum "the Japanese Renaissance," held at a hotel in the 
Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The forum was co-hosted by The Times of Britain 
and The Yomiuri Shimbun. In a speech given at the reception, the 
prime minister stressed: "Japan will contribute to the peace and 
stability of the world more than ever before. It is important to 
discuss what is needed to that end without fearing old taboos." He 
also noted: "Japan will also make efforts to promote freedom, 
democracy, basic human rights and the rule of law in Asia. Sixty 
years have passed since the end of the war. We now must challenge 
various issues in a courageous manner." 
 
He also stated: "I want to drastically increase the number of 
international conferences held in Japan so that it can become a 
gateway to Asia. I want to change the image of Japan, such as that 
it is closed or it has too many regulations." 
 
 
TOKYO 00006420  008 OF 010 
 
 
British Prime Minister Blair made a speech to the conference carried 
live from No. 10 Downing Street. 
 
12) Matsuoka, Lamy agree on early resumption of WTO talks 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Takafumi Ichimura, Geneva 
 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, 
now visiting Europe, met on Nov. 7 in succession with individuals 
connected with World Trade Organization (WTO) talks, including 
Director General Pascal Lamy. As a result, they agreed to make 
efforts for resuming the Doha Round, which has been suspended since 
July. After the series of meetings, Matsuoka said: "We are planning 
to resume the talks around the Christmas holidays in December or the 
Davos Conference (World Economic Forum) to be held in Switzerland in 
late January." 
 
Lamy did not mention any specific timeline, according to Matsuoka. 
The farm minister also underlined the need for major players, such 
as Japan, the United Sates, and European nations, to mutually 
confirm a willingness to make concessions. He said: "In order for 
the United States to deeply cut agricultural subsidies, it has to 
determine whether (such countries as Japan and European nations) are 
willing to open up their markets in return." 
 
13) Education reform bill to clear Lower House as early as Nov. 16 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
The House of Representatives Special Committee on Basic Education 
Law decided yesterday to hold on Nov. 9 a session to hear views from 
experts and on the 13th a public hearing in a local city. The ruling 
parties suggested taking a vote on a bill revising the Basic 
Education Law at the Lower House plenary session on the 14th, but 
the opposition camp turned it down. Therefore, chances are that the 
bill will clear the Lower House on the 16th or later. 
 
The ruling camp initially proposed holding a public hearing on the 
10th and putting the bill on a vote on the 13th at the committee, 
but they made a concession to the opposition, which insisted that 
more time would be needed for deliberations on the bill. 
 
14) LDP lawmaker Sasagawa's remarks suggesting a review of three 
nonnuclear principles irritate New Komeito, LDP leadership 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
At a liaison meeting yesterday of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
executives, Party Ethics Committee Chairman Takashi Sasagawa 
referred to a review of the three nonnuclear principles and later 
caused a stir inside and outside the party. His reference could 
damage the Abe administration, so the party leadership was desperate 
to limit the repercussions. Meanwhile, junior coalition partner New 
Komeito expressed displeasure. 
 
After the plenary session yesterday, LDP Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Toshihiro Nikai asked Sasagawa about his remarks: "As a 
 
TOKYO 00006420  009 OF 010 
 
 
personal view, that would be fine, but it is problematic to say such 
a thing at a meeting, the details of which are publicized." 
Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, too, negated Sasagawa's remarks 
 
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in question, noting: "Such a thing will never be put on the agenda 
for official discussion in the party." 
 
At a time when deliberations on the bill amending the Basic 
Education Law -- a priority bill -- are at a crucial stage, the 
party leadership is highly sensitive to problematic remarks. After 
meeting with Nikai, Sasagawa explained to reporters: "I didn't 
mention a review of (the three nonnuclear principles). What I said 
was it's questionable how the United States can defend Japan if it's 
not allowed to bring (nuclear weapons) into Japan." 
 
On the other hand, Nakagawa stated in a speech on Nov. 6: "Our 
party's position is to adhere to Prime Minister Abe's policy of 
observing the three nonnuclear principles." Given this, Sasagawa's 
remarks could be taken to criticize the administration as well as 
the party leadership. A senior New Komeito member made this comment: 
"(The LDP) has a wrong view of the situation. Abe is being 
disrespected." On the other hand, Prime Minister Abe was asked late 
yesterday by reporters about Sasagawa's remarks and stated: "There's 
no change in the government's policy." 
 
15) Kyuma: US aircraft may land on planned runways from two 
directions in emergencies 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Touching on the operation of a facility to be constructed on the 
coastline of Camp Schwab to replace Marine Corps Air Station 
Futenma, Defense Agency Director-General Fumio Kyuma said before the 
Lower House Security Committee yesterday: " US aircraft could land 
on the runways from any direction in emergency situations where 
saving life is top priority." He thus indicated that Japan would 
have to allow US aircraft to land on the planned V-shaped pair of 
runways from both directions strictly in emergency situations. 
 
16) Kyuma: US aircraft could make landings on Futenma alternate 
runways from two ways; Local objections inevitable 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Defense Agency Director-General Fumio Kyuma indicated before the 
Lower House Security Committee yesterday that the government would 
allow US military aircraft to make landings on a V-shaped pair of 
runways to be constructed on the coastline of Camp Schwab from two 
directions in emergency situations. He said: "In a life-or-death 
situation, aircraft could make a landing from any direction." US 
aircraft would then fly over residential districts, so local 
residents are likely to raise objections. 
 
In April, the Defense Agency reached an agreement with Nago City and 
other affected municipalities to allow US military aircraft to use 
only two spots on the seaside for landings in order to remove flight 
paths from residential district. But the US side later requested 
approach lights be installed on the either side of the two runways. 
The Defense Agency intends to specify "emergency use" in a facility 
operation agreement to be concluded with affected municipalities. 
 
 
TOKYO 00006420  010 OF 010 
 
 
17) Asia diplomacy vision study group launched, 40 LDP lawmakers 
take part in it 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
November 8, 2006 
 
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers, including Koichi 
Kato and Taku Yamasaki, who place priority on Japan's foreign policy 
toward Asian countries, yesterday convened an inaugural meeting of a 
study group on Japan's "vision" of its Asia foreign and security 
policies. The formation of the group was decided during the LDP 
presidential campaign. The group initially seemed to have aimed at 
rallying together LDP lawmakers who do not favor Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe. But since Abe has taken a stance of placing his own 
emphasis on Asia by making trips to China and South Korea soon after 
assuming office, the group appears to have been neatly sidestepped. 
In order to blur the image of it being an anti-Abe group, the 
organizers tried to call on lawmakers belonging to the Machimura 
faction, from which Abe hailed, to join. As a result, the 
inauguration of the group failed to have a major impact. 
 
At the inaugural meeting, Kato was chosen chairman and Yamasaki a 
standing adviser. Yamasaki praised Abe, saying, "I greatly welcome 
that he was able to overcome the first critical phase," but he 
criticized former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, saying, "Japan 
has three foreign policy principles: placing importance on UN 
diplomacy; on the Japan-US alliance, and on being an Asian country. 
But Mr. Koizumi attached little importance to Asia diplomacy." 
 
The organizers came from all LDP factions except the Kono faction. 
They included Shinya Izumi, a Nikai faction member, who backed Abe 
in the party's presidential election. About 40 lawmakers took part 
in yesterday's meeting. The lineup of organizers appears to be aimed 
at emphasizing internal harmony, having switched tactics from an 
Aug. 24 meeting, in which members of the factions supporting Abe did 
not participate. 
 
In the statement revealed yesterday, the group sought to constrain 
the Yasukuni issue and noted that China and South Korea believe that 
the prime minister would not visit Yasukuni Shrine while he is in 
office. It went on to state that if he betrays them, there is a 
possibility that bilateral relations would return to again being 
"politically cool, economically hot." Regarding the fact that LDP 
Policy Research Council Chairman Shoichi Nakagawa and other official 
have advocated a debate on a nuclear option for Japan, the statement 
noted that there seems be a move to force a review of the three 
nonnuclear principles. The group underscored a stance against such a 
move. 
 
Yet a person closed to Kato said, "There is no need now to lock 
horns with Mr. Abe." Therefore, the challenge at present is for the 
group to have its say, while closely watching the prime minister's 
stances for the time being. 
 
SCHIEFFER