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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001564 
 
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:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/10/07 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Poll on Japan's Constitution (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Confidence-building for "strategic reciprocity" through frank 
dialogue, exchanges of views 
 
(3) Japan-China poll: 90% see need to strengthen friendships between 
Japan, China, US; 40% hope for better ties between Japan, China 
 
(4) College poll in Japan, China: Students first seek to display 
capability at work; Job security comes next in Japan, high earnings 
weighed in China 
 
(5) Editorial: MSDF leak of Aegis intelligence -- Is this an 
organization to rely on for national defense? 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Poll on Japan's Constitution (Yomiuri) 
 
YOMIURI (Pages 15) (Full) 
April 6, 2007 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: What's your interest in the Constitution of Japan? If there's 
anything you are particularly interested in, pick as many as you 
like from among those listed below. 
 
The Emperor and imperial household 
20.4 
Japan's war renunciation, Self-Defense Forces 
48.4 
Equality, discrimination 
15.9 
Freedom of speech, press, and all other forms of expression 
11.7 
Information disclosure 
15.3 
Privacy protection 
16.7 
The right to live in peace, social welfare 
22.3 
Environmental disruption 
29.8 
The rights to assemble, demonstrate, and strike 
1.8 
Electoral system 
11.8 
The right of access to the courts 
14.9 
Official visits to Yasukuni Shrine 
20.0 
Constitutional revision 
18.1 
Separation of the three powers of administration, legislation, and 
judicature 
3.2 
Local autonomy 
14.1 
The Diet's bicameral system 
 
TOKYO 00001564  002 OF 009 
 
 
6.3 
The process and background of establishing the Constitution 
5.6 
Other answers (O/A) + nothing in particular (NIP) + no answer (N/A) 
 
13.7 
 
Q: Do you think it would be better to amend the Constitution? 
 
Yes       46.2 
No        39.1 
N/A       14.7 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) 
Why? Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed 
below. 
 
Because it's a US-imposed constitution                   30.2 
In order to expressly stipulate Japan's right of self-defense and 
the existence of the Self-Defense Forces             27.2 
Because there are too many cases claiming rights while neglecting 
obligations                                   21.1 
Because the conventional way of reading or applying the 
Constitution's provisions would lead to confusion if and when there 
is a need to meet situational changes              31.9 
Because Japan is expected to make international contributions, and 
there are also various challenges Japan cannot meet under its 
present-day constitution.                            47.6 
O/A                                                       2.6 
N/A                                                       1.5 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) 
When would you like the Constitution to be amended? Pick only one 
from among those listed below. 
 
Within 3 years       50.7 
Within 5 years       24.8 
Within 10 years       6.7 
O/A                   1.2 
NIP                  12.9 
N/A                   3.6 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Why? 
Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed below. 
 
Because the Constitution has already taken root in the nation 
 
44.1 
Because the Constitution is of a pacifist nature, Japan can be proud 
of it 
46.9 
Because the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and 
democracy 
22.8 
Because the Constitution can be interpreted or applied in a flexible 
way with the change of the times 
19.7 
Because revising the Constitution may pave the way for Japan to turn 
into a military power 
32.1 
O/A 
0.7 
N/A 
 
TOKYO 00001564  003 OF 009 
 
 
2.2 
 
Q: The Constitution's Article 9 stipulates that Japan renounces war 
and will never maintain any war potential. The government has so far 
responded to relevant problems with its interpretation and 
application of the article. What do you think the government should 
do about Article 9 from now on? Pick only one from among those 
listed below. 
 
The government should continue with its interpretation and operation 
of Article 9 
35.8 
The government's conventional way of responding to problems with its 
constitutional interpretation and operation has now reached its 
limit, so Article 9 should be amended 
35.7 
The government should strictly abide by Article 9 and should not 
respond to problems via interpretation or operation 
20.0 
O/A 
0.2 
N/A 
8.3 
 
Q: The Constitution's Article 9 has two paragraphs. The first 
paragraph stipulates Japan's war renunciation. Do you think this 
paragraph should be amended? 
 
Yes       14.0 
No        80.3 
N/A        5.7 
 
 
Q: The second paragraph in Article 9 stipulates Japan's maintenance 
of no war potential. Do you think this paragraph should be amended? 
 
Yes       38.1 
No        54.1 
N/A        7.8 
 
Q: The government has been taking the position that although Japan 
has the right to collective self-defense, the Constitution does not 
allow Japan to exercise this right. What do you think about this? 
Pick only one that is closest to your opinion from among those 
listed below. 
 
The Constitution should be amended so that Japan can exercise the 
right of collective self-defense       20.8 
The Constitution should be reinterpreted so that Japan can exercise 
the right of collective self-defense       20.6 
Japan should continue as it has done and need not be allowed to use 
the right of collective self-defense       50.0 
O/A       0.1 
N/A       8.5 
 
Q: The Constitution stipulates the Diet shall consist of two houses, 
namely the House of Representatives (lower chamber) and the House of 
Councillors (upper chamber). There are various arguments about this 
bicameral parliamentary system. Pick only one that is closest to 
your opinion. 
 
The Diet should change its bicameral-chamber system to the 
unicameral-chamber system       21.8 
 
TOKYO 00001564  004 OF 009 
 
 
The bicameral-chamber system should be maintained, and the House of 
Representatives' role and authority should be strengthened 
7.9 
The bicameral-chamber system should be maintained, and the House of 
Councillors' role and authority should be strengthened       18.7 
The Diet should maintain its current two-chamber system as is 
44.2 
O/A       0.7 
N/A       6.7 
 
Q: If there's anything you think it would be better to revise in the 
Constitution or add to the Constitution, pick as many as you like 
from among those listed below. 
 
The Emperor's status                                       15.0 
Japan's maintenance of armed forces for self-defense       23.2 
Proactive international cooperation                        23.3 
Right to access government information                     17.8 
Privacy protection                                         21.4 
Respect for family                                         13.3 
The right to live in a good environment                    25.3 
The prime minister's strengthened powers to deal with emergencies, 
etc.                                          12.5 
The lower and upper houses' respective roles               11.8 
Central and local government roles                         21.9 
Establishment of a constitutional court                     4.2 
O/A                                                         0.1 
NIP                                                        23.8 
N/A                                                         4.1 
 
Q: This May marks the 60th anniversary of the Constitution since it 
came into effect. What do you think about the Constitution and its 
role played in Japanese society? 
 
Appreciate very much            37.9 
Appreciate somewhat             46.8 
Don't appreciate very much       7.8 
Don't appreciate at all          2.2 
N/A                              5.4 
 
Q: There is an opinion saying Japan has maintained peace and 
achieved economic growth under its present-day constitution. Do you 
agree to this opinion? 
 
Yes       86.5 
No        10.1 
N/A        3.4 
 
Q: There is an opinion saying Japan remains unable to make 
sufficient contributions to international peace cooperation 
activities under its present-day constitution because its people are 
concerned about Japan's peace only. Do you agree to this opinion? 
 
Yes       37.5 
No        56.8 
N/A        5.7 
 
Q: There is an opinion saying the idea of respecting individual 
freedoms and rights has now taken root. Do you agree to this 
opinion? 
 
Yes       66.3 
No        27.6 
 
TOKYO 00001564  005 OF 009 
 
 
N/A        6.1 
 
Q: There is an opinion saying people now neglect the public good as 
a result of respecting individual freedoms and rights. Do you agree 
to this opinion? 
 
Yes       48.0 
No        41.4 
N/A       10.7 
 
Q: There will be an election this summer for the House of 
Councillors. When you choose a candidate and a political party to 
vote for, do you factor in their views about the Constitution? 
 
Yes                   40.7 
No                    28.7 
Can't way which       27.5 
N/A                    3.2 
 
Polling methodology 
Date of survey: March 17-18. 
Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible 
voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified 
two-stage random-sampling basis). 
Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face 
interviews. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,741 persons (58.0% ) 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-49%, female-51% ; persons in their 
20s-11%, 30s-16%, 40s-16%, 50s-20%, 60s-21%, 70 and over-16% ; big 
cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated cities)-22%, 
major cities (with a population of more than 300,000)-18%, 
medium-size cities (with a population of more than 100,000)-25%, 
small cities (with a population of less than 100,000)-23%, towns and 
villages-12%. 
 
(2) Confidence-building for "strategic reciprocity" through frank 
dialogue, exchanges of views 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 9) (Slightly abridged) 
April 10, 2007 
 
Nobumichi Izumi 
 
Japan and China will hold a summit meeting in Tokyo after a hiatus 
of six and a half years, but the real leading actor in the meeting 
would be North Korea. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's Premier 
Wen Jiabao will meet tomorrow, April 11, while North Korea will open 
its Supreme People's Assembly (equivalent to Japan's parliament) in 
Pyongyang that day. The Supreme People's Assembly will take place at 
this time of year. Western media are likely to report on the Abe-Wen 
talks in the context of North Korea's nuclear issue instead of 
"strategic, reciprocal relations" between Japan and China. 
 
It may not have been a mere coincidence that North Korea tested its 
nuclear device the day after Abe and Chinese President Hu Jintao 
agreed in the first Japan-China summit in five years in Beijing on 
Oct. 8 last year to aim for "strategic reciprocity." The fact that 
Tokyo and Beijing were coming closer to each other should have 
irritated Pyongyang, which is dependent on China for its lifelines, 
such as energies. 
 
As a matter of course, North Korea, including the issue of 
abductions of Japanese citizens by North Koreans, will be among key 
 
TOKYO 00001564  006 OF 009 
 
 
subjects of discussions in the upcoming Japan-China summit talks 
slated for tomorrow. In order to resolve that issue, Japan and China 
need to build a trust relationship. "Using the opportunity of 
Premier Wen's visit to Japan, we must flesh out the strategic, 
reciprocal relations so that China-Japan relations will not slide 
back," Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi said. He called on the 
Lower House speaker and the Upper House president and set the stage 
for Wen to deliver a speech before the Japanese Diet as the first 
Chinese premier. 
 
In addition to the North Korean issue, the two countries share the 
common subjects described by this buzzword: "the environment and 
energies." Whether the issue of developing gas fields in the East 
China Sea will make progress is drawing attention at present. Ahead 
of his tour of Japan, Wen told a press briefing in Beijing: "I 
believe that we can resolve the issue in a peaceful manner and turn 
the East Chine Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation, and 
friendship." 
 
Wen describes Abe's visit to China last October that broke the 
stalled relations with Japan as a "trip to break the ice" and his 
own trip to Japan this time as a "trip to thaw the ice." If he were 
to pave the way for resolving the pending issue of gas-field 
development during his stay in Japan, his trip to Japan would become 
a symbol of strategic reciprocity. Also, his trip to Japan would 
serve as an occasion to thaw the icy relations between Japan and 
China that have continued since former Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine while he was in power. 
 
"I was born to a family of educators living in a farm village and 
experienced the disturbance of war in my childhood." This remark 
came from Wen during his first press briefing after taking office as 
premier in March 2003. 
 
Wen's parents live in a suburb of Tianjin City. The area around his 
home and an elementary school built by his grandfather were 
reportedly burned down by the former Imperial Japanese Army during 
the war. It is easily conceivable that Wen has mixed feelings toward 
Japan. 
 
After the war. Wen went to the famous Nankai High School in Tianjin 
and enjoyed playing baseball. 
 
Wen hopes to play baseball with college students and others in Kyoto 
on April 13. Wen's last visit to Japan was 15 years ago, but Wen is 
not well known to the Japanese public. We hope to see Wen engage in 
frank dialogue and exchange of views in his series of events here in 
Japan in order to promote mutual understanding at the 
grassroots-level and build confidence between the two countries, 
beyond love and hate. 
 
(3) Japan-China poll: 90% see need to strengthen friendships between 
Japan, China, US; 40% hope for better ties between Japan, China 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 8, 2007 
 
Ahead of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan from 
April 11, the Yomiuri Shimbun and Oriental Outlook Weekly-a weekly 
journal published by China's Xinhua News Agency-conducted a joint 
survey to probe the attitudes of university students in Japan and 
China. According to findings from the survey, the greater part of 
respondents both in Japan and in China thought that Japan-China 
 
TOKYO 00001564  007 OF 009 
 
 
relations were in "bad" shape. However, those thinking Japan, China, 
and the United States should strengthen their respective friendships 
accounted for about 90% both in Japan and in China. 
 
The survey, planned by the Yomiuri Weekly and Oriental Outlook 
Weekly, was conducted in late March. In Japan, college students were 
polled on the Internet, and answers were obtained from a total of 
1,020 persons. In China, a questionnaire form was distributed to 
college students, and a total of 987 persons responded to the 
survey. 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought Japan, China, 
and the United States should bolster their respective friendly 
relations for peace and stability in Asia. In response to this 
question, 89% answered "yes" in Japan, with 91% giving the same 
answer in China. 
 
Asked about the current state of Japan-China relations, "bad" views 
totaled 84% in Japan and 90% in China. "Good" views totaled 11% in 
Japan and 6% in China. 
 
In Japan, there are bad feelings over China's territorial claim to 
the Senkaku islets and its gas exploitation projects in the East 
China Sea. In addition, there is still a strong impression in Japan 
of anti-Japanese demonstrations that occurred in China about two 
years ago. In China, there were repercussions from history issues 
and former Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. In 
both countries, students took a severe view of current Japan-China 
relations. 
 
However, 37% in Japan and 38% in China thought Japan-China relations 
would change for the better, with 42% in Japan and 41% in China 
saying the relations would remain the same. As seen from these 
figures, there were also expectations for better ties between the 
two countries. Meanwhile, 13% in Japan and 20% in China thought 
Japan-China relations would change for the worse. 
 
Respondents were also asked if they expected Japan-China relations 
to change for the better with Prime Minister Wen's visit to Japan. 
In response to this question, "yes" accounted for 59% in China and 
32% in Japan. 
 
(4) College poll in Japan, China: Students first seek to display 
capability at work; Job security comes next in Japan, high earnings 
weighed in China 
 
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full) 
April 8, 2007 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun and Oriental Outlook Weekly-a weekly journal 
published by China's Xinhua News Agency-conducted a joint survey of 
Japanese and Chinese university students to probe their attitudes. 
In the survey, respondents were asked what they considered to be 
important in their sense of purpose when they get jobbed in the 
future. For this question, Japanese students were asked to pick only 
one from among given choices, with Chinese students allowed to check 
all that apply. In response to this question, 52% in Japan and 47% 
in China sought to "display my competence and capability at work," 
topping all other answers in both countries. Among other answers, 
32% chose "stability" in Japan, with 27% weighing "high earnings" in 
China. In Japan, there are many students seeking to have their 
future jobs and employment status secured. Meanwhile, Chinese 
students seem to be strongly eager for high earnings with their 
 
TOKYO 00001564  008 OF 009 
 
 
potential exploitation of opportunities to change jobs or start a 
business. 
 
In the survey, respondents were also asked what kind of job they 
would like to get (for only one choice in Japan and multiple choices 
in China). To this question, 29% in Japan and 34% in China answered 
that they would like to get a job with a business firm, topping all 
other answers in both countries. Among other answers, 28% in Japan 
said they would like to become professionals like a doctor or a 
lawyer, with 24% in China preferring to become corporate executives. 
As seen from these figures, Japanese and Chinese students differed 
in their job awareness. Those seeking to become a government 
employee accounted for 12% in Japan and 18% in China. This answer 
ranked third both in Japan and in China. 
 
In addition, respondents were further asked if they could expect 
themselves to be well off in 10 years. In Japan, "yes" accounted for 
55%. In China, however, "yes" totaled 92%. Youths in China, now a 
rapidly growing economy, seem to be upbeat on the way ahead. 
 
What do you want to consider most important in your sense of purpose 
when you get jobbed in the future? 
 
                                          Japan      China 
Display my competence and capability       51.7       47.1 
Stability                                  31.7       15.9 
Get high earnings                          10.2       26.8 
National, social development                4.5       13.0 
Get high social standing                    2.0        7.3 
 
(5) Editorial: MSDF leak of Aegis intelligence -- Is this an 
organization to rely on for national defense? 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
April 6, 2007 
 
We have doubts about the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) being 
an organization to rely on for national defense. We have never seen 
such a sloppy system for controlling classified information! 
 
It has been discovered that a Maritime Self-Defense Force petty 
officer 2nd class, a crewmember of a destroyer, took home 
intelligence describing the Aegis vessel. Kanagawa Prefectural 
Police and the MSDF Criminal Investigation Unit are now 
investigating the case. 
 
There are many unclear points about the case, such as how the 
intelligence leaked out. Under the Japan-US Mutual Defense 
Assistance Agreement, top-secret intelligence on the capabilities of 
defense equipment is classified as "special defense secrets." 
Kanagawa police believe the data on the Aegis ships fall into that 
category. It is unusual for the police and the MSDF to break down 
the turf barrier between them and conduct a joint investigation. 
They need to thoroughly clear this matter up. 
 
In connection with an investigation of the seaman's Chinese wife, 
who was arrested on suspicion of illegal overstay, the police in 
January searched the petty officer's home and confiscated a hard 
disk. The disk contained secret data on the Aegis destroyer's radar 
performances and missile defense system. 
 
An Aegis is a destroyer known to have the best defense capabilities 
in the world. The vessel plays a central role in the missile defense 
 
TOKYO 00001564  009 OF 009 
 
 
system. The MSDF has now five Aegis destroyers. The United States 
has provided the Aegis' defense system to Japan. 
 
It is necessary to analyze the leaked intelligence in detail. The 
scandal could have a serious effect on Japan's trust relationship 
with the United States. If the information falls into the hands of 
other countries, the security of Japan would be threatened. 
 
When the Aegis defense system was updated in 1998, a MSDF petty 
officer third class in charge of maintaining and managing the system 
likely made the information files for internal use in order to 
explain the capabilities of the new system to senior officials and 
educate officers in charge of it. 
 
The petty officer second class reportedly told the police that the 
date on the Aegis system was included in a disc in which he copied 
obscene pictures from his colleague's personal computer. Another 
officer also reportedly received the same information. How in the 
world has MSDF controlled classified files? 
 
The information could be leaked widely. Although the police say that 
there is no evidence that the information went to a third person or 
overseas, this is not a matter to reach such a conclusion so 
easily. 
 
Not only the MSDF but also the Defense Ministry, as well, has had a 
number of intelligence-leakage scandals. Whenever such a scandal 
came up, authorities could have reviewed their information 
management systems and tightened discipline. 
 
There seems to be systematic laxity in the control of defense 
secrets and a lack of awareness of the importance of such controls. 
 
SIPDIS 
Japan and the United States are aiming to sign a general security 
agreement on military intelligence in order to prevent secret data 
from being transferred to third countries. This would be a good 
chance to review what substantial measures are needed to prevent a 
recurrence. 
 
Japan does not have an espionage law to protect national and defense 
secrets that other countries normally have. The government should 
 
SIPDIS 
look into what legal measures may also be needed. 
 
SCHIEFFER