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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001615 
 
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 04/12/07 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Japanese, Chinese leaders agree on joint development of gas 
fields in East China Sea; Gap remains over choosing area; Japan 
cannot give in on median line 
 
(2) Key points in Diet speech by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao 
 
(3) Main points from the Japan-China joint statement on 
environmental protection cooperation 
 
(4) US CRS's report on "comfort women" issue: "No organized and 
coerced recruitment" 
 
(5) Upper House by-election in Okinawa: Candidates prioritizing 
livelihood-related matters as campaign issue: Military base issue 
too complicated 
 
(6) Editorial: Japan must demonstrate strong leadership in 
supporting Iraq 
 
(7) Koyusho column by Ikuo Kabashima, professor of law at University 
of Tokyo: My former university professor gave me a future 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Japanese, Chinese leaders agree on joint development of gas 
fields in East China Sea; Gap remains over choosing area; Japan 
cannot give in on median line 
 
ASAHI (Page 10) (Full) 
April 12, 2007 
 
Tokyo and Beijing have moved a step forward on the East China Sea 
gas field issue, a bottleneck in Japan-China relations, with the 
leaders of the two countries during a meeting yesterday reaching 
agreement that the two countries come up with specific measures for 
joint development by the fall. They also agreed to jointly develop 
oil fields in a relatively wide area of waters that are acceptable 
to both countries. Since it cannot be said that China has made a 
concession, it appears difficult to choose specific areas for 
development. 
 
Concerning gas fields, a joint press release noted that: (1) 
higher-level talks than before would be held; (2) joint development 
would be carried out in a relatively wide area; and (3) the two 
sides would aim at submitting a report this fall on specific 
measures for the envisaged joint development. This goes beyond the 
press release last year, which noted that ways to boost cooperation, 
firmly maintain a direction for joint development and settle the 
issue be searched out. 
 
Prime Minister Abe during the meeting told Wen, "I would like you to 
display special leadership so that the issue will have been settled 
by the time when we meet next time." Wen responded, "I would like to 
make efforts to settle the issue." 
 
The nitty-gritty of the problem is in which part of the open waters 
joint development should be carried out. The views of the two 
countries are at odds over this issue. Japan cannot afford to give 
in on carrying out joint development in waters straddling the 
Japan-China median line. However, the Chinese side did not make a 
compromise on this. A senior official of the Ministry of Economy, 
 
TOKYO 00001615  002 OF 009 
 
 
Trade and Industry (METI) complained that the words "wide areas" are 
meaningless. 
 
A Japanese government source said: "It would be impossible to reach 
a decision if waters for the joint development are specified. The 
words are difficult to understand, but they reflect resourcefulness 
of the two countries. It is half step forward to a settlement." The 
paper was completed two minutes before the summit meeting started, 
since both countries were unable to reach agreement on what words to 
adopt until the last moment. 
 
Harufumi Mochizuki, director general of the Resources and Energy 
Agency, pointed out, "Putting on hold territory or territorial 
waters is the most popular way of settling an issue on joint 
development of natural resources in the world." Japan and China will 
discuss specific areas for the planned joint development at the next 
bureau-director-level talks slated for May. However, a final 
decision will be left to top leaders to make as usual. 
 
Gas fields in the East China Sea are apparently not promising in 
economic terms. However, the same senior METI official insisted, "It 
has a significant meaning for natural resource-importing countries, 
such as Japan and China, to have gas fields in their own gardens, 
even if their reserves are small and it is costly to develop." 
Another senior official said, "It is a matter of honor." 
 
However, there is the possibility of a hard-line argument that Japan 
should start test-drilling gas fields, if Japan fails to win a 
concession as it wishes and joint development straddling the median 
line does not realize, gaining ground. 
 
The Lower House on Apr. 3 passed a bill for a basic law of the sea 
and a bill on the setting of safe water areas for maritime buildings 
(lawmaker-initiated legislation) and sent them to the Upper House. 
Those bills stipulate a ban on vessels from entering nearby waters, 
in the event where the Japanese side test-drills in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). 
 
(2) Key points in Diet speech by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, April 12, 2007 
 
If Prime Minister Abe's visit to China last October is labeled as a 
trip to break the ice, I hope that this visit will be deemed as a 
trip to melt the ice. 
 
In order for the two countries to strengthen friendly and 
cooperative bilateral relations, they need to summarize the lessons 
learned from their unfortunate history and keep such lessons in 
their mind. Their friendly ties were once severed in recent times 
because their sad, unfortunate events that lasted for 50-odd years. 
In the aggressive war waged by Japan against China, Chinese people 
suffered a serious calamity and numerous Chinese were killed or 
hurt. The positive experiences and negative lessons are both our 
valuable assets. We can learn more deeply and effectively through 
our past experiences and lessons. 
 
Only a few militarists should take the responsibility for the 
aggressive war, and Japanese people at large were also the victims 
of the war. 
 
There is an old saying that history serves as a mirror. This saying 
 
TOKYO 00001615  003 OF 009 
 
 
is intended to tell us that we should not continue to have a grudge 
but should try to open the way to a better future while keeping the 
lessons from history in mind. Since (China and Japan) normalized 
diplomatic ties, the Japanese government and leaders have repeatedly 
announced the nation's view about the history issue, officially 
recognizing its acts of aggression and expressing its remorse and 
apology. I have positively evaluated such a stance of Japan. I hope 
from the bottom of my heart that Japan will demonstrate what it 
expressed and promised by its actions. 
 
The leaders of the two countries agreed to build bilateral 
strategic, mutually beneficial relations. If both sides abide by the 
principles in the China-Japan joint statement and other two 
political documents, progress will be made in their relations. 
 
The Taiwan issue is sensitive enough to affect China's core 
benefits. We are strongly opposed to "legal independence of Taiwan" 
and any other independence moves by Taiwanese authorities. I hope 
Japan will acknowledge that the Taiwan issue is highly sensitive and 
cautiously deal with the issue while observing its promises. 
 
There are differences in both sides' interests and views about 
certain problems. Compared with the common interests shared by the 
two countries, such differences are minor. With respect to the 
dispute over the East China Sea, the two countries should lay aside 
the issue and make the East China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and 
cooperation. 
 
Bilateral cooperation in the economic area will serve to build 
mutually beneficial and win-win relations. Both countries' economic 
development will not pose a threat but provide a chance to each 
other. 
 
It is necessary for China and Japan to maintain the peace and 
stability of East Asia by strengthening bilateral coordination and 
cooperation. It is also imperative for them to work together in 
dealing with global-scale issues, such as energy security; 
environmental protection; climate change; prevention and control of 
diseases; antiterrorism; crack down on multinational crimes; and 
non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 
 
(3) Main points from the Japan-China joint statement on 
environmental protection cooperation 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
April 12, 2007 
 
Recognizing the regional characteristics of environmental problems 
and the urgency of such problems, especially those in East Asia, and 
believing it will contribute to building mutually beneficial 
strategic ties between the two countries, the governments of Japan 
and China have agreed to boost cooperation in the following areas: 
 
¶1. Enhancing efforts to protect drinking water resources. Preventing 
river pollution and cooperating in preventing water pollution, 
especially the basins of Bo Hai and Huang Hai. 
 
¶2. Making every effort for recycling wastes. Cooperating in 
collecting wastes and implementing a corporate environmental 
protection supervisor system. 
 
¶3. Implanting Japan-China acid rain and yellow sand monitoring 
networks with the aim of preventing air pollutants, especially 
 
TOKYO 00001615  004 OF 009 
 
 
sulfur dioxide and yellow sand. Transferring technologies, such as 
coal power plant denitration. 
 
¶4. Announcing a political resolve to make efforts to resolve climate 
change issues through international cooperation only under the 
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto 
Protocol. Actively taking part in the process of building effective 
frameworks in 2013 and beyond. Enhancing talks and cooperation on 
the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, 
promoting working-level cooperation, and continuing cooperation on 
the clean development mechanism project under the Kyoto Protocol. 
 
¶5. Building a cooperative mechanism in controlling and inspecting 
exports and imports of electrical and electronic wastes. Joining 
efforts for preventing wastes, including drifting wastes, from 
illicitly crossing borders with the aim of stopping cross-border 
environmental pollution. 
 
¶6. Giving positive assessments to the important roles played in 
afforestation by the Japan-China private-sector greening cooperation 
committee and other organizations. 
 
¶7. Actively promoting cooperation through Japan-China-South Korea 
environmental ministerial meetings, the regional environmental 
cooperation mechanism, and other means. 
 
¶8. Joining efforts in increasing public awareness and educating 
people about sustainable development and environmental protection. 
 
¶9. Affirming greater cooperation at the Japan-China joint 
environmental conservation committee and on policy dialogue. 
Conducting technical exchanges putting high priority on use and 
protection of intellectual property rights. 
 
¶10. Promoting the transfer of advanced environmental technologies 
and other matters by allowing the Japan-China Friendship 
Environmental Protection Center to play a greater role as the point 
of contact for environmental protection cooperation to make it a 
platform for transferring environmental protection technologies 
between the two countries. 
 
(4) US CRS's report on "comfort women" issue: "No organized and 
coerced recruitment" 
 
SANKEI (Page 6) (Full) 
April 12, 2007 
 
Yoshihisa Komori, Washington 
 
The US Congressional Research Service (CRS) has just issued a 
research report on Japan's "comfort women" issue in connection with 
House comfort women resolutions (Resolution 759 and Resolution 121). 
The report criticizes a series of statements by Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe as being contradictory, but on the principal question of 
whether there was "compulsory recruitment by the former Japanese 
Imperial Army," the report sides with the view that neither the 
military nor the government adopted a compulsory recruitment policy. 
Moreover, the report indicates skepticism about (Resolution 121 
introduced on Jan. 31, 2007, in the House of Representatives) 
calling on Japan to further apologize for former comfort women and 
expresses concern that if Japan is pressured to make compensation, 
Japan may claim compensation for victims of the atomic bombs. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001615  005 OF 009 
 
 
The report titled "Japanese Military's 'Comfort Women' System" 
produced by a specialist at the CSR as of April 3 consists of 23 
pages. 
 
On a major contention in the so-called "comfort women" issue of "the 
Japanese military's coerced recruitment of women," the report says: 
"The former Japanese military would not have directly taken part in 
recruitments, particularly on the Korean Peninsula," and takes the 
view that there was no organized, policy-based forced recruitments 
of comfort women that confirms (Resolution 759) which denounces 
Japan with this language "200,000 women were sexually enslaved by 
the Japanese military." 
 
However, the report criticizes Prime Minister Abe's and other 
government officials' statements denying forced recruitments as 
minimizing the major role played by the military in establishing and 
operating comfort stations and transporting and managing comfort 
women by emphasizing a denial of "recruitment" alone under the 
comfort women system. The report also points out that some 
statements could be taken to mean that there was no coerced 
recruitment by the military and that other statements are 
contradictory to testimonies by former comfort women, including the 
survey conducted by the Japanese government. It cites as a major 
ground for "coercion," Tanaka Yuki's English book "Japan's Comfort 
Women" published in both the United States and the United Kingdom in 
¶2002. 
 
On the other hand, the report details the Japanese government's 
efforts to offer apologies and compensation continued since the 
first half of the 1990s, for instance, by establishing the "Asian 
Women's Fund (AWF)." Portraying the AWF as a manifestation of the 
Japanese government's genuine effort to atone for and assist former 
comfort women," the report denounces the South Korean government for 
virtually threatening women not to receive atonement money from the 
AWF. Regarding compensation, the report particularly notes that it 
has been already settled by the signing of the peace treaty with 
Japan and through the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan 
and South Korea, saying that if other countries urge Japan now to 
make an official compensation, "there is the potential for Japanese 
to counter by demanding official US compensation for the US napalm 
bombings of Japanese cities in 1945 beginning with the massive Tokyo 
fire raid, which killed an estimated 80,000 or more Japanese and the 
atomic bombings." 
 
The House resolution urges the Japanese prime minister and 
government to apologize, but the report emphasizes the importance of 
the Kono Statement and apologies made by past prime ministers to 
recipients of atonement money from the AWF. Noting, "Critics state 
those actions are inadequate, but they have not detailed their 
reasons for considering them inadequate," the report makes it clear 
it is skeptical about calling for an apology. The resolution also 
calls on the Japanese Diet to adopt a resolution on apology, but the 
report points to an unrealistic aspect of the request of that kind, 
noting, "The possibility is very slim that that such a resolution 
would be approved." 
 
(5) Upper House by-election in Okinawa: Candidates prioritizing 
livelihood-related matters as campaign issue: Military base issue 
too complicated 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Slightly abridged) 
April 11, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00001615  006.2 OF 009 
 
 
Now that the first half of unified local elections is over, the 
focus of the ruling and opposition camps has shifted to two 
by-elections for the Upper House on Apr. 22. In particular, the 
Okinawa by-election is expected to be a neck-and-neck race. The 
result could determine the fate of the US forces' Futenma Air 
Station relocation issue. As such, both the ruling and opposition 
parties are geared up to win the race mobilizing party-head-level 
officials. However, with candidates focusing their campaign pledges 
on matters related to the daily lives of people instead of base 
issues, the election campaign has yet to heat up. 
 
Yoshimasa Karimata, the choice of the opposition camp, made 
street-corner campaign speeches in Henoko, Nago City, the relocation 
site for Futenma Air Station. 
 
Although he loudly proclaimed, "I am going to definitely oppose the 
construction of a military base in Henoko," the focus of his 
speeches so far has been the income disparity issue. He said: 
"Income disparity has widened under the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP)-New Komeito administration. It is said that the economy is 
booming, but the lives of residents in Okinawa are increasingly 
becoming more difficult. The income disparity issue is the largest 
campaign issue in the upcoming by-election." The base issue comes in 
ninth among his 10 policy pledges. 
 
Karimata, who is against the relocation of Futenma Air Station, is 
adopting such a strategy, based on the reflection that Keiko 
Itokazu, former Upper House member who was said to be the ace of 
renovationists, was defeated to Hirokazu Nakaima, as she stressed 
her opposition to US bases in the gubernatorial election last year. 
Given this outcome, the Karimata's camp judged that if he carries 
out an election campaign in the form of asking voters to choose 
between the economy and the US bases, voters would think that he is 
ignoring the importance of economic development, putting him at a 
disadvantage. 
 
Aiko Shimajiri, a candidate backed by the ruling camp, has already 
visited a number of isolated islands on stumping tours, which she 
started on Apr. 9. She is characterized as the first conservative 
female candidate in elections for national politics in Okinawa. 
Stressing that she is a housewife with four children, she is 
positively taking up in her campaign speeches issues that touch the 
lives of average people, such as assistance for child rearing. She 
has hardly touched on the base issue, and she has only slightly 
referred to economic development, an issue that is deeply related to 
the base issue. 
 
A staff member of her campaign headquarters said, "Unaffiliated 
voters are increasing in Okinawa, too. It would be easier for a 
female candidate with a weak name recognition to be accepted if she 
comes up with soft policies instead of giving difficult speeches." 
 
Both ruling and opposition parties' effort to bring up base issue 
proving futile 
 
Both candidates lack name recognition, since this is their first 
challenge to an election for national politics. They have yet to 
solidify their election bases. The ruling and opposition camps plan 
to assist their candidates, mobilizing eminent supporters. 
 
LDP Secretary General Nakagawa and New Komeito Secretary General 
Kazuo Kitagawa arrived in Okinawa on Apr. 5, when the election was 
officially announced. 
 
TOKYO 00001615  007.2 OF 009 
 
 
 
Senior officials of opposition parties, including Naoto Kan, acting 
head of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), attended a 
kick-off ceremony for Karimata's election campaign. DPJ head Ozawa 
also visited Okinawa and did his utmost to expand Karimata's support 
base, asking for cooperation from the mayors of four municipalities, 
including Yoichi Iha, mayor of Ginowan City. Ozawa plans to go to 
Okinawa again this weekend. 
 
Nakagawa stressed at a kick-off ceremony for Shimajiri on Apr 5, "We 
will create jobs in Okinawa, develop the economy, and eventually get 
the military bases to pull out." He made this speech, having in mind 
the final report on the realignment of US forces in Japan, which 
incorporated the transfer of Marines stationed in Okinawa to Guam. 
Ruling and opposition party lawmakers who went to Okinawa to give 
campaign speeches touched on issues other than US bases, as well. 
DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama, who visited Naha on the 8th, for 
instance opposed the relocation of Futenma Air Station, saying, "Is 
it all right to reclaim such a beautiful sea?" 
 
However, since their speeches on the base issue are on divergent 
lines with the strategies of the election headquarters of their 
candidates, the issue has not yet become a major campaign issue. 
 
(6) Editorial: Japan must demonstrate strong leadership in 
supporting Iraq 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 11, 2007 
 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, now visiting Japan, and Prime 
Minister Shinzo Abe reached an agreement that the two countries 
would aim to build a long-term strategic partnership. Iraq continues 
to be in a chaotic situation. All the more because it is in such a 
situation, it is important for Japan to cooperate with continued 
reconstruction assistance to that country. 
 
Recently prominent Iraqi figures visited Japan in succession. Vice 
President Tariq al-Hashimi came to Tokyo in late March, followed by 
a group of 13 parliamentarians headed by National Dialogue Minister 
Akram al-Hakim. Japan-Iraq relations have gradually expanded. 
 
Abe told Maliki: "The stability of Iraq is indispensable for the 
international community and it matches Japan's national interests." 
It is true that a chaotic national situation has brought much 
suffering to Iraqis, but it also has increasingly destabilized the 
entire Middle East and even affected the rest of the world, such as 
by spreading terrorism. 
 
Japan relies on the Middle East for about 90% of its crude oil 
imports. In the Middle East, Iraq is a major oil producer and Iraq's 
crude oil reserves rank third in the world. The country's stability 
is directly linked to Japan's energy security. 
 
Japan has supported Iraq by dispatching its Self-Defense Forces 
troops, as well as providing the country with economic cooperation. 
Japan withdrew its Ground Self-Defense Force personnel from Iraq 
last July. Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) has continued its 
mission in the form of transporting personnel and relief goods. 
 
Abe conveyed to Maliki his cabinet's decision to extend the Iraq 
Special Measures Law two year beyond its expiration date in July. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001615  008 OF 009 
 
 
In a press conference yesterday, Maliki expressed his appreciation 
for SDF operations. In order to have the ASDF troops continue their 
mission, it is necessary to extend the special measures law. 
 
The government has decided to provide Iraq with official development 
assistance (ODA) worth about 5 billion dollars. It has also accepted 
Iraq's request for debt reduction of 6 billion dollars. Abe conveyed 
to Maliki in the meeting this time around that Japan would extend 
yen loans for repairing crude oil export facilities and for other 
purposes. At an opportune time, the Japanese government should 
increase ODA achievements. 
 
For Iraq, the deterioration of public law and order has been its 
biggest problem. The the northern part of Iraq, inhabited by the 
Kurds, and southern Iraq are relatively safe. In Baghdad and the 
central Iraq, car bombs and suicide terrorist attacks continue 
endlessly. 
 
In early May, a cabinet minister-level international conference will 
be held in Egypt to discuss measures to stabilize Iraq. Japan will 
take part in that international conference. We hope to see 
achievements there so that Iraq can be stabilized. 
 
(7) Koyusho column by Ikuo Kabashima, professor of law at University 
of Tokyo: My former university professor gave me a future 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 36) (Full) 
April 7, 2007 
 
What I am now, I owe to one kind American. 
 
After graduating from high school, I worked at an agricultural 
cooperative in Kumamoto Prefecture where I was born. 
 
Dreaming of someday running a ranch, I applied for an agricultural 
training session in the United States. I spent all my time taking 
care of livestock for 18 months. During the 18-month training 
session, I spent three months at the University of Nebraska for 
technical training. Thinking that studying would be an easier life 
than farming, I decided to return to the university. 
 
Later, with one-way air ticket in my hand, I again visited the US. 
While working as an interpreter for my fellow trainees, I took the 
entrance exam for the University of Nebraska, but failed. Seeing me 
in the depths of despair, one of the teachers, Joe Hudson, 
negotiated personally with the college official in charge of the 
entrance exam. Hudson was around 40 years of age at that time. He 
was working as a lecturer for the training program at the 
university, while writing his doctoral thesis. I worked as an 
interpreter in his training session. 
 
Hudson negotiated with the exam official, arguing, "You should give 
a chance to the student who is willing to study." So I was 
unofficially allowed to study at the college. I studied hard and got 
good results in all the first semester's exams. Fortunately, I was 
able to get a scholarship. I then brought over my fiance to 
Nebraska, and we got married there. Hudson walked down the aisle 
with my fiance. 
 
I seldom give a failing mark to my students because I want to bet on 
their potential, just as Hudson did for me. Hudson worked at an 
agricultural cooperative in Kansas City, but I haven't heard from 
him for some time. I have yet to keep my promise that if I were to 
 
TOKYO 00001615  009 OF 009 
 
 
succeed, I would invite him to Japan. 
 
DONOVAN