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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4035

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001780 
 
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 04/23/07-2 
 
US-Japan summit meeting run-up: 
10) Prime Minister Abe prior to US trip gives interview to Western 
media admitting Japan's responsibility for comfort-women issue 
11) Abe to announce at US summit financial cooperation for Afghan 
border reconstruction 
 
12) High on agenda of US-Japan summit will be consideration to 
negotiating, signing an FTA 
13) President Bush goes into summit with Abe with fond memories of 
"close friend" Koizumi 
14) Abe tells abductee families that he will bring up abduction 
issue with President Bush at their summit meeting 
 
15) LDP policy chief Shoichi Nakagawa seeks domestic legislation 
that would brand North Korea a "terrorist state" 
 
16) Japan-South Korea history study group to meet on April 27 after 
1 year 10 months 
 
Defense and security issues: 
17) Defense Minister Kyuma is considering speeding up deployment of 
missile defense system, aimed at erasing growing distrust of Japan 
in USG 
18) Kyuma will ask US to provide F-22 information as prelude toward 
eventual purchase of aircraft 
19) Japan's purchase of F-22s would require US congressional 
approval 
20) SDF allocating 85.4 billion yen for continued ASDF dispatch to 
Iraq 
21) LDP to establish panel to look into creation of tough secrets 
protection law 
 
Beef issue: 
22) Unclear whether apparent new US flexibility on beef issue will 
result in breakthrough in stalemate between US, Japan 
 
Articles: 
 
10) Prime Minister Abe gives interview to US media, expressing 
"Japan's responsibility" for comfort-women issue; Study of right to 
collective self-defense linked to awareness of China 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
Eve., April 21, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Abe, prior to his visit to the United States starting 
April 26, gave an interview to the Western media in which he 
apologized for the wartime comfort women, saying, "I feel extremely 
sorry" about the issue, adding that it was "Japan's responsibility." 
He also revealed that the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance has 
in mind a response to China's expanding military spending. 
 
On the issue of the wartime comfort women, the prime minister at the 
beginning of last month denied there was "coercion in the narrow 
sense," which means direct military involvement in such acts as the 
forced recruitment of the women. This remark brought about a sharp 
reaction in the US. By clearly expressing his "apology" and 
"(Japan's) responsibility" through the US media, the prime minister 
aims to assuage the reactions in the US. 
 
The prime minister stated: "As a human being, I sympathize from the 
bottom of my heart with those persons who were comfort women at that 
 
TOKYO 00001780  002 OF 009 
 
 
time. As the prime minister of Japan, I feel tremendously sorry that 
they were placed in such a situation." He then added: "The 20th 
Century was an era in which human rights were transgressed all over 
the world. Japan, too, bears a responsibility and is no exception. I 
feel a responsibility for the extremely painful memories they hold 
for having been comfort women." 
 
On the other hand, the prime minister, turning to China's rapidly 
rising military spending, pointed out: "Japan is not thinking of 
increasing its military spending to match that of China. But there 
is need to make the Japan-US alliance even more effective and 
stronger." He pointed out: "On the relationship with the 
Constitution, as well, we have to carry out a study for that purpose 
-- as study regarding the use of the right of collective 
self-defense." He indicated that the study itself had China in 
mind. 
 
In addition, he noted: "I would like to carry out a study of the 
interpretation from the point of view of what we can do as our own 
contribution to the world." He made it clear that a change in the 
government's interpretation of the ban of the use of collective 
self-defense was one option. 
 
The prime minister's interview occurred in his official residence 
(Kantei) on April 17 in response to questions from the Wall Street 
Journal and Newsweek. 
 
11) Afghan border: Prime Minister to pledge financial cooperation 
for reconstruction during upcoming Japan-US summit 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 22, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Abe has decided to announce during the upcoming 
Japan-US summit to be held on Apr. 27 in Washington the government's 
decision to offer financial cooperation for the reconstruction of 
Pakistan's area that borders on Afghanistan as an indirect 
assistance to the US operation to mop up the Taliban, Islamic 
fundamentalists' organization. As a measure for the time being, 
coordination will be made for the provision of several billion yen. 
Abe will reaffirm the Japan-US alliance in the global context by 
directly conveying his support for the fight against terrorism to 
President Bush. 
 
The area the reconstruction aid will cover is an autonomous area 
called the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) spreading 
along Pakistan's northeastern boundary with Afghanistan. Refugees 
have flown into this area, where drug smuggling is active, in the 
wake of the Taliban mopping-up operations since the terrorist 
attacks on the US in 2001. Taliban remnants are making active 
attacks on US forces in Afghanistan. 
 
Seeing the delay in economic development in the border area is one 
factor for the slow Taliban mopping-up operations, the US government 
has asked Japan to provide financial cooperation for the 
reconstruction of that area. The prime minister intends to convey to 
the US side during the meeting Japan's plan to offer economic 
cooperation to the private sector, including the improvement of 
school facilities. 
 
This will be Abe's first visit to the US since he took office as 
prime minister. During the upcoming meeting, the two countries are 
 
TOKYO 00001780  003 OF 009 
 
 
expected to reconfirm their intention to strengthen bilateral 
tie-ups on North Korea's nuclear issue and Iraqi reconstruction, as 
well as to agree to speed up the realignment of US forces in Japan. 
 
12) Japan-US FTA to top agenda of upcoming summit: US-ROK pact spurs 
policy change 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Full) 
April 21,2007 
 
It was learned on Apr. 20 that Tokyo and Washington have begun final 
coordination of views for Prime Minister Abe and President Bush 
during their summit in Washington on the 27th to take up a free 
trade agreement (FTA) scrapping tariffs on bilateral trade and 
confirming the issue as a future agenda item, according to a 
government source. This will be the first time for the two countries 
to take up a bilateral FTA at a summit. 
 
The aim is to pave the way for formal talks on the issue in the 
future by characterizing an FTA as a key economic agenda item 
between the two countries. Tokyo has been cautious about the idea of 
signing an FTA with the US out of consideration for opposition from 
domestic agricultural organizations. However, it has changed its 
stance due to a growing sense of crisis that Japan would be left 
behind following the US-South Korea agreement in April to sign an 
FTA. 
 
The move of the world's two largest economies to sign an FTA will 
likely have an impact on the world's free trade system 
 
The governments of the two countries have already started working 
out agenda items for the summit. The meeting is expected to focus on 
the issue of totally removing a ban on US beef and the protection of 
intellectual property rights in the economic area. They will also 
confirm their determination for an early settlement of new 
multilateral trade talks (Doha Round) at the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) as well as to make a public appeal on their 
intention to develop closer economic relations by referring to the 
FTA issue. 
 
However, Japan's agricultural sector is strongly opposed to an FTA 
with the US, fearing a possible influx of agricultural products, 
impeding domestic coordination of views. The Abe administration will 
position the matter as a bilateral issue at the summit, but it will 
not give full consideration to such a possibility until the second 
half of this year out of consideration for its impact on the Upper 
House election in July. 
 
13) "My close friend is 'Prime Minister' Koizumi," says President 
Bush, who appears to have a strong image of Koizumi even now 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
Hiroshi Maruya, Washington 
 
"One of my best friends in the international community is the prime 
minister of Japan. Prime Minister Koizumi has been a partner for 
peace efforts," President Bush emphasized in a speech on April 19. 
 
This remark highlighted that the president still had the strong 
image of Junichiro Koizumi. Given this, how to build a personal 
 
TOKYO 00001780  004 OF 009 
 
 
relationship of trust with the president is a challenge for Prime 
Minister Shinzo Abe, who is to travel to the United States from 
April 26. 
 
In the speech, Bush said Japan and the US were enemies at one point 
but after the war, Japan has become a democratic nation. This sort 
of remark has been Bush's favorite phrase. 
 
In that speech, Bush failed to call Koizumi "former" prime minister, 
although until recently since last September, when Abe came to 
power, Bush had stated, "I had talks with then Prime Minister 
Koizumi" or "the former prime minister, who no longer lives in the 
Prime Minister's Official Residence." 
 
14) Abduction issue to be discussed at Japan-US summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 23, 2007 
 
During a luncheon yesterday with members of the Association of the 
Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea at a hotel, Prime 
Minister Abe said, "I'd like to discuss with President Bush how 
important it is to resolve the abduction issue," revealing his 
intention to seek America's cooperation during the upcoming Japan-US 
summit to take place during his stay in the United States starting 
on April 26. Abe also indicated his intention to continue to address 
the issue imperatively, saying, "The abduction issue is an 
international human rights issue. All the countries must address it. 
I will undertake it with utmost efforts in the future as well." 
 
The luncheon was hosted by the prime minister and joined by the 
association's members, Shigeru Yokota and his wife, and also family 
members of abduction victims from South Korea and Thailand. The 
association members asked Abe "to convey our desire to President 
Bush that North Korea should not be removed from the list of state 
sponsors of terrorism." 
 
Afterwards, Abe attended the "National Rally Calling for the 
Immediate Return of All Abductees" held in Tokyo and addressed 
before the audience: "No diplomatic normalization will come without 
the resolution of the abduction issue. This is our cabinet's firm 
stance." In the same gathering, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki 
said: "(The abduction issue) will be discussed at the upcoming Group 
of Eight major industrialized nations summit conference in 
Germany." 
 
15) LDP's Shoichi Nakagawa want to enact law "making it possible to 
declare North Korea a terrorist state" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
April 23, 2007 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Policy Research Chairman Shoichi 
Nakagawa, speaking on April 22 in Tokyo at an assembly gathered to 
discuss the abduction issue, stated, "I would like to enact a law 
that would designate a country like North Korea a terrorist 
(supporting) state." He indicated that he was thinking of aiming at 
amending the North Korea Human Rights Law this Diet session. 
According to a senior party official, the outlook would not be for 
including specific sanctions contents but for "making a symbolic 
amendment that makes a statement." 
 
 
TOKYO 00001780  005 OF 009 
 
 
16) Japan, South Korea likely to resume joint history study for 
first time in 22 months; Meeting of panel chairs to take place on 
April 27 in Seoul 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
Kaname Fukuda, Seoul 
 
A meeting leading to a second round of joint history study between 
the governments of Japan and South Korea will be held on April 27 in 
Seoul, the Tokyo Shimbun learned. The two governments made such a 
move for the first time in one year and 10 months since they 
compiled a report in the first round meeting. The resumption of the 
second round was delayed due to the worsening of bilateral 
relations. 
 
According to those involved, the April 27 meeting will be attended 
by Yasushi Toriumi, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, 
from the Japanese side, and Koryo University Prof. Cho Kwan from the 
South Korean side. The two chairmen of the joint study will exchange 
views on the contents of items for future discussion, the procedure 
of study, and the composition of study group members. 
 
The holding of the joint history study was agreed on at the 
bilateral summit meeting in 2001 in order to repair bilateral 
relations, which had deteriorated over the contents of certain 
history textbooks in Japan. An experts' panel from the two countries 
was set up in 2002. The panel compiled its first report in June 
¶2005. 
 
The  second round had been expected to take place before the end of 
2005, but it was put off due to deteriorated bilateral ties caused 
by then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni 
Shrine. The Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers agreed in 
their meetings held from March to April to hold the chairmen's 
meeting so that the joint study session could be resumed as early as 
possible. 
 
17) Kyuma to seek early deployment of MD system in 2+2; Elimination 
of US distrust also eyed 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 21, 2007 
 
During the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee of foreign and 
defense ministers (2+2) meeting in Washington on May 1, the 
government intends to seek an implementation of the missile defense 
(MD) system ahead of original schedule. Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma 
revealed this policy direction in an interview to the Nihon Keizai 
Shimbun on April 20. Kyuma also expressed his desire to wipe away 
Washington's sense of distrust in Tokyo caused by his remarks 
critical of the Iraq war. 
 
The upcoming 2+2 is the first since Tokyo and Washington reached a 
final agreement last May on the realignment of US forces in Japan. 
The 2+2 will follow the April 27 summit between Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe and President George W. Bush. They are expected to affirm 
solid ties between Japan and the United States as allies. The plan 
is to compare the two countries' direction to cooperate in specific 
areas at the cabinet meeting based on the foundation confirmed 
between the two top leaders. 
 
TOKYO 00001780  006 OF 009 
 
 
 
Defense and foreign ministerial meetings are scheduled to take place 
on April 30 ahead of the 2+2. It is the first meeting between Kyuma 
and Robert Gates since he became US secretary of defense last 
December. 
 
Observers believe that the 2+2 was rescheduled for May instead of 
January due to Kyuma's critical remarks on President Bush's decision 
to launch the Iraq war. In the interview, Kyuma expressed his desire 
to bridge the gap through his visit to the United States, saying: "I 
understand why the president had to make the decision to launch the 
war. There will be no change in Japan-US relations." 
 
An agreement was reached in a 2+2 a year ago to promote the MD 
system. Reaffirmation of the agreement would be a symbolic event for 
Japan's restoration of US trust. The two countries eye the complete 
deployment of the sea-based SM-3 and ground-based PAC-3 
anti-ballistic missile system in Japan by 2010. Kyuma revealed 
Japan's plan to seek ways to move up original schedule with close 
cooperation between the two countries, saying: "We want the system 
implemented earlier than schedule. We would like the United States 
to speed up the production of the system." 
 
In the upcoming 2+2, the two countries are also expected to conclude 
a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOMIA) to protect 
defense secrets. Kyuma indicated that it would be a comprehensive 
agreement covering Japanese companies engaged in the development of 
the MD system, as well, noting: "We will implement a defense secret 
protection system covering not only states but also private 
companies." 
 
18) Next-generation mainstay combat aircraft: Kyuma to seek 
information on F-22 to pave way for procuring model 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma in an interview to the Nihon Keizai on 
April 20 revealed his intention to ask the United States for 
detailed information on US fighters for the country's selection of 
its next-generation mainstay combat jet aircraft next summer. In 
order to keep its military edge, US law prohibits exporting the F-22 
Raptor, a new stealth fighter, and exposing its detailed 
information. Kyuma's comment, which is regarded as a step to pave 
the way for procuring F-22s, is likely to affect the future course 
of the selection of the new mainstay model estimated to cost 1 
trillion yen in total. In the interview, Kyuma indicated that he 
would ask his US counterpart, Robert Gates, for detailed aircraft 
information during their meeting in Washington on May 1, saying: "In 
order to understand specifics about (candidate models), we have to 
ask the US to disclose information. I would like to convey our 
thoughts to the US side." 
 
The government plans of introduce first seven fighters as successors 
to the Air Self-Defense Force's F-4 fighters, which have become old, 
during the 2005-2009 Midterm Defense Buildup Program period. Six 
models have surfaced as candidates, including the F-18 Super Hornet, 
the model adopted by the US Navy, and the Eurofighter, which was 
jointly developed by four European countries. 
 
An F-22 would cost 25 billion yen, which is far more expensive than 
the F-4's 4 billion yen and the F-15's 12 billon yen. Some observers 
 
TOKYO 00001780  007 OF 009 
 
 
think the F-22 should be avoided, given the ongoing plan to build a 
missile defense system, which would cost 800 billion yen to 1 
trillion yen. But one took this view: "Once the F-22's excellent 
performance becomes clear, the government will support its good cost 
performance." 
 
The focus will be shifted as to whether or not the US will remove 
the ban on information disclosure. 
 
19) F-22 procurement: Decision by US Congress in focus 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
Now that Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma has revealed his intention to 
ask the United States for information on major fighters, a 
full-fledged trade war over Japan's next-generation mainstay combat 
jet aircraft will kick off. 
 
F-22 fighters have temporarily been deployed at Kadena Air Base in 
Okinawa since February. Given USFJ Commander Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright's 
reference to the F-22 as a model with top capabilities, some 
observers think the US government is truly eager to sell F-22s to 
Japan. But US law prohibits exporting the F-22, which is extremely 
unnoticeable to enemy radars, cay fly flexibly at supersonic speed. 
 
Even if the US government pressed the Congress for a law revision, 
there is no guarantee that such will materialize. Even if the US 
decided to revise the law, the timing is extremely crucial, given 
Japan's schedule to determine its new mainstay combat aircraft next 
summer. 
 
Mitsubishi Corp. is under an agency agreement with Lockheed Martin, 
which produces the F-22. Meanwhile, Itochu Corp. and Sojitz have won 
dealership of Boeing, the producer of the F-18. Sumitomo Corp. is a 
distributor of the Eurofighter. Fierce sales promotion among those 
firms may affect the trend of the next fighter model. 
 
The F-15, the current mainstay model, is being produced by 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under a license. Whether or not 
Mitsubishi will take a similar method is closely associated with the 
interests of the defense industry. Japan's process to determine its 
next-generation mainstay combat aircraft is likely to follow a 
zigzag path. 
 
20) SDF personnel dispatch to Iraq costs 85.4 billion yen 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
The government in a written reply adopted at a cabinet meeting on 
Apr. 20 revealed that the cost of the dispatch of Self-Defense 
Forces (SDF) personnel to Iraq based on the Iraq Reconstruction 
Assistance Special Measures Law came to approximately 85.4 billion 
yen as of the end of Dec. 2006. 
 
Such expenses for GSDF personnel active from Jan. 2004 through July 
2006 were approximately 72.1 billion yen. Those for ASDF personnel, 
who started operations from Dec. 2003, came to approximately 13.3 
billion yen. 
 
The breakdown for necessary expenses, including personnel expenses, 
 
TOKYO 00001780  008 OF 009 
 
 
comes down to 48.2 billion yen for the GSDF and 5.5 billion yen for 
the ASDF. Regarding expenses for purchasing weapons and vehicles, 
9.3 billion yen was appropriated to the GSDF and 1.6 billion yen to 
the ASDF. As maintenance expenses, such as equipment, 14.7 billion 
yen went to the GSDF and 6.3 billion yen to the ASDF. 
 
Personnel expenses include allowances paid to SDF personnel 
dispatched to Iraq totaling 2,430 ASDF personnel and 5,500 GSDF 
personnel - up to 24,000 yen per person and per day. 
 
According to the Defense Ministry, the expenses needed for the 
logistical support for US forces operating in the Indian Ocean 
starting Nov. 2001, based on the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, 
were as of the end of Feb. this year 55.1 billion yen for the MSDF 
and 2.1 billion yen for the ASDF. 
 
During the Gulf War in 1991, Japan provided approximately 13 billion 
dollars or 1.54 trillion yen for the activities of multinational 
forces. However, the international community did not highly evaluate 
Japan's effort, criticizing it as checkbook diplomacy. 
 
21) LDP next month to establish panel to look into enactment of 
secrets protection law 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
Former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, who chairs the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) "Study team for strengthening the state's 
informational functions," responded to an interview by the Asahi 
Shimbun and revealed the party's plan to create a party council 
early next month to look into the enactment of legislation to 
protect state secrets, the basic thinking being to draft a bill by 
this fall. The aim is to present a bill to the Diet during the 
regular session next year in order to toughen penalties for leaking 
state secrets. 
 
Machimura pointed out that since last year, when Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe was chief cabinet secretary, "We continued to talk that 
in the new cabinet we would carry out (the strengthening of 
intelligence functions)." Referring to the incident in late March 
when it was revealed that Aegis vessel secrets were leaked by a 
Maritime Self-Defense Force seaman, Machimura stressed: "When the 
missile defense system (between Japan and the US) moves forward, the 
bottleneck will be the shabby shape of Japan's system for protecting 
secrets." 
 
SIPDIS 
 
The penalty for leaking intelligence under current law is a maximum 
of 10 years imprisonment, related to equipment provided by the US 
government, but Machimura noted, "Ten years is too light a 
sentence." He revealed that he was thinking of legislation that 
would require Diet members, too, to guard secrets. He also stated, 
"We must get the agreement of both the ruling and opposition 
camps." 
 
22) US beef: Finding breakthrough hard; US showing signs of 
softening stance 
 
MAINICHI (Page 11) (Full) 
April 21, 2007 
 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Minister Toshikatsu 
 
TOKYO 00001780  009 OF 009 
 
 
Matsuoka and US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns had telephone 
conversations on Apr. 19-20 to discuss the US beef import issue, 
which remains stagnant with the two countries at odds over the 
implementation of the inspection of meat-processing facilities by 
Japan. However, there has been no change in the stances of both 
sides. The Japanese side sees that the US has indicated signs of 
softening its stance, as one senior MAFF official put it. However, 
whether a breakthrough can be found by the bilateral summit slated 
for Apr. 27 is an open question. 
 
Matsuoka during the talks strongly urged the US to accept the 
inspection of meat-processing facilities by Japan, but Johanns 
insisted that the prerequisite is for Japan to pledge to ease its 
import condition that limits beef eligible for export to cattle aged 
20 months or younger. Since the World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE) is expected to recognize at its plenary session in May that US 
beef can be exported without age limit, the US appears to be 
insisting that Japan should follow the international guidelines. 
 
However, for Japan on its part, it is impossible to omit the 
inspections, which are based on the agreement the two countries 
reached last summer. In addition, in order for Japan to ease the 
import criterion, risk assessment by the Food Safety Commission and 
explanations to the public are essential. Matsuoka after a cabinet 
meeting on the 20th stressed that inspections of meat-processing 
facilities would be beneficial to the US as well. He said: "If the 
US observation of export guidelines is confirmed, it would be 
possible to designate more meat-packers eligible to export products 
to Japan. A new step, including the ending of the inspection of all 
boxes, would be possible." 
 
Johanns agreed to continue talks probably in consideration of 
growing voices in the US meat industry seeking the acceptance of 
Japan's request for inspections. Japan intends to continue 
persuading the US, with Matsuoka saying, "The US understanding of 
Japan's request is deepening." 
 
SCHIEFFER