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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002168 
 
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 05/15/07 
 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) Abe Cabinet support rate recovers to 43% in latest Asahi poll 
 
North Korea problem: 
5) Prime Minister Abe telephones President Bush to confirm that US 
will continue to give consideration to abduction issue in deleting 
North Korea from terror list 
6) Abe aide admits Secretary Rice stated that abduction issue not a 
condition for North Korea being on list of terrorist-sponsoring 
nations 
7) Government confirms North Korea has new missile with striking 
range that includes Guam 
 
Constitutional revision: 
8) National referendum bill passes Diet, setting procedures leading 
to amending Constitution 
9) Abe is out in front of his party in pushing constitutional 
revision, for many in the LDP prefer to proceed cautiously 
10) One Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) lawmaker, Watanabe, 
will be punished for not voting with his party against the 
referendum bill 
11) Minshuto will be quiet on constitutional issues until the Upper 
House election campaign 
12) Many challenges for Abe administration before the Constitution 
can actually be amended 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
13) Committee passes two-year extension of dispatch of ASDF for Iraq 
reconstruction over objections of opposition parties 
14) NLP at Atsugi Air Station after seven years brings out local 
protests of noise pollution 
15) On 35th anniversary of Okinawa reversion, a surprisingly 
positive security message from Governor Nakaima 
16) Prime Minister Abe raises questions about Cabinet Legislation 
Bureau's interpretation of Constitution to ban use of right of 
collective self-defense 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Referendum bill passes Diet: Momentum for Abe policy of revising 
Constitution to accelerate 
 
Mainichi: 
257 people's driver licenses revoked for reason of dementia 
 
Yomiuri: 
Government to set up panel on lowering age of majority to 18, with 
passage of referendum bill 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Cerberus purchases Chrysler for 900 billion yen 
 
Sankei: 
Passage of referendum bill might lead to reorganizing political 
world 
 
 
TOKYO 00002168  002 OF 011 
 
 
Akahata: 
LDP, New Komeito push referendum bill through Diet 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Passage of referendum bill: LDP must clarify detailed policies 
on self-defense force and other details 
(2) 35th anniversary of return of Okinawa to Japan: Young generation 
groping for own ways 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Referendum bill clears Diet: Thorough debate necessary on 
constitutional revision 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Passage of referendum bill: Time to start specific discussion on 
constitutional reform 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1) Epoch-making referendum bill passes Diet 
(2) Investors buy Chrysler 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Enactment of new constitution emerging as political challenge 
(2) Digital program recording: Prepare regulations acceptable to 
users 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Passage of referendum bill in Diet: Listen to views against 
constitutional revision 
(2) Criminal trial reform: Doubts growing about victims' 
participation 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Let's make utmost efforts to prevent constitutional revision 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 14 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
08:18 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura at the Kantei. 
 
08:59 
Lower House Iraq Reconstruction Assistance Special Committee 
meeting. 
 
12:06 
Government-ruling camp liaison council meeting at the Kantei. 
Secretary General Nakagawa and head of the LDP Caucus in the Upper 
 
SIPDIS 
House Mikio Aoki remained. 
 
13:53 
Met with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nemoto, followed by 
LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nakagawa. 
 
14:27 
Met with Vice MLIT Minister Tsuji, followed by Nemoto. 
 
TOKYO 00002168  003 OF 011 
 
 
 
15:06 
Met with MEXT Minister Fuyushiba. Then met with Executive Council 
Chairman Niwa, followed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matoba. 
 
16:45 
Met with State Minister for National Security Koike. 
 
17:02 
Party executive meeting in the Diet. 
 
17:46 
Met with Kennedy Center President Kaiser at the Kantei. 
 
18:20 
Met with Lao Prime Minister Bouasone. 
 
20:55 
Telephoned US President Bush. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, 
Foreign Ministry North American Affairs Bureau Director General 
Nishimiya and Middle East and African Affairs Bureau Director 
General Okuda were present. 
 
21:29 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
4) Poll: Cabinet support rebounds to 43% 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
The rate of public support for Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet 
was 43% in a telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey 
conducted by the Asahi Shimbun on May 12-13. The nonsupport rate for 
the Abe cabinet was 33%. In the last survey taken in April, the 
support rate was 40%, with the nonsupport rate at 38%. Compared with 
these figures, the nonsupport rate in the survey this time showed a 
striking decrease. The cabinet support rate, which stayed low in the 
early months of this year, rebounded in the last survey. This time, 
the support and non-support margin has widened further. 
 
The rate of male support for the Abe cabinet increased from 36% in 
the last survey to 44% this time. The rate of female support was 
42%. The rate of support among men topped that among women for the 
first time since the Abe cabinet came into office in September last 
year. The nonsupport rate decreased from the last survey in all age 
brackets, and the support rate topped the nonsupport rate among all 
generations but those in their 30s. The support rate among those 
with no particular party affiliation was 27%, leveling off from the 
last survey. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 33% (31% in the last survey), with 
the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) at 14% 
(14% in the last survey). The proportion of those with no particular 
party affiliation was 45% (46% in the last survey). 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted over the telephone on 
a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. Respondents were 
chosen from among the nation's voting population on a three-stage 
random-sampling basis. Valid answers were obtained from 1,005 
persons (57% ). 
 
TOKYO 00002168  004 OF 011 
 
 
 
5) Bush to consider abductions 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked with US President Bush over the 
telephone yesterday evening for about 20 minutes. Abe and Bush 
confirmed their intention to call on North Korea to completely carry 
out the initial steps, such as shutting down and sealing 
nuclear-related facilities, in compliance with an agreement reached 
at the six-party talks. Bush reiterated that he would consider the 
abduction issue in delisting North Korea as a terror sponsor. 
 
The telephone conversation was held at Bush's request. In late 
April, when Abe met with the president in the United States, Bush 
told Abe that he wanted to hear about Abe's Middle East visit after 
his US visit. In the talks yesterday, Abe and Bush agreed to ask 
Iraq's neighbors to work together for Iraq's reconstruction. The two 
also concurred on the importance of a peaceful solution to the issue 
of Iran's nuclear development program. In addition, they also agreed 
to step up bilateral cooperation on the issue of climate change, 
too. 
 
In this connection, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hakubun Shimomura 
revealed in a press conference yesterday that US Secretary of State 
Rice, who was in the summit meeting in late April, had said that 
resolving the abduction issue was not a legal precondition to delist 
North Korea as a terror sponsor. 
 
"The president and the secretary also said the United States would 
continue to support Japan on the abduction issue," Shimomura said. 
With this, he underscored that Japan and the United States were not 
out of step. Yesterday's telephone talks appear to be aimed at 
denying such a view. 
 
6) Shimomura: Rice said that settlement of abduction issue not a 
condition for delisting North Korea 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
During the Japan-US summit in late April, US Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice explained regarding the US designation of North 
Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, "In light of US law, it has 
an act of terrorism against the United States in mind, and a 
settlement of the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to the North 
is not a condition for removing (North Korea) from our list (of 
terrorism-sponsoring states)," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Hakubun Shimomura revealed in a press conference yesterday. The 
Japanese government did not introduce Rice's statement in a press 
conference held immediately after the summit in Washington. 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a telephone conversation with US 
President George W. Bush for about 20 minutes last night. Given the 
fact that Rice indicated in the Japan-US summit in late April that a 
settlement of the abduction issue was not a condition for delisting 
(North Korea), Abe said to Bush: "The president's strong position is 
truly encouraging." Abe and Bush agreed that it was regrettable that 
North has yet to implement the initial steps, as was agreed upon in 
the six-party talks (in February). 
 
 
TOKYO 00002168  005 OF 011 
 
 
7) Gov't confirms North Korea's new missile; Guam possibly within 
range 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
North Korea showed a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) 
for the first time in last month's parade that commemorated the 75th 
anniversary of the Korean People's Army. In this regard, the 
Japanese government has confirmed its existence, sources said 
yesterday. The United States seems to have analyzed satellite images 
and conveyed its analysis to Japan and South Korea. The new 
missile's range is estimated at 3,000-5,000 kilometers. This 
outranges the Rodong (1,300 km) and the Taepodong (over 1,500 km). 
US bases on Guam are also within its range. 
 
Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya, meeting the press yesterday, 
avoided confirming that the information was from the United States. 
However, Moriya said he was aware of North Korea's missile 
development. "We will continue to pay close attention to their 
development," Moriya stressed. Moriya indicated a negative view 
about the possibility of tipping missiles with nuclear bombs. "I 
can't say anything definite," Moriya said. "At this point," he 
added, "we don't know whether they have acquired that capability." 
The new missile is believed to be a remodeled submarine-launched 
ballistic missile. 
 
8) National referendum bill passes Diet; government to set up panel 
on lowering age of majority to 18 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
In response to the passage in the Diet of the national referendum 
bill, which sets legal procedures for revising the Constitution, the 
government has decided to establish in the Cabinet Office a "study 
committee on review of provisions pertaining to the age for eligible 
voters" (tentative name) tasked with discussing amendments to 
relevant laws to lower the age of majority from the current 20 to 
¶18. The panel, to be composed of vice ministers from each government 
ministries and agencies with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Junzo 
Matoba as chairman, will aim at completing necessary legislation by 
2010, when the law goes into effect. 
 
In a House of Councillors plenary session yesterday, the bill was 
approved with a majority from the ruling coalition - the Liberal 
Democratic Party and the New Komeito. The law sets the minimum age 
for eligible voters at 18 or older in principle but will be 20 or 
older until related laws such as the Public Offices Election Law are 
revised. The law stipulates: "The government shall discuss relevant 
provisions in the Public Offices Election Law, the Civil Law, and 
other laws and take necessary legal measures." 
 
In debate on legal amendments, the focus is likely to be on the 
Public Offices Election Law, which provides for the age for eligible 
voters, and on the Civil Law, which sets the age of majority. In 
addition, more than 100 relevant laws, including the Juvenile Law 
and traffic laws, will be affected if the age of majority is revised 
to 18. 
 
Once such laws are revised, the age at which people become adults 
will be 18 in view of the law. In such a case, the perceptions of 
 
TOKYO 00002168  006 OF 011 
 
 
what an ideal society should be will naturally be changed 
significantly. 
 
A revision of the Public Offices Election Law will increase the 
number of eligible voters in national and local elections. In the 
latest population census (Oct. 1, 2005), Japanese nationals aged 18 
to 19 totaled about 2.71 million. Should the age of adulthood under 
the Civil Law is lowered to 18, those aged at 18 or 19 will be 
allowed to engage in transactions in assets, as well as to get 
married even without parents' consensus. 
 
Even so, some in the government and the ruling coalition remain 
cautious about revising laws related to the age of majority. Many 
LDP members are negative about amending the laws to prohibit 
minorities from smoking and drinking. On a revision of the Juvenile 
Law, as well, the dominant view in the government is that "it is 
difficult to find reasons to lower the age of majority." 
 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Shimomura also just said in 
a press conference yesterday: "The study panel will conduct 
comprehensive studies, such as the need for revisions." 
 
9) National referendum bill enacted under mood of constitutional 
revision; But even pro-constitutional revision advocates 
dissatisfied with the bill 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Slightly abridged) 
May 15, 2007 
 
Yu Takayama 
 
The national referendum bill was enacted into law yesterday, setting 
the procedures for constitutional revision 60 years after the 
current Constitution was established. This move is welcomed by the 
ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), whose party policies include 
amending the Constitution, but there is a noted lack of enthusiasm. 
One reason for this is perhaps because of a freeze on making any 
constitutional revision proposals for three years after the bill 
becomes law. Another reason is because Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's 
constitutional revision policy lacks a strategic approach, with an 
emphasis simply placed on creating a mood for constitutional 
revision, thereby perplexing lawmakers even in his party who are 
knowledgeable about the Constitution. When it comes to how 
constitutional revision will proceed in the future, uncertainties 
still remain with the collapse of the cooperative ties between the 
ruling and opposition parties. 
 
The procedures for constitutional revision have now been prepared, 
but no amending of the Constitution shall be made in the three years 
ahead. How to actual amend the Constitution, give shape to 
constitutional revision proposals, gather support for such 
proposals, and shape public opinion are open questions. 
 
However, the cooperative relations among the LDP, its junior 
coalition partner New Komeito, and the major opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (Minshuto or DPJ) collapsed with Abe's announcement 
in his New Year speech in January of his intention to make 
constitutional revision a campaign issue in the upcoming Upper House 
election. When it comes to specific constitutional proposals, Abe 
has emphasized the LDP's draft constitution (created in 2005), but 
LDP lawmakers advocating constitutional amendment point out the need 
for drafting a second version of a new constitution. One member of 
 
TOKYO 00002168  007 OF 011 
 
 
the Lower House Special Committee on the Constitution complained: 
"The prime minister made an unnecessary remark, only to cause 
ripples in the Minshuto and the New Komeito. It's unclear whether 
the prime minister is really serious about revising the 
Constitution." 
 
Meanwhile, LDP Secretary-General Hidenao Nakagawa told a press 
briefing yesterday: "Based on our draft constitution already 
publicized, we want to play a part in leading a national movement 
for establishing a new constitution by visiting various locations 
across the country." Nakagawa is apparently giving backing to Abe's 
effort for creating a move for constitutional revision. 
 
There is also a rift between the LDP and the New Komeito over the 
question of the right to collective self-defense. The New Komeito 
does not allow Japan to exercise that right. New Komeito 
Representative Akihiro Ota told reporters yesterday: "We will 
endeavor to come up with a proposal for adding modifications to the 
current Constitution in three years after full debate." Ota thus 
indicated his alarm toward the rising mood for constitutional 
revision as aimed at by Abe. 
 
10) Rebel Hideo Watanabe of DPJ disturbing factor for solidarity 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
The national referendum bill was yesterday approved by the Upper 
House during its plenary session. Former Postal Minister Hideo 
Watanabe of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) voted 
for the bill against the party's policy. His action has dampened the 
solidarity of the DPJ leadership, including party head Ichiro Ozawa, 
in the run-up to the Upper House election in the summer. 
 
Watanabe after the voting stressed that he acted based on his 
principle, "I must resign as politician, if I give in on the 
constitutional issue." 
 
The leadership will strictly reprimand him in the name of Upper 
House Diet Policy Committee Akira Gunji. It intends to refrain from 
taking a severer punishment, such as suspension of his party 
membership or recommendation to bolt, considering the fact that this 
was his "first offense" -- a relatively light punishment taken in 
order to contain a shock in the party. 
 
However, four other members also abstained from the plenary session 
on account of schedules in their constituencies and some business. 
Though the leadership does not regard their abstention as rebel, 
lawmakers who are regarded as anti-Ozawa were among the four. The 
incident is certain to become a disturbing factor for the 
leadership. 
 
Some conservative DPJ members are sympathetic with Watanabe, with 
one veteran lawmaker noting, "An overwhelming number of lawmakers 
are secretly in favor of the national referendum bill." What 
happened in the voting has spread a stir in the DPJ. 
 
11) DPJ mum until Upper House election 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 15, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00002168  008 OF 011 
 
 
Takashi Sudo 
 
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) was 
opposed to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's stance of making 
constitutional revision a campaign issue in the upcoming Upper House 
election, and advocates of constitutional revision in the party also 
remained mum. Those advocates are concerned that their opposition to 
the national referendum bill may be taken to mean they are 
pro-constitution forces, but most of them intend to follow President 
Ichiro Ozawa, who has emphasized his confrontational position 
against Abe, until the Upper House election is over. 
 
Minshuto Secretary-General Yukio Hatoyama, when asked by reporters 
yesterday in Sapporo City about the enactment of the national 
referendum bill without approval from the opposition parties, 
criticized the ruling camp: "This is a significant flaw in creating 
an environment for constitutional revision (which requires a 
concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each 
House)." 
 
12) National referendum bill obtains Diet approval: Rocky road ahead 
for revisions of related laws 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
The passage of the national referendum bill (legislation for 
procedures for constitutional amendment) yesterday has left many 
challenges to tackle. The legislation stipulates that voting age is 
in principle 18 and older. The condition is, however, that there 
must be consistency with the current 20 and older requirement for 
adults and the present age eligible for voting. The government will 
rush to undertake coordination of views on revisions of relevant 
laws, including the Public Office Election Law, civil law, etc. 
There is also the possibility of discussions of regulating public 
servants' deed and the media flaring up again. 
 
Eighteen and older as voting age will require revision to current 
adult requirement; Concern over excessive regulation on public 
servants' deed 
 
The bill set an age eligible for voting at 18 and older, based on 
the judgment that it is necessary to listen to views of a generation 
who will shoulder the future. Since this is greatly different from 
other laws, the bill was attached with an additional clause, which 
stipulates that a necessary legal measure should be taken within 
three years. 
 
However, there are many related laws, including the Juvenile Law, 
the National Pension Law, and the Law for Preventing Minors from 
Drinking. Though it may not be necessary to amend all related laws, 
it is trying to decide which laws should be amended. 
 
The government and the ruling camp will look into the matter with 
the possibility of lowering the age eligible for voting and the age 
considered as an adult. However, since amending these laws will have 
a major social impact, a cautious argument is deep-seated. 
 
The prevailing view is that in the event amendments to related laws 
cannot be made in time, it is all right to apply 20 and older as the 
age eligible for a national referendum. However, opposition parties 
and some experts are maintaining that the enforcement of the 
 
TOKYO 00002168  009 OF 011 
 
 
national referendum law should be nullified. 
 
A clause prohibiting public servants, schoolteachers and staffers 
from calling for voting for or against constitutional revision is 
also stirring up arguments. The regulation would be excessive, if it 
places a total ban, including a ban on the expression of private 
views. Consideration into revisions to the National Civil Service 
Law and the Local Public Service Law has been incorporated in the 
additional clause. However, chances are that the matter may be up to 
how the law is applied. 
 
As media control, the national referendum law totally bans 
fee-charging TV and radio advertisements from 14 days before the 
voting day. The aim is to secure an opportunity for the people to 
ponder their course of action in a cool-headed manner. However, 
opposition parties once called for a total ban on such 
advertisements, noting that organizations with funds could lead 
public opinion into a certain direction. 
 
An article calling for TV broadcasters to bear in mind political 
impartiality, based on the Broadcast Law, has been incorporated. 
Each media institution should voluntarily decide how to maintain 
impartiality. The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in 
Japan is against the article with chairman Michisada Hirose noting, 
"We are concerned that the article will pave the way for public 
power to interfere in the media." 
 
Opposition parties, such as the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or 
Minshuto), during Diet deliberations called for the introduction of 
a minimum voter turnout system, under which if a voter turnout falls 
below a certain set rate, the voting itself becomes invalid. The 
Upper House characterized item in its additional resolution the 
issue as a future agenda. Behind its decision is the judgment that 
if a voter turnout is 40%, the Constitution can be amended with 
approval by a little over 20% of all eligible voters, a situation 
that requires some form of brake. 
 
13) Amendment to Iraq Special Measures Law approved by Lower House 
panel despite opposition from opposition parties 
 
MAINICHI (Page2) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
Ryuko Tadokoro 
 
The bill aimed at extending the Iraq Special Measures Law for 
another two years was approved by a majority from the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner New Komeito 
at a meeting yesterday of the Lower House Special Committee on 
Prevention of Terrorism and Iraq Assistance. The bill calling for 
scrapping that law introduced by the major opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (Minshuto or DPJ) was rejected. A supplementary 
resolution calling on the government to discuss when to withdraw 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops from Iraq while watching the 
situation in Iraq was adopted by a majority from the LDP, the 
Minshuto, and the New Komeito. 
 
The bill is to be approved today by the Lower House plenary session 
and be sent to the Upper House. It is expected to be enacted into 
law during the current session of the Diet. Following this passage 
of the bill, the government intends to continue the deployment of 
Air-Self Defense Force (ASDF) troops, who are transporting goods and 
 
TOKYO 00002168  010 OF 011 
 
 
personnel of the coalition forces and the United Nations from Kuwait 
to other locations with Kuwait as their base. 
 
The Iraq Special Measures Law was established in July 2003. It is a 
temporary law with a four-year term limit and it is due to expire at 
the end of July. The government decided to extend the law for only 
another two years because the future course of America's Iraq policy 
is uncertain. Opposition parties are voicing objections to the 
extension, arguing: "Iraq says the SDF deployment will be 
unnecessary, given a rising mood in the US for a pullout of its 
troops from Iraq." 
 
14) US military conducts fighter jet training at Atsugi after 7-year 
hiatus; Residents complain about noise 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 15, 2007 
 
The US Navy began night landing practice (NLP) for jet fighter 
attack planes on May 10 at its Atsugi base stretching over the 
cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture. Yesterday as 
well, their metallic sounds cut through the night in the 
touch-and-go training. There is no agreement in written form between 
Japan and the United States to avoid conducting such training at the 
Atsugi base. However, NLP for jet fighters and other noisy aircraft 
had not been conducted over the past six years in response to local 
communities' tenacious campaign against NLP. Local communities and 
their residents are repulsed by NLP that was suddenly resumed at 
Atsugi for the first time in seven years. 
 
According to Kanagawa's prefectural and municipal governments, the 
US Navy normally conducts NLP for low-noise aircraft at the Atsugi 
base. On May 10, however, US Forces Japan informed Kanagawa 
Prefecture and its base-hosting municipalities that the US Navy 
would conduct NLP for fighter attackers at the Atsugi base for a 
period of three days, May 10 and May 14-15, due to bad weather at 
Tokyo's island of Iwojima, which has a training airfield for 
carrier-borne fighter jets. 
 
Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa lodged a protest yesterday with 
Capt. Justin Cooper, commanding officer, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, 
and requested the US Navy to stop the training. 
 
15) Nakaima cites Okinawa's security environment as reason of 
concentrated US bases in prefecture 
 
MAINICHI (Page 28) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
Okinawa celebrates the 35th anniversary of its return to Japan 
today. Plans to consolidate and downsize US bases have been stalled 
and there seems to be no end to incidents and accidents involving US 
servicemen in the prefecture. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima in a 
media interview yesterday took this view on the concentrated US 
bases in Okinawa: "I think they are vital for security, 
geopolitical, and military reasons." Nakaima has become the first 
Okinawa governor to cite the security environment as the top reason 
since the base issue has flared up following the schoolgirl rape 
incident in 1995. 
 
Nakaima's reformist predecessors -- Masahide Ota and Keiichi Inamine 
-- used to lament a lack of national awareness, saying, "The 
 
TOKYO 00002168  011 OF 011 
 
 
Japanese people do not regard security and base issues as their 
own." Nakaima's remarks can be taken to signify his view that base 
issues are peculiar to Okinawa. 
 
Nakaima also expressed his hope regarding the agreed-upon 
realignment of US forces in Japan, including the relocation of 
Futenma Air Station to the coastline of Camp Schwab (in Nago), 
saying: "Consolidation and downsizing begin with the Futenma 
relocation and the move of US Marines to Guam." Once Futenma Air 
Station is relocated to the new site, the US military will return 
six facilities south of Kadena Air Base to Japan. Okinawa will still 
continue to host nearly 70% of US base facilities in Japan. 
 
16) Abe raises question about CLB's interpretation of collective 
defense, saying "necessarily minimum level" is quantitative notion 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 15, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in yesterday's Lower House Iraq 
Reconstruction Assistance Special Committee meeting raised a 
question about the Cabinet Legislation Bureau's (CLB) constitutional 
interpretation prohibiting Japan from exercising the right to 
collective self-defense on the grounds that such is beyond the 
necessary minimum self-defense. Abe said: "I think the 'necessary 
minimum level' is a quantitative notion." His comment can be taken 
to mean that some actions must be allowed within the framework of 
the necessary minimum level of the right to collective 
self-defense. 
 
According to the CLB's interpretation, Japan is allowed to exercise 
the right to self-defense only in facing the imminent danger of 
being attacked, adding, "the use of force must be limited to the 
necessary minimum level." So the CLB's stance is that without the 
immediate danger of coming under an armed attack, Japan is not 
allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense that must 
be kept to the necessary minimum level. 
 
DONOVAN