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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002276 
 
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 05/22/07 
 
 
INDEX: 
1) Top headlines 
 
2) Editorials 
 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) Abe Cabinet support rate rises 5.8 points to 49.6 percent in a 
Yomiuri poll 
 
5) Cabinet support rate steady at 44 percent in latest Asahi series 
poll 
 
6) With rising polls, ruling camp gains confidence going into the 
Upper House election campaign, while opposition parties heighten 
fighting stance 
 
7) Prime Minister Abe's determination to make constitutional reform 
the key campaign issue in the Upper House race does not sit well in 
the ruling coalition 
 
8) First Lady Akie Abe cried during White House meet when President 
Bush spoke of soldiers who died in war 
 
9) US, Japan to include Australia in missile-defense (MD) research, 
with working talks later this year to start the process 
 
10) Intelligence on MD's latest intercept system also leaked from 
MSDF; USFJ protests 
 
11) Defense Ministry to interview all SDF personnel in attempt to 
drive home need to protect defense secrets 
 
12) LDP proposes that SDF be charged with guarding Japanese overseas 
missions 
 
13) Ambassador Yanai, head of panel to review collective 
self-defense, reveals in speech his eagerness to do so 
 
14) Government concerned about rising local labor and other costs at 
US bases, with US employees being replaced by Japanese workers 
 
15) Coral reef being destroyed by underwater survey off Henoko says 
environmental protection group 
 
16) US, Japan resisting move to insert global-warming target into 
upcoming G-8 summit meeting statement    11 
 
17) Poor CO2 absorption by Japanese forests the result of widespread 
management incompetence 
 
ARTICLES: 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Measles force Tokyo universities to call off classes 
 
Mainichi: 
Cabinet panel report simply calls for improved operation of Personal 
Information Protection Law 
 
Yomiuri: 
 
TOKYO 00002276  002 OF 012 
 
 
MOF projection: Merit system will result in subsidy cuts for 74 
national universities 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Manufacturing industry begins reforming production due to rising 
metal prices 
 
Sankei and Tokyo Shimbun: 
Health Ministry proposes establishing "general medicine departments" 
at hospitals 
 
Akahata: 
Regulatory Reform Council calls for elimination of labor rules, 
rejects raising minimum wage 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1)Idea of hometown tax payment system just for Upper House 
election 
(2)Is 80 percent collection rate attainable with Social Insurance 
Agency reform? 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)Lay judge system requires thorough preparations by citizens and 
corporations 
(2)Three education reform bills need to explore problems 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)Hometown tax payment system and local governments 
(2)Market, shareholders pushed Pentax toward merger 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)Market calls for greater flexibility in Chinese yuan 
(2)Measles epidemic must be prevented 
 
Sankei: 
(1)Amending Organ Transplant Law inevitable 
(2)Rat extermination essential 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)Chinese yuan needs reform 
(2)EU and Russia must avoid new Cold War 
 
Akahata: 
(1)Deployment of MSDF vessel for new base survey brings back 
memories of barbarous acts by former Imperial Japanese Army 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 21 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
09:22: 
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki. 
10:40: 
Sent the Emperor and Empress off to Europe at Haneda Airport. 
12:01: 
Attended Upper House plenary session. 
14:01: 
 
TOKYO 00002276  003 OF 012 
 
 
Met Shinji Tanimura, who wrote the lyrics and music for a song for 
anti-drug abuse campaign, at Kantei. Recorded video message for the 
national anti-drug abuse convention, attended by Special Advisor 
Seko. 
14:45: 
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Kono. 
15:37: 
Attended together with his wife Akie exchange gathering with foreign 
students. 
16:00: 
Met at Kantei with Agriculture Ministry Rural Development Bureau 
Director General Nakajo, followed by Foreign Ministry Southeast and 
Southwest Asian Affairs Department Director General Atsumi and 
Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ando. 
16:45: 
Met Hirata Bokujo Co. President Nitta in the Diet building, joined 
by LDP Secretary General Nakagawa and LDP Yamagata Chapter Chairman 
Endo. 
17:02: 
Attended LDP board meeting. 
17:35: 
Met at Kantei with Kyodo News President Ishikawa and Chief Editor 
Goto. Attended afterwards award ceremony for recognition of 
structural reform special zone and regional revitalization plan. 
18:26: 
Met with assistant deputy chief cabinet secretaries Saka and Ando. 
19:18: 
Met at his official residence with Tokyo University Prof. Motoshige 
Ito, chairman of the Asia Gateway Strategy Council, attended by 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki and Special Advisor Nemoto. 
 
4) Poll: Cabinet support at 49.6 percent, up for 1st time 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 22, 2007 
 
The rate of public support for Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet 
reached 49.6 percent in a face-to-face nationwide public opinion 
survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun on May 19-20, showing an 
increase of 5.8 percentage points over the last survey taken in 
March. The support rate for the Abe cabinet went on dropping after 
its inauguration. In the last survey, the nonsupport rate slightly 
topped the support rate. This time, however, the support rate went 
up for the first time. The nonsupport rate for the Abe cabinet was 
36.8 percent, down 7.1 points from the last survey. 
 
In the Diet, a National Referendum Law stipulating procedures for 
constitutional revision has now been enacted. In addition, education 
reform bills have also cleared the Diet. These facts seem to have 
led to the support rate's rebound. 
 
Among those who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the 
support rate for the Abe cabinet was 83 percent, up 5 points from 
the last survey. Also, among those supporting the New Komeito, the 
LDP's coalition partner, the support rate rebounded to nearly 70 
percent. 
 
5) Poll: Cabinet support rate levels off 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 22, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00002276  004 OF 012 
 
 
Ahead of this summer's election for the House of Councillors, the 
Asahi Shimbun conducted a second survey of public opinion on May 
19-20, in which the Abe cabinet scored a 44 percent support rate and 
a 36 percent nonsupport rate. The support rate topped the nonsupport 
rate as in the first survey taken a week ago (support at 43 percent, 
nonsupport at 33 percent). 
 
Asked about Prime Minister Abe's job performance, 3 percent answered 
that it was beyond expectations, with 30 percent saying it was up to 
expectations and 27 percent saying it was short of expectations. 
Those having no expectations from the start accounted for 35 
percent. 
 
The same question was asked in this February's survey, which posted 
the lowest support rate for the Abe cabinet at 37 percent. In that 
survey, 1 percent answered that it was beyond expectations, with 25 
percent saying it was up to expectations and 37 percent saying it 
was short of expectations. Those with no expectations from the first 
accounted for 32 percent. This time, there was a decrease in the 
proportion of those thinking it was short of their expectations, and 
there was an increase in the proportion of those thinking it was up 
to their expectations. In the survey this time, the public rating 
for the Abe cabinet's job performance changed for the better. This 
seems to have led to the rise in the support rate. 
 
Asked for specific policy measures, 47 percent appreciated the prime 
minister's efforts for education reform, and 41 percent did not. As 
seen from these figures, affirmative answers somewhat outnumbered 
negative answers. However, public opinion was split over the 
premier's foreign policy and his efforts for constitutional 
revision. When respondents were asked if they supported the 
premier's foreign policy, "yes" accounted for 43 percent, with "no" 
at 42 percent. Asked about the premier's efforts for constitutional 
reform, "yes" accounted for 42 percent, with "no" at 43 percent. 
 
Respondents were also asked which political party they would vote 
for if an election were to be held now for the House of Councillors. 
In response to this question, 31 percent picked the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party for proportional representation (28 percent in the 
first survey), with 21 percent choosing the leading opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) (21 percent in the first 
survey). Respondents were further asked which side between the 
ruling camp and the opposition camp they would like to see hold a 
majority as a result of this summer's House of Councillors election. 
In response, 36 percent chose the ruling camp (32 percent in the 
first survey), with 43 percent preferring the opposition camp (44 
percent in the first survey). 
 
6) Ruling coalition confident they will win Upper House election 
with cabinet approval rating on increase 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
According to a May survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun, the public's 
support rate for the Abe cabinet has turned upward. The government 
and ruling parties are greatly looking forward to the continuation 
of this trend with an eye on the House of Councillors election, 
which will take place in two months. A person close to Prime 
Minister Shinzo Abe, pointing to a sense of self-confidence about a 
possible further increases in the cabinet approval rating, made this 
comment: 
 
TOKYO 00002276  005 OF 012 
 
 
 
"The fact that the prime minister took a bearish stance in dealing 
with such crucial issues as constitutional reform and reform of the 
civil service system led to an increase in the public support rating 
for the cabinet." 
 
Asked by reporters about the result of the Yomiuri poll, Prime 
Minister Abe responded: "I don't react nervously to the results of 
public opinion polls, but I will continue making efforts to get 
public understanding for my policy measures in a honest manner." 
 
Citing the civil service reform and improvement in relations with 
China as the factors for a pickup in the public approval rating for 
the Abe cabinet, Abe's aide stated: "All the more because both 
issues were unable to be dealt with by the Koizumi cabinet, many 
people highly valued the achievements by Prime Minister Abe." 
 
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hidenao 
Nakagawa categorically stated in a press conference yesterday: 
 
"That might be the result of a one-on-one debate (on May 16 between 
the prime minister and Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) 
President Ichiro Ozawa). We should provide the public with materials 
to determine by holding a party-heads debate every week." 
 
Minshuto Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, however, revealed that 
his party would step up its stance of opposing the ruling coalition, 
saying: "The public might misunderstand and think that the prime 
minister has leadership. If they are deceived by his words, it will 
have a boomerang effect on them." 
 
7) Prime minister's strategy to make constitutional revision top 
campaign issue coming under fire even from ruling party members 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
May 22, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Abe aims to place the issue of revision of the 
Constitution in the campaign spotlight for the House of Councillors 
election. In reaction, officials in the ruling camp have begun to 
voice criticism. In the Kantei's recent email magazine, the prime 
minister noted, "I do not understand the criticism," but he is out 
of sync with those critical of the prime minister's stance. The 
opposition side has also pointed to the lack of unity in the ruling 
coalition. 
 
In the email magazine on May 17, the prime minister said: "An 
election is an important opportunity for us to explain our views to 
the people and to conduct debate. I think it is insincere to 
sidestep an argument on the Constitution, which is linked to a 
national vision." 
 
On a TV program on May 20, however, Hajime Funada of the Liberal 
Democratic Party, former chairman of the Constitution Council, 
commented: "To amend the Constitution, it is required to obtain 
support from more than two-thirds of all the Diet members. The prime 
minister's view will be invalid unless the ruling parties garner 
more than two-thirds of all the seats in the upcoming Upper House 
election." Yukio Edano of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), 
chairman of the Constitution Research Commission, also quipped: "If 
the ruling coalition fails to secure two-thirds votes, will Prime 
Minister Abe step down?" 
 
TOKYO 00002276  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
Funada and Edano both keep in mind the outcome of the House of 
Representatives election in 1955. Then Prime Minister Hatoyama 
declared the goal of "winning two-thirds," but he failed to achieve 
it. The cabinet resigned en masse the following year. 
 
New Komeito Policy Research Council Chairman Tetsuo Saito emphasized 
on another program the same day: "I could understand if (the prime 
minister) proposed making specifics in constitutional revision a 
point of contention, but he has expressed his willingness to take up 
the issue of revision of the Constitution itself as a campaign 
issue. This is hard to understand." 
 
8) First Lady Akie moved to tears while listening when President 
Bush speak of soldiers who died in war 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
During a dinner party hosted by the president and his wife when they 
visited the US last month, First Lady Akie, wife of Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe, was moved to tears when President Bush spoke of soldiers 
who died, and the president, looking at her tears, was also 
teary-eyed, according to an informed source. Such communication of 
the heart solicited words of admiration of Akie from Bush during a 
joint press conference held after the party, Bush said: "I have the 
impression that Akie is considerate and intelligent." 
 
Abe and his wife attended the banquet at the White House on the 
night of April 26. Akie sat next to President Bush. 
 
Akie: "What was the most heartbreaking experience to you since you 
assumed the presidency?" 
 
Bush: "It is a hard time when I meet the families of soldiers who 
died (in Iraq and other wars). But I would like to meet as many 
families as possible. A leader sometimes needs to make a hard 
decision." 
 
Hearing this, Akie unexpectedly had tears in her eyes. In response, 
the president, with tears in his eyes, held her hand and said: 
"You're a kind person." 
 
9) Japan, US to include Australia in research on MD; Working-level 
talks to start this year 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
The governments of Japan and the United States have decided to 
include Australia in their joint studies on a missile defense (MD) 
system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles from third 
countries. They will assume possible missile launches from North 
Korea and other countries. The three countries plan to set up a 
working-level council composed of their division directors by the 
end of the year to discuss ways to exchange intelligence and to cope 
with situations. 
 
The joint-study concept was basically agreed on when the foreign and 
defense ministerial of the three countries met for the first time in 
Tokyo this April. According to a senior Defense Ministry official, 
"Japan, the US, and Australia will jointly discuss the Japanese and 
 
TOKYO 00002276  007 OF 012 
 
 
US plan to introduce the MD system, and the coping capacity and 
operation of the system, with the aim of strengthening the security 
system in the Asia-Pacific region." 
 
Australia has yet to decide to introduce the MD system, but it is 
expected to mull the possibility of installing the system in the 
future while groping for operational cooperation with Japan and the 
US, such as the sharing of its intelligence on missile firing. 
 
The three countries will conduct studies on the assumption of such 
scenes as a North Korean new-type intermediate-range missile or a 
Chinese ballistic missile coming to Guam Island or Australia. 
 
When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met visiting Australian Prime 
Minister Howard this March, they pledged in a joint statement on 
security to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Japan, the US, 
and Australia. Japan and the US agreed in the Security Consultative 
Committee meeting (2 + 2) held earlier by their foreign and defense 
ministers to improve the capacity of the MD system. 
 
10) Missile defense data also leaked in Aegis incident; US Navy 
protests to MSDF 
 
TOKYO (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 22, 2007 
 
Aegis vessel data falling under the highest-level category of 
"defense secret" (tokubetsu boei himitsu) was recently found to have 
leaked and proliferated within the Maritime Self-Defense Force. In 
this incident, data on the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3), a sea-based 
intercept missile developed by the United States for ballistic 
missile defense, and other latest key data had also leaked, the 
Kanagawa prefectural police and the MSDF shore police discovered 
yesterday. 
 
The US Navy, strongly shocked at the MSDF's careless control of 
information, delivered a stern protest to the MSDF. In the series of 
data leaks, the Kanagawa police and MSDF authorities deem that data 
files created by the MSDF's Program Service Unit (Development Group 
at present) in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, were brought out and 
spread among those trained at the MSDF's 1st Service School in 
Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture. The police will thoroughly 
investigate the case for indictment. 
 
The MSDF will mount the SM-3 on its Aegis-equipped destroyers, 
starting within the year. From now on, however, police 
investigations could greatly affect the MSDF in building a missile 
defense network. 
 
According to the police, those data files that were found to have 
leaked this time include data on the SM-3's performance as well as 
data on an advanced communication system called "Link 16," which is 
also employed by the US Navy for its mainstay vessels and by the US 
Air Force for its military aircraft. Those data were provided by the 
United States. Link 16 is used to share information between Japanese 
and US forces. This system is indispensable for missile defense that 
needs to exchange information without delay from early warning 
satellites, according to sources. Information about the SM-3 and 
Link 16 is also categorized as "defense secret" stipulated in the 
Confidentiality Protection Law, which is incidental to an 
 
SIPDIS 
intergovernmental agreement between Japan and the United States on 
mutual defense assistance cooperation. The Kanagawa police are 
 
TOKYO 00002276  008 OF 012 
 
 
investigating the case on the charge of violating the law. 
 
11) MOD to interview all SDF personnel to prevent info leaks 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
May 22, 2007 
 
Ryuko Tadokoro 
 
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) yesterday decided to interview every 
MOD official and every Self-Defense Forces (SDF) member totaling 
250,000 more than once a year and on a regular basis regarding 
information management. This decision reflects MOD's strong concern 
about a series of information leaks involving SDF members. It also 
aims to demonstrate Japan's attitude of stepping up efforts for 
preventive maintenance concerning information ahead of concluding a 
general security of military information agreement (GSOMIA) as 
agreed on at the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee (2+2) 
meeting on May 1. 
 
Such cases as the leak of information on the Ground Self-Defense 
Force (GSDF) via the file-sharing software "Winny" and the leak of 
information on the Aegis radar system have occurred since the 
beginning of this year. Shocked by them, Defense Minister Fumio 
Kyuma unusually instructed his ministry in mid-May to conduct 
regular interviews. 
 
The succession of leaks has made the US government distrustful of 
the Japanese government. Apparently affected by this, both the 
governments agreed to conclude the GSOMIA. The MOD intends to 
maintain information securely through regular interviews. 
 
12) LDP suggests SDF guard diplomatic missions abroad as part of 
efforts to strengthen diplomatic capability 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 22, 2007 
 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) special panel (headed by 
Yoshiro Mori) to discuss measures for strengthening Japan's 
diplomatic capability is drafting a final report, aiming to release 
it later this month. An outline of the report became known 
yesterday. The report proposes, for instance, opening the way for 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops deployed abroad to guard Japanese 
embassies and increasing the number of embassies over the next 10 
years, as well as the budget for official development assistance 
(ODA). The LDP intends to present the report to the government in 
June so that the proposals will be reflected in a budget bill for 
fiscal 2008. 
 
Proposals shown in the report are sorted by category: (1) improving 
the diplomatic base; (2) stepping up diplomatic tools, and (3) 
teaming up with diplomatic players. The report stresses the need for 
Japanese diplomatic missions abroad, particularly those installed in 
highly dangerous countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, to be 
prepared for such threats as terrorism. The report points out the 
need for legislation for SDF troops deployed there, instead of 
foreign private security companies, to guard diplomatic 
establishments as well as protect officials working in diplomatic 
missions. 
 
Many in the party, however, are cautious about allowing the SDF to 
 
TOKYO 00002276  009 OF 012 
 
 
guard diplomatic establishments abroad with someone arguing, "It may 
lead the SDF to use armed force as prohibited by Article 9 of the 
Constitution." In addition, this sort of SDF's overseas security 
mission may be opposed by recipient countries. This proposal has 
high hurdles to clear. 
 
The report also proposes increasing the number of embassies from the 
current 120 to 150 and the number of the Foreign Ministry officials 
from the current 5,500 by 2,000 over the next 10 years. The report 
suggests setting numerical targets in terms of setting up new 
embassies and increasing the number of officials. 
 
13) Expert panel's chair Yanai eager to reinterpret the right to 
collective defense 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
Former Ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai, chair of the 
government's panel to discuss the question of whether to allow the 
exercise of the right to collective self-defense and other items, 
yesterday delivered a speech in Tokyo, in which he again indicated 
enthusiasm about reviewing the current interpretation of the 
Constitution, by saying: "Given that the security environment for 
Japan has changed greatly, I wonder whether our country can survive 
in the future if we stick to the 60-year-old interpretation of the 
Constitution." 
 
On the question of amending the Constitution, Yanai emphasized: "In 
order to resolve an immediate problem, amending the Constitution is 
not a good choice because doing so takes much time." But he 
continued, "Even though the problem is resolved by reinterpretation, 
I think it is meaningful to have a provision to make things clear," 
indicating reinterpretation will not directly affect debate on 
constitutional revision. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has instructed 
the panel to discuss four cases regarding constitutional 
interpretations, including the case of intercepting ballistic 
missiles aiming at the US. In this regard, Yanai pointed out: "Some 
suggest we should discuss cases other than the four." 
 
14) Yanai underlines need to exercise right to collective defense 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
Former Ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai, who chairs 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's panel tasked with discussing the legal 
foundation for national security, delivered a speech at the Japan 
National Press Club yesterday. Yanai reiterated his view that the 
government should change its interpretation of the right to 
collective self-defense to allow the country to exercise it, saying: 
"Helping an ally leads to helping itself." 
 
Fiscal System Council to urge government to correct increasing labor 
costs for Japanese workers at US bases 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
The number of Japanese workers at US bases in Japan has been 
increasing, while that of US troops in Japan has been decreasing, 
according to Finance Ministry statistics that were presented 
 
TOKYO 00002276  010 OF 012 
 
 
yesterday by the Fiscal System Council. By simple calculation, there 
are 75.9 Japanese workers per 100 US servicemen. The figure is far 
higher than that of South Korea, which is 47.2, and other countries 
hosting US bases. The Fiscal System Council adopted a position paper 
urging the government to rectify its host-nation support in which 
labor costs represent a large portion. 
 
There were 45,939 US troops in Japan in fiscal 1978, but the number 
decreased by 27 percent to 33,453 (as of September 30) in FY 2006. 
Meanwhile, the number of Japanese workers at US bases increased by 
20 percent from 21,017 in FY1978 to 25,403 in FY2006. The number has 
markedly grown since April 1991 when the Japanese government began 
shouldering the basic salaries of Japanese workers in accordance 
with a special agreement with the United States. 
 
The number of local employees per 100 US servicemen is 47.2 in South 
Korea, 43.1 in Italy, and 30.8 in Germany. Except for Japan, their 
labor costs are being paid by the US military. 
 
Cafeteria counter attendants numbering 715 represent the largest 
portion of the Japanese workers. They make an average of 3.34 
million yen a year with the maximum being 5.39 million yen. The next 
largest group is security guards totaling 458 who make 5.75 million 
yen on the average, the maximum being 9.5 million yen. 
 
The Finance Ministry intends to reflect its reduction policy in 
Japan-US talks in or after fiscal 2008 when the bilateral special 
agreement expires. 
 
15) New US base in Okinawa: Coral reef damaged during survey; 
Environmental group demands suspension 
 
AKAHATA SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
The Naha Defense Facilities Administration Bureau (NDFAB) has 
forcibly conducted a preliminary survey for the construction of a 
new US military base. In this connection, it was found that a coral 
reef was damaged during the survey. Members of an environmental 
group yesterday lodged a protest, calling for suspension of the 
survey. 
 
Takuma Higashionna, chief of the secretariat of the Dugong 
Protection Fund Committee, revealed the situation and lodged a 
strong protest during the prefectural citizens council's activities 
to make a request to the NDFAB in opposition to the relocation of 
base facilities. He called for immediate suspension of the survey. 
NDFAB chief Tsutomu Sato, who met with Higashionna, pledged to 
investigate the matter, noting, "We would like to determine what has 
happened." 
 
According to Higashionna and Takenobu Tsuchida, chief of the 
secretariat of the Dugong Network Okinawa, the survey in question 
 
SIPDIS 
was carried out on the morning of May 20. Equipment to observe coral 
spawning was placed right above coral reefs about 2 km from Henoko 
with reinforcing bars to fix the facilities pierced into the living 
coral reefs. 
 
Higashionna said, "Coral lives near the location where the equipment 
was installed. You can observe spawning with the human eye. It is 
absolutely impermissible to destroy the natural environment spending 
tax money worth several billion yen for unnecessary research." 
 
TOKYO 00002276  011 OF 012 
 
 
 
16) Prevention of global warming: Introduction of numerical targets 
in final G-8 summit declaration now impossible; Japan, US negative 
toward idea 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 22, 2007 
 
Berlin, Morihiko Koyama 
 
Preliminary talks are now being held on the drafting of a final 
declaration on global warming to be released at the G-8 summit to be 
held in Heiligendamm, Germany. In this connection, it was found 
yesterday that it is now extremely difficult to include numerical 
targets, the idea the host nation Germany had called on other 
participating countries to agree. 
 
The draft memorandum by one negotiator, which the Mainichi Shimbun 
has obtained, shows that numerical targets, which were included in 
the initial draft, and large portions of the perception of the 
present state of climate change have been either deleted or 
modified. 
 
A showcase proposal by Germany aimed at having other participants 
take part in Europe's progressive approach has been deleted. The 
proposal included cooperation among participants to hold down global 
warming to an increase of 2 degrees Centigrade and the need to 
achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 10-15 years. 
 
According to a German official in charge, European participants are 
generally in favor of the adoption of numerical targets. However, 
the US and Canada are strongly opposing the proposal. Russia and 
Japan are also negative toward the idea. German Chancellor Merkel 
remains positive, noting, "I will continue talks up to the last 
minute." However, the dominant view among government officials is 
that it will be impossible to reach an agreement. 
 
17) Global warming: Forests fall short of absorbing CO2 due to 
insufficient tree maintenance effort; Households, companies likely 
to be urged to make more energy-conserving effort 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, May 21, 2007 
 
(Commentary) Insufficient maintenance of forests has become a 
problem, because it determines whether Japan can achieve its target 
of cutting global warming gas emissions or not. 
 
Japan has pledged to the world to achieve a 6 percent cut in CO2 
emissions, compared with the 1990 level. However, its carbon 
emissions in 2005 saw an 8 percent increase, meaning that it must 
cut such emissions by 14.1 percent by the deadline. 
 
Provided that Japan fails to achieve a 3.8 percent absorption of 
emissions by forests, companies and households would have to cover 
that portion. 
 
The estimated amount of carbon emissions that forests can absorb per 
unit area is 10 times more than that of Russia and Canada, which 
have vast stretches of forests. Japan was allowed to cover the 
targeted reduction amount with absorption by forests because it 
strongly called for the inclusion of forest absorptions of CO2 in 
 
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the calculations of its reduction achievements in return for 
accepting a severe reduction target. 
 
Forests absorb CO2, a representative greenhouse gas. Further, if 
lumbers are used as fuel or as substitute for iron or aluminum, it 
is possible to curb the consumption of petroleum and coal. 
 
The use of lumber from man-made forests planted during an expansive 
aforestation period has yet to become full scale. Now is a good 
opportunity to revive forests that have not received proper 
maintenance because the price competitiveness of domestic lumbers is 
becoming strong due to an increase in global demand for lumbers. 
Revitalizing the forest industry will become a driving force to 
promote tree thinning without depending on subsidies. 
 
SCHIEFFER