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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002342 
 
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 05/25/07 
 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
 
2) Editorials 
 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) Prime Minister Abe unveils climate initiative to halve greenhouse 
gas emissions by 2050 
 
5) Foreign Minister Aso calls on Iran to halt uranium enrichment 
 
6) Makiko Tanaka to join People's New Party today 
 
7) MSDF destroyer captain on duty to be quizzed in Indian Ocean over 
Aegis data leaks 
 
8) House panel approves DFAA dismantlement 
 
9) Japan, Australia set to hold two-plus-two ministerial on June 6 
 
10) China possibly tests OTH radar in East China Sea 
 
11) Japan-China summit eyed 
 
12) China rejects Japan's call for talks over joint gas field 
development premised on equidistance line 
 
13) Tokyo, Beijing nervous about former Taiwan President Lee 
Teng-hui's journey to Japan 
 
14) Farm minister hints at easing conditions for US beef imports 
 
15) Health ministry to abolish BSE blanket testing subsidies 
 
 
  There will be no Morning Highlights on May 28 - an American 
holiday. 
 
 
Articles: 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun, and Akahata: 
Six MAFF-affiliated executives, others arrested over J-Green 
bid-rigging 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Abe unveils climate change initiative to halve emissions by 2050 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
Asahi: 
(1)Abe's climate change initiative 
(2)Japan Green Recourses Agency bid-rigging scandal 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)Japan must take initiative in creating post-Kyoto framework 
(2)J-Green's bid-rigging practice and its closed nature 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)Global climate initiative hinges on China, US 
(2)J-Green's bid-rigging exploited forest road survey projects 
 
TOKYO 00002342  002 OF 009 
 
 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)Abe's climate change initiative to halve emissions must be 
implemented 
(2)China must respect intellectual property rights 
 
Sankei: 
(1)J-Green's bid-rigging points to need for overhaul of independent 
administrative corporations 
(2)Lay judge system requires alteration 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)Who needs J-Green? 
(2)Brisk business performance a chance for major reform 
 
Akahata: 
(1)Government must stop increasing taxes 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 24 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2)  (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
09:10: 
Received a call from Australian Prime Minister Howard with Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, Special Advisor Seko and others also 
present. Met with Deputy Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretaries Ando 
and Saka. After them, met with Environment Minister Wakabayashi and 
Vice Environment Minister Tamura. 
10:43: 
Met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Khien of 
Vietnam. 
11:05: 
Met with Hokkaido Gov. Takahashi and members of a group calling for 
the return for the Northern Territories, joined by State Minister in 
Charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories Issues Takaichi and 
others. Afterwards, met with Japan Racing Association Chairman 
Masayuki Takahashi. 
11:35: 
Met with Ayame (Iris) Girl Tomomi Nakayama from Itako City, Ibaraki 
Prefecture, former NHK Chairman Katsuji Ebisawa, who now serves as 
ambassador to riverside Itako and others, joined by House of 
Representatives member Fukushiro Nukaga and others. 
11:45: 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matoba. Later, met with 
Chubu Economic Federation Chairman Fumio Kawaguchi, joined by Deputy 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki. 
12:07: 
Met with members of a group helping disabled persons become 
self-reliant at the south garden of Kantei. 
13:50: 
Met with Vice Foreign Minister Yachi. 
15:00: 
Met with journalist Soichiro Tawara. Afterwards, Met with State 
Minister in Charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy Ota, joined by 
Special Advisor Nemoto, Saka and others. Afterwards, met with LDP 
Public Relations Headquarters Chairman Futada and Public Relations 
Bureau Director-General Katayama. 
16:14: 
Met with incoming and outgoing Supreme Court Justices Muneharu Ueda 
 
TOKYO 00002342  003 OF 009 
 
 
and Toyozo Ueda. Later, met with Cabinet Intelligence Director 
Mitani. After him, met Secretary-General Nakagawa. 
17:05: 
Attended a meeting of the Council for Gender Equality. Afterwards, 
met with Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Suga. 
18:24: 
Attended a dinner party hosted by the International Conference on 
"The Future of Asia" at Imperial Hotel. 
20:53: 
Arrived at Kantei residence. 
 
4) Abe unveils climate initiative to halve greenhouse gas emissions 
by 2050 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2007 
 
In a speech in the 13th session of the Future of Asia yesterday, 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: "The global community should halve 
greenhouse gas emissions from current levels by 2050." This proposal 
marks the first long-term anti-global-warming initiative by the 
leader of an industrialized country. He also argued that such large 
emitters as the United States, China, and India should join a 
post-Kyoto Protocol international framework. 
 
Prior to the speech, the prime minister explained the initiative 
over the phone to US President Bush, British Prime Minister Blair, 
and German Chancellor Merkel. Philippine President Arroyo and 
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah, both of whom listened to Abe's 
speech in the session, expressed their support for his initiative. 
The prime minister intends to ask participants in the June G-8 
Summit in Heiligendamm for their cooperation in cutting greenhouse 
gas emissions and have it reflected in the G-8 joint statement. 
 
The emissions reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol are set to 
end in 2012. Abe stressed in the speech: "It is necessary to create 
a new framework that involves the entire global community." 
 
Acknowledging that existing technologies alone are not sufficient to 
meet the 50 PERCENT  goal, the prime minister expressed his 
determination to attain the goal by making use of Japan's 
cutting-edge technologies, referring to "developing high technology 
to generate nuclear power" and "creating a society in which the goal 
of reducing gas emissions can be achieved while people enjoy 
affluent lives." 
 
On a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, Abe said: "Even if we prepare 
an outstanding strategy, it will be meaningless unless everyone on 
the planet participates in it." He then advocated these three 
principles in working out a new framework: (1) Involve all major 
greenhouse gas emitters, such as the US, China, and India; (2) 
create a flexible and diverse framework that takes into account each 
nation's circumstances; and (3) balance environmental protection and 
economic development. 
 
Furthermore, the prime minister revealed a plan to support 
developing countries eager to proactively take anti-global-warming 
measures. The support is expected to be separate from the 
conventional official development assistance (ODA) program, and 
Japan will call on other industrial countries, the United Nations, 
and the World Bank for their cooperation. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002342  004 OF 009 
 
 
Key points in Abe's climate initiative 
 
-- Halve greenhouse gas emissions across the world by 2050. 
-- Develop innovative technologies and create a low-carbon society 
to reduce gas emissions. 
-- Adopt three principles regarding a post-Kyoto framework: 
Participation of all greenhouse gas emitters; taking into account 
each country's circumstances; and balancing environmental protection 
and economic growth. 
-- Create a new funding mechanism for developing countries eager to 
tackle global warming. 
-- Carry out a national movement for each person to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions by 1 kg a day. 
 
5) Aso calls on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
Foreign Minister Taro Aso late yesterday held a 30-minute 
teleconference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki. In the 
conversation, Aso called on Mottaki to shut down its uranium 
enrichment facility in response to a United Nations Security Council 
resolution. Aso conveyed Japan's intention to impose additional 
sanctions on Iran and also prodded him to attend ambassadorial talks 
between Iran and the United States in a constructive manner. 
 
6) Lawmaker Makiko Tanaka to reach agreement today to join People's 
New Party 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 25, 2007 
 
Preparations are underway for former Foreign Minister (independent) 
Makiko Tanaka to leave the Lower House group consisting of members 
of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) and independent 
lawmakers and instead join another Lower House group composed of 
members of the People's New Party (PNP), Sozo, and independent 
lawmakers, sources revealed yesterday. Tanaka is to meet with PNP 
Secretary-General Hisaoki Kamei today and likely to reach an accord 
 
SIPDIS 
on her joining the group. This move is seen as part of the PNP's 
efforts to garner more votes in the upcoming Upper House election 
this summer by teaming up with Tanaka, a well-known politician. It 
will take more time, however, for Tanaka to restore relations with 
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, because many in the party still 
hold antipathy toward her. 
 
Depending on the outcome of the Upper House election, the PNP may 
have the deciding vote. Some in the LDP are therefore looking for 
ways to team up with the PNP. 
 
7) MSDF captain on mission in Indian Ocean to be questioned about 
Aegis data leak 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2007 
 
The Kanagawa Prefectural Police and the Maritime Self-Defense Force 
Police Command decided yesterday to question a 47-year-old MSDF 
destroyer captain who used to teach at the MSDF's 1st Service School 
in Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, in connection with a case in which 
a 33-year-old petty officer 2nd class belonging to MSDF Escort 
 
TOKYO 00002342  005 OF 009 
 
 
Flotilla 1 based in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, took key 
data on the Aegis system out of the office. They will send 
investigators to the Indian Ocean, where the captain is commanding a 
ship under the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. It is unusual to 
question a captain on a mission overseas. 
 
The captain, who holds the rank of commander, served as an 
instructor at the school from 2002 through 2003, when the data is 
believed to have leaked. 
 
The Defense Ministry was initially reluctant to question the captain 
while he is on an overseas mission, as doing so might have a 
negative impact on the morale of the troops and the operation of the 
vessel. 
 
But the extremely difficult investigation has forced the ministry to 
conclude that questioning the captain is essential in order to 
determine how the data had spread in the service school. 
 
8) Bill for dismantling DFAA approved 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
An amendment to the Defense Ministry Establishment Law to dismantle 
the Defense Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA), which had been 
tainted by bureaucracy-initiated bid-rigging scandals, was approved 
by a majority from the ruling parties at a meeting yesterday of the 
Lower House Committee on Security. 
 
9) Japan, Australia to hold 2-plus-2 on June 6 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Australian Prime Minister Howard 
yesterday and confirmed that Japan and Australia would continue to 
cooperate on North Korea, Iraq reconstruction, and other issues. The 
two leaders also concurred on steadily implementing a joint 
declaration that was released by Japan and Australia in March when 
they met. The two countries will hold a two-plus-two foreign and 
defense ministerial meeting of their intergovernmental security 
consultative committee on June 6. 
 
10) China likely tested new radar near Japan-China median line in 
East China Sea 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2007 
 
It is believed likely that China tested the capabilities of an 
over-the-horizon (OTH) radar system, now under development, in late 
April in waters near the Japan-China median line in the East China 
Sea, according to the Defense Agency Defense Intelligence 
Headquarters (DHI). 
 
The deployment of the high-performance OTH radar may enable China to 
discern the moves of Japanese vessels on the Japanese side of the 
median line. Highly alarmed at the possibility, the Defense Ministry 
is going to analyze the data further. 
 
According to the DHI, an MSDF P3C patrol plane on a routine mission 
 
TOKYO 00002342  006 OF 009 
 
 
to monitor waters in the East China Sea in late April spotted an old 
Chinese destroyer on the Chinese side of the median line. The P3C 
continued to monitor the Chinese destroyer and took pictures. 
Although the destroyer navigated north and south along the median 
line, it never crossed it. 
 
Analyzing such factors as the destroyer's wakes, intercepted Chinese 
radio communications, and intelligence from the US military, the 
Defense Ministry has essentially concluded that the destroyer's 
navigation was for testing the capability of OTH radar. 
 
The DHI now believes that China tested the radar's acquisition and 
resolution by using the OTH radar believed to be installed on the 
coastline in Zhejiang Province by moving the destroyer around in 
waters near the Japan-China median line as a mock target. 
 
11) Japan-China summit likely on sidelines of G-8 Summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
A government source has revealed that the governments of Japan and 
China are undertaking coordination with a view to holding a summit 
between Prime Minister Abe and President Hu Jintao on the sidelines 
of the Heiligendamm Summit to be held on June 6-8 in Germany. 
 
A summit between the two leaders would be the first since they met 
on the sidelines of the PEC meeting held in Hanoi last November. 
They are expected to discuss North Korea and the development of gas 
fields in the East China Sea, as well as to exchange opinions on a 
visit to China within the year by Abe and a visit to Japan by Hu. 
 
12) China: "Median line is not a condition for start of talks on gas 
field development" 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
Ken Sato, Beijing 
 
At a press briefing yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Deputy 
Spokesperson Jiang Yu mentioned bureau director-level talks between 
Japan and China to discuss gas field development in the East China 
Sea and said: "The so-called Japan-China median line is based on the 
Japanese side's unilateral assertion. We can't accept talks on the 
joint development based on that median line. There is no change in 
China's position." 
 
As an area for joint development, Japan has suggested a sea area 
covering gas fields near the Japan-China median line, such as the 
Shirakaba (Chunxiao) gas field, but the Chinese spokesperson again 
indicated China's position of rejecting joint development. China 
intends to make a new proposal for joint development at today's 
bureau director-level talks, but the two countries are still far 
apart. 
 
The Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau 
Director-General Kenichiro Sasae arrived in Beijing yesterday and 
told reporters: "The important thing is for China to come up with a 
positive, specific idea. I expect it to do so." 
 
13) Japan, China nervous about Lee Teng-hui's visit to Japan from 
 
TOKYO 00002342  007 OF 009 
 
 
May 30; China may react strongly if he refers to Taiwanese 
independence 
 
ASAHI (Page 7) (Full) 
May 25, 2007 
 
Tsuyoshi Nojima, Taipei 
 
SIPDIS 
 
Former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui will visit Japan on May 30. 
The upcoming Japan visit will be his third since he stepped down 
from the presidential post, making his first trip to Tokyo where he 
will give speeches. In an interview on May 24 by the Asahi Shimbun, 
he stressed that the purpose of his visit was sightseeing and 
academic exchange. A response by China, which has kept guard on Lee 
regarding him as a leader of advocators for an independent Taiwan, 
will be determined by Lee's words and actions in Tokyo. 
 
Lee is expected to deliver three speeches on the international 
situation and other issues in Tokyo and other places. He plans to 
travel to the Tohoku region, which is famous for "The Narrow Road to 
the Deep North" a major work by the Japanese poet Matsuo Basho 
(1644-1694). He is then scheduled to hold a press conference on June 
¶9. 
 
Lee said in the interview: "I wanted to tour the place famous for 
'The Narrow Road to the Deep North.' I will deliver cultural and 
academic speeches. I will not carry out political activities." He 
was optimistic about China's response, saying, "China has became 
soft and wise." 
 
The former Taiwan leader visited Japan in 2001 for medical 
treatment. In 2004 he did sightseeing in the Hokuriku region. China 
made strong protests against Japan over Lee's Japan visits. 
 
Although Lee is a private citizen since he resigned from the 
presidential post seven years ago, he is a spiritual leader of the 
Taiwan Solidarity Union, a political party that advocates Taiwanese 
independence. Lee has close ties with Xie Chang-tein, the ruling 
Democratic Progressive Party's candidate for the presidential 
election. Given that, he has some political influence. 
 
In 2001 and 2004 the Japanese government asked Lee to refrain from 
giving speeches and holding press meetings in return for the 
issuance of tourist visas. Lee reportedly has decided the contents 
of his speeches based on consultations with the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence and the Foreign Ministry. There will be no 
restrictions on his remarks in principle. 
 
The Japanese government assumes that as long as Lee's visit ends 
with sightseeing and academic exchanges, China's criticism of Japan 
will not be strong. However, China is sensitive about the Taiwan 
issue more than the history issue. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao 
stressed in his speech in Japan in April that the Taiwan issue is 
"China's core interest." He sought to constrain Japan. 
 
14) US beef imports: Agriculture Minister Matsuoka hints at easing 
import conditions, noting, "The Food Safety Commission will discuss 
the matter" 
 
SHIMBUN AKAHATA (Page 14) (Excerpts) 
May 25, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00002342  008 OF 009 
 
 
Following the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) decision to 
classify the US as a country with a "controlled risk" of BSE, 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka 
yesterday said, "The OIE's decision will not immediately lead to 
Japan's easing of its import condition imposed on US beef limiting 
beef eligible for export to cattle aged 20 months or younger." 
Matsuoka was replying to questions asked by reporters at his 
ministry. 
 
However, he hinted at his stance of pressing ahead with efforts to 
ease import conditions, such as the age criterion, as sought by the 
US, based the outcome of inspections of US meat-processing 
facilities, which Japan is now conducting. He noted, "The Food 
Safety Commission will discuss the results of the inspections." 
 
15) BSE: Government to scrap blanket cattle inspection subsidies 
next July; Response from local governments to become focus of 
attention 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 25, 2006 
 
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has decided to end 
subsidies it now provides to prefectural governments to cover the 
full cost of their BSE testing of cattle aged 20 months or younger 
at the end of July next year. It will not appropriate funds for such 
subsidies for August 2008 and beyond in its budget request for 
fiscal 2008. The MHLW was forced to adopt the subsidies system after 
meeting opposition from a number of local governments to the 
government decision to limit cattle subject to inspection to those 
aged 21 months or older. Since there are still calls for the 
continuation of blanket testing, how prefectural governments will 
respond to the MHLW's decision to end the system will become a focus 
of attention. 
 
Since the discovery of the first domestic case of BSE in Sept. 2001, 
the government has inspected all cattle to ensure safety. However, 
amid mounting pressure for resuming US beef imports, which were 
suspended in Dec. 2003, the MHLW raised the age of cattle subject to 
blanket inspection to those aged 21 months or older, revising the 
relevant ministry ordinance in Aug. 2005. However, since a number of 
prefectures that are home to cattle production, such as Gifu and 
Hyogo, announced their plans to continue blanket testing at their 
own expense, the MHLW decided to subsidize the cost of inspections 
of cattle aged up to 20 months with a three-year expiration date 
attached. 
 
 
There are approximately 1.2 million head of cattle throughout the 
nation, of whom approximately 150,000 are aged 20 months or younger. 
Subsides for blanket testing cost 300-400 million yen a year. The 
MHLW Food Safety Department explained its decision to end the 
subsidies by saying that now that a decision has been reached that 
the infection risk of cattle aged 20 months or younger is not high, 
based on verification by the Food Safety Commission, it is not 
possible for it to continue to spend tax money on testing. 
 
Concerning the beef trade, the World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE) issued international safety standards that boneless beef from 
cattle aged up to 30 months can be exported without any conditions. 
Since the OIE at its general meeting on May 22 classified the US as 
a country with a "controlled risk" of mad cow disease, meaning that 
 
TOKYO 00002342  009 OF 009 
 
 
it can export its beef without any conditions, the US intends to 
strengthen its request to Tokyo to ease its import conditions. 
 
SCHIEFFER