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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 003244 
 
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 07/17/07-2 
 
 
Index: 
 
Defense and security: 
13) Defense Minister Koike to meet Secretary Gates possibly in 
August 
14) Government considering staying awhile with superannuated F4 jets 
as indirect result of leaked classified information 
 
Opinion polls: 
15) Mainichi survey of LDP candidates finds 32 % willing to consider 
Japan having a nuclear arsenal - a seven-point increase over same 
question in 2004 election 
16) Jiji poll: Abe Cabinet support rate at record low of 25.7 % 
17) Latest Asahi election series poll: Cabinet non-support rate at 
55 %; In proportional races, 30 % of voters pick DPJ, 23 % favor 
LDP 
18) Asahi poll: 45 % of public say their impression of Prime 
Minister Abe has "worsened" 
19) Kyodo trend poll: Cabinet support rate at record low of 28 % 
 
Run up to Upper House election: 
20) Pre-election absentee voting up 10 % over last election 
21) LDP candidate lashes out at Prime Minister Abe's concept of 
"beautiful country, Japan" 
 
22) Administrative reform headquarters encountering resistance in 
targeting independent public corporations for reforms 
 
13) Defense Minister Koike possibly to travel to US in August 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
July 14, 2007 
 
Defense Minister Koike on the night of July 13 had a telephone 
conversation with US Secretary of Defense Gates, and the two defense 
chiefs agreed to hold bilateral defense ministerial talks in the 
United States in August. Koike told Gates, "I'd like to visit the US 
as early as possible after the Upper House election." Gates 
responded, "We'll welcome your visit to the US." 
 
This teleconference was proposed by Gates to congratulate Koike on 
her assumption of the post of defense minister. The two defense 
chiefs confirmed that they would put into practice the realignment 
plans for the US Forces Japan and facilitate the sharing of military 
information on such systems as missile defense (MD). 
 
Gates referred to Secretary of State Rice having called Koike on the 
night of July 12 ahead of Gates and told Koike: "She reported on her 
call at a meeting in the White House, and President Bush said 
jokingly, 'The State Department may take over the Defense 
Department.'" 
 
14) Defense Ministry considering extending use of F-4 due to 
hard-going F-22 talks following information leak 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
July 15, 2007 
 
In the face of hard-going talks between Tokyo and Washington on the 
use of the F-22A Raptor stealth fighter jet as Japan's possible 
next-generation mainstay combat jet aircraft (FX), the Defense 
Agency and the Self-Defense Forces have begun considering extending 
 
TOKYO 00003244  002 OF 006 
 
 
the life of the F-4 fighter, which is scheduled to be replaced in 
several years. Behind the Defense Ministry's step lies the United 
States' sense of distrust in Japan's intelligence management in the 
wake of a leak of pivotal data on the Aegis system by Maritime 
Self-Defense Force personnel. In a rare development, Japan is likely 
to be forced to continue to use the old mainstay fighter as a key 
component in the country's national defense. 
 
Japan has deployed a total of 91 F-4 fighters since 1973. The F-4 
and the F-15 have been the country's mainstay aircraft. However, the 
Defense Ministry is scheduled to begin replacement in fiscal year 
2008 by substituting seven F-4s with F-2 support fighters. The 
government plans to determine the FX model by the time it starts 
compiling a budgetary request for FY2021 next summer. But in the 
event the US government does not disclose information on the F-22, 
the decision might delay. Given the situation, the government needs 
to review the planned switchover and the life of the aircraft 
accordingly. 
 
The Defense Ministry has been studying six types of aircraft as 
possible successors to the F-4. 
 
Although the government has repeatedly asked the US for information 
on the F-22, US law prohibits exporting and disclosing information 
on the aircraft with the aim of preventing the flow of 
state-of-the-art technology to other countries. On July 12, the US 
House of Representatives began studying the propriety of lifting the 
ban toward Japan and other countries. 
 
The bottleneck is the information management systems of the Defense 
Ministry and the SDF. During his visit to the US earlier this month, 
Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya held talks with 
former US Deputy Defense Undersecretary Richard Lawless and others. 
In the session, the US side indicated that information on the Aegis 
system might have fallen into the hands of China. Moriya asked the 
US to consider selection of the FX apart from the incident. In turn, 
the US asked for proof that information has not leaked to China, 
suggesting a sense of distrust in Japan. 
 
15) Mainichi survey of LDP candidates finds 32 % approve giving 
consideration to Japan having nuclear weapons, a seven-point 
increase since survey in 2004 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 16, 2007 
 
In a questionnaire survey carried out by the Mainichi Shimbun of all 
candidates running in the upcoming Upper House election, it was 
found that 32 % of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates approve 
of giving consideration to Japan arming itself with nuclear weapons. 
This is a seven-%rise since the question was asked in the last 
survey of Upper House candidates prior to the 2004 election. With 
the question of what Japan should do about nuclear weapons 
reappearing in the wake of former Defense Minister Kyuma's atom-bomb 
remark, it appears that the debate over nuclear armament is no 
longer taboo in the ruling LDP. 
 
In the questionnaire, four choices were given regarding Japan arming 
itself with nuclear weapons: 1) something that should not be 
considered in the future; 2) should be considered, depending on the 
international situation from now on; 3) should start considering 
now; and 4) Japan should possess nuclear weapons. 
 
TOKYO 00003244  003 OF 006 
 
 
 
The answer, "should not be considered" was chosen by 57 % of the LDP 
candidates surveyed or 41 persons. Although they form a majority of 
opinion, if compared to the entire body of candidates, of which 71 % 
chose this answer, the  percentage is much lower. 
 
In addition, 24 % (17 persons) among the LDP candidates chose the 
answer, "Should be considered, depending on the international 
situation." The same question was asked in 2004; at the time, 25 % 
chose the above answer. Those who answered, "Should start studying 
now," numbered zero. 
 
The increase in those who approve of studying a nuclear option 
compared to three years ago can be attributed to the comments to 
Foreign Minister Aso and others who called for discussion of such 
following North Korea's testing of a nuclear device last October. 
 
Among the opposition parties, 72 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or 
Minshuto) candidates, or 94 %, chose the answer, "Should not be 
considered." Only 1 % chose the answer, "Study depending on the 
international situation," and 3 % said, "Should start studying 
now." 
 
On the question of recognizing Japan's right to collective 
self-defense, 50 % (36 persons) among the LDP candidates chose the 
option, "Should not be allowed," and 36 % (26 persons) chose, 
"Should be allowed." All New Komeito candidates said that such use 
of that right should not be allowed. 
 
Among the opposition parties, 19 % (15 persons) of the DPJ, and 18 % 
(4) of the Peoples New Party would allow the use of that right. All 
Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party candidates were 
against allowing Japan the use of collective self-defense. 
 
16) Jiji poll finds Abe Cabinet support rate at record low of 25.7 
%, reflecting such issues as office-expense scandals 
 
TOKYO (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
July 14, 2007 
 
According to the July survey of public opinion carried out by Jiji 
Press on the sixth to ninth of this month, the support rate of the 
Abe Cabinet dropped 3.1 points to 25.7 %, the lowest level since the 
administration came into office. The non-support rate increased 4.8 
points to 53.2 %, the first time for the figure to exceed the 50 % 
level. The record low level of support seems to reflect such factors 
as the missing pension records, the resignation of Defense Minister 
Kyuma for his atom-bomb remark, and the office-expenses controversy 
involving Farm Minister Akagi. With the Upper House election 
scheduled for July 29, the poll portends severe results for the 
ruling parties. 
 
The survey was carried out by face-to-face interviews of 2,000 men 
and women, with an effective response rate of 66.7 %. 
 
17) Voter's choice in proportional representation segment in Asahi 
series poll: DPJ, 30 %; LDP, 23 %; Abe Cabinet non-support rate now 
at 55 % 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
July 16, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00003244  004 OF 006 
 
 
The Asahi Shimbun on July 14-15 carried out its 10th in a series of 
opinion surveys directed at the upcoming Upper House election. In 
the poll, when voters were asked their party choice in the 
proportional representation segment of the election if the election 
were held now, 30 % chose the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or 
Minshuto) (26 % in the last poll), while 23 % (22 % last time) 
favored the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In the district races, 
as well, 32 % of voters were for the DPJ (previously 28 %), and 26 % 
(previously 25 %) were for the LDP, indicating a growing shift in 
voter preference for the opposition DPJ. 
 
The support rate for the Abe Cabinet was 30 % (previously 31 %) and 
the non-support rate was 55 % (previously 51 %), reaching a record 
high. 
 
With the public announcement of the Upper House election, more and 
more people are making clear their choices when they vote. In that 
selection process, the DPJ's rise has been outstanding. 
 
18) Asahi poll finds 45 % of public say impression of prime minister 
has "worsened" 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
July 16, 2007 
 
In the latest national opinion survey by the Asahi Shimbunsha, the 
public was asked, "In looking at Prime Minister Abe's most recent 
remarks and actions, has your impression of him grown better?" In 
contrast to the 6 % who answered that they thought it had "got 
better," 45 % said that their impression of him had "worsened." 
Another 45 % said that it "had not changed." The Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) is promoting the prime minister as the party's "election 
face," but it appears that the voters are looking at Abe with severe 
eyes. Asked the same question about Minshuto (DPJ or Democratic 
Party of Japan) President Ozawa, 10 % answered that their impression 
of him had improved, and 14 % said that it had worsened. But the 
vast majority or 71 % said that there was "no change." 
 
By gender, 47 % of men and 43 % of women had the view that their 
impression of Prime Minister Abe had worsened. Of DPJ supporters, 
only 3 % thought it had improved; while 59 % said that it had 
worsened. Of unaffiliated voters (mutouhasou), 2 % said it had got 
better, while 49 % said it had worsened. Of LDP supporters, 26 % 
said it had worsened, while 15 % said it had become better. 
 
19) Poll: Cabinet's support rate renews record low at 28 %; Minshuto 
at 27 %, LDP at 18 % in proportional representation 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
July 17, 2007 
 
Kyodo News Service conducted its fourth nationwide telephone-based 
opinion survey on July 14-15 to find out voters' trends ahead of the 
July 29 House of Councillors election. As a result, the rate of 
support for the cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was 28.1 %, 
down 2.0 points from the previous July 7-8 poll. It was a record 
low, falling below the 30 % level for the first time since the 
cabinet was launched last September. The disapproval rate was 58.8 
%, no change from the last survey. 
 
Voters were also asked, "What party or candidate will you vote for 
in the proportional representation segment?" To this question, 27.2 
 
TOKYO 00003244  005 OF 006 
 
 
% said they would vote for Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), an 
increase of 2.6 points, and 18.3 % pointed to the Liberal Democratic 
Party, an increase of 0.7 points, from the previous poll. Asked to 
pick up to two top priority issues, 53.6 % of respondents cited 
"pension," down nearly 5 points. The "politics and money" issue rose 
to the second place at 23.7 %, up 4.2 points, from the fourth place 
in the pervious poll. 
 
20) Upper House election: Early voting rate up 10 % over previous 
election, reaching 683,046, according to interim report 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
July 17, 2007 
 
The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry yesterday released 
an interim report on early (absentee) voting for the Upper House 
election. The number of voters who cast ballots for three days from 
July 13 through 15 increased about 10 % from the corresponding 
period of the previous election in 2004 (618,383). 
 
The voting day for the Upper House election this time is July 29, 
which is the latest along with the one in 2001 among all elections 
in the past. Since the election day coincides with summer vacation, 
many voters are expected to vote early because of their holiday 
plans. 
 
The highest growth rate of 2.8 in early voting was marked in Gunma 
Prefecture, followed by Toyama, Aomori, Yamagata and Ishikawa. These 
five prefectures are all single-seat constituencies. 
 
In Shikoku and Kyushu, the early voting rate fell below 2004. In 
particular, that of Miyazaki and Kochi remained below half the level 
of 2004. 
 
21) LDP's Tamura criticizes Abe's "beautiful country" slogan 
 
ASAHI (Page 31) (Abridged slightly) 
July 17, 2007 
 
Kohei Tamura, 60, an incumbent Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker 
seeking his third term in the upcoming House of Councillors 
election, held a lecture meeting yesterday in the Kochi prefectural 
district, his home turf. In the session, Tamura harshly criticized 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's slogan to make Japan a beautiful 
country, saying: 
 
"I cannot understand what it really means. People in Kochi are in a 
dire situation. They are struggling just to put tomorrow's bread on 
the table. If the prime minister comes here to campaign for me and 
plays up his 'beautiful country' slogan, that would sound like an 
insult to the local residents because that's a pie in the sky. What 
is a beautiful country anyway? If (the prime minister) is concerned 
about me, he should come with money. If the government earmarked 500 
billion yen or so for the Nankai area, Kochi would be able to 
withstand typhoons and earthquakes." 
 
Prime Minister Abe attended a pep rally held for Tamura in Konan 
City, Kochi Prefecture, on July 1. 
 
Tamura also criticized LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who 
visited Kochi on July 15, saying: "He suggested selling agricultural 
products grown in Kochi in Shanghai. But Kochi Airport is not an 
 
TOKYO 00003244  006 OF 006 
 
 
international airport. He should not have suggested that which is 
not possible." 
 
22) Independent Administrative Agency reform: ARPH to publicly 
recruit councillor; Kantei decides, meeting resistance from 
government agency 
 
SANKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
July 16, 2007 
 
The government's Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters (ARPH) 
yesterday decided to publicly recruit a councillor in charge of 
reforming independent administrative agencies. A councillor is 
virtually the top post responsible for the administrative side of 
reform of independent administrative agencies. It is extremely 
unusual for the government to publicly recruit top-ranking 
personnel. The Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) says that it will 
take a second look at its independent administrative agency reform 
from scratch, intensifying a tug-of-war with various government 
agencies, which are aiming at securing ministry interests. The 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which has previously 
filled that post, was reluctant to select a successor. In response, 
State Minister for Administrative Reform Yoshimi Watanabe reached a 
final decision in the public recruitment, based on the Kantei's 
will. 
 
The councillor's post has remained vacant since July 10, when 
Masanori Suzuki, hailing from METI, took office as the Nuclear and 
Industrial Safety Agency deputy director general as a result of a 
regular personnel transfer. Since METI officials have customarily 
filled that post, the Kantei has sounded out the ministry about the 
selection of Suzuki's successor from around early this month, when 
Suzuki's transfer was decided. 
 
The Kantei requested that METI not select a person who advocates on 
behalf of his home ministry's interest. However, METI objected to 
the request saying, "We do not want the Kantei to meddle with our 
personnel matters." As it has not shown any inclination towards 
selecting Suzuki's successor since then, Watanabe undertook the 
task, coordinating views with the Kantei and deciding to publicly 
recruit an ARPH councillor. 
 
SCHIEFFER