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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 003640 
 
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 08/09/07-1 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
Schieffer-Ozawa meeting: 
 
4) DPJ head Ozawa rejects US ambassador's request regarding 
extension of anti-terror law 
5) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) President Ozawa, US 
Ambassador to Japan Schieffer fail to reach agreement in meeting 
6) Ozawa rebuffs Schieffer on anti-terror bill: "We are different 
from the LDP" 
7) Text of Schieffer-Ozawa meeting 
8) Prime Minister Abe hopes to see DPJ understanding of Japan's 
international responsibility 
9) Meeting with Schieffer an Ozawa "performance" to demonstrate a 
"Japan that is now on equal terms" with the US 
10) Despite Ozawa's rejection of anti-terror law extension, DPJ is 
split on the issue, with coordination of party views bogged down 
 
Articless: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi & Akahata: 
Tokyo air pollution suit reaches reconciliation and officially 
concludes 
 
Mainichi & Tokyo Shimbun: 
DPJ's Ozawa in meeting with US ambassador rejects America's request 
for extending Antiterrorism Law 
 
Yomiuri: 
Justice minister's panel to recommend easing obligation to disclose 
applied to those who take out life insurance 
 
Nikkei: 
INPEX to construct a large LNG base in Niigata Prefecture 
 
Sankei: 
North and South Korea summit to occur after a hiatus of 7 years 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) ROK-DPRK summit: President Roh should speak for the rest of the 
world 
(2) Bull-Dog case: Shareholders' decision carried weight 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) ROK-DPRK summit: Pyongyang's commitment to abandon nuclear 
ambitions desired 
(2) Can the government present the grounds for extending the 
antiterrorism law? 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Can ROK-DPRK summit lead Pyongyang to abandon nuclear programs? 
 
(2) Ozawa-Schieffer meeting: DPJ's ability to hold reins of 
government now in question 
 
TOKYO 00003640  002 OF 008 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Ruling and opposition parties should work together to reform the 
public servant system 
(2) Don't take excessively conciliatory attitude toward DPRK 
 
Sankei: 
(1) ROK-DPRK summit: We expect Seoul to persuade Pyongyang 
(2) Antiterrorism Law: Think hard of national interests instead of 
political strategy 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Can ROK-DPRK summit move the denuclearization process forward? 
(2) National Personnel Authority's recommendation on hiking public 
servants' salaries absurd 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Diet members required to elucidate the full picture of 
politics-and-money scandals 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 8 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 9, 2007 
 
09:30 
Met at the Kantei incoming and outgoing UN ambassador Takasu and 
Oshima, followed by Vice Foreign Minister Yachi and Deputy Foreign 
Minister Kono. 
 
10:21 
Met Public Security Intelligence Agency Director-General Yanagi 
followed by Science and Technology Minister Takaichi. 
 
11:36 
Met Lesotho Prime Minister Mosisili and others. 
 
13:29 
Met Foreign Minister Aso. 
 
14:17 
et Deputy Foreign Ministers Yabunaka and Kono and Southeast and 
Southwest Asian Affairs Department Director-General Atsumi. 
Afterward met Global Environment Vice Minister Kojima, MAFF Vice 
Minister for International Affairs Murakami, joined by METI Trade 
Policy Bureau Director-General Ishige. 
 
16:04 
Ashinaga Chairman Tamai and visiting foreign orphans from disasters 
and diseases and others in the presence of Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Shimomura. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
16:22 
Attended a government, ruling party policy meeting on guidelines for 
FY2008 budgetary requests. Afterward met LDP Secretary General 
Nakagawa. 
 
17:02 
Met World Bank President Zoellick in the presence of Vice Minister 
of Finance for International Affairs Shinohara and others. Afterward 
 
TOKYO 00003640  003 OF 008 
 
 
met National Personnel Authority President Tani and others in the 
presence of Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki and Internal Affairs 
and Communications Minister Suga. Afterward met Suga. 
 
18:05 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matoba, followed by Shiozaki and 
others. 
 
20:48 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) Ozawa rejects US request to extend antiterror legislation 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) 
August 9, 2007 
 
Ichiro Ozawa, president of the leading opposition Democratic Party 
of Japan (Minshuto), met with US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer 
yesterday at his party's headquarters. In the meeting, Schieffer, 
referring to a legislative measure extending the Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law beyond its Nov. 1 expiry, emphasized the 
significance of Japan's contributions to US-led antiterror 
operations and asked Ozawa to think over the legislation and its 
impact. With this, Schieffer asked Ozawa to continue the 
Self-Defense Forces' current backup of US forces under the law. "The 
United Nations Security Council has passed no resolution to 
authorize the United States' operations," Ozawa said. "We can't act 
jointly with the United States," he added. So saying, the DPJ 
president conveyed his intention to oppose the idea of extending the 
law and rejected the ambassador's request. 
 
The meeting was held at the US ambassador's request. It is unusual 
for a US envoy to Japan to make a direct request to the head of an 
opposition party to discuss specific legislation. The DPJ and the 
rest of the opposition bench now hold a majority of the seats in the 
House of Councillors as a result of its July 29 election. The US 
side therefore needed to meet the situation. Ozawa in agreeing to 
meet with Schieffer, insisted that it be fully opened to the media. 
 
Schieffer played up the importance of Japan's antiterror law-based 
activities (in the Indian Ocean) not only for the international 
community's security but also for Japan's security, and the 
ambassador recounted that 90 PERCENT  of the oil Japan imports comes 
through the area where US-led naval forces are staged. With this, 
Schieffer asked Ozawa to agree to continue Japan's backup of US-led 
forces. At the same time, Schieffer also offered to provide even 
classified information, if that is needed, for Ozawa to make a 
decision as the head of his party. With this, Schieffer indicated 
that the United States would consider the DPJ's standpoint of 
calling for information disclosure. 
 
In addition, Schieffer also noted that the United Nations has 
adopted a resolution intended to secure Afghanistan. "This is a 
chance to participate in the operations authorized by the United 
Nations," Schieffer said. The ambassador also said he would like the 
DPJ and all other parties to consider the matter. With this, the 
ambassador sought to constrain the DPJ's political motives. 
 
Ozawa rebutted Schieffer, saying the United States launched the 
Afghan war as its own war on terror without waiting for an 
international consensus. Ozawa took the position that Japan would 
play a proactive role in UN peacekeeping operations. However, Ozawa 
 
TOKYO 00003640  004 OF 008 
 
 
made it clear that Japan could not participate in US military 
operations in Afghanistan. "First of all," Ozawa said, "the United 
States must make efforts to build an international consensus." 
 
Under the antiterror law, the Maritime Self-Defense Force has sent 
two vessels to the Indian Ocean to refuel US and other foreign naval 
vessels. Now that Ozawa has officially conveyed to the US side his 
stand against the idea of continuing the MSDF's mission in the 
Indian Ocean, the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Abe's Liberal 
Democratic Party and New Komeito deem it difficult to seek common 
ground with the DPJ in this fall's extraordinary session of the 
Diet. 
 
5) No agreement reached in meeting between DPJ's Ozawa and US 
ambassador: Will not go along with extension of antiterrorism law 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 9, 2007 
 
The major opposition Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) President 
Ichiro Ozawa yesterday had a first meeting with US Ambassador to 
Japan Thomas Schieffer at party headquarters. Ambassador Schieffer 
asked for the DPJ's understanding about an extension of the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, the legal base for the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) ongoing refueling services to vessels 
from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries in 
the Indian Ocean, but Ozawa refused to go along with the request. 
 
 The meeting lasted some 45 minutes and was open to the press corps 
in line with Ozawa's desire. The ambassador said, "This is a 
multinational force (from the US, Britain, and other countries) 
engaged in operations against terrorism. Japan's contributions to 
them are vitally important. If Japan were to stop refueling, the UK 
and Pakistan would become unable to take part (in the operations)." 
Schieffer stressed the need for Japan to extend the law, which 
expires on Nov. 1. Schieffer continued, "We are ready to provide 
secret intelligence (about US troops)." 
 
SIPDIS 
 
In response, Ozawa explained: "President Bush said, 'The Afghan war 
was an American war,' and he launched a war against Afghanistan 
without waiting for consensus from the international community. 
Japan cannot take part in joint operations with the US and other 
countries in areas that are not directly linked to Japan." Ozawa 
stressed his position of not allowing the MSDF to engage in support 
operations. 
 
Schieffer noted, "The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 
resolution on Afghanistan adopted in March of this year mentioned 
(the task force)." But Ozawa rebutted, "There is no UNSC resolution 
directly providing for US-led operations." The meeting failed to 
reach an agreement. 
 
6) Ozawa snubs US request in meeting with Ambassador to Japan 
Schieffer, stressing, "We are different from the LDP" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
August 9, 2007 
 
US Ambassador Schieffer yesterday met with Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ or Minshuto) head Ozawa. Schieffer exhaustingly explained the 
US position in seeking understanding from Ozawa regarding an 
extension of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, but Ozawa 
 
TOKYO 00003640  005 OF 008 
 
 
flatly rejected the US request. What motivated Ozawa to rebuff a 
pressing request from Japan's ally? 
 
Schieffer noted, "The war against terrorism is a problem not only 
for the US but for the international community as a whole." However, 
Ozawa explained that the DPJ's basic policy is that overseas 
operations by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) "must be based on UN 
requests." He went on at great length as he pleased with such 
comments as, "Unfortunately, Japan cannot take part in activities 
led by the US"; and, "The US must first make efforts to obtain 
approval from the international community." 
 
The 45-minute meeting was open to the media at Ozawa's wish. This is 
an unusual environment for a meeting to discuss a key diplomatic 
issue, even though the DPJ is an opposition party. The reason is 
because Ozawa characterized this meeting as the best opportunity for 
him to make his appeal that his foreign and security policy is 
fundamentally different from that of the Abe administration. 
 
The DPJ has consistently criticized the Koizumi and Abe 
administrations for falling in step with the hard-line Bush 
administration, seeing such as "blindly following the US." Criticism 
of the Bush administration's foreign policy is mounting not only in 
Japan but also within the US. Given a situation like this, Ozawa 
tried to differentiate his party's foreign and security policies 
from those of the government and ruling parties. At a time when the 
actions of the DPJ are in the spotlight due to the trading of places 
between the ruling and opposition camps in the Upper House, the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law has surfaced as a perfect example 
for Ozawa. 
 
The DPJ leadership has been consistently aggressive, with Secretary 
General Yukio Hatoyama noting, "It is ludicrous to say that ability 
to run the government is to do everything that the US tells us to 
do." The DPJ appears to be taking into consideration the possibility 
of the Democratic Party taking over from the presidency from the 
Republican Party next year, when President Bush serves out his 
tenure. 
 
However, some conservative DPJ members, such as former head Seiji 
Maehara, take a view that it is necessary to extend the law. Ruling 
party members are bound to criticize the DPJ as "opposing for the 
sake of opposing." 
 
7) Outline of dialogue between Democratic Party of Japan President 
Ichiro Ozawa and US Ambassador to Japan Thomas J. Schieffer 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 9, 2007 
 
Ambassador Schieffer: Japan's contribution (of fuel oil, etc.) under 
the anti-terrorism special measures law is extremely important. 
Without Japan's supplying of fuel, Britain and Pakistan could not 
participate in the multinational force. We are prepared at your 
decision to provide you with the necessary classified information. 
 
President Ozawa: I myself and the Democratic Party of Japan hold an 
even stronger view than the Liberal Democratic Party government that 
Japan must make active contributions for the sake of international 
peace. But the Afghan war has been called by President Bush as 
America's "war on terror," and he launched it even before an 
international consensus was formed. Article 9 of the Constitution is 
 
TOKYO 00003640  006 OF 008 
 
 
interpreted as limiting the Self-Defense Forces operations to cases 
of our country being directly attacked, whether it is a single or a 
collective force. We cannot engage in a joint operation with the US 
or any other country in a region that has no connection with Japan's 
peace and security. 
 
We will actively participate in peace-keeping operations (PKO). 
 
Schieffer: Terrorism is not a US problem; it is a problem for the 
international community. I would like you to look at United Nations 
Resolution Number 1746, which was issued this March. It is clearly 
stated as an international operation recognized by the United 
Nations. 
 
Ozawa: My views on terrorists are the same as yours. However, it is 
different from country to country as to what measures should be 
taken. If there had been a little more patience in your efforts to 
obtain the agreement of the international community, we would gladly 
join the operations of the international community. Operations 
centered on the US in which Japan is participating are not directly 
authorized by the UN Security Council. 
 
8) Abe to ask DPJ for understanding 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 9, 2007 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa 
yesterday met with US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer and indicated 
that his party would oppose the idea of extending the Antiterror 
Special Measures Law. In this respect, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 
told reporters in the evening: "The Self-Defense Forces' activities 
conducted by Japan are highly appreciated by the international 
community. I want to discuss with the DPJ such international 
expectations and Japan's responsibilities." 
 
9) Ozawa presents a "US-Japan alliance based on equality"; Expresses 
his opposition to the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law in meeting 
with the ambassador 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
August 9, 2007 
 
In his meeting yesterday with US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer, 
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa did not soften his 
opposition to an extension of the Antiterrorism Special Measures 
Law, the focus of the fall extraordinary Diet session. He repeated 
and emphasized his UN-centric approach to foreign policy. There were 
instances when Ozawa interrupted Schieffer's desperate attempts to 
convince him to change his mind. It seems that Ozawa presented an 
image of a "US-Japan alliance based on equality" with a change of 
administration in mind. 
 
Ozawa has consistently opposed the Antiterrorism Special Measures 
Law. When the law was enacted in 2001, Ozawa, as the head of the 
Liberal Party, asserted: "If we are not going to change our 
interpretation of the Constitution, a law enacted with the intent of 
deploying the Self-Defense Forces is unconstitutional." Each time 
the law was extended in 2003, 2005, and 2006, he said: "If I support 
the law now, there would be no way to explain (why I opposed it 
before)." 
 
 
TOKYO 00003640  007 OF 008 
 
 
During the meeting with Schieffer, Ozawa insisted that the 
endorsement of the UN Security Council was necessary. He actively 
supports peacekeeping operations (PKO), but disapproves of 
participation in operations against terrorists in Afghanistan, 
saying: "It is a US war that President Bush started without getting 
approval from the international community." 
 
Ambassador Schieffer brought explanatory papers to the meeting, and 
stated: "The vessels of thirteen countries, including the US and the 
UK, have participated in the maritime intercept operations, which 
the Maritime Self-Defense Forces currently support." Schieffer also 
gave UN Resolution 1746 as a basis for US actions, but Ozawa 
rejected this explanation, emphasizing: "The UN Security Council has 
never directly authorized (the actions of the US)." 
 
There is disagreement within the DPJ regarding Ozawa's philosophy. 
In the DPJ Upper House election manifesto, items that were in the 
first draft, such as the "use of force in self-defense" or "active 
participation in peacekeeping operations," were not included. 
 
10) Ozawa opposes extension of antiterrorism law, setting off 
concern among conservative members; Internal party coordination may 
face rough going 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
August 9, 2007 
 
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa in his meeting 
yesterday with US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer indicated 
that he would oppose an extension of the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law. This has sparked concern in the party about a possible 
negative impact on Japan-US relations. With some members eager for 
holding talks with the ruling parties, Ozawa may find it difficult 
to iron out views in the party. 
 
The Ozawa-Schieffer meeting centered on whether the US military 
operation in Afghanistan is justified by a UN resolution. 
 
Ozawa said: "The DPJ will actively take part in UN activities based 
on a concurrence of the international community." He also indicated 
that activities in the Indian Ocean by naval vessels of the United 
States and other countries do not meet this requirement. 
 
In response, Schieffer repeatedly said that it is an international 
operation authorized by the United Nations by citing UN Security 
Council Resolution 1746, adopted this past March. After the meeting, 
the US envoy said: "Mr. Ozawa said that his party will join 
activities that are authorized by the United Nations. I hope he will 
understand that (the activities in the Indian Ocean) are a UN 
mission." 
 
The Japanese government also thinks UN Resolution 1746 is a 
resolution supporting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan. But a 
government official said: "Mr. Ozawa's opposition comes from his 
political view rather than from his interpretation of the law. He 
will not be convinced into supporting the law's extension." 
 
Ozawa's opposition has triggered concern among conservative members 
in the party. 
 
Former DPJ President Seiji Maehara, with the party's call for 
withdrawal from Iraq in mind, said: "Should Japan withdraw (SDF 
 
TOKYO 00003640  008 OF 008 
 
 
troops) as a result of saying 'no' to both missions, that might harm 
Japan-US relations greatly. If bilateral relations deteriorate, the 
party's ability to assume the country's political reins would be 
questioned." Some DPJ members are also concerned that utterly 
opposing the extension, like Ozawa is doing, would be viewed as 
opposing for sake of opposing. 
 
SCHIEFFER