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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 003794 
 
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 08/17/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
The regular features - top headlines, editorials, and prime 
minister's schedule - will be in the Daily Summary today. 
 
1) Defense Minister Koike visiting Okinawa has impromptu meeting 
with mayor of Nago City, controversial site for the relocation of 
Futenma Air Station 
 
2) Koike in Okinawa tries to dispel rumor of secret deal with 
governor to remove Vice Minister Moriya 
 
3) Newly elected lawmaker Sato, former commander of GSDF unit in 
Iraq, says he was ready to send troops to help other forces under 
attack, a violation of rules 
 
4) Japan-North Korea negotiations: Government blames the current 
stagnation on the North's reaction to the LDP's election defeat and 
Abe's weakened position 
 
5) Foreign Minister Aso's Middle East tour part of effort by Japan 
to find a role in the peace process 
 
6) But Japan's ability to be a mediator in Middle East peace process 
questionable 
 
7) Foreign Minister Aso says he finds Middle East diplomacy most 
interesting 
 
8) Aso as next LDP secretary general: prime minister trusts him but 
the LDP has qualms about his capability for the job 
 
9) LDP's Gen Nakatani, a former defense chief, blasts Abe for lack 
of leadership in handling of feud between Defense Minister Koike, 
Vice Minister Moriya 
 
10) Since the LDP's election defeat, Prime Minister Abe has 
essentially shelved the amorphous concept of making Japan into a 
"beautiful country" 
 
Articles: 
1) Nago mayor shakes hands with visiting Defense Minister Koike 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Attending a press conference held in Nago City by a group planning 
to market Okinawa's Kariyushi ware internationally, Defense Minister 
Koike, yesterday noted, "I would like to see this ware sold all over 
the world in order to prevent global warming." 
 
Koike noted that her visit to Okinawa was to take part in activities 
of the group in which she was involved when she was environment 
minister. However, her visit to Okinawa at this time is drawing 
attention, because of an observation that she might intend to use 
the resignation of Moriya as a bargaining chip in talks (on the 
Futenma relocation issue) with Okinawa, where there is a strong 
resentment against that vice minister. 
 
Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, mayor of Nago City, the relocation site for 
the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, unofficially took part in 
the press conference, and he shook hands with her afterward. 
 
TOKYO 00003794  002 OF 008 
 
 
 
Right after the press conference, Shimabukuro denied as groundless 
the view that the Okinawa's side worked on the defense minister to 
replace Moriya. However, at the Nago municipal office, he indicated 
his view that Moriya's resignation was appropriate, saying, "Serving 
as vice minister for five years would be far too long by most 
definitions. If he had stayed on, there would be a clash of views 
with Okinawa prefecture and Nago City over the Futenma issue." 
 
2) Defense Minister Koike avoided talks with Nago mayor: Tries hard 
to deny rumor about secret deal over replacement of vice defense 
minister 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, who is now at the center of a furor 
over the replacement of the vice defense minister, yesterday took 
part in a tourism event in Nago City, Okinawa, the relocation site 
of the US forces' Futenma Air Station. There had been a rumor going 
around that she would unofficially meet with Nago Mayor Yoshikazu 
Shimabukuro, who reportedly was informed by Koike herself of her 
pending decision to dismiss Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya. 
However, Shimabukuro in the end only took part in a press conference 
after the event. 
 
Koike ruled out the possibility of meeting with Shimabukuro, who is 
seeking a revision of the government proposal for the relocation of 
the Futenma Air Station, noting, "I have no plan to discuss the base 
issue with him." 
 
A Nago City assembly member disclosed that there was a secret deal 
between Koike and Okinawa Prefecture on the vice ministerial 
appointment. The deal involves the Defense Ministry seeking 
understanding from Okinawa Prefecture regarding its submission of a 
report on an environmental impact assessment method to the 
prefecture, the first step toward the relocation of the Futenma 
facilities, in return for Koike dismissing Moriya, who has been 
taking a hard-line stance on the base issue. Such a delicate 
situation may have been behind the cancellation of a meeting between 
Koike and Shimabukuro. 
 
Koike tried hard to rule out the possibility of such a meeting. She 
underscored during a press conference on Aug. 15, "I have never said 
anything about the replacement of the vice minister to the Okinawa 
side." To a question whether Governor Hirokazu Nakaima has asked for 
the replacement of Moriya, Koike categorically replied, "He has 
never made such a request. Such a request should not be made." 
 
However, according to a senior Defense Ministry official, Koike 
telephoned Nakaima on the evening of Aug. 6. The media reported the 
replacement of Moriya on the morning of the 7th and on the noon of 
the same day, the Defense Ministry submitted the method report to 
Okinawa Prefecture. Is this a coincidence or was there a secret 
deal? The secret deal rumor is making the furor even more 
complicated. 
 
3) Upper House member Sato, former GSDF advance team in Iraq, 
reveals he planned to "go to aid of allies" on mission in Iraq 
 
MAINICHI (Page 22) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
TOKYO 00003794  003 OF 008 
 
 
 
Upper House member Masahisa Sato, former head of the Ground 
Self-Defense Force's (GSDF) advance team in Iraq, revealed that he 
had intended to go to the aid of his allies if they were attacked 
while carrying out their mission together with his team. On this 
revelation, about 150 persons, including lawyers, sent an open 
letter defining such an act as "unconstitutional." 
 
On a TBS news program aired on Aug. 10, Sato said that he had 
planned to go to the aid of its allies as the commander of the 
advance team in Iraq, adding: "I will be tried with pleasure if I 
have to do so under Japanese law." Under the government's 
interpretation of the Constitution, going to the aid of allies is 
unconstitutional, based on the judgment that the act is beyond the 
category of legitimate self-defense. 
 
The letter called for replies to questions covering seven items, 
noting: "The act is unconstitutional and illegal, going against 
civilian control." The group also sent a letter to Prime Minister 
Abe, asking him to recommend Sato resign from the DIet. A member of 
Sato's office said: "He made the remark because he felt in Iraq that 
there were legal flaws. Although we have not received the letter 
yet, we will examine it in detail." 
 
4) Repercussions of Upper House election on Japan-DPRK negotiations; 
Concerns over stagnation grow within GOJ 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Repercussions from the LDP's big loss in the Upper House election 
continue, prompting growing fears within the government that 
Japan-North Korea negotiations will stagnate even longer. The Abe 
administration has not altered its policy of placing the utmost 
importance on solving the abduction issue, but a loss of momentum 
seems unavoidable now. Meanwhile, some say that North Korea, using 
the clamp down on the General Association of Korean Residents in 
Japan (Chongryon) as the reason, will continue its hard-line 
stance. 
 
Yesterday in Shenyang, China, where the latest round of six-party 
talks on the denuclearization of the DPRK are taking place, 
Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Kenichiro 
Sasae, stated that there was agreement to restart meetings of the 
working group to normalize relations between Japan and the North by 
the end of the month. However officials at the Foreign Ministry have 
suggested that there is a possibility that a Japan-DPRK meeting may 
likely be pushed back to September, until after the summit meeting 
between the heads of the two Koreas. 
 
Regarding the results of the recent Upper House election, 
Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi stated that the 
policy towards North Korea would not change, saying: "The election 
results had nothing to do with whether our foreign policy was poor 
or not." Yachi pointed to the election of Kyoko Nakayama, special 
advisor to the prime minister on the abduction issue, as "proof that 
the people understand the Abe administration's efforts in pursuing 
the abduction issue." Yet one foreign affairs official expressed a 
view that is growing within the government: "North Korea is looking 
at the weakened Abe administration and choosing to ignore it. 
Japan-DPRK relations will probably not move forward." North Korea's 
change in attitude after the September 2005 "postal privatization 
 
TOKYO 00003794  004 OF 008 
 
 
referendum" general election, when the LDP under then Prime Minister 
Koizumi had an overwhelming victory, lies in the background. 
 
At the six-party talks held right after the 2005 general election, 
the DPRK pushed day after day to have direct bilateral talks with 
Japan. An official involved with the talks indicated: "North Korea 
probably wanted to negotiate with Koizumi, who opinion polls showed 
had overwhelming public support." In contrast, during the 
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum in 
Manila on August 2, right after the recent Upper House election, 
representatives from North Korea gave a one-sided, aggressive 
critique of Japan's treatment of Chongryon. There were no talks at 
the time between the DPRK and Japan. 
 
5) Aso gets agreement for Japan-proposed initiative for peace and 
prosperity in Middle East, but rocky road lies ahead 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Foreign Minister Aso left for Mexico after winding up his itinerary 
in Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian autonomous region on the 
morning of Aug. 16, local time. In his tour of the Middle East, Aso 
succeeded in soliciting agreement from the parties concerned to 
bring about the Japan-proposed initiative, "Concept for Creating the 
Corridor for Peace and Prosperity." Under this concept, Japan aims 
to help Israel and the Palestinians build mutual confidence, but 
there is still a long way to go before the initiative can be 
realized. 
 
In a four-party cabinet-level meeting by Japan, Israel, the 
Palestinian autonomous region, and Jordan held in Jericho in the 
Palestinian region on the West Bank of Jordan on the afternoon of 
Aug. 15, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Negotiation Bureau 
Chief Saeb Erekat praised Japan's initiative. He said: "Japan 
reminded us of the reality that we are living in this region 
together." Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also stressed her 
support for the initiative, remarking: "It will become an arena to 
provide for the future of the Palestinians." 
 
In a bid to bring about peace in the region, Japan's corridor 
concept aims to have Israel and the Palestinians jointly engage in 
economic activities and build up mutual confidence. 
 
A Foreign Ministry official said: "If the project achieves success, 
it will be a new model for Japan in offering aid to regions in 
conflict." 
 
Energy resources are behind Japan's eagerness to be involved in the 
Middle East peace process. If this region is stabilized, Japan's 
securing of energy resources will be guaranteed. 
 
But a Foreign Ministry source said: Europe and America "take a cool 
view" toward Japan's involvement in the Middle East peace process, 
given the complexity of the situation. 
 
For instance, Jericho, in which the concept calls for constructing 
an agro-industrial park, has been occupied by Israel since the 
1960s. Israel and the Palestinians have been at loggerheads over who 
should rule this ancient city. 
 
In a four-party working-level meeting held in June, representatives 
 
TOKYO 00003794  005 OF 008 
 
 
from Israel and the Palestinian autonomous regions engaged in a 
finger-pointing game over the issue. There was even a scene in which 
the target of criticism was directed at Japan, questioning if Japan 
really understood the circumstances." 
 
6) Japan's ability as intermediary to be tested in Middle East peace 
efforts 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
"Military force" has always affected politics in the Palestinian 
autonomous regions. Local communities place their high hopes on 
Japan's attempt to lay the groundwork to bring about peace in the 
region with "industrial development" as a lever. Japan has carried 
out assistance projects in Jericho, in which Japan plans to 
construct an agro-industrial park, by constructing hospitals, etc. 
Its governor said: "People in Jericho are feeling stronger affinity 
toward Japan more than those living in any other autonomous 
regions." The Israeli government has also expressed its support for 
the Japanese concept, a Foreign Ministry spokesman remarking: "The 
development of the Palestinian region will also contribute to 
benefiting us." However, a perception gap between Israel and the 
Palestinians has already come up to the surface. Japan is being 
tested over its ability as an intermediary. 
 
As a potential site for the construction of the agro-industrial park 
in Jericho, the Palestinian government suggests an area occupied by 
the Israeli military. Meanwhile, Israel insists on it being 
somewhere else in the Palestinian autonomous area. Over a project to 
reconstruct a bridge between the Palestinian region and Jordan, as 
well, the Palestinian side calls for a large-scale one enough to 
take care of transporting goods, while the Israeli side assails that 
an "expanded bridge goes beyond our expectation." The construction 
of a facility in a disputed area in the Middle East involves 
complicated problems, such as a borderline to be set in the future 
and security. A researcher at a Palestinian human rights group said: 
"Japan must avoid giving excessive consideration to Israeli's voices 
and confirming the state of its occupation." 
 
7) Foreign Minister Aso leaves for Latin America in mood as if going 
on graduation trip: Cites visit to Middle East as most interesting 
work he did as foreign minister 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Winding up his visits to Middle East nations, Foreign Minister Taro 
Aso yesterday morning (afternoon of the same day, Japan time) 
departed for Latin America, the next destination of his overseas 
tour. A cabinet reshuffle and the changing of the LDP leadership 
lineup are to take place later in the month. However, he is calmly 
using up his remaining days as foreign minister. Since he is deemed 
as most likely to be the next LDP secretary general, his travel to 
Latin America is generating a mood that he is going on a "graduation 
trip." 
 
Aso during a press conference in Jerusalem was self-congratulatory, 
because Japan's Palestinian Economic Revitalization Initiative was 
highly appreciated at the cabinet minister-level four-party talks 
for the promotion the Middle East peace process. He noted, "I 
thought I wanted to live until the time when that desert becomes 
 
TOKYO 00003794  006 OF 008 
 
 
green in the years ahead." 
 
Looking back on his tenure as foreign minister, Aso made a comment, 
which could be taken as a declaration of resigning his post. He 
said, "My visits to Middle East nations were the most interesting 
part of the job as foreign minister." 
 
However, he remained extremely cautious about the words he used when 
he commented on personnel matters. Reporters asked about a rumor 
about the replacement of the foreign minister during a joint press 
conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni held after their 
meeting. When Livni was having difficulty replying to the questions, 
Aso saved the situation, telling him with a smile, "Please disregard 
such a question," 
 
Jerusalem, Manabu Shimada 
 
8) Aso's caliber as future LDP secretary general unknown: Abe trusts 
him but many LDP members concerned about his ability 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
August 17, 2007 
 
With the upcoming shuffling of the cabinet and the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) executive lineup on Aug. 27, Foreign Minister 
Taro Aso, whose assumption of the LDP secretary general post has 
informally been decided, made a statement in Jerusalem yesterday 
summing up his current job. All eyes were focused on his remarks. 
Now that the opposition camp controls the House of Councillors, the 
ruling coalition will probably find it difficult to adopt its Diet 
and election strategies. Therefore, some in the LDP are concerned 
about Aso's capability to serve as secretary general since he does 
not have much experience in party affairs. 
 
Aso said in an informal meeting with reporters accompanying him to 
the Middle East: "I think I have produced the most constructive 
achievement (during this tour) during one year and ten months as 
foreign minister." He desperately tried to avoid referring to topics 
related to the political situation. 
 
"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has often conferred with Aso about the 
reshuffles of the cabinet and LDP executive posts," said an aide to 
Aso. Therefore, Aso appears not to give his word to the reporters. 
 
Asked about the trust that exists between Abe and Aso in a TV 
program on Aug. 12, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori stated: "Mr. 
Abe and Aso competed in the LDP presidential race. I think (Abe) 
recognized at that time (Aso) had something in him that he should 
respect." A person close to Abe also pointed out: "The prime 
minister expects Aso, who is good at making people laugh, will 
become the party's strong point for the next House of 
Representatives election." 
 
In fact, Abe has relied on Aso, who is 14 years senior to him, as a 
person to consult. On July 29, election day for the Upper Housel, 
Abe told Aso at first his intention to stay on in office and Aso 
encouraged him. Since then they have often met. 
 
However, in contrast to Abe's trust in Aso, a former cabinet 
minister made this comment: 
 
"I have my doubts that the formation of an Abe-Aso leadership can be 
 
TOKYO 00003794  007 OF 008 
 
 
called a cabinet shuffle. I instead worry that the prime minister 
would again make a cabinet of his close friends." 
 
With the opposition having traded places with the ruling camp in the 
Upper House, the next LDP secretary general will have such 
significant responsibilities as rebuilding the party structure, 
coordination with Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) regarding 
Diet affairs, as well as measures for the next Lower House election. 
It is said that Aso has little experience in dealing with Diet 
affairs as he has engaged in economic and education policies. 
 
A senior member of the Niwa-Koga faction said: 
 
"In order to overcome a crisis in national politics, a politician 
who has the capability of working to form a grand coalition with the 
DPJ should serve in the secretary general's post. However, I have 
never heard that Aso has any communication channels to the DPJ." 
 
What government officials are concerned is that the faction headed 
by Aso has only 16 members and his political footing in the party is 
weak. A senior member of the Yamasaki faction pointed out: "The Aso 
faction not only has a small number of members, but also there are 
few members who have served in key party and cabinet posts." 
 
9) "The prime minister's leadership is being questioned," says 
Nakatani over transfer of vice defense minister 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Commenting on the uproar over the appointment of the next vice 
defense minister, former defense chief Gen Nakatani during a TBS 
news program criticized the prime minister's handling of the issue, 
noting, "Since the supreme commander of the Self-Defense Forces is 
the prime minister, he must handle personnel matters in a way that 
will not cause a situation like this. The prime minister's official 
residence (Kantei) must find an answer to this problem, but it has 
just put it on the back burner. The prime minister's leadership is 
being tested on this issue." 
 
Regarding Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, he called on her to 
reconsider the personnel decision, noting, "It is unbelievable that 
she did not talk about this issue with Vice Defense Minister 
Takemasa Moriya. The matter has had an effect on the morale of the 
SDF. The defense minister should take a hold of this issue by having 
another look at her ministry and reconsider who would be suitable 
for the post." 
 
10) Prime Minister Abe shelves policy of creating a "beautiful 
country" after LDP's setback in Upper House race, now placing 
emphasis on daily lives of people 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
August 17, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has now essentially shelved his policy of 
creating a "beautiful country" of Japan. Since his Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) suffered a crushing defeat in the July House 
of Councillors election, he has never talked about this policy, 
apparently disappointed that his policy was not understood by the 
public and may have been one of the reasons for the LDP's 
humiliating defeat in the election. Abe has now revised his 
 
TOKYO 00003794  008 OF 008 
 
 
strategy. He is trying to boost the popularity of his cabinet by 
setting forth policy measures affecting the daily lives of ordinary 
people. However, a change in his policy might prompt conservative 
supporters for the Abe administration to distance themselves from 
Abe. 
 
The "beautiful country" policy was the keyword of the Abe 
administration, which aims at creating a country (1) that thinks a 
great deal of culture and tradition, (2) that observes rules for 
free society, (3) that is respected by the rest of countries. In his 
policy speech delivered last September, the prime minister repeated 
eight times the phrase "beautiful country." 
 
To that end, Abe set forth the policies of reinterpreting the 
Constitution so that Japan would be allowed to exercise the right of 
collective self-defense, constitutional amendments and educational 
reform. However, Since many of them were not directly related to the 
daily lives of people, his LDP was defeated by Minshuto (Democratic 
Party of Japan), which pledged to improve the peoples' lives. 
 
The Abe government, therefore, has decided not to go forward with 
the "beautiful country policy," although it will not abandon the 
concept. The prime minister intends to refer to it once or twice in 
the policy speech he will deliver in the extraordinary Diet session 
in September. He also intends not to use as much as possible the 
phrase he repeats like a mantra of "breaking with the postwar 
regime." 
 
However, since the Prime Minister's Official Residence's project 
team of "creating a beautiful country" has received about 3,000 
ideas from the public, the government plans to use them when it sets 
forth policies. 
 
MESERVE