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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 004015 
 
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 08/30/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) Fuji-Sankei poll: Support rate for Abe cabinet leaps from 22 
PERCENT  to 38 PERCENT , while non-support rate plummets from 64.8 
PERCENT  to 42.9 PERCENT 
 
Anti-terror law's extension: 
5) Fuji-Sankei poll finds 54.6 PERCENT  of Japanese public against 
extending the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law  further deepening 
DPJ confidence 
6) Germany's Chancellor Merkel tells Prime Minister Abe she hopes to 
see extension of anti-terror law that allows MSDF service in Indian 
Ocean 
7) Germany using "gaiatsu" or foreign pressure tactic to get Japan 
to extend anti-terror law 
8) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to refuse any revision of the 
anti-terror bill, as party members silently swallow President 
Ozawa's policy line 
9) DPJ readying counterproposal to anti-terror law that would 
withdraw MSDF from Indian Ocean and send civilians into Afghanistan 
to provide assistance 
10) DPJ's Fujii reiterates party's opposition to extending 
anti-terror law to  US Embassy's Deputy Political Chief Knapper 
11) Hatoyama: DPJ will file censure motion against Abe if LDP tries 
to force anti-terror bill through the Diet; Party to send mission to 
US to explain stance 
 
Defense and security issues: 
12) Tokyo government planning full-fledged missile-defense response 
exercise for mid-September 
13) Defense Ministry sets standards for providing subsidies to Nago 
City and other USFJ realignment-affected locations 
 
Political scene: 
14) Presence of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano in the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence being felt, as mood of conciliation 
with bureaucracy, opposition grows 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
DPJ to work out alternative for Antiterrorism Law 
 
Mainichi: 
LDP subcommittee proposes state withdraw all appeals against suits 
by A-bomb victims seeking enhanced care 
 
Yomiuri: 
Former Kyushu regional welfare bureau chief got luxury car as gift 
 
Nikkei: 
Dam construction costs expand to 9 trillion yen 
 
Sankei: 
Poll: Support rate for Abe cabinet rises to 38 PERCENT 
 
 
TOKYO 00004015  002 OF 010 
 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
1967 Japan-US summit: US conditioned Japan's sharing of military 
responsibility for discussion on reversion of Okinawa; Japan vowed 
to educate Japanese people and approved US bases remaining in 
Okinawa 
 
Akahata: 
Six years of Afghan war: Private citizens suffering from stalemated 
war 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano, implement solid economic policy 
(2) Release of ROK hostages: Japan should learn from the kidnapping 
incident 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Return to Asashoryu: Nihon Somo Kyokai has heavy responsibility 
for remaining on the sidelines 
(2) Industrial waste disposal facilities: Strict screening necessary 
to prevent illegal dumping 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Japan-Germany summit: Japan, Germany should cooperate to fight 
global warming 
(2) Release of South Korean hostages: Our joy is not without 
reservation 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Japan should learn from the great alliance of German politics 
(2) Nursing care services must follow law to restore public 
confidence 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Cabinet support rate: New cabinet should gain public 
understanding for key policies 
(2) Shortage of electricity: Both households and workplaces need 
energy saving 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Asashoryu returns to Mongolia: Nihon Sumo Kyokai should have a 
clear policy 
(2) Abductions of South Korean nationals: Security is a must 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Digitalization: Need for all possible measures for those who 
won't be able to watch TV 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 29 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
Augusts 30, 2007 
 
09:02 
Special cabinet meeting at the prime minister's official residence 
(Kantei). The met with Foreign Minister Machimura. 
 
10:27 
Reported to the Emperor in private. Then attended an attestation 
 
TOKYO 00004015  003 OF 010 
 
 
ceremony for senior vice ministers. 
 
12:49 
Photo session with senior vice ministers at the Kantei. Then gave 
assignments to the senior vice minister for the Cabinet Office. 
Attended a meeting of senior vice ministers. 
 
14:57 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matoba. 
 
15:20 
Met with Lower House member Yoichi Miyazawa and Keiko Miyazawa, the 
eldest daughter of the late former Prime Minister Miyazawa. 
 
17:00 
Met with German Chancellor Merkel. Then joint press conference. 
 
18:41 
Hosted a dinner party to welcome the German chancellor. 
 
4) Poll: Abe cabinet's support rate rises to 38 PERCENT  after 
shuffle 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
August 30, 2007 
 
The Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) conducted a joint 
public opinion survey on Aug. 27-28 right after Prime Minister Abe's 
launch of his new cabinet to probe public attitudes. In the survey, 
the rate of public support for the Abe cabinet leaped to 38.0 
PERCENT , up 16 percentage points from the 22.0 PERCENT  rating in 
an FNN survey taken July 31 and Aug. 1. The nonsupport rate was 42.9 
PERCENT , down 21.9 points. Yet, disapproval still outpaces 
approval. The Abe cabinet has now rebounded in public support. This 
can be taken as reflecting public endorsement to the Abe cabinet's 
new lineup that is dignified unlike its previous lineup that was 
cynically called "otomodachi naikaku" or a cabinet of friends. In 
the survey, respondents were asked if they thought the Abe cabinet's 
new lineup is fresh. To this question, however, negative opinions 
substantially outnumbered affirmative ones, with "no" accounting for 
66.9 PERCENT  and "yes" at 17.9 PERCENT . In the breakdown of public 
support for political parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party 
stood at 28.2 PERCENT , up 5.2 points from the last survey. In the 
survey this time as well, the LDP remained lower than the leading 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), which scored 30.9 
PERCENT , down 1.9 points. 
 
5) Poll: 54.6 PERCENT  opposed to antiterror law extension; DPJ more 
confident 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
August 30, 2007 
 
Those opposed to extending the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law 
accounted for 54.6 PERCENT  in a joint public opinion survey 
conducted by the Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN). The 
leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), which is 
clearly against extending the antiterror law, is becoming more 
confident. "The people have the same feeling as ours. We're 
encouraged." This comment came from Takeaki Matsumoto, who chairs 
the DPJ's policy board. The government and the ruling coalition of 
the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito have a growing sense of 
 
TOKYO 00004015  004 OF 010 
 
 
crisis. 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force has been working on refueling 
activities in the Indian Ocean to back up an antiterror drive in 
Afghanistan under the antiterror law. "The public feels that it's 
not helpful for peace in Afghanistan," DPJ Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama told reporters yesterday. "The government should give 
consideration to public sensitivities," he added. With this, 
Hatoyama reiterated his party's stand against the idea of extending 
the antiterror law. 
 
The DPJ and other parties on the opposition bench may cite the need 
for the Diet to hold thoroughgoing deliberations on a 
government-sponsored bill revising the antiterror law as a reason to 
protract Diet deliberations in the opposition-controlled House of 
Councillors on the legislation. In that event, the antiterror law 
will expire after Nov. 1. The government and ruling parties are now 
in a fix, with a senior official of the Foreign Ministry noting that 
whether to recall the MSDF is in the hands of the DPJ. 
 
In the survey, however, 34.2 PERCENT  of all respondents supported 
extending the antiterror law. Among DPJ supporters as well, opinions 
in favor of extending the law accounted for 24.3 PERCENT . The 
government and the ruling coalition are poised to seek public 
understanding while explaining the efficacy of MSDF activities and 
Japan's contribution to its strengthened alliance with the United 
States. One veteran lawmaker of the DPJ voiced concern, saying: "The 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law is intended to help Afghanistan. 
The people are probably mixing up this law with the Iraq problem, 
and I think that is why the people are against the legislation. 
Public opinion is facing the wrong direction." 
 
6) Japan, Germany to work together to combat global warming; German 
chancellor expresses hope for "extension of the antiterrorism law" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 30, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Abe yesterday evening met with German Chancellor 
Merkel at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, and the two 
leaders confirmed they would work in closer cooperation to fight 
climate change, a subject that is likely to take center stage in the 
Group of Eight (G-8) summit slated for next July in Lake Toya, 
Hokkaido. Abe conveyed to Merkel his intention to extend the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which expires on Nov. 1, by 
getting understanding from the major opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan and other opposition parties. 
 
In the session, Abe mentioned a post-Kyoto Protocol framework, which 
would set the targets of greenhouse emission reductions for the 
years beyond 2013, and stressed: "I think it is essential to have an 
effective framework that will involve major emitters, including the 
United States, China, and India (that are not obligated at present 
to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions)." 
 
Merkel responded: "Basically, we are moving in the same direction as 
Japan. The important thing is to set binding reduction targets. It's 
essential for the industrialized countries to set reduction targets 
as quickly as possible and involve developing countries." 
 
On the question of extending the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, 
Abe expressed his resolve, saying: "The Maritime Self-Defense 
 
TOKYO 00004015  005 OF 010 
 
 
Force's (MSDF) refueling operations in the Indian Ocean have served 
as an important base for Germany and other countries to prevent 
terrorists on the sea. I will make utmost efforts to obtain the 
opposition parties' understanding." 
 
Merkel expressed hope for an extension of the antiterrorism law, 
telling Abe: "Japan's refueling activities are providing significant 
assistance to German vessels. We have appreciated it. Every leader 
of every country must be adamant." 
 
On the reform of the United Nations Security Council, both the 
leaders confirmed that their countries would continue to work 
together. 
 
7) Prime Minister Abe uses gaiatsu (foreign pressure) for extension 
of antiterrorism law, emphasizes significance expressed by German 
chancellor 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
August 30, 2007 
 
Nakahiro Iwata 
 
A major task for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his meeting yesterday 
with German Chancellor Angela Merkel was to get her to call on Japan 
to continue its Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling 
activities in the Indian Ocean, which are going on as part of the 
antiterrorism operations. 
 
Whereas the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or 
Minshuto), which has now become the leading party in the Upper 
House, has raised objection to the government's policy of extending 
the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, a legal basis for the MSDF's 
refueling operations, Abe has repeatedly emphasized the Self-Defense 
Forces' (SDF) "international contributions." 
 
Germany is one of the 11 countries receiving refueling services from 
the MSDF. Its vessels have been refueled 29 times from the MSDF (as 
of Aug. 20). This figure can't be compared to 350 times for US 
vessels and 139 times for Pakistani vessels, but a request by a 
country receiving refueling services for the continuation of such 
services can be used as a good cause to appeal widely to the 
Japanese public about their importance. 
 
In the meeting with Merkel, Abe started by saying, "I want to extend 
the antiterrorism law by getting the opposition parties' 
understanding." In response, Merkel expressed strong hope for the 
continuation of refueling operations, saying, "Japan's refueling 
activities are providing significant assistance to German vessels. 
We must not give in to terrorism." The meeting went as Abe 
expected. 
 
But it is not to say that he has now a good prospect for the 
extension of the law. 
 
In fact, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano noted, "We can't 
indefinitely remain rigid in our ideas." Many in the government are 
suggesting compromising with the DPJ, including holding discussion 
on revisions to the (government-sponsored) bill extending the 
antiterrorism law. But there is no sign that the DPJ will soften its 
attitude at present. The DPJ is pressing the government to disclose 
information about the SDF's operations. Reportedly, the DPJ intends 
 
TOKYO 00004015  006 OF 010 
 
 
to stick to its opposition. 
 
It would be difficult for the government to overcome this difficult 
situation unless it makes open to the public the information 
indicating how important it is to keep SDF troops deployed abroad 
instead of simply using gaiatsu. 
 
8) DPJ has no counterproposals to antiterrorism law; Ozawa's 
strategy forces party members to keep silent 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
August 30, 2007 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan basically does not intend to hold 
revision talks with the government and ruling coalition regarding an 
extension of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which is likely 
to be the biggest bone of contention in the upcoming extraordinary 
Diet session. The party fears that once talks are held, it would 
play into the hands of the government and ruling parties. DPJ 
President Ichiro Ozawa intends to keep opposing the law's extension 
by reiterating his argument that activities in the Indian Ocean 
require a UN resolution. Although some in the DPJ think Ozawa's 
argument is outdated and too rigid, there are no calls in the party 
to come up with its own counterproposals because everyone is being 
forced to keep silent owing to Ozawa's strategy of giving top 
priority to Lower House dissolution. 
 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama underlined the need for a change in 
 
SIPDIS 
cabinet first in the wake of flexible comments from new cabinet 
ministers, including Defense Minister Masahiko Komura, about 
altering the bill. 
 
The position of the DPJ, which regards the government's foreign 
policy as "blindly following the United States," is that not only 
the antiterrorism law but also the administration's foreign policy 
are both unacceptable. 
 
Nevertheless, there is no move in the party to translate Ozawa's 
UN-centered diplomacy into specific policy. Ozawa, in his talks on 
August 8 with US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, exhibited a 
flexible stance about sending SDF troops to the International 
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan by citing a UN 
Security Council resolution. But a DPJ executive described sending 
troops to Afghanistan where security is deteriorating as totally 
unrealistic. In fact, Ozawa has never mentioned the option since. 
 
9) DPJ to produce counterproposals to antiterrorism law to withdraw 
MSDF and assist Afghan people 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
August 30, 2007 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan decided yesterday to come up with 
counterproposals to an extension of the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law, which is expected to take center stage in the 
extraordinary Diet session slated to open in September. The 
counterproposals are expected to center on livelihood-oriented 
assistance, such as medical and food aid to Afghanistan. The party 
is considering presenting a bill as well. The DPJ, which has been 
opposing the law's extension beyond November 1, intends to drive the 
government into ending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
operation in the Indian Ocean. The envisaged counterproposals are 
 
TOKYO 00004015  007 OF 010 
 
 
intended to present specific alternatives to the MSDF's refueling 
operation as Japan's international contributions. 
 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa has clearly expressed his opposition to 
the law's extension. In reaction, Defense Minister Masahiko Komura 
and others on August 28 touched on the possibility of altering the 
bill in a bid to obtain the DPJ's support. Meanwhile, the largest 
opposition party, rejecting prior talks with the government and 
ruling coalition, still intends to challenge them through Diet 
deliberations. 
 
In its counterproposals, the DPJ is expected to present its own 
assistance measures other than refueling services. The party, which 
has already learned ways to assist Afghan people from experts, is 
studying a system to make contributions without involving the SDF. 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said yesterday: "Is the refueling 
 
SIPDIS 
operation contributing to peace in Afghanistan? For instance, we are 
considering providing assistance in the area of poverty. We are 
planning to come up with counterproposals in that direction." 
 
The party specifically envisages providing medical and food aid and 
assisting the Afghan government in reforming the police organization 
instead of supporting the US-led operation to eliminate remnants of 
the former Taliban government. 
 
The DPJ is considering presenting its counterproposals to the Upper 
House timed with the start of Lower House deliberations on the law's 
extension. 
 
The party, however, might delay or give up the plan depending on the 
response of the government and ruling coalition. 
 
10) DPJ's Fujii reiterates to US side his party's opposition to 
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 30, 2007 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) lawmaker Hirohisa Fujii, 
a former deputy president of the party, met in the Diet on Aug. 29 
with Marc Knapper, deputy political section chief of the US Embassy. 
Fujii restated his party's view on the oil-refueling activities of 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean, based on the 
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law: "One cannot say that (the 
activities) are unrelated to combat operations. The Japanese 
government, as well, takes the position that the right of collective 
self-defense should not be exercised, so those activities absolutely 
must not continue." 
 
11) If LDP in deliberations on the anti-terror bill tries for force 
passage, DPJ will file a censure motion against the prime minister 
and other cabinet members; Hatoyama considering sending lawmakers 
delegation to US on Afghan aid 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 30, 2007 
 
Appearing on a TBS television program yesterday, Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama stated this 
about the next Diet session: "If the Diet stalls and the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) tries to ram through the Anti-Terrorism 
Special Measures Law, we might file a censure motion (against Prime 
 
TOKYO 00004015  008 OF 010 
 
 
Minister Abe and his cabinet). Should that pass, it would have 
extremely great significance. Dissolution of the Lower House and a 
snap election would then be possible." 
 
Hatoyama also yesterday attended a scheduled meeting of the labor 
union Jichiro, held in Takizawa Village in Iwate Prefecture. He 
there expressed his view that he would like to send a delegation of 
DPJ lawmakers to the United States and Europe in order to help the 
party compile its own set of measures to assist Afghanistan. 
 
12) Missile defense drills planned for Tokyo 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 30, 2007 
 
The Defense Ministry plans to carry out missile defense training in 
mid-September with ground-to-air guided missiles deploying to Tokyo 
for the first time, officials said yesterday. The Air Self-Defense 
Force will move Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles to 
Tokyo from its Iruma base in Saitama Prefecture. 
 
The Defense Ministry's scenario is to intercept ballistic missiles 
targeting the heart of Tokyo. The ASDF will redeploy PAC-3 batteries 
to several locations, including the Ground Self-Defense Force's 
Ichigaya garrison in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, where the Defense 
Ministry is headquartered. The ASDF will check to see if there are 
architectures standing in the way of missiles to be launched. In 
addition, the ASDF will also check the environment of communications 
with radar sites. 
 
The PAC-3 is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their 
terminal phase. However, the PAC-3's defensive area is small as it 
can only cover a radius of 15-20 kilometers. If Tokyo is highly 
likely to be attacked at its centers with ballistic missiles, the 
ASDF will deploy an air defense missile unit that is made up of 
missile launchers, radar systems, and fire control systems. This air 
defense missile unit needs a spacious site for its deployment of 
long standing with no high-rise buildings around. 
 
In addition to the Ichigaya garrison, the Defense Ministry is 
considering the GSDF's Nerima garrison in Tokyo's Nerima Ward and 
parks in Tokyo for the simulation of PAC-3 deployment this time. 
 
13) Realignment of US forces; Defense Ministry sets grant payment 
guidelines: Nago City nominated as eligible for grants; Point system 
to be introduced to gauge burden of host municipalities 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 30, 2007 
 
The Defense Ministry yesterday decided on guidelines for paying 
realignment grants to municipalities whose burden will increase as a 
result of the realignment of US forces in Japan and put related 
ministry ordinances into effect. Under the guidelines, a point 
system has been introduced, under which, for instance, 1 point will 
be given to a municipality where base area has increased by more 
than 100 hectares, minus 1 point to a municipality where base area 
has decreased and 3 points to a municipality that will host a large 
airport. The mechanism is that municipalities given higher points 
will receive higher sums of subsidies. 
 
Forty municipalities, including Nago City and Ginoza Village in 
 
TOKYO 00004015  009 OF 010 
 
 
Okinawa Prefecture, are candidates eligible for grants. Of the 40, 
the ministry will designate municipalities that have agreed to 
accept the realignment plan as eligible for grants. The grants will 
be, in principle, paid over a 10-year period. The value of grants 
will be revealed when eligible municipalities are designated. 
 
The value of grants will increase in stages each year: (1) 10 
PERCENT  of the upper limit to municipalities that have accepted the 
realignment plan; (2) 25 PERCENT  at the time of the launching of 
environmental impact assessments; (3) 66.7 PERCENT  at the time of 
the start of construction work; and (4) 100 PERCENT  when 
realignment is completed. The ministry has earmarked grants worth 
5.1 billion yen in this fiscal year's budget. 
 
If construction work is suspended for such reasons as that a host 
municipality has changed its mind and decided to oppose the 
acceptance of base facilities, the payment of grants will stop. Even 
if procedures for environmental impact assessments and construction 
work get underway, no grants would be paid if concerned manipulates 
do not announce their decision to host base facilities. A site for 
the construction of landing practice facilities for carrier-based 
aircraft has yet to be chosen. If the location of the site is fixed, 
the number of municipalities eligible for grants would increase. 
 
14) Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano promoting political presence as 
bridge between Kantei, Kasumigaseki, and opposition camp 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
August 30, 2007 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, who Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 
appointed as a key person in his new cabinet, has already been 
displaying his political presence. He referred at a press briefing 
to the need to revise the structural reform drive, which has been 
carried out by the Koizumi and Abe governments. He is now trying to 
create a reconciliatory mood, changing the adversarial stance 
against the bureaucracy and the opposition, which had been taken by 
his predecessor, Yasuhisa Shiozaki. Picking two bureaucrats familiar 
to him, Yosano is gradually setting up a "Yosano team." The growing 
view in the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) is that 
Prime Minister Abe will find it difficult to show his political 
identity. 
 
When asked at a press conference yesterday about his view on the 
fact that postal rebels were included in the 22 senior vice 
ministers, Yosano responded: "Since postal privatization is a past 
event for me, I cannot give you any feedback." 
 
Yosano was chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) Policy 
Research Council at a time when the LDP was at odds over the 
postal-privatization issue. He was in a position against the postal 
rebels, but his comment indicated that he let bygones be bygones. 
 
Also at a press meeting on Aug. 27, he indicated the possibility of 
breaking away from the structural reform policy, saying, "We need to 
carry out reforms that would be good for the public." He also stated 
on the relations between politics and the bureaucracy: "Since both 
the Kantei and Kasumigaseki (bureaucrats) are part of the 
government, there is no standoff between them." He stressed that he 
would repair relations with Kasumigaseki, which have remained cool 
due to reform of the civil servant system, among other matters. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004015  010 OF 010 
 
 
There will likely be a change in managing Diet affairs. In the 
latest ordinary Diet session, the ruling coalition took forced votes 
backed by its possession of two-thirds of the House of 
Representatives seats, urged by the Kantei. Some ruling coalition 
members were unhappy with such actions. Yosano, however, said: 
 
"I was once called a policy specialist, but I have served mostly in 
such posts related to managing Diet affairs as deputy chairman of 
the Diet Affairs Committee and chairman of the General Assembly of 
the LDP Lower House Members." 
 
He also revealed that he was a teacher of Ichiro Ozawa, president of 
the Democratic Party of Japan, regarding the game of Go. He has 
tried to display a flexible stance as a veteran lawmaker. 
 
DONOVAN