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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 004187 
 
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:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/07/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
(1) US Ambassador to Japan urges DPJ to reconsider its stance on 
Antiterrorism Law 
 
(2) Ambassador Schieffer: Japan's withdrawal will take a toll on 
other countries; Expresses hope for DPJ's concession on 
Antiterrorism Law 
 
(3) Antiterrorism Law: New legislation requiring Diet approval may 
block redeployment of SDF 
 
(4) Interview with DPJ Policy Research Committee Chair Masayuki 
Naoshima: Government must first review Antiterrorism Law 
 
(5) Antiterror law extension issue: Not extending legislation means 
abandoning responsibility to international community 
 
(6) 2007 Close-up column -- Japan-DPRK working-group talks: Dialogue 
occurs but produces no results 
 
(7) Maneuvering over committee chairman posts between LDP Upper 
House caucus and DPJ 
 
(8) Clear differences in Abe's appointment of Ishihara, Suga, 
Shiozaki 
 
(9) Abe cabinet's first 10 days after shuffle: Improprieties, 
suspicions day after day 
 
(10) Japan claims Taiwan's UN bid rejected in inappropriate 
interpretation 
 
(11) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(12) EDITORIALS 
 
(13) Prime Minister's schedule, September 6 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) US Ambassador to Japan urges DPJ to reconsider its stance on 
Antiterrorism Law 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, September 7, 2007 
 
Washington, Hiroshi Maruya 
 
Giving a speech in Washington, US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer on 
Sept. 6 revealed his high expectation of Japan to extend its 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which expires on Nov. 1. He 
noted, "Japan's role is decisively important." At the same time, he 
urged Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) President Ichiro 
Ozawa, who is opposing an extension, to reconsider his stance, 
saying, "I want DPJ head Ichiro Ozawa to make a decision that 
transcends partisan disputes and to focus on other issues in 
highlighting differences between the DPJ and the government." 
 
The law serves as the basis for dispatching the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's vessels for refueling operations in the Indian 
Ocean. Schieffer pointed out, "Japan's refueling activities are not 
 
TOKYO 00004187  002 OF 015 
 
 
just a matter concerning US vessels. They are important for Britain 
and Pakistan, which are unable to engage in the operations if 
refueled by the US." 
 
He stressed that Pakistan is the only Islamic country that is taking 
part in the Coalition of the Willing. He then expressed concern: 
"(Pakistan's participation) is sending a strong message to 
Afghanistan and other Middle East nations. If Japan ends its 
operations, Pakistan would basically opt out of the Coalition of the 
Willing." 
 
(2) Ambassador Schieffer: Japan's withdrawal will take a toll on 
other countries; Expresses hope for DPJ's concession on 
Antiterrorism Law 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, September 7, 2007 
 
Masaya Oikawa, Washington 
 
US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer delivered a speech in 
Washington on September 6. Regarding the fact that the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is opposing an extension of the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, Schieffer said: "I want the DPJ 
to become aware that Japan is playing an extremely important and 
unique role in the war on terrorism. If Japan withdraws, it would 
take a toll on other countries." He thus expressed his hope that the 
DPJ would make a compromise to allow Japan to continue its refueling 
operations in the Indian Ocean. 
 
Touching on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's "unique activities," 
the ambassador also indicated that finding Japan's replacement would 
be difficult, saying: "Japan has been providing fuel that is higher 
in quality than America's. US fuel is unusable for British and 
Pakistani naval vessels that need quality fuel. Japan's withdrawal 
would end up driving Pakistan, the only Islamic country taking part 
in the operations, out of the coalition of the willing." 
 
The ambassador also expressed his hope that the issue of Japanese 
abducted by North Korea would be settled through the six-party 
talks, stating: "The US government has urged North Korea to heed 
Japan's claims and take action accordingly." 
 
(3) Antiterrorism Law: New legislation requiring Diet approval may 
block redeployment of SDF 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
September 7, 2007 
 
The government and ruling parties are stepping up their efforts to 
extend the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which is certain to 
take center stage in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session. In 
anticipation of disappointing results, they are also planning to 
present new legislation in addition to aiming at an extension of the 
existing law. Nevertheless, given the opposition control of the 
House of Councillors and DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa's persistent 
opposition to extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
operation in the Indian Ocean, chances are slim for the new 
legislation to clear the Diet. 
 
Two intentions lie behind the government and ruling bloc's plan to 
present new legislation. 
 
TOKYO 00004187  003 OF 015 
 
 
 
One is to come up with a revised bill that fully reflects the 
opposition's demands. Defense Minister Masahiko Komura said in a 
speech on September 3: "This may sound too extreme, but we are ready 
to accept any requests of the opposition camp." The government and 
ruling parties are now ready to respond "flexibly" to the DPJ's 
demands for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and a prior Diet 
approval system. DPJ President Ozawa is opposing the US-led 
antiterrorism operation in and near Afghanistan, including the 
MSDF's refueling services in the Indian Ocean, citing a lack of UN 
authorization. The largest opposition party does not give the 
slightest indication of going along with the government's plan. 
 
The other is to continue with Diet deliberations beyond November 1. 
Even if the Antiterrorism Law is not extended, the presentation of 
new legislation would result in further Diet deliberations. Although 
the MSDF would be forced to discontinue its operation temporarily, 
the government might soon be able to redeploy them. 
 
The Lower House can by a two-thirds majority overturn the rejection 
of a bill by the Upper House. Redeployment of the SDF still comes 
with the tough requirement of Diet approval. The Antiterrorism Law 
requires Diet approval within 20 days of issuance of a dispatch 
order. If new legislation includes a provision requiring Diet 
approval, SDF troops would not be able to head back for the Indian 
Ocean unless the Upper House approves it. 
 
There are ways, however, to allow redeployment under new 
legislation, such are replacing Diet approval with reports to the 
Diet. This approach could result in criticism as ignoring civilian 
control. The opposition camp might also submit a censure motion and 
throw the Diet into turmoil. 
 
(4) Interview with DPJ Policy Research Committee Chair Masayuki 
Naoshima: Government must first review Antiterrorism Law 
 
Asahi (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
September 7, 2007 
 
Q: You chair the Policy Research Committee. You are also a member of 
the House of Councillors, which is now controlled by the 
opposition. 
 
Naoshima: I am responsible for putting together party views in order 
to turn our Upper House election manifesto (campaign pledges) into 
lawmaker-initiated legislation. We will present our policies that 
are clearly distinct from those of the LDP and New Komeito. The next 
general election must be an election allowing the people to choose 
an administration. I will do my utmost to make that happen. 
 
Q: Specifically what are you going to do to increase your party's 
ability to hold the reins of government? 
 
Naoshima: I think we are quite capable of producing solid policies. 
At the same time, it is essential for us to implement what is 
decided while conducting active discussions so as not to be 
criticized as lacking unity. 
 
Q: What is your view of Prime Minister Abe's policies? 
 
Naoshima: Although he actively talks about his policies, his goals 
are not clear. For instance, he advocates "proactive diplomacy," but 
 
TOKYO 00004187  004 OF 015 
 
 
if that is contributing to raising Japan's position in the 
international community is highly questionable. His reputation owes 
partially to his hawkish stance toward North Korea. His true worth 
cannot be determined without results. 
 
Q: Prime Minister Abe has not stepped down despite the LDP's 
crushing defeat in the July Upper House election. 
 
Naoshima: The party headed by Mr. Abe suffered a serious setback in 
the election. I honestly don't know if a cabinet led by such a 
person can win public trust. The defeat was devastating. 
 
Q: How are you going to respond to the question of extending the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law? 
 
Naoshima: Basically we are opposed to the refueling operation in the 
Indian Ocean. I don't think any special measure should be extended 
automatically. 
 
Q: Some in the government are discussing new legislation. 
 
Naoshima: We want to know what is actually going on out there. We 
know some are military secrets, but the government has hardly 
disclosed any information. What's more, the government has not 
reviewed the refueling activities of six years, during which the law 
has been extended three times. Under a situation like this, we 
cannot move forward. 
 
(5) Antiterror law extension issue: Not extending legislation means 
abandoning responsibility to international community 
 
YOMIURI (Page 12) (Full) 
September 7, 2007 
 
Takakazu Kuriyama, former ambassador to US 
 
The extraordinary Diet session is to be convened on Sept. 10. The 
focus of highest attention will be on an extension of the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. Refueling operations by the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in the Indian Ocean, carried out 
based on the said law, is part of Operation Enduring Freedom - 
Maritime Interdiction Operations (OEF-MIO) intended to contain the 
movements of terrorists and terrorism-related goods. 
 
However, in reality, the MSDF is purely assisting police activities 
against terrorism. As much information as possible on the specifics 
of the MSDF's operations should be subject to disclosure. There may 
be room for the ruling and opposition parties to discuss a revision 
of the law, including the duration of an extension. However, if the 
law expires in November due to opposition from the opposition bloc, 
entailing the end of the MSDF operations, then it would mean that 
Japan has abandoned its responsibility to the international 
community. 
 
When the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in the US, I was teaching 
international relations at a university. I immediately took up this 
incident in my lecture. The point of this lecture was that although 
the incident seemingly occurred in the form of anti-American 
terrorism, it was, in essence, a serious act of sabotage against the 
international order, one that the international community as a 
whole, including Japan, must tackle in unity. I also pointed out 
that democratic society should take terrorist attacks like this as a 
 
TOKYO 00004187  005 OF 015 
 
 
serious threat to its basic values (freedom, human rights, 
generosity and open socio-economic system). 
 
At the end of my lecture, I stressed that Japan is responsible for 
the international community and it should consider what it should do 
in protecting international order. The Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law was enacted shortly after the incident in line with 
such thinking. 
 
The international community showed unprecedented unity, broadly 
sharing a sense of crisis caused by the terrorist attacks by the 
international terrorist group al-Qaeda. The United Nations Security 
Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 1368 the next day. 
Acknowledging in its preamble member nations' right to individual 
and collective self-defense, the resolution sought cooperation from 
the international community to prevent terrorism and to bring it 
under control, identifying the incident as a threat to international 
peace and security. The North American Treaty Organization (NATO) 
expressed its solidarity with the US, acknowledging the 9/11 
terrorist attacks as an armed attack that must be dealt with 
jointly. Military activities against the Taliban regime in 
Afghanistan and al-Qaeda, which had been under the regime's 
protection, by the coalition of US and British troops gained broad 
support from the international community as an example of the 
exercise of the right to self-defense granted under the UNSC 
resolution. 
 
As this fact indicates, the antiterror operations in Afghanistan are 
not a war the US launched on its own without UN approval, as the 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) claims. 
 
The 9/11 terrorist attacks are not a war in a traditional sense of 
the term. However, their essence is not at all different from armed 
attacks prohibited under the UN Charter in its essence (organized 
and planned use of armed forces). As such, the UN resolution 
justifies the exercise of the right of self-defense by UN member 
nations. That is to say, the resolution has determined that the 
Taliban regime, which protects a terrorist group, cannot claim 
sovereignty to counter the victim country's justifiable right to 
counterattack. 
 
Even now many countries are sharing responsibility for protecting 
the international order from terrorists and continuing difficult and 
painstaking operations to bring Taliban militants under control and 
reconstruct Afghanistan. At present, eight nations are taking part 
in maritime assistance operations; 37 countries are dispatching 
international security assistance troops; and about 20 countries are 
taking part in ground operations. I hope that the meaning of Japan 
bearing its international responsibility by taking part in these 
operations will be fully taken into account when whether it is 
appropriate to extend the law is decided. 
 
Takakazu Kuriyama: Former ambassador to the US. Served as vice 
foreign minister, ambassador to Malaysia and North American Affairs 
Bureau director general. Former visiting professor at Waseda 
University. 76 years old. 
 
(6) 2007 Close-up column -- Japan-DPRK working-group talks: Dialogue 
occurs but produces no results 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
September 7, 2007 
 
TOKYO 00004187  006 OF 015 
 
 
 
Yudai Nakazawa, Seiji Nishioka, Ulan Bator 
 
The two-day session of Japan-North Korea talks in their working 
group on diplomatic normalization, held on Sept. 5-6 in Mongolia, 
focused on how to "settle the past" and how to resolve the 
"abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea." It ended by 
taking on an entirely different aspect from the previous round in 
March, when the two delegations clashed with each other. This change 
is attributable to the circumstances the North and Japan are 
respectively being placed in. Specifically, the North Koreans needed 
to demonstrate their willingness to have talks with the Japanese so 
as to prod the United States to remove the DPRK from the list of 
state sponsors of terrorism. Meanwhile, Japan needed to look for 
ways to shift from a stalled hard-line policy line set by Prime 
Minister Shinzo Abe. Although even in the current round of talks, 
the North was unchanged in its attitude that the abduction issue 
"has been already settled," Japan found itself in a difficult 
situation where it needed to show a dialogue between the two 
countries even though there were no results. 
 
North Korea, conscious of its image in America's eye, improves its 
attitude toward Japan 
 
"We've decided to meet in this working group at frequent intervals 
whenever possible," said Kim Chol Ho, vice director of the North 
Korean Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, indicating the 
"results" of the working group talks at a press conference yesterday 
evening after everything was over. Unlike in the past, Kim's press 
remarks were strewn with such buzzwords as "sincerity" and "trust." 
 
North Korea was eager to create a mood of dialogue for both days. It 
sent nine delegates to the working group talks this time, increasing 
the number of its team from the previous five. It added to the 
delegation this time an expert on diplomacy toward Japan who had 
been tasked with the abduction issue in comprehensive dual-track 
talks between Japan and North Korea in February 2006. The previous 
round of working-group talks saw the North Korean delegates walk out 
of the conference room after only three hours of discussion, but 
this time instead, North Korea was sincere in its respondes to 
Japan. 
 
Behind this shift in the North's attitude seems to be the progress 
occurring in the six-party talks. During the US-North Korea talks in 
their working group on diplomatic normalization in Geneva on Sept. 
1-2, the North agreed with the US to implement, by the end of the 
year, the "second-stage action" toward denuclearization, namely: (1) 
disabling the nuclear facilities in the North and (2) reporting all 
nuclear programs. The North vigorously played up its closeness to 
the US. 
 
Reportedly, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told 
the North that "it is important for you to improve relations with 
Japan." Given this, the North perhaps needed to accept a certain 
degree of America's request and show their willingness to have 
"dialogue with Japan." Supposedly aware of this, Kim seemed to 
highlight at a press briefing "his readiness to cooperate with 
Japan" on the issue of how to treat the JAL Yodo-go hijackers. 
 
Apparently, the North Koreans hope to improve relations with Japan 
swiftly as one North Korean economic official reportedly stated: 
"Japan's economic sanctions have been a body blow to our country." 
 
TOKYO 00004187  007 OF 015 
 
 
At the same time this official went on to say, "Since we have good 
relations with countries other than Japan, we don't have to hold a 
dialogue promptly with the Abe administration, which is hostile to 
us." 
 
During the working-group talks this time, the North Korean 
delegation did not often use the language that "the abduction issue 
has been already settled" as it had done before, but this does not 
mean that the North has shifted its fundamental position toward 
Japan. North Korea appears to be examining if there is any change to 
the Abe administration's policy, while avoiding a confrontation and 
delaying substantive discussion. 
 
Japan finds itself isolated and begins shifting its strategy 
 
"There is not much change in North Korea's assertions, but we've 
been able to confirm that both of us will hold talks with sincerity 
in order to resolve the outstanding issues," Japanese Ambassador 
Yoshiki Mine in charge of diplomatic normalization talks with North 
Korea told reporters after the working-group session and emphasized 
a "certain degree of results." 
 
In the past Japan had given the top priority to the abduction issue, 
but in the working-group talks this time, Japan indicated its 
consideration for North Korea here and there, for instance, by 
agreeing to first discuss the issue of how to settle the past, a 
major matter of concern for the North Koreans. As part of this 
effort, on the first day of the talks on Sept. 5, Japan suddenly 
invited the North Korean delegates to a dinner party at the Japanese 
Embassy. The event was wrapped in a friendly mood with North Korean 
Ambassador Song Il Ho, who is in charge of diplomatic normalization 
talks with Japan, talking in Japanese about his career as a 
diplomat. 
 
Behind this friendly mood was Japan's judgment that it would be 
difficult to move North Korea only with a tough attitude. Japan has 
found itself further isolated from the international community. 
Meanwhile, the US government shifted to a conciliatory attitude 
toward the North and has begun moving to delist the North as a state 
sponsor of terrorism. In order to resolve the abduction issue, Japan 
at one point aimed to tighten the noose around the North, but this 
strategy has now stalled. 
 
Additionally, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently reshuffled his 
cabinet to boost its popularity, but because scandals involving his 
cabinet ministers came to light one after the other, he is facing 
difficulty even in simply keeping his administration going. In the 
past his hard-line stance against the North was one factor boosting 
"Abe's popularity," but this has now changed greatly. Yet, "If he 
fails to produce a certain level of results in dealing with the 
abduction issue, his administration will run up a blind alley," a 
government official commented. 
 
As if to take advantage of that circumstance, the pro-Pyongyang 
General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) in its 
newspaper reported: "We can catch a glimpse of change emerging in 
Japan's attitude. Japan has found it difficult to retain its 
previous stance any longer." The "changes" shown by Japan in the 
working-group talks this time would be taken as a new approach to 
resolving the issue. 
 
With no substantive results produced in the recent round, either, 
 
TOKYO 00004187  008 OF 015 
 
 
Abe commented to the press corps at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence: "Because the abduction issue did not make any progress, I 
can't say that the talks this time produced results even though both 
sides were able to hold discussions." The hard-line policy toward 
the North appears to be ineffective, but it is not safe to say that 
a soft line can make that country change its mind. The Abe 
administration is likely to waver for some time before it fixes its 
strategy toward the North. 
 
(7) Maneuvering over committee chairman posts between LDP Upper 
House caucus and DPJ 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 7, 2007 
 
The Diet, in which the opposition camp controls the House of 
Councillors and the ruling block holds a majority in the House of 
Representatives, will open an extraordinary session on Sept. 10. 
Ahead of the convocation of the extra session, the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) have continued a tug-of-war over which party will 
control the chairmanships of the standing committees. The reason is 
that the DPJ has demanded such major committee chairman posts as 
those of the Budget Committee and Foreign Affairs and Defense 
Committee, in addition to chairman of the Steering Committee. The 
LDP has begun considering taking a strategy of dumping the Upper 
House management on the DPJ's lap, while waiting and seeing how the 
DPJ will handle issues. It is also mulling the adoption of a 
strategy of total war against the opposition camp. 
 
In a meeting of the directors of the Upper House Steering Committee, 
which began on Sept. 4, a close game has continued between, 
Hiroshige Seko, chief director of the LDP, and Katsuya Ogawa, the 
DPJ's chief director. 
 
Ogawa stressed: "The political situation has changed since the July 
Upper House election. I would like to start the debate based on a 
new point of view." 
 
Seko said: "Following tradition, the LDP gave posts to the DPJ. 
Don't you remember that our Diet Affairs Committee chairmen have 
agreed to follow the conventional practices?" 
 
Ogawa replied: "I haven't heard about it." 
 
At the latest extraordinary Diet session, which held on Aug. 7-10, 
the Diet Affairs Committee chairmen of the two parties agreed that 
the Steering Committee chairman post would go to the DPJ, while the 
LDP would hold on to the Budget Committee chairmanship. 
 
In a study session of the DPJ held on Sept. 3 in Karuizawa, Nagano 
Prefecture, however, President Ichiro Ozawa told Upper House Caucus 
Chairman Azuma Koshiishi: "I want you to get the major committee 
chairman posts." Since then, the DPJ Upper House caucus has 
completely changed its stance, threatening to take a vote at the 
plenary session. 
 
This means the end of the consensus-building management of the Upper 
House, which lasted for a long time between former LDP Chairman 
Mikio Aoki and Koshiishi. Since the DPJ has already held the posts 
of Upper House president and Steering Committee chairman, its 
initiative is unshaken. In addition, if the largest opposition party 
 
TOKYO 00004187  009 OF 015 
 
 
grabs the chairman of the Budget Committee, in which the main 
battles will be engaged, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and 
Defense Committee, which will deliberate a bill revising the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, and the chairman of the 
Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare, which will deal with the 
pension issue, the DPJ will be able to easily control all in the 
Upper House. 
 
Therefore, the LDP Upper House caucus has begun looking into the 
possibility of dumping Upper House management on the LDP's lap. The 
LDP has done such things as behind-the-scenes maneuvering, live 
telecast arrangements, and interpretation of the Diet Law and 
precedents. Leaving those matters to the DPJ, which has no know-how, 
the LDP intends to shut its eyes to them. 
 
The LDP also eyes locking horns with the DPJ. Even if the DPJ 
insists on elections of the chairmen at a plenary session, such 
elections would not occur unless the current chairmen resign. It is 
possible for the opposition to submit censure motions against 
chairmen to sack them. However since those censure motions do not 
have the force of law, the present chairmen can stay on in their 
posts. 
 
A senior LDP Upper House member stated: 
 
"The distorted Diet is like an airplane which has the right engine 
on its left side and the left engine on its right side. It is 
impossible to control. If the DPJ controls the plane, it will 
definitely stall." 
 
The maneuvering in the Upper House might spill over into the Lower 
House. One mid-level LDP lawmakers blatantly said: 
 
"If the DPJ defiantly controls the Upper House, the LDP and New 
Komeito will do so in the Lower House. The DPJ should understand 
what will happen if the ruling coalition, which has two-thirds of 
the Lower House members, grabs all the committee chairman posts and 
if we do not at all cooperate with it." 
 
(8) Clear differences in Abe's appointment of Ishihara, Suga, 
Shiozaki 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 5, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's appointments of new cabinet ministers 
and top posts of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) showed a sharp 
difference between the friends of Abe, who worked hard to back Abe 
in the LDP presidential election last year. 
 
In a meeting of the LDP General Council, Nobuteru Ishihara, new 
chairman of the Policy Research Council, got concurrence on his 
proposal that a meeting to hear from residents in provisional areas 
be held in eight places across the nation. He said: "I would like to 
hold a meeting of policy chiefs in each bloc to discern the views of 
regional areas." He will hold a meeting on Sept. 5 in Kyoto. 
 
Of the LDP candidates that ran in the 29 single-seat electoral 
districts, six won and 23 were defeated. Some candidates and 
regional chapters are dissatisfied with the party. The new 
leadership is now forced to come up with measures. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004187  010 OF 015 
 
 
Although the three party executives, including then Secretary 
General Hidenao Nakagawa, were replaced, there is smoldering 
criticism against the promotion of Ishihara from deputy secretary 
general to chairman of the Policy Research Council among party 
members. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori pointed out: "There 
still remain friends of the prime minister in the cabinet." There is 
an icy view in the party that the prime minister picked persons whom 
he likes as his cabinet ministers. 
 
Yoshihide Suga is probably satisfied with his new post, director of 
the party's Election Strategy Headquarters General Affairs. Abe 
initially planned to name Suga chief cabinet secretary, but he later 
changed it due to his office expense issue, which came up 
immediately before Abe reshuffled his cabinet. 
 
Because of such reasons as the resignation of Takehiko Endo as 
minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries only a week after 
Abe launched the new cabinet, there is a growing mood in the LDP 
that it will be difficult to contest the next Lower House election 
under Abe's lead. Some in the party, however, expect that with the 
appointment of Suga, whom Abe puts his trust in, as the person who 
will manage the next Lower House election, the prime minister 
intends to dissolve the Lower House on his own decision. 
 
Suga said: "Dismissing people is my job. It is my usual task, but it 
is a thankless role." He is enthusiastic about coordinating 
candidates in electoral districts between the "Koizumi children" who 
were elected in the 2005 Lower House election, and the postal 
rebels, who were reinstated into the LDP. 
 
Yasuhisa Shiozaki, who served as chief cabinet secretary in the 
previous Abe cabinet, currently has no government position. A rumor 
was going around that Shiozaki would be picked as deputy chairman of 
the Policy Research Council, but that rumor has come to nothing. 
 
On Sept. 1, Shiozaki returned to Matsuyama, his hometown, to which 
he was unable to go back when he was serving as chief cabinet 
secretary. He appeared on a local radio program on the 2nd. He looks 
 
SIPDIS 
over documents while listening to Eric Clapton's songs at his 
lodging in the Lower House members. 
 
There are various views in the LDP that Secretary General Taro Aso 
prevented Shiozaki from becoming Ishihara's deputy and that the 
prime minister shifted the responsibility for the devastating defeat 
in the July Upper House election to Shiozaki. Shiozaki quipped to 
his aides: "I will support Mr. Abe even after I resign." 
 
(9) Abe cabinet's first 10 days after shuffle: Improprieties, 
suspicions day after day 
 
AKAHATA (Page 3) (Full) 
September 6, 2007 
 
Though a little more than 10 days have now passed since Prime 
Minister Shinzo Abe shuffled his cabinet, we already have seen a 
number of improprieties involving his cabinet ministers and other 
LDP legislators over "politics and money." Incidents have been 
brought to light almost every day, with no end seemingly in sight. 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takehiko Endo and 
Parliamentary Foreign Secretary Yukiko Sakamoto have already 
resigned to take responsibility for their respective scandal. Former 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tokuichiro Tamazawa has 
 
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also quit the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "It's like a big fire 
that is out of control, and Prime Minister Abe lacks the power or 
energy to put it out," quipped one LDP middle-ranking lawmaker 
serving in the House of Representatives who seemingly has resigned 
himself to the abnormal situation. It is clear that the Abe cabinet 
has no self-purging capability. Presented below is a calendar of 
allegations that starts when the new cabinet was launched. Let's 
turn its pages... 
 
Day 1-Monday, August 27: Prime Minister Abe shuffled his cabinet and 
appointed a new LDP executive lineup. 
 
Fumio Kishida, newly appointed to the cabinet post of state minister 
for Okinawa and the northern territories, corrected his annual 
political fund reports for 2003 and 2004. Receipts attached to the 
political fund reports for about 10 million yen spent on political 
activities were not addressed to his fund management body. Kishida 
therefore rewrote and changed the names of these addresses to the 
name of his fund management body. He attached these readdressed 
receipts to his political fund reports. Furthermore, he attached 
copies of the original receipts to his corrected annual political 
fund reports on the grounds that the rewritten receipts alone could 
cause misunderstanding. 
 
Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the LDP General Council, also corrected 
his annual political fund reports. A local branch of Nikai's 
campaign club in his home constituency had been using an office 
offered by a local supporter at no cost. Nikai corrected rent claims 
for the local branch's office in his annual political fund reports. 
 
Day 2-Tuesday, August 28 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was found to have made bookkeeping errors 
in records of political contributions. 
 
Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga launched a branch of his campaign 
club in his home constituency in 1997. However, the branch's office 
building was not registered as legal property for 10 years. 
 
Day 3-Wednesday, August 29 
 
A person in charge of accounts for a fund management body of Yutaka 
Kobayashi, a House of Councillors member of the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party, and others were prosecuted on the charge of 
violating the Public Offices Election Law. They are suspected of 
having bought votes. 
 
Former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tokuichiro 
Tamazawa submitted his annual political fund report for 2003 with 
many copies of receipts that have the same serial numbers. One of 
these receipts was used five times. 
 
A branch of Parliamentary Secretary for Economy, Trade and Industry 
Kenji Ogiwara's campaign club in his home constituency was found to 
have paid his home's electricity charges for four months from July 
¶2005. 
 
Day 4-Thursday, August 30 
 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takehiko Endo was found 
to have received inappropriate contributions from a cooperative 
subsidized by an independent administrative agency under his 
 
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ministry's jurisdiction. Endo has returned the money. 
 
Day 5-Friday, August 31 
 
A mutual aid association headed by Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries Minister Endo was found to have illegally received 1.15 
million yen in subsidy from the state coffers. Endo was found to 
have done nothing about this in spite of the Board of Audit's 
warning. 
 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Mitsuhide Iwaki was found to have 
crossed out his income of 500,000 yen from party tickets yen and 
changed it to a donation in his annual political fund report for 
¶2005. 
 
An LDP local chapter headed by Parliamentary Foreign Secretary 
Yukiko Sakamoto in her home constituency and an association of local 
supporters were found to have added up fictitious meeting expenses 
in her annual political fund reports with the same receipts. 
 
A local branch of LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru 
Ishihara's campaign club in his home constituency was found to have 
falsified the amount of payments for his use of halls for his town 
meetings, adding up the amount of money ten times the actual amount 
of payments. 
 
Day 6-Saturday, September 1 
 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo admitted that he 
knew in 2004 about the fact that a mutual aid association headed by 
him had received government subsidies illegally. Endo denied his 
resignation as minister. Prime Minister Abe only commented: "I have 
yet to have a detailed explanation. He must give an appropriate 
explanation." 
 
Day 7-Sunday, September 2 
 
An opposition party leader, appearing on a TV talk show, stressed 
his party's intention to submit a censure motion against 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo. Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yosano conveyed the LDP's atmosphere to Endo. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
Day 8-Monday, September 3 
 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo resigned over the 
issue of illegally receiving government subsidies. 
 
Parliamentary Foreign Secretary Sakamoto resigned over the issue of 
adding up meeting expenses in her annual political fund report. 
 
Former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tamazawa 
admitted to his falsification of receipts attached to his annual 
political fund report. He left the LDP. 
 
Day 9-Tuesday, September 4 
 
Yutaka Kobayashi, an LDP House of Councillors member, resigned from 
his Diet membership over his campaign staff's violation of the 
Public Offices Election Law. 
 
Defense Minister Masahiko Komura's annual political fund report had 
a description of 9 million yen as a "donation." However, it became 
 
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clear that on Aug. 29, two days after the Abe cabinet's shuffle, 
Komura changed the description to "spending on political 
activities." 
 
Day 10-Wednesday, September 5 
 
Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita could not account for a gap of 
8 million yen with his fund management body's borrowings. 
 
Yoko Kamikawa, state minister in charge of declining birthrate, 
corrected her annual political fund report on the grounds that she 
had failed to report loans. 
 
(10) Japan claims Taiwan's UN bid rejected in inappropriate 
interpretation 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 7, 2007 
 
TAIPEI-Ban Ki Moon, secretary general of the United Nations, has now 
turned down Taiwan's initial bid to join the United Nations on the 
grounds that the United Nations maintains the "one China" policy. In 
response, Japan made an unusual proposal last month to the United 
Nations Secretariat through its mission to the United Nations, 
claiming that the acknowledgment of Taiwan's status is interpreted 
in an inappropriate way. The Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ), 
an entity representing Japan in Taiwan, revealed the proposal 
yesterday. 
 
In September 1972, Japan and China released a joint statement, in 
which Japan took the position that Japan "understands" and 
"respects" China's claim of "one China." Basically, Japan's position 
is that Japan has not consented to that claim. The proposal to the 
UN Secretariat this time clarifies the Japanese government's 
understanding that it is inappropriate for the United Nations to 
interpret the "one China" policy as its general interpretation in 
its secretary general's view. 
 
Japan made the proposal about a half month ago, following the United 
States. The Japanese government also conveyed its basic 
understanding on the question of the postwar title to Taiwan through 
its mission to the United Nations, maintaining that Japan-although 
it gave up on Taiwan in the San Francisco Peace Treaty-is not in a 
position to say where Taiwan should belong. 
 
(11) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: Tokyo Shimbun: 
Typhoon No. 9 hits Kanto region: JR East to reduce train services in 
morning 
 
Mainichi: 
Political funds: Nikai faction also found to have failed to enter 
1.66 million yen in income from fund-raising parties in fund report 
 
Yomiuri: 
Defined-contribution pension funds left unmanaged: 21.1 billion yen 
for 80,000 contributors who failed to report when retiring or 
changing jobs 
 
Nikkei: 
Industrial gas companies to cut supply to chip manufacturers: 
 
TOKYO 00004187  014 OF 015 
 
 
Electronic equipment production likely to be affected 
 
Sankei: 
Cash awards to informants of unexposed crimes 
 
Akahata: 
JCP proposes revision of Self-Reliance Support Law 
 
(12) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Japan-DPRK talks as occasion for reconciliation 
(2) Environment Minister Kamoshita: Just correcting erroneous 
entries in fund reports will not do 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Unpaid corporate pension benefits: End passive application 
system 
(2) Fixed number of Upper House seats: Leaving a gap is not 
acceptable 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Japan-DPRK working group: Be alert to North Korea's attempt to 
stir things up 
(2) Unpaid corporate pension benefits: It is negligence on strength 
of application-based system 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Unpaid corporate pension benefits is proof that contributors 
were slighted 
(2) Japan-DPRK talks: Progress in abduction issue is precondition 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Prince Hisahito turns one: Now is time to consider future of 
Imperial Household 
(2) Zero-reply on independent administrative corporations: 
Bureaucrats' resistance is amazing 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Japan-DPRK working group: Do not be deceived by argument that 
Japan will be left behind, if its sticks to abduction issue 
(2) Rise in taxi fares 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Environment Minister Kamoshita cannot get away just by 
correcting erroneous entries into fund report 
 
(13) Prime Minister's schedule, September 6 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 7, 2007 
 
09:03 
Attended a cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Afterward met State 
Minister in Charge of Declining Birthrate Kamikawa. 
 
10:13 
Met former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nakagawa. Afterward 
met "Second Chance" Programs Minister Kishida, followed by Vice MHLW 
Minister Erikawa and Health Service Bureau Director General 
Nishiyama. Erikawa stayed on. 
 
 
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11:30 
Met outgoing and incoming Ambassador to South Korea Shigeie and 
Oshima. 
 
13:57 
Met Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ota and others. 
 
14:35 
Met Vice Finance Minister Tsuda, International Bureau Director 
General Tamaki and others. 
 
15:10 
Met Vice METI Minister Kitahata. 
 
16:46 
Had a meeting with newspaper editorial writers. 
 
17:17 
Had a meeting with TV broadcaster commentators, followed by a 
meeting with the Cabinet Press Club. 
 
18:12 
Met government tax commission chief Kosai, Cabinet Office Vice 
Minister Uchida and others. 
 
19:53 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
DONOVAN