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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5849

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 004217 
 
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 
 
 
Index: 
 
(14) Outline of Prime Minister Abe's press conference in Sydney: 
Anti-Terrorism Special Measure Law portion 
 
(15) High hurdle for Prime Minister Abe to extend Antiterrorism Law 
in extra Diet session; No common ground with DPJ 
 
(16) Online polling: Abe cabinet unpopular from before Endo problem 
 
(17) Interviews with Minoru Terada and Kazuhiro Haraguchi on 
extension of Antiterrorism Law 
 
(18) Ozawa strategy suffers setback: DPJ in Upper House makes 
concession on selection of Budget Committee chairman, prioritizing 
cooperation with LDP 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(14) Outline of Prime Minister Abe's press conference in Sydney: 
Anti-Terrorism Special Measure Law portion 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
Eve., September 10, 2007 
 
The following is a gist of the portion of Prime Minister Abe's news 
conference in Sydney, Australia, that dealt with the Anti-Terrorism 
Special Measures Law: 
 
The international situation is extremely severe, but Japan has made 
an international commitment (to continue supply activities in the 
Indian Ocean), for which I have a great responsibility. I am 
resolved to carry out every means possible in order to continue the 
war on terror and the Self-Defense Forces' supply operations. In 
order to obtain the understanding of the opposition parties, 
starting with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), I 
plan to tackle this issue at the risk of my position. 
 
-- Will you present to the extraordinary Diet session a bill to 
extend the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law or a new bill? Are 
you prepared to meet with the head of the DPJ and other parties 
prior presenting the bill? 
 
Terrorism must not be allowed to continue. In that context, Japan's 
carrying out its international contribution is one basic element of 
my assertive diplomacy. I must somehow make sure that the operations 
continue. 
 
We must present to the Diet a bill that will allow the continuance 
of the SDF supply operations that have been highly appreciated by 
the international community. We must pass the bill after presenting 
it. 
 
At the time of presenting the bill, I must make ever effort to 
obtain the understanding of the DPJ in particular. I will put in 
every effort and at the risk of my own position, seek their 
understanding. I would like to ask DPJ President Ozawa for a meeting 
at as early a stage as possible. 
 
-- By saying you would risk your own position, are you resolved to 
have the cabinet resign en masse in case the supply operations 
cannot be continued? 
 
TOKYO 00004217  002 OF 007 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09//07 
 
 
In order to make it possible for them to continue, I must make every 
effort possible. I must fulfill my responsibility, my duty using all 
my capabilities. Naturally, I have no intention of clinging on to my 
position (if I fail)." 
 
(15) High hurdle for Prime Minister Abe to extend Antiterrorism Law 
in extra Diet session; No common ground with DPJ 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 9, 2007 
 
Makoto Nakayama, Sydney 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in an informal meeting with reporters 
accompanying him to Sydney, emphasized a stance of fighting with his 
back to the wall in an attempt to extend the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law, which allows Japan to take part in the war on terror. 
He revealed the possibility of looking into new legislation. He 
intends to take every possible measure in order to get understanding 
from the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the largest party in the 
House of Councillors, without sticking to the idea of just extending 
the Antiterrorism Law. However, Abe has yet to find any concrete 
common ground with the DPJ. At the upcoming extraordinary Diet 
session to be convened on Sept. 10, he will undergo hardships from 
the beginning. 
 
A US administration official quoted President George W. Bush as 
urging in his meeting on Sept. 8 with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: "I 
want you to find at any cost a way to continue the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean." 
 
In the informal meeting with the reporters, Abe underscored his 
eagerness for extending the current law, saying: "Continuing the 
refueling operation is an international commitment. So my 
responsibility for that is heavy. I have to exert all my strength." 
 
However, there are extremely high barriers against an extension of 
the MSDF's refueling operation, since DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa has 
clarified his position of opposing either an extension of the 
present law or new legislation. 
 
There is no benefit for the DPJ to respond to discussion, as the 
main opposition party aims to topple the Abe government. 
 
Ozawa has called on Japan to participate in the ISAF (International 
Security Assistance Force). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) 
and Defense Ministry remain negative about Ozawa's idea out of 
concern that the ISAF mission carries considerable risks. 
 
Defense Minister Masahiko Komura told reporters on Sept. 8 about 
Japan's participation in logistic support: 
 
"International needs of the current maritime refueling operation are 
stronger than transporting goods and personnel by helicopters. For 
the SDF, that mission is easy to carry out." 
 
Komura then asserted: 
 
"It is not true that the Defense Ministry and the SDF have looked 
into the possibility of Japan's participation in the ISAF. I haven't 
received any request from the government a study of consideration of 
 
TOKYO 00004217  003 OF 007 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09//07 
 
land transportation in Afghanistan. " 
 
Asked by reporters whether he would consider joining the ISAF, Abe 
changed the subject, responding, "I want to maintain the current 
MSDF operation." 
 
Even if the ruling and opposition camps reach accord to hold policy 
consultations, chance are extremely slim that the government and 
ruling coalition will accept the humanitarian assistance measures 
that the DPJ is now working out. 
 
If a bill to extend the Antiterrorism Law, which expires on Nov. 1, 
is not passed through the Diet before that date, it will be 
scrapped. However, the Diet will be able to deliberate new 
legislation beyond Nov. 1. Even if the refueling mission is 
discontinued, the mission will be resumed if new legislation gets 
through the Diet during the extra session. However, there remain 
barriers to pass the legislation. 
 
(16) Online polling: Abe cabinet unpopular from before Endo problem 
 
TOKYO (Page 2) (Abridged) 
September 7, 2007 
 
The Tokyo Shimbun yesterday tabulated findings from its online poll 
conducted to probe public attitudes over political issues. 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo has now resigned 
from his portfolio because a mutual aid association headed by him 
had received subsidies from his ministry. Irrespective of such 
impropriety, Prime Minister Abe was severely rated in the survey on 
the basis of his recent cabinet shuffle and his appointment of a new 
executive lineup for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. In 
addition, the survey also found critical attitudes toward Abe's 
initiative to build a "beautiful country." 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked about Abe's appointments to 
his cabinet and party. In response to this question, favorable 
ratings totaled 25.7 PERCENT , with critical ratings totaling 68.1 
PERCENT . 
 
On this question, the Tokyo Shimbun looked into interim results as 
of Aug. 29 before Endo's problem was brought to light. At that 
point, favorable ratings totaled 25.2 PERCENT , with critical 
ratings adding up to 69.9 PERCENT . As seen from these figures, 
there was almost no change from the finalized results. 
 
Some respondents were affirmative about Abe's shuffling of his 
cabinet and his party's executive lineup to a certain extent. 
However, they said it has been offset by the Endo problem. As far as 
answers from all respondents are concerned, however, Abe's new 
appointees to his cabinet and party do not seem to have been 
fundamentally appreciated. 
 
Respondents were also asked what they thought about Abe's initiative 
to create a "beautiful country," which he advocated in his inaugural 
press conference. In response to this question, a total of about 80 
PERCENT  were negative, with 58.4 PERCENT  urging him to give up on 
that initiative as an idea aloof from public thinking and 21.0 
PERCENT  saying he should wait for a while to gauge public 
reactions. 
 
Even among LDP supporters, more than half were negative about Abe's 
 
TOKYO 00004217  004 OF 007 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09//07 
 
"beautiful country" advocacy. 
 
Respondents were further asked to prioritize issues for the new Abe 
cabinet. In response, 62.9 PERCENT  picked "pension and other policy 
measures close to public life," topping all other answers. 
Meanwhile, Abe has advocated reviewing Japan's postwar regime, such 
as constitutional revision and collective self-defense. However, 
those who opted for this postwar regime review accounted for only 
5.9 PERCENT . 
 
When asked whether to support the Abe cabinet, "yes" and "yes to a 
certain degree" totaled 25.5 PERCENT , up about 8 percentage points 
from the last poll. However, the Abe cabinet's support rate still 
stayed low. "No to a certain degree" and "no" totaled 74.5 PERCENT 
. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted online with 500 
anonymous monitors invited on the Internet for answers to questions 
relating to politics. This survey differs from telephone-based and 
face-to-face polling. The survey this time was taken from late 
August through early this month, with 404 persons (80.8 PERCENT ) 
responding. 
 
(17) Interviews with Minoru Terada and Kazuhiro Haraguchi on 
extension of Antiterrorism Law 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
September 9, 2007 
 
The question of extending the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law is 
certain to take center stage in the extraordinary Diet session that 
will convene tomorrow. Although the government and ruling coalition 
have been playing up the importance of the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling services to naval vessels of other countries in 
the Indian Ocean, the Democratic Party of Japan, which opposes the 
law's extension, has now become the largest party in the House of 
Councillors. Tensions are likely to mount in the Diet toward 
November 1, the deadline for the Antiterrorism Law. 
 
Interview with Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Minoru Terada -- 
National interests should be prioritized over Lower House 
dissolution 
 
Q: Why must the Antiterrorism Law be extended? 
 
Terada: With the Taliban and al-Qaeda gaining strength recently, 
there has been a spate of hostage and bombing incidents. Many 
countries have stepped up their efforts to deter terrorism, and 
Japan cannot afford to discontinue its refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean -- Japan's international contribution. The law must be 
extended. 
 
Q: DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa is opposed to an extension, citing a 
lack of a UN Security Council resolution as the basis for the 
dispatch of the SDF. 
 
Terada: He is misinterpreting facts. The United Nations has adopted 
a resolution denouncing terrorism and has also endorsed the 
international community to take appropriate measures to prevent 
terrorism. Mr. Ozawa thinks that the SDF is allowed to do anything 
as long as the United Nations is involved, and we do not agree. The 
SDF is not allowed to join foreign forces taking military action 
 
TOKYO 00004217  005 OF 007 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09//07 
 
based on a UN resolution. 
 
Q: Some observers think that Japan should use humanitarian aid more 
actively. 
 
Terada: The Antiterrorism Law covers such activities as humanitarian 
and reconstruction assistance, refugee rescue, and supply transport. 
Grassroots assistance does not require legislation. Official 
development assistance is also possible based on an agreement with a 
recipient country. There are many things Japan can do under the 
existing system. 
 
Q: Is there any chance for the government to come up with a new law 
that reflects the DPJ's views? 
 
Terada: Before discussing new legislation, it is important for the 
ruling and opposition parties to discuss matters sincerely. The 
government wants to obtain the understanding of the opposition bloc 
by spelling out the importance of the SDF mission. The government is 
willing to establish a new law that takes in the opposition bloc's 
proposals. 
 
Q: The DPJ is unlikely to change its stance, however. 
 
Terada: There shouldn't be any predetermined conclusion. The DPJ 
should seriously discuss national interests instead of aiming for a 
Lower House dissolution. I don't think the DPJ opposes matters for 
the sake of opposition. The DPJ must present counterproposals as a 
responsible opposition party. 
 
Interview with DPJ Lower House lawmaker Kazuhiro Haraguchi -- 
Government must disclose specifics of MSDF mission 
 
Q: Why is your party opposing an extension of the Antiterrorism 
Law? 
 
Haraguchi: How many terrorists have been captured because of Japan's 
assistance for the antiterrorism operations? The government has not 
disclosed any information. It has not presented an exit strategy for 
the MSDF mission, either. The lack of information-disclose and 
explanation means civilian control is not working. 
 
Q: The DPJ is criticizing the MSDF mission, citing a lack of a UN 
resolution. 
 
Haraguchi: The SDF is reportedly supporting antiterrorism operations 
on the condition that it does not become fully integrated with 
military actions and stay away from combat zones. But those 
conditions are fictitious. The Antiterrorism Law is tinged with 
dangerous overtones. The antiterrorism operations do not constitute 
collective defense based on a UN resolution. 
 
Q: Some in the government and ruling bloc are calling for a new law 
reflecting DPJ views based on a UN resolution. 
 
Haraguchi: The new law is not here yet, so I have nothing to say 
about it. The DPJ will use its investigative powers in national 
politics to make the government disclose information for the public. 
Once specifics of Japan's assistance become clear, the public might 
call for an extension of the law. At the same time, we have some 
suspicions, such as whether US vessels refueled by the MSDF might be 
carrying out activities in Iraq. If such suspicions are proved true, 
 
TOKYO 00004217  006 OF 007 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09//07 
 
the general public might press the government to discard the new 
legislation plan and come up with a new approach altogether. 
 
Q: What kind of physical support should Japan extend if the SDF was 
withdrawn? 
 
Haraguchi: Do you know why Japan is appreciated by people in 
Cambodia? It is because Japan helped reconstruct the culture, 
traditions, and religion they revered and supported the medical and 
education systems. That is the only way to eliminate terrorism. 
 
Q: Some say that in the event Japan was attacked, the United States 
would be the only country that defends Japan. 
 
Haraguchi: That is not true. Bogged down in the Iraq war, the United 
States was not able to take military action following a nuclear test 
by North Korea. The United States is trying to delist North Korea as 
a state sponsor of terrorism despite the issue of Japanese abducted 
by North Korea. Japan is being ignored despite its commitment to the 
United States. No one spares time or energy for the weak follower. 
 
(18) Ozawa strategy suffers setback: DPJ in Upper House makes 
concession on selection of Budget Committee chairman, prioritizing 
cooperation with LDP 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 8, 2007 
 
Upper House Budget Committee chairmanship is the post that holds the 
key to Diet steering in the upcoming extraordinary session. The 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has been considered most likely to 
grab the post. However, the DPJ and the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP) during talks on Sept. 7 agreed to allocate the post to the 
LDP, as in the past. The DPJ had been set for introducing a 
resolution dismissing the Budget Committee chairman if the LDP 
refuses to vacate the post. However, with the LDP brandishing the 
threat of submitting a resolution dismissing the Lower House 
Speaker, the DPJ lost its nerve and agreed to cooperate with the 
LDP. As a result, Chairman Ozawa's order to gain all key 
chairmanships in the Upper House was not met. His strategy of 
confronting the ruling bloc in the extraordinary Diet session has 
suffered a setback right from the beginning. 
 
The DPJ had envisaged a strategy of cornering the government and the 
ruling parties using the administrative investigation rights in the 
Upper House, where the opposition camp holds a majority. The Budget 
Committee, which covers issues on national administration in general 
is supposed to serve a main battlefield for the DPJ to implement its 
strategy. Deputy President Kan had noted, "The number 1 party should 
be responsible for the Budget Committee." 
 
However, Upper House President Azuma Koshiishi is proud of his good 
communication lines to Mikio Aoki, former chairman of the LDP caucus 
in the Upper House. From the beginning, he has been consistently 
attaching importance to cooperation with the LDP. He had told 
persons around him that he would give the Budget Committee 
chairmanship to the LDP. 
 
For this reason, Ozawa ordered Koshiishi during their meeting to 
grab the chairmanships of key committees. Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama also told a press conference on the afternoon of Sept. 7: 
"If we secure the Budget Committee chairmanship, we would be able to 
 
TOKYO 00004217  007 OF 007 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09//07 
 
impress the public that politics has changed. We are determined to 
secure the Budget Committee chairmanship by all means." Senior LDP 
officials had been projecting weakness to the DPJ, which had been 
stepping up its offensive up until the evening of Sept. 6. One LDP 
member even noted, "We are ready to surrender." 
 
However, the LDP at the same time continued to apply pressure on the 
DPJ during Lower House plenary sessions, hinting at a dismissal of 
DPJ chairmen of standing committees and a replacement of Vice 
Speaker Takahiro Yokomichi, who came from the DPJ. 
 
As a result, Koshiishi has opted to avoid such turmoil, determining 
that it would be better to settle the selection of committee 
chairmen amicably. Koshiishi phoned Ozawa on the afternoon of the 
7th and obtained a free hand for the selection of chairmen. Ozawa 
does not consider it possible to force the ruling camp to dissolve 
the Lower House for a snap election outright under the present 
circumstances. He has apparently tolerated his party making 
concessions to the ruling camp, which holds more than two-thirds of 
Lower House seats 
 
However, many DPJ members feel strongly about the outcome, with one 
mid-ranking official saying, "Party members will never be convinced. 
We have no other choice but to call on Mr. Koshiishi to step down." 
The outcome of the selection of Upper House committee chairmen has 
raised a question on the DPJ's determination to confront the LDP. 
 
SCHIEFFER