VZCZCXRO6195
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #4281/01 2560758
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130758Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7554
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFISS/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5575
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3158
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6799
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 2126
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3883
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8950
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5007
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5917

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 004281 
 
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 09/13/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
(1) Poll on Abe cabinet's job performance 
 
(2) Many unanswered questions about Abe's explanation for 
resignation 
 
(3) Prime Minister Abe quits but what will be the fate of structural 
reforms? Challenge is to strike balance with effort to correct 
social disparities: CEFP meeting cancelled on short notice 
 
(4) Emergency roundtable on Prime Minister Abe's decision to step 
down -- a political crisis that requires public vote (Part 1) 
 
(5) Collapse of Abe administration (Part 1): Abe lacks competence 
required of prime minister 
 
(6) Prime Minister Abe to be hospitalized for at least 3-4 days at 
Keio Hospital 
 
(7) Protection of lifeline for oil transport 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Poll on Abe cabinet's job performance 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 13, 2007 
 
Questions & Answers 
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female) 
 
Q: What do you think is needed for prime minister? 
 
 T P M F 
Experience 5  7 4 
Decisiveness 28  29 27 
International sensibility 2  2 2 
Popularity 1  1 1 
Ability to translate policy measures into action 30  29 31 
Foresight 18  18 17 
Ability to coordinate 6  5 6 
Personal character 2  2 2 
Ethics 3  3 3 
Youthfulness 1  1 1 
 
Q: Do you appreciate the Abe government over the past year? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 22  21 23 
No 74  76 71 
 
Q: What do you think was good about what Prime Minister Abe has 
done? 
 
 T P M F 
Enacted the National Referendum Law that stipulated procedures for 
constitutional revision 7  9 5 
Made efforts for education reform, such as revising the Fundamentals 
of Education Law 15  14 16 
Improved relations with China and South Korea 13  16 10 
Reformed the public service system, such as restricting golden 
 
TOKYO 00004281  002 OF 010 
 
 
parachuting 24  24 24 
Response to the government's pension record-keeping flaws 23  20 25 
 
Q: What do you think was wrong about what Prime Minister Abe has 
done? 
 
 T P M F 
Enacted the National Referendum Law that stipulated procedures for 
constitutional revision 7  8 7 
Made efforts for education reform, such as revising the Fundamentals 
of Education Law 4  4 4 
Reinstated postal rebels to the LDP 13  15 11 
Response to political scandals over money and gaffes from his 
cabinet ministers 44  43 45 
Stayed on after the LDP's route in this July's election for the 
House of Councillors 20  23 18 
 
Q: The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) garnered 60 seats in 
this July's election for the House of Councillors and took great 
strides. Do you think it's all right to entrust the DPJ with the 
reins of government? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 43  52 36 
No 50  45 54 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "No answer" 
omitted. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted across the nation over 
a period of three days, Sept. 7-9, on a face-to-face basis. A total 
of 4,575 persons were chosen from among men and women aged 20 and 
over as of Sept. 30 at 300 locations on a stratified two-stage 
random sampling basis for interviews. Answers were obtained from 
2,516 persons (55 PERCENT ). 
 
(2) Many unanswered questions about Abe's explanation for 
resignation 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 13, 2007 
 
There are some questions about Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reason 
for his decision to resign, which he explained in a press conference 
yesterday. There seemed to be prospects for an extension of the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling services, even if he 
had not resigned. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will not agree 
to an extension of the MSDF refueling operation even after he steps 
down. He cited the devastating defeat in the July House of 
Councillors election as a reason. However, it is makes no sense at 
all that he announced his intention to resign two days after he had 
expressed his determination to stay in office in his policy speech, 
instead of immediately after the Upper House election. 
 
Abe stressed that the MSDF mission in the Indian Ocean must continue 
at any cost. He explained that he would change the situation since 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa snubbed his request for a meeting. 
 
However, the government and ruling coalition had decided to submit 
new legislation to limit the MSDF activities to refueling and 
supplying water to allied vessels in the Indian Ocean. Even if the 
legislation is voted down at the Upper House, which is controlled by 
 
TOKYO 00004281  003 OF 010 
 
 
the opposition camp, it is possible that it will be re-approved by 
two-thirds of the Lower House by extending the term of the current 
session. 
 
If Abe had a strong will to get the new legislation through the Diet 
as he had enacted a bill revising the National Civil Service Law 
during the previous extra session, the MSDF refueling mission will 
be able to resumed, although the mission might be discontinued for 
about one month. Therefore, the prime minister's decision to resign 
is inconsistent with his statement in Sydney last weekend that he 
would stake his job on extending the MSDF refueling operation, which 
is an international commitment. 
 
Abe said his staying in office was obstructed by his failure to 
obtain a meeting with DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. Ozawa, however, 
has consistently opposed continuation of the MSDF operation. Abe 
expressed his expectations of frank talks between the new LDP 
president and Ozawa, but there is no guarantee that the DPJ will 
change its position after Abe resigns as prime minister. 
 
It is not understandable that he cited the LDP's crushing defeat in 
the Upper House election as a reason for his decision to resign at 
this time. 
 
Revealing that Ozawa cited as his reason for not meeting Abe was 
that Abe had not accepted the judgment of the people, Abe stated: 
"The results of the Upper House election were harsh." He also said: 
"The Abe cabinet failed to obtain public confidence. I think this is 
probably my responsibility." 
 
Abe announced his intention to stay in office despite the LDP's 
setback in the July Upper House race. He then came under fire from 
both the ruling and opposition camps. In his policy speech on Sept. 
10, however, he expressed his determination to continue to push 
forward with reforms for the sake of the people based on the results 
of the Upper House election. The reasons for the resignation of 
successive prime ministers were clear. They took responsibility for 
budgets not clearing the Diet due to scandals, the party's setback 
in an election, as well as health reasons. 
 
However, Abe quit his job, reversing his past remarks immediately 
before the start of questioning sessions by party representatives on 
his policy speech. Although a health problem was included in Abe's 
decision as Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano revealed, it goes 
without saying that he lacked the qualifications to be prime 
minister. 
 
(3) Prime Minister Abe quits but what will be the fate of structural 
reforms? Challenge is to strike balance with effort to correct 
social disparities: CEFP meeting cancelled on short notice 
 
MAINICHI (Page 11) (Excerpts) 
September 13, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Abe's abrupt decision to step down will likely have a 
major impact on economic policy, including fiscal and financial 
policies and trade talks. The expanded social disparities caused by 
the structural reform policy inherited from the previous 
administration, as well as public distrust in the government over 
the pension fiasco and the politics and money issue are attributable 
to the ruling parties' crushing defeat in the Upper House, which 
prefaced Abe's resignation. Amid the bleak economic prospects, 
 
TOKYO 00004281  004 OF 010 
 
 
chances are high that voices calling for a shift from the reform 
policy will gain ground with a changeover of prime ministers as the 
occasion. Trade talks, which require coordination of complicated 
interests, will need a prime minister's leadership. A protracted 
period of political turmoil could have a negative impact on the 
management of the economy and public finances. 
 
Following the announcement of Prime Minister Abe's decision to step 
down, a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (CEFP), 
slated for the evening of Sept. 12, was cancelled on short notice. 
The panel was supposed to discuss such issues as reshaping local 
economies. However, it had no other choice but to put off the 
meeting until after a new prime minister takes office. The role of 
the CEFP, which has served as the driving force for structural 
reforms, could change, depending on the policy of the next 
administration. 
 
Prime Minister Abe failed to achieve major results in economic 
policy. He advocated a new economic growth strategy aimed at 
boosting tax revenues through economic growth. Referring to 
financial resources to fund an increase in state contribution to the 
basic pension, he said in the July Upper House election campaign 
that he wanted to bring about a situation that does not require a 
hike in the consumption tax. However, he failed to win support from 
the voters. 
 
The gross domestic product (GDP) for the April-June quarter in the 
second preliminary report marked negative growth. What impact the 
high-interest housing loans (sub-prime loan) for low-income earners 
in the US will have on the Japanese economy is not clear. The future 
of the economy, which has thus far boosted tax revenues, is not all 
that rosy. In particular, various economic indices indicate that the 
benefits of the economic recovery centered on the manufacturing 
sector and leading companies are not being felt by small and medium 
businesses and local economies. 
 
The challenge the next administration will likely face will include 
dealing with such issues as correcting income disparities, while 
promoting efforts to recapitalize public finance. However, 
scattering about pork-barrel largesse in the form of carrying out 
unnecessary public works and budgetary fund appropriation will not 
herald independent local governments. Taizo Nishimura, chairman of 
the Fiscal System Advisory Council, an advisory panel reporting to 
the finance minister, was quick to make it clear during a press 
conference on Sept. 12 that though the economic policy could change 
under the next prime minister, further deterioration of public 
finances must be prevented. 
 
Positive impact on Japanese economy 
 
Kiyohiko Fukushima, professor at Rikkyo University 
 
Prime Minister Abe has decided to hand his administration to the 
next leader, feeling his limitations in what he can do as prime 
minister. His decision could work favorably to the Japanese 
economy. 
 
In implementing the reform policy, which he inherited from his 
predecessor Koizumi, Abe only partially modified it. One reason for 
the LDP defeat in the Upper House election is social disparities 
between urban and rural districts. A similar point has been made in 
the LDP. 
 
TOKYO 00004281  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
If the next prime minister presses ahead with an effort to make 
public finances healthy, while correcting excessive market 
principles without scattering about pork-barrel largesse, he would 
be able to win high scores from the public and the market. The 
nation will need a leader who can talk about a consumption tax hike 
with confidence in the future. 
 
Doha Round 
 
Another concern is that Japan's influence on multilateral talks 
(Doha Round) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) will decline. Abe 
during the APEC forum summit held in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 8-9 
expressed to participants his political resolve to reach an 
agreement within the year. However, his resignation as well as the 
string of the replacements of agricultural ministers are certain to 
deal a blow to the trade policy. 
 
Economic, Trade and Industry Minister (METI) Akira Amari on Sept. 12 
told reporters, "All we can do is to have the meaning of the prime 
minister's resignation understood." However, personal ties with the 
other party holds the major key in trade talks, as a senior METI 
official put it. It could be difficult for a new administration to 
have Japan's negotiation partners understand its position right 
after the beginning. 
 
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
(MOFA) has been replaced successively after the suicide of 
Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka in May. Even the vice 
minister was replaced on Sept. 7. Some in the ministry lamented, 
"When can we work in peace?" 
 
MAFF has many issues to deal with, including easing conditions for 
importing US beef, reviewing the farmland system and WTO talks. It 
is also of urgent necessity to restore trust in MAFF, which has been 
damaged due to the criticism it came under over subsidies. 
Agriculture Minister Wakabayashi on Sept. 12 stated, "Those pending 
issues will not immediately halt agricultural administration." 
However, there is strong concern about such a possibility. 
 
Wakabayashi, who took office on Sept. 4, is still receiving 
briefings on pending issues from various bureaus in the ministry. If 
a sixth minister takes office, MOFA has to establish a system from 
scratch. One senior official criticized Abe, "The resignation of 
Vice Agriculture Minister Yoshio Kobayashi for a fresh start of the 
ministry will be wasted. Prime Minister Abe is irresponsible." 
 
(4) Emergency roundtable on Prime Minister Abe's decision to step 
down -- a political crisis that requires public vote (Part 1) 
 
MAINICHI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
September 13, 2007 
 
? Jun Iio, professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy 
Studies 
? Atsushi Kusano, professor, Keio University 
? Takakazu Matsuda, senior writer, Mainichi Shimbun 
 
Background 
 
-- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly announced his decision to step 
down. What was your reaction, and in your view, what caused him to 
 
TOKYO 00004281  006 OF 010 
 
 
do so? 
 
Kusano: It took me by total surprise. He could have done so after 
his crushing defeat after the July Upper House election, or before 
shuffling his cabinet. It is utterly irresponsible to announce his 
intention to step down soon after delivering his policy address and 
before Diet interpellations kick off. He simply plans to throw away 
everything. 
 
Iio: I was shocked. It was just unbelievable. At the same time, it 
made me realize that such a person has been serving as the prime 
minister. He shouldn't have decided to resign, no matter what. His 
answers to the questions during the press conference yesterday, in 
which he officially announced his decision to step down, were 
somewhat illogical. It was appalling to know that a person like him 
who is incapable of holding the reins of government has been serving 
as the prime minister. 
 
Matsuda: There was a view even within the cabinet that the days of 
the Abe administration were numbered, so I thought his 
administration would probably come to an end before the end of the 
year -- but not so abruptly. He announced his decision like fleeing 
before the enemy lines. He has been ignoring the general public. He 
decided to stay in power by ignoring the public. He again decided to 
step down by ignoring the public. 
 
Kusano: Not only Abe but also all LDP lawmakers are to blame. After 
all, it was the LDP lawmakers that elected Abe as their president a 
year ago, expecting him to behave like his predecessor, Junichiro 
Koizumi, who had a rare talent for dealing with the media. 
 
-- As reasons for his resignation, Prime Minister Abe cited DPJ 
President Ichiro Ozawa's rejection of talks with him and the need to 
turn around the political situation for an extension of the 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. What is the real reason? 
 
Iio: He first cited Japan's failure to keep its international 
pledge. His resignation would reduce Japan's chances to deliver on 
that pledge, for the next LDP president will not necessarily 
advocate the same policy. In order to break the impasse, Abe could 
have announced his decision a lot earlier, but he didn't. So my 
guess is that the real reason was personal -- he just wanted to call 
it quits. 
 
I want to know since when he has been harboring that desire, because 
it is a matter of collective responsibility. When the country's top 
leader loses his mental balance under the parliamentary cabinet 
system, people around him should advise him to step down. Those 
around Abe should also be blamed. 
 
Masuda: He has failed to live up to his own words -- what he calls 
his international pledge. Realizing that he won't be able to deliver 
on it, he has decided to step down all by himself. 
 
Iio: Abe repeatedly played up the importance of the Antiterrorism 
Law. If he really meant it, he could have introduced a bill to 
extend the law in the previous Diet session and have it passed. He 
should have called an extraordinary Diet session right after the 
July Upper House election without shuffling his cabinet and 
immediately presented an Antiterrorism Law extension bill. Both 
extending the existing law and enacting new legislation have become 
difficult with his resignation. 
 
TOKYO 00004281  007 OF 010 
 
 
 
Kusano: Regarding the question of politics and money, Abe pledged to 
mandate all lawmakers to attach receipts for expenditures over 1 yen 
to their political funds reports. This may never happen because it 
is drawing fire even from within the LDP. Abe promised so many 
things that are unlikely to be put into action. 
 
Matsuda: Pension is one of them. He declared to complete 
crosschecking the unidentified pension records in a year. He has 
decided to throw up the three challenges -- politics and money, the 
pension, and the Antiterrorism Law -- that must be thoroughly 
discussed in the ongoing extraordinary Diet session. 
 
Iio: He has decided not only to step down but also destroyed the 
foundations for the three challenges. The lawmakers might have to 
start from scratch. What would happen to the campaign pledges if the 
next prime minister decides to ignore them? This is no longer a 
crisis for the LDP; it is a crisis for Japanese politics. 
 
-- Did Abe show any sings of his intention to resign? 
 
Matsuda: Behind Secretary General Aso's strong leadership in the 
party and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano's dominance in the cabinet, 
I sensed their intention to reduce Abe's influence. For instance, 
Abe retired early yesterday reportedly due to a cold. Yosano then 
called in persons concerned to discuss ways to extend the Indian 
Ocean mission. It pointed to an envisaged political scene without 
Abe. 
 
Kusano: I hear that during his tenure as chief cabinet secretary, 
Abe often lost his tempter regarding the scrap-and-build 
reorganization of the state-owned financial institutions. According 
to a senior Foreign Ministry official, Abe was elated during the 
Japan-US and Japan-Australia summits on the sidelines of the recent 
APEC forum. President Bush highly evaluated Japan's refueling 
mission, and Abe promised Japan's continued commitment. But the 
conclusion reached through the talks last night among Yosano and 
others was that re-adoption of new legislation in the Lower House 
would be difficult. Abe won't be able to deliver on his personal 
pledge, and that prompted him to throw up everything. I think this 
can explain his behavior. 
 
Iio: Even if re-adoption is not possible, he should pull the ruling 
coalition together. He has the power to dissolve the Lower House. He 
could use it to ask for a public vote of confidence in his 
administration. He seems to lack what it takes to be the nation's 
top leader. 
 
Matsuda: In a meeting last Thursday with newspaper editorial 
writers, he lacked aggressiveness, repeating the same thing over and 
over. 
 
Kusano: In explaining Abe's decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano 
cited his health problem. 
 
Iio: This is a political crisis. We need to know the truth. If Abe 
has a health problem, he should conduct Diet interpellations, as 
planned, and explain clearly why he decided call it quits at this 
point. 
 
(5) Collapse of Abe administration (Part 1): Abe lacks competence 
required of prime minister 
 
TOKYO 00004281  008 OF 010 
 
 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
September 13, 2007 
 
A plenary session of the House of Representatives was scheduled to 
start at 13:00 yesterday. Although the first bell usually rings ten 
minutes before the start of a session, it didn't yesterday. 
 
Only a limited number of senior Liberal Democratic Party members, 
such as Secretary General Taro Aso and Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Tadamori Oshima, had been informed of the reason why the 
bell didn't ring. About ten minutes later, many lawmakers learned of 
the unprecedented new that the prime minister would resign just 
before representative interpellations at a House of Representatives 
plenary session. 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secretly conveyed his intention to resign 
to Aso for the first time when they met in private on the evening of 
Sept. 10. 
 
About two hours before meeting with Aso, the prime minister 
delivered policy speeches at both houses' plenary sessions, in which 
he said: "I would like to engage in state affairs while deeply 
reflecting on causing public distrust in politics." On Sept. 9, he 
categorically said in a press conference in Sydney, "I will stake my 
job" on extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean. 
 
Immediately after expressing this determination, he announced that 
he would resign as prime minister. It is hard to understand why. 
 
The five LDP executive officers rushed to the Prime Minister's 
Office (Kantei) just before the prime minister's press conference 
starting at 2:00 pm yesterday to announce his decision to step down. 
House of Councillors Caucus Chairman Hidehisa Otsuji asked Abe why 
he decided to resign at this time and tried to dissuade him from 
resigning, saying: "You should not make a decision on your own. Your 
decision will affect the entire nation." His words represented the 
feelings of many LDP members and people. But no clear-cut reply came 
from the prime minister. 
 
As pointed out by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, there may be 
some health problem. The prime minister was seen eating only rice 
gruel during a study session for his policy speech. Later, he 
reportedly survived somehow by receiving an intravenous drip. On 
Sept. 11, Upper House member Hiroshige Seko (former special advisor 
to t he prime minister), an close aide to the prime minister, 
secretly visited the Kantei and tried to encourage him, but Abe 
 
SIPDIS 
reportedly made no response. The prime minister was certainly in an 
extreme situation both physically and mentally. 
 
Even so, since his responsibility as the head of one nation is 
heavy, Prime Minister Abe unavoidably has been exposed to criticism 
for his decision to abandon his duty at this time. Not only 
opposition members but also LDP members denounce him as 
irresponsible. 
 
The prime minister entered the Kantei last September, carrying the 
burden of public "expectations" on him for his youth and freshness. 
Such expectations, though, soon changed into "anxiety" and 
"disappointment." The lack of explanation and the inability to make 
a decisive decision are cited as the main reasons for the change in 
 
TOKYO 00004281  009 OF 010 
 
 
public feelings. 
 
Why is it necessary to revise the Constitution? Why does the 
government need to reform the civil-servant system? Why doesn't he 
resign although the LDP was defeated in the Upper House? Why doesn't 
he reshuffle the cabinet? 
 
The prime minister gave no proper replies to the questions posed to 
him. His decisions also lacked principle. 
 
Why did he decide to put an end to his administration now? His 
decision to leave office hit the nation like a bolt from the blue. 
This was a symbolic event of the administration. 
 
Prime Minister Abe often says that history will evaluate 
politicians. As of Sept. 12, we have to give a harsh evaluation to 
Prime Minister Abe. He is judged as lacking competence required of a 
prime minister. 
 
(6) Prime Minister Abe to be hospitalized for at least 3-4 days at 
Keio Hospital 
 
MAINICHI ONLINE NEWS (Full) 
September 13, 2007, 14:30 p.m. 
 
Physicians at Keio Hospital (at Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward) held a press 
briefing this afternoon to announce the results of their check up of 
Prime Minister Abe, who yesterday announced his intention to resign. 
Norifumi Hibi, the physician in charge and a professor of internal 
medicine at the hospital, explained: "The prime minister is totally 
exhausted. He has lost some five kilograms over several months. He 
is suffering from a functional gastrointestinal disorder. If the 
symptoms become worse, it will hinder his daily life." The physician 
added, "The prime minister needs to be hospitalized for at least 
three to four days." 
 
Earlier in the day, Abe underwent a medical checkup at the hospital. 
He expressed his intension to attend a general meeting of his 
Liberal Democratic Party's Diet members of both the chambers slated 
for this afternoon, but a team of doctors judged it would be 
difficult for him to do so. As a result, Abe gave up on attending 
the meeting. 
 
(7) Protection of lifeline for oil transport 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
September 13, 2007 
 
Keiichi Takagi 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has been engaged in the 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean under the Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law, which expires on Nov. 1. This mission is of 
great significance in the sense that Japan has taken part in the 
international joint operations against terrorism. As the 
multinational force's performance, a source familiar with Japan-US 
military affairs revealed that the multinational force's vessels 
have interdicted eight cases of piracy until now. Although the 
MSDF's refueling mission has not been a direct help to prevent 
international terrorist group al-Qaeda and the Taliban -- the 
primary target of the antiterrorism operations -- from transporting 
their weapons and narcotics and to capture them, the MSDF's another 
 
TOKYO 00004281  010 OF 010 
 
 
important role of playing a part in the defense of the (Japanese) 
sea lanes has been proven. 
 
Japan depends on marine transportation of its energy resources, such 
as oil and minerals. According to the Natural Resources and Energy 
Agency, Japan imports 90 PERCENT  of its oil from the Middle East, 
and "All oil is transported by large tankers to Japan via the Indian 
Ocean." Keeping the Indian Ocean safe is an important task for Japan 
in terms of energy security. 
 
The MSDF's participation in the antiterrorism tactic in the Indian 
Ocean by refueling other countries' vessels has contributed to 
containing pirates operating behind the scenes for looting in the 
ocean leading to the Straits of Malacca. In this regard, a 
government official stressed: "It has fully served Japan's national 
interests." 
 
SCHIEFFER