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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 004330 
 
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 09/18/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
Prime Minister's schedule: Hospitalized 
 
3) Prime Minister Abe will be in hospital for at least another weak, 
his condition unchanged 
 
Opinion polls: 
4) Survey of 387 LDP Diet members finds Yasuo Fukuda supported by 
213 already 
5) Asahi poll on LDP presidential race: 53 PERCENT  favor Yasuo 
Fukuda, 21 PERCENT  pick Taro Aso, with 62 PERCENT  of the public 
desiring next prime minister to be conciliatory type 
6) Yomiuri poll: 58 PERCENT  favor Fukuda for LDP president, 22 
PERCENT  opt for Aso 
7) Fuji-Sankei poll: 55.9 PERCENT  of public pick Fukuda for LDP 
president, almost twice the percentage of those who favor Aso 
8) In Kyodo's poll, Fukuda (28 PERCENT ), Aso (18 PERCENT ), and 
Koizumi (15.7 PERCENT ) picked as favored top three for next prime 
minister 
9) Jiji poll: Half of the public agree to extension of the 
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law 
 
10) Japan to join seven-country PSI drill next month on interdicting 
spread of weapons of mass destruction by sea 
 
11) Government watching carefully North Korea's moves due to sudden 
postponement of six-party talks 
 
LDP presidential race - stands on issues: 
12) Fukuda would "resolve the abduction issue with my own hands" 
13) Fukuda's stand on North Korea reflects concern of Japan getting 
left behind in the six-party talks 
14) Fukuda's, Aso's stands on China very different 
15) Fukuda ready to respond flexibly to resolving domestic impasse 
on extending the MSDF's refueling in the Indian Ocean 
16) Aso reiterates supportive stance for extending MSDF mission in 
campaign speech 
17) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) worried about Fukuda if elected 
prime minister since his stands on Asia diplomacy, Yasukuni Shrine 
close to its own 
18) Koizumi's long-time secretary Iijima suddenly quits after 35 
years, upset by his boss' support of sworn enemy Fukuda for LDP 
president 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Poll of LDP's local chapters about what they want new president to 
do: 31 local chapters call for public works projects to reduce gaps 
between rural and urban areas 
 
Mainichi: 
National survey of medical facilities about Ritalin: Number of 
Retalin abusers who received treatment doubled for two years 
 
Yomiuri: 
Japan Post accommodations found to have concluded a free contract 
 
TOKYO 00004330  002 OF 011 
 
 
with a private firm run by a former postal bureaucrat 
 
Nikkei: 
Labor force survey by MIC for April-June: Record high 35.3 PERCENT 
say "income increase due to career change" 
 
Sankei: 
Sankei-FNN poll: 55.9 PERCENT  support Fukuda with 28.1  PERCENT 
backing Aso 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Prosecutor found to have had a deal with a gang boss with the aim of 
fabricating a case violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law 
 
Akahata: 
Elderly Convention starts: Solidarity needed to remove old people's 
anxieties 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Upsurge of postgraduate law schools: Schools must pay for it 
(2) Criminal penalty not appropriate for case of disclosure of 
school boy's deposition 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Privatization of Japan Post: Reinforcing management base 
essential 
(2) Amateur baseball teams should become "treasure of the town" and 
be backed by town people 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Reform of agricultural land system: Scale expansion 
indispensable for production improvement 
(2) Poll on Japanese language finds heavy usage of kanji due to use 
of personal computers 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Manufacturers should compete on safety measures of products used 
at home 
(2) It's questionable to have corporate health insurance societies 
and mutual aid societies pay the government's subsidy for the 
government-run health insurance societies for small firms 
 
Sankei: 
(1) LDP presidential election: In-depth policy debate desirable 
(2) New bar exam: Need to examine quality of law schools 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Politics-and-money issue: Important topic for debate in LDP 
presidential race 
(2) Moon satellite "Kaguya":  Future vision of exploration needed 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Argument for consumption tax hike reflects business leaders' 
selfish desire 
 
3) Abe to remain in hospital this week 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
September 18, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00004330  003 OF 011 
 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has been hospitalized at Keio 
University Hospital in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, has decided to postpone 
plans to resume his official duties today because his condition has 
not changed, a source close to the prime minister revealed 
yesterday. 
 
Although he was initially expected to leave the hospital on 
September 17, the prime minister has decided to stay away from the 
cabinet meeting today in compliance with his doctors' advice to stay 
in the hospital this week. 
 
According to the source, the prime minister has been on an 
intravenous drip and has rarely read newspapers or watched 
television. Since his hospitalization, the prime minister has been 
performing his duties, such as making final decision on matters, in 
his hospital room without appointing an acting prime minister. 
Reportedly he is going to follow this approach this week. 
 
Prime Minister Abe underwent a physical checkup at the hospital on 
September 13 and was diagnosed as suffering from a gastrointestinal 
disorder that required a minimum three to four days of 
hospitalization. 
 
4) Poll: Supported by 213 Lower House lawmakers, Fukuda likely to 
achieve overwhelming victory in LDP presidential race 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) 
September 17, 2007 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted an opinion survey of the 387 Liberal 
Democratic Party lawmakers regarding the September 23 LDP 
presidential election. As a result, 213 LDP lawmakers expressed 
support for former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, whereas 
only 45 members said they would back Secretary General Taro Aso. In 
a telephone-based nationwide survey conducted on September 15-16 as 
well, 61 PERCENT  of respondents picked Fukuda as suitable for the 
LDP presidency. With Fukuda expected to dominate the 114 prefectural 
chapter votes, he has the momentum to secure a 265-vote majority 
with ease. 
 
5) Poll: Fukuda scores 53 PERCENT  in popularity rating for next 
premiership, Aso at 21 PERCENT 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
September 17, 2007 
 
With the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election 
having kicked off, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based 
spot nationwide public opinion survey from the afternoon of Sept. 15 
through yesterday. In the survey, respondents were asked which 
candidate between former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and 
LDP Secretary General Taro Aso they thought would be appropriate for 
the next prime minister. In response to this question, 53 PERCENT 
picked Fukuda, with 21 PERCENT  opting for Aso. Among LDP 
supporters, Fukuda stood at 56 PERCENT , with Aso at 27 PERCENT . 
Respondents were also asked what type they thought would be better 
for the next prime minister. To this question, a total of 62 PERCENT 
 chose a "cooperative" type, with 31 PERCENT  preferring a 
"decisive" type. As seen from these figures, the public wants a 
leader differing from former Prime Minister Koizumi, who was a 
decisive type, and his successor, Prime Minister Abe. This mindset 
seems to back up Fukuda in popularity. 
 
TOKYO 00004330  004 OF 011 
 
 
 
Respondents were also asked if they were interested in the LDP 
presidential race. In response, 69 PERCENT  answered "yes." In 
September last year, Prime Minister Abe won a landslide victory in 
the party race. At that time, "yes" accounted for 63 PERCENT . In 
April 2001, when former Prime Minister Koizumi was elected LDP 
president for the first time, "yes" totaled 64 PERCENT . 
 
Those who picked Fukuda were further asked to pick one from among 
three given reasons. In response, 62 PERCENT  picked "he's stable," 
followed by "his policies and principles are good" respectively at 
17 PERCENT . Among those who picked Aso, "policies and principles" 
accounted for 36 PERCENT , followed by his "friendly" character at 
34 PERCENT  and "stable" at 22 PERCENT . 
 
6) Poll: Public support for Fukuda at 58 PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
September 17, 2007 
 
In a nationwide emergency opinion survey conducted by the Yomiuri 
Shimbun ahead of the LDP presidential election, 58 PERCENT  of 
respondents indicated that former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo 
Fukuda was fit for the post, while only 22 PERCENT  picked LDP 
Secretary General Taro Aso. Additionally, the rate of support for 
 
SIPDIS 
Fukuda among LDP supporters stood at 61 PERCENT  in contrast to 27 
PERCENT  for Aso. Although the Aso camp pins hopes on prefectural 
chapter votes to turn around the trend, public support for Fukuda 
was also higher than for Aso. By gender, support for Fukuda among 
male respondents stood at 53 PERCENT  in contrast to Aso's 27 
PERCENT . Fukuda also won support from 62 PERCENT  of female 
respondents against Aso's 18 PERCENT , pronouncing Fukuda's high 
popularity among female respondents. Fukuda outnumbered Aso in terms 
of age and area as well. Even in Aso's home turf of Kyushu, support 
for Fukuda marked 50 PERCENT  against 28 PERCENT  for Aso. 
 
Asked what takes to become the prime minister (multiple answers 
acceptable), 89 PERCENT  pointed to "leadership" and 86 PERCENT  to 
"accountability to the public." 
 
As seen in the fact that 80 PERCENT  of LDP factions already decided 
to back Factional, moves by factions have been particularly 
noticeable. However, the faction-centered selection process received 
negative assessments from 70 PERCENT  of respondents, and positive 
assessments from only 15 PERCENT . 
 
In addition, 58 PERCENT  said Prime Minister Abe's resignation was 
"natural," while 33 PERCENT  indicated it was unnecessary. 
 
Further, 51 PERCENT  said that the Lower House should be dissolved 
"as soon as possible" for a snap general election, whereas 41 
PERCENT  indicated that "there was no need to hurry." In a survey 
conducted on July 30-31 shortly after the July Upper House lection 
and another one on August 27-28 immediately after the cabinet 
reshuffle, the answer "as soon as possible" marked only about 40 
PERCENT . In the latest survey, "as soon as possible" outnumbered 
the answer "there is no need to hurry." 
 
7) Poll: 55.9 PERCENT  support Fukuda 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
September 18, 2007 
 
TOKYO 00004330  005 OF 011 
 
 
 
Following up Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's announcement of his 
resignation, the Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) 
conducted a joint public opinion survey from the afternoon of Sept. 
15 through Sept. 16, focusing on the ruling Liberal Democratic 
Party's presidential election. In the survey, respondents were asked 
which candidate between former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, 
71, and LDP Secretary General Taro Aso, 66, they supported. In 
response to this question, Fukuda stood at 55.9 PERCENT , with Aso 
at 28.1 PERCENT . In the party race, many of the LDP's lawmakers 
support Fukuda. The survey also shows a similar trend. 
 
In popularity rating for the next premiership as well, Fukuda topped 
all others at 27.7 PERCENT , followed by former Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi at 15.0 PERCENT , Health, Labor and Welfare 
Minister Yoichi Masuzoe at 13.2 PERCENT , and Ichoro Ozawa, 
president of the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) at 12.2 PERCENT . Aso was in fifth place with 10.3 
PERCENT . 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP 
stood at 30.5 PERCENT , up 2.3 percentage points from the last 
survey conducted Aug. 27-28 after the Abe cabinet was shuffled. The 
DPJ was at 25.9 PERCENT , down 5 points from the last survey. The 
LDP was lower than the DPJ in two surveys taken after this summer's 
election for the House of Councillors. In the survey this time, 
however, the LDP outpaced the DPJ. This is presumably because all 
eyes are now on the LDP's presidential election. 
 
8) Poll: Fukuda marks 28 PERCENT  for next premiership, Aso at 18 
PERCENT 
 
TOKYO (Page 1) (Abridged) 
September 15, 2007 
 
Along with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's announcement of his 
resignation, Kyodo News conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide 
public opinion survey on Sept. 13-14. In the survey, respondents 
were asked who they thought would be appropriate as the next prime 
minister. In response to this question, 28.1 PERCENT  picked former 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, who topped all others. Liberal 
Democratic Party Secretary General Taro Aso was in second place with 
18.7 PERCENT . Fukuda is now gaining an advantage over Aso with 
widening support from factions in the LDP. 
 
Respondents were also asked if they thought the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean under 
the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law should be extended. In 
response, 47.9 PERCENT  answered "yes," with 42.5 PERCENT  saying 
"no." In the last survey taken Aug. 27-28, negative answers 
outnumbered affirmative ones. 
 
9) Poll: Half support antiterror law extension 
 
TOKYO (Page 3) (Full) 
September 17, 2007 
 
According to a Jiji Press poll released yesterday, opinions for 
extending the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, under which Japan 
has sent a Maritime Self-Defense Force squadron to the Indian Ocean 
for refueling activities there, totaled nearly 50 PERCENT , broken 
down into 13.0 PERCENT  saying the law should be extended and 36.1 
 
TOKYO 00004330  006 OF 011 
 
 
PERCENT  saying it would be unavoidable to extend the law. 
Meanwhile, opinions against extending the antiterror law totaled 
35.3 PERCENT . Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stressed the need for 
Japan to continue the MSDF's refueling mission, and the public now 
seems to show understanding to a certain extent on the prime 
minister's standpoint. 
 
Among those who are for extending the antiterror law, 36.8 PERCENT 
said that was because Japan-US relations could worsen if the law was 
not extended, topping all other reasons. Among other answers, 35.7 
PERCENT  said that was because there was a request from the 
international community, with only 4.8 PERCENT  saying that was 
because they supported the MSDF's activities. 
 
Among those who are against extending the law, 27.8 PERCENT  said 
the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean is not based on a 
United Nations resolution. Among other reasons, 26.1 PERCENT  said 
the MSDF's mission there is questionable under the Constitution, 
with 18.8 PERCENT  saying the government has not disclosed 
information about the MSDF's activities there and its costs. 
 
10) PSI training set to take place among seven countries in Japanese 
waters in October 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 18, 2007 
 
The government will host a three-day Proliferation Security 
Initiative (PSI) maritime interdiction drill aimed at the 
nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles that will 
take place from October 13 in the Pacific Ocean, including waters 
off the Izu Peninsula and the Yokosuka base. 
 
Following the one in 2004 which was also hosted by Japan, the 
upcoming PSI training will be joined by seven countries, including 
the United States, Britain, France, and Australia. 
 
Japan plans to dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, P3C 
patrol planes, AWACS early warning aircraft, and a Ground 
Self-Defense Force chemical defense unit to take part in the drill 
to search, pursue, and inspect suspicious vessels. 
 
A senior Defense Ministry official said: "Although the training is 
not against any specific countries, we naturally have North Korea in 
mind." 
 
11) Government carefully watching North Korea's moves, with 
postponement of six-party talks 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
September 18, 2007 
 
It has become difficult to hold the next round of the six-party 
talks on North Korea's denuclearization set for Sept. 19. The 
Japanese government speculates that North Korea might be trying to 
shake the United States and other countries involved in the 
six-party talks. The government intends to carefully watch what 
moves the North will make, focusing on whether it will respond to an 
early resumption of the talks. 
 
A Japanese government source said yesterday regarding the 
postponement of the talks: "This proves that the agreement reached 
 
TOKYO 00004330  007 OF 011 
 
 
between the US and North Korea has not been pushed ahead smoothly as 
envisioned by US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill." 
After the meeting of the US-North working group held in Geneva in 
early September, Hill announced: "North Korea agreed to declare all 
of its nuclear programs and disable all of its existing nuclear 
facilities within the year," but there is still a wide gap in both 
sides' views on how to implement specific steps. The government 
official takes the view that this gap led to delaying the talks. 
 
A former cabinet minister of the Liberal Democratic Party said: 
"North Korea's refusal might be aimed to prevent the process of 
disabling its nuclear facilities from being forged ahead under the 
lead of the US without commitment to oil aid to it." 
 
Meanwhile, some government officials view the postponement of the 
talks favorably, because if the talks were held tomorrow as 
scheduled, Japan would have to face the talks in the absence of 
leadership, following Prime Minister Abe's sudden announcement of 
his resignation and hospitalization. 
 
12) In LDP presidential race, Fukuda expresses resolve to take lead 
in settling abduction issue, while Aso insists on need for 
pressure-oriented approach 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
September 18, 2007 
 
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and Secretary General 
Taro Aso kicked off their campaign for the Liberal Democratic Party 
presidential election in streets of Osaka and Takamatsu yesterday. 
In reference to the issue of North Korea's past abductions of 
Japanese nationals, Fukuda expressed his strong will to resolve the 
issue, saying: "I would like to take the lead in resolving the 
issue. I want you to trust and support me." In contrast, Aso 
emphasized the need for the current pressure-oriented approach 
toward the North. 
 
Referring in a speech in Osaka to the fact that five years have 
passed since the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration was signed 
on Sept. 17 2002, Fukuda said: "There are still (the abductees) left 
behind in North Korea. We must take some measures for them." He thus 
reiterated his determination to take the initiative in resolving the 
issue. He also spoke of his eagerness to normalize diplomatic 
relations with Pyongyang, saying: "We will be able to normalize 
relations (with North Korea) if the abduction issue is resolve and 
if North Korea abandons its nuclear and missile programs." 
 
Meanwhile, Aso said: "Although we hear the need for a dialogue all 
the time, we have never seen negotiations realized without pressure. 
We must learn from our past experience." 
 
13) Fukuda's emphasis on determination to resolve abduction issue 
reflects desire to shake off concerns of abduction issue being left 
behind if he is elected 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 18, 2007 
 
In a street-corner speech yesterday for the Liberal Democratic Party 
presidential election, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda 
emphasized his strong will to take the lead in resolving the issue 
of North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals. Some 
 
TOKYO 00004330  008 OF 011 
 
 
observers see behind this stance his desire to erase concerns held 
by some people that Fukuda might leave the abduction issue behind if 
elected prime minister, because he has shown a readiness to seek 
dialogue with North Korea. Fukuda, though, has already indicated 
that he would take a flexible approach in the six-party talks, but 
Secretary General Aso, his rival in the race, cast doubt on the 
 
SIPDIS 
effectiveness of Fukuda's approach. 
 
Fukuda took the initiative as chief cabinet secretary in paving the 
way for then Prime Minister Koizumi's first visit to North Korea in 
September 2002. But Fukuda, who prioritized dialogue, often came 
into conflict with then Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, 
now prime minister, who insisted on the need for applying pressure 
on Pyongyang. In a meeting in Tokyo on Sept. 16, members of the 
Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea called 
on the next cabinet to continue with the current policy on the 
abduction issue. 
 
In a press conference on Sept. 15, Fukuda indicated a willingness to 
switch the current hard-line policy to a flexible approach to 
dialogue, remarking: "We must find out if there are ways to relay 
(to North Korea) Japan's intentions and desire for talks." Aso, who 
served as foreign minister in the Abe administration, has maintained 
that negotiations will never be held without pressure. It remains to 
be seen to what extent Fukuda would take a strong approach in 
dealing with the abduction issue. 
 
14) Fukuda, Aso in sharp contrast in their attitudes toward China 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
September 15, 2007 
 
Yasuo Fukuda and Taro Aso have declared their candidacies for the 
ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, but they 
have yet to announce any specific policy goals they aim for as the 
top leader of the nation. Nikkei probed into what their policy 
stances are like, based on their past remarks and behaviors. 
 
Fukuda and Aso are in sharp contrast on the diplomatic front, 
particularly in relations with China. Fukuda is the eldest son of 
former Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, who signed the Japan-China 
Friendship Treaty. Fukuda's pet argument is: "There would be nothing 
good Japan can earn from disputes with South Korea and China." In 
the Koizumi administration days, when Japan-China relations were 
strained, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Dawei frequently called on 
Fukuda at his chief cabinet secretary's office and relied on him as 
a liaison officer with the Koizumi administration. 
 
Aso basically tries to be "impartial" to China. When he served as 
foreign minister, Aso promoted his concept "Arc of Freedom and 
Prosperity" as a diplomatic strategy aimed at strengthening 
relations with rising countries along Eurasia. Many take this 
concept as aimed at tightening the noose around China. 
 
Yasukuni issue may reignite 
 
In terms of relations with China, which of the two candidates 
becomes prime minister, the dispute over Yasukuni Shrine is likely 
to flare again. 
 
When he served as chief cabinet secretary in the Koizumi 
administration, Fukuda established a panel of experts to discuss 
 
TOKYO 00004330  009 OF 011 
 
 
whether to construct a memorial facility to replace Yasukuni Shrine 
and the panel put together a report in 2002, in which it said, "The 
government needs to construct a secular facility it will manage." On 
the other hand, Aso proposed during last year's presidential 
election, in which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won, that the religious 
corporation Yasukuni Shrine be reorganized into a special public 
organization that will come under the government's rule. 
 
Fukuda and Aso are both eager to resolve the current situation, 
namely that if the prime minister visits Yasukuni Shrine, which 
enshrines the Class-A war criminals, the visit will lead to a 
diplomatic issue, but there are a number of barriers for them to 
clear in order to realize their ideas. Whoever will win the race, a 
prime minister is likely to cause a controversy over the question of 
whether to earmark a necessary investigative expense in budget 
compilation slated for the year's end. 
 
15) Fukuda nearly certain to be elected LDP president: Flexible 
approach to refueling operation; Indicates readiness to make 
extensive concessions to DPJ 
 
SANKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
September 15, 2007 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) officially announced its 
presidential election, following Prime Minister Abe's announcement 
of his decision to step down. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo 
Fukuda (71) and Secretary General Taro Aso (66) have announced their 
candidacies. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who had been 
indicating his intention to seek presidency, gave up running in the 
race. All factions, such as the Machimura faction, to which Fukuda 
belongs, the Tsushima, Koga, Yamasaki, Tanigaki, Nikai and Ibuki 
factions, with the exception of the Aso faction, announced their 
support for Fukuda. Fukuda is likely to be elected as the 22nd LDP 
president in the plenary meeting of LDP members of both chambers of 
the Diet on Sept. 23. After announcing his candidacy, Fukuda 
indicated a stance of dealing with the issue of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling operation in the Indian Ocean 
in a flexible manner in cooperation with the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), which is opposing it. 
 
Appearing on commercial TV programs from the evening of Sept. 14 to 
early hours of Sept. 15, Fukuda noted that regarding MSDF operation 
in the Indian Ocean, the key is what talks the party can have with 
the DPJ. Since options are limited in terms of schedule due to the 
LDP presidential election, new antiterrorism legislation would be 
one way of finding a breakthrough. 
 
He also said, "We have no choice but to work with the DPJ in a 
cooperative manner. . . . I would like to consider the issue in a 
little more flexible manner." He thus indicated his approach of 
making extensive concessions, depending on the case, by prioritizing 
talks with the DPJ, without insisting on the passage of a new law in 
the current Diet session. This is because the DPJ remains opposed to 
the continuation of the refueling operation. 
 
Concerning structural reform policy, Fukuda during a meeting with 
concerned LDP members said, "We must not give up on the reform 
policy." However, he also pointed out: "Various problems have 
appeared, casting a pall over the future. Measures to deal with this 
problem are being questioned." He indicated his perception that a 
full commitment to the reform policy needs correction. 
 
TOKYO 00004330  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
16) Outline of speech meeting for LDP presidential election 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
September 17, 2007 
 
Taro Aso on MSDF refueling operation 
 
Now I would like to talk about foreign policy. I would like to make 
three points. First is the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
operation in the Indian Ocean. Second is that Japan's diplomacy is 
now at a historical turning point. Third is a settlement of the 
abduction issue. 
 
Japan is carrying out the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean 
for its own sake, in its national interest. We must not forget that 
24 Japanese citizens were among the victims of the 9/11 terrorist 
attacks six years ago. 
 
The Indian Ocean is the starting place for the sea-lanes used to 
transport oil to Japan. We must not allow terrorists to be at large 
there. It is not too much to say that Japan's interest is centered 
on that area. In my view, it is a significant factual error to say 
that Japan's refueling operation is for the sake of the US. 
 
SDF personnel showed in Iraq that they are superbly disciplined. 
Japan is making contributions befitting its economic clout. Many 
countries have understood that. Our country has opened up the 
horizon for diplomacy. This is the second point. 
 
Japan has become able to implement a policy of helping East European 
and Balkan nations develop their freedom and prosperity along with 
European countries. This is due to its activities in the Indian 
Ocean. It will be possible to further strengthen the Japan-US 
alliance from this perspective. 
 
17) DPJ alert to Fukuda taking lead in LDP presidential election, as 
his Yasukuni Shrine policy, Asia diplomacy close to theirs 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
September 18, 2007 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is increasingly 
becoming alert to former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda 
holding a commanding lead in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
presidential election.  Since Fukuda's stance toward Asia diplomacy, 
starting with the Yasukuni Shrine issue, and security policy, are 
close to those of the DPJ, some take the view that it would be 
difficult to attack him, because differences between the DPJ and 
Fukuda are difficult to see. DPJ Chairman Ozawa's confrontation 
against Fukuda would simply give the impression that Fukuda is a 
veteran politician with a sense of stability, the image Ozawa also 
has. The DPJ will likely find it necessary to consider adopting an 
approach that would show differences from Fukuda's. 
 
Describing his impression on Fukuda, DPJ Secretary Yukio Hatoyama 
during a press conference on Sept. 14 used equivocal words, which 
sounded as if he was encouraging his colleague. He said, "He has 
once indicated that his thinking was similar to the DPJ's. If he 
becomes a prime minister, it would be more desirable for the people 
that a person with a totally different thinking becoming a prime 
minister." As a matter of fact, many DPJ lawmakers are perplexed by 
 
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Fukuda's candidacy. 
 
Fukuda was critical of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's 
visits to Yasukuni Shrine. When he was chief cabinet secretary, his 
private advisory body proposed constructing a national memorial 
facility. The DPJ is also critical of the prime minister and cabinet 
ministers visiting Yasukuni Shrine in their official capacity and 
has proposed the construction of a national memorial facility. 
Fukuda formed the bipartisan Group to Consider a National Memorial 
Facility. Hatoyama served as the vice chairman. 
 
Regarding Asia diplomacy, Fukuda attaches importance to policy 
toward China. He also has strong personnel ties with Chinese 
Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi (next vice foreign minister). His stance 
is almost the same as that of the DPJ, which has criticized the Abe 
administration's diplomatic policy as slighting Asia and blindly 
following the US. One mid-ranking official lamented, "It would be 
much easier to deal with Secretary General Taro Aso, whose 
diplomatic stance is close to that of Prime Minister Abe." 
 
18) Former secretary Iijima tenders his resignation to former Prime 
Minister Koizumi apparently in protest to Koizumi's support for 
Fukuda 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 15, 2007 
 
It was learned yesterday that former secretary to former Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi had tendered his resignation as of Sept. 
13 to the Koizumi office. According to the office, Iijima said of 
the reason for his resignation: "I've burned myself out." The office 
has received his resignation, but it has not officially accepted 
it. 
 
Iijima and others called on Koizumi to run in a presidential 
election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to choose a successor 
to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but Koizumi did not accept their call. 
In addition, Koizumi indicated he would support former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, with whom Iijima reportedly was on bad 
 
SIPDIS 
terms. Some cited these circumstances as the reason for Iijima's 
submission of his resignation. 
 
In the past, as well, Iijima indicated his intention to resign on 
such occasions as Koizumi breaking his public pledge to "visit 
Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15." Iijima's move this time spurs all sorts 
of speculation. 
 
Iijima was the right-hand man of Koizumi serving as his secretary 
for more than 30 years. He has a broad network of contacts within 
the political and economic worlds and the mass media. Iijima has 
received due respect in the political world as "a bigwig secretary, 
like a cabinet member," an LDP House of Councillors member said. 
 
SCHIEFFER