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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 004645 
 
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 10/03/07 
 
Index: 
 
(1) Foreign Minister Komura hints at freezing part of Japan's aid to 
Burma 
 
(2) DPJ President Ozawa calls for participation in ISAF in 
Afghanistan 
 
(3) Concern about decline in civilian control: New refueling 
legislation would stipulate MSDF operations and produces in 
simplified manner; Some ruling party members opposing deletion of 
Diet approval clause 
 
(4) The current state of war on terror in Afghanistan and Japan: Two 
military operations coexist (part 1) 
 
(5) Editorial: On new anti-terror legislation, information 
disclosure indispensable 
 
(6) Interview with Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba: Pins hopes on 
start of debate on creation of permanent legislation 
 
(7) Many restraints put on deterrent action in Japan 
 
(8) Growing calls for extending current Diet session 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Foreign Minister Komura hints at freezing part of Japan's aid to 
Burma 
 
ASAHI ONLINE NEWS (Full) 
October 3, 2007, 13:15 
 
Responding to the incident of photojournalist Kenji Nagai (50) 
having been shot to death in Burma (Myanmar), Foreign Minister 
Komura at noon today commented, "I want to consider whether it would 
be possible to suspend for a while activities of certain 
organizations, such as the center for human resource development." 
He suggested there might be a freeze placed on part of humanitarian 
assistance provided to Burma, such as, grant aid. Komura was 
speaking to reporters at the ministry. 
 
Komura continued: "Some insist that all (aid) should be 
discontinued, but I think it is not good to stop aid that directly 
benefits the people of Burma, given how difficult it is now for 
them." 
 
According to the Foreign Ministry, Japan's aid to Burma has been 
limited since 2003 to humanitarian assistance. Japan's aid for 
fiscal 2006 was 3 billion yen in the areas of grant aid and 
technical cooperation. Regarding the construction of a human 
resource development center and its relevant equipment, about 550 
million yen has been planned for that purpose this fiscal year. 
 
(2) DPJ President Ozawa calls for participation in ISAF in 
Afghanistan 
 
YOMIURI NET (Full) 
12:51, October 3, 2007 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun learned today that the Democratic Party of 
 
TOKYO 00004645  002 OF 011 
 
 
Japan's (Minshuto or DPJ) organ paper dated Oct. 5 carries this 
statement by President Ichiro Ozawa's statement on the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling operations in the Indian Ocean: 
"Since it is authorized by a UN resolution, ISAF (International 
Security Assistance Force) does not infringe on the Constitution. 
When we take the reins of government and come into a position to 
determine foreign and security policies, I would like to see Japan 
take part in it." 
 
In the statement, Ozawa also took the following view about 
international contributions regarding the war on terrorism: "(Japan) 
should take part actively. Actively participating in a UN 
peacekeeping operation is in line with the philosophy of the 
Constitution even if it eventually involves the use of force." 
 
ISAF is a multinational force launched based on a December 2001 UN 
Security Council resolution with the aim of maintaining security in 
and around Kabul in Afghanistan. Since October 2006, ISAF has been 
engaged in security operations under the command of NATO (North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization). 
 
(3) Concern about decline in civilian control: New refueling 
legislation would stipulate MSDF operations and produces in 
simplified manner; Some ruling party members opposing deletion of 
Diet approval clause 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
October 3, 2007 
 
The government and the ruling camp on Oct. 2 agreed on the outline 
of new legislation to realize the continuation of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling operations in the Indian 
Ocean. According to that, the new legislation will stipulate MSDF 
activities and procedures for such in a simplified manner, compared 
with the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which expires on Nov. 
¶1. The aim is to eliminate as many obstacles as possible in pursuing 
Diet deliberations due to the dominance of the opposition in the 
Upper House so that a possible vacuum in MSDF operations as a result 
of failure to secure Diet approval before the law expires can be 
lessened as much as possible. However, there is concern that 
minimizing Diet involvement in the matter could give rise to a 
decline in civilian control. 
 
The new legislation would be extensively different from the existing 
antiterror law in terms of its limiting MSDF activities to refueling 
and water-supply operations and omitting a regulation mandating Diet 
approval. 
 
The current antiterror law categorizes operations which the 
Self-Defense Force can implement into (1) cooperative assistance, 
including refueling and water-supply operations; (2) search and 
rescue operations; (3) rescuing affected people; and (4) other 
necessary measures. The scopes of specific operations are stipulated 
in a separate program. Securing ex-post-facto approval from the Diet 
is mandatory in the event in which operations included in the basic 
program were implemented. 
 
The new legislation would limit SDF operations to refueling and 
water-supply operations, but it would stipulate details of 
operations and areas for such, which were included in the basic 
program under the antiterror law. The new legislation would also 
specify that areas of operations are the Indian Ocean including the 
 
TOKYO 00004645  003 OF 011 
 
 
Persian Gulf, in the same way the basic program does under the 
antiterror law. 
 
If the new legislation incorporates a Diet approval clause, two 
sessions of Diet deliberations, including deliberations on the 
legislation itself, would become necessary before it is passed into 
law. This would be risky if the reality that the opposition camp, 
which holds a majority in the Upper House and is opposing the 
continuation of refueling operations, is taken into account. In 
theory, if detailed activities are incorporated in the legislation, 
it would be possible to consider that passage of the bill means that 
Diet approval has been obtained, even if the legislation does not 
incorporate a Diet approval clause, according to a related cabinet 
minister. 
 
However, even in the ruling camp there is a deep-seated cautious 
view toward the idea of eliminating a Diet approval clause, as one 
junior Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker said, "Civilian 
control must not be neglected." 
 
Arguments on the way civilian control should be are reflected in the 
assertions made by the LDP and the New Komeito over the duration of 
operations to be incorporated in the legislation. 
 
The LDP during a meeting of the ruling parties' project team on the 
2nd presented a proposal for setting the duration of operations at 
two years and making it mandatory to submit an annual report to the 
Diet. Under this proposal, it would be possible for the MSDF to 
continue operations regardless of the wishes of the Diet. 
 
In contrast, New Komeito Acting Policy Research Council Chairman 
Natsuo Yamaguchi contended, "If a Diet approval clause is to be 
removed, the duration of MSDF operations should be set at one year 
so that the Diet's checking function works." The panel has put off 
the deadline for reaching a conclusion until Oct. 4. Future talks 
within the ruling camp and between the ruling and opposition parties 
will likely focus on the way civilian control should be. 
 
"Refueling operations are not allowed under the Constitution," says 
DPJ head Ozawa 
 
The government and the ruling parties indicated a plan to present to 
the opposition parties the outline of new legislation for the 
continuation of refueling operations next week. In this connection, 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa indicated his stance of opposing the new 
legislation as well. He noted, "Refueling operations are not 
basically allowed under the Constitution.  There can be no room for 
talks on that principle." 
 
The outline limits the activities of MSDF troops to refueling and 
water-supply operations. Regarding this limit, Ozawa pointed out, 
"Whether it is oil or water, MSDF operations should not be approved 
without limit constitutionally, since their aim is to assist 
military actions by US forces." 
 
(4) The current state of war on terror in Afghanistan and Japan: Two 
military operations coexist (part 1) 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 2, 2007 
 
Six years have passed since the United States and its allies 
 
TOKYO 00004645  004 OF 011 
 
 
launched strikes on Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on 
American soil in September 2001. The US and European nations are 
still engaged in the war on terror in Afghanistan and the 
neighboring area. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has 
continued a refueling mission in the Indian Ocean as logistic 
support for the war on terror, even though the allegations are 
emerging that the fuel provided by the MSDF might have been diverted 
for the Iraq war. This mission, however, is sure to be interrupted 
because the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, the legal basis for 
the mission, is to expire on Nov. 1. Prior to the start of a full 
debate on the issue in the current extraordinary session of the 
Diet, the Asahi Shimbun reports on the still unstable situation in 
the country and its nearby areas. 
 
Difficulties in distinguishing between two operations going on in 
Persian Gulf 
 
Masato Tainaka, Cairo 
 
The US forces-led war on terror targeting Afghanistan, the base for 
the international terrorist network Al Qaeda, is called Operation 
Enduring Freedom (OEF). This operation consists of subordinate 
operations: mop-up operations against Al Qaeda and against the 
antigovernment Taliban insurgents and maritime interdiction 
operations (MIO). 
 
In 2001, the Japanese government enacted the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law to support the maritime interdiction operations in the 
logistical area and decided to deploy MSDF supply ships to the 
Indian Ocean for refueling of the warships of America and other 
countries. As of the end of this August, MSDF ships had provided 
refueling services 777 times (totaling 484,000 kiloliters) to 
foreign warships, of which US vessels were serviced 350 times. 
 
Japan's refueling operations have been called "a free gas station on 
the sea." But countries participating in the Coalition of the 
Willing appreciate Japan's services. In fact, a high-level British 
Navy officer noted, "The efficiency of our operations has improved 
20 PERCENT  or more because our vessels don't have to make port 
calls for refueling." 
 
Reportedly, the maritime interdiction operations have successfully 
spotted suspicious ships and prevented terrorist groups from 
entering areas near Afghanistan, and they also have prevented 
movements of weapons and narcotics into or out of the country. 
According to Japan's Defense Ministry, the MSDF in 2004 made over 
11,000 inspections of suspicious vessels and made about 41,000 
wireless inquiries. The number, however, dropped to 9,000 inquiries 
in 2006. The Japanese government highlighted the achievements, 
saying, "The number of suspicious boats has definitely dropped," but 
links between suspicious boats and terrorist groups have yet to be 
clarified. 
 
Meanwhile, when it comes to the maritime operations, those for the 
"war on terror" in Afghanistan and those for the Iraq war have both 
existed since the start of the Iraq war in the spring of 2003. 
 
According to the US Navy, the Coalition of the Willing has been 
engaged in operations in three sea areas: the combined task force 
(CTF) 150, a sea area located outside the Persian Gulf; the CTF 152, 
a sea area in the southern part of the Persian Gulf; and the CTF 
158, a sea area in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. The MSDF 
 
TOKYO 00004645  005 OF 011 
 
 
has provided fuel other countries' ships only in the CTF 150, which 
is closest to Afghanistan. The MSDF has insisted that it will never 
refuel vessels that are not subject to the antiterrorism law and 
take part in any operations for the Iraq war. 
 
In 2003, however, the USS Kitty Hawk, which was supposed to take 
part in the war on terror, and accompanying ships received refueling 
service from the MSDF and afterwards headed for the Persian Gulf and 
joined the Iraq war. This event later led to the allegations that 
fuel provided by the MSDF might have been diverted for the Iraq war. 
Then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda denied the allegations. 
But late last month, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD) 
corrected the amount of fuel provided by the MSDF at the time from 
the 200,000 gallons (760 kiloliters) to 800,000 gallons (3,030 
kiloliters). The government has said it will again ask the US about 
this matter. 
 
A lawmaker of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) with 
connections to the defense industry made this comment: "It's no 
wonder that because the US forces have participated in both the Iraq 
war and the war on terror, the purviews of their task forces might 
have been overlapped at least in early days after the US launched an 
attack against Iraq." 
 
In the Persian Gulf, operations for the war on terror and those for 
the Iraq war are both going on. It is very difficult to distinguish 
between the two. At present the USS Enterprise and its fleet have 
been engaged in both the war on terror and the Iraq war in CTF 152. 
In CTF 158, a multinational force led by the US military is training 
the Iraqi Forces' soldiers while guarding against suspicious vessels 
around the oil platforms located in Iraq's territorial waters. 
 
Afghanistan: Cleanup operations against Taliban turning into morass 
 
Manabu Kitagawa, Islamabad, Yoshiki Kishi, Brussels 
 
A big explosion occurred suddenly on the morning of Sept. 29 at a 
bus stop in Afghanistan's Kabul, which was crowed with commuters. A 
bus carrying Defense Ministry officials was hit by suicide bombing, 
which killed 31 people The antigovernment force Taliban admitted it 
was the source of the suicide bombing. 
 
December will mark the sixth anniversary after the collapse of the 
former Taliban government, which gave shelter to Osama bin Laden, 
leader of the international terrorist network Al Qaeda. The war on 
terror has continued, but the threat of terrorism has been growing 
even more. 
 
According to a report by the United Nations, there were 103 
suicide-bombing incidents as of the end of August. This year's 
number is likely to the worst year of 2006 with 123 incidents. 
 
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by 37 
countries, most NATO member nations, have deployed some 41,000 
troops in Afghanistan. Aside from them, 8,000 troops composed mainly 
of US soldiers have been engaged in the Operation Enduring Freedom 
(OEF), searching for bin Laden. 
 
At one point, some LDP lawmakers looked for ways to let the 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) participate in ISAF, as DPJ President 
Ozawa declared that "If our party holds the reins of government, we 
would positively let the SDF take part in something like the ISAF." 
 
TOKYO 00004645  006 OF 011 
 
 
 
But a senior Foreign Ministry official noted, "Ground operations are 
incomparably dangerous unlike maritime operations. Some lives would 
be surely lost." In fact, the ISAF and the OEF have suffered an 
increased number of casualties. According to Reuters, the toll of 
victims for a period from 2001 through the end of this September 
reached 7,000. 
 
Because the Constitution bans the use of force abroad, the Japanese 
government intends to avoid providing assistance on the ground as 
ever. 
 
The currently unstable situation in Afghanistan is attributable to 
the fact that the Taliban is regaining its power. The Taliban is 
widening its support by inviting jobless young people to join the 
group. Because the multinational force's operations against 
terrorists have frequently involved civilian casualties, people have 
tended to side with the Taliban. 
 
(5) Editorial: On new anti-terror legislation, information 
disclosure indispensable 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full) 
October 3, 2007/10/03 
 
The government adopted an outline for a bill yesterday to extend the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean. Antagonism between the ruling and opposition blocs on the 
controversial new legislation will inevitably heat up in the current 
Diet session. Both camps must take to heart the importance of 
thorough disclosure of information. 
 
The government swiftly moved on the day after Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda delivered a policy speech. Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba 
and other relevant cabinet ministers finalized an outline for the 
new legislation. They will shortly present the outline to the 
opposition camp and submit a bill to the Diet in mid-October. 
 
The MSDF has supplied fuel and water to naval ships of the United 
States, Britain, France, Germany, and Pakistan engaged in operations 
to prevent terrorists from transiting the Indian Ocean. The 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law endorses the MSDF mission, but 
the law is due to expire Nov. 1. The government reiterates that 
continuing the mission is Japan's responsibility and serves Japan's 
national interest. 
 
But the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the main opposition party, 
has been dead set against extending the Antiterrorism Law. Now that 
the opposition bloc has control in the House of Councillors, it will 
be difficult to extend the law. Under such a situation, the 
government decided to draw up a new bill. 
 
The outline restricts MSDF activities to supplying fuel. A clause in 
the Antiterrorism Law that requires Diet approval for the MSDF 
activities is not included in the outline, reflecting the view that 
the enactment of the bill is tantamount to Diet approval. To enact 
the antiterror bill, obtaining approval at both houses is necessary. 
Some observers speculate that the government removed the clause in 
anticipation of the bill being rejected in the Upper House. 
 
It might be reasonable for the opposition camp to complain that 
civilian control has not been properly functioning. On this point, 
 
TOKYO 00004645  007 OF 011 
 
 
more discussion must be conducted. 
 
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1776, which expresses 
appreciation for the MSDF refueling operation, is included in a 
clause on purposes of the outline. The Japanese government worked on 
the UN to adopt the resolution, out of consideration to the DPJ, 
which stresses the need for the UN seal of approval. But the DPJ 
says the resolution is insufficient. There seems to be no way for 
talks to be realized between the ruling and opposition parties. 
 
The government should not try to hastily enact a new law under the 
cause of an international pledge. 
 
What activities is the SDF carrying out in the Indian Ocean? How 
effectively has the operation worked in the fight against terrorism? 
There are so many things we do not know. The government's duty is to 
give detailed explanations on these questions. 
 
The government remains unable to deny the allegation that fuel 
provided by the MSDF to US warships was diverted for use in the Iraq 
war. It is Prime Minister Fukuda who denied the allegation as then 
chief cabinet secretary. This problem must not be left untouched. 
 
Defense Minister Ishiba said he would disclose information in a 
positive manner. We expect he will put his words into action. The 
prime minister stressed in his policy speech the importance of 
taking public views into consideration. Information disclosure is 
likely to be a critical test to that end. 
 
(6) Interview with Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba: Pins hopes on 
start of debate on creation of permanent legislation 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 3, 2007 
 
Interviewer: Nakae Ueno 
 
-- How do you seek the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan's 
(DPJ) understanding about a new bill on antiterrorism measures in 
order to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean? 
 
"Upon examining what has made (the DPJ) opposed to the continuation 
of the mission, for instance, 'violation of the Constitution' or 
'availability of other measures,' I would like to ask that party to 
sit down at the negotiating table and obtain its understanding about 
the need for Japan to do something for the sake of its national 
interests and international peace." 
 
-- The refueling mission is certain to be suspended. What effect 
will it have? 
 
"The shorter the interruption the better it would be. I hope that a 
new bill will be passed into law soon after the current 
antiterrorism law expires on Nov. 1 and that the mission will be 
resumed." 
 
-- What do you think about appealing to DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa 
to respond to talks with the ruling parties? 
 
"President Ichiro Ozawa was designated as prime minister in the 
Upper House. In this sense, Mr. Ozawa bears a large responsibility. 
 
TOKYO 00004645  008 OF 011 
 
 
I am sure he will respond to Prime Minister (Yasuo Fukuda)'s call 
for talks. In terms of the current political situation and the 
current international environment surrounding Japan, I think it is 
most desirable that the two leaders will discuss a basic direction 
about most appropriate activities for Japan to take. 
 
-- What do you think about submitting a bill to establish permanent 
legislation to the ordinary session of the Diet if a new bill is 
rejected in the Upper House? 
 
"So far I have felt that something is wrong about creating a special 
measures law as the need arises. We must consider three elements in 
this regard: on what occasion such a law should be created; whether 
Japan will be able to assume an appropriate role in international 
cooperation; and whether civilian control will be secured. Many in 
the opposition parties are also stressing the need for creating a 
general law (permanent legislation). I hope the ruling and 
opposition parties will share the perception that a general law 
should be established, putting an end to creating a special measures 
law as the need arises. 
 
-- When it comes to the US force realignment, will Okinawa's Nago 
City, which has called for modifying the central government's plan 
for the relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, be 
qualified to receive subsidies from the central government? 
 
"The most important thing is to see how much the residents 
understand about the US force realignment. Putting myself in the 
shoes of Okinawans, who have housed military facilities and whose 
land was requisitioned by force, I will make efforts to obtain their 
understanding about the realignment plan. There is no change in the 
central government's stance that the current plan is the best and no 
change will be added to it unless rational reasons are shown. I want 
to have an opportunity to visit Okinawa and organize my thoughts 
about the situation." 
 
(7) Many restraints put on deterrent action in Japan 
 
SANKEI (Page 1 & 2) (Slightly abridged) 
September 29, 2007 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) solicited views 
from companies in the defense industry in the summer of two years 
ago about equipment that should be newly introduced. One company 
employee said in a hearing: "We want to develop a torpedo that can 
be used in shallow seas, such as the East China Sea." In response, 
the ministry official in charge angrily said: "Do you see rising 
China as a threat?" The employee replied: "Isn't it necessary to 
build a breakwater to provide against an emergency?" As a result, 
the government decided to start research and development to that end 
starting next fiscal year. The company employee grumbled that he was 
surprised that a person who is not interested in national defense is 
responsible for improving national defense capabilities. 
 
There seems to be no mood of tension in the nation, but there was a 
case in which Japan, as a result of taking deterrent action, 
prevented an intrusion by foreign aircraft into its air territory. 
On Oct. 7, 1996, activists from Taiwan and Hong Kong intruded by 
fishing boats into waters around the Senkaku Islands (called the 
Diaoyutai Islands) - territory that is an inherent part of Japan - 
and four of the intruders put up the Chinese and Taiwanese flags on 
one of the islands. Earlier, an activist from Hong Kong had died in 
 
TOKYO 00004645  009 OF 011 
 
 
a drowning accident off the islands. Upset by this incident, former 
Taiwanese Air Force officers prepared a scheme to land two 
helicopters on the islands. 
 
As soon as they learned of this plot, Air Self-Defense Force's 
(ASDF) Southwestern Composite Air Division Commander Mamoru Sato in 
Naha decided to take alert action to prevent the planned intrusion. 
 
So that F4 Phantom jet fighters can patrol airspace over the Senkaku 
Islands and the nearby waters on a 24-hour basis, it is 
indispensable to mobilize E2C airborne early warning aircraft. Five 
E2C planes urgently took to the air from Misawa Air Base in Aomori 
Prefecture. On Oct. 19, 29 F4 and E2C fighters took off. 
 
Sato also anticipated a possible airspace intrusion by China. He 
believed firmly that the Chinese Air Force would spot the E2C 
fighters in the stack 6,000 meters above. It was a good opportunity 
for Japan to demonstrate its iron-tight air defense. 
 
The alert lasted for 10 days. In reaction, the Taiwanese Executive 
Yuan released a statement banning helicopters from flying over the 
Senkaku Islands. But Sato responded to the order in a cool-headed 
manner, because he was not sure if Japan would be able to cope with 
the situation properly once a foreign country's helicopter plane 
intruded into its airspace. The Air Defense Command, a higher body 
of the air division, issued these instructions: "Don't use any 
weapons;" and "Don't get overly close to intruding aircraft." 
 
When a foreign aircraft intrudes into another country's airspace, 
that nation must take necessary steps to enable fighters that 
scramble to force the intruding aircraft to make a landing or to 
leave the territory. Depending on circumstances, it might be 
necessary to fire tracer bullets or obstruct the flight course of 
the plane. If fighters are not allowed to take such steps, they will 
be unable to perform their mission. A human toll might be taken. 
 
An officer of the Air Defense Command explained that its instruction 
was in accordance with the Prime Minister Office's intention. Then 
Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto had drawn fierce protests from 
China for his visit to Yasukuni Shrine in July. 
 
After all, Sato agreed with the ASDF chief of staff to carry out the 
alert action without making a fuss and took the steps as stipulated 
in regulations. But he keenly felt how difficult it was to take 
proper action to prevent infringement of sovereignty. 
 
Now retired, Sato still stresses the importance of having a 
deterrent capability. "Unless Japan makes a resolute response, it 
may result in an increasing number of illegal intrusions," he said. 
 
Japan's helplessness detected 
 
In part because North Korea was aware that Japan's deterrent 
capability was not properly functioning, Japanese nationals were 
abducted by its agents. 
 
According to the book titled, Secret teachings of Kim Il Sung" 
(published in 2004), which correspondent Ruriko Kubota assigned to 
the Sankei Shimbun Seoul Branch Office edited based on her interview 
with a senior North Korean agent, Kim Il Sung had instructed agents 
to carry out operations taking advantage of Japan's weakness, 
saying: "Japan is a prime fishing ground that enables us to expand 
 
TOKYO 00004645  010 OF 011 
 
 
our indirect maneuvering" (in talks with agents toward the South in 
1983). 
 
Kim Il Sung made the following remarks in an executive meeting in 
1969: 
 
"Japan is an interesting country. Japan cannot wield its power 
toward North Korea because it controlled and plundered our country 
as its colony for 36 years. 
 
"Japan has no legal or systemic measures to restrict espionage or 
anti-government activities. Even if we carry out such activities and 
the activities are discovered, only light punishment will be imposed 
under the Alien Registration Law or the Immigration Control Law. 
 
"If necessary, we may have to kidnap Japanese nationals." 
 
As pointed out by Kim that Japan "cannot wield its power," Japan has 
no provision to allow the Self-Defense Force (SDF) to take measures 
to stop incursions. In other countries, it is common for the 
legitimate armed forces to take forcible measures to deal with 
illegal acts by a foreign military force. 
 
In the case of airspace intrusions alone, the SDF is allowed to take 
necessary measures under Article 84 of the Self-Defense Force Law. 
But on the use of weapons, Japan has yet to set definite standards. 
That is because Japan has applied the principle of allowing a 
counterattack in proportion to the scale of an attack from an enemy. 
Pilots are allowed to use weapons only in the case of emergency 
evacuation or legitimate self-defense. Troops on the frontline are 
allowed to take action for the first time only after being attacked. 
 
 
Aware of an overly heavy burden from such regulations, SDF troops 
are eager to establish a powerful system to prevent enemies from 
taking advantage of their weakness. 
 
Junior lawmakers from various political parties created a group at 
the end of 2001 to establish a security system suited for the new 
century. The group, headed by Keizo Takemi, called for reviewing the 
current awkward national defense system. Since then, the group has 
reiterated the need to quickly reconstruct the exclusively 
defense-oriented system and reconsider the current security 
legislation. 
 
In the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), its members Goshi Hosono and 
Akihisa Nagashima worked out a report calling on the government to 
authorize the minor use of the self-defense right, including the 
defense of missions, and to change the government's interpretation 
of the Constitution to conform the international standard on the use 
of armed force." The project team on territory and sea interests 
approved the report in December 2004. 
 
Although the proposal was approved, the government has yet to make 
an effective legal system to protect its territorial waters and 
airspace. 
 
(8) Growing calls for extending current Diet session 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Slightly abridged) 
October 3, 2007 
 
 
TOKYO 00004645  011 OF 011 
 
 
With the government outlined new legislation enabling the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to continue its refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean, views calling for an extension of the current Diet 
session, which runs until Nov. 10, have become stronger. The reason 
is that the government expects that it would be difficult to enact 
the legislation during the ongoing extraordinary session, since the 
opposition camp controls the House of Councillors. As the Diet will 
have to deal with both -- an annual tax code revision and budget 
compilation for fiscal 2008 -- some coalition members are cautious 
about extending the session. Therefore, coordination could stall 
 
The most likely scenario is that the current session will be 
extended for about one month until mid-December. The scenario is 
that if the government submits the legislation to the Lower House in 
mid-October when the budget committees in both Diet houses end 
deliberations, the measure would clear the Lower House early 
November and it would be sent to the Upper House. If that is the 
case, the ruling bloc will be able to readopt the legislation with 
more than two-thirds of the Lower House members. 
 
In case the term of the session expires while deliberations are 
discontinuing at the Upper House, chances are that the new 
legislation will be scrapped. Therefore, some in the ruling 
coalition assert that the Lower House should decide to carry the 
legislation over to the next regular session for deliberations 
again. 
 
The second scenario is that the session should be extended up to 
next January, using a safeguard. In a meeting yesterday of senior 
party officials, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Upper House Caucus 
Chairman Hidehisa Otsuji said: "Since the session will be extended, 
it should be extensively extended so that the opposition will be 
able to see our seriousness for passing the legislation." 
 
If the Upper House does not take a vote on a bill within 60 days 
after the Lower House sent it to it, the Lower House can consider 
that the bill was voted down. If the session is extended 
substantially, the Lower House will be able to take a vote again on 
the legislation even if deliberations at the Upper House are dragged 
on. 
 
However, LDP Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki sought to constrain the 
view calling for a lengthy extension of the Diet session, saying 
yesterday in a liaison conference of the government and ruling 
coalition: "The government's top priority is to continue 
antiterrorism operations. Since improving people's lives is also 
important, compilation of the budget should not be delayed." 
 
A senior New Komeito leader asserted that the ruling coalition 
should be cautious about taking a vote twice in the Lower House. 
Some in the LDP think that if they cannot have discussions with the 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the current session should be 
closed as scheduled and the bill should be discussed in the next 
session. This is the third scenario. 
 
The root cause of the necessary for an extension of the extra 
session is that the Diet stalled for about three weeks due to the 
LDP presidential election. Therefore, there is a view in the LDP 
that the session should be extended at least three weeks. 
 
DONOVAN