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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 004775 
 
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 10/11/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
AMERICAN EMBASSY, TOKYO 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION 
OFFICE OF TRANSLATION AND MEDIA ANALYSIS 
INQUIRIES:  03-3224-5360 
INTERNET E-MAIL ADDRESS: otmatokyo@state.gov 
DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 
October 11, 2007 
 
INDEX: 
(1) Prime minister at Lower House Budget Committee: Participation in 
ISAF may infringe on Constitution (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(2) Prime minister says SDF dispatch to Afghanistan under 
Constitution is difficult (Asahi) 
 
(3) Prime Minister Fukuda says at Lower House budget panel: 
Refueling is "an effective tool for international cooperation" 
(Mainichi) 
 
(4) "Next Lower House election will be my final decisive battle," 
Ozawa stresses at Rengo convention (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(5) Editorial: Now is not time to reach a conclusion on SDF 
participation in ISAF (Sankei) 
 
(6) Editorial: Questions still remain about possible oil diversion 
(Asahi) 
 
(7) MSDF-refueled USS Iwo Jima participated in Iraq war (Akahata) 
 
(8) Yokota base spills 5,600 liters of fuel (Asahi) 
 
(9) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, MSDF refueling 
mission (Yomiuri) 
 
(10) Japan-ROK joint poll on North Korea (Yomiuri) 
 
(11) Fiscal Reform Study Group resumes activities: Correction to 
growth strategy aimed at; Tug-of-war likely between Yosano, who 
attaches importance to fiscal reconstruction, and Hidenao Nakagawa 
(Mainichi) 
 
(12) Strong action, including economic sanctions, necessary toward 
Burma (Asahi) 
 
(13) How about food safety? BSE (Part 4): How to gain consumers' 
understanding of BSE risk (Asahi) 
 
(14) Editorial: DPJ has yet to reach consensus on antiterrorism 
(Mainichi) 
 
(Corrected copy) Diet debate: Defense minister learns from US that 
amount of fuel provided by MSDF to USS Kitty Hawk was 675,000 
gallons (Yomiuri) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Prime minister at Lower House Budget Committee: Participation in 
ISAF may infringe on Constitution 
 
 
TOKYO 00004775  002 OF 015 
 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN ONLINE 
October 11, 2007, 13:24 
 
In a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee this 
morning, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said that Japan's participation 
in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan 
as proposed by Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro 
Ozawa "might lead to problems restricted in the Constitution. We are 
worried about that point." He thus pointed out the possibility that 
the participation might infringe on the Constitution, which prohibit 
the Self-Defense Force from engaging in operations that entail the 
use of force, thus indicating that Japan's participation would be 
difficult. 
 
In this connection, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura referred to 
Japan's assistance in the area of public welfare in Afghanistan and 
stressed the difficulty of such assistance at the present point of 
time. He said: "An evacuation advisory has been issued across 
Afghanistan. When (the government) has advised its private citizens 
to return to Japan, it will be difficult to send more civilians 
there." The prime minister echoed Komura, remarking: "It is not 
proper to make such a request under the current situation." 
 
Asked about the Defense Ministry's recent correction to quadruple 
the amount of fuel by the Maritime Self-Defense Force to US supply 
ships in February 2003, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba made this 
counterargument: "We have not performed our duties in a sloppy way. 
The ministry has not manipulated information at all." 
 
(2) Prime minister says SDF dispatch to Afghanistan under 
Constitution is difficult 
 
ASAHI ONLINE 
October 11, 2007 12:29 PM 
 
Asked about the possibility of dispatching SDF troops to 
Afghanistan, Prime Minister Fukuda indicated in a House of 
Representatives Budget Committee meeting this morning that it would 
be difficult under the current Constitution, which prohibits 
Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops from using armed force overseas. 
Fukuda said: "The dispatch may lead to problems listed in the 
Constitution. We are worried about that point." This remark is 
apparently intended to represent his opposition to Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa's idea of having SDF troops 
participate in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 
Afghanistan based on a United Nations resolution. 
 
Fukuda made the above remark in replying to a question by DPJ member 
Masaharu Nakagawa. Asked also about the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's (MSDF) refueling operation in the Indian Ocean, Fukuda 
renewed his call for the DPJ's support for new legislation designed 
to extend the operation, saying: "We are still considering every 
possibility. Of such, we believe the refueling operation is a very 
effective means of Japan's international cooperation. We want you to 
support our plan to continue the MSDF mission." 
 
(3) Prime Minister Fukuda says at Lower House budget panel: 
Refueling is "an effective tool for international cooperation" 
 
MAINICHI ONLINE NEWS (Full) 
October 11, 2007, 12:26 p.m. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004775  003 OF 015 
 
 
Ryuko Tadokoro 
 
The Lower House Budget Committee this morning went into its third 
day of interpellations, during which Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was 
grilled on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling 
operations now going on in the Indian Ocean. He was positively in 
his reply: "Japan looked for ways to help Afghanistan to become a 
peaceful country and reached the conclusion that refueling 
operations would lead to achieving that goal. So, Japan has been 
engaged in that mission. I believe this has been an effective tool 
for our international cooperation." 
 
Asked whether Japan would participate in the International Security 
Assistance Force (ISAF) as called for by Ichiro Ozawa, president of 
the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Fukuda 
rejected the notion, saying: "It's not time for us to ask civilians 
(to be sent). And if we send the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to ISAF, 
it could give rise to constitutional problems (such as the use of 
armed force). It would be prohibited under the Constitution." 
 
(4) "Next Lower House election will be my final decisive battle," 
Ozawa stresses at Rengo convention 
 
Tokyo Shimbun Online (Full) 
12:46, October 11, 2007 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) Chairman Ichiro Ozawa in 
a speech given on the morning of Oct. 11 at the Japanese Trade Union 
Confederation's (Rengo) annual convention sought support for his 
party to win a victory in the next Lower House election. He 
underscored, "If the recent Upper House election was my finest 
battle, the  upcoming Lower House election will be my final decisive 
battle." 
 
He highly praised the outcome of the Upper House election, which has 
led to the trading of places there between the ruling and opposition 
camps, as a major turning point in Japan's postwar politics. He told 
DPJ members to brace themselves, noting, "There is fear that the 
confidence we gained from winning the Upper House election could 
lead to overconfidence and negligence." 
 
Hisaoki Kamei of the People's New Party said, "Now that the 
opposition dominates in the Upper House, we are in a responsible 
position. We want to make a policy switch with combined strength 
centered on the DPJ and link it to a Lower House election." 
 
Social Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Mizuho Fukushima gave a 
speech after Ozawa left. She pointed out, "The trading of places 
between the ruling and opposition camps in the Upper House is 
impossible without participation by the SDP." Then, regarding 
Ozawa's call for Japan to take part in the International Security 
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, she said, "The Self-Defense 
Forces' involvement in the ISAF is clearly unconstitutional. We 
cannot approve of it." 
 
(5) Editorial: Now is not time to reach a conclusion on SDF 
participation in ISAF 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 11, 2007 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's proposal 
 
TOKYO 00004775  004 OF 015 
 
 
for Japan's participation in the International Security Assistance 
Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has caused complications in the debate 
on new legislation to replace the Antiterrorism Special Measures 
Law. 
 
Ozawa's proposal might be intended to block an extension of the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling operation in the 
Indian Ocean. In such a case, it might be natural that the 
government is taking precautions against the DPJ's attempt to 
present an extension of the MSDF operation. Without focusing their 
interest in this proposal, lawmakers should thoroughly discuss the 
new legislation. 
 
When considering the possibility that the war on terror might be 
prolonged, however, it may be significant to consider in what form 
the SDF should join the ISAF in the future. The Ozawa proposal 
contains many points that should be fully discussed, such as 
conditions for the Self-Defense Force (SDF) to engage in collective 
security under the United Nations. 
 
Writing for the November issue of the monthly Sekai, Ozawa expressed 
his opposition to the government's plan to continue the MSDF 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, based on the perception that 
since the mission is designed to support "the war in Afghanistan, a 
self-defensive war waged by the US," and falls under the use of 
collective self-defense, the MSDF mission itself is impermissible. 
 
Despite such an argument, Ozawa expressed his desire to translate 
his idea of having the SDF join the ISAF into action. This proposal 
is based on his stock argument that SDF troops are constitutionally 
allowed to participate in peacekeeping operations (PKO) endorsed by 
a UN resolution, even if the duty entails the use of armed force. 
 
But the government's interpretation is that the SDF is not allowed 
to join PKO that entails the use of force even if the operations are 
carried out by a UN force or a multinational force under a UN 
resolution. 
 
In accordance with this government's interpretation, Defense 
Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura have 
rejected Ozawa's idea as unconstitutional. There is also the fact 
that the dispatch of SDF ground units involves greater danger than 
refueling operations by the MSDF. 
 
Views in the DPJ on the Ozawa idea are also split, but those in 
favor of the proposal have discussed the possibility of having 
troops engage in such duties as provisional reconstruction teams 
(PRT) composed of personnel from the military and the private 
sector, which are closely linked to the ISAF, guarding Japanese 
nationals engaged in medical support or infrastructure construction, 
and rear support for the ISAF. 
 
The government and the ruling coalition should initially discuss 
these themes. Discussing these matters will naturally cover the 
issue of whether to enact a permanent law on SDF dispatch, instead 
of the current way of dispatch under limited-time legislation. 
 
It is not wrong that Ozawa has raised an issue, and the government 
should not intentionally avoid constitutional issues. Even so, now 
is the time to mull how to extend the fight against terrorism in the 
Indian Ocean. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004775  005 OF 015 
 
 
(6) Editorial: Questions still remain about possible oil diversion 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 11, 2007 
 
At the House of Representatives Budget Committee, fierce discussions 
have begun on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation 
in the Indian Ocean. But many questions are still hanging over the 
operation. 
 
The focus is on the fact that a US supply ship that had received oil 
from the MSDF in the Indian Ocean refueled a US aircraft carrier 
engaged in the Iraq operation. As a result, the oil from Japan is 
now suspected to have been used in the Iraq operation. 
 
The suspicion first surfaced in May 2003 when the Diet was 
discussing an extension of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. 
The government back then offered the following explanation: 
 
The MSDF gave 200,000 gallons of oil -- the volume consumed in one 
day by the aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier must have used it 
up before entering the Persian Gulf. It was impossible for the 
Japanese oil to be used in the Iraq theater. This is what then Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told the Diet. 
 
But it became clear later on that the MSDF actually gave 800,000 
gallons of oil, that the refueled aircraft carrier entered the 
Persian Gulf in less than a day, and that it navigated toward Iraq. 
 
Prime Mister Fukuda indicated yesterday that the data was incorrect 
and apologized for it. 
 
The amount is not the only issue here. The government extended the 
Antiterrorism Law by denying the suspected diversion of Japanese oil 
based on 200,000 gallons. The grounds for the government's denial 
have collapsed with the correction of the volume to 800,000 gallons, 
raising questions about the validity of the refueling mission at the 
same time. 
 
Didn't the government tell a lie in order to extend the law? This 
question from Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Naoto Kan is quite 
natural. Then Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda is now the prime 
minister and then Defense Agency Director-General Ishiba is the 
defense minister. They are now being pressed for setting the record 
straight. 
 
Before long, the government plans to submit to the Diet a bill for 
continuing the refueling operation. In order to enact the bill, the 
government must bring the matter to closure properly. That cannot be 
done by just blaming the government official who reported the wrong 
number. 
 
In a bid to dispel suspicions, the defense minister offered the new 
explanation that although the aircraft carrier had entered the 
Persian Gulf, it was engaged only in the operation in Afghanistan 
for three days, during which the carrier is believed to have used 
the Japanese oil. 
 
The movements of the carrier-based aircraft from the Persian Gulf to 
Afghanistan require flights over Iran, with which the United States 
has no diplomatic ties. In reality, such is hardly possible. This 
leaves the option of making a large detour. Even if that is what 
 
TOKYO 00004775  006 OF 015 
 
 
they did, that still sounds unnatural. 
 
To begin with, transiting toward Iraq in the Persian Gulf is an 
action in the Iraq operation and appears to be a deviation of the 
objectives of the Antiterrorism Law. 
 
Furthermore, Japanese oil might have been used by some vessels other 
than this aircraft carrier in the Iraq war. Supply ships account for 
60 PERCENT  of the fuel provided by the MSDF to US vessels. How was 
the Japanese oil eventually used? A decision cannot be made unless 
the entire refueling data are disclosed. 
 
It is good that the government has begun disclosing data bit by bit, 
through the explanation of that level is insufficient to convince 
the Diet and general public. 
 
(7) MSDF-refueled USS Iwo Jima participated in Iraq war 
 
AHAKATA (Page 1) (Full) 
October 11, 2007 
 
In September last year, a US Navy amphibious assault ship, codenamed 
"Iwo Jima," was refueled in September last year by the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's supply ship Mashu. The USS Iwo Jima then 
participated in attack operations conducted in Afghanistan. Shortly 
thereafter, the USS Iwo Jima, again refueled by the Mashu, 
participated in the Iraq war, too. This fact became known from US 
military documents. This shows that MSDF-supplied fuel was diverted 
to back up the Iraq war against Japan's Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law, which only purports to support the Afghan war. 
 
The US Navy says on its website that the Mashu refueled the USS Iwo 
Jima in the Persian Gulf on Sept. 22 last year. According to the US 
Marine Corps' Marine Corps News dated Dec. 4 last year, an 
expeditionary strike group (ESG), centering on the USS Iwo Jima, 
arrived later in the Persian Gulf by early October and Iwo 
Jima-based Harrier attack fighters, which are vertical takeoff and 
landing (VTOL) jets, went on a mission to back up British troops 
near the southern Iraqi city of Basra. 
 
In mid-October last year, ESG ground troops from the US Marines 
participated in an operation conducted in the western Iraqi province 
of Ambar. On Nov. 1 last year, one of those attack soldiers was 
killed in a roadside bomb's blast. 
 
The ESG was deployed to areas near the Mediterranean Sea and the 
Indian Ocean during the period of six months from June 6 last year 
through Dec. 6. During the period of four months from July 4 through 
Nov. 8, the ESG arrived in US Central Command (CENTCOM) areas. 
CENTCOM commands operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
 
From mid-July on, the ESG was involved in Israeli attacks on 
Lebanon. After that, in September, the ESG carried out joint 
training exercises with Pakistan's naval forces. The ESG does not 
seem to have conducted maritime interdiction operations (MIO) backed 
up by Japan's Self-Defense Forces. 
 
The ESG is said to have been tasked mainly with its direct support 
for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq during its voyage at that 
time. The Marine Corps News also reported in its Nov. 10 edition and 
confirmed that Iwo Jima-based Harrier attack fighters carried out 
combat flights in Afghanistan and Iraq. 
 
TOKYO 00004775  007 OF 015 
 
 
 
On Sept. 4 last year, the Mashu refueled the USS Iwo Jima in the 
Arabian Sea. After that, Harrier attack fighters from the Iwo Jima 
made a total of 136 attack flights to raid Afghanistan. This fact 
has already been revealed. 
 
(8) Yokota base spills 5,600 liters of fuel 
 
ASAHI (Page 34) (Full) 
October 6, 2007 
 
The US Air Force's Yokota base in Tokyo caused an accidental spill 
of jet fuel, amounting to about 5,600 liters, at its oil depot in 
September, sources revealed yesterday. The day the accident took 
place, US Forces Japan reported its occurrence to local governments 
through the Japanese government. However, the local governments did 
not disclose it to their residents, saying there would be no 
off-base impact. 
 
The Yokota base is located across six municipalities, including the 
cities of Tachikawa and Akishima. According to the two cities' 
officials, there was a report from the North Kanto Defense Bureau on 
Sept. 18, at around 10 a.m., notifying them that jet oil 
accidentally spilled from the base's oil depot. USFJ first reported 
that the spill was about 1,200 liters. The following day, however, 
it was changed to about 5,600 liters. There was no detailed report 
about injuries or an impact on the base's neighboring environment, 
they said. 
 
According to US military data, there were a total of 90 spills, 
including fuel, at the Yokota base and related facilities between 
1999 and 2006. Among those spill incidents, Japan was aware of only 
one incident that took place at a communication facility in the city 
of Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. In that incident, light oil 
spilled to the extent of about 79,000 liters. The Tokyo metropolitan 
government and local governments hosting the Yokota base asked the 
Japanese government this spring to provide information without 
delay. 
 
"We were told that there would be no impact on the base's outside 
environment, so we judged there was no need to make it public," says 
an official of Akishima City, which is a point of contact 
representing the six base-hosting municipalities. 
 
(9) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, MSDF refueling 
mission 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 10, 2007 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage. Parentheses denote the results of a 
survey taken in September.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Yes 59.1 
No 26.7 
Other answers (O/A) 3.1 
No answer (N/A) 11.2 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) 
 
TOKYO 00004775  008 OF 015 
 
 
Pick up to two reasons for your approval of the Fukuda cabinet. 
 
I can appreciate its political stance 25.3 
It's stable 43.7 
The prime minister is trustworthy 28.5 
Something can be expected of its economic policy 8.0 
Something can be expected of its foreign policy 8.6 
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New 
Komeito 6.5 
Because the prime minister is from the LDP 13.2 
Because it's better than its predecessors 19.25.4 
O/A+N/A 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Pick 
up to two reasons for your disapproval of the Fukuda cabinet. 
 
I can't appreciate its political stance 28.8 
It's unstable 25.7 
The prime minister is untrustworthy 23.6 
Nothing can be expected of its economic policy 26.9 
Nothing can be expected of its foreign policy 12.0 
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New 
Komeito 20.1 
Because the prime minister is from the LDP 14.7 
It's worse than its predecessors 4.8 
O/A+N/A 5.8 
 
Q: How long would you like the Fukuda cabinet to continue? Pick only 
one from among those listed below. 
 
As long as possible 32.3 
2 or 3 years 25.3 
1 year or so 18.7 
Quit as early as possible 8.8 
O/A 0.4 
N/A 7.2 
 
Q: Which political party do you support now? Pick only one. 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 37.8 (29.3) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 18.0 (20.9) 
New Komeito (NK) 2.9 (3.3) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2.5 (1.8) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 0.9 (1.0) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) --- (0.2) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0.1 (0.2) 
Other political parties --- (---) 
None 36.9 (42.4) 
N/A 0.8 (1.0) 
 
Q: What's your impression of Prime Minister Fukuda and DPJ President 
Ozawa? Which one between the two do you think is more impressive 
than the other? Answer on the following four points: (a) leadership 
ability; (b) political ideal and goal; (c) public accountability; 
(d) friendliness. 
 
 (a) (b) (c) (d) 
Prime Minister Fukuda 47.1 48.1 52.3 69.1 
DPJ President Ozawa 39.0 34.1 30.2 17.7 
N/A 13.9 17.9 17.5 13.2 
 
Q: How do you think the opposition parties should deal with the 
 
TOKYO 00004775  009 OF 015 
 
 
Fukuda cabinet in Diet discussions on important matters and the 
budget? Pick only one from among those listed below. 
 
Confront and drive it to step down 10.4 
Seek concessions from the ruling coalition and translate their 
policy proposals 20.0 
Explore common ground with the ruling coalition and compromise 51.0 
Fully cooperate with the ruling coalition 10.2 
N/A 8.4 
 
Q: Based on the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, the government 
has sent Maritime Self-Defense Force ships to the Indian Ocean. The 
MSDF is currently tasked there with refueling and other activities 
for foreign naval ships backing up multinational forces conducting 
antiterror operations in Afghanistan. The MSDF's deployment there 
under the antiterror law is to end on Nov. 1. Do you support 
extending the MSDF's refueling mission there? 
 
Yes 49.1 
No 37.2 
N/A 13.7 
 
Q: Do you think the DPJ is competent enough to take office? 
 
Yes 35.0 
No 50.3 
N/A 14.7 
 
Polling methodology 
Date of survey: Oct. 6-7. 
Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible 
voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified 
two-stage random sampling basis). 
Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face 
interviews. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,812 persons (60.4 PERCENT ). 
 
(10) Japan-ROK joint poll on North Korea 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 2, 2007 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage.) 
 
Q: What's your image of North Korea? 
 
 Japan ROK 
Very good 0.5 1.8 
Good to a certain extent 0.7 33.1 
Bad to a certain extent 13.9 55.8 
Very bad 83.9 7.6 
No answer (N/A) 1.0 1.7 
 
Q: What do you think Japan, China, and South Korea should work 
together to tackle on a priority basis over North Korea? If any, 
pick as many as you like from among those listed below. 
 
 Japan ROK 
Stop nuclear development 77.2 67.5 
Stop missile development and launch 61.9 44.4 
Resolve the abductions of Japanese and South Koreans 76.2 17.1 
 
TOKYO 00004775  010 OF 015 
 
 
Diplomatic normalization with North Korea 23.7 35.3 
Economic cooperation with North Korea 8.2 24.3 
Political, economic regime change in North Korea 21.2 28.9 
Urge North Korea to act as a member of the international community 
28.4 18.6 
Other answers (O/A) 0.2 --- 
Nothing in particular 2.2 0.8 
N/A 1.0 0.6 
 
Q: Based on an agreement reached at the six-party talks of Japan, 
China, South Korea, the United States, Russia, and North Korea over 
North Korea's nuclear issue, North Korea stopped operating five 
nuclear facilities in July. Do you think North Korea will abandon 
its nuclear development? 
 
 Japan ROK 
Yes 4.3 2.0 
Yes to a certain degree 10.5 38.7 
No to a certain degree 30.7 54.4 
No 51.0 3.5 
N/A 3.5 1.4 
 
Polling methodology 
 
Japan: The survey was conducted across the nation on Sept. 8-9 for 
face-to-face interviews. For the survey, a total of 3,000 persons 
were chosen from among the nation's voting population at 250 
locations on a stratified two-stage random sampling basis. Answers 
were obtained from 1,787 persons. 
 
South Korea: The survey was conducted across the nation from Aug. 21 
through Sept. 4 for face-to-face interviews. For the survey, 
respondents were chosen from among males and females, aged 20 and 
over, at 121 locations with quota methodology on a stratified 
multistage sampling basis. Answers were obtained from 1,000 
persons. 
 
(11) Fiscal Reform Study Group resumes activities: Correction to 
growth strategy aimed at; Tug-of-war likely between Yosano, who 
attaches importance to fiscal reconstruction, and Hidenao Nakagawa 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 11, 2007 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday resumed the activities 
of the Fiscal Reform Study Group. The aim is to adjust the growth 
policy that puts off tax hikes on the premise of high economic 
growth. This is because with the Upper House election, the 
correction of income disparities and economic programs for local 
areas, which require a massive amount of fiscal resources, have 
surfaced as issues to be addressed. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Kaoru Yosano, chairman of the panel, attaches importance to fiscal 
reconstruction, which requires solid funding resources, such as a 
hike in the consumption tax. However, many LDP members are cautious 
about the idea of increasing the tax. There is a sign of former 
Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who played a leading role in the 
 
SIPDIS 
implementation of the growth policy under the Koizumi and Abe 
cabinets, restoring his presence. A tug-of-war between Yosano and 
Nakagawa will likely take place. 
 
Yosano during the meeting yesterday hinted at his intention to 
launch discussion aimed at hiking the tax, noting, "When the 
 
TOKYO 00004775  011 OF 015 
 
 
government compiled the basic policy guidelines on economic and 
fiscal management and structural reforms last year, it did not 
pursue far-reaching discussions, such as to what extent the tax 
system should be reformed and which taxes should be reformed."  Amid 
the government  hastily considering putting on hold a policy of 
increasing medical fees shouldered by the elderly, many participants 
also voiced such views as that solid funding resources should be 
used to cover  social security expenses, which are bound to 
increase, as former Environment Minister Shunichi Suzuki put it. 
 
Yosano and Secretary General Sadakazu Tanigaki, an advisor to the 
panel, are in agreement on the idea of raising the consumption tax 
to about 10 PERCENT  in the 2010s. In contrast to the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), which is opposing a consumption 
tax hike, Yosano stressed, "It is necessary for the LDP as a 
responsible party to come up with a just argument." His statement 
was also aimed at paving the way for discussions on the annual tax 
code revisions for fiscal 2008. Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka 
Machimura during a press conference on Oct. 10 backed Yosano's 
statement, noting, "We must not be overly optimistic in 
recapitalizing public finances." The panel in its interim report 
proposed raising the consumption tax rate to between 12 PERCENT -15 
PERCENT . However, when Nakagawa took on the position of chairman of 
the panel in October 2005, he switched the panel's policy to 
achieving nominal growth rate of 4 PERCENT -5 PERCENT  and to a 
spending cut policy. Nakagawa started to dispel the mood of raising 
the consumption tax, backed by former Internal Minister Heizo 
Takenaka. 
 
The venue of the discussion was shifted to the Council on Package 
Reform of Fiscal and Economic Policies of the government and the 
ruling camp, but Takenaka and Nakagawa maintained leadership. The 
basic policy guidelines for fiscal 2005 did not include a tax hike. 
 
Yosano is staging an uphill fight for a rollback. Nakagawa also took 
office as chief organizer of the Machimura faction. He said, "The 
reform and growth policy must be continued for another 20 years." 
The battle between Yosano and Nakagawa could flare up again. 
 
(12) Strong action, including economic sanctions, necessary toward 
Burma 
 
ASAHI (Page 17) (Abridged) 
October 11, 2007 
 
Kei Nemoto, professor of modern history of Burma at Sophia 
University 
 
Monks marched in a demonstration in Myanmar (Burma), chanting a 
sutra with a number of citizens walking together. Burma is now under 
the control of the military junta. This scene of demonstrating monks 
drew international attention. The demonstrating monks were 
protesting against 19 years of oppression by the military junta and 
were calling for democracy. 
 
As security police fired at demonstrators, average citizens were in 
danger of being shot. As a result, the demonstrations have ceased, 
but this does not mean the democracy movement has now come to an 
end. It is unlikely that the Burmese people, most of whom are 
Buddhists, can easily pardon violence done to monks. If the military 
slackens its violent oppression, protest marches will come back. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004775  012 OF 015 
 
 
The people of Burma usually listen to domestic news not reported by 
the military junta by tuning in the British Broadcasting Corporation 
(BBC) Burmese language shortwave programs. In the recent 
demonstrations, the Internet played a significant role in addition 
to BBC. Although only a few percent of the population can access the 
Internet even in Yangon (Rangoon), images and information sent by 
some Burmese to the rest of the world via the Internet spread widely 
in Burma afterwards with those images and information sent back to 
the country. The Internet indeed demonstrated its power. 
 
The military junta insists that foreign countries pulled wires 
behind the scenes, denying that monks and ordinary citizens were 
voluntarily staging demonstrations. The account by the military 
junta lacks persuasiveness. 
 
The monks have renounced the world. They rely on donations from 
Buddhist believers for their daily needs and to maintain the pagodas 
and other religious facilities. Monks devote themselves to religious 
training and self-salvation. On the other hand, believers accumulate 
virtuous deeds by helping monks. 
 
This interdependence between monks and believers make their ties 
even closer. Monks listen to believers' hardships and learn about 
their terrible living conditions and their complaints against 
politics. Monks essentially should not be involved in politics. Both 
monks and believers are well aware of this point. Monks in Burma, 
however, have a patriotic history of playing a part in the struggle 
for independence from the United Kingdom, when Burma was a colony. 
 
Late this September, Special Envoy Gambari to the United Nations 
secretary general visited Burma and met with Than Shwe, chairman of 
 
SIPDIS 
the State Peace and Development Council and conveyed international 
concerns to him. Even though the international community responds 
rigorously to the military junta, there is little possibility that 
it immediately can change the military junta's current stance. Yet, 
by doing so, the international community can send Burma a strong 
message that could give moral support to the Burmese people who 
suffer oppression from the military junta. 
 
The people of Burma, who fear being shot by guns and suffer under a 
reign of terror, would be grateful if other countries took strong 
actions against Burma, such as economic sanctions against the 
military junta and recalling their ambassadors from Burma. They 
would see such as a message that "the international community is not 
ignoring the Burmese people's hardships." The Japanese government 
therefore needs to keep this point in mind when it considers how to 
respond to the military junta. 
 
(13) How about food safety? BSE (Part 4): How to gain consumers' 
understanding of BSE risk 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 11, 2007 
 
The Chiba prefectural government posted on its web Oct. 4 the 
results of a survey on BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) 
measures. 
 
While showing the Food Safety Commission's opinion that the risk of 
BSE to humans is extremely low even if cattle under the age of 20 
months are excluded from the scope of testing, the prefectural 
government questioned its residents on the Internet whether BSE 
 
TOKYO 00004775  013 OF 015 
 
 
inspections of young cattle were necessary. A total of 130 residents 
responded: 64 PERCENT  said that the inspections were necessary and 
18 PERCENT  answered that they were not. As a result, the view 
calling for continued inspections was strong. Akira Doi, head of the 
Food Safety Measures Office of the prefectural government commented: 
"The actual state of BSE measures is not understood by the public. I 
think there is a lack of risk communication." 
 
Risk communication means that people from various areas share their 
knowledge about risks and deepen their understanding. The FSC, which 
places importance on the risk communication, held more than 150 
sessions to exchange opinions on the BSE to explain the low BSE 
infection risk of cattle aged 20 months and younger. Some 
participants in the BSE sessions raised views coming around to the 
FSC, while there were views opposing the easing of the restrictions, 
with one participant saying, "I have doubts about the scientific 
basis." 
 
The FSC was established in the Cabinet Office in response to the BSE 
panic after discovery of an apparent case of mad cow disease. The 
commission evaluates a potential risk of food at the request of the 
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Most of the 56 commission 
staffers are employees on loan. It sometimes happens that a person 
in charge of the secretariat returns to the health ministry and asks 
the FSC for food evaluation. 
 
Consumer groups have criticized the FSC for giving unilateral 
explanations and "seal of approval" to the health ministry. In an 
attempt to improve risk communication, the FSC as risk evaluation 
organ is required to keep its independence and enhance public 
confidence. 
 
Reasons for people concerned about BSE 
 
Because of BSE cases that became problems in the past 31.8 PERCENT 
Doubtful about whether firms obey regulations and sanitary 
management  26.9 PERCENT 
Doubts about scientific basis 11.8 PERCENT 
Lack of information on food safety 8.7 PERCENT 
Insufficient standards and requirement to label  8.1 PERCENT 
Vague anxiety  5.2 PERCENT 
No response, invalid answers 7.5 PERCENT 
 
(14) Editorial: DPJ has yet to reach consensus on antiterrorism 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
October 11, 2007 
 
Although the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) had former three party 
heads appear at a House of Representatives Budget Committee session 
yesterday to question Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the three failed 
to conduct a penetrating debate on the new antiterrorism bill. 
 
The reason may be that DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa's assertion that 
the Self-Defense Forces can participate in the International 
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, while opposing the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean, has confused the party's stance and cast a pall over their 
pursuit of the government. 
 
Both former DPJ heads Naoto Kan and Katsuya Okada failed to question 
the prime minister problematic points of a new legislation the 
 
TOKYO 00004775  014 OF 015 
 
 
government plans to submit to the Lower House. Former President 
Seiji Maehara, an expert on security policy, did not even question 
this point. 
 
It is undeniable that the DPJ gave the impression that it avoided 
getting deeply involved in the debate on possible SDF participation 
in the ISAF out of fear of a slip of the tongue. 
 
It is true that Japan has advocated foreign policy-centered on the 
United Nations and on the axis of Japan-US relations, but it places 
more priority on the relations with the United States. Therefore, 
Ozawa's awareness of the issue that the principle of security should 
be reviewed on this occasion is understandable. 
 
However, his assertion that the SDF can take part in ISAF, in which 
fatalities have occurred, is a great leap of logic. It is difficult 
to understand his view that the SDF cannot supply oil but can join 
the ISAF because Ozawa has stated that there is no contradiction 
between the foreign policy of centering on the UN and that of 
centering on the US. 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura yesterday told Okada, who asked 
about requirements for SDF dispatch: "So, it is not so easy for the 
SDF to join ISAF." Okada did not offer a counterargument. This was a 
symbolic scene that showed Okada's perplexity at Ozawa's assertion. 
 
How long does the government intend to continue the refueling 
operations though there is no prospect for an end of the Afghan war, 
which has continued for six years. The DPJ should pursue this point 
and present its own bill. Otherwise, the ruling and opposition camps 
will not find common ground during Diet debate. 
 
(Corrected copy) Diet debate: Defense minister learns from US that 
amount of fuel provided by MSDF to USS Kitty Hawk was 675,000 
gallons 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Excerpts) 
October 11, 2007 
 
Refueling mission in Indian Ocean 
 
Kan (Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)): On the morning of Feb. 25, 
2003, the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) supply ship Tokiwa 
refueled the US supply ship Pecos, and on the afternoon of that day, 
Pecos refueled the USS Kitty Hawk. In this regard, then Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Fukuda stated positively at a press briefing on 
May 9 that it would be impossible to use (the fuel provided by 
Tokiwa) for operations in Iraq. 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda: There was an error in collecting data. What I 
said at the time was incorrect. 
 
Kan: Which part of your remark at the time was wrong? 
 
Fukuda: I made two mistakes. First, the amount of fuel provided by 
Japan to the US supply ship (was 800,000 gallons in actuality) but 
it was mistakenly entered into the computer system as 200,000 
gallons. Afterwards, we on the part of the government explained that 
the amount of fuel provided by (Pecos) to Kitty Hawk was 800,000 
gallons, but we learned after inquiring of the US about this matter 
that the amount of fuel in question was 675,000 gallons. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004775  015 OF 015 
 
 
Kan: I have a suspicion that then Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda 
might have known that Kitty Hawk had headed for the Persian Gulf. 
 
Defense Minister Ishiba: Tokiwa refueled Pecos during the period 
from 6:30 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. of Feb. 25. The amount of fuel 
provided was 800,000 gallons. In order to join Kitty Hawk by noon, 
Pecos moved in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz. By around 
20:00 p.m. of that day, Pecos completed refueling Kitty Hawk. The 
amount of fuel provided by Pecos to Kitty Hawk was 675,000 gallons. 
After being refueled, Kitty Hawk passed the Strait of Hormuz by 
20:00 p.m. of Feb. 26 and was engaged in operations in the Persian 
Gulf. 
 
According to the US report shown to us in 2003, Kitty Hawk consumed 
some 200,000 gallons of fuel per day on average. We have been told 
by the US side that Kitty Hawk was engaged in Operation Enduring 
Freedom (OEF), and that after being refueled by Pecos, Kitty Hawk 
"consumed all the fuel" provided by Pecos in three days starting 
Feb. 25. 
 
Ishiba: The most important point is that Kitty Hawk was cruising for 
a considerably longer period of time at the high speed of 33 knots 
when it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz. It seemed that 
Kitty Hawk also was cruising at the high speed when it was engaged 
in several flight operations. I presume in these cases Kitty Hawk 
would have consumed more fuel than its average consumption. I 
therefore think the US side's explanation that (Kitty Hawk) consumed 
675,000 gallons in three days or by the end of February is highly 
reasonable. It is thought that the fuel provided would have been 
used for OEF. Operation Southern Watch (ODW) in Iraq started in 
early March. 
 
DONOVAN