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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 004857 
 
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 10/18/07 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Anti-terror bill: 
4) Government presents new antiterrorism special measures bill to 
the Diet (Mainichi) 
5) MSDF will be withdrawn from Indian Ocean Nov. 2 with the existing 
legislation's expiration (Yomiuri) 
6) Restarting MSDF refueling operations in the Indian Ocean not 
likely until after next spring (Nikkei) 
7) Ruling camp is troubled by the new anti-terror bill and desires 
to speed up the legislative process for an early passage (Sankei) 
8) US hopes for early restarting of MSDF refueling services, but 
some voice concern about Japan's withdrawal from the OEF damaging 
alliance relations (Nikkei) 
9) Government's priority on gaining public approval for the 
anti-terror bill explains its Diet strategy (Yomiuri)     8 
10) Exchange in the Upper House Budget Committee on the anti-terror 
bill (Yomiuri) 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in action: 
11) DPJ in own bill countering the government's anti-terror bill 
will use mercenaries instead of SDF or police for security as part 
of its ISAF participation (Sankei) 
12) DPJ President Ozawa's vague strategy confusing the party's 
attempts to draft a coherent counterproposal to the government's 
anti-terror bill (Mainichi) 
13) DPJ's Kan, Hatoyama, Maehara meet former Pentagon official 
Campbell, discuss the anti-terror bill issue (Mainichi)     10 
14) DPJ ready to present bill to Diet scrapping the Iraq Special 
Measures Law (Mainichi) 
 
15) Okinawa budget of 10 billion yen for economic measures remains 
unused (Yomiuri) 
 
16) Tough words on the northern-territories issue from Russia's 
foreign minister prior to his trip to Japan (Yomiuri) 
 
17) Prime Minister Fukuda's trip to the US likely to be Nov. 17-19 
(Mainichi) 
 
18) Inspectors block 225 boxes of US beef product at border for 
violation of import agreement (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Two printing companies monopolize production of stickers for car 
parking registration 
 
Mainichi: 
New antiterrorism bill introduced to Diet 
 
Yomiuri: 
Cabinet endorses new antiterrorism bill 
 
Nikkei: 
 
TOKYO 00004857  002 OF 012 
 
 
CEFP endorses assessment that consumption tax needs to be raised 2.5 
points if nominal growth slows to 2.2  PERCENT 
 
Sankei: 
MHLW to introduce generic drug trial system starting in FY2008 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Ruling bloc agrees to delay by one year the planned raise of medical 
fees for the elderly 
 
Akahata: 
JCP calls for cancellation of government's plan to raise medical 
fees for the elderly in April 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) New refueling law must be free from any oil diversion 
allegations 
(2) Government funds for disposal of WWII chemical weapons 
misappropriated 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) New refueling legislation looks opportunistic 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Japan mustn't quit war on terrorism 
(2) Punished Kameda family and collapsing boxing world 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) DPJ must come up with counterproposal for antiterrorism law 
(2) Planned medical fee hike for the elderly must be implemented 
swiftly after short freeze 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Prime minister's determination the key to enactment of new 
antiterrorism law 
(2) School textbooks must treat Okinawa mass suicide fairly 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) New refueling legislation a good opportunity for reviewing 
international contribution 
(2) Power harassment must not be allowed at workplace 
 
Akahata: 
(1) New administration expected from Higashi-Osaka mayoral race 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, October 17 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
09:05 
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Iwaki. 
 
10:00 
Attended Upper House Budget Committee session. 
 
12:48 
Met at Kantei with Cabinet Office Vice Minister Uchida. 
 
TOKYO 00004857  003 OF 012 
 
 
 
13:00 
Attended Upper House Budget Committee session. 
 
18:14 
Met at Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. Attended 
National Security Council meeting. Attended afterwards extraordinary 
cabinet meeting. 
 
18:59 
Attended Economic and Fiscal Policy Council meeting. 
 
20:51 
Returned to his private residence in Nozawa. 
 
4) New antiterrorism legislation submitted to Diet; Refueling 
operation to be discontinued 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The government adopted at a special cabinet meeting yesterday a new 
antiterrorism bill to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling operation in the Indian Ocean. The bill was later 
submitted to the Diet. Although the current Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law expires on Nov. 1, there is no prospect that the new 
law will clear the Diet by then. As such, the government will 
inevitably be forced to recall the MSDF supply vessel temporarily. 
The MSDF will not be able to resume its operation in the Indian 
Ocean until the new law takes effect. Forcible enactment of the law 
might throw the Diet into turmoil and that might result in Lower 
House dissolution for a snap general election. Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda is now under pressure to steer a difficult course to resolve 
this situation. 
 
The government has decided to present the new legislation replacing 
the current law, concluding that the temporary suspension of the 
refueling operation would be inevitable. 
 
At yesterday's House of Representatives Rules and Administration 
Committee directors meeting, the ruling bloc expressed its desire to 
explain the new legislation at a plenary session as early as Oct. 
¶18. The opposition bloc rejected the request as being premature. The 
opposition parties are set not to begin deliberations this week. The 
explanation of the bill may not occur until Oct. 23 or later. 
 
Major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary-General 
Yukio Hatoyama underlined the party's intention to block the new 
law's passage, saying to reporters: "Be it refueling activities or 
whatever, we are opposed to a bill intended to cooperate in a war." 
In order to enact the new legislation, the current session of the 
Diet must be extended beyond the Nov. 10 deadline. 
 
A lengthy extension might affect the planned year-end budget 
compilation. A short extension or no extension might prompt 
Washington to question Tokyo's commitment to the war on terrorism. 
 
In the event the legislation fails to clear the 
opposition-controlled House of Councillors, the ruling bloc would 
have to aim at re-adoption by the Lower House by using the 
two-thirds majority rule. Such an event is likely to draw fire from 
the opposition bloc as neglecting the Upper House. Consequently, the 
 
TOKYO 00004857  004 OF 012 
 
 
Upper House might pass a censure motion against Prime Minister 
Fukuda and that might be followed by Lower House dissolution and a 
snap general election. 
 
5) MSDF pullout set for Nov. 2 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force-currently tasked with refueling 
activities in the Indian Ocean under the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law-will be ordered soon to withdraw its squadron of 
vessels there. Since the antiterror law is set to expire Nov. 1, the 
government decided yesterday to recall the MSDF squadron on Nov. 2. 
The MSDF supply ship Tokiwa and destroyer Kirisame, currently 
engaged in refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, will carry out 
their last fuel supply there on Oct. 27 and return home in about 
three weeks. 
 
The government first considered keeping the MSDF squadron in 
neighboring waters even after its withdrawal for exchanges or 
training exercises with foreign naval vessels from the perspective 
of resuming its activities at an early date. The government decided 
in a cabinet meeting yesterday to adopt a new antiterror 
legislation. However, the new legislation is not expected to get 
through the Diet. The government therefore deemed it unavoidable to 
recall the MSDF squadron. 
 
Japan has so far provided fuel to naval vessels from 11 countries in 
the Indian Ocean, including the United States, Britain, and 
Pakistan. The government, following up its decision to withdraw the 
MSDF vessels, will contact these countries through diplomatic 
channels, such as their ambassadors in Japan, to explain its MSDF 
withdrawal decision as well as its course of action to enact the new 
legislation into law at an early date. Meanwhile, on Oct. 17-18, the 
United States will host a meeting of liaison officers from foreign 
naval forces participating in maritime interdiction operations. On 
that occasion as well, Japan will convey such a course of action. In 
addition, the government is also planning to release a statement on 
Nov. 1 through the chief cabinet secretary. 
 
6) Possibility that resumption of MSDF refueling operation will not 
be until after next spring, with ruling parties cautious about 
re-voting on the bill in the Lower House (Nikkei) 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
October 18, 2007 
 
With the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law that authorizes 
refueling operations by the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in 
the Indian Ocean expiring on Nov. 1, Defense Minister Ishiba next 
week will order the MSDF to cease operations on that day. The new 
antiterrorism bill that would allow refueling to continue could be 
passed even if it is rejected in the Upper House, where the 
opposition parties hold a majority, under a constitutional 
provision, if the Lower House re-votes on the bill and it passes by 
a two-thirds majority. However, within the ruling parties, there is 
a deep-seated caution about re-voting on the bill, and the 
possibility is growing greater that the restarting of the refueling 
could slip until after next spring. 
 
The defense minister order to halt operations is in fact an order 
 
TOKYO 00004857  005 OF 012 
 
 
for the ships to withdraw from the area. The government already has 
informed the United States, Britain and other concerned countries of 
its intention. It will take two or three weeks for the ships to 
return to Japan, and they will probably arrive home around Nov. 20. 
 
"As long as there is the possibility of the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) showing some good sense, there is no need at 
this point to talk about a two-thirds (re-vote in the Lower House)," 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Ibuki told the 
press corps yesterday, making it clear that he was negative about 
the Lower House taking another vote after the bill is rejected by 
the Upper House. 
 
Alarm about censure motion against the prime minister 
 
The ruling camp's reason for being reluctant to re-vote on the bill 
is because the DPJ will then lash back by presenting and then 
passing a censure motion in the Upper House against the prime 
minister. If deliberations stop in the Upper House and the political 
situation is thrown into disarray, the possibility emerges of the 
ruling camp being pressed toward Diet dissolution and a snap 
election. 
 
If it comes to the option of re-voting on the bill not being used, 
as long as the DPJ does not turn toward approval of the bill, there 
is no hope for its passage. Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura at a 
press conference last evening pointed out: "A positive change can be 
seen in the DPJ about the need to respond in some fashion." He 
added: "I have the impression that gradually that conditions are 
being built for talks." He expressed his expectation for the DPJ to 
adopt a flexible stance. 
 
Priority on budget deliberation 
 
Even if the deliberation on the new anti-terror bill is carried over 
to the next regular Diet session that starts in January, the 
prospect for its passage remains unclear. The government and ruling 
parties must give priority first to deliberation on the state budget 
bill for fiscal 2008. After that, it will aim at passage of the new 
anti-terror bill, but passage at the earliest would be after May, so 
the restarting of the refueling service would not be until June or 
later. That case also hinges on the sole option of re-voting in the 
Lower House and using the ruling camp's two-thirds strength there. 
 
The DPJ inevitably will resist fiercely. After the Lower House 
passes the new bill, the DPJ will use such tactics in the Upper 
House as its right to pursue a policy investigation, so it is 
possible that deliberations could be blocked. If after Lower House 
passage, 60 days go by in the Upper House without voting action, and 
the ruling camp uses the provision that regards such as a rejection 
by the Upper House, the passage of the bill would not be until July 
or later. Accordingly, the restarting of refueling would not be 
until August. 
 
7) On new antiterrorism legislation, lack of unity already seen in 
ruling camp 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The ongoing extraordinary Diet session has entered a crucial stage 
following the government's submission of a new antiterrorism bill to 
 
TOKYO 00004857  006 OF 012 
 
 
the Diet. The ruling camp has agreed to start deliberations on the 
bill at an early date, but some in the ruling camp have already 
begun to suggest that the bill should be carried over to an ordinary 
Diet session next year. The government regards enacting the bill in 
the current Diet session as one of the top priority agenda items. 
The discord in the ruling camp may lead to escalating the confusion 
in the Diet. 
 
In an antiterrorism special measures committee meeting of the 
Liberal Democratic Party yesterday, in which the new bill was 
endorsed, former Vice President Taku Yamasaki, who chairs the ruling 
camp's project team, said: 
 
"To take a vote again in the House of Representatives, approval from 
the New Komeito is necessary. We should carry things out in a 
cautious manner in order to win public support." 
 
His remark is tantamount to a suggestion that if the gap between 
ruling and opposition camps is not filled in Diet debate, a 
re-voting in the Lower House should be given up and deliberations 
should be carried over to the next regular Diet session. This 
suggestion stems from the judgment that if a vote is taken again in 
the Lower House, the opposition camp might issue a censure motion 
against the prime minister in the Council of Councillors and create 
an atmosphere for dissolution of the Lower House. This can be taken 
as reflecting the intention of the New Komeito, which is against an 
early dissolution. 
 
Delivering a speech in Higashi Hiroshima on Oct. 13, former 
Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa said: "We should also consider 
 
SIPDIS 
the possibility of carrying deliberations on the bill over to the 
next ordinary Diet session." A mid-ranking LDP official stated: "If 
the session is extended for a lengthy period, some effects might 
appear on deliberations on budget compilation and tax system 
reform." 
 
However, if the bill is carried over, it will become more difficult 
to enact it in the ordinary Diet session. Japan will come under 
heavy fire from the international community. Moreover, the framework 
of maritime intercept operations will collapse and eventually the 
sea lanes for transporting Japan's oil may be exposed to danger. 
 
Keeping such a possibility in mind, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka 
Machimura emphasized yesterday: "The bill should naturally be 
enacted in the extraordinary Diet session." Secretary General Bunmei 
Ibuki also categorically said: "To avoid confusion in the people's 
daily lives, I will risk my political life. Our basic policy is to 
enact the bill in the current Diet session." 
 
8) US hopes for early resumption of MSDF refueling operation 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
Hirotake Maruya, Washington 
 
The Bush administration expects Japan to resume as soon as possible 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling mission after its 
suspension in the Indian Ocean, based on a new anti-terror law. US 
Joint Chiefs of Staff Director for Operations Lt. General Carter Ham 
revealed in a press briefing on Oct. 16 that the US was preparing 
for a possible suspension of Japan's refueling operation. He stated: 
 
TOKYO 00004857  007 OF 012 
 
 
"The US Central Command is now looking for ways to supply fuel once 
Japan discontinues its mission." 
 
Coalition of the Willing member countries have suspended or scaled 
down their antiterrorism operations. Japan's suspension of its 
refueling mission would strengthen further criticism of the Bush 
administration's foreign policy, prior to the US presidential 
election next November. 
 
Lt. General Ham expressed hopes for a continued refueling operation 
by Japan. State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Kacy welcomed on the 
17th the cabinet's adoption of a new refueling bill. The US 
government, however, in expectation of Japan's suspension of its 
refueling operation, has been considering alternative measures with 
an eye on a refueling operation by a US supply ship. 
 
The US government is also preparing a statement specifying the 
details of refueling to pave the way for a continued Japan's 
refueling mission. 
 
In this connection, former high US government official expressed 
concern, saying: "If the refueling operation is not resumed at an 
early date, such will undermine the Japan-US alliance," after 
saying, "There will be no problem if the suspension is for a short 
period." 
 
9) Cabinet adopts new antiterrorism bill; Top priority on securing 
public support for refueling mission 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
In a new antiterrorism measures bill the cabinet adopted yesterday, 
the government placed top priority on obtaining the public 
understanding for continuing the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
antiterrorism operations by underscoring the UN Security Council 
Resolution 1776 expressing appreciation for the maritime 
interdiction operation. However, the new legislation does not 
stipulate specific measures for preventing the diversion of fuel to 
vessels engaged in operations other than the maritime interdiction 
operation. 
 
Article 1 of the new legislation states that the UNSC Resolution 
adopted on Sept. 19 stressed the need for Japan's continued 
refueling operation, while highly praising the maritime interdiction 
operation, including Japan's mission. This is the government's 
counterargument against Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro 
Ozawa's assertion that the MSDF refueling mission is support for the 
US self-defense war and unconstitutional. Foreign Minister Masahiko 
Komura stressed in yesterday's cabinet meeting: 
 
"The United Nations and other countries highly value our country's 
(refueling) operations. Since they have high hopes for the 
continuation of the operation, it is absolutely necessary for our 
country to continue the MSDF refueling operation." 
 
The new legislation does not stipulate that Diet approval is needed, 
which the present Antiterrorism Special Measures Law does. The 
reason is that with the Diet divided -- the ruling camp holding a 
solid majority of the House of Representatives and the opposition 
bloc controlling the House of Councillors -- it would be difficult 
for the government to get Diet approval. In order to avoid being 
 
TOKYO 00004857  008 OF 012 
 
 
criticized by the opposition camp for playing down civilian control, 
however, the new bill limits the MSDF mission to the refueling 
operation alone. The government reasons that when the Diet approves 
a refueling law, ex post facto Diet approval is not necessary. 
 
10) Diet interpellations 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The following is a gist of questions and answers in a meeting 
yesterday of the House of Councillors Budget Committee. 
 
New antiterror legislation 
 
Keiichiro Asao (Democratic Party of Japan or Minshuto): Are you 
ready to stake your position (for the Diet passage of a new 
antiterror legislation)? 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda: This is a very serious challenge for me as a 
politician. 
 
Asao: Will the legislation be sent to the House of Councillors? 
 
Fukuda: I want to do my best so the new legislation will be enacted. 
However, when it comes to the Diet session, that is up to the Diet, 
so I can't say anything about it. 
 
Asao: Do you think it's not a violation of the Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law to engage (the Self-Defense Forces) in both missions: 
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Southern Watch (OSW) 
in Iraq? 
 
Foreign Minister Komura: Speaking from the law's principle, it's 
lawful if Japanese fuel is actually used for OEF. If they use up 
Japanese fuel when they are engaged in OEF, there's no problem at 
all. 
 
11) DPJ to propose employing foreign security company as civilian 
guards 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) is now 
preparing its own legislative measure for Japan's assistance to 
Afghanistan in its counterproposal to the government's new 
antiterror legislation. The DPJ, in its counterproposal, proposes 
sending civilians to Afghanistan to provide assistance to its 
people. In this regard, the DPJ has plans to employ a foreign 
private-sector security company instead of the Self-Defense Forces 
for the security of civilians, party sources revealed yesterday. 
 
The DPJ's counterproposal features civilian assistance in various 
areas, such as education, medical support, and infrastructure 
construction. The question, however, is how to secure the safety of 
civilians in Afghanistan when they are sent there. In the DPJ, there 
were also arguments insisting on the necessity of sending Ground 
Self-Defense Force troops to escort civilians. "If we ask a foreign 
country to protect them, Japan won't be appreciated in the 
international community," one DPJ lawmaker asserted. However, the 
DPJ's leadership turned down their arguments. "It's inconceivable to 
 
TOKYO 00004857  009 OF 012 
 
 
send out SDF troops as our political judgment," DPJ Policy Board 
Chairman Masayuki Maoshima said. The DPJ therefore has plans to 
entrust a foreign country's private security company to provide for 
the security of the civilians, expecting that security company would 
hire local guards to protect the civilians. 
 
One DPJ executive cited the fact that foreign countries' civilians 
and embassies in Afghanistan also hire foreign private security 
companies. "If Japan sends armed SDF troops there, the local 
favorable image of Japan will worsen," the DPJ executive said. The 
DPJ leadership therefore thinks that it is rational to use a private 
security company. However, one middle-ranking DPJ lawmaker said: "We 
need to secure them. But I wonder if we have to go so far as to 
avoid the SDF." 
 
12) DPJ's Ozawa to continue to take "ambiguous strategy" on SDF 
dispatch 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The government submitted a new bill to replace the Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law to the Diet after it was endorsed at a cabinet 
meeting yesterday. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
has started work to draw up a counterproposal focusing on aid for 
public welfare. On the issue of dispatching Self-Defense Force (SDF) 
troops, a key theme in drafting a counterproposal, President Ichiro 
Ozawa intends to continue take an "ambiguous strategy" for the time 
being while watching moves to be taken by the government and the 
ruling camp. 
 
In a press conference on Oct. 16, Ozawa stopped short of specifying 
the propriety of dispatch of SDF, just saying: "At this stage, I 
can't speak of the contents." In the monthly magazine Sekai released 
on Oct. 9, Ozawa revealed his plan to have the SDF participate in 
the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan if 
his party assumes political power. He defines it as constitutional 
for SDF troops engaged in operations endorsed by a United Nations 
resolution, like those by the ISAF, to use armed force overseas. 
Policy Research Council Chairman Masayuki Naoshima said: "It should 
be possible theoretically to dispatch SDF troops to the ISAF." 
 
If the DPJ submits a bill specifying the dispatch of the SDF to the 
Diet, the government and the ruling parties, which deem the dispatch 
unconstitutional, and the DPJ, which views it as constitutional, 
will inevitably clash over Ozawa's view, which Liberal Democratic 
Party's Policy Research Council Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki called in 
a speech yesterday "an extremely peculiar interpretation of the 
Constitution." In such a case, the axis of conflict will become 
vague, resulting in upsetting Ozawa's strategy for a snap election 
after the House of Representatives is dissolved. 
 
If the SDF-dispatch issue is excluded, it will be difficult to find 
a difference between the Ozawa proposal and the government's ongoing 
aid program. LDP Secretary General Fumiaki Ibuki said: "The 
government has already offered more than 120 billion yen in aid, 
though the aid is not endorsed by law." 
 
In an executive meeting on Oct. 16, Ozawa said: "Our party will not 
dispatch a combat force," but a senior party member explained that 
Ozawa still leaves open the possibility of dispatching the SDF, 
saying: "He did not rule out the possibility." 
 
TOKYO 00004857  010 OF 012 
 
 
 
The DPJ is looking into sending (1) noncombat units, such as 
water-supply or medical units; and (2) not SDF troops but 
self-defense officials to such organizations as the Japan 
International Cooperation Agency. 
 
However, leftwing members in the party have fiercely reacted to the 
Ozawa idea. House of Representatives Vie Speaker Takahiro Yokomichi, 
a member of the former Japan Socialist Party group, told Secretary 
General Yukio Hatoyama: "SDF troops absolutely should not be 
dispatched." A senior party member close to Ozawa also commented: 
"If the party decides to dispatch the SDF, party members will never 
be united." A senior member of the Policy Research Council engaged 
in crafting a counterproposal remarked: "We may work out a bill that 
stops short of mentioning whether to send the SDF vague." 
 
13) Senior DPJ officials meet with former Deputy Assistant Secretary 
of State Campbell to confer on refueling operations 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) Deputy President Naoto 
Kan, Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and Vice President Seiji 
Maehara yesterday met at a Tokyo hotel with Kurt Campbell, deputy 
assistant secretary of defense during the Clinton administration. 
According to a participant in the meeting, Campbell sought 
explanations on the DPJ's stance toward the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling operations in the Indian Ocean. 
 
Campbell, who has been urging Japan to continue its refueling 
operations, at first, requested a meeting with President Ozawa. He 
appears to have contacted the DPJ through a mutual contact between 
the opposition parties of the two countries with the aim of taking 
its pulse regarding why the DPJ will not change its opposition to 
continuation of the refueling operations. However, the DPJ judged 
that now would be a delicate time for the president to meet him, 
according to a senior party official. Kan, Hatoyama and Maehara, who 
is personally close to Campbell, instead met with him. 
 
According to the same DPJ official, Campbell indicated understanding 
in the explanation given by the DPJ. When Hatoyama asked him whether 
there is an exit strategy regarding the situation in Afghanistan, 
Campbell reportedly rebutted, "There is no exit in the war to 
eliminate terrorism." 
 
In the meantime, Ozawa met with Gerald Curtis, a professor at 
Columbia University of the US, at the party headquarters. Curtis 
also met with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda for about three hours on 
Oct. 13. 
 
14) DPJ to submit to Upper House bill to scrap Iraq Special Measures 
Law 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DJP or Minshuto) 
decided yesterday to submit today to the House of Councillors a bill 
abolishing the Iraq Special Measures Law aimed at forcing a 
withdrawal of the Air Self-Defense Force troops deployed in Iraq. 
 
 
TOKYO 00004857  011 OF 012 
 
 
If the new antiterrorism law submitted yesterday to the House of 
Representatives is sent to the Upper House, the two bills will be 
discussed at the Upper House Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
Defense, whose chairmanship is held by the DPJ. Through 
deliberations on the bill scrapping the Iraq law, the DPJ intends to 
pursue the allegation that the Maritime Self-Defense Force operating 
in the Indian Ocean indirectly fueled a US aircraft carrier engaged 
in the Iraq war. The DPJ appears to be aiming to take the initiative 
in deliberations on the new refueling legislation in the Upper House 
by submitting its own bill to abolish the Iraq law. 
 
15) Okinawa budget of 10 billion yen for economic measures remains 
unused 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
It was learned yesterday that 10 billion yen allocated in this 
fiscal year's national budget to finance economic stimulation 
measures for the northern part of Okinawa Prefecture remains 
unspent. The government has included in this fiscal year's budget 5 
billion yen to fund projects to construct roads and other facilities 
and another 5 billion yen to promote the IT industry. Until last 
year, the government used the budget funds for Okinawa economic 
measures in the summer. This year, however, the Defense Ministry has 
expressed disapproval of using the budget funds, citing that no 
progress has been made in negotiations between the central and local 
governments on the planned relocation of the US Marine Corps' 
Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to a coastal area of Camp Schwab. 
 
The government aims to establish an alternative facility with a 
V-shaped pair of runways in a coastal area of Camp Schwab, but the 
Okinawa Prefecture and Nago City insist that the newly planned 
runway should be moved to an offshore site. No negotiations have 
been held between the government, the prefecture, and the local 
governments involved in the relocation plan since the third session 
this January. A senior Cabinet Office member takes the view that the 
budgeted funds might be carried over to next fiscal year if unused. 
Under the lead of Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi, 
government agencies concerned, including the Cabinet Office and the 
Finance Ministry, will discuss and decide on what to do about the 
funds. 
 
16) Northern Territories: "Tokyo Declaration has no binding power," 
Russian foreign minister takes hard-line stance before visiting 
Japan 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
Responding to questions asked by some Japanese news companies prior 
to his visit to Japan starting on Oct. 23, Russian Foreign Minister 
Lavrov yesterday put his replies on the Russian Foreign Ministry's 
website. Regarding the Northern Territories, Lavrov pointed out that 
the 1956 Japan-USSR joint declaration, which stipulates the return 
of the Habomais and Shikotan after signing of a peace treaty, is 
evidence that both countries accepted the results of World War II. 
Concerning the 1993 Tokyo Declaration, which notes a resolution of 
the four islands issue, Lavrov indicated his country's view that it 
is a mere political paper that has no legally binding power. He thus 
clarified his stance toward talks on the issue, noting that the four 
northern islands belong to Russia. 
 
TOKYO 00004857  012 OF 012 
 
 
 
17) Fukuda to visit US on Nov. 17-19 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda ordered final coordination yesterday for 
his visit to the United States on Nov. 17-19, his first foreign trip 
cine assuming office. After the United States, he plans to attend 
the ASEAN+3 (Japan, China, and South Korea) and East Asian Summit to 
be held on Nov. 20-21 in Singapore and hold summit talks with 
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. 
 
His visit to the United States ahead of Asian countries is also 
intended to play up the importance of the Japan-US alliance. 
 
18) Banned fibrous meat found in US beef shipment: Fifth case since 
resumption of imports 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
October 18, 2007 
 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) and the 
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) yesterday announced 
that 250 boxes of fibrous beef (approximately 1.5 tons), which were 
not included in the hygiene certificate issued by the US government, 
were found in a US beef shipment arrived at Kobe Port. This is the 
fifth case of products banned in Japan over safety concerns since 
imports resumed last summer. Japan will suspend for the time being 
procedures for imports from the plant that shipped the products in 
question. 
 
The product in question was found in frozen beef shipments from the 
Dodge City plant of Cargill. Inspectors checked 124 cartons out of 
1,333 (approximately 9 tons) that arrived on Sept. 20 and found 
three cartons containing the banned product. Inspectors then checked 
all boxes and found a large amount of such products. 
 
Though fibrous meat is not a specified risk material (SRM), which 
has connection with BSE, it could be from cows aged 20 months or 
older, a violation of the import conditions set by Japan, because 
they are not attached with certificates. 
 
SCHIEFFER