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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 005694 
 
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 12/31/07 
 
Index: 
 
(1) Gist of Japan-China summit 
 
(2) Japan-China summit: Gist of statements by Fukuda, Wen in joint 
press conference (Mainichi) 
 
(3) Government mulls tripling ODA outlays for Africa (Nikkei) 
 
(4) Government to accept numerical targets for greenhouse gas 
emissions cuts 
 
(5) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(6) EDITORIALS 
 
(7) Prime Minister's schedule, Dec. 28 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Gist of Japan-China summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
December 29, 2007 
 
Significance of visit to China 
 
President Hu: I heartily welcome your visit to China. I believe your 
visit to China this time will further facilitate the move for 
constructing and developing the mutually beneficial and strategic 
relationship. 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda: I might have troubled you because I am 
visiting you at the very latter days of the year. I appreciate your 
hospitality. 
 
Japan-China relations 
 
Fukuda: During the dialogue with Premier Wen Jiabao, I thought both 
of us shared the common ground in every aspect. Although it is 
impossible to reach agreement on every thing, I thought gaps are 
shrinking. 
 
Hu: Only a narrow channel lies between Japan and China. Developing 
Japan-China relations will significantly contribute to the 
development of Asia and the world. 
 
Cooperation in environmental area 
 
Fukuda: If a person is determined to do so, he or she can devise 
ways to do so. The point is whether to be determined to do so. As 
for the environmental issues, I want to have good discussion and 
promote cooperation. 
 
Hu: Energy and the environment are important for the development of 
the economic society. I think it is necessary to facilitate 
cooperation among the countries on the globe so that we can 
appropriately handle and resolve issues related to them. 
 
 
President Hu's visit to Japan 
 
 
TOKYO 00005694  002 OF 007 
 
 
Fukuda: I hope you will visit Japan during the cherry blossom 
season, but it has become difficult in recent years to tell when the 
cherry blossoms come out. 
 
Hu: I want to tell you about a specific itinerary as quickly as 
possible. 
 
Main points of the prime ministerial session 
 
Bilateral relations and mutual understanding 
 
? The year 2008 is termed a "year for Japan-China relations to take 
a huge step," for such important events as the Beijing 2008 
Olympics, are planned. 
? President Hu Jintao is to visit Japan during the "cherry-blossom 
season." 
? Agreement has been reached between Japan and China to carry out 
reciprocal visits of officers from the Chinese People's Liberation 
Army and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF). In 2008, SDF 
vessels will be dispatched to China. 
 
Joint gas-field development issue 
 
? Vice-minister level talks will be held as necessary. 
? From a broad standpoint of Japan-China ties and in line with 
international law, both sides will aim to reach agreement as swiftly 
as possible on settling the issue. 
 
Taiwan issue 
 
? Japan will not support Taiwan's independence. Japan does not hope 
to see Taiwan's referendum to ask its public whether to agree Taiwan 
becomes a member of the United Nations intensify tensions between 
China and Taiwan. 
 
Climate change and the environment 
 
? China recognizes that climate change is an issue the human beings 
are facing at present. China will take part in international talks 
in a responsible fashion and seriously implement measures related to 
climate change. 
 
Written agreements 
 
? Joint statement for further stepping up cooperation in the areas 
of science and technology focusing on climate change issues: 
Cooperation in science and technology related to climate change will 
be promoted. Japan will invite 50 or so young Chinese researchers to 
Japan over next four years. 
? Memorandum on activities to be conducted during the four-year 
period termed a period for Japanese and Chinese youth to enhance 
friendship and exchanges: The two countries will make efforts to 
realize mutual visits of 4,000 or so young people from the two 
countries over next four years starting in 2008. 
? Agreement on cooperation in the area of magnetic fusion-related 
studies: The two countries will establish a bilateral framework, 
which will work in parallel with a multinational framework on the 
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), and promote 
research and cooperation by using a nuclear fusion device prepared 
by Japan and China. 
 
(2) Japan-China summit: Gist of statements by Fukuda, Wen in joint 
 
TOKYO 00005694  003 OF 007 
 
 
press conference 
 
MAINICHI online 
Dec. 28, 2007, 2:06 pm 
 
The following is a gist of statements made by Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda and Premier Wen Jiabao during their joint press conference: 
 
Premier Wen: 
 
We welcome Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's official visit to China. 
During our meeting that lasted two and a half hours, we shared 
common perceptions in wide-ranging areas. 
 
This April, I made a visit to Japan that contributed to thawing the 
ice in our bilateral relations. It was raining while I was in Tokyo, 
so I expressed my feelings with this Chinese proverb: "Good rain let 
us know which season we are in." This time, it is snowing in 
Beijing. I would like to express my feeling with these words: "Snow 
is the harbinger of a rich year." I felt that the spring has come 
for the Japan-China relationship. 
 
One of our common perceptions is the need to promote the policy of 
enhancing bilateral friendly relations. It is important for the two 
countries to build a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship 
based on common strategic interests and to develop our friendly 
cooperative relationship into a long-term, sound, and stable one. 
 
The second common perception is the importance of continuing 
high-level reciprocal visits as a driving force to develop the 
mutually beneficial bilateral relationship in a steady way. We 
agreed that President Hu Jintao will visit Japan in the spring of 
next year. It will be the first visit to Japan by a Chinese chief of 
state in 10 years. That will be an extremely important and 
significant visit. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the 
conclusion of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty. Both 
countries will further strengthen personnel exchange programs, 
particularly, focusing on those between young peoples. Third is the 
perception that China and Japan are important economic and trade 
partners. The two countries will further promote economic and trade 
cooperation and further deepen cooperation in such areas as 
environmental protection, energy conservation, financial service, 
and advanced technology. 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda 
 
Japan and China have now their most powerful strength ever to 
contribute to the stability and development of the world. I told Mr. 
Wen that the two countries should promote reciprocity in bilateral 
ties and contribute to the stability and development of Asia and the 
world. I hope both countries will make great strides in bilateral 
relations in the coming year through the planned visit to Japan by 
President Hu, the Lake Toya Summit, and a success of the Beijing 
Olympic Games. 
 
Second, both sides confirmed the need to promote a mutual 
relationship of trust. We agreed to aim at expediting exchanges 
involving 4,000 young people. I announced Japan's plans to dispatch 
its naval vessels to China and to open a consulate in Tsingtao. 
Third, we affirmed the importance of high-level dialogue on 
bilateral economic cooperation. We also confirmed that it is our 
countries' responsibility to enhance cooperation on the climate 
 
TOKYO 00005694  004 OF 007 
 
 
change issue for the sake of our descendants and the international 
community. I said that it is necessary to establish a framework that 
will draw in major economic powers in a responsible manner. Fourth, 
the two of us as leaders were able to further deepen mutual 
understanding on the dispute over gas exploration rights in the East 
China Sea. We shared the determination that this issue must be 
resolved at an early date. 
 
(3) Government mulls tripling ODA outlays for Africa 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 31, 2007 
 
The government has started discussion on the possibility of tripling 
in 2013 about 1.7 billion yen in official development aid (ODA) 
disbursements to Africa estimated for this fiscal year. Then Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi promised in April 2005 to triple ODA 
outlays for Africa over the next three years. His pledge is now 
likely to be fulfilled. The government intends to prepare a new goal 
for the Tokyo International Conference on Africa's Development in 
Yokohama next May. 
 
China and Western countries have recently engaged in resources 
diplomacy with the aim of securing oil and rare metal from Africa. 
In particularly, China reportedly has appropriated more than 40 
PERCENT  of its foreign aid to Africa. In contrast, the government, 
as part of fiscal reconstruction efforts, has decreased its ODA 
budget for the nine years until 2006. To counter China, however, the 
government now judges it necessary to increase the ODA budget. 
 
One-fourth of all the United Nations member countries are African 
countries. A senior Foreign Ministry official said: "In order to 
realize Japan's bid for permanent membership on the UNSC, it is 
necessary to distribute limited ODA budget allocations in a 
strategic way." 
 
(4) Government to accept numerical targets for greenhouse gas 
emissions cuts 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Full) 
December 31, 2007 
 
Making a policy switch to set numerical targets for cutting 
greenhouse gas emissions, the government has decided to propose new 
standards for a new framework for combating global warming beyond 
the 2012 timeframe set under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Prime Minister 
Yasuo Fukuda will announce this policy decision at the next session 
of the World Economic Forum (the Davos Conference) in January in 
Switzerland. Under Japan's plan, countries would be classified into 
three groups - industrialized countries, emerging countries, and 
developing countries. New medium to long-term targets for emissions 
reductions would be calculated for each group. Fukuda will also 
reveal plans to establish a "funds mechanism" of 10 billion dollars 
to be disbursed over five years to help developing countries combat 
global warming. 
 
In the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United 
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held this month, 
Europe and developing countries supported the idea of obligating 
industrialized countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 
PERCENT  to 40 PERCENT  by 2020. Japan, however, fiercely reacted to 
setting numerical targets, incurring criticism from the 
 
TOKYO 00005694  005 OF 007 
 
 
international community as "taking a backward-looking stance on gas 
emissions cuts. Alarmed at such criticism with an eye on the Lake 
Toya Summit next July, the government aims to take the initiative in 
international discussions by making an about-face to approve setting 
numerical targets and proposing new standards. 
 
As measures to obtain cooperation from domestic economic circles, 
which are negative about introducing numerical targets, the 
government will propose new Japanese-type standards under which 
industry-specific reduction targets are worked out in accordance 
with the degree of progress in energy-saving technology. 
 
The government plans to announce its own medium to long-term 
reduction targets to be worked out based on these new standards by 
the time of the Lake Toya Summit. The adoption of the classification 
method is also intended to levy an obligation on China and India to 
reduce their gas emissions by including them in the group of 
emerging countries. 
 
Regarding the funds mechanism, the government intends to make use of 
the low-interest yen-loan program and special loans by the Japan 
Bank for International Cooperation for projects designed to combat 
global warming. Eligible for this mechanism will be Indonesia and 
such African countries as Tuvalu, Kenya and Nigeria. Coordination is 
now underway on disbursements of 10 billion dollars over five years, 
a final decision will be made by the end of January. 
 
(5) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
54 people since 2001 fraudulently obtain qualifications to become 
doctors 
 
Mainichi: 
Brand rice prices plunge 
 
Yomiuri: 
Government to tighten foreign aircraft safety checks 
 
Nikkei: 
Japanese firms establishing long-term employment system in China 
 
Sankei: 
Government, ruling coalition to start full-fledged work next moth on 
permanent law to dispatch SDF overseas 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
DPJ to submit a bill unifying pension systems to regular Diet 
session 
 
Akahata: 
Labor struggle in 2007: Door for permanent employment opened 
 
 (6) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Proposals for hopeful society: 
? Stop overtime work by men 
? Create a society in which non-permanent employees can become 
self-reliant 
 
Mainichi: 
 
TOKYO 00005694  006 OF 007 
 
 
(1) Looking at 2007: Politics in state of flux; need to regain 
public confidence 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) DPJ must stop delaying government's antiterrorism bill 
(2) World leading auto maker: Toyota's challenges 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Change in world money, decline in Japanese stocks 
(2) Fuel efficiency requirements and future of automobiles 
 
Sankei: 
(1) 2007 in retrospect: "Lies" detected everywhere 
(2) 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Thoughts on New Year's Eve: Many apologies offered in 2007 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Re-extended Diet session: Ramming through bad bills 
unforgivable 
 
(7) Prime Minister's schedule, Dec. 28 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 29, 2007 
 
Local time 
Morning 
Attended a welcome ceremony hosted by Premier Wen Jiabao at the 
Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Afterwards, met with Wen. 
 
Noon 
Attended a signing ceremony for a joint statement. Held a joint 
press briefing. Attended a luncheon hosted by Wen. Gave a speech at 
Beijing University. 
 
vening 
Met with the National People's Congress's Standing Committee 
Chairman Wu Bangguo at the Great Hall of the People. 
 
Night 
Met with President Hu Jintao at State Guest House Diaoyutai. Stayed 
at Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, Dec. 29 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 30, 2007 
 
Local time 
Early Morning 
Attended a breakfast meeting hosted by the China-Japan Friendship 
Association held at Diaoyutai, joined by Premier Wen. Played catch 
with Wen at the tennis court in Diaoyutai. 
 
Morning 
Visited a test elementary school. Arrived by car at Tianjin. Met 
with Tenjin City's Communist Party Committee Secretary Zhang Kaoli 
at Renaissance Tianjin TEDA Hotel. 
 
Noon Attended a luncheon hosted by Zhang. 
Afternoon Visited the Exhibition Hall for Planning and Construction 
 
TOKYO 00005694  007 OF 007 
 
 
on Binghai District. Visited Toyota Motor's plant in Tianjin. 
 
Evening 
Left Tianjin Airport by government plane. 
 
Night 
Arrived at Jinan Airport. Had conversation with reporters traveling 
with the prime minister at Shandong Hotel. Attended a dinner party 
hosted by Shangong City's Communist Party Secretary Li Jianguo. 
Stayed at the hotel. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, Dec. 30 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 31, 2007 
 
Local time 
Morning 
Left the hotel at Jinan by car. Visited the Temple of Confucius. 
Noon Arrived at Jinan Airport by car. Gave an interview with the 
Chinese Central TV. Left the airport by the government plane. 
 
Japan time 
 
17:25 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
17:59 
Reported his return home at the Imperial Palace. 
 
18:14 
Arrived at the Kantei residential quarters 
 
18:55 Arrived at his private residence in Nozawa. 
 
DONOVAN