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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000469 
 
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 02/22/08 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
4) MSDF restarts refueling mission in the Indian Ocean after 
four-month absence  (Asahi) 
5) USFJ to issue today report on off-base housing as part of efforts 
to counter criminal incidents  (Asahi) 
6) Government to consult with U.S. on improving operation of the 
SOFA, focusing on military personnel living off base  (Mainichi) 
7) Uncertainty looming over permanent legislation for MSDF refueling 
mission, affected by Aegis collision with fishing boat  (Yomiuri) 
8) Defense Ministry technician arrested in Hokkaido for bribery 
(Asahi) 
 
Aegis collision: 
9) Defense Minister Ishiba apologizes to family of fishermen lost at 
sea when Aegis ship collided with their boat  (Mainichi) 
10) Prime Minister Fukuda rejects notion of Ishiba resigning his 
post  (Yomiuri) 
11) Pressure on Defense Minister Ishiba to resign is rising in 
opposition parties and parts of ruling camp  (Asahi) 
12) Ishiba rejects taking responsibility for Aegis accident; ruling 
camp fears opposition will tie up the Diet over the issue  (Yomiuri) 
 
 
China connection: 
13) Prime Minister Fukuda, visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang 
confirm close cooperation in resolving food-safety issue  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
14) Preparations underway full-scale for the April visit of China's 
President Hu to Japan  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Korean Peninsula affairs: 
15) Assistant Secretary Hill expects North Korea will issue full 
report of nuclear programs next month  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
16) DPJ President Ozawa in meeting with ROK President-elect Lee 
promises efforts to enfranchise foreigners so they can vote in local 
elections  (Mainichi) 
17) Ozawa drumming up public relations for the DPJ during his Seoul 
visit  (Mainichi) 
 
18) In concentrated deliberations in the Lower House Budget 
Committee, ruling and opposition camps unable to find common 
agreement on funding highway building  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
JCG likely to conclude Aegis destroyer was obligated to avoid 
colliding with a fishing boat 
 
Mainichi: 
Microsoft to disclose information about Windows 
 
Yomiuri: 
Aegis destroyer might have lost sight of a fishing boat and collided 
 
TOKYO 00000469  002 OF 012 
 
 
with it 
 
Nikkei: 
NTT Communications, KDDI planning to launch corporate 
telecommunications business in Russia 
 
Sankei: 
SESC to advise FSA next week to give orders for three NHK employees 
to pay surcharge on insider stock trading 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Did Aegis destroyer crew's failed to convey correctly information 
about a fishing boat? 
 
Akahata: 
JCP House of Representatives member Kasai grills government over 
unreasonable plan for construction of huge crossing; Land minister 
expresses intention to reconsider the plan 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Aegis collision: SDF must not evade responsibility 
(2) President Roh with his commoner touch will leave the political 
stage forlornly 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Revenue for road construction is not the Land Ministry's purse 
(2) Resumed refueling mission: Japan needs to discuss carefully how 
long the mission should be continued with an eye on the expiration 
date for the mission 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Boost Japan's Afghan aid 
(2) Pakistan needs to swiftly pave the way to stability 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Japan, China should work together to shed light to poisonous 
dumplings problem 
(2) Time for "Ishihara bank" to end its business 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Investigation of poisonous dumplings: Japanese and Chinese 
investigators need to fully exchange information 
(2) Need to prepare for earthquake in Kyoto in order to prevent 
cultural assets from being destroyed by fire 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Aegis collision: SDF's giving out information bit by bit 
outrageous 
(2) Ban on surrogate birth: Tasks still remain to be discussed 
 
Akahata: 
(1) "Ishihara bank": Will taxpayers' money again be wasted? 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 21 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00000469  003 OF 012 
 
 
07:55 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ono at the Kantei. 
 
08:31 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi, joined by Assistant 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries Saka and Ando. 
 
09:00 
Attended a Lower House Budget Committee session. 
 
12:32 
Attended a Lower House plenary session. 
 
14:00 
Attended the Lower House Budget Committee session. 
 
18:23 
Met Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan at the Kantei. 
 
19:44 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) MSDF resumes refueling mission in Indian Ocean 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Keiichi Kaneko, Northern Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force resumed its refueling support for 
naval vessels from multinational forces in the Indian Ocean 
yesterday afternoon (yesterday evening, Japan time) after a hiatus 
of about four months. Resuming the MSDF's refueling mission topped 
the agenda of Prime Minister Fukuda, who came into office in 
September last year. The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic 
Party and New Komeito enacted a special measures law for refueling 
support in a second vote of the House of Representatives with a 
majority of two-thirds. Under the new special measures law, the 
government has managed to resume the MSDF's refueling activities in 
the Indian Ocean. However, the law is valid for one year only. In 
the protracted war on terror, the Diet is to focus its debate on 
whether to create a permanent law allowing Japan to send the 
Self-Defense Forces overseas whenever necessary. 
 
At around twelve noon, Feb. 21, the MSDF supply ship Oumi, escorted 
by the MSDF destroyer Murasame, provided a total of 160 kiloliters 
to a Pakistani frigate. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura, meeting the press yesterday, 
underscored the importance of ensuring sealane security, given the 
recent high price of crude oil. "The Indian Ocean is a peaceful 
sea," Machimura said. "That is important," he added, "and I feel 
that Japan has now resumed the operation in its national 
interests." 
 
However, the MSDF resumed its refueling mission shortly after the 
collision of an MSDF Aegis destroyer with a fishing boat and amid 
growing criticism and distrust of the SDF and the Defense Ministry. 
 
5) USFJ to report off-base military population 
 
ASAHI (Page 38) (Abridged) 
 
TOKYO 00000469  004 OF 012 
 
 
February 22, 2008 
 
In the wake of an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine's rape of a junior high 
school girl, the Japanese government and U.S. Forces Japan are 
studying measures to prevent similar incidents. According to an 
outline of these preventive measures, USFJ will inform the Japanese 
government about its standards to be cleared for allowing U.S. 
servicemen to live outside their bases. USFJ will also report the 
number of U.S. military personnel living outside their bases. In 
addition, USFJ will review its educational programs for U.S. 
military personnel, including steps to prevent sex crimes. An 
interim report is expected to be out today. Based on Okinawa's 
request, the government and USFJ will finalize their action plan 
that factors in effectiveness and other perspectives. 
 
The Japanese government wants local police and U.S. military 
authorities to carry out joint patrol in off-base areas. However, 
Okinawa prefectural police have raised a question. "We wonder if we 
can hold suspects," a local police official says. USFJ is therefore 
considering joint patrol without its military police (MP) 
authorities who are empowered to detain suspects. Japan and the 
United States will continue their coordination. Security cameras 
will also be installed in downtown and other areas with local 
consent. 
 
The Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which stipulates 
legal status for USFJ personnel, exempts U.S. military personnel, 
civilian employees, and families from foreign registration, unlike 
the case of foreign nationals residing in Japan. This SOFA provision 
has prevented local governments to grasp the accurate number of U.S. 
military personnel living outside their bases. 
 
Defense Minister Ishiba met with USFJ Commander Wright yesterday and 
called for USFJ to clarify its off-base living standards, such as 
age and rank factors. Wright explained that USFJ has closely 
examined young servicemen in particular when allowing their off-base 
living. He vowed to review that procedure. 
 
USFJ will also review and verify its existing sexual assault 
prevention and other educational programs in order to protect 
Japanese minors from U.S. military personnel's sexual violence. 
 
6) Government plans to discuss improved operation of SOFA with U.S. 
to grasp situation of U.S. service members living off base 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
February 22, 2008 
 
The government decided yesterday to hold talks with the United 
States to improve the operation of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces 
Agreement so that it can grasp the situation of U.S. service members 
living off base as part of comprehensive measures to prevent a 
recurrence of the alleged rape of a junior high school girl in 
Okinawa (on February 10). The government plans to have the 
Japan-U.S. Joint Committee and other venues discuss the number of 
U.S. service members living off base and the reporting systems in 
the areas where they live. 
 
U.S. Forces Japan has imposed a "lockdown" to completely prohibit 
U.S. service members from leaving the base, starting on February 20. 
A senior Foreign Ministry official said: "It will not last forever. 
It is not a permanent preventive measure." Given the fact that the 
 
TOKYO 00000469  005 OF 012 
 
 
U.S. serviceman who allegedly sexually assaulted the girl on Feb. 10 
lives off base, the government has recognized the need to take 
fundamental measures regarding U.S. service members living off 
base. 
 
Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and 
others asked Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura yesterday to revise 
the SOFA. In response, Koumura underlined the government's positive 
stance toward improving the operation of the SOFA. In Diet replies 
in the past, the foreign minister has said regarding grasping the 
situation of off-base U.S. service members: "We will fully discuss 
the matter at Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meetings." 
 
Under SOFA Article 9-2, U.S. service members and civilian employees 
are not subject to immigration control and the alien registration 
system. For this reason, U.S. military personnel are not required to 
register their residency. 
 
7) Uncertainty looming over permanent legislation for MSDF refueling 
mission, affected by Aegis collision with fishing boat 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) resumed its refueling mission 
in the Indian Ocean on Feb. 21. This means that Japan has rejoined 
the international community's war against terrorism, but the 
resumption of the mission came just after the collision between an 
MSDF Aegis-equipped destroyer and fishing boat. Members of the 
government and the ruling parties are having a headache, with one 
saying: "It is bad timing." 
 
The government and the ruling camp are worried about the impact of 
the collision on prospects for continuing the MSDF mission beyond 
next January, when the new antiterrorism law, which is the basis of 
the mission, is to expire. 
 
To have the MSDF continue its mission beyond next January, the 
Liberal Democratic Party has already studied conditions for 
dispatching Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops overseas to be set in a 
permanent bill. A project team of the ruling camp will also be 
launched shortly. Even so, views are split in the camp over what to 
do about easing weapons-use standards and the need for a resolution 
of the United Nations Security Council. A senior Foreign Ministry 
official said: "Since permanent legislation involves the 
interpretation of the Constitution, it will take time. It may be 
difficult to enact the bill in the current Diet session." 
 
At such a time, the collision occurred. In a meeting of the LDP 
National Defense Department yesterday, one participant said: 
"Restoring public confident (in the Defense Ministry) is necessary 
for discussion on a permanent bill. We cannot conduct discussions 
under the current situation." The government is in a great quandary. 
 
 
8) Defense Ministry official arrested over bribery 
 
ASAHI (Page 38) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Hokkaido police yesterday arrested a Defense Ministry official and a 
construction contractor on bribery charges over a facility 
 
TOKYO 00000469  006 OF 012 
 
 
construction project for the Ground Self-Defense Force. The arrested 
official is Makoto Sogabe, 55, currently a technician serving in the 
Defense Ministry's Okinawa Defense Bureau, and the other arrested 
person is Yasuo Yamanaka, 43, who runs a construction company in the 
Hokkaido town of Bihoro. Yamanaka once headed a local junior 
chamber. The two are suspected of having given and taken money in 
cash without using a bank account so as not to leave any evidence, 
the police said. 
 
According to investigations, Sogabe accepted the bribe from Yamanaka 
in selective bidding in March 2006 for the construction of a storage 
facility at the GSDF's Engaru garrison in the Hokkaido town of 
Engaru. At that time, Sogabe was an assistant director of the civil 
engineering division of the now-defunct Defense Facilities 
Administration Agency's Obihiro branch office, which is currently 
the Defense Ministry's Obihiro branch office, and he was responsible 
for placing work orders and estimating construction costs. Sogabe is 
alleged to have leaked the estimate price and accepted about 2 
million yen in exchange for that information. 
 
9) Defense Minister Ishiba apologizes to family members of missing 
fishermen in Katsuura 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba yesterday visited Katsuura City, 
Chiba Prefecture, for the first time since the collision occurred 
(between the Self-Defense Force Aegis-equipped destroyer Atago and a 
small fishing boat). Ishiba offered his apologies to the family 
members of Haruo Kichisei and his son, Tetsuhiro, who are still 
missing. He told them: "I truly apologize for the collision that 
should not have occurred." 
 
Asked by reporters about the opposition camp's demand for his 
resignation as defense minister, Ishiba expressed his intention not 
to accept the demand, saying: 
 
"I take seriously the feelings of the family members that they want 
me to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and come up 
with measures to prevent a recurrence, and that they don't want to 
see the accident be used as a tool for a political fight." 
 
Asked about criticism of his ministry's announcement, Ishiba 
responded: 
 
"We received information that included different times when the MSDF 
first spotted the fishing boat. We are trying to disclose 
information immediate after we receive it. It is not appropriate to 
release information that is taken as wrong. So, we will be careful 
about dispatching information." 
 
10) Fukuda expresses intention to reject call for defense minister's 
resignation 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda emphasized last night that he would not make 
Defense Minister Ishiba resign for the time being in response to the 
opposition camp's demand for his resignation over the collision 
between an Aegis-equipped destroyer and a fishing vessel. Fukuda 
 
TOKYO 00000469  007 OF 012 
 
 
said: 
 
"We should not think about such a thing right now. It is not proper 
to refer to it when the investigation is underway. It is necessary 
that the defense minister properly handles the issue." 
 
11) Calls for defense minister's resignation growing; Severe views 
in ruling parties as well 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
February 22, 2008 
 
"I want all persons in responsible positions to take responsibility. 
The prime minister said, 'Politics needs to turn its eyes toward the 
people.' Where were you looking in carrying out politics?" 
 
With these words, Mayor Teruo Fujihira of Katsuura, Chiba 
Prefecture, expressed his frustration with the government in a 
meeting with Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) shadow cabinet defense 
minister Keiichiro Asao and others, who were visiting the city 
yesterday afternoon. 
 
The DPJ has raised questions about the change in the Defense 
Ministry's initial claim that (the Aegis destroyer Atago) spotted a 
light two minutes before the collision to a new statement that it 
was 12 minutes before the collision. Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama yesterday demanded Defense Minister Ishiba's resignation, 
telling the press, "The ministry's nature of covering up matters has 
not changed at all." Hatoyama also indicated that in the event 
Ishiba does not respond to the call, the party would consider 
submitting a censure motion against him to the House of Councillors. 
All opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist Party and 
the Social Democratic Party, are lined with each other in demanding 
Ishiba's dismissal or resignation. 
 
The government is utterly on the defensive against the opposition 
camp's strong offensive. Aware of growing calls for Ishiba's 
resignation, Prime Minister Fukuda last night defended the defense 
chief by telling the press: "The situation does not allow us to 
think about such a matter. Investigations of the cause and rescue 
operations are underway. It is necessary for Defense Minister Ishiba 
to take firm control of them." 
 
Ishiba visited Katsuura yesterday to offer apologies to the family 
of the missing fishing boat captain and others. He also held a press 
conference in the city in which he stressed that he has no intention 
of resigning, saying: "Family members told me to find out the cause 
and take thorough preventive measures. They also indicated that they 
do not want to see the matter politicized. As a politician, I want 
to fulfill my responsibility and respond to their requests." 
 
The government defends Ishiba partly because MOD reform that started 
following a series of scandals is still only halfway through. The 
government also holds high regards for Ishiba, who tactfully fended 
off the opposition camp in Diet deliberations on refueling support 
legislation to resume the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean. 
In addition, there seems to be no one other than Ishiba who can 
handle Diet deliberations that are likely to be difficult. 
 
Further, there is the traumatic experience of the previous 
administration, which was forced into its own resignation as a 
result of loss of impetus following a string of resignations of 
 
TOKYO 00000469  008 OF 012 
 
 
individual cabinet ministers. 
 
Even though the prime minister keeps defending Ishiba, if a censure 
motion is submitted to the opposition-controlled Upper House, it is 
certain to be adopted. If the question of his resignation drags on, 
it might seriously affect the battle between the ruling and 
opposition camps in late March over such issues as the road-related 
provisional tax rates and the pension name-identification work. 
 
12) Defense minister rejects idea of taking responsibility for Aegis 
collision; Ruling camp concerned about effect on Diet deliberations 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
A tug of war is continuing between the ruling and opposition camps 
over the issue of whether Defense Minister Ishiba should resign to 
take responsibility for the collision of an Aegis destroyer with a 
fishing boat. The opposition bloc has indicated it will submit a 
censure motion calling for his resignation in the House of 
Councillors, while the government and the ruling camp have 
emphasized the need to give priority to searching for the two 
missing fishermen and shedding light on the cause of the accident in 
an attempt to hold in check the opposition bloc's demand for 
Ishiba's resignation. 
 
The defense minister offered an apology yesterday to family members 
of the two missing fishermen and fishery workers in Katsuura City, 
Chiba Prefecture. Ishiba then expressed his determination to 
continue to fulfill his duties as defense minister. 
 
Speaking before reporters in Katsuura, Ishiba indicated that he 
would not resign from his post, remarking: "I was told to do my best 
to find out the cause of the accident and to take preventive 
measures. One family member said that the accident should not be 
made a political issue. I have seriously responded to the feelings 
of the family." But Katsuura Mayor Teruo Fujihira yesterday said to 
visiting Keiichiro Asao, the defense minister in the Democratic 
Party of Japan's (DPJ) shadow cabinet: "I want all officials in a 
responsible position to resign to take responsibility when the cause 
of the accident is clarified." 
 
DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama and People's New Party Secretary 
General Hisaoki Kamei met Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura at the 
Prime Minister's Office yesterday and insisted that the defense 
minister should resign, saying: "The defense minister bears grave 
responsibility." Later, Hatoyama announced that the party would 
study the possibility of submitting a censure motion in the Upper 
House. The Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party 
have also decided to take a joint step with the DPJ in calling on 
the defense minister to be dismissed or resign. 
 
In response, the government and the ruling parties are ready to 
reject the opposition's demand for Ishiba's resignation. 
 
The government is concerned that the issue of Ishiba's resignation 
may affect Diet deliberations on the FY2008 budget bill. It also 
fears that the issue might develop into an issue of the prime 
minister's responsibility for appointing Ishiba as defense minister. 
But one Liberal Democratic Party member, focusing on the fact that 
the Defense Ministry has repeatedly changed its explanation of the 
accident, said: "We may never know what will happen if the ministry 
 
TOKYO 00000469  009 OF 012 
 
 
changes its explanation again and if public criticism mounts." 
 
13) Prime minister meets Chinese State Councilor Tang; Both confirm 
cooperation for resolving tainted dumpling issue 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday met with visiting State 
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan (former foreign minister) at the Prime 
Minister's residence (Kantei). They confirmed that Japan and China 
would cooperate to find out the truth about the poisoning of 
Chinese-made gyoza dumplings. Tang proposed, "I would like to set up 
a mid-to long-term cooperative mechanism responsible for supervising 
food safety." 
 
Fukuda stated, "Food safety is a matter of grave concern for both 
countries." Tang expressed his sympathy for the poisoning victims. 
Concerning the poisoning problem, he underscored, "We must not let 
this incident affect Japan-China relations as a whole. The Chinese 
government will tackle the food safety issue in a responsible 
manner." 
 
Referring to President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan slated for April, 
Tang noted, "It is important for both countries to proactively 
cooperate in preparing for his visit to Japan." Fukuda replied, "I 
would like to cooperate in broad areas." They also confirmed that 
the two countries would cooperate for an early settlement of the 
issue of the development of gas fields in the East China Sea. 
 
Following the meeting with Fukuda, Tang met with Foreign Minister 
Masahiko Koumura at the Foreign Ministry's Iikura Guest House. He 
during the meeting expressed concern about Taiwan carrying out in 
March a referendum on the propriety of its returning to the UN. 
Koumura responded, "I cannot support an attempt to unilaterally 
change the present situation." 
 
14) Preparations for President Hu's visit to Japan get under way: 
Settling food safety issue of urgent concern 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan has begun to prepare 
the way for President Hu's visit to Japan in April by successively 
meeting with Prime Minister Fukuda and Foreign Minister Masahiko 
Koumura yesterday. What concerns the two countries is the food 
safety issue, including the recent case of tainted gyoza dumplings 
from China. Reflecting the fact that the public is highly sensitive 
to this issue, both officials underscored their determination to 
shed light on the matter. 
 
During the talks with Fukuda and Koumura, Tang stressed his resolve 
to work out the dumpling problem, noting, "China attaches high 
importance to this incident. I would like to explain what happened 
to the peoples of both countries." Koumura responded, "I would like 
to step up cooperation and assistance for an early and thorough 
explanation of the facts about the incident." 
 
Japan and China are aiming at building a mutual-beneficial strategic 
relationship. Preparations for President Hu's visit to Japan will 
move into full swing with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to 
 
TOKYO 00000469  010 OF 012 
 
 
Japan slated for late March. However, the gyoza dumpling poisoning 
incident could cast a pall over both countries' drive to establish 
such ties if it is left unattended. For this reason, Japan wants to 
settle the issue before the summit, by brining up the issue at a 
bilateral strategic dialogue between Foreign Minister Mitoji 
Yabunaka and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to be held in Beijing 
on the 22nd-23rd. 
 
Japan is concerned that mounting popular distrust about foods 
imported from China could mar the plan to improve bilateral 
relations. A senior Foreign Ministry official noted that China, too, 
does not want to see this problem drag on. 
 
During the meetings yesterday, both countries confirmed their 
intention to cooperate in finding out the truth about the 
poisonings. Tang proposed setting up a mid-to long-term framework 
for securing food safety. The Japanese side will hear the specifics 
of the proposed framework from China and consider how best it can 
offer cooperation. 
 
The police authorities of both countries yesterday held a meeting to 
exchange information. However, how pesticides have gotten mixed in 
gyoza packages still remains unclear. Pesticides were also found in 
packages of frozen food manufactured by another company. There are 
many difficult issues to clear before the distrust of Chinese food 
imports in Japan can be wiped away 
 
15) North Korea's nuclear report to be completed next month, 
Assistant Secretary Hill predicts in Tokyo 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
Visiting Assistant Secretary of State Hill yesterday met with a 
nonpartisan group of lawmakers in Tokyo for an exchange of views on 
North Korea's nuclear problem and other issues. According to former 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President Taku Yamasaki, Hill 
indicated prospects that North Korea before the end of March will 
finish giving a complete and accurate report of all nuclear 
activities, something it had agreed to do at the Six-Party Talks 
last year. 
 
Hill also reportedly indicated that in order to bring about progress 
on the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals, (Japan) should 
call on North Korea to reinvestigate the matter. 
 
16) ROK President-elect Lee seeks to allow foreign residents in 
Japan local election voting rights in meeting with DPJ President 
Ozawa 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
February 22, 2008 
 
So Watanabe, Seoul 
 
Major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro 
Ozawa, now visiting South Korea, yesterday met with President-elect 
Lee Myung Bak. In the session, Lee spoke of the issue of local 
election voting rights, which have not yet been given to foreign 
residents in Japan, and asked for Ozawa's cooperation to allow 
foreign residents such rights, telling him, "I have been asked by 
South Koreans residing in Japan (to work on Japan) to allow them 
 
TOKYO 00000469  011 OF 012 
 
 
local voting rights." Ozawa indicated he will work hard on the 
issue, telling Lee: "It is regrettable that while South Korea has 
already allowed such rights, Japan still remains slow to do so. I 
will do all I can so that such rights will be given to (foreign 
residents in Japan)." 
 
The session took place at the president-elect's office in Seoul. It 
lasted for 45 minutes. Ozawa was the first DPJ leader to meet in 
South Korea with a top-level South Korean leader since Naoto Kan met 
with Roh Moo Hyun in February 2003, just before Roh assumed the post 
of president. 
 
On the North Korean nuclear issue, Lee played up his position by 
noting, "It may take time, but there is every hope that the issue 
will be resolved by efforts of both Japan and South Korea." He 
added, "In East Asia, South Korea-Japan relations are extremely 
important. We must enhance cooperation." In response, Ozawa noted: 
"In order not to throw the world into confusion, we must work on 
China to democratize." 
 
17) Ozawa plays up "summit" diplomacy by visiting ROK 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
February 22, 2008 
 
So Watanabe, Seoul 
 
Ichiro Ozawa, president of the major opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ), yesterday met with president-elect Lee Myung Bak of 
South Korea ahead of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, following his 
visit to China in last December. With a dissolution of the Lower 
House for a snap election unlikely to occur so soon, Ozawa is now 
desperate to play up through "summit" diplomacy his party's presence 
as a party capable of taking the reins of government, as he is 
losing ground in the party. 
 
When it comes to visiting other countries, Ozawa has regarded the 
prime minister as his rival since the Upper House election. In this 
sense, his visit to South Korea this time was no exception. He 
dwelled on the idea of visiting South Korea ahead of the prime 
minister. When South Korea asked Ozawa to attend the president's 
inauguration on Feb. 25, Ozawa preferred to visit South Korea 
beforehand, considering that he would be overshadowed by Fukuda if 
he did so, because Fukuda plans to have a summit with the president 
on the sidelines of the inauguration. So, Ozawa decided to send 
Deputy President Naoto Kan to the ceremony on his behalf in order to 
get one step ahead of Fukuda in terms of meeting with Lee. 
 
18) No headway in intensive deliberation on road-related tax bills 
at Lower House Budget Committee 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 22, 2008 
 
The House of Representatives Budget Committee held yesterday an 
intensive deliberation on whether the provisional tax for road 
construction should be retained, with the presence of Prime Minister 
Yasuo Fukuda and other cabinet ministers. The main opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) demanded a one-year 
freeze of the government's midterm plan to spend 59 trillion yen for 
road construction and repair over next ten years since fiscal 2008. 
Fukuda, however, rejected the demand. So the discussion did not go 
 
TOKYO 00000469  012 OF 012 
 
 
anywhere. 
 
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport drafted last 
November a midterm plan, which stipulated that 65 trillion yen would 
be needed for road construction and repair, but the government and 
ruling parties slashed it to 59 trillion yen in their discussion at 
the end of last year. The DPJ has pursued the 59-trillion midterm 
plan, citing that a traffic demand estimate used for drafting the 
midterm plan is out of date. The reason for the DPJ's demand for 
one-year freeze is that new data will come out as early as this 
fall. Sumio Mabuchi of the DPJ asserted: "A new plan should be drawn 
up." Fukuda, however, responded: "I would like to make efforts to 
draw up a better plan." 
 
Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba 
explained the breakdown of project expenditures to be reduced: 1) 3 
trillion yen by cutting costs; 2) 2 trillion yen by a collaboration 
of road construction and other projects such as road repair projects 
and town development; and 3) 1 trillion yen by using existing 
expressways by lowering toll charges. DPJ Vice President Katsuya 
Okada continued a question: "Was it easy to reduce the costs by 3 
trillion yen? It's a sloppy plan." 
 
Fukuda was desperate to build a defense arm, replying: "We will come 
up with a better plan through debate on the compilation of a state 
budget." DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan urged Fukuda to integrate 
the special account of road-related taxes into the general account 
and to abolish the provisional tax rates. Fukuda, however, urged the 
DPJ to present its own counterproposals toward the government's 
bills. 
 
SCHIEFFER