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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 000505 
 
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 02/26/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Japan has high expectations for President Lee's "pragmatic 
diplomacy" (Mainichi) 
 
(2) Japan-South Korea summit gives momentum to resuming EPA 
negotiations (Yomiuri) 
 
(3) Japan, Australia start EPA negotiations in Tokyo (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) All municipal assemblies in Okinawa to adopt resolution of 
protest against recent alleged rape of junior high school girl by 
U.S. Marine (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(5) U.S. military in Okinawa to continue a 24-hour ban on leaving 
base until March 3 (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(6) Foreign Minister Koumura: Government's preventive measures 
tentative; Okamoto stresses need to educate U.S. military personnel 
so that there is zero-crime rate; Gabe points out important for 
government to recognize crimes in entire U.S. military (Okinawa 
Times) 
 
(7) Okinawa calls on gov't to stop 3 surveys in Futenma relocation 
prelim study (Okinawa Times) 
 
(8) What is Fukuda administration's environmental diplomacy? (Part 3 
-conclusion): Need for debate on balance of work and life (Asahi) 
 
(9) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, Aegis accident, 
LDP-DPJ grand coalition (Sankei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Japan has high expectations for President Lee's "pragmatic 
diplomacy" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
February 26, 2008 
 
The first summit meeting between Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and 
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak has paved the way for resuming 
reciprocal visits, which have been on hold since the former Koizumi 
administration, ushering a new age for Japan-South Korea relations. 
Japanese government and political leaders have high hopes for the 
new South Korean administration, which is exhibiting a harder stance 
toward North Korea than the previous administration. 
 
In their first summit meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda and President 
Lee confirmed their intention to build a new, future-oriented era in 
Japan-South Korea relations. This is not the first time that the top 
leaders of the two countries have discussed such a plan. Similar 
words were exchanged five years ago when then Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with President Roh Moo Hyun 
immediately after his inauguration. Although it was welcomed as an 
indication of Roh's stance attaching importance to Japan, relations 
between the two countries have strained since then. 
 
On the installment of a conservative administration in South Korea 
after a hiatus of ten years, a senior Foreign Ministry official said 
with deep emotion, "A true new era has opened in Japan-ROK 
relations." A large number of Japanese political and business 
 
TOKYO 00000505  002 OF 013 
 
 
leaders also attended Lee's inauguration apparently out of 
expectations for change. They are hopeful that Lee, a former 
businessman, can bring true change to South Korea, drawing a 
distinction from Roh, who brought his own visions into foreign 
policy by presenting himself as president with the common touch. 
 
In November 2005, then President Roh presented the Yasukuni, 
historical, and the so-called wartime comfort women issues to then 
Prime Minister Koizumi apparently in an effort to impress the South 
Korean public with his hard-line stance toward Japan. The 
relationship between Tokyo and Seoul has estranged as a result. 
 
At the same time, the number of travelers between the two countries 
is nearly 5 million annually owing to the waves of economic 
investment and cultural exchanges, including the Korean cultural 
boom. The Japanese government is hopeful that the wave of popular 
diplomacy will spill over to intergovernmental talks due to the Lee 
administration's pragmatic diplomacy. 
 
The resumption of reciprocal visits by top leaders of Japan and 
South Korea is a symbol of that. President Lee's visit to Japan in 
late April, Prime Minister Fukuda's another trip to South Korea 
within this year, Fukuda's invitation of Lee to the G8 Lake Toya 
Summit in July are all indented to strengthen the foundation for 
political relations of the two countries. 
 
Specific discussion may give rise to disputes 
 
"You are the first guest (for me to see as president)," President 
Lee said at the outset of his meeting with Fukuda. The comment 
indicated that the two countries have returned to relations in which 
both regard each other as special. President Lee can get credit from 
the normalization of Japan-South Korea relations, which have 
constantly been marked with disputes. The Lee administration also 
wants to actively use a friendly mood with Japan for the general 
election in April. 
 
Nevertheless, discussion of specifics might result in policy debate 
in South Korea. That is because the Grand National Party led by Lee 
is in center-right sandwiched by two conservative and progressive 
parties. 
 
For instance, the Japanese media reported on Feb. 22 that Fukuda and 
Lee were likely to reach an agreement to resume the talks on an 
economic partner ship agreement (EPA). The South Korean Foreign and 
Trade Ministry rebutted it in a press release on the same day. The 
press release clarified South Korea's basic position that the talks 
can be resumed if Japan has wishes to make improvements, listing 
topics for discussion, such as a review of the standards for opening 
up the agricultural market. 
 
Lee won the election for being strong in economics. Making major 
concessions on the economic front would directly drag down his 
support rate. Although an agreement has been reached on holding 
preliminary talks for resuming the EPA talks, discussion of 
specifics has been postponed until after the general election. Once 
detailed discussion beings, a dispute might result in. 
 
Further, gaps seem to exist in views between Tokyo and Seoul on 
enhancing cooperative ties between Japan, the United States, and 
South Korea. After the summit, Japanese authorities noted that 
President Lee had referred to strengthening bilateral ties. The 
 
TOKYO 00000505  003 OF 013 
 
 
South Korean side did not mention this part, however. 
 
Before its inauguration, the Lee administration received a strong 
protest from China in January. Lee has given consideration to China, 
as seen in the fact that he always touches on "cooperation between 
Japan, China, and South Korea" when he refers to "cooperation 
between Japan, the United States, and South Korea." In his inaugural 
address, President Lee said that South Korea will strengthen ties 
not only with the United States but also with Japan, China, Russia, 
and Central Asian countries. President Lee is expected to continue 
giving consideration to those countries until the foundation of his 
administration becomes stable. 
 
Rebuilding cooperative ties in policy toward North Korea 
 
The Japanese government welcomes Lee's inauguration, thinking that 
Japan, the United States, and South Korea will be able to rebuild 
close trilateral relations in policy toward North Korea. 
 
A Japanese source familiar with Japan-DPRK talks took this view 
regarding the former Roh administration, which put high priority on 
reconciliation between the South and North: 
 
"South Korea placed disproportionate weight on support for North 
Korea without any quid pro quo. That has strained relations between 
Japan and the United States. Disarray between Japan, the United 
States, and South Korea has encouraged the North's brinkmanship." 
 
President Lee, on the other hand, has made it clear that the 
denuclearization of the North should come first, while revealing his 
intention to continue with humanitarian and economic aid to the 
North. A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official doe not think 
that President Lee will take reconciliatory policy unilaterally. 
Tokyo intends to enhance cooperative ties with South Korea within 
the six-party framework. 
 
Japan held TCOG (Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group) 
meeting with the United States and South Korea as necessary to 
coordinate policy toward the North. The group has not met since 
¶2003. Japan intends to reinforce cooperative ties by, for instance, 
rebuilding TCOG. 
 
Tokyo also wants to obtain Seoul's close cooperation under President 
Lee on the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea. In his meeting 
with Fukuda, Lee said: "I am well aware of the (abduction) issue. I 
would like to cooperate for resolving the issue." The South Korean 
government has defined the abduction issue as one humanitarian 
issue. Attention is now focused on how far the South Korean 
government will change that stance. 
 
(2) Japan-South Korea summit gives momentum to resuming EPA 
negotiations 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full) 
February 26, 2008 
 
Following the meeting held yesterday between new South Korean 
President Lee Myung Bak and Prime Minister Fukuda, the governments 
of Japan and South Korea kicked off efforts to resume negotiations 
on concluding an economic partnership agreement (EPA), which have 
been suspended since November 2004. Japan has largely lagged behind 
other countries in competing to sign EPAs. By quickly reopening EPA 
 
TOKYO 00000505  004 OF 013 
 
 
talks with South Korea, Japan hopes to catch up with the U.S. and 
Europe in the EPA race. In South Korea, however, some persons are 
cautious about a strengthening of relations with Japan. Given this 
situation, negotiations may not go smoothly. 
 
Yearly growing trade value 
 
The value of trade between Japan and South Korea has been growing 
yearly, topping 9 trillion yen in 2006. However, since Japan has had 
a trade surplus with South Korea for years, some South Koreans are 
worried that if the two countries sign an EPA, their country's trade 
deficit with Japan might swell further. 
 
South Korea has imposed an 8 PERCENT  tariff on imported automobiles 
and precision machinery in a bid to protect its domestic markets. 
The ratio of tariff-free products to all industrial products is 
about 77 PERCENT  in Japan and about 38 PERCENT  in South Korea. 
Some people in South Korea are alarmed that a removal of tariffs in 
more sectors may lead to a sharp increase in imports from Japan. 
 
In past negotiations, South Korea called on Japan to significantly 
raise its 24 PERCENT  tariff-abolition rate in the agricultural 
sector. There are also such political issues as school textbooks 
pending between the two countries. These factors reportedly were 
behind the suspension of EPA negotiations. 
 
Sense of alarm in Japan 
 
Japan is now eager to reopen talks with South Korea on an EPA just 
after the new administration was inaugurated there, because Japan 
has largely lagged behind the U.S., Europe, and South Korea in 
competition over EPAs. South Korea has promoted EPA negotiations 
with other countries while negotiations with Japan have been up in 
the air. In April 2007, Seoul concluded the negotiations with the 
U.S. In EPA negotiations with the European Union (EU), observers 
anticipate that South Korea will soon reach an agreement. 
 
Now that no progress has been made in the new round of global trade 
talks (Doha Round) under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the 
U.S. and Europe have placed importance on bilateral economic 
relations. Asian countries are also stepping up efforts to conclude 
EPAs. The EU has imposed high tariffs on autos and flat-screen 
televisions. Japanese manufacturers are concerned that they might 
sustain a disadvantage in competition for exports to the EU if the 
EU builds a trade partnership with South Korea. 
 
Expectations and concerns 
 
There are many South Korean companies that process components and 
intermediate products imported from Japan and export such processed 
products to third countries. If Japan and South Korea concludes an 
EPA, the prices of components and intermediate products from Japan 
will come down, and eventually "the products made in South Korea and 
exported to third countries will become more competitive," a South 
Korean trader said. Further, moves may gain momentum for a 
partnership to be formed in wide-ranging areas, such as steel, 
autos, and home electric appliances. 
 
Meanwhile, some South Korean companies voice concerns about an 
increase in imported home appliances and autos from Japan if an EPA 
is concluded between South Korea and Japan. Now that the South 
Korean auto industry has the dominant market share, automakers are 
 
TOKYO 00000505  005 OF 013 
 
 
wary of Japanese cars bolstering their price competitiveness. 
 
The Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed to hold preliminary 
talks in preparation for resuming EPA negotiations. But it remains 
to be seen whether both sides will be able to begin full-scale 
negotiations while anti-Japanese feelings still persist in South 
Korea. 
 
(3) Japan, Australia start EPA negotiations in Tokyo 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full) 
February 26, 2008 
 
The governments of Japan and Australia started the fourth round of 
talks on an economic partnership agreement (EPA), designed to 
abolish tariffs, in Tokyo yesterday. They mark the first EPA talks 
between the two countries the new Australian administration was 
launched last December. 
 
In the talks yesterday, Japan requested that such mainstay products 
as rice, wheat, beef, dairy products, and sugar be placed outside 
the scope of subjects for negotiations in the agricultural sector. 
In past negotiations, Australia continued to turn down the request. 
The focus of attention is on to what extent both sides will make 
concessions. In the ongoing talks, Japan and Australia will also 
discuss energy and mineral resources, besides goods and services. 
The talks are scheduled to last until Feb. 29. 
 
(4) All municipal assemblies in Okinawa to adopt resolution of 
protest against recent alleged rape of junior high school girl by 
U.S. Marine 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Abridged) 
February 26, 2008 
 
The number of municipal assemblies in 38 cities, towns, and villages 
in Okinawa Prefecture that adopted a resolution of protest or a 
request against the recent alleged rape of a junior high school girl 
in Okinawa, which occurred in the central area of the main Okinawa 
island, came to 38 as of Feb. 25. Today, the Kumejima Town Assembly 
and the Zamami Village Assembly will adopt a resolution of protest 
and a request. With the Minami Daito Village Assembly expected to 
adopt a resolution of protest at its special session on Feb. 28, all 
the municipal assemblies in addition to the prefectural assembly 
will come to adopt a resolution of protest against the incident. 
 
The Liaison Council for the Okinawa Children's Associations and the 
Federation of Women's Associations in Okinawa plan to stage a 
prefectural rally in protest against the incident. Riding on the 
strength of the ongoing move by municipal assemblies in the 
prefecture to adopt a resolution of protest, they will ask the 
prefectural assembly to play a leading part in staging a supraparty 
rally. 
 
Most resolutions of protest call for making apologies to and 
compensation for the victims, strengthening the disciplines among 
the U.S. military personnel and paramilitary personnel and measures 
to prevent a recurrence of similar incident, and reviewing the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. Many municipal assemblies, 
such as Naha City, Itoman City, and Motobu Town, have called for 
scaling down the U.S. military facilities. The Yomitan Village 
Assembly has adopted a request insisting on even a removal of the 
 
TOKYO 00000505  006 OF 013 
 
 
bases on the ground that every time an incident took place, it 
protested against U.S. military authorities and demanded that the 
U.S. tighten the disciplines among its military personnel, but no 
positive effect has been produced." 
 
As for a prefectural rally, the Liaison Council for the Okinawa 
Children's Associations, the Federation of Women's Association in 
Okinawa, the Prefectural Federations of Elderly Clubs, the 
Prefectural Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of Senior High 
Schools, the Association to Discuss Youth, and the Prefectural 
Council of Youth Organizations will meet today and decide on the 
date and the venue for a prefectural rally. Afterwards, Tetsuei 
Tamayose, chair of the Liaison Council for the Okinawa Children's 
Associations and others will call at the prefectural assembly and 
present to it a petition asking it to stage a prefectural rally 
under its leadership. 
 
(5) U.S. military in Okinawa to continue a 24-hour ban on leaving 
base until March 3 
 
RYUKU SHIMPO (Page 31) (Full) 
February 26, 2008 
 
In response to the alleged rape of a junior high school girl by a 
U.S. Marine, a ban on leaving the bases or an order commanding 
confinement to quarters has been imposed on all United States 
military personnel in Japan as a "period of reflection." Regarding 
this ban, the U.S. Marines in Okinawa yesterday revealed that as a 
result of consultations on Feb. 24 between Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, 
the top commander of U.S. forces in Okinawa, and other leading 
officers, the ban will be continued at least until March 3, when 
Zilmer and other representatives of the U.S. military in Okinawa 
will reexamine the situation and decide what to do about the ban. 
 
On February 24, Zilmer and leaders of the U.S. military in Okinawa 
discussed the effects and impact of the "period of reflection." As a 
result, they decided to continue the confinement order unless 
otherwise instructed. Leaders of the U.S. military in Okinawa will 
continue to discuss the question of whether to strengthen the 
disciplines among the U.S. military service members in Okinawa 
unless otherwise instructed. 
 
According to a press officer of the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa, 
Zilmer noted: "Leaders of the U.S. military (in Okinawa) need to 
instruct most (U.S. military personnel) to behave as if they are a 
U.S. ambassador. We encourage the U.S. service members and their 
families to continue to use facilities within the bases." 
 
The Naha District Court has allowed the prefectural police to hold 
in custody until March 3 Tyrone Hadnot (38), the U.S. Marine 
arrested and investigated by the Okinawa Prefectural Police on the 
charge that he raped a school girl. 
 
(6) Foreign Minister Koumura: Government's preventive measures 
tentative; Okamoto stresses need to educate U.S. military personnel 
so that there is zero-crime rate; Gabe points out important for 
government to recognize crimes in entire U.S. military 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
February 25, 2008 
 
Appearing on an NHK program on the morning of Feb. 24, Foreign 
 
TOKYO 00000505  007 OF 013 
 
 
Minister Masahiko Koumura stated on the government's preventive 
measures worked out after a series of sexual assaults on Okinawan 
girls by U.S. military members: "These are stopgap measures and I 
don't think they are sufficient. Really effective disciplinary steps 
and preventive measures will have to be worked out" He stressed that 
the government would continue looking into measures in the future as 
well. 
 
Asked about growing critical views of U.S. military personnel and 
others living off base following the series of incidents, the 
foreign minister indicated that the government would respond to the 
issue by reviewing the conditions. He said: 
 
"We are not thinking that the U.S. service personnel should not live 
outside their bases. I think (local residents) want the government 
to show there are clear qualifications for U.S. military personnel 
to live off base." 
 
Yukio Okamoto, an advisor on international issues, and Masaaki Gabe, 
professor at Ryukyu University also appeared on the NHK program. 
 
Okamoto pointed out: 
 
"There are more than 20,000 U.S. military servicemen in Okinawa 
alone. The scale is almost the same as a city, which has the 
population of several tens of thousands. Some in the U.S. military 
say that they will try to prevent crimes but it is impossible to 
completely prevent them. But they are wrong." 
 
Okamoto also underscored, saying: 
 
"Whenever U.S. commanders change, discipline (among American troops) 
becomes lax. Each commander has to educate his service personnel 
that eliminating incidents and accidents is as important as 
maintaining security in East Asia." 
 
Prof. Gabe said: 
 
"I wonder how much (the government) recognizes crimes in the whole 
U.S. military and in bases in Japan. Without knowing such 
circumstances, it is probably impossible to (eliminate crimes 
committed by U.S. military personnel) outside the bases alone." 
 
Referring to an impact on the realignment of U.S. forces Japan, Gabe 
pointed out: 
 
"The plan to reorganize U.S. forces in Japan was worked out from 
military viewpoint. However, the series of recent incidents have 
brought up an issue that how political and social costs (of U.S. 
bases in Okinawa) should be paid. 
 
Gabe took a view that the USFJ realignment plan should be revised. 
 
(7) Okinawa calls on gov't to stop 3 surveys in Futenma relocation 
prelim study 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Abridged) 
February 26, 2008 
 
The assembly of Okinawa Prefecture continued a question-and-answer 
session yesterday afternoon, during which Kenji Chinen, director 
general of Okinawa Prefecture's Cultural and Environmental Affairs 
 
TOKYO 00000505  008 OF 013 
 
 
Department, noted that the Defense Ministry's Okinawa Defense Bureau 
conducted three preliminary surveys without the prefectural 
government's consent in waters off Henoko Point in the prefecture's 
northern coastal city of Nago for the planned relocation of the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma airfield. Chinen stated that the Okinawa 
Defense Bureau, in its preliminary study of the relocation site's 
environs, used piles at the dugong's seaweed bed, carried out a 
baseline survey over coral reefs, and cited the "manta method" 
(diving probe) to survey the distribution of coral reefs. "We have 
requested the Okinawa Defense Bureau to stop these surveys," Chinen 
added. He was replying to a question asked by Yoshikazu, an 
independent member of the assembly. 
 
(8) What is Fukuda administration's environmental diplomacy? (Part 3 
-conclusion): Need for debate on balance of work and life 
 
ASAHI (Page 17) (Abridged) 
February 7, 2008 
 
(From the fifth panel discussion of the Asahi Shimbun's Council to 
Discuss Asahi Shimbun News Reports.) 
 
Kunio Kojima, council member: The Fukuda cabinet has been described 
as not being enthusiastic about pushing structural reform amid 
falling stock prices since the beginning of the year. 
 
The Asahi dealt with the government-adopted streamlining plan for 
independent administrative agencies in its Dec. 28 morning edition 
under the caption, "Don't allow bureaucrats to run away after 
gaining what they want." Its point of view was appropriate, but the 
time when the editorial appeared was not good, because the problem 
was then generally being resolved. I wanted to read such an 
editorial earlier. 
 
The Asahi looked at reform of independent administrative agencies 
from the viewpoint of a feud within the cabinet in its article on 
Dec. 20 under the caption, "Prime minister to make decision on 
reform of independent administrative agencies." But such a point of 
view is apparently trivializing the problem. The real problem lies 
in bureaucrats' awareness of defending themselves. 
 
In connection with drastic reform of the National Civil Service 
System, the Asahi was quick to report on Prime Minister Fukuda's 
advisory panel's proposal banning in principle contacts between 
public servants other than those for political affairs and Diet 
members. Reform of the National Civil Service System is a very 
important theme in view of structural reform. I hope the daily will 
follow up the developments. 
 
Junichi Takahashi, editor for economic policy: In the Koizumi 
administration days, structural reform produced some results in 
terms of slicing the bloated bureaucracy. I was interested in how 
such reform was going under the Fukuda administration. The Asahi in 
its Dec. 13 edition under the caption, "Deregulation clouded," dealt 
with the state of the Council for the Promotion of Regulatory 
Reform. Bureaucrats in Kasumigaseki appear to be backpedaling on 
structural reform. The Asahi will keep tabs on such moves. 
 
Tetsuya Kumaoka, member of the council: When it comes to the 
subprime mortgage issue, the initial interest rates were set low, 
but they jumped two or three years later. I think what is happening 
now would have been predictable to some extent. Once a problem 
 
TOKYO 00000505  009 OF 013 
 
 
emerges, an article analyzing it is important, but I want to read 
news reports written from a long-term perspective, as well. 
 
With the ongoing globalization of the economic and financial 
systems, a collapse of one system could lead to chain-reaction 
damage via bond markets across the world. Other countries took the 
subprime issue seriously and have come out with measures since last 
fall, but the Japanese government remains slow to deal with the 
issue. I want the daily to delve into this point. 
 
Nobuyuki Sugiura, editor for industrial and banking affairs: Some 
economists had previously predicted that the damage from the 
subprime issue could spread worldwide. The Asahi has dealt with 
America's trends and bubble economy in terms of structural aspects 
in its weekly column "The changing economy" and an article that 
appeared in December under the caption, "Subprime crisis." As for 
matters that may affect people's livelihoods, such as stock prices 
and interest rates, we want to carefully write an outlook focusing 
on what will come next and what effects there will be. 
 
Sanae Ariga, council member: The Asahi took up the balance of work 
and life in its Dec. 31 editorial titled "10 proposals for a society 
full of hope," and advised men to stop "working overtime" and 
instead have greater latitude and be sensible. I expect debate to 
proceed with an eye on how to be professional in this context. 
 
Kenichi Miyata, deputy editor in chief: On the question of balancing 
work and life, one difficult point is how to keep corporate 
competitiveness and increase productivity with employees heading 
home without working overtime. 
 
(9) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, Aegis accident, 
LDP-DPJ grand coalition 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 26, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage. Figures in parentheses denote 
the results of the last survey conducted Jan. 13-14. 
 
Q: Do you support the Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Yes 28.7 (36.6) 
No 52.2 (47.3) 
Don't know (D/K) + Can't say which (CSW) 19.1 (16.1) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 27.8 (32.1) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 25.3 (25.0) 
New Komeito (NK) 5.2 (4.0) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 1.9 (3.5) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.6 (2.1) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.5 (0.6) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0.2 (0.3) 
Other answers (O/A) 1.0 (0.9) 
None 35.0 (30.6) 
D/K + Can't say (C/S) 1.5 (0.9) 
 
Q: Do you appreciate Prime Minister Fukuda and his government on the 
 
TOKYO 00000505  010 OF 013 
 
 
following points? 
 
Economic policy 
Yes 15.3 (17.0) 
No 69.9 (64.7) 
D/K+CSW 14.8 (18.3) 
 
Foreign policy 
Yes 23.6 (30.9) 
No 57.2 (48.8) 
D/K+CSW 19.2 (20.3) 
 
Response to pension issues 
Yes 20.8 (28.0) 
No 69.0 (64.0) 
D/K+CSW 10.2 (8.0) 
 
Response to food safety problems 
Yes 22.9 
No 60.6 
D/K+CSW 16.5 
 
Response to incidents caused by U.S. military personnel 
Yes 16.8 
No 70.0 
D/K+CSW 13.2 
 
Response to Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer's collision 
with fishing boat 
Yes 11.6 
No 76.1 
D/K+CSW 12.3 
 
Q: What do you think about Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's 
responsibility over the recent collision of an MSDF Aegis destroyer 
with a fishing boat? 
 
He should resign right away to take responsibility 6.5 
He should resign when ready to come up with preventive steps 32.0 
He should continue to do his job, such as overhauling the Defense 
Ministry, without resigning 59.5 
D/K+C/S 2.0 
 
Q: Do you support a "grand coalition" of the LDP and the DPJ? 
 
Yes 30.5 (33.7) 
No 50.8 (54.6) 
D/K+CSW 18.7 (11.7) 
 
Q: Do you hope to see political realignment in the near future? 
 
Yes 58.9 
No 33.2 
D/K+CSW 7.9 
 
Q: The Fukuda cabinet has taken over almost all of the former Abe 
cabinet's ministers. Do you think Prime Minister Fukuda should 
shuffle his cabinet substantially at an early date? 
 
Yes 48.9 (44.0) 
No 41.5 (51.1) 
D/K+CSW 9.6 (4.9) 
 
TOKYO 00000505  011 OF 013 
 
 
 
Q: When would you like the House of Representatives to hold its next 
election? 
 
During the first half of this year 17.6 (23.6) 
After this July's G-8 summit in Japan and during the latter half of 
this year 45.3 (45.9) 
Upon the current term's expiry or next year 34.0 (29.0) 
D/K+C/S 3.1 (1.5) 
 
Q: How long do you think the Fukuda government will continue? 
 
Until around the next election for the House of Representatives 49.1 
(46.7) 
Until the fall of next year 33.6 (34.0) 
Continue until after the fall of next year 13.6 (15.8) 
D/K+C/S 3.7 (3.5) 
 
Q: What's your impression of Prime Minister Fukuda on the following 
points? 
 
Friendly 
Yes 34.2 
No 61.9 
D/K+CSW 3.9 
 
Political clout 
Yes 24.8 
No 65.0 
D/K+CSW 10.2 
 
His own imprint 
Yes 19.3 
No 68.9 
D/K+CSW 11.8 
 
Too bad he cannot carry out his policies because the Diet is 
divided 
Yes 49.0 
No 43.9 
D/K+CSW 7.1 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda is trustworthy as Japan's leader 
Yes 16.1 
No 72.4 
D/K+CSW 11.5 
 
Q: What do you think or do about food safety on the following 
points? 
 
Try to use "China free" products 
Yes 88.3 
No 9.4 
D/K+CSW 2.3 
 
Restrict food imports from China 
Yes 87.8 
No 9.3 
D/K+CSW 2.9 
 
Q: What do you think about the rate of provisional taxation on 
gasoline? 
 
TOKYO 00000505  012 OF 013 
 
 
 
Continue the provisional tax for local roads 7.7 
Review the provisional tax's period and rate for continuation 58.1 
Abolish the provisional tax, given the high price of crude oil and 
other factors 32.1 
D/K+CSW 2.1 
 
Q: Do you appreciate the following cabinet ministers and governors? 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura 
Yes 29.5 
No 51.1 
D/K+CSW 19.4 
 
Financial Services Minister Yoshimi Watanabe 
Yes 41.2 
No 36.9 
D/K+CSW 21.9 
 
Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama 
Yes 16.7 
No 68.8 
D/K+CSW 14.5 
 
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe 
Yes 72.3 
No 18.4 
D/K+CSW 9.3 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura 
Yes 35.0 
No 40.2 
D/K+CSW 24.8 
 
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba 
Yes 43.1 
No 40.8 
D/K+CSW 16.1 
 
Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba 
Yes 14.1 
No 67.3 
D/K+CSW 18.6 
 
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 
Yes 21.5 
No 65.3 
D/K+CSW 13.2 
 
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi 
Yes 57.0 
No 33.2 
D/K+CSW 9.8 
 
Former LDP Secretary General Taro Aso 
Yes 52.9 
No 26.9 
D/K+CSW 20.2 
 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa 
Yes 26.5 
No 58.2 
 
TOKYO 00000505  013 OF 013 
 
 
D/K+CSW 15.3 
 
Osaka Gov. Tohru Hashimoto 
Yes 42.5 
No 27.9 
D/K+CSW 29.6 
 
Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru 
Yes 85.2 
No 7.9 
D/K+CSW 6.9 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Feb. 23-24 by the 
Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) over the telephone on a 
computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, a 
total of 1,000 persons were sampled from among males and females, 
aged 20 and over, across the nation. 
 
SCHIEFFER