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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000616 
 
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 03/10/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's weekend, daily schedules  (Nikkei) 
 
Whaling: 
4) IWC condemns Sea Shepherd for "dangerous actions"  (Mainichi) 
5) IWC raps Sea Shepherd's actions  (Sankei) 
6) LDP's Nakagawa suggests need for JCG to use weapons for warning, 
even with option of sinking activists' boats in self-defense 
(Mainichi) 
 
Diet agenda: 
7) Ruling coalition eyes punishment for child porn possession 
(Yomiuri) 
8) Stalled Diet session expected to normalize today  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
9) Ruling parties want to hold exec meeting with opposition parties 
over nominations for BOJ posts  (Yomiuri)    7 
10) Opposition bloc opposed to "BOJ Vice Gov. Ito" nomination 
(Nikkei) 
11) BOJ mulls "acting governor"  (Sankei) 
12) Diet dissolution, general election "September or later": New 
Komeito head   (Sankei) 
 
Defense topics: 
13) Defense Ministry revamps emergency reporting system  (Asahi) 
14) Defense Minister Ishiba encourages MSDF brass staff to speak out 
to politics  (Sankei) 
15) Okinawa forms executive committee to rally against U.S. military 
incidents  (Akahata) 
16) 20 PERCENT  of U.S. military's on-base housing in Okinawa left 
unoccupied  (Mainichi) 
 
Polls: 
17) Mainichi industrial poll finds 70 PERCENT  of surveyed business 
corporations give high marks to Kyoto Protocol, but only 25 PERCENT 
deem it possible for Japan to attain its target for emissions cuts 
(Mainichi) 
18) 78 PERCENT  in another poll sees domestic economic slump as 
worsening  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
G-8 events: 
19) Japan to host expanded G-8 summit meetings on climate change, 
African development, with 23 countries participating  (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Collision between MSDF Aegis destroyer and fishing boat exposes 
malfunction of civilian control 
 
Mainichi: 
More than 2,000 A-bomb victims expected to apply for government 
recognition under new standard 
 
Yomiuri: 
Over 90 PERCENT  of highway-construction projects by transport 
ministry found to be discretionary contracts 
 
TOKYO 00000616  002 OF 012 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
Sony to stop supplying cellular phones to NTT DoCoMo 
 
Sankei: 
Shinginko Tokyo reports only one-fourth of unrecoverable loans in 
response to suggestion by ex-executives 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Today marks 63rd anniversary of firebombing of Tokyo 
 
Akahata: 
Farewell to neo-liberalism: Social disparities expanding 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Proposals for a society of hope: Get over the myth of racially 
homogenous society 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Social security budget: Take a second look at target of 
constraining medical expenses for people aged 75 and over 
(2) Ban dispatch of day workers by amending relevant law 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Government's local agencies: Transfer most operations to local 
areas 
(2) Use amendment to financial products trading law to strength 
market 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Accelerating reorganization of electronic industry leading 
companies to specialize 
(2) Eliminate unscrupulous sales tactics 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Medical services for elderly: Squarely look at problems and fix 
them 
(2) Unlawful transactions among certified public accountants: 
Forgotten work ethics 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Launch of "Kibo" research module: Show nation's presence with 
unique technology 
(2) Cell-phones: Advance into foreign markets 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Shed light on cause of Aegis destroyer's collision with fishing 
boat; Do not seek refuge in discussions on reforming Defense 
Ministry 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, March 7 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 8, 2008 
 
08:30 
Attended cabinet meeting in the Diet building. Health Minister 
Masuzoe stayed behind. Followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary 
 
TOKYO 00000616  003 OF 012 
 
 
Machimura. 
 
09:20 
Met at the Kantei with LDP Reform Implementation Taskforce Head 
Takebe. 
 
09:37 
Arrived at his official residence. 
 
10:00 
Attended the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the fire 
fighting system in local governments held at Nippon Budokan Hall. 
 
11:56 
Met Lower House member Ryu Shionoya. 
 
13:15 
Met Machimura. Followed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Futahashi. 
 
14:12 
Met Administrative Reform Minister Watanabe. Followed by Vice 
Foreign Minister Yabunaka. 
 
15:50 
Met Futahashi. Later, met Vice Health Minister Edogawa, Social 
Insurance Agency Director General Banno, and Internal Affairs 
Ministry Administrative Evaluation Bureau Director General Seki. 
 
16:38 
Met National Police Agency Deputy Director General Ando. Followed by 
Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Bureau Director General Saiki. 
 
17:19 
Met Secretary General Ibuki. Joined by Machimura. 
 
18:04 
Met METI Minister Amari, Vice METI Minister Kitabata, Small and 
Medium Enterprise Agency Director General Fukumizu. 
 
19:13 
Met Sudan Presidential Assistant Nafi, with LDP International 
Affairs Bureau Head Mihara and others. 
 
19:32 
Dined with editorial board members from press companies at a 
Japanese restaurant in Shiba-Koen 
 
21:27 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, March 8 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 9, 2008 
 
Spent all day at his official residence. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, March 9 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 10, 2008 
 
TOKYO 00000616  004 OF 012 
 
 
 
10:04 
Arrived at his private residence in Nozawa. 
 
15:23 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) IWC issues statement condemning Sea Shepherd for dangerous 
actions 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
March 8, 2008 
 
Chiaki Ikeda, London 
 
The interim meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), 
which was held in London to dissolve confrontation between 
pro-whaling and anti-whaling countries, on March 8 released a 
statement condemning the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an 
environmental protection organization that has taken actions to 
hinder Japan's research whaling. The meeting ended on the 8th. 
 
According to the Fisheries Ministry, Japan suddenly proposed taking 
up the issue at the outset of the meeting on the 6th. 
 
The statement stressed: "Any actions that are a risk to human life 
and property in relation to the activities of vessels at sea cannot 
be allowed." The statement calls on Sea Shepherd to discontinue its 
dangerous actions, such as chasing the whaler and hurling bottles of 
chemicals at it. The commission also calls on it to cooperate with 
the IWC member countries. 
 
5) IWC statement condemns Sea Shepherd 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
March 10, 2008 
 
Masato Kimura, London 
 
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) ended its three-day 
midterm conference in London on March 8, unanimously adopting a 
statement strongly calling on its members, including the 
Netherlands, which has allowed America's environmental group Sea 
Shepherd to carry the Dutch flag, and Australia, which has allowed 
the group's vessel to homeport there, to take action to deal with 
the group's activities. IWC Chairman William Hogarth, in his effort 
to normalize IWC activities, announced his intent to make 
recommendations in the name of the chairman at the upcoming IWC 
annual meeting in Santiago, Chile, on a schedule from late May to 
late June. 
 
Of the 78 member nations, 54 took part in the midterm conference. 
Japanese delegate Akira Nakamae, deputy director-general of Japan's 
Fisheries Agency, strongly condemned Sea Shepherd's activities. 
Following him, the IWC meeting adopted a statement saying that any 
acts that endanger lives and assets at sea are never acceptable. No 
objection was voiced against the use of warning shots by a research 
whaling ship. 
 
Similar resolutions were adopted in 2006 and 2007, but unlike them, 
the statement this time denounced Sea Shepherd by name for the first 
time. The statement calls on IWC members to work together to deter 
 
TOKYO 00000616  005 OF 012 
 
 
Sea Shepherd's dangerous acts by domestic and international laws. 
According to a Japanese official involved in discussion, Australia 
proposed reconsidering research whaling, but this proposal was not 
put on the agenda for discussion. 
 
6) LDP's Shoichi Nakagawa: Vessel could be sunk in self-defense 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 10, 2008 
 
There has occurred an incident in which U.S. environmental activists 
aboard a vessel threw bottles containing chemicals and other objects 
at a Japanese whaler in the Southern Ocean. Appearing on a 
commercial television program yesterday, Shoichi Nakagawa, a former 
Policy Research Council chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, 
said regarding the incident: 
 
"It was an act of piracy. Japanese nationals have been injured. 
(Maritime security officials) should not have just fired warning 
shots but also have threatened or sunk the vessel using weapons in 
self-defense." 
 
He also underlined the need to study revising related laws to allow 
vessels to take necessary steps to secure security at sea, saying, 
"Legislation not allowing any action is insufficient. Laws must be 
revised." 
 
7) Ruling camp to revise law to criminalize possession of child 
pornography 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
March 9, 2008 
 
In an effort to prevent the dissemination of child pornography over 
the Internet, the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito have 
decided to revise the Child Protection Law against Child 
Prostitution and Child Pornography in order to ban and punish 
"simple possession" of child pornography. The ruling coalition 
intends to submit a lawmaker-initiated bill in the current Diet 
session. The decision reflects a sharp rise in the number of victims 
in child pornography cases and a delay in Japan's response 
internationally. 
 
Simple possession points to such cases as individuals collecting 
images or pictures for purposes other than selling or offering them, 
or individuals recording such images on CD or DVD. It has become a 
problem that a number of images around the world have been sent from 
Japan. 
 
On this issue, U.S. Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer will meet Justice 
Minister Hatoyama, possibly on March 11, to ask the Japanese 
government to take measures to ban simple possession of child 
pornography. According to the Justice Ministry, only Japan and 
Russia, among the Group of Eight (G-8) countries, do not prohibit 
simple possession. 
 
The LDP held the first meeting of the newly established subcommittee 
on reviewing the anti-child-pornography law, chaired by Mayumi 
Moriyama, on March 7. In it, participants decided to promote 
discussion on banning and punishing simple possession. The New 
Komeito also set up a similar project team last December and has 
discussed a review of the said law. 
 
TOKYO 00000616  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
8) Diet to return to normal today with agreement reached between 
Diet policy chiefs from LDP, DPJ 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
March 8, 2008 
 
In a meeting held in the Diet on the afternoon of March 7, the 
ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Seiji Suzuki and the major opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan's (DPJ) Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Susumu Yanase agreed 
to hold today the Upper House Budget Committee's board of directors 
meeting, which has not been held since March 4. 
 
The Diet, which has been stalled since Feb. 29, when the ruling bloc 
forced a budget bill for 2008 through the Lower House, will likely 
be normalized. The budget bill is expected to be discussed in the 
Upper House Budget Committee possibly tomorrow. 
 
In the dialogue with Suzuki, Yanase asked him to make clear the 
responsibility of Upper House Budget Committee Chairman Yoshitada 
Konoike (LDP), because he continued to exercise his authority to set 
committee meetings. Yanase also filed a protest with Suzuki against 
Konoike for his describing the DPJ's strategy of refusing 
deliberations on bills as stemming from the DPJ's deep inferiority 
complex. 
 
The opposition bloc will likely enter discussions on a deliberation 
schedule in the Diet once the stage is set for the Diet to return to 
normal with Konoike making an apology. 
 
9) Nomination of new BOJ governor: Government, ruling parties want 
to reach settlement at secretaries general meeting; Roll call on the 
12th likely to be put off 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged) 
March 10, 2008 
 
Regarding the selection of a new Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor, the 
government intends to promote Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto to the 
post. In this regard, a proposal was floated on March 9 in the 
government and the ruling parties for settling the matter at a 
meeting of the secretaries general of both the ruling and opposition 
parties prior to a roll call in the Lower and Upper Houses. That is 
because some members of ruling and opposition parties are wary of 
Prime Minister Fukuda and DPJ President Ozawa reaching a decision 
between themselves. Though the DPJ is determined to reject the 
proposal for picking Muto as governor, the government and the ruling 
parties have no intention of replacing him with another candidate. 
In order to secure time for talks between both camps before a roll 
call, some are calling for postponing a roll call slated for the 
12th. 
 
LDP Secretary General Ibuki appearing on NHK and TV Asahi talk shows 
expressed his hope to see talks between the ruling and opposition 
parties before a roll call on the selection of a new BOJ governor. 
Commenting on the DPJ's stance, Ibuki noted, "If there appear 
differences in the views of both parties, we must hold talks." In 
connection with Ibuki's remark, one senior LDP member said on the 
9th, "It would be possible to hold a meeting of secretaries general 
or a consultative council of both chambers of the Diet." 
 
 
TOKYO 00000616  007 OF 012 
 
 
Ibuki during the same TV talk shows noted that the LDP has no 
intention of replacing Muto with another candidate. He said, "Prime 
Minister Fukuda believes that the DPJ will accept Muto as BOJ 
governor, using good judgment." DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama said 
that he would consider whether to agree to hold party head talks, 
making it a condition that the LDP come up with another candidate. 
However, Ibuki brushed aside this proposal, saying, "The prime 
minister would not accept such a condition." The DPJ has decided to 
put the issue to a vote on the 12th after hearing the policies of 
candidates for a governor and deputy governors. Ibuki countered this 
plan, saying: "It would be possible to hold a roll call on the 12th 
if there is a foregone conclusion. However, the decision must be 
reached after seeing the candidates' qualification and caliber." 
 
10) DPJ negatively reacts to government's nomination of Ito as 
deputy BOJ governor; Ruling camp hopes for Fukuda-Ozawa meeting to 
break impasse 
 
NKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
March 8, 2008 
 
Coordination between the ruling and opposition parties is expected 
to stall over the government's nomination of a new governor and 
deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, which was presented to the 
Diet on March 7. The major opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) has stepped up its criticism of the government's plan to 
promote Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto, a former administrative vice 
finance minister, to the post of BOJ governor. The DPJ has 
negatively reacted also to the government's nominee, Tokyo 
University Prof. Takatoshi Ito, as deputy governor, citing that Ito 
is a member of the government's Economic and Fiscal Policy Council 
and thus favors the ruling camp. Some members in the ruling 
coalition have called for a meeting between Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda and DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa to break the impasse. 
 
11) BOJ to consider appointing acting governor out of concern that 
governor's post could become vacant due to confrontation over 
nomination 
 
SANKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
March 9, 2008 
 
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) will start considering how to deal with a 
possible delay in the selection of a new governor, starting on Mar. 
¶10. If a successor to incumbent Governor Fukui, whose term expires 
on the 19th, is not appointed in time, the next deputy governors and 
directors would be responsible for immediate operations. However, 
the BOJ governor's post has never been unfilled in the postwar 
period. Should that occur, it is bound to disturb the market and 
erode international trust in Japan. There is also concern that the 
situation could affect the economy, which is now at a delicate 
stage. 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Policy Research Council Chairman 
Sadakazu Tanigaki on the 8th made a speech in Kochi Prefecture. 
Referring to the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ or Minshuto) 
opposition to a proposal for promoting incumbent Deputy Governor 
Toshiro Muto to governor, he sought approval from the DPJ to prevent 
the governor's post from becoming vacant. He noted, "It is 
absolutely unacceptable for the BOJ governor's post to become vacant 
when the economy is in a slump. I want the DPJ to use its good 
judgment." Former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa in a speech 
 
TOKYO 00000616  008 OF 012 
 
 
given in the evening of the same day stressed, "I want the DPJ to 
consider the matter from a policy-oriented approach, by bearing in 
mind the weight of its veto power." 
 
The BOJ Law stipulates that if the post of governor becomes vacant, 
a deputy governor serves as acting governor. In the event the deputy 
governors' posts also become vacant, one of the six directors is to 
perform the governor's task. 
 
However, opposition parties are opposing the idea of a director 
serving as an acting governor, because the selection of BOJ 
directors does not require Diet approval. 
 
12) Diet dissolution, general election "September or later": New 
Komeito head 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 10, 2008 
 
Shunsuke Shigeta, Seoul 
 
New Komeito President Akihiro Ota indicated a negative view to 
accompanying reporters about the possibility of Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda shuffling his cabinet around this July's Group of Eight (G-8) 
summit to be held at Lake Toya in Hokkaido. "I think Prime Minister 
Yasuo Fukuda has no specific schedule in mind," Ota said. 
 
Ota also noted that diplomatic events scheduled to take place from 
April through June are "extremely important" when he was asked when 
Fukuda will dissolve the House of Representatives for a general 
election. "September or afterward is desirable," Ota said. 
 
13) MOD adopts revised emergency communication system, presenting 
specific quick reporting cases 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 8, 2008 
 
In the wake of the recent collision between the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer Atago and a small fishing boat, 
the Ministry of Defense (MOD) significantly delayed reporting the 
accident to Prime Minister Fukuda and Defense Minister Ishiba. 
Learning lessons from this, MOD has comprehensively reviewed 
internal regulations on the emergency communication system. Under 
the revised regulations, it is mandatory to speedily report to the 
prime minister's office (Kantei) and the defense minister not only 
on incidents and accidents but also on disasters and missile 
launches. 
 
The revised rules were released on March 7 in the name of the 
administrative vice-defense minister. 
 
Situations requiring quick reporting are grouped into four 
categories: (1) major natural disasters (such as earthquakes), (2) 
major accidents (such as collisions of vessels), (3) grave incidents 
(such as terrorist attacks and ballistic missile launches), and (4) 
other situations (such as misconduct by SDF personnel). Specific 
cases are discussed under each category. 
 
14) Defense minister requires senior MSDF officers to "be frank 
toward politicians" 
 
 
TOKYO 00000616  009 OF 012 
 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 9, 2008 
 
In order to deal with a series of misconduct, including the recent 
collision of the Aegis destroyer Atago and a fishing boat, the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) on March 8 held a special session 
of commanders at the Ministry of Defense (MOD). The meeting was 
joined by Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Administrative Vice 
Defense Minister Kohei Masuda, and some 40 senior officers from the 
Maritime Staff Office and units across the country. They exchanged 
views to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. 
 
Emerging from the meeting, Eiji Yoshikawa, the MSDF chief of staff, 
said: "Many problems were raised. We need to improve the nature of 
the organization in addition to handling cases in a systematic 
manner." 
 
The MSDF has suffered a spate of deplorable events before the recent 
collision, for instance, the leakage of information on the Aegis 
system, the fire aboard the destroyer Shirane, a cover-up of the 
amount of fuel oil provided by the MSDF to other countries' vessels 
in the Indian Ocean, and the destruction of a log book. 
 
Yoshikawa said that from the viewpoint that "there may be something 
behind those cases," participants exchanged views at the session 
regarding such issues as (1) command and control, (2) personnel 
education, (3) response to the IT society, (4) the balance of the 
level of troops and duties; and (5) the question of whether the MSDF 
can win praise from the public. Ishiba said in his speech: "I can't 
help wondering why (deplorable events occurred in succession). While 
troop strength will not be increased, more duties and 
responsibilities are imposed on each personnel. What should we do? I 
don't think it is correct to keep silent." Ishiba continued, "SDF 
officers in uniform have the right to speak to politicians as to 
what should be done or what should be desirable to be done. Doing so 
is obligatory in terms of civilian control. I hope the organization 
will band together to work well both in peacetime and during 
emergencies." Ishiba thus strongly called on the staff to prevent a 
recurrence of similar incidents. 
 
Yoshikawa told reporters: "After discussion, I want to begin 
implementing measures, starting with what we can do." 
 
15) Okinawa prefectural rally executive committee launched to 
demonstrate prefecture's wishes 
 
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
March 9, 2008 
 
In the run-up to the Okinawa prefectural rally protesting incidents 
and accidents by U.S. service members to be held on March 23, an 
executive committee was launched on March 8. Assembled together in 
Naha on the same day, some 60 organizations decided on the purpose, 
slogans, and the venue for the rally. 
 
The rally's purpose is to press Tokyo and Washington for a 
fundamental revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement 
and for consolidation and reduction of U.S. bases in the prefecture 
by the Okinawa public demonstrating their protest. 
 
As slogans, the executive committee adopted: (1) human rights, (2) 
enforcing military discipline and education, (3) a sweeping reform 
 
TOKYO 00000616  010 OF 012 
 
 
of the SOFA, and (4) consolidation and reduction of U.S. bases in a 
visible way. 
 
At the outset of the meeting, Tetsuei Tamayose, chairman of a child 
welfare organization, made a speech, in which he said: "This 
(incidents and accidents by U.S. service members) is a human rights 
issue. Human rights are guaranteed under the Constitution. Despite 
that, an incident (in which a U.S. Marine allegedly sexually 
assaulted a junior high school girl) occurred. If we do not speak 
up, we will lose the stable human rights environment." 
 
The executive committee will hold the rally at the Chatan baseball 
ground starting at 2:00 p.m. 
 
Many organizational representatives fervently voiced their resolves, 
one saying, "We must clearly protest the incidents and accidents by 
U.S. servicemen." Another said: "We must speak up for the girl who 
had to withdraw charges against (the U.S. Marine)." 
 
16) 20 PERCENT  of U.S. on-base military housing in Okinawa vacant 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 8, 2008 
 
In connection with an incident in which a U.S. Marine was arrested 
for allegedly sexually assaulting a middle school girl in Okinawa, 
the government has revealed that the occupancy rate at military 
housing at U.S. bases in the prefecture is 80 PERCENT . The 
government released the information in line with its position paper, 
adopted in a cabinet meeting on March 7, in response to a set of 
written questions from House of Representatives member Kantoku 
Teruya of the Social Democratic Party. The answer made it clear that 
20 PERCENT  of U.S. base military housing is vacant despite reports 
of an increasing number of U.S. service members living off-base. 
 
According to a report to the government from U.S. Forces, the number 
of U.S. military housing units on bases in Okinawa was 8,139 as of 
January 31. Of them, 6,484 units, or 80 PERCENT , were occupied by 
U.S. military personnel. The remaining 1,655 units, including those 
under refurbishment, were vacant. 
 
17) Poll of 108 companies: 70 PERCENT  appreciate Kyoto Protocol; 
only 25 PERCENT  expect Japan to meet its goal 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 9, 2008 
 
About 70F PERCENT  of the major companies polled by the Mainichi 
Shimbun appreciated the Kyoto Protocol, which obliges industrialized 
nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, citing that 
various countries have taken measures to cut emissions. About 70 
PERCENT  of the companies answered that measures for emissions cuts 
had not prevented their growth, taking the fight against global 
warming a positive manner. However, only 25 PERCENT  said that Japan 
would achieve its goal. Many companies pointed to a lack of 
political leadership. 
 
The Mainichi conducted the questionnaire of 120 companies between 
late January and mid-February, receiving answers from 108 companies, 
or 90 PERCENT . 
 
Under the protocol, Japan is required to curb its greenhouse gas 
 
TOKYO 00000616  011 OF 012 
 
 
emissions by an average of six percent from the 1990 level over the 
next five years from April. But Japan instead increased them in 2006 
by 6.4 percent from the 1990 level. Although some companies 
criticized the goals set by the accord as being too tough, 66 
PERCENT  of the companies answered that they appreciated the accord 
or appreciated it more or less. 
 
A total of 68 PERCENT  of the companies replied that 
anti-global-warming measures did not prevent their efforts for 
growth or that they did not prevent their growth by much. As 
reasons, they said they were confident of their energy-saving 
technologies and that the fight against global warming would provide 
them with new business chances. 
 
Meanwhile, 33 PERCENT  of the major companies said that Japan would 
fail to achieve its goal, citing a lack of political leadership and 
the low level of public awareness as the reasons. About 39 PERCENT 
said that they did not know. 
 
The government announced on Feb. 20 its plan to consider the 
introduction of emissions trading in the country. In the 
questionnaires conducted prior to the government's announcement, 43 
PERCENT  of the companies said that they completely or somewhat 
opposed emissions trading. Only 26 PERCENT  said that they approved 
of it. Many companies refrained from answering the question on the 
grounds that the contents of the emission trading system were 
unclear. 
 
18) Nationwide poll: 78 PERCENT  believe economy worsening; 
Consumption remains stagnant due to income drop 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
March 9, 2008 
 
The Japan Association for Public Opinion Research (JAPOR), of which 
the Tokyo Shimbun is a member, carried out a nationwide 
interview-based opinion poll on March 1-2. Regarding the present 
condition of the economy, a total of 78 PERCENT  replied either "The 
economy is deteriorating" or "It is deteriorating somewhat." The 
number of pollees who gave these replies substantively increased (up 
32 points) from the previous poll (46 PERCENT ) conducted in March 
last year. 
 
The poll found that the outlook for the domestic economy has 
extensively worsened over the past year due to concern about the 
slowdown of the global economy, following the subprime mortgage 
crisis and rising crude oil, cereal, and feed grain prices. 
 
As reasons for that (more than one answer was allowed), the largest 
number of 48 PERCENT  replied, "Consumption has not recovered," 
followed by 40 PERCENT , who replied, "Income, such as salaries and 
bonuses, is decreasing," 30 PERCENT , who said, "Sales and profits 
are deteriorating," and 22 PERCENT , who replied, "The number of 
jobless people has not decreased." 
 
Pollees who replied, "The economy is picking up" or "It is getting 
somewhat better" reached 20 PERCENT  in total, down 29 points from 
49 PERCENT  recorded in the previous poll. 
 
To a question of whether life has gotten harder due to rising 
consumer prices, including the prices of gasoline and food, 38 
PERCENT  replied, "Life has gotten somewhat hard," followed by 34 
 
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PERCENT  who said, "Life has gotten hard." As reasons for that 
(multiple replies allowed), 91 PERCENT  cited the rise in gasoline 
and kerosene prices, followed by 82 PERCENT  who cited the rise in 
food prices. The outcome suggests that high prices of oil and raw 
materials are directly affecting households. 
 
Regarding what respondents want most from Japanese administration in 
connection with a question on the tainted Chinese-made gyoza 
dumplings, 45 PERCENT  of respondents said, "An increase in domestic 
ingredients." Regarding Japan's food self-sufficiency, 83 PERCENT 
said, "It should be raised." The largest 30 PERCENT  of respondents 
said, "In order to raise the food self-sufficiency rate, the 
production volume of agricultural products should be boosted." 
 
19) Government to hold expanded summit meetings on climate change 
and African development, joined by 23 countries 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 10, 2008 
 
The government has decided to hold expanded meetings on climate 
change and African development, inviting China, Australia and other 
13 countries, besides the Group of Eight (G-8) countries, during the 
Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido in July. With a total of 23 
participants, it will be the largest-ever summit. The government 
will also invite such international organizations as the United 
Nations, the World Bank, and the African Union (AU). 
 
A former administrative vice foreign minister emphasized the 
significance of the upcoming summit, saying: "For Japan, it will be 
a chance that comes only once in 40 years." A G-8 member hosts the 
summit every eight years. In addition, this is the year of TICAD, 
which is held in Japan every five years. 
 
The government wants to play up its political presence in dealing 
with the issues of climate change and African development. Japan has 
addressed the climate-change issue since the Kyoto conference on 
preventing global warming in 1997 and has also poured its efforts in 
developing Africa by holding the TICAD since 1993. Given this, the 
government has decided to hold two expanded meetings, inviting eight 
countries for each, besides the G-8 nations. 
 
For the meeting on climate change, the government will invite 
industrialized countries, including Australia and South Korea, as 
well as emerging countries, such as China, Brazil, and South Africa. 
Discussion will be conducted on a post-Kyoto framework beyond 2012. 
 
For the meeting on African development, the government plans to 
invite Tanzania and Ghana, with the aim of deepening discussion 
following TICAD 4, which will be held in Yokohama in May. Such 
issues as poverty reduction and health care will also be discussed, 
with representatives from the AU in attendance. 
 
Holding expanded summit meetings has been a custom since the Kyushu 
/ Okinawa Summit in 2000. Eleven countries were invited to an 
expansion meeting in Gleneagles in 2005; seven in the St. Petersburg 
Summit in 2006; and 10 in the Heiligendamm Summit in 2007. 
 
SCHIEFFER