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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001048 
 
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 04/17/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Japan-China, G-8 summitries ahead: 
4) Japan, China eye strategic reciprocity, with emphasis on Korean 
Peninsula denuclearization, environmental policy  (Nikkei) 
5) Political statement not to incorporate Japan's nonsupport for 
Taiwan's independence, make no mention of Tibet  (Sankei) 
6) Ruling coalition execs in Beijing ask China for cooperation on 
abduction issue  (Asahi) 
7) Food issues also on main agenda for G-8 summit  (Asahi) 
 
Diet agenda: 
8) Fukuda diplomacy being clouded in the aftermath of Diet showdown 
(Nikkei) 
9) Ruling, opposition parties to set up consultative body on 
road-related tax revenues  (Nikkei) 
 
North Korea problem: 
10) Pyongyang agrees on nuclear declaration for the time being 
(Yomiuri) 
 
Defense and security issues: 
11) JCG reenacts Aegis collision  (Mainichi) 
12) Women's group works on Diet parties to stop Japan's HNS spending 
for USFJ  (Akahata) 
 
Japan-Sweden ties: 
13) Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt in meeting with Prime Minister 
Fukuda plays up need for China to hold dialogue with Tibet 
(Mainichi) 
14) Japan, Sweden to work together on greenhouse gas emissions 
(Asahi) 
 
Economic topics: 
15) LDP mulls comprehensive strategy to boost growth  (Nikkei) 
16) U.K. hedge fund told to give up on its J-Power bid  (Mainichi) 
17) Japan, EU eye new multilateral energy-saving framework 
(Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to deduct part-timers' 
national pension premiums from wages from 2009 
 
Mainichi & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry recommends British fund drop 
plan to raise J-Power stake 
 
Yomiuri: 
Ten prefectures forced disabled to join new medical system for the 
elderly 
 
Nikkei: 
Ruling, opposition parties to launch consultative panel on road tax 
revenues 
 
TOKYO 00001048  002 OF 009 
 
 
 
Sankei: 
Government intends not to incorporate the wording "disapprove of 
Taiwanese independence" in political document to be compiled by 
Prime Minister Fukuda and Chinese President Hu 
 
Akahata: 
Japanese Communist Party in policy urges most expensive academic 
fees in the word be reduced 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Regulation on J-Power stake: Can national interests of Japan be 
secured with this? 
(2) Unofficial school websites: Nip bullying in the bud 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Government's recommendation to drop plan to raise J-Power state: 
Clear rule necessary 
(2) Vaccinations for new flu: Government should consider vaccinating 
all those who want flu shot 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) New health insurance system for elderly: Confusion over health 
insurance no surprise 
(2) J-Power stake: Government's recommendation to TCI appropriate 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Was thorough debate conducted on rejection of British fund? 
(2) Concern about overheated Chinese economy 
 
Sankei: 
(1) J-Power stake: Recommendation to suspend plan to raise stake 
appropriate 
(2) Film "Yasukuni": Verify appropriateness of subsidies 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Unofficial school websites: Children, parents need to discuss 
rules to use Internet 
(2) J-Power stake: Better explanation needed 
 
Akahata: 
(1) New health care system for elderly must be scrapped 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, April 16 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
09:07 Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Iwaki at the Kantei. 
 
10:01 
Upper House plenary session. 
 
11:11 
Arrived at the Kantei. 
 
12:43 
Inspected Job Cafe Chiba, a facility to assist job-seeking young 
 
TOKYO 00001048  003 OF 009 
 
 
people, in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. 
 
13:59 
Inspected the Chiba Prefecture Consumer Center in the same city. 
 
16:12 
Met with Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt. 
 
17:16 
Met with Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka. Then National Council on 
Social Security meeting. 
 
19:31 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
4) Japan, China to adopt joint guidelines on cooperation for 
denuclearization of Korean Peninsula and environmental policy; 
"Strategically reciprocal relations" expected to be specified 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The Japanese and Chinese governments have now undertaken 
full-fledged coordination on wording about a joint document they 
plan to adopt when Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Japan from May 
¶6. The joint document will serve as a new set of guidelines for 
bilateral ties. According to a gist of the joint document revealed 
yesterday, the joint document, as a common goal, specifies expanding 
"strategically reciprocal relations." As priority areas for 
cooperation, the document specifies environmental and energy policy, 
as well as the Northeast Asian policy, which features denuclearizing 
the Korean Peninsula. 
 
The two governments regard the joint document as the fourth 
important document following the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement, 
the 1978 Japan-China Peace and Amity Treaty, and the 1998 
Japan-China Joint Declaration. 
 
The joint document mentions the need for the two countries to 
cooperate in the agricultural area, including safety measures for 
food, as well as the need to accelerate mutual visits by the top 
leaders of the two countries. Japan wants to include in the joint 
document positive language about its bid for a permanent seat on the 
United Nations Security Council. Meanwhile, China reportedly wants 
to again specify in the joint document a one-China policy in 
connection with the Taiwan issue. 
 
By adopting the joint statement, Japan and China aim to steer clear 
of cases of bilateral ties suffering setbacks owing to such pending 
issues as gas field development in the East China Sea. Also, there 
seems to be the judgment that once common perceptions as well as 
goals are put down, the two countries will be able to maintain close 
ties even after their leaders are replaced. 
 
5) Nonsupport for Taiwanese independence and riots in Tibet unlikely 
to be mentioned in Japan-China political document expected to be 
released during Chinese President Hu's visit to Japan in May 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The government yesterday informally decided not to incorporate in a 
 
TOKYO 00001048  004 OF 009 
 
 
political document expected to be released when Chinese President Hu 
Jintao is visiting Japan in May Japan's nonsupport for Taiwanese 
independence, something China has called for, and instead firmly 
maintain the government's previous position on Taiwan. The document 
will emphasize the need to strengthen future-oriented Japan-China 
relations as well as strategically reciprocal bilateral ties, but 
the document is expected to make no mention of the "Murayama 
Statement," in which then Prime Minister Murayama offered apologies 
for Japan's past colonial rule and aggression. It will also contain 
no mention of the riots in Tibet, which have drawn world attention. 
The 1998 Japan-China Joint Declaration specifies that the Murayama 
Statement should be observed. 
 
6) Ibuki, Kitagawa ask Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu for 
cooperation on abduction issue 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki and 
New Komeito Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa met yesterday in 
Beijing with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, chair of the 
six-party talks, to discuss North Korea. In the meeting, Ibuki asked 
the Chinese side for cooperation, saying: "The abduction issue is 
significant for Japan." 
 
Wu then revealed his outlook, noting: 
 
"North Korea appears to be unhappy with the (South Korean) new 
government's policy toward Pyongyang. South Korea, however, has 
taken a cool-headed approach. Although there are strained ties 
(between Seoul and Pyongyang), the relations will be improved as a 
whole." 
 
Wu also talked about the six-party talks: "I expect the next round 
of the six-party talks will be held in the not-too-distant future." 
 
7) Food issues to be high on agenda in Lake Toya Summit 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
April 17, 2008 
 
Reflecting recent sharp rises of prices of such food as rice and 
wheat across the world, the government decided yesterday to take up 
food issues as a major agenda item in the Lake Toya Summit in 
Hokkaido in July. The government has judged it necessary for the 
Group of Eight (G-8) leaders to come up with measures to ease 
growing political uncertainty that has been causing demonstrations 
and riots in the world, mainly in developing countries. 
 
Such relevant ministries as the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
Ministry and the Foreign Ministry made the decision. The government 
intends to inform representatives from the G-8 of this policy during 
a sherpa meeting to be held in Japan next week. The government will 
carry out coordination on a plan to lay out immediate emergency 
measures in the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African 
Development in Yokohama in May and to announce in the G-8 medium- 
and long-term measures, such as creating international rules and 
increasing food production in order to stabilize food prices. 
 
8) Divided Diet takes toll on Fukuda diplomacy; Prime minister 
forgos May European tour 
 
TOKYO 00001048  005 OF 009 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The intensifying confrontation between the ruling and opposition 
camps resulting from the divided Diet is beginning to take a toll on 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's foreign policy. The prime minister has 
now been forced to give up his planned trip to Britain, France and 
Germany during the Golden Week holiday period in May due to Diet 
deliberations on road-related bills. There have been minor setbacks 
to his plan to buoy up his administration by exhibiting strong 
leadership in the G-8 Lake Toya Summit in July on the back of strong 
communication channels to other G-8 members. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura in a press conference 
yesterday expressed concern that the prime minister's canceled 
European tour might negatively affect the country's diplomacy. He 
said: "Giving the impression that the prime minister cannot visit 
other countries freely won't benefit Japan." 
 
The purpose of the prime minister's European tour was for him to get 
acquainted with leaders of G-8 participants ahead of the big event 
as the chair. Given the possibility that discussions on global 
warming, a major topic in the G-8 Summit, will dictate the process 
of crafting a post-Kyoto framework in 2013 and beyond, the prime 
minister intended to obtain cooperation from relevant countries 
through his European tour. 
 
This is not the first time the prime minister has given up a trip to 
Europe. Soon after his assumption of office last September, the 
prime minister considered visiting Europe in early January 2008. But 
he needed to forgo the plan due to Diet deliberations on a bill 
extending the special measures law to resume the refueling operation 
in the Indian Ocean. He also had to give up his attendance at the 
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in late January because 
the opening of the current Diet session overlapped with it. 
 
The government ostensibly attributed the cancellation of the prime 
minister's trip this time to a failure to coordinate timetables 
between the three European countries and Japan. But the major cause 
is the situation in the Diet. 
 
9) Ruling, opposition camps to set up consultative body on policy of 
opening road tax revenues for general use 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Lead Paragraph) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The ruling and opposition camps agreed yesterday to set up a 
consultative body to discuss the issue of special tax revenues 
earmarked for highway construction and maintenance projects. Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda proposed moving highway-related tax revenues 
into the general account in late March. The new body, tasked with 
discussing what system should be made in line with Fukuda's 
proposal, will hold its first meeting tomorrow. This will be the 
first full-scale arena for talks between the ruling and opposition 
blocs in the divided Diet. Still, there is a wide gap in both sides' 
views about the provisional tax rates, so difficult negotiations are 
expected from the very beginning of the meeting. 
 
10) DPRK reaches tentative agreement on nuclear declaration related 
to uranium enrichment, nuclear technology transfer 
 
TOKYO 00001048  006 OF 009 
 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
United States Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and 
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan met in Singapore on 
April 8 and discussed the North Korean nuclear issue. Speaking 
yesterday of this meeting, a senior Foreign Ministry official 
revealed that both officials reached a tentative agreement on the 
issue of uranium enrichment and the transfer of nuclear technology 
to third countries, such as Syria, both of which were the key points 
at issue in North Korea's declaration of its nuclear programs. 
 
The official noted, "Working-level officials from the U.S. and North 
Korea seem to have reached an accord on uranium enrichment and 
Syria." At the same time the official added, "But much remains to be 
done, and the road ahead is steep." The official indicated that a 
lot of tasks, including how much plutonium the North has extracted 
remains to be dealt with before North Korea makes a "complete and 
accurate declaration." 
 
11) Third Regional Coast Guard Headquarters recreates Atago 
collision 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis-equipped destroyer Atago 
collided with the fishing boat Seitoku Maru off Cape Nojima, China 
Prefecture, in February, leaving two fishermen missing. The Third 
Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Yokohama) began yesterday evening 
an on-site investigation by recreating the collision. In the 
reproduced accident, the Atago and 10 patrol boats that acted as 
fishing boats cruising in the area that fatal day set sail to verify 
the wakes and locations of the two ships. The Atago cruised the 
waters for the first time since the accident. 
 
The Atago departed from MSDF Yokosuka Base at 1:30 p.m. The 
investigation was conduced under the generally same conditions, such 
as wind, wave height, and brightness. 
 
12) Women's Association on the Constitution calls for halt to 
"sympathy budget" for U.S. military 
 
AKAHATA (Page 5) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
Eight representatives of the Women's Association on the Constitution 
requested yesterday that all parties and parliamentary groups in the 
two Diet chambers pursue polices in line with Article 9 and Article 
25 (the right to a minimum standard of living) of the Constitution. 
 
They specifically sought five items: (1) removal of U.S. bases from 
Japan, (2) a halt to the "sympathy budget" for the stationing of 
U.S. forces in Japan, (3) discontinuation of a plan to pass a 
permanent law governing the overseas dispatch of the SDF, (4) 
opposition to the start of the Constitution Council, and (5) 
discontinuation and abolition of the medical system for the very 
old. 
 
Representing the Japanese Communist Party, House of Representatives 
member Seiken Akamine received the group. A representative of the 
 
TOKYO 00001048  007 OF 009 
 
 
group said: "Over 5 trillion yen is earmarked for the sympathy 
budget. At the same time, funding for the people's welfare, medical 
services and lives is far from sufficient. One can easily tell for 
whom politics is conducted." In response, Akamine expressed the 
JCP's determination to spearhead the drive to reduce and remove U.S. 
bases and defend the Constitution in close cooperation with the 
public. 
 
13) Swedish prime minister tells Fukuda: Sweden places importance on 
China's dialogue 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met yesterday at his office with his 
Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt. Referring to the riots in 
Tibet, Reinfeldt said: "The rule of law and human rights in China 
are important. We stress that dialogue should be held (between 
Chinese President Hu and the 14th Dalai Lama)." Fukuda then 
explained the Japanese government's position, noting: "We are 
calling on those involved to respond calmly." 
 
14) Japan, Sweden to cooperate on greenhouse gas emissions 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda held talks yesterday with Swedish Prime 
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, now visiting Japan, at the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence. The two leaders agreed to closely 
cooperate on the issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 
asking major emitters to take part in an international agreement. 
They also confirmed that their countries would step up cooperation 
on assistance for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, as well as on 
the development of human resources in the peace-building area. 
 
15) Comprehensive strategy to boost economic growth: LDP to set up 
special committee to revitalize domestic-demand-oriented industries 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will compile a Comprehensive 
Strategy for Creating Japan's Vitality (tentative name), an economic 
strategy aimed at expanding domestic demand and boosting growth. The 
envisaged strategy will focus on policies to revitalize 
domestic-demand-oriented industries, such as services and 
agriculture, and promote environment-related technological 
development. The party will set up a special committee on April 18. 
It plans to issue an interim report possibly in June and a final 
report this summer. It wants to reflect the panel's report in the 
basic policy guidelines on economic and fiscal management and 
structural reforms for fiscal 2008 and the fiscal 2009 draft 
budget. 
 
The envisaged panel is a Special Committee to Create Japan's 
Vitality (tentative name). The panel will be chaired by Policy 
Research Council Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki. Takumi Nemoto will 
serve as an organizer. Participants will also include Deputy Policy 
Research Council Chairman Hiroyuki Sonoda and former Policy Research 
Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001048  008 OF 009 
 
 
The focal point of the comprehensive strategy will be measures to 
assist domestic-demand-oriented industries, such as services and 
agriculture. The idea is to help those industries, which have a weak 
presence abroad, advance overseas so that they can create 
high-quality made-in-Japan products like electronic appliances and 
automobiles. 
 
Another feature of the strategy is regulatory reform aimed at 
creating new businesses. Security, safety and health-related areas 
will be taken up with reform for the sake of the public in mind. 
 
16) METI, MOF ask British fund to drop plan to raise stake in 
J-Power: First regulatory control under Foreign Exchange Law 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Lead para.) 
April 17, 2008 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry 
of Finance (MOF) on April 16 asked the Children's Investment Master 
Fund (TCI), a British hedge fund that has applied to raise its stake 
in J-Power, to drop the plan, citing a possible disturbance of 
public order. This is the first case of the government issuing such 
a notice in compliance with the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade 
Control Law. The government is expected to issue an order to TCI to 
desist from increasing its stake in J-Power, if the fund fails to 
comply with the order within 10 days. John Ho, head of the fund's 
Asian operations, did not indicate any clear-cut stance regarding 
what approach the fund would take. He simply noted, "We will take 
our time to look into the notice." 
 
17) Japan, EU to call in joint statement for new international 
framework for energy conservation 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
April 17, 2008 
 
Japan and the European Union (EU) will issue a joint statement in 
their summit to be held in Tokyo on April 23. According to the draft 
unveiled yesterday, both sides will propose in the statement 
establishing an International Partnership for Cooperation on Energy 
Efficiency (IPEEC), a new international framework to promote energy 
conservation as a means of fighting global warming. The statement 
will reiterate the need for Japan and the EU to enhance cooperation 
in ensuring the safety of imported food. 
 
Japan expects that the establishment of the IPEEC will be agreed on 
in the Group of Eight (G-8) energy ministerial in Aomori City in 
June and that it will be made one of the achievements in the G-8 
Summit (Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido) in July. 
 
Concern is rising about the safety of imported foods worldwide in 
the wake of a poisoning outbreak caused by tainted Chinese 
dumplings. Given this, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Prime 
Minister Jansa of Slovenia, the chair of the EU, will demonstrate an 
eagerness to address such tasks as ensuring food safety and 
protecting consumers, in a drive to apply pressure on China and 
other countries. 
 
The draft statement reconfirms that Japan and the EU will play a 
major role in addressing such challenges as global warming and 
economic development in developing countries. In order to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions, the draft urges China and other emerging 
 
TOKYO 00001048  009 OF 009 
 
 
countries to make appropriate contributions in accordance with the 
levels of their responsibility and capability. 
 
SCHIEFFER