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Viewing cable 08TOKYO1109, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/22/08

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO1109 2008-04-22 08:19 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO4270
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1109/01 1130819
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220819Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3660
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9778
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7399
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1073
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5793
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7995
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2938
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8957
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9471
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001109 
 
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 04/22/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Government plans to abolish counselor system in MOD reform, 
establish advisory posts (Sankei) 
 
(2) Before Upper House committee, Nihi reveals U.S. military 
aircraft's low-altitude flight in violation of Japan-U.S. agreement 
(Akahata) 
 
(3) Local governments dissatisfied at early morning departure of 
F-15s, with representative grumbling: "U.S. military is making light 
of residents" (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(4) Three municipal assemblies opposing early morning departure of 
F-15s tomorrow (Okinawa Times) 
 
(5) Japan, South Korea agree to start preliminary EPA talks; 
Challenges ahead; Gulf over lowering tariffs (Nikkei) 
 
(6) Editorial: Japan, South Korea must build new era for 
future-oriented ties (Nikkei) 
 
(7) Editorial: We welcome South Korean President Lee's decision to 
strengthen Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation (Sankei) 
 
(8) Prime Minister Fukuda to Chinese foreign minister: Face up to 
reality (Sankei) 
 
(9) Poll on lowering legal age of adulthood (Yomiuri) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Government plans to abolish counselor system in MOD reform, 
establish advisory posts 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
April 22, 2008 
 
In an envisaged reform of the Ministry of Defense (MOD), the 
government decided yesterday to abolish the counselor (sanjikan) 
system, which has been in place since the Defense Agency, the MOD's 
predecessor, was established in 1954, and establish instead advisory 
posts to be filled by political appointees for the defense minister. 
The government will also consider adding MOD to the list of four 
government offices -- the Finance Ministry; Foreign Ministry; 
Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry; and National Police Agency -- 
that have seconded their personnel as secretaries to the prime 
minister. Counselors assisting the defense minister have been 
selected only from among MOD officials. The government has judged 
that MOD's exclusive nature led to its slow responses to a bribery 
scandal involving a former vice-defense minister and the recent 
collision of an Aegis-equipped destroyer with a fishing boat. The 
government aims to improve MOD's nature by introducing the advisor 
system to appoint civilians with the aim of enhancing the functions 
of personnel assisting the defense minister. 
 
In the wake of a series of MOD scandals, Defense Minister Shigeru 
Ishiba has come up with a private MOD reform plan to: (1) appoint 
civilians as defense counselors, and (2) integrate the MOD's 
internal bureaus and the Self-Defense Forces' staff offices into a 
single body. He plans to put together a reform plan in June based on 
the position of the Council on Reform of the Defense Ministry at the 
 
TOKYO 00001109  002 OF 010 
 
 
Prime Minister's Office. 
 
The abolition of the counselor system and the appointment of a prime 
ministerial secretary from MOD are expected to make a set of 
proposals to be produced by the LDP's MOD reform subcommittee. At 
this point when Ishiba's plan is being strongly criticized as too 
radical, the government intends to realize those steps by 
incorporating them in the LDP's proposals. 
 
The counselor system originates from the creation of counselor posts 
at the time of the establishment of the Defense Agency. Although the 
name has been changed to defense counselor as a result of the 
central government reform in January 2001, there have been no major 
changes to the system. Placed directly under the defense minister, 
the defense counselors are tasked with aiding the defense minister 
in the ministry's overall policies. There are nine defense 
counselors, including six internal bureau directors general. As seen 
in the fact that some counselors did not come up to MOD in the wake 
of the Aegis accident, the initial purpose of providing the defense 
minister with cross-sectional assistance has not been served. 
 
The newly planned advisory posts will be filled by political 
appointees, including private-sector individuals. The defense 
minister will appoint them after the maximum number of advisors is 
set by a law. The appointment of retired government officials will 
not be ruled out. After nailing down details, the government plans 
to submit a bill amending the Defense Ministry Establishment Law to 
next year's regular Diet session along with other MOD restructuring 
plans. 
 
Meanwhile, Ishiba is exploring ways to integrate and restructure the 
MOD internal bureaus and the staff offices of the three SDF 
branches. The LDP, on the other hand, is considering setting up only 
a joint command composed of SDF officers and MOD bureaucrats under 
the Joint Staff Office. Ironing out differences in reform plans is 
expected to face difficulties. 
 
(2) Before Upper House committee, Nihi reveals U.S. military 
aircraft's low-altitude flight in violation of Japan-U.S. agreement 
 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Full) 
April 19, 2008 
 
Before the House of Councillors Audit Committee on April 18, 
Japanese Communist Party member Sohei Nihi criticized U.S. Forces 
Japan (USFJ) by producing data showing a U.S. military aircraft's 
low-altitude flight over Hiroshima City (last December) in violation 
of the (1999) Japan-U.S. agreement to abide by Japan's Aviation 
Law. 
 
In its (January 11) written reply to Nihi's question, the government 
made it clear that the U.S. military aircraft flew over the city 
last December at an altitude of approximately 450 meters. 
 
The Aviation Law defines 300 meters above the highest obstacle as 
the minimum safe altitude. The 1999 Japan-U.S. agreement reads: 
"U.S. Forces Japan shall use the minimum safe altitude specified in 
the Aviation Law." 
 
Nihi produced a piece of paper showing the U.S. military aircraft's 
estimated low-altitude flight over the Atomic Bomb Dome and other 
 
TOKYO 00001109  003 OF 010 
 
 
spots in Hiroshima, produced based on surveys conducted by a local 
civic group. 
 
Indicating that a witness in the on-site survey said that the U.S. 
aircraft had flown lower than the 397-meter Mt. Gongen, Nihi said: 
"Unless the aircraft flew over 300 meters higher than Mt. Gongen, we 
cannot say that it observed the minimum safe altitude." 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura replied: "An administrative 
official explained to me that the U.S. aircraft had not violated the 
Japan-U.S. agreement. But as I (listened to) Mr. Nihi's explanation, 
I felt there is a variance with the facts." Defense Minister Shigeru 
Ishiba also said: "I, too, have experienced low-altitude flights. 
They are terrifying." 
 
Nihi urged the U.S. side to stop low-altitude flights and called for 
major revisions to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. 
 
(3) Local governments dissatisfied at early morning departure of 
F-15s, with representative grumbling: "U.S. military is making light 
of residents" 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 23) (Full) 
April 22, 2008 
 
"Despite our repeated protests and requests, the U.S. military has 
done the same things." "We wonder why they can't take off in the 
daytime." The U.S. military yesterday notified the local governments 
hosting the U.S. Kadena Air Base of the early morning departure of 
F-15 fighter jets for the first time in about six months, sparking 
dissatisfaction among the local governments. The assemblies of 
Kadena Town and Chatan Town will hold meetings of their Special 
Committees on Military Bases today and tomorrow, respectively. 
Okinawa Mayor Mitsuko Tomon grumbled: "We have repeatedly asked (the 
U.S. military) to drop the plan, but it is regrettable to hear that 
the plan will be carried out as scheduled." She added: "Since it 
(early morning departure) will pose a health risk and give anxiety 
to the local residents, we cannot approve it. The U.S. military 
should be fully aware that an early morning departure will be a 
burden on the residents." 
 
Kadena Town Mayor Tokujitsu Miyagi said: "No matter what reasons the 
U.S. military may give, we will continue to call for daytime 
departures." He expressed dissatisfaction at early morning or late 
night takeoffs in behalf of the local residents. 
 
Koei Tanaka, chairman of the Kadena Town Assembly's Special 
Committee on Military Bases, said: "The U.S. military may continue 
early departures for training even after the Iron Flow program is 
completed." He added: "The citizens' right to live in a quiet 
environment must be protected without fail." 
 
Masaharu Teruya, chairman of the Chatan Assembly's Special Committee 
on Military Bases, assailed: "We have called on the U.S. military 
time and again to cancel the plan. They should avoid early morning 
takeoffs. Although they cite operational necessity, the residents 
cannot be convinced of the U.S. military's unilateral proceeding." 
 
Katsue Yonamine, chairman of the Special Committee on Military Bases 
of the Okinawa Assembly, deplored: "Our assembly adopted a 
resolution of protest and asked the U.S. military to call off the 
plan. But they rejected our request. Such a stance indicates that 
 
TOKYO 00001109  004 OF 010 
 
 
the U.S. military is making light of the residents." 
 
(4) Three municipal assemblies opposing early morning departure of 
F-15s tomorrow 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
April 22, 2008 
 
Three U.S. F-15 fighter jets and several air tankers are scheduled 
to leave the U.S. Kadena Air Base for the United States early 
tomorrow morning. The assemblies of Okinawa City, Kadena Town, and 
Chatan Town, which are adjacent to the base, are strongly objecting 
the early morning departure. 
 
The Chatan assembly (chaired by Tomotsune Miyazato) decided in a 
meeting of the Special Committee on Military Bases (chaired by 
Masaharu Teruya) yesterday morning to submit a resolution of protest 
calling for canceling the plan and a petition to the committee in 
its extraordinary session. The assembly will hold another meeting 
tomorrow to determine what wording should be used for the two papers 
and when the extraordinary meeting should be held. 
 
Teruya said: "If the aircraft fly as scheduled, the assembly will 
submit a resolution of protest calling for canceling early 
departures. If the plan is postponed, we will continue to protest as 
long as the early morning departures are scheduled. 
 
The Kadena assembly (chaired by Masayoshi Irei) will hold a meeting 
this morning of its Special Committee on Military Bases to confer on 
measures to deal with the early morning departures of aircraft. The 
committee's chairman, Koei Tanaka, emphasized: "We cannot approve 
the early morning takeoffs which will disturb residents' sleep. The 
U.S. military may also have early departure plans in the future for 
training in the U.S. and the like. It is necessary for the assembly 
to show its stance." 
 
Katsue Yonamine, chairman of the Special Committee on Military Bases 
of the Okinawa assembly, said in a rage: "Despite our repeated 
protest, the U.S. military plans to implement the plan. It is 
outrageous." He added: "I hear that they have decided to postpone 
the plan due to the malfunction of an air tanker. If that is the 
case, I'm even more concerned." Yonamine has expressed a desire to 
discuss with other committee members tomorrow a plan on holding a 
meeting. 
 
(5) Japan, South Korea agree to start preliminary EPA talks; 
Challenges ahead; Gulf over lowering tariffs 
 
NIKKEI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 22, 2008 
 
With a view to resuming Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) talks, 
Japan and South Korea during the bilateral summit on April 21 agreed 
to launch working-level preliminary talks in June. However, there is 
a significant difference in the two countries' stances toward the 
trade pact, with South Korea aiming to cut its trade deficits with 
Japan while Japan likely to be forced to defend its agricultural 
sector. Chances are that the envisaged talks may encounter 
complications right from the beginning. To what extent the planned 
talks can make headway is unclear, because some in both countries 
have an underlying thought that is cautious about signing such an 
agreement. 
 
TOKYO 00001109  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
The Japan-South Korea EPA talks have been suspended since November 
ΒΆ2004. However, when Fukuda visited South Korea in February this 
year, the two leaders agreed to look into resuming the talks. One 
Japanese government source gave a high score to the outcome of 
summit this time, noting, "The issue has taken a step forward with 
the two leaders clearly indicating June as a time to start talks." 
 
However, the future of the talks is fraught with many difficulties. 
According to trade statistics compiled by the Finance Ministry, 
South Korea's trade deficit with Japan stood at about 3 trillion yen 
in 2007. It imports liquid crystal- and semi-conductor-related parts 
from Japan, assembles them into such products as cellphones and 
exports them. South Korean President Lee Myung Bak has stated his 
determination to cut his country's trade deficit with Japan. 
However, he is caught on the horns of dilemma that if South Korea 
decreases imports from Japan, its exports to the world would also 
drop. 
 
South Korea insisted on the wording "working-level talks" for the 
joint press release this time. South Korea has taken this strategy 
with its public opinion toward Japan in mind. The likelihood is that 
the talks will be slow going. 
 
Sources familiar with Japan-South Korea relations say Fukuda and Lee 
did not discuss an EPA at all. A Japanese government official during 
lead-up talks had pointed out, "Once the EPA talks are resumed, it 
would be possible for Japan to look into the possibility of 
extending technological cooperation in the parts and materials 
areas." However, the two countries remained at odds with the South 
Korean government insisting that technological cooperation should 
come first. The summit reportedly ended with Fukuda and Lee reading 
out a text they had separately prepared. 
 
It is true that Japan and South Korea can hardly give way to each 
other on some items in their tariff-lowering negotiations. For 
instance, auto market liberalization may not benefit South Korean 
automakers, according to a source related to Nippon Keidanren. 
Abolishing tariffs on tuna Japan imports from South Korea could 
affect its fishing industry. 
 
Expansion of investment in South Korea by Japan holds the key to 
solving this issue. Talks among business leaders will carry a 
special weight in paving the way for that. Nippon Keidanren Chairman 
Fujio Mitarai during a regular press conference on Apr. 21 pointed 
out, "If the South Korean market is attractive, investment in that 
country by Japanese companies would increase." Japanese and South 
Korean business circles' down-to-earth effort to create attractive 
conditions for investment will likely become the focal point in 
resuming EPA talks between the two countries. 
 
(6) Editorial: Japan, South Korea must build new era for 
future-oriented ties 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 28, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and South Korean President Lee Myung 
Bak, who visited Japan for the first time after taking office in 
late February, agreed in their summit to further improve bilateral 
relations and work together to build a matured partnership to bring 
the bilateral ties into a "new era." We welcome President Lee's 
 
TOKYO 00001109  006 OF 010 
 
 
stance of stressing the importance of building future-oriented 
bilateral ties. He stated: "We should not let the past prevent us 
from going toward the future." 
 
Japan and South Korea had long suspended their top leaders' mutual 
visits due to the strained ties between the two countries over 
historical perception while President Rho Moo Hyun was in office. 
Tokyo and Seoul cooled down in the political area. This also had 
something to do with the suspension of negotiations on an economic 
partnership agreement (EPA) since November 2004. 
 
The annual number of Japanese and South Korean visitors to each 
other's country now reaches nearly 5 million. The two nations have a 
far better understanding of each other through their fans for each 
other's culture. Annual trade between Japan and South Korea totals 
more than 80 billion dollars. Japan is South Korea's third largest 
trade partner, and South Korea is also Japan's third largest trade 
partner. We can say that the lack of mutual trust in the political 
area has hamstringed the two countries in strengthening their ties. 
 
We welcome the two countries' embarkation on building a new era for 
them through their leaders. 
 
There is also a matter of concern. In the past, South Korean 
administrations upheld their stance of strengthening bilateral ties 
upon their inauguration. Later on, however, they changed their 
policies. The term of South Korea's president is five years. When 
the president's popularity drops, anti-Japanese sentiments and 
historical issues might be used to boost the administration's 
popularity. 
 
What should Tokyo and Seoul do to build steadfast ties? It is 
essential to translate bilateral agreements into action before 
anything else. 
 
The two leaders agreed to begin working-level talks in June on 
resuming negotiations for an EPA. They also agreed to cooperate 
closely to denuclearize North Korea and resolve the abduction issue 
in collaboration with the United States. 
 
There is a cautious view in South Korea about entering into an EPA. 
Although trade between the two countries has expanded, South Korea's 
trade deficit marked a record high of about 30 billion dollars last 
year. Japanese-made materials and parts are used for many South 
Korean exports, including liquid crystal panels. There is a 
structural problem. The more trade grows, the more South Korea's 
trade deficit with Japan increases. An EPA might expand further the 
trade imbalance. 
 
Correcting the trade imbalance is a vital issue for President Lee, 
who places top priority on "pragmatic economy." The question is 
whether Tokyo and Seoul can promote negotiations on an EPA that will 
lead to mutual benefits, including investment in South Korea by 
Japanese material and parts industries. To prevent the Lee 
administration from becoming anti-Japanese, efforts by both 
countries will be required. 
 
(7) Editorial: We welcome South Korean President Lee's decision to 
strengthen Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 20, 2008 
 
TOKYO 00001109  007 OF 010 
 
 
 
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak will arrive in Japan today. The 
president will stop over in Tokyo on his way home from the United 
States, his first overseas trip since he took office. President Lee, 
who has a business background, will make a quick two-day trip to 
Japan. Although successive South Korean presidents have taken a hard 
line in dealing with Japan, the Lee administration will likely carry 
out pragmatic diplomacy. 
 
When former South Korean presidents visited Japan for the first 
time, they never forgot to take up the issues of past history in 
their summits with Japanese leaders. Their purposes were to call 
Japan to offer an apology and engage in self-reflection, and 
successive Japanese prime ministers were displeased at being told to 
do so. 
 
This was a sort of a "rite of passage" for Japanese and South Korean 
diplomacy, but the upcoming presidential Japan visit appears to be 
different. The Lee administration takes a policy of attaching more 
priority to pragmatism than to philosophy, without dwelling on 
formalities. The administration also places more importance on 
future-oriented ties than on historical issues. We hope this policy 
will be maintained and that future-oriented bilateral relations will 
be built. 
 
The main purpose of President Lee's overseas travel is to rebuild 
relations of trust with the United States and Japan, as well as the 
traditional cooperative relations among Japan, the United States and 
South Korea. President Lee aims to carve out a future for his 
country based on trilateral cooperation while replacing the foreign 
policy of the former Rho Moo Hyun government, which took a tough 
stance (against Japan and the U.S.). 
 
Japan and South Korea share such difficult international issues as 
North Korea's nuclear programs and China's rise. It is greatly 
welcomed that South Korea has returned to the trilateral cooperative 
framework. Japan, which faces the issue of North Korea's abductions 
of Japanese nationals, is especially encouraged by the Lee 
government's strong interest in the abduction issue. 
 
President Lee has promised the people of his country economic 
development. Naturally, he has high expectations of Japan. 
 
For example, South Korea has its largest trade deficit with Japan, a 
sum reaching 30 billion dollars per year. South Korea will have to 
improve the trade balance. South Korea, a huge exporter, relies on a 
large amount of imports of parts and materials from Japan. It means 
that South Korea is a good customer. 
 
Are there any ways for the two countries to cooperate in such 
industries as parts and materials? Japan intends to find ways to 
seek mutual benefits while giving more consideration to South Korea. 
To that end, we want to see new cooperative relations with an eye on 
the conclusion of a Japan-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA). 
 
(8) Prime Minister Fukuda to Chinese foreign minister: Face up to 
reality 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 19, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met on April 18 with visiting Chinese 
 
TOKYO 00001109  008 OF 010 
 
 
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Prime Minister's Office. Yang, 
referring to the riots in Tibet, said: "I would like you to 
understand the nature of the group led by the Dalai Lama." In 
response, Fukuda urged the Chinese government to make efforts to 
resolve the issue, saying: 
 
"It is necessary to face up to the reality that the riots in Tibet 
have become an international issue. We should prevent the issue from 
having a negative impact on the Beijing Olympics." 
 
Yang stressed China's assertion that the Dalai Lama was responsible 
for the riots, noting: "If the Dalai Lama's side stops their 
independence activities, violence, and efforts to ruin the Beijing 
Olympics, the door for dialogue will open." 
 
Fukuda told Yang that Japan was ready to cooperate with China on 
global warming as much as possible, saying: "It is necessary to 
create a framework in which all countries in the world can take 
part. China's participation is vital." Yang said that China would 
make a contribution to the success of the Group of Eight (G-8) 
summit in July in Hokkaido, in which China would take part. 
 
Meanwhile, Fukuda and Yang agreed to continue efforts to resolve the 
dispute over gas exploration rights in the East China Sea. 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa and other DPJ 
officials met with Yang the same day. Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama and Vice President Seiji Maehara gave Yang a warning, 
saying: "We are concerned about the riots in Tibet from the 
standpoint of human rights. We want you to take the international 
community's criticism into consideration." Hatoyama and Maehara also 
took up the row over poisoned China-made dumplings and the issue of 
gas exploration in the East China Sea, and told Yang: "We hope for 
an early response from the Chinese government." 
 
Speaking of the riots in Tibet, Yang sharply asserted: 
 
"It is China's internal issue. The Dalai Lama faction has been 
trying to split our country and hamper the Beijing Olympics. If they 
end these moves, we will hold dialogue. As long as there is no 
change in the situation, the (Chinese government) will have to step 
up public order." 
 
In his meeting with Social Democratic Party head Mizuho Fukushima, 
Yang gave his outlook on the issue of North Korea's nuclear 
ambitions, saying: 
 
"There was positive improvement owing to the recent negotiations 
between the United States and North Korea. The United States may 
remove North Korea from its list of states sponsoring terrorism." 
 
(9) Poll on lowering legal age of adulthood 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 20, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: The Civil Code sets the age of adulthood at 20 years old, and 
minors-those under 20-are legally placed under parental protection. 
The age for voting in elections and drinking alcohols is stipulated 
 
TOKYO 00001109  009 OF 010 
 
 
by different laws. The government has been studying the feasibility 
of lowering the legal age of adulthood to 18 years old. Do you 
support the idea? 
 
Yes 36.4 
No 58.6 
No answer (N/A) 5.0 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes") to the foregoing question) 
Why? Pick up to three reasons from among those listed below. 
 
They are mentally mature 29.9 
They are well sensible 54.7 
Some support themselves financially 14.9 
They can be aware of adulthood 67.9 
Many countries set adulthood at 18 21.0 
Other answers (O/A) 1.7 
N/A 0.5 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no") to the foregoing question) 
Why? Pick up to three reasons from among those listed below. 
 
They are mentally immature 59.4 
They are not well sensible 49.0 
Many can't support themselves financially 50.5 
They can't be aware of adulthood 49.4 
Adulthood at 18 has taken root in the nation 17.9 
O/A 1.1 
N/A 0.4 
 
Q: Among the legal rights that are currently restricted to those 
aged 20 and over, what do you think should be permitted to those 
aged 18 and older? If any, pick as many as you like from among those 
listed below. 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes") to the foregoing question) 
Why? Pick up to three reasons from among those listed below. 
 
Voting in elections 46.4 
Drinking alcoholic beverages 16.9 
Smoking 10.6 
Public gambling like horse and bike racing 7.0 
Marriage without parental consent 21.4 
Contract without parental consent 9.6 
None of these rights should be permitted 37.9 
N/A 2.2 
 
 
Q: Do you think the age coming under the Juvenile Law should be 
lowered to 18 years old or younger? 
 
Yes 75.5 
No 20.5 
N/A 4.0 
 
Q: Do you think the age eligible to vote in constitutional referenda 
should be 18 and older? 
 
Yes 50.1 
No 45.2 
N/A 4.7 
 
 
TOKYO 00001109  010 OF 010 
 
 
Polling methodology 
Date of survey: Apr. 12-13. 
Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible 
voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified 
two-stage random sampling basis). 
Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face 
interviews. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,753 persons (58.4 PERCENT ). 
 
SCHIEFFER