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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 001122 
 
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 04/23/08 
 
 
INDEX: 
AMERICAN EMBASSY, TOKYO 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION 
OFFICE OF TRANSLATION AND MEDIA ANALYSIS 
INQUIRIES:  03-3224-5360 
INTERNET E-MAIL ADDRESS: otmatokyo@state.gov 
DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 
April 23, 2008 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(2) EDITORIALS 
 
(3) Prime Minister's schedule, April 22 (Nikkei) 
 
(4) Rush of bills clear Lower House before revote on bill amending 
Special Taxation Measures Law; Ruling, opposition blocs make 
concessions on uncontroversial bills (Nikkei) 
 
(5) Koike suddenly emerges as likely post-Fukuda prime ministerial 
candidate: Making strategic-move without hesitation, checking Aso 
(Sankei) 
 
(6) Japan-South Korea summit: Fukuda, Lee agree to cooperate for 
settlement of North Korea's abduction, nuclear program issue 
(Nikkei) 
 
(7) U.S. military may deploy VTOL aircraft to Okinawa: Koumura 
(Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Three Chinese including one Nomura Securities employee arrested for 
insider trading 
 
Nikkei: 
Fuji Film, Daiichi Sankyo to domestic-manufacture anti-influenza 
drugs 
 
Akahata: 
House of Councilors member Koike of JCP claims that insurance 
premiums for the medical system for the elderly will indefinitely 
increase, be doubled in fiscal 2025, when baby boomers join the 
system 
 
(2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Death sentence for man who killed mother and child: If you are a 
citizen judge.... 
(2) Nomura employee's insider trading outrageous 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Death sentence for killing mother, child likely to enhance 
tendency for strict punishment 
(2) Arrest of Nomura employee: Not seen as a mere crime committed by 
individual employee 
 
TOKYO 00001122  002 OF 007 
 
 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Death sentence for killing mother, child as appropriate ruling 
(2) Insider trading by Nomura employee outrageous 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Death sentence for killing mother, child: Heavier responsibility 
for crime handed down 
(2) Nomura employee's illegal act: Company needs to review its 
information management system from every angle 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Insider trading by employee in charge of M&As at Nomura a 
serious issue 
(2) Public's feelings reflected in death sentence 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Death sentence for killing mother, child leaves heavy task 
(2) Is it necessary to continue the nationwide achievement test for 
five years? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Railroading the bill on "Host Nation Support (sympathy) 
agreement" through Diet is unacceptable 
 
(3) Prime Minister's schedule, April 22 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 23, 2008 
 
09:01 
Attended a cabinet meeting. Internal Affairs and Communications 
Minister Masuda stayed on. 
 
09:56 
Make an informal representation at the Imperial Palace about 
decoration. 
 
10:55 
Met at the Kantei Deputy Foreign Minister Sasae, Economic Affairs 
Bureau Director-General Otabe, Environmental Ministry Global 
Environment Bureau Director-General Minamikawa, Assistant Deputy 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Ando and others. 
 
12:15 
Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. 
 
13:58 
Met Lower House member Yasufumi Tanahashi, joined in by LDP 
Administrative Reform Headquarters chief Chuma. Tanahashi stayed 
on. 
 
15:00 
Met LDP Secretary General Ibuki and Machimura. Machimura stayed on. 
Afterward attended a global warming council meeting. 
 
17:04 
Met cabinet special adviser Okuda, followed by Deputy Foreign 
Minister Kohno, followed by Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister 
Ota. 
 
18:14 
 
TOKYO 00001122  003 OF 007 
 
 
Visited the IT Strategic Headquarters. 
 
19:03 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
(4) Rush of bills clear Lower House before revote on bill amending 
Special Taxation Measures Law; Ruling, opposition blocs make 
concessions on uncontroversial bills 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
April 23, 2008 
 
Under the divided Diet where deliberations on legislations have been 
stalled, the ruling parties have begun hurriedly sending bills from 
the House of Representatives to the House of Councillors. For the 
sake of smooth enactment, ruling and opposition parties have agreed 
to make changes to some uncontroversial bills, such as the one for 
measures against the possible outbreak of a new strain of influenza. 
Such a scene is rare at a time when the closure of the Diet is less 
than two months away. The aim is to obtain prospects for the bills' 
passage before the Diet is thrown into turmoil by an override revote 
in the Lower House, possibly on April 30, on a bill amending the 
Special Taxation Measures Law. 
 
Since April 15, the Lower House has approved 13 bills in its plenary 
sessions and sent them to the upper chamber. An additional six bills 
are expected to clear the Lower House on April 24-25. As of April 
14, 51 bills were still in the Lower House. The lower chamber has 
approved a little less than 40 PERCENT  of the bills, including the 
ones projected to clear the chamber, in just ten days. 
 
The lower chamber's swift passages of bills reflect the ruling 
bloc's desire to ensure sufficient time for deliberations in the 
opposition controlled-Upper House. In anticipation of boycotts of 
deliberations by the Democratic Party of Japan following its 
submission of a censure motion against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda 
on April 30 or later, the ruling camp apparently also wants to 
expose the Upper House's inability by sending as many bills as 
possible to the chamber. 
 
April 16 was the deadline for the ruling parties to resort to a 
two-thirds majority override vote by using the constitutional 60-day 
rule in the ongoing Diet session, which closes on June 15. With the 
G-8 Summit coming up on July 7, a plan has also cropped up in the 
ruling bloc to extend the session for about 10 days until late June 
to make every effort, including the option of a revote, for the 
enactment of key bills 
 
At the same time, both the ruling and opposition blocs have made 
concessions on many pressing subjects. 
 
For instance, the LDP and DPJ have reached a broad agreement to 
enact a bill amending the Infection Prevention Law and the 
Quarantine Law including measures against a new strain of influenza 
after making some changes to the legislation. This was followed by 
the Upper House Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee's decision on 
April 22 to get the bill amending the two laws approved by the Lower 
House and the Upper House on April 24 and 25, respectively. 
 
The two parties have also basically agreed to make changes to a 
basic space bill for promoting the development and use of space and 
a special measures bill to ensure caregivers. Both parties have 
 
TOKYO 00001122  004 OF 007 
 
 
begun intra-party procedures on April 22. 
 
Such steps reflect the shared desire by the ruling and opposition 
blocs to enact pressing and uncontroversial bills before the Diet 
stalls later this month due to a pitched battle. They also 
apparently want to dodge the public criticism that by putting high 
priority on a political battle, political parties have been 
neglecting key policy issues. 
 
(5) Koike suddenly emerges as likely post-Fukuda prime ministerial 
candidate: Making strategic-move without hesitation, checking Aso 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 23, 2008 
 
With public support rates for the Yasuo Fukuda cabinet plummeting, 
former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike has surfaced as a potential 
post-Fukuda prime ministerial candidate. Koike nonchalantly said: "I 
am honored to hear that, but it is nothing but a joke." Fielding 
Koike as a candidate for the post of prime minister is becoming a 
far more realistic prospect than ever before, intertwined with the 
motives of those in the party wanting to check former Secretary 
General Taro Aso, a prime candidate for the premiership. If a 
pattern of contest similar to the Hillary Clinton vs. Obama race in 
the U.S. presidential election appears in the next Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, there is a strong 
possibility of the LDP regaining impetus.  If a"Koike fever" flares 
up, a Lower House dissolution mood would also emerge. 
 
Koike on the 22nd delivered a one-hour speech at a party of 
mid-ranking LDP lawmakers. She stated: 
 
"My initials (in Japanese order) are KY - which some are reading as 
"Kankyo o Yokusuru (meaning "improve the environment"). Since I once 
belonged to the New Party Japan, I have many peers in the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto). Though we belong to different 
parties, we share the same perception that we must change Japan. I 
hope I can serve as a coordinator for an adult-like approach." 
 
After she started speaking, she suddenly changed the venue and shut 
out the media. An aide to her explained, "Since it is a delicate 
time, ..." However, telltale signs were reportedly spotted in her 
behavior indicating that she was aware of her position as a possible 
candidate to replace Fukuda. 
 
She has come under the spotlight as a candidate for the premiership 
since she visited China along with former Secretary General Hidenao 
Nakagawa on March 23-24. Nakagawa introduced her to the Chinese side 
by saying, "She is a new leader who will forge the future of 
Japan." 
 
In mid-May, she visited Russia along with former DPJ President Seiji 
Maehara and took part in an international conference. She also 
launched the Parliamentarian League to Achieve the Kyoto Protocol 
Goal (Mokutatsu Parliamentarian League) on April 9. On April 9, she 
dined with former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who had assumed 
the title of honorary advisor to the parliamentarian league, and 
Seiji Maehara. Koizumi during the meal said, "We have here two prime 
ministerial candidates. An interesting thing might happen." 
 
Koike explained, "I was invited to dinner. That's why I went. It's 
as simple as that." However, it appears that she has begun planning 
 
TOKYO 00001122  005 OF 007 
 
 
her next move with an eye on the political situation becoming 
unstable in the future. 
 
The April edition of "Domani," a fashion magazine for women, 
featured a gravure article titled "Dreaming Japan of Tomorrow -- the 
Other Side of Manliness -- Friendly Career-Track Politician." She is 
expected to publish a new work in June titled "Wasteful Japan," 
which focuses on environmental issues. 
 
She started a career as a politician after working as a newscaster. 
Since then, she has flexibly sided with the leaders of the hour, 
such as former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa, DPJ President 
Ichiro Ozawa and Koizumi. Many observers are of the opinion that she 
is quick to catch the political situation, like Koizumi, as one 
lawmaker who once served as a cabinet minister put it. 
 
Koike said, "I am just behaving with a natural stance." However, no 
doubt she is sensitive to skirmishes in political circles. When will 
she make the next move with an eye on Aso, who remains committed to 
a strategy of waiting until the time is ripe. 
 
(6) Japan-South Korea summit: Fukuda, Lee agree to cooperate for 
settlement of North Korea's abduction, nuclear program issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 22, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda during the summit with South Korean 
President Lee Myung Bak on April 21 reconfirmed his determination to 
strengthen cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and South Korea on 
North Korea's nuclear program issue. Lee expressed his support for a 
settlement of the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea. He 
also supported Fukuda's proposal for holding a Japan-China and South 
Korea summit in Japan within this year. His pledge will likely be of 
help for Fukuda, whose policy slogan is to focus on Asia diplomacy. 
However, the challenge is to what extent both countries can build a 
full-fledged partnership. 
 
Fukuda during a joint press conference after the meeting stressed 
the close cooperation between the two countries over North Korea 
policy. He noted, "The president declared his understanding of and 
support for Japan's position." 
 
Six-Party Talks recently has settled into a pattern of other members 
confirming the outcome of direct talks between the U.S. and North 
Korea. Japan's position is that it is essential for the abduction 
issue to move forward in the talks and not just the nuclear and 
missile issues. However, it cannot be said that this position has 
obtained across-the-board sympathy from other countries. After a 
long absence, South Korea has a conservative administration with the 
election of President Lee. To Fukuda, this appears to be a good 
opportunity to rebuild Japan's North Korea diplomacy. According to 
an account given by South Korea, Prime Minister Fukuda, having the 
resumption of a dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang in mind, twice 
during the summit told Lee, "When you work to persuade Pyongyang, 
please tell them that once ties between Japan and North Korea are 
normalized, Japan would proved North Korea with a bonus." 
 
However, to what extent Japan and South Korea can cooperate on 
specific measures remains unclear. Though President Lee has said he 
will attach importance to the human rights issue, it appears that he 
does not think it is wise for the abduction issue to hold back 
 
TOKYO 00001122  006 OF 007 
 
 
progress on the nuclear front. 
 
Although the president indicated his understanding of Japan's North 
Korea policy, he underscored, "I will extend close cooperation so 
that the nuclear issue can be peacefully settled during the 
six-party talks." He took a stance of pushing forward Japan-South 
Korea cooperation, while placing the highest priority on progress on 
the nuclear front. 
 
Both leaders also confirmed that they would strengthen cooperation 
among Japan, the U.S. and South Korea. However, there is a 
possibility of the U.S. accelerating direct talks with North Korea 
and of South Korea shifting focus to a dialogue with North Korea, if 
Pyongyang agrees. 
 
Cooperation between Japan and South Korea over China policy is 
another touchstone. Fukuda and Lee during the summit agreed to hold 
a summit among Japan, China and South Korea later this year. 
However, relations between Japan and China remain somewhat strained 
due to the Tibet issue and the incident of tainted Chinese-made 
gyoza dumplings. In order to produce results, the prime minister 
will have to display strong leadership. 
 
(7) U.S. military may deploy VTOL aircraft to Okinawa: Koumura 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full) 
April 23, 2008 
 
TOKYO-Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura, attending a meeting of the 
House of Councillors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday 
afternoon, implied that the U.S. Marine Corps may deploy the MV-22 
Osprey, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, to a facility to be 
built as an alternative (in a coastal area of Camp Schwab in Okinawa 
Prefecture's Nago City) for Futenma airfield. "Generally speaking," 
Koumura stated before the committee, "it is true that they are 
planning to replace the (Futenma-based) CH-46 and CH-53 helicopters 
with the Osprey." He added, "In the future, they may deploy the 
Osprey in Okinawa." 
 
Koumura also stated, "This month, we asked the U.S. military about 
this matter. They explained that they have yet to decide on the 
Osprey's deployment to Okinawa." He was replying a question asked by 
Tokushin Yamauchi from the Social Democratic Party. 
 
Former Foreign Minister Aso also referred to the Osprey's possible 
deployment to Okinawa in a meeting of the House of Representatives 
Foreign Affairs Committee on Apr. 12, 2007, saying the 
currently-deployed helicopters may be replaced with the Osprey if 
the United States does not develop a new helicopter. The government 
is apparently ready to accept the Osprey's deployment to Okinawa. 
 
In addition, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba did not rule out the 
possibility of constructing a military port within the newly planned 
alternative facility for Futenma airfield. Ishiba stated: "It is 
normally conceivable that they would need to use ships for 
transportation if and when their helicopters get out of order. We 
must consider what is needed to maintain the alternative facility's 
functionality. I'm not implying a possibility. I can say it's 
inconceivable for the present. However, I cannot definitely say that 
is totally inconceivable." Ishiba was replying a question asked by 
Yamauchi. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001122  007 OF 007 
 
 
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has now made a total payment of 
about 12.2 billion yen as court-determined damages to the plaintiffs 
who instituted class action lawsuits against U.S. military aircraft 
noise in localities hosting U.S. military bases. In this regard, 
Kimito Nakae, chief of the Defense Minister's Secretariat, revealed 
that the U.S. government has yet to pay its share of the damages. 
This was in reply to a question asked by Satoshi Inoue from the 
Japanese Communist Party. 
 
SCHIEFFER