Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 143912 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC AS AF AM AJ ASEC AU AMGT APER ACOA ASEAN AG AFFAIRS AR AFIN ABUD AO AEMR ADANA AMED AADP AINF ARF ADB ACS AE AID AL AC AGR ABLD AMCHAMS AECL AINT AND ASIG AUC APECO AFGHANISTAN AY ARABL ACAO ANET AFSN AZ AFLU ALOW ASSK AFSI ACABQ AMB APEC AIDS AA ATRN AMTC AVIATION AESC ASSEMBLY ADPM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AGOA ASUP AFPREL ARNOLD ADCO AN ACOTA AODE AROC AMCHAM AT ACKM ASCH AORCUNGA AVIANFLU AVIAN AIT ASECPHUM ATRA AGENDA AIN AFINM APCS AGENGA ABDALLAH ALOWAR AFL AMBASSADOR ARSO AGMT ASPA AOREC AGAO ARR AOMS ASC ALIREZA AORD AORG ASECVE ABER ARABBL ADM AMER ALVAREZ AORCO ARM APERTH AINR AGRI ALZUGUREN ANGEL ACDA AEMED ARC AMGMT AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU ABMC AIAG ALJAZEERA ASR ASECARP ALAMI APRM ASECM AMPR AEGR AUSTRALIAGROUP ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AIDAC AOPC ANTITERRORISM ASEG AMIA ASEX AEMRBC AFOR ABT AMERICA AGENCIES AGS ADRC ASJA AEAID ANARCHISTS AME AEC ALNEA AMGE AMEDCASCKFLO AK ANTONIO ASO AFINIZ ASEDC AOWC ACCOUNT ACTION AMG AFPK AOCR AMEDI AGIT ASOC ACOAAMGT AMLB AZE AORCYM AORL AGRICULTURE ACEC AGUILAR ASCC AFSA ASES ADIP ASED ASCE ASFC ASECTH AFGHAN ANTXON APRC AFAF AFARI ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AX ALAB ASECAF ASA ASECAFIN ASIC AFZAL AMGTATK ALBE AMT AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN AGUIRRE AAA ABLG ARCH AGRIC AIHRC ADEL AMEX ALI AQ ATFN AORCD ARAS AINFCY AFDB ACBAQ AFDIN AOPR AREP ALEXANDER ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI ATRD AEIR AOIC ABLDG AFR ASEK AER ALOUNI AMCT AVERY ASECCASC ARG APR AMAT AEMRS AFU ATPDEA ALL ASECE ANDREW
EAIR ECON ETRD EAGR EAID EFIN ETTC ENRG EMIN ECPS EG EPET EINV ELAB EU ECONOMICS EC EZ EUN EN ECIN EWWT EXTERNAL ENIV ES ESA ELN EFIS EIND EPA ELTN EXIM ET EINT EI ER EAIDAF ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECTRD EUR ECOWAS ECUN EBRD ECONOMIC ENGR ECONOMY EFND ELECTIONS EPECO EUMEM ETMIN EXBS EAIRECONRP ERTD EAP ERGR EUREM EFI EIB ENGY ELNTECON EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ECOSOC EEB EINF ETRN ENGRD ESTH ENRC EXPORT EK ENRGMO ECO EGAD EXIMOPIC ETRDPGOV EURM ETRA ENERG ECLAC EINO ENVIRONMENT EFIC ECIP ETRDAORC ENRD EMED EIAR ECPN ELAP ETCC EAC ENEG ESCAP EWWC ELTD ELA EIVN ELF ETR EFTA EMAIL EL EMS EID ELNT ECPSN ERIN ETT EETC ELAN ECHEVARRIA EPWR EVIN ENVR ENRGJM ELBR EUC EARG EAPC EICN EEC EREL EAIS ELBA EPETUN EWWY ETRDGK EV EDU EFN EVN EAIDETRD ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ ETEX ESCI EAIDHO EENV ETRC ESOC EINDQTRD EINVA EFLU EGEN ECE EAGRBN EON EFINECONCS EIAD ECPC ENV ETDR EAGER ETRDKIPR EWT EDEV ECCP ECCT EARI EINVECON ED ETRDEC EMINETRD EADM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ETAD ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS ESSO ETRG ELAM ECA EENG EITC ENG ERA EPSC ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EIPR ELABPGOVBN EURFOR ETRAD EUE EISNLN ECONETRDBESPAR ELAINE EGOVSY EAUD EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EINVETRD EPIN ECONENRG EDRC ESENV EB ENER ELTNSNAR EURN ECONPGOVBN ETTF ENVT EPIT ESOCI EFINOECD ERD EDUC EUM ETEL EUEAID ENRGY ETD EAGRE EAR EAIDMG EE EET ETER ERICKSON EIAID EX EAG EBEXP ESTN EAIDAORC EING EGOV EEOC EAGRRP EVENTS ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ETRDEMIN EPETEIND EAIDRW ENVI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC EDUARDO EGAR EPCS EPRT EAIDPHUMPRELUG EPTED ETRB EPETPGOV ECONQH EAIDS EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN ESF EINR ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN EIDN ETRK ESTRADA EXEC EAIO EGHG ECN EDA ECOS EPREL EINVKSCA ENNP ELABV ETA EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EUCOM EAIDASEC ENR END EP ERNG ESPS EITI EINTECPS EAVI ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EADI ELDIN ELND ECRM EINVEFIN EAOD EFINTS EINDIR ENRGKNNP ETRDEIQ ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD EAIT ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ EWWI ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EHUM EFNI EOXC EISNAR ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM EMW ETIO ETRDGR EMN EXO EATO EWTR ELIN EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EINVETC ETTD EIQ ECONCS EPPD ESS EUEAGR ENRGIZ EISL EUNJ EIDE ENRGSD ELAD ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO ENTG ETRDECD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS
KPKO KIPR KWBG KPAL KDEM KTFN KNNP KGIC KTIA KCRM KDRG KWMN KJUS KIDE KSUM KTIP KFRD KMCA KMDR KCIP KTDB KPAO KPWR KOMC KU KIRF KCOR KHLS KISL KSCA KGHG KS KSTH KSEP KE KPAI KWAC KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPRP KVPR KAWC KUNR KZ KPLS KN KSTC KMFO KID KNAR KCFE KRIM KFLO KCSA KG KFSC KSCI KFLU KMIG KRVC KV KVRP KMPI KNEI KAPO KOLY KGIT KSAF KIRC KNSD KBIO KHIV KHDP KBTR KHUM KSAC KACT KRAD KPRV KTEX KPIR KDMR KMPF KPFO KICA KWMM KICC KR KCOM KAID KINR KBCT KOCI KCRS KTER KSPR KDP KFIN KCMR KMOC KUWAIT KIPRZ KSEO KLIG KWIR KISM KLEG KTBD KCUM KMSG KMWN KREL KPREL KAWK KIMT KCSY KESS KWPA KNPT KTBT KCROM KPOW KFTN KPKP KICR KGHA KOMS KJUST KREC KOC KFPC KGLB KMRS KTFIN KCRCM KWNM KHGH KRFD KY KGCC KFEM KVIR KRCM KEMR KIIP KPOA KREF KJRE KRKO KOGL KSCS KGOV KCRIM KEM KCUL KRIF KCEM KITA KCRN KCIS KSEAO KWMEN KEANE KNNC KNAP KEDEM KNEP KHPD KPSC KIRP KUNC KALM KCCP KDEN KSEC KAYLA KIMMITT KO KNUC KSIA KLFU KLAB KTDD KIRCOEXC KECF KIPRETRDKCRM KNDP KIRCHOFF KJAN KFRDSOCIRO KWMNSMIG KEAI KKPO KPOL KRD KWMNPREL KATRINA KBWG KW KPPD KTIAEUN KDHS KRV KBTS KWCI KICT KPALAOIS KPMI KWN KTDM KWM KLHS KLBO KDEMK KT KIDS KWWW KLIP KPRM KSKN KTTB KTRD KNPP KOR KGKG KNN KTIAIC KSRE KDRL KVCORR KDEMGT KOMO KSTCC KMAC KSOC KMCC KCHG KSEPCVIS KGIV KPO KSEI KSTCPL KSI KRMS KFLOA KIND KPPAO KCM KRFR KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KFAM KWWMN KENV KGH KPOP KFCE KNAO KTIAPARM KWMNKDEM KDRM KNNNP KEVIN KEMPI KWIM KGCN KUM KMGT KKOR KSMT KISLSCUL KNRV KPRO KOMCSG KLPM KDTB KFGM KCRP KAUST KNNPPARM KUNH KWAWC KSPA KTSC KUS KSOCI KCMA KTFR KPAOPREL KNNPCH KWGB KSTT KNUP KPGOV KUK KMNP KPAS KHMN KPAD KSTS KCORR KI KLSO KWNN KNP KPTD KESO KMPP KEMS KPAONZ KPOV KTLA KPAOKMDRKE KNMP KWMNCI KWUN KRDP KWKN KPAOY KEIM KGICKS KIPT KREISLER KTAO KJU KLTN KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KQ KWPR KSCT KGHGHIV KEDU KRCIM KFIU KWIC KNNO KILS KTIALG KNNA KMCAJO KINP KRM KLFLO KPA KOMCCO KKIV KHSA KDM KRCS KWBGSY KISLAO KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KCRI KX KWWT KPAM KVRC KERG KK KSUMPHUM KACP KSLG KIF KIVP KHOURY KNPR KUNRAORC KCOG KCFC KWMJN KFTFN KTFM KPDD KMPIO KCERS KDUM KDEMAF KMEPI KHSL KEPREL KAWX KIRL KNNR KOMH KMPT KISLPINR KADM KPER KTPN KSCAECON KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KCSI KNRG KAKA KFRP KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KQM KQRDQ KWBC KMRD KVBL KOM KMPL KEDM KFLD KPRD KRGY KNNF KPROG KIFR KPOKO KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KHIB KOEM KDDG KCGC
PGOV PREL PK PTER PINR PO PHUM PARM PREF PINF PRL PM PINS PROP PALESTINIAN PE PBTS PNAT PHSA PL PA PSEPC POSTS POLITICS POLICY POL PU PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOG PARALYMPIC PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL POLITICAL PROV PRUM PBIO PAK POV POLG PAR POLM PHUMPREL PKO PUNE PROG PEL PROPERTY PKAO PRE PSOE PHAS PNUM PGOVE PY PIRF PRES POWELL PP PREM PCON PGOVPTER PGOVPREL PODC PTBS PTEL PGOVTI PHSAPREL PD PG PRC PVOV PLO PRELL PEPFAR PREK PEREZ PINT POLI PPOL PARTIES PT PRELUN PH PENA PIN PGPV PKST PROTESTS PHSAK PRM PROLIFERATION PGOVBL PAS PUM PMIG PGIC PTERPGOV PSHA PHM PHARM PRELHA PELOSI PGOVKCMABN PQM PETER PJUS PKK POUS PTE PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PERM PRELGOV PAO PNIR PARMP PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PHYTRP PHUML PFOV PDEM PUOS PN PRESIDENT PERURENA PRIVATIZATION PHUH PIF POG PERL PKPA PREI PTERKU PSEC PRELKSUMXABN PETROL PRIL POLUN PPD PRELUNSC PREZ PCUL PREO PGOVZI POLMIL PERSONS PREFL PASS PV PETERS PING PQL PETR PARMS PNUC PS PARLIAMENT PINSCE PROTECTION PLAB PGV PBS PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PKNP PSOCI PSI PTERM PLUM PF PVIP PARP PHUMQHA PRELNP PHIM PRELBR PUBLIC PHUMKPAL PHAM PUAS PBOV PRELTBIOBA PGOVU PHUMPINS PICES PGOVENRG PRELKPKO PHU PHUMKCRS POGV PATTY PSOC PRELSP PREC PSO PAIGH PKPO PARK PRELPLS PRELPK PHUS PPREL PTERPREL PROL PDA PRELPGOV PRELAF PAGE PGOVGM PGOVECON PHUMIZNL PMAR PGOVAF PMDL PKBL PARN PARMIR PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PDD PRELKPAO PKMN PRELEZ PHUMPRELPGOV PARTM PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPEL PGOVPRELPINRBN PGOVSOCI PWBG PGOVEAID PGOVPM PBST PKEAID PRAM PRELEVU PHUMA PGOR PPA PINSO PROVE PRELKPAOIZ PPAO PHUMPRELBN PGVO PHUMPTER PAGR PMIN PBTSEWWT PHUMR PDOV PINO PARAGRAPH PACE PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOVAU PGOF PBTSRU PRGOV PRHUM PCI PGO PRELEUN PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PMR PRTER PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PRELNL PINOCHET PAARM PKPAO PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POPDC PRELC PHUME PER PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PAUL PHALANAGE PARTY PPEF PECON PEACE PROCESS PPGOV PLN PRELSW PHUMS PRF PEDRO PHUMKDEM PUNR PVPR PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PBT PAMQ

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08TOKYO1153, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/25/08

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08TOKYO1153.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO1153 2008-04-25 08:16 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO7775
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1153/01 1160816
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 250816Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3779
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 9868
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7488
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1163
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5859
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8084
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3027
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9044
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9546
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001153 
 
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 04/25/08 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Scanner column: Prime Minister decides to establish "consumer 
agency" next fiscal year (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Prime Minister Fukuda off to Russia today (Sankei) 
 
(3) Serious accident caused by civilian employee of U.S. military 
not announced by Aomori prefectural police (Asahi) 
 
(4) Police to send papers today on U.S. serviceman over rape 
(Okinawa Times) 
 
(5) Editorial: Mistaken shipment of SRM to Japan too serious to be 
brushed off as caused by simple mistake (Mainichi) 
 
(6) Editorial: U.S. beef -- Simple mistake fearful (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(7) Editorial: U.S. beef: Do not make beef bowl fans cry (Asahi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Scanner column: Prime Minister decides to establish "consumer 
agency" next fiscal year 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
April 25, 2008 
 
Tomonobu Takenouchi 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda declared he would establish a "consumer 
agency" in fiscal 2009 in order to unify administration for consumer 
and bolster consumer policy, which falls behind other countries. Can 
an improvised agency function effectively? Consumer organizations 
assert that the key to whether the new agency can function properly 
lies in whether laws and authorities currently placed under the 
jurisdiction of each ministry or agency are transferred to the new 
agency. 
 
"Return my 18-year-old son to me. For whom did the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) fail to release information on 
accidents?" 
 
This remark came from Sachiko Ueshima (54), when she spoke before a 
gathering hosted by the Unica Net (Unica stands for Unification of 
Consumer Administration) in Tokyo on April 22. The Unica Net is 
composed of some 45 consumer organizations across the country. 
 
Ueshima lost her second son in November 2005 from carbon monoxide 
 
SIPDIS 
poisoning caused by a water heater manufactured by Paloma 
Industries. METI knew a similar accident occurred in succession, but 
it failed to take any preventive measures. 
 
The gathering was also taken part in by families of victims who died 
from eating tainted gelatin or died in elevator accidents. One 
victim family member claimed: "In order to prevent a recurrence of a 
similar tragedy, an administrative body to address prevention of 
accidents needs to be established." 
 
On April 23, Prime Minister Fukuda unusually assumed a top-down 
approach and decided to launch a consumer agency before the Council 
for Promotion of Consumer Administration, a panel of experts, 
 
TOKYO 00001153  002 OF 009 
 
 
releases its final conclusion. He did so, bearing in mind the rising 
public criticism of bureaucratic sectionalism, as well as the 
public's strong interest in safety and security. 
 
According to the policy announced by Fukuda, the new consumer agency 
will handle all consumer-related problems, for instance, commodities 
and monetary transactions, safety and labeling of food and products. 
The agency will engage in consumer policy-planning, enforce law, and 
give recommendations to firms and other ministries and agencies. It 
will serve as a control tower for consumer administration. 
 
The Japan Housewives' Association's Secretary-General Mariko Sano 
noted: "We give high marks to (the prime minister's stance) of 
promoting reform. We hope the consumer agency will be launched as 
quickly as possible, but we don't want it to be improvised. We hope 
the agency will be given strong authority and function 
effectively." 
 
Attention from now on is likely to be focused on how much 
consumer-related laws and authorities now placed under the 
jurisdiction of more than one ministry or agency, for instance, the 
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the Ministry of Financial 
Services, will be transferred to the new consumer agency. 
 
The Unica Net's Representative Sanae Hara said: "In order to 
implement a unified policy, at least 28 laws, such as the Specific 
Commodity Exchange Law now under the jurisdiction of METI, and the 
Law for the Prevention of Unreasonable Premiums and 
Misrepresentation concerning Products and Service under the 
jurisdiction of the Fair Trade Committee, should be transferred to 
the new consumer agency." 
 
At a hearing held early April by the Council for the Promotion of 
Consumer Administration, however, ministries and agencies whose 
authorities will be reduced are opposed to the transfer of their 
authorities. One official argued: "Expertise we have cultivated so 
far will be essential. Government officials in charge of industrial 
promotion, (such as METI), is capable of consumer administration." 
 
In addition to the unification of authorities, how to strengthen 
on-the-spot consumer administration is another big challenge. The 
consumer administration-related budget in local municipalities 
amounted to some 10.8 billion yen in fiscal 2007. The figure was 
down by half from fiscal 1995. Most consultants at consumer service 
centers are nonregular workers, and their status is unstable. 
 
Koichi Hosokawa, associate professor (of consumer policy) at Japan 
Women's University, said: "The Japanese administration system has 
given the highest priority to nurturing industries. Can this system 
be changed? Unifying consumer administration is a global trend." 
 
(2) Prime Minister Fukuda off to Russia today 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 25, 2008 
 
Keiichi Takagi 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will depart for Russia today on a 
three-day schedule. He is to meet separately with President Putin, 
who is to step down shortly, as well as president-elect Medvedev 
(currently First Deputy Prime Minister). A challenge for Japan in 
 
TOKYO 00001153  003 OF 009 
 
 
its diplomacy toward Russia is how to restart Northern Territories 
negotiations, which had been in effect forced into a stalemate in 
the days of the Koizumi and Abe administrations. Fukuda plans to 
orchestrate a stage to conclude a peace treaty with Russia under the 
banner of upgrading bilateral ties to a higher level, but Japan's 
"one-sided love" to Russia in terms of the Northern Territories is 
unlikely to change so suddenly. Can the prime minister's trip to 
Russia mark a breakthrough for him to draw Russia into a game of 
endurance that envisions an "exit" of the game, namely, the signing 
of a peace treaty? 
 
New game of endurance starts over Northern Territories 
 
A senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stressed 
the importance of the prime minister's visit to Russia by noting: 
"It will serve as a springboard for Japan and Russia to address the 
territory issue from a medium and long-term perspective." 
 
Tomorrow, Fukuda is scheduled to have the first meeting with 
President Putin and president-elect Medvedev. In the session, they 
are expected to reaffirm the policy of rebuilding the bilateral 
relationship into a higher level one, as well as strengthening 
cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. They are also expected to 
reach an accord on cooperation in the area of energy development in 
the Far Eastern region's of Siberia. 
 
In 1998 in the days of the Yeltsin government, Russia joined the 
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, but Russia's interest has 
been limited to military affairs since the days of the former Soviet 
Union. The environment surrounding Russia, however, has now changed. 
Russia has been under pressure from the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization (NATO) for its expansion policy toward the east, while 
its Far Eastern region of Siberia is suffering a sharp drop in the 
population and economic collapse and the region is also exposed to 
two threats: China's expansionism and a possible wildcat move by 
North Korea. 
 
Japan's strategy toward Russia is how to have Russia committed to 
act as a major player in the region and to use such commitment as 
leverage to resolve the territorial issue. 
 
Japan's approach at present is in line with its policy taken since 
1989, when it turned around its previous fundamental policy of 
inseparability of politics from economics. But the current approach 
is somewhat different from its past "exit" argument, under which 
Japan saw Russia snatch only economic aid from Japan, partly because 
an environment is being prepared for Japan and Russia to seek a 
common ground for them to mutually complement each other in the 
Asia-Pacific region. 
 
This, however, does not mean that there is any bright prospect for 
the Northern Territories negotiations. Putin has expressed his 
eagerness to conclude a peace treaty with Japan, but he at the same 
time indicated his intention not to return even a single island of 
the disputed Northern Territories. Medvedev, who is seen as a 
liberal, is likewise a patriotic politician. A diplomatic source 
takes a view about him: "He will assume a much tougher line to avoid 
being condemned as being weak-kneed by a group attaching priority to 
armed struggles. 
 
With the Russian side seeing the weak position of the Fukuda 
administration under the divided Diet, a source familiar with 
 
TOKYO 00001153  004 OF 009 
 
 
Japan-Russia relations made this comment: "The unstable political 
situation in Japan could give Russia an opportunity to prepare its 
excuse." But an ex-cabinet member of the ruling Liberal Democratic 
Party said firmly: "Should Japan put aside the territorial issue, it 
would mean the end of Japanese diplomacy." 
 
Can both sides, whose positions are conflicting, make efforts and 
obtain results satisfying both sides? What should Russia do in order 
to get a true fruit? We hope the prime minister's tour of Russia 
will serve as the first step to let the Kremlin realize the answer 
to that question is one. 
 
Moscow interested solely in economic affairs? 
 
When Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is visiting Russia, a large Russian 
economic delegation from the Russian city of St. Petersburg, from 
which President Putin comes, will be sent to Japan on a four-day 
schedule starting on April 25. Backed by Putin, the Russia appears 
to aim to further approach Japan in the economic area, but it is not 
much interested in signing a peace treaty with Japan. Its positive 
approach to Japan is thus unlikely to lead directly to resolving the 
territory issue. 
 
The above economic delegation of some 50 business leaders is led by 
St. Petersburg Mayor Matviyenko, who is close to Putin. The 
delegation is to fly from the city to Tokyo on the first direct 
flight in liner service opened by Russia's major airline company 
Transaero Airlines. The delegation will make an appeal for business 
opportunities to the Japanese side and attend an economic 
development conference with Japan. 
 
(3) Serious accident caused by civilian employee of U.S. military 
not announced by Aomori prefectural police 
 
ASAHI COMTOP (Full) 
April 25, 2008 
 
It has been learned that a civilian employee working at the U.S. 
military's Shariki Communications Site in Tsugaru City, Aomori 
Prefecture - where the X-Band Radar is deployed as an early warning 
facility against incoming ballistic missiles - was involved in an 
automobile accident with another car in the same city last year in 
April, with a male riding in the other car suffering a serious 
injury. Although the prefectural police in principle announce the 
occurrence of accidents involving serious injuries, they did not do 
so in this case. 
 
According to an informed source, last year in April, the automobile 
of the civilian employee crashed into a car it was trying to 
overtake and pass. A male riding in the car in front suffered a 
serious injury, with fractured ribs and vertebrae. The police last 
August sent forward papers (to the prosecutors) charging the 
civilian employee with the crime of professional negligence 
resulting in bodily injury. 
 
In response to coverage of this story by Asahi Shimbun, the 
prefectural police explained: "We heard that the accident involved a 
light injury. It appears that the accident was below the standard of 
having to be announced." 
 
Last October in Aomori Prefecture, a U.S. serviceman stationed at 
Misawa Air Base, while driving under the influence of alcohol, 
 
TOKYO 00001153  005 OF 009 
 
 
committed a hit-and-run offense. This March, papers were sent 
forward (to the prosecutors), but the prefectural police did not 
announce this. On the other hand, papers were sent forward on April 
23 charging a civilian employee working at the Shariki 
Communications Site with the crime of stealing into the residence of 
a female in Tsugaru City. In this case, the police announced the 
move, stating that "there was high interest by the neighbors" in 
this case. 
 
(4) Police to send papers today on U.S. serviceman over rape 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 29) (Full) 
April 25, 2008 
 
Okinawa prefectural police will send papers to prosecutors today on 
a U.S. Army corporal in his 20s for an alleged rape resulting in 
bodily injury. The corporal allegedly raped a Philippine woman in 
the city of Okinawa. In addition, the police will also send papers 
the same day to prosecutors on two U.S. Marines on a charge of 
robbery resulting in bodily injury. The two Marines are alleged to 
have robbed a taxicab driver of money on a street in the same city 
in 2006. The three U.S. servicemen are currently in the U.S. 
military's custody and expected to be turned over to Japanese police 
authorities after they are indicted. 
 
The rape incident took place this February at a hotel in the city of 
Okinawa. The corporal, who was assigned to a surface-to-air guided 
missile (PAC-3) unit at the U.S. Air Force's Kadena base, is 
suspected of raping a Philippine woman. The victim was found by one 
of the hotel staff when she was slumped in the hotel's lobby, and 
she was carried on an ambulance to a hospital. Her acquaintance 
reported the incident to the police. The police asked the victim and 
her acquaintances about what happened to her. At the same time, the 
police conducted an on-the-spot inspection of a hotel room and other 
locations. 
 
The robbery case occurred in July 2006 on a street in the city of 
Okinawa. Two foreign men allegedly held up a male cabdriver in his 
taxi and took several tens of thousands of yen from customers and 
his wallet containing about 300 dollars. 
 
The Okinawa Police Station collected samples in the taxi to identify 
the criminal, according to investigative authorities. The police 
checked them with other samples from Marines who were booked in 
another incident, and those samples were identified with the two 
Marines. The two have admitted to the allegations, the police said. 
The Okinawa Police Station asked the U.S. military's investigative 
authorities for cooperation and is now investigating the case. 
 
(5) Editorial: Mistaken shipment of SRM to Japan too serious to be 
brushed off as caused by simple mistake 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 25, 2008 
 
Yoshinoya Holdings Co., which has served beef bowls on a 24-hour 
basis again, discovered at its meat-processing factory spinal 
columns in beef imported from the United States. Spinal columns are 
specified as a specified risk material (SRM) for BSE and required to 
be completely removed in shipments bound for Japan under a bilateral 
accord. In response, the government has decided to ban the import of 
beef products from the meat-processing plant in California that 
 
TOKYO 00001153  006 OF 009 
 
 
shipped the beef in question. 
 
After the first case of BSE was reported in the U.S. in December 
2003, the government completely banned imports of U.S. beef. In 
December 2005, Japan lifted the ban, setting the requirements of 
exporting only beef from cattle 20 months of age or younger and 
removing SRMs. 
 
Only a month later, however, Japan re-imposed a total ban on U.S. 
beef imports following a discovery of vertebral columns in a meat 
shipment. After ascertaining that workers at meat-processing plants 
in the U.S. are properly aware of the safety criteria set up for 
beef exports bound for Japan and that they are observing the 
criteria, Japan resumed U.S. beef imports in July 2006. 
 
While Japan banned imports of U.S. beef, Yoshinoya had to suspend 
serving beef bowels. Yoshinoya has served again beef bowls on a 
24-hour basis since this March, when a full amount of U.S. beef 
became available. But spinal columns were discovered in a shipment 
again. 
 
Yoshinoya found the spinal columns at its processing plant in 
Saitama Prefecture in a box among 700 boxes of frozen boned rib of 
beef. Although there was no problem with the remaining 699 boxes of 
beef, the company disposed of them. 
 
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (DOA), beef products 
intended for another country than Japan were erroneously packed into 
a box bound for the Japanese market. The Ministry of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries takes the view that there is no serious 
problem with the (the U.S. inspection) system. 
 
When looking back over the experiences Japan and the U.S. have had 
over the BSE problem, we find the problem too serious to be easily 
disposed of by saying it was caused by just a simple mistake. 
 
Japanese consumers are becoming nervous about the safety of food in 
the aftermaths of a poisoning outbreak caused by tainted Chinese 
dumplings and a series of food-labeling scandals. One supermarket 
after another has begun to suspend sales of U.S. beef once again. It 
is a matter of course for supermarket chains to take every possible 
measure to maintain consumers' confidence. 
 
Promptly after discovering the SRM in U.S. beef, Yoshinoya reported 
it to the government. Owning to the report, the government was able 
to quickly take measures. 
 
It is necessary to toughen inspections at airports and seaports, but 
it might be unrealistic to inspect all deliveries. In such a case, 
cooperation between the public and private sector is indispensable 
in order to remove problematical food products from distribution 
channels, as shown in the recent problem. 
 
Needless to say, the U.S. must step up efforts to prevent a 
recurrent of similar problems. We ask the U.S. to pin down the cause 
of the problem and to hammer out preventive measures. 
 
Seeing the suspension of sales of U.S. beef at supermarkets, 
Americans criticize Japan's responses as "excessive." But different 
countries have different perceptions about the safety of food. If 
the U.S. is eager to sell its beef on the Japanese market, it should 
take measures that will have Japanese consumers believe that U.S. 
 
TOKYO 00001153  007 OF 009 
 
 
beef is safe. 
 
We would like to point out here that if the U.S. applies political 
pressure in an attempt to draw out a concession from Japan on the 
age limit, it would work negatively in the end. 
 
(6) Editorial: U.S. beef -- Simple mistake fearful 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full) 
April 25, 2008 
 
A high-risk material that could contain BSE agents has been found 
again in beef imported from the United States. The government, which 
just recently announced its decision to establish a Consumer Agency, 
is required to secure the safety of food from the perspective of 
consumers. 
 
Abnormal prions are believed to be BSE agents, and 99 PERCENT  of 
them are contained in the brain, spinal cords, and vertebra columns 
of cattle. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has designated 
them as specified risk materials (SRM). Unless the specified risk 
materials are removed completely, beef cannot be eaten with one's 
mind at ease. This should be the basic knowledge of the food 
distribution system. 
 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has taken a view 
that the inclusion of SRM this time around was a simple mistake by a 
U.S. beef plant and that it occurred at the shipping stage. The 
ministry therefore plans to suspend imports from a U.S. beef plant 
that shipped the beef that contained SRM, and it will not impose a 
complete embargo on U.S. beef imports as the ministry did so two 
years ago when vertebral columns were found. 
 
However, "a simple mistake" is fearful. A specified risk material 
was contained in one out of 700 cartons or 17 tons of frozen beef. 
But it is a serious matter that 27 kilograms of risk material was 
shipped to other country after slipping through inspection. The 
management and inspection process cannot escape being criticized for 
being sloppy. The United States cannot avoid being criticized for 
treating Japanese consumers lightly if a "simple mistake" occurs 
repeatedly. 
 
The U.S. government and meat industry have asserted that Japan's 
quality demand is too strict, but the safety inspections of food 
that nurture the health and lives of people should be stricter. The 
risk was avoided this time around because Japan's domestic 
inspection system worked well. 
 
It is said that the United States does not see BSE as a problem. But 
providing quality that is required by buyers is only common sense. 
 
Last week, South Korea and the United States reached an agreement on 
the relaxation of U.S. beef import conditions. The United States, 
which is unhappy with Japan's tough import restrictions that allow 
only U.S. beef from cattle 20 months or younger, has stepped up its 
pressure on Japan to ease the restrictions. However, Japanese 
consumers, who have strong distrust in the quality management and 
the safety of imported food since a series of food-poisoning cases 
involving Chinese-made dumplings, will not likely be convinced with 
matters as they exist now. 
 
The government should not conclude that the inclusion of a risk 
 
TOKYO 00001153  008 OF 009 
 
 
material was a simple mistake. It should call on the U.S. side to 
conduct an investigation to determine the cause, as well as come up 
with measures to prevent a recurrence. It is not too late to ease 
the restrictions after ascertaining that Japanese consumers are 
happy with the results of the investigation. 
 
Japanese consumers have begun turning gradually away from 
"inexpensive food" to "safe food" in their buying habits. 
 
(7) Editorial: U.S. beef: Do not make beef bowl fans cry 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
April 25, 2008 
 
Yet another problem has been found in the beef imported from the 
United States. One of the 700 boxes of short plate delivered via a 
trading firm to Yoshinoya Holdings Co., the largest operator of 
restaurants serving beef bowls, contained (short loin) with spinal 
columns. 
 
To reduce risks associated with BSE, there is an agreement between 
Japan and the United States to remove spinal columns and other 
materials for exports to Japan. 
 
Short loin with spinal columns is available on the U.S. market, so 
the products in question for the domestic market seem to have 
erroneously got mixed in the boxes for Japan. So concluding, the 
government has decided that there is no need to totally ban U.S. 
beef imports, although import inspections will be tightened. 
 
Consumers will not have to worry because at-risk beef is unlikely to 
go into the distribution system. Nevertheless, we have experienced 
similar events in the past. 
 
In December 2003, Japan shut its market to U.S. beef after a cow 
infected with BSE was found in the United States. In December 2005, 
Japan resumed imports of beef only from cattle aged 20 months or 
younger that are unlikely to accumulate BSE-causing agents on the 
condition specified risk materials (SRMs), such as spinal cords and 
the brain, be removed. Just a month later, a spinal column was 
discovered in a shipment of U.S. veal. 
 
This raised skepticism on whether the U.S. system was sufficient to 
meet Japan's import conciliations. The government immediately banned 
U.S. beef imports altogether. The Japanese market reopened six 
months later. It has been a year and a half since then. 
 
The incident this time around might have been a simple work-related 
mistake. Still, we are worried that similar mistakes might occur in 
the future. 
 
The U.S. side must clearly explain why such an incident occurred and 
what it will do to prevent a recurrence. It must explain those 
points to Japanese consumers and seek their understanding. Sluggish 
consumption will not rebound unless consumer confidence is 
restored. 
 
The governments of Japan and the United States have been in talks 
since last year on Washington's request to eliminate the age limit 
in order to expand exports to Japan. Japan was planning to raise the 
age limit to 30 months. But easing a condition would be meaningless 
when consumers turn their backs on U.S. beef. 
 
TOKYO 00001153  009 OF 009 
 
 
 
Washington might be wondering why the beef that Americans are eating 
at home does not sell well in Japan. 
 
In the United States, there is no need to remove SRMs from cattle 
aged 30 months or younger. Restrictions have been eased gradually 
even in Europe, where the largest number of BSE-infected cattle has 
been found, and T-bone steaks from cattle aged 24 months or younger 
are consumed there, as well. 
 
The number of BSE cases in Japan is far smaller than that in Europe. 
It is a fact that Japan's standards are the severest in the world. 
Japan's blanket testing of all cattle is also the strictest in the 
world. They come from the idea of reducing risk to the minimum 
possible level. 
 
Despite that, consumers' trust in food safety is wavering in Japan. 
Their trust can be restored only with steady efforts. This applies 
to products produced overseas and at home. 
 
SCHIEFFER