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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001288 
 
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 05/12/08 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Trucking association-affiliated political organization found to 
have donated 33 million yen to lawmakers linked to the road 
construction lobby (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(2) Okada, Maehara, Noda viewed as potential candidates to succeed 
DPJ President Ozawa, bringing forth policies in areas of expertise 
(Nikkei) 
 
(3) Editorial: Protectionist trend in U.S. weighs on our minds 
(Nikkei) 
 
(4) Editorial: Relocation talks remain stalled; Where is the 
solution? (Okinawa Times) 
 
(5) Resumed Futenma talks remain deadlocked after six months; Kantei 
drawing criticism even from within government (Okinawa Times) 
 
(6) Window on Okinawa column: Unusual change happening on base 
issues - Provocation by an unconventional consul general (Sekai) 
 
(7) USFJ found to have purchased equipment in bulk: Measures against 
North Korea? (Sentaku) 
 
(8) Old-guard congressman opposes appointment of successor to U.S. 
undersecretary of state (Sentaku) 
 
(9) Interview with former Prime Minister Koizumi on "music and 
politics" (Asahi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Trucking association-affiliated political organization found to 
have donated 33 million yen to lawmakers linked to the road 
construction lobby 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full) 
May 11, 2008 
 
It was learned that the Research Council on Road Transport and 
Management, a political organization affiliated with the Japan 
Trucking Association (JTA located in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward), of 
which truck fleet operations across the country become members, had 
donated a total of 33.2 million yen in 2006 to 54 lawmakers 
belonging to the Parliamentary Council on Promotion of Trucking 
headed by Makoto Koga, who serves as chair of the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party's (LDP) Election Strategy Committee, for instance, 
in the form of the purchase of fund-raising political party 
tickets. 
 
In the same year, the research council received some 88 million yen 
in the form of donations from political organizations of prefectural 
trucking associations and voluntary organizations. Prefectural 
trucking associations have been given some 18 billion yen in 
subsidies for the promotion of trucking from prefectural 
governments. This fact has led to the criticism that a portion of 
the subsidies might have been in effect flowed back to politicians. 
 
The research council is represented by the JTA's vice chairman. 
According to the research council's 2006 income and expenditure 
reports on political funds, it donated to 52 LDP lawmakers, one 
 
TOKYO 00001288  002 OF 012 
 
 
major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) member and also one 
member of the LDP's coalition partner New Komeito. Former House of 
Councilors member Kimitaka Fujino (failed to be re-elected in 2007), 
who is a former official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and 
Transport (MLIT), received the largest amount of 5.7 million yen in 
donations. 
 
Following him, House of Representatives member Tomoyoshi Watanabe 
received 1.9 million yen in donation and former House of Councilors 
member Shogo Arai, a former MLIT official, 1.82 million yen. Coming 
after them was Koga, who received 1.5 million yen. 
 
The research council hosts a get-together party every year. 
Political organizations affiliated with each prefectural trucking 
association buy party tickets, but in 2006, prefectural trucking 
associations, for instance, the Hokkaido Trucking Association and 
the Hyogo Trucking Association, directly purchased party tickets 
worth 1.47 million yen and 4.5 million yen respectively. The 
Political Funds Control Law bans political donations by 
organizations receiving subsidies, but the purchase of party tickets 
is not subject to the law. 
 
Of some 60,000 truck fleet operators across the country, 90 PERCENT 
are members of each prefectural trucking association, and each 
trucking association pays 25 PERCENT  of the subsidy each receives 
to the JTA. The JTA extends low interest loans to trucking fleet 
operators and subsidizes their mortgage interest. The post of 
director of the JTA has been assumed by a former MLIT official. Four 
posts of board directors have been assumed by former government 
officials hailing from, for instance, the Ministry of Internal 
Affairs and Communications (MIC). 
 
When the provisional tax rates for fuel for trucks and buses were 
introduced in 1976, the subsidy system for trucking associations was 
adopted as a measure to ease the impact of the introduction of the 
provisional tax rates. 
 
Fujino said: "The amount of donations increased since the Upper 
House election last year. Heeding the severe situation facing the 
industry, I stressed the need to freeze the collection of taxes for 
a provisional tax rate portion. This activity might have been well 
received." 
 
Donations made to lawmakers who well understand the situation of the 
industry 
 
Comments by an accounting officer of the Research Council on Road 
Transport and Management: 
 
We donate to lawmakers who understand our views. We have advised 
trucking associations not to directly purchase party tickets. 
 
(2) Okada, Maehara, Noda viewed as potential candidates to succeed 
DPJ President Ozawa, bringing forth policies in areas of expertise 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 12, 2008 
 
In the Democratic Party of Japan, Vice Presidents Katsuya Okada and 
Seiji Maehara, and Public Relations Committee Chairman Yoshihiko 
Noda are viewed as potential candidates to succeed Ozawa. The three 
are making their presence felt more in the party recently. Many 
 
TOKYO 00001288  003 OF 012 
 
 
define Ozawa as a man who gives priority to dissolving the House of 
Representatives for a general election. In contrast, the three have 
brought forth policies in their areas of expertise. Many place 
expectations on them, but some insist that party members should 
devote themselves to toppling the Fukuda administration while 
avoiding an intraparty split in the party presidential election in 
September. 
 
In a street speech in Kagoshima City on May 10, Okada emphasized: "I 
am determined to change politics in this country through a change of 
government." In three locations in Kagoshima Prefecture, Okada 
delivered speeches in support of DPJ candidates for the next House 
of Representatives election. Yesterday he showed up a gathering 
sponsored by Rengo (the Japanese Trade Union Confederation) calling 
for abolishing the health insurance system for people aged 75 or 
older. Okada has visited more than 70 electoral districts on 
weekends since the House of Councillors election was held last 
year. 
 
Okada chairs the party's Global Warming Countermeasures Taskforce. 
He plans to submit the party's bill to the current Diet session. 
During a visit to Germany in the Golden Week holidays, he visited 
companies there with former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike of the 
Liberal Democratic Party and others. In a press conference in 
Kagoshima City on the night of the 10th, Okada said: "There are a 
few things that we can address (with the government and the ruling 
camp)." 
 
Maehara resumed in April discussions at the nonpartisan 
parliamentary group calling itself "the group of junior lawmakers to 
establish a security system for the new century," which had been 
dormant for three years. He aims at establishing a permanent law 
governing the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces personnel overseas, an 
idea that he has long insisted on. DPJ supreme advisor Kozo Watanabe 
said of Maehara: "He is a politician of great promise both for the 
ruling and opposition parties." 
 
In a meeting of Ryounkai, a policy group of mid-ranking and junior 
members of the party, Maehara stressed: "The party presidential race 
in September will provide the best opportunity for us to conduct 
policy debate." He added: "If Ozawa is elected unopposed, the DPJ 
will be finished." 
 
The revised Political Funds Control Law was enacted in the earlier 
extraordinary Diet session. Noda acted as a coordinator in 
negotiations on the bill amending the law between the ruling and 
opposition parties. He also worked hard to coordinate views in the 
party to support a bill covering the active use of space, which is 
now set to pass the current Diet session. Noda also co-chairs the 
suprapartisan parliamentary group Sentaku as part of efforts to have 
a lot of contacts in the ruling and opposition parties. 
 
The party leaders cannot ignore the presence of the three. On April 
28, the leadership asked for the opinions of Okada and Maehara about 
the submission of a censure motion against Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda. Based on their views, the leadership decided to shelve the 
idea. Azuma Koshiishi and other executives who have already 
expressed their support for Ozawa in the presidential election 
assert that it is outrageous to cause disarray in the party at a 
time when joint efforts are needed to drive the Fukuda 
administration into a corner. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001288  004 OF 012 
 
 
Okada and the other two have the experience of taking responsibility 
by resigning. Given this, some members take the severe view that 
they are not qualified to take a course of action that would lead to 
dividing the party. One party member said: "The three lawmakers are 
not as good at planning to topple the ruling coalition as Ozawa, who 
has been through hell numerous times since he belonged to the LDP. 
They lack punch in turbulent times." Their actions in the run-up to 
the presidential race in September will serve as a litmus test for a 
post-Ozawa DPJ. 
 
(3) Editorial: Protectionist trend in U.S. weighs on our minds 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 10, 2008 
 
Looking at the U.S. presidential campaign, we feel as if "free 
trade" has become dirty words in the United States. That is because 
two Democratic presidential candidates are escalating criticism of 
free trade agreements (FTAs), as if to vie each other. 
 
Some take the view that their bashing the FTA will only be during 
the campaign period. However, the words of presidential candidates 
in the greatest economic power in the world have a huge impact. The 
candidates should fairly explain the benefits of FTAs and 
globalization, instead of taking advantage of a domestic 
protectionist mood. 
 
Candidates Obama and Clinton are competing head-to-head with each 
other in an election to choose the Democratic Party's presidential 
candidate. They ended in a one-one draw in the primaries in Indiana 
and North Carolina, leaving a final decision for the next set of 
primaries. The prolonged election campaign is another factor that 
gives cause for the longwinded criticism of FTAs by the two 
candidates. 
 
Behind their critical stance toward FTAs echoes the widespread view 
in the U.S. that free trade is causing the stagnation in wage hikes 
and undermining employment. In particular, this tendency is 
pronounced among members of labor unions, the support base of the 
Democratic Party. Both candidates are trying to solidify their 
support base by taking a harsh stand toward FTAs. 
 
Both Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton have proposed taking a second 
look at the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which came 
into existence in 1994. Clinton has pledged to temporarily suspend 
new FTA talks, if she is voted into office. 
 
On the other hand, John McCain, the Republican Party's presidential 
candidate, has announced a stance of firmly maintaining free trade 
and promoting FTAs. 
 
Such a move in the election campaign is in tandem with the movements 
of U.S. Congress. The Bush administration has sought Congressional 
approval of an FTA with Columbia. However, the Democratic Party, 
which makes up a majority in Congress, has forgone a roll call. 
 
It is true that progress in globalization, as can be seen in the 
growing trend of outsourcing information-communication-related jobs 
to India, is connected to anxiety about jobs. However, such an issue 
should be settled with strengthened assistance measures, such as 
helping people acquire new skills. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001288  005 OF 012 
 
 
There is concern that if the U.S. inclines toward protectionism, the 
wave of support for free trade would disappear. U.S. politicians are 
expected to display leadership, by, for instance, explaining the 
benefits of expanded trade to the public. 
 
(4) Editorial: Relocation talks remain stalled; Where is the 
solution? 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 5) (Full) 
May 12, 2008 
 
The Kantei (Prime Minister's Official Residence), reacting to 
hard-line policy course led by the Ministry of Defense (MOD), has 
switched to a negotiating policy-line. The Okinawa prefectural 
government under the Kantei's leadership aims to relocate the 
(planned Futenma replacement facility) further into the sea by 
forcing changes to the Japan-U.S. agreement (V-shaped plan). The 
consultative council on the relocation of Futenma Air Station 
resumed talks last November after a lapse of about 10 months because 
the Kantei and Okinawa shared the desire to break the gridlock. 
 
But revision talks have not made any progress over the last six 
months. Although the Kantei has made flexible statements in the 
resumed talks, Okinawa's call for moving the envisaged replacement 
facility further into the ocean has not made any headway. The United 
States' extremely inflexible attitude was Okinawa's biggest 
miscalculation. 
 
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte in meetings with 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and Defense Minister 
Shigeru Ishiba on May 9 drove home the point that there would not be 
an easy compromise by saying, "Implementation must be in a timely 
fashion, as agreed on (in the relocation plan)." 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer, too, has applied 
pressure on the Kantei by telling Machimura, "Moving the planned 
replacement facility further into the ocean is like opening a 
Pandora's Box." 
 
Negative statements by senior U.S. officials overlap with a series 
of statements made by U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher. 
 
The Okinawa Times' April 30 morning issue carried an interview with 
the consul general, who said: "Coordination is over. The plan 
entered the implementation phase two years ago. There are only two 
options: either to implement or not implement this plan. Altering 
the plan is not an option." What made a U.S. diplomat in Okinawa 
take such an overbearing attitude? Many readers must have reacted 
sharply to his message. 
 
What is clear is that what he said was not of a personal nature but 
reflected the view of the U.S. government. 
 
We have repeatedly pointed out the problems associated with the 
bilateral agreement incorporated into the plan to realign U.S. 
forces in Japan. 
 
First, the governments of Japan and the United States proceeded with 
talks without obtaining the concurrence of the prefectural 
government and affected municipalities in defiance of then Prime 
Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's words, "We will not push the matter 
forward behind the back of the affected municipalities." 
 
TOKYO 00001288  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
Second, as the relocation site, the two governments selected an area 
that was designated by the prefectural government as the habitat for 
dugongs, a protected species, which must be strictly preserved. The 
MOD's notice specifying the outline of an environmental impact 
assessment was filled with noticeable flaws due to the insufficient 
disclosure of information. 
 
Third, the government's assertion that it would reduce the burden on 
Okinawa while maintaining adeterrence was played up to serve its 
interests, regardless of the incompatible aspect of the statement. 
As a result, what the government says often clashes with the U.S. 
military's views. 
 
Fourth, we would like to single out the problem with government 
subsidies based on the willingness to facilitate the realignment of 
US forces in Japan. This carrot-and-stick policy only undermines 
local administration. 
 
Further, the two governments have yet to come up with any effective 
measures to eliminate the danger of Futenma Air Station. 
 
How is Governor Hirokazu Nakaima going to address the matter? Given 
many problems associated with the plan to move the relocation site 
into the ocean, he will probably not be able to press Tokyo and 
Washington backed by public opinion. There seems to be no other 
option but to go back to the starting point to review the issues. 
And to do so with haste. 
 
(5) Resumed Futenma talks remain deadlocked after six months; Kantei 
drawing criticism even from within government 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
May 11, 2008 
 
In a bid to resolve the hard-going issue of relocating Futenma Air 
Station in Ginowan under the leadership of the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence (Kantei), the government resumed talks with the 
prefectural government and affected municipalities last November 
after a lapse of 10 months. It has been six months and yet the talks 
remain stalled. The reason is because the prefectural side is 
calling for moving the envisioned replacement facility further into 
the ocean, going against the government's plan to build a V-shaped 
pair of runways along the coastline of Camp Schwab in Nago. 
 
In an attempt to soften the stance of affected municipalities, the 
government has announced measure after measure, such as lifting the 
freeze on the economic package for the northern area, as part of its 
"sunshine policy." But they have all failed to produce positive 
results. The U.S. government has adamantly refused the offshore 
option, and the Kantei's optimistic outlook is drawing fire even 
from within the government. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura met U.S. Deputy Secretary 
of State John Negroponte at the Kantei on May 9 in which the 
government spokesman explained on the stalled relocation talks, 
saying: "As long as I am chief cabinet secretary, the government 
will never lose its zeal regarding the U.S. force realignment." 
 
Under the then Abe cabinet, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) pressed 
Okinawa for concessions by using the carrot-and-stick approach of 
implementing the budget for the northern area economic package and 
 
TOKYO 00001288  007 OF 012 
 
 
freezing the subsidies related to the U.S. military realignment. 
Machimura and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi have 
concluded that resolving the matter would be difficult under MOD's 
leadership. To induce concessions, the government lifted earlier 
this year the freeze on the base realignment subsidies. 
 
A government official reportedly has come out with a short-cut 
scenario of reaching a broad agreement during the visit to Japan of 
President George W. Bush for the G-8 Summit in July. 
 
The consultative council has met four times, but it has yet to find 
any lead to breaking the gridlock. "There is nothing more we can 
do," a Kantei source lamented. 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer drove home the point 
that the Japanese government should not make an easy compromise when 
he told Machimura: "Moving the envisioned facility into the ocean is 
like opening a Pandora's Box. The U.S. military will voice its 
dissatisfaction." 
 
A senior MOD official commented coldly: "Although the government has 
come up with budgetary measures for Okinawa, nothing has moved 
forward. I think Mr. Machimura has finally realized the difficulty 
he faces in resolving this issue." 
 
(6) Window on Okinawa column: Unusual change happening on base 
issues - Provocation by an unconventional consul general 
 
By Tsuyoshi Matsumoto of the Ryukyu Shimpo 
 
SEKAI (Pages 196-7) (Full) 
June 2008 
 
Something unusual is happening on the base issues in Okinawa. The 
provocative statements on such matters as the realignment of U.S. 
forces in Japan by Mr. Kevin Maher, the U.S. consul general to 
Okinawa, are frequently rubbing the sentiments of prefectural 
residents the wrong way. The presence of the unique consul general, 
who is not timid about making assertions about the importance of the 
Japan-U.S. alliance and the need for the bases on Okinawa, has 
brought out such expressions of alarm from heads of communities 
hosting bases and from academics as: "America's approach to Okinawa 
has changed"; "He does not listen to Okinawa's explanations, but 
only presses it to go along with the bilateral agreement"; and "He 
is like a uniformed military person." 
 
Set off by two incidents involving U.S. servicemen, the rape of a 
schoolgirl in Okinawa and the robbery and murder of a taxi driver in 
Yokosuka City, there have been growing calls for a revision of the 
Japan-U.S Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). In response, Consul 
General Maher at his regular news conference at the beginning of 
April ruled such out by quipping, "Politicians and groups are 
turning it into a political football." Revision of the SOFA has 
become an all Okinawa request, with the prefecture, towns and 
cities, and assemblies all lined up behind it. Okinawa Governor 
Masahiro Nakaima has reacted sharply by saying: "He is a person who 
has made many incomprehensible remarks that have created friction 
between the United States and Okinawa." Foreign Minister Masahiko 
Koumura, too, in a Diet reply, created a stir by expressing his 
displeasure: "As a Japanese, I am not pleased." 
 
On the relocation of Futenma Air Station, the biggest pending issue, 
 
TOKYO 00001288  008 OF 012 
 
 
Consul General Maher has continued to completely reject the 
possibility of revising the location of the site toward the ocean, 
as sought by Governor Nakaima. His relations with the conservative 
governor who supports the Japan-U.S. security arrangements, 
according to a senior official in the Okinawa prefectural 
government, "has become thorny to an unprecedented degree." 
 
The United States has consulates in Japan in Sapporo, Nagoya, 
Osaka-Kobe, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. These form the core of public 
affairs activities to boost the American image. In Okinawa, a 
consular section was opened first in 1952 when the prefecture as 
still under American rule. It was elevated to consulate general in 
¶1956. When anti-base sentiment was smoldering, since it played a 
role in immediately reporting local moves to Washington and the 
embassy (in Tokyo), it had a position that was a level higher than 
other consulates. 
 
Maher went to the University of Hawaii where he majored in modern 
East Asian history. After several positions, including director of 
international policy under the deputy assistant secretary of the Air 
Force at the Pentagon, and the principal officer at the consulate in 
Fukuoka, he became head of the security unit of the U.S. Embassy in 
Japan, in which capacity he was involved in the Japan-U.S. 
negotiations to realign the U.S. forces in Japan. He became consul 
general in Okinawa in July 2006. He is a specialist on Asia and 
security affairs. In stark contrast to his predecessors, who as much 
as possible avoided political statements that might irritate the 
sentiments of prefectural residents, Maher has been noticeable for 
his frank remarks, as seen in his establishing a regular press 
conference. Let me give some cases in which he aroused controversy: 
 
 
-- In an interview two years after the crash of a helicopter 
attached to MCAS Futenma on the campus of Okinawa International 
University, he stated: "Futenma Air Station is not particularly 
dangerous" (August 2006)"; 
 
-- In his first meeting with Governor Nakaima after his 
inauguration, he clearly stated: "Closing Futenma Air Station in 
three years (as promised in the campaign by the governor) is 
impossible" (Dec. 2006); 
 
-- At the time when two U.S. Navy minesweepers paid port calls at 
Yonaguni Island, over the objections of the head of that village, he 
was showered with criticism for calling ahead of time for a "welcome 
party at the home of the headsman," and for "elementary school 
students to join the sailors for a barbeque party," as well as for 
pushing the point of "the goodwill and friendship" of the occasion. 
(June 2007); and 
 
-- When the Okinawa Prefectural Police reacted sharply to the names 
of the four maintenance crewmen not being released after the crash 
of a helicopter into an Okinawan university, such being needed in 
order to send papers of the suspects forward (to prosecutors), he 
stated, "What are the police investigating by asking for their 
names?" (August 2007). 
 
In mid-April, this reporter visited the residence of the consul 
general in Ginowan City that is directly under the flight path of 
aircraft taking off and landing at Futenma Air Station. My interview 
was interrupted many times by the roar of air-refueling tankers 
overhead. The tall and mustached Maher, speaking in fluent Japanese, 
 
TOKYO 00001288  009 OF 012 
 
 
stressed: 
 
"The crucial role of the consulate general in Okinawa is to explain 
to the prefectural residents how beneficial the U.S.-Japan Security 
Treaty is to the peace and stability of Japan and this region, as 
well as how important the bases are. China's military power is 
increasing, and there is also the North Korea problem. Since I 
participated in the USFJ realignment negotiations, there is also the 
role of swiftly implementing the plan, as agreed by Japan and the 
U.S." 
 
He continued: 
 
"Although there are many diplomats who think it better to be vague 
about the base issues, I can't understand why I should not explain 
things directly in order to resolve matters pragmatically, while not 
resorting to the form-over-substance approach used before. I do not 
think at all about the criticisms leveled at me. The basic principle 
of a diplomat is to tell the truth." 
 
I asked, "Haven't you been taken to task by Washington or the 
Embassy for remarks that have brought on criticism?"  He answered 
with a calm face: "Not even once: Ambassador Schieffer has backed my 
approach of positively transmitting the U.S.' stance. Even the 
remark about the 'political football' was supported." 
 
This was the way that Mr. Seigen Miyazato (former professor at 
Dokkyo University and head of the Okinawa Research Institute of 
Foreign Affairs) analyzed it: "This type of consulate general did 
not exist in the past. As symbolized by the relocation of Futenma 
Air Station to a location within the prefecture, it seems that the 
capability of the Okinawan society to object has weakened, with the 
thrusting on them of various things connected to the base problem. 
The Japanese government, similarly, has gone on the offense, 
slipping into the U.S.'s policy of giving priority to the military. 
It is just like the strong unilateral method used by the U.S. 
military when it ruled Okinawa under High Commissioner Paul W. 
Carraway, suppressing the will of the people while brandishing the 
myth of autonomy. The Okinawa side is again being put to test, 
finding it quite difficult to be able to stop the words and action 
of such a consul general." 
 
(7) USFJ found to have purchased equipment in bulk: Measures against 
North Korea? 
 
SENTAKU (Page 44) (Full) 
May, 2008 
 
The Defense Ministry (MOD) in April confirmed that the U.S. forces 
stationed in Japan (USFJ) are purchasing such equipment as parts for 
small arms and bullet-proof jackets in bulk. Commenting on this, a 
senior MOD official said, "The U.S. has presumably obtained 
intelligence regarding North Korea's military activities." 
 
It is undeniable that North Korea might take some military action in 
an effort to draw attention from the world in the run-up to the Lake 
Toya G-8 to be held in Hokkaido in July. An international military 
intelligence source has analyzed the move: "Since the inauguration 
in South Korea of the Lee Myung Bak administration, which is 
prepared to take a hard-line stance toward North Korea, relations 
between North and South Koreas are not moving as Pyongyang hopes. It 
is within the scope of the assumption that North Korea might trigger 
 
TOKYO 00001288  010 OF 012 
 
 
an exchange of fire." 
 
However, it would seem convenient to the U.S. if North Korea caused 
a skirmish, that is to say, caused a moderate amount of trouble. 
Regarding the motives of the Bush administration, the same source 
conjectured, "The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), which 
caused a temporary suspension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling operations, is the de facto enemy of the U.S. The U.S. 
presumably intends to shake up the DPJ, which lacks a crisis 
management function, by turning a blind eye to a moderate skirmish 
on the Korean Peninsular." According to this source, the U.S. thinks 
that if Japan really faces an emergency situation, its public would 
tilt toward the government and the ruling camp. 
 
One former cabinet minister from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
said that DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa at one time intended to form a 
grand coalition because he is well aware of the awesomeness of the 
U.S. Others in the LDP feel the same way. 
 
(8) Old-guard congressman opposes appointment of successor to U.S. 
undersecretary of state 
 
SENTAKU (Page 10) (Full) 
May, 2008 
 
The selection of a successor to former U.S. Undersecretary of State 
Karen Hughes for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, who resigned 
at the end of last year, is in limbo. The President has already 
nominated James Glassman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise 
Institute, a conservative think-tank, as her successor. However, 
congressional deliberations needed for his assumption of office are 
being held up. 
 
What are impeding the confirmation of his appointment are concerns 
about anti-American bias in the Voice of America's Persian 
broadcasts. Glassman is the chairman of the body in charge of the 
programs in question. Conservative old-guard congressman Coburn of 
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is calling on a cabinet 
minister in charge and the VOA authorities to give explanations on 
that before Glassman's appointment is approved. 
 
(9) Interview with former Prime Minister Koizumi on "music and 
politics" 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 9, 2008 
 
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun will soon publish a book titled, "Musical 
travels (Ongaku henreki)," written by former Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi. During his term in office, then Prime Minister 
Koizumi went to many operas and was known as a music lover who even 
sang Elvis Presley songs. The Asahi Shimbun interviewed him for the 
first time in a while. 
 
The book starts with an explanation about how he used to listen to 
music when he was a child. He speaks freely about it.  "Listen to 
music as you please" seems to be his style. 
 
-- When did you become a music lover? 
 
When I was a junior high school student in Yokosuka, a teacher 
encouraged me to join the orchestra that had just been formed. "I 
 
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will give you violin lessons," the teacher promised. "The Toy 
Symphony" was the first piece I practiced. 
 
But Koizumi gave up the violin. While listening to a record of 
"Romance" played by Heifetz, he sensed how unskillful he was. He 
realized that he was no match for such genius and thought that he 
should be just a listener. 
 
-- But your administration remained in power for five years and a 
half, showing that you were a genius in politics. 
 
No, no. A genius is not an appropriate label for a politician. 
Genius' views are very different from what ordinary people think. 
Persons of common ability usually become politicians. 
 
-- Even so, Mr. Abe was in great trouble, and Mr. Fukuda is having 
difficulty. 
 
Even with the same musical score, it is different right from the 
first tone when different players perform. Even if different 
politicians say the same thing, their capabilities to appeal to the 
audiences are different according to sound quality, sound volume, 
intonation, and speed. 
 
-- We hear you like concertos. But your politics seems to have been 
dissonant. 
 
I acted harmoniously with the people. 
 
Some might have realized that a cold rain was falling after they 
left the concert hall after having been fascinated by the Koizumi 
Symphony. 
 
-- What do you think about the new health insurance system for 
people aged 75 or older? 
 
I think the emotional debate will calm down over time. 
 
-- In your book, you wrote: "Operas are like love. In them, you will 
find jealousy, hatred, and death." You also wrote: "Power is empty 
when compared to love. You need only listen to Don Carlos, composed 
by Verdi." You also wrote: "When you listen to Lohengrin, composed 
by Wagner, you will realize there are parts that people should never 
hear." What do you mean? 
 
There is a proverb that goes, "The less said the better," but here, 
I meant to say the "less heard the better." 
 
-- Did you learn this not from the history of music but from your 
history of love affairs? 
 
There is sometimes both merit and truth in a lie. I wonder if it is 
desirable to eagerly wave the banner of righteousness." 
 
Should we see the "lies" in Koizumi politics interesting or 
insincere? 
 
Koizumi was encouraged by the musical "La Mancha." When he was 
tackling the task of reforming postal services, he was always 
humming "The Impossible Dream," the theme song of Don Quixote, the 
itinerant knight. "Although a dream hardly ever comes true and 
though there are many enemies, I will set off burying my sorrow and 
 
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in high spirits." 
 
-- How have you been spending your time recently? 
 
I read books, watch television, go to concerts, and sometimes attend 
political meetings. 
 
-- Some are calling for you to return to politics as prime minister. 
 
 
Those who do not know much about me say so. The prime minister 
always has to fight many enemies and is always in dire distress." 
 
-- What music do you want for your funeral? 
 
Film music composed by Morricone might be desirable. 
 
The book concludes: "Now that I have been released from the 
premier's duties, I would like to set out on a journey in search of 
buried or new excellent pieces of music." 
 
DONOVAN