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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001451 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/28/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
Prime Minister's daily schedule: Met individually with 16 African 
leaders 
 
3) Presidential candidate Senator John McCain, Senator Lieberman in 
joint paper to Yomiuri stress giving priority to such U.S. allies as 
Japan  (Yomiuri) 
 
4) Interview with outgoing Ambassador to U.S. Ryozo Kato: Need to 
give constant attention to managing the alliance  (Yomiuri) 
 
TICAD IV: 
5) African development conference - TICAD IV - opens today with 
focus on soaring food prices  (Mainichi) 
6) Prime Minister Fukuda meets 16 African leaders in a day on 
sidelines of TICAD IV conference  (Nikkei) 
7) Fukuda received African Union (AU) support for Japan's bid for 
permanent UNSC seat  (Mainichi) 
8) Food summit: Government to pledge additional $50 million, urge 
more food production (Nikkei) 
 
North Korea problem: 
9) U.S., North Korea delegates to Six-Party Talks exchange views in 
Beijing on Japan's abduction issue  (Mainichi) 
10) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura denies Mainichi report that 
North Korea had informed U.S. of existence of more abductees 
(Mainichi) 
11) Diet league headed by former LDP lawmaker Hiranuma urges U.S. 
not to remove North Korea from terror-sponsor list without progress 
on abduction issue  (Mainichi) 
 
Cluster munitions issue: 
12) Talks in Dublin on cluster-munitions ban likely to except latest 
designed bombs, leaving Japan isolated in stance favoring retention 
of "improved type"  (Mainichi) 
13) Military expert Ebina: New type of cluster bombs quite are 
different from past models for there are almost no duds  (Mainichi) 
 
Political agenda: 
14) Ruling and opposition camps reach surprise agreement on 
controversial civil-service reform bill, which should now pass the 
Diet in current session  (Asahi) 
15) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa has made up his 
mind to seek reelection in party convention in September  (Asahi) 
16) Ozawa: If there is an election and we win, I will be prime 
minister  (Mainichi) 
17) Hiranuma's new non-partisan policy forum could become the 
nucleus of a new party  (Sankei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Ruling, opposition camps reach agreement on civil service reform: 
Revised bill to be enacted during current Diet session 
 
Mainichi: 
Restriction on contact between lawmakers and civil servants to be 
 
TOKYO 00001451  002 OF 011 
 
 
removed from civil service reform bill 
 
Yomiuri: 
81 NHK employees engaged in stock trading while on duty, according 
to third-party committee 
 
Nikkei: 
Oki to sell semiconductor business to Rohm 
 
Sankei: 
Man who murdered and dismembered sister sentenced to seven years 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Civil service reform bill: Expansion of labor rights approved to 
cover right to collective bargaining; Government agencies 
responsible for unifying personnel affairs 
 
Akahata: 
Emissions cuts: Lawmaker Ichida urges government to set mid-term 
goal 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Cyclone in Burma: Did the military junta fully agree to accept 
aid? 
(2) Establishment of consumer affairs agency: Prime minister should 
persuade government agencies 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Personnel appointments requiring Diet approval: It is outrageous 
for the Diet to block the right to know 
(2) Doping among baseball players: Complete inspection needed to 
crack down on offenders 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Personnel appointments requiring Diet approval: Regulation on 
prior press reports should be removed 
(2) Cyclone damage in Burma: Make sure aid is delivered to disaster 
victims 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Give government's public servant system reform drive added 
momentum, based on agreement reached between ruling and opposition 
camps 
(2) Media reporting restriction on personnel appointments requiring 
Diet approval should be scrapped 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Civil service reform bill: We welcome agreement reached between 
ruling and opposition camps 
(2) Tokyo International Conference on African Development: Aim at 
synergetic effect of aid and self-help 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Personnel appointments requiring Diet approval: Restricting 
media reports is dishonorable 
(2) English education: Is it all right just to lower age of children 
who start learning it? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Military interest scandal: It is indispensable to summon former 
 
TOKYO 00001451  003 OF 011 
 
 
Defense Minister Kyuma 
 
3) McCain contributes article to Yomiuri, vowing to give top 
priority to U.S. allies, such as Japan 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, 71, 
contributed an article to the Yomiuri Shimbun on May 26. The 
article, coauthored by Senator Joseph Lieberman, 66, spells out his 
Asia strategy, including policy toward Japan. Making clear the 
policy to give top priority to U.S. allies, such as Japan, McCain 
makes a clear distinction with the Democratic Party, which attaches 
importance to China. 
 
The paper defines the U.S.-Japan alliance as the indispensable 
pillar for the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. 
Urging Japan to play an international role fitting its political, 
economic and defense power, the paper also calls on the country to 
shoulder a greater burden. At the same time, McCain announced his 
support for Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security 
Council. 
 
This is the first time for McCain to unveil his Asia policy since 
his Republican presidential nomination became certain in March. 
Lieberman was a Republican vice presidential candidate in the 2000 
presidential race. Rumor has it that if McCain wins the presidency, 
he will make Lieberman his secretary of State. 
 
4) Interview with outgoing Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato - 
Managing the alliance takes ceaseless efforts 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Ryozo Kato, 66, returned to Japan yesterday upon completing an 
assignment as ambassador to the United States that lasted a record 
six and a half years. He has informally been picked to serve as 
Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner. The Yomiuri Shimbun asked 
about changes to Japan-U.S. relations during his tenure and his 
future outlook. 
 
"(In terms of baseball, I am) not the fourth batter who makes the 
big hits, but the second batter who defends well. As the manager, I 
have tried to make things easier for players to exhibit their 
talents in crucial plays. (Japan-U.S. relations) have been 
strengthened, and Japan's position has risen. Japan has made moves 
independently in the war on terror, and that was significant." 
 
"Being a person who thinks of my country first is the principle in 
forging personnel networks. Serving as a hired cop for the United 
States cannot win respect." 
 
"Management of an alliance takes ceaseless efforts. For instance, it 
is good to have many meetings and dinners between U.S. military and 
SDF personnel in charge. However, such would be meaningless unless 
they are fleshed out by means of a system to keep secrets secure the 
means of maintaining a deterrence, operational plans, and so on." 
 
"I am optimistic (and not concerned that the good bilateral 
relationship under the Bush administration might deteriorate under a 
 
TOKYO 00001451  004 OF 011 
 
 
Democratic administration). Senator Barack Obama (who is likely to 
win the Democratic presidential nomination) is the only person who 
delivered a substantial speech on Japan on the eve of Prime Minister 
Fukuda's visit to the United States. He is pragmatic. Whoever 
becomes the new president, it is important for Japan to remain as a 
country that cannot be ignored." 
 
5) African Development Conference to open today, with soaring food 
prices high on agenda 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 28, 2008 
 
The 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development 
(TICAD4) starts in Yokohama today. In the Yokohama Declaration to be 
adopted at the end of the conference, the following wording was 
suddenly added: "It is strongly concerning that soaring food prices 
could undermine efforts to reduce poverty in Africa." The food-price 
issue is now expected to be high on the agenda in the conference. 
 
The Yokohama Action Program, which will also be adopted in the 
conference, also added the wording that "escalating food, feed, and 
fuel prices are becoming a threat to food security." A fund-raising 
plan for irrigation works in villages has also been added to the 
document. 
 
Initially, Japan had no intention to take up the food issue as an 
independent major theme in the conference, but it made a policy 
switch given that the steep hike in food prices is becoming an 
international problem. In the Food Summit to be held in Rome on June 
3, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will stress Japan's eagerness to 
tackle this issue. 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura reiterated in a ministerial 
preliminary meeting yesterday: "We decided to emphasize the 
emergency and the importance of addressing the food crisis in the 
Yokohama Declaration." About one-third of the representatives from 
28 countries who voiced opinions reportedly expressed concern about 
the food problem, with one participant remarking: "Soaring food 
prices will bring a serious crisis, undermining our efforts to 
reduce poverty in Africa." 
 
Key points in the Yokohama Action Program 
 
(Infrastructure) To build vast road systems, energy transmission and 
distribution cables. 
 
(Investment) To double private-sector direct investment by 
establishing a financial support fund worth 2.5 billion yen. 
 
(Agriculture) To double rice output in the next decade. 
 
(Food) Soaring food, feed, and fuel prices pose a threat to food 
security. 
 
(Education) To construct 1,000 elementary schools (with 5,500 
classrooms) 
 
(Security) To dispatch training personnel and others to the PKO 
Center 
 
(Global warming) To utilize the Cool Earth Partnership for 
 
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developing countries 
 
6) Japan, Africa to set up new consultative body; Prime Minister 
Fukuda starts marathon talks with African top leaders; TICAD opens 
today 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development, which 
discusses comprehensive aid measures for Africa, will start today in 
Yokohama. Yesterday, a preparatory meeting of cabinet-level members 
including Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura was held. In the 
meeting, a basic agreement was reached on the establishing of a new 
framework for dialogue between Japan and Africa. The result of the 
preparatory meeting will be reported in a top-level full session, 
which will begin today. 
 
In the planned framework of dialogue, Japan's aid measures for 
Africa will be regularly checked by working-level officials. 
 
In the preparatory meeting, an action plan for Africa was compiled. 
The features of the action plan include doubling Japan's official 
development assistance (ODA, approximately 100 billion yen per year) 
and investment amounts (1.7 billion dollars a year) over the next 
five years until 2012. 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda started marathon meetings with the top 
leaders of African countries in Yokohama from yesterday morning. 
Yesterday, he met with 16 African leaders, holding a 20-minute 
meeting with each one. He will hold talks with totaling 40 African 
leaders for three days. 
 
7) President of Tanzania, AU chair, expresses support for Japan's 
bid for permanent seat on UNSC 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda held a bilateral meeting with President 
Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, the chair of the African Union (AU, with 
53 countries and organizations as members) in Yokohama yesterday and 
sought support for Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the United 
Nations Security Council (UNSC). The president indicated his 
support, saying: "I think Japan is apparently qualified to become a 
permanent member." He also said: "African countries are also 
stepping up effort to obtain permanent seats. It is desirable for 
both sides to understand the other side's position and support each 
other." Fukuda stressed: "I would like to produce some specific 
results during the UN general assembly this year." 
 
8) Food summit: Government to announce additional 50 million dollars 
in aid to developing countries to increase production 
 
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 28, 2008 
 
In the food summit, to be held in Rome on June 3-5 by the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO), the focus will be on measures for 
soaring grain prices. The government has decided to extend an 
additional 50 million dollars in an emergency aid to developing 
countries.  Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will announce Japan's 
 
TOKYO 00001451  006 OF 011 
 
 
assistance in his speech. 
 
The government already announced in April that it would extend 100 
million dollars in aid. As the first step, the government plans to 
extend rice and the like mostly to Africa. The government plans to 
spur greater production in developing countries by additionally 
providing fertilizer and seeds to them. In the speech, the prime 
minister also intends to highlight the need for countries to refrain 
from export controls on agricultural products, a trend that is 
increasing. 
 
9) U.S., DPRK exchange views over abduction, explore ways for 
progress 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Kenichi Komatsu, Seiji Nishioka, Beijing 
 
Following yesterday's talks, the chief delegates from the United 
States and North Korea to the six-party talks on the North Korean 
nuclear issue will today hold in-depth discussions on Japan's 
abduction issue, the final barrier for the U.S. to delist North 
Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. With the U.S. and North Korea 
both motivated by the same desire to bring Japan into the framework 
for assistance to North Korea, the question is how the U.S. and 
North Korea can look for ways to move the abduction issue forward. 
 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the U.S. chief 
delegate, yesterday met with his North Korean counterpart, Vice 
Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, for about an hour. Afterwards, Hill 
told reporters: "I emphasized the importance of a good relationship 
between Japan and North Korea in the six-party talks process." 
 
On the abduction issue, the U.S. has so far assumed the stance that 
the question of removing North Korea from the list of state sponsors 
of terrorism will not be affected by the abduction issue, with a 
State Department official in charge noting, "The U.S. will provide 
assistance to Japan, but we hope to see Japan and North Korea tackle 
the question of how to resolve the issue." 
 
Now, however, the six-party process has begun moving into the third 
phase with North Korea highly likely to submit a declaration of its 
nuclear activities, which will surely lead to Washington's delisting 
the North as a state sponsor of terrorism. If the North moves ahead 
with the procedures for abandoning its nuclear programs, it will 
inevitably demand in return for its abandonment of nuclear plans aid 
on a grand scale, including the construction of a light-water 
nuclear reactor power plant. According to an informed source, 
attention is now focused in the U.S. on how to get Japan, which is 
unwilling to offer aid to the North on the grounds of the abduction 
issue, actively engaged in providing assistance to the North. 
 
Meanwhile, Pyongyang is motivated by its desire to create a mood for 
the abduction issue to be seen as progressing so that bilateral 
talks (with Japan) will advance. The North also wants to obtain 
assistance from Japan in the economic and energy areas and then have 
Japan lift its own sanction measures now imposed on that country. 
There is a report that North Korea had told the U.S. that there are 
several Japanese living in North Korea who appeared to have been 
abducted, and that Pyongyang is ready to send them back to Japan. 
This report is apparently in line with the above desire by 
 
TOKYO 00001451  007 OF 011 
 
 
Pyongyang. 
 
Except for the Russian chief negotiator in the six-party talks, the 
five other chief negotiators will gather together today. Bilateral 
talks among them are planned from this morning with the aim of 
resuming the six-party talks by coordinating views among them. 
 
10) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura denies Mainichi Shimbun's news 
report 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Meeting the press yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka 
Machimura referred to a Mainichi Shimbun news report that North 
Korea had conveyed to the United States that Pyongyang is ready to 
send Japanese abductees back to Japan and noted: "There are no such 
facts. We have not received any report mentioned in the daily's 
reports from the U.S. government. It's most regrettable that such a 
report appeared." 
 
11) Parliamentary council seeks to continue listing DPRK as state 
sponsor of terrorism 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Yoso Furumoto 
 
The Parliamentary Council to Take Action Swiftly to Rescue Japanese 
Citizens Abducted by North Korea, a supraparty group of lawmakers 
headed by former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Takeo 
Hiranuma, yesterday held its executives' meeting in the Diet and 
adopted a resolution calling on the United States not to remove 
North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. 
 
The resolution states: "If the U.S. delists North Korea as a state 
sponsor of terrorism, it would bring about a serious crisis in the 
Japan-U.S. alliance." At the beginning of the session, Hiranuma 
noted: "Now that the U.S. is highly likely to delist North Korea, we 
urgently needed to adopt a resolution." Hiranuma will shortly meet 
with U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer and hand the 
resolution to the Ambassador, and he also will send it to relevant 
members of the U.S. Congress. 
 
12) Dublin Conference on Cluster Munitions: Newest types likely to 
be exempted; Japan isolated with its "improved type" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 6) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Katsumi Sawada 
 
DUBLIN-A conference for the Cluster Munitions process, also known as 
the Oslo process for disarmament talks for a treaty to ban cluster 
bombs, is likely to exempt the newest generation of so-called 
"smart" cluster munitions. Unexploded (old-type) bombs (UXB) have 
caused harm to civilians. The exemption is because approximately 40 
African countries, which have so far insisted on total prohibition 
with no exceptions, agreed on restrictive exceptions, sources said 
yesterday. Japan is losing its influence at the conference since it 
is sticking to its policy of upholding an (exception for) its 
 
TOKYO 00001451  008 OF 011 
 
 
"improved type" cluster bombs, a strategy that now seems likely to 
misfire. 
 
Only a dozen countries, including the United States and Russia, have 
smart cluster bombs, and only a small number of them at that. The 
U.S. Air Force used 68 smart bombs in the Iraq war as the only case 
of using such bombs in actual warfare. Smart bombs differ somewhat 
with those developed by other countries. Basically, however, they 
have similar structures. 
 
For example, the U.S. military's most advanced type is called a 
sensor-fused weapon (SFW). Each of its 10 cylinder-shaped cluster 
bomblets-79 centimeters long and 13.3 centimeters in 
diameter-contains four warheads. 
 
A cluster bomblet is a submunition that releases warheads in four 
directions when falling. Each of these released bomblets is fused 
with a sensor to identify targets. It is designed to target vehicle 
or vessel engines, and it disperses lead balls from the sky when it 
discovers targets. According to Textron, a U.S. multi-industry 
company that developed this SFW munition, each warhead is designed 
to blow up itself in the sky if it cannot discover a target. Its 
fuse-activating battery runs out in several minutes, so it will not 
go off even if it fails to blow up, according to Textron. However, 
the Oslo process is likely to define a cluster bomb as a munition 
with less than 10 submunitions and will not approve the SFW as an 
exception. 
 
13) Smart munitions based on different concept, almost no duds: 
Ebata 
 
MAINICHI (Page 6) (Abridged) 
May 28, 2008 
 
The Oslo process is likely to exempt the newest generation of 
cluster bombs. The Mainichi Shimbun interviewed Kensuke Ebata, a 
commentator on military affairs, on this weaponry. He pointed out 
qualitative differences between conventional bombs and smart 
munitions. "Their manufacturing concepts are different from the 
start," he said. 
 
Ebata explained differences between the conventional or improved 
type of bombs and the newest generation of so-called smart cluster 
bombs. "They are as different as the first production Model T Ford 
and the newest domestic luxury car," he said. The conventional and 
improved types of bombs use iron instead of stainless steel to hold 
down their costs. In addition, their electrical systems are simple. 
They are premised for heavy use with a simple structure of 
explosives and a detonating fuze. 
 
Meanwhile, the newest type is called a sensor-fuzed weapon or SWF 
for short. Its built-in infrared sensor identifies targets. It 
senses tank or other vehicle engines to hit and destroy. It also 
identifies the shape of a target with radar waves. Its accuracy rate 
is high, according to Ebata. 
 
In the case of conventional- and improved-type munitions, many of 
them could be left unexploded, and this became a problem. In the 
case of newest-type munitions, however, they have a built-in delayed 
fuze. Even if they fall to the ground after failing to discover a 
target, they can be set to blow themselves up after a certain period 
of time. 
 
TOKYO 00001451  009 OF 011 
 
 
 
14) Ruling, opposition camps reach agreement on public servant 
reform: Revised bill to be enacted during current Diet session 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
May 28, 2008 
 
It had been viewed that it would be difficult for a basic bill 
reforming the national public servant system to secure Diet approval 
during the current session. However, it now appears likely that the 
bill will be legislated before the session closes. The ruling camp 
-- the Liberal Democratic Party  (LDP) and the New Komeito, and the 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) reached an accord to 
pass the bill as lawmaker-initiated legislation after revising the 
government-sponsored bill. They will aim at getting it through the 
Lower House Cabinet Committee as early as May 28 and clear the Lower 
House on the 29th. 
 
Cabinet to be solely responsible for appointments of senior 
officials 
 
Working-level officials of the LDP, the New Komeito and the DPJ 
yesterday conferred on the issue in the Diet building and basically 
reached an agreement on revisions made. The secretaries general and 
Diet Policy Committee chairmen of the three parties will meet today 
to reach a final accord and confirm their stance of securing Diet 
approval during the current session. 
 
Both camps reached a basic agreement with the ruling parties giving 
in to the DPJ regarding the issue of setting up a cabinet personnel 
affairs agency for the purpose of unifying entities responsible for 
personnel affairs and the desired form of contact between 
politicians and bureaucrats. Under the government proposal, each 
government agency was to be responsible for drafting personnel 
affairs for senior officials and the envisaged cabinet personnel 
affairs agency was to be in charge of screening the propriety of 
nominees, leaving the possibility of government agencies displaying 
leadership. However, according to the revised plan, a cabinet 
personnel affairs bureau would be established as the DPJ has sought, 
and the chief cabinet secretary would be responsible for making 
personnel proposals. 
 
Concerning contact between politicians and bureaucrats, the 
government proposal had limited contact between public servants, 
excluding state affairs experts, a position to be created anew, and 
lawmakers to cases in which cabinet minister ordered such. However, 
this restriction clause was removed with consideration given to the 
DPJ, which had insisted that such a restriction clause could be used 
as an excuse for withholding disclosure to the opposition camp of 
information inconvenient (to the ruling camp). Instead, they agreed 
to secure transparency by thoroughly disclosing information, by 
recording details of contacts between public servants and lawmakers 
to ensure strict enforcement of disclosure of information on their 
contacts. 
 
The DPJ had intended to oppose the government proposal unless their 
revision requests -- a ban on an amakudari or golden parachute 
practice and expansion of the basic labor right -- are met. 
 
However, it agreed not to include a ban on the amakudari practice in 
the basic bill with one senior member saying, "Such a ban can be 
placed, when a change of administration is realized." Regarding the 
 
TOKYO 00001451  010 OF 011 
 
 
basic labor right, central government workers engaged in clerical 
work are not given the right to sign agreements. The government 
proposal noted that this issue should be considered. However, both 
sides reached a compromise on a new proposal for adopting "taking 
measures" instead of "should be considered." 
 
15) DPJ President Ozawa to run in upcoming party leadership race 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa has decided 
to run in the party leadership race, seeking a third term. His 
present term in the presidency will end in September. He has already 
started such preparations for the next Lower House election as a 
nationwide stumping tour and making posters. So, he intends to lead 
the party as "key person in the election" even if the Lower House 
election is held after the DPJ presidential race. 
 
When asked about his determination to become prime minister after 
the next Lower House election, Ozawa said in a press conference 
yesterday: 
 
"My term will run until September. If the Lower House election is 
held during that period and if our party wins a majority, I will 
have to take responsibility for the majority vote given to our 
party." 
 
Ozawa's aim to express his willingness for the prime minister's post 
at this time is to maintain his grip on the party by making clear 
his intention to remain in his current post. However, since he aims 
for an early dissolution of the Lower House and general elections, 
he will likely to announce his candidacy immediately before the 
official campaign for the party leadership race kicks off. The focus 
will now be on whether the anti-Ozawa force will file its own 
candidate or not. 
 
16) DPJ head Ozawa: If our party wins next Lower House election, I 
will become prime minister 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
At a press conference yesterday, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
President Ichiro Ozawa expressed his intention to assume the prime 
minister's post if his party garners a majority of the House of 
Representatives seats on its own in the next Lower House election. 
He stated: "If such happens while I am serving as party head, I will 
have to bear the responsibility." 
 
The common belief has been that Ozawa has little interest in taking 
the prime minister's post, although he advocates the DPJ capturing 
the reins of government in the next Lower House election. It is 
unusual for Ozawa to refer to the possibility of his assuming the 
prime minister's post. 
 
17) Suprapartisan group of conservative local legislators to be 
launched, with Hiranuma as supreme advisor 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 28, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00001451  011 OF 011 
 
 
The Japan People's Forum (Nihon Kokumin Forum), a suprapartisan 
group of conservative local legislators, will be soon launched, 
according to informed sources yesterday. Former Economy, Trade and 
Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma (independent) will serve as supreme 
advisor. 
 
The group will be composed of about 100 local politicians, 
knowledgeable persons, and citizens, with Teikyo Heisei University 
Professor Kenzo Yoneda (former House of Representatives member) as 
president. About 20 mid-ranking or junior members of the Liberal 
Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will act as 
advisor. The forum will hold a charter meeting in Tokyo tomorrow, in 
which Hiranuma will deliver a commemorative speech. 
 
The forum aims to protect Japan's sovereignty and national 
interests, from the standpoint of localities, and resolve national 
problems, including regional rehabilitation, with the view that the 
existing political parties have not made full efforts to implement 
policies based on conservative principles. The forum also intends to 
grapple with such issues as Japan's territorial integrity and 
opposition to a plan to grant local suffrage for foreign residents. 
 
The forum will offer support for the local assembly members, its 
members, and the lawmakers, its advisors, as well as field new faces 
for local elections, in an effort to expand a "network for 
conservative ordinary citizens." 
 
Moves by the forum are likely to draw attention, as a DPJ source 
commented: "Since the group is composed of mainly local politicians, 
if Mr. Hiranuma forms a new political party, the group might be one 
of its parent bodies." 
 
SCHIEFFER