VZCZCXRO9433
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1513/01 1550114
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030114Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4726
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 0508
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8128
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1818
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6419
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8719
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3671
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9669
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0110

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001513 
 
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 06/03/08 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Fukuda's European diplomacy: 
4) Prime Minister Fukuda, German Chancellor Merkel agree on need to 
set medium-term target before G-8 Summit for reducing greenhouse 
gases  (Yomiuri) 
5) Fukuda, British Prime Minister Brown issue strong statement on 
soaring food prices  (Asahi) 
6) Texts of exchanges between Fukuda-Merkel, Fukuda- Brown 
(Sankei) 
7) Prime Minister Fukuda in European diplomacy focusing on stopping 
global warming but gaps in other areas remain  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
8) Interview with LDP's Taku Yamasaki on North Korea: Breakthrough 
can be found through Diet members carrying out separate diplomacy 
(Nikkei) 
 
Political agenda: 
9) Ruling parties agree to make changes in controversial medical 
system for the elderly over 75 that has hurt the Prime Minister's 
ratings in the polls  (Mainichi) 
10) - Fukuda's strategy to restore popularity by demonstrating 
leadership included decision on cluster bombs and clearing away the 
issue of civil service reform  (Yomiuri) 
 
11) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura's comments on revising the 
crop acreage reduction program and sending GSDF to Afghanistan 
creates stir in LDP  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
12) Farm ministry's vice minister says the acreage reduction program 
will continue  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
13) Coordination of opening of the extraordinary Diet session now 
centering on late August, with focus to be on passing a law creating 
a consumer agency  (Asahi) 
14) DPJ split over filing a censure motion against Fukuda during 
final days of the current Diet session  (Mainichi) 
15) Censure motion fever rising in the DPJ  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
MOF, MIC eye rules to curb recreational expenses of government 
employees 
 
Mainichi: 
Ruling parties agree on revised health insurance plan for elderly 
 
Yomiuri: 
Ruling parties agree to reduce health insurance premiums for elderly 
with relatively high pension incomes 
 
Nikkei: 
Auto exports in FY2008 to hit record high for first time in 23 
years 
 
Sankei: 
 
TOKYO 00001513  002 OF 012 
 
 
No mention of "Japan's ownership" of Northern Territories by 
islanders 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Shinginko Tokyo to reduce capital by 100 billion yen 
 
Akahata: 
Don't destroy humans and the earth 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Restrictions on amakudari: Focus on system rather than personnel 
 
(2) Bill reforming independent administrative agencies: Ruling, 
opposition parties should find common ground 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) 10th anniversary of European Central Bank: Japan should learn 
from ECB's independence from politics 
(2) Revision of Traffic Law: Time to reconsider safety 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Hike in steel prices may raise prices of automobiles and home 
electronics 
(2) Debate on using foreign workers should be deepened 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Lawmakers should promote deliberations on Antimonopoly Law 
revision bill and bill to revitalize local economies 
(2) ROK government fails to respond quickly to the public 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Lead achievements of food summit to successful G8 summit in 
Hokkaido 
(2) Revision of Traffic Law: Improvement in bicycle riders' manners 
important 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Gasoline at 170 yen a liter: Oil producing countries, consumers 
should cooperate to confront speculators 
(2) Recommendation for decentralization: How far will bureaucratic 
resistance be allowed? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Food summit: International cooperation effective to overcome the 
crisis 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, June 3 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 2, 2008 
 
Morning 
Left Tegel Airport in Berlin by government plane. Arrived at 
Heathrow Airport outside London. Met with British Prime Minister 
Brown at 10 Downing Street. 
 
Noon 
Joint press conference at InterContinental Hotel. 
 
TOKYO 00001513  003 OF 012 
 
 
 
Afternoon 
Met witch Lord Mayor of the City of London Lewis 
 
4) Prime Minister demonstrates his positive attitude toward 
environment, plans to come up with mid-term greenhouse gas reduction 
targets ahead of G-8 Summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
During a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Prime 
Minister Fukuda announced his policy line of presenting ideas on 
midterm targets for greenhouse gas emission cuts ahead of the 
upcoming Group of Eight (G-8) Toyako Summit in Hokkaido. This 
announcement is apparently aimed at highlighting his positive 
attitude toward the environment. Meanwhile, bureaucrats in Japan 
call on the prime minister to be prudent, for mid-term targets will 
be closely linked to international negotiations about post-Kyoto 
Protocol (targets) from now on. 
 
The joint press conference took place on the evening of June 1 
(before dawn of June 2, Japan time). In it, Fukuda was bold enough 
to say: "Ahead of the G-8 Summit, Japan will come up with a clear 
plan. The plan will include long- and mid-term goals." 
 
Speaking of this announcement at a news conference yesterday, Vice 
Environment Minister Yoshio Tamura indicated a cautious position by 
noting: "Declaring (mid-term targets) in itself is tantamount to 
international negotiations. I'd like to refrain from mentioning what 
targets will be shown and whether it is appropriate to indicate them 
(ahead of the G-8 Summit)." 
 
Because negotiations about post-Kyoto Protocol targets are expected 
to continue into next year and also because if mid-term targets are 
set, Japan will be legally obligated to achieve them, a government 
official said that the dominant view in the government was that at 
this point in time, there would be no need for Japan to hammer out 
any specific goals." 
 
Discussions of mid-term goals as greenhouse gas emission targets to 
be applied to a timeframe ranging from 2020 through 2030 are 
continuing. Those goals are viewed as international targets that 
will follow the Kyoto Protocol. The Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated that the industrialized 
countries should reduce their emissions by 25-40 PERCENT  in 2020. 
 
5) Japanese, British prime ministers agree on need to send strong 
message regarding food price rise 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda, now visiting Europe, arrived in London on the 
morning of June 2 (night of the 2nd, Japan time) and met with Prime 
Minister Brown at 10 Downing Street. Both leaders shared the 
perception that it is important for the G-8 (Lake Toya Summit) to be 
held in Hokkaido in July to send a strong message regarding the 
global warming issue and worldwide food price rise. 
 
Fukuda during the meeting proposed, "I want to the G-8 to send a 
joint message on main items on the G-8 agenda, such as the global 
 
TOKYO 00001513  004 OF 012 
 
 
economy, the environment, climate change and the sharp rise in food 
prices." Brown supported Fukuda's proposal, noting, "The 
international community expects the G-8 to come up with a strong 
message." 
 
Regarding climate change, both leaders agreed on the importance of 
the Lake Toya Summit sending a proactive message, following the 
agreement reached at the Heiligendamm Summit last year that halving 
global warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 should be considered 
seriously. Brown urged Japan to introduce an emissions trading 
system, saying, "I want to see an expanded carbon market, based on 
the emissions trading system. I hope Japan will join the system." 
Fukuda simply replied, "We are now considering the matter, taking 
broad-based points at issue into consideration." 
 
6) Main points from Japan-Britain, Japan-Germany summit talks 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Japan-Britain summit 
 
Food, oil crisis 
 
British Prime Minister Brown: The international community is paying 
attention to what kind of message the Group of Eight (G-8) nations 
will send at the Hokkaido Toyako summit. It's important that 
oil-producing countries and oil-consuming countries hold substantial 
meetings to talk about oil prices. 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda: It's also important to reduce demand 
(for oil) through technological innovation. 
 
Climate change 
 
Brown: We should expand the carbon market through emissions trading 
in order to reduce emissions. We hope Japan will also participate. 
 
Fukuda: It's important to draw proactive responses from newly 
emerging countries like China and India. We'd like to send a strong 
message at the G-8 summit. We're studying emissions trading from a 
broader perspective. 
 
African development 
 
Brown: Based on the outcome of the 4th Tokyo International 
Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), we should focus on 
education and public health at the G-8 summit. 
 
Fukuda: We, too, would like to send a message focusing on public 
health, water, and education. 
 
U.N. reform 
 
Brown: There is something that needs to be reformed in the trend of 
internationalization. 
 
Fukuda: International organizations will have to be reformed at all 
times so that they will meet the present situation. I'd like to ask 
Britain to cooperate for a reform of the United Nations. 
 
Brown: We will continue to cooperate. 
 
TOKYO 00001513  005 OF 012 
 
 
 
Japan-Germany summit 
 
Climate change 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda: It's important to draw responses from 
newly emerging countries like China and India. I'd like to announce 
Japan's policy while watching discussions on global warming. 
 
German Chancellor Merkel: It's important to move the Heiligendamm 
summit agreement forward (to earnestly consider halving greenhouse 
gas emissions in the whole world by 2050). 
 
African development 
 
Fukuda: I want to have the results of TICAD IV reflected in the 
Hokkaido Toyako summit. We'd like to send a message focusing on 
public health, water, and education. 
 
Merkel: I agree 
 
Food crisis 
 
Fukuda: The G-8 nations will have to work together to analyze the 
cause of the problem and to take urgent and short-term measures as 
well as medium- to long-term measures. 
 
Merkel: Biofuel and food production must not scramble for land. We 
will have to consider something for both to get along with each 
other. 
 
Political issue 
 
Fukuda: We'd like to send a message to enhance the nuclear 
nonproliferation regime. As a peace-cooperating nation, we want to 
do all we can to build peace. 
 
Merkel: I agree. 
 
7) Fukuda on European tour: Differences in enthusiasm between Japan, 
Germany and Britain on global warming 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
(Hiroshi Hoshi, London) 
 
Following a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda, on the second leg of his three-nation 
European tour, held a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon 
Brown in London on June 2. The two leaders agreed on the view that 
they should cooperate in dealing with global warming. In the run-up 
to the Group of Eight (G-8) Summit (Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido) in 
July, it is significant for Fukuda to have been able to share the 
necessity of cooperation in dealing with the climate change issue 
with the leaders of Germany and Britain, both of which lead the 
European Union (EU) in tackling this issue. When it comes to 
specific measures, though, there are still differences in interest 
and enthusiasm among the three countries. 
 
Japanese, British leaders agree on support for food production 
expansion in developing countries 
 
TOKYO 00001513  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
In their meeting, Fukuda and Brown agreed that the G-8 leaders 
should work out specific measures to tackle the rising prices of oil 
and food around the world. 
 
Speaking at a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street following 
the meeting, Fukuda stated: "I hope that a powerful message will be 
sent out (at the G-8 Summit) on measures to increase farm products 
and improve productivity from a medium- to long-term viewpoint," 
adding: "The G-8 leaders should announce such measures in a way that 
creates an impact." 
 
On April 10, Brown sent a letter to Fukuda suggesting that the food 
issue be taken up at the upcoming G-8 Summit. In the meeting with 
Fukuda, Brown praised Fukuda's response to his request. Brown then 
stressed: "It is becoming more difficult to obtain basic foodstuffs. 
Over the past several years, harvests have declined. It is necessary 
to raise subsidies to farmers." 
 
On the issue of climate change, the two leaders shared the 
importance of sending out a positive message at the G-8 Summit. But 
Brown emphasized the need to expand trading in greenhouse gas 
credits and said: "I expect Japan to join the trading system." But 
Fukuda indicated a cautious view, just saying: "The government is 
looking into the possibility from a broader point of view." 
 
Britain, Germany urge Japan to join emissions-trading mechanism 
 
Although the day Fukuda arrived in Berlin was Sunday, the German 
government held a welcome ceremony for him. In the meeting held 
following the ceremony, Fukuda and Merkel agreed that "it is 
imperative to send out a G-8 message at the Summit" on global 
warming. British Prime Minister Brown also shares this view. 
 
The three leaders are looking to a new international climate regime 
following the 2012 expiration of the Kyoto Protocol. They are 
interested in how they should bring into the new regime the U.S., 
which has broken away from the protocol, as well as China and India, 
which have been placed outside the reduction obligation. In the 
Japan-Germany summit, Fukuda succeeded in having Merkel agree to 
take a strategy at the upcoming G-8 Summit to lure China and India 
into a new regime. 
 
Nonetheless, there are differences in motives in dealing with the 
climate issue between Japan and Britain and Germany. 
 
For instance, both Merkel and Brown expressed their hopes for 
Japan's participation in an emissions-trading system. Fukuda, 
though, remained unable to make a definite reply in the face of 
objections from industrial circles, just saying: "Discussion is now 
underway." 
 
On global warming, Britain and Germany, which look upon themselves 
as the world's leaders, think that politics should take the lead, as 
shown by their mid-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions, which a senior Japanese Environment Ministry officer 
calls "ambitious," despite their manufacturing-based industrial 
structures. 
 
In the joint press conference with Merkel, Fukuda revealed that 
Japan would announce its vision on mid-term targets covering the 
2020-2030 timeframe by the upcoming G-8 Summit. The British and 
 
TOKYO 00001513  007 OF 012 
 
 
German leaders must harbor dissatisfaction with Japan's half-hearted 
stance about presenting numerical targets. 
 
Attention is focused on whether the G-8 leaders, despite such 
differences, will be able to come up with a substantial agreement at 
the G-8 Summit. 
 
8) Interview with Taku Yamasaki of Parliamentary League to Normalize 
Relations between Japan and DPRK: Parliamentary diplomacy could 
break impasse in stalled talks on abduction issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Question: Why did you launch the group at this point in time? 
 
Yamasaki: That is because our previous pressure policy has not been 
successful at all. I think it is time to make a big political 
decision to end the stalemate in negotiations. The ultimate measure 
would be to arrange a Japan-North Korea summit meeting. I organized 
a parliamentary group for that end. All the parties should be 
politically responsible for the public. 
 
I think it necessary to have all abductees, missing citizens 
recognized by the government, Japanese wives living in that country, 
and other Japanese survivors return home. Efforts are essential to 
have dialogue with that country. I am determined to serve as a 
steppingstone to realize Japan-North Korea summit talks. 
 
Q: Do you have any information about the abduction issue? 
 
Yamasaki: I have the feeling from accounts given by foreign 
governments' officials and people inside North Korea whom I 
contacted that there are some Japanese survivors. I've obtained such 
a feeling because those people did not deny my questions. 
Communication networks with the Workers' Party of Korea are 
indispensable to jump-start the stalled talks. I so felt when I had 
talks in Dalian, China (in April 2004). 
 
Q: Do you think you can unify views in the party before the next 
Lower House election? 
 
Yamasaki: I may come under criticism. But it is not a good idea to 
indefinitely continue the six-party talks in vain. The United States 
will see its president replaced shortly. Once the representatives 
(to the six-party talks) from the U.S. and China are replaced, their 
negotiating attitudes may change. It is my belief that a crucial 
stage will come in the fall. 
 
Q: Is Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda eager to visit North Korea? 
 
Yamasaki: That would be a theme he would like to address before the 
next Lower House election. He has had a strong interest (in 
resolving the North Korean issues) since he served as chief cabinet 
secretary. I was asked in detail in person by him about what I 
discussed (with the North Korean side) in Dalian. Former Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi also told me "Only the incumbent prime 
minister is capable of dealing with the matter. Prime Minister 
Fukuda should go." Yet, Prime Minister Fukuda does not have an 
optimistic outlook. 
 
9) New medical service system for elderly: Ruling parties agree on 
 
TOKYO 00001513  008 OF 012 
 
 
revision plan; Premiums imposed in accordance with income levels to 
be reduced 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Regarding a part of premiums imposed in accordance with income 
levels of those covered by the scheme under the new medical service 
system for people aged 75 and older, the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP) and the New Komeito on June 2 agreed in principle to reduce by 
25 PERCENT  to 100 PERCENT  the premiums imposed on those whose 
income from public pension is under 2.08 million yen a year. The 
plan is to have associations attached to each prefecture, which 
manage the system, cut premiums and make up for the shortfalls with 
special government subsidies. The revision plan now covers almost 
all key points proposed by the ruling parties. Both parties will 
finalize the overall revision plan before the end of this week and 
formally adopt it as a proposal by the government and the ruling 
parties prior to the 13th, when the second deduction of premiums 
takes place. 
 
Major revisions proposed by ruling parties 
 
 
 
? 90 PERCENT  cut in relation to the per-capita part of the premiums 
for those whose income from pubic pensions is less than the basic 
pension (85 PERCENT  cut in the initial year) 
? 25 PERCENT  to 100 PERCENT  cut for those whose income from public 
pensions is under 2.08 million yen a year 
 
 
? Allowing premiums be deducted from the bank accounts of kin living 
in the same household 
 
 
? Ask the Central Social Insurance Medical Council to revise the 
consultation fees for the terminal care of patients aged 75 and 
older, including abolishing such 
 
10) Fukuda looking to regain public support 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda has recently settled a number of difficult 
policy challenges at his own decision, including a legislative 
measure to reform the national public service personnel system. What 
lies behind this move is the downturn of public approval ratings for 
his cabinet. The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party 
apparently want to boost Fukuda's popularity. 
 
The legislation to reform the national public service personnel 
system encountered opposition from government bureaucrats and ruling 
party lawmakers. "They didn't really think it would clear the Diet," 
a mid-ranking LDP lawmaker said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura 
and LDP Secretary General Ibuki were reluctant to get the bill 
through the Diet during its current session. Meanwhile, the current 
Diet is now about to end. Fukuda told Machimura and Ibuki that he 
wanted to have the reform bill clear the Diet during the current 
session. Fukuda's resolve was firm, as he thought to himself that 
forgoing the legislation would look like backpedaling on his reform 
 
TOKYO 00001513  009 OF 012 
 
 
initiative. 
 
Another policy challenge was how to respond to a treaty banning 
cluster bombs. In late May, Fukuda met Toshiko Hamayotsu, deputy 
president of New Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, and other New 
Komeito party executives. On that occasion, Fukuda told them that he 
was willing to make his own political decision. According to one of 
Fukuda's aides, however, it was long before that when he actually 
made up his mind to do so. The Defense Ministry and the Foreign 
Ministry were reluctant to consent, insisting on a partial 
prohibition. Fukuda was apparently irritated at them. 
 
These days, Fukuda has displayed his leadership. In a way, what had 
been on his mind has now been brought to fruition at last. "The 
prime minister does not want to make an appeal to the media on what 
has been settled at his own instructions," one government official 
said. "Such a personal character is a minus," this official added. 
The Fukuda cabinet is now in the doldrums. "So he's trying to do 
what he wants to," says an executive of the leading opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto). 
 
However, few people think that those policy issues have been settled 
at Fukuda's leadership only. For example, Fukuda decided to 
incorporate gasoline and other road-specific tax revenues into the 
state's general account. One LDP executive from the road-related 
policy clique said: "We will have to go through an election someday 
for the House of Representatives, but Prime Minister Fukuda's 
popularity is now low, so we cannot do anything that could work 
against the Fukuda government." In fact, those opposed to Fukuda's 
policy in the LDP abstained from crying out against him. This LDP 
executive added, "If the prime minister's lack of leadership is 
highlighted, that will only benefit the opposition parties." This 
feeling is common to all in the ruling parties. 
 
11) Machimura's comments on reviewing rice acreage reduction policy 
and ground-based activities in Afghanistan create stir in ruling 
parties 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura's reference to a possible 
review of the rice acreage reduction policy and to ground-based 
reconstruction support for Afghanistan has created a stir in the 
ruling parties. 
 
Former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato appearing on a commercial 
television program on June 1 criticized a review of the rice acreage 
reduction policy, saying: "Rice prices would decline and terrible 
things would happen. Fallow farmland (from the rice paddy reduction 
policy) must be used to grow soybeans and wheat. (Mr. Machimura) 
does not know much about agriculture." An LDP executive sided with 
Kato, saying, "If the rice acreage reduction policy is ceased, all 
farmers would quit (agriculture). A New Komeito executive, too, 
described Machimura's statement as inappropriate. 
 
A young LDP lawmaker said: "Farmers would react strongly to it. Mr. 
Machimura does not seem to be aware of the impact of his 
statements." Meanwhile, a mid-level member welcomed Machimura's 
comment, saying, "The rice acreage reduction policy is absurd. What 
Mr. Machimura said is correct." A member who previously served in 
one of the three LDP executive posts also defended Machimura. 
 
TOKYO 00001513  010 OF 012 
 
 
 
About ground-based activities in Afghanistan, a veteran lawmaker 
said, "In order to dispatch SDF troops, a new law is required. The 
Democratic Party of Japan would probably not cooperate." A young 
member raised a question, noting, "Will dangerous activities be able 
to obtain public understanding?" 
 
A senior LDP lawmaker took this view about the purpose of 
Machimura's series of statements, "He probably wants to boost his 
political presence." A senior New Komeito member said: "He seems to 
want to achieve results as chief cabinet secretary, but what he said 
is counterproductive." 
 
12) Vice MAFF minister emphasizes continuation of rice acreage 
reduction policy 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
Vice Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Toshiro Shirasu in 
a press conference yesterday indicated that the rice acreage 
reduction policy will continue, saying: "The rice production 
adjustment program (rice acreage reduction program) is produced 
annually based on the consumption of rice, a staple food. There is a 
need to maintain it in the future as well." 
 
As the reason, Shirasu said: "If the adjustment program is ceased 
and rice is allowed to be produced (arbitrarily), rice prices would 
naturally nosedive. That would deal a blow to growers (farmers). We 
have no intention of increasing the production of rice, the staple 
food." 
 
13) Coordination underway to open extra Diet session in late August; 
Government, ruling camp plan to submit a Consumer Agency 
establishment bill to Diet 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
The government and ruling parties have started looking into 
convening an extraordinary Diet session in late August. The aim is 
to secure sufficient time for the session so that the House of 
Representatives will be able to hold a revote on a bill amending the 
refueling-assistance special measures law, intended to extend the 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, even if the bill is voted 
down in the House of Councillors. They intend to submit to the extra 
session also a bill designed to establish a Consumer Agency. Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda is eager to enact the legislation during the 
session. The government and ruling coalition are carrying out 
coordination to have the session run for about 100 days. Last year, 
expecting that deliberations would encounter difficulties with the 
Diet divided between the ruling and opposition camps, an extra 
session was convened on Sept. 10, earlier than usual. Despite that, 
the session had to be extended twice. Therefore, the government and 
ruling coalition are now focusing on making Aug. 25-29 the opening 
day. They are envisioning ending the session during the period 
between late November and the middle of December. 
 
In the upcoming extra Diet session, the major focus will be on the 
handling of the refueling-support special measures law revision 
bill. In January this year, since the Upper House rejected a bill 
extending the special measures law, the Lower House held a revote on 
 
TOKYO 00001513  011 OF 012 
 
 
the law for the first time in 57 years. As a result, the law was 
then enacted. The ruling parties have discussed also on a permanent 
law that would enable the government to dispatch the Self-Defense 
Forces (SDF) as needed. However, since many New Komeito lawmakers 
are cautious about such an idea, it is unlikely that the ruling camp 
will be able to come up with a final draft. The government and 
ruling coalition, therefore, have now decided to deal with SDF 
overseas dispatches by applying the special measures law. 
 
A bill designed to have major companies shoulder state contributions 
to the government health insurance scheme will be carried over to 
the next session. The government and ruling parties will not 
hesitate to take a revote on the bill in the upcoming extra session 
on the grounds that the enactment of the bill is indispensable to 
curb the increase of social security expenditures by 220 billion 
yen. 
 
In the ruling camp, there is a growing view calling for a cabinet 
shuffle after the Group of Eight summit in July in Hokkaido. 
Depending on a time when the prime minister decides to shuffle his 
cabinet, the opening of the extra session would be delayed. 
 
14) DPJ leadership fretting over submitting censure motion against 
prime minister; Young members eager to submit motion 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
June 3, 2008 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan is fretting over the question of 
submitting a censure motion against the prime minister ahead of a 
full fledged battle between the ruling and opposition camps over a 
bill abolishing the newly introduced medical system for people aged 
75 and older. The party leadership is tilted toward forgoing 
submitting a motion in the current Diet session, thinking that even 
if a motion is submitted, forcing Prime Minister Fukuda into Lower 
House dissolution for a snap general election would be difficult. At 
the same time, young members are still strongly calling for 
submitting a motion based on public support. 
 
DPJ Lower House members serving their first to third terms, who had 
conducted activities at the Diet and on street corners over the 
deadline of the provisional gasoline tax rate, received a notice 
yesterday about a gasoline party to be held on the evening of June 
12, days before the close of the current Diet session. The notice 
was issued in the name of Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji 
Yamaoka. Reading the notice, many members said, "Is this a 
declaration that the party will not submit a censure motion?" 
 
About the timing for submitting a censure motion, DPJ President 
Ichiro Ozawa told an aide around May 20, shortly before submitting 
the bill abolishing the medical system for the elderly, "We should 
do so when the other side will put up opposition." At that point, 
Ozawa's plan was to get the Upper House to adopt the bill in 
mid-May, grill Prime Minister Fukuda over the medical system in a 
Diet party-head debate on June 4, and then submit a motion against 
him. 
 
Ozawa's plan did not materialize partly because the planned 
party-head debate has been postponed to June 11 due to the prime 
minister's foreign trip. Since then, Ozawa has not clarified his 
attitude about submitting a motion. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001513  012 OF 012 
 
 
Most of the DPJ leaders, including Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, 
are cautious about submitting a motion. They think in order to 
ensure Ozawa's reelection in the party presidential race in 
September, the party should not submit a censure motion. 
 
15) Submission of censure motion against prime minister flares up 
again in DPJ: Four top officers to hold talks in response to 
deep-rooted cautious stance 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 3, 2008 
 
As the close of the Diet session draws near, moves to submit a 
censure motion against Prime Minister Fukuda have reemerged in the 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto). That is because an 
increasing number of party members are of the view that the DPJ 
should speak for public opinion trends, by submitting a censure 
motion against the prime minister to purse his responsibility for 
such issues as roads, pensions, and the new medical service system 
for elderly people. 
 
As a specific timeframe for the submission of a censure motion, the 
DPJ leadership is assuming a time when the opposition parties oppose 
the adoption of a bill scrapping the medical service system for 
elderly people in the Upper House or a time when it is sent to the 
Lower House. It is also looking into simultaneously submitting a 
no-confidence motion against the cabinet to the Lower House. 
 
If the censure motion is adopted, the next extraordinary Diet is 
bound to fall into confusion right from the beginning. However, one 
senior party member said, "We should submit it in order to show 
where we stand in pursuing those three issues." 
 
The DPJ leadership on the 2nd reaffirmed its policy of seeking an 
early roll call on the abolition bill and the summoning of Naoki 
Akiyama, full-time executive board member of the Japan-U.S. Center 
for Peace and Cultural Exchange, as a sworn witness regarding 
bribery involving the Defense Ministry. Party executives will 
discuss the party's approach toward the final phase of the Diet 
session today. Four top officers, including President Ozawa and 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, will then reach a final judgment. 
 
However, since there is no possibility of Prime Minister Fukuda 
dissolving the Lower House or cabinet resignation en masse even if 
the censure motion is adopted, a view cautious about submitting the 
censure motion is deep-rooted. 
 
SCHIEFFER