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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001679 
 
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 06/18/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) U.S. senators in exchange between Japanese and U.S. lawmakers 
urge caution in removing North Korea from list of terrorist 
sponsoring states (Sankei) 
 
(2) Government, ruling coalition considering airlift operation in 
Afghanistan; enactment of new law unknown (Asahi) 
 
(3) Government, out of consideration to Okinawa, accelerating 
working-level talks on shifting construction site for V-shaped 
runways offshore, aiming at progress of Futenma relocation plan 
(Okinawa Times) 
 
(4) LDP increasing pressure for expenditures for ODA, education, 
social security: Draft basic policy guidelines is near completion, 
says state minister for economic and fiscal policy (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, new healthcare system 
for elderly (Asahi) 
 
(6) Sankei-FNN poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, 
consumption tax (Sankei) 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, June 17 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) U.S. senators in exchange between Japanese and U.S. lawmakers 
urge caution in removing North Korea from list of terrorist 
sponsoring states 
 
SANKEI (Internet edition) (Full) 
June 18, 2008 
 
Takashi Arimoto in Washington 
 
The first round of discussions was held on June 17 in Washington 
between a nonpartisan group of Japanese Diet members and U.S. 
senators, with views exchanged on such subjects as the North Korea 
nuclear problem and issues in the realignment of U.S. forces in 
Japan. According to a briefing by the Japanese delegation, a number 
of U.S. senators came out with the view that the issue of removing 
North Korea from the list of states sponsoring terrorism "should be 
handled with caution." The Japanese delegation sought the 
understanding of the members of Congress on the abduction issue, 
calling it "a matter of great concern," and urged them not remove 
North Korea from the list of states sponsoring terrorism. 
 
On U.S. force realignment issue, Senator Inoue (Democrat) stressed, 
"Although I can understand the burden of hosting within your country 
the military forces of another country, we need to deepen our mutual 
understanding for the sake of the stability of Asia." 
 
The U.S Senate has already been engaged in parliamentary exchanges 
with China since 2004. This is the first time that the U.S. Congress 
has held one with Japan in order to deepen the parliamentary 
exchanges with the U.S.' ally Japan. The head of the Japanese 
 
TOKYO 00001679  002 OF 010 
 
 
delegation is former Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama from the Liberal 
Democratic Party. Also joining the delegation is Seiji Maehara, vice 
president of the Democratic Party of Japan. The next meeting will be 
held in Tokyo. 
 
(2) Government, ruling coalition considering airlift operation in 
Afghanistan; enactment of new law unknown 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 18, 2008 
 
An idea of sending Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops to Afghanistan to 
assist airlift operations by multinational forces is now being 
floated in the government and ruling parties. The reason is that the 
United States and European countries, which are engaged in the 
reconstruction of Afghanistan, have expected Japan to provide such 
assistance. A new law is needed in the case Japan dispatches SDF 
personnel to Afghanistan. However, there seems no prospect for 
enacting a new law, since the House of Councillors is controlled by 
the opposition camp. 
 
The government sent on June 8 a fact-finding team to Afghanistan to 
investigate whether to send SDF troops to that country for the first 
time since the U.S. military's attacks on Taliban there in the wake 
of the 2001 terrorist attacks on mainland America. The survey team 
inspected mainly operations in Kabul by the International Security 
Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), led by the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO). 
 
With an eye on airlift assistance by Maritime Self-Defense Force 
(MSDF) transport aircraft and by Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) 
helicopters, the government mission visited airport facilities in 
Afghanistan, as well as in Tajikistan. Although the government has a 
dispatch of GSDF troops in mind, the prevailing view in the New 
Komeito, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP), is that a GSDF unit should not be sent 
because the campaign to eliminate anti-government forces, including 
Taliban, by such NATO members as the United States and Britain has 
become protracted. The United States once informally sounded Japan 
out on the dispatch of GSDF CH-47 large transport helicopters. A 
senior Defense Ministry official commented: "It is more realistic 
for Japan to move ASDF transport aircraft from Iraq to Afghanistan 
than to dispatch a GSDF unit to a dangerous area." 
 
The reason for the government having begun to feel out the 
possibility of sending SDF troops to Afghanistan is related to the 
outlook that it might have to cease Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) 
C-130 aircraft's operations in Iraq at the end of the year. 
 
The Iraq Special Measures Law will expire in July next year. The UN 
Security Council resolution, which is the basis for the Iraq Special 
Measures Law, will also expire at the end of December. Unless the 
United Nations extends the resolution, Japan needs to conclude a 
status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government in order to 
continue SDF operations in the country. 
 
With the Group of Eight summit in Hokkaido coming up in July, the 
government aims to play up its efforts to the United States and 
Europe, which are having a hard time in reconstructing Afghanistan. 
The government also has been motivated to have the Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ) take part in debate on security with an eye on the 
next January expiration of the special measures law on refueling 
 
TOKYO 00001679  003 OF 010 
 
 
support. 
 
Britain and other European countries are gradually moving their 
operations from Iraq to Afghanistan. In an LDP national defense 
related division meeting on June 11, Michael Green, a Japan expert 
who is a former senior director for Asian affairs on the National 
Security Council at the White House, expressed hopes for Japan's 
involvement, saying: "Japan should go further in showing the 
presence of the SDF." 
 
However, in order to deploy SDF personnel to Afghanistan, Japan 
needs to establish a special measures law or permanent law (general 
law). There seems no possibility of securing approval of the DPJ, 
which holds a majority in the Upper House. Even if the ruling camp 
enacts a bill by resorting a two-thirds overriding vote, and if a 
provision that would stipulate the requirement of Diet approval is 
incorporated in the bill, the Upper House controlled by the 
opposition bloc would be certain to vote down the bill. It will 
likely be difficult to gain public understanding for the dispatch of 
SDF troops to dangerous areas without Diet approval. 
 
(3) Government, out of consideration to Okinawa, accelerating 
working-level talks on shifting construction site for V-shaped 
runways offshore, aiming at progress of Futenma relocation plan 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full) 
June 18, 2008 
 
(Tokyo) 
 
The government has launched a full-scale working-level discussion on 
shifting the construction site for a V-shaped pair of runways at the 
Camp Schwab in Nago City, as  a Futenma replacement facility, 
further offshore, according to informed sources yesterday. The 
Okinawa and Nago municipal governments have asked the government to 
shift the site. In the government, however, many officials are 
cautious about this proposal, out of consideration to the U.S., 
which is opposed to revising the final agreement reached between 
Japan and the U.S. The government unprecedentedly decided to move up 
the planned working-level talks, based on the judgment that giving 
consideration to the affected municipalities is necessary in order 
to push ahead with the Futenma relocation plan. 
 
Keeping in mind the possibility of shifting the construction site 
out into the sea, the government held a division chief-level meeting 
that also involved officials from Okinawa Prefecture in Tokyo on 
June 2. The participants started discussing what can be done at 
working-level talks. Participating in the talks were responsible 
division directors from the Cabinet Secretariat, the Cabinet Office, 
the Defense Ministry, the Environment Ministry, and the Okinawa 
prefectural government. They exchanged views on such basic points in 
dispute as the interpretation of the laws and ordinances pertaining 
to the environmental impact assessment. 
 
The government intends to continue to hold division chief-level 
talks on an irregular basis. Responsible officials are expected to 
exchange views on how far it is possible to shift the site offshore, 
based on the ongoing environmental impact assessment. But with no 
prospects in sight for the government and the prefectural government 
to be able to sign an agreement on a note on how to proceed with 
talks, uncertainty is still looming large over future negotiations. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001679  004 OF 010 
 
 
Under the environment impact assessment law, "slight changes" in the 
relocation plan are allowed in each stage of drawing up documents 
concerning procedures, preparations, and assessment. It becomes 
theoretically possible, under the said law, to shift the site for a 
V-shaped pair of runways 55 meters offshore. 
 
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima has asked the government to move 
the site 80-90 meters offshore from the plan agreed on between the 
Japanese and U.S. governments. The government's official view taken 
so far is that it cannot accept the request if there is no rational 
reason. 
 
To meet the prefecture's request for shifting the site 80 to 90 
meters away, it will become necessary to make a slight change more 
than once. But because of fear that the natural environment may be 
negatively affected if the site is shifted further offshore, the 
government finds it difficult to make several slight changes. Given 
this, the government intends to approve a plan to shift the site 55 
meters offshore just once, and it is reluctant to accept the Okinawa 
prefectural government's request. 
 
(4) LDP increasing pressure for expenditures for ODA, education, 
social security: Draft basic policy guidelines is near completion, 
says state minister for economic and fiscal policy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Slightly abridged) 
June 18, 2008 
 
The draft basic policy guidelines for the fiscal 2008 national 
budget, which stresses a stance of firmly holding to a fiscal 
reconstruction policy, have drawn much criticism at policy division 
meetings of the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP). There are 
indications of pressure for increased spending growing even stronger 
with some lawmakers calling for a boost for the official development 
assistance (ODA) and public works budgets. The battle over spending 
cuts will likely become fierce toward the end of this month, when 
the draft is scheduled to be formally adopted. 
 
Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the LDP Foreign Affairs Research 
Commission, said: "Japan committed itself to doubling its ODA budget 
for Africa at the recent Tokyo International Conference on Africa 
Development (TICAD) conference. However, the ODA budget should not 
squeeze other budgetary items." Participants in the LDP's joint 
foreign affairs-related meeting held the same day adopted a 
resolution calling for the removal of the ODA budget from the list 
of targets for the spending reform.  Chairman Yamasaki after the 
meeting hand-delivered the resolution to State Minister for Economic 
and Fiscal Policy Ota. 
 
Since last week, Ota has been inundated with petitions seeking 
special treatments regarding the basic policy guidelines. She said 
she had received five to six such requests a day at the most. 
 
A joint public work-related meeting was also held that day. 
Participants drummed up opposition to the draft basic policy 
guidelines with one saying, "We will let the government delete the 
public works reduction policy from the draft." Voices criticizing a 
proposal for cutting the education budget were also heard at a 
meeting of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 
Division. 
 
Opposition was also heard among many cabinet ministers. Health, 
 
TOKYO 00001679  005 OF 010 
 
 
Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe stressed at a press conference 
after the cabinet meeting yesterday, "I would like to raise a 
question regarding whether it is possible to finance social security 
expenses with spending cuts alone." 
 
One senior finance ministry official pointed a factor contributing 
to the growing criticism of the draft from within the party, 
"Specifics of the draft are not solid, and this is why the draft is 
sparking criticism." 
 
The draft includes the government's stance of keeping the spending 
cut policy line firm. It at the same time also incorporates language 
"the spending cut policy does not assume expenditures should be 
reduced evenly over five years," as adopted in the basic policy 
guidelines for last year. 
 
Concerning the reallocation of special-purpose road construction 
revenues, the draft incorporates a policy of taking a second look at 
the revenues from the perspective of working people. 
 
As concrete examples, Prime Minister Fukuda at a meeting of the 
Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy cited measures to deal with 
the shortage of doctors and the improvement of an emergency medical 
service system. However, this statement has encouraged those who 
regard the reallocation of road funds as a good opportunity for 
expanding spending for areas other than roads with one member of the 
education policy clique saying, "The areas the prime minister 
mentions will become new hunting grounds for fiscal resources." 
 
Ota during a press conference played up the fact that the draft is 
near completion. Whether she can maintain her determination not to 
succumb to pressure for boosting spending will likely become a 
touchstone in predicting the future course of the fiscal 
reconstruction policy. 
 
(5) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, new healthcare system 
for elderly 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 17, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. Bracketed figures denote 
proportions to all respondents. Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of the last survey conducted May 17-18.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Yes 23 (19) 
No 59 (65) 
 
Q: Why? (One reason only. Left column for those marking "yes" on 
previous question, and right for those saying "no.") 
 
The prime minister is Mr. Fukuda 14(3) 3(2) 
It's an LDP-led cabinet 33(8) 24(14) 
From the aspect of policies 19(4) 66(39) 
No particular reason 28(6) 6(4) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support now? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 22 (22) 
 
TOKYO 00001679  006 OF 010 
 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 22 (26) 
New Komeito (NK) 4 (3) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2 (2) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1 (1) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 
Other political parties 0 (0) 
None 41 (38) 
No answer (N/A) + don't know (D/K) 8 (8) 
 
Q: Do you think the House of Representatives should be dissolved as 
early as possible for a general election? 
 
Yes 41 (49) 
No 45 (41) 
 
Q: If you were to vote now in a general election, which political 
party would you like to vote for in your proportional representation 
bloc? 
 
LDP 23 (23) 
DPJ 36 (39) 
NK 4 (3) 
JCP 3 (3) 
SDP 2 (1) 
PNP 0 (0) 
NPN 0 (0) 
Other political parties 2 (1) 
N/A+D/K 30 (30) 
 
Q: The government and the ruling coalition will maintain the new 
healthcare insurance system for the elderly after reviewing it, 
including lowering the premiums for those with low incomes. 
Meanwhile, the DPJ and other opposition parties are calling for 
abolishing the system itself. Which side do you support? 
 
Government, ruling coalition 30 (30) 
Opposition parties 49 (53) 
 
Q: The DPJ and other opposition parties submitted a censure motion 
against Prime Minister Fukuda in the House of Councillors to clarify 
that they do not support him over the new healthcare system and 
other issues, and the House of Councillors passed the motion. Do you 
support this? 
 
Yes 42 
No 39 
 
Q: The Diet is currently divided, with the ruling coalition holding 
a majority of the seats in its lower chamber and the opposition camp 
controlling its upper chamber. Do you think this was good? 
 
Yes 41 
No 36 
 
Q: Ahead of the G-8 Toyako summit, Prime Minister Fukuda came up 
with a package of environmental measures, including a long-term goal 
for greenhouse gas emissions cuts. Do you support this? 
 
Yes 74 
No 13 
 
 
TOKYO 00001679  007 OF 010 
 
 
Q: The prime minister plans to introduce a CO2 emissions trading 
system this fall, with quotas allocated to industries. In this 
regard, some believe the system will help to reduce CO2 emissions. 
Others say it will impair business activities. Do you support this 
emissions trading system? 
 
Yes 45 
No 25 
 
Q: Japan and North Korea held talks, and North Korea promised to 
look again into the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North 
Korea. In response, Japan decided to ease some of its economic 
sanctions on North Korea. Do you expect this will move the issue 
toward a solution? 
 
Yes 12 
No 80 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted June 14-15 over the 
telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
Respondents were chosen from among the nation's voting population on 
a three-stage random-sampling basis. Valid answers were obtained 
from 2,040 persons (57 PERCENT ). 
 
(6) Sankei-FNN poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, 
consumption tax 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
June 17, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage. Figures in parentheses denote 
findings from the last survey conducted Apr. 2-3. 
 
Q: Do you support the Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Yes 22.0 (23.8) 
No 61.3 (59.0) 
Don't know (D/K) + Can't say which (CSW) 16.7 (17.2) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 24.0 (27.4) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 24.6 (24.9) 
New Komeito (NK) 3.5 (4.1) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 4.4 (3.2) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2.0 (1.6) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.5 (0.7) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0.0 (0.2) 
Other answers (O/A) 0.7 (1.8) 
None 39.0 (33.8) 
D/K + Can't say (C/S) 1.3 (2.3) 
 
Q: Do you have expectations for the following events? 
 
Shuffling the Fukuda cabinet 
Yes 30.5 
No 60.5 
D/K+CSW 9.0 
 
Dissolving the House of Representatives for a general election 
 
TOKYO 00001679  008 OF 010 
 
 
Yes 58.4 
No 32.5 
D/K+CSW 9.1 
 
Q: What form of government would you like to see after the next 
election for the House of Representatives? 
 
LDP-led coalition government 16.5 
DPJ-led coalition government 30.2 
Grand coalition involving the LDP and the DPJ 44.9 
D/K+C/S 8.4 
 
Q: There is an idea being floated to raise the price of cigarettes 
to nearly 1,000 yen per pack in order to increase tax revenues. Do 
you support this idea? 
 
Yes 49.6 
No 41.2 
D/K+CSW 9.2 
 
Q: Who do you think is the most appropriate person for Japan's prime 
minister now among the following politicians? 
 
Ex-LDP Secretary General Taro Aso 19.6 
Ex-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi  16.7 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda 5.0 
Ex-Defense Minister Yuriko Koike 2.8 
Ex-Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano 2.5 
Ex-LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa 2.3 
Ex-LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara 2.1 
LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki 2.0 
Other ruling party lawmakers 3.1 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa 9.6 
Other opposition party lawmakers 7.2 
None 23.7 
D/K+C/S 3.4 
 
Q: The Diet is currently divided with the ruling coalition holding a 
majority of the seats in its lower chamber and the opposition camp 
controlling its upper chamber. What do you think about this? Pick 
only one that is closest to yours from among those listed below. 
 
There is a feeling of tension in politics, so it's all right to 
leave the Diet divided as is 6.9 
The ruling and opposition parties should compromise more through 
talks 47.3 
The House of Representatives should be dissolved early for a general 
election 43.5 
D/K+C/S 2.3 
 
Q: There are arguments from within the government and ruling parties 
calling for raising the consumption tax rate. What do you think 
about this? Pick only one that is closest to yours from among those 
listed below. 
 
It would be unavoidable to raise the consumption tax rate if the 
government eliminates its wasteful spending 53.4 
It would be unavoidable to raise the consumption tax rate if its tax 
revenues are used only for social security, etc. 26.7 
The consumption tax rate should not be raised in any case 18.1 
D/K+C/S 1.8 
 
 
TOKYO 00001679  009 OF 010 
 
 
Q: When would you like the next election to take place for the House 
of Representatives? 
 
It should be held right away following the passage of a censure 
motion against Prime Minister Fukuda 12.3 
After next month's G-8 summit, during the latter half of this year 
49.4 
When the current term ends, or next year 35.0 
D/K+C/S 3.3 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted by the Sankei Shimbun 
and Fuji News Network (FNN) on June 14-15. 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Prime Minister Fukuda eyes securing separate budget for healthcare 
 
Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Fukuda: Time to consider whether consumption tax should be increased 
 
 
Sankei: 
Fukuda suggests consumption tax hike 
 
Akahata: 
Iwate-Miyagi earthquake: JCP calls on disaster management minister 
for speedy repair of water supply and waterways 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Fiscal management: Break the gridlock with road revenues 
(2) Taiwan boat accident: Calmness and caution needed 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Positive side of divided Diet exhibited 
(2) Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry must put end to its 
bid-rigging nature 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Taiwan should step back from collision row 
(2) Ireland's rejection of Lisbon treaty a blow to EU 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Hostile takeover bids and defense measures require high 
discipline 
(2) A pack of cigarettes could be sold for 500 yen 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Bid-rigging scandal involving Hokkaido Development Bureau 
(2) Australian prime minister's proposal for an expanded value-based 
Asia-Pacific community 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Serial child-killer Miyazaki executed 
(2) Punctuality essential for new metropolitan subway line 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Fisheries industry needs protection 
 
 (9) Prime Minister's schedule, June 17 
 
TOKYO 00001679  010 OF 010 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 18, 2008 
 
08:39 
Attended a meeting of the global warming countermeasures taskforce 
at the Kantei. Later, met Foreign Minister Koumura. 
 
09:02 
Attended a cabinet meeting. Issued an official appointment to Space 
Development Minister Kishida, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura 
present. Later met Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe. 
 
10:02 
Met Masayasu Kitagawa, president of the policy group "Sentaku," and 
Masamitsu Sakurai, chairman of the Global Environment Conference, 
with Environment Minister Kamoshita present. Followed by incoming 
ICC Chairman Victor Fung, with Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Ando and Foreign Ministry Economic Affairs Bureau Director 
General Oda. 
 
11:15 
Met leaders of news agencies from the G-8 countries. Followed by 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. 
 
12:22 
Met Machimura. 
 
14:32 
Responded to an interview with news agency leaders from the G-8 
countries at the Hotel Okura. 
 
16:31 
Attended a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at 
the Kantei. 
 
17:38 
Met Machimura. Joined by Resources and Energy Agency Director 
General Mochizuki and Foreign Ministry Asian, Oceanian Affairs 
Bureau Director General Saiki, and others. 
 
18:40 
Met Special Advisor to the Cabinet Okuda, METI Vice Minister 
Kitabata, and others at his official residence. Joined by 
Mochizuki. 
 
SCHIEFFER