VZCZCXRO6083
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1783/01 1820627
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300627Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5472
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 1018
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8642
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2371
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6874
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9227
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4155
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0146
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0561

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001783 
 
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 06/30/08 
 
Index: 
 
North Korea problem: 
1) Secretary Rice, Foreign Minister Koumura agree to keep up 
pressure on North Korea to resolve abduction issue; U.S. says not 
downplaying abductions  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
2) Rice, Koumura in Kyoto meet reaffirm policy cooperation on DPRK, 
but gap remains on priority order for abduction issue  (Nikkei) 
3) Even in meeting with ROK Foreign Minister Yu, Rice gives 
consideration to Japanese public opinion in remarks on need for DPRK 
to resolve abduction issue  (Sankei) 
4) Government is fretting that abduction issue could be left behind, 
as North Korea has still not set any timetable for reinvestigation 
(Mainichi) 
5) Foreign Minister Koumura on TV talk show acknowledges that 
nuclear issue takes priority over the abduction issue in Six-Party 
Talks with North Korea  (Yomiuri) 
6) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is split pro and con over U.S.' 
decision to delist DPRK from terror list in return for nuclear 
declaration  (Yomiuri) 
7) One by one, statements coming out of the Fukuda government, 
ruling camp calling for early investigation of the abduction issue 
by DPRK  (Nikkei) 
8) LDP Secretary General Ibuki wants joint Japan-DPRK investigation 
of abduction issue, thinks Pyongyang may have "deceived" U.S. with 
nuclear "deal"  (Nikkei) 
9) Former Democratic Party of Japan head Seiji Maehara says Japan 
"has depended too much" on the U.S. to carry its water on the 
abduction issue  (Yomiuri) 
10) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura on TV talk show discusses  G-8 
summit, U.S. removal of DPRK from terror-sponsor list, and abduction 
issue  (Sankei) 
 
11) Foreign ministers agree to let Japan, U.S., Australia draft 
guidelines for disaster relief  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Political agenda: 
12) DPJ Hatoyama complains that he has "really suffered" with Ozawa 
as party head  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
13) UN Secretary General Ban wants Japan to set a "tougher target" 
for CO2 emission cuts  (Yomiuri) 
 
14) Education ministry to put into elementary school textbooks for 
the first time explanations of the Battle of Okinawa, atomic bombing 
of Japan  (Sankei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Foreign Minister Koumura, Secretary of State Rice in meeting 
agree to continue pressuring North Korea to resolve abduction issue; 
U.S. dismisses concerns that it is downplaying abduction issue 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full) 
June 28, 2008 
 
Foreign Minister Koumura met with U.S. Secretary of State Rice on 
the afternoon of June 27 at the Kyoto Guest House in Kyoto City. The 
two confirmed they would continue to closely cooperate on the North 
Korea nuclear problem and to work together on North Korea for a 
quick resolution of the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korean 
agents. Secretary Rice after the meeting told the press corps this 
 
TOKYO 00001783  002 OF 010 
 
 
about the abduction issue: "Persuading North Korea to tackle the 
resolution of this issue in positive way is an important policy for 
the United States, as well. We intend to continue applying pressure 
on that country." She indicated that the U.S. would continue to 
press the DPRK for a resolution of the abduction issue even after 
that country is removed from the list of states sponsoring 
terrorism. 
 
Secretary Rice's statement seems to be aimed at easing criticism in 
Japan toward the U.S. decision to delist North Korea, and to present 
a view that the United States is not brushing aside the abduction 
issue in the rush to achieve progress on denuclearization. 
 
The two foreign minister in their meeting agreed that now that the 
North Korean nuclear declaration has been received, it had to 
undergo a rigid verification, the goal being to make North Korea 
completely abandon all of its nuclear programs. 
 
Foreign Minister Koumura asked the U.S. to continue to work on the 
DPRK, saying, "With the notification to the Congress of the U.S. 
decision, there are worries in Japan that the abduction issue would 
now be neglected." 
 
In response, Secretary Rice promised to cooperate in achieving an 
early resolution of the abduction issue, noting, "This is not a 
problem for Japan alone, for the U.S., too, this is an issue that we 
should be concerned about." 
 
Rice stressed to the press corps: "We will continue to have a lot of 
influence on this and will continue to pursue North Korea." Both 
high officials agreed to cooperate closely in the run up to the G-8 
Summit at Lake Toya, Hokkaido, on such issues as climate change and 
the situation in Zimbabwe, where political turmoil continues. 
 
2) Foreign ministers' meeting confirms cooperation on policy toward 
North Korea: Japan and U.S. take pains to show bilateral strains are 
gone, but gap remains on priority order for abduction issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 28, 2008 
 
The Japanese and U.S. governments at the foreign ministers' meeting 
on June 27 once more underscored the principle of lining up policy 
stances toward North Korea. The aim of the Japanese side was to ease 
the strains that had been created by the U.S. decision to remove 
North Korea from the list of states sponsors of terrorism and to 
bind together the cords of unity once more. However, there remains a 
gap between Japan and the U.S. over which has priority, the nuclear 
issue or the abduction issue, so how far solidarity can be 
maintained is unclear. 
 
Suddenly a mini-press conference 
 
The meeting took place the day after the U.S. had announced its 
decision to delist the DPRK. Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura 
repeatedly drove home the point that the U.S. should not leave the 
abduction issue behind. He first asked: "We would like to request 
that the U.S. continue to work on North Korea to the maximum extent 
possible." Secretary Rice promised: "We will cooperate to bring 
about a resolution of this issue." She followed up by saying: "Let 
us cooperate so that both the nuclear issue and the abduction issue 
move forward together." 
 
TOKYO 00001783  003 OF 010 
 
 
 
Both took pains in their other appearances, as well, to erase the 
impression that a gap had grown between Japan and the U.S. At first, 
after the meeting, Koumura was scheduled to meet the press corps 
alone to answer questions, but suddenly, it was changed to a 
mini-press conference with Rice. When asked whether the removal of 
North Korea from the U.S. terror list was having an adverse effect 
on Japan-U.S. ties, Foreign Minister Koumura rebutted: "We are not 
at all thinking of doing anything that would worsen Japan-U.S. 
relations and make North Korea happy." The two clearly took a stand 
of solidarity so that North Korea would get no benefit. 
 
"From now on, we would like to apply pressure on North Korea in 
order to quickly resolve the abduction issue. The abduction issue is 
important to U.S. policy." Secretary Rice, holding a prepared memo, 
promised in this way to cooperate to resolve the abduction issue, 
reading out a quote from President Bush's June 26 announcement. 
 
Both of their statements were designed to turn around what both 
Japan and the U.S. most feared: the surfacing of an impression that 
there was discord between the two governments. If the rumor of a gap 
existing between Japan and the U.S. were to spread, there was 
concern, according to a senior Foreign Ministry official, "It would 
play into the hands of the North Koreans." 
 
Alarm that abduction issue would be left behind 
 
However, there remains a large difference in ardor between the 
American government, which wants to use the delisting as leverage on 
North Korea to hasten progress on the nuclear front, and the 
Japanese government, which is alarmed that the U.S. will abandon the 
abduction cause. 
 
"I would like to ask Hill for an explanation," was the question that 
came out during the portion of the G-8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 
the morning of June 27 when the theme being discussed was the North 
Korea problem. Foreign Minister Koumura directed the question on 
purpose toward Assistant Secretary Hill, who was present at the 
meeting. He sought an explanation of the North's nuclear 
declaration, as well as the procedures to delist the DPRK. He 
seemed, according to a diplomatic source, as if "he wanted to nail 
him down so that the U.S. could not run on ahead alone." 
 
3) U.S. Secretary of State Rice gives consideration to public 
opinion; Vows to urge North Korea to resolve abduction issue 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
June 29, 2008 
 
Ruriko Kubota in Seoul 
 
U.S. Secretary of State, visiting South Korea, met with Foreign and 
Trade Minister Yu on June 28. In her press conference after the 
meeting, Secretary Rice touched on the issue of Japanese abducted by 
North Korean agents, saying, "The abduction issue between Japan and 
the DRPK must be resolved soon." She urged North Korea to respond by 
resolving the issue, including carrying out a promised 
reinvestigation. In addition, although she was positive in her 
remarks about North Korea's nuclear declaration, she confirmed that 
there needed to be a thorough verification of its contents. 
 
In connection with North Korea's nuclear declaration, Secretary Rice 
 
TOKYO 00001783  004 OF 010 
 
 
pointed out: "We consider the next stage to be extremely important, 
and on that point, we agreed that there needed to be thorough 
verification." 
 
Continuing, Secretary Rice brought up the issue of the Japanese 
abducted by North Korean agents, and she urged the North Koreans to 
respond earnestly. She said that in that context, the U.S. would 
handle the declaration, and delist the DPRK. In that sense, she 
displayed consideration toward the concerns of Japanese public 
opinion. 
 
She also responded to a question about a separate informal document 
that would answer the questions of uranium enrichment and suspicion 
of nuclear cooperation with Syria. She said: "We still do not have 
sufficient answers that we need. All of the weapons and materials 
must be scrapped." She stressed a stance of working toward 
completely reaching the goal of denuclearization. 
 
4) Government fears that abduction issue might be left behind; 
Reinvestigation steps yet to be determined between Japan and North 
Korea 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 29, 2008 
 
Although the issue of denuclearizing North Korea has moved forward 
as seen in the United States' policy to delist the North as a state 
sponsor of terrorism, there are no prospects for Japan-DPRK talks on 
the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents. 
There is growing concern in the political community that the 
abduction issue might be left behind. The government must expedite 
efforts to produce results of some sort. 
 
At the G-8 foreign ministers meeting held on June 27 in Kyoto, 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura categorically said: "To the 
Japanese people, (the abduction issue) is an extremely important 
humanitarian and human rights issue. It must be shared by the 
international community." 
 
Koumura's statement reflected the Japanese government's fear that 
the abduction issue might be left behind. Although an agreement was 
reached in June 11-12 Japan-DPRK talks on a reinvestigation of the 
abduction issue (by the North), specific steps for the 
implementation of the agreement and the timetable for the next round 
of bilateral talks have yet to be decided. The next six-party talks 
are expected to take place as early as this week mainly to discuss 
the verification of the nuclear deflation presented by the North. A 
Foreign Ministry source familiar with the six-party talks indicated 
that Japan-DPRK talks on the abduction issue would not be held 
during the next six-party talks, saying: "Attending the upcoming 
talks would be North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan not 
Song Il Ho, ambassador in charge of diplomatic normalization talks 
with Japan." A view is gaining ground that there would be no visible 
progress on the abduction issue until after the G-8 Lake Toya 
summit. Given no specific timeline and steps, doubts are strong in 
Japan about the effectiveness of the reinvestigation into the 
abduction issue. Prime Minister Fukuda might find himself under fire 
unless he can find a lead to progress on the abduction issue during 
the 45 days before Washington's policy to delist the North as a 
state sponsor of terrorism takes effect. 
 
5) Delisting of North Korea: Foreign minister accepts priority being 
 
TOKYO 00001783  005 OF 010 
 
 
given to nuclear issue 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
June 30, 2008 
 
Referring to the North Korean nuclear and abduction issues, Foreign 
Minister Koumura on an NHK-TV talk show on June 29 indicated his 
stance of basically accepting the U.S. decision to take North Korea 
off its list of state sponsors of terrorism, following the nuclear 
declaration by that nation. He said: "It is best for the two issues 
to make progress in a balanced manner. However, it is better for the 
nuclear issue to make progress than neither issue making progress." 
Explaining why, Koumura said, "North Korea will not be able to 
obtain Japan's economic cooperation if it does not settle the 
abduction issue. If the nuclear issue makes headway, it would be an 
incentive for it to settle the abduction issue." 
 
Commenting on a reinvestigation into the abduction issue by North 
Korea, Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura in a street-corner speech 
given in Shibuya said, "The Japanese government is about to decide 
its policy regarding how the investigation should be implemented and 
how its results should be verified. We will shortly discuss these 
matters in concrete terms at bilateral talks." Concerning sanctions 
against North Korea, he said, "We may partially lift sanctions if 
North Korea takes concrete action." 
 
In contrast, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on the Abduction 
Issue Nakayama in a speech given in Kawaguchi City, Saitama 
Prefecture, underscored, "Sanctions must not be lifted until it 
becomes that clear North Korea has located the whereabouts of 
abductees and takes action to return them to Japan." 
 
6) LDP split over U.S. policy to delist North Korea as state sponsor 
of terrorism; Yamasaki calls for cooperation with U.S., Abe thinks 
sanctions must be kept in place 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
June 28, 2008 
 
Views in the Liberal Democratic Party are now sharply divided over 
the United States' decision to delist North Korea as a state sponsor 
of terrorism. On the one hand, former LDP Vice-President Taku 
Yamasaki has given a positive assessment to the development as a 
first step toward normalizing relations between Japan and North 
Korea. On the other hand, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has 
expressed concern about Japan losing a vital bargaining chip with 
the DPRK for resolving the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by 
North Korean agents. Yamasaki represents a group in the party who 
give priority to carrying out a dialogue with the North, while Abe 
represents a second group who prefer pressure tactics. The dispute 
in the party is likely to continue for a while. 
 
Yamasaki in a meeting on June 27 of Lower House members of his party 
faction underlined the need to act in concert with the United 
States, saying: "Five countries (Japan, the United States, South 
Korea, China, and Russia) have been making unified efforts to bring 
about a normalization of ties between Japan and North Korea, as well 
and between the United States and North Korea, while working for the 
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It is unacceptable for 
Japan to undermine those efforts." Former Secretary General Koichi 
Kato and former Defense Agency Director-General Gen Nakatani take 
views similar to Yamasaki's. 
 
TOKYO 00001783  006 OF 010 
 
 
 
Abe, however, underscored in remarks to reporters on June 27 the 
need to keep international sanctions against the DRPK in place: "It 
is truly regrettable that the United States will take the North off 
its list of terrorist-sponsoring nations, despite the fact that 
there has been no progress on the abduction issue. President Bush 
has indicated that the United States would not forget the abduction 
issue. There still remains the option of applying international 
pressure." 
 
Many LDP lawmakers share Abe's concern over Washington's decision. 
Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki, delivering a speech in Nara on the 
night of June 27, said: "When the presidential election approaches, 
the United States always rushes to reach a settlement. During the 
Clinton era, the United States was duped (by the North) in the end. 
(The Japanese government) must say clearly what it has to say to the 
United States." 
 
Abe and others have yet to directly criticize Prime Minister 
Fukuda's foreign policy. Nevertheless, Takeo Hiranuma, a former 
economy, trade and industry minister and the chair of the 
parliamentary league on the abduction issue, which works closely 
with Abe, told reporters on June 27: "Japan has lost important 
leverage for resolving the abduction issue. (Japan's decision to 
partially lift sanctions) will not do the Fukuda administration any 
good." 
 
7) Abduction issue: Growing calls in government, ruling parties for 
implementation of reinvestigation at early date 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 30, 2008 
 
Following North Korea's declaration on its nuclear program and the 
start of U.S. procedures for removing that nation from its list of 
state sponsors of terrorism, calls for seeking an early 
implementation of the reinvestigation of abduction victims as 
promised by North Korea during recent bilateral talks were heard 
yesterday in the government and the ruling parties. 
 
Referring to the next round of bilateral talks to discuss the method 
to be used in the reinvestigation, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura 
on a TV Asahi talk show said, "We should move on to the next round 
because a reinvestigation must take place quickly." He took a stance 
of aiming at holding bilateral talks without a pause from the 
previous round, which took place on June 11 and 12. Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Nobutaka Machimura in an outdoor speech in Tokyo expressed 
the government's position: "The government is now about to determine 
its policy regarding what form the envisaged reinvestigation should 
take and how the results of the investigation should be verified. We 
will shortly discuss those matters in concrete terms with North 
Korea." He indicated that the government plans to finalize the 
reinvestigation method and the way verification should be 
accomplished. 
 
The government wants to hurry to implement the reinvestigation, 
because the delisting of North Korea from the U.S. blacklist will 
take effect on Aug. 11. It intends to proceed with talks with the 
DPRK, using Japan's participation in the energy assistance program 
as a bargaining chip. Japan is not taking part in the program at 
present. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001783  007 OF 010 
 
 
Regarding this approach, Koumura on an NHK TV program underscored, 
"Japan's key 'card' is its economic cooperation." Concerning 
humanitarian assistance, Machimura said, "The present situation does 
not allow us to implement humanitarian assistance, including the 
provision of food." 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki in an 
outdoor speech pointed out, "If the result of the envisaged 
reinvestigation is not satisfactory to Japan, we cannot possibly so 
easily provide aid, using our tax money." His remark means that 
though Japan plans to agree to partially lift its economic sanctions 
in return for the reinvestigation, it should cautiously consider the 
propriety of extending economic and energy aid. 
 
Kyoko Nakayama, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister responsible 
for the abduction issue, gave a speech in Kawaguchi City, Saitama 
Prefecture. Referring to a partial easing of the economic sanctions, 
she said, "We must not lift the sanctions until North Korea locates 
the missing persons' whereabouts and their return to Japan becomes 
certain." She took a stance that the government should not lift its 
sanctions against North Korea unless moves for the repatriation of 
abductees take shape. She continued, "There are at present no 
specific moves for the government to lift the sanctions against 
North Korea." 
 
8) LDP secretary general states that Japan, North Korea will jointly 
conduct reinvestigation into abductees; On U.S.-DPRK relations: 
"There is a possibility of the U.S. having being deceived" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 30, 2008 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki on 
June 29 gave on outdoor speech in Musashino City, Tokyo. Referring 
to the promised reinvestigation into the abductions of Japanese 
nationals by North Korea, he said, "Since North Korea always comes 
up with the same results, we have made an arrangement for a joint 
reinvestigation of the issue, joined by Japanese experts." Ibuki is 
the first government official who has categorically stated that 
Japan and North Korea would jointly conduct the envisaged 
reinvestigation. 
 
Concerning the U.S. government having entered into procedures for 
delisting North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, 
Ibuki expressed concern about Washington's approach, noting, "The 
former Clinton administration sent Secretary of State Albright to 
Pyongyang, but its efforts ended in failure. In my view, there is a 
strong possibility of the U.S. having been deceived by North Korea 
again." 
 
9) DPJ's Maehara: Japan relies too much on U.S. regarding abduction 
issue 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 28, 2008 
 
In a speech delivered in Kyoto on June 27, Seiji Maehara, former 
president of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), 
referred to the United States' decision to delist North Korea as a 
state sponsor of terrorism followed by the North's presentation of a 
list of its nuclear programs: 
 
 
TOKYO 00001783  008 OF 010 
 
 
"The framework of the six-party talks was created to resolve (North 
Korea's) nuclear issues, but not to resolve the issue of Japanese 
abductees to North Korea. It is only natural for America to decide 
to delist the DPRK if it is determined that doing such will serve 
the best interests of it." 
 
Maehara then took a view that Japan should take part in an 
international effort to provide North Korea with economic and energy 
assistance. 
 
He stated on the abduction issue: 
 
"A resolution of the abduction issue is a precondition for 
normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and North Korea. 
Japan should severely pursue the issue in bilateral normalization 
talks. The Japanese government excessively depends on America, 
expecting even improvement on the abduction issue (in the framework 
of the six-party talks)." 
 
10) Excerpts from "Hodo 2001," broadcast on June 29 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
June 30, 2008 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura talked about prospects 
for the G-8 in Hokkaido and the possible impact of the U.S. decision 
to delist North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism 
on the abductions of Japanese nationals. 
 
-- Do you think that participants can agree to cut greenhouse gas 
emissions in concrete terms at the G-8? 
 
"Representatives of the participating countries are now working out 
details on final wording. We must move a step forward from the 
previous Heiligendamm Summit." 
 
-- Is it possible to realize the Fukuda Vision of cutting greenhouse 
gas emissions by 60 PERCENT  to 80 PERCENT  by 2050? 
 
"It would not be possible to meet this target without drastic 
technical development. We are now injecting a considerable amount of 
money into technical development for innovative and creative 
programs. However, since we still have a long way to go, we will 
continue our efforts boldly." 
 
-- Families of the victims of abduction are feeling anxiety 
following the delisting of North Korea by the U.S. What is your view 
on that? 
 
"Designating a country as a state sponsor of terrorism is not the 
only way of pressing it. The U.S. maintains sanctions based on a UN 
resolution. Japan has not made its stance clear regarding a ban on 
exports to and imports from that nation and humanitarian assistance. 
North Korea above all wants Japan's technology and a considerable 
amount of money. We want them to understand that Japan has such 
means." 
 
-- Is the Bush administration feeling pressed to achieve a legacy? 
 
"I do not know about that. North Korea has come to the second stage, 
following the joint statement by six countries in September 2005. 
(The declaration) does not refer to nuclear weapons. This must be 
 
TOKYO 00001783  009 OF 010 
 
 
sought strictly at the final stage." 
 
-- Will the abduction issue be brought up at the G-8? 
 
"Yes. We will do our utmost." 
 
11) Japan, U.S, Australia agree in foreign ministerial to come up 
with guidelines for disaster relief cooperation 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
June 28, 2008 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura met on the night of June 27 in 
Kyoto with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Australian 
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. The three reached an agreement on a 
plan to come up with a new framework for information sharing and 
guidelines to step up cooperation on disaster relief and 
humanitarian assistance in the Asia-Pacific region. The three 
countries will hold consultations of working-level officials 
probably in November. 
 
In the expected consultations, representatives from the three 
countries will exchange views on antiterrorism measures and weapons 
of mass destruction. 
 
(08063004kn) Back to Top 
 
 
12) DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama: I really suffered in maintaining 
relations with Mr. Ozawa 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
June 29, 2008 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama 
gave a speech on June 28 in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture. 
Asked about his relations with DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, Hatoyama 
confided that he had "really suffered," citing last year's grand 
alliance uproar and the appointment of new Bank of Japan governor in 
April. 
 
Speaking of the party's response to the government's nomination 
Hiroshi Watanabe, former vice finance minister for international 
affairs, for Bank of Japan deputy governor Hatoyama said: "Since our 
views (Ozawa and Hatoyama's) were different, I wondered whether I 
could continue to serve as secretary general." He underscored the 
present situation, noting: "After all that, we are now able to 
understand each other. We will unite to fight the next House of 
Representatives election to secure the reins of government." 
 
13) UN Secretary General Ban urges Japan to set higher greenhouse 
gas reduction target 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
June 30, 2008 
 
Visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in a speech at a town-hall 
meeting on global warming held on June 29 at Kyoto University called 
on Japan to set a far-reaching medium-term target for the reduction 
of greenhouse gas emissions to take a leading role in the 
international community in the fight against global warming. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001783  010 OF 010 
 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has projected that Japan would be able 
to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 14 PERCENT  from 2005 levels by 
¶2020. Ban in the speech urged Japan to make greater efforts to cut 
emissions further ahead of discussions on global warming at the 
upcoming the G-8 Lake Toya summit. In a question-and-answer session 
with panelists, Ban categorically indicated that the industrialized 
nations that have emitted a large amount of greenhouse gases should 
take responsibility in reducing such gases. Ban also noted that he 
would hold a meeting with Fukuda on June 30, saying that crafting a 
new framework replacing the Kyoto Protocol would require top-level 
political decisions. 
 
Participants representing industrial circles expressed concern that 
intellectual property rights might be infringed upon as a result of 
technology transfers to developing countries to assist their efforts 
to combat global warming. Ban, upon underlining the need to protect 
intellectual property rights, said: "Such concern must not hinder 
technology transfers." He also indicated that Japan, as a world 
leader in technological innovation, should take political 
responsibility significantly in the mechanism of financial support 
and technology transfers to developing countries. 
 
14) Battle of Okinawa, A-bombing to be described for first time in 
school curriculum guidelines 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
June 30, 2008 
 
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 
has decided to describe for the first time the Battle of Okinawa, 
the Great Tokyo Air Raids, and the atomic bombing on Hiroshima and 
Nagasaki in the elementary school curriculum guidelines to be used 
from fiscal 2011. The purpose is to improve curriculums on the 
history of war. The ministry will explain this to prefectural board 
of education members in a briefing session starting today. 
 
According to an education ministry official, almost all social 
studies textbooks for elementary schools describe the three 
incidents. Therefore, elementary schools will likely be able to give 
more specific explanations to students by using the guideline 
descriptions. 
 
Regarding the Battle of Okinawa, at the request of Okinawa 
Prefecture, the ministry has rewritten the description that the 
Japanese military ordered or forced Okinawan people to commit mass 
suicide, which had been for a while deleted in the process of 
screening high-school history books. At that time, Minister Kisaburo 
Tokai had released a statement that the ministry would improve 
school curriculums on the Battle of Okinawa. 
 
SCHIEFFER