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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001942 
 
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 07//08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Opinion polls: 
4) Fuji-Sankei poll: Majority of public sees no effective results 
from G-8 Summit; Fukuda Cabinet support rate sinks to 21.7 PERCENT 
(Sankei) 
5) Asahi poll: 60 PERCENT  fault Fukuda for "lack of leadership" at 
G-8 Summit; Cabinet support low remains low at 24 PERCENT   (Asahi) 
 
6) Yomiuri poll: 52 PERCENT  of public give the G-8 summit low 
marks; Cabinet support rate inches up to 27 PERCENT   (Yomiuri) 
7) Mainichi poll: Fukuda Cabinet support rate remains low at 22 
PERCENT , while 62 PERCENT  unhappy with prime minister's "lack of 
leadership"  (Mainichi) 
8) Kyodo poll: Cabinet support rate about the same at 26 PERCENT 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
9) Public favors Fukuda (37 PERCENT ) over DPJ President Ozawa (28 
PERCENT ) as more "appropriate" to be prime minister  (Asahi) 
 
Korean Peninsula issues: 
10) Japan isolated in the Six-Party Talks on North Korea since it 
refuses to provide aid to that country pending results on abduction 
issue  (Yomiuri) 
11) Flap widens between Japan, Republic of Korea over disputed 
Takeshima isles being mentioned in teacher guidelines for 
middle-school textbook  (Asahi) 
12) ROK recalls ambassador to protest inclusion of Takeshima as 
Japan's territory in teacher's guideline for textbook  (Asahi) 
 
Defense and security issues: 
13) 30,000 demonstrate in Yokosuka against deployment of 
nuclear-powered carrier, USS George Washington  (Akahata) 
14) P3C patrol planes likely to be sent as part of SDF's plan 
dispatch to Afghanistan of reconstruction aid, but New Komeito 
remains wary  (Sankei) 
15) When GSDF was stationed in Samawah, Iraq, the unit was fired on 
13 times in total, despite being in a "non-combat zone"  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
16) Final set of proposals for Defense Ministry reform would 
integrate some bureaus and offices  (Mainichi) 
 
Political scene: 
17) LDP election committee chair Koga urges Fukuda to shuffle his 
cabinet  (Yomiuri) 
18) Fukuda on vacation starting tomorrow for six days, mostly at 
home  (Yomiuri) 
19) DPJ decides to resume participation in deliberations when 
extraordinary Diet session opens in late August  (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Takeshima specified in middle school textbook guidelines 
 
Mainichi: 
FTC to start full-fledged investigation into alleged bid-rigging on 
 
TOKYO 00001942  002 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
vehicle driving services ordered by MLIT 
 
Yomiuri: 
Erroneously issued emergency quake warning halts subway systems 
 
Nikkei: 
Summer bonus payments to drop for first time in six years 
 
Sankei: 
Japan's sovereignty over Takeshima not specified in middle school 
guidelines 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Fishermen to halt operations today due to soaring fuel costs 
 
Akahata: 
30,000 citizens rally against deployment of U.S. nuclear-powered 
aircraft carrier to Yokosuka 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Takeshima issue: Japan, South Korea must prevent chain of 
negative reactions 
(2) U.S. financial crisis needs bold steps 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Territorial issues including Takeshima require calm responses 
(2) Fukawa incident: Take steps speedily to rescue falsely accused 
individuals 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Teach the truth: Takeshima part of Japan 
(2) Public-interest corporation reform: Put end to vicious cycle of 
hiring retiring bureaucrats and receiving orders 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) U.S. government to inject public funds into mortgage giants 
(2) Future of Korean Peninsula murky 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Cabinet support ratings: Prime minister's foreign policy vision 
unclear 
(2) Teach children clearly that Takeshima is Japan's territory 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) DPJ leadership race: Preliminary election called for 
(2) Calmness essential in Takeshima issue 
 
Akahata: 
(1) JCP celebrate 86th anniversary today 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, 13 & 14 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
July 13 
Spent the whole day in his official residence. 
 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
July 14 
10:04 
Met at Kantei with Agriculture Minister Wakabayashi and Agriculture 
Vice Minister for International Affairs Murakami, followed by Deputy 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi and Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Saka. Futahashi remained. 
 
11:24 
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Kono and Defense Ministry Defense 
Policy Bureau chief Takamizawa. 
 
11:40 
Handed written official appointment to Mitsui Bussan's advisor 
Aihara as member of the Japanese side of the APEC Business Council, 
joined by Foreign Ministry Economic Affairs Bureau chief Otabe and 
METI Trade Policy Bureau chief Ishige. 
 
12:01 
Attended government-ruling coalition meeting. 
 
14:40 
Met with Special Advisor Ito. 
 
15:01 
Attended monthly economic report-connected meeting. Met with Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Machimura. Met afterwards with Foreign Ministry 
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau chief Saiki. 
 
16:02 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
17:23 
Had photo session with Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai at Edo Tokyo 
Museum. 
 
18:16 
Held informal meeting with reporters assigned to Kantei at 
okonomiyaki restaurant Matsunami in Nihonbashi-Ningyocho. 
 
20:41 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) Fuji-Sankei poll: Fukuda cabinet support rate reaches its lowest 
at 21.7 PERCENT , with no boost coming from the G-8 Summit; Public 
dissatisfied with Prime Minister's leadership 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
July 15, 2008 
 
In a public opinion survey carried out jointly by the Sankei Shimbun 
and the Fuji-Sankei Network on July 12-13, the support rate for the 
Fukuda Cabinet, which was 22 PERCENT  in the last poll (June 14-15), 
slipped 0.3 point to 21.7 PERCENT , the lowest rating (in this 
series). The non-support rate, too, stayed high at over 60 PERCENT , 
recording 61.2 PERCENT . Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had hoped that 
the G-8 Summit held at Lake Toya in Hokkaido would bring about a 
recovery of his support rate, but many people saw the Prime Minister 
there as lacking in leadership, and so were disappointed. 
 
Among the questions on the results of the G-8 Summit, the reply to 
the one on the shared target of halving greenhouse-gas emissions by 
2050, found a majority or 52.5 PERCENT  evaluating it positively. 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
However, on the abductions issue having been included in the leaders 
statement, 47.7 were unappreciative, far more than 36.5 PERCENT  who 
positively evaluated the move. The reason for the dissatisfaction 
seems to be that even though the abduction issue was mentioned for 
the first time in the leaders' statement, it and the North Korea 
nuclear issue were referred to with a few words. 
 
On the question of Fukuda's leadership at the G-8 Summit, only 19.9 
PERCENT  have him high marks, while about 70 PERCENT  (69.9 PERCENT 
) did not appreciate his performance. About 80 PERCENT  (79.6 
PERCENT ) gave the Prime Minister low marks for leadership in 
running his administration. Only 10.7 PERCENT  said they appreciated 
his leadership. The public's disgruntlement toward the Prime 
Minister's lack of leadership indeed is deep-seated. 
 
Regarding party support rates, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
for the first time (in this series) outweighs the Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP). In the survey, the support rate for the DPJ rose 4.4 
points to 29.0 PERCENT , while that of the LDP slipped 1 point to 
23.0 PERCENT . The gap has widened to six points. The trend of the 
DPJ's support rate outpacing that of the LDP has strengthened, 
bringing about a sense of alarm in the ruling camp toward the next 
Lower House election. 
 
5) Poll: Cabinet support remains low at 24 PERCENT 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
July 15, 2008 
 
The Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide public 
opinion survey on July 12-13, in which the rate of public support 
for Prime Minister Fukuda's cabinet remained low at 24 PERCENT  (23 
PERCENT  in the4 last survey taken June 14-15). The Fukuda cabinet's 
support rate has been below 30 PERCENT  since April. The nonsupport 
rate was 58 PERCENT  (59 PERCENT  in the last survey). In the 
survey, only 24 PERCENT  answered "yes" and 60 PERCENT  said "no" 
when asked if Fukuda had displayed leadership as the host of the 
Group of Eight (G-8) summit held at Lake Toya in Hokkaido. The G-8 
summit does not seem to have given any boost to the Fukuda 
administration. 
 
The G-8 leaders decided at the summit to call on the world to halve 
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and they also agreed to share the 
goal without setting a numerical benchmark. In the survey, 
respondents were also asked if they had appreciated this result. In 
response, ""no" accounted for 53 PERCENT , and "yes" was at 32 
PERCENT . China, India, and other newly emerging countries insisted 
that advanced countries should first reduce their greenhouse gas 
emissions. Asked if this standpoint was convincing, 37 PERCENT 
answered "yes," with 50 PERCENT  saying "no." 
 
Meanwhile, the United States is now in the process of delisting 
North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. In the survey, 
respondents were asked if they appreciated this. To this question, 
"yes" accounted for only 17 PERCENT , with "no" reaching 71 PERCENT 
. Asked how this move for delisting would affect a solution to the 
issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea, 51 PERCENT 
were concerned about a "bad impact," with 30 PERCENT  saying there 
would be "no impact" and 4 PERCENT  saying there would be a "good 
impact." 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling 
 
TOKYO 00001942  005 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 26 PERCENT  (22 PERCENT  in the 
last survey), with the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) at 24 PERCENT  (22 PERCENT  in the last survey). The LDP 
outstripped the DPJ for the first time since April. 
 
6) Poll: Cabinet support up slightly to 27 PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a face-to-face nationwide public 
opinion survey on July 12-13, in which the rate of public support 
for Prime Minister Fukuda's cabinet was 26.6 PERCENT , showing a 
slight increase of 1.5 percentage points from last month. Meanwhile, 
the nonsupport rate was 61.3 PERCENT , showing a decrease of 2.1 
points from last month. The Fukuda cabinet's support rate, which was 
on the decline in the January and following surveys, stopped 
dropping for the time being. 
 
Fukuda hosted the recent Group of Eight (G-8) summit held at Lake 
Toya in Hokkaido, expecting it to boost his administration. In the 
survey, however, 44 PERCENT  answered "yes" and 52 PERCENT  said 
"no" when were asked if they appreciated the G-8 summit. The event 
does not seem to have boosted the Fukuda cabinet's support rate, 
which remains below 30 PERCENT . 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 27.2 PERCENT , up 1.2 points from 
last month, with the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) at 18.8 PERCENT , down 1.7 points from last month. The 
DPJ, though squaring off with the Fukuda administration, remains 
unable to expand its public support. 
 
Respondents were also asked which political party they will vote for 
in their proportional representation blocs if and when there is an 
election for the House of Representatives. To this question, 
however, the DPJ outstripped the LDP, with the DPJ scoring 27 
PERCENT  (down 1.0 points from last month) and the LDP at 26 PERCENT 
 (up 1.0 points from last month). The DPJ was above the LDP in the 
latest survey, following the survey taken last month. 
 
7) Poll: 27 PERCENT  see Fukuda as displaying leadership at G-8 
summit; Cabinet support level at 22 PERCENT 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
July 15, 2008 
 
The Mainichi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide public 
opinion survey on July 12-13. The rate of public support for Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda's cabinet was 22 PERCENT , up 1.0 points from 
the last survey taken in June. Fukuda hosted the recent Group of 
Eight (G-8) summit that at Lake Toya in Hokkaido on July 6-9. In the 
survey, when respondents were asked if they thought Fukuda displayed 
leadership, 62 PERCENT  answered "no," with 27 PERCENT  saying 
"yes." Respondents were also asked if their evaluation of Fukuda 
changed after the G-8 summit. In response, 83 PERCENT  answered 
"no." The figure shows that the G-8 summit does not seem to have 
boosted Fukuda's administration. 
 
The Fukuda cabinet's support rate, which hit a low of 18 PERCENT  in 
this May's survey, increased for the first time since the last 
survey and reached 21 PERCENT . The government and the ruling 
 
TOKYO 00001942  006 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
coalition expected a boost for the Fukuda administration, taking it 
that the support rate stopped dropping. However, the support rate 
was slightly up for the second time in a row. The nonsupport rate 
was 54 PERCENT , showing a decrease of 6.0 points from the last 
survey. Those not interested accounted for 21 PERCENT , up 4.0 
points. 
 
8) Poll: Cabinet support levels off 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) 
July 13, 2008 
 
The approval rating for the cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda 
was 26.8 PERCENT  in a public opinion survey conducted by Kyodo News 
across the nation on July 11-12 after the Group of Eight (G-8) 
summit held at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, leveling off from the 25.0 
PERCENT  rating in the last survey taken in June. The disapproval 
rating was 53.5 PERCENT , showing a decrease of 6.7 percentage 
points. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought Fukuda 
had displayed leadership as the chair of the G-8 summit. In response 
to this question, 51.4 PERCENT  answered "no," with 30.3 PERCENT 
saying "yes." 
 
Fukuda's aides wanted the G-8 summit to give a boost to his 
administration. However, the survey did not show such an effect. The 
nonsupport rate also remains high, topping 50 PERCENT . Fukuda will 
still face difficulties in steering his government, including his 
decision whether to shuffle his cabinet. 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked about the framework of 
government they would support. To this question, 45.3 PERCENT  chose 
a coalition government centering on the leading opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), up 4.9 points. Meanwhile, 31.2 
PERCENT  picked a coalition government centering on the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party, down 3.9 points. The DPJ topped the LDP 
for the fourth time in a row. The gap between the two parties 
expanded from 5.3 points in the last survey to 14.1 points. 
 
In the breakdown of public support, the LDP and the DPJ were on a 
par at 28.6 PERCENT . The LDP was down 0.5 points, with the DPJ up 
5.0 points. 
 
9) Asahi poll: Who is more appropriate to be prime minister? 37 
PERCENT  of public pick Fukuda, 28 PERCENT  choose Ozawa; DPJ head 
Ozawa unpopular among unaffiliated voters 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
In a national opinion poll carried out (by telephone) July 12-13, 
the question was asked whether people found Prime Minister Fukuda or 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa more appropriate to 
be premier. In the response, 37 PERCENT  of the public chose Fukuda, 
while 28 PERCENT  picked Ozawa. Fukuda was the favorite. However, 35 
PERCENT  of the respondents chose the answer, "other, can't 
answer." 
 
Among the respondents to the question, 72 PERCENT  of the supporters 
of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chose Fukuda, and 59 PERCENT 
of the DPJ supporters picked Ozawa. Among the large numbers of 
unaffiliated voters, 31 PERCENT  were for Fukuda, and 22 PERCENT 
were for Ozawa. That margin gave Fukuda the edge (in the overall 
 
TOKYO 00001942  007 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
number of 37 PERCENT ). 
 
Asked to evaluate Ozawa as president of the DPJ, 36 PERCENT 
answered that they "greatly evaluated" him of "evaluated him to a 
certain extent," while 61 PERCENT  answered that they "did not 
evaluate him very much," or "did not evaluate him at all." Limited 
to the supporters of the DPJ, 66 PERCENT  evaluated him, while 33 
PERCENT  did not. 
 
10) Six-party talks: Japan faces isolation due to its refusal to 
provide assistance to North Korea; South Korea expresses 
disgruntlement 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 12, 2008 
 
Beijing, Yoshiharu Asano, Yuji Anai 
 
Akitaka Saiki, director general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and 
Oceanian Affairs Bureau, at a meeting of chief delegates to the 
six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program held on July 11 
explained Japan's stand: "Since there has been no tangible progress 
on relations between Japan and North Korea, including the abduction 
cases, the situation is not yet conductive to allow us to extent 
energy assistance to that nation. Japan is ready to join assistance 
activities carried out by other nations as soon as possible, 
provided that concrete progress has been made." However, Japan is 
having difficulty dealing with the situation with other member 
nations increasingly expressing their dissatisfaction with it. 
 
According to a government source, the top U.S. envoy reportedly made 
a statement showing understanding toward Japan's stance of attaching 
importance to the abduction issue, saying, "The abduction issue is a 
major issue. We hope North Korea will deal with the matter swiftly." 
A Chinese delegate also reportedly noted, "We hope that North Korea 
will seriously respond to Japan's concern." 
 
On the other hand, referring to Japan's decision not to take part in 
energy assistance to North Korea because of the unsettled abduction 
issue, South Korea's top envoy Kim Sook, special representative for 
Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs of the Foreign Affairs 
and Trade, during a press conference held after the chief envoys' 
meeting pointed out, "The U.S., South Korea, China and Russia are 
not all convinced by Japan's stance." He sought Japan's 
participation in the assistance activities. 
 
11) Takeshima for first time mentioned in teachers manual for middle 
school curriculum guidelines: Difference in stances of Japan, South 
Korea described 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
July 15, 2008 
 
The government on July 14 released a teachers manual for middle 
school curriculum guidelines, which for the first time refers to the 
Takeshima group of islets (known as Dokdo by South Korea), which 
both Japan and South Korea claim. The manual does not use words "an 
integral part of Japan" in referring to the islets, consideration 
having been given to South Korea. However, the reaction from South 
Korea has been strong. 
 
The government was supposed to write a new manual this month before 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
the work of writing new school textbooks starts in fiscal 2009, 
following the amendment to school curriculum guidelines in March. At 
present, three out of six textbooks of geography and three out of 
eight civics textbooks describe the Takeshima islets. It is viewed 
that many more textbooks will mention the Takeshima islets in 2012, 
when the use of textbooks written based on the new school curriculum 
starts, as a result of the release of the manual this time. 
 
Regarding the Northern Territories issue, the manual mentions that 
it is necessary (for school textbooks) to properly deal with the 
fact that Japan is seeking the return of the islands from Russia. 
This time, for the first time the words are included: "It is 
important (for teachers) to deepen students' understanding of our 
country's territories as in the case of the Northern Territories, by 
referring to a difference in the stances of Japan and South Korea 
over the Takeshima islets." 
 
The manual mentions that the Northern Territories are an integral 
part of Japan. By mentioning that the Takeshima islets should be 
treated similar to the Northern Territories issue, the manual 
encourages teachers to indirectly tell students that the Takeshima 
islets are an integral part of Japan. 
 
Though South Korean President Lee Myung-bak had expressed a grave 
concern about the matter, the government has stood firm on the 
description of the Takeshima islets. However, it has given maximum 
consideration to South Korea, by referring to a difference in the 
stances of the two countries over the islets and adding new words 
"illegally occupied" only to the description of the Northern 
Territories issue. 
 
12) South Korean government "deeply disappointed": Ambassador to 
Japan to be recalled 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
Following the Japanese government's decision to include the 
Takeshima islets in a manual for school curriculum guidelines for 
middle schools, the South Korean President's Office on July 14 
released President Lee Myung-bak's comment expressing deep 
disappointment and regret at the Japanese government's decision in 
view of the agreement reached at the bilateral summit to pursue a 
future-oriented partnership. 
 
Lee then ordered a strict and resolute measure. Foreign Affairs and 
Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan on July 14 summoned Ambassador to South 
Korea Toshinori Shigeie to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a protest. 
He sought the removal of the description. South Korean Ambassador to 
Japan Kwon Chul Hyun will file a protest with Foreign Minister 
Koumura on the 15th and temporarily return home the same day. 
 
The South Korean government will decide what to do about the 
resumption of summit diplomacy, which both countries have agreed on, 
and whether to change other diplomatic schedules, after determining 
the Japanese government's response and moves in public opinion in 
the nation. 
 
The ROK Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs on July 14 
released a Dokdo Utilization Implementation Program totaling 8.4 
billion won (approximately 900 million yen) covering 14 items in 
five areas in order to strengthen the nation's control of the 
 
TOKYO 00001942  009 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
islets. 
 
In the meantime, senior officials of the ruling Grand National Party 
and the opposition Democratic Party on the morning of the same day 
landed at Takeshima and encouraged coast-guard personnel there. 
Voices criticizing Japan are growing in South Korea. 
 
13) 30,000 protest against US aircraft carrier deployment to 
Yokosuka 
 
AKAHATA (Top Play) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
Under the blazing sun on July 13, more than 30,000 people gathered 
at the Verny Park in Yokosuka City, from which people can see U.S. 
Yokosuka Naval Base. They held placards stating: "No aircraft 
carrier," and "I Love Peace." The 7/13 National Large Rally in 
Yokosuka was held at the grass-roots level to protest the deployment 
of a U.S. aircraft carrier and the realignment and reinforcement of 
U.S. naval base, the aim of being to place the government in a 
difficult position. 
 
Katsutoshi Nakai, 22, of the Kanagawa Civil Engineering Yokosuka 
Miura branch, said: "Meeting a lot of participants, I felt close 
ties to people across the nation. Yokosuka will do its best." Nakai 
and his group's members held up about 70 plastic umbrellas reading, 
"The purpose of the aircraft carrier is not to protect Japan." 
 
Kazumi Shibahara, 55, a resident of Ishikawa Prefecture, in which 
the Self-Defense Forces' (SDF) Komatsu base is shared by U.S. 
forces, enthusiastically said: "I want to prevent Yokosuka from 
becoming a front line base, which would be involved in America's 
war. I came here to join with others protesting the deployment of 
the U.S. nuclear carrier." 
 
Mitsuo Sakauchi, chairman of the National confederation of Trade 
Unions, pointed out that the deployment of a nuclear-powered 
aircraft carrier is an affront to the people of a country that 
suffered from atomic bombs, as well as to the democratic rights of 
Yokosuka residents. In order to strengthen nationwide cooperation, 
he called on the participants to put a halt to the realignment and 
reinforcement of U.S. forces in Japan. The participants responded by 
chanting: "Yes!" 
 
After the gathering, the demonstrators marched through the city and 
protested in front of the gate of the U.S. base. 
 
14) Government likely to use P-3C patrol planes in assistance for 
Afghanistan in consideration of New Komeito's concerns 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
July 12, 2008 
 
The government began considering on July 11 adding patrol activities 
to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's operation in the Indian Ocean 
as part of Japan's assistance to Afghanistan, which is certain to 
take center stage in the extraordinary Diet session expected to open 
in late August. Coordination is underway to add the step to the 
MSDF's refueling operation in the Indian Ocean in amending the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which is scheduled to expire 
next January. 
 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07//08 
 
Although the government is also considering using Ground 
Self-Defense Force helicopters and Air Self-Defense Force transport 
planes to airlift supplies, the New Komeito, the LDP's coalition 
partner, is reluctant to agree to using such means. The government 
is endeavoring to bridge the gap with the New Komeito in order to 
make a final decision on contents of aid in early August. 
 
According to a government source, the Defense Ministry considered 
the contents of assistance by the Ground, Maritime, and Air 
Self-Defense Forces after receiving a report by the government's 
fact-finding team that stayed in Afghanistan from June 8 through 
¶18. 
 
As a result, a plan has emerged to use the GSDFs' CH-47 helicopters 
to airlift personnel and supplies from Bagram Air Base near 
Afghanistan's capital of Kabul to the International Security 
Assistance Force's (ISAF) hub airport up in the north. The ASDF will 
carry out transport activities between Bagram Air Base and a U.S. 
base in Tajikistan using C-130s. A plan has remained to use the 
MSDF's P-3Cs to carry out patrol activities in the skies over the 
Diego Garcia-Oman-Djibouti triangle in the Indian Ocean. 
 
The fact-finding team's results showed a great need for ground 
assistance in the unstable southern part of the country. At the same 
time, the relatively stable northern part is also in need of CH-47 
helicopters. A Defense Ministry source has described the northern 
part as the safest area where the GSDF can carry out activities. 
 
But concerned about the safety of SDF personnel and the possible use 
of force, which is prohibited under the Constitution, the New 
Komeito has reacted negatively to this plan. The party has shown the 
same reaction to using the ASDF's C-130s to airlift supplies. In the 
event the MSDF's P-3C patrol plane finds a suspicious vessel, it 
would report it to the U.S. military for action by multinational 
force vessels. In terms of safety, this makes it easier to obtain 
understanding. 
 
15) Details unveiled of 13 attacks on GSDF camp in Samawah, with 22 
shells landing, exposing danger of "noncombat area" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
July 13, 2008 
 
The details of 13 mortar and rocket attacks on the Ground 
Self-Defense Force (GSDF) camp in Samawah, Iraq, have been disclosed 
through the data of the Joint Staff Office obtained by the Tokyo 
Shimbun. Of the shells fired, 22 landed, with four falling on the 
site of the camp and 14 dropping within one kilometer from the camp. 
July 16 marks the second anniversary of SDF troops having left Iraq. 
The data show how dangerous the government-claimed "noncombat area" 
was. 
 
A rocket shell dropped on the SDF camp on Oct. 22, 2004, for the 
first time. After that, three more rocket shells landed on the site 
in a series of attacks, indicating that the shooters were expert at 
handling weapons. 
 
A shell fired Oct. 31 the same year went through a container on the 
west side of the camp. At that time, tents were being used as 
troops' quarters. In response to growing calls for strengthened 
defense measures, the GSDF established concrete quarters, taking 
more than one year. 
 
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The shells were all fired from somewhere near a housing district 
north of the camp. The attackers disappeared into the darkness 
immediately after firing, so their motives remain unknown. Former 
GSDF Chief of Staff Hajime Massaki, now advisor to the Defense 
Ministry, said: "Since there were no intensive attacks, it is 
inconceivable that the shooters' aim was to have the SDF withdraw 
from Iraq. It is highly likely that the attacks were made by a tribe 
dissatisfied at having been unable to get jobs at the camp." 
 
A senior Joint Staff Office member remarked: "Japan constructed 
hospitals in 13 locations in Iraq with official development 
assistance. Iraqi people placed excessive expectations on the SDF, 
but what they could do were limited. I think people's frustration 
against Japan's reconstruction aid exploded." 
 
The 13 attacks with 22 shells were more critical than expected. SDF 
troops, while reinforcing defense, tried to establish a friendly 
relationship with local residents by proactively mingling with them. 
Small projects were also carried out with grassroots grant aid under 
the jurisdiction of the Foreign Ministry in an effort to prevent 
attacks. 
 
16) Final draft of Defense Ministry reform calls for integrating 
internal bureaus and SDF staff offices 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
Evening, July 12, 2008 
 
The government's council on Defense Ministry reform, chaired by 
Tokyo Electric Power Co. Advisor Naoya Minami, outlined its final 
report today. The report includes measures to integrate and 
reorganize civilian personnel from internal bureaus and uniformed 
personnel from the Self-Defense Forces' (SDF) staff offices. By 
forming a mixed organization, the panel aims to reduce harmful 
influences from the traditional sectional rivalries. The panel will 
submit the final report to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on July 15. 
 
It has been pointed out that a lack of cooperation between civilian 
personnel and uniformed personnel and their attitude of laying blame 
on the other side have led to a series of scandals. The final draft 
calls for maintaining in principle the current organization system 
with internal bureaus and the Joint, Ground, Maritime, and Air Staff 
Offices. But it proposes enabling uniformed personnel to assume up 
to the post of vice chief in internal bureaus, though such personnel 
are unable to assume a higher post than division director under the 
current system, as well as allowing civilian personnel to become 
vice president at joint offices, in a bid to strengthen cooperation 
between civilian personnel and uniformed personnel 
 
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba proposed integrating and 
reorganizing internal bureaus and each of the SDF's staff offices 
into three sections. But the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) 
expressed concern about the proposal, with one official grumbling: 
"If SDF personnel are deeply involved in policymaking, problems 
might appear in terms of civilian control." Partially introducing 
the Ishiba proposal, the draft report comes up with the policy of 
promoting the establishment of a mixed organization. 
 
On administrative work of units, the report suggests that the 
operation and planning bureau among the internal bureaus be 
disbanded and leave the task only in the hands of the unit operation 
 
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section in the Joint Staff Office. However, the report specifies 
that the defense policymaking bureau will be tasked with 
policymaking for unit operations, giving consideration to the 
concern harbored by the Kantei. 
 
17) LDP's Koga calls for cabinet shuffle 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
Appearing on a TV program on July 14, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
Election Strategy Council Chairman Makoto Koga said that in order to 
narrow the economic disparities in society by correcting the 
structural reform policy line, the cabinet should be shuffled. He 
said: "We won't fight an election unless the Fukuda government makes 
clear its direction. To show the public a change in the 
administration's policy line from the Koizumi government's reform 
policy, there should be a cabinet shuffle." 
 
Referring to the possibility of political realignment after the next 
House of Representatives election, Koga pointed out: "It is only 
natural that there will be political realignment. We should head in 
that direction." 
 
18) Prime Minister Fukuda to take summer vacation from tomorrow 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
July 15, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is expected to take summer vacation for 
six days from July 16 when he turns 72, until the 21st. Taking 
advantage of the six-day vacation, which he will take for the first 
time since assuming office, he intends to consider whether to 
shuffle his cabinet and how to handle his administration, including 
how to deal with the upcoming extraordinary Diet session, which will 
be convened as early as late August. Fukuda plans to spend the 
vacation in his official residence and private residence in Nozawa, 
Tokyo. 
 
19) DPJ set to return to deliberations in extraordinary Diet 
session 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 12, 2008 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) started final coordination 
yesterday to attend deliberations from the outset of the 
extraordinary Diet session to be convened in late August. The main 
opposition adopted a censure motion against Prime Minister Fukuda at 
the House of Councillors in the latest ordinary Diet session, with 
the aim of pressing the government to dissolve the House of 
Representatives for a snap election by boycotting deliberations. But 
the prime minister ignored it. 
 
Keeping in mind the need to tackle such imminent tasks as 
skyrocketing oil prices, the DPJ has judged it would be more 
advantageous for it to grill the government in Diet deliberations. 
 
In a press conference on July 10, Deputy President Naoto Kan 
referred to soaring oil prices: "It is necessary to determine in the 
extraordinary Diet session what response measures, including 
budgetary ones, should be taken." He said: "It is naturally possible 
 
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for the party to present emergency economic measures to deal with 
rising oil prices in the form of law," premised on the party 
returning to Diet deliberations. 
 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka said in a press 
conference on the 7th: "(In the ruling camp,) there are calls for 
taking up a supplementary budget to finance measures closely linked 
to people's livelihood, such as countermeasures against natural 
disasters. 
 
CEKUTA