VZCZCXRO2956
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2018/01 2040810
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220810Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5985
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 1332
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8957
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2687
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 7167
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9540
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4468
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0458
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0859

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002018 
 
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 07/22/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Marc Knapper of U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is promising Japan expert 
(Foresight) 
 
(2) Fukuda-style politics (Part 1): Fukuda has no "right-hand man" 
(Nikkei) 
 
(3) JCP's Nihi slams subservience to U.S. (Akahata) 
 
(4) Bush plays up U.S. military realignment, Fukuda vows 
implementation (Akahata) 
 
(5) DPJ's Hatoyama proposes debate on Afghan aid (Akahata) 
 
(6) Ten years since establishment of DPJ; No blueprint for achieving 
equal alliance between Japan and U.S. alliance (Mainichi) 
 
(7) Special Advisor to Prime Minister Kyoko Nakayama: Dialogue on 
return of abductees with pressure as tool (Sankei) 
 
(8) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, G-8 summit, North 
Korea abductions, consumption tax (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(9) Cold eyes on Defense Minister Ishiba (Foresight) 
 
(10) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(11) EDITORIALS 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Marc Knapper of U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is promising Japan expert 
 
FORESIGHT (Page 31) (Full) 
August 2008 
 
It has been a long time since observers pointed out that the number 
of Japan experts has decreased in the U.S. government. However, Marc 
Knapper, 38, who arrived last year at his current post of deputy of 
the political section at the U.S. Embassy, is a promising U.S. 
diplomat. There is a rumor that Knapper will be promoted to 
minister-counselor (for political affairs) to succeed incumbent 
Minister-Counselor Michael Meserve, who will leave the post next 
year. A Japanese government official said hopefully: "He will become 
an influential Japan expert in the future like Richard Armitage and 
Michael Green." 
 
After learning Japanese politics at Princeton University, Knapper 
studied at the University of Tokyo. He even worked at the 
International Affairs Division of the ruling Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP). As he speaks fluent Japanese, he has built wide-ranging 
personal connections with Japanese Diet members and their 
secretaries. He knows Tatsuo Fukuda, the oldest son of Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda, a policy secretary to the prime minister. 
 
Knapper is well versed also in Korean affairs and speaks Korean. 
Under the Clinton administration, he flew to Pyongyang for 
negotiations prior to a visit to North Korea by then Secretary of 
State Madeleine Albright. A Foreign Ministry official said: "I have 
exclusively held negotiations with Mr. Knapper on onerous bilateral 
issues." 
 
TOKYO 00002018  002 OF 011 
 
 
 
There is no way to predict who will win the U.S. presidential 
election, Republican Senator John McCain or Democratic Senator 
Barack Obama. A source familiar with Japan-U.S. relations commented: 
"Mr. Knapper will support the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo whatever 
government is formed." 
 
(2) Fukuda-style politics (Part 1): Fukuda has no "right-hand man" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 17, 2008 
 
Criticism has become stronger regarding Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda's management of his administration. Fukuda's political method 
that sometimes changes depending on the situation has confused even 
his aides. With an eye on the next House of Representatives 
election, Fukuda must first overcome many hurdles. This newspaper 
probes into the Fukuda-style of politics. 
 
Issues instructions out of blue 
 
"Expenditures for public service corporations will be cut by 30 
PERCENT ," Fukuda said slowly in an informal cabinet meeting on July 
¶4. Since he made the instruction without holding prior coordination 
with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as with 
special-interest policy cliques in the Diet, government officials 
were surprised at his instruction, with one official saying: "It was 
a total surprise." 
 
Although the ministries and agencies concerned were aware of a 
pending reduction in annual expenditures, they did not expect a 30 
percent cut. On the night of July 4, Fukuda told reporters: "The 
expenditures will be cut even more." A government source said in a 
hesitant way: "Even a 30 percent cut is difficult." 
 
Fukuda's lack of communication with others sometimes created 
negative effects. One typical example occurred in March when the 
government's nomination for the new governor of the Bank of Japan 
was repeatedly rejected by the main opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan. The reason is because Fukuda failed to present the first 
nomination to the Diet because he had been busy with the handling of 
the collision of an Aegis ship and small fishing boat. He submitted 
the second nomination, while the opposition was negatively reacting 
to the ruling coalition having rammed through the bill on a budget 
for fiscal 2008 in late February. Fukuda did not convey his decision 
even to Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura until the last minute. 
Since the opposition did not approve the second nomination, as well, 
the BOJ governorship was vacant for three weeks. As a result, many 
in the ruling camp grew concerned about the situation. 
 
Political observers note that an absence of those politicians who 
would serve to convey Fukuda's intentions has undermined his 
administration. 
 
Fukuda is now serving in his sixth-term in the Lower House. Diet 
members serving in their 6th-term are regarded in Nagato-cho as 
mid-level lawmakers. Since Fukuda has never headed any faction, he 
did not need to have a "right-hand man" to coordinate views. 
 
Concerned that Fukuda may give up the prime minister's post 
 
In June and early July, prior to Group of Eight (G-8) summit, for 
 
TOKYO 00002018  003 OF 011 
 
 
which Fukuda became passionately devoted, speculation was afoot that 
he might resign his position after the event. 
 
The Fukuda cabinet's approval ratings have been at the 20 
percent-level. Fukuda has been unable to manage his administration 
as he wishes because of the divided Diet. Abe's sudden resignation 
is still a fresh memory. Fukuda also suddenly quit the chief cabinet 
secretary post due to his failure to pay pension premium payments. 
Fukuda's equidistant political stance worked well when he 
established the government backed by main LDP factions. However, 
close cooperation between the government and ruling parties is 
indispensable for handling the next extra Diet session, as well as 
for winning a tug-of-the war between the ruling and opposition 
camps, which may lead to the next Lower House election. 
 
Even if Fukuda carries out a cabinet shuffle soon, whether it will 
lead to boosting his administration will depend on how he manages 
his new cabinet. If there is no change in his political methods, the 
mood will grown stronger for him to be replaced. 
 
(3) JCP's Nihi slams subservience to U.S. 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Abridged) 
July 20, 2008 
 
Sohei Nihi, a House of Councillors member of the Japanese Communist 
Party, participated as a panelist in a town meeting held yesterday 
in Yokohama by the Junior Chamber International Japan (JCIJ) and 
exchanged views with representatives from other political parties on 
the Constitution. 
 
Regarding whether Article 9 of the Constitution should be changed 
for Japan's international contribution, Nihi stressed that the 
United States is now deeply stalemated both in Iraq and in 
Afghanistan and is being internationally isolated. "I wonder how 
long Japan will follow the United States' unitary hegemony," Nihi 
said. "Article 9 is a step ahead in illegalizing wars, so we must 
utilize it for politics," he insisted. 
 
Hajime Funada, a House of Representatives member of the Liberal 
Democratic Party, said: "We should cross out the second paragraph of 
Article 9 for Japan to have armed forces for self-defense. We must 
consider how to help America as our ally." Akihisa Nagashima, a 
House of Representatives member of the Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto), said: "We should repeal the second paragraph of Article 
9 and expressly stipulate the Self-Defense Forces. We need to add 
another paragraph to describe international peace cooperation." 
 
(4) Bush plays up U.S. military realignment, Fukuda vows 
implementation 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Full) 
July 20, 2008 
 
Japan and the United States held a summit meeting of Prime Minister 
Fukuda and President Bush on July 6 in the Hokkaido town of Toya on 
the sidelines of the Group of Eight (G-8) summit held at Lake Toya 
in Hokkaido. On that occasion, Bush said the realignment of U.S. 
forces in Japan would be important for the next administration, as 
well. 
 
On July 18, the government held a consultative meeting with local 
 
TOKYO 00002018  004 OF 011 
 
 
officials from Okinawa's prefectural and municipal governments on 
the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station 
in Okinawa Prefecture to the prefecture's northern coastal city of 
Nago. In this meeting, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura revealed 
what was discussed in the Fukuda-Bush meeting. According to his 
account, Bush told Fukuda: "The realignment of U.S. forces in Japan 
is important for the next administration as well, and it is 
extremely important to steadily implement the Japan-U.S. agreement." 
Fukuda responded, "Japan will steadily implement the roadmap (for 
the U.S. military's realignment)." 
 
The United States had expected to take up the U.S. force realignment 
as the primary issue on the agenda for the Fukuda-Bush meeting. 
 
The roadmap, including a plan to build a new base in a coastal area 
of Nago City for Futenma relocation, describes that the U.S. 
military realignment will be completed in 2014. Bush's remarks 
indicated that the U.S. military realignment is a 'categorical 
imperative' for the Japanese government regardless of the outcome of 
this fall's U.S. presidential election. 
 
Bush also stressed the importance of implementing the Japan-U.S. 
agreement in a steady way. This can be taken as indicating the 
United States' strong rejection not only to Okinawa's public 
opposition to the new base but also to Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu 
Nakaima's advocacy of building the new base in an offshore area of 
Nago City. 
 
(5) DPJ's Hatoyama proposes debate on Afghan aid 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Full) 
July 20, 2008 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama, meeting the press in Okayama City on July 19, stated his 
views regarding Japan's aid to Afghanistan. "We will not take part 
in any plus alpha discussion while continuing the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's deployment to the Indian Ocean," Hatoyama said. 
"But," he went on, "if Japan is to do something different from 
refueling activities at sea, there's much room for discussion." 
 
"It's hard to envision land- and sea-based activities," Hatoyama 
said, referring to specific assistance measures. He added: "We may 
discuss whether there's something Japan can do in the area of 
aviation or whether Japan can do something involving another 
organization that is not the Self-Defense Forces." 
 
(6) Ten years since establishment of DPJ; No blueprint for achieving 
equal alliance between Japan and U.S. alliance 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
July 18, 2008 
 
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa held a press 
conference in Naha on June 26 in which he said: "Our goal is to take 
the reins of government and to establish a Japan-U.S. alliance that 
is truly based on equality. We will consider resolving the issues of 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and U.S. bases by 
respecting the views held by the people of Okinawa." Based on the 
results of the June 8 Okinawa prefectural assembly election that 
reversed the positions of the ruling and opposition blocs, the party 
adopted on July 8 what is called its "Okinawa Vision," in which it 
 
TOKYO 00002018  005 OF 011 
 
 
expressed the party's determination to fundamentally revise the SOFA 
and to relocate Futenma Air Station to a site outside Okinawa or 
Japan. 
 
In the June 8 prefectural assembly race, the DPJ won four seats, 
adding three seats to the one it had previously held. Sueko 
Yamauchi, who was elected to the prefectural assembly for the first 
time on the DPJ ticket, ascribed her victory to public expectations 
for the party to oppose the construction of the new base once it 
attains power. 
 
The prefectural assembly in its plenary session on July 18 is 
expected to adopt by a majority of votes by the opposition parties 
an opinion letter and a resolution opposing the relocation of 
Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Camp Schwab. If approved, 
it would be the first resolution opposing the relocation of a U.S. 
base within the prefecture since l996, when Prime Minister Ryutaro 
Hashimoto led a coalition administration of the LDP, Social 
Democratic Party and Sakigake Party. 
 
A local head promoting Futenma's relocation to the Henoko district 
thinks the prefectural policy will shift, depending on the 
governor's decision. 
 
The DPJ also refused for the first time to endorse the Special 
Measures Agreement, the basis for Japan's Host-Nation Support 
(sympathy budget) that pays for the costs of stationing U.S. forces 
in Japan. That step, too, reflected the DPJ's decision to take a 
resolute stance toward the United States in contrast to the 
government and LDP's policy of placing highest priority on the 
bilateral alliance, a trend that became especially noticeable during 
the Koizumi administration. The UN-centered diplomacy advocated by 
Ozawa when his party campaigned against an extension of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force operations in the Indian Ocean can be traced to 
the same roots, as well. 
 
The Liberal Forum, a group of DPJ lawmakers who reject Japan's 
exercising the right to collective self-defense, conducted a seminar 
in Hokkaido's Chitose on July 15 in which a heated debate took place 
ahead of the upcoming party leadership race. Some members argued, 
"Mr. Ozawa said that the country in principle can dispatch the SDF 
as long as there is a UN resolution,, saying that such is not 
against the Constitution," and: "Mr. Ozawa is liberal, but the 
public does not think so. A leadership race is necessary in order 
also to make clear that Mr. Ozawa is not oriented toward amending 
the Constitution." 
 
The group eventually gave up fielding its own candidate for the 
leadership race and called for establishing an international 
cooperation force to conduct peacekeeping and humanitarian 
operations overseas that would not conflict with Ozawa's UN-centered 
thinking. The group's representative, Hideo Hiraoka, explicitly 
indicated that fighting the next Lower House race under President 
Ozawa is a precondition. 
 
The DPJ has been referred to as a patchwork party since its 
establishment, but its members are now banding together for their 
ultimate goat of taking power by putting aside their differences in 
views on security. Nevertheless, it is also a reality that the DPJ 
has no blueprint to clear the self-imposed hurdles, such as a 
revision of the SOFA. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002018  006 OF 011 
 
 
"Once the DPJ takes the reins of government, the party would not 
able to oppose the sympathy budget (which is essential for the 
Japan-U.S. alliance). This is the last chance to do so (as an 
opposition party)." This comment came from Keiichiro Asao, the 
shadow cabinet's defense minister, in its cabinet meeting on April 
¶2. Will the DPJ be able to realize a Japan-U.S. alliance based on 
equality after taking power? Asao's comment reflected the DPJ's 
apprehension. 
 
(7) Special Advisor to Prime Minister Kyoko Nakayama: Dialogue on 
return of abductees with pressure as tool 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
July 21, 2008 
 
The Japan-North Korea working level talks held in June entered a new 
phase. Japan has extracted a promise from North Korea to 
reinvestigate abduction cases, based on the assumption that the 
abductees are alive, with the aim of locating the whereabouts of 
them, including Megumi Yokota, whom Pyongyang has claimed is dead, 
and returning them to Japan. 
 
As for the Japanese government's stand on the abduction issue, the 
former Shinzo Abe cabinet in 2007 explained that progress on the 
abduction issue means Japan and North Korea sharing a common 
understanding that the abduction issue must be settled and North 
Korea taking concrete action based on that understanding, and that a 
settlement of the abduction issue means the return of all abductees, 
the shedding of light on the truth and the extradition of those 
responsible for abductions. 
 
If the results of the reinvestigation are a fabricated story as was 
the case in the past or if the reinvestigation was carried out for 
the sake of confirming the abductees' deaths, then Japan should not 
lift even part of its economic sanctions against that nation. It is 
necessary to nail down that point. If North Korea takes action that 
will clearly lead to progress, it may be possible for Japan to lift 
part of its sanctions. 
 
Energy aid to North Korea was also on the table of the recent 
six-party talks. However, it is only natural that the Japanese 
government cannot extend aid, because abducted Japanese nationals 
are still in North Korea and North Korea has failed to take any 
actions that can be considered as progress. 
 
Prime minister reaches out to G-8 leaders 
 
Former Prime Minister Abe said that he would apply pressure in 
implementing his North Korea policy. Japan has applied sanctions 
against that nation based on the determination that it would not 
respond to calls for talks unless it finds itself in a really 
difficult situation. Sanctions have been imposed with dialogue in 
mind. 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has no intention whatsoever of removing 
sanctions as sought by North Korea. His stand is that he will lift 
sanctions if North Korea returns abductees to Japan. He is 
determined to expedite talks with that nation, using pressure as a 
driving force. As such, there is no change at all in the basic 
policy lines of Mr. Abe and Prime Minister Fukuda. 
 
Furthermore, Prime Minister Fukuda at the G-8 summit in Hokkaido 
 
TOKYO 00002018  007 OF 011 
 
 
asked for cooperation from leaders of relevant countries so that 
North Korea will understand that returning abductees to Japan would 
be in its interest. 
 
He took time to explain to those leaders his thoughts that the 
abduction issue must be settled by any means. The prime minister is 
more preoccupied with the abduction issue than he appears. 
 
Prime minister not weak-kneed 
 
I do not think that relations between the present government and the 
abductee family association are not going well. Previously, there 
was not even an organization to deal with the abduction issue in the 
government. Now, there is the Headquarters on the Abduction Issue. 
 
There is no change in the government's stance that there will be no 
normalization of ties unless the abduction issue is settled. Even if 
the abductee family association were to say that there is no need 
for the government to deal with the issue any more, the government 
would be determined to continue its efforts until all the abductees 
return to Japan. 
 
I have not heard any strong dissatisfaction with Prime Minister 
Fukuda. I always feel the prime minister's strong desire to regain 
abductees. I believe the abductees' families also feel that way. I 
can assure you that the present government has never slackened its 
efforts on the abduction issue nor has it become weak-kneed toward 
North Korea. 
 
(Interviewer Takashi Minekuni) 
 
(8) Poll on Fukuda cabinet, political parties, G-8 summit, North 
Korea abductions, consumption tax 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
July 13, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage. Parentheses denote the results of the 
last survey conducted June 12-13.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Yes 26.8 (25.0) 
No 53.5 (60.2) 
Don't know (D/K) + no answer (N/A) 19.7 (14.8) 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the previous question) 
What's the primary reason for your approval of the Fukuda cabinet? 
Pick only one from among those listed below. 
 
The prime minister is trustworthy 16.6 (20.4) 
Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Liberal Democratic Party and 
New Komeito 7.2 (12.6) 
The prime minister has leadership ability 4.0 (1.2) 
Something can be expected of its economic policies 2.2 (5.0) 
Something can be expected of its foreign policies 5.9 (3.6) 
Something can be expected of its political reforms 3.0 (3.7) 
Something can be expected of its tax reforms 0.6 (0.9) 
Something can be expected of its administrative reforms 3.7 (0.7) 
There's no other appropriate person (for prime minister) 53.9 
(47.1) 
 
TOKYO 00002018  008 OF 011 
 
 
Other answers (O/A) 1.7 (1.3) 
D/K+N/A 1.2 (3.5) 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the first question) What's 
the primary reason for your disapproval of the Fukuda cabinet? Pick 
only one from among those listed below. 
 
The prime minister is untrustworthy 8.1 (11.5) 
Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Liberal Democratic Party and 
the New Komeito 4.9 (5.2) 
The prime minister lacks leadership ability 27.3 (28.7) 
Nothing can be expected of its economic policies 29.3 (22.2) 
Nothing can be expected of its foreign policies 5.3 (1.8) 
Nothing can be expected of its political reforms 7.4 (9.3) 
Nothing can be expected of its tax reforms 4.6 (6.4) 
Nothing can be expected of its administrative reforms 5.2 (4.7) 
Don't like the prime minister's personal character 5.3 (5.3) 
O/A 1.6 (1.8) 
D/K+N/A 1.0 (3.1) 
 
Q: Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda presided over the Group of Eight 
(G-8) summit held at Lake Toya in Hokkaido. Do you appreciate his 
leadership at the G-8 summit as its chair? 
 
Yes 30.3 
No 51.4 
D/K+N/A 18.3 
 
Q: The G-8 summit discussed global warming and agreed to call on the 
world for a long-term goal to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 
¶2050. Do you think this is a step forward for global warming? 
 
Yes 37.2 
No 56.2 
D/K+N/A 6.6 
 
Q: The Fukuda cabinet has been in office for about one year since 
coming into office. There are calls from within the ruling parties 
for Prime Minister Fukuda to shuffle his cabinet before an 
extraordinary Diet session is called in late August. Do you think 
Prime Minister Fukuda should do so? 
 
Yes 42.1 
No 41.6 
D/K+N/A 16.3 
 
 
Q: What do you think about the idea of raising the consumption tax 
rate in order to secure revenues for social security, the costs of 
which are growing due to the aging population with fewer children? 
Do you support this idea? 
 
Yes 33.8 (36.9) 
No 61.8 (56.6) 
D/K+N/A 4.4 (6.5) 
 
Q: North Korea has now promised to reinvestigate the issue of 
Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea. The government plans to 
lift some of its economic sanctions on North Korea if an agreement 
is reached between Japan and North Korea on how to reinvestigate the 
issue. Do you support this government policy? 
 
 
TOKYO 00002018  009 OF 011 
 
 
Yes 24.2 
No 61.9 
D/K+N/A 13.9 
 
Q: The House of Representatives' current term is up until September 
next year. When would you like the next election to take place for 
the House of Representatives? 
 
Within this year 33.7 
During the first half of next year 19.1 
Upon the current term's expiry in September next year 37.9 
D/K+N/A 9.3 
 
Q: Would you like the present LDP-led coalition government to 
continue, or would you otherwise like it to be replaced with a 
DPJ-led coalition government? 
 
LDP-led coalition government 31.2 (35.1) 
DPJ-led coalition government 45.3 (40.4) 
D/K+N/A 23.5 (24.5) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 28.6 (29.1) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 28.6 (23.6) 
New Komeito (NK) 3.1 (3.2) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3.8 (3.9) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 0.9 (1.7) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.8 (---) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) --- (---) 
Other political parties, groups --- (---) 
None 33.0 (35.3) 
D/K+N/A 1.2 (3.2) 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted across the nation on 
July 11-12 by Kyodo News Service on a computer-aided random digit 
dialing (RDD) basis. Among randomly generated telephone numbers, 
those actually for household use with one or more eligible voters 
totaled 1,471. Answers were obtained from 1,031 persons. 
 
(9) Cold eyes on Defense Minister Ishiba 
 
FORESIGHT (Page 30) (Full) 
August 2008 
 
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's image in the ministry has plunged 
because he has been skipping inspections tours of the Self-Defense 
Forces units in order to slip out to his home constituency in 
Tottori Prefecture. About ten months have passed since he took over 
his current position. He has visited neither Okinawa, despite the 
pending issue of realigning U.S. forces in Japan, nor the United 
States, even though his predecessors usually traveled to Washington 
soon after taking office. He is expected to visit China and South 
Korea before the end of this year. But he seems uninterested in a 
trip to the United States. A senior Defense Agency official said: 
"Although he has fancied himself as being very understanding of the 
SDF, he has been reluctant to listen to the views of SDF personnel. 
I am disappointed with him." Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, 
however, traveled to the United States, India and Pakistan during 
her 55-day tenure. She also visited SDF bases in Yokosuka, Okinawa 
and Itami. She even went to Niigata, where a major earthquake 
occurred while she was in office. 
 
TOKYO 00002018  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
A senior SDF officer said: "I wanted the minister to visit Iwate and 
Miyagi prefectures, which have suffered from a major earthquake." If 
he takes a helicopter from the roof of the ministry building, he 
will be able to arrive there in ust four or five hours. 
 
There are no bureaucrats and staff officers to suggest to Ishiba 
that he make inspections. Ishiba is surrounded by yes-men. Some say 
that this is one reason for Ishiba lack of incentive to go out. If 
he attaches priority to his election campaigning, no one will back 
his defense reform proposals. 
 
(10) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
About 45 PERCENT  of people seeking advice for receiving welfare 
benefits actually apply for them 
 
Mainichi: 
MLIT faults Boeing's probe of China Airlines accident in Naha in 
August 2007 
 
Yomiuri: 
Defense Ministry mulls end of 5-zone GSDF Headquarters 
 
Nikkei: 
Leaders change in 10 domestic markets 
 
 
Sankei: 
Explosions on two buses in China may be terrorist attacks 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Former PCI president may have approved bribing Vietnamese official 
 
Akahata: 
As many as 115,000 hospital beds to be reduced in 2012 
 
(11) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Land ministry's official cars: Government officials must reduce 
wasted tax money 
(2) Japan Federation of Bar Associations: Go back to starting line 
of judicial reform 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Decentralization of prefectural authorities: Prefectures should 
make efforts to hand over authorities to municipalities 
(2) Reassessment of rail roads: Japan's comprehensive power being 
tested 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Urgent action needed to solve doctor shortage 
(2) Fruitful dialogue on Tibet carried out? 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Road to low-carbon society: Japanese companies should find new 
horizon with environmental technologies 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Drastic tax reform: Roadmap on consumption tax should be made 
 
TOKYO 00002018  011 OF 011 
 
 
(2) New Chinese characters: Don't restrict the number of Chinese 
characters for use 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Nurturing of nurses: Government must come up with measures to 
prevent nurses from leaving jobs 
(2) Four domes in Yodo River: Why does the land ministry ignore the 
committee? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Curb on social welfare expenditures: Social security costs 
should not be cut 
 
ZUMWALT