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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002045 
 
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 07/24/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Mayor points to Futenma airfield's danger (Okinawa Times) 
 
(2) Fukuda-style politics (Part 2): Diplomatic concept overwhelming 
(Nikkei) 
 
(3) Probe into Fukuda-style politics: Priority on reaching 
consensus; His devotion to his job has yet to reach the public's 
attention (Nikkei) 
 
(4) Young DPJ lawmakers rising to confront bureaucracy (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
(5) Japan's national foundation in danger (Sankei) 
 
(6) Sluggish economy casting pall over fiscal reconstruction: 
Cabinet Office revises down its outlook for growth in its economic 
projection; Pressure for increased spending mounting with eye on 
next Lower House election (Nikkei) 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, July 23 (Nikkei) 
 
(Corrected copy) Interview with U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice 
Stephen Breyer: Ten months to go until introduction of citizen-judge 
system in Japan; More impartiality of trial with involvement of 
citizens (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Mayor points to Futenma airfield's danger 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
July 24, 2008 
 
Ginowan City's Mayor Yoichi Iha yesterday called on the Okinawa 
prefectural government office and met with Akira Uehara, chief of 
the governor's office. In the meeting, Iha, basing his remarks on 
the "clear zones" described in a U.S. military masterplan for 
Futenma Air Station, which is located in his city, pointed out the 
airfield's danger. Iha called on the prefectural government to share 
a common view of Futenma airfield's danger and to discuss such in a 
joint working team that would be set up with the central 
government. 
 
Uehara said: "Last August, Japan and the United States agreed on a 
package of measures to improve the present situation. It's important 
now to take further measures as quickly as possible to reduce the 
danger." Although Uehara indicated this was the prefectural 
government's standpoint, he did not refer to the clear zones. He 
continued: "In the last consultative meeting (with the central 
government), we agreed to create a working team. We will discuss 
various matters there and work hard on this matter." 
 
Iha will visit U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) headquarters in Hawaii 
on July 27. "Futenma airfield's flight operations are not based on 
the U.S. military's safety standards," Iha said, indicating that he 
will call on PACOM to suspend not only heliborne but also fixed-wing 
 
TOKYO 00002045  002 OF 012 
 
 
aircraft training flights. 
 
(2) Fukuda-style politics (Part 2): Diplomatic concept overwhelming 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 18, 2008 
 
In April, there was an event symbolizing the way Prime Minister 
Yasuo Fukuda carries out his diplomacy. It occurred when Japan 
extended by six months the economic sanctions it has independently 
imposed on North Korea. Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura 
released a statement that went: "Once North Korea takes specific 
action to resolve such pending issues as the abduction cases and the 
nuclear and missile programs, Japan will be able to partially or 
completely remove the sanctions." The phrase that can be taken as 
that Japan would consider lifting sanctions was inserted in the 
statement. An individual connected with the government explained 
that that was a message to Pyongyang seeking a dialogue. 
 
Two months later, Tokyo and Pyongyang agreed in working-level talks 
that North Korea would reinvestigate the fate of Japanese nationals 
abducted to that country. Accepting the reality that the United 
States and North Korea are now moving closer, Fukuda's strategy of 
seeking ways to resolve the abduction issue through dialogue has 
achieved some progress. Immediately after that, Fukuda told 
reporters in a strong tone: "If we do not hold negotiations, the 
issue will never be resolved. Don't you agree?" 
 
Fukuda has adopted a diplomatic approach of attaching priority to 
dialogue, which is completely different from the "pressure approach" 
taken by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Fukuda's diplomatic 
principle aims at resolving in turn such issues as the North Korean 
problem, gas exploration in the East China Sea, the Takeshima isles 
and northern territories disputes. He has adopted a so-called 
"resonance diplomacy," taking over from his father Takeo Fukuda's 
omnidirectional peace diplomacy. 
 
Fukuda appears to have believed that if relations with other 
countries are improved through dialogue, his "resonance diplomacy" 
backed by the alliance with the U.S. would speed up the resolution 
of the various issues. 
 
His diplomatic method has begun to produce achievements in Japan's 
relations with China. Talks between Tokyo and Beijing have paved the 
way for the two countries to jointly develop gas fields in the East 
China Sea. Fukuda announced in his summit meeting with U.S. 
President George W. Bush, which occurred prior to his meeting with 
Chinese President Hu Jintao, his intention to attend the opening 
ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. In tandem with the United States, 
he dispatched a message in which he stated that he places importance 
on relations with China. 
 
The intrinsic value of a dialogue approach will now be tested. The 
U.S. government has informed Congress of its intention to remove 
North Korea from the list of states that sponsor terrorism. If 
Washington removes related sanctions on Pyongyang, Tokyo will lose 
an important card to press for progress on the abduction front. A 
senior Foreign Ministry official, very frustrated, said: "North 
Korea will continue to maintain a low profile until August 11 when 
it will be delisted. We will have to find our own breakthrough in 
the deadlocked situation." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002045  003 OF 012 
 
 
Another challenge for the Fukuda administration is to improve ties 
with South Korea, now strained over the Takeshima isles (Dokdo in 
South Korea) (that both countries claim). The Japanese government's 
decision to specify Japan's claim to sovereignty over the islets in 
a teachers' manual for junior high schools has sparked a backlash in 
South Korea. Since relations between Washington and Seoul also 
having worsened, it is difficult for Japan to expect "resonance" to 
have much of an effect. 
 
One senior LDP member expressed concern, saying: "In terms of 
boosting the Fukuda administration's popularity, there has been no 
positive effect. He cannot run ahead only on diplomatic principles." 
Of course, it takes a fair amount of time to resolve diplomatic 
issues. Still, unless Fukuda steadily produces visible results, he 
could be tripped up by diplomacy, his forte. 
 
(3) Probe into Fukuda-style politics: Priority on reaching 
consensus; His devotion to his job has yet to reach the public's 
attention 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
July 19, 2008 
 
Following the closing of the regular Diet session, Prime Minister 
Yasuo on June 23 held a press conference in which he suddenly 
decided not to announce one policy. He omitted to say he was 
changing part of the government pledge on the pension record issue 
and asking for further cooperation from the public to determine 
accurate premium contribution records. 
 
Suspends decision to backtrack on government pledge 
 
The government had been busy dealing with the issue of massive 
pension record errors, a problem that broke out during the previous 
Abe administration. In the process of addressing the issue, it was 
found that it would be difficult to meet the pledge to make a 
database of original paper work and cross-check pension records due 
to numerous related problems cropping up. Special Advisor to the 
Prime Minister Tatsuya Ito in June proposed that the government 
should make a fresh start, by offering an apology to the public. The 
prime minister accepted his proposal. 
 
However, the prime minister changed his decision right before a 
press conference. Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe, who had been 
exposed to harsh criticism, told the prime minister to change the 
contents of the announcement, alarmed that if the government 
rescinded its commitment even partially, it could face collapse. 
Following his advice, the prime minister stopped short of announcing 
the government decision to backtrack on portions of the government 
pledge. 
 
The prime minister's sales point is that he attaches importance to 
building consensus. That gave a sense of reassurance to those within 
and outside the party. However, it can also be said that Fukuda can 
be easily swayed by the opinions of experts in areas other than his 
bailiwick. As a result, since he has been unable to make drastic 
policy changes when it could have affected the whole course of his 
administration, his presence has become even less visible. 
 
A similar incident occurred over the environmental issue. After the 
early May Golden Week holidays, aides close to the prime minister 
started writing the "Fukuda Vision," which contained measures to 
 
TOKYO 00002045  004 OF 012 
 
 
address the global warming issue. They asked relevant government 
agencies to submit numerical targets and policy measures for 
inclusion in the vision. 
 
The Fukuda Vision, when announced, however, turned out to be a mere 
introduction of estimates for a mid-term goal. Specific measures to 
cut greenhouse gas emissions were in effect put on the backburner. 
Regarding an emissions trading system, the report simply included a 
plan to conduct a demonstration experiment. This is due to the fact 
that the prime minister listened to the views of business circles 
and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which are against 
the adoption of a goal that would be strongly enforced. 
 
Absence of message sender 
 
Drastic reform of special-purpose road construction tax revenues is 
a major issue that even the Abe administration could not touch. The 
issue was supposed to be a good material in buoying up the 
administration. However, the prime minister gave consideration to 
the wishes of road policy experts in the ruling camp, noting that 
the construction of necessary roads would be secure. This stance 
gave the impression that his resolve to tackle the road issue was 
insincere. One aide to the prime minister said, "That is because he 
has no one to deliver messages for the prime minister like former 
State Minister for Postal Privatization Heizo Takenaka (during the 
Koizumi administration)." 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura flattered the prime 
minister, "He appears aloof from the world, but he is in fact a very 
passionate person." However, since the prime minister's political 
style is to attach importance to building consensus and because he 
has no one to deliver policy messages for him, he seems to be losing 
the chance to turn a crisis into an opportunity. 
 
(4) Young DPJ lawmakers rising to confront bureaucracy 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
July 23, 2008 
 
In a Lower House Budget Committee session in May 2007, Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) Policy Research Committee Deputy Chair Akira 
Nagatsuma questioned then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's response to 
the question of a large number of unidentified pension accounts. In 
response, Abe said in a strong tone: "We must not create anxiety 
among the public." 
 
Nagatsuma thought that he had heard a similar phrase somewhere in 
the past. 
 
In 1993 when Nagatsuma was a business reporter, he wrote an article 
sounding an alarm against nonperforming loans held by housing loan 
companies. A Finance Ministry official who had read the article told 
him, "Don't inflame the public." Nagatsuma was surprised that the 
government's weak crisis mentality had not changed. 
 
Nagatsuma's dogged pursuit of the pension problems has earned him 
the nickname "Mr. Pension." He has also uncovered a series of 
scandals involving bureaucrats, such as gifts to key ministry 
officials from taxi drivers. Nagatsuma's attention has been focused 
on the corrupt system allowing bureaucrats and specific industries 
to waste taxpayers' money. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002045  005 OF 012 
 
 
What bothers Nagatsuma, who continued to take on the bureaucracy, is 
that only about 20 PERCENT  of the DPJ lawmakers have served in the 
administration. He does not want to see DPJ lawmakers dance to the 
music provided by bureaucrats after taking the reins of government. 
Nagatsuma has been preparing a meticulous blueprint to control 
government officials. 
 
Sumio Mabuchi, who played a major role in the Lower House Budget 
Committee in the previous Diet session, is also eager to confront 
bureaucrats after taking power. Mabuchi noted: "What to do after 
winning a race is as important as winning the race itself. We must 
be able to take control of the bureaucrats instantaneously." 
 
Mabuchi, who was first elected to the Diet at the age of 43, has 
made his name by pursuing the falsification of earthquake-resistance 
data on buildings. He also uncovered the fact that the Ministry of 
Land, Infrastructure and Transport had produced the road demand 
estimates based on old data. 
 
Mabuchi is aware that when a party is not in power, it can take an 
account-settlement perspective, but once in power, it must consider 
how to allocate budgets and tax revenues. The DPJ is often 
criticized as single-mindedly focused on pursuing scandals. Mabuchi 
thinks now that the DPJ has moved closer to taking the helm of 
government, the party should present its national vision. 
 
Overshadowed by the images of Deputy President Naoto Kan and 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, the presence of young members was 
weak in the DPJ. There is no doubt that skilled debaters like 
Nagatsuma and Mabuchi have helped increase the DPJ's overall 
reputation. 
 
Goshi Hosono has also made his name by pursuing the collection of 
hefty retirement allowances by successive Social Insurance Agency 
directors generals, who take lucrative sinecures after retirement. 
Hosono said: "People used to say that they would support me but not 
the DPJ. Recently, people say they support me because I'm a member 
of the DPJ. The DPJ is being well received by the public." 
 
Hosono took this view about the DPJ leadership race in September: 
"Individuals with eagerness and talents should come forward 
voluntarily rather than waiting for being recommended by others. 
Moves seeking challenge and change will improve the party." He did 
not conceal his concern about those junior members who have been 
quiet. 
 
With always the same individuals monopolizing the spotlight in the 
Diet, a mid-level DPJ lawmaker complained that not all the junior 
members were taking part in the game. Further, although Nagatsuma 
and others seem confident in bringing the bureaucrats under control 
after taking the reins of government, their ability to achieve that 
goal is untested. If they can drive their visions home to voters, a 
DPJ administration would become a real possibility. 
 
(5) Japan's national foundation in danger 
 
SANKEI (Page 13) (Abridged slightly) 
July 24, 2008 
 
By Kanji Nishio, critic 
 
Moral betrayal by United States 
 
TOKYO 00002045  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
The abduction issue is Japan's only patriotic theme transcending 
party lines. Persons concerned experienced great difficulty in order 
to convince the U.S. government to declare abduction an act of 
terrorism. The existence of North Korea's nuclear programs also is a 
matter of life or death to Japan. 
 
The U.S. government's notification on a 45-day period before taking 
North Korea off its list of terrorism-sponsoring nations is a 
declaration, if not a bad joke, to say that it will no longer help 
Japan with diplomatic and military affairs. The U.S. government has 
irresponsibly slapped Japan with such a crucial decision. 
 
To begin with, it was President George W. Bush who made Northeast 
Asia unstable at one stroke by branding North Korea part of an "axis 
of evil." Pyongyang has been pushing Washington around since the 
former realized before the U.S. went to war with Iraq that 
Washington has no intention of using force against the North in 
defusing its nuclear threat. 
 
Washington's about-face was expected, so I was aware that the real 
problem lay in the Japanese government's lack of measures and its 
dependence on the United States. Even so, there is something I must 
say to the United States. 
 
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) regime is based on the 
responsibility and the moral principle of nuclear powers. If the 
United States has no intention of defending Japan, there is no 
reason for it to possess bases in Japan. 
 
The North Korea delisting announcement is first time for America to 
morally betray Japan. Second, it will make Japan's observance of the 
NPT regime meaningless. Third, it will effectively annul the 
U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. 
 
U.S. noncommittal toward Korean Peninsula 
 
Japan must keep firmly in mind that it can no longer rely on the 
United States in rescuing Japanese abductees. The United States also 
made it clear that for self-defense, Japan has no other option but 
to march toward military independence, including going nuclear. 
 
The government strangely has kept its silence regarding such a 
change in the situation. 
 
The problem is clear to anyone's eye: there has been a shift in 
America's foreign policy. America's policy toward China has shifted 
from confrontation of the Cold War era to a two-pronged strategy to 
cooperation. 
 
Giving up on Japan, which has never shown any wish to assume 
hegemony in Asia, the United States has begun winking at China's 
policy toward Taiwan and South Korea, regarding it as the hegemonic 
state in the region. China has established an advantageous foothold 
over the Taiwan Straits and Korean Peninsula without fighting with 
them. 
 
Views are split on whether the recent rapprochement between the 
United States and North Korea resulted from the reported discord 
between China and North Korea or from America's decision to totally 
leave the management of the Korean Peninsula to China. In either 
case, it is undeniable that America's involvement in the Korean 
 
TOKYO 00002045  007 OF 012 
 
 
Peninsula is evasive. 
 
Depending on how the Middle East situation and the U.S. economy 
shift, it might be a matter of time before the U.S. military will 
withdraw from Asia. If such occurs, Taiwan would fall in the hands 
of China, the sea lanes would be cut off by China, and Japan would 
be placed under the control of China. That means the deprivation of 
Japan's technology and capital by China. 
 
Japan's nuclear option sealed off 
 
The future seems so dangerous, yet the Japanese political community 
has done nothing. It simply keeps silence without even setting off 
discussion. The silence obviously comes from the absence of 
authority from the center of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). 
 
The Japanese political community is keeping its silence, feeling 
helpless because authority in Washington suddenly has begun showing 
a baffling, suspicious, and fearful look. 
 
Delisting the North as a state sponsor of terrorism means to allow 
funds to flow back to Pyongyang through the World Bank and other 
international financial institutions. If the government's nerve 
center still has authority, Japan must prepare to withdraw its 
massive funds kept in those institutions and make an announcement 45 
days in advance. 
 
I have insisted from long before that the six-party talks are a 
council to seal off Japan's nuclear option. 
 
The North Korean issue has the possibility of turning the Korean 
Peninsula into a nuclear power on par with the United States, China 
and Russia. Surrounded by all those nuclear powers, should Japan 
alone in the Pacific region look on with folded arms? 
 
If Japan still keeps silence about it, the country must be suffering 
from dementia totally devoid of political intelligence. 
 
The foot of a sand mound on the beach has been collapsed by the 
waves. 
 
Today's Japan resembles a collapsing sand mound with state power and 
the state nerve center falling apart. 
 
Incidentally, the LDP has presented a plan to accept 10 million 
immigrants with the aim of turning Japan into an immigration nation. 
There will always be residents in Japan, but the Japanese race would 
disappear because the LDP has abandoned the state. Washed away by 
waves, the sand mound will eventually disappear. 
 
(6) Sluggish economy casting pall over fiscal reconstruction: 
Cabinet Office revises down its outlook for growth in its economic 
projection; Pressure for increased spending mounting with eye on 
next Lower House election 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
July 23, 2008 
 
The slowdown of the U.S. economy and the steep rise in crude oil 
prices have begun casting a pall over the government's fiscal 
reconstruction scenario. The Cabinet Office has revised down its 
outlook for economic growth in the economic and fiscal projection 
 
TOKYO 00002045  008 OF 012 
 
 
for up to fiscal 2009 and presented it to the Council on Economic 
and Fiscal Policy (CEFP) on July 22. It is now unclear whether the 
government can achieve the goal of moving the primary balance of the 
central and local governments into the black. Some in the government 
and ruling parties are calling for revising the target. The 
government's fiscal reconstruction scenario is now at a crucial 
juncture. 
 
Fiscal reconstruction scenario upset 
 
The primary balance is an index indicating whether expenditures are 
balanced by tax revenues. Moving the primary balance into the black 
by fiscal 2011 is the showcase of the package reform of expenditures 
and spending stipulated in the basic policy guidelines on economic 
and fiscal management and structural reforms for the fiscal 2004 
national budget. State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy 
Hiroko Ota said during a press briefing after the CEFP meeting, "The 
downward revision of the outlook for economic growth does not mean 
that it has become difficult to move the primary balance into the 
black. We will achieve the target." 
 
However, the government's fiscal reconstruction scenario has been 
upset. According to the latest estimate, the primary balance will 
remain in the red to the extent of 3.9 trillion yen, even if the 
economy sustains a certain level of growth and expenditures worth 
14.3 trillion yen are slashed over five years. If the economy slows 
even further and spending cuts remain at 11.4 trillion yen, the 
deficit would expand to 7.9 trillion yen. This would necessitate a 
hike in the consumption tax by more than 3 PERCENT . 
 
Decline in corporate profits 
 
An unexpectedly severe decline in the economic environment has 
contributed to the miscalculation by the government, according to 
the Cabinet Office. The Japanese economy has continued its growth 
with exports serving as a driving force in the recovery phase, which 
started in 2002. However, exports have become sluggish following the 
financial uncertainty in the U.S. since last summer and concern 
about a U.S. economic recession. Corporate earnings have 
deteriorated in one sweep, compounded by the steep rise in crude oil 
and raw material prices. 
 
There is a strong possibility of pressure for more spending mounting 
further. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and industry 
groups, including the Japan Medical Association, as well as the 
ruling parties, which are increasingly becoming aware of the next 
Lower House election, are acting in unity in calling on the 
government to withdraw its policy of constraining social 
expenditures. Calls for the compilation of a supplementary budget to 
finance assistance to the fishing industry as part of measures to 
address the soaring crude oil prices are also deep-seated. Some in 
the government and the ruling camp have begun indicating their view 
that the government should not adhere to the goal of moving the 
primary balance into the black by fiscal 2011. 
 
Demand for reinstatement of pork-barrel largesse budget checked 
 
Aware of those calls, one private-sector member of the CEFP at a 
meeting on July 22 checked a recent call for the reinstatement of a 
pork-barrel larges budget compilation, noting, "If the fiscal 
reconstruction principle is ignored, expenditures would increase 
endlessly." 
 
TOKYO 00002045  009 OF 012 
 
 
 
The situation is so difficult that the government is struggling to 
maintain the goal of cutting expenditures to the maximum as 
originally planned, including a 3 PERCENT  cut in public works and a 
constraint on social expenditures worth 220 billion yen a year. In 
order to achieve the goal, it is also facing a challenge of cutting 
more expenditures, including reducing wasteful spending by the 
government. It should also aim at boosting tax revenues, combining 
those efforts with measures designed to strengthen growth by such 
means as deregulation. The shortfall after all those efforts then 
should be covered with a tax hike. This is the principle of fiscal 
reform. 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at a CEFP meeting stressed, "The 
government will make efforts to strengthen growth potential and 
fiscal reconstruction compatible. However, it is a difficult path to 
follow. 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Earthquake hits Iwate Prefecture, measuring a strong 6 on Japanese 
scale of 7 or 6.8 on the Richter scale 
 
Nikkei: 
Toray, Nissan, Honda to co-develop carbon fiber cars 
 
Akahata: 
National Confederation of Trade Unions comes up with policy of 
eliminating poverty and protecting the Constitution 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) State budget for FY2009: Prime Minister Fukuda must show grand 
plan 
(2) U.S.-India nuclear cooperation could render null and void the 
nonproliferation regime 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Worsening fiscal primary balance: Government must come up with 
policy measures to move the situation into the black 
(2) Hachioji stabbing incident: Poor interpersonal relations may be 
one reason 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) New pension organization must implement its duties in good 
faith 
(2) No excuses for the increase in the nation's murder rate 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Top priority should be on accurate verification of North Korea's 
declaration of its nuclear programs 
(2) Legal professionals should be increased 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Hachioji stabbing incident: Eliminate meaningless murders 
(2) Osaka assembly approves Hashimoto budget plan that will become 
model for fiscal reconstruction 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Fiscal reconstruction: Government must keep its pledge 
 
TOKYO 00002045  010 OF 012 
 
 
(2) Increase of random stabbing incidents 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Consumption tax hike unacceptable 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, July 23 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 24, 2008 
 
10:01 
Met former Defense Agency Director-General Tamazawa at the Kantei, 
followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura and Deputy Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. Machimura stayed on. 
 
11:07 
Met Iwate proprietress association chairperson Osawa, Miyagi 
association chairperson Isoda and others, followed by MLIT Housing 
Bureau Director-General Izumi. 
 
12:21 
Met Futahashi. 
 
14:25 
Met Declining Childbirth Minister Kamikawa. 
 
15:05 
Attended a meeting of the Council for Promoting Consumer Policy. 
 
15:57 
Met former prime ministerial advisor Okamoto. 
 
16:49 
Met Urban Renaissance Agency Chief Director Ogawa. 
 
17:17 
Met Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka. 
 
18:43 
Met Futahashi, former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Furukawa, 
former Vice-Cabinet Office Minister Uchida and others at his 
official residence. 
 
(Corrected copy) Interview with U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice 
Stephen Breyer: Ten months to go until introduction of citizen-judge 
system in Japan; More impartiality of trial with involvement of 
citizens 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
July 23, 2008 
 
Preparations for the introduction of a lay judge system next May are 
under way, as can be seen in the holding of a mock trial involving 
lay judges at the Tokyo District Court, which started on July 22. 
The Tokyo Shimbun asked U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen 
Breyer (69), now visiting Japan, about the meaning and impact of 
citizens being involved in trials. The U.S. jury system, which 
allows citizens to be involved in the judicial process, has a 
history of 200 years. 
 
Even a judge can serve as jury 
 
 
TOKYO 00002045  011 OF 012 
 
 
-- Is it difficult to realize the involvement of citizens in the 
judicial process? 
 
"No, it isn't. Citizens are expected to take part in the judicial 
process in the U.S. They actually participate in the process and are 
satisfied with the results. I incidentally was also satisfied when I 
served on a jury. When I was a judge of the federal appeals court, 
which is equivalent to Japan's high court, I served on a jury at a 
district court in my native state. Though it may be prohibited in 
Japan (under the Japanese lay judge system), it is possible for 
judges to serve on a jury in Massachusetts. 
 
 
Juries have their own views. They handed down a guilty verdict to a 
defendant who was charged with driving under the influence of 
alcohol. The judge then sentenced the person to attend a driving 
school and suspended his driver's license. (U.S. juries just decide 
whether defendants are guilty or not.) They do not determine 
appropriate judgments. I am very interested how Japan's lay judge 
system, under which lay judges also determine appropriate 
punishments, will work." 
 
-- What impact has the jury system had on the American society? 
 
In my view, the jury system has had a positive impact on the 
American society. Courts are a venue for judges to meet defendants 
with troubles and listen to whatever they say. Lay juries' 
involvement in such a setting helps the system work more 
impartially. Furthermore, trials by juries are a good venue to teach 
citizens the way justice should be carried out. 
 
Impossible to silence juries 
 
-- In Japan, lay judges have a duty to keep deliberating 
(discussions held between judges and lay judges during a trial 
process) about their cases. However, juries in the U.S. are allowed 
to speak about the details of their deliberations after they 
completed their duty. Why is that? 
 
"It is difficult to silence juries. We know from our experience that 
there would be no major problems even if they speak about their 
concerns. In addition, attorneys sometimes learn from juries. In my 
view, it is better for juries not to reveal confidential 
discussions. However, there is no way to silence them." 
 
-- You handled the Watergate case in 1972, which forced former 
President Nixon to step down. 
 
"I worked as an assistant to a special prosecutor (independent of 
the government) for several months. He was loyal to his job. It is 
difficult to investigate cases that could bring a serious political 
result. However, I learned from that prosecutor that cases like that 
require cool-headedness and sincerity. We must not protect or hurt 
someone availing ourselves of our position. It is important to 
pursue the facts." 
 
-- What do you value as a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice? 
 
"Judgments we have made or will make will have an impact on the U.S. 
as a whole, where various ethnic groups with different values live 
together, based on the consensus that they abide by the law. As 
such, we must not make rigid judgments. Our judgments must be such 
 
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that help the state stay united. 
 
ZUMWALT