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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 17 TOKYO 002159 
 
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 08/06/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Okinawa governor holds first meeting with Defense Minister 
Hayashi; Both agree to continue talks on Futenma issue (Okinawa 
Times) 
 
(2) Exchange of views between delegation from U.S. House of 
Representatives and heads of communities hosting bases in Okinawa 
Prefecture (Okinawa Times) 
 
(3) Foreign Ministry to convey all reports from U.S. to 
organizations concerned (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(4) Interview with Daniel Berman, former US Embassy 
minister-counselor for agricultural affairs; Consumers should be 
given freedom to choose (part one) (Nihon Nogyo Shimbun) 
 
(5) Fukuda names ex-ministers as senior vice ministers, focusing on 
ability to implement (Nikkei) 
 
(6) Seeds of confrontation over economic stimulus measures: Calls 
for delaying target to move primary balance into black gaining 
ground in ruling camp; Other calls for revising structural reform 
policy beginning to be heard, with eye on next Lower House election 
(Nikkei) 
 
(7) Spot poll on new Fukuda cabinet, political parties (Yomiuri) 
 
(8) Poll on new Fukuda cabinet, political parties (Mainichi) 
 
(9) Sankei-FNN poll on new Fukuda cabinet, political parties, MSDF 
mission, Takeshima issue (Sankei) 
 
(10) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(11) EDITORIALS 
 
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, August 5 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Okinawa governor holds first meeting with Defense Minister 
Hayashi; Both agree to continue talks on Futenma issue 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
August 6, 2008 
 
(Tokyo) Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, now in Tokyo, met on Aug. 5 for 
the first time with Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at the 
Defense Ministry. Referring to the issue of the relocation of the 
U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, Governor Nakaima said, "Even 
though our views might differ, it is important for us to carefully 
carry out verbal communication." In response, Defense Minister 
Hayashi stated, "We must build channels of communication between 
us." The two agreed that talks between the central and local 
governments should continue on a regular basis. 
 
Governor Nakaima, bringing up the issue of moving the V-shaped 
runways for the Futenma alternate site into the sea, which he has 
been seeking, said, "The contents of this was explained to the 
minister at council meetings until now, so we can talk of it later." 
He did not make another request at yesterday's meeting. The governor 
 
TOKYO 00002159  002 OF 017 
 
 
requested that Defense Minister Hayashi visit the prefecture at an 
early date, but Hayashi avoided an immediate answer. 
 
After the meeting, Governor Nakaima made a statement about the 
working team on the relocation of Futenma Air Station that had been 
held at the ministry on the same day: "There is a limit to the 
technical talks that the Minister has assembled. The team is to boil 
down what we agree on and what we disagree on. I am hoping we can 
resolve issues by properly narrowing down the agenda items and 
bringing things into focus." 
 
On the question of whether the working team will consider or not the 
moving of the relocation site into the sea, the governor stated: "By 
exchanging views at the technical and working levels, we can find 
out what we know to a certain extent (about whether we can move the 
site or not). It is better to do this separate from the 
environmental issue."  He pointed out the need to consider matters 
from the technical standpoint, separating the issue from the 
environmental impact assessment. 
 
(2) Exchange of views between delegation from U.S. House of 
Representatives and heads of communities hosting bases in Okinawa 
Prefecture 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
August 6, 2008 
 
A staff delegation of specialists from the U.S. House of 
Representatives who are responsible for the move of U.S. Marines 
stationed now on Okinawa to Guam under the realignment of U.S. 
forces in Japan met on August 5 in the official residence of the 
U.S. consul general in Okinawa (Ginowan City) with heads of the 
communities hosting U.S. bases, such as Ginowan City Mayor Yoichi 
Iha and Urasoe City Mayor Mitsuo Gima, for an exchange of views. 
 
Mayor Iha appealed for splitting apart the package of the relocation 
of Futenma Air Station to Camp Schwab at Nago City and the moving of 
the Marines to Guam, carrying them out separately. However, Nago 
City Mayor Bunshin Suematsu and others urged the relocation of 
Futenma go according to the Japan-U.S. agreement. 
 
The heads and deputy heads of approximately 10 cities, towns, or 
villages, such as Okinawa City, Kadena-cho, Kin-cho, and Ginoza-son, 
participated from all over the prefecture.  The U.S. staff 
delegation who attended represented such committees as the House 
Committee on Natural Resources, Committee on Financial Services, and 
Judiciary Committee. They listened to the views of the local 
representatives. 
 
(3) Foreign Ministry to convey all reports from U.S. to 
organizations concerned 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, August 4, 2008 
 
The Foreign Ministry was slow to convey to other government offices 
and concerned municipalities information on the leak of radiation 
from a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine during its port call at Sasebo 
Naval Base in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. Learning a lesson from 
this incident, the Foreign Ministry announced on August 4 that it 
would improve its communication system in a way to speedily notify 
organizations concerned of any such report from the United States in 
 
TOKYO 00002159  003 OF 017 
 
 
the future. 
 
There have been a number of reports from the United States to the 
Foreign Ministry on accidents involving U.S. nuclear-powered vessels 
near its bases. The ministry, however, has conveyed to concerned 
organizations only the accidents that might be harmful to human 
health. 
 
The United States reported the latest submarine radiation leak to 
the Foreign Ministry on the afternoon of August 1. But the ministry 
did not disclose or report it to Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura 
and others until August 2 on the grounds that the amount leaked was 
extremely small. 
 
(4) Interview with Daniel Berman, former US Embassy 
minister-counselor for agricultural affairs; Consumers should be 
given freedom to choose (part one) 
 
NIHON NOGYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
August 3, 2008 
 
Daniel Berman, former minister-counselor for agricultural affairs at 
the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, left Japan on August 1, after completing 
his four years of assignment in Japan. He engaged in negotiations on 
such issues as beef trade, which was affected by the BSE issue. The 
Nihon Nogyo Shimbun interviewed him in Tokyo on July 28, just before 
he left Tokyo. 
 
No risk of BSE 
 
-- What results did you achieve over the past four years? 
 
Negotiations on beef trade, which was suspended temporarily due to 
the BSE issue, were at the top of the agenda. In October 2004, just 
after I arrived at my post in Japan, the governments of Japan and 
the U.S. held talks (in which both sides reached a broad agreement 
on beef-import conditions). The ban on U.S. beef imports was 
partially lifted then. But I had not anticipated at that time that 
the 2004 provisional trade program (that allows exports of only beef 
from cattle 20 months of age or younger) would continue into 2008. 
 
 
-- Prohibited specified risk materials (SRM), such as vertebral 
columns, were discovered in shipments from the U.S. to Japan. 
 
There were several times when a shipment of beef containing SRMs 
arrived in Japan. But we think that mistakes in the paperwork or the 
packing process should be properly separated from the issue of food 
safety. We have made efforts to have Japanese consumers understand 
this point. Japan tends to expect the safety of food to be ensured 
100 PERCENT . There were never any safety problems involving U.S. 
beef, in my view. 
 
-- It has been reported that the Japanese government plans to raise 
the age limit of cattle whose meat is eligible for import to those 
aged up to 30 months. 
 
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), which Japan has also 
joined, has provided clear information about BSE and trade, 
representing the views of the world's most distinguished scientists. 
The U.S.' assertions are clear and consistent. As the OIE guidelines 
specified, the U.S. should be allowed to export beef regardless of 
 
TOKYO 00002159  004 OF 017 
 
 
cattle age. This applies not only to Japan but to all other 
countries across the world. It is undesirable for certain countries 
to adopt different import conditions from the point of view of 
ensuring a high level of transparency. 
 
-- The volume of imports of U.S. beef last year dropped to about 
one-10th of its peak period (in Japan). 
 
Japanese consumers have begun to believe that U.S. beef is safe. 
Japan has set the condition of importing only beef from cattle 20 
months of age or younger. This has made it difficult for the U.S. to 
procure a lot of domestic cattle that meet this condition, so only a 
limited volume of beef is available in the Japanese market. It is 
not correct to say that there is little demand for U.S. beef in 
Japan. 
 
I would point out that we are now experiencing a switch from a 
buyer's market to a seller's market across the world, not limited to 
the beef market. Taking advantage of a buyer's market, Japan so far 
acquired farm products from many countries. Exporting countries also 
stepped up efforts to improve product quality to meet Japan's severe 
standards. It was possible for Japan to select and buy goods. But 
the situation is gradually changing. 
 
Balancing buyers and sellers in trade will become more important 
from now. Our new role is to mediate between consumers in Japan and 
suppliers in the U.S. 
 
-- In such a case, it is necessary to raise Japan's food 
self-sufficiency rate, isn't it? 
 
We are Japanese farmers' partner. Japan is a food-importing country, 
and even if Japan wants to supply entire domestic demand by itself, 
it is impossible to find ways to do so, isn't it? Food import is a 
solution strategy, and not a problem. I think it would be better for 
Japan to consider how to import food in a stable way, instead of 
considering how to curb imports. 
 
(5) Fukuda names ex-ministers as senior vice ministers, focusing on 
ability to implement 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 5, 2008 
 
Senior vice ministers are usually selected through coordination 
among the factions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). But Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda unprecedentedly named two ex-cabinet ministers 
as a senior vice health minister and a senior vice trade minister. 
These appointments will be officially approved today. In a bid to 
prepare a system to implement policies under political leadership, 
Fukuda also focused on the ability to act in appointments other than 
ministerial ones. In the selection process, though, there was 
friction between the prime minister and the party. 
 
"I will place the right people in the right jobs. I want persons of 
action to become (senior vice ministers)." Speaking before reporters 
at his official residence (Kantei) last night, Fukuda emphasized 
that he was giving importance to capability in picking senior vice 
ministers. 
 
Senior vice ministers and parliamentary officials are usually 
appointed through coordination among LDP factions in the office of 
 
TOKYO 00002159  005 OF 017 
 
 
the LDP deputy secretary general. The government then gives 
approval. Since the Koizumi cabinet, the prime minister has named 
cabinet ministers based on his intention, but the selection of 
senior vice ministers and lower-level officials has been left in the 
hands of the factions. 
 
Fukuda emphasized his desire to mobilize ex-cabinet ministers for 
the posts of senior vice health minister, senior vice foreign 
minister, and senior vice finance minister. He also advised 
assigning women and warned his aides not to give bureaucrats-turned 
politicians posts at government ministries where they were once in 
service, including parliamentary official posts. The Kantei received 
a draft list of senior vice ministers from the LDP but later 
returned it, ordering that a female lawmaker and more ex-ministers 
be included on the list. The deputy secretary general grumbled: 
"There is a perception gap between the Kantei and the party." 
 
The haggling between the Kantei and the LDP was settled last 
evening. Former Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita and Sanae 
Takaichi, state minister for declining birthrate under the Abe 
administration, were singled out as a senior vice health minister 
and a senior vice economy, trade and industry minister, 
respectively. 
 
In the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, members have mingled hope 
and apprehension about the appointment of the heavyweight as a 
senior vice minister. One member said: "What will become of 
role-sharing between Mr. Kamoshita and Health Minister Yoichi 
Masuzoe? It might be difficult to lay the groundwork." Another said: 
"Mr. Kamoshita used to be a doctor. He may spot half-finished work, 
but he will not take exorbitant action. We can trust him." But 
Masuzoe's stock argument is that three ministers are needed for the 
ministry, which offers a wide range of services. Attention is being 
focuses on how the Masuzoe-Kamoshita team will work from now. 
 
One minister-level parliamentary vice minister after another joined 
the Obuchi cabinet in 1998. Sadakazu Tanigaki, who had served as 
Science and Technology Agency director general, assisted Finance 
Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, who assumed the post to deal with 
financial instability. Nobutaka Machimura, who had served as 
education minister, assumed office as parliamentary foreign vice 
minister under Masahiko Koumura, who joined the cabinet for the 
first time as foreign minister under the Obuchi cabinet. 
 
About seven years have passed since the government introduced a 
system of senior vice ministers. The government anticipated that the 
new system would contribute to eliminating bureaucratic initiative 
and instead to building a politics-led policymaking system. But no 
remarkable results have been produced so far. The focus of attention 
is now on whether some results will be produced in the Fukuda 
cabinet shuffle, which will be completed with the selection of 
parliamentary vice ministers today. 
 
(6) Seeds of confrontation over economic stimulus measures: Calls 
for delaying target to move primary balance into black gaining 
ground in ruling camp; Other calls for revising structural reform 
policy beginning to be heard, with eye on next Lower House election 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
August 5, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00002159  006 OF 017 
 
 
The shuffled Fukuda cabinet has started drafting a package of 
economic stimulus measures to address soaring crude oil prices and 
the slowing economy. Although the government underscores a stance of 
giving serious consideration to fiscal discipline, at the same time 
it is keeping open the option of compiling a supplementary budget in 
the next extraordinary Diet session. With the possibility of 
dissolution of the Lower House for a snap election happening anytime 
soon, calls for putting on the backburner the government target of 
moving the primary balance into the black are gaining ground in the 
Liberal Democratic Party. Chances are that a dispute could break out 
in the ruling camp over how much to revise the spending cut policy 
line. This could upset the Fukuda administration's running of its 
government. 
 
Supplementary budget also eyed 
 
Referring to an economic stimulus package, Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda on the evening of August 5 told reporters. "It is important 
to finance the package with the present budget." He indicated his 
intention to draw funds from the reserve funds (350 billion yen) in 
the fiscal 2008 budget. 
 
As a measure to finance the package, the government is considering 
digging out wasteful expenditures and using accumulated funds in the 
special account. It intends to adopt a package that gives 
consideration to upholding fiscal discipline. However, apart from 
this stop gap measure, it is also considering compiling a 
supplementary budget in the next extraordinary Diet session. Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Machimura noted, "We will take a flexible approach 
regarding what should be done during the extraordinary Diet 
session." 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has already compiled its own 
emergency economic stimulus package totaling 2.7 trillion yen in 
July in the wake of the steep rise in crude oil prices. Amid 
speculation that there could be dissolution of the Lower House 
around the turn of the year, there is an atmosphere in the 
government and the ruling parties that they would not be able to 
campaign unless an economic stimulus package was made an issue, as 
one mid-ranking LDP member put it. 
 
Secretary General Taro Aso is considering putting the government 
target of moving the primary balance into the black by fiscal 2011 
on the back burner with eye on the next Lower House election. When 
the basic policy guidelines on economic and fiscal management and 
structural reforms for the fiscal 2006 national budget, which 
include this target, were adopted at a cabinet meeting, Aso was 
present at the meeting as foreign minister. However, he is 
increasingly becoming alarmed about the situation, saying, "The 
economic environment surrounding Japan is becoming harsh, as can be 
seen in surging resource prices." 
 
The primary balance is a gauge of a government's fiscal soundness 
where expenditures are balanced by tax revenues. The government 
intends to achieve the goal, by combining two approaches -- cutting 
expenditures in such areas as social security and increasing 
expenditures through economic growth. However, there are high 
barriers to clear. 
 
Proposal for postponement of target also aimed at staving off 
criticism of tax hike plan 
 
 
TOKYO 00002159  007 OF 017 
 
 
According to the Cabinet Office's estimate, the balance of payment 
in fiscal 2011 would show a loss of 3.9 trillion yen, even if the 
spending cut policy is implemented to the full. This is due to the 
downside revision of an estimate for economic growth. A senior 
official of one economic ministry said, "If the target is to be 
maintained, it should be achieved, by hiking (the consumption tax)." 
Seeing through such a situation, the DPJ has begun criticizing the 
shuffled cabinet, calling it a taxing cabinet, or one that is tasked 
with preparing the way for a tax hike, as Secretary General Hatoyama 
put it. 
 
It is likely that a proposal for putting the target to move the 
primary balance into the black is also aimed to stave off opposition 
parties' criticism of a tax hike. Putting the target on the back 
burner has the advantage of enabling the government to point out the 
need to hike the (consumption) tax in the future. as well as to 
allay a sense of imminence that the tax would be increased in 
several years' time. 
 
Aso also stressed that economic stimulus measures would lead to 
shoring up the administration. If the restriction that 14-14.3 
trillion yen in expenditures combining those of the central 
government and those of local governments must be cut tax by fiscal 
2011 is scrapped, flexible fiscal disbursements would become 
possible. 
 
Both former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who attaches 
importance to boosting tax revenues through economic growth in 
implementing the fiscal reconstruction policy, and State Minister 
for Economic and Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano, who gives priority to 
rebuilding national finances, advocate the target of moving the 
primary balance into the black by fiscal 2011, though they are 
opposed to each other in other areas. The scrapping of the spending 
cut policy would lead to a switch in the reform line, which has been 
in place since the Koizumi administration. 
 
Finance Minister Bunmei Ibuki, who is seen as an advocate of the 
fiscal reconstruction policy, stressed in an interview on August 4, 
"It would be inconceivable to issue deficit-covering government 
bonds, except for some extraordinary reason." However, the 
confrontation between the advocates of the fiscal reconstruction 
policy and those who attach importance to boosting tax revenues 
through economic growth in implementing the fiscal reconstruction 
policy in addition to the presence of those who call for putting the 
target of moving the primary balance into the black would make the 
policy confrontation in the government and the ruling parties make 
even more complicated. The shuffled cabinet's switch from the 
structural reform policy line would become clear, depending on how 
the confrontation will be settled. 
 
Focus on economic stimulus package, measures for small- and 
medium-size businesses, farmers: Concern about pork-barrel largesse 
still remains 
 
The envisaged economic stimulus package will be centered on measures 
to deal with spikes in prices caused by the steep rise in crude oil 
and food prices. To be specific, the package will include assistance 
to small- to medium-sized businesses, measures on the soaring crude 
oil prices for the trucking industry and mid- to long-term energy 
measures. In view of the fiscal reconstruction policy line, the 
government intends to indicate two policy directions in the packet 
-- a short-term policy with immediate effects and a mid- to 
 
TOKYO 00002159  008 OF 017 
 
 
long-term policy covering a three-year period or so. The mid- to 
long-term measure will likely involve the tax code issue. A package 
of measures for each industry sector will likely be compiled without 
the assumption of an increase in public works or a substantial tax 
cut. 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's proposals will likely 
include an increase in low-interest loans to be provided by 
government-affiliated financial institutions as a measure to help 
small- and medium-size businesses. Financial Services Agency 
Director General Takafumi Sato told a news conference on the 4th his 
intention to consider making loans to be extended to small- and 
medium-size businesses more easily available. 
 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries compiled a set 
of measures for commercial fishermen just in July. However, since 
the size was within the existing budget, voices complaining that the 
amount is insufficient are already being heard. The Ministry of 
Land, Infrastructure and Transport is looking into backing the 
introduction of a fuel surcharge system designed to pass an increase 
in fuel prices along to freightage. 
 
The government has started considering economic stimulus measures 
only several days after the inauguration with the aim of 
demonstrating its quick response to the public. However, if its 
approach is entirely focused on pork-barrel largesse to industry 
circles, the package's spillover effect on the economy would be 
minor. 
 
(7) Spot poll on new Fukuda cabinet, political parties 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 3, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: Prime Minister Fukuda shuffled his cabinet. Do you support his 
new cabinet? 
 
Yes 41.3 
No 47.0 
Other answers (O/A) 0.8 
No answer (N/A) 10.9 
 
Q: Did your evaluation of Prime Minister Fukuda go up or down with 
his cabinet shuffle this time, or does it remain unchanged? 
 
Up 11.5 
Down 13.2 
Unchanged 72.3 
N/A 3.0 
 
Q: In his cabinet shuffle this time, Prime Minister Fukuda appointed 
Kaoru Yosano to the post of economic and fiscal policy minister. Do 
you support this appointment? 
 
Yes 32.9 
No 42.8 
N/A 24.3 
 
Q: Then, what do you think about Prime Minister Fukuda's appointment 
 
TOKYO 00002159  009 OF 017 
 
 
of Kyoko Nakayama to the post of state minister for the issue of 
North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals. Do you support this 
appointment? 
 
Yes 74.9 
No 16.7 
N/A 8.4 
 
Q: Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe has been 
retained. Do you support this? 
 
Yes 76.5 
No 17.6 
N/A 5.9 
 
Q: Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura has been retained. Do 
you support this? 
 
Yes 42.7 
No 40.5 
N/A 16.8 
 
Q: Prime Minister Fukuda, who is president of the Liberal Democratic 
Party, picked Taro Aso for the post of LDP secretary general in his 
appointment of a new LDP executive lineup. Do you support this? 
 
Yes 66.3 
No 24.3 
N/A 9.4 
 
Q: What do you want the new cabinet to pursue on a priority basis? 
Pick as many as you like from among those listed below, if any. 
 
Price stabilization 87.6 
Tax reform, including consumption tax 62.5 
Pension issue 82.1 
Healthcare for elderly 76.9 
Consumer administration 50.8 
North Korea 65.8 
Global warming 76.6 
O/A 1.5 
Nothing in particular 1.0 
N/A 0.6 
 
Q: Do you think Prime Minister Fukuda was able to show his own 
imprint in shuffling his cabinet and appointing a new lineup of 
executives for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party? 
 
Yes 28.2 
No 58.8 
N/A 12.9 
 
Q: Which political party do you support now? Pick only one. 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 35.1 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 24.6 
New Komeito (NK) 3.9 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3.5 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.1 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.1 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) --- 
Other political parties --- 
 
TOKYO 00002159  010 OF 017 
 
 
None 30.0 
N/A 1.8 
 
Q: When would you like the House of Representatives to be dissolved 
for a general election? 
 
As early as possible 35.1 
Late this year or early next year 10.0 
Next spring or afterward 15.6 
Before the current term expires in September next year 32.1 
N/A 7.2 
 
Q: If an election were to be held now for the House of 
Representatives, which political party would you like to vote for in 
your proportional representation bloc? 
 
LDP 30.8 
DPJ 34.2 
NK 4.6 
JCP 4.4 
SDP 1.5 
PNP 0.2 
NPN --- 
Other political parties --- 
Undecided 19.7 
N/A 4.7 
 
Polling methodology 
 
The survey was conducted across the nation from 8 p.m., Aug.1, 
through Aug. 2 on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
Households with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,745. Valid 
answers were obtained from 1,006 persons (57.7 PERCENT ). 
 
(8) Poll on new Fukuda cabinet, political parties 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
August 3, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female) 
 
Q: Do you support the new Fukuda cabinet? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 25 (22) 20 29 
No 52 (54) 62 44 
Not interested 21 (21) 17 24 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 34 
(27) 47 26 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
8 (7) 5 9 
Because there's something stable about the prime minister 27 (32) 17 
33 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 20 (21) 22 19 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why? 
 
TOKYO 00002159  011 OF 017 
 
 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 8 
(6) 10 6 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
38 (34) 35 42 
Because there's no fresh image about the prime minister 4 (6) 3 5 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 47 (50) 50 43 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
 T P M F 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 24 (22) 23 25 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 24 (25) 31 18 
New Komeito (NK) 4 (5) 4 4 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) 4 2 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1 (2) 1 1 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 1 (0) 0 1 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 1 0 
Other political parties 1 (0) 2 1 
None 39 (40) 32 45 
 
Q: Prime Minister Fukuda shuffled his cabinet and renewed the LDP's 
executive lineup. Do you support this? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 31  26 35 
No 56  67 47 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
There's something new and fresh 20  18 21 
The prime minister displayed leadership 13  10 14 
The prime minister appointed appropriate persons 45  49 43 
The prime minister considered the ruling parties 13  16 11 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
There's nothing new or fresh 21  22 20 
The prime minister didn't display leadership 27  28 25 
The prime minister didn't appoint appropriate persons 21  19 23 
The prime minister considered the ruling parties too much 24  26 22 
 
Q: Do you think the prime minister's political goal is now clear 
with his cabinet shuffle? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 18  19 17 
No 72  74 70 
 
Q: Prime Minister Fukuda appointed Taro Aso to the post of LDP 
secretary general. Do you look to LDP Secretary General Aso for 
something? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 57  54 56 
No 36  40 33 
 
Q: When do you think the House of Representatives should be 
 
TOKYO 00002159  012 OF 017 
 
 
dissolved for a general election? 
 
 T P M F 
As early as possible 45  52 40 
Late this year or early next year 8  10 6 
Next spring 22  19 25 
No need to dissolve 13  13 13 
 
Q: Which one between the LDP and the DPJ would you like to see win 
in the next election for the House of Representatives? 
 
 T P M F 
LDP 31 (25) 28 35 
DPJ 46 (46) 55 38 
Other political parties 12 (16) 11 13 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "0" indicates that 
the figure was below 0.5 PERCENT . "No answer" omitted. Figures in 
parentheses denote the results of the last survey conducted July 
12-13. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Aug. 1-2 over the 
telephone across the nation on a computer-aided random digit 
sampling (RDS) basis. A total of 1,532 households with one or more 
eligible voters were sampled. Answers were obtained from 921 persons 
(60 PERCENT ). 
 
(9) Sankei-FNN poll on new Fukuda cabinet, political parties, MSDF 
mission, Takeshima issue 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 5, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage. Figures in parentheses denote 
findings from the last Sankei-FNN survey conducted July 12-13. 
 
Q: Do you support the new Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Yes 29.3 (21.7) 
No 51.5 (61.2) 
Don't know (D/K) + Can't say which (CSW) 19.2 (17.1) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 27.0 (23.0) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 26.6 (29.0) 
New Komeito (NK) 4.0 (4.6) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3.1 (3.5) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.2 (1.5) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.6 (0.5) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0.0 (0.1) 
Other answers (O/A) 1.3 (1.0) 
None 34.3 (35.6) 
D/K + Can't say (C/S) 1.9 (1.2) 
 
Q: Do you appreciate Prime Minister Fukuda and his cabinet on the 
following points? 
 
Personal character 
Yes 42.9 (45.3) 
 
TOKYO 00002159  013 OF 017 
 
 
No 46.2 (44.9) 
D/K+CSW 10.9 (9.8) 
 
Leadership 
Yes 12.3 (10.7) 
No 74.2 (79.6) 
D/K+CSW 13.5 (9.7) 
 
Performance 
Yes 14.1 
No 69.7 
D/K+CSW 16.2 
 
Foreign policy 
Yes 18.0 (17.8) 
No 64.8 (66.0) 
D/K+CSW 17.2 (16.2) 
 
Economic policy 
Yes 7.9 (7.2) 
No 80.0 (79.5) 
D/K+CSW 12.1 (13.3) 
 
Response to healthcare, pension issues 
Yes 20.7 (12.9) 
No 70.7 (77.5) 
D/K+CSW 8.6 (9.6) 
 
North Korea policy 
Yes 12.8 (14.9) 
No 72.1 (71.9) 
D/K+CSW 15.1 (13.2) 
 
Q: What's your impression of the new Fukuda cabinet? 
 
None the better for the change 38.1 
Featureless 22.3 
Well-balanced 20.0 
Talented 7.3 
Surprising 4.0 
Fresh 2.0 
D/A+C/S 6.3 
 
Q: Who do you look forward to most in the new Fukuda cabinet? 
 
Health, Labor & Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe 24.4 
State Minister for Consumer Affairs Seiko Noda  8.7 
State Minister for Abduction Issue Kyoko Nakayama 6.0 
State Minister for Economic & Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano 2.8 
Internal Affairs & Communications Minister Hiroya Masuda 1.2 
Land, Infrastructure & Transport Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki 1.2 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura 1.1 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura 0.8 
Finance Minister Bunmei Ibuki 0.8 
Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi 0.7 
Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito 0.6 
State Minister for Financial Services & Administrative Reform 
Toshimitsu Motegi 0.6 
Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries Minister Seiichi Ota 0.4 
Justice Minister Okiharu Yasuoka 0.3 
Education, Science & Technology Minister Tsuneo Suzuki 0.3 
Economy, Trade & Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai 0.3 
 
TOKYO 00002159  014 OF 017 
 
 
National Public Safety Commission Chairman Mikio Hayashi 0.0 
O/A 10.5 
None 23.8 
D/K+C/S 15.5 
 
Q: What do you think about the timing of the cabinet shuffle? 
 
Right 25.9 
Too early 11.4 
Too late 51.1 
D/K+C/S 11.6 
 
Q: What would you like Prime Minister Fukuda and his government to 
pursue on a priority basis? 
 
Fiscal policy to cut down on waste 28.2 (38.8) 
Social security, including healthcare and pension systems 23.5 
(26.4) 
Economic measures, including price stabilization 21.4 (14.3) 
Tax reform, including the consumption tax 6.6 (4.7) 
Consumer affairs 5.9 (3.8) 
Global warming 5.0 (4.6) 
North Korea issues 3.1 (1.8) 
Public security 2.0 (2.6) 
D/K+C/S 4.3 (3.0) 
 
Q: What form of government would you like to see after the next 
election for the House of Representatives? 
 
LDP-led coalition government 19.2 
DPJ-led coalition government 33.4 
LDP-DPJ grand coalition 39.4 
D/K+C/S 8.0 
 
Q: When would you like the next election for the House of 
Representatives to take place? 
 
Within this year 36.8 
During the first half of next year 35.1 
During the latter half of next year 20.2 
D/K+C/S 7.9 
 
Q: How long do you think Prime Minister Fukuda's government will 
continue? 
 
Several months or so at longest 20.6 
Until some time around the next election for the House of 
Representatives 50.5 
Until around the fall of next year 18.9 
Until after the fall of next year 5.0 
D/K+C/S 5.0 
 
Q: Do you support extending the new Antiterrorism Special Measures 
Law to back up U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan? 
 
Yes 32.3 
No 53.0 
D/K+CSW 14.7 
 
Q: Both Japan and South Korea claim territorial rights to Takeshima, 
a pair of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan. Do you think Takeshima 
is part of Japan's territory? 
 
TOKYO 00002159  015 OF 017 
 
 
 
Yes 73.7 
No 8.1 
D/K+CSW 18.2 
 
Q: Do you think the Japanese government should claim territorial 
rights to Takeshima even more strongly? 
 
Yes 75.0 
No 13.0 
D/K+CSW 12.0 
 
Q: Who do you think is most appropriate for Japan's prime minister 
among the following politicians? 
 
LDP Secretary General Taro Aso 23.0 (19.1) 
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi 17.4 (19.6) 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda 6.4 (6.0) 
Health, Labor & Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe 4.7 
Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike 2.6 (4.0) 
State Minister for Economic & Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano 1.5 (1.1) 
State Minister for Consumer Affairs Seiko Noda 0.7 
Other ruling party lawmakers 3.0 (3.3) 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa 12.8 (11.1) 
Other opposition party lawmakers 6.1 (6.7) 
None 17.9 (21.6) 
D/K+C/S 3.9 (4.7) 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Aug. 2-3 by the Sankei 
Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) over the telephone on a 
computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, a 
total of 1,000 persons were sampled from among men and women, aged 
20 and over, across the nation. 
 
(10) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi & Mainichi: 
Guerrilla downpour hit Kanto region 
 
Yomiuri: 
Tianyang Food-made dumplings found to have caused food poisoning in 
China 
 
Nikkei: 
JAL, ANA to terminate routes due to skyrocketing fuel costs 
 
Sankei: 
Chinese police beat, detain two Japanese reporters, growing concern 
about oppression of free speech 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Two die in accidents in Tokyo sewage system after sudden 
thunderstorm 
 
Akahata: 
140 million tons of CO2 emitted in Iraq war 
 
(11) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) 63rd anniversary of atomic bombing: Nuclear abolition is not an 
empty dream 
 
TOKYO 00002159  016 OF 017 
 
 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Atomic-bomb day: World must aim at eliminating nuclear weapons 
(2) Terrorist attack in Xinjiang leaves uncertainty over Beijing 
Olympics 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Day of atomic bombing: Nuclear proliferation must be stopped 
(2) Overloading caused escalator incident 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Bribes in developing countries not conventional wisdom but 
crime 
(2) Don't slack monitoring moves toward nuclear proliferation 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Atomic-bomb day: Government should renew resolve to prevent 
North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons 
(2) ODA bribes: Bid farewell to unfair business practice 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Consider on atomic-bomb day 
 
Akahata: 
(1) 63rd anniversary of atomic bombings of Hiroshima, Nagasaki: 
Envelop forces still insisting on nuclear deterrence 
 
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, August 5 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 6, 2008 
 
09:34 
Executive meeting at the party headquarters. 
 
10:02 
Cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Then meeting at the Decentralization 
Reform Promotion Headquarters. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister 
Masuzoe remained. 
 
10:56 
Met with Tokyo Dental College President Yuzuru Kaneko and bereaved 
kin of late former Upper House President Inoue, followed by former 
MEXT Minister Kawamura. 
 
11:50 
Met with Former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ono. 
 
12:00 
Met with Space Development Strategy Headquarters Secretariat 
Establishment Preparation Office Chief Toyoda. Then met with Ono, 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shionoya and Iwaki. 
 
12:44 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
13:26 
Informal representation at the Imperial Palace. Then attestation 
ceremony for senior vice minister. 
 
16:16 
Photo session with the senior vice ministers at the Kantei. Then 
 
TOKYO 00002159  017 OF 017 
 
 
gives assignments to the chief Vice Cabinet Office minister. Then 
meeting of senior vice ministers. Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Machimura. 
 
16:32 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
18:01 
Left Haneda Airport on JAL 1615. 
 
18:30 
Meeting with Masuzoe on the plane. 
 
18:57 
Arrived at Hiroshima Airport. 
 
20:15 
Dinner with secretary and others at Steak & Seafood Boston, a 
restaurant in Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima City. Stayed at the 
hotel overnight. 
 
SCHIEFFER