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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 002277 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/19/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Fallout from Musharraf's resignation: 
4) Japan to keep an eye on developments in Pakistan as President 
Musharraf steps down  (Yomiuri) 
5) Prime Minister Fukuda says there will be no change in the war on 
terror for the time being  (Nikkei) 
6) Prime Minister Fukuda willing to continue Japan's refueling 
mission in Indian Ocean  (Asahi) 
7) DPJ set to vote against MSDF refueling bill  (Asahi) 
8) Prime Minister Fukuda mum about whether to take overriding second 
vote on antiterror legislation  (Yomiuri) 
 
Whaling: 
9) Arrests sought for Sea Shepherd members; Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Machimura says police action "only natural"  (Asahi) 
10) Arrest warrants issued for 3 SS members, including Americans; 
Suspects shortly to be on Interpol list  (Asahi) 
 
North Korea problem: 
11) Prime Minister Fukuda may send State Minister for Abduction 
Issue Nakayama to Pyongyang  (Yomiuri) 
 
Diet agenda & political topics: 
12) Prime Minister Fukuda likely to call Diet session in 
mid-September  (Nikkei) 
13) Ex-METI Minister Amari says LDP SecGen Aso will become prime 
minister if Prime Minister Fukuda's popularity rating falls below 20 
PERCENT   (Asahi) 
 
Defense & security: 
14) Defense Minister Hayashi to visit Okinawa today  (Nikkei) 
15) Yokosuka citizens planning to campaign against USS George 
Washington's deployment  (Akahata) 
 
Foreign policy: 
16) Japan to gear up Africa diplomacy  (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei & Tokyo: 
Pakistani President Musharraf resigns in response to growing 
impeachment pressure; U.S.-led war on terror may be affected 
 
Nikkei: 
Government to conduct experiments with utility firms to store CO2 
underground in Japan 
 
Akahata: 
Soaring fuel prices force Pacific saury boats to suspend operations 
 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Musharraf's resignation: Lead democratization to stabilization 
 
TOKYO 00002277  002 OF 007 
 
 
(2) Prosecuting activists for obstructive acts at whaling research 
vessels a matter of course, but questions remain 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) International community should extend cooperation for stability 
in post-Musharraf Pakistan 
(2) Beijing Olympics enters second week 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Don't allow vacuum following Pakistan president's resignation 
(2) Speculative funds begin to leave oil market 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Pakistan must not forget war on terror after Musharraf's 
resignation 
(2) Japan should pursue diplomacy that can provide people with peace 
of mind 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Treating violent attacks against whaling vessels as criminal 
matters the best approach 
(2) Use DPJ presidential election as opportunity to demonstrate 
credentials to run government 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) World records in Olympics open new door 
(2) Step up measures to prevent bank transfer scams 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Increase in CO2 emissions: Change in energy policy needed 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 18 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
09:56 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi at the Kantei. 
 
10:24 
Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura, followed by Lower House 
member Akiko Yamanaka. 
 
14:24 
Met new Ambassador to Thailand Komachi and other newly-appointed 
ambassadors, followed by Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka. 
 
15:54 
Met Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau 
Director-General Saiki. 
 
16:55 
Attended the inaugural ceremony for the Japan-China-ROK Children's 
Storybooks Exchange 2008, held at the National Institution for Youth 
Education in Yoyogi. 
 
17:50 
Met Futahashi at the Kantei. 
 
18:59 
 
TOKYO 00002277  003 OF 007 
 
 
Met former MEXT Minister Nakayama and his wife, Abduction Issue 
Minister Nakayama at his official residence. 
 
4) Government to carefully watch developments in Pakistan following 
Musharraf's resignation 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
The government intends to carefully watch how things will develop in 
Pakistan following President Pervez Musharraf's announcement of his 
resignation on Aug. 18. Speaking before reporters at his official 
residence last night, Prime Minister Fukuda said: "I do not think 
there will be some changes in the war on terror and the situation in 
Afghanistan for the time being, but the situation afterward is 
unpredictable." 
 
Pakistan is the only Islamic state that possesses nuclear weapons, 
so the government is strongly concerned about an outflow and 
proliferation of nuclear technology, etc., to terrorist groups under 
the confused situation. A government source said last night: "I am 
concerned that the political situation would become unstable, from 
the viewpoint of the war on terror and nuclear nonproliferation. We 
must carefully watch the situation." A senior Foreign Ministry 
official also indicated the ministry's willingness to extend 
necessary assistance to Pakistan to stabilize that country, 
remarking: "We hope that the change of government will be carried 
out without hitch and the situation will be quickly stabilized." 
 
5) Prime Minister Fukuda predicts no change in war on terror for 
time being 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, regarding Pakistani President Pervez 
Musharraf's decision to resign, commented yesterday: "I don't think 
there will be any immediate change in the war on terror or the 
situation in Afghanistan." In response to questions from reporters 
at his official residence, the prime minister also said: "A variety 
of events could unfold. But I am not in a position to predict what 
might happen." 
 
6) Prime minister eager to continue refueling operation 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is expected to announce his view on the 
much-talked-about next extraordinary Diet session in today's 
government and ruling coalition liaison meeting. The prime minister 
yesterday reiterated the need to extend the refueling support 
special measures law. Explicitly telling reporters that the 
government would "enact necessary legislation" along with economic 
measures and a consumer agency bill, the prime minister reiterated 
his view that the next session should be convened at an early date. 
 
The prime minister also expressed eagerness for extending law that 
provides the basis for the country's refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean during the next extra session, saying: "How to associate with 
the international community is an extremely important matter. Japan 
is not completely unconnected with this issue. (The question of 
 
TOKYO 00002277  004 OF 007 
 
 
extending the refueling operation) must be determined 
comprehensively." Touching on the possible impact of Pakistani 
President Musharraf's decision to resign, the prime minister said: 
"How this might affect the war on terror and the situation in 
Afghanistan remains to be seen. I don't think it will result in any 
change for the time being." 
 
7) DPJ leaders agree to oppose extension of Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa dined last 
night with Lower House Vice Speaker Takahiro Yokomichi; Azuma 
Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ caucus in the Upper House; and Yoshio 
Hachiro, foreign minister of the shadow cabinet. The four DPJ 
leaders agreed that their party will oppose an extension of the new 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, under which the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force is currently tasked with refueling activities in 
the Indian Ocean. Yokomichi, Koshiishi and Hachiro, who were members 
of the former Japan Socialist Party, have clarified that they will 
support Ozawa in the party's presidential election. 
 
8) Fukuda makes no mention of overriding vote on MSDF bill 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda yesterday evening avoided referring to whether 
his ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New 
Komeito will take an overriding second vote in the House of 
Representatives on a government-planned bill amending the new 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law for the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's continued refueling activities in the Indian Ocean if the 
bill is voted down in the opposition-controlled House of 
Councillors. "There's no need to say that now," Fukuda told 
reporters. He added: "I have been saying we should continue Japan's 
refueling activities in the Indian Ocean. I should take it into 
consideration and make a judgment on this matter." He was replying 
to a question from reporters at his office. 
 
9) MPD seeks arrest warrants for three U.S. environmental group 
members for obstructing a research whaling ship's activities 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
Evening, August 18, 2008 
 
The Metropolitan Police Department Public Security Bureau sought 
earlier today arrest warrants for three members -- two Americans and 
one Briton -- of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SS), a U.S. 
environmental group, on suspicion of obstructing a Japanese research 
whaling ship's activities in the Southern Ocean. In a series of 
obstructive activities, the three are suspected of having thrown 
smoke candles in February last year onto the Kaiko Maru, the leading 
ship of the Japanese whaling fleet by the Institute of Cetacean 
Research. The Public Security Bureau has decided to establish a case 
against them, concluding that their acts were "systematic and highly 
dangerous and malicious." 
 
The arrest warrants were sought for two Americans aged 30 and 41 and 
a 28-year-old Briton. After obtaining the arrest warrants, the 
 
TOKYO 00002277  005 OF 007 
 
 
bureau intends to ask the International Criminal Police Organization 
(ICPO) to put them on its international waned list through the 
National Police Agency. Once their whereabouts are confirmed, the 
bureau also plans to seek their custody under a treaty on 
extradition or via diplomatic channels. Difficulties are expected 
before the handover of their custody. 
 
The 41-year-old American is suspected to have thrown 18 smoke 
candles onto the Kaiko Maru's deck from an SS vessel on February 12, 
2007, causing several of them to release fumes. The 30-year-old 
American and the 28-year-old Briton are suspected to have 
transferred themselves to a dinghy and threw a rope into the sea, 
which coiled around the Kaiko Maru's propeller. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, in a press conference 
earlier today made the following comment regarding the fact that the 
MPD has sought arrest warrants for the members of the environmental 
group: "It is only natural to seek arrest warrants after concluding 
there was a crime. No matter what sort of argument one holds, a 
situation where physical interference causes injuries or threatens 
the lives of those involved should not be forgiven." 
 
10) MPD obtains arrest warrants for three Sea Shepherd members; 
Plans to put them on Interpol list shortly 
 
ASAHI (Page 35) (Excerpts) 
August 19, 2008 
 
The Metropolitan Police Department Public Security Bureau obtained 
yesterday arrest warrants for three members of the Sea Shepherd 
Conservation Society (SS), an U.S. environmental group, for throwing 
smoke candles and other objects onto the Kaiko Maru, the lead ship 
of the Japanese whaling fleet by the Institute of Cetacean 
Institute, which was conducting research whaling in the Southern 
Ocean in February 2007. 
 
The MPD has obtained arrest warrants for Jonathan Batchelor, 30, and 
Ralph Koo, 41, who are both U.S. nationals, and Daniel Bebawi, a 
28-year-old Briton. The MPD plans to ask before long the 
International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) to put them on its 
international wanted list. 
 
11) Prime Minister Fukuda: Visit to Pyongyang by abduction minister 
possible 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met last night at his official residence 
with State Minister for Abduction Issue Kyoko Nakayama and her 
husband, former Education Minister Nariaki Nakayama. In the meeting, 
Fukuda indicated the possibility of sending the abduction minister 
to Pyongyang in order to seek progress on the issue of North Korea's 
abductions of Japanese nationals. He told them: "If it comes to the 
crunch, I may send Abduction Minister Nakayama to Pyongyang." The 
meeting lasted for about three hours over dinner. 
 
12) Fukuda eyes mid-September as opening day of Diet session 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 19, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00002277  006 OF 007 
 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda decided yesterday to set the opening day 
of the next extraordinary Diet session at sometime in mid-September. 
Fukuda plans to hold the session earlier than in usual years out of 
a desire to enact such key bills as one amending the New 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law to extend the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. 
The decision also stems from his consideration for New Komeito, 
which has insisted on sometime in late September. The junior ruling 
partner is still cautious about taking a revote in the House of 
Representatives to pass the bill. Attention is being focused on how 
New Komeito will respond. 
 
Fukuda had been calling for opening the session sometime between 
late August and early September, based on the stance of giving 
priority to enacting legislation to enable the MSDF to continue the 
refueling mission, while the New Komeito was opposed to premising 
the schedule on a revote. The convocation in mid-September is a 
compromise proposal, in a sense. The most likely possibility is that 
the session will be opened on September 12 and last for about two 
months. 
 
13) Amari: If Fukuda cabinet's approval rate drops below 20 PERCENT 
, Aso will become next prime minister 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Appearing on a satellite television program yesterday, Akira Amari, 
former minister of economy, trade and industry, who is regarded as 
an aide to Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Taro 
Aso, indicated that if the Fukuda cabinet's slump in the polls 
continues, Aso will become the next prime minister before the next 
House of Representatives election. Amari stated: 
 
"If the (Fukuda cabinet's) support rate drops to below 20 PERCENT , 
some in the LDP would call for a change of the cabinet. I believe 
Secretary General Aso is the person who will be chosen (as the 
successor to Fukuda) when that occurs." 
 
14) Defense minister to visit Okinawa today 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will make his first official 
visit to Okinawa Prefecture on Aug. 19-20. Hayashi will meet with 
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima today and with Nago City's Mayor 
Yoshikazu Shimabukuro and other municipal heads tomorrow to talk 
about the pending issue of relocating the U.S. military's Futenma 
airfield in the city of Ginowan (to a coastal area of Camp Schwab, a 
U.S. military base in the island prefecture's northern coastal city 
of Nago). Meanwhile, the government has been facing difficulties in 
its coordination with local officials over Futenma relocation. 
Hayashi intends to show a stance of attaching importance to talks 
for a solution to the issue. 
 
15) Yokosuka civic group launches activities to oppose deployment of 
U.S. nuclear carrier 
 
AKAHATA (Page 15) (Excerpts) 
August 19, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00002277  007 OF 007 
 
 
People who are opposed to the deployment of a nuclear-powered 
aircraft carrier at the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka City, 
Kanagawa Prefecture, held a press conference at the Yokosuka 
municipal government office yesterday and revealed their plan for 
future activities. 
 
The group, set up on July 6, insists, "We don't need a 
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier." It has launched activities 
against the planned deployment of a nuclear carrier in cooperation 
with many citizens. The group plans a demonstration on the streets 
once a month and several small-scale gatherings every week. 
 
16) Foreign Ministry to strengthen Africa diplomacy 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Slightly abridged) 
August 19, 2008 
 
Africa is becoming an area to which Japan is giving increased 
diplomatic priority. The government sent in July and August a 
fact-finding team (to Sudan to prepare for a planned dispatch of its 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel) to United Nations peacekeeping 
operations (PKO). The Foreign Ministry appointed promising young 
diplomats as ambassadors to three African countries, including 
Ghana. 
 
The government announced at the Fourth Tokyo International 
Conference on African Development in May in Yokohama that it would 
double its official development assistance (ODA) to Africa. In 
addition to the establishment of embassies in three African 
countries in 2007, Japan plans to set up in fiscal 2008 embassies in 
two countries, including Mauritania. 
 
Such issues as SDF participation in PKOs, global warming, and energy 
shortages are connected in Africa. The Foreign Ministry, therefore, 
wants to strengthen Japan's foreign policy toward Africa using the 
energy of young diplomats. 
 
SCHIEFFER