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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 002301 
 
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 08/21/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Schieffer-Aso meeting: 
4) Ambassador Schieffer in meeting with LDP SecGen Aso expresses 
hopes Japan continue MSDF refueling mission in Indian Ocean  (Asahi) 
 
5) Ambassador Schieffer tells LDP SecGen that Aso U.S. hopes for 
other contributions in addition to refueling activities  (Yomiuri) 
6) LDP SecGen Aso in meeting with Ambassador Schieffer agrees it is 
important to continue MSDF's refueling mission in Indian Ocean 
(Nikkei) 
7) Ambassador Schieffer meets with LDP SecGen Aso  (Akahata) 
 
Defense & security issues: 
8) U.K. bargaining with Japan over Eurofighter Typhoon jets: 
Financial Times report  (Yomiuri) 
9) - MCAS Iwakuni's offshore extension falling behind schedule 
(Nikkei) 
10) In Iraq, SDF bought fuel from U.S.  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
11) Defense Minister Hayashi visits Okinawa, underscores 
dialogue-oriented stance over Futenma relocation  (Yomiuri) 
 
Political issues: 
12) New Komeito President Ota certain to be reelected  (Mainichi) 
13) GOJ to finalize economic package on Aug. 29  (Mainichi) 
14) Georgia's Tokyo envoy asks Japan to act  (Nikkei) 
 
North Korea problem: 
15) LDP's Yamasaki meets with N. Korean officials in Beijing; CCS 
Machimura: "That's news to me."  (Asahi) 
16) N. Korea raps U.S. over nuclear verification  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun, & Akahata: 
Bolt wins two gold metals with new world records 
 
Nikkei: 
Tokyo Gas, 2 others to jointly buy Sendai's public gas operations 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Reform medical services, with judgment of obstetrician's 
acquittal 
(2) Diplomatic ties between Syria and Lebanon expected to serve to 
stabilize Middle East 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Establish fair, neutral medical safety screening system 
(2) Bush administration should assume responsibility to resolve 
subprime loan crisis 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Medical safety panel needed 
(2) Russia must not be allowed to keep troops in Georgia 
 
TOKYO 00002301  002 OF 007 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) U.S. financial institutions pressed to buy back securities 
(2) Measures needed to deal with drop in number of obstetrician 
incidents 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Obstetrician acquitted: Thorough investigation in medical 
mishaps needed so as not to shrink medical care 
(2) Arrest of sumo wrester: Break down conventions and reform sumo 
society 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Tasks being left in medical system 
(2) Key to raising food self-sufficiency rate now at 40 PERCENT 
lies in rice 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Info security legislation aimed at covering people's eyes 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 20 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
11:27 
Met Finance Minister Ibuki, METI Minister Nikai, and Economic, 
Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura 
at the Kantei. Machimura stayed on. 
 
12:52 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. 
 
14:30 
Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitsuya. 
 
17:02 
Met Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka, followed by Naigai News Chairman 
Kiyomiya. 
 
18:58 
Met former Finance Minister Nukaga, former MLIT Minister Fuyushiba, 
former METI Minister Amari and others at his official residence, in 
the presence of Machimura. 
 
4) U.S. Ambassador Schieffer urges Japan to continue refueling 
operation 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer yesterday called on 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Taro Aso. The 
Ambassador, referring in the meeting to the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, said: "It is very 
important not only for the U.S.-Japan alliance but also for Japan's 
relations with the International community." Aso then replied: "We 
understand the importance of the refueling mission." 
 
Aso indicated that his party was considering different support 
 
TOKYO 00002301  003 OF 007 
 
 
measures instead of simply extending the operation. According the 
Ambassador, Aso did not mention any specific measures in the 
meeting. 
 
5) Ambassador Schieffer in meeting with Aso expresses hope for 
Japan's contributions in addition to refueling mission 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Aso met U.S. Ambassador 
to Japan Thomas Schieffer at party headquarters yesterday to 
exchange views on an extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean beyond the expiration of the 
relevant law. In the meeting, in response to the Ambassador's call 
on Japan to continue its refueling mission, Aso said: "I have 
acknowledged the importance of the operation from before." 
 
Speaking before reporters after the meeting, the Ambassador 
expressed hope for new contributions from Japan aside from 
refueling, saying: "I hope Japan will also extend contributions in 
Afghanistan in different forms in addition to the refueling 
operation." Schieffer said that he would also meet Democratic Party 
of Japan President Ozawa next month to seek his understanding of 
Japan's continued mission. 
 
6) Schieffer, Aso share importance of Japan's continued refueling 
mission in Indian Ocean 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Taro Aso met with U.S. 
Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer at LDP headquarters yesterday. 
They agreed on the importance of Japan's extension of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's ongoing refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
beyond the expiration of the relevant law on Jan. 15. Schieffer 
said: "I hope Japan will continue to provide the service." Aso 
replied: "I have acknowledged the importance of the operation," 
indicating that he will make efforts to have a bill amending the new 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law enacted in the next Diet 
session. 
 
The ambassador told reporters after the meeting: "The refueling 
issue is very important from the viewpoint of not only the 
Japan-U.S. alliance but also Japan's relations with the 
international community." He added: "I hope Japan will make 
contributions in a different way in Afghanistan," calling on Japan 
to boost its support, keeping in mind reconstruction assistance on 
the ground of Afghanistan. 
 
Asked about the Democratic Party of Japan, which is opposed to an 
extension of the refueling operation, the ambassador indicated he 
would continue to seek its understanding, saying: "I would like to 
meet DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. I really hope to meet (the new DPJ 
president) after the party presidential election is over." 
 
7) Aso meets with U.S. envoy 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00002301  004 OF 007 
 
 
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Taro Aso yesterday met 
with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Schieffer at LDP headquarters. In the 
meeting, Schieffer said the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean is important not only for the Japan-U.S. 
alliance but also for relations between Japan and the international 
community. With this, the U.S. envoy expressed strong hopes that the 
Diet will extend the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law in its 
forthcoming extraordinary session. Aso answered, "I understand the 
importance of this (refueling) operation." 
 
After the meeting, Schieffer clarified to reporters that he wants to 
meet before long with Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President 
Ichiro Ozawa as well. 
 
8) Financial Times reports that UK in talks with Japan on purchasing 
Eurofighter 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
Chiharu Mori, London 
 
The British Defense Ministry, finding it difficult to implement its 
contract to purchase the Eurofighter Typhoon, jointly developed by 
four European countries, due to the nation's tight financial 
situation, is in talks with Japan and other countries to procure the 
fighter in place of the UK, the Financial Times reported on August 
¶20. 
 
The Eurofighter has been jointly developed by Britain, Germany, 
Italy and Spain. The UK has promised to purchase 88 Eurofighter 
Typhoon jets, in addition to its orders for 144 aircrafts. In 
response to the UK's informal request, such countries as Japan, 
Saudi Arabia and India have reportedly shown interests. The talks 
are still at an early stage. A conclusion would not be reached until 
next year. 
 
The Eurofighter is classified as an intelligence-gathering aircraft 
in the selection of the next-generation mainstay combat aircraft for 
the Air Self-Defense Force. Although the United States' 
state-of-the-art fighter F-22 Raptor is the leading candidate, there 
is no prospect for its introduction because the U.S. Congress 
effectively bans its exports for fear of information leak. 
 
9) Relocation of Iwakuni runway to be postponed 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
The Defense Ministry announced yesterday that it would postpone 
completion of the project to relocate the Iwakuni base's runway with 
the aim of reducing noise and accidents from the end of fiscal 2008 
to the end of fiscal 2010. As the reason, the ministry cited the 
possible delay in the relocation of the Iwakuni human-waste 
treatment plant in the area in which the runway is to be built. 
 
10) MSDF has been providing fuel free of charge in Indian Ocean; 
Fuel for Iraq airlift mission purchased from U.S. 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
August 21, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00002301  005 OF 007 
 
 
The Self-Defense Forces, which have been providing fuel to naval 
vessels of the United States and other countries in the Indian Ocean 
free of charge, have purchased fuel from the U.S. military for the 
ASDF airlift mission in Iraq, it was learned yesterday. The 
generosity of Japan in providing fuel free of charge stands out in 
the face of its people's suffering from soaring gas prices. 
 
The ASDF, which has dispatched three C-130 transport planes to 
Kuwait for airlifting supplies to Iraq, has been receiving paid 
support based on the Japan-U.S. Acquisition and Cross-Servicing 
Agreement (ACSA). In fiscal 2006, the ASDF paid 126 million yen to 
the U.S. military for 1,840 kiloliters of aircraft fuel. 
 
Meanwhile, the MSDF, which has been dispatched to the Indian Ocean, 
provided helicopter and naval vessel fuel on 989 occasions at sea 
between 2001 and November 2007 in accordance with the Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law. The fuel cost totaling 22.4 billion yen was 
borne by the Japanese government. 
 
Since January 2008, the MSDF has provided fuel worth more than 800 
million yen to vessels of seven countries, including Pakistan and 
France, under the new antiterrorism law (refueling law). This, too, 
was paid for by the Japanese government. 
 
11) Defense Minister Hayashi plays up Okinawa dialogue policy line 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi had a meeting with Mayor 
Yoshikazu Shimabukuro of Nago, the relocation site for Futenma Air 
Station, in Okinawa yesterday. In the session, the defense chief 
played up his intention to put high priority on dialogue with local 
residents, saying: "I want to carry things out while meeting with 
local residents and realizing the local atmosphere firsthand." 
 
Visiting Okinawa ahead of other places since assuming office, 
Defense Minister Hayashi repeatedly expressed his desire to build 
good relations with Okinawa during his stay in the prefecture, which 
began Aug. 19. Partly because his predecessor Shigeru Ishiba did not 
set foot in Okinawa during his tenure, Hayashi's stance seems to 
have been received favorably as an indication that he will place 
emphasis on Okinawa. 
 
12) Ota certain to be reelected as New Komeito leader 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpt) 
August 21, 2008 
 
The New Komeito decided yesterday in a meeting of its Central 
Secretary Committee to hold a convention on Sept. 23 for a party 
leadership election. It is certain that incumbent Chief 
Representative Akihiro Ota will be reelected as party head 
uncontested, since no one else will run. 
 
The term of New Komeito presidency is two years. Ota took office 
from Takenori Kanzaki in September 2006. 
 
13) Government to finalize economic package possibly on Aug. 29 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 21, 2008 
 
TOKYO 00002301  006 OF 007 
 
 
 
The government decided yesterday to hold a meeting of economic 
ministers at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in preparation 
for compiling a comprehensive economic package to deal with the 
recent steep rise in oil and food prices. With the aim of finalizing 
the package on Aug. 29, the government plans to prepare a draft this 
week and start coordination with the ruling camp. But the ruling 
side is seeking a large supplementary budget on the scale of a 
trillion yen with an eye to a dissolution of the House of 
Representatives, while Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda remains cautious 
about a large extra budget, with the stance of placing importance on 
both (economic growth and) fiscal discipline. Difficult negotiations 
are expected on the size of the package. 
 
Included in the package as announced by the government on Aug. 11 
are measures to: (1) mitigate people's uneasiness in the face of 
soaring commodity prices; (2) realize a low-carbon society and 
promote energy conservation and new energy; and (3) enable smooth 
adoption of a new pricing system, given rising oil prices. Economy, 
Trade and Industry Minister Yosano is now engaged in sorting out the 
proposals made by government ministries and agencies, including a 
reduction in expressway tolls, assistance for introduction of solar 
energy generation, and strengthened support for small businesses. 
 
14) Georgian ambassador calls for active involvement of Japan in 
international efforts 
 
NIKKEI (Page 6) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
Georgian Ambassador to Japan Ivane Matchavariani held a press 
conference yesterday, in which he said: "Japan should be involved 
more actively in international efforts to bring peace and stability 
in Georgia." The ambassador then pointed out: "It is necessary to 
prevent Russia from becoming a threatening force again." 
 
15) LDP's Yamasaki meets North Korean officials 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
It has been revealed that Taku Yamasaki, former secretary general of 
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), met on Aug. 19 in Beijing 
with North Korean officials. Yamasaki visited the North Korean 
Embassy, although it is not known with whom he met there. He seems 
to have exchanged views with them on how the latest working-level 
talks between Japan and North Korea had been conducted, as well as 
on the method of the DPRK's reinvestigations of its abductions of 
Japanese nationals. 
 
Yamasaki arrived in Beijing on Aug. 19 to see softball games of the 
Olympics. He visited the North Korean Embassy in Beijing in July, as 
well. Asked by reporters about Yamsaki's action, Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said yesterday: "I (as a government 
member) have not heard about it." 
 
16) North Korea criticizes U.S. for "improper demand on nuclear 
verification" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 6) (Full) 
August 21, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00002301  007 OF 007 
 
 
(Seoul, Masanori Yamaguchi) 
 
A spokesman of the North Korean Foreign Ministry lashed out at the 
U.S.-presented nuclear verification plan on Aug. 20: "We have to 
reinforce a sense of alarm about the improper demand made by the 
U.S. for a verification regime that meets the international 
standard." Korean News Agency (Tokyo) reported the remark the 
spokesman made in response to a question from the Korean Central 
News Agency. 
 
SCHIEFFER