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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002405 
 
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 09/03/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Political agenda: 
4) LDP presidential election scheduled for Sept. 22; Aso, Koike 
likely to run  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) Local party members will also vote in the upcoming LDP 
presidential election  (Yomiuri) 
6) LDP Secretary General Aso supported for presidential bid by 22 
local party chapters: Kyodo poll  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
7) Aso has the support of 23 local party chapters in his bid for LDP 
presidency: Asahi survey  (Asahi) 
8) Anti-Aso force aiming to block his presidency bid is 
strengthening in the LDP  (Mainichi) 
9) Support in LDP is growing for former Defense Minister Koike as 
presidential candidate  (Nikkei) 
10) Likelihood growing of Diet dissolution immediately after the 
supplemental budget passes  (Asahi) 
 
Fukuda's final days: 
11) Prime Minister Fukuda refuses impromptu interviews with 
reporters, saying he did not want to create "useless noise"  (Asahi) 
 
12) Fear that with Fukuda stepping down a foreign policy vacuum will 
set in  (Yomiuri) 
13) No prospect in sight now for implementing Fukuda's policy 
agenda, particularly the MSDF Indian Ocean refueling mission and the 
Consumer Affairs Agency  (Yomiuri) 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) reaction to Fukuda resignation: 
14) DPJ alarmed by the possibility that the LDP presidential 
election will steal the thunder of its own presidential election on 
Sept. 21  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
15) DPJ unable to demonstrate its political presence, owing to LDP 
presidential activity; some members worried that winning a general 
election may not be easy  (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Lower House likely to be dissolved before year's end after 
supplementary budget compiled 
 
Mainichi: 
Candidates to vie with Aso in LDP presidential race likely decided 
 
Yomiuri: 
LDP prefectural chapters to let members vote in presidential race; 
Aso to reveal campaign pledges on Sept. 8 
 
Nikkei: 
Move to field rival candidates against Aso in LDP presidential race 
moving into full swing 
 
Sankei: 
Plan to hold Lower House election on Oct. 26 may crop up; LDP's 
Machimura faction to let members cast votes independently in Sept. 
 
TOKYO 00002405  002 OF 012 
 
 
22 presidential election 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Sumo wrestlers Roho, Hakurozan test positive for marijuana 
 
Akahata: 
Political reform now urged 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) LDP presidential race: Policies more important than who will 
lead campaign for Lower House election 
(2) Oita education scandal: Will Oita put end to scandal just by 
cancelling employment? 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) LDP presidency: Performance won't be able to bring LDP back from 
political abyss 
(2) Hikes in commodity prices: Consumers should be wise 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) LDP presidency: Active policy debate expected 
(2) Budget for FY2009: How to cover revenue shortages 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Aso should show policies in LDP presidential race 
(2) Thailand needs national reconciliation to restore order 
 
Sankei: 
(1) New LDP president should not avoid implementing policies that 
involve pain 
(2) EU summit: Strategic response to Russia needed 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Logical step for LDP is to leave political helm to the 
opposition 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Diet deliberations on basic issues indispensable 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 2 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 3, 2008 
 
09:31 
Attended an executive meeting at party headquarters. 
 
10:01 
Attended a cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Environment Minister Saito 
stayed behind. Followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. 
 
11:00 
Attended an extra Executive Council meeting at party headquarters. 
 
11:13 
Attended a commendation ceremony for those who have done 
distinguished services for disaster prevention. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002405  003 OF 012 
 
 
12:31 
Met Machimura. Followed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Futahashi. 
 
14:00 
Vice Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Edogawa. Later met 
Machimura. Again met Edogawa. 
 
15:28 
Met Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka. 
 
16:05 
Met Special Advisor Ito. 
 
19:00 
Met Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ando at his official 
residence. 
 
4) LDP to announce on Sept. 10 that it will hold presidential 
election on 22nd; Koike implies possibility of running 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
September 3, 2008 
 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided in a meeting 
yesterday of its presidential election administration committee to 
formally announce on Sept. 10 that it will hold a presidential 
election on Sep. 22 to choose the successor to Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda, president of the LDP. Secretary General Taro Aso, 67, 
yesterday expressed in effect his intent to run in the race. 
However, former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who is critical 
of Aso's economic policy, revealed yesterday plans to field a rival 
candidate against Aso from among junior and mid-level lawmakers 
supporting the structural reform policy. The name of former Defense 
Minister Yuriko Koike, 56, is being mentioned as one of "reformist 
candidates." The LDP is now carrying out coordination with the 
possibility of convening the next extraordinary Diet session on 
Sept. 24 and to conduct a Diet vote for the prime minister the same 
day. 
 
Nakagawa met yesterday with Koike and former Administrative Reform 
Minister Yoshimi Watanabe. After the meeting, Nakagawa revealed to 
the press that he would choose a candidate, focusing on Koike. He 
said: "We have to field someone from among the reformist group." 
Koike also told reporters: "Since this is a national crisis, I hope 
the sense of crisis will be shared among other members." 
 
However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, who heads the 
faction to which Nakagawa and Koike belong, appearing on a 
commercial television program yesterday, stated: "My faction will 
not support somebody as a unit." 
 
In the Yamasaki faction, meanwhile, there are calls for filing 
Nobuteru Ishihara, former LDP policy chief, while Akira Amari, a 
senior faction member and former economy, trade and industry 
minister, has clarified his support for Aso. 
 
Seiko Noda, minister of state for consumer administration, told a 
Tokyo Shimbun reporter: "I'm honored that my name is mentioned, but 
I will not run in the race. I am calmly watching who will run." 
 
5) LDP presidential election: Local chapters to let party members 
 
TOKYO 00002405  004 OF 012 
 
 
vote in presidential race; Aso set to announce campaign promises on 
the 8th 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) (Abridged slightly) 
September 3, 2008 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on September 2 held a meeting of 
the presidential election board and decided to officially announce a 
presidential election to choose a successor to Prime Minister 
Fukuda, who has announced his decision to step down, and to hold the 
election on the 22nd. Secretary General Aso is expected to formally 
declare his candidacy on the 8th and announce his campaign pledges 
the same day. In the meantime, former Secretary General Hidenao 
Nakagawa of the Machimura faction yesterday indicated his intention 
to field a rival candidate from the stance of following through on 
former Prime Minister Koizumi's structural reform policy. Since 
former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike is showing a desire to run in 
the race, coordination of views will likely be made with the 
possibility of fielding her. Many local chapters have also decided 
to let party members and friends of the party vote in the 
presidential race. 
 
The Aso faction yesterday held a meeting and hastily made 
preparations to field Chairman Aso in the race. 
 
Aso contested with Fukuda in the presidential election last 
September. He took office as secretary general in the shuffle of the 
party leadership this August. Aso has been seen as a potential 
candidate to succeed Fukuda because of his popularity among the 
public. Regarding economic policy, he is known as an advocate of 
positive public spending. 
 
Nakagawa, who takes a different stance from Aso over economic 
policy, yesterday met with a number of persons in Tokyo, including 
former State Minister for Administrative Reform Yoshimi Watanabe, 
who does not belong to any faction, and former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki of the Koga faction. After a series of 
talks, Nakagawa told reporters, "We must field someone from among 
the reformists. We have yet to designate our candidate." He 
presumably made this statement with the fielding of Koike in mind. 
 
Prior to this, Koike told reporters in Tokyo, "It is most important 
for presidential candidates to pursue policy debate." 
 
Some mid-ranking and junior lawmakers are recommending Nobuteru 
Ishihara, former Policy Research Council Chairman, of the Yamasaki 
faction. Others are seeking State Minister for Economic and Fiscal 
Policy Yosano, who gives priority to fiscal reconstruction, to 
announce his bid for LDP presidency. 
 
The LDP presidential election will be contested with 528 votes -- 
304 votes from Lower House members, 83 votes from Upper House 
members, three votes from each local chapter. The General Council 
will formally decide on the 3rd a timetable for the presidential 
election. The party headquarters will accept notifications on 
candidacy for 30 minutes starting on 11:00 a.m. A new president will 
be elected in the voting by Lower and Upper House members and 
representatives of each local chapter at the general assembly of LDP 
lawmakers from both Diet chambers. 
 
6) 22 prefectural chapters back Aso in LDP race 
 
 
TOKYO 00002405  005 OF 012 
 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
September 3, 2008 
 
Kyodo News yesterday conducted an emergency survey of the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party's local chapter executives across the 
nation. The secretaries general and other executives of 22 LDP 
prefectural federations, including the one in Fukuoka Prefecture, 
answered that they would support LDP Secretary General Taro Aso as 
the successor to Prime Minister Fukuda (LDP president). Meanwhile, 
25 LDP prefectural federations-more than half-answered that they 
were undecided, or gave no answer. "All the candidates have yet to 
show up," one of the LDP's Mie prefectural federation said. As seen 
from this response, they are assuming a wait-and-see attitude. 
 
Aso, currently in the post of LDP secretary general, ran for the 
party's presidency in September 2007 and made a good show. He is 
therefore well known among his party's local executives. 
 
Some of the LDP's prefectural federations named Aso as the first and 
foremost candidate but also cited the names of other candidates. One 
LDP local executive in Shiga Prefecture said, "When we think of the 
election for the House of Representatives, it's also good that there 
are two female lawmakers, former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike and 
State Minister for Consumer Affairs Seiko Noda." 
 
"Mr. Aso has been talking about economic issues," a supporter of Aso 
in Ibaraki Prefecture said. Another supporter of Aso in Yamaguchi 
Prefecture said, "He has served in important cabinet ministerial 
posts and the LDP's three top posts, so he's familiar with all 
aspects." 
 
7) 23 LDP prefectural chapters want Aso to become next prime 
minister 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 3, 2008 
 
Following Prime Minister Fukuda's announcement of his intention to 
step down, the Asahi Shimbun interviewed senior members of the 
Liberal Democratic Party's 47 prefectural branches yesterday. Of 
them, 23 chapters expressed hope that Secretary General Taro Aso 
will become the next prime minister. Asked about the appropriate 
timing for the next House of Representatives election, 26 chapters 
cited sometime next spring or afterward, showing that many remain 
cautious about an early dissolution of the Lower House. 
 
Among those that supported Aso are Iwate, Ibaraki, Saitama, Aichi, 
Hyogo, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki. Asked why, some chapter members 
expressed hope for his ability to manage the government, given the 
current politically divided Diet situation. An Ishikawa prefectural 
member replied: "He is winning wide-ranging public support;" and an 
Okinawa chapter member said: "He is capable of demonstrating 
leadership." Focusing on Aso's positive stance about disbursing 
government funds, a Hiroshima chapter member said: "He is expected 
to take measures to buoy up the economy," and a Gifu member 
remarked: "He knows much about local circumstances." 
 
In reply to a question about the timing for the next Lower House 
election, eight chapters, including Nagano, Okayama, and Ehime, said 
that the election should be carried out as soon as possible, with 
some citing sometime during the upcoming extraordinary Diet session, 
as a Fukui member said: "A new prime minister will win high public 
 
TOKYO 00002405  006 OF 012 
 
 
support temporarily." Meanwhile, 12 prefectural branches, including 
Osaka, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, and Kumamoto, mentioned around next April 
or May after the fiscal 2009 budget bill clears the Diet, with a 
Hokkaido member citing this reason: "We would like to see the 
government steadily implement measures to remove public concerns 
next fiscal year, too." As demonstrated by the reply by a Shizuoka 
member that "a sense of distrust in the LDP is strong in local 
areas," 12 prefectural branches, including Aomori, Tokyo, Tottori, 
and Oita, suggested that the election should be delayed until all 
Lower House members' terms of office expire next September. 
 
8) LDP presidential race: Some LDP forces decide to field candidates 
to vie with Aso; Voting set for Sept. 22; Coordination underway for 
prime ministerial election on Sept. 24 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) 
September 3, 2008 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party decided yesterday to formally announce 
the presidential race on Sept. 10 and carry out voting on Sept. 22 
to determine the successor to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who is 
LDP president. Former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who is at 
odds with Secretary General Taro Aso over economic policy, held 
talks with former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, who has expressed a 
willingness to run in the race, former Policy Research Council 
Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara and others. They confirmed that they 
would field a cross-factional candidate to vie against Aso. They 
will begin selection work later this week. 
 
In the wake of the determination of the LDP presidential election 
timetable, the LDP and New Komeito have begun coordination with the 
opposition bloc for convening the next extraordinary Diet session on 
Sept. 24 and immediately carrying out the prime ministerial election 
in the two Diet chambers that day. 
 
Nakagawa said to the press corps: "We must field a successor to the 
Koizumi reform initiative." Besides Koike and Ishihara, Nakagawa 
also met with former Administrative Reform Minister Yoshimi Watanabe 
and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki. 
 
After the series of meetings, Nakagawa said to reporters: "Some 
indicated that we must field a reformist. They stopped short of 
naming any specific names." Nakagawa pointed to a plan to expedite 
coordination for coming up with an appropriate candidate. 
 
Last night, Nakagawa also met with former Prime Ministers Yoshiro 
Mori and Shinzo Abe. 
 
Acting in concert with Nakagawa's move, the young lawmakers' 
cross-factional group called the Project Nihon Fukkatsu (Restoration 
of Japan) confirmed at its meeting last night: (1) to field several 
candidates, and (2) not to turn the presidential election into a 
faction-oriented one. 
 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima yesterday afternoon 
informed the four opposition parties of the ruling coalition's 
decision to retract the initial plan to convene the extra Diet 
session on Sept. 12. 
 
LDP and New Komeito secretaries general, policy chiefs, and Diet 
chiefs met later on to exchange views on a new timetable for 
convening the session and responses to the Diet. They agreed to get 
 
TOKYO 00002405  007 OF 012 
 
 
Diet approval for the supplementary budget, according to an 
attendant. 
 
9) Some LDP forces trying to field candidate, such as Koike, to vie 
with Aso in presidential race 
 
NIKKEI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) 
September 3, 2008 
 
Moves to choose the successor to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who 
announced his resignation yesterday, are now in full swing in the 
Liberal Democratic Party. Secretary General Taro Aso, who has 
announced his candidacy for the LDP presidency, has kicked off an 
effort to win support beyond factional boundaries. Meanwhile, forces 
making a clear distinction with Aso's proactive fiscal-policy line 
have been accelerating moves to field former Defense Minister Yuriko 
Koike to vie with Aso. There is a strong likelihood that Aso and a 
rival candidate will run against each other in the LDP presidential 
election Sept. 22. 
 
Coordination is underway to convene the next extraordinary Diet 
session on Sept. 24. LDP and New Komeito secretaries general and 
others decided yesterday to: (1) discuss coalition talks ahead of 
the prime ministerial election, and (2) discuss a bill extending the 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and a bill establishing a 
Consumer Affairs Agency throughout the LDP presidential campaign 
period. 
 
The LDP Presidential Election Administration Committee met yesterday 
and decided to formally announce the election on Sept. 10 and carry 
out voting and vote-counting on Sept. 22. Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Tadamori Oshima informed the opposition bloc yesterday of a 
decision to postpone the convocation of the extra Diet session, 
initially planned for Sept. 12. The government and ruling coalition 
plan to finish the prime ministerial elections in the two Diet 
chambers and forming the new cabinet on the day the Diet session is 
convened. 
 
Although Aso is still regarded as the front runner in the race, his 
party footing is not rock-solid, for his faction has only 20 
members. The faction has begun calling on party members with the aim 
of garnering the support of at least 20 lawmakers, the number needed 
to stand as a candidate. 
 
General Council Chairman Takashi Sasagawa, appearing on an NHK 
program last night, said: "From a common sense viewpoint, Secretary 
General Aso will be elected." Such members as former METI Minister 
Akira Amari and Fiscal and Economic Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano of 
the Yamasaki faction are also proactively supporting Aso. There are 
expectations for Aso in the New Komeito, as well. 
 
Mid-level and young lawmakers advocating the continuation of the 
Koizumi reform policy course met several times yesterday. Fifteen 
lawmakers attended a night meeting in which they decided to field a 
young candidate against Aso to promote the reform policy. 
 
Former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, a major proponent of the 
theory placing high priority on spending cuts and economic growth, 
met yesterday with Koike in Tokyo, and they analyzed the situation 
in the party. Nakagawa also held talks with former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki and former Administrative Reform 
Minister Yoshimi Watanabe. The group advocating economic growth is 
 
TOKYO 00002405  008 OF 012 
 
 
fixated on fielding its own candidate against Aso, who is eager to 
advance a fiscal policy line, has a power struggle element with an 
eye on the next administration. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura made this comment on a 
TBS program yesterday: "We will not single out any group. We will 
leave the matter to the good judgment of each member." Former Prime 
Minister Shinzo Abe and others are expected to throw their support 
behind Aso. Taking a united action seems difficult for the Machimura 
faction. 
 
Serving as the "face" of the next Lower House election carries 
weight in selecting candidates. There is a move in the Yamasaki 
faction to field former Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru 
Ishihara. But Amari and others in the faction are backing Aso. 
Whether the faction members can rally around Ishihara is still 
uncertain. 
 
Yosano and Consumer Administration Minister Seiko Noda made it clear 
yesterday that they would not run in the race. 
 
10) Lower House most likely to be dissolved for election by year's 
end after compilation of supplementary budget: LDP election on the 
22nd; Move to field Koike seen 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
September 3, 2008 
 
Following Prime Minister Fukuda's resignation announcement, a call 
for dissolving the Lower House for a snap election before year's 
after passage of a supplementary budget bill, which includes a set 
of economic stimulus measures, in the fall extraordinary Diet 
session gained ground in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the 
New Komeito. The LDP has also adopted a timetable for formally 
announcing its presidential election on the 10th and holding the 
election on the 22nd. There is a move to field former Defense 
Minister Yuriko Koike as an opponent to Secretary General Taro Aso. 
 
Commenting on the timing for dissolution of the Lower House, New 
Komeito President Ota, who has called for dissolution of the Lower 
House during the year change period, told reporters on September 2: 
"The ruling parties are responsible for people's lives. We must 
first gain confidence of the people, by firmly realizing a 
comprehensive economic stimulus package." He thus indicated his view 
that it would be desirable to dissolve the Lower House after passage 
of a supplementary budget bill. 
 
Commenting on the timing for dissolution of the Lower House, 
Election Committee Chairman Makoto Koga, who is responsible for 
election affairs in the LDP, on a TV program gave three possible 
cases: (1) at the outset of the extraordinary Diet session; and (2) 
after passage of a supplementary budget bill in the extraordinary 
Diet session. 
 
Secretaries general, policy research council chairmen and Diet 
Affairs Committee chairmen of the LDP and the New Komeito yesterday 
evening met in the Diet and confirmed their stance of giving 
priority to deliberations on a supplementary budget bill in the 
upcoming extraordinary Diet session. The government and the ruling 
parties have agreed on a supplementary budget draft worth 1.8 
trillion yen. The budget bill is certain to obtain Diet approval 
with by a majority vote of members of the ruling parties, because 
 
TOKYO 00002405  009 OF 012 
 
 
priority is given to a decision reached in the Lower House. If the 
Lower House is to be dissolved after that, the following scenario 
can be anticipated: (1) dissolution in October and general election 
in November; or (2) dissolution in November and general election in 
December. 
 
The prime minister has the authority to decide when to dissolve the 
Lower House. However, opinions in the ruling camp are bound to 
affect his decision. Some LDP members take the view that if cabinet 
approval ratings surge as a result of a replacement of the prime 
minister, the prime minister should dissolve the Lower House at the 
outset of the extraordinary Diet session, riding on the back of the 
new cabinet's popularity. In the event that the new prime minister 
sticks to the enactment of a consumer agency establishment law and 
an extension of the law governing the MSDF refueling operation in 
the Indian Ocean, policies inherited from Fukuda, extending the term 
of the extraordinary Diet session would be inevitable. In that case, 
the timing for dissolving the Lower House could be delayed until 
early in the new year. 
 
11) Fukuda refuses impromptu interviews with reporters, saying: "I 
don't want to create useless noise" 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 3, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda announced yesterday through his secretary that 
he would not respond during his remaining term of office to 
impromptu interviews with reporters that have continued every day 
since he became prime minister. Fukuda was quoted as saying: "Since 
I announced my decision to step down, I should not make unnecessary 
noise." 
 
The prime minister has responded to impromptu interviews twice a day 
in principle. Fukuda said that if such emergencies as major 
disasters, incidents, or accidents occur, he will respond to 
questions by reporters. But the group of reporters assigned to the 
Cabinet Office has asked for such interviews to be continued. 
 
In a cabinet ministerial meeting yesterday, Fukuda said: "I would 
like all the cabinet ministers to properly deal with state affairs 
to the end," but he has abandoned his accountability, in a sense. 
 
12) Diplomatic vacuum may be created 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 3, 2008 
 
With Prime Minister Fukuda's abrupt announcement of his decision to 
step down, a vacuum in the diplomatic timetable will inevitably be 
created. The Foreign Ministry has already rescheduled a 
Japan-China-South Korea summit initially set for Sept. 21. It is 
also uncertain whether the Japanese prime minister will be able to 
attend the United Nations' annual assembly for the first time in 
three years. There might also be some effect on Japan's response to 
North Korea and an extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. 
 
On Japan's policy toward North Korea, Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Machimura emphasized in a press conference yesterday: "No matter who 
becomes prime minister, the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by 
North Korean agents will continue to be high on the diplomatic 
 
TOKYO 00002405  010 OF 012 
 
 
agenda." But since North Korea will carefully scrutinize the next 
prime minister's diplomatic approach, a senior Foreign Ministry 
official said: "North Korea might delay the start of reinvestigating 
the abducted as it promised. 
 
13) No prospects in sight for MSDF refueling mission, consumer 
agency 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
September 3, 2008 
 
As a consequence of Prime Minister Fukuda's sudden announcement of 
resignation, there are now no prospects in sight for the Diet to 
pass critical legislation the government had planned to present at 
the forthcoming extraordinary session. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura, meeting the press yesterday 
morning, cited such policy agenda items as a bill revising the new 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law to continue the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, a 
package of bills related to establishing a consumer agency, and the 
supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 featuring a package of economic 
stimulus measures. "Whoever may become prime minister," Machimura 
said, "these policy tasks cannot be avoided." With this, he 
indicated that the Fukuda cabinet's policy of passing these bills at 
the extra Diet session would be handed over to a successor. 
 
In point of fact, however, the government and ruling parties are 
giving priority now to electing Fukuda's successor. The extra Diet 
session, initially scheduled to be called Sept. 12, is now expected 
to be considerably delayed. As it stands, the government and ruling 
parties cannot expect to pave the way for these accomplishing these 
policy tasks. 
 
The MSDF is currently tasked with refueling activities in the Indian 
Ocean under the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which is set 
to run out in January next year. The government plans to introduce a 
bill revising the law to continue the MSDF's refueling mission 
there. However, the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) is opposed to the plan. The New Komeito, the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner, remains reluctant to 
take a second vote in the House of Representatives on the bill to 
override the opposition-dominated House of Councillors' possible 
rejection of it. 
 
"We will continue to emphasize the importance of fighting against 
terrorism and will make efforts to deepen public understanding," 
Defense Minister Hayashi told a press conference yesterday, 
underscoring his stance of trying to obtain cooperation from the 
opposition parties and the public on the government's plan to 
continue the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. 
 
Hayashi was scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates 
in early September, but he has now canceled the meeting in the wake 
of Fukuda's announcement of his resignation. In the scheduled 
meeting, Hayashi was to tell Gates that Japan will continue to 
contribute to the war on terror through the MSDF's refueling 
activities. 
 
The LDP and the New Komeito will hold a meeting of their project 
team today to enter into coordination over the government-planned 
bill to revise the antiterror law. However, it will not be easy to 
 
TOKYO 00002405  011 OF 012 
 
 
close the gap in views between the two parties. 
 
14) DPJ wary of being forgotten 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
September 3, 2008 
 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, which 
is to pick Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's successor, is now certain 
to take place along with the leading opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan's presidential election, which will be officially announced 
Sept. 8 with its voting set for Sept. 21. The LDP and the DPJ will 
now likely hold double elections for their presidencies. DPJ 
President Ichiro Ozawa, however, is expected to be elected for a 
third term unopposed. Some DPJ lawmakers are concerned that their 
party's presidential election might be forgotten if the LDP has a 
presidential race with multiple candidates. However, the DPJ is 
trying to dispel that impression by preparing itself for a snap 
election for the House of Representatives. 
 
Asked about the LDP's presidential election schedule, DPJ Secretary 
General Yukio Hatoyama said yesterday: "They're trying to do it at 
the same time, I think. We can hold our presidential election in a 
calm manner." 
 
There is a sense of crisis among DPJ lawmakers. "All eyes may be on 
the LDP (race) and their (LDP) support rate may go up," said Azuma 
Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ's caucus in the House of Councillors. 
In the DPJ, however, there are no moves to field any other 
candidates against Ozawa. 
 
15) DPJ deprived of opportunities to demonstrate its presence: 
Concern about facing harsh election 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
September 3, 2008 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) intended to go on 
the offensive against the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-New Komeito 
administration in pursuit of early Diet dissolution for a snap 
election. However, it is now certain that President Ichiro Ozawa 
will be elected for a third term without a contest in the 
presidential election to be officially announced on September 8 and 
held on the 21st. The convocation of the next extraordinary Diet 
session will now be postponed until after the LDP presidential 
election. Under such circumstances, the DPJ finds itself in a 
situation where it can only wait and see who wins the LDP 
presidential election. There will be no occasions in the foreseeable 
future for it to be able to make a public appeal regarding its 
political presence. It can only diligently stage campaigns for 
candidates in each constituency. 
 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama on a radio talk show on September 2 
said, "They have chosen a timing that coincides with our 
presidential election." He seemed alarmed that the presence of the 
DPJ might be overshadowed. 
 
As a countermeasure, Hatoyama gave a pep talk to DPJ members, 
noting: "We will start preparing for the election by swiftly 
choosing candidates who will run in the race on the DPJ ticket. The 
Lower House may be dissolved in September." He also indicated that 
if Aso replaced Prime Minister Fukuda, cabinet approval ratings 
 
TOKYO 00002405  012 OF 012 
 
 
might rise, forcing the DPJ to face a tough election. 
 
Public Relations Committee Chair Yoshihiko Noda, who had taken the 
view that the contents of a manifesto for the next Lower House 
election should be strengthened through policy debate, had to give 
up his plan to run in the presidential election since the leadership 
is giving priority to the Lower House election instead of to the 
party's own  election. Some junior lawmakers now regret this move, 
noting that the DPJ should have also held a real presidential 
election. 
 
DPJ lawmakers on the evening of the 2nd made campaign speeches in 
downtown Tokyo. They raised their voices in vain, "You can entrust 
the reins of government to the DPJ." 
 
ZUMWALT