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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002924 
 
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 10/21/08 
 
Index: 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
1) Aso government sighs in relief as bill extending MSDF refueling 
mission in Indian Ocean heads steadily toward passage  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
2) Government considering whether to bear share of expenses of North 
Korea's scrapping its nuclear programs  (Nikkei) 
3) Defense Ministry confirms that a Chinese warship has crossed 
Tsugaru Strait (Nikkei) 
 
4) Prime Minister Aso reiterates desire to pass anti-piracy measures 
law  (Mainichi) 
5) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Policy Council preparing 
legislation to use when in power that would link overseas dispatches 
of SDF to UN resolutions  (Mainichi) 
 
6) Aso states that he will attend the Financial Summit even if the 
Diet is dissolved at that time  (Nikkei) 
 
7) Japan objects to Russia requiring an entry card to visit the 
Northern Territories despite visa-free agreement  (Mainichi) 
 
Political agenda: 
8) Mainichi poll shows 48 PERCENT  of public opposed to lawmakers 
holding "hereditary seats" in the Diet  (Mainichi) 
9) Government and ruling camp with election in mind are planning a 2 
trillion yen tax cut  (Asahi) 
10) War of nerves in Diet centered on whether DPJ President Ozawa 
will agree to party heads debate with Prime Minister Aso  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
11) Senior Vice Minister Kurata's private secretary to be arrested 
soon for scheme involving illegal entry of Filipino women into Japan 
to work in bars  (Asahi) 
 
12) Government setting up committee to consider specifics of 
mid-term target for reduction greenhouse gases  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Aso administration relieved to see passage of refueling bill now 
possible 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 21, 2008 
 
The outlook is that a bill amending the new Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law designed to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean will clear the Diet as early 
as Oct. 30. Under the current divided Diet, the extension of the 
MSDF's refueling operation has been a difficult issue that prevented 
the Abe and Fukuda governments from smoothly managing the Diet. With 
the prospect for the passage of the legislation in sight, many in 
the Aso administration are now feeling greatly relieved. 
 
"Japan's withdrawal will affect all activities (in connection with 
the war on terror). There is no option for Japan to pull out (the 
MSDF from its refueling mission)," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo 
Kawamura categorically said in a meeting yesterday of the House of 
Representatives Antiterrorism Special Committee. 
 
The government has already decided to withdraw by the end of the 
 
TOKYO 00002924  002 OF 008 
 
 
year the Air Self-Defense troops engaged in an airlifting mission in 
Iraq. Therefore, the MSDF's refueling mission would then be Japan's 
only contribution to the war on terror. 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso declared in a policy speech he delivered 
immediately after taking office in September that Japan would 
proactively take part in the war on terror in the future, as well. 
Therefore, the continuation of the refueling mission was seen as an 
international pledge. 
 
2) Government to consider bearing North Korea denuclearization cost 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 21, 2008 
 
It has become clear that the government will consider providing 
funds and technology necessary for North Korea to abolish its 
nuclear facilities. The step follows expectations that the North is 
likely to finish disabling its nuclear facilities before the end of 
the year, and the focus of the six-party talks is now likely to 
shift to how to proceed with abolishment. Japan conditions its 
participation in energy aid to North Korea in return for the 
dismantlement of its facilities on progress on the issue of Japanese 
nationals abducted by the North. The government aims to extend 
assistance for nuclear abolishment by separating the nuclear issue 
from progress on the abduction issue. 
 
The six-party talks are in the second phase requiring the North to 
declare its nuclear programs and disable those facilities. With 
disablement work 70 PERCENT  complete, the talks are likely to enter 
before the end of the year the third phase of dismantling nuclear 
facilities and discarding nuclear weapons and materials. 
 
Based on such developments, the North is certain to seek in the next 
six-party talks that are likely to take place before long the 
completion of the 950,000-ton heavy fuel energy aid in return for 
the end of the second phase. Japan does not intend to join the aid 
program unless there is progress on the abduction issue. But other 
members, such as South Korea, have expressed dissatisfaction. There 
is concern in the government, with one official saying: "Japan might 
be criticized for slighting the nuclear issue by fixating on the 
abduction issue." 
 
The government's decision to consider extending financial and 
technological assistance for the North's nuclear abolition at this 
point in time comes from its intent to prevent from Japan becoming 
isolated in the six-party talks. The step is also intended to apply 
pressure to the North by bearing part of the expenses necessary for 
dismantling and scrapping its nuclear facilities. 
 
The amount to be borne by Japan will be finalized in the future. 
There is a view, however, that Tokyo will for the time being aim at 
16 billion yen, which corresponds to Japan's share of the 
950,000-ton energy aid. The government thinks that bearing part of 
the nuclear abolition costs, which is distinct from direct 
assistance to the North, is easy to obtain public understanding from 
a security perspective. 
 
3) Chinese warships spotted in Tsugaru Strait, according to Defense 
Ministry 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00002924  003 OF 008 
 
 
October 21, 2008 
 
The Defense Ministry announced yesterday that four Chinese warships, 
including a destroyer and a top-of-the-line frigate, had been 
navigating in the Sea of Japan about 37 kilometers from the headland 
of Tappizaki in northern Aomori Prefecture. The Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) patrol plane P3C spotted the ships 
around 17:00 on Oct. 19. The four vessels passed through the Tsugaru 
Strait into the Pacific Ocean. The ministry says that Chinese 
warships were spotted in the Tsugaru Strait for the first time. 
 
The four vessels were on the high seas, so the navigation does not 
come under the violation of territorial waters. The Joint Staff 
Office is carefully watching the moves of the Chinese Navy, as its 
member said: "The Chinese Navy has been active recently. The Navy 
has expanded operations by its vessels, including submarines, in 
waters around the continent to the Pacific Ocean." 
 
The MSDF plane spotted the frigate ship and a supply ship off 
Tsushima on the 17th. The destroyer and another frigate are believed 
to have made a goodwill visit to Russia. 
 
4) Aso willing to create new law against piracy 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso attended a meeting of his ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party's executives yesterday, in which he voiced his 
willingness to consider creating a new law allowing Maritime 
Self-Defense Force vessels to escort merchant ships as a measure to 
deal with pirates off Somalia in the eastern part of Africa. 
 
However, the LDP deems it difficult to draw up a bill. Aso is 
apparently aiming to rock the leading opposition Democratic Party, 
which has been out of step within itself over its security policy. 
DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Masayuki Naoshima indicated 
in a meeting yesterday of the House of Representatives Special 
Committee on Antiterrorism and Iraq Assistance that the DPJ would 
not agree for the time being to hold talks with the ruling parties. 
 
5) DPJ eyes legislation after taking office to allow Japan to use 
force overseas if there is U.N. resolution 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
In connection with sending the Self-Defense Forces overseas, 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa has been 
asserting that the Self-Defense Forces may use force overseas if 
there is a resolution from the United Nations. In this regard, DPJ 
Policy Research Committee Chairman Masayuki Naoshima stated before 
the House of Representatives Special Committee on Antiterrorism and 
Iraq Assistance in its meeting yesterday that the DPJ would set 
about working in that way if it takes office. With this, Naoshima 
indicated that the DPJ would substantially change the government's 
current constitutional interpretation by going through necessary 
legislative measures after a change of government. 
 
According to the government's conventional interpretation of 
Constitution Article 9, the SDF is not allowed to use force 
overseas. There are deep-seated cautious arguments even within the 
 
TOKYO 00002924  004 OF 008 
 
 
DPJ about allowing the SDF to use force overseas even if there is a 
U.N. resolution. Naoshima also stated, "This necessitates public 
support and neighboring countries' understanding, and we will make 
an overall judgment (as to whether to dispatch SDF troops 
actually). 
 
6) Aso: "I will definitely attend global summit on financial crisis 
even if Lower House is dissolved before it" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso expressed his determination yesterday to 
attend an emergency summit on the global financial crisis to be held 
in the U.S. in November. Based on his stance of placing emphasis on 
the economy, Aso as the prime minister of the current chair of the 
G-8 summit has judged it necessary to be positively involved in the 
international efforts to contain the crisis although his 
participation in the summit will make the schedule for his planned 
election of the House of Representatives in November tighter. But it 
is uncertain whether Japan will be able to take the leadership in 
producing positive results. 
 
Asked by a reporter yesterday whether his participation in the 
summit would have some effect on his judgment on Lower House 
dissolution, Aso replied: 
 
"There will be no effect at all. I will attend without fail 
regardless of whether the Lower House is dissolved before the summit 
or not. ... The U.S. will be in a political vacuum after the 
presidential election. Japan as the second major economic power must 
resolutely address the crisis." 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a press conference 
yesterday: 
 
"It is necessary for Japan, which successfully contained its 
economic crisis, to tell other countries about what it had 
experienced, both successful and failed experiences. Japan will play 
a central role in helping all the participant countries cooperate 
and overcome the ongoing crisis." 
 
It is hard to say, however, that Japan is taking a central role as 
of now. Aso had previously expressed his eagerness to host a 
financial summit, with the idea once floating of holding one at 
Narita Airport, which is easily accessible for state leaders, but 
the plan fizzled out. 
 
Kawamura explained in the press conference: "We do not care about 
the condition of being easy of access for state leaders," adding: 
"Japan is still determined to play a key role as the G-8 chair. That 
direction remains unchanged." 
 
An aide to the prime minister said: "Even if Japan is unable to 
assume leadership, it will be fine if the summit on the financial 
crisis produces achievements. That will work to our advantage in the 
November Lower House election." But market players will evaluate 
achievements with stern eyes. The summit might end up just 
disappointing the markets. It is unpredictable whether the outcome 
of the summit would work to the ruling camp's advantage in the 
election. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002924  005 OF 008 
 
 
The summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is 
scheduled for Nov. 22-23. This event will also make the schedule for 
the election on Nov. 30 tighter. A government source said: "Prime 
Minister Aso will have left Japan for more than one week, including 
the days needed for traveling." 
 
A junior Liberal Democratic Party member grumbled: "I want the prime 
minister to visit as many electoral districts as possible during the 
campaign period, rather than attending international conferences." 
But Aso, who is set to opt for international conferences, will be 
pressed to produce achievements on both economic and political 
fronts. 
 
7) Japan reacts to Russia's possible proposal for visitors to 
Northern Territories to submit immigration cards 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 21, 2008 
 
In a press conference in Nemuro city, Hokkaido, yesterday, Vladimir 
Nosov, the diplomatic representative of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the 
Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Japanese visitors to the 
Northern Territories are highly likely to be asked to submit 
immigration cards starting next year. Now, visa-free visits are 
allowed for Japanese visitors under bilateral agreements. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura fiercely reacted to Nosov's 
remark, saying: "The Russian government has not made such a 
proposal. Even if the proposal is made, we cannot accept it." 
 
8) Poll: 48 PERCENT  opposed to hereditary seats in the Diet, 44 
PERCENT  see "no problem" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged) 
October 21, 2008 
 
Public opinion is split over the "hereditary seats" (second and 
third generation Diet members) held by Diet members in a recent 
telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey conducted by the 
Mainichi Shimbun on Oct. 18-19, with 48 PERCENT  saying Diet members 
holding hereditary seats should be avoided and 44 PERCENT  saying 
there is no problem because voters elected them. No answer accounted 
for 9 PERCENT . 
 
Among those who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, 
negative answers accounted for 36 PERCENT , with affirmative ones 
reaching 54 PERCENT . Among those who support the leading opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), negative answers totaled 59 
PERCENT , with affirmative ones at 36 PERCENT . As seen from the 
figures, the results were almost opposite. Among those who support 
the New Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, 37 PERCENT  were 
negative, with 50 PERCENT  affirmative. Voters with no particular 
party affiliation coincided with the general trend. 
 
Among those opposed to the hereditary of Diet membership, the Aso 
cabinet's support rate was 25 PERCENT , with its nonsupport rate at 
55 PERCENT . The results can be taken to reflect bitter attitudes 
toward the Aso cabinet since 12 of its 18 ministers are hereditary 
Diet members. Among those in favor of hereditary, the Aso cabinet's 
support rate was 48 PERCENT , with its nonsupport rate at 30 PERCENT 
. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002924  006 OF 008 
 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso and DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa are both 
hereditary Diet members. In the survey, respondents were asked which 
one between Aso and Ozawa would be more appropriate for prime 
minister. Among anti-hereditary respondents, Aso marked 28 PERCENT , 
with Ozawa at 22 PERCENT . "Neither" accounted for 48 PERCENT . 
Among pro-hereditary respondents, Aso (52 PERCENT ) overwhelmed 
Ozawa (15 PERCENT ). 
 
9) Generous treatment with upcoming general election in mind: 
Government, ruling parties accept New Komeito's request for 2 
trillion yen worth of fixed-sum tax cut 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
October 21, 2008 
 
The government and the ruling parties have decided to adopt a 2 
trillion yen fixed-sum tax cut, a policy tool that will serve as the 
showcase of a new economic stimulus package. Portions of reserves 
for interest rate fluctuations earmarked in the special account will 
be used to finance the tax break. Attaching importance to 
cooperation with the New Komeito with the next Lower House election 
just ahead, the LDP has thus accepted its request that the size of 
the tax break should be more than 2 trillion yen. It intends to put 
up this policy as one of its election pledges. 
 
The fixed-sum tax break deducts the same amount from income and 
local taxes regardless of taxpayers' annual income. The outlook is 
that if the ruling parties continue to have reins of government 
after the general election as well, they would compile a second 
supplementary budget that incorporates the fixed-sum tax cut and a 
fiscal 2009 budget within December and submit them to the regular 
session of the Diet next year. 
 
The New Komeito's President Ota has called for a tax cut of 65,000 
yen for a four-member family, with the total tax cut for the nation 
amounting to 2 trillion yen. However, some LDP members had been 
skeptical of the economic effects of such a policy, comparing it to 
pork-barrel spending, and prefer to curtail the scale by setting an 
income limit. 
 
The prime minister wants to call the new economic stimulus package 
living-cost countermeasures. He gave top priority to measures for 
average citizens when he ordered to compile the new package on the 
16th. His aim is to impress the government's stance of attaching 
importance to average citizens, by adopting a fixed-sum tax cut that 
is generous enough for tax payers to actually feel the benefits of 
the tax break. At the same time, he aims at smoothening relations 
with New Komeito in the upcoming election, by fully complying with 
its request. 
 
10) Psychological war between LDP, DPJ: Will Ozawa attend party-head 
debate? 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) have been engaging in a war of nerves over whether to hold a 
one-on-one debate between Prime Minister Taro Aso and DPJ President 
Ichiro Ozawa. The LDP, which hopes to take advantage of such a 
party-head debate to bolster the party's strength ahead of the next 
House of Representatives election, has proposed holding a debate on 
 
TOKYO 00002924  007 OF 008 
 
 
Oct. 29, but the DPJ, which has sought a commitment for an early 
Lower House dissolution from Aso, has placed its decision on hold. 
 
In a meeting yesterday with his DPJ counterpart Kenji Yamaoka, LDP 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima referred to the 
largest opposition party's refusal of the LDP's proposal for holding 
a party-head debate on Oct. 22. Oshima said: "There was a media 
report showing that Mr. Ozawa appeared on a program along with a 
female entertainer. I would like him (to hold a debate with Aso) on 
the 29th." 
 
Behind the LDP's attempts to force the DPJ to agree to a debate, the 
party hopes to get an advantage in the next Lower House election by 
demonstrating Aso's political ability. 
 
A senior DPJ official said: "Mr. Ozawa has said that he will hold it 
anytime." The largest opposition party has yet to accept the LDP's 
proposal, however. Yamaoka said: "We prefer the dissolution of the 
Lower House to a ceremonial party-head debate." This is the DPJ's 
position. Ozawa has told his aides: "When the election starts, there 
will be debates that are similar to a party-head debate every day." 
The acceptance of a one-on-one debate between Aso and Ozawa is a 
just tool for the DPJ to urge Aso to dissolve the Lower House 
quickly. 
 
A party-head debate was held only twice this year between then Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Ozawa. A debate between Aso and Ozawa has 
not been realized. If Ozawa continues to refuse, it might give the 
impression that he is reluctant to hold a debate with Aso. 
 
11) Kurata's former secretary to be arrested today on suspicion of 
assisting illegal work 
 
ASAHI (Page 35) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
The Shizuoka Prefectural Police have decided to arrest possibly 
today a 59-year-old former government-paid secretary to Senior Vice 
Internal and Communications Minister Masatoshi Kurata, 69, a Liberal 
Democratic Party member representing the Lower House proportional 
representation Tokai bloc. The secretary will be charged with 
suspicion of violating the Immigration Control Law in connection 
with Filipino women working in bars without entertainment visas 
under the pretext of appearing in charity concerts. 
 
The case avoided scrutiny because the work was allegedly for charity 
purposes. The regulations have been tightened in line with the 
international trend of protecting human rights. The case is now 
escalated into a criminal investigation into the former secretary to 
the lawmaker. 
 
The prefectural police believe that the former secretary has 
effectively run the Future Charity Executive Committee that 
guaranteed the status of Filipino women when they entered Japan on 
short-stay visas. They also suspect he had received remunerations by 
devising a set of system to dispatch those women to connected 
entertainment establishments. 
 
In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, the former secretary said 
that he had received 200,000 yen per bar, while admitting that he 
devised the whole system. The prefectural police have recognized 
similar facts through interviews with persons concerned. Filipino 
 
TOKYO 00002924  008 OF 008 
 
 
women who have been indicted on charges of violating the Immigration 
Control Law have told investigators that they were promised to be 
paid after returning to their country. Based on this statement, the 
police have concluded that the former secretary has helped them work 
illegally in Japan. 
 
The United States placed Japan on the Tier 2 Watch List in its 
(2004) Trafficking in Persons Report. With the country coming under 
fire as a breeding ground for human trafficking, the Justice 
Ministry has tightened the requirements for issuing entertainment 
visas. The Foreign Ministry responsible for short-stay visas has 
also tightened the immigration checks on young Filipino women. 
 
Under such circumstances, the Future Charity has since spring 2007 
brought Filipino women into Japan on 90-day short-stay visas, which 
are the same as the tourist visas, instead of entertainment visas, 
on the pretext of appearing in charity concerts in the wake of the 
(2006) landslide disaster on Leyte, the Philippines. The group has 
dispatched such women to a concert held by the Philippine Embassy, 
as well as to five bars, including those in Shinjuku's Kabukicho 
district. 
 
12) Greenhouse gas emissions cut: Mid-term goal study committee to 
be set up 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
October 21, 2008 
 
The first meeting of the Council on Global Warming during the Aso 
administration was held on October 20 at the Kantei. Participants 
decided to set up a study committee consisting of researchers and 
others with the aim of setting a mid-term goal of cutting greenhouse 
gas emissions to be achieved by 2020 or 2030. They also confirmed a 
policy of implementing an emissions trading system on a trial basis 
before the end of October, starting recruiting participating 
companies as early as the 21st. 
 
At the outset of the meeting, the prime minister noted, "It is 
important for Japan to lead the world in creating a low-carbon 
society. Measures to combat global warming could become an 
investment in the future." He indicated his desire to continue 
former Prime Minister Fukuda's package of proposals for measures to 
combat global warming (Fukuda Vision) and facilitate measures that 
uses Japan's strengths, such as energy-saving technology. 
 
The government decision to set up the mid-term goal study committee 
as the panel's subcommittee is apparently a reflection of Aso's 
decision to continue the Fukuda policy line. Former Bank of Japan 
Governor Toshihiko Fukui, who is versed in the management of the 
economy, has been picked for the chairmanship. 
 
The government plans to reveal the mid-term goal, the major focus of 
attention in talks on an international framework for 2013 and beyond 
(post-Kyoto Protocol). At the meeting, it presented several targets 
using a sector-specific approach for reducing greenhouse gases, a 
method Japan has proposed. The cost needed to achieve the goal was 
also worked out. A similar method will be adopted for cost 
calculations for the U.S., European countries and emerging 
countries, such as China. 
 
SCHIEFFER