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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 002934 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 10/21/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Mainichi) 
 
(2) Poll on general election, MSDF Indian Ocean refueling, extra 
budget (Asahi) 
 
(3) Aso, Bush agree in telephone conversation on cooperation on 
financial crisis summit (Mainichi) 
 
(4) Financial crisis -- what should be done now? Japan Business 
Federation Chair Fujio Mitarai calls for boosting domestic demand, 
staving off political vacuum (Nikkei) 
 
(5) Editorial: Concern over Obama's foreign policy (Nikkei) 
 
(6) Editorial - DPJ's change in refueling operations issue is 
welcomed (Nikkei) 
 
(7) Editorial: Japan should assume international role in combating 
piracy by using MSDF vessels (Sankei) 
 
(8) Interview with DPJ Deputy Secretary General Akihisa Nagashima on 
North Korea; Removal of North Korea from terror blacklist hurt U.S. 
(Yomiuri) 
 
(9) DPJ has changed (Sankei) 
 
(10) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(11) EDITORIALS 
 
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, October 20 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 20, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female) 
 
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 36 (45) 36 35 
No 41 (26) 46 36 
Not interested 21 (27) 17 25 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 16 
(15) 17 16 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
33 (42) 32 35 
Because there's something friendly about the prime minister 21 (20) 
21 22 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 22 (16) 24 20 
 
TOKYO 00002934  002 OF 013 
 
 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 26 
(29) 33 17 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
13 (10) 11 16 
Because there's something imprudent about the prime minister 16 (21) 
17 16 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 42 (36) 39 47 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
 T P M F 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 24 (28) 23 25 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 27 (22) 34 21 
New Komeito (NK) 5 (4) 3 7 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) 3 3 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (2) 2 2 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) 0 0 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) 0  0 -- 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 1 -- 
Other political parties 2 (1) 2 2 
None 36 (37) 32 40 
 
Q: Who do you think is more appropriate for prime minister between 
Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa? 
 
 T P M F 
Prime Minister Aso 40 (42) 37 42 
DPJ President Ozawa 18 (19) 22 14 
Neither is appropriate 40 (30) 40 40 
 
Q: Which one between the LDP and the DPJ would you like to see win 
in the next election for the House of Representatives? 
 
 T P M F 
LDP 36 (41) 33 39 
DPJ 48 (37) 57 39 
Other political parties 12 (11) 9 15 
 
 
Q: If an election were to be held now for the House of 
Representatives, which political party will you vote for in your 
proportional representation bloc? 
 
 T P M F 
LDP 25  25 24 
DPJ 38  48 28 
NK 6  4 8 
JCP 4  3 5 
SDP 2  3 2 
PNP 0  1 0 
RC --  -- -- 
NPN 0  1 -- 
Other political parties 1  2 1 
Don't know 23  15 30 
 
Q: Which form of government do you think is desirable? 
 
 
TOKYO 00002934  003 OF 013 
 
 
 T P M F 
The current coalition government of the LDP and the NK 12  12 12 
A grand cooperative coalition of the LDP and the DPJ 30  25 34 
The LDP's single-party government 8  10 6 
A DPJ-led coalition government 25  29 21 
The DPJ's single-party government 9  13 6 
A government led by political parties without the LDP and the DPJ 7 
6 8 
 
Q: Prime Minister Aso is fast-tracking economic stimulus measures 
over dissolving the House of Representatives for a general election. 
Do you appreciate this attitude? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 43  44 43 
No 50  53 47 
 
Q: The DPJ has approved the government's supplementary budget for 
economic stimulus measures and is calling for dissolving the House 
of Representatives at an early date. Do you appreciate this 
attitude? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 44  52 37 
No 47  44 50 
 
Q: Do you support the government's plan to continue the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean for 
foreign naval vessels? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 47  54 40 
No 43  42 43 
 
Q: The government has presented a bill to the Diet for establishing 
a new body called the Consumer Affairs Agency. Do you think its 
establishment will lead to resolving food safety issues? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 37  35 38 
No 55  61 49 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "0" indicates that 
the figure was below 0.5 PERCENT . "--" denotes that no respondents 
answered. "No answer" omitted. Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of the last survey conducted Sept. 24-25. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Oct. 18-19 over the 
telephone across the nation on a computer-aided random digit 
sampling (RDS) basis. A total of 1,540 households with one or more 
eligible voters were sampled. Answers were obtained from 1,044 
persons (68 PERCENT ). 
 
(2) Poll on general election, MSDF Indian Ocean refueling, extra 
budget 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 15, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage, rounded off.) 
 
 
TOKYO 00002934  004 OF 013 
 
 
Q: Do you consider much about economic measures when voting for a 
political party or a candidate in the next general election for the 
House of Representatives? 
 
Yes 90 
No 5 
 
Q: Do you consider much about the new healthcare insurance system 
for the elderly when voting for a political party or a candidate? 
 
Yes 76 
No 20 
 
Q: Do you consider much about the issue of the government's pension 
record-keeping flaws when voting for a political party or a 
candidate? 
 
Yes 75 
No 21 
 
Q: The Self-Defense Forces is currently tasked with such backup 
activities as refueling U.S. and other foreign naval vessels 
operating in the Indian Ocean to fight terrorism. The Diet is now 
deliberating on a bill to continue the SDF activities there. Do you 
think the SDF should continue its activities in the Indian Ocean? 
 
Yes 42 
No 42 
 
Q: The Diet is now deliberating on a supplementary budget. In 
addition to this, there is an opinion insisting that the government 
should compile a large-scale extra budget by issuing 
deficit-covering bonds. Do you support the idea of issuing 
deficit-covering bonds to boost the nation's economy? 
 
Yes 24 
No 56 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Oct. 11-12 over the 
telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
Respondents were chosen from among the nation's voting population on 
a three-stage random-sampling basis. Valid answers were obtained 
from 1,040 persons (60 PERCENT ). 
 
(3) Aso, Bush agree in telephone conversation on cooperation on 
financial crisis summit 
 
MAINICHI ONLINE (Full) 
1:41 p.m., October 21, 2008 
 
By Hirohiko Sakaguchi 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso talked with U.S. President George W. Bush on 
the phone for about 10 minutes this morning. The telephone talks 
took place at the request of the United States. The two leaders 
agreed for the two countries to cooperate for bringing success to 
the emergency summit of the leaders of the Group of Eight and 
emerging economies to discuss a response to the financial crisis 
possibly in early November in the United States. 
 
President Bush strongly asked for Prime Minister Aso's attendance, 
indicating that he would host the summit as soon as possible after 
 
TOKYO 00002934  005 OF 013 
 
 
the U.S. presidential election. Aso conveyed his intention to attend 
the summit to Bush, saying: "I welcome President Bush's active 
initiative for bringing stability to the world economy and financial 
markets. Japan promises that it will exhibit the leadership as the 
chair of the G-8 summit this year." 
 
It has been decided that the United States would play a central role 
in determining the time, venue, and participating countries. 
 
(4) Financial crisis -- what should be done now? Japan Business 
Federation Chair Fujio Mitarai calls for boosting domestic demand, 
staving off political vacuum 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
-- The Japanese economy is beginning to falter, triggered by the 
financial crisis gripping the U.S. and Europe. 
 
"The recovery of the Japanese economy has lasted for over five 
years, backed by vigorous foreign demand due to the global economic 
boom. It is no longer possible for Japan to depend on foreign demand 
due to this financial crisis. We must prevent the economy from 
slipping by taking measures aimed at expanding domestic demand." 
 
Focus of measures should be on tax cuts 
 
"First of all, I want the government to cut the income tax as a 
measure to stimulate the economy. It is necessary to return 2 
trillion yen altogether to those whose annual income is less than 5 
million yen. The government should also consider a tax cut for 
households with children. The second measure needed is to boost a 
home acquisition incentive tax system. The housing market can become 
a driving force for consumption. I want to see the housing loan tax 
cut extended, after being improved, including raising the upper 
limit of loans from the current 20 million yen to 30 million yen." 
 
-- What about corporate tax cuts? 
 
"I want to propose an investment tax cut. Investment into facilities 
related to the manufacturing of energy-saving equipment should be 
eligible for such a tax cut. I also want special treatment for 
investments that will lead to technical innovation. For instance, 
regarding a R&D promotion tax system, if the upper limit of tax 
exemption is raised from the 20 PERCENT  of the amount of the 
corporate tax to 30 PERCENT  and a carry-forward period is extended, 
companies would be revitalized. Further, as a measure to revitalize 
the securities market, the preferential tax system applied to stock 
transfer gains and dividends should be extended. It is feared that 
small- and medium-size companies in regional areas could face credit 
crunches. It is, therefore, important to take measures to help such 
companies manage their funds." 
 
-- When do you think the economy will recover? 
 
"Basically, economic recovery requires the recover of housing 
demand. I had expected that the demand would recover in the second 
half of next year. However, you cannot rule out the possibility of 
the sluggish demand becoming protracted. Many Japanese 
export-oriented companies will suffer a decline in income and 
earnings. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002934  006 OF 013 
 
 
"The sales of products for family use, such as digital cameras, tend 
to be determined by economic conditions. Though sales in emerging 
countries are solid, those in industrialized countries are losing 
steam. We cannot expect much from this Christmas season. At a time 
of such an economic emergency, I strongly want to ask the government 
from the perspective of the public not to create a political vacuum 
until the compilation of the fiscal 2009 budget is completed." 
 
-- What measures does the Japanese economy need? 
 
"Japan expedited structural and regulatory reforms after the 
collapse of the asset-inflated bubble economy as a joint effort of 
government and private sector. The Japanese economy has at last 
become solid due to private companies' corporate restructuring 
efforts -- the settlement of three surpluses -- plants and 
equipment, inventory and personnel. However, although the impact of 
the financial crisis on the Japanese economy is smaller, compared 
with other countries, financial institutions' competitiveness is 
still falling behind. It is essential for companies to nurture a 
healthy financial market and maintain business structure that can 
endure strenuous effort to strengthen competitiveness." 
 
-- Where do you think the cause of the financial crisis can be 
found? 
 
"The U.S. economy has rapidly grown since the 1990s in the 
information and communications area, centered on the financial and 
soft-contents industries. The U.S. created products using 
state-of-the-art financial engineering. To me, who worked in the 
U.S. in the 1980s, it appeared that the U.S. financial system was 
revitalized with the creation of an investment-type financing. 
However, as a result of excessive money supply to the housing 
market, the financial market, which was based on a precondition that 
housing prices would follow a steady ascending path, collapsed at 
one stroke. It is safe to say that there were problems about 
inspection and rating systems." 
 
Decline in U.S. position 
 
-- In an unprecedented move, an emergency summit will be held, also 
involving emerging countries. 
 
"The financial system turmoil has abated after the G-7 meeting held 
in Washington. The emergency summit would become a venue for 
participating countries to vow to protect the world from a financial 
failure, using every measure. International cooperation will become 
necessary in injecting public money into financial institutions and 
protecting bank deposits, though each country will make a different 
approach." 
 
-- What will become of the U.S. after the crisis? 
 
"Its relative position is bound to fall. The world will explore a 
cooperative system involving emerging countries, and the U.S. will 
also hope that way. In my view, it will review or strengthen 
regulations, based on a reflection on the financial crisis this 
time." 
 
(08102103yk) Back to Top 
 
 
(5) Editorial: Concern over Obama's foreign policy 
 
TOKYO 00002934  007 OF 013 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 18, 2008 
 
After the third presidential TV debate, Democratic candidate Barack 
Obama has the upper hand. Amid the financial crisis, all eyes are on 
economic issues in the ongoing presidential race. The Democratic 
Platform contains some points that worry Japan. We would like to 
express our concern to the Obama camp. 
 
The platform notes that the United States is committed to 
maintaining strong relationships with its allies like Japan, 
Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines and "must also 
forge a more effective framework in Asia that goes beyond bilateral 
agreements, occasional summits, and ad hoc diplomatic agreements." 
This is the same as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's idea of 
turning the Six-Party Talks into a security arrangement. 
 
This contains some problems. The Japan-U.S. alliance might be made 
relative and eventually be reduced to a mere shell. The idea even 
looks like a repeat of the 1920s in which the Anglo-Japanese 
Alliance disappeared under the multilateral Washington System. There 
is no need to discuss what followed the abrogation of Anglo-Japanese 
Alliance. 
 
The Japan-U.S. alliance today corresponds to the Anglo-Japanese 
Alliance of those days. It is the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy 
and functions as the stabilizer in the Asia-Pacific region. The 
Obama camp members who wrote "a framework that goes beyond bilateral 
agreements" probably just wanted to make a new proposal attracting 
much attention in the ongoing race. A platform is not an academic 
paper, however. 
 
Some might think that a bilateral alliance can be compatible with a 
multilateral regime. But the Six-Party Talks since February 2007, 
for example, have clearly rocked the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
The United States has given consideration to China, the chair of the 
Six-Party Talks, and has become reconciliatory to North Korea. If 
the Japanese public reacts negatively to the delisting of (North 
Korea) as a state sponsor of terrorism, it would erode the 
foundation of the Japan-U.S. alliance. If the Six-Party Talks become 
an institutionalized organization, this trend might continue. 
 
If maintaining and enhancing the Japan-U.S. alliance serves the 
interest of the two countries, it is not correct to seek the United 
States alone to make efforts. Has Japan made efforts? For instance, 
a U.S. bipartisan report (Armitage-Nye Report), produced eight years 
ago, urged Japan to change its constitutional interpretation of the 
right to collective self-defense. Japan has yet to change its 
interpretation. 
 
(6) Editorial - DPJ's change in refueling operations issue is 
welcomed 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 19, 2008 
 
Substantive deliberations began at the Lower House on the proposed 
legislation to extend the refueling operations by the Japan Maritime 
Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean.  In an attempt to achieve an 
early dissolution of the Diet, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
 
TOKYO 00002934  008 OF 013 
 
 
reversed its traditional policy of intensive resistance and the 
proposed legislation reportedly will be enacted by the current Diet 
session.  In spite of controversy that exists, the DPJ's "change" 
does not need to be criticized as long as it allows the refueling 
operations to be continued. 
 
The divided Diet with the opposition party members making up a 
majority at the Upper House virtually brought down two 
administrations, Abe's and Fukuda's, which had called for extending 
the refueling operations.  This was attributed to the DPJ remaining 
stubbornly opposed to the extension and exhaustively resisting it. 
As a result, refueling operations were forced to be halted for 
almost four months starting last November. 
 
The DPJ lowered its flag this time reportedly as a result of a 
political trade-off in return for an early dissolution.  This may 
have caused DPJ supporters to feel betrayed, and such could affect 
the result of the general election for the Lower House.  The 
decision was probably made based on a calculation of such a risk. 
However, the DPJ is consistent in that the decision is a tactic 
aimed at bringing about dissolution of the Lower House. 
 
If the DPJ continued with its total resistance and the refueling 
operations were expected to stop, Prime Minister Taro Aso would have 
dissolved the Lower House, using the (cancelled refueling 
operations) as a campaign issue and questioning the DPJ's competency 
to hold the reins of government.  Considering that to be 
disadvantageous, the DPJ probably decided to avoid such a 
situation. 
 
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa's unique argument is difficult to 
understand because he acknowledges the importance of the war on 
terror in Afghanistan but opposes the refueling operations in the 
Indian Ocean, while approving the deployment of the Ground 
Self-Defense Force (to mainland Afghanistan).  If the theory is 
directly applied, the DPJ, as well, could hardly ever reach an 
agreement.  The decision to avoid the refueling operations becoming 
a bone of contention was made by a pragmatic judgment in a political 
context with an eye on the general election around the corner. 
 
We hope to see the DPJ morph into a political party that is capable 
of making practical judgments from a political standpoint.  However, 
this does not mean that this issue can be set aside in the next 
general election for the Lower House. 
 
(7) Editorial: Japan should assume international role in combating 
piracy by using MSDF vessels 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 18, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso expressed a positive view about the 
possibility of sending Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) ships to 
pirate-infested waters off Somalia, Africa, as an anti-piracy 
measure. 
 
In the waters, more than 20 ships, including tankers, from Japan and 
other countries have suffered damage from attacks by pirates since 
early this year. For Japan, which depends on the Middle East region 
for 90 PERCENT  of its crude oil demand, sea lane defense is 
especially vital. The international community has actively taken 
steps to combat piracy. It would be significant if Japan 
 
TOKYO 00002934  009 OF 013 
 
 
participates in joint international efforts. 
 
It is a matter of course for countries to guard their tankers and 
ships. But such a duty has not been assigned to the MSDF. It is an 
unfortunate reality that Japan has to rely on other countries even 
for guarding its vessels. 
 
To make it possible for Japan to independently eliminate acts of 
piracy, the government must promptly close the loopholes in relevant 
laws. We frankly welcome the prime minister's expression of 
eagerness to address the piracy problem. 
 
In a meeting of the House of Representatives' Antiterrorism Special 
Committee to deliberate on a bill amending the New Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law to continue the MSDF's refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) member Akihisa 
Nagashima said: "Guarding (commercial freighters and other vessels) 
by MSDF vessels will be considerably effective as an anti-piracy 
measure." In response, Aso said: "That is a very good proposal. We 
will positively look into the possibility." 
 
DPJ member Keiichiro Asao also stressed that the defense minister in 
the shadow cabinet should consider new legislation that includes a 
provision to allow MSDF vessels to guard other countries' ships. It 
is regrettable to see the DPJ opposing the government's plan to 
continue the refueling mission, but it is significant that the party 
brought up the issue of what role Japan should play in combating 
piracy. 
 
Aso said: "We will study the possibility, including what legal 
problems stand in the way of the proposed MSDF vessels' anti-piracy 
mission." Even while recognizing the necessity of permanent 
legislation for Japan's international peace cooperation, the ruling 
and opposition camps have yet to map out specific measures. 
 
We expect the Liberal Democratic Party and the DPJ to be specific 
about how Japan should be involved in the international anti-piracy 
efforts and to reach an agreement on permanent legislation. 
 
The refueling bill is likely to clear the Diet by the end of this 
month with the ruling coalition's override vote in the Lower House. 
 
The international community has actively worked to combat piracy, as 
seen from the European Union's (EU) decision in a meeting of defense 
ministers on Oct. 1 on a plan for vessels from 10 countries, 
including France, Britain, and Germany to patrol on the high seas 
off the coast of Somalia. 
 
The UN Security Council has also adopted a resolution urging states 
to deploy naval vessels to actively join the fight against piracy. 
Japan, as a cosponsor, should assume a role in maintaining peace and 
stability in the world. 
 
(8) Interview with DPJ Deputy Secretary General Akihisa Nagashima on 
North Korea; Removal of North Korea from terror blacklist hurt U.S. 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
I can't appreciate the U.S. government's decision to remove North 
Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.  It ultimately 
gave a reward to North Korea, which had "blackmailed" (the U.S.) by 
 
TOKYO 00002934  010 OF 013 
 
 
halting the disabling of its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon and 
damaged the credibility of U.S. diplomacy.  The U.S., facing a 
financial crisis and bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan, made the 
decision (to de-list) apparently in order not to be saddled with 
more problems.  My impression is that a shadow has been cast on the 
structure of unipolar domination by the U.S. 
 
Although there is a view that the removal is merely symbolic, North 
Korea apparently intends to use it as the first step to call for 
loans from other countries and international agencies.  President 
Bush criticized Clinton's conciliatory approaches to North Korea at 
the time of the change in administration, but now in the last days 
of his own presidency, he is doing the same thing.  This has 
revealed the difficulty of comprehensively resolving the issues of 
nuclear weapons, abduction, and missiles. 
 
Japan is the only county among the participants of the six-party 
talks with leverage that can move North Korea.  Japan should 
demonstrate by its action, such as independently designating North 
Korea as a state sponsoring terrorism, that this issue cannot be so 
easily solved, and then make its appeal to the international 
community. 
 
Japanese diplomacy is now in a very difficult phase, being treated 
lightly for its opposition to the removal.  Some in the government 
and ruling camp believed that the U.S. would help Japan on the 
abduction issue because of Japan's refueling activities in the 
Indian Ocean, but North Korea was removed from the terrorism 
blacklist just when it became highly likely that the refueling 
mission would be continued.  The U.S.-Japan relationship is not in 
such a poor give-and-take status.  Japan must demonstrate how much 
value it has as a U.S. ally. The time has come to rebuild the 
U.S.-Japan relationship in a comprehensive way. 
 
Interviewed by Shoji Minami 
 
(9) DPJ has changed 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
It had been the practice for the opposition parties to boycott Diet 
deliberations in an attempt to drive the government and ruling 
parties into a corner. However, the main opposition Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ) is now desperately trying to move ahead with 
deliberations. 
 
The DPJ approved the 2008 supplementary budget and bills-related to 
the extra budget. It reportedly will tolerate the continuation of 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean, as well as the nomination of a deputy governor of the Bank of 
Japan. 
 
The largest opposition party appears to have changed itself into a 
party which approves everything, although it used to be called as a 
party similar to the former Japan Socialist Party, which opposed 
everything. 
 
Regarding a bill amending the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law 
that would allow the MSDF to continue its refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean, the DPJ initially accepted the procedure of swiftly 
passing the bill by a two-thirds lower chamber overriding vote. The 
 
TOKYO 00002934  011 OF 013 
 
 
DPJ, however, still opposes the legislation. 
 
Last year, the DPJ took a strategy of putting the bill on the 
backburner in the opposition-controlled House of Councillors. 
Consequently, the term of the MSDF's mission expired and supply 
ships had to return home. Since 60 days are required to take a 
second vote in the Lower House, an extraordinary session was 
extended, going straight through the New Year. 
 
Although the DPJ opposed the refueling mission as unconstitutional, 
it will actually go along with it. How we should view this change in 
the DPJ, which has recognized that the refueling operation is an 
important issue. 
 
The DPJ aims to take over the reins of government in the next Lower 
House election. I wonder whether the DPJ will have supply ships 
return home if it sits in the seat of power. It means that a 
precondition for political change is to maintain the consistency in 
basic foreign and security policy. 
 
If Japan sends and then withdraws supply ships, it will be 
definitely exposed to the ridicule of the international community. 
Although there is a view supporting the refueling mission in the 
LDP, the view is contained by one word from President Ichiro Ozawa. 
 
The fact that the LDP entrusted Ozawa with a decision on whether to 
approve the government-drafted budget remains questionable. It makes 
sense to make a decision at the top decision-making organ after 
going over debate in the party. With the first full-fledged election 
to choose an administration drawing closer, I am concerned about 
whether the DPJ is democratically managed. 
 
(10) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Financial crisis overshadows China as "world's factory" 
 
Mainichi & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Ruling camp eyes 2 trillion yen worth of fixed-amount tax cuts 
 
Yomiuri: 
Government downgrades monthly assessment as economy weakens further 
 
Nikkei: 
JFE to build blast furnace in Southeast Asia by 2012 by investing 
500 billion yen 
 
Sankei: 
South Korea Acquiring real properties one after another in Tsushima 
City 
 
Akahata: 
Diet panel passes refueling bill based on agreement between 
coalition camp, DPJ after only two days of deliberations 
 
(11) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) More substantial debate needed for refueling bill 
(2) Crooked accounting: Public distrust growing in local 
governments 
 
 
TOKYO 00002934  012 OF 013 
 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Refueling bill: Perfunctory discussions disappoint us 
(2) Dishonest accounting of state subsidies: Governors urged to 
reflect seriously and carry out thorough investigations 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Financial summit should send clear-cut message to overcome 
crisis 
(2) Monthly economic report: Economy has already weakened 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) World leaders must present roadmap to contain financial crisis 
at summit 
(2) China should give priority to boosting domestic demand 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Open up new road for global financial system at emergency 
summit 
(2) Local governments' crooked book-keeping: Problem also lies in 
budget-allocation method 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Local governments' accounting irregularity tantamount to theft 
of public money 
(2) Chinese economy begins to slow down, changing structure of 
development 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Additional economic measures: Support not major companies but 
people's livelihoods 
 
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, October 20 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 21, 2008 
 
07:31 
Had a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama. 
 
09:57 
Paid respects at the grave of former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, 
his grandfather, at Minami-aoyama. 
 
10:19 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
11:27 
Attended with his wife Chikako the ceremony to celebrate the 
Empress' birthday at the Imperial Palace. 
 
14:54 
Met Foreign Ministry Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau 
Director-General Sato at the Kantei. 
 
15: 05 
Met LDP Youths Bureau head Inoue, followed by Ocean Policy Research 
Foundation Chairman Akiyama. 
 
16:01 
Met representatives of six local organizations, including Chairman 
Aso of the National Governors Association. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002934  013 OF 013 
 
 
17:00 
Attended an LDP executive meeting. Met Secretary General Hosoda, 
Upper House Caucus Chairman Otsuji, and Upper House Diet Affairs 
Committee Chairman Suzuki. Otsuji stayed on. 
 
17:46 
Attended a monthly economic ministers' meeting. 
 
18:52 
Attended a global warming meeting. 
 
20:06 
Met Taro-kai members, including Internal Affairs and Communications 
Minister Hatoyama, at a Hotel Okura banquet hall. 
 
21:18 
Met a secretary at a Hotel Okura bar, joined in by Hatoyama, Deputy 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike, Justice Minister Mori and others. 
 
23:03 
Returned to his private residence. 
 
SCHIEFFER