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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 003065 
 
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 11//08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Aso Cabinet's non-support rate, at 41.9 PERCENT , now greater 
than support rate of 40.5 PERCENT  in latest Yomiuri poll  (Yomiuri) 
 
 
Politics and defense: 
2) ASDF top brass Tamogami fired for writing published essay 
justifying Japan's wartime aggression, glorifying former Imperial 
Japanese Army  (Mainichi) 
3) Tamogami's essay opposing government's official positions on past 
wartime acts raises question of civilian control  (Mainichi) 
4) Ex-ASDF chief's essay drawing fire even from SDF members 
(Yomiuri) 
5) Democratic Party of Japan to call for former ASDF chief to appear 
as witness before the Diet  (Yomiuri) 
6) Tamogami incident likely to adversely affect the passage of the 
bill extending the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
(Mainichi) 
7) Former ASDF chief Tamogami retires from the Self-Defense Forces 
two years earlier than ordinarily scheduled  (Yomiuri) 
8) Until the end, Tamogami was unapologetic, showed no regret for 
his controversial historical essay  (Yomiuri) 
 
9) Another blow to Aso government ahead of trilateral summit 
(Mainichi) 
 
10) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to call on Japan to designate on 
its own North Korea as a "terrorist state"  (Sankei) 
 
11) Prime Minister Aso has tightly packed diplomatic schedule 
(Nikkei) 
 
12) Japanese government intent on establishing contacts with the 
camp of Obama, assuming that he will win the U.S. president race 
(Mainichi) 
 
13) Prime Minister Aso to express intention to hold a second 
financial summit hosted this time by Japan  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
14) State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Yosano expects 
step-by-step increase of consumption tax to 10 PERCENT  around 2010 
if economy recovers  (Mainichi) 
 
Election: 
15) LDP's Hidenao Nakagawa blasts Prime Minister Aso for delaying 
the dissolution of the Diet and a snap election  (Asahi) 
16) DPJ head Ozawa expects Diet dissolution after fall  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Poll: Cabinet support rate sags to 40.5 PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The rate of public support for Prime Minister Aso's cabinet dropped 
5.4 percentage points from last month to 40.5 PERCENT , the Yomiuri 
Shimbun found from its telephone-based nationwide public opinion 
survey conducted Nov. 1-3. The nonsupport rate rose 3.3 points to 
41.9 PERCENT . The Aso cabinet's nonsupport rate topped its support 
rate about a month after its inauguration. 
 
TOKYO 00003065  002 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
 
Aso has indicated he would not dissolve the House of Representatives 
and forgo a general election for the time being in order to 
fast-track measures to deal with the impact on Japan's economy of 
the current financial crisis from the United States. In the survey, 
respondents were asked if they appreciated this. In response to this 
question, 56 PERCENT  answered "yes," with 33 PERCENT  saying "no." 
However, when asked about the Aso cabinet's response to the 
financial crisis, affirmative answers accounted for no more than 42 
PERCENT , with negative answers at 46 PERCENT . 
 
Aso has also announced an additional package of economic stimulus 
measures, including a plan to pay across-the-board flat benefits 
adding up to 2 trillion yen. Asked about this flat-rate payment, 
"yes" came from only 38 PERCENT , with "no" at 56 PERCENT . 
Meanwhile, 56 PERCENT  appreciated a plan to lower expressway tolls, 
with 37 PERCENT  negative. 
 
Aso has further indicated that he would raise the consumption tax in 
three years, making it a precondition to carry out administrative 
reform and turn the nation's economy around. Asked about this, "yes" 
came from 42 PERCENT  and "no" from 51 PERCENT . 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 32.4 PERCENT , down 6.3 points 
from last month. The leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) was at 23.4 PERCENT , down 0.9 points from last month. In 
the public's proportional representation choice of a political party 
in the next election for the House of Representatives, the LDP 
scored 32 PERCENT , with the DPJ at 31 PERCENT . The LDP sustained a 
substantial drop of 7 points, and the DPJ down 1 point. 
 
2) Government dismisses ASDF chief of staff over essay denying 
government view of Japan waging war of aggression 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
November 1, 2008 
 
It was learned yesterday that Gen. Toshio Tamogami, the Air 
Self-Defense Force (ASDF) chief of staff, had written an essay in 
which he stated: "It is certainly a false accusation to say that our 
country was an aggressor nation." This view deviates from the 
successive governments' position on Japan's wartime history, as 
represented by a 1995 statement by then Prime Minister Tomichi 
Murayama apologizing for Japan having inflicted damage on Asian and 
other countries through its colonial rule and aggression. The 
government has interpreted that the Constitution of Japan bans the 
use of the right to collective self-defense. The essay also 
criticizes this interpretation as mind-controlled by the judgments 
in the Tokyo Trial. In reaction, the government dismissed Tamogami 
last night. 
 
In a contest of essays, the essay Tamogami had submitted won a first 
prize. The original essay and its English translation were posted on 
the Internet yesterday. 
 
In a press conference held at the Defense Ministry last night, 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada stated: "He publicized his view 
significantly different from the government's current position on 
Japan's wartime history. It is not appropriate for an ASDF chief of 
staff to do so." ASDF Deputy Chief of Staff Shigeru Iwasaki will 
serve as acting chief of staff. 
 
TOKYO 00003065  003 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
 
In reference to the Sino-Japanese War, he notes in the essay: "Our 
nation, which was drawn into the war by Chiang Kai-shek, was a 
victim." He then justifies Japan's colonial rule, saying that people 
in Manchuria and on the Korean Peninsula were "released from 
tyrannical rule owing to the efforts made by the Japanese government 
and Imperial Army. Their living standard was remarkably improved." 
He concludes: "Many Asian countries have positively evaluated the 
Greater East Asia War. It is certainly a false accusation to say 
that our country was an aggressor nation." 
 
Citing the restrictions placed under the government's interpretation 
of the Constitution on the use of the right to collective 
self-defense, as well as the use of weapons, Tamogami notes: 
"Self-Defense Force troops have been hedged round with restrictions. 
As long as they are released from the mind-control, our nation will 
never be able to establish a system to protect itself on its own." 
 
3) Commentary: Civilian control called into question 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 1, 2008 
 
Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami, the ASDF's 
top leader, has been sacked for his recent writing of an essay that 
conflicts with the government's view. This could undermine civilian 
control of the Self-Defense Forces. Meanwhile, the Diet has been 
divided, with the ruling parties holding a majority in its lower 
chamber and the opposition parties dominating its upper chamber. 
Such a parliamentary situation has stagnated decision making. If 
this has caused civilian control to deteriorate, the situation is 
serious. The whole nation should seriously review relations between 
politics and the SDF. 
 
"If they sound as if to say politics is doing nothing, that's the 
same as the February 26 incident, which was a coup pulled off by a 
group of officers in the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army." With 
this, Agriculture Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was previously 
defense minister, voiced concern in the wake of Tamogami's sacking 
about SDF officers unapologetically asserting their own standpoints 
over matters that successive cabinets have handled carefully. 
 
In the 21st century, however, the SDF is at a major turning point, 
changing from an entity that exists only for deterrence to an entity 
that actually functions. Some say the ASDF's top officer went out of 
control because political governance has failed to catch up with 
change. 
 
Tamogami has aroused criticism resulting from his outspoken words. 
 
Satoshi Morimoto, formerly with the ASDF and currently teaching at 
Takushoku University, says: "One who is straightforward from his 
younger days is much appreciated within the organization, and that 
person climbed the ladder to the ASDF chief of staff post. That is 
probably because his opinion was taken as correct." So saying, 
Morimoto indicated that the essay was intended to speak for the 
ASDF. 
 
Indeed, the greater part of the SDF's uniformed officers have been 
calling for "discussions in the political arena" over what is 
incorporated in the essay, which focused in particular on collective 
self-defense, which is prohibited according to the government's 
 
TOKYO 00003065  004 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
current constitutional interpretation, and guidelines for the use of 
weapons or the so-called rules of engagement (ROE). The SDF has been 
on overseas missions continuously in the Indian Ocean and Iraq. 
Meanwhile, it is also true that SDF officers on overseas missions 
have faced ambiguities about the government's constitutional 
interpretation, and they are strongly calling for changing the 
government's constitutional interpretation. 
 
Politics, in order for it to display governance, should keep an eye 
on the SDF, of course, and should sincerely face security debate. 
Otherwise, the SDF brass will likely continue to raise questions 
about politics. 
 
4) Ex-ASDF chief's essay drawing fire even from SDF members 
 
YOMIURI (Page 38) (Excerpts) 
November 1, 2008 
 
Gen. Toshio Tamogami, the Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff, was 
dismissed yesterday over his essay that included inappropriate views 
on Japan's wartime history and future options for the Self-Defense 
Force (SDF). Tamogami was known for speaking frankly. Even SDF 
members have voiced criticism of the contents of the essay for 
significantly deviating from the views of successive Japanese 
governments and the SDF's principle of civilian control. 
 
Defense Minister Nakasone, who decided to dismiss Tamogami, gave a 
press conference at the Defense Ministry starting at 10:00 and said, 
looking grim: "I think he expressed his own view, but I wanted him 
to take his position into consideration." 
 
Tamogami is known for his cheerfulness and unique words and deeds. 
He was popular among his subordinates, as one commented: "He 
brightened the atmosphere in the ASDF Staff Office." In executive 
meetings, he offered his candid views, favorably received even by 
uniformed personnel. But his remarks sometimes gave rise to 
controversy. 
 
The essay includes such sensational expressions as: "Japan, which 
fought the Greater East Asia War, won a high reputation"; and 
"Compared with other countries' troops, SDF troops have been bound 
firmly hand and foot." On this essay, one SDF member commented: 
"They are what (he) has said from before"; and another said: "That's 
how he is." An ASDF unit chief appeared shocked by the dismissal of 
Tamogami, remarking: "He always spoke for SDF members without 
currying favor with those around him." But another senior SDF member 
lamented: "China and South Korea will unavoidably react fiercely. 
When considering his position, I cannot understand what he did." 
 
5) DPJ to take offensive in dealing with ex-ASDF chief problem by 
demanding his Diet testimony as unsworn testimony 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
November 2, 2008 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the largest opposition party, 
on Nov. 1 strengthened its criticism of the government over its 
dismissal of Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) Chief of Staff Toshio 
Tamogami over a controversial essay denying Japan waged a war of 
aggression against other Asian countries before and during World 
War, which is against the government's position. There is a view 
that the issue will unavoidably have an impact on deliberations in 
 
TOKYO 00003065  005 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
the House of Councillors on a bill amending the new Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law, although the government has aimed at an early 
enactment of the legislation. 
 
In an outdoor speech the same day in Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, 
DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama stressed: "If Prime Minister 
Taro Aso thinks that the issue has resolved with the dismissal, it 
would be a big mistake. We will strongly pursue it in the Upper 
House." Referring also to the fact that Tamogami stated he was not 
concerned about the Nagoya District Court's ruling in April that 
part of the ASDF's activities in Iraq was unconstitutional, Hatoyama 
criticized the then government's response, saying: "(The government) 
should have taken (the situation) more seriously." 
 
Azuma Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ caucus in the Upper House, also 
underscored in a street corner speech in Fuji-Kawaguchiko Town, 
Yamanashi Prefecture, on Nov. 1: "We would like to pursue the 
responsibility of the prime minister." 
 
The DPJ intends to pursue such points as Tamogami's personal view of 
history, the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), and 
Tamogami's failure in reporting (to the government) on the release 
of his essay in view of civilian control. 
 
The Upper House Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, which is now 
deliberating on the new antiterrorism bill, plans to summon persons 
related to the Afghan situation to testify as unsworn witnesses. 
Although the ruling coalition aims to take a vote on the bill on 
Nov. 6, the DPJ intends to seek Tamogami's testimony as an unsworn 
witness. Keiichiro Asao, defense minister of the shadow cabinet of 
the DPJ, said: "It is necessary for our party to show how it deals 
with the matter in order to prevent a recurrence." He indicated in 
his remark that the DPJ would not respond to a vote-taking unless 
the government present preventive measures. 
 
6) DPJ demand for intensive deliberations on dismissal of ASDF chief 
over controversial essay likely affect deliberations on refueling 
bill 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 2, 2008 
 
Gen. Toshio Tamogami was dismissed yesterday as Air Self-Defense 
Force (ASDF) chief of staff over his essay contradictory to the 
government's current position on Japan's wartime history. In 
reaction to the controversial essay, the Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) has launched an offensive, with Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama claiming: "It is impermissible for the top ASDF chief to 
release a statement denying Japan's responsibility for the war." The 
main opposition party is poised to call in a meeting of the House of 
Councillors' Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for intensive 
deliberations to ask about Prime Minister Taro Aso's historical 
views and pursue Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada's supervisory 
responsibility. With this development, uncertainty is looming larger 
over the fate of a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean. 
 
In a street-corner speech in Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, 
yesterday, Hatoyama emphasized: "(The essay) makes Asian countries 
worried about Japan's future actions." Regarding the Nagoya High 
Court's ruling that the Air Self-Defense Force's airlift operation 
 
TOKYO 00003065  006 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
in Iraq was unconstitutional, Tamogami had said: "I don't care." 
Also taking up this controversial remark, Hatoyama commented: "The 
government should have taken it more seriously." In an interview 
with the Mainichi Shimbun, Azuma Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ's 
caucus in the Upper House, said: "The problem will not end just with 
his dismissal." Party executives in their meeting on Nov. 4 are 
expected to discuss how to deal with this issue. 
 
7) Defense Ministry announces former ASDF Chief of Staff Tamogami's 
mandatory retirement in rare move 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The Defense Ministry said on Nov. 3 that Toshio Tamogami, who had 
been dismissed as Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff over a 
controversial essay on World War II and other events, retired from 
the ministry as of Nov. 3. The ministry made the rare move in the 
judgment that a slow decision might have a negative impact on Diet 
deliberations in the following week. 
 
The ministry extended Tamogami's mandatory retirement until Nov. 30. 
But because he did not submit his letter of resignation, the 
ministry considered disciplinary action. The ministry seems to have 
tried to bring the matter to a close in a hurry because the 
procedures could drag on and also because the major opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan was set to grill the government at the 
Diet. 
 
An SDF officer's mandatory retirement age differs depending on post 
and rank. The ASDF chief of staff is required to retire at the age 
of 62. With his dismissal as ASDF chief of staff, Tamogami became a 
lieutenant general, whose mandatory retirement age is 60. At the 
point of the dismissal, Tamogami was already 60, along with 14 other 
lieutenant generals. 
 
A person reaching mandatory retirement is entitled to receive tens 
of million of yen in retirement allowance. A senior SDF officer 
criticized Tamogami, saying: "He should have tendered his 
resignation. What he did is not appropriate for a person who served 
in the top post." 
 
8) Tamogami offers no apology or reflection 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
Former ASDF Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami held a press conference 
in Tokyo last night. In the session, Tamogami indicated that he 
would not retract his argument, insisting: "(What I wrote in my 
essay) was not wrong," and, "Japan was not an aggressor." 
 
Clad in a suit instead of the uniform he has worn for the last 37 
years, Tamogami started off the press conference by reading out 
something titled "My view on my retirement." He did not offer an 
apology or reflection for throwing the Defense Ministry and the 
Self-Defense Forces into turbulence. 
 
The former ASDF chief repeated his argument that the perception that 
Japan was a bad country must be corrected. He said: "Japan has been 
under the spell of it being an aggressor nation under the postwar 
education system, and that has resulted in the loss of national 
 
TOKYO 00003065  007 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
confidence and the morale of the SDF personnel." Tamogami also said 
with a serious expression to incumbent SDF personnel: "They should 
take action by prioritizing the state and the people over their own 
matters at all times." 
 
Asked about the fact that his essay contradicts the government's 
view, Tamogami said in a strong tone: "If one is not allowed to 
rebut the government's view, that is same as North Korea." Tamogami 
also indicated that he would accept his 3 million yen prize money. 
The major opposition Democratic Party is set to demand Tamogami's 
Diet testimony. The former ASDF chief indicated that he would 
respond to such a call of the DPJ. The press conference ended in a 
little over 20 minutes. 
 
9) Another blow to Aso government ahead of trilateral summit 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
November 1, 2008 
 
The government has sacked Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff 
Tamogami over his controversial essay. Prime Minister Aso and his 
administration, now being driven to deal with the global financial 
crisis's impact on Japan and the nation's ailing economy, will 
likely get into a scrape. It will not only affect Diet deliberations 
on a bill amending the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law for 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's extended refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean but will also call the Aso administration's historical 
perception into question. Japan, China, and South Korea are 
scheduled to hold a summit meeting of their leaders in December, and 
Aso will host the trilateral summit. But the event this time can be 
taken as pouring cold water on him. 
 
10) DPJ abduction panel proposes additional sanctions on North 
Korea, including independently designating the North as 
terror-sponsor and imposing embargo 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan's abduction issue taskforce, chaired 
by former Justice Minister Hiroshi Nakai, unveiled on November 2 a 
draft of additional sanctions on North Korea, produced in response 
to a lack of progress on the abduction, nuclear and ballistic 
missile issues. The sanctions include severe steps against North 
Korea, such as Japan independently designating the North as a state 
sponsor of terrorism, a ban on re-entry into Japan by North Korean 
residents, a total ban on exports and cash transfers to the North, 
and a freeze on assets held by North Korea-related organizations in 
Japan. The DPJ is expected to formally adopt the additional 
sanctions at its abduction taskforce officers meeting on Nov. 5. 
 
The draft sanction measures were compiled by taskforce secretary 
general Shu Watanabe and his deputy Jin Matsubara at the instruction 
of Nakai. The set of sanction measures consists of 14 articles in 
four areas: people, goods, money, and others. Most of them can be 
implemented under existing legislation. What makes this set of 
proposals unique is that it is designed to allow Japan to 
independently designate North Korea as a terror-sponsor. In response 
to Pyongyang's clear intent to ignore Japan following the U.S. 
delisting of the North as a state sponsor of terrorism, the 
additional sanctions are designed to demonstrate Japan's severe 
stance. The measures also include a step to expand the scope of the 
 
TOKYO 00003065  008 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
ban on re-entry into Japan that is limited to North Koreans in Japan 
with a status of North Korean authorities. 
 
Currently, financial sanctions are imposed only in cases connected 
with missile and weapons of mass destruction programs. The 
additional sanctions are designed to implement: (1) a total ban on 
money transfers to North Korea and DPRK-connected bank accounts and 
financial institutions; (2) a ban on transactions between financial 
institutions in Japan and North Korea and DPRK-related 
organizations; and (3) a freeze on assets held by North Korea and 
DPRK-connected organizations in Japan. The aim is to isolate North 
Korea financially by banning transactions between foreign financial 
institutions doing business with North Korea and Japanese financial 
institutions. 
 
11) Prime Minister Aso has tightly packed diplomatic schedule 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 1, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso will focus on holding summits with the top 
leaders of other countries, since he has decided to delay a 
dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap election. He 
has a tightly packed diplomatic schedule, including the trilateral 
summit of Japan, China and South Korea. He is also enthusiastic 
about cooperating with other countries in dealing with the global 
financial crisis. However, a rocky path lies ahead for internal 
politics due to the divided Diet. Whether Aso will be able to score 
big gains through his diplomacy is uncertain. 
 
On Oct. 24 in Beijing where he was visiting to attend the summit of 
the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Aso said in an interview with a 
local TV station: "Friendship is a means, but the purpose is to 
produce mutual benefits and build a reciprocal relationship. We must 
not confuse the means with the end." His view is that the bilateral 
relationship will be stabilized by actual benefits rather than by 
friendship. 
 
"Chinese leaders have welcomed" Aso's position, according to a 
source connected with Japan-China foreign policy. In the summit of 
the top leaders of Japan and China on Oct. 24, Chinese President Hu 
Jintao broached a specific issue that the Japanese side had not 
expected, saying: "I would like to hear the prime minister's view on 
the international financial crisis." 
 
The summit of the Group of Twenty (G-20) on the global financial 
crisis, which will take place in Washington on Nov. 15, will be the 
climax of Aso's diplomatic schedule. In his meetings with top Asian 
leaders, the financial crisis will inevitably be a major issue, as 
well. 
 
A senor Foreign Ministry official predicted: "Compared with Europe 
and the United States, the damage to Asian countries is smaller. 
However, we will need to come up with measures in the future." 
 
Aso intends to put forward actual results rather than the abstract 
goal of "strengthening friendship" in his meetings with top Asian 
leaders. A government official said: "The prime minister may 
advocate the idea of improving the framework of emergency 
coordination on monetary policy." 
 
12) Japanese government makes contact with persons close to Obama 
 
TOKYO 00003065  009 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 3, 2008 
 
Taking the stand that Japan and the U.S. have a mature relationship, 
the Japanese government views that regardless of whether Republican 
Sen. McCain or Democratic Sen. Obama becomes the president of the 
U.S., there will be no major changes in U.S. policy toward Japan, 
according to a senior Foreign Ministry official. However, there are 
slight differences between the two candidates when it comes to Asia 
diplomacy. 
 
McCain takes a clear stand of giving priority to U.S. allies. This 
is similar to PM Aso's position of working with countries that share 
the same values as those of Japan in terms of democracy and the 
market economy. 
 
Obama, who has on his team of advisors such Japan experts as the 
Defense Department Japan Desk chief during the Clinton 
administration, characterizes the Japan-U.S. alliance as the base of 
his Asia diplomacy. However, he at the same time advocates the 
building of a security system also involving China. Regarding North 
Korea diplomacy, he has come up with a strong stance of attaching 
importance to dialogue. In this regard, there is a clear difference 
between Obama and PM Aso, who is leaning toward strengthening 
pressure on North Korea over the abduction issue. 
 
One government source said, "We can easily imagine Mr. McCain 
walking shoulder to shoulder with the prime minister. However, since 
the specific policy Mr. Obama will come up with is unclear, we 
cannot envisage what relationship he will build with the prime 
minister." 
 
The Japanese government has started making contact with U.S. 
presidential candidates' advisors from around January this year 
during the Fukuda administration. As Obama became a strong 
candidate, the Foreign Ministry invited Obama's advisors to a 
seminar in Washington in October. Senior officials exchanged views 
with them in an effort to create a personal network. 
 
Aides to the prime minister are also considering holding a meeting 
with the president-elect. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura 
told a press conference on October 27, "Whether it is possible to 
hold such a meeting in terms of the political schedule is an issue 
we must bear in mind." He thus indicated the government's intention 
to look into the possibility of the prime minister meeting with the 
president-elect in Washington at the financial summit on November 
¶15. 
 
13) Financial summit: Prime minister to sound out concerned 
countries about holding second round in Japan as early as before 
year's end 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top Play) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The emergency summit (financial summit) is to be held in Washington 
on the 15 in order to deal with the global financial crisis. The 
government on November 3 decided to sound out concerned countries 
about the idea of holding the second round in Japan as early as 
before year's end. The decision is in response to Prime Minister 
Aso's strong wishes. The government indents to enter into 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
coordination of a specific schedule and specifics of topics, by 
dispatching special envoys to related countries as early as next 
week. 
 
Participants during the Washington summit will examine progress in 
efforts to tackle the financial crisis. The will aim to reach an 
agreement on reform principles that are needed for the prevention of 
a recurrence of the crisis and future prosperity. They will map out 
specific measures, based on those principles after the second round 
on. Mid- to long-term challenges, such as the way the International 
Monetary Fund (IMF) should be, will also likely be on the agenda. 
 
In the wake of the financial crisis, Prime Minister Aso on October 
10 told reporters that he is ready to host the financial summit in 
Japan. He also conveyed this intention to U.S. President Bush during 
a telephone conversation with him. However, the president announced 
in a join statement with President Sarkozy of France, the EU 
presidency holder, after their talks, that the first meeting would 
be held in the U.S. 
 
The joint statement noted that the financial summit would be held 
several times. As such, Japan as the chair of the Group of Eight 
major nations summit meeting, has decided to hold the second round 
in Japan. 
 
However, the outlook is that even if Japan is to hold the financial 
summit, it will be in mid- or late December at the earliest after 
the ASEAN-plus-3 (Japan, China and South Korea) meeting to be held 
in Thailand on December 16-17, or early next year. 
 
14) Consumption tax to be raised to about 10 PERCENT  by around the 
mid-2010s, says State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy 
Yosano 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 3, 2008 
 
In connection with Prime Minister Aso's statement on a hike in the 
sales tax in three years' time, State Minister for Economic and 
Fiscal Policy Hajime Yosano during an NHK TV talk show on November 2 
said, "State finances will go bust unless the consumption tax is 
raised in stages to 10 PERCENT  by around the mid-2010s." He thus 
indicated his perception that it is necessary to raise the 
consumption tax rate by more than 5 PERCENT  in stages in order to 
stably finance the social security system, once economic conditions 
improve. 
 
Concerning the flat-sum benefit payment system, a policy included in 
the package of additional economic pump-priming measures, Yosano 
said, "The government will pay benefits to all households that are 
entitled to livelihood support." He thus once again stressed his 
stance of looking into the policy with the possibility of exempting 
high income earners from the list of those who are eligible for such 
benefits. 
 
However, since Yosano's plan will make paperwork complicated, New 
Komeito Secretary General Natsuo Yamaguchi took a cautious stance: 
"The government's goal is to implement that policy within the 
current fiscal year. There must not be a delay." 
 
15) DPJ President Ozawa on Internet video site: "Lower House will be 
dissolved in fall or later" 
 
TOKYO 00003065  011 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//08 
 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2008 
 
Appearing on an Internet video site yesterday, Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa pointed out that Prime Minister 
Taro Aso's biggest chance was to dissolve the House of 
Representatives at the outset of the extraordinary Diet session in 
late September. Ozawa then revealed his perception on a Lower House 
dissolution, saying: 
 
"Mr. Aso will have to accept calls from the people that he should 
listen to them. There is a possibility that a general election will 
be held in the fall or at the beginning of the next regular session 
early next year." 
 
He appeared on the Niko Niko video site, which is popular among 
young people. 
 
16) LDP's Hidenao Kanagawa criticizes postponement of Lower House 
dissolution 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
In a speech delivered yesterday in Fukushima City, Hidenao Nakagawa, 
former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP), criticized Prime Minister Taro Aso's decision to put off a 
dissolution of the House of Representatives. Nakagawa stated: "The 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may submit a no-confidence motion 
(against the prime minister) by putting up do-or-die resistance. In 
the worst-case scenario, the Aso administration might fall into the 
same trap as the Abe and Fukuda governments." Regarding a 
consumption tax hike in three years, which Aso announced, Nakagawa 
said: "Before making a roadmap for a tax increase, he should come up 
with a roadmap for the things he should do before increasing the 
consumption tax." 
 
SCHIEFFER