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P 040812Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2384

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 003070 
 
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 11//08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Opinion poll shows unaffiliated voters fleeing LDP, but not 
flowing into the DPJ; Sense of impasse regarding both parties 
(Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Ruling coalition concerned about plunge in public approval rate 
for Aso cabinet in Yomiuri poll (Yomiuri) 
 
(3) When will Lower House be dissolved? Four possibilities afoot: 
around Christmas, at beginning of next regular Diet session, in 
tandem with Tokyo assembly election, or Lower House members serve 
out their term (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) DPJ to adopt economic stimulus measures on Nov. 5: Stressing 
differences from government plan in giving priority to public good 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(5) Main statements by former ASDF Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami in 
press conference; Country not allowing rebuttal is same as North 
Korea (Sankei) 
 
(6) Government eyes yen loans in fiscal 2009 to Vietnam to assist 
space-development project (Nikkei) 
 
(7) METI to streamline procedures for goods traded with EPA nations 
(Nikkei) 
 
(8) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(9) EDITORIALS 
 
(10) Prime Minister's schedule, November 3 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Opinion poll shows unaffiliated voters fleeing LDP, but not 
flowing into the DPJ; Sense of impasse regarding both parties 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
In the Yomiuri Shimbun poll carried out Nov. 1-3, together with the 
decline in the support rate for the cabinet of Prime Minister Taro 
Aso, a sudden drop in those who support the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP) also was striking. However, it appears that those who are 
deserting the LDP are not going over to the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ). Instead, they seem to be joining the ranks of the 
unaffiliated voters. In addition, those who called for a "new 
framework by political realignment" and "a grand coalition between 
the LDP and DPJ" have now reached a majority of eligible voters. 
Much of the electorate seems to be beginning to feel frustrated with 
the lack of choice between the two major parties, the LDP and the 
DPJ. 
 
Looking at the changes in support to political parties since the 
inauguration of the Aso government, the rates in Sept. and Oct. put 
the LDP on top (with 37.4 PERCENT  and then 38.7 PERCENT ). Those 
with no party preference (mutouhasou) were in second place (with 
26.3 PERCENT  and then 26.5 PERCENT ). In third place (with 22.8 
PERCENT  and then 24.3) was the DPJ. In the latest election, the LDP 
dropped sharply to 32.4 PERCENT , while the unaffiliated voters 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
jumped to 33.O PERCENT , the top of the list. The DPJ stayed more of 
less the same at 23.4 PERCENT . 
 
Similarly, when asked about who they would vote for in the upcoming 
Lower House election's proportionate slate, the LDP was preferred by 
32 PERCENT  (down 7 points from the Oct. survey), while the DPJ was 
chosen by 31 PERCENT  (down 1 point), and another 24 PERCENT  were 
undecided (an increase of 9 points). On the question of who was more 
appropriate to be prime minister, Prime Minister Aso or DPJ 
President Ichiro Ozawa, Aso received 50 PERCENT  (down 6 points) and 
Ozawa's support was 22 PERCENT  (down a point). There seems to be as 
sense of blockage or impasse here, with voters feeling that although 
they had tired of politics centered on the LDP, they did not have 
the desire to directly support the DPJ either. 
 
On what would be the desirable administration following a Lower 
House election, the latest survey found 27 PERCENT  of the 
electorate, the highest choice, favoring a grand coalition between 
the LDP and the DPJ.  Another 25 PERCENT  wanted "a new framework 
through political realignment." The third choice with 20 PERCENT 
was a DPJ-centered government, followed by 19 PERCENT , who wanted 
an LDP-centered government. In the October poll, as well, the 
political realignment choice garnered 28 PERCENT , while the grand 
coalition took 25 PERCENT  as the first and second choices, 
respectively. The results can be read as showing the expectations of 
voters for a new politics that exceeded the existing framework. 
 
(2) Ruling coalition concerned about plunge in public approval rate 
for Aso cabinet in Yomiuri poll 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The government and ruling coalition are increasingly alarmed about 
the fact that the approval rate for the cabinet of Prime Minister 
Taro Aso slipped below its disapproval rate for the first time, as 
well as about a plunge in the support rate for the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP). Since Aso put off a general election for the 
House of Representatives, he was able to avoid going to the 
electorate to receive their judgment for the time being. However, 
there is no prospect as to whether his public support rate can 
improve. 
 
Many in the ruling camp are lamenting over the fact that the new 
economic stimulus package Aso announced on Oct. 30 did not lead to 
boosting the public approval rate for the cabinet. 
 
LDP Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda said yesterday: 
 
"Since the government has come up with a bold economic package, it 
will gradually become well-known to the public. However, since the 
individual measures are difficult to understand, the package has yet 
to lead to raising the support rate." 
 
Akihiro Ota, chief representative of the New Komeito, the LDP's 
coalition partner, suggested that the prime minister's exertion of 
all possible efforts to implement the economic package would lead to 
better approval ratings for the Aso cabinet. He stated: "The 
public's worried about the economy. They are watching whether the 
government can implement the measures." 
 
Some have contended that Aso's mentioning of a consumption tax hike 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
affected the results of the poll. A high government official said: 
 
"The public might have taken the prime minister's reference to the 
consumption tax as a tax hike. Unless the prime minister explains 
that the consumption tax will be increased after fully considering 
the economic situation, the approval rates for his cabinet will not 
go up." 
 
The government and ruling parties are strongly shocked by the fact 
that the approval rating for the Aso cabinet slipped below its 
disapproval rating barely a month after it was inaugurated. The 
approval rates for the governments of Prime Ministers Abe and 
Fukuda, who resigned in about one year after taking office, slipped 
below their disapproval rates in six months and five months 
respectively after they formed their cabinets. 
 
Some LDP lawmakers feel relieved at the postponement of Lower House 
dissolution, with one saying: "If we held an election now, it would 
be awful. Some other members predicted that it would be more 
difficult to seize the right timing for an election. A mid-level 
party member pointed out: 
 
"Under the situation in which the cabinet's disapproval rate tops 
the approval rate, the prime minister has no choice but to be 
cautious about dissolving the Lower House. The focus will be on 
whether the disapproval ratings for the cabinet will exceed 50 
PERCENT . If it exceeds that number, it will be difficult for the 
ruling coalition to win the election." 
 
Meanwhile, the opposition camp now feels like it is riding high. 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama 
yesterday told reporters in Gifu Prefecture in a strong tone: "The 
public see that the ruling coalition's economic-boosting package 
will not be able to resolve the financial crisis." Deputy President 
Naoto Kan took a view that Aso would avoid dissolving the Lower 
House for a while, saying: "Prime Minister Aso has now been unable 
to dissolve the lower chamber. He probably will not call an 
election." 
 
The ruling camp intends to boost the Aso cabinet's popularity by 
improving the economic situation by implementing the economic 
stimulus package. Meanwhile, Aso intends to promote his presence in 
the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. In order to 
force a dissolution of the Lower House, however, the opposition bloc 
plans to shake the government and ruling coalition over the 
dismissal of Air-Self Defense Force Chie of Staff Toshio Tamogami 
and other issues. 
 
(3) When will Lower House be dissolved? Four possibilities afoot: 
around Christmas, at beginning of next regular Diet session, in 
tandem with Tokyo assembly election, or Lower House members serve 
out their term 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
October 31, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso, giving policy priority to measures to deal 
with the global recession, has decided not to dissolve the Lower 
House anytime soon. When is he going to decide the right timing to 
dissolve the Diet and call a general election? The prime minister is 
likely to continue to face a critical juncture. 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
 
Livelihood over Lower House dissolution 
 
"At some point, we will have to fight, but we must first prioritize 
the people's livelihoods over Lower House dissolution," Aso told an 
LDP executive meeting yesterday afternoon. 
 
The New Komeito has eventually accepted the prime minister's 
decision to forgo a plan to officially kick off the campaign on Nov. 
18 for an election on Nov. 30. But the party still wants to have a 
long interval between the next Lower House election and next 
summer's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. 
 
What are some of the possible dates for Diet dissolution before the 
Lower House members' terms end next September? The nearest date 
being mentioned in the LDP is around Christmas, after a second 
supplementary budget is enacted and a fiscal 2009 budget is 
compiled. This could be followed by an official announcement on Jan. 
13 for an election on Jan, 25. 
 
This scenario, however, would make it difficult for the fiscal 2009 
budget to clear the Diet before the end of the current fiscal year, 
forcing the government to produce a provisional budget. Many LDP 
lawmakers are dismissive of this scenario. The reason is because if 
the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan prolongs Diet 
deliberations on the second supplementary budget, the prime minister 
might be forced to dissolve the chamber before a set of additional 
stimulus measures takes shape. 
 
LDP Diet Affairs Committee Vice Chairman Yoshihide Suga, who is 
close to Aso, appeared in a BS11 program last night in which he 
expressed a negative view about dissolving the Lower House before 
year's end, citing the prime minister's tight diplomatic timetable. 
 
It is also possible to dissolve the chamber at the beginning of the 
next regular Diet session in January. This would require the 
compilation of an interim budget, however. 
 
A consumption tax hike out of desperation 
 
A combination of April 14 and 26, after enacting the fiscal 2009 
budget by March 31, is another option. This scenario is compatible 
with the New Komeito's time limit set at April. 
 
But unlike a budget bill, budget-related bills can clear the Diet 
with a two-third override vote after the Upper House refuses action, 
but the Lower House must wait 60 days before after passing the 
legislation. The enactment of such bills in May might be followed by 
Lower House dissolution in May for an election in June. Some in the 
LDP think that if the timeline was delayed to that extent, the Lower 
House election should be held in tandem with the Tokyo Metropolitan 
Assembly election -- the last thing the New Komeito wants. Aware of 
such concern of the New Komeito, Suga flatly rejected the idea of 
double elections on an Oct. 30 BS 11 program. 
 
Some have begun whispering that the Lower House members would serve 
out their term, with an LDP source saying, "Once the long regular 
Diet session convenes, the DPJ's relentless attack would deprive the 
prime minister of the energy to dissolve the Lower House." There is 
even talk that Prime Minister Aso would be replaced. 
 
Some think that Aso referred in yesterday's press conference to a 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
consumption tax hike in three years' time out of desperation. That 
is because in order to raise the consumption tax in three years, the 
LDP will have to get through at least one Lower House election and 
the Upper House election in 2010 while pledging to raise taxes. 
 
If Lower House dissolved now, difficult for LDP-New Komeito 
coalition to secure majority 
 
Prime Minister Aso seems to have decided to put off the envisioned 
dissolution based on his judgment that the environment surrounding 
the LDP was too harsh to call a general election at this point. 
 
The LDP conducted in late September an opinion survey to find out 
voting patterns in the 300 single-seat constituencies. As a result, 
the LDP and the DPJ were neck-and-neck with the former projected to 
win 215 seats and the latter 214 seats, according to a person 
concerned. The New Komeito was expected to garner 25. In other 
words, the results showed slight difficulty for the ruling coalition 
to secure a majority (241 seats). The LDP later conducted a 
follow-up survey in selected constituencies. The results indicated a 
decline for the LDP and a gain for the DPJ. "If an election is 
called now, we will lose the reins of government," an LDP leader 
said. 
 
Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted an opinion poll on Oct. 
10-12 in which 70 PERCENT  of respondents said that priority should 
be given to propping up the economy. This trend seems to have gained 
momentum as the global economy has since worsened. 
 
Aso is reportedly told former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on the 
phone on Oct. 29: "Many LDP and New Komeito supporters think 
economic stimulus measures should be prioritized over the 
dissolution. Can I dissolve the Lower House at a time like this?" 
 
The DPJ also surveyed 194 districts from late August through 
September. It was intended to analyze the trends of close-race 
districts excluding 52 single-seat constituencies where DPJ 
candidates won in the previous "postal election" that worked against 
the party, and constituencies where the DPJ has yet to determine its 
candidates. The results showed that the DPJ had the edge over the 
LDP in some 80 constituencies and that the two parties were 
neck-and-neck in about 60 districts. 
 
(4) DPJ to adopt economic stimulus measures on Nov. 5: Stressing 
differences from government plan in giving priority to public good 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
November 2, 2008 
 
The DPJ will adopt an economic pump-priming package designed for the 
"Next Cabinet" to deal with the financial turmoil. The main feature 
of the package is, of course, giving top priority to the public 
good. Because the party is alarmed about Prime Minister Aso's strong 
intent to map out additional economic stimulus measures, the party 
wants to impress the public that it was the DPJ that first advocated 
giving top priority to the public good, by putting together every 
possible policy in the run-up to the envisaged next Lower House 
election. 
 
The DPJ and the LDP have many points in common regarding economic 
stimulus measures. Shifting from the economy that is dependent on 
external demand to the domestic demand-led economy, by stimulating 
 
TOKYO 00003070  006 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
consumption with direct refunding of tax money to people is the 
scenario both parties envisage. 
 
Concerning specific measures, too, while the DPJ is calling for a 
child allowance and toll-free expressways, the government has come 
up with a benefit payment plan targeting all households in place of 
the flat-sum tax cut, and a significant cut in expressway tolls. 
They have thus proposed policies with similar concepts and 
specifics. 
 
The DPJ criticized the government's additional package as 
poorly-compiled fake economic pump-priming measures, as one Upper 
House member put it. In particular, the DPJ takes pride in being the 
first party that called for toll-free expressways five years ago 
during the 2003 Lower House election. 
 
If the government implements these policies, the DPJ's policy would 
fade away. The DPJ is, therefore, frantic about stressing the 
differences from the government's plan. Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama underscored: "The government plan is stop-gap pork-barrel 
largesse. The DPJ will build a safety net and reach out to those who 
really need our help." 
 
The child allowance is a permanent system targeting the 
child-rearing generation. The DPJ says that its child allowance 
system will also serve as a measure to address the declining birth 
rate with Deputy President Naoto Kan saying, "This policy will help 
those who want to have a child or those who want another one. 
 
The government has criticized the DPJ's policy as lacking fiscal 
backing. In response, the DPJ has come up with a four-year road map. 
The party is now counterattacking the government and the ruling 
parties as failing to indicate a road map and fiscal resources. The 
DPJ does not rule out the possibility of a future raise in the sales 
tax. However, it has not touched on a time schedule to realize that. 
Some party members are opposing the party's stance with one noting, 
"Is it all right to keep mum about a fiscal plan?" There is a strong 
possibility of the ruling camp stepping up their offensive over 
fiscal resources to finance its proposal. 
 
The DPJ is determined that if the government submit the second 
supplementary budget bill that incorporates the additional economic 
stimulus package to the Diet, it would thoroughly pursue Diet 
deliberations with focus on differences in the policies of the two 
parties. 
 
The shortcut to realize the DPJ's policy is a change of 
administration. President Ichiro Ozawa is calling for an early 
dissolution of the Lower House, saying, "Only the administration 
that secured public support through election can implement really 
drastic measures." 
 
(5) Main statements by former ASDF Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami in 
press conference; Country not allowing rebuttal is same as North 
Korea 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
Former Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami held a 
press conference at the Jiji Press head office last night in which 
he explained the true intention of his essay. The following are the 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
main statements he made. 
 
(Opening statement) 
 
I wrote the essay based on my belief for the nation and its people, 
and I have not tendered my resignation. The dismissal is 
heartbreaking for me, having been with the Self-Defense Forces for a 
long period of time. I am worried more than anything about the stain 
on the honor of the Air Self-Defense Force and the entire 
Self-Defense Forces. 
 
Japan is a magnificent country with an old history and excellent 
traditions. Japan was never an aggressor. A spell placed on the 
country by the postwar education system has ruined our national 
confidence, the morale of the SDF personnel, and the national 
security system. There is no national army in the world where 
civilian control is more ensured than the SDF. 
 
I hope my dismissal will spark honest and active debates on how the 
nation and national defense should be rather than making it more 
difficult for SDF personnel to express their views and engage in 
debate. 
 
(Questions and answers) 
 
-- What was the reason for you to write the essay at this time point 
in time? 
 
"In order for Japan to develop as a state in the 21st century, I 
thought it would be difficult for our country to implement policies 
based on its own volition unless it is freed from a masochistic view 
of history. I never thought that my essay would cause such a huge 
commotion. My judgment that the time has come for people to express 
their views freely in Japan might have been wrong." 
 
-- What about the contents? 
 
"I do not think they were wrong." 
 
-- Will you respond to calls for Diet testimony? 
 
"I want to respond them actively." 
 
-- Do you think the government's view of history is wrong? 
 
"I think it should be examined." 
 
-- China and South Korea have expressed displeasure. 
 
"That reflects differences in views. We have no control on how other 
countries think. We should understand and deal with each other as 
grownups." 
 
-- As the top uniformed officer, your statement is weighty. 
 
"A country where people are not allowed to say things like this 
cannot be called a democracy. If one is not allowed to rebut the 
government's view, it is the same as being in North Korea." 
 
-- Doesn't opposing the government's view mean opposing the 
government's decision?" 
 
 
TOKYO 00003070  008 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
"It is questionable whether what is called the Murayama Statement 
was really verified, and whether it is convincing to all Japanese 
people." 
 
DPJ head Ozawa criticizes government for appointing Tamogami as ASDF 
chief 
 
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa visited on Nov. 3 
Toyo University in Bunkyo Ward to answer questions from young voters 
on what was dubbed the first-time-ever live Internet conference on 
the Nico Nico Douga site. Asked about the timing of dissolving the 
Lower House for a snap general election, Ozawa criticized the prime 
minister, saying: "Prime Minister Taro Aso has been passing up 
opportunities. The opening of the current extraordinary Diet session 
in late September was the best timing for him. But he passed that 
up; he has been indecisive." 
 
Ozawa later held a press conference in Tokyo. Touching on former 
ASDF Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami's release of an essay 
contradictory to the government's view, Ozawa denounced the 
government, saying: "The government's responsibility for appointing 
him (to the ASDF chief of staff) knowing that he had written a 
similar essay before is grave." 
 
(6) Government eyes yen loans in fiscal 2009 to Vietnam to assist 
space-development project 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 1, 2008 
 
The government has decided to help Vietnam in promoting its space 
development project. It plans to continue a preliminary survey by a 
joint team with the private sector until the end of this fiscal 
year. If requested, the government will look into providing that 
nation with several tens of billions of yen in yen loans in fiscal 
¶2009. This aid, if realized, would be the nation's first full-scale 
assistance for a foreign country's space-development project. 
Through assistance for foreign countries' projects, the government 
aims to assist the Japanese space industry in exploring overseas 
markets. 
 
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAEA), NEC, Mitsubishi 
Corp., and other firms will participate in the survey. The aim of 
the survey is to select areas for cooperation, such as image 
processing and equipment procurement. The government also eyes aid 
for infrastructure construction plans by Vietnam, for instance, a 
plan to construct a Hoa Lac space center (tentative name). JAXA is 
also considering the possibility of offering comprehensive 
cooperation with the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology 
(VAST), which has engaged in space business. 
 
Vietnam has launched space development activities as a national 
strategy. Its government is planning to launch a compact earth 
observation satellite that it developed on its own. Vietnam's first 
telecommunications satellite was successfully launched this April. 
An American company developed the satellite and provided operability 
technology. The Japanese government, through assistance, aims to 
create an environment to facilitate the aid recipients to adopt the 
Japanese technology. 
 
(7) METI to streamline procedures for goods traded with EPA nations 
 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will introduce a 
new system next fiscal year to simplify import and export procedures 
for goods traded with countries that have signed economic 
partnership agreements (EPA) with Tokyo. METI intends to 
automatically apply low tariff rates set under EPAs, even without 
certificates of origin, on goods imported by companies certified as 
handling products made in countries with which Japan has EPAs. 
Similarly, firms certified by Japan as exporting Japanese-made 
products will be taxed at lower rates by governments that have 
signed EPAs with Tokyo. By removing the requirement of submitting 
point-of-origin certification under the current system, the ministry 
aims to streamline expenses and time needed for the application of 
certification. As the first case, the new system will be applied to 
trade between Japan and Switzerland. 
 
Point-of-origin certification is now required for goods imported 
even from countries with which Japan has EPAs to be eligible for 
lower tariffs. In exporting goods from Japan, exporters are required 
to submit point-of-origin certification issued by the Japan Chamber 
of Commerce and Industry. Fees are needed for such certification to 
be issued, and about two days reportedly are needed for the 
application procedure. 
 
Under the new system, companies deemed to have accurately assessed 
the places of origin of goods to handle will be designated as 
special exporters. The designated special exporters will then be 
eligible for trade partners' favorable duties under EPAs by merely 
listing their certification numbers and the goods' places of origin 
on invoices. To create the exporter-certification system as early as 
fiscal 2009, the government will revise legislation governing the 
issuance of point-of-origin certification for traded goods. 
 
In response, the Finance Ministry will apply favorable tax rates 
under EPAs to goods exported from exporters certified as handling 
products by their respective governments, even without submitting 
point-of-origin certification. 
 
If necessary, Japanese customs authorities will contact other 
governments to confirm the origin of exported goods. 
 
(8) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi & Yomiuri: 
Music producer Komuro to be arrested for fraud 
 
Nikkei: 
Japanese manufacturers consider plans for emerging nations 
 
Sankei: 
Cloned mouse produced from frozen cell 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Government to sound out countries concerned about holding second 
G-20 emergency financial summit 
 
Akahata: 
551 municipalities do not confiscate national health insurance cards 
from households which cannot pay premiums 
 
 
TOKYO 00003070  010 OF 011 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11//08 
 
(9) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Young people and marijuana: Keio University students pay high 
price for buying and selling marijuana 
(2) Confiscation of national health insurance cards: Appropriate 
reduction and exemption of premiums necessary 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Whitepaper on crime victims: Need for carefully-crafted 
measures 
(2) Japan should nurture young researchers 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Finely-tuned responses necessary for medical services for 
children 
(2) Japan should be more active in peacekeeping 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Path to low-carbon society: Measures against global warming 
needed even during financial crisis 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Additional sanctions should be applied on North Korea 
(2) Carry out thorough influenza vaccination 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Delinquency in health insurance premiums: Children have no 
responsibility 
(2) Japan should prepare for more foreign workers 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Red Purge: The state and corporations should provide relief for 
victims 
 
(10) Prime Minister's schedule, November 3 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 4, 2008 
 
07:31 
Took a walk around private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
10:08 
Decoration ceremony for the 2008 Order of Culture at the Imperial 
Palace. 
 
11:21 
Returned to the private residence. 
 
18:58 
Dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Nishi-Azabu with his wife Chikako 
and other family members to celebrate the silver wedding 
anniversary. 
 
Reporter: "Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary. We 
also hope your administration will last long." Prime Minister: "Ha, 
ha! 25 years? That's too long." 
 
21:00 
Arrived at his private residence. 
 
 
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SCHIEFFER