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Viewing cable 08TOKYO3090, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/06/08

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO3090 2008-11-06 08:15 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO4339
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #3090/01 3110815
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 060815Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8594
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 3168
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0805
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4590
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 8859
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1379
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6238
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2225
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2429
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003090 
 
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 11/06/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Japan-U.S. relationship to encounter rough passage; Japan 
concerned about rift in antiterrorism policy (Asahi) 
 
(2) Obama's trade policy expected to incline toward protecting 
domestic industries (Mainichi) 
 
(3) Interview with Tokyo University Professor Fumiaki Kubo on Obama 
as U.S. president (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(4) Zenchuro withdraws from Heiwa Center; Resistance to anti-base 
movement; Gap evident between young members' demand and Center's 
vision (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(5) Second supplementary budget to pump-prime economy: Government, 
ruling parties unable to decide to which session it should be 
submitted -- extraordinary session or regular session? (Yomiuri) 
 
(6) Experts concerned about bill amending Child Pornography 
Prevention Law, fearing restrictions on manga, anime, investigating 
authorities' view reflected in judgment, freedom of expression 
undermined (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, November 5 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Japan-U.S. relationship to encounter rough passage; Japan 
concerned about rift in antiterrorism policy 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 6, 2008 
 
In a policy speech, Prime Minister Taro Aso took a stance of placing 
importance on the United States, by asking the main opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) -- which should take precedence over 
the other -- the Japan-U.S. alliance and the United Nations? 
However, it is not easy for Aso to build a relationship with the 
government of President-elect Barack Obama. Although Aso intends to 
make cooperation between Tokyo and Washington in dealing with the 
global financial crisis the start of the building of the new 
relationship, the Aso administration has yet to set forth its 
assistance policy toward Afghanistan. Cooperation between the two 
countries seems doubtful. 
 
With an eye on the launching of the new president's administration, 
Aso often has sent messages to the United States regarding measures 
to deal with the global financial crisis. His aim is to cooperate 
with the new U.S. government by helping the United States revitalize 
its economy. 
 
On Oct. 24 after his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Aso 
emphasized the need for maintaining the dollar-key currency system, 
involving China. He said: "Nobody wants to see an abrupt dollar 
crash and the collapse of the dollar-based currency system." When 
Iceland's financial crisis surfaced, he pointed out: "Some wonder 
what will happen to Iceland after its borrowing of money from 
 
TOKYO 00003090  002 OF 010 
 
 
Russia?" After that, he often stressed the importance of support for 
Iceland by the International Monetary Found (IMF). This was aimed at 
indirectly supporting the United States, which does not want to see 
an expansion of Russia's influence. 
 
However, whether a personal relationship can be built between Aso 
and Obama is still unclear. Aso has relatively deep ties to 
individuals connected with the U.S. Republican Party, but he has few 
personal contacts with the Democratic Party. Aso's aides tried to 
grope for the possibility of holding a meeting between Aso and Obama 
before or after the emergency summit of the Group of Twenty on Nov. 
15. However, Aso told reporters last night: "Since President George 
W. Bush will be in office until Jan. 20, I think I should meet (with 
Obama) after (Jan. 20)." 
 
There is a possibility that a rift in foreign policy will widen 
between Japan and the United States. 
 
The Japanese government is focusing on Obama's declaration of a 
policy of shifting the main battlefield for the war on terror from 
Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan, while advocating the withdrawal of 
U.S. forces from Iraq. The government has predicted that the U.S. 
position of calling on its allies for visible contributions will 
increasingly become stronger. 
 
The Japanese government regards the continuation of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in the Indian Ocean as the 
minimum requirement, according to a senior Foreign Ministry 
official. Government officials in charge of Japan-U.S. security 
affairs are concerned that Washington's opinion of Tokyo will change 
if Japan says it cannot send the SDF to either Iraq or Afghanistan, 
since Japan's Air Self-Defense personnel, now engaging in its 
mission in Iraq, will withdraw by the end of the year. 
 
Even if the MSDF's refueling mission is extended, the United States 
is certain to ask for shares commensurate with the economic power 
from countries concerned. The contents of Aso's policy of attaching 
priority to the Japan-U.S. alliance will be tested soon. 
 
The realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, including the relocation of 
the U.S. Marines' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, will reach a 
crucial stage. In order to realize the relocation by 2014, on which 
Japan and the United States have agreed, "It is necessary to put an 
end to environment impact assessment," said a source familiar with 
the Foreign Ministry. The Japanese side sees that there is very 
little difference in views on the U.S. forces realignment between 
the Republican and Democratic parties. It is certain that the Obama 
administration will immediately call for "steady implementation" of 
the realignment. Depending on how Japan responds, the alliance 
relationship might be shaken. 
 
Cooperative relations between the two countries on North Korean 
issues will likely be completely changed from those under the Bush 
administration. A senior Foreign Ministry official said that 
President Bush, who has expressed sympathy for the issue of 
abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents, "is Japan's 
one and only hope." Japan will soon lose that hope. 
 
Obama welcomed Bush's decision to delist North Korea as a 
terrorist-sponsoring state as "progress," while stressing that North 
Korea needed to answer all questions on Japanese and South Korean 
abductees. The Aso administration will have to begin with the work 
 
TOKYO 00003090  003 OF 010 
 
 
of having Obama understand the importance of the abduction issue for 
Japan. 
 
The Japanese government sees that Obama will take over the Bush 
administration's policy toward North Korea. However, many in the 
government are concerned that if a deep dialogue between Washington 
and Pyongyang develops, the abduction issue might be put on the back 
burner. 
 
(2) Obama's trade policy expected to incline toward protecting 
domestic industries 
 
MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) 
November 6, 2008 
 
Following the victory of Democratic Senator Barack Obama in the U.S. 
presidential election, many observers in Japan anticipate that U.S. 
trade policy would become more protective of domestic industries. 
With the Big-Three automakers in financial difficulties due to the 
fallout from the global financial crisis, Japanese automakers are 
concerned that Obama, who has been supported by labor unions, might 
sharpen criticism of Japan. 
 
In his campaign speeches, Obama promised to review the North America 
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and to have American automakers, not 
Japanese or South Korean manufacturers, produce hybrid cars. A 
strong protectionist mood can be detected in his speeches. He has 
also expressed opposition to free trade agreements (FTA) with South 
Korea and Colombia, both of which are waiting for approval from the 
U.S. Congress. Obama has repeatedly criticized the Chinese 
government, saying: "China should halt its currency manipulation 
through market intervention, which hampers fair trade." 
 
Republican President Bush has been eager to push aggressively for 
free trade pacts, while the Democratic Party has maintained a strong 
bias toward protectionism. The new round of World Trade Organization 
(WTO) global trade talks (Doha Round) collapsed in July as a result 
of the U.S. and India being divided. Because the U.S. will play a 
key role in future rounds of the trade talks, attention will be paid 
to what trade policy Obama will come up with. 
 
A senior member of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said: 
"Now that the global economy is in a critical state, establishing a 
free-trade structure is common responsibility for the world. I think 
the U.S. will never allow WTO trade negotiations to retreat." 
 
Obama has promised to assist automakers in developing 
next-generation plug-in hybrid cars as part of efforts to protect 
the environment by reducing the level of reliance on petroleum. The 
president-elect has indicated a willingness to support the Big-Three 
automakers by saying: "I am determined to help them to produce one 
million domestic cars that can run 65 kilometers with one liter of 
gasoline by 2015." The three companies have reported poor business 
results as they significantly lagged behind in competition with 
Japanese automakers over compact cars. Since the new administration 
is about to help the three countries bolster their competitiveness 
with the development of next-generation cars, Japanese firms might 
be placed under severe circumstances. 
 
But Toyota Motor Co. and other Japanese automakers have already 
contributed to creating jobs in their plants in the U.S., so many 
observers in Japan expect that trade friction, like the one in the 
 
TOKYO 00003090  004 OF 010 
 
 
1990s, is unlikely to arise. Meanwhile, an executive of a Japanese 
automakers expressed concern: "A new law advantageous to labor 
unions might be introduced, and the legislation might lead to 
raising production costs at our local plants." It is likely to 
become necessary for Japanese firms to pay attention to future moves 
by the U.S. government. 
 
(3) Interview with Tokyo University Professor Fumiaki Kubo on Obama 
as U.S. president 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 8) (Abridged) 
November 6, 2008 
 
-- What will be the extent of the impact on the American society of 
the election of the first black president? 
 
"There are likely some who will evaluate it as no more than a 
symbolic accomplishment. That is to say, it does not directly 
resolve the various problems that exist, such as poverty and 
unemployment that especially affect black Americans. The victory, 
too, was greatly due to the unusual talents of Obama himself. It 
does not necessarily mean that he will be followed by a second or a 
third Obama. 
 
"On the other hand, for Americans, there will be a great learning 
effect. Over the next four years, with Mr. Obama appearing 
frequently on television, the reality of having a black president 
will day by day settle in. Black children will be told that if they 
hang in there, they can even become the president of the United 
States, so more and more of them will make efforts. The election has 
great meaning in that it gives a dream to minority groups in 
America. 
 
"White Americans who zealously supported Obama were possessed by the 
desire for their country not to be seen as a racially prejudiced 
one, but as a good country. There is also the hope that this will 
lead to the restoration of a good image of America that was damaged 
during the eight years of the Bush administration." 
 
-- What changes do you see coming in American politics? 
 
"The central theme that Obama advocates is the destruction of the 
wall of hostility between the Republican and Democratic parties. He 
has been saying that America should not be divided among whites, 
blacks, Asians, and so forth. America must become a united country. 
The litmus test will be whether he can cooperate with the Republican 
Party and pass legislation that will be appreciated by the nation. 
 
-- How will relations between Japan and the United States change? 
 
"Japan, before thinking about what is best for our country, has the 
tendency to calculate whether more can be obtained from a Democratic 
administration or a Republican administration. I think the concept 
of thinking -- since the U.S. is a precious ally, what should Japan 
do for it? -- is weak in Japan. 
 
"For the Obama administration, the highest priority will be the 
conflict in Afghanistan. Although Japan's continuing to supply fuel 
in the Indian Ocean is important, perhaps it would be better to 
consider cooperation someplace close to the mainland of Afghanistan 
to establish a sense of presence. Neighboring Pakistan is in dire 
fiscal straits and does not even have proper public schools. 
 
TOKYO 00003090  005 OF 010 
 
 
Children are going over to Islamic religious schools. Building 
public schools in Pakistan would be assistance to fight poverty, and 
at the same time, over the medium to long term, would be an 
anti-terrorist countermeasure that would be positively evaluated by 
the U.S. and Britain. 
 
(4) Zenchuro withdraws from Heiwa Center; Resistance to anti-base 
movement; Gap evident between young members' demand and Center's 
vision 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full) 
November 5, 2008 
 
By Takumi Takimoto 
 
The All Japan Garrison Forces Labor Union Okinawa District 
Headquarters (Zenchurochihon, chaired by Eizo Yonaha, membership 
6,500) informed by Nov. 4 the Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center (chaired by 
Shiko Sakiyama) of its decision to withdraw from the organization. 
Zenchurochihon has taken part in peace activities as a member of the 
Center. As reasons to leave the Center, Zenchurochihon explained 
that there was resistance in the organization regarding the 
anti-base movement, such as the removal of bases, due to the 
rejuvenation of its members, and that it has become difficult to 
obtain their understanding. With the departure of Zenchurochihon, 
which has promoted the peace movement along with other member 
organizations, such as the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal 
Workers' Union (Jichiro) and the teachers' union, the Center's 
movement promoting the realignment and reduction of U.S. bases would 
find itself at a turning point. 
 
Ever since its decision not to advocate the removal of bases in its 
1997 action policy (fiscal 1998), Zenchurochihon has allowed its 
members to join activities to close in on bases independently rather 
than taking part in them as the organization. The accumulated strain 
between the vision of the Heiwa Undou Center calling for the removal 
of bases and base workers' pragmatic demand not to lose their jobs 
has now come to light. 
 
Deciding at its regular convention on Oct. 25 to withdraw from the 
Center, Zenchurochihon sent on Oct. 27 a letter to the Center 
informing its decision. Zenchurochihon will reportedly continue the 
peace movement as an organization under the Japanese Trade Union 
Confederation (Rengo). 
 
Zenchurochihon Secretary-General Hiroshi Zamami said: "If the bases 
disappear, we will lose our jobs. For about 10 years now, union 
members have expressing concern about seeking the removal of bases 
and the realignment of U.S. forces." 
 
Meanwhile, Heiwa Undou Center Chairman Sakiyama simply said about 
Zenchurochihon's withdrawal from the Center: "The decision will be 
reported at an executive meeting on Nov. 6, and I cannot say 
anything about it at this point in time." 
 
The Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center was established in February 1993 
following the movement of the pro-constitution anti-security treaty 
prefectural council and other organizations with the aim of sending 
antiwar and peace messages to the world from Okinawa through such 
experiences as the Battle of Okinawa and U.S. military rule. The 
Center has been leading the anti-base and peace movement, hosting 
such events as the May 15 Peace March and the human chain. 
 
TOKYO 00003090  006 OF 010 
 
 
 
(5) Second supplementary budget to pump-prime economy: Government, 
ruling parties unable to decide to which session it should be 
submitted -- extraordinary session or regular session? 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 6, 2008 
 
The government and the ruling parties are dithering over whether a 
second supplementary budget bill, which is designed to finance the 
government's additional economic stimulus package, should be 
submitted to the extraordinary Diet session, which is to close on 
November 30, or to the regular Diet session to be convened in 
January next year. Whichever session they choose, the opposition 
camp is bound to oppose the bill. The path to secure Diet approval 
for the bill as well as related bills is expected to be thorny. 
 
Many participants in the staff meeting of the LDP Tsushima faction 
on November 5th took the view that it is better to close the current 
session and then convene the regular session early so as to make the 
Diet session almost year-round. 
 
Behind this view is that the negative impact of the delay in passage 
of the bill on the year-end annual tax code revision and the budget 
compilation could be minimized if the regular Diet session is 
convened early next year for deliberations on the second 
supplementary budget bill and related bills. That is because in the 
2007 extraordinary Diet session, the government re-extended the 
(extraordinary) Diet session into early next year because of the 
ruling camp's opposition to the new Antiterrorism Law to extend the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission, causing a delay in 
the convening of the regular Diet session and the passage of the 
state budget. 
 
However, there is an observation that the early closing of the 
current extraordinary Diet session for an early convening of the 
regular session next year could make it impossible to secure Diet 
approval for the economic stimulus package before year's end. 
 
Some take the view that the government and the ruling parties should 
show strong determination by significantly extending the 
extraordinary Diet session in order to pass the additional economic 
stimulus package as soon as possible. One of the four top party 
executives stressed, "Lawmakers must show the public that they are 
working in the end-of-the-year period, as well." 
 
However, the second supplementary budget bill cannot be submitted to 
the Diet until early November or later, according to one government 
source. If the opposition camp delays a vote in the Upper House, the 
bill would be automatically given the Diet's final approval 30 days 
after it was sent from the Lower House to the Upper House. However, 
it is impossible for the Lower House to take a revote on related 
bills until late January -- 60 days after they were sent from the 
Lower House to the Upper House. Some ruling party members take a 
bullish stance on dissolving the Lower House on the strength of 
implementing the additional economic pump-priming package, if the 
ruling parties strongly oppose passage of the bills in the 
extensively extended Diet. 
 
How to handle bills left for later deliberations will likely affect 
the future management of the Diet. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003090  007 OF 010 
 
 
The DPJ will agree to take a vote on a bill amending the new 
Antiterrorism Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling mission, now under deliberations in the Upper House, on 
the condition of former Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Toshio 
Tamogami takes the Diet witness stand. If he is summoned, the bill 
would be enacted in the middle of this month. However, there is also 
a possibility of the handling of the amendment bill necessitating an 
extension of the extraordinary Diet. A bill amending the Financial 
Functions Early Strengthening Law is also bound to encounter 
complications. There are 31 more bills to be handled during the 
current session. The ruling parties boiled down the priority bills 
to 17, including a set of bills related to the establishment of a 
consumer affairs agency, and conveyed that to the DPJ on the 5th. 
 
(6) Experts concerned about bill amending Child Pornography 
Prevention Law, fearing restrictions on manga, anime, investigating 
authorities' view reflected in judgment, freedom of expression 
undermined 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 20) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2008 
 
The ruling coalition has submitted a bill amending the Child 
Pornography Prevention Law to the current Diet session. The bill 
prohibits the individual possession of child pornography and 
indecent videos. Manga (comics) and anime (animated cartoons) may be 
subject to restrictions in the future. Given this, cartoonists and 
experts have voiced concern, fearing that an enactment of the 
revision bill would lead to undermining the principle of freedom of 
expression. 
 
Taro Minamoto, a cartoonist, is also feeling anxious about the 
recent move to revise the law, saying: "The boundary line between 
art and pornography remains blurred." One of his works features an 
11-year-old girl who was sold and works as a prostitute for five 
years. This comic includes scenes of her being forced to prostitute 
herself. Minamoto grumbled: "If such descriptions are prohibited, it 
will become impossible to represent historical facts. It is unclear 
what would be designated as obscene and who would designate such." 
 
The ruling camp's bill has been submitted to the House of 
Representatives. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has also 
drafted its own bill. Manga and anime are not subject to the 
restrictions in both bills. But the ruling camp's bill notes that 
necessary measures will be taken in an additional clause according 
to the circumstances. But many concerned individuals, including 
Minamoto, fear that restrictions might be imposed on manga and anime 
in the future. 
 
There are comics with explicit love scenes or violent scenes. 
Minamoto said: "There are some that give us an unpleasant feeling, 
but restrictions should not be placed on manga. Although some people 
might have indecent thoughts while reading manga, not all readers 
will commit a crime. Once restrictions are placed, the scope of 
subjects to restrictions might gradually expand." 
 
Take a picture of a child in athletic wear as an example. Different 
persons, for instance, the child's parent or a pedophile, see it in 
a different way. Minamoto said: "The government, based on 
imagination, will impose restrictions (on manga and anime) while 
mixing up art with crime. If we begin to describe only what is 
allowed to describe, such is against the principle of freedom of 
 
TOKYO 00003090  008 OF 010 
 
 
expression. Restrictions should be placed not in the creation 
process but in the distribution process. It is terrible to restrict 
everything, an act that could lead to a witch-hunt. It is also 
feared that freedom of expression might be undermined as a result of 
creators daunted by regulations." 
 
The ruling camp's revision bill prohibits the possession of child 
porn and punishes violators. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) has drafted a bill that criminalizes the purchase and 
possession of child pornography. 
 
Since the Child Pornography Prevention Law was enacted in 1999, 
discussions have been conducted on whether the possession of child 
porn should be regarded as illegal and on whether comics and anime 
should be subject to restrictions. The United Nations Children's 
Fund (UNICEF) in Japan has carried out a campaign to oppose child 
pornography since this spring. The association has insisted on the 
need to define comics and anime depicting child molestation as 
illegal, in addition to the ban on the possession of child porn. 
 
Kanemitsu Daniel Makoto, a translator and the co-president of AMI 
Contact Network composed of manga or anime writers, said: "Pictures 
of children suffering from sexual abuse should be eradicated," but 
he added: "Products of imagination should be considered 
separately." 
 
Kanemitsu said: "Since the definition of children pornography is 
ambiguous, a subjective point of view is inevitably reflected in 
determining whether products are illegal or not. The investigating 
authorities can make a judgment based on their own discretion, so 
the ban on the simple possession of child porn could provide the 
root for an arrest for a separate crime. I am against the revision 
of the law before its concept is clearly defined." 
 
He is concerned about the recent trend of harmful or unpleasant 
products regarded as "illegal." Lawyer Takashi Yamaguchi said: "What 
is harmful and what is unpleasant vary by the individual. Even if 
the creatures are nasty and dirty, they are products of imagination 
after all. Cracking down on such products might lead to thought 
suppression." 
 
Yamaguchi pointed out that a plan to restrict the possession of 
child porn was dropped four years ago because it was feared that the 
investigating authorities might abuse their right. 
 
People involved in selling the novel Lady Chatterley's Lover, 
including writer Tadashi Ito, who translated the book into Japanese, 
were found guilty of pornography in 1957. In reference to this case, 
Yamaguchi commented: "People's values change with the times, but 
once restrictions are introduced, it will become almost impossible 
to regain the lost freedom of speech. Restrictions should not be 
placed on expressions in accordance with people's sense of values in 
a certain period, and freedom of creation should not be taken away 
from future generations." 
 
Kenta Yamada, assistant professor at Senshu University, said: "There 
is a marked tendency to ban everything, mixing up acts involving a 
sex crime that should be absolutely banned, something that should be 
restricted in the distribution process so that the public is not 
exposed to it, and something harmful for young people. What should 
be banned legally must be strictly controlled." 
 
 
TOKYO 00003090  009 OF 010 
 
 
Yamada also worries about an expansion of the targets subject to 
restrictions. He said: "Everything tends to be restricted by law and 
civil rights under the context of safety, security, and soundness. 
Accordingly, the scope of matters restricted has expanded to include 
even unfair and harmful products, in addition to illegal 
productions." 
 
Yamada said that the ban on the individual possession of child 
pornography might lead to thought control and could result in 
changing the major principle of freedom of expression. In many 
cases, an exception once made has come into common use. Regarding 
the DPJ-proposed establishment of a crime for the possession of 
child pornography, too, it contains the same risk, depending on how 
to specify it. 
 
Yamada said that many productions of imagination can be voluntarily 
restricted in the process of distribution, and not in the process of 
creation. He said: "The scope of matters controlled by law or public 
authority should be limited. The scope of the rights and freedom 
guaranteed under the Constitution has significantly been narrowed 
down." 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Yomiuri & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Obama declares election victory, says "change has come" 
 
Mainichi: 
Obama seeks drastic changes in domestic policy, diplomacy 
 
Nikkei: 
Obama vows efforts to revitalize U.S. economy 
 
Sankei & Akahata: 
Obama first African-American to be elected U.S. president 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Obama elected U.S. president: Strong expectations of change in 
U.S. 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) We anticipate change in U.S. 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Obama has made history, but hard work starts now 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) President-elect Obama to challenge historic economic crisis 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Obama urged to restore confidence and leadership 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Obama elected next U.S. president -- America's historic choice 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Obama should respond to expectations for change 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, November 5 
 
 
TOKYO 00003090  010 OF 010 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 6, 2008 
 
08:51 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto. 
 
09:36 
Met with Matsumoto. 
 
10:13 
Decoration ceremony of the Grand Cordon orders 
 
11:59 
Met with Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe. 
 
13:20 
Decoration ceremony for the Order of the Rising Sun 
 
13:58 
Arrived at the Kantei. 
 
14:30 
Lower House Fiscal and Financial Committee meeting 
 
16:46 
Met with General Council Chairman Sasagawa. 
 
17:19 
Met with Special Advisor Yamaguchi, followed by Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Uruma. 
 
18:05 
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Kono, Economic Affairs Bureau 
Director General Otabe and Vive Finance Minister for International 
Affairs Shinohara. 
 
19:15 
Met with Lower House member Kentaro Sonoura at a bar in Roppongi. 
 
21:31 
Arrived at the private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
SCHIEFFER