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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003251 
 
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 11/28/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Terrorism: 
4) Japan to fully back India against terrorists  (Yomiuri) 
5) Japan to team up with Asian countries against terrorism  (Nikkei) 
 
 
Foreign aid: 
6)  Gov't plans to provide 700 million yen in aid to Congo 
(Nikkei) 
 
Defense & security issues: 
7) DPJ's Maehara concurred with Obama staff that Futenma relocation 
would be infeasible  (Mainichi) 
8) ASDF to be ordered today to pull out of Iraq  (Mainichi) 
 
Political agenda: 
9) Another gaffe from Prime Minister Aso over doctor bills 
(Mainichi) 
10) LDP's coalition partner, New Komeito party, growing frustrated 
with Prime Minister Aso  (Yomiuri) 
 
11) Ruling coalition to avoid confronting opposition bloc during 
extended Diet session for MSDF, finance bills  (Mainichi) 
12) Japan eyes space activities for security, diplomacy  (Yomiuri) 
13) Diet expected to approve amendment to Nationality Law on Dec. 3 
(Asahi) 
14) Gov't to continue space rocket engine project  (Yomiuri) 
 
North Korea problem: 
15) U.S., Japan mull another documentation for sampling from North 
Korea's nuclear facilities  (Yomiuri) 
16) Japan to work on Obama administration  (Nikkei) 
 
Economic issues: 
17) Gov't to cap Narita airport stakes at 20 PERCENT   (Sankei) 
 
Opinion poll: 
18) Gov't poll shows 51 PERCENT  concerned about public security 
with more foreign tourists to Japan  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: Mainichi: Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun: 
No. of assailants in Mumbai attacks believed to top 20: 200 people 
still trapped in occupied hotels; 30 taken hostage at one hotel 
 
Nikkei: 
Controls on farmland leasing to be listed, according to outline of 
MAFF reform plan 
 
Sankei: 
Defense minister voices concern about purchases of land in Tsushima 
City by Korean companies 
 
Akahata: 
 
TOKYO 00003251  002 OF 010 
 
 
EU recommends consumption tax cut needed and cut in workers' income 
tax 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Mumbai attacks: Terror hits emerging country 
(2) Fiscal deficit: Political determination to settle issue under 
new goal urged 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Prime minister's gaffe hurts patients 
(2) Terrorist attacks in India: Pursue links among India, Pakistan 
and Afghanistan 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Use basic space program for strategic diplomacy 
(2) Terrorist attacks in India: Key economic city made target 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Terrorist attacks on India's commercial city reminiscent of 
9/11 
(2) Confusion in Thailand marring its national interests 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Lay judge system: More efforts needed to wipe away anxieties 
(2) Terrorist attacks in India: Eradicate terrorism with unity of 
international community 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Terrorist attacks in India: Cooperation between India and 
Pakistan indispensable 
(2) Lay judge system: Effort to ease anxieties needed 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Achievement test in Osaka: Governor's abnormal attitude will 
arouse spirit of competition 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule Nov. 26 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
Nov. 27, 2008 
 
08:48 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike at the Kantei. 
 
09:28 
Met LDP special panel to strengthen diplomatic capabilities chairman 
Yoshiro Mori and executive secretary Motegi. 
 
10:01 
Attended an Upper House plenary session. 
 
12:18 
Attended a national convention of town and village heads at the NHK 
Hall. 
 
14:02 
Met at the Kantei with LDP Agriculture and Forestry Division head 
Miyakoshi, Forestry Policy Research Commission Chairman Iwanaga, 
 
TOKYO 00003251  003 OF 010 
 
 
national federation to promote creating a forest environment tax 
chairman Iwata and others. 
 
15:03 
Attended a meeting of the central council to promote measures for 
the disable. Met members of the Central Union of Agricultural 
Cooperatives. 
 
16:00 
Met Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Ogawa. 
 
17:02 
Met Middle East Cooperation Center Chairman Jiro Nemoto. Followed by 
chief Takagi of Hoshino Village in Fukuoka Prefecture, with Election 
Strategy Council Chairman Koga. 
 
18:39 
Met members of the New Japan-China Friendship 21st Century 
Committee, including Fuji Xerox Supreme Advisor Yotaro Kobayashi, 
chairman of the Japanese group. 
 
19:59 
Dined at a Chinese restaurant in the Hotel Okura with Tanigaki, 
chairman of the LDP project team on freeing up road revenues, Policy 
Research Council Chairman Hori, and Deputy Chairman Sonoda. 
 
22:47 
Returned to his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
November 28, 2008 
 
07:39 
Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
10:01 
Met at the Kantei with Secretary General Hosoda and Diet Affairs 
Committee Chairman Oshima, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 
 
10:49 
Met Kawamura, joined by New Komeito President Ota and Secretary 
General Kitagawa. Kitagawa stayed behind. 
 
11:39 
Met Kitakyushu Social Welfare Council Chairman Haga and others, with 
Konoike present. 
 
12:12 
Met Internal Affairs and Communications Hatoyama. 
 
12:53 
Attended a national convention of the Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry at the NHK Hall. 
 
13:56 
Met LDP Tax System Research Commission Chairman Tsushima at the 
Kantei. 
 
14:30 
Attended a special executive meeting in the Diet Building. Later, 
met Secretary General Hosoda, Executive Council Chairman Sasagawa, 
 
TOKYO 00003251  004 OF 010 
 
 
Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, and others. 
 
15:00 
Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka at the Kantei. Met Japan Dental 
Federation Chairman Nagayama and others, with Lower House member 
Takashi Mitsubayashi, Upper House member Masakazu Sekiguchi, and 
others. 
 
15:45 
Met Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau Director General 
Takamizawa, Defense Intelligence Headquarters chief Shimohira, and 
Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. Mitani stayed behind. 
 
16:31 
Met incoming and outgoing chief judge of the Supreme Court Takesaki 
and Shimada. 
 
16:47 
Met Tokyo Governor Ishihara, with Konoike. 
 
17:10 
Met LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, New Komeito Policy 
Research Council Chairman Yamaguchi, and Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Kawamura. Hori and Yamaguchi stayed behind. Followed by Economic and 
Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano. 
 
18:20 
Met Lower House members Koki Chuma and Takeshi Iwaya, Upper House 
member Katsuhito Asano, and assistant Yamaguchi. 
 
18:58 
Met Sasagawa, Hori and other members of the LDP Executive Liaison 
Council. Joined by Hosoda and Election Strategy Council Chairman 
Koga. 
 
20:37 
Met his secretaries at the Imperial Hotel 
 
23:57 
Returned to his private rsidence. 
 
4) Terrorist attacks in India: Government fully supports India; 
Determined to do its utmost to secure safety of Japanese nationals 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
November 28, 2008 
 
The government on November 27 stressed its stance of cooperating 
with the Indian government on measures against terrorism, 
criticizing the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai, India, 
that claimed a large number of victims, including a Japanese 
businessman. It also intends to do its utmost to secure the safety 
of Japanese nationals and tourists throughout the world, with one 
senior Foreign Ministry official noting that the world is becoming 
instable. 
 
Commenting on the incident, Prime Minister Taro Aso on the evening 
of November 27 told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office 
(Kantei), "This is apparently terrorism. We must fight terrorism in 
a determined manner. Japan will extend full assistance to the Indian 
government, which is fighting terrorism head on. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003251  005 OF 010 
 
 
5) Japan to strengthen cooperation with other Asian countries to 
prevent terrorism 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 28, 2008 
 
In reaction to the terrorist attacks in India on Nov. 27, the 
government will quickly boost cooperation with other countries in 
Asia to prevent large-scale terrorism. Prime Minister Taro Aso 
announced yesterday that the government will fully support the 
antiterrorism measures taken by the Indian government. Japan has 
been assisting developing countries in enhancing their capabilities 
to cope with terrorist acts by disbursing its official development 
assistance (ODA) funds. Japan is likely to be required to beef up 
this kind of aid in the future. 
 
Aso told reporters at his official residence last night: 
 
"The attacks were apparently acts of terrorism. I think we must 
stand against them.... We would like to offer full assistance for 
the Indian people and government, who are fighting terrorism." 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura also said in a press 
conference: "We will continue to cooperate with the Indian 
government in facing terrorism." 
 
The government intends to take the following measures on a priority 
basis: (1) to strengthen the immigration-control system to prevent 
terrorists from coming into and going out of the nation; (2) to 
improve the functions of security agents responsible for exposing 
planned terrorist acts; and (3) to tighten the system of keeping 
tabs on money laundering by terrorist groups. 
 
6) 700 million yen to be offered to Congo as humanitarian aid 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 28, 2008 
 
The government yesterday decided to provide approximately 700 
million yen in humanitarian aid, which includes the provision of 
tents, as a measure to support refugees in Congo, where public 
security has deteriorated due to the civil war. Coinciding with the 
dispatch of Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Nobuhide 
Minorikawa to Congo for four days from Dec. 1, the cabinet will make 
a decision on the matter in a meeting today. 
 
7) DPJ's Maehara: Obama team shares the view that Futenma relocation 
plan is impossible 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
November 27, 2008 
 
Takenori Noguchi 
 
Democratic Party of Japan Vice President Seiji Maehara delivered a 
speech on Nov. 26 in Tokyo. In the speech, Maehara indicated that 
during his visit to the United States in June, he exchanged views 
with President-elect Barack Obama's foreign policy team on the 
relocation of Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Camp 
Schwab, and that they shared the view that realizing the plan was 
impossible. Maehara also indicated that the plan should be 
reconsidered on the occasion of the establishment of the new U.S. 
 
TOKYO 00003251  006 OF 010 
 
 
administration. 
 
The governments of Japan and the United States agreed in 1996 to 
return Futenma Air Station on the condition of its relocation to a 
new site in Okinawa. The plan did not move forward due to the 
anti-base movement and other factors, and the two governments 
reached a new agreement on the Futenma base in 2005 to return the 
base by linking it to a plan to move 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa 
to Guam as part of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. Maehara, 
who was involved in the matter in 1996 as the now-defunct Sakigake 
Party's policy officer, noted: "In order to build relations of trust 
to carry out the promise, a different design must be drawn up by 
putting the matter back to the drawing board. We share the same 
awareness (with the United States)." 
 
8) Defense minister to issue order today for withdrawal of ASDF from 
Iraq 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
November 28, 2008 
 
By Ryo Matsuo 
 
The government is set to decide at its Security Council of Japan 
meeting today to withdraw the Air Self-Defense Force, which has been 
engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq. Based 
on the decision, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada will issue an 
order for the withdrawal. The deployment of Japan's Self-Defense 
Forces of about five years will completely end, following the 
pullout of the Ground Self-Defense Force from the southern Iraqi 
city of Samawah in July 2006. 
 
A UN resolution authorizing the stationing of the multinational 
forces will expire at the end of this year. In addition, U.S. 
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to shift the emphasis of 
the war on terror from Iraq to Afghanistan. Given the situation, the 
government decided in September to pull the ASDF out of Iraq. 
 
Sending an advance team in late 2003, the ASDF's C-130 transport 
planes began airlift operations in March 2004 between Kuwait and 
Iraq. As of Nov. 26, the ASDF made a total of 810 flights to airlift 
671.1 tons of supplies and personnel for the multinational forces 
and the UN. 
 
9) Prime minister makes another gaffe: "Why should I pay for medical 
fees for those who are careless with their health?" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 27, 2008 
 
The minute book of a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal 
Policy, held on November 20, was released on the 20th, disclosing 
Prime Minister Aso's remark on constraining social security 
expenses. He said, "Why should I pay for the medical costs of people 
(patients) who become sick because they just keep on drinking and 
eating and doing nothing?" The remark will likely draw fire, as it 
can be taken as insinuating that patients are to be blamed for an 
increase in medical costs for elderly people. 
 
The prime minister said, "If you attend a class reunion at the age 
of 67 or 68, you'd find some of your classmates who used to be fit 
and healthy are now worn out and go to see the doctor frequently." 
 
TOKYO 00003251  007 OF 010 
 
 
He also said, "My medical costs are much lower than such people. 
That is because I take a walk every day and do other things. I pay 
more tax (than them)." Aso lastly said, "The government should 
provide incentives to people who make efforts to keep in good 
health." 
 
10) New Komeito unhappy with premier 
 
YOMIURI(Page 4) (Excerpts) 
November 27, 2008 
 
The New Komeito is increasingly dissatisfied with Prime Minister 
Aso. That is because the prime minister failed to meet its request 
for a Lower House dissolution at an early date. He is also causing 
confusion because of his gaffes and controversial statements. 
However, a sense of constriction is gripping the party with the only 
option available now being to support him for the next Lower House 
election. 
 
Referring to a Lower House dissolution, Secretary General Kitagawa 
at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on November 
26 admitted, "The possibility of the government dissolving the Lower 
House at the outset of the regular Diet session (to be convened in 
January next year) is becoming slim." This is the first time for the 
party to indicate such an outlook, because it has insisted that 
there could be dissolution in the year-end and new-year period. 
Kitagawa underscored, "There is no change in our stance of 
contesting the next election with Prime Minister Aso." 
 
11) Ruling coalition to pour all energy into enacting refueling and 
financial bills, avoiding all-out confrontation in extended Diet 
session 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 28, 2008 
 
The government and the ruling camp officially decided yesterday to 
extend the current Diet session for 25 days to Dec. 25 with the aim 
of passing a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures 
Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in 
the Indian Ocean. The decision is expected to be approved at a 
plenary session of the House of Representatives today by a majority 
from the ruling parties. 
 
The government and the ruling parties intend to devote themselves to 
enacting the refueling bill and a bill amending the Law for 
Strengthening Financial Functions to enable the government to pour 
public funds into regional financial institutions, while refraining 
as much as possible from deliberations on other bills. 
 
12) Government's space outline allows use of space for security and 
diplomatic purposes 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
November 28, 2008 
 
A basic space plan, unveiled yesterday by the expert research 
council of the government's Strategic Headquarters for Space 
Development headed by Prime Minister Taro Aso, set forth a policy 
direction to allow the government to use space for security and 
diplomatic purposes from a perspective putting high priority on the 
development of rockets and satellites. The government will launch 
 
TOKYO 00003251  008 OF 010 
 
 
concrete work for formulating a program next May. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura emphasized before the expert 
research council yesterday the importance of defining the 
development of space as a national strategy, saying: "It is 
necessary to have a basic program that can help Japan demonstrate 
its presence in the international community." 
 
The basic space development program will be formulated based on the 
basic space law enacted in May this year. The program will 
incorporate a basic policy and measures for the next five years. 
Referring to the use of space for defense purposes that has become 
possible with the enactment of the basic space law, the outline 
specifies that the government is to endeavor to strengthen and 
improve the country's information-gathering capability. The 
government thus showed its intention to set forth a certain 
direction for the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) to be 
revised at the end of 2009. 
 
The research council is expected to consider in the future: (1) 
reconnaissance satellites with a resolution higher than that of the 
present information-gathering satellites; (2) early-warning 
satellites to detect launches of missiles; and (3) high-capacity 
high-speed communications satellites. 
 
To what extent these elements will be reflected in the NDPG remains 
unclear. 
 
In addition to difficulty securing a budget for launching satellites 
under the tight fiscal condition, there are a plethora of 
challenges, such as the development of new technologies and 
acquiring know-how. 
 
The promotion of space diplomacy is another pillar of the outline. 
Japan has provided climate satellite images to some 30 countries in 
the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, some have pointed out 
that such an approach was weaker as a national strategy in 
comparison to China's diplomatic means of securing energy resources 
by receiving orders for launching communications satellites from 
such countries as Nigeria and Venezuela. 
 
13) Nationality Law revision bill to clear Diet as early as Dec. 3 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
November 28, 2008 
 
Regarding a bill amending the Nationality Law, a vote on which has 
been put on hold in the House of Councillors, the Upper House 
Judicial Affairs Committee directors from the ruling and opposition 
parties yesterday agreed on an additional resolution, which includes 
such requirements that the submission of a report every six months 
to the Diet. The additional resolution calls on the committee to 
report the enforcement state of the revised law every six months, as 
well as to consider whether the introduction of a DNA examination 
system is needed or is appropriate. 
 
As such, the expectation is that the revision bill and the 
additional resolution will be adopted in the committee and an Upper 
House plenary session as early as Dec. 3. However, cautious views 
are simmering in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). In order to seek 
understanding for the revision to the law, the DPJ intends to hold 
 
TOKYO 00003251  009 OF 010 
 
 
an explanatory session for its members early next week. 
 
14) Expert panel recommends continuing development of engine for GX 
rocket 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 28, 2008 
 
In a meeting of its expert panel yesterday, the government's 
Strategic Headquarters for Space Development released its report 
noting that an engine powered by liquefied natural gas and used for 
the planned GX rocket be completed at an early date to conduct a 
combustion test next summer. The medium-sized GX-rocket is being 
developed jointly by the public and private sectors. But the panel 
put off a judgment on the propriety of continuing the development of 
the GX rocket itself. 
 
The central government is in charge of developing the engine. 
However, technical problems have been left unresolved, and the 
project has been up in the air. 
 
15) Japan, U.S. considering separate document on sampling 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 28, 2008 
 
Regarding Japan's request to put in writing a verification protocol 
in connection with North Korea's nuclear declaration, which will be 
high on the agenda in the next round of the six-party talks, the 
governments of Japan and the United States are now studying a 
compromise plan under which sampling of materials from North Korean 
nuclear facilities will be referred to in an "attachment," which 
will be different from the verification protocol, it was learned 
yesterday. The two governments are also considering covering the 
nuclear sampling issue in a "footnote." The move is aimed at giving 
consideration to North Korea, which has strongly opposed the idea of 
putting sampling into written form. 
 
Chief negotiators to the six-party talks from Japan, the United 
States and South Korea are expected to meet on Dec. 3 in Tokyo to 
discuss response to the next round of the talks. 
 
16) Government to urge U.S. President-elect Obama to understand 
abduction issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 28, 2008 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura met yesterday with Governor 
of Niigata Prefecture Hirohiko Izumida, chair of the Association of 
Governors to Rescue Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea, at the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence. In the meeting, Kawamura told 
Izumida: "We will make efforts to urge U.S. President-elect Barack 
Obama to understand the abduction issue." 
 
17) Study group proposes restricting investment in airport operating 
companies to 20 PERCENT 
 
SANKEI (Page 8) (Full) 
November 28, 2008 
 
Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) intends to list its 
 
TOKYO 00003251  010 OF 010 
 
 
stocks. In this connection, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and 
Transport (MLIT) on November 27 formally submitted to the Study 
Group on Regulations on Airport Infrastructure (chaired by Chuo 
University Law School Professor Seiichi Ochiai), the government's 
expert council, a draft report that incorporates a proposal for 
limiting an investor's stake to 20 PERCENT  of the company. 
 
The draft mentions that the government, which now wholly owns the 
company's stocks, will sell those stocks in stages and eventually 
hold a one-third stake for the foreseeable future. It also points 
out the need to introduce a shareholding restriction without 
discriminating between domestic and foreign companies. The draft 
proposes 20 PERCENT  and 33 PERCENT  as the upper limits of a stake 
in the company by one shareholder, but notes that the limit should 
be set at 20 PERCENT  to prevent any single shareholder from having 
excessive influence. As the ratio of government-held shares as a 
result of gradual privatization, the draft proposes 50 PERCENT  or 
one-third and recommends the one-third plan so as to allow the 
company to display its independence as much as possible. 
 
The panel will finalize the report based on those government 
proposals and adopt it at its December meeting. Related laws, 
including the airport law, will be amended during the regular Diet 
session next year. 
 
The MLIT plan includes arguments for and against regulating 
investment in Japan Airport Company, the already-listed Haneda 
Airport facilities operator. The panel will compile a report with 
the possibility of ruling out the adoption of a restriction. 
 
18) Poll: 51 PERCENT  concerned about public security due to rise in 
foreign touristry to Japan 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 28, 2008 
 
The Cabinet Office yesterday released the results of its sponsored 
special public opinion survey on the government's tourism policy. In 
the survey, respondents were asked for multiple-choice answers about 
an increase in the number of foreign travelers to Japan. To this 
question, a total of 51.8 PERCENT  answered that they were concerned 
about safety and thought some measures should be taken. The 
government plans to increase the number of foreign travelers to 
Japan to 20 million by 2020, more than twice the current level. 
However, it has also become clear that there are also many people 
who are worried about a rapid increase in the number of foreign 
tourists to Japan. 
 
SCHIEFFER