VZCZCXRO2506
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #3264/01 3360123
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 010123Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9087
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 3534
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 1173
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4963
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9180
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1744
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6582
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2578
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2708

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003264 
 
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 12//08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
 
3) Following terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Prime Minister Aso in 
telephone call to India's Prime Minister Singh vows cooperation to 
combat terrorism  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Defense and security: 
4) Government formally decides withdraw ASDF from Iraq after five 
years of airlift support  (Mainichi) 
5) ASDF during five years of support in Iraq flew 800 missions, 
carried 670 tons, and dispatched a total of 3,500 personnel 
(Nikkei) 
6) Defense Minister Hamada announces complete ban on cluster 
munitions, including new types  (Asahi) 
7) Defense Minister Hamada beset with one ministry scandal after 
another since assuming post  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Political agenda: 
8) Nikkei poll: Aso Cabinet in free fall, with support plummeting 17 
points to 31 PERCENT  and non-support soaring 19 points to dangerous 
62 PERCENT  level  (Nikkei) 
9) Hosoda: Diet dissolution not until next spring  (Asahi) 
10) Government in extended Diet session to quickly pass banking 
recapitalization bill  (Nikkei) 
 
11) Democratic Party of Japan's Hatoyama says if second 
supplementary budget is submitted next year, DPJ will boycott 
session  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
12) Former Prime Minister Mori blasts junior LDP critics of Aso: If 
they want to criticize, they should quit the party  (Asahi) 
13) DPJ head Ozawa says if Aso quits, it would make way for a grand 
alliance of the parties  (Nikkei) 
14) With crisis all around him, Prime Minister Aso stops reading 
comic books, buys serious reading at bookstore  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Economy: 
15) Asahi survey of 100 top companies finds 98 that see the economy 
in recession, of which 70 PERCENT  do not see recovery until at 
least 2010  (Asahi) 
16) Government to compile this week an emergency job package; Aso to 
try to jawbone corporations to raise employee pay  (Yomiuri) 
 
17) IWC working group to meet next month to discuss research whaling 
issue  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Apa Group head gave highest score to essay to ex-ASDF chief 
 
Mainichi: 
Mother in Okayama to challenge constitutionality of "300-day rule" 
over refusal of notification of birth 
 
Yomiuri: 
Thailand still in chaos 
 
 
TOKYO 00003264  002 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
Nikkei: 
Willcom to use DoCoMo's network to offer Internet service 
 
Sankei: 
Drastic measures to be taken against state control over local 
governments: Decentralization Promotion Committee to present 
revision plan tomorrow 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Stabbing of former vice welfare minister and others 
 
Akahata: 
NHK Sunday Debate: General Secretary Ichita stresses political 
responsibility for protecting jobs 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) U.S. troops in Iraq: Path to exit is now in sight, but issues 
remain 
(2) Reform of judo: Value importance of nurturing judoka 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Withdrawal of informal job offers: Don't shatter young people's 
dreams 
(2) Government's Tax Research Commission report: We do not want a 
silent organ 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Review road consolidation program, based on new traffic demand 
projection 
(2) Compensation for obstetric accidents: Detailed and polite 
explanations needed 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Government should use resourcefulness to generate demand 
(2) Internet will change TV broadcasting 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Withdrawal of informal job offers: Easy-going employment 
adjustment will have adverse effect 
(2) Downward revision to traffic demand estimate still optimistic 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Tax Research Commission and Fiscal System Council: Clear lack of 
discussion 
(2) Raising ibises: Remember lessons of extinction 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Massive dismissals: Unconstitutionality is unacceptable 
 
3) Aso, Singh agree in telephone conversation to work closely to 
fight terrorism 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso had a telephone conversation with Indian 
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night. In it, the two leaders 
confirmed that they would work closely in fighting terrorism in the 
wake of the massive terrorist attacks in Mumbai. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003264  003 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
Aso said: "It is important that the latest incidents will not end up 
destabilizing the region. To prevent that, Japan is ready to extend 
as much cooperation as possible." Singh replied: "We would like to 
cooperate with Japan in the war on terror. We will continue to do 
our utmost so that Japanese people and companies can carry out 
activities safely." 
 
Aso offered condolences to the victims and condemned the acts of 
terrorism. He also told his Indian counterpart: "I hope the Indian 
people will be able to overcome this hardship swiftly." 
 
4) Gov't decides to withdraw ASDF from Iraq 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
Eve., November 28, 2008 
 
The government held a meeting of the Security Council this morning 
and decided to withdraw Air Self-Defense Forces troops sent on a 
humanitarian and reconstruction mission in Iraq. Defense Minister 
Yasukazu Hamada will issue a withdrawal order today. 
 
The ASDF will send a support unit of about 70 troops in order to 
help the ASDF detachment pull out of Iraq, and the ASDF airlift unit 
will withdraw from Iraq in mid-December. The ASDF will be through 
with its backlog there in January 2009. The Self-Defense Forces' 
mission in Iraq under the Iraq Special Measures Law will now be 
completed without casualties after about five years of service. 
 
5) ASDF makes over 800 flights, airlifts 670 tons on Iraq mission 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
Eve., November 28, 2008 
 
The government first dispatched the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq in 
December 2003 to help that country with its postwar reconstruction. 
The Air Self-Defense Force has been tasked with airlifting supplies 
and troops since March 2004. Three ASDF C-130 transport planes and 
about 200 ASDF members, stationed at Ali Al Salem Air Base in 
Kuwait, have been engaged in activities there. The ASDF has made a 
total of 810 flights as of Nov. 26 since its Iraq mission started. 
The ASDF has flown a total of about 46,000 persons, and its airlifts 
of supplies totaled approximately 671.1 tons. 
 
On its Iraq mission, the ASDF was initially tasked with airlifting 
supplies mainly for Ground Self-Defense Force troops deployed in the 
southern Iraqi city of Samawah. In July 2006, the GSDF withdrew from 
Iraq. After that, the ASDF flew C-130s from Kuwait to Baghdad in 
Iraq and also to the northern Iraqi city of Arbil to airlift medical 
and other supplies, as well as personnel, for the United Nations 
staff and multinational forces. ASDF members on the Iraq mission 
totaled 3,500. The GSDF and ASDF have had no casualties from attacks 
made by insurgents and other groups against the stationing of 
multinational forces in Iraq during their mission there over the 
past five years. 
 
6) Defense minister points to abolition of cluster bombs 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
The government is set to sign next month the treaty banning cluster 
bombs. In this connection, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada in a 
 
TOKYO 00003264  004 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
press conference on Nov. 28 said: "We do not have the idea (of 
possessing) new types of cluster bombs (that are not covered by the 
treaty). We will not use any cluster munitions." As a result, all 
cluster munitions possessed by the Self-Defense Forces will be 
abolished. Hamada also said: "We don't have the idea of introducing 
(new types of cluster bombs)." In revising the National Defense 
Program Guidelines next year, the government is expected to present 
a new approach to defense buildup that uses conventional arms 
instead of cluster munitions. 
 
7) Defense minister on hot seat over series of scandals 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
December 1, 2008 
 
Takayuki Shimizu 
 
In the wake of a series of scandals involving the Defense Ministry, 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, 53, has been on a bed of thorns. 
 
Over the last two months since Hamada took office, his ministry has 
been hit by a string of scandals, including the death of a Maritime 
Self-Defense Force petty officer 3rd class during a training course, 
the furor over a controversial essay by former Air Self-Defense 
Force Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami, and a sexual harassment case 
by an ASDF major general. 
 
At the Diet, Defense Minister Hamada has been bearing the brunt of 
criticism from the opposition camp over those scandals. Trading 
positions with the opposition bloc, Hamada is now in a position to 
offer cautious replies under heavy booing and heckling in the Diet. 
 
The defense minister is a son of the former House of Representatives 
member Koichi Hamada, who was dubbed "a rough neck in the political 
world." 
 
In connection with an action against Tamogami, an opposition member 
provocatively said to the defense minister, "I believe your father 
would have said to Mr. Tamogami, 'You should quit.'" In response, he 
defense minister calmly said, "(My father) and I are two different 
persons." 
 
Defense Minister Hamada ordered the ministry to disclose information 
on the series of scandals. He was aware that if the ministry failed 
to disclose information, it would be criticized as an organization 
quick to cover up and that would add insult to injury. 
 
Despite that, it has come to light that the ministry had concealed 
the dismissal of the ASDF major general over the sexual harassment 
case. Defense Minister Hamada has not fully displayed his 
leadership. 
 
There are many major challenges before him, such as the reform of 
the Defense Ministry, a review of the National Defense Program 
Guidelines, and the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.  As a 
member of a new breed of defense policy specialists, his true worth 
will now be tested. 
 
8) Poll: Cabinet support plunges to 31 PERCENT 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
December 1, 2008 
 
TOKYO 00003264  005 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
 
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun and TV Tokyo conducted a joint public 
opinion survey on Nov. 28-30, in which the rate of public support 
for Prime Minister Taro Aso's cabinet was 31 PERCENT , down 17 
percentage points from the last survey taken in late October. The 
nonsupport rate rose 19 points to 62 PERCENT , topping the support 
rate for the first time. Aso has now decided to forgo introducing a 
second fiscal 2008 supplementary budget that is to substantiate his 
additional economic stimulus package. In the survey, respondents 
were asked if they supported the decision. To this question, 56 
PERCENT  answered "no," with 28 PERCENT  saying "yes." 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 39 PERCENT , down 2 points. The 
leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) was at 30 
PERCENT , down 1 point. The LDP has led the DPJ in public support 
since June. 
 
The cabinet support rate neared the 29 PERCENT  rating that was 
shown in late August for then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda right 
before his resignation. The Aso cabinet's support rate is now about 
to fall below the danger zone of 30 PERCENT . 
 
Aso has also announced a plan to hand out cash benefits to each 
household in his additional package of economic stimulus measures. 
However, 66 PERCENT  answered "no" and 26 PERCENT  said "yes" when 
asked if they appreciated it. Meanwhile, Aso has decided to forgo 
dissolving the Diet. Asked about this, negative answers accounted 
for 52 PERCENT , with affirmative answers at 33 PERCENT . The prime 
minister's policy flip-flops and gaffes seem to have led to the 
sharp drop in his cabinet's support rate. 
 
The survey was taken by Nikkei Research Inc. by telephone on a 
random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, samples were 
chosen from among men and women aged 20 and over across the nation. 
A total of 1,559 households with one or more eligible voters were 
sampled, and answers were obtained from 938 persons (60.2 PERCENT 
). 
 
9) LDP Secretary General Hosoda: Lower House will be dissolved in 
spring or later 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
Appearing on a TV Asahi talk show yesterday, Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Sonoda took the view that the 
House of Representatives would be dissolved for a snap election 
after the passage of a state budget for fiscal 2009. He stated: 
 
"(The Lower House will be dissolved) during the period between next 
spring and fall. It would be difficult for (the prime minister to 
dissolve the Lower House) before the FY2009 budget and 
budget-related bills clear the Diet." 
 
Appearing on a different TV program, Sonoda suggested his party's 
stance of voting down a bill freezing the sale of state-owned shares 
of Japan Post Holdings Corporation, which was submitted by three 
opposition parties to the House of Councillors, in the Lower House 
during the current Diet session. The main opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) has sought passage of the above bill as a prior 
condition for passage of a bill revising the Financial Functions 
 
TOKYO 00003264  006 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
Strengthening Law. 
 
10) Government, ruling camp urge opposition to vote on financial 
bill in extended Diet session 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
The government and the ruling camp will urge the opposition to take 
a vote on a bill amending the Law for Strengthening Financial 
Functions in the extended Diet session. In harshly criticizing the 
government's decision not to submit a second supplementary budget 
bill for fiscal 2008 in the current Diet session, the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) intends to submit to the House of Councillors 
its own economic bills that include measures to abolish the current 
provisional gasoline tax rate. In the ruling camp, some members have 
begun to suggest that a bill submitted by the DPJ, the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP), and the People's New Party (PNP) to freeze 
the sale of postal shares be handled on a priority basis. 
 
Appearing on an NHK TV program yesterday, DPJ Secretary General 
Yukio Hatoyama first said, "I have no intention at all to delay" 
voting on the financial bill, and continued: "The postal bill has 
not been deliberated on in the House of Representatives one year 
after its submission. Priority should be given to deliberations on 
this bill." 
 
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda said in 
the same program: "We absolutely oppose a bill calling for 
continuing state ownership." He indicated that the LDP would vote it 
down in the Lower House. 
 
The DPJ will adopt the economic stimulus bill in a meeting of its 
shadow cabinet on Dec. 3 and then start coordination with the SDP 
and the PNP. The main opposition party plans to submit the bill to 
the opposition-controlled Upper House as early as this month and 
expose problems in the government's additional economic package 
through debate. 
 
11) DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama: DPJ will not cooperate on second 
supplementary budget if it is submitted to Diet early next year 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
The government and ruling parties have decided to put off submitting 
a second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 until the next regular 
session of the Diet. Referring in his speech delivered yesterday in 
Matsue City to the government's decision, Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama stressed that his party would 
not cooperate for the budget's early passage. He said: "The idea 
that they want to pass it quickly is unacceptable because they are 
delaying its submission." 
 
Hatoyama also said: "If the second extra budget is presented in 
early December, we are ready to pass it before the end of the year." 
He continued, however: "If it is submitted early next year, such 
would be a different story. It is unreasonable for them to ask us to 
cooperate for an early passage." 
 
Hatoyama gave his outlook that the DPJ would soon announce a third 
group of candidates for the next House of Representatives election. 
 
TOKYO 00003264  007 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
 
12) Former Prime Minister Mori criticizes junior LDP lawmakers 
critical of Prime Minister Aso, saying: They should leave the party 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori yesterday delivered a speech in 
the city of Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture. In his speech, Mori strongly 
condemned junior and mid-level Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
lawmakers who have openly been criticizing Prime Minister Taro Aso's 
management of his government. He said: 
 
"I wonder why they don't want to support a prime minister we elected 
only two months ago. What they are doing is just for them, not for 
the LDP. They only think about themselves." 
 
With former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki in mind, Mori 
stated: 
 
"He runs down Mr. Aso before TV cameras. He should leave the LDP. 
Despite having served as chief cabinet secretary in the Abe cabinet, 
he has criticized (the prime minister). If he wants to be popular 
with the mass media, he should become a comedian." 
 
13) Ozawa hints at grand coalition if Aso steps down, aiming to 
split ruling coalition 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa has indicated 
a plan to form a grand coalition joined by both the ruling and 
opposition camps if Prime Minister Taro Aso steps down in the next 
ordinary Diet session, according to informed sources yesterday. His 
motive is apparently to split the ruling camp by hinting at forming 
a cabinet that decides to dissolve the House of Representatives for 
a snap election. 
 
After meeting with Aso on the night of Nov. 28, Ozawa met DPJ 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and New Party Nippon President 
Yasuo Tanaka in Tokyo and revealed the grand-coalition plan. 
According to a participant in the meeting, Ozawa said: "The Aso 
cabinet will no longer be able to survive. He might walk off the job 
in the ordinary Diet session," adding that if he steps down, "a 
cabinet involving all political parties, namely, a grand coalition, 
might be formed." 
 
14) Prime Minister Aso buys books instead of manga comic books 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
December 1, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Taso Aso visited a large bookstore near JR Tokyo 
Station yesterday and purchased four books on international politics 
and Japanese diplomacy. Included in those books were Tsuyoi Nihon e 
no Hasso (Mindset for a Strong Japan) co-authored by Kimindo Kusaka 
and Jinbutsu de Yomu Nihon Gaikoushi (Modern History of Japanese 
Diplomacy through the Eyes of the Players). Although the Prime 
Minister also picked up a manga comic book on a feudal warlord named 
Naoe Kanetsugu, he did not buy it. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003264  008 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
Aso browsed such corners as new books, finance, and history for 
about half an hour with his secretary. 
 
15) In poll, 98 of 100 firms see economic recession; 70 PERCENT 
predict recovery by 2010 at the earliest 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 30, 2008 
 
Among the 100 major Japanese companies surveyed by the Asahi 
Shimbun, 74 firms said that the economy is deteriorating, a sharp 
increase the previous survey in June when only three companies felt 
that way. The poll found 98 firms that saw the economy to be 
receding, of which 24 firms felt that the slow down was moderate. 
Set off by the U.S.-triggered financial crisis and the slowdown of 
the global economy, business confidence of major Japanese firms has 
been rapidly falling. 
 
In the latest survey, conducted from Nov. 10 through the 21st, the 
Asahi Shimbun interviewed presidents and other top executives at 50 
major manufacturers and 50 leading non-manufacturing companies. The 
Asahi carries out this kind of survey twice a year. More than 90 
PERCENT  replied that the economy is sinking into recession, the 
first time for such a strong view since the survey began in 
September 2001 (when 92 PERCENT  of the 200 firms surveyed gave such 
pessimistic views). At that time, the economy was in recession due 
to the collapse of the IT bubble and the terrorist attacks on the 
U.S., which took place just after the start of the survey. 
 
Asked about the current state of the nation's economy, no 
respondents said that the economy is expanding or moderately 
expanding, unlike the previous survey, although one company said 
that the economy is at a standstill and another firm gave no answer. 
In the previous survey, only three companies said that the economy 
was deteriorating, and 21 firms said that the economy was moderately 
slowing down. 
 
Triggered by the collapse of the U.S. leading securities firm Lehman 
Brothers in mid-September, the business environment became 
increasingly severe. Sony President Ryoji Chubachi stated: "The 
economy has been in a negative spiral since September." Nippon Steel 
Vice President Kiichiro Masuda also said: "With Japan's major 
indicators all worsening, the economy has fallen into a recession." 
 
Asked which two factors most influenced their views on the current 
economic situation, 81 companies cited changes in corporate profits, 
followed by 39 firms citing the present U.S. economic situation, 25 
firms listing changes in personal consumption, and the trend in 
exports. 
 
There was no company that predicted the economy would return to a 
recovery track in the first half of 2009. Nearly 70 PERCENT  of the 
100 firms said that economic recovery would be unlikely until the 
end of next year. Asked what factors they thought would boost the 
economy, many respondents cited the recovery of the U.S. economy and 
the resolution of the ongoing financial crisis. Regarding the future 
of domestic capital investment and personal consumption, a majority 
of respondents gave a fainthearted view. 
 
16) Government, ruling parties to come up with emergency job package 
before end of week: Prime minister to ask business circles to give 
pay raises 
 
TOKYO 00003264  009 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 30, 2008 
 
Following the worsening employment situation in the wake of the 
financial crisis gripping the world, the government and the ruling 
parties on November 29 firmed up a plan to issue a set of emergency 
employment measures and began the actual process. Prime Minister Aso 
will directly ask for cooperation from executives of business 
organizations on December 1. The ruling camp is expected to compile 
measures to expand unemployment policy measures that operate through 
local municipalities and to address the withdrawals of job offers to 
new graduates by companies. 
 
The prime minister will meet with Japan Business Federation (Nippon 
Keidanren) Chairman Fujio Mitarai, Japan Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry Chairman Tadashi Okamura, and other business leaders who 
are making proactive efforts to upgrade irregular workers to a 
permanent status. He intends to seek their understanding and 
cooperation regarding pay raises as an emergency assistance measure 
for household budgets. 
 
A call for pay raises is included in the package of economic 
stimulus measures released in late October. It is unusual for any 
prime minister to ask for pay raises before the spring wage 
negotiations with management start. Aso will also ask for 
cooperation for stabilizing the employment of irregular workers. 
 
17) IWC working-level meeting to be held possibly next month: 
Research whaling on agenda 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 29, 2008 
 
A working-level meeting of the International Whaling Commission 
(IWC) will likely be held, possibly in December. Full-scale 
discussions of such issues as research whaling, over which disputes 
are continuing between whaling countries and anti-whaling countries, 
are expected to take place. 
 
The government targets for research whaling in the Southern Ocean to 
be carried out between this month and next spring are about 850 
black minke whales and about 50 fin whales. The annual target in all 
areas until next fall is approximately 1,300, as it reported with 
the IWC. 
 
However, the actual catch of Japan's research whaling has fallen 
short of the target due in part to acts of obstruction by 
anti-whaling groups. The government is now estimating the 
profitability of the whaling project, such as how many black minke 
whales should be caught to turn a profit. 
 
In the meantime, related countries are expected to compile a 
compromise plan, including the number of whales to be caught and 
methods for research whaling, by the annual meeting of the IWC to be 
held next June. According to a related source, several countries 
have sounded out Japan about a possible reduction in its whaling 
target. The working-level IWC meeting will be held in December in 
Europe. Such key issues as research whaling, coastal whaling and the 
designation of non-whaling areas will likely be discussed at the 
meeting. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003264  010 OF 010 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12//08 
 
SCHIEFFER