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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 003334 
 
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 12/08/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Poll: Public support for Aso cabinet plunges by half to 21 
PERCENT  (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) DPJ executive desperately trying to cap internal strains over 
Diet strategy, super-grand coalition idea (Nikkei) 
 
(3) Budget compilation: Three challenges -- local tax allocations, 
social security spending and special budget framework: Coordination 
entering crucial stage (Nikkei) 
 
(4) Defense Ministry to request 100 billion yen for USFJ realignment 
(Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Interview with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima on his second 
anniversary; Okinawa promotion law and promotion plan to be reviewed 
(Okinawa Times) 
 
(6) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(7) EDITORIALS 
 
(8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 5 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Poll: Public support for Aso cabinet plunges by half to 21 
PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) (Full) 
December 8, 2008 
 
Public support for the Aso cabinet plummeted by almost half from the 
40.5 PERCENT  in the previous survey in early November to 20.9 
PERCENT , according to the latest nationwide telephone survey 
conducted on Dec. 5-7 by Yomiuri Shimbun. Meanwhile, disapproval 
rating jumped about 25 percentage points to 66.7 PERCENT . Asked 
which is preferable as prime minister, Prime Minister Aso or 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa, only 29 PERCENT  of 
respondents picked Aso, down 21 points from the previous survey, 
while 36 PERCENT  chose Ozawa, up 14 points. The support rate for 
Aso fell below the figure for Ozawa for the first time. Aso scored 
an overwhelming victory in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
presidential election, given his high popularity. The survey showed 
that the "effect of freshness" has faded out in only about two 
months. Greatly shocked by the survey results, some LDP members 
might begin to call for the prime minister to be replaced, or moves 
might be afoot to form a new political party. 
 
Aso losing political ground further 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura yesterday commented on the steep 
dive in public support for the Aso cabinet: "These are very severe 
figures for us. We should take the survey results as intended to 
encourage us and include satisfactory economic stimulus measures in 
the second supplementary budget bill for fiscal 2008 and in the 
budget bill for fiscal 2009. LDP Secretary General Hosoda stated 
before reporters yesterday: "The outcome is really regrettable. I 
expect (the support rate) to begin to climb once the public 
understand our measures to create jobs and to buoy the economy." 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima said: "A string of 
 
TOKYO 00003334  002 OF 012 
 
 
remarks (critical of the prime minister) by LDP members can be 
considered to have plunged public support." 
 
New Komeito President Ota commented yesterday: "It is important for 
the prime minister to demonstrate leadership and reveal what he 
really wants to do." 
 
Many ruling party members cite Aso's credentials as prime minister 
as one of the major reasons for the poor survey results, for 
instance, his trouble with reading kanji. A close aide to Aso stated 
yesterday: "There are no effective steps to raise the support rating 
of the cabinet. It is the sole way for the government to show to the 
public its determination to make steady effort." Even so, the prime 
minister's political strength will inevitably be dampened further in 
the future. 
 
Keeping in mind the fact that former prime ministers Abe and Fukuda 
stepped down in about one year after the launch of their cabinets, a 
junior LDP Lower House member said: "Even if the LDP tries to 
overcome the current tough situation by holding a LDP presidential 
election to replace prime minister, the party will not be able to 
obtain public support." But an LDP member who once served as a 
cabinet minister remarked: "It might be unavoidable for prime 
minister to be replaced as the support rating of his cabinet has 
dived to this level." 
 
Appearing on a Fuji TV program yesterday, Hidenao Nakagawa, former 
LDP secretary general, replied when asked how he plans to address 
political realignment and to form a new political party: "It is 
premature to make any comment. I will make a judgment after thorough 
deliberations." 
 
The government and the ruling camp intend to adjourn the current 
Diet session at the end of the session on Dec. 25 and convene an 
ordinary Diet session on Jan. 5. They hope to enact the second extra 
budget bill and related bills at an early date and then to force the 
fiscal 2009 budget bill through the Diet by the end of this fiscal 
year. But the DPJ is poised to oppose the supplementary budget bill. 
Heated negotiations are expected in the Diet. 
 
Ozawa gains more support as preferable premier 
 
In the latest survey, the support rating of the Aso cabinet was 
below the critical 30 PERCENT  line into the level considered 
dangerous and was even lower than the 28.3 PERCENT  for the Fukuda 
cabinet in its last days marked in Yomiuri survey by direct 
interview in August. 
 
As for the reasons given for not supporting the Aso cabinet, 32 
PERCENT  of respondents said they did not have any expectations 
about his policies, followed by 29 PERCENT  who cited a lack of 
leadership (9 PERCENT  in the previous survey), and 25 PERCENT  who 
listed a lack of stability of the cabinet (13 PERCENT  in the 
previous survey). The survey results showed that disappointment 
among the public at Aso's competence as prime minister was a major 
cause for the large drop in public support. 
 
Voters also severely evaluated the economic stimulus measures the 
cabinet had mapped out on a top priority basis, with 83 PERCENT 
saying that the cabinet has not properly dealt with the current 
economic situation and with 67 PERCENT  defining as inappropriate 
the government's decision to put off the submission of a second 
 
TOKYO 00003334  003 OF 012 
 
 
extra budget bill to sometime after early next year. The survey also 
found that 77 PERCENT  see a string of gaffes and controversial 
remarks by Aso have negatively affected the administration of 
government. 
 
Asked which party they would vote for in the next House of 
Representatives election, 27.2 PERCENT  chose the LDP (down 5.2 
points from the previous poll), 28.2 PERCENT  said they supported 
the DPJ (up 4.8 points). Asked which party they would vote for in 
the proportional representation ballot, 40 PERCENT  favored for the 
DPJ and 24 PERCENT  for the LDP. This marked the first time since 
the launch of the Aso cabinet for the DPJ has surpassed the LDP. 
 
In response to a question about what administration they think 
should be formed after the Lower House election, 33 PERCENT  replied 
that a new framework should be formed through political realignment, 
followed by 25 PERCENT  suggesting a grand coalition between the LDP 
and the DPJ. With 21 PERCENT  proposing forming a coalition centered 
on the DPJ and 12 PERCENT  for a coalition centered on the LDP, the 
survey results revealed that about 60 PERCENT  of the voters are 
seeking a new type of politics going beyond the framework of 
choosing the LDP or the DPJ. 
 
On the timing for Lower House dissolution for a general election, 36 
PERCENT  suggested early next year and 22 PERCENT  called for prompt 
dissolution, with about 60 PERCENT  urging the government to 
dissolve the Lower House at an early date. In the previous survey, 
22 PERCENT  cited around next spring, and 14 PERCENT  listed 
sometime by the time of the Lower House members' terms of office 
expiring next September. But the numbers of those who picked these 
replies significantly decreased. 
 
(2) DPJ executive desperately trying to cap internal strains over 
Diet strategy, super-grand coalition idea 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 8, 2008 
 
Strains are beginning to appear in the major opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ), which has taken the offensive to topple the 
government of Prime Minister Taro Aso. Some DPJ members in the House 
of Councillors are critical about the management of Diet affairs by 
Chairman Azuma Koshiishi and other executive members. Some are 
wondering about the true intention of President Ichiro Ozawa, who 
advocates a super-grand coalition vision to launch a caretaker 
government of ruling and opposition parties to deal with a general 
election. The party leadership is desperately trying to nip the 
problem in the bud. 
 
"Something is wrong with the Upper House leadership's way of dealing 
with matters," Toshimi Kitazawa, a DPJ vice president, who chairs 
the Upper House Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said on the 
night of Dec. 4 to Upper House members who were elected for the 
first time to the Diet in 2007. They were meeting at a Chinese 
restaurant in Tokyo. 
 
Koshiishi and other executive members are reluctant to take a tactic 
of boycotting deliberations in the current Diet session. Many in the 
DPJ Upper House are looking with suspicion on a development in which 
such senior members as Kitazawa, Hajime Ishii and Takeshi Maeda will 
lose their chances to score points during the ongoing extended Diet 
session. Also such junior members as Harunobu Yonenaga, Kuniko 
 
TOKYO 00003334  004 OF 012 
 
 
Tanioka and Kusuo Oshima made special requests in a general meeting 
and other occasions. 
 
Although the DPJ has formed a joint parliamentary group with the 
People's New Party (PNP) and New Party Nippon (NPN), creating the 
largest group in the Upper House, the PNP has recently often tried 
to force its assertions on the DPJ in managing Diet affairs and 
coordinating elections by hinting the threat of dissolving the 
parliamentary group. Some DPJ members are unhappy with the party 
leadership for giving too much consideration to the PNP. 
 
Koshiishi and other executives will hold meetings this week with 
groups based on the number of times they lawmakers were elected to 
the Upper House. They intend to strengthen intra-party unity by 
listening to views on managing the party. But a mid-level member 
said: "They are just trying to ease discontent." Some senior members 
who have distanced themselves from Ozawa have expressed concern 
about his super-grand coalition vision, with one saying: "Mr. Ozawa 
has not yet given up on the idea of a grand coalition with the LDP." 
 
 
The super-grand coalition vision means that if Prime Minister Aso 
resigns in the next ordinary session under the condition that he 
will carry out an early Lower House election for a snap election, 
the DPJ will agree to form a caretaker government made up of all 
parties to deal with the snap election. The super-grand coalition 
notion spread quickly after Ozawa mentioned it in a meeting on the 
night of Nov. 28 with Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and NPN 
leader Yasuo Tanaka. 
 
Meeting with strong opposition from within his party, Ozawa gave up 
on the idea of a grand coalition with the LDP, even though he and 
then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had agreed to it during a meeting. 
Many junior and mid-level members who want political change have yet 
to get over their "allergy" to such a notion. 
 
The DPJ leadership is struggling to find ways to stave off turmoil. 
In a meeting on Nov. 30 of the 'Next Cabinet,' Hatoyama said: 
 
"It is a misunderstanding that the grand-coalition notion will be 
revived. A caretaker government will aim to deal only with a general 
election to the last. The notion was come up in the process of 
forming a DPJ-led government." 
 
At a press conference on Nov. 4, Deputy President Naoto Kan 
explained that Ozawa becoming prime minister is a condition for a 
caretaker government to deal with a general election. Ozawa's hold 
over the party remains strong, but tools to shake the party's unity 
still remain in place. 
 
(3) Budget compilation: Three challenges -- local tax allocations, 
social security spending and special budget framework: Coordination 
entering crucial stage 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
December 7, 2008 
 
The government has decided to raise the state contribution to the 
basic pension, one of the pending issues concerning the compilation 
of the fiscal 2009 budget, starting in April next year as originally 
planned. Coordination of views in the government and the ruling camp 
over the budget compilation will enter a crucial stage this week. 
 
TOKYO 00003334  005 OF 012 
 
 
However, where a settlement can be found for an increase in local 
tax allocations and a constraint on social security spending is not 
yet in sight. Since pressure for an increase in budget allocations 
from the ruling parties is strong with the next Lower House election 
close at hand, there is a possibility of a special budget framework 
plan, which has been a lingering notion in the ruling camp, gaining 
momentum once again. 
 
An increase in local tax allocations will likely be the last issue 
to be settled. Prime Minister Taro Aso originally took the stance of 
transferring 1 trillion yen drawn from freed up special road-purpose 
revenues to local governments. This developed into a dispute over 
whether the money should be distributed in the form of local tax 
allocations or subsidies in the government and the ruling parties. 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) project team decided to 
categorize a large portion of the 1 trillion yen as subsidies for 
exclusive use for road construction. Six local bodies and the 
Internal Affairs Ministry, which are seeking convenient local tax 
allocations, have begun calling for an increase of 1 trillion yen in 
a separate framework. 
 
In that case, however, the government will have to raise resources 
to fund subsidies by issuing deficit-covering government bonds. The 
Finance Ministry, which wants to constrain the issuance of new 
government bonds as much as possible, is strongly opposing the 
idea. 
 
A policy of constraining the growth of social security spending by 
22 billion yen a year is also stumbling. The Finance Ministry and 
the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry (MHLW) intend to constrain 
the growth by 22 billion yen, funded by an increase in the tobacco 
tax. A 3 yen rise per cigarette or 60 yen per packet is expected to 
bring about a revenue increase of about 100 billion yen. It is 
possible to reduce the amount of constraint in proportion to that. 
However, many LDP members are strongly opposing the proposal out of 
consideration to leaf tobacco growers. 
 
The amount of constraint on social security spending will increase, 
if the margin of a rise in tobacco prices becomes small. The Finance 
Ministry wants to cut back on social security spending by reducing 
the state contribution to the employment insurance, which receives 
160 billion yen. However, the MHLW and the ruling parties are 
strongly opposing a cut in social security spending. The rapid 
deterioration in the employment situation is working as a negative 
factor. 
 
The special framework worth over 10 trillion yen, an initiative 
suddenly surfaced in the government and the ruling parties, is also 
lingering, though it lost seam in the ruing camp, as no specific 
proposal has been made. However, since the basic policy for the 
budget compilation incorporated the words that a decisive response 
will be made in a timely and flexible way, according to 
circumstances, there is still room left for the issue to reemerge. 
 
The Finance Ministry denied the special framework plan with one 
official noting, "We have not heard about such a proposal." It is 
alarmed about a possible call for a budgetary increase at the last 
minute. 
 
(4) Defense Ministry to request 100 billion yen for USFJ 
realignment 
 
TOKYO 00003334  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
YOMIURI (Internet edition) (Full) 
December 8, 2008 
 
In compiling its fiscal 2009 draft budget, the Defense Ministry has 
decided to request approximately 100 billion yen in total outlays 
for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan that will be implemented 
starting in fiscal year 2009. The ministry has started prior 
coordination with the Finance Ministry. This was revealed today by a 
government source. 
 
Since this greatly exceeds this fiscal year's allocation (for USFJ 
realignment) of 19.1 billion year, the focus of coordination now 
within the government and ruling camp will be on whether to treat 
the request as a defense budget expenditure as before, or place it 
under a special framework. 
 
Breaking down the 100 billion yen request, approximately 40 to 50 
billion yen will be allocated as expenditures to develop 
approximately 300 hectares of land for construction of billeting for 
the Marines and to build their headquarters on U.S. Navy land on 
Guam. This project is in connection with the relocation of U.S. 
Marines from Okinawa to Guam. In addition, in connection with the 
relocation of the Marines' Futenma Air Station (Ginowan City, 
Okinawa Prefecture) to the coastal area of Camp Schwab (Nago City in 
the same prefecture), the ministry is requesting over 20 billion yen 
for such work as destroying the existing structures and developing 
the land. Accompanying the stationing of carrier-based jets to 
Iwakuni base (Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture), it is estimated 
that over 20 billion yen will be needed for constructing parking 
spots and hangars on the base. 
 
The Finance Ministry has taken a stance of seeking defense-related 
cuts in such areas as the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) equipment budget 
and constraininge USFJ realignment outlays themselves. It has 
positioned the realignment funds as just another part of the entire 
defense budget. The Defense Ministry has cited that the realignment 
plan has been agreed on between Japan and United States, and it is 
concerned that the there could be an impact on the Defense Program 
Outline, which is planned for revision at the end of next year. It 
is advocating that the funding come from a special framework. 
 
(5) Interview with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima on his second 
anniversary; Okinawa promotion law and promotion plan to be 
reviewed 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 3) (Full) 
December 6, 2008 
 
December 10 marks the second anniversary of the assumption of office 
by Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. Ahead of the commemorative event, the 
governor has given an interview to news companies, including the 
Okinawa Times, in which he discussed the U.S. base issue, an outlook 
for industrial development and other matters. 
 
(Katsutoshi Hamamoto of the political and economic department as the 
interviewer) 
 
-- Based on progress in your campaign pledges, what is your 
assessment of the management of the prefectural administration over 
the last two years? 
 
 
TOKYO 00003334  007 OF 012 
 
 
"I think we have been able to get started some 95 PERCENT  of 14 
policy targets and 170 concrete policies, including administrative 
and fiscal reform. We must leave the assessment to the Okinawa 
public." 
 
-- Talks on the relocation of Futenma Air Station with the central 
government have now stalled. 
 
"I would like to see a convincing plan that incorporates as many 
local views as possible; that's my basic stance. (The governments of 
Japan and the United States) need to firmly embrace (local) opinions 
on moving the envisaged replacement facility to an offshore area and 
on the environmental impact assessment." 
 
-- Many in the Japanese and U.S. governments are dismissive of 
moving the replacement facility offshore. 
 
"The governor has the power to authorize landfill work for using 
surface areas. After hearing experts' views on the environmental 
assessment, there is a possibility that the option of moving the 
site to the western side rather than offshore will emerge. It is 
natural to move it from the residential area to an offshore area. 
Although there is the basic agreement and restrictions, I believe we 
have been able to crosscheck our views at the talks." 
 
-- Effectively closing down Futenma Air Station in three years was 
your campaign pledge. What is the prospect for it? 
 
"I think it is possible to effectively close down the air station. 
The chances of risks can be halved with the transfer of some 50 
helicopters, halving the training menus, and other means. The 
working team has been making moves. I would like to see the group 
come up with a direction of effectively closing down the air station 
while producing an answer each time and implementing them." 
 
-- Is it possible to pursue industrial promotion and the 
unemployment rate to match the national levels? 
 
"Industrial promotion consists of supporting industries in the 
prefecture and attracting enterprises (to the prefecture). 
IT-centered advance into the prefecture has not lost momentum. We 
are endeavoring to lure companies from such countries as South 
Korea, Taiwan, and America. The prefectural government also supports 
carefully and steadfastly corporate efforts for developing new 
technologies, change in business activities, and advance into new 
areas." 
 
"The niche market in Okinawa can offer unlimited opportunities not 
only to home appliances and automobiles but also to the 
manufacturing industry as a whole. I believe we can lower the 
unemployment rate to the national level and even result in a labor 
shortage by picking up such projects carefully and persistently. We 
pin hopes on ANA's international cargo base concept, thinking it can 
help jumpstart the economy." 
 
-- Tourism is going strong, but there are objections to the casino 
plan. 
 
"There are both positive and negative aspects to the casino plan. 
The question is how we can minimize the negative aspects. I believe 
there is a need to produce new tourist programs by combining 
Okinawa's transitional performing arts, natural environment, and 
 
TOKYO 00003334  008 OF 012 
 
 
casinos." 
 
-- The Law on Special Measures for the Promotion and Development of 
Okinawa is slated to expire in 2011. 
 
"Starting next April, the existing Okinawa promotion law and the 
Okinawa promotion plan will be overhauled centering on the planning 
department. Even if the contents of the special measures and 
high-rate subsidies are to be narrowed down, they must be continued. 
In particular, in order to purity the environment surrounding sites 
previously used by the U.S. military and to turn them into a driving 
force for the industry and economy, some sort of support from the 
central government is necessary." 
 
Conflict with opposition bloc intensifying in prefectural assembly 
 
The opposition and ruling blocs traded their positions in the 
prefectural assembly election in June that handed down a decision on 
the Nakaima prefectural administration. With the confrontation 
intensifying in the opposition-controlled assembly, steering the 
prefectural administration is becoming taxing. 
 
In the regular September assembly session, a budgetary plan to fund 
the governor's trip to the United States was voted down. In 
November, the regular session stalled from the outset over the 
prefectural government's litigation over the Naha District Court's 
decision on the Awase reclamation project. The opposition bloc is 
set to make a decision in the upcoming proportional and regular 
interpellations on a resubmitted budgetary plan to finance the 
governor's U.S. trip. A second rejection of the plan would deal a 
serious blow to Gov. Nakaima, causing him to lose some grip on 
power. 
 
The ruling camp has positively assessed the governor, with one 
saying: "He has been spearheading efforts to increase jobs, tourism, 
and attract industries." The ruling camp agrees on the view that 
(Gov. Nakaima) has taken solid steps centering on economic policy. 
At the same time, given the global financial crisis and 
deteriorating business confidence, the ruling bloc is urging Nakaima 
to have a sense of crisis, with one saying: "The true worth of 
'Nakaima of the economy' is being tested." 
 
In the next Lower House election, it is essential for the ruling 
parties to band together centering on Nakaima. The ruling bloc has 
made a request to the minority prefectural government, with one 
noting, "Not only Gov. Nakaima but also senior prefectural 
government officials are not aware of the gravity of the situation. 
In dealing with the assembly, they must take finely-tuned measures 
in concert with the ruling parties." 
 
Meanwhile, the opposition bloc has criticized Nakaima, with one 
noting: "The governor has yet to deliver on his campaign pledges, 
such as lowering the jobless rate to the national level and closing 
down Futenma Air Station in three years." 
 
The representative of a certain political group has pointed out an 
awkward atmosphere surrounding the U.S. base issue, saying: "The 
manner has been provocative as seen in the announcement of the 
prefectural government's view conflicting with the prefectural 
assembly's stance. The prefectural government does not have a handle 
on the opposition camp's points on the governor's U.S. trip." The 
prefectural government's failure to submit a resolution on its 
 
TOKYO 00003334  009 OF 012 
 
 
litigation against the Awase reclamation project has also drawn 
criticism as slighting the prefectural assembly. 
 
One has expressed this severe view: "He has been pushing ahead with 
the structural reform drive since the Koizumi administration, the 
collapsed U.S. force realignment plan, and useless public works 
projects. His arbitrary political approach has been a problem." The 
confrontation is expected to intensify further in the regular 
prefectural assembly session in February that will discuss the 
fiscal 2009 prefectural budget. 
 
Gov. Nakaima, now in the second half of his term, is pressed to 
clarify his strategy for his reelection and to produce solid track 
records. Given the need to come up with measures against the 
prefectural assembly and to build a consensus in the ruling bloc and 
business circles, the focus will be on how he will revamp the setup, 
including the vice-governor. 
 
(6) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Support rate for Aso cabinet plunges to 22 PERCENT 
 
Mainichi & Yomiuri: 
Cabinet support rate at 21 PERCENT 
 
Nikkei: 
Nikkei research team calls for improving pension disadvantages of 
young people 
 
Sankei: 
Chicago now most likely candidate for 2016 Olympics 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Four to five courts found to have ordered to freeze bank accounts 
allegedly used for bank transfer scams 
 
Akahata: 
Possibility of many people aged 75 or older not receiving insurance 
card next year 
 
(7) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Postal privatization: Politics, management preventing reform 
(2) Relief of Minamata disease patients: How far will dual standards 
left as they are? 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Plummeting cabinet support ratings: Public no long willing to 
entrust political reins to Prime Minister Aso 
(2) Smoking room incident: Society's tolerance being questioned (by 
Kenji Miki) 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Bring back taxi regulations: Taxi industry must work toward 
optimal balance 
(2) High school entrance exam: How to accept problem students 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Pension system reform and economic stimulus measures should be 
simultaneously carried out 
 
TOKYO 00003334  010 OF 012 
 
 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Pursue responsibility for pension-record mess as crime 
(2) Ban on use of cell phones at schools: Strict rules at homes 
required 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Revenues from road-related taxes: Government, ruling coalition 
will change the policy of freeing up tax revenues earmarked for road 
for the worse 
(2) Contaminated rice: Agriculture Ministry must first change 
 
Akahata: 
(1) 67th anniversary of Pacific War: Japan must reflect on 
aggressive war 
 
(8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 5 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 6, 2008 
 
07:01 
Took a walk around the private residence in Kamaiyama-cho 
 
09:33 
Cabinet meeting in the Diet building. Finance Minister Nakagawa 
remained. 
 
09:56 
Met with Japanese Communist Party Chair Person Shii. Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Kawamura was present. 
 
10:20 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Minister Matsumoto at the Kantei. 
 
11:31 
Met with UN Development Fund for Women Executive Director Alverdi 
and others, followed by Matsumoto. 
 
12:54 
Stood talking with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister 
Nikaido. 
 
13:00 
Lower House Budget Committee meeting. 
 
17:44 
Stood talking with Lower House member Akira Kasai. 
 
18:01 
Met with LDP and New Komeito Policy Research Council Chairmen Hori 
and Yamaguchi and Chairman Kawasaki of the ruling parties' project 
team on new employment measures at the Kantei. Kawamura was present. 
Hori and Kawamura remained. 
 
18:44 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma. 
 
19:40 
Met with NTT Chairman Wada and President Miura at a Japanese 
restaurant in Hotel New Ohtani. 
 
 
TOKYO 00003334  011 OF 012 
 
 
20:37 
Met with Lower House Speaker Kono and Justice Minister Mori at a 
restaurant at Akasaka. 
 
21:43 
Returned to the private residence. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, December 6 
 
December 7, 2008 
 
07:33 
Took a walk around the private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
10:45 
Left Haneda Airport by ANA 249. Deputy Secretary General Hayashi 
accompanied. 
 
12:30 
Arrived at Fukuoka Airport. 
 
13:38 
Left Fukuoka Airport by ANA 4917. 
 
14:10 
Arrived at Goto-Fukue Airport. 
 
14:30 
Made a sidewalk speech in Minato Park in Goto City, Nagasaki 
Prefecture. 
 
15:18 
Inspected kindergarten Himawari Room. 
 
15:44 
Inspected shrimp harvest in front of Goto Fukue Fisheries 
Cooperative Association. 
 
16:03 
Inspected Sakaguchi cattle barn. 
 
16:18 
Inspected Honcho shopping street. 
 
16:36 
Encouraged Midorigaoka Elementary School Basketball Team members at 
Fukue Primary School. 
 
16:58 
Met with Nagasaki Prefectural Governor Kaneko and Goto City Mayor 
Nakao at Lower House member Yaichi Tanigawa's office. 
 
18:04 
Left Goto-Fukue Airport by Oriental Air Bridge 320. 
 
18:25 
Arrived at Nagasaki Airport. 
 
19:40 
Speech meeting at Moriyama Sports Exchange Hall in Isahaya City. 
 
21:25 
 
TOKYO 00003334  012 OF 012 
 
 
Met with Tanigawa and former Defense Minister Kyuma at Unzen Kyusyu 
Hotel in Unzen City. Stayed at the hotel overnight. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, December7 
 
December 8, 2008 
 
07:30 
Met with Deputy Secretary General Hayashi at Unzen Kyushu Hotel in 
Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture. 
 
08:06 
Met with proprietresses of Unzen Hot Spring and Obama Hot Spring at 
Hyakunen Dining, a restaurant in the same hotel. 
 
09:37 
Laid wreath at a monument commemorating Mt. Fugendake Disaster in 
Shimabara City. 
 
10:59 
Left Kuchinotsu Port in Minami-Shimabara City by Shimatetsu Ferry. 
 
11:28 
Arrived at Oniike Port in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. 
 
12:05 
Met with Amakusa City Mayor Yasuda at a restaurant in Hotel Alegria 
Gardens Amakusa in Amakusa City. Then met with members of the local 
junior chamber. 
 
14:29 
Speech meeting at Chapel Garden in the same hotel. 
 
17:34 
Made a sidewalk speech in the Kengun Shopping Mall in Kumamoto 
City. 
 
18:05 
Met with Upper House member Hitoshi Kimura at a Japanese restaurant 
in Kumamoto City. 
 
20:15 
Left Kumamoto Airport by ANA 650. 
 
21:27 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
22:00 
Met with his secretary at Haneda Airport 
 
23:50 
Arrived at the private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
SCHIEFFER