VZCZCXRO7181
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #3419/01 3510823
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 160823Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9481
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 3811
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 1454
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 5245
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9427
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 2020
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6849
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2850
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2949

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 003419 
 
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 12/16/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) U.S. State Department Japan Desk director hopes to see Japan 
send civilians to Afghanistan (Asahi) 
 
(2) Editorial: ASDF pullout from Iraq: Thorough probe a political 
responsibility (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(3) Prime Minister Aso's comment on WTO Doha Round (Prime Minister's 
Official Residence Home page) 
 
(4) Editorial: WTO agreement before year's end dropped (Sankei) 
 
(5) Rift between Machimura and Nakagawa might split the largest LDP 
faction in two (Yomiuri) 
 
(6) DPJ to launch offensive with employment bills (Mainichi) 
 
(7) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(8) Poll: LDP prefectural chapters distancing themselves from Aso, 
only 60 PERCENT  have hopes for him (Mainichi) 
 
(9) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(10) EDITORIALS 
 
(11) Prime Minister's schedule, December 14 & 15 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) U.S. State Department Japan Desk director hopes to see Japan 
send civilians to Afghanistan 
 
ASAHI (Internet edition) (Full) 
December 16, 2008 
 
Yoshiyuki Komurata in Washington 
 
At a press conference on Dec. 15, U.S. State Department Japan 
Country Director Russel expressed his hope that Japan would dispatch 
civilians to assist Afghanistan. "Although it has been said there 
should be 'boots on the ground', there are many different kind of 
boots that can participate in assisting Afghanistan," he said. 
 
Russel praised Japan's contributions, such as the Self-Defense 
Forces' refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. He also gave specific 
examples of civilian dispatches, saying, "Although there are 
military boots, there are also those of architects, educators, 
nurses, and administrators."  He indicated that such specialists 
were being sought at the local level, and he expressed his view that 
there should be talks with the Japanese government along such 
lines. 
 
(2) Editorial: ASDF pullout from Iraq: Thorough probe a political 
responsibility 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full) 
December 16, 2008 
 
Winding up its activities in Iraq, the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) 
has begun withdrawing from the country. There are many unclear 
 
TOKYO 00003419  002 OF 012 
 
 
points in the actual situation of the Self-Defense Forces' five 
years of missions in the battlefield, including past developments. A 
thorough probe is necessary. The abdication of responsibility by 
clearly cowardly lawmakers is not permissible. 
 
Following the attacks on Iraq by the United States and Britain in 
2003, the then Koizumi administration decided to send SDF troops for 
the first time to a battlefield that is in a state of hostilities. 
The SDF has completed its mission in the severe life-threatening 
environment without any member having been sacrificed. 
 
The Ground Self-Defense Force and ASDF began their activities in 
¶2004. Even after the withdrawal in 2006 of the GSDF, which had 
conducted water-supply activities and road restoration work, the 
ASDF continued airlifting multinational force troops and relief 
supplies. Based on improved security conditions and other factors in 
Iraq, the government has concluded that (the SDF) has achieved its 
objective of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. 
 
Nevertheless, there is a strong impression that the SDF conducted 
activities to support the U.S. military. In particular, the ASDF 
made 821 flights to airlift 46,500 persons and 673 tons of supplies. 
Although the details are unclear, a large part of the duty is 
believed to be the airlifting of U.S. troops and U.S. military 
supplies. The ASDF aircrafts were reportedly called "taxis" by the 
U.S. military. Did such activities deserve to be called 
international contributions? 
 
(In April), the Nagoya High Court ruled the ASDF mission 
unconstitutional. If the government is to praise (the ASDF mission) 
as having won high marks from the international community, it should 
clarify its activities that were unclear to the public and check 
consistency with the Constitution at the Diet. 
 
The Japanese government's support for attacks on Iraq has not been 
summed up, either. Even President George W. Bush described the 
failure to find weapons of mass destruction, the factor he cited in 
launching the war, as his "biggest regret." It is absurd that 
despite that, the government continues taking the hardened attitude, 
saying its decision to support (the attacks on Iraq) was correct. It 
is imperative for the government to fulfill its accountability by 
scrutinizing how it arrived at that policy course. 
 
The focus of the war on terror is certain to shift from Iraq to 
Afghanistan where the security situation has markedly deteriorated. 
 
Late last week, the ruling camp bulldozed through the House of 
Representatives a bill extending the refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean with an overriding vote. The incoming Obama administration, 
which has made it clear to shift the focus to Afghanistan, is 
expected to strongly press Japan for additional human contributions, 
including (an SDF) dispatch to Afghanistan, as well as for financial 
assistance. 
 
The government must not decide on the next contributions in a 
flurry. It must come up with a solid set of diplomatic guidelines 
suitable for Japan, a peaceful nation, without giving priority to 
military affairs. To begin with, it is the challenge that must be 
addressed by a full-fledged administration reflecting the popular 
will. The country is being pressed to pick up the hefty tabs for the 
political vacuum that has been created under the Aso administration, 
which is becoming weaker under the divided Diet. 
 
TOKYO 00003419  003 OF 012 
 
 
 
(3) Prime Minister Aso's comment on WTO Doha Round 
 
Prime Minister's Official Residence Home Page 
December 15, 2008 
 
¶1. In the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy and the 
APEC Summit held earlier, strong statements were issued regarding 
the WTO Doha Round trade talks. Despite these statements, a 
ministerial meeting has been put off and a modalities agreement is 
unlikely to be reached by the end of this year. That is 
regrettable. 
 
¶2. Given the current serious economic situation, it is necessary to 
grow the global economy through expanded trade. Our nation will 
continue to persistently make efforts to bring about an agreement in 
the Doha Round at an early date. In the agricultural sector, on 
which various discussions were conducted in past negotiations, Japan 
will continue to strengthen its domestic industry. 
 
¶3. In an effort to resist moves for protectionism, our nation is 
determined to strongly call on the WTO member nations at its 
meetings to refrain from introducing new barriers in the trade and 
investment areas, including export restrictions. 
 
(4) Editorial: WTO agreement before year's end dropped 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 16, 2008 
 
The new multilateral trade talks (Doha Round) sponsored by the World 
Trade Organization (WTO) deadlocked in July this year. Though a mood 
for clinching a deal at an early date was mounting following the 
spreading financial crisis, member countries failed to find a 
breakthrough in the stalemate and had to give up the goal of 
reaching an agreement before year's end. 
 
Since an agreement in the trade liberalization talks under the WTO 
had been expected to undergird the global economy, the condition of 
which has been worsened by the financial crisis, it is extremely 
regrettable that member countries had to give up the goal of 
reaching an agreement before year's end. 
 
In particular, we fear various countries will now strengthen 
protectionist moves, including imposing import restrictions, in an 
attempt to protect their domestic industries and employment. It is 
clear from the history of the Great Depression that protectionism 
will in the end up shrinking trade and worsening the global 
economy. 
 
Aware of the potential danger of protectionism, leaders from 20 
leading economies at the financial summit vowed to make effort to 
reach a framework agreement at the WTO talks before year's end. The 
statement issued by participants in the Asia-Pacific Economic 
Cooperation forum (APEC) even noted that they would pledge to reach 
an agreement before the end of the year. 
 
Nevertheless, they failed to reach an agreement, which underscores 
the difficulty of the multilateral trade talks. The failure also 
exposed how light and insufficient has been the political will of 
the countries in the world. Added to this, the financial and 
economic crisis that shows no signs of slackening, are  major causes 
 
TOKYO 00003419  004 OF 012 
 
 
for concern. 
 
Talks carried out under the past rounds have been led by 
industrialized countries. But in the current Doha Round, it is said, 
such emerging countries as India, China and Brazil are playing 
leading roles. 
 
The major cause of the collapse of the WTO talks in July was 
apparently the confrontation between the U.S., and India and other 
emerging countries over conditions for special emergency product 
import restrictions (safeguards) on agricultural products granted to 
developing countries. Developing countries, including China, put up 
strong opposition in the talks to lower sector-specific tariffs on 
mined and manufactured products. 
 
It appears unavoidable that the environment surrounding the trade 
talks will become even more severe due to the worsening economy. 
Pressure on politics from industrial circles, centered on 
agricultural organizations, is increasing in various countries, 
including Japan. It is another cause of concern that the U.S. will 
not be ready for the resumption of the talks in early 2009 due to 
the change of government. 
 
The more the trade talks become protracted, the more the global 
economy will suffer from the negative impact. We should consider the 
overall benefits, while properly dealing with specific sacrifices. 
 
(5) Rift between Machimura and Nakagawa might split the largest LDP 
faction in two 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
December 14, 2008 
 
The largest Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faction, headed by former 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, is now becoming 
unstable. The rift between Machimura and former LDP Secretary 
General Hidenao Nakagawa might break up the faction in the future, 
intertwined with a controversy within the faction over whether it 
should support Prime Minister Taro Aso or distance itself from him. 
Machimura and Nakagawa are well-known rivals. 
 
In a general meeting on Dec. 11 of the Machimura faction, tension 
rose between Machimura and Nakagawa at a time when Nakagawa suddenly 
interrupted Machimura, who was speaking against hiking the tax on 
cigarettes. With a look of irritation on his face, Nakagawa said: 
"Abut 60 PERCENT  of the public support an increase in the cigarette 
tax." 
 
Machimura has made it clear that he supports Aso, aiming to deepen 
his relationship with former Prime Ministers Yoshiro Mori and Shinzo 
Abe, who are prominent figures in the faction. Machimura intends to 
strengthen his support base within the party by stepping up 
cooperation with Mori and Abe. He visited the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence on Dec. 9 and reportedly gave Aso words of 
encouragement, saying: "It is important to implement the Prime 
Minister's policies in the next fiscal year's budget." 
 
As there have been reports of Machimura having frequent contacts 
with Mori and Abe, some lawmakers suspect that Machimura has his eye 
on the next administration after Aso, with one lawmaker saying: "Mr. 
Machimura is preparing to run in the next party leadership race to 
succeed Mr. Aso." 
 
TOKYO 00003419  005 OF 012 
 
 
 
Meanwhile, Nakagawa hosted a meeting on Dec. 9 of a group of LDP 
lawmakers calling for the maintenance and promotion of postal 
privatization and a preparatory meeting on Dec. 11 to establish a 
study group on the daily lives of the people. Twenty-five of the 63 
LDP members, who took part in the Dec. 9 meeting, and 26 of the 57 
LDP members, who attended the Dec. 11 meeting, were members of the 
Machimura faction. The figures show that Nakagawa has strong 
influence on junior and mid-level lawmakers of the Machimura 
faction. 
 
Observers view that the establishment of the two groups is a 
preparatory step for a political arrangement after the Aso 
administration. Nakagawa's relationship with Aso does not look good. 
According to sources, business leaders mediated between Nakagawa and 
Aso with the aim of arranging a meeting between the two on Dec. 12, 
but it was later cancelled. 
 
Nakagawa used to be a close aide of Mori, but their relationship has 
deteriorated rapidly. Although Machimura was invited to a party 
hosted by Mori held on Dec. 10 in Tokyo for the second in a row, 
Nakagawa, who was invited to the party last year, was not seen at 
the party this year. 
 
Concerned that the confrontation between Machimura and Nakagawa will 
intensify, Abe joined Nakagawa-hosted study session in an effort to 
fix their relationship. However, many faction members are worried 
that the confrontation between the two might break the faction in 
two. 
 
(6) DPJ to launch offensive with employment bills 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
December 13, 2008 
 
President Ichiro Ozawa and other executive members of the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) met yesterday and discuss what approach the 
party should take in the remaining days of the Diet session. The job 
market has worsened, as seen from increasing cases of companies 
cancelling job offers or dismissing temporary employees. To improve 
the situation, the party will submit bills aimed to boost the job 
market to the ongoing session on Dec. 15, with the aim of having the 
bills passed before the session ends on the 25th. The party intends 
to call on the ruling coalition for its cooperation in enacting the 
bills, while emphasizing that employment promotion is a common 
challenge for the ruling and opposition camps. If the ruling parties 
refuse to respond to the call, the DPJ will try to break the impasse 
by arranging talks between Ozawa and Prime Minister Taro Aso. 
 
Ozawa expressed his eagerness in the executive meeting to enact the 
employment bill, saying: "I will have to urge the prime minister to 
approve the bills when the time comes, because negotiations will not 
easily move forward." Other participants took Ozawa's remark as 
expressing his readiness to hold another party head meeting. 
 
The employment bill is one of the six bills proposed in the DPJ's 
package of economic and fiscal measures as counterproposals to the 
fiscal 2008 second supplementary budget bill. The party submitted 
four bills, including a bill to support child rearing, to the House 
of Councillors on Dec. 11, but the executive meeting defined the 
employment bill as the top priority bill in the current Diet 
session. 
 
TOKYO 00003419  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
Although the government has decided to delay the submission of the 
second extra budget bill to the next ordinary Diet session, the DPJ 
will submit the employment bill during the current session. Diet 
Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka said, "We are determined to 
enact the bill, even by forcing a vote." In a meeting held by three 
opposition parties' Diet Affairs Committee chairmen after the 
executive meeting, Yamaoka called on the Japanese Communist Party, 
the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party to jointly 
work to pass the employment bill. The bill is expected to be 
submitted jointly by these three opposition parties. 
 
The bills related to employment include these five key elements: (1) 
Restrictions on job offer withdrawals; (2) expanding the scope of 
employment adjustment subsidies to cover non-regular workers: 
Special measures bill related to the prevention of the termination 
of contracts for dispatch workers; (3) accommodation and welfare 
support for former dispatch workers searching for employment: Bill 
to provide accommodation and welfare payments for such individuals 
together with work training and job introductions; (4) improvement 
in the employment insurance system, such as reducing the minimum 
insured period required to receive benefits; and (5) clearer rules 
on limited-term labor contracts. 
 
In a press conference yesterday, Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama 
expressed opposition to the fixed-amount cash handout scheme 
included in the second extra budget bill. He then called on the 
ruling camp for its cooperation, saying: "The government should 
perceive that the job-creation issue is an imminent task. Our bill 
should be enacted first of all." 
 
(7) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
December 8, 2008 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage. Parentheses denote the results of the 
last survey conducted Nov. 8-9.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet? 
 
Yes 25.5 (40.9) 
No 61.3 (42.2) 
Don't know (D/K) + no answer (N/A) 13.2 (16.9) 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the previous question) 
What's the primary reason for your approval of the Aso cabinet? Pick 
only one from among those listed below. 
 
The prime minister is trustworthy 15.7 (13.5) 
Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Liberal Democratic Party and 
the New Komeito 9.6 (6.7) 
The prime minister has leadership ability 1.6 (10.1) 
Something can be expected of its economic policies 4.9 (13.3) 
Something can be expected of its foreign policies 3.5 (6.9) 
Something can be expected of its political reforms 3.5 (5.7) 
Something can be expected of its tax reforms 6.4 (5.3) 
Something can be expected of its administrative reforms 2.6 (1.9) 
There's no other appropriate person (for prime minister) 49.2 
(35.1) 
Other answers (O/A) 2.0 (0.7) 
 
TOKYO 00003419  007 OF 012 
 
 
D/K+N/A 1.0 (0.8) 
 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the first question) What's 
the primary reason for your disapproval of the Aso cabinet? Pick 
only one from among those listed below. 
 
The prime minister is untrustworthy 19.8 (10.0) 
Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Liberal Democratic Party and 
the New Komeito 4.5 (14.5) 
The prime minister lacks leadership ability 18.7 (6.5) 
Nothing can be expected of its economic policies 28.3 (27.9) 
Nothing can be expected of its foreign policies 1.4 (1.3) 
Nothing can be expected of its political reforms 6.5 (11.3) 
Nothing can be expected of its tax reforms 2.4 (7.7) 
Nothing can be expected of its administrative reforms 5.2 (7.8) 
Don't like the prime minister's personal character 11.1 (10.1) 
O/A 0.3 (0.9) 
D/K+N/A 1.8 (2.0) 
 
Q: Prime Minister Taro Aso has decided to present a second 
supplementary budget to the Diet at its ordinary session next year, 
not at its current extraordinary session. This budget is for 
economic stimulus measures, including a plan to hand out cash 
benefits totaling 2 trillion yen. Do you think it is appropriate to 
present the extra budget to the Diet at its ordinary session to be 
convened early next year? 
 
Yes 26.0 
No 55.7 
D/K+N/A 18.3 
 
 
Q: The government and the ruling coalition will increase spending on 
public investments and social security programs unlike before and 
will change the Koizumi cabinet's fiscal reconstruction policy. Do 
you support this policy changeover? 
 
Yes 56.9 
No 28.3 
D/K+N/A 14.8 
 
Q: There are calls from within the ruling and opposition parties for 
freezing the Koizumi cabinet's decision to sell the government's 
stocks in Japan Post in order to maintain the integrated management 
of the JP group's four constituent companies or reviewing the JP 
privatization plan. Do you support the idea of reviewing this JP 
privatization plan? 
 
Yes 52.3 
No 32.5 
D/K+N/A 15.2 
 
Q: The House of Representatives' current term is up until September 
next year. When would you like the House of Representatives to be 
dissolved for a general election? 
 
Late this year after the budget for next fiscal year is compiled 
22.1 (21.2) 
At the beginning of the ordinary Diet session to be called in 
January next year 23.7 (17.9) 
Around April after the budget for next fiscal year is approved in 
 
TOKYO 00003419  008 OF 012 
 
 
the Diet 19.7 (18.6) 
Around June next year when the ordinary Diet session ends 6.3 (7.4) 
Wait until the current term expires in September next year without 
dissolving the Diet 16.2 (24.3) 
D/K+N/A 10.0 (10.6) 
 
Q: Would you like the present LDP-led coalition government to 
continue, or would you otherwise like it to be replaced with a 
DPJ-led coalition government? 
 
LDP-led coalition government 33.1 (36.1) 
DPJ-led coalition government 45.4 (43.2) 
D/K+N/A 21.5 (20.7) 
 
Q: Which political party are you going to vote for in the next House 
of Representatives election in your proportional representation 
bloc? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 27.4 (33.6) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 38.3 (35.5) 
New Komeito (NK) 3.9 (3.8) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 4.9 (4.1) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2.1 (1.8) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.6 (0.2) 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) 0.1 (---) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) --- (0.2) 
Other political parties, groups --- (---) 
D/K+N/A 22.7 (20.8) 
 
Q: When comparing Prime Minister Taro Aso and DPJ President Ichiro 
Ozawa, which one do you think is more appropriate for prime 
minister? 
 
Taro Aso 33.5 (51.0) 
Ichiro Ozawa 34.5 (24.4) 
D/K+N/A 32.0 (24.6) 
 
Q: (Only for those who gave "Taro Aso") What is the primary reason 
for your choice of Prime Minister Aso? Pick only one. 
 
Because he's trustworthy 12.1 
Because he's with the LDP 30.5 
Because he has leadership ability 5.6 
Because something can be expected of his policies 13.8 
Because he's appropriate as Japan's leader 14.7 
O/A 12.5 
D/K+N/A 10.8 
 
Q: (Only for those who gave "Ichiro Ozawa") What is the primary 
reason for your choice of DPJ President Ozawa? Pick only one. 
 
Because he's trustworthy 5.5 
Because he's with the DPJ 24.2 
Because he has leadership ability 20.8 
Because something can be expected of his policies 32.3 
Because he's appropriate as Japan's leader 5.5 
O/A 7.5 
D/K+N/A 4.2 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 28.9 (33.8) 
 
TOKYO 00003419  009 OF 012 
 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 28.7 (26.5) 
New Komeito (NK) 3.3 (3.5) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 4.9 (2.5) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.9 (3.0) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.3 (0.5) 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) 0.1 (---) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) --- (0.1) 
Other political parties, groups --- (0.1) 
None 30.4 (28.1) 
D/K+N/A 1.5 (1.9) 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Dec. 6-7 across the 
nation by Kyodo News Service on a computer-aided random digit 
dialing (RDD) basis. Among randomly generated telephone numbers, 
those actually for household use with one or more eligible voters 
totaled 1,474. Answers were obtained from 1,023 persons. 
 
(8) Poll: LDP prefectural chapters distancing themselves from Aso, 
only 60 PERCENT  have hopes for him 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 14, 2008 
 
The Mainichi Shimbun asked the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
prefectural chapters whether they expected Prime Minister Taro Aso 
to lead the LDP in the next general election for the House of 
Representatives. About 40 PERCENT  or 18 chapters answered that they 
could not rely on Aso or gave no answer. Aso won the LDP 
presidential election in last September, obtaining 95 PERCENT  of 
the prefectural chapters' votes, but the survey pointed out that the 
number of LDP's regional organizations distancing themselves from 
Aso is increasing. 
 
The secretaries general of the LDP prefectural chapters were 
surveyed on Dec. 12-13. In Yamagata, Ibaraki and Tokyo, general 
affairs council chairmen responded to the questions. 
 
A total of 29 chapters said they could place their expectations on 
Aso and seven chapters said they could not, while 11 chapters could 
not say. Some of the 11 chapters refrained from giving their 
answers, citing that there was no candidate to succeed Aso. 
 
Of the 29 chapters that answered that they could place their 
expectations on Aso, 12 put forward Aso's economic policy as a 
reason for their judgment, while three chapters gave negative 
support for Aso, such as the Wakayama chapter that said: "Public 
confidence can never be regained if the prime minister keeps 
changing." "If the LDP replaces the president now, it will be 
severely attacked by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)," answered 
the Aichi prefecture chapter. Of the seven chapters, which replied 
that they did not want to see Aso lead the LDP in the election, four 
pointed out his inability to keep his mouth shut, including his 
gaffes, as a reason for their answer. These seven chapters said that 
Aso should boost his administration's popularity by compiling a 
state budget for fiscal 2009, but no chapter said that Aso should 
shuffle his cabinet or an LDP presidential election should be held. 
 
 
Meanwhile, 33 prefectural chapters or 70 PERCENT  said that next 
spring after the compilation of FY2009 state budget would be most 
desirable for Lower House dissolution. Nine chapters replied that it 
would be unnecessary to wait Lower House dissolution by the end of 
 
TOKYO 00003419  010 OF 012 
 
 
the terms of the incumbent Lower House members. Three chapters said 
that the Lower House should be dissolved around next summer. There 
was no answer that the lower chamber should be dissolved immediately 
or at the beginning of the ordinary Diet session in January. The 
survey showed that many LDP prefectural chapters were concerned 
about the next Lower House election. 
 
(9) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Education ministry panel seeks enhancement of Japanese-language 
ability 
 
Mainichi: 
Fundamental balance 13 trillion yen in red; General account to reach 
88 trillion yen level in fiscal 2009 
 
Yomiuri: 
Panel to propose banning mobile phones at elementary, junior high 
schools 
 
Nikkei: 
Toyota to seek steel sheet price cuts for FY 2009 for first time in 
7 years 
 
Sankei and Tokyo Shimbun: 
ASDF Iraq pullout begins 
 
Akahata: 
JCP's Nihi calls for emergency guarantee for small companies in all 
industrial sectors 
 
(10) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) New Thai prime minister: Dialogue with public essential 
(2) Stemming global warming: There is way to benefiting North and 
South 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) BOJ's Tankan report: Companies overly pessimistic 
(2) COP14 closes: Striking balance between environment and economy 
possible 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Economy's downhill slide picking up speed 
(2) New antiterrorism law enacted: What should follow refueling 
mission must be considered 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Sharp economic downturn requires speedy policies 
(2) Tough challenges postponed at Poznan COP 14 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Emissions trading: System allowing Japan to compete with EU 
essential 
(2) No WTO meeting this year: Do not be afraid of rise of 
protectionism 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) ASDF Iraq pullout: Political probe must follow 
(2) COP14 must move forward 
 
TOKYO 00003419  011 OF 012 
 
 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Japan, China, South Korea and ASEAN: Greater peace and 
cooperation in East Asia called for 
 
(11) Prime Minister's schedule, December 14 & 15 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 16, 2008 
 
December 14 
07:50 
Met with Cabinet Special Advisor Sueyoshi at the Hotel Nikko Fukuoka 
in Fukuoka City. 
 
08:00 
Met with Liberal Democratic Party Fukuoka Chapter Chairman Shingu, 
followed by Fukuoka Medical Association Chairman Yokokura. 
 
09:32 
Visited Kita-Kyushu City's Eco Town Center, Japan Environmental 
Safety Center Corp.'s Kita-Kyushu Facility, Shirashima pavilion, and 
wind power station. 
 
10:38 
Met Kenichi Iwamura, managing chairman of school aimed at lifetime 
active service; and Noriaki Seki, NPO representative at Higashida 
Eco Club House. 
 
12:09 
Met with his local supporters at Rihga Royal Hotel Kokura. 
 
13:19 
Attended 2008 International Seminar on Environment Model Urban 
Cities 
 
15:30 
Left Fukuoka on a government airplane. 
 
16:50 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
17:27 
Met with deputy chief cabinet secretaries Matsumoto and Konoike at 
the Okura Hotel. Konoike remained. 
 
21:15 
Returned to his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
December 15 
 
08:23 
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike. 
 
08:56 
Met with Environment Minister Saito and Finance Minister Nakagawa in 
the Diet. 
 
09:00 
Attended an Upper House Audit Committee session. 
 
12:03 
 
TOKYO 00003419  012 OF 012 
 
 
Returned to Kantei. 
 
12:58 
Met with METI Minister Nikai in the Diet. 
 
13:00 
Attended an Upper House Audit Committee session. 
 
17:07 
Attended an LDP executive meeting. 
 
17:57 
Met at Kantei with Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano. 
 
18:54 
Dined with Toyota Motor Chairman Fujio Cho, Nippon Steel Chairman 
Akio Mimura, Kikkoman Chairman Yuzaburo Mogi, Administrative Reform 
Minister Amari, Consumer Affairs Minister Noda, former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Machimura, and former Environment Minister Suzuki, later 
joined by Nakagawa and former Land, Infrastructure and Transport 
Minister Tanigaki. 
 
21:14 
Met with his secretary. 
 
23:23 
Returned to his private residence. 
 
SCHIEFFER