VZCZCXRO6631
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #3534/01 3650825
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300825Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9749
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 3991
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 1638
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 5425
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9565
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 2200
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7011
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 3030
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3086

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 003534 
 
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 12/30/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: Japanese, Americans hope for change with 
Obama; Perception gap over Japan-U.S. relations (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Yomiuri-Waseda poll: Public's disappointment at LDP greater than 
its expectations of DPJ (Yomiuri) 
 
(3) Japan and U.S. carried out joint military drills 74 times in 
fiscal 2007, with training premised on dispatch of troops (Akahata) 
 
 
(4) Shaky Japan-U.S. alliance: Debate on permanent law on SDF 
overseas missions stagnant (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Government retracts Diet reply on separation of politics and 
religion (Yomiuri) 
 
(6) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(7) EDITORIALS 
 
(8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 29 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: Japanese, Americans hope for change with 
Obama; Perception gap over Japan-U.S. relations 
 
YOMIURI (Page 14-15) (Full) 
December 18, 2008 
 
A recent joint public opinion survey of the Japanese and American 
public, conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Gallup 
Organization, a U.S. pollster, posted a gap between the Japanese and 
American public views of bilateral relations and mutual trust, with 
a change for the worse among Japanese and a change for the better 
among Americans. Both Japanese and Americans have high expectations 
for a stronger relationship between Japan and the United States 
along with the incoming administration of President-elect Obama. The 
poll results also show the possibility of such a perception gap 
being improved in the New Year and afterward. 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: Is there anything you trust in particular among the following 
organizations and public entities in your country? If any, pick as 
many as you like. 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Prime minister 21.2 --- 
Diet 16.8 --- 
Police, prosecutors 35.8 --- 
Courts 45.7 --- 
Self-Defense Forces 29.2 --- 
Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, churches 36.9 --- 
Central government offices 16.3 --- 
Local governments 32.2 --- 
Schools 37.2 --- 
Hospitals 48.2 --- 
Newspapers 52.7 --- 
 
TOKYO 00003534  002 OF 011 
 
 
Television 36.0 --- 
Big businesses 21.1 --- 
Labor unions 23.7 --- 
Other answers (O/A) 0.4 --- 
Nothing in particular (NIP) 14.3 --- 
No answer (N/A) 2.8 --- 
 
 Japan U.S. 
President --- 45.5 
Congress --- 34.9 
Police, prosecutors --- 73.5 
Courts --- 58.7 
Armed services --- 90.5 
Churches --- 73.7 
Federal government offices --- 42.5 
Local governments --- 60.2 
Schools --- 67.1 
Hospitals --- 79.5 
Newspapers --- 52.2 
Television --- 48.9 
Big businesses --- 28.0 
Labor unions --- 44.0 
O/A --- 17.6 
NIP --- 0.7 
N/A --- --- 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-U.S. relations are currently in good shape, or 
do you otherwise think Japan-U.S. relations are in bad shape? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very good 1.4 10.3 
Good 32.4 42.9 
Can't say which 29.4 31.8 
Bad 28.8 6.2 
Very bad 3.1 2.3 
N/A 5.0 6.4 
 
Q: Do you trust the U.S.? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 5.7 --- 
Yes, somewhat 26.0 --- 
No, not very much 39.0 --- 
No, not at all 20.5 --- 
N/A 8.8 --- 
 
 
Q: Do you trust Japan? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much --- 18.2 
Yes, somewhat --- 48.9 
No, not very much --- 18.8 
No, not at all --- 11.2 
N/A --- 2.9 
 
Q: Do you think America's international credibility became high or 
low during the U.S. Bush administration over the past eight years? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
High 3.3 3.5 
High to a certain degree 2.6 11.2 
 
TOKYO 00003534  003 OF 011 
 
 
Low to a certain degree 14.2 33.3 
Low 69.0 50.7 
N/A 11.0 1.3 
 
Q: Mr. Obama has been elected to become America's new president. Do 
you think Japan-U.S. relations will improve or worsen, worsen, or 
remain unchanged from now on, with President-elect Obama and his 
administration coming into office? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Improve very much 2.1 10.4 
Improve 25.7 39.8 
Remain unchanged 51.1 32.3 
Worsen 10.7 8.6 
Worsen very much 0.1 3.8 
N/A 10.3 5.1 
 
Q: Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the U.S.-led process of 
reconstruction and security maintenance in Iraq? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very satisfied 1.1 11.0 
Somewhat satisfied 6.8 33.2 
Somewhat dissatisfied 35.9 25.9 
Very dissatisfied 43.5 28.8 
N/A 12.8 1.1 
 
Q: The U.S. has fallen into a financial crisis due to the issue of 
subprime lending for the low-income bracket. Do you think the U.S. 
economy's credibility has declined due to this financial crisis? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 63.9 53.1 
Yes, somewhat 19.2 32.0 
No, not very much 5.4 11.5 
No, not at all 3.5 2.7 
N/A 8.1 0.7 
 
Q: To what extent do you think the U.S. financial crisis will have a 
negative impact on the global economy? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very much 62.8 55.0 
Somewhat 20.3 35.4 
Not very much 3.1 6.4 
Not at all 1.0 1.8 
N/A 12.8 1.4 
 
Q: If there is a country or area that you think will become a 
military threat to your country, pick as many as you like from among 
those listed below. 
 
 Japan U.S. 
U.S. 25.2 --- 
Japan --- 28.4 
South Korea 19.9 30.5 
China 58.8 63.1 
ASEAN 12.1 33.8 
EU 6.3 12.9 
Russia 43.1 59.8 
Taiwan 5.8 13.4 
North Korea 74.1 65.2 
 
TOKYO 00003534  004 OF 011 
 
 
India 12.2 11.9 
Middle East 24.8 76.2 
Oceania 2.7 5.6 
Africa 4.1 16.5 
Central and South America 6.7 16.8 
O/A 0.2 21.3 
NIP 7.4 6.4 
N/A 5.2 --- 
(Note) ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations; EU = European 
Union; Oceania = Australia, New Zealand, etc. 
 
Q: Do you think the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty contributes to 
security in the Asia-Pacific region? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 23.5 18.9 
Yes, somewhat 36.2 58.3 
No, not very much 16.5 11.0 
No, not at all 7.0 3.4 
N/A 16.8 8.4 
 
Q: Do you fear that a large-scale terrorist attack may occur in 
Japan like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 19.3 --- 
Yes, somewhat 39.8 --- 
No, not very much 22.1 --- 
No, not at all 16.0 --- 
N/A 2.7 
 
Q: Do you fear that another large-scale terrorist attack may occur 
in the U.S. like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much --- 26.1 
Yes, somewhat --- 43.1 
No, not very much --- 17.7 
No, not at all --- 12.7 
N/A --- 0.5 
 
Q: Do you think Japan contributes to the international community's 
ongoing efforts in the war on terror? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 13.4 5.1 
Yes, somewhat 35.6 39.5 
No, not very much 27.4 35.6 
No, not at all 12.4 13.7 
N/A 11.1 6.1 
 
Q: Japan has sent Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to the Indian 
Ocean, where they are refueling multinational force ships. Do you 
support the MSDF's continued refueling activities there? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 29.8 30.1 
Yes to a certain degree 13.7 28.8 
No to a certain degree 9.9 15.4 
No 33.7 18.1 
N/A 12.9 7.6 
 
 
TOKYO 00003534  005 OF 011 
 
 
Q: What do you think the Japanese and U.S. governments should work 
together to address on a priority basis among issues over North 
Korea? If any, pick as many as you like from among those listed. 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons 89.1 89.9 
Stop North Korea from developing and launching missiles 85.0 85.9 
Resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea 87.1 
69.9 
Normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea 45.2 
--- 
Normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and North Korea --- 
80.3 
Extend economic cooperation to North Korea 24.5 32.5 
Change North Korea's political, economic systems 49.1 59.8 
O/A 0.6 6.7 
NIP 1.4 2.3 
N/A 2.1 --- 
 
Q: Do you think Japan and the U.S. have been able to work together 
for a solution to the abduction issue? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, fully 2.5 17.4 
Yes, somewhat 13.9 36.4 
No, not very much 46.7 28.8 
No, not at all 30.4 6.0 
N/A 6.5 11.5 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-China relations are currently in good shape? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very good 1.0 --- 
Good 25.2 --- 
Can't say which 28.7 --- 
Bad 37.3 --- 
Very bad 3.4 --- 
N/A 4.4 --- 
 
Q: Do you think U.S.-China relations are currently in good shape? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very good --- 4.9 
Good --- 28.0 
Can't say which --- 49.4 
Bad --- 10.8 
Very bad --- 4.6 
N/A --- 2.2 
 
Q: Do you trust China? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 1.6 3.6 
Yes, somewhat 13.4 34.4 
No, not very much 37.9 32.9 
No, not at all 39.2 28.6 
N/A 7.9 0.5 
 
 
Q: Which country between the U.S. and China do you think will be 
more important to Japan in the political area from now on? 
 
 
TOKYO 00003534  006 OF 011 
 
 
 Japan U.S. 
U.S. 46.3 --- 
China 30.1 --- 
Both countries are important 13.1 --- 
N/A 10.6 --- 
 
Q: Which country between Japan and China do you think will be more 
important to the U.S. in the political area from now on? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Japan --- 42.8 
China --- 50.8 
Both countries are important --- 2.2 
N/A --- 4.3 
 
Q: Which country between the U.S. and China do you think will be 
more important to Japan in the economic area from now on? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
U.S. 32.6 --- 
China 48.5 --- 
Both countries are important 10.3 --- 
N/A 8.6 --- 
 
Q: Which country between Japan and China do you think will be more 
important to the U.S. in the economic area from now on? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Japan --- 31.6 
China --- 62.6 
Both countries are important --- 1.8 
N/A --- 4.1 
 
Q: Do you think the government of your country has been making 
proactive efforts to prevent global warming? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 24.6 13.2 
Yes to a certain degree 22.3 37.0 
No to a certain degree 15.5 21.4 
No 32.1 25.9 
N/A 5.4 2.5 
 
Q: Do you think the U.S. government has been making proactive 
efforts to prevent global warming? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 8.5 --- 
Yes to a certain degree 7.4 --- 
No to a certain degree 12.9 --- 
No 60.1 --- 
N/A 11.1 --- 
 
Q: Do you think the Japanese government has been making proactive 
efforts to prevent global warming? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes --- 12.9 
Yes to a certain degree --- 32.7 
No to a certain degree --- 18.7 
No --- 20.5 
N/A --- 15.2 
 
TOKYO 00003534  007 OF 011 
 
 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted over the telephone on 
a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis both in Japan and 
in the U.S. 
 
Japan 
Date of survey: Nov. 14-17. 
Subjects of survey: Voting population aged 20 and over. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,025 persons. 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-49 PERCENT , female-51 PERCENT . 
 
U.S. 
Date of survey: Nov. 14-23. 
Subjects of survey: Voting population aged 18 and over. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,010 persons. 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-51 PERCENT , female-49 PERCENT . 
 
(2) Yomiuri-Waseda poll: Public's disappointment at LDP greater than 
its expectations of DPJ 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
December 20, 2008 
 
The public seems to be in favor of seeing a change in government by 
allowing the ruling and opposition parties to trade places. What 
lies behind this shift in the public's attitude is a feeling of 
disappointment at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that outweighs 
its expectations of the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ or Minshuto). This public mindset was revealed by a Dec. 6-7 
face-to-face joint public opinion survey conducted by the Yomiuri 
Shimbun and Waseda University. Still, there was no extreme 
difference between the public's overall images of the two parties 
when it came to the degree of expectation and satisfaction. This 
seems to be why those distancing themselves from the LDP will not 
immediately come around to become backers of the DPJ. 
 
The next general election for the House of Representatives will be 
an opportunity for voters to choose between the ruling and 
opposition parties. Ahead of the election, the Yomiuri Shimbun and 
Waseda University conducted a joint poll to probe the public's image 
of the LDP and the DPJ and to explore how such might be reflected in 
their voting behavior. In the survey, respondents were asked if they 
had felt satisfaction or disappointment toward the LDP and the DPJ 
in the past, and if they had feelings of expectancy or uneasiness 
toward the two parties, looking toward the future. 
 
Asked about the LDP in the past, 20 PERCENT  answered that they had 
been satisfied, but the degree of disappointment reached 69 PERCENT 
. When it came to the future image of the LDP, 42 PERCENT  held 
expectations toward the party, while 86 PERCENT  had a sense of 
uneasiness. As for the public image of the DPJ in the past, 17 
PERCENT  said they felt satisfied, while 48 PERCENT  were 
disappointed. Asked about the DPJ in the future, 55 PERCENT  had 
positive expectations, while 75 PERCENT  felt uneasy. As for the 
degree of public disappointment, the LDP was 21 points higher than 
the DPJ. The DPJ was 13 points higher than the LDP when it came to 
the public's expectations of the parties in the future. 
 
For the survey, a total of 3,000 persons were chosen from among the 
nation's voting population. Answers were obtained from 1,747 persons 
(58.2 PERCENT ). 
 
 
TOKYO 00003534  008 OF 011 
 
 
(3) Japan and U.S. carried out joint military drills 74 times in 
fiscal 2007, with training premised on dispatch of troops 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
December 30, 2008 
 
This newspaper has learned through a information-disclosure request 
from a document revealed by the Ministry of Defense that in fiscal 
2007, the U.S. forces in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) 
carried out joint exercises that totaled 74 times, amounting to at 
least 530 work days.  This exceeds the joint training carried out in 
fiscal 2006 (353 days, 54 times). With the U.S. force realignment in 
Japan and the missile defense system, the Japanese and U.S. 
militaries are becoming as one, and training is accumulating 
gradually that is premised on overseas dispatches of troops. 
 
The large increase in the number of days of training compared to 
fiscal 2006 is because joint exercises were carried out by the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force in the United States. 
 
(4) Shaky Japan-U.S. alliance: Debate on permanent law on SDF 
overseas missions stagnant 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 24, 2008 
 
The Self-Defense Force (SDF) is now involved in four kinds of 
international contributions, including the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling service in the Indian Ocean, after its troops were 
withdrawn from Iraq. The international community expects Japan to 
make additional contributions, including aid to help reconstruct 
Afghanistan, but Japan has yet to make satisfactory legal 
preparations for SDF overseas missions. 
 
Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye, who served as assistant 
secretary of defense under the U.S. Clinton administration of the 
Democratic Party, stated in a meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 18: "I know 
there are constitutional restrictions, but Japan has wonderful 
military power. We expect Japan to offer assistance in fighting 
piracy and tackling other challenges. I hope Japan will expand the 
framework (of SDF missions). 
 
For SDF missions overseas, the government applies the Peacekeeping 
Operations (PKO) Law or needs to prepare a special measures law in a 
specific case. Last year, the government was forced to withdraw the 
MSDF vessels engaged in the refueling mission from the Indian Ocean 
following the expiration of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law 
authorizing the MSDF operation. 
 
Keeping such a possibility in mind, the government and the ruling 
camp have started work to lay down a permanent law (a general law) 
that stipulates conditions for SDF overseas missions. The Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito, though, have different 
views about standards on the use of weapons and other issues. The 
government, whose political base has significantly weakened, does 
not want to create a new bone of contention. The ruling camp's 
project team on permanent legislation has not even met since the 
team announced its interim report in June. 
 
Democratic Party of Japan President Ozawa has revealed his idea that 
the dispatch of SDF troops should be allowed only for operations 
based on a UN resolution or UN approval. But the LDP has insisted 
 
TOKYO 00003534  009 OF 011 
 
 
that it must be made possible for the government to dispatch troops 
from the viewpoint of the Japan-U.S. alliance, even without a UN 
resolution." 
 
Although debate on permanent legislation remains stagnant, 
preparations are steadily getting underway for SDF troops to go on 
overseas missions. 
 
The Central Readiness Force (CRF), which serves as an advance party 
for PKO overseas, was in training at the Ground Self-Defense Force 
Utsunomiya camp on Dec. 17, when Air Self-Defense Force troops were 
pulled out of Iraq. 
 
This CRF has been placed under the command of GSDF Central Readiness 
Command since PKO was designated as one of the SDF's main duties. 
About 700 CRF members had received injections against about 10 types 
of diseases, including yellow fever. It took six months until troops 
were actually dispatched after the decision was made, but Commander 
Masaharu Yamamoto said: "It could have been done in half that 
period." 
 
As long as Japan is experiencing political gridlock, CRF members 
will never have a chance to play their role. No progress has been 
made on the issue of interpretation of the right to collective 
self-defense, either. 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer made this remark in a 
forum in Tokyo on Dec. 9: 
 
"If an Asian country fires a missile targeting the U.S., will an 
intercept-capable Japanese destroyer shoot it down? If Japan's reply 
is 'no,' the U.S. will have to deploy two destroyers, one for a 
missile directed at Japan and another for a missile heading toward 
the U.S. The American people would find it difficult to understand 
such a situation." 
 
The ambassador indicated his concern about the future of the 
Japan-U.S. alliance before departing post with the inauguration of 
the Obama administration. 
 
(5) Government retracts Diet reply on separation of politics and 
religion 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 25, 2008 
 
The government decided in a cabinet meeting yesterday to withdraw a 
Diet reply regarding the principle of separation of religion and 
politics made by Cabinet Legislation Bureau Director General Reiichi 
Miyazaki during a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee. 
This decision was made in response to a written inquiry by House of 
Councillors member Natsuo Yamaguchi of the New Komeito. It is quite 
unusual for the Cabinet Legislation Bureau responsible for 
interpreting the Constitution and laws to retract its chief's Diet 
reply. 
 
Citing the case of Shinrito, a religious group headed by the founder 
of Aum Shinrikyo, Democratic Party of Japan Deputy President Kan 
made this question in a meeting of the Budget Committee on Oct. 7: 
"If (lawmakers backed by members of the religious group) hold a 
majority (in the Diet, etc.) and try to spread the key tenet of Aum 
Shinrikyo by exerting its authority, does it come under a violation 
 
TOKYO 00003534  010 OF 011 
 
 
of the principle of separation of religion from politics?" In 
response, Miyazaki said: "It violates the principle." 
 
In reaction, Yamaguchi noted in the written inquiry: "(Miyazaki) 
applied a certain law in reply to a question made on the basis of 
supposition. That was inappropriate." The government's written reply 
indicated its conventional view that even if those who belong to a 
political party supported by a religious group assume political 
power, it does not come under the category of use of political power 
by the religious group. The written reply also noted: "The remark 
might be taken as showing a change in the government's view, so the 
Cabinet Legislation Bureau retracts the remark." 
 
(6) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
China to build first aircraft carrier 
 
Mainichi: 
Those convicted of minor offenses to be sentenced to community 
service 
 
Yomiuri: 
Failure in Shinkansen system affects New Year travelers 
 
Nikkei: 
Foreign direct investment declines 40 PERCENT  in April-October 
period; Inflows in fiscal 2008 to mark yearly drop first time in 
five years 
 
Sankei: 
Government to resume purchase of nonperforming loans 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Many jobseekers visit Job-placement offices 
 
Akahata: 
Temporary village to be set up at Hibiya Party from Dec. 31 through 
Jan. 5 for those who lost job or home 
 
(7) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) National Diet Library: System should be upgraded 
(2) Grassroots movement needed to prevent doping 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Mid-term financial prospect: Fiscal reconstruction necessary for 
future 
(2) Crimes by Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry: Reflect on 
conducts and stand on people's side 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Actively use public funds to restore banks' lending capability 
(2) Air strikes in Gaza: Will spiral of retaliation resume? 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Economic environment changes violently over the year 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Review of 2008: Government urged to reconstruct safety networks 
 
 
TOKYO 00003534  011 OF 011 
 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Retrospect of 2008: Bill for no change of government running up 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Government ready to change procedures for authorization of 
school textbooks for worse 
 
(8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 29 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 30, 2008 
 
10:02 
Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 
 
12:52 
Arrived at his private office in Nagata-cho. 
 
18:16 
Visited a tailor in Kita-Aoyama. 
 
18:36 
Dined at a Japanese restaurant at the Imperial Hotel with his 
secretaries and others. 
 
21:03 
Went to a bar in the hotel with his secretaries and others. 
 
22:44 
Returned to his private residence. 
 
ZUMWALT