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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000311 
 
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 2/10/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
 
2) Editorials 
 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 
 
4) Kyodo poll finds 77 PERCENT  of Japanese have no expectations of 
Aso government's economic policies, as cabinet support rate sinks to 
18 PERCENT  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
5) Aso Cabinet support rate sinks 5 more points to record low of 14 
PERCENT  in Asahi poll; DPJ now favored over LDP in next election, 
42 PERCENT  to 22 PERCENT  (Asahi) 
 
6) Yomiuri poll put Aso Cabinet support rate a 19.97 PERCENT , but 
57 PERCENT  of public approve MSDF anti-piracy dispatch (Yomiuri) 
 
 
7) Ruling party project team receives EU briefings in London on 
anti-piracy operations but challenge of Japan will be sharing 
information with Russia, China (Sankei) 
 
8) Prime Minister Aso to meet Russian president in Sakhalin on 18th 
(Mainichi) 
 
9) Japan's auto industry encounters worst business scenario 
possible, with six major companies now suffering losses (Sankei) 
 
10)  Bankruptcies rise 15 PERCENT  in January to worst level in six 
years (Mainichi) 
 
11) Prime Minister Aso flip-flops on whether he favors or opposes 
postal privatization (Nikkei) 
 
12) Aso faulted for remarking that the economic situation in Japan 
was not a big deal compared to U.S., EU (Mainichi) 
 
13) Government aims to pass the fiscal 09 budget during the current 
fiscal year (Nikkei) 
 
14) Sparks fly in the Diet between ruling and opposition camp over 
budget bill timetable (Mainichi) 
 
15) Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Hatoyama, meeting 
DPJ members worried about Ichiro Ozawa becoming prime minister, 
defends him (Mainichi) 
 
16) Hatoyoma: If DPJ is in power, will remove directors general in 
the ministries (Yomiuri) 
 
There will be no Morning Highlights on February 11 - a Japanese 
holiday. 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Aso cabinet approval rate falls to 14 PERCENT 
 
Mainichi & Yomiuri: 
Nissan to slash 20,000 jobs worldwide 
 
TOKYO 00000311  002 OF 011 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
NTT, Microsoft tie up on Internet advertising 
 
Sankei: 
Prime Minister Aso revises controversial remark on postal 
revitalization 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Five Osaka company presidents arrested on suspicion of evading 300 
million yen in tax 
 
Akahata: 
JCP urges drastic review of elderly nursing-care system 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Osaka Gov. Hashimoto's criticism of government's extravagant 
spending reasonable 
(2) Viewpoint of giving priority to customers required for taxi 
control bill 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Relocation of Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market: Consumers 
have yet to remove doubts 
(2) 30th anniversary of revolution an opportunity for Iran to 
change 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Universities must compete in world arena 
(2) Iranian Prime Minister Maliki's security improvement efforts 
supported in local elections 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Cut principle of putting priority on supporting own country's 
industries 
(2) How to review Afghan strategy 
 
Sankei: 
(1) U.S. President Obama must eliminate Buy American clause from 
economic stimulus package bill 
(2) Government, private sector should guard seashore to prevent 
stimulant drug smuggling 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Strict verification needed for dam projects 
(2) U.S., Russia should avoid 'new cold war' 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Let us tackle hardships with power of solidarity 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 8 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
07:30 
Took a walk around the official residence. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000311  003 OF 011 
 
 
09:14 
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto at the official 
residence. 
 
11:12 
Left Haneda Airport by JAL 1275. Acting Secretary General Hayashi 
accompanied. 
 
12:01 
Arrived at Komatsu Airport. 
 
12:23 
Met with Ishikawa Prefectural Governor Tanimoto, LDP Ishikawa 
Chapter Chairman Nakagawa and lawmakers elected from Ishikawa 
Prefecture at Hotel Grandia Komatsu Airport. 
 
14:31 
Met with Echizen Mayor Nara at the Takefu Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture. Women's Affairs Division 
chief Yamatani and LDP Fukui Chapter Chairman Yamazaki were 
present. 
 
16:26 
Met with Fukui Prefectural Governor Nishikawa, Awara Mayor Hashimoto 
and Fukui Mayor Higashimura at the International Exchange Center in 
Awara City. 
 
17:02 
Joint meeting of Fukui Chapter's Youth Division, Youth Department 
and Women's Affairs Division. Then met with Fukui Prefectural 
Assembly members and chairman of the Fukui Chapter Policy Research 
Council. 
 
18:50 
Informal meeting of member of the joint meeting at an in Awara City. 
Lawmakers elected from Fukui Prefecture joined. 
 
20:45 
Left Komatsu Airport by JAL1282. 
 
21:39 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
22:11 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 9 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
08:20 
Met with Matsumoto at the Kantei. 
 
09:00 
Lower House Budget Committee meeting. 
 
12:08 
Liaison Council meeting between the government and the ruling 
parties at the Kantei. 
 
14:00 
 
TOKYO 00000311  004 OF 011 
 
 
Lower House Budget Committee meeting. 
 
17:08 
LDP executive meeting 
 
17:49 
Education Revitalization meeting at the Kantei. 
 
18:56 
Met with JR Tokai Chairman Kasai, Fuji Film Holdings President 
Komori and Tokyo University Professor Yamauchi at Arc Mori 
Building. 
 
21:02 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
4) Poll: 77 PERCENT  pin no hopes on stimulus package; Cabinet 
support rate down to 18 PERCENT 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) 
February 10, 2009 
 
In a telephone-based poll conducted across the nation by Kyodo News 
on Feb. 7-8, a total of 77.0 PERCENT  answered "no" when respondents 
were asked if they had expectations for Prime Minister Taro Aso's 
economic policy measures for an economic turnaround. "Yes" accounted 
for 19.4 PERCENT . As seen from these figures, negative answers 
largely outnumbered affirmative answers. The support rate for the 
Aso cabinet slipped 1.1 points from the last survey in January to 
18.1 PERCENT , with the nonsupport rate rising 0.7 points to 70.9 
PERCENT . Meanwhile, Aso has clarified that he would review the 
business management for the four separate companies currently under 
the wing of Japan Post since the privatization of state-run postal 
services. Asked whether they favored this, 52.1 PERCENT  answered 
"no," with 34.7 PERCENT  saying "yes." 
 
In the poll, respondents were also asked about the desirable form of 
government. To this question, 55.3 PERCENT  opted for a coalition 
government centering on the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), up 
3.9 points from the last survey. On the other hand, 25.9 PERCENT 
chose a coalition government centering on the Liberal Democratic 
Party. The figures post a gap of 29.4 points, which is largest for 
similar polls since August 2005. In the public preference of 
political parties for proportional representation in the next 
election for the House of Representatives, the DPJ scored 42.9 
PERCENT , with the LDP at 23.0 PERCENT . In the breakdown of public 
support for political parties as well, the gap between the DPJ and 
the LDP has become larger, with the DPJ standing at 31.5 PERCENT 
and the LDP at 23.7 PERCENT . 
 
When asked who was more appropriate for prime minister between Aso 
and DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, 43.8 PERCENT  picked Ozawa, with 
23.2 PERCENT  choosing Aso. The gap has narrowed a bit from last 
time. 
 
5) Poll: Cabinet support down to 14 PERCENT 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged) 
February 10, 2009 
 
The Aso cabinet's support rate further dropped to 14 PERCENT  from 
last month's 19 PERCENT , which was the lowest level since coming 
 
TOKYO 00000311  005 OF 011 
 
 
into office, according to findings from a telephone-based nationwide 
public opinion survey conducted by the Asahi Shimbun on Feb. 7-8. 
The nonsupport rate reached 73 PERCENT , rising from last month's 67 
PERCENT . The support rate shows no sign of touching bottom. The 
focus will be on whether Prime Minister Aso can dissolve the Diet 
this spring after the fiscal 2009 budget clears the Diet. 
 
The results of previous polls and the one taken this time cannot be 
simply compared due to different polling methodologies. Even so, the 
14 PERCENT  rating is the second lowest figure following the 9 
PERCENT  rating for the Mori cabinet in February 2001. 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked which political party they 
would vote for in their proportional representation blocs for the 
House of Representatives if they were to vote now. In this public 
preference of political parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party 
scored 22 PERCENT  (25 PERCENT  in the last survey conducted Jan. 
10-11)), with the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) at 42 PERCENT  (38 PERCENT  in the last survey). The DPJ 
topped 40 PERCENT  for the first time since the 2007 election for 
the House of Councillors. In the breakdown of public support for 
political parties as well, the DPJ outstripped the LDP, with the DPJ 
scoring 25 PERCENT  (24 PERCENT  in the last survey) and the LDP at 
22 PERCENT  (24 PERCENT  in the last survey). 
 
In addition, respondents were also asked when they would like the 
House of Representatives to be held for a general election. To this 
question, "as early as possible" accounted for 60 PERCENT , with 
"there's no need to hurry" at 31 PERCENT . 
 
6) Poll: Cabinet support at 19.7 PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
February 10, 2009 
 
The Aso cabinet's support rate has now dropped to 19.7 PERCENT , 
which is lower than its previous 20.4 PERCENT  rating for last month 
and falling below 20 PERCENT  for the first time, the Yomiuri 
Shimbun found from its telephone-based nationwide public opinion 
survey conducted Feb. 6-8. The nonsupport rate was 72.4 PERCENT 
(72.3 PERCENT  in the last survey). In the survey, respondents were 
also asked if the Maritime Self-Defense Force should be sent for an 
antipiracy mission in waters off Somalia. To this question, 57 
PERCENT  answered "yes," with 32 PERCENT  saying "no." As seen from 
these figures, affirmative answers outnumbered negative ones. 
 
Cabinet support did not reach 20 PERCENT  for the first time since 
the Mori cabinet hit 8.6 PERCENT  in a face-to-face survey taken in 
February 2001. 
 
In the survey, respondents were also asked who was more appropriate 
for prime minister between Prime Minister Aso and Democratic Party 
of Japan (Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa. To this question, 40 
PERCENT  preferred Ozawa, up from 39 PERCENT  in the last survey. 
Meanwhile, 24 PERCENT  chose Aso, down from 27 PERCENT . The gap 
between Ozawa and Aso has expanded. In the breakdown of public 
support for political parties, the LDP stood at 26.8 PERCENT  (29.3 
PERCENT  in the last survey), with the DPJ at 28.3 PERCENT  (26.2 
PERCENT  in the last survey). As seen from these figures, the DPJ 
edged out the LDP. In the public preference of political parties for 
proportional representation in the next election for the House of 
Representatives, the DPJ scored 40 PERCENT  (39 PERCENT  in the last 
 
TOKYO 00000311  006 OF 011 
 
 
survey), with the LDP at 26 PERCENT  (24 PERCENT  in the last 
survey). 
 
7) Ruling bloc's project team visits Western anti-piracy 
headquarters; Rate of successful attacks by pirates in waters off 
Somalia drops from 50 PERCENT  to 20 PERCENT ; Information-sharing 
with China, Russia a challenge 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
February 10, 2009 
 
Masato Kimura, London 
 
In the run-up for the Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyers to 
join in March the anti-piracy operation in waters off Somalia, 
Africa, the ruling bloc's project team (PT) on Feb. 9 visited the 
headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and 
the European Union (EU) and discussed the possibility of joint 
operations and the dispatch of patrol aircraft. Although 
countermeasures taken by Western countries since last December have 
accomplished tangible results, there still lie mounting challenges, 
such as information-sharing with Chinese and Russian vessels. 
 
Following a UN Security Council resolution, the EU set up its 
anti-piracy headquarters last December in the Royal Navy Permanent 
Joint Headquarters in a London suburb and began its first maritime 
operation. Four EU naval vessels have been engaged in escorting 
vessels carrying World Food Program (WFP) aid supplies, as well as 
in patrol activities. Piracy information is also available on its 
website. 
 
On Jan. 29, a German-related tanker was hijacked by pirates in the 
Gulf of Aden off Somalia. The tanker had failed to provide its 
sailing information in advance. The pirates were eventually seized 
after helicopters from a French destroyer fired warning shots at the 
two high-speed boats carrying them. Rear Admiral Phil Jones of the 
headquarters said: "Although the number of attacks has not dropped, 
contacts with commercial vessels have increased and the operation 
has begun achieving positive results." 
 
The United States, which has been cracking down on trafficking of 
arms and drugs in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, has also 
establish a joint operation framework with the coalition of the 
willing and dispatched three Fifth Fleet vessels on Jan. 8. Based in 
Somalia's neighbor of Djibouti, the EU and U.S. naval vessels have 
confirmed sharing information and roles. 
 
Some 16,000 vessels sail through waters off Somalia annually. Over 
120 vessels were attacked last year. At present, seven vessels, 120 
crewmembers are still under the control of pirates. 
 
Three vessels have been hijacked this year, but 14 vessels fought 
back, and dozens of pirates were arrested. 
 
The Royal Institute of International Affairs' Roger Middleton who is 
well-versed in piracy issues took this view: "The rate of successful 
attacks by pirates has dropped from 50 PERCENT  to 20 - 30 PERCENT . 
Although some attacks could be prevented, fundamental problems would 
persist unless Somalia's new provisional government resolves public 
discontent." 
 
Some 20 vessels have been dispatched by 15 countries, including 
 
TOKYO 00000311  007 OF 011 
 
 
European nations, the Untied States, China, Russia, and India. The 
contact group composed of five organizations, including the United 
Nations, the EU, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), 
and 24 countries, has decided to set up an information sharing 
center. Information and telecommunications systems usually handle 
vital military secrets. For this reason, some observers think it is 
difficult for NATO members to share information with Chinese and 
Russian naval vessels. 
 
The deployment of Chinese and Russian naval vessels to 
U.S.-controlled waters has caused new tensions, as well. According 
to some Chinese media reports, a Chinese destroyer was chased by 
what seems to be a Russian-made submarine belonging to the Indian 
Navy, exposing the difficulty of China-India relations. 
 
8) Prime Minister Aso to visit Sakhalin on Feb. 18; No prospect for 
resolution of visa-free issue 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday decided to visit Sakhalin in 
Russian Far East on Feb. 10 to meet with President Dmitry Medvedev. 
It will be the first time for a Japanese prime minister to visit 
Sakhalin since the end of World War II. Aso hopes his talks with 
Medvedev will find a foothold for an improvement in the issue of the 
Northern Territories, a long-standing territorial dispute with 
Russia. The Foreign Ministry has aimed at an early resumption of 
visa-free exchanges between Japan and the four Russian-held islands 
off Hokkaido, but no prospect for a solution is in sight. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura reported on Aso's plan to 
visit Sakhalin to a liaison meeting yesterday of the government and 
ruling parties government. On Feb. 18, there will be a ceremony for 
natural gas liquefaction operation of the Sakhalin-2 oil and natural 
gas development project, in which Japanese companies take part. Aso 
was invited by Medvedev on Jan. 24 to attend the ceremony. 
 
However, Russia demanded last month that a Japanese delegation to 
the disputed four islands submit disembarkation cards to enter the 
islands. The Japanese government refused the demand, arguing that if 
it accepts the demand, it will mean that Japan admits the four 
islands are Russian territories." The ministry is concerned that the 
visa-free visits to the four islands, started in 1992, might be 
discontinued. The issue could be taken up in an Aso-Medvedev 
meeting, but there is no prospect for an immediate settlement of the 
issue. 
 
9) Worst-case scenario -- six leading automakers likely to slip into 
the red 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
February 10, 2009 
 
Eight leading automakers, including Toyota Motors, released their 
consolidated business outlook for the term ending in March, 2009. 
Six of them will likely slip into an overall deficit. The amount of 
final profits made by all companies totaled 3.1 trillion yen in the 
term ended in March 2008, boosted by expanded overseas markets 
mainly in emerging countries. However, the six companies have 
slipped into an overall deficit totaling 722 billion yen in only a 
year. The sale of new model cars has been sluggish due to the global 
 
TOKYO 00000311  008 OF 011 
 
 
recession since last fall. The appreciation of the yen to a level 
higher than expected has also squeezed their earnings, giving rise 
to a situation that can be termed a free fall of business 
performances. 
 
Nissan Motors has marked an operating loss for the first time in 14 
years. President Carlos Ghosn said with an agonized look, "A 
worst-case scenario is becoming a reality." The global auto market 
has plunged more sharply than Ghosn had anticipated. Nissan like 
Toyota Motors has long ago adopted a management style that attaches 
too much importance on the U.S. market. The proportion of full-size 
cars in its lineup is high, further exacerbating the situation. In 
addition, the continued appreciation of the yen, a circumstance 
peculiar to Japanese automakers, has served to put a dent in the 
company's operating profits by as much as 60.9 billion yen from the 
projection made as of the end of October. 
 
Regarding the company's sales performance in the global auto market 
this year, Ghosn projected a drop to the 55 million level, down by 7 
million vehicles compared with the preceding year. He then hinted at 
an even more pessimistic scenario, saying, "Now projection for our 
sales performance is approaching the 50 million level." 
 
Toyota Motors had to make a third downward revision to its business 
performance, slipping into an overall deficit for the first time 
since 1963, when it first released overall results. Mazda Motors and 
Mitsubishi Motors have also slipped into the red. Almost all auto 
makers thus had to make a downward revision to their business 
performances. 
 
Amid the overall collapse of Japanese, European and U.S. markets, 
Japanese automakers have been relying on emerging countries. 
However, their markets, too, are also losing steam. The gap between 
production capability and sales volume is widening. The cost of 
industrial restructuring will likely rise, too. 
 
10) Number of corporate bankruptcies jumps 15 PERCENT  in January, 
marking highest level in six years 
 
MAINICHI (Page 8) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
The number of nationwide corporate bankruptcies (with more than 10 
million yen in debts in each case) increased 15.8 PERCENT  in 
January over a year ago to 1,360 cases, the eighth straight monthly 
rise. Debts left by failed companies surged 44.3 PERCENT  over a 
year earlier to 838.991 billion yen, the fifth straight monthly 
rise, according to Tokyo Shoko Research yesterday. These figures 
mark the highest level in six years since 2003. 
 
Bankruptcies with liabilities of more than 10 billion yen jumped to 
¶16. By industry, failures in the manufacturing industry rose by 37.8 
PERCENT  to 233, exceeding the 200 mark in the month for the first 
time in six years. 
 
The number of employees of failed companies was about two times more 
than a year ago to 19,479, marking the largest increase since March 
¶2002. Of them, 5,894 were in the manufacturing industry, about 2.5 
times more than a year earlier and topping the 5,000 mark for the 
first time in six years. 
 
11) Prime minister corrects his statement on postal privatization, 
 
TOKYO 00000311  009 OF 011 
 
 
giving consideration to criticism from ruling, opposition parties: 
Sticks to call for taking second look at four spin-off companies 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
Correcting his Diet reply made on the 5th that he was against postal 
privatization when he was an internal affairs minister during the 
Koizumi cabinet, Prime Minister Taro Aso at a Lower House Budget 
Committee meeting on February 9 said that he ended up supporting it. 
He apparently corrected his earlier statement after giving 
consideration to criticism coming from both the ruling and 
opposition parties. However, he did not give in regarding his pet 
argument that it is necessary to take a second look at four spin-off 
companies, the key companies created after the full privatization of 
postal services. 
 
The prime minister during the meeting noted: "I have never said that 
I would renationalize postal services. I studied the issue for two 
years as an internal affairs minister and reached the decision 
postal services privatization would be worth it, depending on how it 
is implemented." He indicated that although he was against the 
privatization when he took office as internal affairs minister, he 
shifted to supporting it when the cabinet adopted the postal 
services privatization bill in April 2005. In the Diet reply made on 
the 5th, the prime minister also said with the dissolution of the 
Lower House over the postal services issue, "I said I would not sign 
a paper calling for the Lower House dissolution, which caused much 
furor." 
 
The prime minister on the evening of the 9th told reporters, "This 
is not a correction. I have no intention of backpedaling on my 
stance toward the postal privatization." He also explained at a 
liaison council meeting between the government and the ruling 
parties held at noon of the same day, "I have never said that I will 
renationalize postal services or water down privatization." 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura made a complaint about the 
prime minister's remark during a press conference, "His statement 
might have given the impression to the people that it was 
insufficient and needed more explanation." 
 
12) Aso: Japan's economic situation is not a big deal, compared with 
other countries' 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
In a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee 
yesterday, Prime Minister Taro Aso spoke of the present state of the 
Japanese economy: "Japan has sustained less damage than other 
countries." Delivering a speech in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture, on 
Feb. 8, Aso also said: "If proper measures are taken, the current 
recession will not be a big deal," evoking criticism from the 
opposition camp as being "over optimistic." 
 
Aso emphasized in the speech on the 8th: "There are no signs of 
Toyota, Nissan and Honda going under. But I hear that General 
Motors, Ford and Chrysler are in a critical state." 
 
13) Fiscal 2009 budget bill: Prospects for enactment before end of 
current fiscal year obtained 
 
TOKYO 00000311  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
The Lower House Budget Committee on February 9 decided to hold a 
central hearing, a precondition for holding a vote on the fiscal 
2009 budget bill, on February 16, paving the way to some extent for 
the enactment of the budget before the end of the current fiscal 
year. 
 
Since the budget bill will be enacted automatically 30 days after 
clearing the Lower House under a regulation of the Constitution, the 
committee will likely hold a vote on the bill possibly late this 
month and send it to the Upper House, even if the Democratic Party 
of Japan calls for thorough debate. 
 
The Lower House Budget Committee has set a timetable at a directors 
meeting on the same day for holding interpellations on the 10th and 
intensive deliberations on reform of the public servant system on 
the 17th. The ruling parties are envisaging a vote on the bill on 
the 20th at the earliest. The focus of a battle between the ruling 
and opposition parties will be on the enactment of bills related to 
the fiscal 2008 second supplementary budget and bills related to the 
fiscal 2009 budget, including bills related to reform of the tax 
system. 
 
14) Tactful game over budget bill going into gear between ruling and 
opposition camps 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
February 10, 2009 
 
A tactful game over the fiscal 2009 budget bill has begun between 
the ruling and opposition parties. The ruling camp is aiming to have 
the bill pass through the House of Representatives in late February, 
at the latest, in order to enact it within this fiscal year. 
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and other opposition 
parties are maneuvering to delay deliberations in the Lower House on 
the budget bill and bills related to the fiscal 2008 second 
supplementary budget, on which discussion started in the House of 
Councillors yesterday. Prime Minister Taro Aso's controversial 
remark on a review of the postal privatization plan has negatively 
affected the ruling camp's initiative in Diet proceedings, making 
executive members in the Liberal Democratic Party nervous. 
 
DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka met with his LDP 
counterpart Tadamori Oshima in the Diet Building yesterday. He asked 
Oshima to delay the start of deliberations on the fiscal 2009 budget 
bill, which is set for Feb. 12, saying: "Deliberations at the Upper 
House Fiscal and Monetary Committee should be conducted for a full 
day on Feb. 12." This proposal was intended to have State Minister 
for Financial Services Shoichi Nakagawa attend a meeting of the 
Fiscal and Monetary Committee on the second extra budget-related 
bill and delay his briefing on the fiscal 2009 budget bill at the 
Lower House. But Oshima declined the proposal. 
 
Focusing on the fact that the bills related second extra budget have 
been set aside in the Upper House, LDP Secretary General Hiroyuki 
Hosoda cynically said in a press conference yesterday: "(The DPJ) 
will finally start inquires (on the bills) in the Upper House four 
weeks after they cleared the Lower House. It proceedings are quite 
slow." 
 
TOKYO 00000311  011 OF 011 
 
 
 
15) Hatoyama defends Ozawa in response to voices of concern about "a 
prime minister Ozawa" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
Will President Ichiro Ozawa assume the premiership?" In a meeting 
held by a group affiliated to the Kansai Federation of Employers' 
Association in Osaka yesterday, many participants expressed concern 
following Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama spelling out the policies that the party will take if it 
seizes political power. 
 
Speaking before about 100 people, Hatoyama explained the party's 
policy platform n detail, such as: "We will send 100 lawmakers into 
the government;" and "we will ask bureaucrats in the post of bureau 
director general or over to submit a resignation." But many 
participants expressed such severe views as: "The DPJ has disagreed 
for the sake of disagreeing in pursuit of its interests rather than 
those of the nation;" and "Even if President Ozawa became prime 
minister, it might just be for a short period." 
 
Hatoyama replied: "(Ozawa) will naturally become prime minister. His 
government would last surprisingly long enough." Ozawa often wears a 
mask. On this, Hatoyama said: "It (wearing a mask) is to completely 
protect himself." He added: "If he becomes prime minister, he will 
demonstrate a posture of fighting the bureaucracy in the Diet." 
 
16) DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama: DPJ-led government will first 
demand high-level bureaucrats submit resignations, it will appoint 
officials who approve government policy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 10, 2009 
 
Yukio Hatoyama, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ), delivered yesterday a speech in a meeting in 
Osaka of the Kansai Economic Federation. Referring in it to how a 
DPJ-led government will handle the appointments of senior government 
officials, Hatoyama said: "We will let senior officials at the 
bureau-director and higher levels in the ministries and agencies 
submit their resignations and ask them whether they will follow the 
DPJ's policy. Unless we take drastic measures, we will be 
manipulated by bureaucrats." He meant that if a DPJ-led 
administration was realized, the administration would first demand 
the submission of senior government officials' resignations and it 
would appoint only bureaucrats who approve the DPJ's policy. 
 
The expansion of political appointees of senior bureaucrats is one 
of the DPJ's basic policies. It is also included in the campaign 
pledges for the 2007 House of Councillors election. The government 
structural reform plan compiled in 2003 by then President Naoto Kan 
stipulates that a new cabinet will call on bureau-director and 
higher level officials, who do not agree with its basic policy, to 
tender their resignations. 
 
ZUMWALT