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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 000352 
 
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 2/17/09 
 
Index: 
 
Secretary Clinton in Japan: 
1) Secretary Clinton arrives in Japan  (Asahi) 
2) Clinton stresses Asia priority in arrival statement  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
3) Policy priority on Pacific region in Clinton diplomacy  (Sankei) 
 
4) Clinton stresses that abduction issue will be included in 
six-party talks on North Korea  (Nikkei) 
5) Secretary Clinton, Foreign Ministry Nakasone in meeting to agree 
on early summit between prime minister, President Obama  (Nikkei) 
 
6) North Korea hints at launching "satellite" for Kim Jong Il's 
birthday, but fear is that it will be a ballistic missile  (Sankei) 
 
7) N. Korea warns of missile launch  (Nikkei) 
 
8) GDP plunges to minus 12.7 PERCENT  worst level in 35 years 
(Nikkei) 
 
9) DPJ President Ozawa criticizes Obama administration's Afghanistan 
strategy: "Can't win there"  (Asahi) 
 
Aso Cabinet in trouble: 
10) Former Prime Minister Mori seeks to counter drive to remove 
Prime Minsiter Aso from office  (Asahi) 
11) Aso trying to keep in power by pushing another economic stimulus 
package  (Yomiuri) 
12) With popularity at less than 10 PERCENT  now, Aso in a 
self-deprecating mood  (Mainichi) 
13) Opposition to file censure motion in Diet against Finance 
Minister Nakagawa for alleging showing up drunk at a G-7 news 
conference  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Tokyo Shimbun: 
Opposition parties eye censure motion against Finance Minister 
Nakagawa over groggy press conference appearance 
 
Mainichi: 
Over 20,000 U.S. soldiers mobilized for Iraqi, Afghan wars suffer 
brain damage with no external wound 
 
Yomiuri: 
Japan's GDP shrinks annualized 12.7 PERCENT  as demand sapped 
worldwide 
 
Nikkei: 
Government to speed public works to revive economy 
 
Sankei: 
LDP project team proposes revising postal services into two 
companies 
 
Akahata: 
JCP calls for budget overhaul to increase domestic demand 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
TOKYO 00000352  002 OF 009 
 
 
 
Asahi: 
(1) GDP plummets: Be prepared for worst postwar crisis 
(2) Is Nakagawa fit to serve as finance minister? 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Finance Minister Nakagawa must take responsibility for bad 
behavior 
(2) Sharp drop in GDP: Main budget must be overhauled before extra 
budget 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Government must present plan to end recession 
(2) Kanji Proficiency Examination Association should not seek profit 
as public-interest corporation 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Nation urgently needs additional economic measures that are bold 
and solid 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Negative GDP: Bold measures necessary 
(2) Prime Minister's visit to Sakhalin expected to help bring 
progress on Northern Territories issue 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Finance Minister Nakagawa's behavior undermines national 
interests 
(2) GDP: Additional economic measures essential 
 
Akahata: 
(1) GDP: Fundamental self-reflection and change vital 
 
3) Secretary of State Clinton arrives in Japan 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived at Narita 
Airport by special plane last night. Japan is the first destination 
of her overseas trip since she assumed office. Speaking before 
reporters at the airport, she emphasized: "I am visiting Asia on my 
first overseas trip in my new role in order to convey my view that 
our engagement with countries in the Pacific region is indispensable 
in dealing with global issues in the 21st century." 
 
After meeting with Foreign Minister Nakasone and Defense Minister 
Hamada, Secretary Clinton will have dinner with Prime Minister Aso 
today. She is also scheduled to meet Democratic Party of Japan 
President Ozawa and some family members of Japanese citizens 
abducted by North Korean agents. 
 
4) U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, arriving in Japan, stresses 
priority on Asia 
 
TOKYO (Page 1) (Almost full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Japan last 
evening on her first overseas tour since assuming her post. Arriving 
at Haneda Airport aboard a special aircraft, the Secretary, speaking 
to the press corps, stressed the significance of her coming to 
 
TOKYO 00000352  003 OF 009 
 
 
Japan: "By strengthening our historical alliance with Japan and 
building new partnerships with newly emerging countries, I would 
like to create a global network for resolving issues that one 
country alone cannot do." In her separate meetings on the 17th with 
Prime Minister Taro Aso, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, and 
Defense Secretary Seiichi Hamada, she will discuss and express her 
views on such issues as the financial crisis, nuclear proliferation, 
and the situation in Afghanistan. The Obama administration has taken 
a stance of prioritizing Asia. Regarding her current trip to Asia, 
Secretary Clinton stressed: "In order to tackle the challenges of 
the 21 century, it is indispensable that the U.S. has (close) 
relations with the Asia-Pacific region." In addition, the Secretary 
will meet with families of the abductees and participate in a 
dialogue session at Tokyo University. She said: "We must have strong 
bonds not only at the government to government level but also at the 
people to people level, as well." 
 
5) Clinton arrives in Japan on her first trip as Secretary of State 
to demonstrate that U.S. attaches importance to Asia-Pacific 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Japan on the 
night of Feb. 16. She will stay in Japan, her first leg on her Asian 
tour as Secretary of State, until Feb. 18. During her stay in Japan, 
she will hold talks with Prime Minister Taro Aso and other Japanese 
leaders to discuss North Korea's nuclear development and ballistic 
missile issues, measures against the global financial crisis, and 
climate change, as well as to meet with families of abduction 
victims. 
 
In a welcome ceremony following her arrival at Haneda Airport, 
Secretary Clinton said: 
 
"I have come to Asia on my first trip as secretary of State to 
convey that America's relationships across the Pacific are 
indispensable to addressing the challenges and seizing the 
opportunities of the 21st century. The U.S.-Japanese alliance is 
vitally important to both of our countries, and the foundation of 
our partnership is based, and always will be, on a commitment to our 
shared security and prosperity." 
 
She also indicated that she would like to maintain and advance the 
long and deep relations between the two countries to the new century 
with confidence and optimism (through a dialogue during her stay in 
Japan). 
 
The welcome ceremony was also attended by Japanese female astronauts 
Chiaki Mukai and Naoko Yamazaki. Secretary Clinton smilingly praised 
the two astronauts, saying: "The two of you are proof of continuous 
cooperation between the two countries in the field of science. I 
wanted to be an astronaut myself when I was a child." 
 
On Feb. 17, Secretary Clinton is scheduled to hold talks with Prime 
Minister Taro Aso, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, Defense 
Minister Yasukazu Hamada, and Democratic Party of Japan President 
Ichiro Ozawa, and to attend a tea party to be hosted by the Empress 
at the Imperial Palace. 
 
Further, Secretary Clinton has shown strong enthusiasm for meeting 
with families of abduction victims, saying: "I would like to meet 
 
TOKYO 00000352  004 OF 009 
 
 
with them as a mother, daughter, and sister rather than as secretary 
of state." 
 
The Secretary's Asian tour until Feb. 22 will also take her to 
Indonesia, South Korea and China. 
 
6) U.S. Secretary of State Clinton stresses that abduction issue 
will be included in Six-Party Talks 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
Prior to arriving in Japan on Feb. 16, Secretary of State Clinton 
briefed the traveling press aboard her aircraft. According to the 
State Department, the Secretary, commenting on the abduction issue, 
said: "It is part of the Six-Party Talks (on the nuclear issue). 
Japan need not be concerned." She expressed her aim to resolve the 
issue during the same set of talks. 
 
7) In today's foreign ministerial, Japan, U.S. to agree on early 
summit meeting 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
In their meeting today, Foreign Minister Nakasone and U.S. Secretary 
of State Clinton are expected to agree to an early convening of a 
summit meeting between Prime Minister Aso and President Obama. Japan 
would like the meeting to take place in March prior to the G-20 
meeting in London on April 2. After the two cabinet minister's reach 
an agreement, coordination will begin on the specifics. 
 
8) North Korea hints at launching satellite; May launch it shortly 
after Kim Jong Il's birthday 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
Katsuhiro Kuroda, Seoul 
 
Kim Jong Il, the supreme commander and General Secretary of North 
Korea, turned 67 on Feb. 16. In its Feb. 16 editorial, the Nodong 
Sinmun, the Korean Workers Party organ paper, against suggested the 
succession of power to the third generation after Kim Jong Il by 
playing up the "succession of the blood of Mt. Paektu" and 
"revolutionary achievements over generations." Pyongyang also denied 
the speculation that North Korea is preparing to fire a long-range 
missile and suggested instead the launch of a satellite, with the 
Korean Central News Agency reporting, "What is launched will be 
known sooner or later. Developing space is our independent right." 
 
In 1998, North Korea launched a long-range Taepodong missile for the 
first time. But the country, in order dodge international criticism, 
explained that it had launched a satellite. 
 
But given the North's rebuttal signifying its indirect admission 
this time around of its preparations for a launch, the prevailing 
view in Seoul is that there is a strong possibility that the North 
will launch it in the not distant future. 
 
As usual, a variety of events celebrating Kim Jong Il's birthday 
were held at various parts of the country, including the central 
 
TOKYO 00000352  005 OF 009 
 
 
celebration ceremony in Pyongyang. But Kim Jong Il was absent from 
the central celebration ceremony which brought together military and 
party leaders, such as Supreme People's Assembly Presidium President 
Kim Yong Nam, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun 
and new chief of staff Lee Yong Ho. 
 
9) N. Korea warns of missile launch 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
Yoshiharu Asano, Seoul 
 
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday reported 
on an article titled "Making much ado with rumors about preparing to 
launch missiles is insulting to us." The KCNA report added, "They 
(foreign countries) will find out what will be launched in our 
country." With this, North Korea owned up to its plan to launch a 
ballistic missile shortly. This is the first time for North Korea to 
warn of a missile launch in advance. 
 
U.S. and South Korean government authorities had caught North 
Korea's move preparing to launch a Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic 
missile that ranges 4,300-6,000 kilometers. However, KCNA implied 
its attempt to launch an artificial satellite, claiming that "space 
development is our own right." Yet, the projectile for an artificial 
satellite is the same as that for a ballistic missile. North Korea 
is believed to be launching a Taepodong-2 missile in the disguise of 
an artificial satellite. 
 
North Korea's launching a missile at this point is highly likely to 
be in an attempt to bring the United States to a 'direct dialogue' 
with North Korea by warning against the Obama administration that 
was just inaugurated in January. 
 
10) GDP suffers largest 12.7 PERCENT  drop in 35 years: Collapse of 
both domestic and external demands; Worst plunge seen in exports; 
Government, ruling parties to rush to consider additional stimulus 
package 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
Evening, February 16, 2009 
 
The Cabinet Office on February 16 released a preliminary figure for 
the gross domestic product (GDP) for the October-December quarter of 
¶2008. The nation's GDP marked a 3.3 PERCENT  decline in real terms, 
which excludes the impact of fluctuations in prices, from the 
preceding quarter, or an annualized real 12.7 PERCENT  drop. The 
Japanese economy suffered negative growth for three straight 
quarters. The decline in Japanese GDP was the steepest in about 35 
years, following an annualized 13.1 PERCENT  in the January-March 
quarter of 1974, when the country was suffering from the fallout of 
the first oil crisis. Exports marked the largest decline due to the 
global recession. Personal consumption and capital investment also 
plunged. The Japanese economy sank even deeper than that of the U.S. 
and Europe due to the collapse of both domestic and external 
demands. The economy will most likely suffer negative growth in the 
January-March quarter of 2009 as well. The government and the ruling 
parties will rush to consider additional stimulus measures. 
 
Backlash to reliance on exports serious: Pronounced drop in GDP 
among leading economies 
 
TOKYO 00000352  006 OF 009 
 
 
 
(Commentary) The Japanese economy contracted markedly, compared with 
the U.S. and European economies. The major reason for that is its 
structure. The Japanese economy relies on exports more than the U.S. 
and European economies. Its steepest plunge has indicated the 
severity of a blow such an economy suffers when the global economy 
fell into a recession. 
 
The real growth rate of the U.S. economy for the October-December 
quarter of 2008 shrank an annualized 3.8 PERCENT , while the 
eurozone economy saw an annualized shrinkage of about 6 PERCENT . 
The rates of the fall of those economies are smaller than that of 
the Japanese economy. 
 
In the case of the Japanese economy, the contribution of external 
demand to growth in the October-December quarter was negative 3.0 
points, largely falling below the U.S.' 0.1 point. Demand for 
high-priced durable consumption goods, such as autos and digital 
electronic appliances, have dropped sharply due to the decline in 
the sluggish domestic economy. The unusually fast adjustment in 
production and capital investment mainly in the export-oriented 
industry has led to substantial negative growth. Europe also relies 
on exports. However, the Cabinet Office sees that since their trade 
partners are countries whose economies have had a relatively strong 
showing, such as Russia, (the global recession) has had an impact on 
European economies in a different manner. 
 
Not only sluggish corporate performances but also employment 
uncertainties, which spread mainly among non-permanent workers, are 
eroding consumer confidence. There was a case in which real GDP 
marked negative growth for three consecutive quarters. This time, 
the negative growth will likely continue into the fourth quarter. 
The largest plunge was marked in the January - March quarter of 
¶1974. Even at that time, GDP moved into the plus column in the next 
quarter. A possible delay in the implementation of the economic 
stimulus package could protract the worst recession among leading 
countries. 
 
11) Ozawa opposed to sending reinforcements to Afghanistan 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Ozawa in a radio 
program aired yesterday indicated that he was opposed to the U.S. 
Obama administration's plan to send more troops to Afghanistan. "No 
matter how many more troops they may send there, they can never 
prevail," Ozawa said. The Obama administration regards Afghanistan 
as the main theater in the war on terror. Ozawa's remarks will 
likely create a stir ahead of his scheduled meeting today with U.S. 
Secretary of State Clinton. 
 
The radio program was recorded on Feb. 12. Ozawa was asked what 
relationship Japan should build with the Obama administration. "I 
like Americans," Ozawa said. "But," he went on, "they are a little 
simple-minded." He added, "They have a strong economy and strong 
muscle, so they are arrogant." With this, Ozawa criticized the 
former Bush administration for its unilateralism in the war on 
terror. 
 
In addition, Ozawa noted that the Obama administration has played up 
international cooperation but should have a second thought about 
 
TOKYO 00000352  007 OF 009 
 
 
sending more troops again. "No matter how many more troops they may 
send, they would never be able to win," Ozawa said. Citing the U.S. 
war in Vietnam and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Ozawa said 
the United States "will have to have a strong hold on the public 
mind." 
 
"If I had an opportunity to talk with the president," Ozawa said, "I 
would say this." With this, Ozawa clarified that he would convey his 
thoughts to President Obama. He further said: "We will produce 
farmland and make people rich. If we are entrusted with the reins of 
government, Japan will contribute in that way." So saying, Ozawa 
stressed again that if the DPJ takes office in the next election for 
the House of Representatives, Japan will make civilian contributions 
in its assistance to Afghanistan. 
 
Ozawa had made those remarks before his schedule for today's meeting 
with Clinton was finalized. Their conversation in the meeting today 
will draw attention. But Ozawa positions his meeting with Clinton as 
an opportunity for them to be 'introduced' to one another. In the 
meeting, Ozawa will likely lay emphasis on the bilateral alliance 
between Japan and the United States. In the meantime, however, he is 
not expected to go deep into specifics. 
 
This is the first time for the DPJ head and the U.S. secretary of 
State to meet. Ozawa has said it would be all right for each other 
to "get acquainted" this time around in preparation for a change of 
government. 
 
In his Diet interpellation in October last year, Ozawa endorsed the 
government's standpoint of basing Japan's security on its alliance 
with the United States. Meanwhile, he also stated: "Blindly 
following the U.S.) cannot be called an alliance. The two countries 
should have an equal partnership for a stronger relationship between 
Japan and the United States." Ozawa will likely develop a similar 
argument in the meeting with Clinton today. 
 
12) Mori seeks to counter drive to remove Prime Minister Aso from 
office; He says, "LDP presidential election is not necessary" 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
When asked about the Aso cabinet's slump in the polls on a TBS 
infotainment program yesterday morning by the program's emcee Monta 
Mino, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, a member of the ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said: "I want you to watch the 
situation for a while. The top priority of the cabinet is to pass 
the budget bills." He sought to constrain a drive to remove Prime 
Minister Taro Aso from office, which is now appearing in the LDP. 
 
Mori said in a strong tone: "It is unavoidable for the LDP" to fight 
the general election under Aso's leadership, "because we chose him 
as our leader. It is unfair to remove him from office." Asked about 
the idea of speeding up the LDP presidential race in order to change 
the party's president to lead the LDP into the Lower House election, 
Mori said: "I think such is unnecessary." 
 
It is unusual for Mori to appear on such an infotainment television 
program. He seems to have aimed to avoid political confusion ahead 
of the passage of the budget bills by appearing on a television 
program which political circles believe to have influence over the 
public opinion. 
 
TOKYO 00000352  008 OF 009 
 
 
 
13) Supplementary budget for fiscal 2009 aimed at stemming move to 
oust Aso: Prime minister's side to counter with stimulus package 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
Some in the ruling camp are beginning to believe that now that the 
government and the ruling parties had started looking into a fiscal 
2009 supplementary budget in an effort to address the plunging 
economy, the move to oust Aso would be stalled for the time being. 
However, with public support rates for the Aso cabinet plummeting, 
to what extent such an effort by the government and the ruling 
parties will lead to buoying up the administration is unclear. 
 
Asked about the supplementary budget plan by reporters, Prime 
Minister Taro Aso on the evening of February 16 simply replied: "We 
are in the middle of deliberations on the main budget draft for 
(fiscal 2009). A supplementary budget is not a subject matter to be 
discussed before passage of the initial budget." 
 
In the meantime, the prime minister during a meeting held at the 
party headquarters at noon of the same day stressed: "The 
government's economic stimulus package now stands at the starting 
line. We must get this done before anything else." 
 
Many of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members who are critical of 
the prime minister are in agreement on the view that they will 
support the prime minister until around April, because deliberations 
on the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills are expected to continue 
by that time. 
 
However, some lawmakers are beginning to search for a new key person 
of the party with an eye on the next Lower House election, by 
holding an LDP presidential election, before the prime minister's 
tenure as LDP president expires. Chances are that such a move will 
gain ground, because former Prime Minister Koizumi criticized the 
prime minister's remark on reviewing the privatized postal 
services. 
 
As such, the prime minister's side appears to be calculating that if 
the government comes up with a draft supplementary budget after 
passage of the main budget in a seamless manner, it would be able to 
contain the anti-Aso move. 
 
14) Aso in self-depreciating mood, sees public support plummet to 
below 10 PERCENT 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 17, 2009 
 
Delivering a speech in a training session of the women's section of 
the Liberal Democratic Party's Shizuoka prefectural branch held at 
party headquarters yesterday, Prime Minister Taro Aso said: "I am 
somewhat unpopular. I feel truly sorry," inviting chuckles from the 
audience. He also made this remark when a service dog visited the 
Prime Minister's Office on Feb. 13: "I am only liked by dogs." Aso 
thus has been making self-depreciating statements recently. 
 
The latest opinion polls revealed by press companies showed that 
public support of his cabinet dropped to below the 10 PERCENT 
level. In the survey conducted by Nippon Television network Corp. 
 
TOKYO 00000352  009 OF 009 
 
 
this weekend, the public support rate plunged to 9.7 PERCENT , down 
7.7 percentage points below that in the previous survey and marking 
a level below 10 PERCENT  for the first time. Aso said in the 
speech: 
 
"The disapproval of my cabinet is my fault, but that is also greatly 
attributed to the fact that the budget bills have yet to clear the 
Diet. Some might be complaining, 'the fault lies with Aso,' but it 
is absurd that the budgetary issue is linked to my unpopularity." 
 
In the speech, he said, "The U.S. President will come" by mistake, 
instead of "U.S. Secretary of State Clinton will come." 
 
15) Opposition parties to submit censure motion against Finance 
Minister Nakagawa over groggy press conference appearance; Prime 
Minister Aso instructs him to stay on in his post 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
February 17, 2009 
 
The focus is now on whether Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa should 
take responsibility for his performance at a news conference after 
the Group of Seven (G-7) finance ministers and central bank 
governors meeting. Although Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday took a 
position of retaining him in his post, the main opposition 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has decided to submit to the House 
of Councillors a censure motion against Nakagawa. The Nakagawa issue 
will inevitably have an impact on Diet deliberations. Aso's 
responsibility for appointing him as a cabinet member also is now 
being called into question. Therefore, if the issue worsens even 
further, it would be detrimental to the Aso administration, which 
has drastically lost its popularity. 
 
Nakagawa revealed to reporters last night that he had gone to the 
hospital on the day. He said, "I have a medical certificate that 
says my performance stemmed from taking too much cold medicine." He 
then stressed that he had no intention to quit his post, saying: 
"Unless I am dismissed, I will fulfill my duties since it is a 
crucial time." 
 
In the DPJ, the largest opposition force, Naoto Kan, the party's 
deputy head, and Azuma Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ's caucus in 
the Upper House, confirmed yesterday that the party will submit a 
non-binding censure motion against Nakagawa. After coordinating 
views with other opposition parties, the Japanese Communist Party, 
Social Democratic Party, and People's New Party, the DPJ is expected 
to submit it tonight (to the Upper House) at the earliest based on 
answers by Nakagawa at deliberations in the House of Representatives 
Budget Committee. The opposition intends to take a vote on the 
censure motion on the 18th. It is certain that the motion will be 
adopted in the opposition-controlled Upper House. 
 
ZUMWALT