VZCZCXRO2713
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0435/01 0570109
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260109Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1052
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 4979
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 2634
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6423
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 0443
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3185
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7930
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 3953
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3900

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000435 
 
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 2/26/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Ozawa's security policy: 
4) Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa stresses that 
Japan should no longer "blindly follow" the U.S. security lead but 
build up own defense power  (Mainichi) 
5) Naha consul general says Ozawa does not understand importance of 
U.S. military presence in Japan, criticizes remark about shrinking 
troop presence  (Sankei) 
6) Ozawa is blasted by both the ruling and opposition camps for his 
remark about shrinking U.S. troop presence, boosting Japan's defense 
power  (Nikkei) 
 
Real security policy: 
7) New anti-piracy law will allow MSDF to shoot first before being 
attacked by pirates  (Nikkei) 
8) Civilians to be added to MSDF table-top exercises premising 
skirmishes with pirates  (Yomiuri) 
 
Trading with the enemy: 
9) Cops raid trading firm suspected of exporting missile materials 
to North Korea  (Sankei) 
10) Cops in Yokohama apprehend individual smuggling heroin producing 
chemical to Afghanistan for possible use by Al Qaeda  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
Aso diplomacy: 
11) Government satisfied with Aso-Obama summit meeting for agreement 
on jointly responding to North Korea threat, understanding of 
abduction issue  (Yomiuri) 
12) Ambassador Saito confident that northern territory issue can be 
settled at the summit meeting level  (Yomiuri) 
13) Prime Minister Aso filling diplomatic schedule to bolster 
position (Asahi) 
14) Prime Minister Aso used his English in Washington but few could 
understand him  (Yomiuri) 
 
15) DPJ considering possibility of filing a no-confidence motion 
against the Aso cabinet  (Yomiuri) 
 
16) Government considering additional stimulus package with projects 
worth 20 trillion yen  (Mainichi) 
 
17) Mainichi poll: 70 PERCENT  of public do not appreciate the 
government's jobs policy  (Mainichi) 
 
 
18) Foreign tourists in Japan drop by 18 PERCENT   (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Arrest warrant issued for company head for allegedly making wrong 
use of low-rate mailing service system for physically handicapped 
 
Mainichi: 
 
TOKYO 00000435  002 OF 012 
 
 
Survey shows many parents unaware of how children using mobile phone 
services 
 
Yomiuri: 
Teens are addicted to mobile phones 
 
Nikkei: 
Domestic demand-based firms likely to maintain new graduate hiring 
at high levels next spring 
 
Sankei: 
Trading firm allegedly exports missile materials to North Korea 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Nishimatsu Construction Co. provided funds to aide to Nagano 
governor, according to testimony by person concerned 
 
Akahata: 
Japanese, U.S. leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral alliance 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Japan-U.S. summit: U.S. visit by weak Aso treated lightly in 
U.S. 
(2) Obama's address: Difficulties and hopes lie before Obama 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Japan-U.S. summit: Diplomacy can be promoted based on public 
support 
(2) We expect Obama to take action after words 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Active diplomatic approach needed to strengthen Japan-U.S. 
alliance 
(2) Obama faces many tasks to clear to put economy on recovery 
track 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Obama holds talks with "Japanese prime minister" 
(2) Obama scolds American people 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Japan should respond to U.S. priority to Japan with actions 
(2) Obama expected to display strong leadership in revitalizing 
economy 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Means to score points through diplomatic event no longer 
acceptable 
(2) Obama address frankly reflects sense of alarm 
 
Akahata: 
(1) "Multifaceted alliance" contains dangerous factors 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 24 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00000435  003 OF 012 
 
 
(Local time) 
 
Noon 
Had a luncheon with CSIS President Hamre, former National Security 
Advisors Brzezinski and Scowcroft, and former Deputy Secretary of 
State Armitage at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington. Lied a 
wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery. 
 
Afternoon 
Held talks with Senator Inouye at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. 
Departed from Andrews Air Force Base on a special government plane. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 25 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
February 26, 2009 
 
(Japan time) 
 
22:01 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
22:31 
Met at his official residence with LDP Secretary General Hosoda, New 
Komeito Representative Ota, and Secretary General Kitagawa, in the 
presence of Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, his deputies Matsumoto 
and Konoike, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, and Deputy 
Foreign Minister Sasae. 
 
4) Ozawa stresses need to break away from "blindly following U.S." 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Along with the Japan-U.S. summit, Ichiro Ozawa, president of the 
leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), reiterated 
his advocacy yesterday of reducing the U.S. military presence in 
Japan and clearly set forth his stance of breaking away from 
"blindly following the United States." This underscored his 
long-standing argument for an "equal Japan-U.S. alliance," that 
would come with a change of government after the next election for 
the House of Representatives. At the same time, however, Ozawa also 
suggested the need for Japan to build up its defense power. One 
expert said, "What he is saying will need constitutional revision." 
In addition, his remarks gave rise to a sense of bewilderment or 
wariness among opposition parties. 
 
"We should talk with the United States about global strategies for 
role-sharing, and if Japan takes on its own role in the security 
area that is deeply related to Japan, then the U.S. military's role 
will be lessened," Ozawa told reporters yesterday in the city of 
Osaka. He added: "The U.S. presence is necessary, but generally 
speaking, the presence of the (U.S. Navy's) Seventh Fleet (based in 
Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture) is enough. After the U.S. military's 
pullout, Japan could fulfill its responsibility for its own 
defense." 
 
According to one DPJ official close to Ozawa, what Ozawa said means 
that if Japan takes on an appropriate burden for its national 
defense in the role of U.S. Forces Japan, the 7th Fleet would be 
enough for "stability in the Far East." 
 
TOKYO 00000435  004 OF 012 
 
 
 
However, Satoshi Morimoto, a professor of security affairs at 
Takushoku University's graduate school, said, "The U.S. forces in 
Japan have troops from the Marine Corps and the Air Force. The 
Seventh Fleet is a part of the Navy, and its presence alone can only 
fulfill a portion of the deterrence functions." Morimoto also said, 
"If Japan is going to take over the U.S. military's role after they 
are gone, that means rearming and it will be necessary to amend the 
Constitution." 
 
Kazuo Shii, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party, warned: 
"Becoming an equal partner by going for armaments expansion is the 
wrong way. The more Japan builds up its military power, the more the 
United States will use it." Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social 
Democratic Party, was at a loss, saying: "He said the Seventh Fleet 
is enough. What comes after that will have a different meaning, if 
that means Japan will do it on its own or if that means to reduce 
bases. We are against arms expansion." 
 
However, DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama told reporters in 
Tokyo: "What he meant, I think, was that the threat in the Far East 
is not increasing. He was not thinking about a military build up by 
Japan." With this, Hatoyama sought understanding for Ozawa's 
remarks. However, he also developed his own view, saying: "If in the 
future we lay down a missile defense network or other systems, we 
will be able to maintain the security of Japan within the bounds of 
Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy, even if we do not 
depend on the United States." 
 
5) U.S. consul general criticizes remark about shrinking U.S. troop 
presence: "Mr. Ozawa does not understand" 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Kevin Maher, U.S. consul general in Okinawa, in a press conference 
on Feb. 25, criticized the view expressed by Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa that in the future having only 
the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan would be sufficient. He stated: 
"The security environment in the Far East cannot be taken lightly. 
(He) does not understand the indispensability of the Air Force, the 
Marines and other services." He stressed the importance of 
maintaining the readiness of the Army, Air Force and the Marines. 
 
In addition, the consul general revealed that his appointment to 
head the Japan Desk at the State Department, who administers Japan 
policy at the working level, "will be formally decided next week." 
 
On the issue of the relocation of Futenma Air Station, he restated 
his view rejecting the request of the prefecture to move the site of 
the runway into the ocean, saying, "(The current proposal) is a plan 
that balances the impact on the environment and on local residents. 
Construction of the land portion has already begun; this is not the 
time for reconsideration." 
 
A Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker with cabinet experience 
yesterday criticized Ozawa's remark, saying: "Northeast Asia has the 
North Korea and the Taiwan Strait issues. The presence of the U.S. 
Marines (as part of the U.S. forces in Japan) is significant as a 
landing force. Mr. Ozawa does not seem to understand such (the 
importance of military balance)." 
 
 
TOKYO 00000435  005 OF 012 
 
 
6) Ozawa's remark about Seventh Fleet being enough U.S. military 
presence in Japan creates stir; Ruling camp: Japan-U.S. alliance 
would crumble; Opposition camp: If it means arms buildup, he's 
mistaken 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
February 26, 2009 
 
The statements by Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro 
Ozawa on Feb. 24 that included, "The U.S. presence in the Far East 
of only the 7th Fleet would be enough," has created a stir in the 
ruling and opposition camps. That is because the remarks have been 
taken to mean that if the DPJ gets into power, it would build up 
Japan's independent defense power to replace the reduction in U.S. 
bases in Japan. 
 
Hidehisa Otsuji, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
Upper House lawmakers' caucus, criticized Ozawa yesterday, saying, 
"I was a statement extremely lacking in judgment that revealed an 
ignorance of the reality of Japan-U.S. defense affairs."  On senior 
lawmaker from the ruling camp said, "It will create cracks in the 
bilateral alliance." 
 
7) New anti-piracy legislation: Government, ruling parties to allow 
firing at pirate ship approaching civilian vessel if it ignored 
warning 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
February 26, 2009 
 
The government and ruling parties have decided to relax a set of 
weapons-use criteria governing the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan 
Coast Guard for the envisaged new legislation to deal with piracy in 
waters off Somalia, Africa. The new law will allow firing at a 
pirate ship that approaches a civilian vessel in defiance of a 
warning. At the same time, firing at pirates who fled after a 
warning would not be allowed. 
 
The ruling parties' anti-piracy project team confirmed such rules in 
its meeting yesterday. The team plans to meet again on March 4 to 
formally decide on the new legislation to present it to the Diet by 
early March. 
 
The government intends to invoke in early March an action for 
maritime policing operations under the existing SDF Law to dispatch 
Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to let them begin escorting 
vessels by April. In this case, weapons use will be allowed only in 
self-defense and emergency evacuation under Article 7 of the Police 
Duties Execution Law. Article 20 of the JCG Law allows firing at a 
fleeing vessel for the purpose of stopping it only within Japanese 
waters. 
 
In studying the new legislation, the government and the ruling 
parties recognized the need to allow firing at a pirate ship 
approaching a private vessel in defiance of a warning in order to 
increase the effectiveness of controls. For the time being, the 
scope of protection will be limited to Japanese-registered ships and 
vessels carrying Japanese cargoes. Foreign vessels will be included 
under the new law. 
 
The JCG will single-handedly deal with pirates and the MSDF will be 
dispatched when such is not enough. In deploying the MSDF, its 
 
TOKYO 00000435  006 OF 012 
 
 
activities must be approved by the prime minister and that must be 
reported to the Diet later. 
 
8) Antipiracy drill to involve civilians 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
February 26, 2009 
 
The Maritime Self-Defense Force will conduct a command post exercise 
(CPX) for its destroyers to convoy commercial ships against pirates 
in waters off the eastern African coast of Somalia. The CPX will be 
held March 2-3 at a Defense Ministry facility in Tokyo with the 
participation of government organizations, including the Defense 
Ministry and the Land and Transport Ministry. The drill will also 
involve personnel from shipping firms operating or managing 
freighters or other merchant ships. For the first time civilians 
will join training in the run-up to the Self-Defense Forces' 
international cooperation. 
 
The CPX is intended for such cases as: 1) a merchant ship, which is 
off course and away from a fleet, is targeted by pirate ships; 2) a 
Japanese crewman is shot by a pirate ship and inured, and the MSDF 
fights back against that pirate ship and halts it. In any case, the 
desktop drill will be conducted in anticipation of situations where 
the MSDF will use weapons to fire warning shots or other purposes. 
 
9) Kanagawa prefectural police to raid trading firm that illicitly 
exported missile materials to North Korea on suspicion of violation 
of foreign trade control law 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Kanagawa prefectural police decided yesterday to conduct an 
investigation into a Tokyo trading firm exporting goods to North 
Korea on suspicion that it has illicitly exported 
military-convertible materials to North Korea without the METI 
minister's authorization via a third country, a violation of the 
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law. The police will soon 
search the firm and related facilities. 
 
According to investigators, the firm in question is a company 
handling machine components. Exported materials are said to be 
indispensable for missile production. A large amount of such 
materials are suspected to have been exported to North Korea. 
 
Because exporting such materials directly to North Korea is highly 
restricted and is difficult to do in reality, cases of persons 
hand-carrying such materials into the North via a third country have 
been increasing recently. 
 
Security authorities believe the North has ordered "roundabout 
exports." There is a possibility that the degree of sanctions 
imposed on North Korea will spark controversy. 
 
In its inspections of nuclear facilities in North Korea in 2007, the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found Japanese-made vacuum 
pumps usable to produce nuclear weapons. 
 
Kanagawa prefectural police searched a Kanagawa machine equipment 
maker and a Tokyo trade agent and sent papers on the president of 
the trade agent to prosecutors last July. 
 
TOKYO 00000435  007 OF 012 
 
 
 
Frequency converters usable for nuclear development were illegally 
exported in 2004 and a freeze dryer adaptable for the production of 
biological weapons was also exported in 2006. This was followed by 
the arrest of the president a Tokyo trading firm exporting goods to 
North Korea. 
 
A senior police officer said: "In many case, the managements of 
trading firms doing business with the North are convicted 
criminals." 
 
10) Raw material of narcotic drugs confiscated: Several tons also 
found at Yokohama port 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 25) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Tokyo Shimbun has learned that several tons of acetic acid 
anhydride, used for purifying heroin, were found in 
Afghanistan-bound cargo at Yokohama port. The Yokohama Customs House 
has confiscated them. The Yokohama Customs House and the Kanagawa 
Prefectural Police have launched an investigation, determining that 
it is a smuggling case. 
 
About 1 ton of acetic acid anhydride was also found in cargo bound 
for Afghanistan at Nagoya port this month. The investigative 
authority is probing possible connections between the two cases. The 
National Police Agency is undergoing procedures to put a Pakistani 
suspected of having been involved in smuggling in this incident on 
an international wanted list. 
 
It has also been found through an interview with the South Korean 
policy authority that an Afghan, who was arrested in July last year 
for an attempt to smuggle out the same material procured in Japan to 
Afghanistan via South Korea, told the police that he was asked by a 
member of Al Qaida, an international terrorist group. 
 
Afghanistan is the world's leading drug producer nation. It is 
allegedly serving as funding sources for Al Qaida and the 
anti-government Taliban militants. Judging from the series of 
incidents, there is a possibility that terrorists are procuring 
acetic acid anhydride, a material necessary for the purification of 
heroin, in Japan. 
 
Acetic acid anhydride is used for the manufacturing of skin lotion 
and pharmaceuticals in general. It is designated as a special raw 
material for psychotropic and narcotic drugs. Exports of 
pharmaceuticals require a notification to the state, if their acetic 
acid anhydride content exceeds 50 PERCENT . The UN has adopted a 
resolution prohibiting the supply of that material to Afghanistan. 
 
11) Japanese, U.S. leaders vow to jointly deal with North Korea's 
threat: Government views that a certain level of understanding of 
abduction issue has been obtained 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Aso and President Obama during their bilateral summit 
held in Washington on the morning of February 24, early hours of the 
25th, Japan time, agreed to take joint steps in dealing with issues 
concerning North Korea, including the abduction of Japanese 
 
TOKYO 00000435  008 OF 012 
 
 
nationals. The Japanese government appreciates the agreement, with 
one official noting, "We have obtained a certain level of 
understanding from the U.S." North Korea has not softened its 
provocative stance, hinting it plans to test-launch a ballistic 
missile. How to chart a strategy for settling the issues remains a 
challenge. 
 
Emerging from the meeting, the prime minister told reporters: "The 
president had intimate knowledge of North Korean affairs. He was 
well aware of the abduction issue. I had the impression that the 
amount of time in which President Obama spoke was longer than the 
length of my remarks." He underscored that the president is highly 
interested in issues concerning North Korea. Asked by a reporter, 
"Do you mean that President Obama indicated understanding of Japan's 
stand?," Aso promptly replied, "Naturally." 
 
The two leaders agreed to cooperate to reach a comprehensive 
settlement of such pending issues as the abductions, nuclear 
weapons, and missiles. An official who traveled with the prime 
minister revealed that Tokyo had hoped to secure during the summit 
unstinting cooperation from the U.S. for the settlement of the 
abduction issue. Tokyo's objective has been met with the president 
indicating his stance that Japan and the U.S. should collaborate in 
settling the issue. 
 
North Korea at the formal working level talks with Japan held in 
August last year announced a plan to set up a committee to 
reinvestigate abduction cases. However, it has thus far made no 
specific moves. The six-party talks to discuss North Korea's nuclear 
program were held in December last year after a hiatus of five 
months. The meeting, however, broke down, failing to adopt a 
framework for verifying the nuclear development program submitted by 
North Korea. There are no prospects for resuming the talks. How to 
win concessions from North Korea remains unclear. 
 
12) Ambassador to Russia Saito on agreement that the Northern 
Territories issue should be settled by incumbent leaders 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Referring to the agreement reached at the Japan-Russia summit on 
February 18 that a direction should be given regarding the 
territorial issue so that a settlement can be reached by their 
generation, Ambassador to Russia Saito during an interview with the 
Yomiuri Shimbun on the 25th took the view that it means they would 
address the issue while they are in office. 
 
Ambassador Saito attended a meeting, which discussed the territorial 
issue on the sidelines of the summit, joined by a small number of 
persons. 
 
According to Saito, Aso referred to his policy speech delivered in 
January, in which he noted that he would promote relations with 
Russia in wide areas. Aso then underscored the need to settle the 
territorial issue in tandem with economic cooperation, noting: "We 
will cooperate concerning Russia's matter of concern regarding 
Japan. The essence of the matter is to bring up the attribution 
issue, by facing the matter of concern for Japan as well." 
 
President Medvedev reportedly showed approval of the prime 
minister's remark. The ambassador said, "I clearly perceived the 
 
TOKYO 00000435  009 OF 012 
 
 
president's political desire to settle the issue." 
 
13) Prime Minister Aso sets full diplomatic schedule 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso, who has already met with U.S. President 
Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, is now trying to 
set a full diplomatic schedule running up to the summer. Russian 
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Japan in May. The 
government also is arranging summit meetings between Aso and Chinese 
and South Korean leaders. Lurking in the background appears to be 
Aso's intention to constrain anti-Aso forces who are calling for 
replacing the prime minister. 
 
Since Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Japan last May, Aso is 
expected to make a trip to China this year. The outlook is that 
Aso's visit to Beijing will be on the agenda in a meeting on Feb. 28 
of the Japanese and Chinese foreign ministers. At the request of Aso 
during a telephone conversation on Feb. 23, South Korean President 
Lee Myung Bak expressed his intention to visit Japan as early as 
possible. 
 
In a street corner speech delivered immediately after taking office, 
Aso said with confidence: "Taro Aso is the most effective person to 
use in the diplomatic and economic areas," citing his long service 
as foreign minister. Although his flip-flops in internal politics 
have been criticized, his diplomacy is appreciated by the ruling 
parties. 
 
New Komeito Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa praised Aso at a press 
conference yesterday, saying: "Regarding internal politics, he has 
come under severe criticism from the public, but he has dealt well 
with diplomatic issues. He should be praised." 
 
However, Aso's declining support rates are known to various foreign 
governments. Therefore, there is no guarantee that he will be able 
to take advantage of his summits with foreign leaders to boost his 
popularity. Some critics point out the danger in seeking excessive 
diplomatic achievements. Referring in a Lower House Budget Committee 
session to the Japan-Russia summit, in which the two leaders 
discussed the territorial row, New Party Daichi leader Muneo Suzuki 
gave Aso a warning: 
 
"I understand that Japan will not conclude a peace treaty (with 
Russia), unless the ownership of the four islands is confirmed. Is 
my understanding correct? I want the prime minister to follow 
principles." 
 
Aso wants to turn around the situation, by using upcoming diplomacy 
to help him out. If the summit meetings under coordination are 
realized, his diplomatic schedule will run until the Group of Eight 
(G-8) summit in July, in which Aso is eager to attend. 
 
14) Nagatacho field note: Prime Minister Aso's English could not be 
picked up 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso talked with U.S. President Barack Obama in 
 
TOKYO 00000435  010 OF 012 
 
 
English at the outset of their meeting on Feb. 24. The President 
called on the Prime Minister to strengthen the bilateral alliance 
between the two countries. In response, Aso said: "Since there are 
many issues, Japan and the United States have to work together." 
According to the Foreign Ministry, Aso used Japanese after that. 
 
The minute the White House released later, however, does not include 
the phrase "have to work together," instead the phrase "could not be 
picked up" is written. It is not unusual that such a phrase is 
written in the White House minutes. Actually, the same phrase 
appeared in the minutes of a conference held the previous day 
between the President and Congress sources. 
 
Aso, who has often misreads Chinese characters, is confident about 
his spoken English. It is unknown why his English was unable to be 
understood. Aso's capability of speaking English appears to have 
been jinxed. 
 
15) DPJ's Yamaoka: Filing no-confidence motion is one option 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
When asked about whether his party would submit a no-confidence 
motion against the cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso in a CS 
broadcasting program, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Diet Affairs 
Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka said yesterday: "We are considering 
it. I think the party will file one after considering its necessity 
and efficacy." He indicated in his remark that the DPJ would 
consider submitting to the ongoing Diet session a no-confidence 
motion against the cabinet. 
 
Yamaoka took the view that usually the submission of a no-confidence 
motion would usually contribute to strengthening the unity of the 
ruling parties. He said: 
 
"If a no-confidence motion against the cabinet is submitted, (ruling 
coalition lawmakers) would reluctantly have to vote against it. 
Since the motion is like glue that would hold together the rickety 
cabinet, our filing a no-confidence motion is not necessarily a 
panacea." 
 
Yamaoka also indicated that a no-confidence motion would have an 
effect to urge the ruling parties to take a litmus test, noting: 
 
"However, since Prime Minister Aso has come under severe criticism, 
we may be able to see what action (ruling coalition lawmakers who 
are critical of the prime minister) will take, when we submit a 
no-confidence motion." 
 
As to whether the DPJ might submit a censure motion against the 
prime minister, he took a cautious stance, saying: "It is 
unreasonable to immediate submit one," since deliberations on the 
fiscal 2009 budget will start next week. 
 
16) Government to compile additional economic package worth 20 
trillion yen on project scale 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 26, 2009 
 
The government and the ruling parties decided yesterday to start 
 
TOKYO 00000435  011 OF 012 
 
 
work to compile a large-scale additional economic stimulus package 
by the end of this month. The package will include measures to 
improve the rapidly worsened economic climate and bolster falling 
Tokyo stocks prices, focusing on job-creation measures and public 
works projects. The package is expected to be worth approximately 20 
trillion yen on a project scale and about 6 to 8 trillion yen in 
fiscal spending. The government aims to come up with a larger-scale 
one than the three packages worked out since last summer, in an 
effort to prop up stock prices and to prevent the economy from 
sinking deeper. 
 
The government eyes reserves (untapped funds) in special accounts 
and new construction government bonds as sources of revenue to 
finance the projects, but it will also include the issuance of 
deficit-covering bonds in its options. 
 
The nation's real gross domestic product (GDP) for the Oct-Dec 
period in 2008 fell to record low since the first oil crisis. In 
addition, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the 24th, the Nikkei Stock 
Average of 225 issues closed at the lowest level since the bubble 
economy burst. These causes for concern prompted the government and 
the ruling camp to decide to take fresh measures. 
 
Their decision also reflects requests from other countries, such as 
a call by U.S. President Barack Obama on Japan to expand domestic 
demand during his meeting with Prime Minister Taro Aso. 
 
The government intends to start a full-scale discussion in the 
ruling camp to decide the basic outline of the package after the 
fiscal 2009 initial budget bill clears the House of Representatives. 
It will then compile a first supplementary budget bill for fiscal 
2009 to finance the measures in it. 
 
As specific measures, the government expects to move up public works 
projects that are planned to be implemented over several years to 
fiscal 2009 as much as possible. It also eyes measures to promote 
Shinkansen construction and to accelerate laying down optical fibers 
in depopulated areas, as well. The government is also looking into 
proposing a Japanese version of the Green New Deal Policy to spread 
solar energy and next-generation automobiles across the nation with 
government funds. 
 
As employment measures, the government eyes a new system to offer 
funds to those who are no longer on the unemployment rolls on the 
condition of receiving vocational training, in accordance with the 
Democratic Party of Japan's proposal. 
 
17) Poll: 70 PERCENT  don't appreciate jobs measures 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged) 
February 26, 2009 
 
The Mainichi Shimbun, in its Feb. 21-22 telephone-based nationwide 
public opinion survey, asked respondents about the government's 
employment measures. In response to this question, negative answers 
substantially outnumbered affirmative answers, with "no" accounting 
for 70 PERCENT  and "yes" at 20 PERCENT . In the survey, respondents 
were also asked about "work sharing" or shortening each employee's 
working hours for many people to share jobs for their job security. 
To this question, affirmative answers accounted for 57 PERCENT , 
with negative ones at 33 PERCENT . 
 
 
TOKYO 00000435  012 OF 012 
 
 
18) Number of foreign visitors for January drops 18 PERCENT  to 
580,000, marking sixth consecutive month decline 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
February 26, 2009 
 
Ichiro Igawa 
 
The number of foreigners who visited Japan in January dropped 18.4 
PERCENT  from the same month the previous year to 588,000, according 
to the Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) announcement 
yesterday. It was the sixth consecutive month that showed a 
year-on-year decline, indicating a persistent major drop due to the 
global economic recession. 
 
South Korea topped the list with 129,000. The figure, however, 
represented a 52.3 PERCENT  year-on-year drop due to the 
depreciation of the won. The United States, Britain and France also 
showed two-digit declines. Visitors from China increased 31.4 
PERCENT . The numbers of visitors from Hong Kong or Singapore also 
increased more than 30 PERCENT . 
 
JNTO commissioner Yoshiaki Honpo indicated in a press conference 
yesterday that his organization has set its target for 2009 at 8.35 
million visitors, the same as the figure achieved in 2008. 
 
ZUMWALT