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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 000478 
 
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 03/03/09 
 
Index: 
 
North Korea problem: 
1) Government trying to put pressure on North Korea not to shoot 
missile  (Nikkei) 
2) Taepodong-2: U.S., South Korea drill, anticipating North Korea 
will launch the missile in mid-March  (Sankei) 
 
Defense and security: 
3) Two MSDF destroyers to set sail on March 14 for anti-piracy 
duties in waters off Somalia  (Sankei) 
4) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa's remark about 
reducing the U.S. military presence in Japan has created a rift in 
the opposition camp  (Mainichi) 
 
5) Japan pledges 19.5 billion yen for Gaza's reconstruction at donor 
conference  (Yomiuri) 
 
Political agenda: 
6) Prime Minister Aso, switching gears again, now says he will take 
the cash handout his government is offering as stimulus measure 
(Yomiuri) 
7) Aso's flip flop on cash handout acceptance invites severe 
opposition criticism  (Nikkei) 
8) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Election Strategy Chair Koga tries 
to contain the "topple Aso" moves in the party by tactic to delay 
Diet dissolution  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
9) Rush of new LDP groups formed with eye on the possible collapse 
of the Aso cabinet  (Mainichi) 
 
10) Government meeting with business and labor leaders in order to 
come up with emergency job measures  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Gov't pressuring N. Korea to deter missile launch 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 3, 2009 
 
In response to signs indicating that North Korea is preparing to 
launch a long-range ballistic missile, the government is 
increasingly pressuring North Korea to deter that country from 
launching missiles. Japan is now in a hurry to cooperate with the 
United States, China, and South Korea. In addition, the government 
will not preclude the possibility of intercepting missiles with 
Japan's missile defense (MD) system. In case North Korea launched a 
missile, the United Nations Security Council will likely take such 
steps as adopting a resolution. 
 
"If there is a possibility of Japan suffering direct damage, that 
would enable us to take action under the Self-Defense Forces Law." 
With this, Prime Minister Taro Aso answered a question from 
reporters yesterday evening at his office, implying that Japan may 
intercept a North Korean projectile with its MD system even if North 
Korea claims that the projectile is an artificial satellite. A 
senior Defense Ministry official also said: "Basically, we will 
defend places we need to defend. We will make a judgment to 
intercept, depending on whether it could come across over to 
Japan." 
 
 
TOKYO 00000478  002 OF 008 
 
 
But it will not be easy to take counteraction with the MD system. If 
the MD system successfully intercepts a missile, it would make North 
Korea hesitate to develop missiles. However, if the MD system fails 
to shoot down a missile, it would raise questions about the MD 
deployment plan, in which the government has invested a huge amount 
of money. Intercepting a launched missile at a stage where its 
destination is unknown is feared to conflict with the use of the 
right to collective self-defense that the government has prohibited 
in its constitutional interpretation. 
 
"The important thing is for no missile to be launched," 
Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka told a news 
conference yesterday, stressing that Japan would step up its 
pressure on North Korea to deter North Korea from launching 
missiles. Japan is currently a nonpermanent UNSC member. A 
high-ranking government official presumes that Japan's pressure at 
an early stage would be effective in convincing North Korea to 
exercise self-restraint. 
 
What lies behind the situation is North Korea's successful nuclear 
test in October 2006. At that time, Japan, which was presiding over 
the UNSC as its nonpermanent member, took the initiative for the 
UNSC's early adoption of a statement to impose sanctions on North 
Korea. 
 
This time as well, if North Korea launches a missile, Japan will 
immediately ask the UNSC to meet. A government official said: "Japan 
will cooperate with the United States, too. The UNSC is expected to 
adopt a resolution to denounce North Korea." However, if China and 
Russia disagree, the UNSC may go no further than to adopt a 
chairman's statement. It will be important for Japan to coordinate 
with other countries. 
 
2) U.S.-ROK exercise might be target; Defense Ministry alarmed at 
possible Taepodong-2 launch in mid-March 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
March 3, 2009 
 
Naohisa Hanzawa 
 
Given North Korea's preparations for the launch of an improved 
version of the long-range ballistic missile Taepodong-2, the Defense 
Ministry strongly speculates that there could be a launch in 
mid-March. The conclusion is based on the ministry's analysis of 
preparations being made around the launch pad and other factors. The 
ministry is also paying attention to the fact that a U.S.-ROK joint 
military exercise is scheduled to take place around that time. 
Although some have suggested that the launch would not take place 
until April or later due to weather conditions, the Self-Defense 
Forces and the U.S. military are expected to heighten alert, 
regarding mid-March as the climax for the time being. 
 
Preparations for two months 
 
A reconnaissance satellite has detected an object looking like a 
long pipe near the launch pad on the Musudanri base in 
Hamgyong-bukto which was making preparations for a missile launch. 
It might be a piece of equipment to fuel the missile. 
 
Preparations that began in late January have passed the halfway 
point for the launch, according to a senior SDF officer. On July 5, 
 
TOKYO 00000478  003 OF 008 
 
 
2006, the North fired seven ballistic missiles, including a 
Taepodong-2. For the launches, preparations began in early May, two 
months before the event. This is one of the grounds underpinning the 
mid-March theory. 
 
It is believed that the missile is still in the silo and is not yet 
mounted on the pad. The missile will be fueled after it is set on 
the pad. Some observers think it will take five to seven days to 
fuel the missile. The SDF officer took this view: "Fueling takes 
only several hours. Once the missile is fueled, there is a need to 
launch it before the fuel becomes eroded. The North might launch it 
in three days after mounting it on the launch pad." 
 
Possible scenario 
 
The ministry is alarmed that the North might time the envisaged 
missile launch to coincide with: (1) the 12th Supreme People's 
Assembly election on March 8, or (2) the 97th anniversary of the 
late President Kim Il Sung's birth on April 15. 
 
The last time, the North fired a Taepodong-2 on July 4, the United 
States' Independence Day. A senior Defense Ministry official 
indicated that Pyongyang, which wants to bring Washington to a 
direct dialogue, would target a time that can have a strong impact 
on the United States. 
 
In that context as well, there is a need to watch out in mid-March. 
The reason is because the United States and South Korea are 
scheduled to conduct the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military 
exercises in the South from March 9 to 20 to increase their defense 
capabilities against any contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. 
 
Another SDF officer thinks the North would avoid wintertime when a 
missile is affected by strong winds called jet streams. As seen in 
the launches of a Rodong in May 1993, a Taepodong-1 in August 1998, 
and a Taepodong-2, the North actually avoided wintertime in the 
past. 
 
Moves by Japan and the United States 
 
How are the governments of Japan and the United States, which are 
considering intercepting an incoming missile by using a missile 
defense (MD) system, going to deal with the situation? 
 
"When Cobra Balls stepped up their activities, we should regard that 
the United States has concluded that the situation has become 
imminent," the same senior Defense Ministry official said. The U.S. 
military deployed RC-135S Cobra Ball missile surveillance planes at 
its Kadena Air Base on Feb. 13. They have yet to fly long hours 
daily like immediately before the latest launch of a Taepodong-2. 
 
3) MSDF destroyers to set sail March 14 for Somalia mission 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 3, 2009 
 
The Defense Ministry yesterday entered into the final phase of 
coordination with the Maritime Self-Defense Force in order to send 
out two MSDF destroyers from its Kure-based Escort Flotilla 4 for an 
antipiracy mission to be conducted in waters off the eastern African 
coast of Somalia by invoking an action for maritime security 
operations under the Self-Defense Forces Law. The two MSDF 
 
TOKYO 00000478  004 OF 008 
 
 
destroyers will convoy Japanese ships in the Gulf of Aden, and their 
arrival in waters near the Gulf of Aden is expected to be in early 
April. Prior to this, the government is expected to call the 
Security Council of Japan on March 13. Defense Minister Yasukazu 
Hamada will then issue an order for maritime security operations. 
 
The MSDF destroyers for deployment to waters off the coast of 
Somalia are the Sazanami (4,650 tons) and the Samidare (4,550 tons). 
The two MSDF destroyers will leave the Kure base with a total of 
three SH-60K Seahawk patrol helicopters mounted, including a backup. 
They will also have Japan Coast Guard rangers and rigid-hulled 
inflatable boats (RHIB) onboard so they can take such actions as 
detaining pirates. 
 
4) Ozawa's remark on USFJ realignment creating discord between DPJ, 
SDP 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
March 3, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's remark that 
the presence of the U.S. forces in Japan should be scaled down is 
now creating discord between the DPJ and the Social Democratic Party 
(SDP), with which the DPJ is expected to form a coalition government 
after (if it wins) the next general election of the House of 
Representatives. The reason is that the SDP takes Ozawa's comment to 
mean that he not only aims to reduce the U.S. military presence but 
also to strengthen Japan's defense power. The party is concerned 
that Ozawa's concept might lead to amending the Constitution and 
changing the interpretation of the use of the right of collective 
self-defense. Some SDP executives have contended that since the 
issue is related to the party line of protecting the Constitution 
from change, it has now become difficult to hold discussion on 
forming a coalition. The DPJ now has a new source of trouble. 
 
The SDP held a meeting on Feb. 28 of representatives from across the 
nation at the party's headquarters. About 100 representatives 
attended the meeting, in which views opposing the idea of forming a 
coalition with the DPJ were raised, with one member saying: "I don't 
want the party to say that it will form a coalition with the DPJ." 
Another participant said: "They are the same as the rightwing group 
of the Liberal Democratic Party members." 
 
SDP Chairperson Mizuho Fukushima told a Mainichi Shimbun reporter 
yesterday: "In the SDP, we speak our honest feelings. It was a good 
meeting because I could hear various views." As to the idea of 
forming a coalition government with the DPJ, she just said: "We will 
make a decision in our good time after hearing views from everyone. 
 
Ozawa said on Feb. 24: "The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet would be enough of 
a U.S. military presence in the Far East if Japan assumes other 
roles. Since Ozawa has stressed the need for building a relationship 
of equality between Japan and the United States in such occasions as 
a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ozawa's 
comment on the 7th Fleet implies that the DPJ will review Japan's 
global strategy based on the present realignment of the U.S. forces 
in Japan. 
 
However, Ozawa has said no more than that the 7th Fleet would be 
enough. The U.S. 7th Fleet, which covers the western Pacific and the 
Indian Ocean, is based at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. The 7th 
Fleet is deployed also to Sasebo and Okinawa. It is unclear Ozawa's 
 
TOKYO 00000478  005 OF 008 
 
 
remark that the U.S. military would be withdrawn and Japan would 
then assume that part means. A senior SDP member said: "The 
ambiguous idea would lead to the building-up of the Self-Defense 
Forces and to constitutional amendments." 
 
5) Council on assistance to Gaza Strip announces disbursement of 430 
billion yen: Japan to provide 19.5 billion yen 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 3, 2009 
 
Toshiyuki Fukushima, Sharm el-Sheikh 
 
An international conference on assistance for the reconstruction of 
the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, which was heavily damaged by 
attacks carried out by Israel for 22 days, took place on March 2 in 
Sharm el-Sheikh in eastern Egypt. Seventy-five countries joined the 
meeting. According to Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit of Egypt, the 
host nation, participating countries announced disbursements 
totaling roughly 4.5 billion dollars or about 436.5 billion yen in 
aid. The meeting brought together U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, 
French President Sarkozy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and 
others. Representatives of Israel and the Hamas, an Islamic 
fundamentalist group, were not invited. 
 
The Palestinian Authority is seeking 2.8 billion dollars or roughly 
271.6 billion yen in reconstruction funds. Senior Vice Foreign 
Minister Shintaro Ito, representing Japan, announced Japan's 
disbursement of 200 million dollars or approximately 19.5 billion 
yen for humanitarian assistance. The U.S. announced assistance worth 
900 million dollars or about 19.5 billion yen. The EU will provide 
553 million dollars or about 53.6 billion yen. Saudi Arabia will 
disburse 1 billion dollars or about 97 billion yen. 
 
Donor nations do not want the Hamas to obtain their aid money. For a 
smooth handover of the assistance funds, it is imperative that a 
unified government be formed, as agreed on between the Fatah led by 
Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Hamas late last month. In 
order to bring in construction materials into the Gaza Strip, it is 
essential for Israel to open border crossings to that area. 
 
6) Aso decides to receive cash handout 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 3, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso announced in an executive meeting of the 
Liberal Democratic Party yesterday that he will receive a payment 
under a controversial cash handout plan. The plan is included in the 
fiscal 2008 second extra budget. Aso had initially said that he had 
no intention of accepting the handout, but he changed his mind, 
based on the judgment that it is necessary for him to receive the 
payment in view of urging the people to increase consumption. 
 
After the executive meeting, Aso told reporters at his official 
residence: "I will receive the money. I will use it immediately to 
stimulate consumption." Asked why he changed his mind, Aso 
explained: "Honestly speaking, I was feeling that it would be 
shameful for me to receive the money. Now, though, I feel more 
keenly the need to stimulate consumption." 
 
In the meeting, LDP Secretary General Hosoda announced a plan to 
 
TOKYO 00000478  006 OF 008 
 
 
send notice to LDP lawmakers on the 3rd instructing them to receive 
cash handouts. In response, Aso said: "If there is such a purpose, I 
will receive the cash." 
 
Last November, Aso clearly said: "I have no intention of receiving 
the payment." He had also indicated that high-income earners, 
including him, should voluntarily decline the payments, calling it 
"shameful" for such people to receive the money. Since early this 
year, however, he has begun to suggest, "Even high-income earners 
should fully use the money." But when asked whether he would receive 
the money, Aso just said: "I will make up my mind once a bill to 
implement the handout plan is enacted." The government also intends 
to advise all cabinet ministers today to receive cash handouts. 
 
7) Opposition blasts Prime Minister Aso for saying he will now take 
government's cash handout: "He has stooped that low"; "He has no 
pride" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 3, 2009 
 
The opposition parties have all criticized Prime Minister Aso for 
saying yesterday that he would now accept the government's cash 
handout. Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama 
spoke with sarcasm to the press corps: "He has stooped that low. His 
responses have continued to be unseemly. If it is a matter of saving 
his honor, he should have upheld his pride to the end. Since he had 
said he wouldn't accept it, there's not much I can say." Social 
Democratic Party Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno said: "I only 
get the feeling that this is a prime minister who really treats 
words lightly." 
 
8) LDP Koga's proposal for Diet dissolution after passage of fiscal 
2009 extra budget aimed to check "dump-Aso" moves, pressure Aso, who 
intends to stay in office 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
March 3, 2009 
 
Moves in the Liberal Democratic Party to replace Prime Minister Taro 
Aso have been gaining momentum recently. Under such circumstances, 
Election Strategy Council Chairman Makoto Koga proposed on March 1 
that the House of Representatives be dissolved after the fiscal 2009 
supplementary budget is enacted. His call is aimed both at keep in 
check moves to oust Aso and at pressuring Aso, who apparently 
intends to cling to his office until just before the expiration of 
the Lower House members' terms of office in September. 
 
Appearing on a TV program on March 1, Koga said that he thought 
sometime just after the fiscal 2009 extra budget cleared the Diet 
would be the appropriate timing for dissolving the Lower House. He 
added: "I am going to frankly express my view to the prime 
minister." 
 
Koga had stopped short of mentioning the issue of Diet dissolution, 
reasoning that the issue is under the exclusive control of the prime 
minister. 
 
It is expected that an extra budget bill will be submitted to the 
Diet in April. If a decision is made to dissolve the Lower House 
after the enactment of the extra budget, the Diet would then likely 
be dissolved in May or June, although it depends on what response 
 
TOKYO 00000478  007 OF 008 
 
 
the opposition camp might make. The Koga remark is apparently 
intended to point out the need to give priority to efforts to buoy 
up the economy instead of Diet dissolution. The remark is also 
intended to check moves by anti-Aso party members calling for 
replacing Aso and dissolving the Lower House at an earlier date. 
 
But Koga also said that he would like to advise the prime minister 
to dissolve the Lower House before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly 
election (on July 12). This suggestion drew much attention. 
 
Given the cabinet's dismal public support ratings, party members 
close to the prime minister are apparently hopeful of delaying the 
next Lower House election to sometime after the July G-8 Summit and 
prolonging the life of the government. This remark is tantamount to 
indicating that it would be unacceptable for Aso, fully aware of the 
intention of his remark, to keep his grip on power even after the 
passage of the extra budget. 
 
9) LDP lawmakers rushing to form groups in preparation for drive to 
remove Prime Minister Aso from office 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 3, 2009 
 
With Prime Minister Taro Aso's cabinet plummeting in its support 
rate, lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are 
forming new study groups. Junior lawmakers, who are now serving in 
their first, second, or third term in the Diet, formed a group 
yesterday. Former LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who is 
critical of the prime minister, has tried to rally those favoring 
reforms. Although the main purpose of forming such groups is to 
propose policies to the party for drawing up a set of campaign 
pledges (manifesto) for the next House of Representatives election, 
there is also a hidden motive that is prepared for a possible drive 
to unseat Aso. 
 
The group of junior lawmakers called "Ichinisan no Kai" (tentative 
name) is led by Itsunori Onodera and Isshu Sugawara, who are now 
serving as the party's deputy secretary. They asked more than 160 
young LDP lawmakers, who have been elected three times or less, to 
join them. The outlook is that about 40 members will get together. 
The group plans to ask several mid-level lawmakers, including former 
Administrative Reform Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, to become its 
advisors. With the next LDP presidential election before the Lower 
House election in mind, a main member said: "The group is made up of 
those critical of Prime Minister Aso. But we will not back any 
specific candidate in the presidential race." 
 
Nakagawa is expected to launch a group as early as late March when 
the fiscal 2009 budget clears the Diet. There is also a notion of 
forming a cross-factional group led by former Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi as a symbol of the reformists. 
 
In order to substantially review the health insurance system for 
people aged 75 and over, which has come under severe criticism from 
the public, there is a move to form a group of LDP lawmakers led by 
Nobuteru Ishihara, LDP senor deputy secretary general. But LDP 
lawmakers representing vested interests in health, welfare and labor 
affairs are moving to constrain them. Therefore, whether they can 
form a group is uncertain. Kenta Matsunami, who abstained from 
voting on the fiscal 2008 second supplementary budget, criticizing 
the cash-handout program, and others will form a group. 
 
TOKYO 00000478  008 OF 008 
 
 
 
A former cabinet minister explained such a rush of policy groups, 
saying: "The timing of removing Aso from office will come sooner 
than expected." At a press conference yesterday, LDP Secretary 
General Hiroyuki Hosoda said ostensively calmly: "Diet members are 
in the habit of forming groups." 
 
10) Tripartite emergency forum on employment eyed by government, 
labor, management: Employment adjustment system, work sharing as 
safety net 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
March 3, 2009 
 
Following the steep decline in the economy, the government, the 
Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) and the Japanese Trade 
Union Confederation (Rengo) have begun to confer on emergency 
employment measures. Nippon Keidanren and Rengo will on the 
afternoon of March 3 propose to Labor Minister Yoichi Masuzoe to 
hold discussion. The meeting will focus on improving the employment 
adjustment subsidy system and the use of a fund for the creation of 
jobs in local regions. Amid growing concern over job security, work 
sharing will also be subject to discussion. The government, labor 
and management will fall in step in an effort to consolidate a 
safety net for working people for the first time in seven years. 
 
Rengo, Nippon Keidanren to file request to labor minister today 
 
A government source said that amid the worsened employment 
situation, there is no reason for the government to turn down such a 
request by Nippon Keidanren and Rengo. A framework for tripartite 
talks and the frequency of meetings have yet to be worked out. 
Emergency talks with eye on maintaining jobs is the first since the 
previous economic recession in 2002, when the three parties agreed 
on the definition of work sharing, modeled after the Netherlands. 
The Netherlands has produced results with the introduction of 
shorter working hours for regular workers, a system introduced based 
on government-labor-management talks. The pillars of requests to be 
filed jointly by labor and management will include improvement of 
the employment safety net and creation of new jobs. They will call 
on the government to further ease the conditions for the use of the 
employment adjustment subsidy system. They also intend to look into 
the establishment of a livelihood security system targeting 
displaced workers who are not covered by the existing employment 
safety network and ways to improve public vocational training 
programs. 
 
Gist of labor-management joint proposals to be brought up at 
emergency employment talks 
 
? Improve the employment safety network, including eased 
requirements for providing employment adjustment subsidies 
? Maintain jobs, including those for temp workers 
? Discuss the desired form of Japanese-style work sharing system 
? Strengthen cross-sectional efforts to create jobs 
? Establish a framework for government-labor-management talks for 
effective employment measures 
 
ZUMWALT