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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000505 
 
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 03/06/09 
 
Index: 
 
North Korea problem: 
1) Special Representative for North Korea Policy Bosworth, MOFA 
Director General Saiki: Satellite launched by North Korea will not 
be tolerated  (Asahi) 
2) Bosworth, Saiki agree to closely cooperate on North Korea missile 
issue  (Nikkei) 
3) Prime Minister Aso tells Upper House that U.S, ROK understand 
Japan's position on the abductions by North Korea  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
4) Government mulling additional sanctions on North Korea  (Sankei) 
 
 
5) Prime Minister Aso considering traveling to Europe during early 
May holidays  (Nikkei) 
 
Senkaku Islands dispute: 
6) U.S. Department of State officially confirms that the Senkaku 
Islands fall under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty  (Yomiuri) 
7) Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura: U.S. has officially 
acknowledged that Senkaku Islands under treaty  (Sankei) 
 
Defense and Security Affairs: 
8) Nonpartisan group of lawmakers agree on aiming to have the Diet 
pass the anti-piracy bill this session  (Tokyo Shimbun)    5 
9) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Maehara says party 
will cooperate in passing anti-piracy bill  (Mainichi) 
10) Japanese, Chinese defense ministers during upcoming meeting will 
agree to share information on pirate activities during operations in 
waters off Somalia  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
11) Government poll shows 70 PERCENT  of public approve of MSDF 
refueling operations in the Indian Ocean  (Sankei) 
12) Prime Minister Aso to visit Okinawa tomorrow  (Asahi) 
 
Political scandals: 
13) DPJ President Ozawa, whose aide has been arrested for knowingly 
accepting illegal donations, to be questioned by the prosecutors 
(Yomiuri) 
14) In DPJ questionnaire, 70 PERCENT  of local chapters fear the 
Ozawa scandal will affect the upcoming Lower House election 
(Yomiuri) 
15) DPJ's Maehara wary about party stance of taking on prosecutors, 
but President Ozawa is silent, having ducked out of sight for the 
time being  (Nikkei) 
16) Former Prime Minister Mori to return the donation he had 
received from Nishimatsu  (Sankei) 
17) List of politicians who took donations from shady construction 
firm grows  (Nikkei) 
18) LDP believes that the illegal donation scandal will not 
adversely affect the party since it is the "enemy's blunder" 
(Nikkei) 
19) Members of the ruling camp are calling for a May dissolution of 
the Diet  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Saiki, Bosworth agree even launch of satellite not acceptable 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General 
 
TOKYO 00000505  002 OF 011 
 
 
Akitaka Saiki held a meeting yesterday with visiting U.S. Special 
Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth. Regarding 
North Korea's moves that appear to be preparing a launch of a 
ballistic missile, the two officials agreed that even if Pyongyang 
insisted that it would be a satellite, such is unacceptable based on 
a UN Security Council resolution calling for a halt in the ballistic 
missile program. 
 
According to the Japanese side, Bosworth explained his outlook for 
the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear issue and U.S.-DPRK 
talks, while indicating that U.S.-DPRK talks alone would not move 
matters forward that easily. 
 
2) North Korean missile: Japan, U.S. confirm close collaboration 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Special Representative for North Korea Policy Steven Bosworth on 
March 5 met with Akitaka Saiki, director general of the Foreign 
Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, at the Foreign Ministry. 
Concerning North Korea showing signs of test-launching a ballistic 
missile, both agreed to ask that nation to restrain itself. They 
confirmed their stance of closely cooperating with each other, 
including filing a complaint with the UN Security Council, in the 
event the DPRK went ahead with the launch. 
 
This is the first meeting between Japanese and U.S. working-level 
officials in charge of the North Korea issue since the inauguration 
of the Obama administration. 
 
They confirmed the understanding that the launching of a missile by 
North Korea is in breach of a UNSC resolution adopted, following its 
launch of ballistic missiles and nuclear test in 2006. 
 
3) Aso on abduction issue: U.S., South Korea understand Japan's 
position 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
The House of Councillors' Budget Committee held a 
question-and-answer session on the fiscal 2009 budget bill 
yesterday, participated by Prime Minister Taro Aso and all the 
cabinet members. In replying to a question, Aso revealed that the 
government has been asking the U.S. and South Korea for cooperation 
in its effort to resolve the issue of past abductions of Japanese 
nationals by North Korean agents at an early date. Aso said: "We 
have won the full understanding of the U.S. and South Korean 
leaders. I have told them that we have no time to lose, considering 
the ages (of the abduction victims and their relatives). 
 
4) Japan to impose additional sanctions should North launch missile 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
March 6, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday that if North Korea launched an 
"artificial satellite" --although it is believed to actually be an 
upgraded version of the long-range ballistic missile Taepodong-2 -- 
Japan would impose additional sanction measures, in addition to its 
current ones. The government has in mind such new measures as 
 
TOKYO 00000505  003 OF 011 
 
 
freezing the assets of the General Association of Korean Residents 
in Japan (Chosen Soren) and other North Korea-related organizations, 
and to restrict imports from the North. The government judges it 
necessary to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear development 
and obtaining missile-related parts, as well as to choke off funds 
to that end. Given this, it intends to urge the United Nations 
Security Council (UNSC) to strengthen sanctions. The government will 
also study the possibility of tightening penalties in the Foreign 
Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law to restrict the North's 
illegal exports through third countries and remittances abroad. 
 
In their meeting yesterday, Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian 
Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki and Stephen Bosworth, 
U.S. special representative for policy on North Korea, shared this 
view: If Pyongyang goes ahead with the launch, even if it announces 
it is a satellite, the launch would be a violation of a UNSC 
resolution. Saiki explained what measures Japan is planning to take 
against North Korea, according to informed sources. 
 
Remembering a case in which the U.S. froze bank accounts related to 
North Korea in Macao in reaction to its alleged involvement in money 
laundering, a government source said, "A freeze of assets held by 
Chosen Soren and other organizations in Japan is expected to have a 
major effect," 
 
The government intends to ban exports to North Korea in principle 
and strengthen a system to crack down on North Korea's exports 
through Asian countries. 
 
5) Premier plans to visit Europe during early May Golden Week 
holidays: Coordination under way for Japan-EU summit in Czech 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun learned on March 5 that Prime Minister Taro 
Aso is considering visiting Europe during Golden Week holidays in 
early May. Coordination is now under way for visiting 
Czechoslovakia, the host country of the EU, to hold a Japan-EU 
summit with Prime Minister Topolanek. He also wants to visit various 
east European countries, where economic woes are continuing due to 
the global recession. 
 
Economic cooperation with Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and 
Slovakia (V4) is one of the pillars of the Arc of Freedom and 
Prosperity, a diplomatic strategy the prime minister advocated when 
he was foreign minister. 
 
6) Official U.S. view: Senkakus fall under the U.S.-Japan Security 
Treaty 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
Eve., March 5, 2009 
 
By Satoshi Ogawa in Washington 
 
The U.S. Department of State on March 4 issued an official view in 
connection with the issue of the U.S. government's interpretation of 
the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty to see whether the Senkaku Islands 
would be applicable in such cases as the obligation to defend Japan 
if it is attacked. The official view is that the Senkakus fall under 
the treaty. In replying to a question from the Yomiuri Shimbun, a 
 
TOKYO 00000505  004 OF 011 
 
 
responsible official stated: "The Senkakus Islands since the 
reversion of Okinawa have been under the administrative control of 
Japan. The U.S.-Japan Security Treaty is applicable to territories 
that fall under Japan's administrative control." The view will be 
transmitted to the Japanese government as that of the Obama 
administration. 
 
7) Gov't confirms U.S. official view to cover Senkakus in security 
pact: Kawamura 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura revealed yesterday evening 
that the Japanese government has confirmed as the U.S. government's 
official view that the Senkaku islets (Diaoyutai in Chinese) in the 
East China Sea will come under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty if 
attacked by a foreign country. "We have confirmed that the United 
States' view is the same as before and remains unchanged," Kawamura 
said. He was replying to a question from reporters at the prime 
minister's office. 
 
"The United States stated, 'The Senkaku Islands have been under the 
administrative control of the Government of Japan since having been 
returned as part of the reversion of Okinawa (in 1972). Article 5 of 
the (1960) Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the territories 
under the administration of Japan.'" With this, Kawamura underscored 
the U.S. government's conventional view. 
 
Concerning the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty's application to the 
Senkaku islets, Seiji Maehara, vice president of the leading 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), interpellated the 
government in a Feb. 26 meeting of the House of Representatives 
Budget Committee and requested the Senkakus fall within the ambit of 
the security pact. Prime Minister Taro Aso indicated that the 
security pact covers the islets. 
 
8) Nonpartisan group agrees to aim at enactment of anti-piracy 
legislation in current Diet session 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
The Young Parliamentarians' League to Establish a Security System 
for a New Century, a nonpartisan group composed of junior lawmakers, 
agreed at its meeting yesterday to aim at the enactment of new 
anti-piracy legislation in the current Diet session which the 
government is scheduled to present. 
 
The meeting was attended by Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Gen 
Nakatani and New Komeito member Shigeki Sato, who are co-chairs of 
the ruling bloc's project team, plus Democratic Party of Japan Vice 
President Seiji Maehara and the People's New Party Diet Affairs 
Committee Chairman Masaaki Itokawa. 
 
Maehara said in his speech: "There is no distinction between ruling 
and opposition parties when it comes to protecting Japanese vessels, 
crewmembers, and cargoes." 
 
9) DPJ Maehara expresses cooperation for anti-piracy bill 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00000505  005 OF 011 
 
 
March 6, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Seiji Maehara 
yesterday indicated a willingness to cooperate in enacting an 
anti-piracy bill that the government will soon adopt in a cabinet 
meeting. Delivering a speech at a general meeting of the 
suprapartisan group "Association of junior lawmakers to establish a 
security system for the new century" held at a Tokyo hotel, he 
said: 
 
"To ensure the safety of Japanese ships, crew, and freights, a 
distinction should not be made between the ruling and opposition 
camps. I think all the DPJ lawmakers here are supportive of the 
legislation. We would like to commit ourselves to establishing a 
better law." 
 
10) Somalia anti-piracy operation; Agreement to be reached in 
defense ministers' meeting to allow MSDF to work together with 
Chinese military 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page) (Abridged slightly) 
March 6, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday to work together with China in 
dealing with piracy in waters off Somalia by exchanging information 
between the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Chinese Navy. 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada is expected to visit China and 
confirm the policy direction with his Chinese counterpart Liang 
Guanglie on March 21, according to several government sources. It 
will be the first joint operation between the SDF and the Chinese 
military. Reciprocal visits by commanders of the two countries to 
MSDF and Chinese vessels are also under consideration. 
 
The two countries, already in accord in outline through 
administrative-level coordination, intend to strengthen anti-piracy 
activities, such as protecting vessels, by working together at sea. 
At the same time, the step is intended to build mutual confidence 
between Japan and China. 
 
The Japanese government is scheduled to invoke a maritime policing 
action provision next week to dispatch two MSDF destroyers on March 
¶14. The two destroyers are expected to begin activities by early 
April in waters off Somalia. 
 
Under the maritime policing clause, only Japan-registered vessels 
and vessels carrying Japanese cargoes are subject to projection, and 
foreign-registered vessels not connected with Japan are outside the 
scope. New anti-piracy legislation expected to be adopted by the 
cabinet as early as March 13 is designed to allow the MSDF to 
protect foreign vessels, as well. For this reason, once the law is 
enacted, the MSDF might opt to escort China-connected vessels and 
the Chinese Navy do likewise for Japan-connected vessels, based on 
information exchanged between the two countries. 
 
China dispatched three vessels -- two destroyers and a fueler -- 
late last year, and they have been conducting activities in waters 
off Somalia since early January. 
 
They have been escorting vessels of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and 
international organizations, such as the World Food Program (WFP). 
 
11) Gov't poll: 70 PERCENT  appreciate MSDF mission in Indian Ocean 
 
TOKYO 00000505  006 OF 011 
 
 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
The Cabinet Office yesterday released findings from its recent 
public opinion survey regarding the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling activities in the Indian Ocean. In the poll, respondents 
were asked if they appreciated the MSDF's refueling activities. To 
this question, "yes" added up to 70.4 PERCENT , broken down into 
"highly appreciate" at 23 PERCENT  and "somewhat appreciate" at 47.2 
PERCENT . "No" accounted for 22.6 PERCENT . 
 
The most common reason given for "yes" was "Japan will gain a high 
reputation in the international community" at 65.2 PERCENT , 
followed by "it's helpful to Japan's peace and security" at 43.1 
PERCENT  and "it's helpful to Japan's stable securing of oil" at 
32.8 PERCENT . In the breakdown of reasons for "no," the most common 
reason was "against the Self-Defense Forces' overseas dispatch" at 
43.3 PERCENT , followed by "it's not helpful to eradicate terrorism" 
at 39.4 PERCENT  and "the SDF will be involved in a battle" at 35.2 
PERCENT . 
 
The survey was conducted from Jan. 22 through Feb. 1 on a 
face-to-face basis, with a total of 3,000 persons chosen from among 
male and female adults across the nation. The response rate was 56.1 
PERCENT . 
 
12) Prime minister to visit Okinawa tomorrow; Futenma tour to be 
skipped 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso is going to make a one-day visit to Okinawa 
tomorrow for the first time after assuming office. While in Okinawa, 
he is scheduled to hold talks with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and 
Liberal Democratic Party support groups. The prime minister, 
however, is likely to forgo his plans to tour the U.S. Marine Corps' 
Futenma Air Station in Ginowan and the Henoko district in Nago, the 
Futenma relocation site, which are now in the spotlight as part of 
the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. 
 
An informed source indicated that while in Okinawa, the prime 
minister will spend some time at a Naha hotel besides visiting such 
places as the Peace Memorial Museum in Itoman, a fierce battleground 
during the Battle of Okinawa. He reportedly will not deliver an 
outdoor speech. 
 
The Japanese and U.S. foreign ministers signed the Guam 
International Agreement last month. In Okinawa, there is strong 
criticism of the pact as having gone over the heads of local 
communities. Although a source connected with the Liberal Democratic 
Party cited time constraints as the reason for giving up the Futenma 
tour, there seems to have been a judgment not to be seen as deeply 
involved in the base issue. 
 
When Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone visited Okinawa last month, 
Governor Nakaima asked for a thorough explanation on the agreement 
to the Okinawa public, but the government inked the pact without 
offering an explanation or setting a venue to hear local opinions. 
 
Governor Nakaima has also called for moving the envisaged Futenma 
 
TOKYO 00000505  007 OF 011 
 
 
replacement facility to an offshore area. But the government has not 
shown a positive stance, with Foreign Minister Nakasone saying, 
"Without a rational reason, altering the plan is difficult." There 
are no prospects for an agreement between the government and 
Okinawa. 
 
13) Nishimatsu Construction scandal: Former Ozawa private secretary 
from the beginning demanded political donations; Ozawa to be 
questioned as reference witness 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) 
March 6, 2009 
 
In the case of the violation of the Public Funds Control Law by 
Rikuzankai, the political funds control organization of Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, it has been learned 
from talking to sources connected with Nishimatsu Construction that 
the series of political donations from dummy political organizations 
that Nishimatsu Construction, a second-tier general contractor from 
Tokyo, had set up, the impetus from the start was a demand from the 
Ozawa secretary who preceded the suspect Okubo as accountant at 
Rikuzankai. The special investigation unit of the Tokyo Prosecutors 
Office knows this fact. Prosecutors in charge of the case plan to 
question as a reference witness, DPJ President Ozawa, who heads the 
Rikuzankai, on the facts. 
 
14) DPJ poll: 70 PERCENT  say Ozawa issue to affect general 
election 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
March 6, 2009 
 
In the wake of a Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office 
taskforce's recent raid of Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) 
President Ozawa's fund-managing body over its alleged receiving of 
illicit political donations from a second-tier construction company, 
the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a questionnaire survey of the DPJ's 
local chapter executives. 
 
In the survey, the DPJ's local leaders were asked if they thought 
the incident would affect the next election for the House of 
Representatives. In response to this question, "yes" came from 32 of 
the DPJ's prefectural federations or nearly 70 PERCENT , broken down 
into "somewhat" (29 prefectural federations, including Tokyo and 
Hokkaido) and "very much" (3 prefectural federations). "Very much" 
came from the DPJ's Gifu, Tottori, and Kochi prefectural 
federations. The DPJ's Gifu prefectural federation noted: "The 
public eye would be severe. We will have to reconstruct our strategy 
for the lower house election." 
 
In the breakdown of negative answers, "not at all" came from none of 
the DPJ's prefectural federations, accounting for 0 PERCENT . "Not 
very much" came from only 14 of the party's prefectural federations. 
These figures clearly show that the DPJ's local organizations are 
increasingly becoming concerned about their election campaign. When 
asked if Ozawa should resign as DPJ head, "no" came from 28 
prefectural federations, including Tokyo and Hokkaido. Meanwhile, 17 
prefectural federations answered that the party should make a 
judgment after seeing the progress of investigations and the trend 
of public opinion. Ozawa has ruled out the possibility of his 
resignation, maintaining that there is nothing illegal about the 
political donations. However, the survey results imply that Ozawa 
 
TOKYO 00000505  008 OF 011 
 
 
may be faced with a rise of calls for his resignation, depending on 
how the incident will turn out from now on. 
 
The survey was conducted March 4-5 of the DPJ's prefectural 
federation secretaries general and other local executives. 
 
15) Confusion in DPJ over stance of full-scale confrontation with 
prosecutors; Ozawa remains silent 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Some in the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) are 
hesitating about locking horns with the Tokyo Public Prosecutors 
Office over the arrest of party head Ichiro Ozawa's first 
public-funded secretary by opening criticizing the investigation. 
They are concerned that if new facts come up after the party 
protects Ozawa, the party's image will be damaged even further. 
 
When asked by reporters about senior DPJ members' criticism of 
prosecutors, Seiji Maehara, a vice president, said in Tokyo 
yesterday: "We should refrain from speaking that way. In general 
terms, remarks that give the public doubts in investigations by 
prosecutors should not be made." 
 
Regarding Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama's statement that the DPJ 
will harshly pursue the prosecutors for an unjust investigation, 
junior and mid-level lawmakers took the view that there was no need 
for the party to go that far in protecting (Ozawa). 
 
Lower House member Akihisa Nagashima said in a fund-raising party 
held yesterday in Tokyo: "Should there be facts contradicting 
President Ozawa's statement that he has nothing to feel guilty 
about, we will have to make a different judgment." He indicated that 
depending on how the case will turn out, there may be no other way 
except for Ozawa to step down from the presidency. 
 
Meanwhile, Ozawa remains silent since he held a press conference on 
March 4. Yesterday he went his office and returned home. Although he 
met Upper House Steering Committee Chairman Takeo Nishioka, he did 
not show up the Diet and DPJ headquarters. 
 
16) Mori to return 3 million yen given by Nishimatsu-related groups 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori of the Liberal Democratic Party 
revealed a plan yesterday through his lawyer to return 3 million yen 
in donations made by political groups related to Nishimatsu 
Construction Co. 
 
Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a press 
briefing yesterday that Shunichi Yamaguchi, a special advisor to the 
prime minister, and Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport 
and Tourism Tokio Kano will return money they had received from 
Nishimatsu-related political groups. Yamaguchi has decided to return 
shady money amounting to 2 million yen, and Kano will give back the 
2 million yen paid for fund-raising party tickets. 
 
Kawamura explained: "They decided to return money from a moral 
viewpoint. They think it is undesirable to leave doubts among the 
 
TOKYO 00000505  009 OF 011 
 
 
people." 
 
17) LDP's Nikai faction members found to have received donations 
from Nishimatsu 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura revealed yesterday in a press 
conference that cabinet ministers who had received donations from 
the political organizations headed by former Nishimatsu Construction 
Co. officials were Tokio Kano, senior vice minister of land 
infrastructure and transport, and Shinichi Kano, special advisor to 
Prime Minister Taro Aso. Economy, Trade and Industry Minister 
Toshihiro Nikai admitted the Nishimatsu-linked political bodies had 
bought fund-raising party tickets from a faction he heads in the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The three cabinet members have 
expressed their intentions to return the donations. 
 
After confirming the three cabinet members' intents that they will 
return the money to the political groups, Kawamura stated in the 
press meeting yesterday: "There should be no suspicion left in 
people's minds." Prime Minister Aso told reporters last night: "I 
think each politician and political organization should make a 
decision on its own." 
 
Kano held a press briefing in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure 
and Transport, where he revealed that he had received 2 million yen 
as payments for party tickets from the Nishimatsu-linked political 
groups. He stated: "I don't want to be suspected of having committed 
improper actions." Yamaguchi's political fund-management 
organization got 2 million in donations in 2004. The Nikai faction 
received a total 8.38 million yen as payments for party tickets in 
three years until 2006. 
 
However the Nishimatsu-linked political groups have been disbanded. 
A source familiar with the ministry pointed out: 
 
"Since the political groups were dissolved, they can't return the 
money. It is strange that the money will be returned to such 
individuals as former officials of the Nishimatsu Construction Co." 
 
The Nikai faction says that lawyers will be consulted on the 
matter. 
 
Former Prime Minister Moro considering returning donations 
 
Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, a member of the ruling Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP), began yesterday considering returning 
donations and payments for fund-raising party tickets by political 
groups, which were headed by former Nishimatsu Construction Co. 
officials. This was revealed through a lawyer, proxy of Mori. The 
lawyer explained the reason for returning the money that the money 
would be returned from an ethical point of view, but the donations 
were not illegal. 
 
18) Government official: Nishimatsu donation scandal will never 
affect LDP 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00000505  010 OF 011 
 
 
A high-level government official yesterday revealed the outlook that 
the donation scandal involving Nishimatsu Construction Co. would 
have no impact on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The 
official stated yesterday: 
 
"There will no negative impact on the LDP. If there were something 
like receipts, things would be different. There is a big difference 
in the amounts of donations (received by LDP members compared to 
those received by Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa). 
So prosecutors will not file charges (against LDP lawmakers)." 
 
It is extremely unusual for a government official to refer to how a 
political scandal will develop. The remark will likely create doubts 
about the neutrality and fairness of investigations. 
 
The official commented on the arrest of Ozawa's first state-funded 
secretary: "Prosecutors must have obtained convincing evidence. If 
they don't have it, they would not have gone that far." 
 
19) Calls for Diet dissolution in May mounting in ruling camp: 
Bullish views hear one after another due to opposition party's 
troubles 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 6, 2009 
 
Calls for dissolving the Lower House in May are gaining ground in 
the ruling camps. The lawmakers see a golden opportunity, once the 
fiscal 2009 budget is passed, because the Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) has been dealt a heavy blow by the arrest of President Ozawa's 
state-funded secretary. Prime Minister Aso will likely look for the 
right timing to dissolve the Diet, while watching developments in 
the public prosecutors' investigation and the DPJ's response. 
 
Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Taku 
Yamasaki at a plenary meeting of his faction on March 5 insisted: 
"The greatest item on the political agenda is an economic stimulus 
package. Shouldn't we go out and appeal to the country by dissolving 
the Lower House for a snap election in May?" Among leadership 
members, Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda at a Lower House members' 
party held the same day said, "The election will be held soon." 
General Council Chairman Takashi Sasagawa noted, "There will be an 
election when cherry blossoms are in bloom." 
 
A New Komeito official told reporters, "There could be Diet 
dissolution once items for the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget are 
submitted in early May." 
 
The distribution of cash handouts will have been carried out widely 
by May. The scenario is to compile a large-size supplementary budget 
that includes an additional stimulus package between April and May, 
after having the fiscal 2009 budget-related bills enacted before the 
end of April, and then dissolve the Lower House, by presenting that 
budget draft before the people. 
 
If dissolution is put off until the enactment of the large-scale 
extra budget due to opposition by the opposition camp, there could 
be a double election together with the Tokyo metropolitan assembly 
election in July. There is concern that if dissolution takes place 
at a time close to the end of the current term for Lower House 
members, a good opportunity might be missed, because the DPJ will 
have regained its position by that time. 
 
TOKYO 00000505  011 OF 011 
 
 
 
However, a view that the Lower House should be dissolved after 
passage of a large-size supplementary budget is also deep-rooted in 
the LDP. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura on the 5th told 
reporters, "It will give a negative impression if we dissolve the 
Diet, taking advantage of the DPJ's troubles, since we have played 
up our determination to implement economic stimulus measures." He 
took a negative stance toward early Diet dissolution. 
 
ZUMWALT