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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8124
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4148
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4065

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000520 
 
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//09 
 
Index: 
 
Okinawa problem: 
1) Prime Minister Aso, Okinawa Governor Nakaima agree in meeting on 
early resolution of Futenma relocation issue  (Nikkei) 
2) Governor Nakaima presses premier to move Futenma relocation site 
to waters off Henoko but Aso avoids direct answer  (Mainichi) 
 
Opinion polls: 
3) Kyodo poll: 61 PERCENT  of public want Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) President Ozawa to resign post; 78 PERCENT  unconvinced by his 
explanation of donation scandal  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
4) Mainichi poll: 57 PERCENT  say Ozawa should resign post; 
Seven-point drop in DPJ support rate; Aso cabinet support rate rises 
five points to 16 PERCENT   (Mainichi) 
5) Asahi poll: 57 PERCENT  of public want Ozawa to step down 
(Asahi) 
6) Yomiuri poll: 53 PERCENT  say Ozawa should resign; 80 PERCENT 
not convinced by his explanation of the political donation scandal 
(Yomiuri) 
7) Survey of DPJ prefectural chapters finds 10 wanting Ozawa to 
resign as party head  (Nikkei) 
 
Political agenda: 
8) DPJ members distancing themselves from Ozawa as prosecutors' 
pursue case against his top aide for accepting illegal political 
donations  (Yomiuri) 
9) Some DPJ members openly calling for Ozawa to step down from his 
post  (Asahi) 
 
10) Prosecutors, turning attention to LDP, plan to question Nikai 
side on political donations from shady construction company  (Asahi) 
 
11) Papers to be served against Nikai side by Tokyo prosecutors in 
connection with donations from crooked construction company 
Nishimatsu  (Mainichi) 
12) Nishimatsu Construction in return for donations to Ozawa side 
and Nikai side expected to land a choice airport construction 
project  (Sankei) 
13) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma fingered as the source of 
high-level leak claiming police would not prosecute LDP members in 
donation scandal  (Mainichi) 
14) While Ozawa is on the hot seat, his aide arrested for accepting 
illegal donations, senior party figures like Okada, are traveling 
abroad  (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) In meeting with Nakaima, Aso expresses intent to quickly settle 
Futenma relocation issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 8, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso visited Okinawa on March 7 for the first 
time after assuming office as part of his nationwide campaign tour 
for the next Lower House election. After laying a wreath at the 
national cemetery for the war dead in Itoman, Aso held talks with 
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima at a Naha hotel. Regarding the planned 
relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, Nakaima 
reiterated his request to move the relocation spot specified in the 
Japan-U.S. force realignment roadmap into the sea. In response, Aso 
 
TOKYO 00000520  002 OF 012 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
expressed his intention to resolve the issue as quickly as 
possible. 
 
After the meeting with Nakaima, the prime minister told reporters 
about the Futenma issue: "How to strike a balance between the local 
requests and the roadmap is a major challenge." 
 
Ahead of his talks with Nakaima, Aso met with victims of the 
accidental detonation of an unexploded shell in January in Itoman 
and delivered a speech at a meeting held by the Liberal Democratic 
Party Okinawa prefectural federation. However, he called off his 
initial plans to tour U.S. bases, such as Futenma Air Station. 
 
2) Governor Nakaima calls for moving the base relocation site to 
offshore area; Aso stops short of concrete response 
 
MAINICHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 8, 2009 
 
Teruhisa Mimori, Kazuya Hanawa 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso on March 7 visited Okinawa for the first 
time after assuming office. In the prefecture, the prime minister 
held talks with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima at a Naha hotel to 
discuss, among other matters, the issues of U.S. bases and 
unexploded shells (dropped on the prefecture during World War II). 
On the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station to the coastal area of Camp Schwab in Nago, Okinawa has been 
calling for moving the location into the sea. In his talks with Aso, 
Nakaima reiterated his call for moving the site further into the 
sea, saying, "I would like to see the matter settled at an early 
date." Aso simply replied: "The matter is under discussion by the 
Alternate Facility Council (between the government and Okinawa), and 
I will endeavor to reach an early settlement." 
 
In the wake of the detonation of an unexploded shell in Itoman in 
January, Nakaima also renewed his call for new legislation requiring 
the state to probe unexploded shells and pay compensation to 
victims. After his meeting with Nakaima, Aso told reporters: "A 
probe will help reduce the rate (of detonations of duds). Since it 
will cost money, we would like to consider a variety of measures, 
such as a fund." 
 
The visit to Okinawa is part of Aso's nationwide campaign tour with 
an eye on the next Lower House election. 
 
3) Poll: 61 PERCENT  urge Ozawa to quit 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
In a recent telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey 
conducted by Kyodo News on March 7-8, a total of 61.1 PERCENT 
answered that it would be better for Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa to resign as DPJ president over 
Nishimatsu Construction Co.'s huge illicit political donations to 
his fund-managing body, with 28.9 PERCENT  backing him. Ozawa has 
clarified his intent to stay on. Respondents were also asked if they 
thought Ozawa's account in the wake of his state-funded secretary's 
arrest was convincing. To this question, 78.4 PERCENT  answered 
"no," with 12.4 PERCENT  saying "yes." The Aso cabinet's support 
rate was 16.0 PERCENT , a slight increase of 2.6 points from the 
 
TOKYO 00000520  003 OF 012 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
last survey taken Feb. 17-18. The nonsupport rate was 70.8 PERCENT 
. 
 
The public showed a severe view of "politics and money," and the 
poll results were severe for the DPJ that was on a rising note. 
 
Meanwhile, the poll also showed no increase in the public 
expectations of the Aso cabinet. Prime Minister Taro Aso will likely 
face difficulties in running his government. 
 
In the poll, respondents were asked how long they thought it would 
be desirable to remain in office. In response to this question, a 
total of 82.5 PERCENT  called for Aso to step down sometime after 
the current Diet session ends, broken down into 26.8 PERCENT 
insisting that he should quit right away, 32.3 PERCENT  saying 
"until the budget for fiscal 2009 passes the Diet," and 23.4 PERCENT 
 saying "until around June when the current ordinary Diet session 
ends." 
 
Respondents were also asked when they would like the House of 
Representatives to be dissolved for a general election. To this 
question, 26.7 PERCENT  answered "right away," with 45.6 PERCENT 
saying "around June when the current ordinary Diet session ends" and 
21.2 PERCENT  saying "upon the current term's expiry in September." 
 
When asked about the desirable form of coalition government, the 
proportion of those in favor of a DPJ-led coalition government 
dropped 9.9 points from the last survey but was 43.5 PERCENT , which 
is higher than 31.5 PERCENT  for an LDP-led coalition government. 
 
In the survey, respondents were further asked who they thought would 
be more appropriate for prime minister between Prime Minister Aso 
and DPJ President Ozawa. In this popularity ranking, Aso stood at 
25.6 PERCENT , up 5.2 points from the last survey. Ozawa dropped 
12.8 points but was at 33.6 PERCENT , standing above Aso. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP 
scored 28.6 PERCENT , with the DPJ at 27.4 PERCENT . The LDP ranked 
top for the first time since the survey taken December last year. In 
public preference for proportional representation in the election 
for the House of Representatives, however, the DPJ was at 33.9 
PERCENT , with the LDP at 26.7 PERCENT . 
 
4) Poll: 57 PERCENT  urge Ozawa to quit 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) 
March 8, 2009 
 
In the wake of prosecutors' investigations into a political funds 
scandal involving Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President 
Ichiro Ozawa's fund-managing body, the Mainichi Shimbun conducted a 
telephone-based spot nationwide public opinion survey on March 6-7. 
In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought Ozawa should 
resign as DPJ president, 57 PERCENT  answered "yes," with 33 PERCENT 
 saying "no." When asked if Ozawa's account on the incident was 
convincing, "yes" accounted for 12 PERCENT , with "no" reaching 79 
PERCENT . In the breakdown of public support for political parties, 
the DPJ dropped 7 points from the last survey in February to 22 
PERCENT , the same as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's support 
rate, which rose 2 points. For the DPJ, the poll results are 
severe. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000520  004 OF 012 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
"Who do you think is more appropriate for prime minister between 
Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa?" In this public 
preference for premiership, Ozawa tallied only 13 PERCENT , plunging 
12 points, about half of where he stood in the last survey. Aso rose 
2 points to 10 PERCENT . However, the answer, "Neither is 
appropriate," accounted for 73 PERCENT , up 12 points. 
 
This same question has been asked since the Aso cabinet came into 
office last September. At first, Aso scored 42 PERCENT , with Ozawa 
at 19 PERCENT . However, Ozawa topped Aso in December last year due 
to the premier's flip-flops. In the last survey, Ozawa expanded his 
lead over Aso to 17 points. But in the latest survey, the gap 
narrowed to 3 points. 
 
The public also was asked which party, the LDP or the DPJ, would 
they like to see win in the next election for the House of 
Representatives. The LDP rose in public preference for parties by 7 
points to 29 PERCENT , while the DPJ dropped 11 points to 40 PERCENT 
. Respondents were further asked which political party they would 
vote for in their proportional representation blocs if an election 
were to be held now for the House of Representatives. In the 
breakdown of answers to this question, the LDP lost 2 points from 
the survey taken in December last year to reach 20 PERCENT , but the 
DPJ likewise dropped, this time by 8 points, to 28 PERCENT . 
 
The DPJ was still above the LDP in the breakdown of public answers 
to these two questions, but the gap has narrowed. Respondents were 
asked if they would consider the incident this time when casting 
their votes in the next election for the House of Representatives. 
Those who responded "yes" accounted for 43 PERCENT , while those who 
said "no" totaled 51 PERCENT . The figures can be taken as 
indicating that those who answered "yes" are distancing themselves 
from the DPJ. 
 
Cabinet support at 16 PERCENT 
 
"When do you think the House of Representatives should be dissolved 
for a general election?" To this question, "Around April after the 
budget for fiscal 2009 is passed" topped all other answers at 33 
PERCENT , followed by "right away" at 30 PERCENT , "there's no need 
for an election until the current term ends" at 18 PERCENT , and 
"around this summer" at 11 PERCENT . 
 
Meanwhile, the public approval rating for the Aso cabinet was 16 
PERCENT , up 5 points from the last survey. The disapproval rating 
was 66 PERCENT , down 7 points. The Aso cabinet's support rate rose 
for the first time since its inauguration, but it remains low. 
 
5) Poll: 57 PERCENT  urge Ozawa to resign 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged) 
March 9, 2009 
 
The Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public 
opinion survey on March 7-8, in which respondents took a severe view 
of Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Ozawa over 
Nishimatsu Construction Co.'s illicit political donations to his 
fund-managing body. In the survey, 77 PERCENT  answered that his 
account of the incident was "unconvincing," and 57 PERCENT  answered 
that it would be better for him to resign as DPJ president. 
Respondents were also asked which political party they would vote 
for in their proportional representation blocs if they were to vote 
 
TOKYO 00000520  005 OF 012 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
now. In this public preference of political parties, the DPJ was at 
36 PERCENT , down from 42 PERCENT  in the last survey taken Feb. 
19-20. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party was at 24 PERCENT  (22 
PERCENT  in the last survey). 
 
The rate of public support for the Aso cabinet was 14 PERCENT  (13 
PERCENT  in the last survey), remaining extremely low with no signs 
of rebounding. The nonsupport rate was 70 PERCENT  (75 PERCENT  in 
the last survey). 
 
In the public preference of political parties for proportional 
representation, the LDP declined with the Aso cabinet coming into 
office. However, the DPJ has been on the rise from November last 
year. This time, the DPJ dropped to 36 PERCENT . Even so, the figure 
is at the same level as in December last year. The DPJ is still 
considerably above the LDP. 
 
Respondents were also asked if they would like the current LDP-led 
coalition government to be continued or if they would otherwise like 
it to be replaced with a DPJ-led coalition government. In response 
to this question, 24 PERCENT  chose the LDP-led coalition, with 45 
PERCENT  preferring a DPJ-led coalition. In the breakdown of public 
support for political parties, the LDP stood at 22 PERCENT  (25 
PERCENT  in the last survey), with the DPJ at 22 PERCENT  (26 
PERCENT  in the last survey). Both the LDP and the DPJ were down, 
with the proportion of those with no particular party affiliation 
reaching 49 PERCENT  (43 PERCENT  in the last survey). 
 
Q: Is DPJ President Ozawa's account convincing? 
Yes 12 PERCENT 
No 77 PERCENT 
 
Q: Do you think it would be better for Mr. Ozawa to remain as DPJ 
president? 
Yes 26 PERCENT 
No 57 PERCENT 
 
Support for the Aso cabinet (Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of the last survey) 
Yes 14 PERCENT  (13 PERCENT ) 
No 70 PERCENT  (75 PERCENT ) 
 
Support for political parties (ditto) 
LDP 22 PERCENT  (25 PERCENT ) 
DPJ 22 PERCENT  (26 PERCENT ) 
 
Preference for proportional representation 
LDP 24 PERCENT  (22 PERCENT ) 
DPJ 36 PERCENT  (42 PERCENT ) 
 
More appropriate for prime minister 
Aso 22 PERCENT  (19 PERCENT ) 
Ozawa 32 PERCENT  (45 PERCENT ) 
 
6) Yomiuri poll: 53 PERCENT  want DPJ President Ozawa to resign over 
the Nishimatsu scandal, with 80 PERCENT  unconvinced by his 
explanation; Aso Cabinet support rate declines to 17 PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
March 9, 2009 
 
A Yomiuri Shimbun nationwide poll (carried out March 6-8 by 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
telephone) has revealed that in connection with the violation of the 
Political Funds Control Law by Rikuzankai, the political funds 
management organization of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President 
Ozawa, 53 PERCENT  of the public think that Ozawa should resign, 
greatly exceeding the 36 PERCENT  who felt he should stay on in his 
post. The public support rate for the DPJ fell 4.5 points from the 
previous survey to 23.8 PERCENT . But the support rate for the 
cabinet of Prime Minister Aso continued to fall, dropping from 19.7 
PERCENT  last time to 17.4 PERCENT  this time. The support rate for 
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also dropped, from 26.8 
PERCENT  in the last survey to 24.1 PERCENT . The views of the 
electorate toward Ozawa's DPJ have turned severe, but the government 
and ruling parties have not been able to take advantage of this 
change in fortune. 
 
In connection with the donation incident, Ozawa said: "The donations 
were properly handled. I did not do anything wrong." Asked about 
this, only 12 PERCENT  found his explanation "convincing," while 81 
PERCENT  said they were "unconvinced." Even limited to DPJ 
supporters, those who found his explanation unconvincing reached 66 
PERCENT . And on his future course of action, 37 PERCENT  of DPJ 
supporters thought he should resign. 
 
On the question of which leader, Prime Minister Aso or DPJ President 
Ozawa, was more appropriate to be prime minister, the number who 
chose Ozawa dropped from 40 PERCENT  last time to 35 PERCENT  in the 
current survey. There was a slight up tick for Aso from 24 PERCENT 
to 26 PERCENT , but this time as well it was below the level of 
Ozawa, despite his course action being questioned. Those who 
answered that they could not pick either reached 38 PERCENT , so the 
most frequently chosen response among voters was that neither was 
desirable. 
 
As for party support, last time, the DPJ was favored more than the 
LDP, but this time, the DPJ plummeted, allowing the LDP to edge out 
the other party slightly. There was a sudden increase in 
unaffiliated voters, from 35.7 PERCENT  last time to 42.6 PERCENT 
this time. 
 
7) Nikkei survey: 10 DPJ prefectural chapters think Ozawa should 
resign if his secretary is indicted; 70 PERCENT  say the scandal 
will have impact on Lower House election; Okada most popular as 
possible Ozawa successor 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
March 7, 2009 
 
In the wake of the arrest of the first state-paid secretary of 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, Nikkei 
conducted on March 6 a survey of heads of DPJ prefectural chapters 
regarding the ongoing scandal. In the survey, almost all respondents 
expressed their support for the option of Ozawa staying on in 
office. At the same time, some 70 percent indicated that the scandal 
would have an impact on the next House of Representatives election. 
Ten prefectural federations replied that if the secretary was 
indicted, Ozawa should resign from his post. The view favoring his 
resignation might gain more ground in the party. 
 
Secretaries general and others of the 47 DPJ federations were asked 
questions via written form or over the telephone. Their personal 
views were also asked. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000520  007 OF 012 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
The results showed that 45 chapters supported Ozawa's continuing in 
office, with no one calling for a change of the party president. 
This reflects their trust in Ozawa's explanation that he has done 
nothing wrong and their fear that Ozawa's resignation would deal an 
immeasurable blow to the party, for he has been vigorously 
spearheading the party's campaign for the next election. 
 
At the same time, 11 chapters said that even if Ozawa's first 
secretary Okubo was indicted, Ozawa should stay in office, while 10 
indicated that he should resign. As reasons for his resignation, 
Kagawa said because he has caused trouble for the party and Saga 
indicated that because he would be forced to take responsibility. 
 
A total of 33 prefectures predicted that the scandal would have an 
impact on the next Lower House election, with four pointing to a 
significant effect and 29 to a certain degree. Kyoto said that 
public trust in the DPJ has been undermined, and Nagano indicated 
that the damaged party image would have adverse effects on new 
candidates. 
 
Okayama said: "There is an argument on what to do with the campaign 
posters of President Ozawa standing side by side with the 
candidates." Finding it increasingly difficult to conduct election 
campaigns under Ozawa as party representative, severe views are 
spreading in the party. 
 
In response to a question asking who should replace Ozawa if he 
should resign, seven prefectures, including Nagasaki, named Katsuya 
Okada, citing his dedicated nationwide political tours after his 
resignation as party president in 2005. Five prefectures expressed 
their preference for Deputy President Naoto Kan, and three 
prefectures for Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama. Kan and Hatoyama 
are believed to have been picked to minimize the tumult in the 
party, but they might be pressed to take collective responsibility. 
 
8) DPJ members speeding up their distancing themselves from Ozawa, 
with Secretary Hatoyama touching on possibility of him resigning 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
March 9, 2009 
 
In connection with the violation of the Political Funds Control Law 
by the political funds management organization of Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa, the Yomiuri Shimbun learned from a 
nationwide opinion poll on March 8 that there is a rising view 
calling for Ozawa's resignation. In the party, this has been matched 
by a increasing trend of lawmakers distancing themselves from him. 
Appearing yesterday on an NHK television talk show, DPJ Secretary 
General Yukio Hatoyama said: "I have no intention of saying that the 
question of his course of action will not come up," indicating his 
perception that depending on the result of investigation, the 
resignation of Ozawa from his post was conceivable. Further, 
regarding Ozawa's explanation of the investigation, Hatoyama said, 
"I don't think the people believe that he has fulfilled his 
accountability." 
 
Until now Hatoyama had strongly denied the possibility of Ozawa 
resigning, but with concern rising in the party about the impact on 
the next Lower House election, it seems that he has clearly taking a 
stance that gives consideration to public opinion. 
 
9) Some DPJ lawmakers want Ozawa to resign voluntarily 
 
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
With a majority of respondents in a poll wanted Ichiro Ozawa to step 
down as president of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ), the view is gaining ground in the DPJ that Ozawa's 
resignation will be unavoidable. Although Ozawa has denied the 
possibility of his resignation at present, calls for Ozawa's 
voluntary resignation are now being heard in the party in order to 
prevent a drive to remove Ozawa from the presidency from 
intensifying. The focus is now on when Ozawa will make a decision on 
what course of action he will take. 
 
Appearing on an NHK talk show yesterday, DPJ Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama pointed out: "I don't say that calls for Ozawa's 
resignation will not rise. If new facts are unveiled, a new 
development might arise." He indicated that the DPJ would support 
Ozawa, believing in his explanations, but new developments in the 
investigation would have an impact on Ozawa's course of action. 
 
DPJ members, who once returned to their home constituencies, have 
said that Ozawa should step down. Even a lawmaker close to Ozawa 
expressed a sense of crisis, saying: "Many voters have said that the 
DPJ should replace Ozawa as quickly as possible. If not, the DPJ 
will suffer." 
 
Since Ozawa said that he had no intention to step down, but he would 
make a decision after the investigations were concluded, many party 
members are now paying attention to when Ozawa makes a decision. 
 
DPJ members predict that Ozawa would step down if his secretary was 
indicted or if new facts that will lead to more allegations come 
out. 
 
10) Prosecutors to question Nikai side over Nishimatsu scandal 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
In connection with a case violating the Political Funds Control Law, 
involving the dummy political groups of Nishimatsu Construction 
Corp, which allegedly denoted huge political funds to Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's political fund 
management organization, the special investigation squad of the 
Tokyo Public Prosecutors Office appears to have decided to take 
testimony on a voluntary base from the office officials of Economy, 
Trade and Industry Minister Toshiro Nikai, whose fundraising party 
tickets were bought by the Nishimatsu-linked political bodies. 
 
Prosecutors will likely ask the office officials for explanations 
about whether they were aware that the money paid to party tickets 
came from Nishimatsu, while confirming the flow of political funds 
to Nikai. 
 
In order to conceal its name, Nishimatsu donated money to lawmakers 
through two political groups: Shin Seiji Mondai Kenkyu Kai and Mirai 
Sangyo Kenkyu Kai, headed by former company officials, both of which 
were disbanded in 2006. According to their reports on political 
funds for 2004, 2005 and 2006, the two political groups bought 
Nikai's political raising party tickets worth totaling 8.38 million 
yen. The 8.38 million yen is the second largest amount, following 
 
TOKYO 00000520  009 OF 012 
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03//09 
 
that given to Ozawa, in the political funds that the 
Nishimatsu-related political groups donated to lawmakers. 
 
Nikai decided on March 5 to return all the money paid to the party 
tickets. Regarding the relationship between the two political groups 
and Nishimatsu, Nikai said: "I did not know it at all. Although I 
learned it from media reports, I realize that I just can't say I was 
not aware of it." 
 
11) Prosecutors to establish case against Nikai this week over 
illegal donations from Nishimatsu 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
In connection with a case of illegal donations made to lawmakers by 
Nishimatsu Construction Co., a second-tier general contractor based 
in Minato Ward, Tokyo, former Nishimatsu President Mikio Kunisawa, 
who was arrested on suspicion of violating the Political Funds 
Control Law, had directly asked the office of Economy, Trade and 
Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai about the amount of donations the 
company would make, according informed sources. Kunisawa reportedly 
has told the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District 
Public Prosecutors Office: "I handed cash to the Nikai side once or 
twice a year." Prosecutors seem to have decided to establish a case 
early this week against responsible members of the Nikai office on 
suspicion of violating the said law. 
 
Nishimatsu assigned its senior members to the task of negotiating 
with each of the politicians in the ruling or opposition camp who 
are influential in dealing with public works projects. Through 
visits to their offices or while dining with them, the executives 
received requests on the size of donations and the number of party 
tickets the company should buy. 
 
According to a company member, the predecessor of former President 
Kunisawa had been in charge of contacting the Nikai office. In part 
because Kunisawa graduated from Chuo University, from which Nikai 
also graduated, Kunisawa took over that duty. Kunisawa was placing 
importance particularly to relations with Nikai, according to the 
company member. 
 
Two dummy political bodies of Nishimatsu purchased party tickets 
worth approximately 8.3 million yen for the Nikai faction's 
political group, the New Wave, between 2004 and 2006. This amount is 
the second largest, following the 14 million yen in donations to 
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa's fund-management 
group, Rikuzan-kai. Prosecutors are paying attention particularly to 
the company's ties with Nikai. 
 
In a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting on March 6, 
Nikai, while admitting he was acquainted with Kunisawa, said: "I 
believe the money received has been properly handled." Asked if he 
had met the representatives of the two dummy groups, he replied: "I 
do not remember having met them." 
 
12) Nishimatsu made contributions to Ozawa, Nikai in anticipation of 
receiving orders for airport construction 
 
SANKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
March 9, 2009 
 
 
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A former executive of Nishimatsu Construction Co., in questioning by 
the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public 
Prosecutors Office, has confessed that the company's illegal 
donations to Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro 
Ozawa's fund-management organization, Rikuzan-kai, stemmed from a 
desire to receive orders in airport-construction projects, according 
to investigators. Nishimatsu received orders in projects related to 
Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture, Ozawa's electoral district. 
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai is also known 
as an influential lawmaker lobbying for the interests of the 
domestic transport industry. Spending on Ozawa and Nikai through 
donations or purchasing party tickets was prominent. Prosecutors now 
suspect that Nishimatsu was aiming at grabbing rights for the 
airport. 
 
Forcible investigation of Nikai side to start possibly early this 
week 
 
The investigation squad is expected to raid the offices of Nikai's 
political groups early this week on suspicion of violating the 
Political Funds Control Law. 
 
According to data of Iwate, Nishimatsu received orders in projects 
related to Hanamaki Airport ordered by the Iwate prefectural 
government. Nishimatsu formed a joint venture with Kajima Corp. and 
another in 2002. The joint venture won orders worth about 5 billion 
yen for preparatory work to construct taxi ways and to extend the 
runway. The venture later received orders worth approximately 1.5 
billion yen in 2003 in five projects related to the airport. No 
competitive bid was held in these five cases. 
 
According to Nishimatsu employees, the company made nearly 200 
million yen to Ozawa during 12 years, followed by 8.38 million yen, 
the largest amount paid out among those to Liberal Democratic Party 
members, to Nikai between 2004 and 2006. 
 
According to investigators, an office of Nikai in Wakayama 
Prefecture allegedly received about 3 million yen from Nishimatsu 
annually under the name of its employee. 
 
13) Fearing negative impact on Diet deliberations, some in ruling 
party calling for replacing Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma 
after his controversial remark, "LDP won't be prosecuted" 
 
MAINCHI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura yesterday identified Deputy 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Iwao Uruma as the high-level government 
official who had made a controversial remark (that the prosecutors 
would not pursue the Liberal Democratic Party in investigating the 
political donations scandal involving Nishimatsu Construction Co.). 
Kawamura's aim is to put an end as early as possible to the 
controversy before the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) pursues it at the House of Councillors Budget Committee. 
However, calls for replacing Uruma are now being heard even from 
within the ruling parties, while the DPJ and other opposition 
parties are escalating their criticism. Prime Minister Taro Aso may 
be forced to make a tough decision (on whether to retain Uruma or 
not. 
 
Aso decided on March 7 in his talks with Kawamura to make public the 
 
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high-level government official as Uruma. The two also confirmed that 
if the DPJ called for Diet testimony by Uruma, the government would 
accept the call. The Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) side views 
that they would be able to overcome the matter by giving 
explanations that the remark was a general view that would have no 
impact on the investigation by prosecutors. 
 
The former practice was to appoint former officials of the Health 
and Welfare Ministry and the now defunct Home Affairs Ministry as 
deputy chief cabinet secretaries in the hope of using their skills 
in coordinating views between the government and central government 
agencies. Aso appointed Uruma, a former chief of the National Police 
Agency, because he trusts him, so he wants to avoid having to fire 
him. 
 
DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama yesterday told reporters: "It 
is serious thing for a former NPA chief, who is now a deputy chief 
cabinet secretary, to have made such a remark." He indicated he 
would pursue the issue, noting: 
 
"I think a conversation might have been held between the cabinet 
official and prosecutors. It is said that the remark was made as a 
general perception, but such a view does not come from ordinary 
conversations." 
 
Some in the government and ruling coalition have said that Uruma 
should be replaced before the issue has a negative impact on 
deliberations in the Upper House Budget Committee. A senior ruling 
coalition member commented: "I think the prime minister should sack 
him on March 9. If so, he will be respected for making a quick 
decision." 
 
The reason calls to replace Uruma are coming from the government and 
ruling camp is that some are questioning his capability as a top 
bureaucrat. One Aso aide said: "Uruma has not fully carried out his, 
so he should be immediately replaced." 
 
Uruma intends to explain his remark today in a regular press 
conference. Whether the move to dismiss him will grow all depend on 
what he says. 
 
14) Okada, another senior DPJ members to set off for Asia; Some 
members voice concern about leaving Japan at this juncture 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 7, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) deputy presidents Katsuya Okada and 
Seiji Maehara will leave Japan tomorrow for three Southeast Asian 
countries to meet key government officials and business leaders, 
including Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Following the 
arrest of his first state-funded secretary, President Ichiro Ozawa 
will again explain the details of the case during a regular party 
executive meeting on the 10th, but Okada and Maehara will not be 
there. 
 
Okada is seen as a likely candidate to succeed Ozawa, but he will 
leave for the Asian countries as scheduled, despite the current 
severe circumstances his party is in. Seeing his decision to travel 
anyway, some party members praised Okada for always being 
"serious-minded," but others voiced concern about his being away 
from Japan at this juncture. 
 
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ZUMWALT