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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 16 TOKYO 000534 
 
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:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 03/10/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Encircling net around DPJ Ozawa narrowing, as calls for 
resignation gradually growing (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Anatomy of DPJ (Conclusion): DPJ secretly finding way to re-form 
itself after President Ozawa resigns (Sankei) 
 
(3) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Asahi) 
 
(5) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Mainichi) 
 
(6) SDF set to sail for waters off Somalia to carry out maritime 
policing activities for first time; New duty made possible by taking 
advantage of loophole in the law (Mainichi) 
 
(7) Challenges ahead to intercept N. Korean missiles (Nikkei) 
 
(8) Interview with Commander Brig. Gen. Brett Williams -- Kadena Air 
Base brings stability and deterrence to region; Location 
strategically important (Nikkei) 
 
(9) Government, ruling parties mulling additional 400 billion yen to 
employment subsidies: Showcase of additional economic stimulus 
package (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Encircling net around DPJ Ozawa narrowing, as calls for 
resignation gradually growing 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 10, 2009 
 
Following the revelation of his fund-management organization's 
illegal funds allegations, an encircling net around Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa is gradually narrowing. Among 
lawmakers close to Ozawa, many are still calling on him to stay on 
as party president, but calls for his resignation are also gradually 
growing. 
 
In a meeting of senior House of Councillors members in the Diet 
Building yesterday, including DPJ Caucus Chairman Azuma Koshiishi 
and Secretary General Kenji Hirata, one participant complained: 
"Since no apology has been made, criticism is erupting in my 
electoral district." 
 
Koshiishi replied: "House of Representatives members are becoming 
restless in the run-up to the next election. Upper House members 
must firmly support our party." Even senior members in the party 
have been upset by the Ozawa scandal. 
 
Seeing half of the respondents in the latest survey by the Yomiuri 
Shimbun calling for Ozawa's resignation, mid-ranking and junior DPJ 
lawmakers who have considerably weak support bases are increasingly 
concerned about the impact of the Ozawa case on the next general 
election, one member grumbling: "We will not be able to win the next 
election under Mr. Ozawa." A junior lawmaker voiced hope that Ozawa 
will voluntarily resign, saying: "Criticism from voters is 
increasing day by day. If his secretary is prosecuted, Ozawa may 
 
TOKYO 00000534  002 OF 016 
 
 
have to decide to resign as party president. A mid-ranking Upper 
House member also said: "Voters' responses this past weekend were 
severe. It would be the best for Mr. Ozawa to announce his 
resignation at a regular executive meeting on the 10th." 
 
Deputy President Naoto Kan and Vice President Tatsuya Okada have 
been cited as candidates to succeed Ozawa. A mid-ranking official 
said: "It would be alright for Kan, Secretary General Hatoyama, and 
Okada to jointly lead the party, leaving the post of president 
vacant." 
 
Even so, nobody has openly called for Ozawa's resignation. Party 
members are carefully watching moves by Ozawa. Okada and Vice 
President Seiji Maehara are now visiting Southeast Asian countries 
starting on the 8th, so they will not be in the regular executive 
meeting today. As pointed out by House of Representatives member 
Goshi Hosono: "They are apprehensive that voters might see the party 
as incapable of taking over the political reins," executive members 
want to avoid disruption from being caused in the party by moves to 
oust Ozawa. 
 
Ozawa conferred on response measures with party staff and 
secretaries. On the night of the 8th, Ozawa made a phone call to 
People's New Party Acting President Shizuka Kamei, in which he 
reportedly deplored the results of latest public opinion polls 
showing that many people were not convinced of his explanations. 
 
The dominant view among DPJ members close to Ozawa is that there is 
no other option for the party to keep Ozawa in the presidency. He is 
the face of the DPJ, and there is no potential candidate to succeed 
him, eyeing a change of government." 
 
But some other party members suggest that he (Ozawa) should resign 
at the best timing in order for him to maintain his influence within 
the party. 
 
Meeting between Kan, Hatoyama 
 
DPJ Deputy President Kan and Secretary General Hatoyama met in Tokyo 
yesterday afternoon. They are considered to have exchanged views 
about how to respond to the Ozawa case before Ozawa gives an 
explanation in the executive meeting today. 
 
(2) Anatomy of DPJ (Conclusion): DPJ secretly finding way to re-form 
itself after President Ozawa resigns 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
March 7, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, having 
stayed at home and in his office the previous day, emerged on March 
6 into the political spotlight, probably because of his frustration 
that he would find himself under siege if he remained silent. 
 
Appearing at DPJ headquarters, Ozawa stressed that he had no 
intention to quit his post, saying: "Although the media have 
reported as if I am a suspect, there is no truth to such reports." 
His secretary was arrested on March 3 on suspicion of violating the 
Political Funds Control Law. It was unusual for Ozawa, who is known 
as a person who dislikes meeting the press, to talk to reporters. He 
launched a counterattack against reports on the political-donations 
scandal. 
 
TOKYO 00000534  003 OF 016 
 
 
 
Ozawa's aide said: "We are considering counterattacking not only 
through Ozawa but also by using a team of party lawmakers who are 
former lawyers." One party executive member is, however, showed 
irritation, noting: "Since we don't have any information, we can't 
take any action to support Ozawa, even though we want to do so." 
 
DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka cancelled the 
planned appearance on a TV Asahi talk show on March 8. Deputy 
President Naoto Kan also cancelled an appearance on a television 
program that same day. 
 
DPJ executive members are almost stamping their feet in frustration, 
unable to fathom how the investigations will turn out. 
 
"You must win," Ozawa on March 6 told Lower House member Takashi 
Kawamura, who will run in the April 26 mayoral election of Nagoya 
City. 
 
A dead heat is expected between Kawamura and a candidate on the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ticket in Aichi Prefecture, a 
stronghold of the DPJ. For Ozawa, who said that he would battle the 
charges of the prosecutors in a determined manner, the result of the 
election has great significance. If the DPJ candidate is defeated, 
Ozawa will have to admit that it was caused by the blowback from the 
political scandal involving him. Moreover, a defeat would destroy 
the notion that only Ozawa can lead the DPJ into the next general 
election. 
 
Ozawa told Kawamura: "I'm sorry to trouble you." 
 
On March 6, Ozawa had a 30-minute conversation with Hajime Ishii, an 
ally of Ozawa since they both had belonged to the former Tanaka 
faction in the LDP. 
 
Ishii told Ozawa: "Some in the party are criticizing you, but they 
are not the majority. You don't need to worry about those." Ozawa 
then replied: "I understand." Some DPJ members will wait for the 
good timing to remove Ozawa from the presidential post. The 
prosecutors are enthusiastic about filing charges against Ozawa and 
his aide over the scandal involving Nishimatsu. Ozawa's direct and 
indirect messages to his enemies that he will budge not an inch can 
be regarded as an "information war." 
 
Contrary to Ozawa's intention, there is a slight change in the mood 
in the DPJ that the party should unify under Ozawa's leadership. A 
mid-level lawmaker protecting Ozawa said on March 6: "Lawmakers will 
become irritated on the weekend, and the tide might turn next week." 
If Diet members see the effects of the "Ozawa shock," they will not 
be able to quiet down. News companies are about to conduct opinion 
polls for the first time since the Ozawa's secretary was arrested. 
 
The Kan-led group has secretly launched a study of a new leadership 
with an eye on Ozawa's resignation. 
 
A member of the group said: 
 
"Without filling the presidential post, we are considering drawing 
up an idea of forming a new troika system led by Kan, Secretary 
General Yukio Hatoyama and Vice President Katsuya Okada. 
Expectations in the LDP are that Okada will become the next 
president. The main reason is that there is little time left before 
 
TOKYO 00000534  004 OF 016 
 
 
the Lower House election." 
 
Kan's intention can be seen that he wants to prevent all the present 
executive members from resigning by letting Okada join the new 
leadership. 
 
The situation in the DPJ is now beginning to assume a serious aspect 
of an internal conflict with the lifting of the ban on a drive to 
unseat Ozawa ahead of the indictment of Ozawa's secretary, which is 
expected to take place on March 24. 
 
At a press conference on March 5, Japan Trade Union Confederation 
(Rengo) Chairman Tsuyoshi Takagi, the largest organization 
supporting the DPJ, stated: "We have no other choice but to quietly 
watch developments in the investigation. There is little information 
at present so I cannot say anything." However, with the next Lower 
House drawing closer, Rengo can't comprehend a DPJ without Ozawa. 
Therefore, the confederation is shaking. 
 
Ozawa worked from the start to repair DPJ relations with Rengo 
immediately after he assumed the presidency in April 2006. The 
relationship between the DPJ and Rengo was cool while Seiji Maehara 
was president. Ozawa and Takagi started jointly stumping nationwide 
in 2007. The two have held wining and dining sessions with senior 
regional Rengo officials. There was a time when Ozawa sang a song 
titled "Funauta" at a karaoke bar. Former Rengo Chairman Kiyoshi 
Sasamori said: "Ozawa was the first DPJ leader who became serious 
about ties with Rengo." All the more because of that, a Yamagata 
Rengo official said: "If Ozawa resigns as DPJ leader, his 
resignation will have major psychological impact on Rengo." 
 
Ozawa has explained the significance of strengthening relations with 
Rengo, in this way: "It is only natural for me as a politician to 
give consideration to the organization in order to receive as many 
votes as possible." 
 
Ozawa's strategy brought about a landslide victory in the 2007 House 
of Councillors election to the DPJ. 
 
With analysis of the Upper House election that he did on his own, 
Ozawa has plotted election strategy. An aide to Ozawa said: "Ozawa's 
election method has pushed the party closer to a change in 
government. If Ozawa steps down, everything will turn out to be a 
house of cards." 
 
Okada and Maehara will visit Southeast Asian countries on March 
8-13, as if to get away from bustle of the party. A mid-level 
lawmaker, who has distanced himself from Ozawa, said: "If something 
happens, we will ask them to return home quickly. Of course, they 
will do so." The DPJ's concept of forming a government under Ozawa's 
leader is about to collapse. 
 
(3) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties 
 
YOMIURI (Page 6) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet? 
 
 
TOKYO 00000534  005 OF 016 
 
 
Yes 17.4 
No 74.8 
Other answers (O/A) 0.8 
No answer (N/A) 6.9 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) 
Pick only one from among the following reasons for your approval of 
the Aso cabinet. 
 
Something can be expected of its policy measures 18.2 
The prime minister has leadership 5.3 
There's something stable about the prime minister 5.6 
His cabinet's lineup is good 9.2 
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New 
Komeito 48.6 
O/A 0.7 
N/A 12.4 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Pick 
only one from among the following reasons for your disapproval of 
the Aso cabinet. 
 
Nothing can be expected of its policy measures 29.0 
The prime minister lacks leadership 32.4 
There's nothing stable about the prime minister 24.8 
His cabinet's lineup is not good 2.0 
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New 
Komeito 9.3 
O/A 0.1 
N/A 2.5 
 
Q: Which political party do you support now? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 24.1 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 23.8 
New Komeito (NK) 3.5 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3.0 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.3 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.1 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) --- 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) --- 
Other political parties --- 
None 42.6 
N/A 1.6 
 
Q: When comparing Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa, who do 
you think is more appropriate for prime minister? 
 
Prime Minister Aso 26.4 
DPJ President Ozawa 35.3 
N/A 38.3 
 
Q: The government plans to hand out 2-trillion yen cash benefits to 
individual households as an economic stimulus measure. Do you 
appreciate this cash payout plan? 
 
Appreciate very much 10.8 
Appreciate somewhat 25.9 
Don't appreciate very much 27.7 
Don't appreciate at all 31.9 
N/A 3.7 
 
 
TOKYO 00000534  006 OF 016 
 
 
Q: The government plans to send out the Maritime Self-Defense Force 
in order to protect Japanese and Japanese-related ships from pirates 
rampant in waters off the eastern African coast of Somalia. Do you 
support this MSDF deployment plan? 
 
Yes 38.6 
Yes to a certain degree 23.2 
No to a certain degree 13.4 
No 14.8 
N/A 10.0 
 
Q: The MSDF, even when deployed to Somalia waters, is currently not 
allowed to protect foreign ships irrelevant to Japan. Do you support 
the idea of enacting a new law allowing the MSDF to protect these 
foreign ships as well? 
 
Yes 39.9 
Yes to a certain degree 20.9 
No to a certain degree 10.6 
No 16.6 
N/A 11.9 
 
Q: Prime Minister Aso visited the U.S. in late February and met with 
President Obama. Do you appreciate the Japan-U.S. summit this time? 
 
Appreciate very much 7.6 
Appreciate somewhat 25.1 
Don't appreciate very much 33.8 
Don't appreciate at all 25.0 
N/A 8.5 
 
Q: DPJ President Ozawa's secretary was arrested by a Tokyo District 
Public Prosecutors Office taskforce on suspicion of receiving 
illicit donations. DPJ President Ozawa explained: "The donations 
were handled appropriately in conformity with the law. I have 
nothing to be ashamed of." Do you think this account was 
convincing? 
 
Yes 11.5 
No 80.8 
N/A 7.7 
 
Q: Do you think DPJ President Ozawa should resign as his party's 
head to take responsibility for this problem? 
 
Yes 53.1 
No 36.1 
N/A 10.8 
 
Q: Do you think the House of Representatives should be dissolved for 
a general election right away, or do you otherwise think there's no 
need to hurry? 
 
Right away 48.2 
No need to hurry 44.5 
N/A 7.4 
 
Q: If an election were to be held now for the House of 
Representatives, which political party would you like to vote for in 
your proportional representation bloc? 
 
LDP 23.5 
 
TOKYO 00000534  007 OF 016 
 
 
DPJ 33.9 
NK 4.6 
JCP 4.7 
SDP 2.0 
PNP 0.1 
RC --- 
NPN --- 
Other political parties 0.2 
Undecided 25.8 
N/A 5.2 
 
Q: What form of government would you like to see after the next 
election for the House of Representatives? 
 
LDP-led coalition government 11.7 
DPJ-led coalition government 17.3 
LDP-DPJ grand coalition government 24.8 
Government under new framework after political realignment 39.0 
O/A --- 
N/A 7.1 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted March 6-8 across the 
nation on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
Households with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,805. Valid 
answers were obtained from 1,065 persons (61.5 PERCENT ). 
 
(Note) In some cases, the total percentage does not become 100 
PERCENT  due to rounding. 
 
(4) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. Bracketed figures denote 
proportions to all respondents. Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of the last survey conducted Feb. 19-20 unless otherwise 
specified.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet? 
 
Yes 14 (13) 
No 70 (75) 
 
Q: Why? (One reason only. Left column for those marking "yes" on 
previous question, and right for those saying "no.") 
 
The prime minister is Mr. Aso 16(2) 13(9) 
It's an LDP-led cabinet 41(6) 23(16) 
From the aspect of policies 23(3) 54(38) 
Cabinet lineup 12(2) 6(5) 
 
 
Q: Which political party do you support now? 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 22 (25) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 22 (26) 
New Komeito (NK) 3 (3) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (2) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1 (1) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) 
 
TOKYO 00000534  008 OF 016 
 
 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) 0 (0) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 
Other political parties 0 (0) 
None 41 (39) 
No answer (N/A) + don't know (D/K) 8 (4) 
 
Q: Do you think the House of Representatives should be dissolved as 
early as possible for a general election, or do you otherwise think 
there is no need to hurry? 
 
Dissolve as early as possible 57 (64) 
No need to hurry 32 (28) 
 
Q: If you were to vote now in a general election for the House of 
Representatives, which political party would you vote for in your 
proportional representation bloc? 
 
LDP 24 (22) 
DPJ 36 (42) 
NK 4 (3) 
JCP 5 (4) 
SDP 2 (2) 
PNP 0 (0) 
RC 0 (0) 
NPN 0 (0) 
Other political parties 1 (1) 
N/A+D/K 28 (26) 
 
Q: Would you like the current LDP-led coalition government to 
continue, or would you otherwise like it to be replaced with a 
DPJ-led coalition government? (Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of a previous survey taken Jan. 10-11.) 
 
LDP-led coalition 24 (24) 
DPJ-led coalition 45 (44) 
 
Q: Which one between Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ichiro 
Ozawa do you think is more appropriate for prime minister? 
 
Mr. Aso 22 (19) 
Mr. Ozawa 32 (45) 
 
Q: DPJ President Ozawa's secretary was arrested over the issue of 
Nishimatsu Construction Co.'s illicit donations. DPJ President Ozawa 
explained: "I did not think the donations were corporate 
contributions. I have nothing to be ashamed of." Is this account 
convincing? 
 
Yes 12 
No 77 
 
Q: Do you think it would be better for Mr. Ozawa to remain DPJ 
president, or do you otherwise think it would be better for him to 
resign? 
 
Remain DPJ president 26 
Resign as DPJ president 57 
 
Q: Did your impression of the DPJ improve, worsen, or remain 
unchanged due to the issue of DPJ President Ozawa's political 
donations? 
 
 
TOKYO 00000534  009 OF 016 
 
 
Improved 1 
Worsened 40 
Unchanged 56 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted March 7-8 over the 
telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
Respondents were chosen from among the nation's voting population on 
a three-stage random-sampling basis. Valid answers were obtained 
from 1,126 persons (62 PERCENT ). 
 
(5) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 8, 2009 
 
Questions & Answers 
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female) 
 
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 16 (11) 17 16 
No 66 (73) 68 64 
Not interested 17 (14) 14 18 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 38 
(26) 38 37 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
3 (9) 6 1 
Because there's something friendly about the prime minister 23 (24) 
18 26 
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 22 (31) 25 19 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why? 
 
 T P M F 
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 5 
(5) 9 3 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's leadership 
38 (44) 34 40 
Because there's something imprudent about the prime minister 19 (19) 
18 19 
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's policy 
measures 36 (31) 36 36 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
 T P M F 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 22 (20) 23 21 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 22 (29) 32 15 
New Komeito (NK) 3 (3) 2 4 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (2) 4 3 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (1) 1 2 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 1 (0) 1 0 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) -- (0) -- -- 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) -- 0 
Other political parties 2 (1) 2 1 
None 43 (42) 33 49 
 
TOKYO 00000534  010 OF 016 
 
 
 
Q: DPJ President Ozawa's secretary was arrested on suspicion of 
violating the Political Funds Control Law. DPJ President Ozawa 
explained: "The political donations were handled in conformity with 
the law. I have nothing to be ashamed of." Do you think this account 
is convincing? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 12  15 11 
No 79  79 80 
 
Q: Do you think DPJ President Ozawa should resign for the incident 
this time? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 57  54 58 
No 33  39 30 
 
Q: Do you consider the incident this time when voting in the next 
election for the House of Representatives? 
 
 T P M F 
Yes 43  35 47 
No 51  61 44 
 
Q: Which party between the LDP and the DPJ would you like to see win 
in the next election for the House of Representatives? 
 
 T P M F 
LDP 29 (22) 27 29 
DPJ 40 (51) 51 33 
Other political parties 23 (16) 17 27 
 
Q: Who do you think is more appropriate for prime minister between 
Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa? 
 
 T P M F 
Prime Minister Aso 10 (8) 12 8 
DPJ President Ozawa 13 (25) 18 9 
Neither is appropriate 73 (61) 68 76 
 
Q: The House of Representatives' current membership is to terminate 
in six months. When do you think the House of Representatives should 
be dissolved for a general election? 
 
 T P M F 
Right away 30  32 29 
Around April after next fiscal year's budget passes the Diet 33  39 
29 
Around this summer 11  12 10 
No need until the current term's expiry 18  14 21 
 
Q: If an election were to be held now for the House of 
Representatives, which political party will you vote for in your 
proportional representation bloc? 
 
 T P M F 
LDP 20  21 19 
DPJ 28  41 19 
NK 4  3 4 
JCP 4  4 4 
SDP 2  2 2 
 
TOKYO 00000534  011 OF 016 
 
 
PNP 1  1 1 
RC 0  1 -- 
NPN 0  0 0 
Other political parties 2  2 3 
Don't know 34  23 42 
 
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "0" indicates that 
the figure was below 0.5 PERCENT . "--" denotes that no respondents 
answered. "No answer" omitted. Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of the last survey conducted Feb. 21-22. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted March 6-7 over the 
telephone across the nation on a computer-aided random digit 
sampling (RDS) basis. A total of 1,686 households with one or more 
eligible voters were sampled. Answers were obtained from 1,032 
persons (61 PERCENT ). 
 
(6) SDF set to sail for waters off Somalia to carry out maritime 
policing activities for first time; New duty made possible by taking 
advantage of loophole in the law 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
March 10, 2009 
 
Ryo Matsuo 
 
The government will invoke the maritime policing action provision 
(in the Self-Defense Forces Law) later this week to dispatch two 
(Maritime Self-Defense Force) destroyers to waters off Somalia to 
protect commercial ships and tankers from pirates. As seen in the 
maritime policing activities, the SDF's Somalia mission will be 
filled with unprecedented events. This article examines differences 
with past overseas missions, the modality of the SDF mission, along 
with anti-piracy legislation to be presented to the Diet in the 
current session. 
 
"China has dispatched (its naval vessels). The United Nations has 
asked us to do something about the situation," Prime Minister Taro 
Aso said on Feb. 8. The MSDF's Somalia mission resulted from a 
"request for cooperation" from the international community. The 
government decided to dispatch the MSDF by invoking the maritime 
policing clause as a stopgap measure until the new legislation was 
enacted. Defining anti-piracy measures as part of policing 
activities, the government also decided to make a clear distinction 
with other overseas missions in the past. 
 
In the past, SDF troops were sent overseas chiefly for the purpose 
of ensuring international peace and stability that was not directly 
connected with Japan's interest. Their activities were limited to 
rear-area support, such as the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
and humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq, so as not to 
violate the Constitution that prohibits the use of force. The SDF 
has not been allowed to engage in guarding and security operations 
that were likely to require the use of weapons. 
 
The MSDF's mission this time around is to escort civilian ships to 
protect them from heavily armed pirates, which is tantamount to a 
security operation, according to a senior Defense Ministry official. 
Such has been made possible owing to a loophole in the SDF Law's 
Article 82 specifying policing activities. Article 82 is mainly 
designed to clamp down on suspicious boats that entered Japanese 
territorial waters. The article, however, has no mention on oceanic 
 
TOKYO 00000534  012 OF 016 
 
 
areas where the SDF is allowed to conduct activities. Under this 
article, it is not illegal to carry out policing activities in 
waters far away from Japan. According to a senior government 
official, the government has jumped over the restrictions by going 
around the law, so to speak. 
 
Because the MSDF is not allowed to protect vessels unconnected with 
Japan in conducting maritime policing activities, Japan might be 
criticized as self-serving. 
 
Given the situation, the government and the ruling camp came up 
earlier this month with the anti-piracy legislation that allows the 
MSDF to protect all vessels under the relaxed weapons-use rules. 
Japan is now armed with the international cooperation system to 
defend itself and other countries, as well. 
 
"Activities in waters off Somalia are confined to anti-piracy 
measures," a senior ruling party member emphatically said. But if 
the MSDF's achievements take on a life of their own, the scope of 
the MSDF's next overseas mission might be expanded. 
 
(7) Challenges ahead to intercept N. Korean missiles 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 9, 2009 
 
North Korea is now showing signs of launching a ballistic missile. 
As it stands, the government has clarified its view, stating that a 
ballistic missile, should it come flying across over to Japan, will 
be subject to interception by the already-introduced missile defense 
(MD) system. Prime Minister Taro Aso also stressed that Japan is 
allowed to take counteractions against such a missile under the 
Self-Defense Forces Law if Japan would sustain direct damage. 
However, since there are many technical and legal challenges to 
clear, there is no knowing the extent of Japan capability to 
respond. There seems to be a strong element of checking North Korea 
in Japan's moves. 
 
Since early this January, North Korea has been showing signs that 
are believed to be preparations for launching a Taepodong-2 
long-range ballistic missile. North Korea actually launched missiles 
in 1998 and 2006. Japan then speeded up MD deployment. This is the 
first time for North Korea to shown signs of a missile launch since 
Japan antiballistic missile readiness. An aide to the prime minister 
is also bullish, saying Japan will "of course intercept" the North 
Koreas missile if it comes flying to Japan. 
 
The missile, if launched at Japan, will reach Japan in 5 to10 
minutes. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada will have no time to issue 
intercept orders. Whether Japan will actually intercept the missile 
is left to a judgment to be made by the commander of the Air 
Self-Defense Force's Air Defense Command in conformity with the 
defense minister's orders given in advance. 
 
From the legal point of view, such a missile intercept is not 
invoking the right of self-defense against a foreign country's 
military attack but is removing danger to Japan's territorial soil 
and waters, invoking the police authority. If a launched missile 
does not fall on Japan's territorial soil or waters or nearby, that 
missile will not be subject to interception under the law. 
 
In August 1998, a missile test-launched by North Korea flew across 
 
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over Japan and landed in Pacific waters off the coast of Sanriku. In 
this case as well, the missile can hardly be subject to interception 
under the current law unless Japan is expected to sustain damage. 
The U.S. military is also little expected to intercept such a 
missile over the high seas for Japan. 
 
The MD system will detect a missile launch with intelligence from 
U.S. early warning satellites and will shoot it down before landing, 
and the system will counter a ballistic missile in two stages. The 
first stage is that the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3), a sea-based 
intercept missile mounted on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
Aegis-equipped destroyers staged in the Sea of Japan will intercept 
a missile. 
 
The SM-3 is capable of intercepting a missile that is at an altitude 
of up to 200-300 kilometers and has a range of 1,000 kilometers or 
so. A long-range missile with a range of 6,000 kilometers will reach 
an altitude of 1,000 kilometers, so such a missile cannot be shot 
down if it flies beyond Japan, according to a senior Defense 
Ministry official. If North Korea fails to launch a long-range 
missile, and if that missile falls on its way and comes flying to 
Japan, the SM-3 can intercept it. 
 
The second stage is the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3), a 
land-based ground-to-air guided missile. The PAC-3, which has a 
range of 20 kilometers or so, is currently deployed to four bases in 
the Kanto area and to two other bases in Hamamatsu and Gifu. The 
PAC-3 cannot cover atomic power plants in Kyushu and in coastal 
areas facing the Sea of Japan. 
 
Japan has conducted three MD tests in the past. The PAC-3 was 
successful in its first intercept test, and the SM-3 also made it in 
its first test. However, the SM-3 failed in a test that was 
conducted with the degree of difficulty raised. Japan is still in 
the process of deploying high-performance radar. Given such factors, 
the MD system has yet to be fully completed. 
 
(8) Interview with Commander Brig. Gen. Brett Williams -- Kadena Air 
Base brings stability and deterrence to region; Location 
strategically important 
 
NIKKEI (Page 6) (Full) 
Evening, March 5, 2009 
 
(Interviewed by senior writer Takeshi Haruhara) 
 
Brig. Gen. Bret Williams, the 18th Wing commander, is in charge of 
Okinawa's Kadena Air Base, which is defined by the U.S. Air Force in 
Japan as the most important strategic center. I asked the commander 
about the base's role, its significance, its future, and so on. 
 
-- In this post Cold-War era, do you see any change in the 
significance of Kadena Air Base? 
 
"First of all, the significance of Kadena lies in its location. It 
is 45 minutes away from the Taiwan Strait and 90 minutes from the 
Korean Peninsula. In view of the strategic interest of this region, 
showing our presence in Kadena for a long period of time as Japan's 
partner carries great significance." 
 
"The presence of massive air power at Kadena brings stability and 
deterrence to this region. We cannot see any means that can replace 
 
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it. Kadena sits in an extremely important location in strategic 
terms, and that fact will remain unchanged even after the U.S. force 
transformation process is over." 
 
-- There are such views in the Democratic Party of Japan as that the 
7th Fleet would be enough to secure the U.S. military presence in 
Japan and that U.S. troops in Okinawa should station only in time of 
a contingency. 
 
"I am aware that various parties said many things about the U.S. 
military, but I will not comment on them." 
 
-- Is it operationally feasible for the U.S. military to station its 
troops in Okinawa only in time of a contingency? 
 
"Since the Gulf War, the U.S. Air Force has been able to deploy its 
troops swiftly anywhere in the world. Even so, stationing troops in 
a given area for the purpose of accomplishing a certain mission 
would be greatly advantageous. Troops conduct drills, learn the 
areas, and forge relationships with local residents on a daily 
basis. That would be far better." 
 
-- Fifth-generation fighter F-22s are temporality deployed at 
Kadena. Do you have a plan to deploy the aircraft at the base on a 
regular basis? 
 
"Kadena is a very unique base and is capable of handling any type of 
aircraft. Several years ago, Kadena became a candidate base for the 
permanent deployment of F-35s. It also became a candidate for F-22s. 
But at present, F-22s are not deployed at the base on a permanent 
basis, and no decision has been made." 
 
-- The Chinese Air Force has been increasing the number of 
high-performance fighters. 
 
"China's military might is a threat to this base, and so it is only 
natural to consider deterrence. Nevertheless, deterrence depends 
largely on the thinking of an enemy. Although we take pride in our 
ability to defend Japan, if some country reinforces its military 
power, it is necessary to boost (our) deterrence capability." 
 
(9) Government, ruling parties mulling additional 400 billion yen to 
employment subsidies: Showcase of additional economic stimulus 
package 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
March 8, 2009 
 
The government and the ruling parties on March 7 have undergone 
coordination with the possibility of adding more than 400 billion 
yen to employment adjustment subsidies, which the government will 
provide to assist portions of leave payments companies pay to 
laid-off workers. The plan will be incorporated in an additional 
economic package to be compiled after the enactment of the fiscal 
2009 budget as one showcase of employment measures to be compiled as 
early as in the middle of this month. The decision is based on the 
judgment is that more employment measures will be needed to stem the 
ongoing trend of dismissing non-permanent workers due to the 
worsening economy. 
 
Ending dismissals with generous leave payments aimed at 
 
 
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A new employment package is centered on items that require no legal 
amendments and therefore can be implemented promptly. The ruling 
parties' New Employment Measures Project Team, chaired by former 
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Jiro Kawasaki, will look into the 
matter and firm up a framework. The project size will likely top 1 
trillion yen. In view of a further deterioration in the employment 
situation, some ruling party members are calling for an expanded 
scale. 
 
The state pays employment adjustment subsidies to companies that 
maintained jobs when they cut production because of an economic 
decline. Approximately 58 billion yen was earmarked in the draft 
fiscal 2009 budget. The amount will be boosted in the fiscal 2009 
supplementary budget. Chances are that the additional amount will 
top 400 billion yen, depending on future adjustment. 
 
The number of the recipients of employment adjustment subsidies in 
January came to 879,614, rising 6.3-fold, compared with the previous 
month. The government and the ruling parties see that the move to 
protect jobs using employment adjustment subsidies will continue to 
spread. 
 
The government, labor and management have started mulling the 
introduction of work-sharing. The government plans to make 
employment adjustment subsides user-friendly to back a 
Japanese-style work-sharing system. A plan to increase leave 
payments paid to companies that adopted such measures as reducing 
permanent workers' working hours and making up for the reduced hours 
by hiring non-permanent workers, has surfaced. The upper limit to 
the number of days leave payment are paid is now 300 days in three 
years. However, the government plans to abolish that limit. 
 
In connection with this, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi 
Masuzoe in a speech given in Showa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture on the 
7th indicated his plan to shorten the number of days taken until the 
payments start. He said, "It takes time to start paying such 
subsidies. I will simplify the procedures a little more." 
 
Requirements for giving a license to temporary employment agencies 
will also be made stricter. As part of such a measure, requirements 
for responsible officials will be made stricter, by raising the 
standard business funds. Licenses have thus far been given, if 
applicants have more than three years of experience in employment 
control (more than one year) and workers dispatch business. The 
requirement for experience in employment control will likely be 
extended to three years. The government will also look into 
canceling the license of companies that failed to submit an annual 
report for two consecutive years. 
 
For workers who are not eligible for unemployment benefits because 
they were not covered by employment insurance, the government will 
consider providing life security benefits. It will pay 100,000 yen 
in such benefits when recipients are attending vocational training. 
A plan to set up a time-limited fund to finance the scheme has 
surfaced. There has been a loan system. However, the number of users 
as of the end of February only stood at eight. 
 
As a measure for foreigners of Japanese descent, whose chance of 
being employed as non-permanent workers is high, the government will 
help them return to their countries, by providing approximately 
250,000 yen per person. 
 
 
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ZUMWALT