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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000636 
 
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 03/23/09 
 
Index: 
 
Northeast Asia security: 
1) For the first time, a senior Chinese official - defense minister 
- calls on North Korea to restrain from launching its missiles 
(Sankei) 
2) Defense Minister Hamada reveals that in preparation for North 
Korea's "satellite" launch, he will issue an order to destroy it if 
it heads toward Japan  (Asahi) 
3) In defense ministers' meeting, Japan and China agree to cooperate 
on anti-piracy policy  (Nikkei) 
4) In defense chiefs' meeting, China admits to Japan it is building 
an aircraft carrier  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) China concerned about Japan's interception stance but both 
countries agree in defense chiefs' meeting to call on North Korea to 
hold back its missile launch  (Nikkei) 
6) United Nations will not issue a resolution against North Korea if 
it launches a missile at Japan, only a statement  (Yomiuri) 
7) China and Russia are blocking a UNSC resolution with sanctions 
against North Korea if that country launches a "satellite" against 
Japan  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
8) Prime Minister Aso, in speech at defense university graduation, 
cites high expectations of the Self-Defense Forces  (Sankei) 
9) Democratic Party of Japan's Asao says party wants to revise the 
anti-piracy bill to give the Japan Coast Guard and not the SDF the 
major overseas roll  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
10) Japan and Russia intend to sign a nuclear cooperation pact 
during Prime Minister Putin's May visit to Tokyo  (Asahi) 
 
11) Japan planning to use official development assistance to help 
domestic companies get a foothold in Iraq  (Mainichi) 
 
Political merry-go-round: 
12) Poll probes ruling Liberal Democratic Party image: Only 9 
PERCENT  have confidence in the LDP; 72 PERCENT  think it arrogant; 
67 PERCENT  distrust it  (Mainichi) 
13) Poll on LDP, DPJ: 60 PERCENT  disappointed in the DPJ, but 58 
PERCENT  still want a change in government, which would mean a shift 
from LDP to DPJ rule  (Yomiuri) 
14) Ozawa's secretary to be indicted tomorrow  (Asahi) 
15) Even if his aide is indicted for accepting illegal donations, 
DPJ President Ozawa likely to stay on as head of the party  (Asahi) 
 
16) DPJ's Edano: Ozawa will stay on as party president  (Asahi) 
 
17) Finance Minister Yosano hints that the additional stimulus 
package now being readied will have over 10 trillion yen in fiscal 
outlays  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Chinese Defense minister to call on Pyongyang to restrain missile 
launch 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 21, 2009 
 
Hideki Noguchi, Beijing 
 
 
TOKYO 00000636  002 OF 011 
 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada met on March 20 in Beijing with We 
Bang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's 
Congress, and with National Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in 
succession. Referring to the issue of North Korea's possible launch 
of a long-range ballistic missile, Liang said: "It would be best if 
(North Korea) did not launch it." This was the first time for a 
high-level Chinese official to indicate an intention to call on 
North Korea to exercise restraint. Liang also revealed for the first 
time China's intention to build an aircraft carrier. He told Hamada: 
"Among the big powers, China is the only country that does not 
possess an air craft carrier." 
 
Hamada insisted that if the North launches a missile, it would 
violate UN Security Council resolutions, and he sought the Chinese 
side's understanding for Japan's position. Wu just said: "Countries 
concerned are required to respond appropriately and calmly toward 
the issue." He indirectly urged Japan and the United States not to 
irritate Pyongyang by intercepting a missile and not to impose 
sanctions if Pyongyang launched a missile. Ling also told Hamada: "I 
understand Japan's awareness, but I think it is better for your 
country to take a calm response." 
 
Regarding the aircraft carrier construction, Liang pointed out: 
"There is no such option as never possessing any aircraft carriers." 
He continued: "China has a large ocean area and we have 
responsibility for protecting it. Since our naval power is weak, we 
should improve it." 
 
Tokyo and Beijing agreed to cooperate as much as possible in sharing 
information between Chinese vessels, which have carried out 
activities since January, and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
destroyers regarding anti-piracy measures in waters off Somalia. 
 
2) Missile destruction order to be issued in preparation for North 
Korean "satellite" falling on Japan 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
March 21, 2009 
 
Hisashi Ishimatsu, Beijing 
 
In reaction to North Korea's announcement that it would "launch a 
satellite" between April 4 and 8, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada 
has announced his intention to issue late this month an order to 
destroy ballistic missiles and other projectiles under Article 82-2 
of the Self-Defense Forces Law in order to be prepared for a failed 
launch resulting in a projectile falling in Japan. The article has 
never been invoked. 
 
The defense minister is allowed to issue a destruction order in two 
cases under the article. One is when a missile or other projectile 
is feared to fly to Japan, the defense minister is to issue an order 
following a cabinet decision. The other is when a projectile is not 
feared fly to Japan, the defense minister is to issue a closed-door 
order to be prepared for a sudden turn of events. 
 
Hamada told the press corps on March 20: "The question is which is 
more convenient. I think I will make a decision." The government 
will hold a meeting possibly early next week of the chief cabinet 
secretary, the defense minister, and the foreign minister to make a 
final decision. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000636  003 OF 011 
 
 
But even if an order is issued, Japan is not allowed to intercept a 
projectile that flies over Japan, as was informed by the North to an 
international organization. Japan is allowed to intercept only when 
a launched warhead or booster is projected to fall on Japan's soil 
or waters due to a failed launch. 
 
The Defense Ministry will begun shortly considering deploying PAC-3 
ground-to-air guided missiles, now deployed at Air Self-Defense 
Force bases in the Kanto and Chubu regions, at bases in Akita and 
Iwate prefectures where a launched rocket is expected to fly over. 
The ministry will also deploy two Aegis destroyers carrying SM-3 
sea-based missiles to the Sea of Japan to prepare for the launch. 
 
The government is also considering using the J-ALERT system in order 
to instantaneously inform the public of a rocket launch. 
 
3) Japan, China to cooperate in measures against piracy; Defense 
authorities of two countries are still guarded toward each other 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
March 21, 2009 
 
Ken Sato, Beijing 
 
Defense exchanges between Japan and China have now entered a new 
phase, with the defense ministers having agreed in their meeting on 
March 20 to cooperate in urging North Korea to practice 
self-restraint regarding its planned missile launch. They also 
agreed to cooperate in anti-piracy policy. Measures to deal with 
piracy will be the first case for Japan's Self-Defense Forces to 
work together with the Chinese military. But as seen in the gulf 
between the two countries over Japan's missile defense (MD) system, 
there is still a deep-seated sense of alarm. No one can foretell if 
the planned cooperation will proceed smoothly. 
 
Cooperation in anti-piracy measures is designed to look for ways for 
operational cooperation going beyond the realm of joint exercises 
for building mutual trust. In China, the military has an immense 
clout. The decision to jointly call on the North to practice 
self-restraint regarding its missile launch carries great 
significance. 
 
As for measures against piracy, Japan and China specifically 
envisage cooperation in exchanging information. The ability to 
gather information reflects the military's real capability. 
Attention will be focused on to what extent the two countries can 
share classified information. 
 
China, too, is increasing the performance of a ballistic missile 
capable of reaching Japan. In the eye of China, the deployment of 
the MD system by Japan and the United States seems to be aimed at 
disabling its missiles. This can explain why the Chinese defense 
minister applied pressure on the use of the MD system against the 
planned North Korean missile launch. Maneuvering between Japan and 
China over building up defense capabilities might end up adversely 
affecting bilateral cooperation. 
 
4) Liang clearly tells Hamada that China will build aircraft 
carrier; Beijing hopes Pyongyang wil abstain from launching 
"satellite" 
 
TOKYO (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
 
TOKYO 00000636  004 OF 011 
 
 
March 21, 2009 
 
Norihiro Asada, Beijing 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada held talks with his Chinese 
counterpart Liang Guanglie in Beijing on March 20. Regarding the 
fact that North Korea is preparing to launch a "satellite," which 
appears to be a long-range ballistic missile, the Chinese defense 
minister expressed China's expectation for the North to exercise 
self-control, saying: "It is best that North Korea does not launch a 
satellite." At the same time, Liang as the top Chinese defense 
official expressed China's intention to possess an aircraft carrier 
for the first time to a foreign cabinet minister. 
 
Hamada asked his Chinese counterparty to urge North Korea to 
practice self-control regarding the missile launch issue. Liang 
replied: "We are well aware of Japan's view. (Relevant countries) 
should take calm stances." This was taken as a message to call for 
the cautious responses of Japan, the United States and South Korea 
which are preparing to intercept an incoming ballistic missile and 
to impose additional sanctions on the North. 
 
Regarding the possession of an aircraft carrier, Liang said: "Our 
country has vast oceanic areas, and our country bears a heavy 
responsibility to defend them. Among major powers, China is the only 
country that does not possess an aircraft carrier. We cannot remain 
as a country without an aircraft carrier forever." Thus, the Chinese 
defense minister expressed his country's strong enthusiasm for 
building a flattop. 
 
Liang also said about measures against piracy in waters off Somalia: 
"We can cooperate with Japan at the administrative level." The two 
defense ministers agreed for Japan and China to exchange information 
on escorting vessels. 
 
5) Chinese defense minister expresses concern about Japan's policy 
of intercepting incoming missile from North Korea 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
March 21, 2009 
 
Ken Sato, Beijing 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada arrived in China on March 20 and 
held talks with Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Beijing. 
They confirmed that the two countries should call on North Korea to 
refrain from launching what it calls a "satellite." Other countries 
believe the North is preparing to launch a long-range ballistic 
missile. Liang expressed concern, though with an indirect 
expression, about Japan and the U.S. indicating their readiness to 
intercept it in the event that North Korea launches a projectile. 
Meanwhile, Hamada stressed that Japan will intercept an incoming 
missile. 
 
Hamada asked Liang to urge the North to exercise self-restraint. His 
counterpart replied: "It would be the best that (North Korea) 
refrains from launching a projectile, so it is better for Japan and 
other countries to take a cool-headed manner," indicating his 
concern over Japan's policy of intercepting a missile flying over 
Japan with its missile defense (MD) system. In reaction, Hamada 
emphasized: "We will deal with an incoming projectile heading toward 
our territorial land, air, and waters." 
 
TOKYO 00000636  005 OF 011 
 
 
 
6) Japan, U.S., out of consideration to China, start drafting 
nonbinding UN chairman statement to prepare against North Korea's 
launch of missile 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 21, 2009 
 
Yoshikazu Shirakawa, New York 
 
Japan and the U.S. have started making a draft, eyeing a UN Security 
Council (UNSC) chairman's statement in the event that North Korea 
fires a missile even if Pyongyang calls it a satellite, a UN source 
said on March 19.  Their move to prepare a nonbinding statement 
stems from their consideration to China's revelation that it will 
oppose any sanctions and resolution criticizing North Korea. 
 
According to the source, the Chinese ambassador to the UN and other 
officials visited the UN representative offices of Japan, the U.S., 
South Korea, and other countries from late last week through this 
week and conveyed to them that China would oppose any resolution. 
Given that North Korea has announced it would launch a satellite and 
has informed the International Maritime Organization of its launch 
plan, China reportedly indicated that even if the North fires a 
projectile, the launch will not violate the relevant UNSC resolution 
that forbids Pyongyang from further nuclear tests or ballistic 
missile launches. 
 
Since the U.S has not raised an objection to China's assertion, 
Japan and South Korea remain unable to insist on the need for a UN 
resolution. In response to China's position, Japan and the U.S. have 
started work to draw up a draft, eyeing a chairman's statement 
expressing "regret." They are expected to seek China's agreement by 
submitting a chairman's statement in the end even if they present a 
resolution in UNSC talks. 
 
In 2006, the UNSC adopted a resolution denouncing the North Korean 
missile tests, but in 1998, it had just expressed a feeling of 
regret in an unofficial press statement directed to the news media. 
A chairman's statement is more influential than a press statement, 
but it has no legal binding power toward the country concerned and 
its member countries, unlike a resolution. North Korea has announced 
it would file an experimental communications satellite sometime 
between April 4 and 8. The UNSC intends to hold a meeting 
immediately after it fires a projectile. 
 
7) Stormy negotiations expected over UN resolution against North 
Korea's launch of "satellite" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
The Japanese government has been stepping up efforts to have the 
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt a sanction 
resolution in the event North Korea launches a projectile which it 
calls a "satellite rocket." Even if it launches a satellite, it is 
technically the same as a missile, so the government judges the 
launch violates UNSC Resolution 1718. There has been no unanimity of 
views among the council members, so stormy negotiations are expected 
after Pyongyang fires a projectile. 
 
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone emphasized: "If (a rocket) flies 
 
TOKYO 00000636  006 OF 011 
 
 
over Japan, we will be in the most danger, so Japan should call on 
the international community (to adopt a resolution)." 
 
The Japanese government intends to ask the UNSC chairman to call an 
emergency meeting immediately after North Korea's launch is 
confirmed. "We will call for the toughest resolution," said a senior 
Foreign Ministry official. Japan seems to be aiming to work on other 
member countries to adopt a resolution including new sanction 
measures with binding power. 
 
Nakasone and senior Foreign Ministry officials, including Vice 
Minister Mitoji Yabunaka, have reiterated the need for joint steps 
to be taken during meetings with cabinet ministers and bureaucrats 
of UNSC member countries and through embassies. 
 
China and Russia, however, stand in the way of adopting a resolution 
as veto-holding permanent UNSC members. These two countries opposed 
the draft sanction resolution submitted by Japan when Pyongyang 
launched ballistic missiles in July 2006, on the grounds that it 
would cause trouble. As a result, the UNSC adopted a resolution only 
criticizing the North. 
 
This time, too, no agreement has been reached with China and Russia, 
according to the senior Foreign Ministry official. Japan intends to 
continue to try to persuade them to agree to a resolution. Even so, 
it seems difficult to obtain their understanding, given that 
Pyongyang has taken the procedures necessary for a satellite launch, 
including the prior reporting of the plan to an international 
organ. 
 
There is a strong possibility that the UNSC will adopt a resolution 
that would urge the North to reconfirm the contents of a relevant 
past resolution, or issue a chairman's statement that has weak 
binding power or just a statement directed to the news media. A 
government source grumbled: "Things do not necessarily move as we 
desire at the UN." 
 
8) Expectations for SDF growing: Aso 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday attended a graduation ceremony of 
the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, 
during which he expressed concerns about North Korea's ongoing 
nuclear and ballistic missile development programs. He stated: "In 
order for Japan to ensure its peace and security, it is extremely 
important to further strengthen its alliance with the United States 
and make its own efforts for defense. Expectations for the 
Self-Defense Forces are growing even stronger." 
 
The prime minister quoted his grandfather, the late former Prime 
Minister Shigeru Yoshida, who stated in a speech he gave at the 
academy's first graduation ceremony: "I'd like to ask you all to 
carry out your missions from a broader perspective to protect even 
the freedom of humanity in the world, rather than from a narrow way 
of thinking to protect Japan and its people's interests." Aso also 
stated: "Japan's defense and the international community's peace and 
stability are inseparable. I'd like to ask you to continue making 
efforts for your missions without ever forgetting to have a global 
perspective." 
 
 
TOKYO 00000636  007 OF 011 
 
 
The National Defense Academy had 431 graduates (including 33 
females) for fiscal 2008, excluding foreign students. Among them, 35 
graduates declined to enter the SDF for such reasons as preferring 
to work in the private sector. The figure is the fourth largest 
number of graduates ever to decline to serve in the SDF. 
 
9) DPJ's Asao: Japan Coast guard should be mainstay in antipiracy 
operations 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
Appearing on an NHK TV program aired yesterday, Keiichiro Asao, a 
House of Councillors member of the leading opposition Democratic 
Party of Japan (Minshuto) and 'defense minister' in his party's 
shadow cabinet, suggested the need to amend a government-introduced 
antipiracy bill to define the Japan Coast Guard's role even more 
clearly as the mainstay to deal with pirates. Asao said: "If the 
Japan Coast Guard, which is primarily in charge of antipiracy 
activities, finds it difficult to deal with pirates, then the 
Self-Defense Forces will be called to move out. We must establish 
this way of doing things." 
 
The bill stipulates that the JCG is to deal with piracy in 
principle, and the defense minister, with the prime minister's 
approval, will order the SDF to embark on antipiracy operations if 
there is a special need to do so. 
 
"It's strange that the (substantial) mainstay is the defense 
minister," Asao said. 
 
10) Russia forward-looking about signing nuclear agreement with 
Japan as early as May 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
Hideki Soejima, Moscow 
 
Russian Deputy Premier Sobyanin on March 21 indicated an outlook 
that Japan and Russia will be able to sign a nuclear cooperation 
agreement when Prime Minister Putin visits Japan in May, according 
to Interfax. Signing such an agreement is a condition necessary for 
Japan to delegate the enrichment of uranium for nuclear power 
generation to Russia and for both countries to cooperate with each 
other in the nuclear area. 
 
Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Rosatom State Nuclear Power Corporation, 
said the same day that the signing of the agreement would push 
forward several joint projects. Referring to cooperation between 
Atomenergoprom under the wing of Rosatom and Toshiba, Kiriyenko 
expressed hopes that the integration of the capabilities of the two 
companies is interesting, according to the ItalTass. In talks with 
Russia on the signing of the agreement, Japan, the only country on 
which nuclear weapons, has made it a condition that Russia takes a 
measure guaranteeing that it will not divert Japan's technologies to 
military use. 
 
11) Japan to strengthen relations with Iraq: Full-scale ODA, advance 
of companies 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00000636  008 OF 011 
 
 
March 21, 2009 
 
Amid public security in Iraq showing signs of improvement, the 
government plans to strengthen relations with the nation through 
full-scale official development assistance (ODA) and advance of 
private-sector companies. 
 
Japan pledged to provide financial assistance worth roughly 5 
billion dollars, the second largest, following that provided by the 
U.S., in October 2003, six months after the end of the Iraq War. 
However, the pace of the provision of funds has significantly been 
delayed due to the deterioration in public security and the chaotic 
government administration. 
 
However, the government has determined to proactively extend 
assistance, seeing now is the time to extend genuine reconstruction 
assistance following the Air Self-Defense Force's pulling out of the 
nation in December last year, according to a senior Foreign Ministry 
official. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is for 
the first time planning to set up an office Arbil in northern Iraq. 
Three officials entered Iraq in early March. The two countries on 
March 17 signed a contract for a large-scale yen loans worth 
approximately 36 billion yen for projects to build water-supply and 
sewer systems in the Kurdish autonomous area. Repairing or 
constructing the infrastructure ravaged by the war, such as water 
supply and power supply systems, is of urgent necessity. The 
government will extend more yen loans and technical cooperation. 
 
Moves on the private-sector level are also becoming active. Former 
Prime Minister Abe visited Baghdad in January this year. He and a 
senior Iraqi government official signed a Japan-Iraq partnership 
declaration. A government-private sector joint mission consisting of 
about 20 executives from the oil industry and trading houses visited 
the nation on March 1. An increasing number of companies are now 
waiting for business opportunities in Iraq, following the collapse 
of the Gulf bubble economy, such as the economy of United Arab 
Emirates (UAE), due to the global financial crisis. 
 
Japan had dispatched Self-Defense Forces personnel in support of the 
U.S.-led Iraq war. There were no casualties caused by SDF attacks 
among civilians. As such, JICA Middle East Second Division chief 
Hideki Matsunaga said, "The Iraqi people have a favorable impression 
of Japan. It is important to assist the Iraqis over the mid- to 
long-term, taking advantage of their pro-Japanese feelings." 
 
12) Online poll: 72 PERCENT  see LDP as arrogant, 67 PERCENT 
distrustful 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 22, 2009 
 
The proportion of those thinking the leading Liberal Democratic 
Party is arrogant reached 72 PERCENT  in a poll conducted online by 
the Mainichi Shimbun with cooperation obtained from NTT Resonant 
Inc. The same question was asked in a previous poll taken in May 
2006 when the Koizumi cabinet was in office. The figure this time is 
up 15 points from that poll. Meanwhile, those distrustful of the LDP 
also accounted for 67 PERCENT , a substantial increase of 28 points. 
The proportion of those having expectations for the LDP dropped 9 
points to 13 PERCENT , and the proportion of those seeing the LDP as 
trustworthy also dropped 8 points to 9 PERCENT . The figures clearly 
show the deteriorated image of the LDP. 
 
TOKYO 00000636  009 OF 011 
 
 
 
In the poll, respondents were asked to pick up to three from among 
eight words prepared to image the LDP. In response to this question, 
women's image of the LDP has gone from bad to worse in particular. 
"Distrust" increased 33 points from May 2006 to 69 PERCENT , with 
"expectations" decreasing 14 points to 13 PERCENT . The figures are 
respectively 22 points higher and 4 points lower than that among 
men. 
 
13) Poll: "Disappointed at DPJ" increases to 60 PERCENT 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
The voter's image of the leading opposition Democratic Party of 
Japan (Minshuto) has now deteriorated, the Yomiuri Shimbun found 
from a recent face-to-face public opinion survey conducted in 
cooperation with Waseda University. This can be taken as reflecting 
a construction company's lawbreaking payoffs to DPJ President 
Ozawa's fund-managing body. However, those favoring a change of 
government between the ruling and opposition parties still account 
for a majority. 
 
The Yomiuri-Waseda joint poll is aimed to probe how public attitudes 
toward the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the DPJ will affect 
their voting behavior. The joint poll has been continued since 
October last year, and this is the fourth one (taken March 14-15). 
 
In the survey this time, 47 PERCENT  answered "yes" when asked if 
they had expectations for the DPJ. The figure, however, dropped from 
55 PERCENT  in the last survey. The proportion of those 
"disappointed" at the DPJ increased from 50 PERCENT  to 60 PERCENT . 
Respondents were also asked if they thought the DPJ have competence 
to run the government. To this question, "yes" accounted for 45 
PERCENT , down from 51 PERCENT  in the last survey. This time, "no" 
accounted for a majority at 48 PERCENT . 
 
Respondents were further asked if it would be all right to let the 
DPJ runs the government. To this question, however, "yes" was at 58 
PERCENT , down from 64 PERCENT  but the same as in October last year 
(58 PERCENT ). The figure is substantially higher than 39 PERCENT 
for "no." 
 
When asked if the LDP is competent enough to run the government, 61 
PERCENT  answered "yes." The figure increased from 54 PERCENT  in 
the last survey. In the public impression of the LDP, however, the 
proportion of those "disappointed" at the LDP was 73 PERCENT  (75 
PERCENT  in the last survey), remaining high. Those having 
expectations for the LDP accounted for 37 PERCENT  (36 PERCENT  in 
the last survey), showing almost no change. 
 
The survey this time was conducted with a total of 3,000 persons 
chosen from among the nation's voting population. Answers were 
obtained from 1,755 persons (58.5 PERCENT ). 
 
14) Ozawa's secretary to be indicted tomorrow 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
The special investigation squad of the Tokyo Public Prosecutors 
Office has decided to indict Takanori Okubo, 47, the first 
 
TOKYO 00000636  010 OF 011 
 
 
state-funded secretary of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President 
Ichiro Ozawa in violation of the Public Funds Control Law tomorrow 
when the term of detention expires. However, Okubo reportedly has 
been denied the allegation that he as the accountant of Ozawa's 
political management organization "Rikuzankai" received illegal 
donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co. 
 
The special investigation squad intends not to question Ozawa until 
March 24, although it initially had planned to do so. The 
prosecutors appear to have judged that hearing from Ozawa was 
unnecessary for the time being, since they have gathered necessary 
evidence to indict Okubo. 
 
According to the investigations by the special investigative squad, 
Okubo allegedly submitted false reports on Rikusankai's political 
funds for 2003 - 2006 as if to received totaling 21 million in 
donations from Nishimatsu's two political groups headed by former 
officials of the construction firm with the knowledge that the 
donations came from Nishimatsu. 
 
The Political Funds Control Law prohibits donations under the name 
of other person and corporate donations to organizations and 
individual politicians other than political parties. The special 
investigation squad has judged from such evidence that receipts 
Nishimatsu received from Rikuzankai, which former Nishimatsu 
President Mikio Kunisawa, 70, and former Nishimatsu administrative 
manager Akifumi Okazaki, 67, that Okubo fully recognized that the 
indirect donations came from Nishimatsu and the two political bodies 
were dummies. 
 
Moreover, it has been learned that Nishimatsu was aware that it 
received orders of dam construction in return for its donations to 
Ozawa's political management organization. The special investigation 
squad pays attention to the wrongfulness of the allegation that 
Nishimatsu donated to Rikuzankai to get orders of specific projects. 
The prosecutors are investigating focusing on the degree of the 
Ozawa side's involvement in the orders Nishimatsu received. 
 
15) Even with the indictment of his secretary, Ozawa most likely to 
stay on as head of Democratic Party of Japan, if the charges are not 
expanded 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
March 22, 2009 
 
In connection with the illegal political donations from the 
Nishimatsu Construction Company, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
President Ozawa will most likely stay on in his position, even if 
his first public secretary is indicted, as long as the investigation 
does not expand to include other charges. This was revealed on March 
21 by a party official. Ozawa will hold a press conference on March 
24, the day the legal confinement period of his secretary ends, and 
state his course of action. 
 
16) DPJ's Edano: Ozawa will stay on as DPJ president if the donation 
scandal does not expand 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 23, 2009 
 
Asked on a TV Asahi program yesterday about how he would respond if 
President Ichiro Ozawa decided to remain in his current post even if 
 
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his first state-paid secretary was indicted on a charge of violating 
the Political Funds Control Law, Yukio Edano, former policy chief of 
the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), stated: "If the 
investigation into the scandal does not expand, I think there won't 
be a mood in the party to reverse (Ozawa's decision to remain in his 
post)." He indicated his view that if no new revelations came to 
light in the donation scandal, the DPJ would approve Ozawa's stance 
of not quitting his post even if his secretary is indicted. 
 
Edano said: "We should not ask him to quit his post if there is no 
significant evidence." Vice President Katsuya Okada said in a speech 
delivered yesterday in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture: "There will 
be some developments on Tuesday (March 24). I would like to deal 
with the matter, keeping in mind accountability." 
 
17) Public spending in additional economic stimulus package likely 
to top 10 trillion yen, finance minister hints 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
March 23, 2009/03/23 
 
Referring to public spending as an additional economic stimulus 
measure, Finance Minister, State Minister for Financial Services and 
State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano during a 
commercial TV talk show on March 22 hinted at a possibility that the 
size of such spending would exceed 10 trillion yen. He said, "This 
is not a matter of 2 trillion yen or 3 trillion yen. It is 
impossible to deal with what is happening now or what will likely 
happen in the future with such a small amoung of spending." 
 
The supply-demand gap, which Nikkei has calculated to show the 
difference between supply and demand in the overall domestic 
economy, reached approximately 20 trillion yen in the 
October-December quarter 2008. The ruling parties and business 
leaders are calling for public spending on the scale of 20-30 
trillion yen. Yosano responded to such a call, simply noting, "It's 
a good figure as guesswork." 
 
Discussions of additional stimulus measures will shift into high 
gear after the enactment of the fiscal 2009 budget. The package will 
likely focus on public works: making school buildings 
earthquake-resistant, and the construction of such key facilities as 
ports, harbors and airports. The government wants to make such 
projects lead to creation of demand and jobs. 
 
Yosano also indicated a stance of holding discussions on the future 
image of Japan in such terms as social security and diplomacy. He 
said, "The government must indicate a major direction the state will 
follow. We will discuss its contents in early April." 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Tax System Research Commission 
Chairman Yuji Tsushima appearing on a different commercial TV talk 
show took a negative stance toward 20-trillion yen in public 
spending, saying, "It is all right to do whatever is effective. 
However, it is not right to say that public spending is needed 
whenever there is lack of demand." 
 
ZUMWALT