VZCZCXRO8852
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0664/01 0840100
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 250100Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1743
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5480
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3140
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6932
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 0880
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3680
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8420
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4445
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4316

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000664 
 
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 03/25/09 
 
Index: 
 
North Korea problem: 
1) Cabinet to meet today on the North Korea missile issue to adopt a 
course of action  (Sankei) 
2) Destruct order for North Korea launched missile to be issued on 
March 27  (Asahi) 
3) PAC-3s are being moved to Iwate and Akita in northern Japan in 
anticipation of North Korea missile launch  (Yomiuri) 
4) Foreign Minister Nakasone's remark that it would be "difficult" 
for Japan to shoot down a North Korea-launched missile has added 
fuel to the fire  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) U.S., Japan, South Korea to meet on the 27th to discuss the North 
Korea missile launch  (Sankei) 
6) Pyongyang sends word that it will not be joining Six-Party Talks 
anymore  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
7) Charg at U.S. Embassy confident that Six-Party Talks will 
restart even if North Korea launches a missile  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Ozawa in trouble: 
8) Aide of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa indicted 
for illegally accepting political funds from shady construction firm 
 (Asahi) 
9) Ozawa tells press conference he will stay on as head of DPJ, but 
undercurrent in the party would like him to have resigned  (Asahi) 
 
10) Japanese voters may distance themselves from the DPJ with Ozawa 
staying on, unsatisfied with explanation of the enormous donations 
his aide illegally took  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
11) Japanese Communist Party blasts the DPJ for not making efforts 
to "purify itself" from the Ozawa scandal  (Asahi) 
12) Ruling camp is ecstatic that Ozawa will stay on as DPJ head, 
anticipating that the party's public image will now further 
deteriorate  (Asahi) 
 
13) Prime Minister Aso at the six-month mark seems reinvigorated and 
wants to counterattack to regain political foothold  (Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Three cabinet ministers to meet today to determine response to 
North Korean missile 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday to hold a meeting today of three 
cabinet ministers -- the chief cabinet secretary, foreign minister, 
and defense minister -- to determine Japan's response to North 
Korea's planned launch of an improved version of the Taepodong-2 
long-range ballistic missile, which the North claims to be a 
satellite. This was revealed yesterday by Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Takeo Kawamura at the North Korean missile task force of the Liberal 
Democratic Party and the New Komeito. 
 
The meeting is expected to determine the positioning in the Sea of 
Japan of the Aegis vessels carrying the SM-3 sea-based intercept 
missiles and of the PAC-3 ground-to-air guided missiles and 
explanations to local governments and the people. The problem is 
that while the Defense Ministry is calling for a prior cabinet 
decision under the Self-Defense Forces Law Article 82-2 that 
specifies missile destruction steps, the Prime Minister's Office 
 
TOKYO 00000664  002 OF 011 
 
 
(Kantei) and the Foreign Ministry are reluctant to do so. This could 
be a point at issue. 
 
2) Gov't to issue missile destruction order March 27 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
March 25, 2009 
 
In the wake of North Korea's recent proclamation of plans to launch 
an "artificial satellite," the government has decided to hold a 
meeting of the Security Council of Japan (SCJ) on March 27 and issue 
a "ballistic missile destruction order" to the Self-Defense Forces 
under the Self-Defense Forces Law, with Prime Minister Aso 
presiding. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, Foreign Minister 
Nakasone, and Defense Minister Hamada will meet today to confirm 
final procedures for the government to issue the destruction order. 
 
The ballistic missile destruction order is to be issued in two 
cases: 1) when a launched ballistic missile is feared to land in 
Japan, the defense minister will issue the order with a cabinet 
decision; or 2) a launched ballistic missile is not feared to land 
in Japan, but in preparation for an emergency, the defense minister 
will issue the order beforehand without making it public in 
principle. 
 
The government says the projectile in question-if it flies as 
announced by North Korea-will only pass over the northeastern region 
of Japan, so the government takes the position that it cannot go so 
far as to say the missile will land in Japan. With this account, the 
government will choose the second option. However, the government 
will hold a SCJ meeting to confirm its intention, instead of leaving 
the matter only to the defense minister from the perspective of 
placing emphasis on civilian control and information disclosure. 
After going through that procedure, the chief cabinet secretary will 
meet the press and on March 27 to make public the government's 
missile destruction order and its plans to deploy the SDF's missile 
defense (MD) system, including the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 
(PAC-3), a land-based ground-to-air guided missile for missile 
interception. 
 
Hit uncertainty 
 
Even if the ballistic missile destruction order is issued, the 
question is whether it is possible to intercept a launched ballistic 
missile. "I don't think we can hit it" This remark came from a 
government source on March 23. Foreign Minister Nakasone, meeting 
the press yesterday, also admitted that it would be difficult. As 
seem from such remarks, government officials are getting out of step 
with each other. "They're lacking a sense of tension," said a ruling 
party lawmaker, criticized such remarks. 
 
The Standard Missile 3 (SM-3), a sea-based surface-to-air intercept 
missile, successfully hit a mock-up target in a preannounced launch 
test. In an unannounced launch test that was carried out in 2008, 
however, the SM-3 lost its target and failed to shoot it down. North 
Korea has announced its plan to launch a "satellite" in the day time 
between April 4 and 8. However, North Korea has not specified what 
time it will launch it. 
 
If a satellite launched by North Korea falls on Japan, that is the 
case where there was something wrong with it. "We cannot calculate 
its ordinary trajectory in that case and it will be difficult to 
 
TOKYO 00000664  003 OF 011 
 
 
intercept the missile." With this, a senior official of the Defense 
Ministry voiced concern. Kazuhisa Ogawa, a military analyst, also 
told the Asahi Shimbun: "If the missile normally falls, it's 
possible to intercept that missile to some degree. But if the 
missile is off course, it's quite uncertain." 
 
3) All eyes on intercept missile's accuracy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
Can the Self-Defense Forces' missile defense (MD) system intercept 
North Korea's ballistic missile? North Korea is now preparing to 
launch a ballistic missile in the name of an "artificial satellite." 
On this issue, however, a government source raised a question about 
its accuracy, saying, "It's impossible to hit the target." All eyes 
are on the MD system and its accuracy. 
 
The MD system is a double-decker shoot-down system to intercept a 
ballistic missile. After a missile is launched, the SPY-1 radar of 
an Aegis-equipped vessel calculates that missile's trajectory in an 
instant, based on intelligence data from a U.S. early warning 
satellite. If a launched missile is likely to land in Japan's 
territorial soil or waters, the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3), a 
sea-based surface-to-air guided missile mounted on a Maritime 
Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer, will intercept that missile in 
outer space. If the SM-3 fails to shoot it down, the Patriot 
Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3), a land-based ground-to-air missile, 
will destroy it. A ballistic missile, once launched, will reach 
Japan in about 10 minutes. The time before landing in Japan is 
short, so if a destruction order is already issued as stipulated in 
the SDF law's Article82-2 provision, an SDF base commander on the 
front will issue directions to intercept the missile. 
 
The PAC-3 was used in the 2003 Iraq war. At that time, U.S. forces 
mobilized PAC-3 batteries and successfully hit all targets within 
the intercept scope, according to the U.S. government's account. The 
SM-3 was successful in 13 of 16 intercept tests conducted by U.S. 
forces and in one of two tests carried out by the MSDF. By simple 
arithmetic, the hit probability is about 80 PERCENT . The MD 
system's targeting accuracy is "considerably high," as explained by 
the government so far. 
 
However, Japan's MD system is aimed primarily at countering North 
Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missiles and is incapable of 
intercepting a normally flying long-range ballistic missile. From 
the first, such a long-range ballistic missile will not land in 
Japan. The missile announced by North Korea is believed to be a 
long-range ballistic missile. The MD system is expected to intercept 
such a long-range ballistic missile if its launch ends in failure or 
in some other possible cases. In the case of a launched ballistic 
missile that becomes uncontrollable before going into outer space, 
however, it is very difficult to calculate its trajectory, according 
to a senior official of the Defense Ministry. 
 
The government will hold a meeting of three cabinet ministers today, 
with the chief cabinet secretary, the defense minister, and the 
foreign minister attending. In this cabinet ministerial meeting, the 
government will decide to issue a missile destruction order to the 
SDF. The ballistic missile or its components are feared to fall on 
Japan, but a government source says its possibility is "extremely 
low." The government is therefore expected to "issue a destruction 
 
TOKYO 00000664  004 OF 011 
 
 
order without a cabinet decision" or a procedure allowed to be taken 
"in preparation for an emergency." The missile in question, if it 
flies as announced by North Korea, will pass over the prefectures of 
Akita and Iwate. So, after the missile destruction order is issued, 
the PAC-3, currently deployed to the Air Self-Defense Force's 
Hamamatsu base in Shizuoka Prefecture, will be moved to the Ground 
Self-Defense Force's Akita and Iwate garrisons. 
 
The PAC-3's defensive scope is within a radius of several dozen 
kilometers, so its mobilization to the two prefectures is intended 
to cover local cities on a priority basis. The Defense Ministry will 
hold a briefing today in Sendai City for officials from the six 
northeastern prefectures and Sendai City. The PAC-3 is currently 
deployed to five other SDF bases throughout the country, in addition 
to Hamamatsu. 
 
4) Confusion in government over MD ability to intercept a rocket 
from North Korea 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
March 25, 2009 
 
Views were split in the government yesterday over whether the 
missile defense (MD) system would be able to intercept a ballistic 
missile coming from North Korea. Some officials have raised 
questions about MD capability. Discussion of this question is likely 
to linger on for a while. 
 
The controversy was triggered by a remark by a government official 
on March 23. The official told reporters: "You cannot shoot down a 
bullet fired by a pistol by firing another pistol at it." 
 
In a press conference yesterday, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada 
disputed the official's claim: "We have been trying to be well 
prepared. I think he does not fully understand the contents." In a 
meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's National Defense Division, 
too, one participant claimed: "That is a (diplomatically) negative 
statement," and another asserted: "That is totally an undignified 
remark." 
 
Speaking before reporters last night, Prime Minister Aso also 
emphasized: "It is the government's role to make utmost efforts, 
including MD, to prevent the people from falling into harms way." 
 
Behind the eagerness of the prime minister and others to put out the 
fire is the fact that more than 700 billion yen has been injected in 
the MD project. 
 
Furthermore, the government has indicated that it would intercept an 
incoming missile, with the aim of dissuading North Korea from 
launching a missile. This purpose will not be attained if it is 
clearly said that the MD is incapable of intercepting a missile. 
 
But Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said in a press conference 
yesterday: "It probably is difficult (to intercept a missile)," 
confirming the government official's remark in effect. Since the MD 
intercept test in November 2008 ended in failure, the foreign 
minister's statement has made the debate in the government more 
heated. 
 
5) Japan, U.S., South Korea to hold missile talks on March 27 
 
 
TOKYO 00000664  005 OF 011 
 
 
SANKEI (Page 9) (Abridged) 
March 25, 2009 
 
(Takashi Arimoto, Washington) 
 
Japan, the U.S., and South Korea have decided to hold a trilateral 
meeting in Washington on March 27 to discuss how to deal with the 
expected launch of the Taepodong-2, a long-range ballistic missile, 
according to a source involved in the six-party talks. North Korea 
announced that it was preparing to launch a satellite, but some 
countries believe the launch to be a missile test-firing. The three 
countries are expected to discuss such issues as whether to adopt a 
new UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution. Meanwhile, in an attempt 
to apply pressure to moves by the three countries, Pyongyang issued 
a statement of its Foreign Ministry spokesman on March 24, reading: 
"If a hostile act is taken, the existence of the six-party talks 
will become meaningless." This statement was reported by the Korean 
Central News Agency. 
 
The chief negotiators for the six-party talks of the three countries 
will meet for the first time since the Obama administration was 
inaugurated. Participating in the meeting will be Foreign Ministry's 
Asia-Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki, U.S. 
Special Envoy for the six-party talks Sung Kim, and South Korean 
Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry's Korean Peninsula Peace 
Negotiations Head Wae Song-nak. By holding a trilateral meeting 
prior to the expected launch of a "satellite," the three countries 
apparently aim to demonstrate their united stance and take joint 
steps after a rocket is fired. 
 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has revealed an intention to 
look into such measures as a UNSC resolution criticizing it if the 
North launches a projectile. Clinton, though, has also indicated the 
need to resume the six-party talks at an early to promote North 
Korea's denuclearization. 
 
But Japan and other countries have insisted that the six-party talks 
should not be resumed while setting aside the missile issue, based 
on the view that it is difficult to treat the six-party talks and 
the missile issue separately. 
 
6) North Korea hints it will not join six-party talks, hoping to 
deter UN from adopting sanction resolution after "satellite" launch 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 7) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
Eiji Tsukiyama, Seoul 
 
In the event the UN Security Council adopts a sanction resolution 
following Pyongyang's planned launch of a satellite rocket between 
April 4 and 8, the North Korean Foreign Ministry indicated yesterday 
that it would not attend the six-party talks on the nuclear issue. A 
spokesman said the multilateral forum would lose its basis and 
significance for existence. The Korean Central News Agency reported 
this yesterday as a statement by a Foreign Ministry spokesman. 
 
Japan, the United States, and South Korea earlier insisted that the 
launch of a "satellite" would violate UN Security Council Resolution 
1718, and called on North Korea to halt all activities related to 
ballistic missile programs. The North Korean statement was 
apparently intended to apply pressure on the move centering on Japan 
 
TOKYO 00000664  006 OF 011 
 
 
that aims to have the UN pass a sanction resolution. 
 
North Korea's Foreign Ministry noted in the statement: "Japan's and 
the United States' attempt to interfere with the right of our 
country, a sovereign state, to use space for peaceful purposes 
completely runs counter to the 'spirit of mutual respect and 
equality' specified in the (September 2005) joint statement of the 
six-party talks. If such a hostile activity is carried out under the 
name of the UN Security Council, it would be a breach of the joint 
statement." 
 
At the same time, the North criticized Japan regarding the UNSC's 
move, saying, "Japan is spearheading an anti-Republic (North Korea) 
drive." It also asserted that if the six-party talks collapsed, 
countries that rejected the joint statement, including Japan, would 
be held responsible. The statement also indicated that the North 
would continue pursuing nuclear development, saying, "If hostile 
relations cannot be resolved through dialogue, we have no choice but 
to bolster our power to deter hostile activity." 
 
7) Six-party talks will resume even after missile launch, says U.S. 
Charge d'Affaires 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 7) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
American Embassy Charge d'Affaires ad interim James. P. Zumwalt held 
a roundtable meeting with reporters in Tokyo yesterday. Referring to 
a response to North Korea's planned launch of a missile or a 
satellite, Zumwalt took a stance at aiming at resumption of the 
six-party talks, while exercising a certain degree of restraint. "We 
don't want to take a step that would make the six-party talks (on 
North Korea's denuclearization) impossible to resume," he said 
 
While expressing concern that if the North carried out the launch, 
it would make it even more difficult for talks to resume, Zumwalt 
announced Washington's intention to continue making diplomatic 
efforts in order to block the launch. 
 
Given the Obama administration's positive stance toward a dialogue 
with North Korea, he also described the planned launch as "not 
constructive." Zumwalt also said that the United States "still has 
hopes" that the ongoing efforts to dissuade the North from launching 
a projectile would succeed. 
 
He stopped short of discussing in detail what the UN Security 
Council and other bodies would do in reaction to the launch. 
 
8) Ozawa's secretary indicted for falsely reporting 35 million yen 
as donations from Nishimatsu 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public 
Prosecutors Office yesterday indicted Takanori Okubo, 47, the first 
state-paid secretary and chief accountant of Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, for violating the Political 
Funds Control Law by falsely reporting 35 million yen as donations 
from the second-tier general contractor, Nishimatsu Construction Co. 
Okubo was arrested on suspicion of receiving illegal donations from 
Nishimatsu. The special investigation squad intends to continue its 
 
TOKYO 00000664  007 OF 011 
 
 
investigations into the fundraising scandal in order to shed light 
on other illegal donations. 
 
The indictment states that Okubo falsely reported 21 million yen 
from the two political bodies headed by former Nishimatsu officials 
in Rikuzankai's political reports for 2003 through 2006 as legal 
donations despite being aware that the donation was illegal. The 
Political Funds Control Law bans companies from making contributions 
to individual politicians, as well as from using a different 
person's name. 
 
Okubo is in charge of controlling the accounting of the DPJ Iwate 
No. 4 electoral district chapter. He reportedly falsely reported 14 
million yen in donations the Iwate chapter had received in political 
fund reports for 2003 through 2006. 
 
Tokyo prosecutors appear to have judged there was a high-level of 
criminality about the donations, since Okubo had allegedly done 
favors for Nishimatsu in return for its donations by manipulating 
the bids for large-scale public works projects in the Tohoku 
region. 
 
The prosecutors also indicted former Nishimatsu President Mikio 
Kunisawa, 70, in violation of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade 
Act, and indicted again him for violating the Political Funds 
Control Law. Another man arrested in the case, Akifumi Okazaki, 67, 
a former senior employee of Nishimatsu, was released without charge. 
 
 
9) DPJ President Ozawa to remain in his post for time being, some 
party members calling for resignation 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, in party 
executive meetings hastily called last night, revealed his intention 
to stay on in his current post for the time being, although his 
first state-funded secretary was indicted over a fundraising 
scandal. In a press conference held after the meetings, Ozawa 
stressed: "I would like to continue make efforts to achieve a power 
shift." Although many DPJ lawmakers are going along with Ozawa's bid 
to continue serving as party leader, the view was raised in the 
executive meetings that Ozawa's explanation on the scandal would not 
gain public understanding. Therefore, there is a possibility that he 
will be forced in the end to quit his post. 
 
Ozawa has been criticizing the prosecutors for unfairly using their 
authority by focusing only on the DPJ. In yesterday's press 
conference, he emphasized again his innocence, since no new 
information about the donation scandal (linking him directly) had 
emerged. He expressed his unhappiness with the arrest and indictment 
of his secretary, saying: "I am not convinced." 
 
Ozawa stated: 
 
"My final role as a politician is to bring about politics that will 
stand on the side of people by throwing out the coalition government 
of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito." 
 
However, his strong desire to remain in his post was not felt. Since 
Ozawa failed to give concrete explanations of the scandal, one 
 
TOKYO 00000664  008 OF 011 
 
 
member raised the point that he should fulfill his accountability. 
 
Ozawa met last night with Deputy President Naoto Kan, Secretary 
General Yukio Hatoyama and Azuma Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ 
caucus in the House of Councillors, where he conveyed his intention 
to remain in his post. Hatoyama told the press corps: 
 
"Since he has decided to continue serving as party leader, he has no 
other choice but to make efforts to gain public understanding. I 
think he will come under criticism from various circles." 
 
A rocky road still lies ahead for Ozawa. There is growing concern 
that the DPJ has been seriously damaged by the series of reports on 
the fundraising scandal. The view might spread that the party won't 
be able to go into the next general election under Ozawa's 
leadership if his explanations are not accepted by the public. Some 
junior lawmakers have already called for replacing the party leader. 
 
 
Ozawa indicated his intention in the press conference to judge again 
his fate depending on public opinion. He intends to seek 
understanding in a meeting on March 27 from the party members from 
both Diet houses. Although many observers predict that he will be 
forced to step down from his post sooner or later, in the DPJ, that 
is taken to mean that Ozawa will stay on in his post for a while. 
 
10) Wide gap between Ozawa's and voters' perceptions of receiving 
huge political donations 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
In the illegal fund-raising case involving Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, the focus of prosecutors' 
investigation was on the allegation that his political-fund 
organization had falsely reported the amount of 35 million yen in 
its funds statement. The reported amount is smaller than those in 
past offenses against the Political Funds Control Law. 
 
In actually, though, the Ozawa office received more than 300 billion 
yen over the past ten years or so. On the strength of strong 
influence over construction projects in the Tohoku District, the 
Ozawa side siphoned off donations from general contractors, it has 
been revealed through news investigations in the region. But Ozawa 
has not given any convincing explanation about this allegation. 
 
The way of raising political funds is an essential material for the 
voters to decide whom they should elect, as was seen in the fact 
that many cabinet ministers resigned over office expense scandals in 
the past. The Political Funds Control Law used to contain many 
loopholes, so the law has been amended many times to tighten 
regulations. The act of false reporting is subject to the punishment 
of a maximum prison term of five years. The Ozawa side might be 
taking the view that the problem can be settled with just rewriting 
the funds statement. If that is so, their perception widely deviates 
from that of the electorate. 
 
Considering the impact on the upcoming general election, the 
prosecution usually decides in a cautious manner when it should 
start an investigation. Some persons have criticized the launching 
of this investigation prior to the next general election. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000664  009 OF 011 
 
 
Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office special investigation unit 
head Tatsuya Sakuma in a press conference yesterday stated: 
 
"When considering the unprincipled nature of this case, we judged it 
undesirable to leave it untouched until after the House of 
Representatives election takes place in the fall. We never take 
action based on a certain political intentions." 
 
But a senior prosecutor commented: "We might have misread public 
opinion." The prosecution got caught in a backlash. Many people 
might interpret the prosecution's "justice" as "self-righteousness" 
that might obstruct the first opportunity for voters to choose one 
of the two main political parties. 
 
The prosecution also needs to provide a detailed explanation in 
order to dispel the doubts about it harbored by many people. 
 
11) "DPJ lacks self-cleansing effort," JCP criticizes 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
Concerning Democratic Party of Japan (DPL) President Ozawa's 
announcement that he will remain in his post, Japanese Communist 
Party (JCP) Secretariat Head Tadayoshi Ichida on the evening of 
March 24 told reporters: "He did not give a rebuttal to the facts, 
based on which public prosecutors have indicted his secretary. He is 
responsible for clearing away suspicions. And yet, there is no 
evidence suggesting that either Mr. Ozawa or the party as a whole 
has made self-cleansing efforts. The DPJ stated in its manifesto 
that it will not receive donations from companies that receive 
orders for public works. It is necessary for Mr. Ozawa to explain 
why his party failed to keep its commitment." 
 
Social Democratic Party Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno also 
released a statement the same day, in which he pointed out: "It is 
serious that the state-funded first secretary to the head of the top 
party in the opposition camp was indicted over a charge of being 
involved in a political fund donation scandal. Since the party head 
announced that the party must not receive donations from companies 
and organizations, the party should unify views of its members and 
state a unified stance as its policy." 
 
12) Ruling parties welcome Ozawa's decision to stay on as DPJ 
leader, seeing continuation of negative party image as good 
opportunity 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
March 25, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa has stated his 
decision to stay on in his post after public prosecutors indicted 
his secretary over illegal political funds donations made by 
Nishimatsu Construction Co. A strange sense of relief now permeates 
the ruling camp. Many ruling party members are of the opinion that 
Prime Minister Aso will not be able to serve as a key person in the 
election campaign because of his low public support ratings. In the 
meantime, the DPJ is bound to continue to give a negative impression 
to voters due to the donation scandal. The ruling parties are 
determined to rattle the DPJ by hinting at Lower House dissolution 
in the spring. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000664  010 OF 011 
 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura during a press conference on March 
24 pointed out Ozawa's supervisory responsibility. Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda told 
reporters, "I cannot possibly understand. He is not feeling that he 
is responsible." New Komeito Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa also 
criticized Ozawa, "He failed to give an account of the facts that 
led to the indictment of his secretary." 
 
However, their criticism of Ozawa is pro forma. If Ozawa had stepped 
down and the DPJ refreshed its image by choosing a new leader, an 
atmosphere in the LDP of replacing its own party leader could 
spread, reigniting moves to oust Aso. The prevailing view in the 
ruling camp is one of welcoming the decision by Ozawa to remain in 
office, as one member of the leadership said, "If Mr. Ozawa stays 
on, we can attack the DPJ, saying that he has yet to fulfill his 
accountability." 
 
The LDP's basic policy course is to dissolve the Lower House after 
enacting the extra budget, according to an influential Upper House 
member. An atmosphere of supporting the prime minister until passage 
of the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget is beginning to build. An 
official close to the prime minister also hinted at the possibility 
of extending the regular session of the Diet, which is to go into 
recess on June 3, noting, "We will probably decide whether to extend 
the Diet session after the Golden Week consecutive holidays." 
 
13) Six months since taking office: Prime minister eager to step up 
his offensive; Unconcerned about support ratings; Cherished motto is 
pretended endurance for sake of pride 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
March 25, 2009 
 
It has been six months on March 24 since Prime Minister took office 
in September last year. Public support ratings for his cabinet 
remain sluggish due to his repeated gaffes and the like. However, 
moves to oust him have not yet kicked into high gear due to the 
arrest of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa's 
secretary. The prime minister is eager to step up his offensive. 
 
The prime minister on the 23rd told reporters about his impression 
of the six months since taking office: "I have done my utmost to 
compile economic stimulus measures. I feel I must continue this 
effort properly." His comment was in stark contrast with the remark 
given by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, his aide, who said, "I 
have been troubled due to such problems as sluggish public support 
ratings." 
 
State Minister for Administrative Reform Amari, Aso's sworn friend, 
described him this way: "When a gloomy atmosphere is enveloping the 
entire country due to the economic crisis, his cheerful and 
undaunted character is good." When his secretary reported on cabinet 
support ratings, Aso often told him, "Why are you so conscious of 
public support ratings?" He thus ostensibly appears to be 
unconcerned about support ratings for his cabinet. When calls for 
Aso's resignation gained ground in late February, he indicated a 
bullish stance to persons around him, saying, "You will see that the 
moves will not spread." However, remarks, such as "his cheeks have 
sunken" or "he is losing his hair," are lingering. Aso's motto is to 
"value moral obligation and human feelings, and to endure for 
pride's sake." An aide to Aso said, "He is only pretending to be 
endure things." 
 
TOKYO 00000664  011 OF 011 
 
 
 
ZUMWALT