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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8666
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4694
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4532

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 000797 
 
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 04//09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) North Korean missile launch - part 2: Aim is to enter into talks 
with U.S. (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Hiroyuki Noguchi's reader on security: Lessons learned from 
North Korean missile launch; MD is national strategy itself (Sankei) 
 
 
(3) Drifting alliance: North Korean missile launch - part 1; Gap in 
sense of alarm between Japan and U.S. (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) Don't allow North Korea to repeat missile launches, nuclear 
tests (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Gov't to ask U.S. military to provide info without delay 
(Okinawa Times) 
 
(6) Coffee thrown on consul general (Okinawa Times) 
 
(7) Poll on Constitution (Yomiuri) 
 
(8) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(9) EDITORIALS 
 
(10) Prime Minister's schedule, April 6 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) North Korean missile launch - part 2: Aim is to enter into talks 
with U.S. 
 
YOMIURI (Page 6) (Full) 
April 6, 2009 
 
Masao Okonogi, Keio University professor 
 
The aim of the launch of a missile by North Korea on April 5 is to 
enter into talks with the U.S. Pyongyang has thus far been assuming 
a hard-line stance, as it carried out the launch with no regard to 
international criticism. In my view, however, its stance will change 
in the coming years. 
 
North Korea is developing nuclear weapons and missiles with the aim 
of maintaining General Secretary Kim Jong Il's dictatorship. The aim 
is to preserve the present regime, and developing weapons is a means 
to achieve that end. The North will not abandon its weapons unless 
it feels that its regime is safe. Then what will bring peace of mind 
to that nation? It can only be the normalization of ties with the 
U.S. and the rebuilding of its economy. 
 
The key objective of the latest missile launch is to influence the 
Obama administration's North Korea policy. The North wants to 
normalize ties with the U.S. by engaging it in "missile talks", set 
apart from the six-party talks. Now that Secretary of State Clinton 
has referred to normalization of bilateral ties, both countries are 
motivated by the same desire to hold talks. With the launch of its 
missile, North Korea intends to use that card (against the U.S.). 
 
Acrimonious exchanges of words are likely at the UN Security Council 
in debate over North Korea's missile launch. However, what North 
 
TOKYO 00000797  002 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
Korea is thinking now is probably what might happen afterward. In an 
unusual move, it took a stance of abiding by international rules, as 
can be seen in its prior notification of the launch. North Korea 
arguably has paved the way for starting talks with the U.S., using 
China as an intermediary. It probability intends to continue the 
six-party talks, as well, in tandem with talks with the U.S. 
 
The meaning of the missile launch on the domestic front is great. 
Because of the economic slump and Kim Jong Il's health problem, the 
leadership is very sensitive to winning the hearts and minds of the 
North Korean people, so that turmoil will not occur in the country. 
Since unity cannot be achieved unless the leadership shows some 
results, it made much propaganda of the missile launch. If it 
succeeds in igniting a second-stage booster, even if an artificial 
satellite does not go into orbit, it probably intends to use it as 
the achievement. 
 
In my view, Kim Jong Il is under pressure. The launch this time was 
presumably quite a venture domestically as well. If the launch had 
failed, the news would have spread, making people feel insecure. It 
can be said that (the regime) had restored stability to some 
extent. 
 
When we think about how many more years Kim Jong Il might stay 
healthy, 2012, the year when the Obama administration will end its 
first term, surfaces as a key year. Kim will be 70 years old. The 
year will also mark the 100th anniversary since the birth of Kim Il 
Sung. General Secretary Kim wants to settle the successor problem by 
normalizing ties with the U.S. and rebuilding the economy by that 
time. 
 
The missile launch this time does not significantly increase the 
North Korean military threat. A missile launch that takes several 
weeks for preparations and is dictated by weather conditions is no 
threat to the U.S. There are already Nodong-1 missiles specific 
targeting Japan. 
 
The greatest threat to Japan is a compact-size nuclear weapon being 
fitted into the warhead of a Nodong-1 missile. What is important is 
to restrict Nodong missiles and bring about denuclearization. We 
must not allow the six-party talks tasked to tackle denuclearization 
to collapse. 
 
Masao Okonogi: Specialist in South Korean and North Korean politics. 
His works include "North Korea in the Era of Kim Il Sung" and "Korea 
War." 63 years old. 
 
(2) Hiroyuki Noguchi's reader on security: Lessons learned from 
North Korean missile launch; MD is national strategy itself 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
April 7, 2009 
 
A North Korean long-range ballistic missile that appeared to be an 
improved version of the Taepodong-2 flew over Japan again. As with a 
series of incidents involving North Korean spy ships, every time 
North Korea effectively infringes Japan's sovereignty, challenges 
for Japan's security come to the fore. To begin with, it was the 
North's Taepodong-1 missile that flew over the Japanese archipelago 
in 1998 that pushed Tokyo toward the missile defense (MD) system the 
United States was pursuing. The latest missile launch also posed a 
variety of challenges for Japan. 
 
TOKYO 00000797  003 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
 
As was the case of 1998, there is a subtle gap in views between 
Japan and the United States. The biggest concern for the United 
States was whether or not the North has acquired the technology to 
launch a missile that can reach the continental United States. The 
results showed some progress in technology, but it was not quite 
that level. As such, the extent to which the United States will act 
in concert with Japan regarding policy toward North Korea policy 
remains unclear. The United States might manipulate its military 
information demanding concessions on the political, diplomatic, and 
economic fronts. There is a possibility that the United States will 
not provide Japan with full information collected by the U.S. 
military. 
 
Independent information-collecting capability 
 
To deal with the manipulation of information, Japan must increase 
its ability to gather information. Currently, Japan relies heavily 
on the United States' early-warning satellite capable of detecting a 
rocket's injection flames immediately after its launch. Possessing 
such a satellite independently is one option. It is also necessary 
to have a complex three-dimensional system to search and intercept 
an incoming missile that combine ground-based high-performance 
radars, such as the X-band radar capable of identifying the 
configuration of a launched missile, with Aegis-equipped vessels. 
The X-band radar is deployed at an Air Self-Defense Force camp in 
Aomori Prefecture. Having independence in deploying and operating 
such a system is ideal. 
 
The country's administration also has serious problems. For 
instance, frequency bands that can be used for national defense are 
extremely limited. Priority rights to use them have yet to be 
established. Radio sending equipment, such as radars, is 
manufactured in consideration of domestic law. But a large part of 
imported products are not. They cannot fully output in Japan because 
they interfere with private-sector radio waves, such as televisions. 
There are such restrictions on the radar linked to the PAC-3 
interceptor missiles deployed in the Tohoku region in anticipation 
of a launched North Korean missile falling on Japan. A system that 
can fully utilize national-defense radio-waves in time of a national 
contingency is desirable. 
 
SDF and local governments 
 
There are mounting challenges for contact points between the people 
and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), as well. 
 
People in the region where the missile might have fallen said in 
unison: "We don't know what might fall upon us. We are scared." The 
North launched the missile before the local governments clearly 
determined whether or not the people should stay indoors. Persons 
connected with the locally-deployed SDF were swayed between the view 
that the imminent missile launch would be a good opportunity to 
increase the local residents' awareness of the importance of 
evacuation drills and the opinion that fears must not be stoked 
unnecessarily. How should a balance be struck between evacuation and 
prevention of a panic? Study on damage control must be conducted. 
 
Meanwhile, a highly toxic substance called hydrazine is used as fuel 
for North Korean missiles. Inhalation of 0.1 mg of hydrazine can be 
lethal. The substance is volatile enough to emit smokes at once when 
it touches the air. The SDF had chemical protective suits on hand to 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
be ready to extinguish fallen missile debris and rescue local 
residents. In dealing with hydrazine, a person needs a mask to 
inhale air from the compressed-air cylinder on his back. There were 
enough protective suits, but air masks were in severe shortage. As 
seen in the purchase of fire extinguishing helicopters by local 
governments for storage by SDF helicopter units, the two sides are 
already in close cooperation in some areas. It is imperative to 
expand collaboration of this sort. 
 
Lessons must be learned from mistakes 
 
There were some mistakes in distributing communication and 
responding to the incident militarily. But they should be regarded 
as the mother of success. In the case a glitch is found in the 
system, any decent military in the world thoroughly clarifies it and 
improve it and increase the degree of completion by repeating that 
process. For the people, it is fortunate that the incident like this 
has not happened often, but such is not necessarily good for the 
SDF. 
 
The challenges mentioned about would all require budgetary steps. 
The country's defense spending has been trimmed by 200 billion yen 
over the last seven years. Intercepting an incoming missile with the 
MD system seems more effective than demanding the North to halt 
launching missiles. Given the situation, Japan must be prepared to 
contribute trillions of yen to the MD system. The cost borne by 
Japan is casting a shadow on the joint operation of the Ground, 
Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces. In dealing with the latest 
incident, the three forces cooperated smoothly. But in seeking 
bigger shares in the limited pie, the three arms spare some 
excellent personnel and lock horns with each other at times. Japan's 
share has taken a toll on the SDF's potential. 
 
The MD system is not just a weapon but a diplomatic means. 
Therefore, as in the case with the cost related to reconnaissance 
satellites, funds must be contributed to the MD system, including an 
early-warning satellite, separate from the framework of defense 
spending. That is the major lesson learned form the latest missile 
satellite. 
 
(3) Drifting alliance: North Korean missile launch - part 1; Gap in 
sense of alarm between Japan and U.S. 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 7, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Hamada terminated the order to destroy North 
Korea's ballistic missile Taepodong-2 26 hours and 30 minutes after 
the launch. The pullout of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces' (MSDF) 
Aegis ships and Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC 3) missiles 
deployed in the Tohoku region began at 2:00 p.m. on April 6. 
 
North Korea in 1998 launched a Taepodong-1 missile, which flew over 
Japan. In 2006, it test-fired a Taepodong 2 missile, but the test 
was a failure. In 1998, a U.S. Aegis ship left the Sea of Japan 
before the launch. In 2006, determining that North Korea would not 
launch a missile, the U.S. military did not order Cobra Balls 
designed to observe ballistic missile flights at long range, 
deployed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, to take off. In that sense, 
this is the first time for the SDF and the U.S. military to have 
tracked a missile in cooperation. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000797  005 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
The U.S. military, which confirmed the launch and took over tracking 
from Japan, announced that the missile had splashed down in the 
Pacific Ocean. It is said that the collaboration worked 
successfully. However, gaps were exposed during the process. The 
order to destroy a launched missile was issued on March 27, 
following an advance notice from North Korea. Foreign Ministry Asian 
and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki, chief 
delegate from Japan to the six-party talks, emphatically told U.S. 
Special Envoy to the six-party talks Sung Kim the same day, "This is 
the occasion when Japan and the U.S. must show that they are 
united." 
 
This U.S. government official at a gathering of diplomatic personnel 
revealed his thoughts, "Japan cannot stay cool, when it comes to 
North Korea." Secretary of Defense Gates on the 29th, announced his 
stance of not intercepting a North Korean missile, unless it targets 
the U.S. territory. Gates right after making that comment urged 
Hamada to respond to the matter in a cool-headed manner. 
 
An MSDF officer was surprised to know this, saying, "The U.S. has 
never abandoned a military option against North Korea right from the 
beginning." 
 
Given the Obama Administration's response at the UN Security Council 
(UNSC) after the launch, it is far from being conciliatory to 
Pyongyang. It is rather the other way round. However, it appears 
that the Obama Administration does not want to be committed to North 
Korea, faced with the Afghanistan issue and the economic crisis. A 
source connected to the U.S. Democratic Party complained, "It is 
impossible to intercept a missile that flies over Japan, and yet, 
Japan is making a fuss over North Korea's missile, saying that it 
must be intercepted." 
 
The MSDF was responsible for tracking the Taepodong 2 missile above 
the Sea of Japan, and the U.S. Navy was responsible for dealing with 
the Hawaii and Alaska areas on the day when the Taepodong 2 was 
launched. A source connected to the SDF took this clear-cut 
role-sharing as a message from the U.S. military that Japan should 
take care of its our own affairs by itself. 
 
Japan and the U.S. share a sense of alarm over the nuclear issue. 
However, when it comes to North Korean missiles, there is a gap that 
cannot be bridged between the two countries with Japan being within 
the range of the Nodong missile, while the U.S. being out of the 
range of the Taepodong 2 missile. However, this gap holds the 
potentiality of turning the current passive structure of the SDF 
providing (logistical) support to the U.S. military into a structure 
of the U.S. military assisting the SDF. 
 
(4) Don't allow North Korea to repeat missile launches, nuclear 
tests 
 
YOMIURI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 7, 2009 
 
By Hajime Izumi, professor at Shizuoka University 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun interviewed Hajime Izumi, professor at Shizuoka 
University, to ask for his views about North Korea's purpose for 
launching a long-range ballistic missile, which it claimed to be a 
satellite, and the next moves that could be expected from that 
country. 
 
TOKYO 00000797  006 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
 ASTERISK            ASTERISK             ASTERISK 
With the current launch, North Korea was able to raise the "selling 
price" of its missile prior to anticipated negotiations with the 
U.S. It calculated that under pressure from the U.S. in bilateral 
negotiations, it would be able to call for a good reward from the 
U.S. in exchange for scrapping its improved missile. With the North 
having a missile with a longer range, such a product can work as a 
threat to forestall moves by the U.S. In the North Korean regime, 
there are those officials who engaged in missile negotiations with 
U.S. officials in the Clinton administration. Fully aware that it 
would become unable to launch a missile once bilateral negotiations 
were concluded, North Korea was anxious to increase the "value" of 
its missile as much as possible before the two countries reached any 
negotiated agreement. 
 
North Korea had announced that it would launch a rocket between 
April 4 and 8. As seen from this timeframe, Pyongyang was apparently 
aiming to liven up its newly elected parliament set to convene on 
April 9. Leader Kim Jong Il was reelected to sit on the legislative 
Supreme People's Assembly. Once Pyongyang launched its missile, 
irrespective of its outcome, the nation would be able to demonstrate 
the greatness of "the Great Leader who exercised the right of 
launching a satellite despite the international community's improper 
pressure on the nation." 
 
Rumors about Kim's health problem have already spread across North 
Korea, and there are those who are worried about clouds over the Kim 
regime. The North expects the missile launch to dispel such clouds 
and enhance national prestige. 
 
Pyongyang claimed that the rocket was designed to carry a satellite. 
Such a claim stems from its desire to split the international 
community and to get authorization for its planned launch of a 
projectile. In the case of a satellite launch, it will be possible 
to obtain understanding from China and Russia. North Korea will be 
inevitably exposed to international criticism for the time being, 
but talks are expected to start around June to resume the six-party 
talks after a cooling-off period set for a while. 
 
The North can insist that any member of the international community 
can freely launch a satellite. It can argue that although the 
country has the technology to lift off a satellite, the right to 
launch has been taken away. The North can use the same logic as it 
used when it demanded light-water reactors in exchange for 
dismantling its older nuclear reactors that generate electricity. It 
will thrust the same demand at the U.S. If North Korea succeeds in 
getting the U.S. to launch a satellite for it, it will be able to 
play up progress in its relations with the U.S. 
 
The second and third-stage rockets of the launched projectile did 
not separate. But Pyongyang, in a sense, still has overcome the 
failure of its missile tests in 2006 in the past three years. North 
Korea has honed its technical skills to a noticeable level. 
Pyongyang can be expected to repeatedly launch missiles from now, 
given that it called the launched projectile an experimental 
communications satellite. The sole country that could suffer damage 
is Japan, because fired rockets fly over it. Japan absolutely must 
not allow North Korea to continue missile launches. 
 
There is also concern that Pyongyang has yet to make any commitment 
about its nuclear weapons testing. If the North repeatedly carries 
out nuclear tests, the nation will probably become able to produce a 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
miniaturized warhead. In such a case, the threat of the Nodong 
missile, which has already been deployed in North Korea and has 
enough range to hit Japan, will become far more serious. It is 
imperative to persuade North Korea to freeze any nuclear test and 
missile launch simultaneously. 
 
(5) Gov't to ask U.S. military to provide info without delay 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full) 
April 7, 2009 
 
Taro Kono, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs 
Committee, arrived in Okinawa Prefecture yesterday for the 
committee's fact-finding purpose and met with Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu 
Nakaima and Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Speaker Zenshin Takamine. 
Kono, in his meetings with the governor and the speaker, revealed 
that the government was creating new rules for its procedures to go 
through when the National Police Agency and the Foreign Ministry 
cooperate and inquire of the U.S. side about incidents or accidents 
involving U.S. military personnel. 
 
Kono said that even though local police chiefs inquire of the U.S. 
military about incidents or accidents that are believed to involve 
the U.S. military or its personnel, what and when to answer are up 
to the U.S. military and this impedes investigations as in the case 
of the stray bullet incident that took place in Kin Town's Igei 
district. "I will ask the Foreign Ministry to tell them that if they 
do not give out information as soon as possible, this delay could 
affect the Japan-U.S. alliance," Kono said. 
 
 
Kono, after meeting with the governor and the speaker, said: "To get 
information from the U.S. side, the ambassador at the Foreign 
Ministry's liaison office in Okinawa and all others will have to try 
hard. The committee also would like to back up." The Foreign 
Ministry is expected to work out a course of action shortly, 
according to Kono. 
 
(6) Coffee thrown on consul general 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 27) (Full) 
April 7, 2009 
 
Urasoe police yesterday arrested Kazuo Yamamoto, 43, an unemployed 
male from Shuri Ishiminecho in Naha City, for throwing coffee on 
U.S. Consul General to Okinawa Kevin Maher in a restaurant at 
Toyama, Urasoe City. Maher did not get hurt. Yamamoto has admitted 
to the charge, the police said. The Urasoe Police Station is 
interrogating him to find out his motive in detail. 
 
According to the Urasoe police's investigation, Yamamoto has been 
charged with assaulting Maher. Yesterday around 4 p.m., Yamamoto 
threw coffee on Maher's legs while telling him to "get out of 
Okinawa." He also pushed Maher with both hands against the chest, 
the police said. Maher then held Yamamoto down and turned him over 
to police officers as they hurried into the restaurant. 
 
Maher said: "An act of violence is undesirable in any country. I 
don't know why he did it, but I don't think he (the suspect) 
represents the people of Okinawa, so this will not affect the 
friendly relations we have." 
 
 
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SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
(7) Poll on Constitution 
 
YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) 
April 3, 2009 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: What's your interest in the Constitution of Japan? If there's 
anything you are particularly interested in, pick as many as you 
like from among those listed below. 
 
The Emperor and imperial household 14.9 
Japan's war renunciation, Self-Defense Forces 46.7 
Equality, discrimination 19.2 
Freedom of speech, press, and all other forms of expression 10.5 
Information disclosure 10.5 
Privacy protection 14.3 
The right to live in peace, social welfare 25.4 
Environmental disruption 30.4 
The rights to assemble, demonstrate, and strike 1.7 
Electoral system 15.8 
The right of access to the courts 25.8 
Official visits to Yasukuni Shrine 12.0 
Constitutional revision 14.2 
Separation of the three powers of administration, legislation, and 
judicature 4.6 
Local autonomy 15.0 
The Diet's bicameral system 12.8 
The process and background of establishing the Constitution 4.6 
Other answers (O/A) + nothing in particular (NIP) + no answer (N/A) 
13.8 
 
Q: Do you think it would be better to amend the Constitution? 
 
Yes 51.6 
No 36.1 
N/A 12.4 
 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) 
Why? Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed 
below. 
 
Because it's a U.S.-imposed constitution 27.7 
To expressly stipulate Japan's right of self-defense and the 
existence of the Self-Defense Forces 27.0 
Because there are too many cases claiming rights while neglecting 
obligations 24.1 
Because the conventional way of reading or applying the 
Constitution's provisions would lead to confusion if and when there 
is a need to meet situational changes 34.6 
Because Japan is expected to make international contributions, and 
there are also various challenges Japan cannot meet under its 
present-day constitution. 49.0 
O/A 2.8 
N/A 2.2 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Why? 
Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed below. 
 
Because the Constitution has already taken root in the nation 47.6 
 
TOKYO 00000797  009 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
Because the Constitution is of a pacifist nature, Japan can be proud 
of it in the world 49.3 
Because the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and 
democracy 25.6 
Because the Constitution can be interpreted or applied in a flexible 
way with changing times 19.0 
Because revising the Constitution may pave the way for Japan to turn 
into a military power 24.8 
O/A 1.1 
N/A 2.1 
 
Q: The Constitution's Article 9 stipulates that Japan renounces war 
and will never maintain any war potential. The government has so far 
responded to relevant problems with its interpretation and 
application of the article. What do you think the government should 
do about Article 9 from now on? Pick only one from among those 
listed below. 
 
The government should continue with its interpretation and operation 
of Article 9 33.3 
The government's conventional way of responding to problems with its 
constitutional interpretation and operation has now reached its 
limit, so Article 9 should be amended 38.1 
The government should strictly abide by Article 9 and should not 
respond to problems via interpretation or operation 20.7 
O/A 0.5 
N/A 7.5 
 
Q: The Constitution's Article 9 has two paragraphs. The first 
paragraph stipulates Japan's war renunciation. Do you think this 
paragraph should be amended? 
 
Yes 17.7 
No 77.5 
N/A 4.8 
 
Q: The second paragraph in Article 9 stipulates Japan's maintenance 
of no war potential. Do you think this paragraph should be amended? 
 
Yes 42.0 
No 50.9 
N/A 7.1 
 
 
Q: The government has been taking the position that although Japan 
has the right to collective self-defense, the Constitution does not 
allow Japan to exercise this right. What do you think about this? 
Pick only one that is closest to your opinion from among those 
listed below. 
 
The Constitution should be amended so that Japan can exercise the 
right of collective self-defense 24.3 
The Constitution should be reinterpreted so that Japan can exercise 
the right of collective self-defense 24.5 
Japan should continue as it has done and need not be allowed to use 
the right of collective self-defense 43.8 
O/A 0.5 
N/A 7.0 
 
Q: The government used to create a special law whenever it needed to 
send SDF members for a long period of time on overseas missions 
other than Japan's participation in United Nations peacekeeping 
 
TOKYO 00000797  010 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
operations. Do you think Japan should instead have a permanent law 
that prescribes general rules for Japan to send SDF members overseas 
as needed? 
 
Yes 53.0 
No 37.0 
N/A 10.0 
 
Q: Do you think SDF personnel participating in United Nations 
peacekeeping operations overseas should be allowed to use weapons in 
order to help foreign troops working together if they come under 
attack? 
 
Yes 51.2 
No 38.6 
N/A 10.2 
 
 
Q: Then, do you think the Maritime Self-Defense Force should be 
allowed to fight back if a U.S. naval ship acting together comes 
under attack on the high seas around Japan? 
 
Yes 48.3 
No 40.5 
N/A 11.2 
 
Q: The Constitution stipulates that the Diet shall consist of two 
houses, namely the House of Representatives (lower chamber) and the 
House of Councillors (upper chamber). What do you think about this 
bicameral parliamentary system? Pick only one that is closest to 
your opinion. 
 
Combine the lower and upper houses into the unicameral-chamber 
system 28.3 
Maintain the bicameral-chamber system and review the lower and upper 
houses' respective roles and authorities 38.7 
Maintain the current system as is 28.0 
O/A 1.0 
N/A 4.0 
 
Q: The Constitution stipulates that a bill passed by the House of 
Representatives and rejected in the House of Councillors becomes a 
law when passed a second time by the House of Representatives by a 
majority of two-thirds or more of the members present. Pick only one 
that is closest to your opinion. 
 
It's only natural to take a second vote 11.2 
It's unavoidable to take a second vote 34.1 
It would be better to avoid taking a second vote as far as possible 
31.3 
The lower chamber should avoid taking a second vote 17.2 
N/A 6.2 
 
 
Q: The Diet is currently divided with the ruling parties holding a 
majority of the seats in its lower chamber and the opposition 
parties dominating its upper chamber. In this regard, there are two 
opinions: (A) Bills will fail to pass the Diet or their enactment 
will be delayed if the ruling and opposition parties are at odds 
over these bills; (B) The ruling and opposition parties will hold 
policy talks and the Diet will be activated. Which opinion is closer 
to yours? 
 
TOKYO 00000797  011 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
 
Closer to (A) 43.8 
Closer to (B) 43.0 
N/A 13.2 
 
Q: The "regional system" is now being discussed as a step to reform 
the nation's local government system which currently consists of 47 
prefectures. The concept of this regional system is to transfer as 
many of the government's current roles as possible to each regional 
government, with the exception of such functions as diplomacy and 
defense. Do you support the idea of introducing the regional 
system? 
 
Yes 21.1 
Yes to a certain degree 18.9 
No to a certain degree 21.9 
No 25.2 
N/A 12.8 
 
Q: Do you think the political parties should have even more animated 
discussions on the Constitution? 
 
Yes 77.4 
No 17.4 
N/A 5.2 
 
Q: Do you think the current state of politics is appropriate to 
discuss the Constitution? 
 
Yes 15.2 
No 78.2 
N/A 6.6 
 
Q: If there's anything you think it would be better to revise in the 
Constitution or add to the Constitution, pick as many as you like 
from among those listed below. 
 
The Emperor's status 13.2 
Japan's maintenance of armed forces for self-defense 30.3 
Proactive international cooperation 23.3 
Right to access government information 19.5 
Privacy protection 17.5 
Respect for family 11.5 
The right to live in a good environment 30.9 
The prime minister's strengthened powers to deal with emergencies, 
etc. 10.7 
The lower and upper houses' respective roles 21.5 
Central and local government roles 30.3 
Establishment of a constitutional court 6.0 
O/A 0.3 
NIP 19.6 
N/A 3.4 
 
Polling methodology 
Date of survey: March 14-15. 
Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible 
voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified 
two-stage random-sampling basis). 
Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face 
interviews. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,755 persons (58.5 PERCENT ) 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-48 PERCENT , female-52 PERCENT ; 
 
TOKYO 00000797  012 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
persons in their 20s-8 PERCENT , 30s-14 PERCENT , 40s-17 PERCENT , 
50s-21 PERCENT , 60s-25 PERCENT , 70 and over-16 PERCENT ; big 
cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated cities)-22 
PERCENT , major cities (with a population of more than 300,000)-17 
PERCENT , medium-size cities (with a population of more than 
100,000)-26 PERCENT , small cities (with a population of less than 
100,000)-24 PERCENT , towns and villages-11 PERCENT . 
 
(8) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Prime Minister Aso orders more than 10 trillion yen in fiscal 
spending in FY2009 extra budget 
 
Mainichi: 
60-year-old man to be arrested for the murder of 15-year-old girl in 
Kyoto Prefecture 
 
Yomiuri: 
U.S. turns tough on North Korea 
 
Nikkei: 
Central banks prepare to supply euro, yen in liquidity crunch 
 
Sankei: 
China, Russia taking icy attitude toward adoption of UNSC 
resolution 
 
Akahata: 
Japan Post Bank card business consigned to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking 
Co.-affiliated company 
 
(9) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Obama speech: The international community urged to fall into 
line to eliminate nuclear weapons 
(2) Afghan aid: Many difficulties lie ahead 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) U.S. use of nuclear weapons: We are glad that President Obama 
clarifies U.S. has "moral responsibility" 
(2) Daido River dam: Cooperation among governors changed the trend 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) North Korea puts ball in Obama's court 
(2) U.S., Europe barely has kept solidarity 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Obama notion of creating world without nuclear weapons 
(2) Strategy of intellectual property should be strengthened 
 
Sankei: 
(1) North Korea's missiles: We urge a strengthening of the 
Japan-U.S. alliance as a deterrent 
(2) U.S. nuclear arms reduction policy: U.S. should start forming 
sanction framework 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Obama's "nuclear" speech: Superpowers must first reduce nuclear 
weapons 
(2) Reform of Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry: Reform the 
 
TOKYO 00000797  013 OF 013 
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04//09 
 
ministry to effective organization 
 
Akahata: 
(1) 60th anniversary of NATO: No role for military alliance 
 
(09040704kn) Back to Top 
 
 
(10) Prime Minister's schedule, April 6 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 7, 2009 
 
07:31 
Took a walk around the official residence. 
 
09:58 
Gave a letter of appointment to Board of Audit President Nishimura. 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura and Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretaries Matsumoto, Konoike and Uruma were present. Uruma 
remained. 
 
11:01 
Met with Venezuelan President Chavez. 
 
12:50 
Met with Finance Minister Yosano, Vice Finance Minister Sugimoto and 
Budget Bureau Director General Tango. 
 
14:05 
Met with Seychelles President Michel. 
 
15:03 
Met with the chief of the European Parliament legislative mission 
for exchange with Japan. Taro Nakayama, the chief of the Japanese 
Diet members delegation, was present. 
 
15:37 
Met with LDP Tax System Research Commission Chairman Tsushima and 
Vice Chairman Koyanagi. Kawamura was present. 
 
16:02 
Met with U.S. Academy Award Oscar winners film directors Yojiro 
Takita and Hisajin Kato. METI Minister Nikai was present. 
 
16:10 
Intellectual Properties Strategy Headquarters. 
 
17:08 
Party executive meeting in the Diet. 
 
18:12 
2009 TOKYO Political and Economic Forum hosted by LDP Tokyo Chapter 
at Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka. 
 
18:34 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
ZUMWALT