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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000849 
 
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 04/14/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) UN Security Council draft presidential statement condemning 
North Korea: Compromises made for uncertain resumption of six-party 
talks (Mainichi) 
 
(2) Reading politics: Japan makes concessions to avoid rift with 
U.S.; Downgrading to presidential statement within Tokyo's 
expectations (Mainichi) 
 
(3) Possibility of Lower House being dissolved in July; Prime 
Minister Aso orders drafting of campaign pledges (Sankei) 
 
(4) Clash between Thai Army, protesters continue: Japanese companies 
wary of confusion becoming protracted (Nikkei) 
 
(5) Yokosuka base likely to repair carrier's nuclear reactors 
(Akahata) 
 
(6) Stealth aircraft needed for Japan's 'defense only' posture? 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, April 12 & 13 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) UN Security Council draft presidential statement condemning 
North Korea: Compromises made for uncertain resumption of six-party 
talks 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
April 14, 2009 
 
Kazuhiko Kusano, Washington; Shoji Nishioka, Joji Uramatsu, Beijing 
 
It has now become likely that the UN Security Council will adopt a 
presidential statement condemning North Korea's ballistic missile 
launch as early as the afternoon of April 13, morning of April 14, 
Japan time. The statement designed to punish North Korea and to seek 
the early resumption of the six-party talks at the same time was the 
settlement line acceptable to the countries concerned, including the 
Obama administration that places high priority on dialogue. 
Nevertheless, the statement might prompt North Korea to harden its 
stance and reverse its nuclear disablement process. The road to 
dialogue does not seem smooth. 
 
The nonbinding draft presidential statement, on which the concerned 
countries agreed, was weaker than a resolution. It was a product of 
compromises to seek dialogue while condemning the North. 
 
The Obama administration appears to have anticipated a settlement on 
a presidential statement from the beginning. Following the missile 
launch on April 5, President Obama said on the same day, "Violations 
must be punished," stopping short of seeking a new resolution. On 
April 6, a senior State Department official said, "The form is not 
that important." On April 10 when the Security Council was likely to 
settle on a presidential statement, Acting Deputy Department 
Spokesman Richard Aker said, "We have never said that we had hoped 
 
TOKYO 00000849  002 OF 011 
 
 
for a resolution." 
 
Given the fact that the Bush administration's hostile policy toward 
the North resulted in Pyongyang's nuclear test in 2006, the view is 
gaining ground in the Obama administration that there is no other 
option but to pursue dialogue with the reclusive country. 
 
The United States has just begun rebuilding relations with Russia 
and deepening ties with China, who were both opposed to adopting a 
resolution. As such, Washington seems to have concluded that locking 
horns with two countries was inadvisable. 
 
China, too, feared that excessive pressure on the North would delay 
progress on the six-party talks. 
 
There was also a possibility that if the absence of unity in the 
international community continued, the North would launch another 
missile or conduct a nuclear test by taking advantage of it. The 
UNSC seems to have concluded that the issuance of a presidential 
statement was the ultimate settlement line that could satisfy Japan 
and the United States on the one hand and prevent the North from 
acting repulsively on the other. 
 
As of the evening of April 13, North Korea did not announce its 
official standpoint. The Nodong Sinmun, the Korean Workers Party 
organ paper, flatly denied the view of Japan and other countries 
that the "satellite" has not been put into orbit, with its April 10 
editorial saying: "Our country's satellite is now accurately 
orbiting the earth." 
 
The North has warned that discussions at the Security Council would 
deprive the six-party talks of any ground to exist. Chances are 
high, therefore, that Pyongyang will reverse the disablement of the 
Yongbyon nuclear complex to slow down the Korean Peninsula 
denuclearization process. 
 
All countries are required to adopt a strategy to continue dialogue 
that will not allow the North to take the initiative. To do so, 
there is no other option but to resume the six-party talks. 
 
A senior Chinese Communist Party official commented: "In view of 
past actions by the North, we do not think sanctions will bear 
fruit. The six-party talks must be pursued for the denuclearization 
of the Korean Peninsula." 
 
There is no concrete means to bring North Korea to the negotiating 
table, however. The resumption of the six-party talks does not seem 
to take place anytime soon. 
 
Japan satisfied with strong presidential statement 
 
Naoyuki Inukai 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura has positively assessed the 
UNSC draft presidential statement as "unusually strong." The reason 
is because the statement incorporates almost all Japan's demands, 
such as a violation of a UN Security Council resolution and the 
enforcement of sanctions. Prime Minister Taro Aso's aim was to 
continue to take a stern attitude in line with national opinion, 
while envisioning agreeing to a presidential statement in the end. 
 
"If a presidential statement is to be adopted, I cannot accept it 
 
TOKYO 00000849  003 OF 011 
 
 
unless it uses strong expression like 'violation' of UN Resolution 
1718, adopted in 2006." In his meeting with Chinese Premier Wen 
Jiabao at Thailand's Pattaya hotel on April 11, Prime Minister Aso 
made this comment to his Chinese counterpart. Aso insisted that they 
should put high priority on the UN resolution. According to a source 
that traveled with Aso, the prime minister allowed his meeting with 
Wen to collapse in order to make China, who tried to guide Japan 
toward a weaker statement, to accept a harsher statement in the 
end. 
 
Aso later met with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and 
reconfirmed close cooperation. In a Japan-China-ROK summit that 
immediately followed, Aso exhibited a stance of not adhering to a 
resolution, saying: "I will consider the form flexibly. It is 
important to swiftly send a unified, strong message." President Lee 
echoed Aso's view. Premier Wen, too, showed a stance of making 
compromise, saying, "I can understand your view well." The two sides 
eventually made some concessions. 
 
The draft statement was finally decided to use the expression "in 
contravention of," which can be interpreted as the same as 
"violation," which is stronger than "not in conformity of" that was 
included in the United States' draft. A senior Foreign Ministry 
official expressed a sense of satisfaction, saying, "The meaning is 
the same as the prime minister's demand." Prime Minister Aso told 
the press corps last evening: "This presidential statement is better 
than a resolution with weaker wording." 
 
When to resume the six-party talks would be a point at issue in the 
days ahead. An opinion is being heard in the government that the 
international community should deal with the matter in a levelheaded 
manner, with a senior government official saying, "If the United 
States and China feel rushed to resume the six-party talks, they 
would be caught in North Korea's trap demanding assistance in 
return." 
 
(2) Reading politics: Japan makes concessions to avoid rift with 
U.S.; Downgrading to presidential statement within Tokyo's 
expectations 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 11, 2009 
 
The phone call came from Washington at 2:00 a.m. on April 10 when 
everyone in Tokyo was asleep. "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
says that she wants to discuss something with Foreign Minister 
Hirofumi Nakasone on the phone. I would like you to make 
preparations." A senior Foreign Ministry official who took the phone 
call caught on quickly that since it had come at that timing meant a 
UN Security Council presidential statement was in the works. Sensing 
a sudden change in the situation, such Foreign Ministry officials as 
Administrative Vice Minister Mitoji Yabunaka and Foreign Policy 
Bureau Director General Koro Bessho came in to work at around 6:00 
a.m. 
 
The phone conference between the Secretary of State and the Foreign 
Minister took place at 7:30 a.m. (6:30 p.m. on the 9th, Eastern 
Time, in the United States). At a press conference that started at 
8:55 a.m., Nakasone explained the contents of his 
30-minute-conversation, stating that he had agreed with Secretary 
Clinton that the two countries would "make efforts for a new UNSC 
resolution." However, it is safe to say that Clinton instead had 
 
TOKYO 00000849  004 OF 011 
 
 
sought Japan's understanding for a Security Council presidential 
statement (on North Korea's launch of a Taepodong-2 missile). 
 
At a press conference at 5:00 p.m. on April 10, Prime Minister Taro 
Aso said: "Even if there is a UNSC resolution, one with weak 
contents would be meaningless." At this moment, it was determined 
that the UNSC message to North Korea over its missile launch would 
come in the form of a presidential statement, a downgrade from a 
binding resolution. 
 
Leading newspaper articles in morning editions the previous day put 
a senior Foreign Ministry official in a bad mood. The reason is 
because the Mainichi Shimbun and other newspapers carried articles 
titled "A presidential statement now looks more likely." The senior 
official said: "Japan is making efforts with the aim of adopting a 
resolution. I feel we are being left high and dry in our own 
country." 
 
The media carried such articles based on a dispatch by Senior Vice 
Foreign Minister Shintaro Ito to UN Headquarters in New York, as 
well as with an eye on a Japan-China summit meeting slated for April 
11 in Thailand. However, Japan expected the U.S. policy shift. 
 
Aso was serving as foreign minister in the Koizumi administration in 
July 2006, when North Korea defiantly launched missiles. At that 
time, there was a move to settle the issue with a presidential 
statement; but Aso urged ministry bureaucrats to make efforts to 
adopt a binding resolution. As a result, the UNSC adopted a 
resolution condemning North Korea. 
 
This time, too, Japan's move was quick. Just 23 minutes after the 
North's missile launch, Ambassador to the UN Yukio Takasu asked the 
UNSC to hold an emergency meeting. He continued to aim high by 
calling for a new resolution in order for sanctions on the North to 
be carried out. 
 
However, since North Korea had announced its plan to launch a 
satellite, Japan's approach to the UNSC compiled by the Prime 
Minister's Office included a fall-back position of accepting a 
presidential statement. 
 
A senior Foreign Ministry official commented: "We were prepared for 
a compromise plan coming from the U.S. State Department, which gives 
consideration to China. It is extremely bad to give other countries 
the impression that there is discord between Tokyo and Washington." 
 
UN diplomacy has retreated from the actions taken in 2006. However, 
the Aso administration does not have a sense of defeat. This is 
because it has judged that its domestic response toward the missile 
launch was successful. 
 
(3) Possibility of Lower House being dissolved in July; Prime 
Minister Aso orders drafting of campaign pledges 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
April 14, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso last weekend unveiled an additional stimulus 
package worth 57 trillion yen. He has begun shifting gears to 
consider a possible dissolution of the House of Representatives 
after the fiscal 2009 extra budget clears the Diet. Following his 
cabinet support rate now on the increase, many in the ruling parties 
 
TOKYO 00000849  005 OF 011 
 
 
are now calling for an early dissolution of the Lower House, such as 
in May. If Aso considers the passage of the extra budget an absolute 
requirement, he would dissolve the lower chamber in early June at 
the earliest. There is also a possibility that he will dissolve the 
chamber after the July Group of Eight summit in Maddalena, Italy. 
There are only five months left before the term of office of members 
of the Lower House expires in September. We wonder what kind of 
strategy Aso has in mind for the final battle with the main 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). 
 
Yesterday morning, Aso attended the spring traffic safety campaign, 
held at Haginaka Elementary School in Ota Ward, Tokyo. With no signs 
of his fatigue from the sudden return from Thailand, he chanted road 
safety slogans and let 300 students repeat after him. 
 
Aso put two slogans: I am glad that we have no accidents every day; 
and we can cross the crosswalk, but it may be dangerous. He chuckled 
about the significant slogans. 
 
He made a significant remark also in a liaison meeting of the 
government and ruling parties held at noon yesterday: 
 
"I want to make clear differences in political and economic measures 
between the government-ruling coalition and the opposition camp in 
the future, as well. So, we can show the public which side gives 
more consideration to them." 
 
His remarks can be taken that he ordered to formulate campaign 
pledges (for the next House of Representatives election) on the 
assumption of passage of the extra budget. 
 
Aso until recently seemed to have had a plan to dissolve the Lower 
House in late April, while upholding a menu for the supplementary 
budget. The reason is because he thought the ruling camp would be 
able to take the enemy unawares, since confusion in the DPJ has 
continued due to the illegal donation scandal involving President 
Ichiro Ozawa's secretary and Nishimatsu Construction Co. It is 
possible to create disorder in the opposition camp by such security 
issues as North Korea's long-range ballistic missile launch and an 
anti-piracy mission in waters off Somalia. 
 
As if to favor the supplementary budget known as an economic 
stimulus package, stock prices have been rising every day. Pegged to 
the stock prices, the cabinet approval rating is now on an upward 
trend. The second budget includes many measures to promote a shift 
in industries by popularizing ecologically-friendly cars and solar 
energy generation. Industrial circles have already taken action with 
an eye on the enactment of the extra budget. There is a growing view 
that if the extra budget becomes pie in the sky, the failure of the 
Aso administration could generate massive protests from the public. 
 
 
LDP Election Strategy Deputy Chairman Yoshihide Suga, who is Aso's 
trusty sword, has changed his remarks. He hinted until recently at 
"May dissolution," but he said on April 11 in Yokohama City: 
 
"It is the unprecedented extra budget. We must pass it as quickly as 
possible. The election should be held after that. We should receive 
the judgment of the people after we did what we should do." 
 
Yesterday afternoon, Aso held a secret meeting with Suga at his 
office for about 40 minutes. He seems to have launched a scenario 
 
TOKYO 00000849  006 OF 011 
 
 
for Lower House dissolution with the enactment of the extra budget 
in mind. 
 
If Lower House dissolution is put off, the DPJ will make 
preparations to seize power. As a result, the postponement of 
dissolution would decrease the Aso cabinet's support rating, as well 
as increase risk. 
 
After Suga walked out of his office, Aso called Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Takeo Kawamura in his office. Kawamura told him: "The 
cabinet approval rate has finally boosted to the 30 percent level 
(NHK poll)." Aso, however, gave him a bit of his mind with this 
stern warning: "We should not make a fuss. Now is the most important 
time." 
 
(4) Clash between Thai Army, protesters continue: Japanese companies 
wary of confusion becoming protracted 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
April 14, 2009 
 
The chaotic state in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, where a state 
of emergency has been imposed, has escalated to claim casualties 
among citizens. Criticism of protestors, who are increasingly 
intensifying anti-governmental activities, as well as criticism of 
the Abhisit administration's crisis control ability will likely 
mount. If the trouble continues, it would deal a further blow to the 
Thai economy, which is expected to mark negative growth due to the 
financial crisis. Japanese companies have been based in Thailand in 
their international division of labor. They are now concerned that 
the chaotic state will continue. 
 
Thailand, where exports account for 76 PERCENT  of its gross 
domestic product, is the largest industrial center among Association 
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations. The outstanding 
balance of Japan's direct investment in that nation as of the end of 
2007 stood at 2 trillion yen, nearly double the amount marked in 
2004, following such a balance held by China. 
 
Many leading automakers are planning to expand their business in 
Thailand. Toyota Motors is planning to manufacture the Camry Hybrid 
there. Nissan Motors will transfer the overall production of the 
medium-size March sedan to Thailand. Honda will expand export 
destinations of its compact new model City. They plan to make up for 
a fall in exports from Japan, by boosting exports from their plants 
in Thailand. 
 
Thailand in New Year's holidays 
 
Since most companies are on the New Year's holiday in Thailand, 
there has been little impact on output. Many companies said that 
they have no plan to revise their production strategies at the 
moment. Chances are, however, if the political unrest becomes 
protracted, they could be forced to review their overseas 
strategies. 
 
The same holds true of leading electronic manufacturers. Hitachi 
manufactures 60 PERCENT  of 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard disc drives 
(HDD) for PC's bound for the global market in Thailand. When members 
of anti-Thaksin civic groups occupied the airport in November last 
year, the company immediately switched to marine transportation. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000849  007 OF 011 
 
 
No Japanese companies have changed their production and export 
strategies. Ricoh, which is now building a plant for copy machines, 
said that the situation has not yet deteriorated to a level that 
necessitates them to revise their investment program. 
 
Since Thailand is increasing its presence as a market, protracted 
chaos in civic life is also a disturbing factor. 
 
Delay in economic turnaround likely 
 
Family Mart is operating 529 convenience stores in Thailand (as of 
the end of March). It has been suspending the operations of five 
outlets in Bangkok since the evening of the 10th. Mitsukoshi-Isetan 
Holdings on the 13th closed the Isetan Store in Bangkok. Tourism is 
a major industry in that nation, accounting for 10 PERCENT  of its 
GDP. If the impression that public security has deteriorated 
spreads, it would deal a blow to Japan's tourism-related industry. 
 
Leading ASEAN member nations are aiming for high-level fiscal 
spending -- 2 PERCENT -6 PERCENT  of their GDP. They are 
increasingly becoming interdependent in parts production. The impact 
of the unrest in Thailand could affect the economic recovery in the 
region. 
 
(5) Yokosuka base likely to repair carrier's nuclear reactors 
 
AKAHATA (Top play) (Full) 
April 14, 2009 
 
Last September, the USS George Washington, a U.S. nuclear-powered 
aircraft carrier, arrived at the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in 
Kanagawa Prefecture for deployment. The base has now built a 
facility that is intended to repair equipment and parts related to 
the George Washington's nuclear propulsion plant, U.S. Pacific 
Command (PACOM) Commander Keating revealed in his testimony before 
the U.S. Congress. The Japanese government and U.S. forces have so 
far tried to dispel the Japanese people's anxieties about a 
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's radioactive accidents, promising 
that the U.S. military would never repair any nuclear reactors in 
Japan and would never do any work that needs radiation control. The 
facility's existence indicates that the promise is highly likely to 
have been thrown into a wastebasket. 
 
Keating made the testimony in a hearing held on March 19 this year 
by the Military Construction Subcommittee of the U.S. House 
Appropriations Committee. 
 
In reply to a question asked by a subcommittee member, Keating 
admitted to the existence in Japan of a facility that has something 
to do with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and is called 
"Controlled Industrial Facility" (CIF). "A nuclear-powered aircraft 
carrier will not be permanently deployed anywhere without it," he 
stated. 
 
In July 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense documented standards 
for U.S. military port facilities. According to this Pentagon 
documentation, the CIF is a facility that is to: 1) check, renovate, 
and repair radiation-controlled equipment and parts related to naval 
nuclear propulsion plants; and 2) process, recycle, and pack 
radiation-controlled liquids or solids for disposal. 
 
Generally speaking, radiation control means safeguarding workers and 
 
TOKYO 00000849  008 OF 011 
 
 
neighboring residents against radioactive exposure. The 
"radiation-controlled equipment and parts" are radiated. The 
Pentagon document also refers to the CIF as a "radiological work 
facility." 
 
In January this year, the Yokosuka base began maintenance work on 
the George Washington at Berth 12, setting a barge on the nuclear 
flattop's stern side. The facility built on the barge is believed to 
be a CIF. 
 
U.S. Naval Forces Japan headquarters, as of yesterday, has yet to 
respond to the Akahata's inquiry about the CIF's purpose and its 
specific location. 
 
(6) Stealth aircraft needed for Japan's 'defense only' posture? 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 24) (Full) 
April 10, 2009 
 
The United States has now decided to stop producing the F-22 Raptor, 
a state-of-the-art fighter jet. The Air Self-Defense Force, which 
was thinking of the F-22 as the most likely candidate for its 
follow-on mainstay fighter (FX), will now have to review its FX 
plan. The F-22 is an expensive weapon, but its performance is 
appealing since it is hardly detectable to enemy radar and can 
easily get into supersonic speed. Even so, the Self-Defense Forces 
is for defense only. Does the SDF need that capability? 
 
"Stealth" originally means "acting in a covert way." Stealth 
aircraft diffuses and absorbs radar waves, and its exhaust heat is 
hardly detectable. 
 
Stealth aircraft became noted in the 1991 Gulf War. The F-117 
Nighthawk, the world's first stealth fighter jet, is the aircraft 
that was used to raid the fortified Iraqi capital of Baghdad and 
other targets for about 40 days. Not one of the F-117 stealth 
fighters flown to Iraq was lost in the air raid. The F-117 displayed 
its preemptive capability. 
 
The F-22 Raptor made its debut, replacing the F-117 Nighthawk. The 
F-22 has not yet been used in actual warfare. In a simulated 
dogfight, however, a single F-22 fighter jet overpowered several 
'enemy' jets, using its stealth performance. The F-22 is called "the 
world's strongest fighter." It can be also used as a stealth bomber 
as it can be loaded with precision-guided bombs. 
 
However, the F-22 is costly as it is priced over 10 billion yen. The 
United States has now decided to discontinue its production of the 
F-22 due to its dire fiscal straits. The F-22 is now unlikely to be 
introduced for the ASDF. 
 
Even so, the question is if the ASDF really needs a fighter jet with 
such a high level of performance. 
 
"For now, we do not need stealth aircraft," says Motoaki Okiura, a 
commentator on military affairs. "But," Okiura says, "we will need 
stealth aircraft 20 to 30 years down the road." China is now 
beginning to mass-deploy fighter planes that are at the same level 
as the F-15, Japan's mainstay fighter jet. Citing this fact, Okiura 
says: "Japan has more fighter planes than China and Japanese pilots 
have higher skills, but when in the future China outnumbers Japan, 
if Japan has the F-22, Japan can take an overwhelming advantage in 
 
TOKYO 00000849  009 OF 011 
 
 
military power." 
 
In recent years, the Chinese and Japanese governments played a tug 
of war over gas fields near the Senkaku islets. Okiura says: 
"Military power affects international voice. If Japan falls behind 
China in military power, Japan will be defeated in international 
voice as well." 
 
What about the idea of acquiring strong preemptive capability? 
 
Okiura says: "If they say Japan should enhance preemptive 
capability, Japan already has air tankers and airborne warning and 
control system (AWACS) aircraft, which are better than that. This 
(stealth performance) is not outside the notion of Japan's 
defense-only posture." 
 
Meanwhile, Tetsuo Maeda, a journalist on military affairs, notes: "I 
know the ASDF wants to get state-of-the-art performance. However, 
they have not discussed whether they need weapons that have high 
performance to that extent." 
 
In the past, there were arguments about what kind of defense 
capability Japan should have for its defense-only posture. Maeda 
says: "In those days, the Japan Socialist Party was strong, and Asia 
feared that Japan might become a military power. What came out of 
their arguments is for Japan to acquire cargo planes and fighter 
planes that cannot fly as far as foreign countries or that are 
without bombing or in-flight refueling functions. 
 
However, Asian nations have gained economic strength. The SDF has 
also gone through highly risky overseas missions and changed. 
 
How will Japan's neighbors react if Japan introduces powerful 
stealth aircraft? 
 
"China will go ahead with further military expansion against Japan," 
Maeda says. He predicts that such will inevitably bring about an 
arms race in the region. Maeda added: "Once we begin to think from 
the logic of an arms race, the ultimate defense is to strike first. 
That's why people in the political world must think from the 
principle of civilian control. They should discuss more about what 
Japan needs within the scope of its defense-only posture." 
 
(7) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
DPJ lawmaker Maki criticizes rival welfare entities of his support 
group at Diet 
 
Mainichi: 
Japan Post Insurance to pass 30 billion yen investigation cost to 
policyholders 
 
Yomiuri: 
Unified body to coordinate actors' online rights 
 
Nikkei: 
Sumitomo Metal mulls investing 200-300 billion yen in India to build 
ironworks 
 
Sankei: 
Global transitional period (Part 1): Poverty in midst of affluence 
 
TOKYO 00000849  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Foreign Ministry has kept for five years a letter to former North 
Korean spy from Taguchi's son 
 
Akahata: 
Existence of aircraft carrier facility revealed in U.S. Pacific 
Command commander's congressional testimony; Nuclear reactor may 
have been repaired in Yokosuka 
 
(8) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Minamata disease bill tests seriousness of ruling and opposition 
parties 
(2) Flexible policy financing called for in privatizing projects 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) UN Security Council presidential statement: China bears greater 
responsibility 
(2) Attacks on Asahi: Shincho must offer convincing explanation 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Government must rebuild as it puts out economic fire 
(2) Thailand in state of emergency is losing its international 
credibility 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Japanese government must speak up for restoring order in 
Thailand 
(2) Akita gubernatorial election deals blow to DPJ 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Council on a secure society: New national image requires 
national accord 
(2) Thailand in turmoil 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) DPJ suffers another defeat: Party must face reality and gear up 
for next 
(2) End the chain of violence in Thailand 
 
Akahata: 
(1) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 
Discrimination against Women marks 30th anniversary 
 
(9) Prime Minister's schedule, April 12 & 13 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 14, 2009 
 
April 12 
 
03:50 
Arrived at Haneda Airport from Thailand. 
 
04:29 
Returned to the official residence. 
 
13:05 
Took a walk around the official residence. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000849  011 OF 011 
 
 
April 13 
 
07:11 
Took a walk around the official residence. 
 
09:22 
Singed in to report his return at the Imperial Palace. 
 
0957 
Attended spring traffic safety campaign held at Ota Ward elementary 
school. 
 
11:36 
Met at Kantei with JCCA President Okamura. 
 
12:03 
Attended government-ruling coalition meeting. Met later with Lower 
House member Seijuro Eto, chairman of the maritime-oriented country 
promotion parliamentarian's league. 
 
13:41 
Met with LDP Election Strategy Council Deputy Chairman Suga. 
 
14:31 
Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura and deputy chief cabinet 
secretaries: Matsumoto, Konoike and Uruma. 
 
15:05 
Met Lower House member Kiyoshi Nakano, followed by LDP Osaka chapter 
chairman Nakayama. 
 
16:03 Met Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Toshimitsu Sadasue. 
 
 
17:01 
Attended LDP executive meeting in the Diet meeting. 
 
17:47 
Met with former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Mondale, chairman of the 
Mansfield Foundation. 
 
18:27 
Attended meeting to create safety society. Met with Finance Minister 
Yosano. 
 
20:27 
Met with his secretary at Bar Golden Lion in Imperial Hotel. 
 
22:18 
Returned to the official residence. 
 
ZUMWALT