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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000869 
 
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 04/16/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule [Nikkei] 
 
North Korea problem: 
4) Prime Minister Aso: Six-Party Talks are the proper way  [Sankei] 
 
5) Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura stresses need for close 
U.S.-Japan-ROK cooperation as premise for U.S-North Korea dialogue 
[Asahi] 
6) Bosworth, Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) Maehara discuss 
direct dialogue with North Korea  [Yomiuri] 
7) Government uneasy about U.S., North Korea engaged in direct 
dialogue  [Tokyo Shimbun] 
8) At time of DPRK missile launch, U.S., Japan radar sites picked up 
Russian military aircraft monitoring missile-defense system response 
 [Sankei] 
9) Government to propose freezing assets of 14 North Korea-related 
firms, adding three of its own to U.S. list  [Yomiuri] 
 
Pirates of Somalia: 
10) Government plans to dispatch more destroyers to deal with 
pirates in the Gulf of Aden  [Nikkei] 
11) Defense Minister's order to prepare P3C patrol planes for 
dispatch to deal with pirates in waters off Somalia will come 
tomorrow  [Yomiuri] 
12) DPJ goes along with ease in weapons use restrictions for dealing 
with pirates under new legislation  [Nikkei] 
13) On anti-piracy bill, DPJ finds itself sandwiched in between 
ruling camp and other opposition parties, which have their own views 
of what should be in the law  [Mainichi] 
14) Land and Transport Minister says Japan Coast Guard not equipped 
to respond to piracy off Africa  [Tokyo Shimbun] 
 
15) Defense Minister sets aside 9.1 billion yen as subsidies to 
local communities affected by realignment of U.S. forces in Japan 
[Mainichi] 
 
16) Government plans to boost official development assistance as 
important policy tool  [Nikkei] 
 
Political agenda: 
17) Prime Minister Aso in good spirits due to rising support rates 
in the poll  [Tokyo Shimbun] 
18) DPJ leaders split over how to respond to supplementary budget 
[Asahi] 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Senior Best Denki official, nine others to be arrested for illegal 
mailing 
 
Mainichi: 
Mailing of census papers to be accepted 
 
Yomiuri: 
Kanji body chief and deputy directors step down 
 
TOKYO 00000869  002 OF 011 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
Renesas Technology, NEC Electronics to integrate management to 
create the world's third largest semiconductor maker 
 
Sankei: 
MD system under surveillance by Russian aircraft when North Korea 
launched missile 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
IAEA inspectors leave Yongbyon; Seals removed from North Korean 
nuclear facilities 
 
Akahata: 
JCP's Akamine: Sending troops under antipiracy legislation will not 
help reduce attacks 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Acquittal of man accused of groping girl: Double tragedy must be 
prevented 
(2) Consumer Affairs Agency: New body needs a spirit 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Supreme Court acquits man accused of molesting girl 
(2) Psychiatrist found guilty of leaking information on deadly arson 
case in Nara 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) DPJ taking wrong stance on marine relocation 
(2) Psychiatrist found guilty of leaking information: Publishing 
ethics must be tried 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Review of projects under direct government control must not be 
postponed 
(2) "Investigative report book" on Nara arson case a breach of 
trust 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Impress IOC evaluation team with a national project 
(2) Molestation case: Collecting solid evidence vital 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Psychiatrist found guilty of leaking information 
(2) U.S.-Cuba relations: Put end to remaining Cold War era 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Midterm tax reform program to take toll on household finances 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, April 15 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
08:03 
Took a walk around the official residence. 
 
10:41 
 
TOKYO 00000869  003 OF 011 
 
 
Met at Kantei with Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament Suda, 
Ambassador to Croatia Murata, and Ambassador to Lebanon Kawakami. 
 
13:30 
Attended LDP Election Strategy Headquarters meeting. 
 
14:05 
Met at Kantei with Ambassador to Russia Kono. Met later with 
Machimura, chairman of the LDP economic strategy council, attended 
by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 
 
15:00 
Met Megumi Yoshida, queen of Japanese cherry blossom, joined by 
Agriculture Minister Ishiba and Kawamura. Ishiba remained. 
 
15:55 
Met with State Minister for Declining Birthrate Obuchi. 
 
16:34 
Met with Environment Minister Saito, Vice Environment Minister 
Nishio and Deputy Vice Minister Minamikawa. 
 
17:03 
Met with Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka, followed by 
LDP policy chief Hori. 
 
18:08 
Met Special Advisor Yamaguchi. 
 
18:46 
Met with former Finance Minister Ibuki, Kawamura, Justice Minister 
Mori at bar Baron Okura in Hotel Okura. 
 
21:02 
Met his secretary at Orchid Bar in Hotel Okura. 
 
21:45 
Returned to the official residence. 
 
4) Prime Minister Aso: Six-Party Talks are the proper way 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso on the evening of April 15 commented on 
stance of U.S. Special Envoy for North Korea Bosworth of responding 
to bilateral talks with North Korea. Saying, "From the of the United 
Nations Security Council, the proper procedure would be to do it 
through the Six-Party Talks," he expressed his view that the 
Six-Party Talks on the North Korea nuclear issue should continue to 
be the standard format. He was answering a question from the press 
corps at the Official Residence (Kantei). 
 
5) Chief cabinet secretary: Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation precondition 
for U.S.-North Korea talks 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura, referring at a press 
conference yesterday to U.S. Special Representative for North Korea 
Stephen Bosworth's mention of the possibility of direct talks 
 
TOKYO 00000869  004 OF 011 
 
 
between the United States and North Korea, stated: "At the present 
stage, such would happen in the process of pushing forward with the 
six-party talks." He indicated that the North Korea issues should be 
dealt with in the framework of the Six-Party Talks. 
 
Kawamura said: "I don't think (U.S.-North Korea talks) will start 
immediately. Cooperation among countries concerned especial among 
Japan, the United States and South Korea is significant." A senior 
Foreign Ministry official also pointed out: "If Washington-Pyongyang 
talks are speeded up, they will not produce good results." The 
official took a skeptical view about bilateral talks between the 
U.S. and North Korea. 
 
6) U.S. special representative for North Korea policy hints at 
direct talks with North Korea 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Satoshi Ogawa, Washington 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Seiji Maehara, now 
visiting the U.S., on the afternoon of April 14, early hours of the 
15th, Japan time, met with Special Representative for North Korea 
Policy Bosworth at the State Department. According to Maehara, 
concerning North Korea's announcement that it would opt out of the 
six party talks, Bosworth indicated his view that direct talks 
between Washington and Pyongyang would be possible, noting, "The 
U.S. will respond to direct talks between the two countries, if 
deemed appropriate." He also said, "We will tenaciously work on that 
nation to return to the Six-Party Talks." Bosworth thus reportedly 
underscored his stance of attaching importance to the Six-Party 
Talks framework. 
 
7) Government struggling to enforce UNSC presidential statement on 
North Korean missile launch; Fears possible U.S.-DPRK talks 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Shoichi Takayama 
 
Following the UN Security Council's talks on its response to North 
Korea's recent missile launch, the Japanese government has taken a 
step toward the second round of diplomatic negotiations. Its 
immediate goal is the complete enforcement of what is in the UNSC 
presidential statement, such as an additional trade embargo and the 
resumption of the Six-Party Talks. Although Japan is trying to 
cautiously build an international net encircling North Korea so that 
other countries will not move toward a reconciliatory policy line, 
some concerns persist. 
 
In reaction to the UNSC presidential statement, the North 
immediately declared that it would withdraw from the Six-Party Talks 
and reactivate its nuclear facility. But the government is watching 
the situation calmly, with a senior official saying, "We will not 
make an immediate protest." That means Japan will not fall into 
Pyongyang's trap of eliciting concessions from the international 
community by staging a crisis. 
 
The government plans to devote itself to making other countries 
enforce to the last what is in the presidential statement. Foreign 
 
TOKYO 00000869  005 OF 011 
 
 
Minister Hirofumi Nakasone will hold talks with his South Korean 
counterpart Yu Myung Hwan at the Foreign Ministry today. Prime 
Minister Taro Aso is scheduled to visit Beijing on April 29-30 to 
hold talks with President Hu Jintao and other leaders. During his 
meeting with the Chinese president, Prime Minister Aso is expected 
to urge China to faithfully implement the presidential statement 
without being deceived by the North's moves. 
 
Without sitting on the sidelines, Japan is set to cooperate closely 
with China, the chair of the Six-Party Talks, for an early 
resumption of the talks. 
 
What worries Japan is that the United States has begun looking for 
ways to have a direct dialogue with North Korea. The government does 
not think U.S.-DPRK talks will take place anytime soon. But if 
Washington goes ahead with a direct dialogue with Pyongyang, and 
reversing course, opts for a flexible stance, the pressure policy 
toward North Korea could stall. The stern presidential statement 
might be rendered toothless. 
 
The prime minister indicated before the press corps yesterday that 
priority must be given to the Six-Party Talks, saying: "In 
accordance with the Security Council's logic, the right way is to 
deal with the matter  would be at the Six-Party Talks." 
 
8) Russian plane scouted for MD network during N. Korean missile 
launch, gathered SDF, U.S. radar intelligence 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
April 16, 2009 
 
When North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile, a Russian 
electronic intelligence (ELINT) plane was scouting for the Japanese 
and U.S. missile defense (MD) systems to monitor how they worked, 
sources revealed yesterday. The Russian scouter was on standby over 
the Sea of Japan, based on North Korea's announcement of the hours 
for its missile launch. The Russian spy plane is believed to have 
gathered data about the bandwidths of radiowaves used in an actual 
warfare mode for Japanese and U.S. radar networks as well as data 
about the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces' respective 
roles in MD operation. This shows a part of the intensifying 
intelligence war in the Sea of Japan. 
 
The Russian aircraft that was in flight to scout over the Sea of 
Japan is an IL-20 electronic intelligence gathering plane of the 
Russian air force. The IL-20 has ever flown near Japan in the past, 
according to the Defense Ministry. Last month, there were two IL-20 
scouting flights over the Sea of Japan and the Air Self-Defense 
Force scrambled fighter jets. 
 
North Korea launched the missile on April 5 at 11:30 a.m. About 30 
minutes before the missile launch, the IL-20 flew south from the 
offing of Hokkaido to the Sea of Japan and then passed over the 
danger zone North Korea had designated as a landing spot of the 
launched missile's first-stage booster. When the missile was 
launched, the IL-20 was further down to the south where it was on 
standby. 
 
After the missile launch, the Self-Defense Forces' radar systems 
began emitting radiowaves all at once to detect and track the 
launched missile. Among those SDF radar systems were the SPY-1 radar 
systems mounted on three MSDF Aegis-equipped destroyers, two FPS-5 
 
TOKYO 00000869  006 OF 011 
 
 
ground radar units installed at ASDF bases, and four ASDF FPS-3Kai 
radar units. U.S. Forces Japan also started operating its radar 
systems mounted on two Aegis ships deployed in the Sea of Japan and 
also mounted on two other Aegis ships deployed in the Pacific Ocean. 
In addition, USFJ started the X-band radar in Aomori Prefecture. 
 
The IL-20 is believed to have checked such data as each radar 
system's radiowave frequency bandwidth used for the MD system, 
radiowave emitting and radar searching patterns, and radar coverage 
areas. A radar system, if its radiowave bandwidth is grasped, could 
be jammed and disabled. 
 
An Aegis vessel on an MD mission will shift its radar functions to 
missile detection. Then, its air defense capability for antiaircraft 
warning will become weak. The radar systems of aircraft and other 
destroyers are said to cover the air defense capabilities of Aegis 
ships. The IL-20 might have grasped how the MSDF and the ASDF would 
team up to fight in their MD operations. In addition, the Russian 
spy plane is highly likely to have watched out for the intelligence 
gathering missions of such ELINT aircrafts as the ASDF's EP-3 and 
the ASDF's YS-11E. 
 
9) Sanctions against North Korea: Government to propose placing 
freeze on assets of 14 organizations 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 2, 2009 
 
Following the firing of a ballistic missile by North Korea, the 
Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC) will make a 
list of assets subject to a freeze. The government on April 15 
decided to request that 14 North Korea-related organizations be 
included in the list. Those organizations are 11 included in the 
list made by the U.S. government, which it has decided to submit to 
the UN, and three, which are suspected of being involved in the 
development, exports and imports of weapons of mass destruction, 
according to information Japan has obtained. 
 
The Japanese government wants to see Korea Tonghae Shipping Company, 
the Pyongyang Informatics Centre and Pongwa Hospital to be added to 
the U.S. government's list. In the wake of the test-firing of a 
ballistic missile by North Korea in July 2006, the Japanese 
government on September 19 the same year imposed financial sanctions 
against 15 organizations, including those three, based on the 
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law. The 11 organization 
in the U.S. government's list are all among those 15 organizations. 
 
Though the UNSC resolution 1718, adopted after the DPRK's nuclear 
test in October 2006, mentions that a freeze should be placed on 
assets of organizations involved in the development of weapons of 
mass destruction, it falls short of designating specific targets. 
Following the UNSC president's statement condemning the North's 
recent firing of a missile, related countries are now working to 
specify targets of sanctions. Tokyo intends to vet whether or not 
there are more organizations that should be added to the list until 
the 24th, when the UNSC Sanctions Committee will finalize 
organizations subject to sanctions. 
 
10) Gov't to send another MSDF squadron for Somalia antipiracy 
mission 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
 
TOKYO 00000869  007 OF 011 
 
 
April 16, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday to send out another squadron of 
Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers for the ongoing antipiracy 
mission in waters off Somalia after its antipiracy bill, now before 
the Diet for deliberations, is enacted into law. 
 
The MSDF has already deployed two destroyers there for maritime 
security operations under the Self-Defense Forces Law. After the 
antipiracy law is enacted, these two MSDF destroyers will be 
replaced. The new law eases the current law's weapons use standards 
[i.e., rules of engagement (ROE)], allowing the MSDF to take such 
counteractions as firing on pirate ships that will not stop 
approaching commercial ships. The new standards for weapons use will 
go into effect after the replacement destroyers have arrived there. 
 
11) Standby order expected tomorrow for P-3C dispatch 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Hamada has decided to order the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force tomorrow to ready P3-C patrol aircraft for the 
MSDF's antipiracy mission in waters off the eastern African coast of 
Somalia. The MSDF is expected to send two P3-C patrols, which will 
be based at an airport in Djibouti, a neighbor of Somalia, and will 
begin activities in June. The Ground Self-Defense Force will also 
send members there to provide security for these P3-C patrols. 
 
The planned dispatch of P-3Cs is based on an action to be invoked 
under the Self-Defense Forces Law for maritime security operations 
in Somalia waters. The P-3Cs, while in flight, will provide MSDF 
destroyers and foreign naval ships with information about pirates. 
 
12) DPJ approves relaxation of weapon-use constraints in anti-piracy 
bill 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 14, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) finalized its proposal of 
amendments to the government's bill on anti-piracy operations in 
waters off Somalia, Africa, in its shadow cabinet meeting yesterday. 
Policy Research Council Chairman Masayuki Naoshima indicated in a 
press conference that the party will approve the measures in the 
government's bill to relax constraints on the use of weapons, such 
as a measure to allow Self-Defense Force troops to fire shots at 
pirate ships, saying: "There is no need to change." 
 
With an eye on a meeting with the ruling camp to revise the 
government's bill, the DPJ has started consultations with the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP). The Diet 
Affairs Committee chairmen of the three opposition parties conferred 
on a response to the government bill yesterday. The PNP agreed the 
DPJ's draft amendment in outline, but the SDP said: "We cannot 
promptly agree on the DPJ draft or the idea of submitting a joint 
proposal." The three parties will hold another meeting on the 17th. 
 
The DPJ draft makes these four proposals: (1) The Japan Coast Guard 
(JCG) should be responsible for anti-piracy operations; (2) If it is 
judged that operations cannot be carried out only by the JCG, the 
government should set up a anti-piracy taskforce and give 
 
TOKYO 00000869  008 OF 011 
 
 
Self-Defense Force (SDF) members the status of anti-piracy 
headquarters members; (3) prior Diet approval and a ex post facto 
report should be required for SDF dispatch; and (4) international 
cooperation among police forces should be promoted. 
 
13) DPJ in dilemma over government's anti-piracy bill as SDP, PNP 
oppose its draft revision 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
The Diet Affairs Committee chairmen of the Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party 
(PNP) met in the Diet Building yesterday to coordinate views on a 
response to the government's anti-piracy bill. The DPJ, keeping in 
mind the possibility of holding a meeting with the ruling parties to 
revise the government's bill, outlined its draft revision and 
proposed submitting a joint proposal to the Diet. The SDP, however, 
raised an objection to the dispatch of Self-Defense Force (SDF) 
troops, while the PNP did not commit itself to the DPJ proposal. The 
three parties decided to reach a conclusion on the 17th. DPJ 
President Ichiro Ozawa has placed importance on a joint struggle 
among the opposition parties, but the SDP in particular is unlikely 
to agree on a joint proposal. The main opposition party now finds it 
difficult to make a decision on whether it should approve the 
government's revised bill after a discussion with the ruling camp or 
come up against the original bill while prioritizing a joint 
struggle among the opposition parties. 
 
"The DPJ draft is far better than the ruling camp's in content. (In 
our party,) however, there is a traditional view against the 
dispatch of SDF troops," SDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairman 
Fumihiro Himori said in the meeting. PNP Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Masaaki Itokawa remarked: "Ships to be exclusively used for 
the anti-piracy mission should be built at the order of the Japan 
Coast Guard during the time of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
(MSDF) vessels temporarily engaged in the mission. The legislation 
should be made valid only for a limited time." 
 
The DPJ draft regards MSDF troops as members of the anti-piracy 
headquarters in an attempt to soften the image of SDF dispatch, out 
of consideration to the SDP and the PNP. But SDP President Mizuho 
Fukushima categorically said in a press conference yesterday: "I 
totally disagree with the government's draft bill. It is meaningless 
to revise such a draft." PNP Secretary General Hisaoki Kamei 
expressed this cautious view: "There is no need to prepare a 
permanent law." DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka 
emphasized: "I hope the three parties will take joint steps," but 
the DPJ draft is unlikely to be approved by the other two opposition 
parties under the current situation. 
 
Ozawa told his aides: "I expect our party to team up with the SDP 
and the PNP," indicating his priority to a united front among the 
three opposition parties, with an eye on a coalition government 
after the next House of Representatives election. One DPJ member, 
however, grumbled: "It is difficult to make more amendments to the 
draft that put together various views. It might be avoidable for our 
party to take a different step from the SDP." The lack of unity 
among the opposition parties have been exposed again over foreign 
and security policies, following disarray over the recently adopted 
Diet resolution condemning North Korea's long-range ballistic 
missile launch. 
 
TOKYO 00000869  009 OF 011 
 
 
 
14) Anti-piracy legislation: "Anti-piracy mission is difficult for 
JCG to carry out," Transport minister says, defending dispatch of 
MSDF vessels 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
The Lower House Anti-Piracy Measures Special Committee on the 
afternoon of April 15 continued deliberations on an anti-piracy bill 
that will make it possible to dispatch Self-Defense Forces' 
personnel on anti-piracy missions as needed. 
 
Hiroshi Kawauchi of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) questioned 
why Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) vessels instead of the 
Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) patrol ships have been dispatched. Land, 
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kaneko responsible for marine 
policy explained that it is difficult for the JCG to carry out such 
missions, saying, "The site of the operation is distant. Pirates are 
using firearms, such as rocket launchers." 
 
Regarding the DPJ's demand that prior Diet approval should be 
obtained for such a dispatch, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada 
hinted at a possible revision to the bill, noting, "The bill 
stipulates that the Diet must be notified. However, I would like the 
committee to discuss this issue." 
 
Hideo Hiraoka of the DPJ pointed out the possibility of the mission 
being involved in battles, because various countries' militaries 
could decide to launch a ground attack on Somalia to neutralize 
pirates' bases. Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone replied: "Even if 
a situation like the one pointed out occurs, cracking down on 
pirates is the same as cracking down on crimes. Therefore, such an 
action does not fall under the category of the use of force." He 
thus indicated the government's view that anti-piracy operations do 
not fall under the category of the use of armed force, even when 
other countries attack pirates. 
 
15) Defense Ministry informally decides on 9.1 billion yen U.S. 
force realignment subsidy 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Ryo Matsuo 
 
The Defense Ministry informally decided yesterday to subsidize in 
the current fiscal year a total of 9.13 billion yen - up 663 million 
yen from the previous year - to 39 local governments in return for 
accepting U.S. military facilities as part of the realignment of 
U.S. forces in Japan. Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has 
accepted a carrier-based aircraft unit, tops the list with 1.11 
billion yen. 
16) Government's basic policy plan specifies legal preparations as 
key aid to developing countries 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
The government yesterday worked out a basic policy plan on 
assistance to developing countries, in which legal systems have not 
been satisfactorily developed. Assistance for legal preparations is 
 
TOKYO 00000869  010 OF 011 
 
 
specified as a key area in Japan's overseas economic cooperation. By 
making use of the technical cooperation framework in the nation's 
official development assistance (ODA) program, the government will 
take measures to dispatch experts and accept foreign students. The 
government designates seven countries, including China and Vietnam, 
as countries to which Japan will offer aid on a priority basis. This 
policy plan will be formally adopted in a bureau chief-level meeting 
to be held by the end of this month. 
 
17) Aso in high spirits with boost in support rate; Ruling coalition 
wary about his unfortunate slips of tongue 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso is now elated by an uptrend of his cabinet 
approval ratings. All the more because the Aso administration became 
unstable due to his careless remarks, the government and ruling 
parties are worried he might make more gaffes. 
 
Asked by reporters about the contents of a manifesto (set of 
campaign pledges) for the next House of Representatives election, he 
bewildered them by saying: "I don't want you to link it to the 
timing of the election." 
 
Being conscious of regaining a free hand in using his right to 
dissolve the Lower House, Aso recently has often brought up on his 
own the possibility of Lower House dissolution. 
 
In a speech on April 9 at the Japan National Press Club, he made 
this joke: "Can you tell the name of this person? If you don't know, 
you will be thrown out." He then showed a magazine cover with a 
picture of famous model Yuri Ebihara. 
 
A person close to Aso spoke for him: "He has the same tension as 
when he assumed office. He may be eager to dissolve the Lower 
House." 
 
However, many in the government and ruling camp are raising their 
eyebrows at Aso's expressions of exhilaration. The reason is because 
still fresh in their memories are his remarks on postal 
privatization and such gaffes as saying that doctors lack common 
sense, which forced cabinet support rates in the polls to drop. 
 
In a meeting last night of senior members from the Aso and Ibuki 
factions, former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Bunmei 
Ibuki gave Aso an earful, saying: "It is an important time when 
support rates are rising. I want you to make efforts so that you 
will not score only one goal." Aso reportedly gave him a wry smile. 
Regarding the prime minister's right to dissolve the Lower House, a 
senior member of the New Komeito, which dislikes having a possible 
Lower House election and the July Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly 
election come close together, said: "The cabinet disapproval rate is 
twice the approval rate. We are not in a situation that we can win 
the election." 
 
18) DPJ wavering in responding to fiscal 2009 extra budget; Views 
divided in party leadership 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
April 16, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00000869  011 OF 011 
 
 
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has yet to come 
up with its strategy for the rest of the Diet session. Views are 
divided in the party as to whether to put up do-or-die resistance or 
to end deliberations quickly. Discord in the party executive has 
been exposed. Under such circumstance, the DPJ has unable to take a 
next step. 
 
DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka said yesterday in 
a party meeting: 
 
"I have never suggested [to the ruling camp] the idea of dissolution 
of the House of Representatives through talks. Since the prime 
minister said he would dissolve if (the DPJ) rebutted, (I said) we 
would resist. That's just play of words." 
 
There has been a rumor in the ruling camp since April 14 that 
Yamaoka suggested to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) a 
dissolution through talks. Yamaoka denied the rumor, but a senior 
DPJ member said: "It is nothing but arts and wiles." The rumor 
appears to be a strategy of throwing things into confusion, 
anticipating an effect prompting differences in views on the timing 
of Lower House dissolution in the ruling camp. 
 
However, another senior DPJ member took a cool view, saying: "An 
early dissolution is desirable, but there is no meaning to Mr. 
Yamaoka's remarks." This is because the DPJ has not formulated a 
basic policy as to how to respond to the government-drafted 
supplementary budget for fiscal 2009. 
 
The largest opposition party has yet to arrive at a conclusion as to 
whether it will prompt a dissolution by putting up do-or-die 
resistance or dissolution after the passage of the extra budget. 
 
The DPJ has not set issues that are preconditions for total war 
against the government and ruling camp. The party's five project 
teams are now verifying the government's economic stimulus package. 
It is difficult for the part to find fresh argument, since there are 
many issues that are the same as those debated in the Budget 
Committee. 
 
ZUMWALT