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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000881 
 
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 04/17/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
2) EDITORIALS 
3) PM SCHEDULE 
 
Diplomatic agenda: 
4) Prime Minister Aso in meeting with Pakistan's President Zardari 
before donors' conference promises to provide $1 billion in 
assistance  [Yomiuri] 
5) Aso and Zardari agree to step up talks on anti-terrorism measures 
 [Mainichi] 
6) Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki tells Foreign Minister Nakasone 
that he "respects" the Barack administration's conciliatory 
statement  [Mainichi] 
7) In Yomiuri interview, Foreign Minister Mottaki indicates that 
Iran's hard-line stance toward the U.S. could change  [Yomiuri] 
8) Foreign Minister Nakasone, South Korea's Foreign Minister Yu 
agree to push for early resumption of Six-Party Talks  [Nikkei] 
9) In Nikkei interview, Foreign Minister Yang says China will try to 
persuade North Korea to return to Six-Party Talks  [Nikkei] 
10) Nonpartisan group of Diet members visit U.S. Embassy to press 
for talks with North Korea  [Nikkei] 
11) Former Vice Foreign Minister Yachi has unique proposal for 
resolving the territorial issue with Russia: Push for the return of 
3.5 of the 4 islands  [Mainichi] 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
12) Anti-piracy measures: Government will defer building more patrol 
ships for Japan Coast Guard, leaving anti-piracy role in hands of 
Maritime Self-Defense Force  [Tokyo Shimbun] 
13) During February meeting with Secretary Clinton, Defense Minister 
Hamada proposed issuing new security declaration  [Tokyo Shimbun] 
14) Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura: Japan looking into introducing 
an early-warning system  [Yomiuri] 
15) Conference of U.S., Japanese experts held in Washington consider 
cooperation on marine issues  [Yomiuri] 
 
Political agenda: 
16) New Komeito secretly asked Prime Minister Aso to hold off Lower 
House election until August or later  [Sankei] 
17) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to return to confrontational 
stand in the Diet, attacking the supplementary budget  [Tokyo 
Shimbun] 
18) DPJ President Ozawa, undaunted by recent scandal, will return to 
stumping the nation on April 20 in preparation for the next general 
election  [Mainichi] 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Postgraduate law faculties to reduce number of students next fiscal 
year, aiming to improve quality of education, students 
 
Mainichi: 
Welfare Ministry eyes unified 20% of medical fees shouldered by 
patients between 65 and 74 
 
Yomiuri: 
Kanji body chief and others suspected of earning profits through 
 
TOKYO 00000881  002 OF 012 
 
 
improper business deals 
 
Nikkei: 
Chinese foreign minister expresses willingness to persuade North 
Korea to resume six-part talks, hopes for U.S.-North Korea talks 
 
Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Former Best Denki executive and others arrested over illegal use of 
discount postal service 
 
Akahata: 
No prospects in sight for U.S. to secure funds for infrastructure 
construction in plan of building new military base on Guam, 
according to report by U.S. Government Accountability Office 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Futenma relocation plan will not move forward only with 
agreement 
(2) Shukan Shincho must give more detailed explanation about false 
articles 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Establishment of a consumer agency expected to have bureaucrats 
look at consumers, not producers 
(2) Resignation of Kanji body chief: Thorough verification of 
management necessary to regain public confidence 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Full inspection by third party needed on Shukan Shincho's false 
report 
(2) Judgment of acquittal in groping case: It is hard to prove 
innocence 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Can China stop deceleration of economic growth with 
domestic-expansion measures? 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Shukan Shincho must reveal first who should take responsibility 
for false accounts 
(2) Guilty ruling to psychiatrist over records leak: Reporters must 
keep new sources secret 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) False articles by Shukan Shincho tantamount to suicide act by 
reporters 
(2) Sharp decline in Chinese economic growth: Take measures to 
improve private citizens' livelihood 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Clarify suspicion on sale of Kanpo no Yado inns 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, April 16 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
07:41 
 
TOKYO 00000881  003 OF 012 
 
 
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto at the Kantei. 
 
08:37 
Attended an IOC evaluation committee welcome reception at the Hotel 
Okura. 
 
09:38 
Arrived at the Diet building. 
 
10:08 
Met Consumer Affairs Minister Noda. 
 
10:14 
Attended a Lower House Consumers Affairs Special Committee meeting. 
 
12:30 
Attended a party to celebrate the completion of the Keidanren Hall 
in Otemachi. 
 
12:50 
Arrived at his official residence. 
 
13:38 
Attended the spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Garden. 
 
15:50 
Met at the Kantei Finance Minister Yosano, Vice Minister of Finance 
for International Affairs Sugimoto, Deputy Vice Minister Katsu, 
Budget Bureau Director General Tango, and Tax Bureau Director 
General Kato, joined by Local Finance Bureaus Director General 
Sasaki. 
 
17:45 
Held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki. 
 
18:42 
Held talks with President Zardari of Pakistan. 
 
19:30 
Held a joint press conference, followed by a dinner party. 
 
21:03 
Chatted with JICA President Ogata. 
 
21:09 
Arrived at ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo. 
 
22:49 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) Prime minister in meeting with Pakistani president announces 1 
billion dollars in financial assistance 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Aso at a meeting with Pakistani President Zardari on 
April 16 conveyed Japan's policy of extending to his nation up to 1 
billion dollars or roughly 100 billion yen in financial assistance 
to be spent for education and measures to fight poverty. 
 
Aso also announced Japan's policy of helping Pakistan fight 
 
TOKYO 00000881  004 OF 012 
 
 
terrorism. Both leaders confirmed their stance of cooperating for 
the stabilization of the region bordering Afghanistan, where Islamic 
extremists are based. 
 
The prime minister at a joint press conference held after the 
meeting said, "Economic development and measures against terrorism 
are keys to the development of Pakistan." The president responded, 
"Japan is Pakistan's vital partner." 
 
Zardari is visiting Japan to attend an international donors 
conference on Pakistan to be held in Tokyo on the 17th. Determining 
that the stabilization of Pakistan is essential to the stabilization 
of Afghanistan, its neighbor, where the fight against terrorism is 
continuing, the Japanese government will co-host the donors 
conference with the World Bank. 
 
The conference will bring together 29 countries, including the U.S., 
China and the European Union (EU), and 14 international bodies. 
Financial assistance participating countries and organizations will 
commit will likely total 4 billion dollars or roughly 400 billion 
yen. 
 
5) Aso, Zardari agree to accelerate antiterrorism talks 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Naoyuki Inukai 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso held talks with visiting Pakistani President 
Asif Ali Zardari at his office last night. In the meeting, Aso told 
Zardari that during a Pakistan Donors Conference to be held in Tokyo 
today, he would announce a plan to provide Pakistan with up to 1 
billion dollars over two years in economic aid in order to bring 
stability to its border with Afghanistan and other areas where 
terrorist groups are based. Aso said: "The stability of Afghanistan 
is decisively crucial for the stability of Pakistan." The two 
leaders agreed to accelerate bilateral cooperation for stability of 
border areas and talks on antiterrorism assistance. 
 
President Zardari is visiting Japan for the Pakistan Donors 
Conference. In the meeting, Prime Minister Aso said: "In the donors' 
conference, it is important for the Pakistani government to announce 
its strong resolve to implement economic reform and antiterrorism 
measures." President Zardari said: "We are making serious efforts to 
eradicate terrorism." 
 
Touching on President Barack Obama's speech calling for a 
nuclear-free world, Prime Minister Aso expressed his "strong hope" 
for the ratification of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) 
and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), while vowing 
to provide support for enhancing controls on nuclear exports. In 
response, President Zardari said: "We are ready to consider all 
proposals for denuclearization." 
 
6) Mottaki tells Aso: "We have listened to U.S. government's remarks 
with respect" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Shinichiro Nishida 
 
TOKYO 00000881  005 OF 012 
 
 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr 
Mottaki last evening for about 20 minutes in his office. Mottaki is 
visiting Japan for the Pakistan Donors Conference. Prime Minister 
Aso brought up the fact that the Obama administration is searching 
for ways to have a dialogue with Iran, saying: "Iran should also 
proactively address the issue." In response, Foreign Minister 
Mottaki took a positive stance about making contact with the U.S. 
administration, saying, "We have listened to the Obama 
administration's recent remarks with a feeling of respect." Prime 
Minister Aso also indicated that in order for Iran to win 
international trust, it is important to play an active role in 
supporting Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the same time, referring to 
Iran's nuclear program, the prime minister said: "By the same token, 
it is most important to restore international trust." 
 
7) Interview with Iranian foreign minister: There may be change in 
Iran's hard-line stance to U.S. 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchefr Mokaki on April 16 gave 
an exclusive interview to the Yomiuri Shimbun at the Iranian 
ambassador's residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Referring to the Obama 
administration's indication that it is prepared to hold direct talks 
with Iran on the nuclear development issue, Motaki indicated high 
hopes for improving bilateral relations. He noted: "Iran is 
considering the U.S. administration's announcement properly and with 
respect. If the Obama administration turns its word 'change' into 
reality, there could be change on our side, as well." 
 
President Obama has indicated his desire to commence talks with Iran 
on the nuclear issue, without attaching any preconditions. Motaki's 
statement hints at the possibility of Iran changing its usual 
hard-line stance, if Obama shifts away from the policy of the former 
Bush administration, which demanded Iran suspend its uranium 
enrichment activities, and puts his words into action. 
 
Motaki also gave high marks to President Obama's policy of seeking 
an elimination of all nuclear weapons, noting, "It is a wonderful 
idea." He, however, indicated a stance of firmly maintaining his own 
country's basic policy of continuing uranium enrichment activities, 
saying, "Every country is entitled to use nuclear energy." 
 
Iranian President Ahmadi-Nejad on the 15th announced that he would 
make a new proposal for settling the nuclear issue to talks with the 
permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany. The 
foreign minister added, "The envisaged proposal will be a revised 
version of the previous proposal made in May last year." As the 
reason for the nation looking into a fresh proposal, Motaki said, 
"It is to respond to a new situation in the world." He thus 
acknowledged that the new proposal is in response to the 
inauguration of the Obama administration. 
 
Motaki is visiting Japan to take part in a Pakistan donors 
conference to be held in Tokyo on the 17th. 
 
8) Japan, South Korea to aim for early resumption of Six-Party 
Talks: Collaboration vowed at foreign ministerial 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00000881  006 OF 012 
 
 
April 17, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on the evening of April 16 met 
with South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan, 
who is in Japan to attend a Pakistan Donors Conference, for about an 
hour at the Foreign Ministry. In response to North Korea's 
declaration to opt out of the Six-Party Talks, following its launch 
of a ballistic missile Taepodong 2 under a cover of a satellite, 
both foreign ministers confirmed their stance that Japan, the U.S. 
and South Korea will cooperate for early resumption of the Six-Party 
Talks. 
 
This is the first time for the two foreign ministers to hold talks 
since the adoption of the UN Security Council president's statement 
condemning the missile launch by the North. During the meeting, 
Nakasone and Yu praised the president's statement highly. They also 
agreed to cooperate for the strict implementation of sanctions 
against the DPRK, based on the UNSC resolution adopted following a 
nuclear test conducted in 2006. 
 
They confirmed their understanding that the role of China, the chair 
of the Six-Party Talks, will become important. Concerning the 
nuclear abandonment process, they shared the view that an agreement 
on a specific framework for verifying the North's nuclear 
declaration should be reached at an early date. 
 
Regarding North Korea escalating its hard-line stance after the 
adoption of the UNSC president's statement, both foreign ministers 
shared the stance that it is important to respond to North Korea in 
a cool-headed manner. Touching on the abduction issue, Yu said, 
"South Korea would like to cooperate with Japan in every possible 
manner." 
 
Nakasone invited President Lee Myung-bak to visit Japan soon. Both 
foreign ministers agreed to speed up coordination between the two 
countries. 
 
9) Chinese foreign minister in interview expresses willingness to 
persuade North Korea to resume Six-Party Talks, hopes for U.S.-North 
Korea talks 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Taku Shinada, Beijing 
 
In an interview with Nikkei, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi 
expressed his willingness to try to bring North Korea back to the 
Six-Party Talks, saying: "I would like to make a positive effort to 
maintain the negotiation process." North Korea earlier declared it 
would no longer take part in the Six-Party Talks on its 
denuclearization. He further said: "I hope that relations between 
the U.S. and North Korea will improve and move forward," indicating 
that he would welcome it if the two countries were to make direct 
contact. Yang also emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation 
between Japan and China to contain the ongoing economic crisis, 
adding that Japan and China are likely to hold high-level economic 
talks shortly. 
 
Noting that "the process of the Six-Party Talks will be to the 
common advantage of all countries concerned," Yang stressed he will 
make an effort to resume the talks. He stated: 
 
TOKYO 00000881  007 OF 012 
 
 
 
"China will keep in touch with North Korea. This year marks the 60th 
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between 
China and North Korea. Both sides have carried out a variety of 
commemorative events. China will continue friendly exchanges with 
that nation." 
 
The Chinese foreign minister said, "China will also hold talks with 
other countries concerned," stressing his willingness to cooperate 
with Japan and other countries. In reference to China's approach to 
the U.S., he said: "Both countries have held talks at various 
levels. We will continue to make such efforts. Both bilateral and 
multinational talks will move things forward." He indicated that if 
the U.S. and North Korea hold direct talks, China would take them 
favorably. 
 
Pyongyang announced it would not participate in the Six-Party Talks, 
in reaction to a presidential resolution adopted by the UN Security 
Council condemning North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic 
missile Taepodong-2, which it claimed to be a satellite launch. The 
second-stage process of disabling North Korea's nuclear facilities, 
as provided for in a document adopted at the Six-Party Talks, has 
also been stalled. Countries concerns are worried about further 
delay in North Korea's denuclearization process. They are now paying 
close attention to a response by China, which chairs the Six-Party 
Talks and has close connections with North Korea. 
 
10) U.S.-North Korea talks sought by nonpartisan political group 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Members of the Parliamentarian League for Promoting the 
Normalization of Relations between Japan and North Korea, a 
nonpartisan group led by former Liberal Democratic Party Vice 
President Taku Yamasaki, yesterday visited the U.S. Embassy in 
Tokyo. According to Democratic Party of Japan Upper House member 
Yoshihiro Kawakami, the league requested that U.S.-North Korea talks 
be held on restarting the Six-Party Talks. In reply, Political 
Minister-Counselor Meserve reportedly replied: "We will make efforts 
first to find a breakthrough in the situation through U.S.-North 
Korea talks, premised on [maintaining] the framework of the 
Six-Party Talks." 
 
11) Northern Territories issue: "Japan should accept return of three 
islands and part of Etorofu," says former Vice-Foreign Minister 
Yachi 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Interviewed by the Mainichi Shimbun yesterday, former Administrative 
Vice-Foreign Minister and Government Representative Shotaro Yachi 
talked about finding a solution to the dispute over Russian-held 
islets north of Hokkaido. He indicated that Japan should not be 
fixated on the idea of having all four islands returned as a 
package. He said: "In my personal view, Japan should accept the 
return of 3.5 islands (instead of the four islands). I don't want to 
see the northern territories issue becoming a stumbling block 
between Japan and Russia." 
 
Through their summit in Sakhalin on February 18, Prime Minister Taro 
 
TOKYO 00000881  008 OF 012 
 
 
Aso and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reached an agreement to 
take "a new, innovative and unconventional approach" to accelerate 
bilateral territorial talks. Yachi, who has been serving as Prime 
Minister Aso's foreign-policy "brain" since he was vice-foreign 
minister, accompanied Aso to the February summit. Yachi's comment is 
likely to draw much attention ahead of the planned visit to Japan in 
May by former Russian President and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. 
who retains a strong influence over the Russian government. 
 
In the interview, Yachi said: "Two islands (the Habomai islet group 
and Shikotan) account for only 7% of the total. Etorofu is a large 
island. If the total landmass of the four islands were to be equally 
divided into two, one portion would be the size of three islands 
plus 20 - 25% of Etorofu." The government takes the standpoint of 
regaining Japan's sovereignty over all four islands: the Habomai 
islet group, Shikotan, Etorofu and Kunashiri. After the Japan-Russia 
summit, Prime Minister Aso told the press corps: "The other side 
(Russia) is willing to return two islands while this side (Japan) 
wants all four islands. As a result, no progress is being made. 
There is no other option but a political decision." Yachi's comment 
is believed to reflect Prime Minister Aso's wishes. 
 
12) JCG forgoes building new patrols 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) 
April 17, 2009 
 
The Japan Coast Guard will not make a budget request in the fiscal 
2009 supplementary budget for new patrol ships that can be sent out 
for an antipiracy mission in waters off the eastern African coast of 
Somalia, JCG Commandant Teiji Iwasaki revealed yesterday. The 
government has now presented an antipiracy bill to the Diet, 
stipulating that the JCG is to be primarily tasked with antipiracy 
measures. However, the JCG is reluctant to send out its patrols on 
an ocean-going mission. Even if the legislation is enacted into law 
during the current Diet session, it will be synonymous with a law 
for at least five years to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces 
overseas. 
 
The JCG gave up sending out its patrol vessels, so the government 
dispatched Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers instead to Somalia 
waters in March for maritime security operations under the 
Self-Defense Forces Law. After the antipiracy bill is enacted into 
law, the MSDF's antipiracy mission will be continued under the newly 
enacted law. The JCG has now dropped its budget request for new 
patrols in the extra budget that is for urgent funding. Accordingly, 
its budget request for building ocean-going patrol ships will be on 
the wish list of lower-ranking items for a medium- to long-term. 
Even if the budget request is granted in the FY2010 budget at the 
earliest, it will take more than four years to build a patrol ship, 
so the MSDF will be tasked with ocean-going antipiracy activities 
for the time being. 
 
Iwasaki explained why the JCG will not make a budget request in the 
current fiscal year's supplementary budget for building ocean-going 
patrol ships. "I judged that it would not be appropriate to build a 
patrol ship at huge costs to send it to the waters where there are 
SDF vessels actually," he said. 
 
The JCG needs at least three patrol ships for rotational shifts. For 
now, however, the JCG can only send out the Shikishima, a 6,500-ton 
patrol ship that came into service in 1992 to escort a 
 
TOKYO 00000881  009 OF 012 
 
 
plutonium-carrying ship. 
 
13) Japan proposed new security declaration to U.S. 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, when meeting with U.S. Secretary 
of State Clinton during her visit to Japan in February, proposed 
discussing the idea of working out a new joint declaration on 
bilateral security arrangements. The proposed declaration would give 
heed to strengthening bilateral cooperation on such global 
challenges as antiterror efforts and responding to the rise of 
China, government officials revealed yesterday. The United States 
withheld its response. The Defense Ministry is seeking to release a 
new security declaration next year, 50 years after revising the 
Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. 
 
According to a government official, the new security declaration is 
a preparatory step to establishing a general law or a permanent law 
allowing Japan to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces Law overseas as 
needed for such missions as international peace cooperation 
activities. 
 
Hamada has plans to coordinate how Japan can cooperate with U.S. 
forces where the SDF can be dispatched as needed, and he wants to 
set forth global cooperation between Japan and the United States. In 
concrete terms, the agenda includes newly emerging threats such as 
terrorism and piracy. In addition, Hamada will likely propose 
discussing strategies toward China in anticipation of a crisis 
across the Taiwan Straits. 
 
Hamada, in his meeting with Clinton, proposed a new security 
declaration, saying: "I want to strengthen cooperation between the 
SDF and U.S. forces and define their roles to ensure stability in 
Asia and deal with global challenges." Clinton said, "Our strong 
alliance is important for peace and stability in Asia." However, she 
did not respond to the proposal for a new declaration. 
 
Clinton is believed to have avoided making a positive statement in 
consideration of the political situation in Japan that reportedly 
could see a change of government in the next House of 
Representatives election. 
 
14) Gov't mulls early warning satellite 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, meeting the press yesterday, 
indicated that the government would consider introducing early 
warning satellites for missile launch detection in response to calls 
from within the Liberal Democratic Party. "Of course, I understand 
that this is a matter to be considered for the space master plan," 
Kawamura said, adding: "It's important to think about the use of 
space from the perspective of Japan's national security." 
 
15) Japan-U.S. symposium starts for cooperation on sea issues 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00000881  010 OF 012 
 
 
Satoshi Ogawa, Washington 
 
A two-day symposium started in Washington, D.C., on the morning of 
April 16 (the night of April 16, Japan time) to explore ways for 
Japan and the United States to cooperate on such maritime issues as 
piracy and international friction over interests. The symposium is 
the Third United States-Japan Sea Power Dialogue (cosponsored by the 
Ocean Policy Research Foundation, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, 
the Pacific Forum CSIS; supported by the Yomiuri Shimbun). The 
symposium is to release a special report of recommendations on April 
¶17. Former Prime Minister Abe will deliver a keynote speech that 
day. In addition to Abe, those participating in the event from Japan 
include the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) 
Vice President Seiji Maehara, former Defense Minister Yoshimasa 
Hayashi, and Government Representative Shotaro Yachi. 
 
16) New Komeito secretly asks Aso to call Lower House election in 
August or later 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
April 17, 2009 
 
It was learned yesterday that New Komeito Chief Representative 
Akihiro Ota and Secretary General Kazuo Kitabata had secretly met 
separately with Prime Minister Taro Aso and that the two leaders of 
the New Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Aso's ruling 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), had asked the prime minister to call 
the next House of Representatives election in August or later, after 
the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. 
 
Ota held talks with Aso over lunch at the Prime Minister's Office 
(Kantei) for about one hour from a little past noon on April 15. 
Kitagawa met Aso that evening at a bar in the Hotel Okura. The two 
secret meetings were not included in the prime minister's schedule 
for April 15. The two New Komeito leaders said that it would be 
desirable to dissolve the Lower House and call a general election 
after a certain period of time had passed after the Tokyo election. 
They also asked that a consumption tax hike should be excluded from 
campaign pledges for the Lower House election. Aso, however, was 
noncommittal in his responses. 
 
The secret meeting with Ota started with Aso making casual 
conversation: "I heard that there are many posters of you mounted in 
the Tokyo 12th electoral district (Ota's constituency)." When the 
main topic was reached, their smiles disappeared. Ota asked Aso to 
avoid having the Lower House and Tokyo elections come too close 
together. 
 
The New Komeito has been resisting having a general election be held 
before the Tokyo assembly election. Ota and Kitagawa apparently 
called for holding the snap election between August and Sept. 10, 
when the terms of Lower House members expire. 
 
17) DPJ to take confrontational stance over fiscal 2009 extra 
budget 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
April 17, 2009 
 
There is a rumor in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that 
the House of Representatives might be dissolved in May for a general 
election in June. Showing its willingness to fight, the main 
 
TOKYO 00000881  011 OF 012 
 
 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is now challenging Prime 
Minister Taro Aso. The party has made it clear it will take a 
confrontational stance against the government and ruling parties in 
deliberations on a supplementary budget for fiscal 2009, which the 
government is expected to submit on April 27 to the Diet. The aim is 
to get the party ready to fight in the general election, after it 
was shaken by the recent arrest and indictment of President Ichiro 
Ozawa's state-funded secretary for violating the Political Funds 
Control Law over donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co. 
 
DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan stressed at a press meeting 
yesterday: 
 
"Many lawmakers in the ruling camp are now talking about the option 
of a May Lower House dissolution and June general election. I think 
some LDP members want to let (the prime minister) dissolve the Lower 
House for a snap election. If that is the case, we will mount a 
challenge." 
 
Kan also indicated that his party would speed up drafting a 
manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the Lower House election so 
that it would be ready to fight in the election that would come 
after Lower House dissolution in May. 
 
Meanwhile, DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka met on 
April 9 with his LDP counterpart Tadamori Oshima. Yamaoka sounded 
out Oshima on dissolution through talks with an eye on the idea of 
dissolving the Lower House on May 15 and holding the snap election 
on June 7. Anticipating that Aso would not accept the idea of 
dissolving the Lower House through talks, the DPJ appears to be 
trying to shake up the ruling coalition by taking a stance of being 
unafraid of an early Lower House dissolution. 
 
With the party in turmoil following the fundraising scandal 
involving its head, Ozawa, the DPJ is of course concerned about 
Lower House dissolution in May. However, in consideration of a surge 
in the support rate for the Aso administration, the main opposition 
party appears to have determined to respond to an early dissolution. 
 
 
Given the situation, the DPJ has decided a policy of carrying out 
thorough deliberations in order to impress the public differences in 
its economic stimulus package and the government's, forgoing the 
planned submission of its proposals to revise the government-drafted 
supplementary budget for fiscal 2009. 
 
18) DPJ's Ozawa to resume nationwide stumping tour on April 20 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 17, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa yesterday 
delivered a speech at a meeting in Tokyo of the Japanese Trade Union 
Confederation (Rengo). Referring In it to the timing of dissolution 
of the House of Representatives, he said: 
 
"There are only two options: if an extra budget is submitted, the 
Lower House may be dissolved in early June (after the passage of the 
budget); or the Lower House may be dissolved in early August after 
the Group of Eight (G8) summit." 
 
Ozawa then stressed his determination to win the Lower House 
 
TOKYO 00000881  012 OF 012 
 
 
election, saying: "I can't go to my grave without first realizing a 
change in government. I would like to achieve this great goal by 
taking into consideration all necessary measures." He plans to 
resume his nationwide stumping tour on April 20 from Fukuoka 
Prefecture. 
 
He visited Rengo, the largest support group for the DPJ, for the 
first time since his state-funded secretary was arrested and 
indicted for violating the Political Funds Control Law over 
donations to his fund management organizations. He attended the 
Rengo session to explain his party's emergency economic stimulus 
measures. He apologized for the fundraising scandal, saying: "I am 
sorry for making a fuss and worrying you. My recognition is that he 
did not violate the law, but it's all my fault." 
 
Rengo Chairman Tsuyoshi Takagi pointed out: "The public has severely 
criticized you in the polls carried by the media. It is difficult to 
go into the election under such circumstances." Ozawa then said: "It 
will be the last battle [for me]. Thinking that taking the reins of 
government is the biggest goal for my political career, I would like 
to make every decision." He indicated in his remarks that whether 
the DPJ can take political power will be the basis for his decision 
to resign his party post. 
 
ZUMWALT