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P 290107Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9037
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5059
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4850

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 000986 
 
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 04/29/09 
 
Index: 
 
Swine flu epidemic: 
 
1) Japan observing strict measures to prevent new type flu from 
entering country (Asahi) 
 
2) SDF medical team sent to Narita International Airport as part of 
measures to prevent swine flu from entering Japan (Nikkei) 
 
3) Diet members asked to constrain their visits to the U.S. in 
connection with swine-flu scare (Nikkei) 
 
4) Impact of swine-flu epidemic on the economy feared (Asahi) 
 
5) With North Korea confirmed as reprocessing nuclear fuel, Japanese 
government alarmed that another nuclear test is on the way, perhaps 
toward end of July (Sankei) 
 
China connection: 
 
6) Prime Minister Aso is off to visit China today, planning to ask 
for cooperation in dealing with piracy problem (Yomiuri) 
 
7) China sounds out Japan, South Korea for trilateral meeting in 
June or August (Sankei) 
 
8) China's Foreign Ministry: China's nuclear strategy is clear 
(Nikkei) 
 
9) Aso: No new proposals being readied on the northern territories 
issue (Nikkei) 
 
10) Amendment of the Defense Ministry Law to create defense 
assistants (Asahi) 
 
Politics: 
 
11) Ozawa expected to make decision on whether to step down as DPJ 
head after early May holidays (Nikkei) 
 
12) Ozawa calls for immediate total ban on corporate donations, 
indicates willingness to stay on (Mainichi) 
 
13) Administrative Reform Minister Amari cites over 30% public 
support as minimum requirement for Diet dissolution (Mainichi) 
 
14) Aso is pushing for an early adoption of the supplementary budget 
(Asahi) 
 
15) Aso wants to show his speed on meeting the threat of flu 
epidemic, fearing his popularity will wane again (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Articles 
 
1) Japan to take strict measures against swine flu 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
April 29, 2009 
 
In April, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its revised 
guidelines against the new type of influenza. The newly released 
 
TOKYO 00000986  002 OF 009 
 
 
guidelines classify the new influenza into "serious," "medium," and 
"slight" conditions, based on an overall judgment of such factors as 
the new virus' toxicity and extent. The old guidelines were based on 
avian flu, the human fatality rate of which is said to be 60%. 
 
The Japanese government also has its own action plan against the new 
type of influenza, but the action plan only says the new influenza 
is presumed to break out from highly toxic H5N1 avian flu. The 
action plan, first created in 2005, has ever been revised four 
times. However, there has been no change in that presumption. 
 
Japan's guidelines include a measure that requires mass restraint. 
If and when, for example, a single person is reported to be infected 
in a prefecture, that prefecture and neighboring prefectures will be 
asked to close schools in wide-ranging areas. If a school is closed, 
parents will be affected in their work. 
 
With WHO's Phase 4 declaration, the government has now recognized 
the swine influenza as a new type of influenza. As a result, the 
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare can easily set forth 
countermeasures, including steps to be taken under the Infectious 
Disease Law. The ministry yesterday announced that passengers 
boarding international flights from North America to Japan would be 
subject to onboard quarantine in principle. Anyone from the area 
where the new flu broke out will be isolated. Those who had strong 
contact with someone from that affected area will be asked to stand 
by for a while. 
 
Do Japan's anti-flu guidelines remain strict? In point of fact, the 
health ministry, according to one of its officials, was aware that 
it would have to revise its guidelines so Japan can take flexible 
measures like the United States and WHO. "We wanted to do so when we 
revised the guidelines in February this year," the official said. 
"But," the official added, "we couldn't do so because there were 
some other points to revise." 
 
2) New strain of flu: SDF medical officers to be dispatched to 
quarantine station: 30 to Narita Airport; Also to carry out carry 
onboard inspection 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
In its effort to block the outbreak of a new strain of flu at 
borders, the government has decided to dispatch 10 medical officers 
and 20 nurses from the Self-Defense Forces to the quarantine center 
at the Narita Airport. There is concern about a shortage of 
quarantine officers, as the destinations of flights from countries 
where the new stain of flu is spread are to be limited to four 
airports. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has asked the 
SDF for help in order to cope with the situation. 
 
The length of one dispatch will be for a week to two weeks. As long 
as an alert phase 4 or over 4 continues, the SDF will continue to 
assist quarantine operations. Their assistance includes 
thermographic inspection of passengers arrived in Japan and in-board 
inspection. 
 
Strengthening the quarantine system is a pillar of measures to block 
the outbreak at borders. However, there is growing concern among 
government officials about a personnel shortage. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000986  003 OF 009 
 
 
Approximately 360 quarantine officers are assigned at more than 100 
airports and ports throughout the country. It is not easy to 
concentrate them in specific places. There are about 350 animal 
quarantine officers in the agriculture ministry. However, they are 
preoccupied with BSE inspections and other time-consuming works. The 
staff shortage has thus long been in place. 
 
3) Lower House to ask lawmakers to voluntarily refrain from 
traveling to U.S. 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
Following the spread of the infection of a new strain of flu, the 
Lower House Diet Steering Committee at its board meeting on April 28 
decided to ask its members who plan to go to countries where the 
infection of a new strain of flu has been confirmed to voluntarily 
refrain from visiting there. Diet Steering Committee Chairman Kenji 
Kosaka revealed that he would cancel his plan to visit the U.S. 
during the Golden Week holidays. 
 
Kosaka said that since (the Diet) only had enough Tamiflu and 
Relenza treatment agents for influenza in stock for several dozen 
members, it ordered the Lower House secretariat to secure enough 
medicine for all members (480) at the minimum. The Upper House the 
same day set up countermeasure headquarters headed by the deputy 
chief of the secretariat. 
 
4) Swine flu infection spreads: Concern over negative impact on 
economy; Cancellations of overseas trips, drop in exports expected 
 
ASAHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
April 29, 2009 
 
The spreading swine flu infection has prompted increased concern 
over the impact on economic activities. Since the Golden Week 
holidays have just begun, the travel and airline industries are 
feeling alarmed at such a possibility. Some have pointed out that 
pandemics in the past pushed down the affected countries' gross 
domestic product (GDP). Should that occur, the weakening Japanese 
economy could suffer yet another setback. 
 
In flu pandemics that occurred in the past, 40 million people 
reportedly died in the 1918 Spanish flu, and the 1957 outbreak of 
Asian flu reportedly claimed the lives of 2 million. According to an 
estimate made by the Nomura Securities Financial and Economic 
Research Center, the Asian flu pushed down the U.S.' GDP by 3.1%, 
and Japan's GDP by 2.6%. 
 
In a recent case, exports to Asia, including China, slowed due to 
the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a new 
strain of pneumonia, in China in 2003. At the time, the Bank of 
Japan (BOJL) decided to adopt quantitative money easing measures in 
late April of the same year and supplied additional money to the 
market. 
 
Mexico has been seriously affected by the swine flu. More than 100 
people have reportedly died there. Japan and Mexico signed an 
economic partnership agreement (EPO) in 2004. Japan has raised 
import ceilings for pork and oranges from Mexico. In return, it has 
increased exports of automobiles and other products to the nation. 
According to the Finance Ministry's trade statistics, the value of 
 
TOKYO 00000986  004 OF 009 
 
 
Mexico-bound exports in 2008 accounted for 1.3% of Japan's exports. 
The value of imports from Mexico accounted for 0.5%. Nomura 
Securities estimates that if exports to Mexico decline as a result 
of a drop in trade, Japan's GDP will drop by 0.08%. 
 
Since swine flu infection cases have been confirmed in the U.S. as 
well, the impact on overseas travel is also a matter for concern. 
Japan Airlines Director Yoshimasa Kanayama during a press conference 
on April 28 revealed that about 10% of reservations for seats for 
its flights between Narita Airport and Mexico City have been 
cancelled. He said: "We hope that the situation will be contained 
quickly. However, there is no knowing when that will be." 
 
According to Nomura Securities, cancellations of 10% of overseas 
trips could push down the GDP by 0.03%. Japan Tourism Agency 
Director General Yoshiaki Honpo said: "If cancellations increase 
further, it could be a repetition of the SARS case. We need to deal 
with the situation in a cool-headed manner." 
 
5) N. Korea starts nuclear reprocessing; Government alarmed, 
expecting test possibly at end of July 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
North Korea has started activities for a second nuclear test, 
government sources revealed yesterday. The government found from its 
analysis of information about the facilities at Yongbyon in North 
Korea that North Korea has resumed reprocessing spent nuclear fuel 
rods. The government presumes that North Korea would carry out a 
nuclear test in three months at the shortest. 
 
U.S. forces are also deploying WC-135C weather observation aircraft 
at Kadena Air Base to gather dust and other atmospheric substances 
and be able to detect nuclear testing. The U.S. military, frequently 
flying the WC-135C on surveillance missions, is now on the alert for 
North Korea's nuclear testing. 
 
North Korea carried out its first nuclear test on Oct. 9, 2006. That 
nuclear test is believed to have been conducted at an underground 
site near Punggyeri, Kiljugun. 
 
On April 5 this year, North Korea launched a long-range ballistic 
missile. The United Nations Security Council thereafter adopted a 
statement of its president to condemn North Korea's missile launch. 
North Korea reacted against this move and declared its intention to 
resume nuclear development. The UNSC Sanctions Committee designated 
North Korean firms to freeze their assets. Against this action, a 
North Korea foreign ministry spokesman clarified on April 25 that 
North Korea had started its work of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel 
rods. 
 
On July 5, 2006, North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles, 
including a Taepodong-2 missile. After that, in October that year, 
the nuclear test was carried out. The Japanese government is 
therefore on the alert, predicting that North Korea will likely 
carry out another nuclear test three months down the road. 
 
6) Aso to sound out China on close cooperation in fight against 
piracy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00000986  005 OF 009 
 
 
April 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso has decided that during his meetings with 
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao, scheduled to 
take place during his trip to China starting today, he will propose 
close bilateral cooperation and exchanges of information on UN 
peacekeeping operations (PKO) and measures against piracy off 
Somalia, Africa. 
 
The prime minister will also announce that Japan will begin issuing 
entry visas to individual tourists from China this summer in order 
to promote exchanges between the two countries. Entry visas are 
currently only issued to group tourists from China. The two 
countries are also expected to agree on starting regular 
Haneda-Beijing flights this fall. 
 
7) China sounds out Japan on a plan to carry out this year's 
Japan-China-ROK summit in June or August 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
April 29, 2009 
 
The Chinese government has sounded out Japan on a plan to host this 
year's China-ROK-Japan summit in China's Tianjin either in June or 
August, it was learned yesterday. Neither month coincides with this 
year's G-8 summit to be held in early July in Italy's 
earthquake-stricken city of L'Aquila. Both dates are acceptable in 
view of the diplomatic timetable, according to a Foreign Ministry 
source. However, Prime Minister Taro Aso has yet to respond to the 
Chinese side because the matter is also connected with when to 
dissolve the House of Representatives. 
 
China, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, wants to 
finish the trilateral summit by summer before the October 1 National 
Foundation Day, around which many domestic events will take place. 
Such matters as the North Korean nuclear and missile issue, a joint 
response to the global financial crisis, and the situation in 
Northeast Asia are expected to be on the agenda. 
 
The venue for the trilateral summit rotates among Japan, China and 
South Korea. Last year, Japan hosted the event in Dazaifu, Fukuoka 
Prefecture, where Prime Minister Aso was born. As this year's host, 
China is believed to have chosen Tianjin, Premier Wen Jiabao's 
hometown, to play up the atmosphere of friendship via mutual 
visits. 
 
Prime Minister Aso is trying to determine when to dissolve the Lower 
House with an eye on prospects for the enactment of the fiscal 2009 
supplemental budget and related bills. The prime minister has yet to 
respond to China's suggestion because both June and August might be 
linked to the timing for dissolving the lower chamber. The prime 
minister is apparently carefully studying the date to maintain his 
right to dissolve the chamber. 
 
8) Chinese spokesperson: China's nuclear strategy is clear 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
The deputy spokesperson at China's Foreign Ministry yesterday at a 
press conference made this comment about the speech by Foreign 
Minister Harufumi Nakasone, in which he urged China to reduce its 
 
TOKYO 00000986  006 OF 009 
 
 
nuclear arsenal and disclose information about its program: "China 
has consistently called for a full ban on nuclear weapons and 
scrapping of arsenals. China's nuclear strategy is clear. There is 
absolutely no grounds for Japan to criticize us." 
 
9) No new proposal on the northern territories: Aso 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso was asked yesterday in the Lower House 
plenary session about Government Representative Masataro Yachi 
having mentioned a return of 3.5 of the four northern islands (held 
by Russia). He replied, "He has deeply reflected on what he said; at 
this point, I am not thinking about going beyond our current 
response." He added: "We will be paying close attention to Russia's 
response now. I myself am not thinking about making any new 
proposal." 
 
10) Bill revising Defense Ministry Establishment Law to be enacted 
in current Diet session 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
A bill amending the Defense Ministry Establishment Law was adopted 
by a majority from the Liberal Democratic Party, the Democratic 
Party of Japan, the New Komeito, and the People's New Party in a 
House of Representatives plenary session yesterday. The bill 
includes a measure to set up the new post of assistance to the 
defense ministry, a political appointee, as part of reform of the 
Defense Ministry. The bill, which was sent to the House of 
Councillors the same day, is expected to become law in the current 
Diet session. 
 
The government's Council on Defense Ministry Reform compiled the 
revision bill, reflecting on a series of scandals involving the 
ministry, including a case of bribery by former Administrative Vice 
Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya. In an effort to strengthen the 
system to assist the defense minister, the post of counselor will be 
abolished, and the Defense Conference, which plays the role of an 
executive council in the ministry, will be legally designated as 
supreme deliberation body. The new legislation will enable the 
ministry to appoint (up to three) assistances to the defense 
minister on a non-full-time base. Arrangements will be made to 
enable to start implementing the measures by the end of this year. 
 
11) Schism in DPJ evident over whether Ozawa should resign or stay 
on; Decision to be made after Golden Week holiday period 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
April 29, 2009 
 
A schism in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is growing over 
whether President Ichiro Ozawa should resign or stay on in 
connection with a donation scandal involving Nishimatsu Construction 
Co. In a press conference yesterday, Ozawa announced the 
postponement of the DPJ's independent survey for the next House of 
Representatives election that Ozawa was expected to use in making a 
decision on his course of action. Chances are becoming stronger that 
his decision will slip until after the Golden Week holiday period in 
early May. DPJ members hoping for Ozawa's resignation before the end 
 
TOKYO 00000986  007 OF 009 
 
 
of the month are growing more discontent. 
 
In the press conference, Ozawa revealed that the party has yet to 
conduct the Lower House election survey, planned for sometime this 
month. Some in the party are saying that the party would not be able 
to win a victory in the Lower House election under the leadership of 
Ozawa. With that in mind, Ozawa emphatically said: "I'm aware of a 
variety of views in the party. At this point in time, I believe we 
can win. I am certain that we can win the public's trust." 
 
Some in the party are persistently calling for Ozawa to stay on. 
Ahead of the press conference, Ozawa held a meeting with Vice 
President Hajime Ishii. In the meeting, Ishii told Ozawa: "We 
interviewed 70 individuals scheduled to run in the next Lower House 
election. Of them, only seven said they want to see Ozawa 
replaced." 
 
Aware of the wishes of Ozawa who cares about the party's condition, 
Ishii directly asked Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and Vice 
President Katsuya Okada, who is regarded as a major candidate to 
become Ozawa's successor, to support Ozawa. In response, Okada said: 
"I will support him for the time being, but the general public needs 
a thorough explanation." 
 
In late March, Ozawa expressed his eagerness to conduct the Lower 
House election survey before the end of April. But he said in 
yesterday's press conference, "We will do it when there are no 
speculations." There is an observation that Ozawa is waiting for the 
Nishimatsu scandal to cool down to turn things to his advantage. 
 
Disappointment and frustration are spreading among those expecting 
Ozawa's voluntary resignation as DPJ president. In a Nikkei opinion 
poll, over 60% of people called for Ozawa's resignation. Support for 
the DPJ is also on the decline. The reason is because they see the 
need to shift the DPJ to a new system within April to make 
full-pledged preparations for the next Lower House election. 
 
12) DPJ Ozawa calls for immediate total ban on corporate donations, 
indicates willingness to stay on 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
In a press conference at party headquarters yesterday, Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa said: "I see no harm in 
banning (political donations) immediately." He has instructed the 
party political reform promotion taskforce, headed by Katsuya Okada, 
to consider when the ban should be implemented. 
 
The taskforce tried to unify views in its general meetings held on 
April 23 and 27, but opinions differed with some asserting that a 
grace period of three to five years should be set and others calling 
for an immediate ban. As a result, participants decided to hold off 
on making a final decision until just after the Golden Week holidays 
in May. 
 
Ozawa said: "It's up to the members to reach a conclusion," but 
bearing in mind his secretary's arrest on suspicion of receiving 
illegal corporate donations, he emphasized: "There is no alternative 
to implementing a total ban." 
 
The DPJ planned to conduct its own election survey by the end of 
 
TOKYO 00000986  008 OF 009 
 
 
this month. Revealing that the party has yet to carry it out, Ozawa 
said: "We will conduct it at an appropriate time for objective and 
fair survey results to be shown. A fair outcome will not be possible 
if a survey is conducted when (the scandal involving him) is being 
covered by the media." In reply to a question on whether he intends 
to step down, he renewed his eagerness to stay on, remarking: "At 
this time, I believe I can win public support (in the next House of 
Representatives election)." 
 
Aso: "It doesn't make sense" 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso said before reporters about DPJ President 
Ichiro Ozawa's call for an immediate ban on political donations by 
companies and organizations: "Companies and organizations should be 
allowed freedom of choice, so his call for a ban doesn't make sense 
to me." He also emphasized the significance of political donations, 
saying: "Companies are also in the position of sharing the cost of 
democracy." 
 
13) Administrative Reform Minister Amari cites over 30% public 
support as minimum requirement for Diet dissolution 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
In a press conference yesterday, State Minister for Administrative 
Reform Akira Amari said regarding the dissolution of the House of 
Representatives for a snap election: 
 
"Minimum requirements for the government (to decide to dissolve the 
Lower House) are the passage of the supplementary budget bill and 
budget-related bills, as well as over 30% public support." 
 
14) Aso calls for early passage of supplementary budget 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
April 29, 2009 
 
In representative interpellations in both Houses about a fiscal 
policy speech delivered by Finance Minister and Economic and Fiscal 
Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano yesterday, Prime Minister Taro Aso 
stressed the need for early passage of a fiscal 2009 supplementary 
budget, saying: 
 
"The measures in the budget will contribute to accelerating the 
autonomous recovery of private demands and pushing up the nation's 
gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate by about 1.9%. The measures 
will also create about 400,000 to 500,000 jobs." 
 
He made the above remark in replying to a question by Liberal 
Democratic Party member Kosuke Hori. From the opposition camp, 
criticism erupted of the budget involving fiscal spending of over 15 
trillion yen to help finance additional economic measures. 
Democratic Party of Japan member Yukio Hatoyama claimed: "The 
government intends to repeatedly spend taxpayers' money wastefully 
and impose an additional burden on the people by hiking the 
consumption tax." Japanese Communist Party member Kensho Sasaki 
complained: "It is a temporary, port-barrel-type budget with no 
vision, with an eye on the next general election." 
 
In response to these voices, Aso emphasized: "The extra budget will 
surely serve to prevent the economy from sinking deeper, secure 
 
TOKYO 00000986  009 OF 009 
 
 
jobs, and to strengthen the nation's economic growth potential." He 
added: "The size is big, but the measures are valid for a limited 
time, so it is not proper to criticize the budget as a pork-barrel 
budget." 
 
The House of Representatives' Budget Committee will carry out a 
question-and-answer session on May 7-8 in the presence of all 
cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Aso. The ruling camp is 
aiming at having the extra budget enacted in late May. 
 
15) Prime Minister Aso stresses a "swift and absolutely thorough" 
response to the new-type influenza threat; Makes public appeal, 
fearing that his popularity might again slip 
 
TOKYO (Page 2) (Full) 
April 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso, upon hearing of the (global) outbreak of a 
new strand of influenza, has been publicizing his stance of moving 
swiftly and using all possible measures to meet the problem. He has 
reasoned that if he fails to demonstrate crisis-management 
capability on a life-and-death issue for the populace, there is the 
possibility of his cabinet support rates, now recovering, once more 
slipping. 
 
In a reply yesterday afternoon in the Lower House plenary session, 
Aso stressed: "The government is united, carrying out 
countermeasures at the airports and providing the public with 
information swiftly and accurately. We are making every effort to 
maintain safety and assurance in the nation." 
 
The government, only 20 minutes after the WHO formerly raised the 
alarm level at 5:30 am, elevated the status of the liaison office in 
the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) to a task force. At 
07:00 am, an emergency team was assembled of directors-general from 
relevant ministries and agencies and held a meeting at the Kantei. 
 
The prime minister at 0800 ordered the setting up a countermeasures 
headquarters. That morning, he held a cabinet meeting, where a basic 
response policy course was adopted that included such measures as 
strengthening quarantine and entry inspections (at ports of entry). 
Health and Labor Ministry Masuzoe at his 07:00 am press conference 
proclaimed that there had been an outbreak of a new strain of 
influenza. He issued a policy of concentrating efforts on arriving 
passengers from outbreak countries at four airports, including 
Narita and Chubu. 
 
The prime minister absolute wishes to avoid losing momentum on his 
now rising cabinet support rates by being burned on crisis 
management. A government source indicated that from the start the 
government spread out a wide blanket, which could be removed if 
nothing happened. "It is now going well," the source said. 
 
ZUMWALT