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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001081 
 
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 05/13/09 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Visit or Russian premier: 
4) Prime Minister Aso, Prime Minister Putin sign nuclear energy pact 
in Tokyo  (Nikkei) 
5) Aso, Putin agree to pursue every avenue to reach results on 
northern territories issue  (Yomiuri) 
6) Pundits give thumbs down to progress on territorial issue during 
Putin visit  (Yomiuri) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
7) Guam Agreement to be automatically passed by Diet  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
8) Cluster Munitions also to be enacted as Japan's international 
contribution  (Mainichi) 
9) Police Agency to propose a data base for ASEAN on terrorism, etc. 
 (Sankei) 
 
DPJ leadership struggle: 
10) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leadership race likely to come 
down to candidates Hatoyama and Okada squaring off'  (Asahi) 
11) Voting for DPJ president will include only lawmakers  (Mainichi) 
 
12) Kyodo poll finds Okada favored over Hatoyama, 23 to 16 percent 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
13) Prefectural party survey finds Okada way ahead of Hatoyama in 
popularity  (Yomiuri) 
14) Ruling camp would like Hatoyama to win the DPJ election, 
considering him as a "puppet" of Ozawa  (Mainichi) 
15) Election of new DPJ president will be a clash of pro-Ozawa and 
anti-Ozawa forces in the party  (Mainichi) 
 
16) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike to resign post over 
magazine article about his extramarital affair  (Yomiuri) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun 
Hatoyama, Okada expected to run for Democratic Party of Japan 
presidency 
 
Mainichi: 
Japan, Russia summit: Every option to settle territorial issue will 
be discussed at July summit talks, says Premier Putin 
 
Nikkei: 
Japan, Russia sign nuclear power agreement at prime ministerial 
meeting 
 
Sankei: 
DPJ presidential election indicating signs of becoming one-on-one 
battle between Hatoyama and Okada: Ozawa applying overt pressure to 
select Hatoyama as his successor 
 
Akahata: 
Firing non-permanent workers by Isuzu Motors Utsunomiya illegal: 
 
TOKYO 00001081  002 OF 010 
 
 
District Court Branch hands down provisional ruling 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Russia and Japan: Seeking long-term strategies 
(2) Internal strife in Sri Lanka 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) presidential election: 
Candidates should discuss the image of their administration 
(2) Japan-Russia summit: Make efforts to eliminate negative legacy 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Will Japan-Russia economic cooperation produce pump-priming 
effect of solving territorial dispute? 
(2) China Compulsory Certification system: Prevent outflow of 
product information 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Corporate deficit for second consecutive term will question 
managers' preparedness 
(2) Meaning of Premier Putin's Japan visit 
 
Sankei: 
(1) DPJ presidential election: Why should policy debate be 
contained? 
(2) Japan-Russia summit: Giving priority to economic partnership 
questionable 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) DPJ presidential election: Capability to run government to be 
questioned 
(2) One-year anniversary of Sichuan Earthquake: Message on weighty 
lessons learnt from quake should be sent to world 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Disapproval of agreement to transfer U.S. marines stationed in 
Okinawa to Guam complies with people's will 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, May 12 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 13, 2009 
 
07:07 
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto. 
 
08:30 
Attended cabinet meeting in Diet building. METI Minister Nikai 
remained. Met afterwards with Finance Minister Yosano. 
 
09:00 
Attended Lower House Budget Committee session. 
 
12:08 
Returned to Kantei. 
 
13:02 
Attended Lower House plenary session. 
 
TOKYO 00001081  003 OF 010 
 
 
 
13:45 
Met at Kantei with Special Advisor Yamaguchi, followed by Cabinet 
Intelligence Director Mitani. 
 
16:45 
Met with State Minister of Consumer Affairs Noda. 
 
17:35 
Met with Russian Prime Minister Putin. 
 
19:56 
Attended signing ceremony. Held joint conference. 
 
20:35 
Hosted dinner party (for Putin). 
 
22:12 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) Japan, Russia sign nuclear energy accord; Summit agrees on 
stepping up territorial talks 
 
NIKKEI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
May 13, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso met with Russian Premier Vladimir Putin at 
the Prime Minister's Official Residence on May 12, where the two 
leaders reached agreement on signing a nuclear energy cooperation 
agreement and other matters. Cooperation on energy, the environment, 
security, and other strategic areas will deepen based on a new 
framework, which will include this agreement. On the Northern 
Territories issue, Putin stated at the post-summit joint news 
conference that, "All options will be discussed." While no concrete 
progress has been made, the two sides agreed to step up work toward 
a final solution. 
 
At the beginning of the summit talks, Aso stressed that, "We would 
like to see the two countries work together as important strategic 
partners in Asia and the Pacific." Putin responded with: "I am 
confident that no matter how difficult a problem is, it can be 
solved between friends." 
 
The two premiers agreed that the absence of a peace treaty is an 
obstacle to progress in bilateral relations, and that the issue of 
sovereignty over the four Northern Islands needs to be resolved. 
They confirmed that work toward a solution acceptable to both sides 
based on existing agreements will be stepped up. 
 
5) Four northern islands: Japanese, Russian premiers vow to speed up 
efforts to settle issue 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
May 13, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Aso on the evening of May 12 met with Russian Premier 
Putin at the Kantei. Concerning the pending Northern Territories 
issue, the two leaders agreed on the need to reach a final agreement 
on the ownership of the four islands and vowed to speed up efforts 
to search for measures that are acceptable to both sides. Putin 
indicated an outlook that Aso and President Medvedev at their summit 
to be held on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit in July would discuss 
 
TOKYO 00001081  004 OF 010 
 
 
every option to find a breakthrough (settlement measures) in the 
stalemate. 
 
Regarding the territorial issue, Aso and Putin determined that: (1) 
the absence of a peace treaty between the two countries is hampering 
progress in bilateral relations; (2) there is the need for the two 
countries to reach a final settlement on the ownership of the four 
northern islands; and (3) in order for the territorial issue to be 
settled during their generation, the two countries will speed up 
efforts to explore measures that are acceptable to both countries. 
 
Aso during a joint press conference after the meeting said, "The 
meeting was very meaningful in view of the July Summit, as it was 
affirmed that Premier Putin has a strong will to finally settle the 
issue." 
 
6) Listening to experts on the Japan-Russia summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 13, 2009 
 
Minoru Tamba, former ambassador to Russia - No progress made 
 
The signing of a nuclear agreement carries significance, but when it 
came to the most crucial issues of resolving the Northern 
Territories row and concluding a peace treaty, (the statement) was 
dotted with only some expressions that were used in past summits. No 
progress was made. 
 
Although President Dmitry Medvedev is calling for a "new creative 
and unconventional approach," real power rests with (Prime Minister) 
Vladimir Putin. During his second term as president, Putin said, 
"Under international law, sovereignty over the four islands rests 
with Russia." There are no signs that he has changed his standpoint. 
The optimistic and groundless argument of having 3.5 of the four 
islands back has emerged as a result of being taken in by Medvedev's 
smooth talk. We must not be fooled. This is the time of endurance 
and patience. I do not want to see Japan becoming the laughing stock 
of the world for not pursuing justice. 
 
Masaru Sato, former Foreign Ministry chief analyst -- Severe stance 
shown 
 
Attention must be focused on the fact that in his talks with Prime 
Minister Aso, Prime Minister Putin referred to the Japan-Soviet 
Joint Declaration (that specifies the return of the Habomai islet 
group and Shikotan). The statement takes an extremely severe 
standpoint that the return of the two islands is the starting point 
for talks (with Japan) and that Russia will not make concessions, 
such as the rerun of 3.5 of the four islands as was referred to by 
government representative Shotaro Yachi. Prime Minister Aso who pins 
hopes on a "new creative and unconventional approach" is now being 
pressed to revamp his scenario. 
 
Instead, Japan should advance cooperation with Russia on the new 
influenza. Having know-how on measures against biological weapons, 
Russia excels in basic technology, such as the development of 
vaccines. I believe such efforts to increase mutual understanding 
will help set the stage for resolving the territorial issue. 
 
7) Guam pact to get Diet approval 
 
 
TOKYO 00001081  005 OF 010 
 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 13, 2009 
 
The House of Councillors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee met 
yesterday afternoon and voted down an intergovernmental agreement 
between Japan and the United States on the planned relocation of 
Okinawa-based U.S. Marines to Guam, with a majority of votes from 
the opposition parties against it. The House of Councillors is 
expected to vote down the Guam relocation pact in its plenary 
sitting today as well. However, the bilateral agreement is 
positioned as a treaty. The pact has cleared the House of 
Representatives, so the Diet will call a conference committee of 
both houses as stipulated by the Constitution. If the conference 
committee sees no consensus, the House of Representatives' decision 
will take precedence, and the pact will be confirmed. 
 
8) Lower chamber ratifies anti-cluster treaty; Tailwind to expand 
signatories 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Slightly abridged) 
May 13, 2009 
 
Ken Uzuka, and Katsumi Sawada, Geneva 
 
Unexploded bombs dispersed from cluster munitions kill or wound 
civilians. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, also known as the 
Oslo Treaty, bans such cluster munitions and requires its 
signatories to scrap their cluster munitions. Japan is a signatory 
of the treaty, and the House of Representatives ratified the treaty 
in its plenary sitting of all members yesterday. The world welcomed 
this move with high expectations, saying it will encourage other 
Asian countries to sign the treaty. Japan is now the first to ratify 
the treaty. However, the Japanese government has been equivocal 
about the U.S. military's use of cluster munitions. Tokyo remains 
inarticulate since it relies heavily on its alliance with the United 
States. 
 
The treaty for banning cluster munitions has so far been ratified by 
seven countries, including Ireland and Laos. All seven nations are 
small or have had casualties among their civilians. Japan is the 
first among major countries to ratify the anti-cluster treaty in its 
parliament. 
 
A United Nations official in Geneva showed his interest in Japan's 
move by saying: "I was just reading an article about the House of 
Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee's ratification of the 
treaty on May 8." 
 
This U.N. official welcomed the lower chamber's passage of the 
treaty as "a strong message to Asian countries." The official added, 
"I hope Japan will display leadership and try to persuade its 
neighbors, including China and South Korea, to join in." 
 
Meanwhile, Japan was the 45th country to ratify the antipersonnel 
landmine banning treaty in September 1998. Japan stands out this 
time with its proactive stance. Japan first withheld its position 
regarding the 2007 Oslo process of disarmament negotiations to 
conclude the treaty. Japan, which was criticized for being "backward 
looking," suddenly began to join the leading group. European 
countries are fettered with their domestic industries that 
manufacture cluster munitions. Japan, which unlike European 
countries does not have such fetters, was quick to set forth the 
 
TOKYO 00001081  006 OF 010 
 
 
idea of "total abolition." Besides, Japan had expectations for 
alternative weapons. This made it possible for Japan to make a rapid 
start. 
 
In fact, however, Japan is not so strong-willed when it comes to 
disarmament. Senior Vice Defense Minister Seigo Kitamura, when 
sitting in on the Foreign Affairs Committee, was asked about the 
possibility of scrapping cluster munitions before the treaty comes 
into effect. "It is not appropriate to completely rule out the 
possibility of unavoidable use," Kitamura stated before the 
committee, adhering to the possibility of cluster munitions. 
 
Furthermore, U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) stores cluster munitions in 
Japan and uses them in training. Asked about this fact, Foreign 
Minister Hirofumi Nakasone showed his intention to accept the U.S. 
military's cluster munitions. "It's inappropriate to constraint the 
facilitative implementation of bilateral security arrangements 
between Japan and the United States," Nakasone stated before the 
committee. This is because the Oslo treaty allows "military 
cooperation and military operations" with non-signatories under 
certain conditions. 
 
The government says Japan is working on the United States to sign 
the Oslo treaty. Even so, the government intends to separate 
disarmament and Japan-U.S. bilateral security. This 'double 
standard' was pursued at the committee. Seiken Akamine, a House of 
Representatives member from the Japanese Communist Party, took up 
the U.S. military's use of cluster bombs on the Okinawa prefectural 
island of Torishima. Akamine criticized it, saying: "The fear of 
Okinawa Prefecture's people is immeasurable. They use cluster bombs 
in training however they like. This is against the spirit of the 
treaty." 
 
9) Japan to propose keeping int'l tabs on terrorism info 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
May 13, 2009 
 
The National Police Agency has worked out a plan to construct a 
database of information about international terrorist groups and 
their activities like announcing terrorism or recruiting agents. The 
NPA initiative is for multiple countries to work together and 
monitor Internet bulletin boards or other online writings. As soon 
as such write-ins are spotted, these will be translated into English 
and will be databased. NPA Deputy Commissioner General Takaharu Ando 
will propose this initiative today in a meeting of ASEAN Chiefs of 
Police (or ASEANAPOL for short) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Europe has 
already launched a similar database, but this is the first time for 
Asia to construct such a database. "In the future," a senior NPA 
official said, "we can cooperate with Europe." The official added, 
"This will lead to strengthening the international monitoring 
network against terrorism." 
 
10) Hatoyama, Okada expected to run for DPJ president 
 
ASAHI (Top Play) (Full) 
May 13, 2009 
 
The possibility has become stronger that the May 16 presidential 
election of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will be a contest 
between DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and Vice President 
Katsuya Okada. Okada yesterday conveyed his intention to run in the 
 
TOKYO 00001081  007 OF 010 
 
 
race to those close to him. Meanwhile, Hatoyama revealed to an Asahi 
Shimbun reporter his intention to run in the election, and he is 
expected to declare his candidacy soon. 
 
The DPJ leadership race will be a contest between the two former 
presidents. Hatoyama, supporting former President Seiji Maehara and 
incumbent President Ichiro Ozawa as secretary general, paved the way 
for Ozawa's resignation. He intends to fight in the election as 
Ozawa's successor and carry on Ozawa's policy of placing top 
priority on the daily lives of the people. 
 
Ozawa appears to favor Hatoyama. It is predicted that besides the 
Hatoyama-led group, the group supporting Ozawa and many in the DPJ 
from the House of Councillors will back Hatoyama. 
 
Okada yesterday told the press corps that he was thinking about the 
election "carefully." He then conveyed his intention to run for the 
presidency to his aides, saying: "I have a sense of alarm that a 
change in government will be impossible unless I run in the race." 
He will hold a press conference on May 14 to formally announce his 
candidacy. Since he had distanced himself from the Ozawa-led party 
administration, he would likely break away from Ozawa's policies. 
 
Many junior and mid-level DPJ lawmakers have called on Okada to 
become the next DPJ president. Yoshihiko Noda said last night in a 
meeting of his group: "I would like to support Mr. Okada." Some 
lawmakers have already started collecting recommendations for 
Okada. 
 
11) DPJ new leader to be selected in vote by only members of both 
Houses 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 13, 2009 
 
Under the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) rules, two methods are 
presented for selecting its new leader if the incumbent steps down 
before his or her term of office expires. Besides the usual formula, 
another method of taking a vote by only members of both Houses in 
their joint plenary meeting is also provided. This method is adopted 
as an exceptional case, with consideration given to emergency. The 
DPJ presidential race on May 16 will be held based on this 
provision. 
 
Usually, a ballot is taken by Diet members, candidates endorsed by 
the party for a national election, and local assembly members, 
registered party members, and supporters (about 270,000 as of August 
2008). The numbers of votes are counted based on points. Votes by 
party members are taken in 300 single-seat constituencies, so it 
takes a long period for an election to be over. 
 
12) Opinion poll on who is most appropriate to become new DPJ 
president: Okada marks 23 PERCENT , Hatoyama 16 PERCENT 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
May 13, 2009 
 
In the wake of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro 
Ozawa's announcement to step down, Kyodo News Service conducted a 
nationwide telephone-based opinion survey on May 11-12 asking who is 
most suitable to become the next DPJ head. As a result, 23.7 PERCENT 
 of respondents cited Vice President Katsuya Okada and 16.9 PERCENT 
 
TOKYO 00001081  008 OF 010 
 
 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama. 
 
Some 65.5 PERCENT  said Ozawa should have resigned earlier, 18.5 
PERCENT  indicated Ozawa should have stayed on to face the next 
Lower House election as party head, and 13.2 PERCENT  said the 
timing was appropriate. Increasing party unity was Ozawa's reason to 
quit, but 68.2 PERCENT  found this unconvincing. The general public 
still remains critical of Ozawa's response to the massive donation 
scandal involving Nishimatsu Construction Co. 
 
The rate of support for the Aso cabinet dropped 1.6 points from the 
previous survey in late April to 28.0 PERCENT . The disapproval rate 
also fell 1.1 points to 55.1 PERCENT . 
 
Asked which party they would vote for in the proportional 
representation segment in the next Lower House election, 26.7 
PERCENT  pointed to the Liberal Democratic Party and 36.5 PERCENT 
to the DPJ. In terms of the rate of support for party, the LDP 
surpassed the DPJ at 26.6 PERCENT  and 25.9 PERCENT , respectively. 
 
13) Survey of prefectural branch executives: 13 votes for Okada, 4 
for Hatoyama as desirable DPJ head 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 13, 2009 
 
As the best choice (including several replies) for the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) presidency, 13 prefectural chapters chose Vice 
President Katsuya Okada, while only four supported Secretary General 
Hatoyama, according to a survey of executives of DPJ prefectural 
branches nationwide conducted yesterday by the Yomiuri Shimbun. Any 
specific names were not cited by 29 prefectures. 
 
The survey was conducted by having pollsters pick Okada, Hatoyama, 
or others as desirable party head. 
 
As priorities given in selecting the party's new leader, 
"leadership" cited by the largest number of executives, followed by 
"political ideology," and "cleanness." Among the prefectures that 
picked Okada, many cited "cleanness," probably focusing on his 
efforts to deal with political funds problems. Meanwhile, the 
Tochigi Prefectural Assembly said it supported Hatoyama, citing the 
reason that he is fully aware of the need for continuity of party 
management and local circumstances. 
 
Asked if they think President Ichiro Ozawa fulfilled his 
accountability for the arrest of his aide for receiving illegal 
political donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co., 24 prefectures 
gave a positive reply, while 12 prefectures said he didn't. 
 
14) Ruling party members expect Hatoyama to become DPJ head, 
anticipating public criticism as "puppet in hands of Ozawa" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
May 13, 2009 
 
An increasing number of members of the Liberal Democratic Party and 
the New Komeito have voiced a hope that Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama will become next Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) president. 
Their speculation is that if Hatoyama, who supported President 
Ichiro Ozawa as the party's secretary general even after the arrest 
of his aide over a political funds scandal, becomes his successor, 
 
TOKYO 00001081  009 OF 010 
 
 
the ruling coalition would be able to keep "the tactics of 
criticizing Ozawa," which it once lost with Ozawa's announcement of 
his resignation. The DPJ's chance of regaining strengthen is 
considered dependent on its new leader. Given this, the ruling 
parties are paying close attention to who would become Ozawa's 
successor. 
 
Asked in a press briefing yesterday about the impact of the DPJ's 
next president on the next Lower House election, LDP Secretary 
General Hiroyuki Hosoda just replied: "There will be no particular 
impact." Triggered by the arrest of Ozawa's first state-funded 
secretary over the money scandal, public support of the cabinet of 
Prime Minister Aso began to shoot up. LDP Executive Council Chairman 
Takashi Sasagawa said in a press conference yesterday: "The DPJ's 
error saved (the Aso cabinet), in a sense." 
 
The ruling coalition fears this scenario: Amid people placing high 
hopes on the new DPJ president, the next general election is held. 
Bearing such a possibility in mind, many coalition members expect 
Hatoyama, who is close to Ozawa, will be elected to head the main 
opposition party. A senior LDP member said: "(If Hatoyama assumes 
the presidency), the image that Mr. Ozawa is actually pulling the 
strings behind the scenes will be projected." A senior New Komeito 
member commented: "(If Hatoyama assumes the presidency), we can 
criticize him as being a puppet in the hands of Ozawa." A government 
source said: "Mr. Hatoyama holding a lead is desirable for us. Such 
a case is preferable for the prime minister." An LDP faction leader 
remarked: "(If Hatoyama becomes party president,) we can criticize 
him, citing his earlier remark that he would take joint 
responsibility with Mr. Ozawa." 
 
15) DPJ presidential race to be contest between pro-Ozawa and 
non-Ozawa candidates 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 13, 2009 
 
The upcoming Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) presidential election 
to choose the replacement of President Ichiro Ozawa has taken a 
strong aspect of being a contest between pro-Ozawa and non-Ozawa 
candidates. In yesterday's executive and standing secretaries 
general meetings which decided on the date for the election, a 
pro-Ozawa lawmaker close to Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama 
asserted that the election should be conducted on May 15 in order to 
put an end to the matter as early as possible, but a non-Ozawa group 
lawmaker backing Vice President Katsuya Okada stressed that the 
election should be pushed back so that rank and file party members 
and supporters can vote. As a result, the pro-Ozawa camp steamrolled 
it and dissatisfaction has grown in the non-Ozawa bloc. 
 
Hatoyama and Okada yesterday made up their mind to run in the 
election of the new DPJ president. 
 
The pro-Ozawa groups, which support Hatoyama, include: the Hatoyama 
group called the group to bring about a change in government (about 
40 members), the Isshinkai group supporting Ozawa (about 40 
members); former Socialist Party ranks (about 15 members), including 
Upper House Caucus Chairman Azuma Koshiishi; and former Democratic 
Socialist Party ranks (about 20 members). 
 
The non-Ozawa groups backing Okada include: the policy group 
Ryounkai (about 30 members), headed by Vice President Seiji Maehara 
 
TOKYO 00001081  010 OF 010 
 
 
(about 30 members); and the policy group Kaseikai (about 20 members) 
led by Public relations Committee Chairman Yoshihiko Noda. Maehara 
met last night in Tokyo with several Ryounkai members and they 
confirmed that their group would support Okada. Noda clearly stated 
in a meeting of his group: "We should back Mr. Okada." However, the 
Noda group refrained from making a final decision. One of the 
lawmakers supporting Okada said: "The smooth transference of the 
presidency has been secretly promised" between Ozawa and Hatoyama 
because Ozawa on May 3 revealed his intention to quit his post. 
 
Yesterday, sparks flew between the groups supporting Hatoyama and 
Okada over how to conduct the election of the new DPJ president. 
 
16) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike to step down possibly 
because of weekly magazine article 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
May 13, 2009 
 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshitada Konoike, 68, decided 
yesterday to step down from his post, according to a senior 
government official. Konoike is a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
House of Councillors member representing Hyogo Prefecture. He will 
tender his resignation to Prime Minister Taro Aso as early as today. 
A health problem is the ostensible reason. But the real reason seems 
to lie in the prospect that a weekly magazine going on sale today 
will carry an article reporting that Konoike used a free Diet 
member's JR train pass for a private trip with a female 
acquaintance. 
 
The resignation of a deputy chief cabinet secretary at the center of 
the administration is certain to deal a serious blow to the Aso 
administration. Katsuhito Asano, 71, an LDP Upper House member, is 
being suggested as Konoike's potential successor. 
 
According to the weekly magazine, Konoike used the free train pass 
when he took Shinkansen bullet trains to and from the city of Atami, 
Shizuoka Prefecture, on a three-day two-night visit starting on 
April 28. All lawmakers receive free passes under the lawmakers' 
annual salary law. Under the law, Diet members are allowed to use 
their passes when performing their duties. A weekly magazine also 
reported in January that Konoike had spent time with a female 
acquaintance at the lawmakers' Diet dormitory in Tokyo. 
 
Konoike, a member of the Aso faction, is now serving his third term 
in the Upper House. He was appointed deputy chief cabinet secretary 
by Prime Minister Aso last September after serving in other posts 
such as Upper House Budget Committee chair. 
 
ZUMWALT