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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001184 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 05/26/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) North Korea presses U.S. for talks; Concerns over Kim Jong Il's 
health condition evident; Eager to establish itself as nuclear power 
(Asahi) 
 
(2) North Korea aims to shake and bring U.S. in negotiations with 
second nuclear test (Mainichi) 
 
(3) Lower House to adopt resolution condemning North Korea today 
(Mainichi) 
 
(4) UNSC agrees to new resolution denouncing North Korea for nuclear 
test: Japanese, American leaders in telephone discussion agree: 
"Need strong resolution, swiftly" (Mainichi) 
 
(5) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos: Government perplexed by 
appareyuqLQQtic solution needed for Futenma: Nakaima (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(8) NHK owns military land (Mainichi) 
 
(9) Current Diet session to pass Northern Territories Law, 
designating the islands as "integral part of Japanese territory" 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(10) Pacific Islands Forum kicks off (Nikkei) 
 
(11) Editorial: "IWC stalls: Gap is Wide But There is Still 
Hope"(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(12) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(13) EDITORIALS 
 
(14) Prime Minister's schedule, May 25 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) North Korea presses U.S. for talks; Concerns over Kim Jong Il's 
health condition evident; Eager to establish itself as nuclear 
power 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
May 26, 2009 
 
Tetsuya Hakoda, Seoul 
 
The second nuclear test conducted by North Korea on May 25 stunned 
the officials in charge of countries concerned. Although there is 
apparent concern over the health of its supreme leader, Pyongyang 
does not provide the slightest indication of softening its hard-line 
stance. It will apparently take time for North Korea to miniaturize 
its nuclear weapons, but the nuclear threat nonetheless has grown 
stronger. 
 
TOKYO 00001184  002 OF 013 
 
 
 
In response to a flood of media inquiries eager to confirm the 
North's nuclear test, a high-ranking South Korean official 
repeatedly said yesterday morning that the Presidential Office was 
analyzing information. The turmoil ended with the Korean Central 
News Agency's proud announcement some 20 minutes later that the 
country had successfully conducted one more underground nuclear 
test. 
 
The North Korean Foreign Ministry hinted on April 29 at another 
nuclear test, but the country had just launched a ballistic missile 
in early April. The official in charge at the South Korean 
Presidential Office said: "Many countries must have expected 
(another nuclear test), but I don't think anyone expected it so 
soon. I think North Korea has decided to stop using a nuclear test 
as a trump card in dealing with the United States. North Korea now 
is trying to press the United States to determine how it is going to 
deal with it as a nuclear power." 
 
It is certain that the ultimate aim of North Korea's nuclear and 
missile development programs is the United States. Although 
President Barack Obama has replaced George W. Bush, who had once 
labeled North Korea a part of an "axis of evil," the current U.S. 
administration has yet to set a specific policy toward North Korea. 
 
Pyongyang continues to send a message to Washington that if it 
underestimates North Korea, things could go terribly wrong. In order 
for the message to carry weight, the sender must be a nuclear power 
rather than a minor power in East Asia. The governments of such 
countries as Japan, the United States and South Korea do not regard 
North Korea as a nuclear power. 
 
Sogang University Professor Kim Young Soo takes this view: "Becoming 
a nuclear power is what the North wants most and what the United 
States hates most. The nuclear test (on May 25) refleQk[|est. 
 
Behind North Korea's eagerness to enter into bilateral talks with 
the United States lies its frustration with an unstable domestic 
situation. A South Korean government source chiefly ascribes that to 
concerns over the health of Kim Jong Il, who is chairman of the 
National Defense Commission and general secretary of the Workers 
Party of Korea. 
 
Lee Bong Jo, who directly met with Kim Jong Il when he was serving 
as unification deputy minister under the former Roh Moo Hyun 
administration, also noted: "The North Korean leadership is obsessed 
with the health of the general secretary. There are no prospects for 
negotiations with the United States, while the North is aiming to 
turn itself into a prosperous and powerful socialist country in 
three years' time. The North Korean leadership is extremely 
irritated with such a fact." Establishing itself as a prosperous and 
powerful socialist country by 2012, the 100the anniversary of the 
birthday of late President Kim Il Sung, is the North's national 
goal. 
 
The country cannot get loans from international organizations unless 
its relationship with the United States is improved. Turning North 
Korea into a prosperous and powerful country is synonymous with 
 
TOKYO 00001184  003 OF 013 
 
 
improving its ties with the United States, according to Lee. 
 
Information on and speculation in North Korea about who would 
succeed Kim Jong Il are the flip side of the leadership's concerns 
over the health of the supreme leader. 
 
The South Korean government thinks the North will continue hardening 
its stance unless there are prospects that it can conduct talks with 
the United States in its favor. "In the future, North Korea might 
launch intercontinental ballistic missiles to raise tensions," a 
senior South Korean National Defense Ministry official said before 
the national defense affairs committee that met yesterday. 
 
Rudimentary success, miniaturizing nuclear weapons still many years 
away 
 
Yoshihiro Makino in Seoul, senior writer Kunikazu Tanida, and 
Tatsuyuki Kobori 
 
Defining the May 25 nuclear test a success, North Korea explained 
that it helped further increase the power of nuclear weapons. From 
the scales of seismic waves observed in Japan, South Korea and other 
countries, many observers think North Korea succeeded in a basic 
plutonium-based nuclear test. 
 
According to the South Korean National Defense Ministry and other 
sources, the tremor registered 4.4 on the Richter scale. Lee Chun 
Kun of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology said: "A 
reading between 4.5 and 4.7 is regarded as a success 
internationally. The yield of the latest test was smaller than 20 
kilotons (that was used on Nagasaki), but it still could be called a 
success." 
 
The South Korean government concluded that the nuclear test 
conducted by the North in 2006 did not generate insufficient 
explosion. 
 
The seismic wave registered in Japan yesterday was larger than the 
one in 2006. Experts believe that the performance of the nuclear 
weapons used on May 25 has increased than the ones used before. 
 
Tokyo Institute of Technology Associate Professor Tetsuo Sawada 
commented: "It is undeniable that the North has developed nuclear 
bombs with greater yields." He also thinks that the technology of 
implosion has also increased. 
 
At the same time, many believe that the North has yet to succeed in 
developing nuclear weapons small enough to fit onto missiles. 
 
The mid-range Rodong missile, which generally has all of Japan in 
its range, and the improved-version of the Taepodong-2 the North 
launched on April 5 are believed to be able to carry about 800 kilos 
and 1 ton of nuclear weapons, respectively. The atomic bomb used on 
Nagasaki weighed nearly 5 tons. 
 
The weight of the nuclear weapons used on May 25 is unclear, but 
many observers in South Korea think it takes time to miniaturize 
nuclear weapons. 
 
According to North Korea's nuclear programs declared over the 
Six-Party Talks in June 2008, the country used about 26 kg of 
plutonium in producing nuclear weapons. In yesterday's test, part of 
 
TOKYO 00001184  004 OF 013 
 
 
theme was believed to be used. The South Korean National Defense 
Ministry disclosed the analysis yesterday that the North might 
possess six to seven nuclear weapons. In addition, the North has 
about 14,800 unused fuel rods. If they are burned off in the 5,000 
kilowatt nuclear reactor, 10 - 15 kg of weapons-grade plutonium is 
believed to be produced. 
 
On April 29, the North underlined the need to construct light-water 
reactors. The North intends to advance the uranium-enrichment 
technology on the pretext of building the light-water reactors, 
according to a South Korean government source. Light-water reactors 
use low-enriched uranium, but weapons-grade enriched uranium can be 
produced if the enrichment is repeated. The North has already 
obtained 24 samples centrifuges and other devices that are necessary 
for enriching uranium. The country has also reportedly imported from 
Russia high-strength aluminum pipes capable of manufacturing some 
2,600 centrifuges. 
 
(2) North Korea aims to shake and bring U.S. in negotiations with 
second nuclear test 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 26, 2009 
 
Many observers conclude that North Korea's nuclear test on May 25th 
ended successfully, based on analysis of earthquake waves and other 
data. The international community, including Japan, the U.S. and 
South Korea, has condemned North Korea, but the North is likely to 
make tougher claims, on the strength of its status as "a nuclear 
power." Meanwhile, the international community remains unable to 
come up with effective measures against North Korea, which has 
escalated its brinkmanship diplomacy. The U.S. administration of 
President Barack Obama has yet to present any clear-cut strategy 
toward North Korea. Attention is being focused on what step the 
Obama administration would take next. 
 
North Korea aiming for direct talks with U.S. 
 
Regarding North Korea's second underground nuclear test, a person 
close to its regime said: "The Democratic People's Public of Korea, 
unable to wait any longer, pitched a ball. Future development 
depends on how the U.S. will throw it back." 
 
Two months have already passed since North Korea launched a 
long-range ballistic missile, which it claimed to be a satellite. 
During this period, Pyongyang pushed ahead with brinkmanship by 
referring to these plans to: (1) start the process of restoring its 
main reactor in Yongbyon; (2) start the reprocessing of used fuel 
rods; and (3) nuclear testing and test firing of intercontinental 
ballistic missiles (ICBM). But the international community, 
including the U.S., made no quick response. 
 
The U.S. Obama administration had earmarked 95 million dollars, or 
approximately 9 billion yen, as funds for energy aid to North Korea 
in its supplementary budget bill for fiscal 2009 (from October 2008 
through September 2009). But the U.S., citing North Korea's tough 
stance as the main reason, the U.S. decided to put off the aid plan. 
According to a source related to the Workers' Party of Korea, North 
Korea took the policy decision by the U.S. administration as part of 
its hostile policy toward it and promptly stiffened its attitude. 
 
While building up a feeling of tension during the period between the 
 
TOKYO 00001184  005 OF 013 
 
 
missile firing in April and the nuclear test in May, North Korea 
must have been bearing in mind these two processes: (1) from firing 
the long-range ballistic missile Taepodong-1 in 1998 through the 
issuance of a U.S.-North Korea joint communiqu in 2000; and (2) 
from the freeze of North Korean assets at the Banco Delta Asia, a 
bank in Macao, in 2005 through missile launch and nuclear tests in 
¶2006. That is because North Korea believes, as the said source 
remarked: "The North succeeded in turning around the tables by 
carrying through what the international community opposed." 
 
In the six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, the North 
has been at loggerheads with Japan, the U.S., and South Korea over 
methods for verifying its nuclear information. Its relations 
particularly with Japan and South Korea have deteriorated so 
seriously that no prospects are in sight for their relations to be 
restored. In addition, relations between North Korea and China, the 
chair of the six-party talks, have become strained over the North's 
April missile launch. Its relations with Russia have also been in a 
gloomy atmosphere, as seen in no arrangement made for a meeting 
between Kim Jong Il and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when 
he visited Pyongyang last month. 
 
North Korea, though, bullishly anticipates that the U.S., with a 
growing sense of alarm, would get around the negotiating table and 
sign an agreement with vague contents. The scenario continues that 
the U.S. would allow the North to possess nuclear weapons and 
conclude a peace treaty and establish diplomatic relations with 
North Korea on an equal footing. 
 
The said source also said: "The six-party talks have already become 
just a framework to approve the items agreed on between the U.S. and 
North Korea. Once North Korea resumes talks with the U.S., its 
relations with the rest members of the six-party talks will 
automatically improve." As shown by this remark, North Korea is 
looking only at the U.S. 
 
(3) Lower House to adopt resolution condemning North Korea today 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 26, 2009 
 
The House of Representatives Steering Committee in its directors' 
meeting yesterday decided to adopt in its plenary session today a 
resolution condemning North Korea's second nuclear test. When the 
North launched a missile in April, the Japanese Communist Party 
opposed adopting a resolution of protest, while the Social 
Democratic Party abstained from voting. This time, though, the 
committee will call for these two opposition parties' cooperation in 
a drive to adopt the resolution unanimously. The House of Councillor 
also eyes a similar resolution. 
 
(4) UNSC agrees to new resolution denouncing North Korea for nuclear 
test: Japanese, American leaders in telephone discussion agree: 
"Need strong resolution, swiftly" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
Eve., May 26, 2009 
 
With the news that North Korea had carried out an underground 
nuclear test, Prime Minister Taro Aso this morning held a 15-minute 
conversation by phone with President Obama. The two leaders agreed 
on the need for swiftly adopting a UN Security Council resolution 
 
TOKYO 00001184  006 OF 013 
 
 
with strong contents. They confirmed the importance of cooperating 
closely with China and Russia, which have both taken the stance of 
leaning toward North Korea. 
 
The telephone discussion occurred at the request of the Japanese 
side. Prime Minister Aso led off by making such observations as, 
"Something that threatens the peace and stability of the 
international community absolutely cannot be tolerated." The 
President responded: "As members of the Six-Party Talks, we must see 
a strong resolution adopted swiftly." The Prime Minister said, "The 
carrying out of the test is regrettable, coming at a time when there 
is a heightening mood toward arms reduction and nuclear 
non-proliferation thanks to President Obama." The President 
responded, "The carrying out of the test is a serious threat." 
 
(5) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos: Government perplexed by 
apparent downgrading of position, disappointed with dropping of 
"heavyweight" Nye 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2009 
 
Many government and ruling party officials are perplexed by the 
appointment of John Roos, a law firm C.E.O. as the U.S. Obama 
administration's new ambassador to Japan because "he is a total 
unknown." 
 
Unknown diplomatic ability 
 
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye, an expert on 
Japanese affairs, had been tipped to become the next ambassador to 
Japan. 
 
Roos provided enormous amounts of campaign funds to Obama in the 
U.S. presidential election last year. His relationship to President 
Obama is closer than Nye's. Such is the reason behind the 
appointment of Roos. 
 
However, compared to Nye, who has served in senior positions in the 
departments of State and Defense and who is a well-known 
international affairs scholar, the appointment of Roos, who has no 
diplomatic experience, appears to be "a downgrading." It can be 
argued that the Roos appointment is similar to that of previous 
ambassador Thomas Schieffer, whose only qualification was his close 
relationship with President George Bush, although Schieffer had 
served as ambassador to Australia before coming to Japan. 
 
The Japanese government has refrained from commenting because 
Washington has yet to make an official announcement. Officials 
believe that the dropping of Nye, a heavyweight, means that Japan is 
being treated lightly. 
 
A senior official at the Foreign Ministry pointed out: "An 
individual close to the president has been chosen because of the 
importance given to Japan. He will be able to call the President 
anytime and can be expected to serve as an intermediary." While 
there are people who welcome Roos's appointment, strong doubts have 
been voiced about the Obama administration's appointment of the 
ambassador to Japan as a "reward" for his services during the 
presidential election. One senior government official said: "He is 
not someone who has had direct contact with Japan. His appointment 
by the President came as a surprise." 
 
TOKYO 00001184  007 OF 013 
 
 
 
Liberal Democratic Party officials also have mixed feelings about 
Roos. Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the party's Research Commission on 
Foreign Affairs, says: "Considering the unstable situation in 
Northeast Asia, the appointment of Nye would have been most 
reassuring." 
 
(6) "Taro's International Correspondence": Difference between Japan 
and China in appointment of U.S. ambassador 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, May 23, 2009 
 
Taro Kimura, freelance journalist 
 
It has been reported that U.S. President Barack Obama intends to 
appoint John Roos, a lawyer, as ambassador to Japan. 
 
Appointments of a close friend and a political enemy 
 
Roos is a lawyer who has been involved with mergers and acquisitions 
of IT companies in Silicon Valley. He apparently does not have 
particularly close ties with Japan, but was an enthusiastic 
supporter of President Obama during his campaign, being "one of the 
earliest supporters and biggest fund raisers of the Obama camp" 
(according to The New York Times). 
 
In that sense, this will be the second appointment in a row based on 
personal relations with the president, after former president George 
Bush appointed his close friend Thomas Schieffer as ambassador to 
Japan. 
 
With regard to the ambassador to Japan, it was reported that the 
Department of State had pushed for Joseph Nye, an expert on Japan 
who served as assistant secretary of defense during the Clinton 
administration, and that an unofficial decision had been made. 
However, it appears this was overruled by the White House. 
 
Actually, the new ambassador to China had also been announced before 
Roos' appointment became known. In this case, an individual who not 
only does not have personal relations with the President, but can 
also be classified as a "political enemy" was appointed. The obvious 
difference in these two appointments is noteworthy. 
 
Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has been named the ambassador to China. 
Not only is he a Republican, he has also served as a close aide to 
Republican presidents since Ronald Reagan and was ambassador to 
Singapore during the administration of Bush Senior. 
 
Huntsman also served as the chairman of the national committee for 
the campaign of Republican candidate John McCain, Obama's rival, in 
last year's presidential election. He is probably politically 
farthest from Obama. 
 
It is said that the reason Huntsman was appointed is because he is 
fluent in Chinese and has credibility in the Chinese government. He 
is a Mormon and learned Chinese when engaged in missionary work in 
Taiwan in his 20s. When he was ambassador to Singapore, he took 
advantage of his linguistic skills to build close relations with 
Chinese diplomats and was highly regarded by them. On a personal 
note, he has one adopted daughter each from China and India among 
his five children. 
 
TOKYO 00001184  008 OF 013 
 
 
 
It is said that he had been on the short list of Bush Junior's 
candidates for ambassador to China. Therefore, President Obama 
appears to have taken an idea from his predecessor. 
 
Huntsman's appointment symbolizes the importance the Obama 
administration attaches to restoring trust between the U.S. and 
China in its diplomacy toward the PRC. On the other hand, what does 
the appointment of someone unrelated to Japan as ambassador to Tokyo 
symbolize? 
 
Reflection of degree of friendliness 
 
Looking at U.S. ambassadorial appointments, those made based on 
personal relations with the president seem to apply to friendly 
countries where there are no outstanding diplomatic issues, such as 
in the case of the appointment of Joseph Kennedy, father of 
President John F. Kennedy, as ambassador to Britain by President 
Franklin Roosevelt as a reward for his substantial political 
donations. 
 
In that sense, one can say that the appointment of Roos as 
ambassador to Japan is a result of the Obama administration's 
assessment that there are "no outstanding problems" in Japan-U.S. 
relations at present. 
 
(7) Realistic solution needed for Futenma: Nakaima 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 23, 2009 
 
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, meeting the press yesterday, 
indicated a skeptical view of Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) 
President Yukio Hatoyama's statement in which he indicated that the 
DPJ would keep upholding its policy of seeking to relocate the U.S. 
military's Futenma airfield elsewhere outside Okinawa Prefecture 
after taking the reins of government. Nakaima said: "I wonder if 
that policy can be translated into reality, or I wonder if it 
(Futenma relocation) will just stop during that time. I think it 
would be better for him to work on this issue in a realistic way 
without wavering to the right or left." 
 
Meanwhile, Nakaima also came up with his view, saying: "I cannot 
predict how this issue will be settled when there is a government 
that has a different view of the (U.S. force) realignment." 
 
(8) NHK owns military land 
 
MAINICHI (Page 8) (Full) 
Eve., May 25, 2009 
 
NHK, short for Nihon Hoso Kyokai (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), 
owns a land lot on the premises of the Akasaka Press Center, a U.S. 
military base located in Tokyo's downtown area of Roppongi, and has 
rented the land to the government for more than 40 years. NHK has 
reduced the size of land in its possession by partially selling that 
landed property to the government every fiscal year. However, NHK, 
which is a news organization, is an owner of military land. Such an 
unusual situation will continue for several more years. 
 
The base used to be where a garrison of the now-defunct Japanese 
military was located. The land was requisitioned by the Allied 
 
TOKYO 00001184  009 OF 013 
 
 
Forces in September 1945 and has been in U.S. Forces Japan's use. In 
1960 and 1962, with the Tokyo Olympics ahead, the government sold a 
total of about 30,000 square meters to NHK for its TV center. 
However, the U.S. military continued to use that land. In 1963, NHK 
swapped most of the land with state-owned land in Yoyogi, where its 
present broadcasting center is located. The remaining land of about 
8,200 square meters has been rented to the government since fiscal 
¶1966. 
 
In fiscal 1975, the government began buying the land back at NHK's 
request. The government has so far bought up about 7,600 square 
meters for approximately 6.9 billion yen in total. The base 
currently covers a total land area of about 31,600 square meters. 
Excluding state-owned land, a land lot of about 600 square meters is 
still in the passion of NHK. The government says it has 
acquisitioned land with its annual budget. 
 
The base is in a prime location of Tokyo's downtown area near 
Roppongi Hills. It houses a heliport, a billet for officers, and a 
U.S. military newspaper's office. Minato Ward, which hosts the base, 
and Tokyo have consistently asked the government to return the base 
site due to such problems as the risk of a helicopter's crash and 
noise. 
 
NHK's public relations bureau explained: "This matter concerns the 
land that we own. It has nothing to do with the neutrality of a news 
organization. The land is unnecessary for NHK, so we have been 
strongly asking the government to buy up the land." USFJ's public 
affairs office said, "We're not in a position to comment." 
 
Yasushi Kawasaki, formerly an NHK political reporter and currently a 
commentator, said: "Aside from what was in the past, the public 
broadcaster is involved in the U.S. military's use of land. Such a 
situation should be dissolved as soon as possible." 
 
(9) Current Diet session to pass Northern Territories Law, 
designating the islands as "integral part of Japanese territory" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2009 
 
The ruling parties gave its approval on May 22 to a bill to amend 
the law on special measures to activate the movement for the return 
of the Northern Territories, which designates the Northern Islands 
as "an integral part of Japanese territory." The opposition parties, 
including the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), are also amenable to 
passing the bill, so it is now expected to be enacted during the 
current Diet session. The purpose of the bill is to give the 
Northern Islands legal status as Japanese territory and to heighten 
the people's interest in the repatriation movement. The ruling 
parties want to use this to supply a tailwind for the Japan-Russia 
summit in July, where the Northern Territories issue will be a key 
issue, and plan to submit the bill next week. 
 
The revised bill provides for the promotion of no-visa exchange of 
visits between Japanese citizens and residents of the four Northern 
Islands. The rearing of successors in light of the aging of the 
original residents, promotion of tourism in Nemuro City, which 
serves as the center of the campaign for the islands' return, and 
other matters are also written into the law. 
 
The draft was drawn up by the supra-partisan "Parliamentary Union 
 
TOKYO 00001184  010 OF 013 
 
 
for the Return of the Northern Territories and the Promotion of 
Exchanges with the Four Islands" and was approved by the policy 
officers of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on May 22. 
A senior Democratic Party of Japan Policy Research Committee 
official stressed that "there is no problem with the contents." The 
JCP advocates the return of all the Kurile islands, including the 
four northern islands. It refuses to co-sponsor the bill but is 
expected to vote for the amendment. 
 
(10) Pacific Islands Forum kicks off 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 23, 2009 
 
The Japan and the Pacific Islands Forum (Pacific Island Leaders 
Meeting - PALM), participated in by 16 Pacific island countries, 
started on May 22 in the village of Shimukappu, Hokkaido. The 
meeting is part of Japan's diplomatic strategy to strengthen 
relations with pro-Japanese island nations. Prime Minister Taro Aso 
is expected to announce Japan's plan to set up a Pacific Environment 
Community for financial assistance totaling 50 billion yen over 
three years. The plan is also aimed to counter China's aid 
diplomacy. 
 
The prime minister at the outset of the meeting noted, "I would like 
to send a powerful message to the world, while affirming ties with 
island nations in the Pacific." He was so enthusiastic that he kept 
his minute-cutting schedule for bilateral summits with six leaders. 
 
Japan has hosted PALM every three years, staring in 1997. Measures 
to deal with the climate change, improving the lives of people in 
the region and strengthening personnel exchanges are on the table of 
the current fifth round of the Meeting. Japan will propose the 
transfers of technologies for seawater desalination and solar energy 
generation. 
 
Behind generous aid proposals is a diplomatic battle involving China 
and Taiwan. Even tiny island countries have one vote at the UN like 
big powers. If Japan gets them on its side, it would be able to form 
public opinion advantageous to it. 
 
In 2005, Japan along with Germany, etc., submitted a framework 
resolution in a bid to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security 
Council. Seven Pacific island nations were among the 29 
co-submitters. Countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan all 
supported Japan, while countries like Tonga that have such ties with 
China did not. This indicates a pattern of Japan having managed to 
secure support from seven countries that have diplomatic ties with 
Taiwan, which is at odds with China. 
 
China's offensive has continued. In 2006, it held a Chinese version 
of island summit, bringing together six nations. Premier Wen Jiabao 
visited Fiji and pledged financial cooperation totaling roughly 42 
billion yen. China will hold the second round of the meeting as 
early as this fall. Taiwan also held meetings with six island 
nations in 2006 and 2007. A senior Foreign Ministry official said, 
"The battle over Pacific island nations is becoming fiercer year by 
year." 
 
The prime minister's diplomatic principle is the Arc of Freedom and 
Prosperity. He on the 21st announced a plan to host a Japan-Mekong 
summit before year's end, inviting leaders of countries in the basin 
 
TOKYO 00001184  011 OF 013 
 
 
of the Mekong River bordering China. What is common between PALM and 
the Japan-Mekong summit is that they are both intended to lay siege 
to China and check it. 
 
(11) Editorial: "IWC stalls: Gap is Wide But There is Still Hope" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
May 24, 2009 
 
The discussion at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to move 
toward normalization has again ended by a decision to defer reaching 
a conclusion. While the gap between the pro- and anti-whaling states 
is still wide, an atmosphere conducive to dialogue has emerged. It 
is important that Japan should continue its efforts to win 
understanding for research whaling. 
 
It is probably difficult to untie the knots once the pieces of 
strings get tangled. The Small Working Group (SWG) had attempted to 
normalize the dysfunctional IWC, but the disappointment (with its 
failure) has been proportionate to the amount of expectations placed 
on the group. 
 
The plan was for the SWG to compile a "draft agreement" by mid-May 
and submit this to the next annual convention to be held on the 
island of Madeira in Portugal from June 22. With the conclusion 
being deferred for a year, the upcoming convention is not expected 
to discuss normalization vigorously. 
 
The IWC is supposed to be an organization for the proper management 
of whale resources. It decided on a moratorium on commercial whaling 
in 1982 and went on to implement this in 1986. Japan also 
discontinued whaling but started research whaling of minke whales 
and other species in the Antarctic Sea. 
 
Since then, conflict between pro- and anti-whaling states has 
continued to intensify. The IWC was only able to form the SWG for 
the organization's normalization last year. A government source 
reacted to this latest development calmly: "I do not expect nations 
that have been in dispute for over 20 years to reconcile in a short 
time." 
 
Nevertheless, dialogue between the two camps has proceeded slowly 
but surely. Japan proposed to scale down its research whaling at the 
SWG. This was an about-face from its previous policy of increasing 
the catch steadily. 
 
The anti-whaling states reportedly also showed a certain extent of 
understanding to the proposal to cut back on the catch. However, the 
U.S., Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other anti-whaling 
nations refused to back down from their position that Japan's 
research whaling is a disguised form of commercial whaling conducted 
in the name of scientific research. They insisted on a total ban on 
research whaling. 
 
The whale population in the Antarctic Sea has been recovering 
steadily, except for species such as fin whales. The continuous use 
of whale resources should be a top item on the agenda, considering 
the future food problem in the developing countries, for instance. 
In the North Atlantic Ocean, mass consumption of sauries and 
sardines by whales has become a problem. This was discovered through 
research whaling. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001184  012 OF 013 
 
 
Meanwhile, fishery industry sources say that fishery production 
emits only one-tenth of the CO2 emitted by the livestock industry in 
the process of increasing the output of animal protein. This fact 
cannot be overlooked from the viewpoint of the earth's environment. 
 
Japan should actively take advantage of such "common language of the 
world" and work toward a rapprochement with the anti-whaling 
states. 
 
(12) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi & Yomiuri: 
U.S., China, Russia condemn North Korea's nuclear test 
 
Mainichi, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
UN Security Council to discuss North Korea's nuclear test; China, 
Russia also issue denunciation 
 
Nikkei: 
President Obama in speech reveals plan to apply pressure on North 
Korea in cooperation with Japan, South Korea, China and Russia 
 
Akahata: 
JCP harshly condemns North Korea's nuclear test 
 
(13) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) North Korea's nuclear test: U.S., China urged to jointly try to 
stop reckless moves 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) UN Security Council expected to take resolute measures against 
North Korea for second nuclear test 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Strictly respond to North Korea's repeated reckless act 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) UNSC should slap severe sanctions on North Korea for nuclear 
test 
(2) Japan needs to join hands with Pacific island countries to 
protect environment 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Determined sanctions necessary against North Korea for its 
second nuclear test 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) North Korea is recklessly challenging international community 
 
Akahata: 
(1) North's reckless act challenging public calls for nuclear 
abolition 
 
(14) Prime Minister's schedule, May 25 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 26, 2009 
 
07:34 Took a walk around his official residence. 
10:28 Met LDP Election Strategy Council Deputy Chairman Suga at the 
 
TOKYO 00001184  013 OF 013 
 
 
Kantei. 
11:06 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda. 
12:23 Attended a service held at the Chidorigafuchi National 
Cemetery in Sanbancho. 
13:00 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura at the Kantei. 
13:53 Met Kawamura. 
14:21 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma, followed by 
Administrative Reform Minister Amari and Administrative Reform 
Promotion Headquarters Secretary General Fukui. 
15:04 Met Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka, Cabinet Intelligence 
Director Mitani and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis 
Management Ito, joined by Kawamura. 
15:40 Met Deputy Secretary General Kojima. 
16:00 Place a call to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak. 
17:02 Attended an LDP executive meeting in the Diet building. 
17:39 Attended a Security of Japan meeting at the Kantei. Afterward 
met METI Minister Nikai. 
18:05 Attended a meeting on a monthly economic report. 
19:30 Attended a support association meeting held at Hotel Seiyo 
Ginza. 
21:05 Returned to his official residence. 
 
ZUMWALT