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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001204 
 
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 05/28/09 
 
INDEX: 
(1) Opposition parties to coordinate policies ahead of next general 
election; Cautious views heard about "common pledges" regarding 
security and other policies (Nikkei) 
 
(2) DPJ Secretary General Okada unveils plan to establish 
administrative vision team (Asahi) 
 
(3) Debate on defense fails to gain ground (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) Behind the scenes of the crisis - North Korea's nuclear test 
(Part 2): U.S. Obama administration wary of nuclear proliferation; 
"Nuclear arms may fall into hands of Al Qaeda" (Mainichi) 
 
(5) "In My Opinion: column: Take one step toward "world without 
nuclear arms"; President Obama's speech may change history 
(Mainichi) 
 
(6) Lawmaker Inoue questions GOJ payment of 600 million yen as 
sympathy money in lieu of compensation for crimes by off-duty U.S. 
soldiers (Akahata) 
 
(7) Kadena roaring intensifies (Akahata) 
 
(8) "Kyoto Protocol is a failure"; Business leaders make requests 
one after another (Sankei) 
 
(9) Harmful particulate matter in atmosphere; Environment ministry 
to set environmental standards for PM2.5 emissions (Asahi) 
 
(10) METI report expresses concern about reduction in global trade, 
reflecting Japanese firms' wariness (Yomiuri) 
 
(11) TOP HEADLINES 
 
(12) EDITORIALS 
 
(13) Prime Minister's schedule (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Opposition parties to coordinate policies ahead of next general 
election; Cautious views heard about "common pledges" regarding 
security and other policies 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has begun 
coordinating policies with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the 
People's New Party (PNP) in the hopes of launching a coalition 
administration with them after the next House of Representatives 
election. Planning to put together their common policies, the three 
opposition parties will consider matters centering on a review of 
the postal privatization program and a shift in the restrained 
policy course for social security spending. But there are huge gaps 
in opinions regarding the Constitution and national security. The 
SDP and PNP are wary that they might lose their political identities 
and sink into insignificance as a result of the standoff between the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the DPJ. 
 
DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada held talks with his SDP and PNP 
 
TOKYO 00001204  002 OF 013 
 
 
counterparts, Yasumasa Shigeno and Hisaoki Kamei, at a Tokyo hotel 
yesterday. After the meeting, Okada emphatically said to the press 
corps, "It would be better to increase common policies ahead of the 
(next Lower House) election." Specifically, an idea is circulating 
to combine common areas after the three parties formulate their own 
manifestos (campaign pledges). 
 
The DPJ, which does not have a working majority in the House of 
Councillors, needs to continue cooperating with the SDP and PNP. 
Okada expressed a view before becoming secretary general that his 
party would aim at a coalition government even if it wins a majority 
independently through the Lower House election. 
 
If a regime change occurs, common policies would serve as the 
foundation in talks among the three opposition parties for launching 
a coalition government. Behind the effort to coordinate policies 
seems to lie the DPJ's intention to straitjacket the SDP and PNP, 
which now hold the decisive vote, so that they will not make 
unreasonable demands in the future. 
 
There are gaps in the degree of eagerness between the SDP and the 
PNP, however. The PNP is more eager than the SDP to come up with 
common policies, especially on a review of the postal privatization 
program. 
 
Some in the DPJ are also cautious about reaching an accord that 
might automatically set priorities after taking reins of 
government. 
 
The DPJ's effort to coordinate views with the SDP and PNP is already 
facing difficulty over a review of the Worker Dispatch Law, to which 
the two minor parties attach importance. The SDP and PNP are also 
wide apart regarding foreign and security policies. 
 
The DPJ's policies and key points for cooperation with the SDP and 
PNP 
 
 DPJ's policies Points at issue in policy talks 
Economic policy, etc. Q Provide child-rearing allowances, remove 
expressway tolls. 
Q Fundamentally review the postal privatization program. 
Q Completely ban corporate and organizational donations in three 
years' time. Q In accord on a review of the postal privatization 
program. 
Q The PNP will examine the propriety of a total ban on corporate and 
organizational donations. 
Social security Q Introduce a minimum pension benefit system funded 
by consumption tax revenues. 
Q Abolish the healthcare system for people aged 75 and older. Q Both 
the SDP and PNP support the idea of using tax revenues for a new 
pension system. 
Q Coordination has run into difficulties over the scope of 
regulations in a review of the Worker Dispatch Law. 
Diplomacy, security policy Q Allow dispatching Self-Defense Force 
troops overseas to provide assistance to civilians or to engage in 
antipiracy operations based on a UN resolution, etc. 
Q Promote nuclear disarmament. Q The SDF insists that Japan should 
uphold Article 9 of the Constitution and is opposed to the overseas 
dispatch of the SDF. 
Q The PNP is against the idea of dispatching the SDF on an 
antipiracy mission. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001204  003 OF 013 
 
 
(2) DPJ Secretary General Okada unveils plan to establish 
administrative vision team 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
May 27, 2009 
 
Haruko Kagenishi 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Katsuya Okada gave 
an interview to the Asahi Shimbun on May 26. During the interview, 
Okada revealed a plan to establish shortly a team tasked with 
studying an administrative vision centering on President Hatoyama. 
With the participation of Deputy President Naoto Kan, who has his 
own plan, and others, the envisaged team intends to formulate a 
politician-led decision-making system. 
 
The party has already set up a manifesto preparatory committee under 
Policy Research Committee Chair Masayuki Naoshima. Okada said: "We 
need a venue to discuss politics beyond policies centering on the 
president, such as an administrative transitional period. The team 
will discuss matters, including plans drafted (by the preparatory 
committee), from a broad perspective." Okada indicated that he is 
hoping that the final plan will be ready in June. 
 
Kan has come up with his own plan designed to allow a council of the 
three top DPJ executives who concurrently serve as cabinet ministers 
to take on the functions of the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei), 
centering on the DPJ president (prime minister). But it had been 
left in limbo under former president Ichiro Ozawa. Okada 
categorically said in the interview that Kan would naturally be a 
member (of the administrative vision team). 
 
(3) Debate on defense fails to gain ground 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Hidemichi Katsumata, editor; Keiichi Honma, Washington Bureau; Shozo 
Nakayama, political reporter 
 
At a meeting on May 26, the day after North Korea's nuclear test, of 
the subcommittee on defense policy of the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP) National Defense Division, which will compile recommendations 
for the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) 
to be undertaken by the government by late 2009, the majority was in 
favor of Japan possessing the "capability to strike enemy bases." 
Many among the 30 or so participants asserted that this "should be 
included in the NDPG in terms of securing a deterrent proportionate 
to the threat," (House of Councillors member Ichita Yamamoto). 
 
The reinforcement of intelligence gathering and other capabilities 
will be necessary to acquire the capability to attack enemy bases 
with cruise missiles and bombers, and this will be too 
time-consuming and expensive for Japan to do on its own. However, 
Masahisa Sato, a former Ground Self-Defense Force officer who heads 
the subcommittee's secretariat, noted that, "The renovation of the 
Aegis ships for the installation of cruise missiles was surprisingly 
inexpensive." He thinks that this is feasible with the United 
States' understanding and cooperation. The government's 
constitutional interpretation maintains that attacking the enemy 
bases is possible if there are no other available options for 
self-defense. Gen Nakatani, chairman of the Research Commission on 
 
TOKYO 00001204  004 OF 013 
 
 
Security, stresses that, "We should not just sit and wait to die; 
possessing this capability will constitute a deterrent." 
 
In response to the Taepodong launches in 1998 and the missile crisis 
in 2006, the government has taken steps such as the introduction of 
missile defense systems. It is reported that North Korea has 
deployed over 200 "Nodong" missiles with Japan in their range during 
this period. LDP lawmakers concerned with defense issues feel that 
since the UN and the Six-Party Talks are unable to restrain the DPRK 
from developing missiles and nuclear arms, reactive measures will be 
too late. 
 
Japan's neighbors have been very sensitive to how North Korea's 
disruptive behavior will affect Japan. 
 
Russian newspaper "Independent News" reported on the LDP's debate on 
the capability to strike enemy bases on May 26 and opined that 
Japan's countermeasure may not be the reinforcement of the American 
"nuclear umbrella," but "probably the possession of nuclear bombs." 
South Korea's JoongAng Daily also expressed concern that, "If the 
international community's efforts are unsuccessful, Japan may go 
down the road of nuclear armament." 
 
In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Taro Aso on May 26, 
U.S. President Barack Obama, who advocates abolition of nuclear 
arms, reiterated the United States' commitment to provide 
deterrence, including the "nuclear umbrella." It is believed that 
this was "meant to preempt calls for nuclear armament," (senior 
Ministry of Defense official). 
 
However, such a sense of urgency is still absent among government 
and ruling party officials other than the LDP defense-minded 
lawmakers and the number one opposition party Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ). 
 
The party leaders' debate on May 27 devoted only five minutes to 
this issue. Concrete sanctions against the DPRK were not discussed 
and the exchanges centered on whether the U.S. had given advance 
notice to Japan. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama stressed to reporters 
in the early evening on the same day that, "We should not get 
engulfed in advocating nuclear armament and should refrain from 
discussing preemptive strikes on enemy bases." 
 
Fifteen years have passed since the North Korean nuclear crisis of 
¶1994. The threat has not diminished but has intensified instead. 
Japan is facing serious issues in terms of its defense capability 
and diplomatic skills. 
 
(4) Behind the scenes of the crisis - North Korea's nuclear test 
(Part 2): U.S. Obama administration wary of nuclear proliferation; 
"Nuclear arms may fall into hands of Al Qaeda" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Kazuhiko Kusano, Washington 
 
About 14 hours after North Korea's underground nuclear test, U.S. 
President Barack Obama stated at the White House on the morning of 
May 25 that, "North Korea's actions endanger the people of East Asia 
(sic; should be "Northeast Asia")." He also pledged to redouble 
efforts for a "more robust international nonproliferation regime." 
 
TOKYO 00001204  005 OF 013 
 
 
 
May 25 was Memorial Day and a holiday in the U.S. The President 
played golf for about four hours in Virginia that afternoon, as if 
demonstrating his composure in the face of North Korea's repeated 
provocations. 
 
The current level of the DPRK's nuclear and missile technology does 
not present a direct threat to the U.S. mainland. However, North 
Korea is now posing a direct challenge to the President's ideal of a 
"world without nuclear weapons" as he advocated in his "Prague 
speech" in April. 
 
The next day, on May 26, U.S. ambassador to the UN Susan Rice 
appeared on a TV program and told the American people that, "Our top 
priority is to prevent North Korea's nuclear materials from being 
transferred to other countries and rogue states." She disclosed that 
the inclusion of the inspection of North Korean ships suspected of 
transporting nuclear or missile-related materials was being 
considered in the new UN Security Council resolution under 
discussion. This is because North Korea has a record of past 
offenses. 
 
In a report submitted to Congress in March, Director of National 
Intelligence Dennis Blair enumerated the DPRK's proliferation 
activities, such as selling ballistic missiles to Middle East 
countries dabbling in nuclear arms development, including Iran; and 
assisting Syria with constructing nuclear reactors. 
 
According to Blair, "North Korea might find a nuclear weapons or 
fissile material transfer more appealing" for the regime's survival 
if it faces an extreme economic crisis, for instance. 
 
Harvard University Professor Graham Allison, who was assistant 
secretary of defense under the Clinton administration, gave an even 
more ominous warning. He told the Associated Press in an interview: 
"The international community regularly underestimates North Korean 
leader Kim Jong Il's willingness to do the unexpected. He could sell 
a nuclear bomb to (the international terrorist organization Al 
Qaeda's) Osama bin Laden." 
 
Meetings of the preparatory committee for the Nuclear 
Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference were held at the UN 
headquarters until May 15. Representatives of the 190 UN member 
states and NGOs were all excited by President Obama's message on 
strengthening the NPT regime. The committee was even able to decide 
on an agenda, something it failed to do last time (in 2005) under 
the Bush administration. One diplomat who participated in the 
meeting observes that, "North Korea's nuclear test has poured cold 
water on this effort." North Korea has announced its withdrawal from 
the NPT and conducted nuclear tests repeatedly. This diplomat 
expresses the sentiment of many others: "Countries abiding by their 
obligations under the NPT feel that it's all in vain." The Obama 
administration is facing a critical moment in which it has to decide 
whether to apply stronger pressure or to persist with the "dialogue 
policy." 
 
(5) "In My Opinion: column: Take one step toward "world without 
nuclear arms"; President Obama's speech may change history 
 
MAINICHI (Page 10) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00001204  006 OF 013 
 
 
Takakazu Kuriyama, president of Asian Affairs Research Council, 
former deputy minister of foreign affairs and ambassador to the 
U.S. 
 
The speech delivered by U.S. President Barack Obama in Prague, the 
Czech Republic on April 5 may be remembered as a major speech that 
will change the history of the world in the 21st Century 
significantly. This author hopes that this will be the case. 
 
The Obama speech was unusual on two counts. First, he clearly 
declared the achievement of a world without nuclear weapons as a 
policy goal of the United States. Second, he also indicated that 
U.S. action toward this end will be based on its "moral 
responsibility as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear 
weapon." No other U.S. president has ever made such a public 
statement before. 
 
The postwar world has had to coexist in anxiety with weapons that 
should never be used again. This fragile peace has been maintained 
with great difficulty based on two rules - one is the rule of mutual 
deterrence or the so-called "balance of terror," and the other is 
the nuclear nonproliferation regime under the Nuclear 
Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). 
 
Serious rifts have emerged in the international order for the 
management of nuclear arms based on these two rules toward the end 
of the 20th Century. There has been an increase in the number of de 
facto nuclear powers, though such is not allowed under the NPT 
regime. In addition, there is now a real possibility of nuclear 
weapons proliferating to stateless groups unaffiliated with any 
government, such as terrorist organizations. It is now recognized 
that enhancing existing rules on deterrence and nonproliferation 
will not be sufficient to deal with this situation, and a new 
international order negating the very existence of nuclear arms is 
necessary. Recent articles by powerful U.S., British, and German 
politicians calling for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons 
are also an indication of the popularity of this view. President 
Obama's speech, likewise, was a result of this sense of crisis. 
 
However, even with President Obama's eloquence, it is impossible to 
move the world with one speech. The President himself admits that 
this will be a long and tortuous path. A concrete road map and 
engaging in joint efforts by mobilizing the international community 
is indispensable for achieving the ideal of a nuclear-free world. 
The first steps in this road map that the President needs to take 
action on are negotiations with Russia on the reduction of nuclear 
arms and the ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Both 
represent formidable hurdles, but there can be no future and no 
abandonment of nuclear arms by North Korea without overcoming them. 
 
The second distinguishing feature of the Obama speech - declaring 
that the United States has the moral responsibility to take the lead 
in abolishing all nuclear weapons - touches the heart of the 
Japanese people, and above that, raises the important question of 
how Japan ought to deal with the President's posture. My answer to 
this question is to have a Japanese prime minister visit Pearl 
Harbor (USS Arizona Memorial) and then for President Obama to come 
to Hiroshima. 
 
The success of such an exchange of visits would depend on whether 
public opinion in both countries understands correctly its purpose 
and significance. The visits would not be made as a gesture of 
 
TOKYO 00001204  007 OF 013 
 
 
apology or atonement. If such a negative meaning is attached to 
them, the visits will undoubtedly fail and leave behind lasting 
wounds in Japan-U.S. relations. The trip by the Japanese and U.S. 
leaders to Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, respectively, should be for 
the purpose of offering prayers for the repose of the soul and for 
peace and making a pledge for Japan and the United States to walk 
side by side on the long road toward a world without nuclear 
weapons. 
 
If the people of both countries understand the exchange of visits as 
such, the final reconciliation between Japan and the United States, 
which is yet to be accomplished after World War II, will be 
achieved. A true partnership based on mutual trust will then be 
born. 
 
(6) Lawmaker Inoue questions GOJ payment of 600 million yen as 
sympathy money in lieu of compensation for crimes by off-duty U.S. 
soldiers 
 
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Full) 
May 27, 2009 
 
It has been found that the U.S. government did not pay compensation 
to victims of crimes and accidents involving off-duty U.S. Forces 
Japan (USFJ) personnel, and the Japanese government paid "sympathy 
money" as a "relief measure" on its behalf in 24 cases in Okinawa, 
amounting to some 233 million yen, and in 27 cases in mainland 
Japan, amounting to 149 million yen, from FY1972 to FY2008. 
 
Furthermore, even in cases where the U.S. government paid 
compensation, the payment was short of the amount ordered by the 
court, and the Japanese government paid the difference to the 
victims as sympathy money in five cases in Okinawa, amounting to 
approximately 182 million yen, and in two cases in mainland Japan, 
involving some 68 million yen, since 1996. The total amount of the 
sympathy money was 632 million yen. 
 
The above was disclosed by Director General Genzo Inoue of the 
Ministry of Defense (MOD) Bureau of Local Cooperation at the House 
of Councillors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense on May 26 in 
response to a question from Japanese Communist Party (JCP) member 
Satoshi Inoue. 
 
The Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on the legal status 
of the USFJ stipulates that the U.S. government will pay 
compensation to the victims of crimes and accidents involving 
off-duty U.S. soldiers in cases where the culprits fail to do so. 
However, if the U.S. side also fails to do so, SOFA stipulates that 
the Japanese government will assume the payment in the form of 
sympathy money. 
 
Furthermore, there have been cases where the compensation paid was 
short of the amount ordered by the court. The final report of the 
Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) in 1996 
provides for the Japanese government's payment of the difference. 
 
Satoshi Inoue admitted that, "The important thing is that the 
victims receive an amount close to the compensation they are 
entitled to in the end," but he stressed that, "Such payment should 
be made by the U.S. soldiers, and failing that, the United States 
should assume the payment." He asserted that the Japanese government 
should demand the reimbursement of the sympathy money it has paid on 
 
TOKYO 00001204  008 OF 013 
 
 
behalf of the U.S. side. 
 
(7) Kadena roaring intensifies 
 
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The U.S. military has been conducting Okinawa-based fighter jets' 
flight training missions at Air Self-Defense Force bases in the 
process of realigning U.S. forces in Japan. This relocation of U.S. 
military jets from Okinawa to ASDF bases in Japan's mainland 
prefectures for bilateral joint training exercises, however, has not 
mitigated the island prefecture's burden of hosting the U.S. Kadena 
Air Base, the Akahata Shimbun learned yesterday. This was clarified 
by the government in its reply to the memorandum on questions from 
Seiken Akamine, a House of Representatives member of the Japanese 
Communist Party. The government has reiterated that it would 
alleviate Okinawa's base-hosting burden, but this government 
explanation has now been upset by its own noise monitoring readouts. 
The government will inevitably face local reactions. 
 
In the past, the ASDF's Nyutabaru base in Miyazaki Prefecture has 
conducted four bilateral joint training exercises with U.S. military 
jets, broken down into three training exercises with those from 
Kadena Air Base for a total of 10 days and one with those from 
Iwakuni Marine Air Station from Yamaguchi Prefecture for a total of 
four days. 
 
According to the government's reply, noise occurred 109 times on 
average per day around the Kadena base in fiscal 2006 when 
Kadena-based fighter jets' flight training missions were yet to be 
relocated. 
 
The joint training exercises at Nyutabaru were carried out for 10 
days. On seven days during that 10-day period, however, the 
frequency of noise did not decrease at Kadena. On the contrary, it 
increased there and doubled on some days. At Iwakuni, it increased 
on all four days. 
 
The government, in its reply, takes the position that "it is 
difficult to say anything that is certain." At the same time, the 
government's reply also notes that some of Kadena-based fighter 
jets' training missions have been moved to ASDF bases. "So," the 
government says, "we believe that the impact on local residents of 
noise accompanying flight training has been reduced." 
 
Akamine says: "The government explained that the realignment of U.S. 
forces in Japan is intended to lessen Okinawa's burden. But that was 
totally an excuse. This was shown by the government's own data. The 
real purpose of realigning U.S. forces in Japan is to integrate the 
Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces." 
 
Noise frequency at Kadena Air Base and Iwakuni Marine Air Station 
during U.S. military aircraft's flight training relocated to ASDF 
Nyutabaru Air Base 
 
Kadena Air Base (109) 
Sept. 3, 2007 35 
Sept. 4, 2007 179 
Sept. 2, 2008 135 
Sept. 3, 2008 144 
Sept. 4, 2008 211 
 
TOKYO 00001204  009 OF 013 
 
 
Feb. 23, 2009 108 
Feb. 24, 2009 121 
Feb. 25, 2009 168 
Feb. 26, 2009 165 
Feb. 27, 2009 72 
 
Iwakuni Marine Air Station (75) 
Feb. 12, 2008 168 
Feb. 13, 2008 97 
Feb. 14, 2008 132 
Feb. 15, 2008 105 
 
Figures in parentheses denote FY2006's average per day before 
training relocation. 
 
(8) "Kyoto Protocol is a failure"; Business leaders make requests 
one after another 
 
SANKEI (Page 19) (Full) 
May 23, 2009 
 
Business leaders on May 22 made requests to the government one after 
another concerning international conferences to discuss the 
post-Kyoto Protocol framework aimed at cutting greenhouse gas 
emissions. Nippon Steel Corporation Chairman Akio Mimura in a speech 
pointed out, "The Kyoto Protocol was a diplomatic failure." He 
called for a cool-headed decision from the government when it sets a 
mid-term goal to be achieved by 2020 before the end of June. 
 
As reasons for the failure of the pact, Mimura cited that the U.S. 
and Canada did not join it and that global emissions increased as 
much as 40 PERCENT . Underscoring that 1990 was a year when "the 
results of the energy-conserving efforts made by Japan since the oil 
crises were seen," he called on the government to duly evaluate the 
energy-saving efforts made thus far in setting a mid-term goal. 
 
Japan Iron and Steel Federation on the 22nd presented its view with 
Nippon Steel Corporation Vice President Shindo noting, "National 
interests should be taken into consideration." Federation of 
Electric Power Companies of Japan Chairman Shosuke Mori, President 
of Kansai Electric Power, during a press conference held the same 
day said, "I want the government to proudly say that (a 4 PERCENT 
increase) is the result of Japan's hard-working efforts to tackle 
the global environment issue." 
 
(9) Harmful particulate matter in atmosphere; Environment ministry 
to set environmental standards for PM2.5 emissions 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Concerning "PM2.5" particulate matter, which is suspended in the 
atmosphere and can cause lung cancer or cardiovascular disorders if 
inhaled, the Environment Ministry has firmed up a plan to set up 
environmental standards on the same level as those of the U.S., 
which is advanced in regulating particulates. Since PM2.5 is smaller 
than previously regulated substances, it is believed to be linked to 
serious health hazards. The ministry will present the plan at a 
meeting of the expert committee to be held on May 28. The envisaged 
guidelines will be formally set as early as this fall. 
 
There are already environmental standards for suspended particulated 
 
TOKYO 00001204  010 OF 013 
 
 
matters (SPM) with diameters of less than 10 micrometers. SPM 
emissions are regulated under the Air Pollution Control Law and the 
Automobile NOx -PM Law in large urban areas. 
 
PM2.5, which is included in SPM, represents any particulate matter 
with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. It is mainly contained in 
diesel fumes and smoke from factory chimney stacks. Since 
particulate matter is miniscule, it has been difficult to identify. 
It enters deep into the lungs and tends to remain there. It is 
believed to be the cause of not only respiratory disorders, which 
the SMP regulation mainly envisions, but also the cause of lung 
cancer and cardiovascular disorders. As such, the environment 
ministry has been discussing the issue over the past two years to 
set guidelines mainly on PM2.5. 
 
The emissions standards to be proposed are an annual average of 15 
micrograms per 1 cubic meter and a daily average of 35 micrograms 
per cubic meter, which are the same level as set by the U.S. They 
are more lenient than the World Health Organization's (WHO) 
guidelines but stricter than the European Union's. The environment 
ministry says that PM2.5 emissions of those levels are unlikely to 
cause health hazards. 
 
Emissions in most cities in Japan are believed to top those levels. 
It is necessary to promote emissions regulations on automobiles and 
factories. Next on the agenda will be to determine what amount of 
PM2.5 is emitted from what sources and to what extent such emissions 
should be regulated. Asthma patients who filed a law suit over air 
pollution in Tokyo, which reached a settlement in August 2007, had 
strongly sought the setting of such guidelines. As a result, the 
formal note of settlement incorporated a proposition that the state 
consider setting environmental guidelines. 
 
(10) METI report expresses concern about reduction in global trade, 
reflecting Japanese firms' wariness 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The unfair trade report for 2009, released yesterday by the Ministry 
of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), expresses strong apprehension 
about spreading protectionist moves across the nation and subsequent 
possible reduction in global trade. Regarding China's plan to force 
foreign manufacturers to disclose key information about their 
information technology (IT) security products, concerns are growing 
among Japanese manufacturers. It is imperative for Japan, which has 
long enjoyed benefits through free trade, to take the lead in 
strengthening international cooperation to prevent protectionist 
moves from spreading further. 
 
Calls on China to drop disclosure rule 
 
The Chinese government plans to force foreign firms to disclose 
source codes for 13 items under the China Compulsory Certification 
program. The report strongly urges China to scrap its planned IT 
disclosure rule. Starting in May 2010, countries will become unable 
to export the 13 items if there is no certification from the Chinese 
government. 
 
The disclosure of a source code means a technical data leak. An 
executive of a major electric machinery maker grumbled: "Once the 
system is introduced, we will not be able to export our 
 
TOKYO 00001204  011 OF 013 
 
 
state-of-the-art products. Since only general-purpose items will be 
shipped, manufacturers in all countries, including China, will 
surely go down together. 
 
Unstable international cooperative system 
 
The group of 20 (G-20) countries and region, including seven 
industrialized countries and emerging countries, agreed in its 
meeting in November 2008 and on other occasions to step up efforts 
to prevent protectionism. 
 
But an increasing number of countries have begun to make 
protectionist moves aimed at protecting their domestic industries, 
against the backdrop of the current serious economic climate. 
 
According to the report and the results of a survey released 
yesterday by METI, about 130 cases of trade restrictions imposed by 
30 countries have been reported since last fall. These reports note 
that, out of the 130 cases, 24 cases involving nine countries could 
affect the Japanese economy or corporate operations, such as a Buy 
American provision that requires the U.S. government to use only 
U.S.-made products in public works projects and Russia's increased 
tariffs on autos and other products. 
 
The 2009 unfair trade report expresses strong apprehension about the 
fact that the international mechanism of cooperation in preventing 
protectionism has not properly functioned. 
 
The foreign trade statistics for April - released yesterday by the 
Finance Ministry - showed that the value of exports dropped 39.1 
percent from the same period a year ago. As long as global trade 
remains sluggish, Japan's exports will never boost again. 
 
More countries to be subject to study 
 
The report added two more countries - Argentine and Ukraine - to the 
list of countries whose trade issues must be looked into, reflecting 
a growing sense of alarm about the spread of protectionist moves. 
 
Argentine introduced in November 2008 the import-licensing system 
for such metal products as elevators. Many cases have been reported 
in which cargos that arrived at ports in that nation have been left 
on the ships as import permission has not been issued. Under such a 
situation, some Japanese exporters reportedly have begun to give up 
exports to Argentine. 
 
Japan has also asked these countries to drop such protectionist 
systems. The government intends to step up monitoring operations 
from now. 
 
Major protectionist trade measures following outbreak of financial 
crisis 
 
The U.S. Introduces a "Buy American" provision to require only 
U.S.-made products to be used in public works projects. 
Russia Raises tariffs on autos, agriculture machines and some steel 
products. 
China To introduce a compulsory certification program (but decides 
to postpone the move by one year). 
Ukraine Raises tariffs on autos and refrigerators. 
India To impose its own standards for steel products (but decides to 
postpone the move by one year). 
 
TOKYO 00001204  012 OF 013 
 
 
Argentine Introduces an import-permission system for metal products 
such as elevators. 
Indonesia Restricts imports in five areas, such as electric 
appliances and food. 
 
(11) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: Mainichi: Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun: 
General Motors likely to apply for bankruptcy due to failure of debt 
reduction talks 
 
Nikkei: 
Government panel calls for easier access to social security by 
non-regular workers 
 
Sankei: 
Internet banking: Accounts at three major banks illegally 
transferred to other accounts 
 
Akahata: 
Petition for free medical services for people aged 75 years or older 
receives major response 
 
(12) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) We want to see party head talks every week, if specific points 
at issue are discussed 
(2) Number of suicide victims exceeds 30,000: Safety net should be 
rebuilt 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Party head talks: Why don't they hold such talks every week? 
(2) Pension crisis: Do not delay in reforming system 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Party head talks lacked policy debate 
(2) Personnel selection by Japan Post: Full account needed before 
reappointing Nishikawa as president 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Hold party head talks every week to compete over issues in 
dispute concerning upcoming Lower House election 
(2) Will reform drive in Mongolia make headway? 
 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Party head talks: Vie with each other with distinguished 
options 
(2) Encircling North Korea: Go ahead with financial sanctions and 
ship inspections 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Party head talks: Key points cannot be understood through long 
talks 
(2) UNSC: Take united action for effective sanctions 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Nuclear-free world: Generate moves to scrap nuclear weapons from 
grass-roots activities 
 
(13) Prime Minister's schedule, 
 
TOKYO 00001204  013 OF 013 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
 
09:16 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Asano at the Kantei. 
10:01 Attended an Upper House plenary session. 
11:11 Met Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters Head Chuma 
and former education minister Suzuki. Chuma stayed behind. 
13:00 Met Lower House member Jiro Akama, with deputy chief cabinet 
secretaries Matsumoto and Asano. Matsumoto and Asano stayed behind. 
Asano stayed on. 
14:49 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura and Asano. 
15:00 Attended a party head debate at the Diet. 
16:18 Met U.S. General Electric Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt. 
16:56 Met UN FAO Director General Diouf, with former agriculture 
minister Tanizu. 
17:34 Met representatives of six local organizations, including 
Fukuoka Governor Aso. 
18:44 Met Qatar Crown Prince Tamim. 
19:22 Hosted a dinner party. 
20:34 Met METI Minister Nikai. 
20:38 Met Foreign Ministry's Vice Minister Yabunaka, Foreign Policy 
Bureau Director General Bessho, and Asian and Oceanian Affairs 
Bureau Director General Saiki. 
21:05 Videotaped a message for a regular general meeting of the 
Japan Business Federation, with public relations officer Ogawa 
present. 
21:35 Called Brazilian President Lula. 
22:03 Returned to his official residence. 
 
ZUMWALT