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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001207 
 
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 05/29/09 
 
Index: 
Index: 
 
Ambassador to Japan: 
1) Japanese government welcomes the appointment of John Roos to be 
ambassador  (Asahi) 
2) Some in Japan voice concern about new U.S. ambassador-designate's 
lack of diplomatic experience  (Mainichi) 
3) Although Ambassador-designate Roos's name is unknown in Japan, he 
comes able to use his close ties to President Obama  (Sankei) 
4) Stanford scholar Daniel Okimoto in interview profiles 
Ambassador-designate John Roos  (Asahi) 
5) Pattern of choosing U.S. ambassadors to Japan indicates that 
access to the President is key  (Mainichi) 
6) Roos fills the final spot on the State Department's Asia policy 
team, which is strong on Okinawa and nuclear issues  (Nikkei) 
 
North Korea problem: 
7) Japan positive about being able to convince the UNSC to adopt a 
tough new resolution against North Korea, although sticking point of 
cargo searches remains  (Yomiuri) 
8) Russia supports the joint U.S.-Japan proposals for a draft UNSC 
resolution against North Korea for its nuclear test  (Mainichi) 
 
9) Russia's foreign minister tells Foreign Minister Nakasone that 
his country is ready to discuss specific sanctions against North 
Korea in the UNSC resolution  (Mainichi) 
10) Prime ministers Aso, Brown in telephone discussion agree to 
close cooperation for an early adoption of a UNSC resolution against 
North Korea  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
11) MSDF's P3-C patrol planes have been sent to deal with pirates in 
the waters off Somalia  (Sankei) 
12) Government to toughen controls on technology exports  (Yomiuri) 
 
13) Prime Minister Aso: Attacking enemy bases (shooting missiles at 
Japan) is "within the scope of self-defense"  (Sankei) 
 
Diet affairs: 
14) Diet session likely to be extended 60 days or so, or until early 
August  (Asahi) 
15) Democratic Party of Japan to approve in Upper House four of the 
six budget-related bills submitted by the government  (Yomiuri) 
16) Aso reneges on campaign promise by essentially withdrawing 
proposal to split the Health and Labor Ministry into two entities 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Japanese government welcomes Roos' appointment 
 
ASAHI (Page 9) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura made the following comment in 
a press conference yesterday about President Barack Obama's 
appointment of lawyer John Roos as new ambassador to Japan: "The 
Japanese government would like to welcome (the appointment of John 
Roos). President Obama has especially deep trust in him. It proves 
that the Obama administration attaches importance to the Japan-U.S. 
alliance." 
 
TOKYO 00001207  002 OF 011 
 
 
 
2) Japan concerned by "lack of diplomatic experience" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Yasushi Takatsuka 
 
The Japanese government is basically positive about the appointment 
of John Roos as ambassador to Japan, seeing him as someone who can 
speak directly to the President. There are some officials, however, 
who are concerned about Roos' lack of experience in foreign policy 
and security affairs. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura hailed the appointment of 
Roos at his news conference on May 28. He said: "(Roos) enjoys 
President Obama's great confidence. This is an indication of the 
importance he has attached to the Japan-U.S. alliance." 
 
Former ambassador Thomas Schieffer, who is a long-time close friend 
of former president George Bush, was said to be "one of the 
ambassadors who was closest to the President." The meeting between 
Mrs. Sakie Yokota and other family members of abduction victims with 
President Bush in 2006 is said to be an achievement of Ambassador 
Schieffer, and the government had been hoping for an ambassador with 
direct connections with President Obama. Therefore, a majority in 
the government "welcome the appointment of a close friend-type 
ambassador." 
 
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has practically no 
information on Roos. With North Korea conducting a nuclear test and 
the heightening tension in Northeast Asia, there is also concern 
about "his abilities being unknown" (a senior MOFA official). 
 
3) John Roos named as next envoy to Japan 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Takashi Arimoto, Washington 
 
U.S. President Obama announced his intention on May 27 to nominate 
John Roos, a 54-year-old California-based lawyer, to become the next 
U.S. ambassador to Japan. Concerning the ambassadorial post, Roos 
consulted with Daniel Okimoto, who is a Japanese-American political 
scientist and professor emeritus at Stanford University and has been 
a friend of Roos for more than a quarter of a century. Okimoto told 
the Sankei Shimbun that Roos and Obama have "a strong relationship 
of mutual trust" although it has been only a short period of time 
since the two became acquainted with each other. 
 
Meanwhile, Joseph Nye, a professor at Harvard University, was first 
seen as a likely candidate for the post of ambassador to Japan. 
However, the possibility that Obama might name someone who 
cooperated in raising funds for his election campaign started to 
grow stronger from around March. Okimoto revealed that Roos had been 
sounded out on several ambassadorial posts, including the Japan 
post. 
 
"We talked about the posts," Okimoto said. "But," the professor went 
on, "he was interested in the post of ambassador to Japan." Okimoto 
recalled: "He used to have business relations with Japanese, and he 
 
TOKYO 00001207  003 OF 011 
 
 
had respect for Japan." It was about two weeks ago that Roos was 
formally asked by the Obama administration to accept the post, 
according to Okimoto. 
 
Roos, unlike Nye, is little known in Japan and has few contacts in 
Japan. Former Ambassador Baker and other U.S. envoys to Tokyo were 
well known in the U.S. political world. However, Roos is not. 
 
Okimoto stressed: "It might be disappointing to Japanese who had 
expected a big name. However, Mr. Roos not only cooperated in 
raising funds but also gave advice over election strategies, and he 
is deeply trusted by Mr. Obama. Unlike Mr. Nye, Mr. Roos has the 
advantage of being able to get in touch with the president 
directly." 
 
Okimoto also underscored the point that Roos was born and brought up 
in California, which is situated right across the Pacific Ocean from 
Japan. He added: "Mr. Roos will probably be the first one hundred 
percent Californian ambassador. He is well acquainted with House 
Speaker Pelosi and other Congress members elected from California. 
He is also familiar with information technology and environmental 
technology. He is quite different from the former ambassadors." 
 
Roos will leave for his Tokyo post after his designation is 
confirmed by the Senate. Japan-U.S. relations are currently saddled 
with such difficult issues as realigning U.S. forces in Japan and 
resolving North Korea's nuclear development and abductions. Okimoto 
expressed his hopes for Roos, saying: "He may not appear to be an 
awe-inspiring individual, but I think the Japanese people will come 
to understand that he is an intelligent, sincere, and trustworthy 
person." 
 
4) Stanford University's Okimoto on ambassador to Japan-designate 
John Roos 
 
ASAHI (Page 9) (Abridged slightly) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Yoichi Kato, Stanford, California 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama announced on May 27 that he would 
appoint lawyer John Roos, 54, as new ambassador to Japan. What kind 
of person is John Roos? I asked Stanford University Professor 
Emeritus Daniel Okimoto, 60, who knows him well and has been 
offering him advice on Japan-U.S. relations as an expert on Japanese 
politics. 
 
"I have known him over 25 years since his days at Stanford 
University law school. He graduated from the political science 
department with the highest distinction. He is an extremely capable 
person. Several years after completing law school, he entered a 
Silicon Valley law firm and is now serving as C.E.O. there. 
High-tech companies have been the firm's major clients." 
 
-- Roos says that he will not give any media interviews until his 
appointment is formally approved. What resulted in his appointment? 
 
"The Obama team offered Roos several positions, including the 
ambassador to Japan. Of them, he found the Japan assignment most 
attractive. He has deep respect toward Japan and the Japanese 
people. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001207  004 OF 011 
 
 
"He asked me, 'If the post is offered to me, should I accept it?' 
Initially, the name of Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye was 
mentioned as the most promising candidate, so he seemed unsure 
whether he would really be tipped. The president made his final 
decision relatively recently." 
 
-- What about his relationship with the president? 
 
"He is not a member of the inner circle of closest aides. He belongs 
to a number of friends and colleagues who are right outside that 
group. 
 
"He was involved in election campaigning from an early stage through 
fundraising and other activities and that has helped to forge close 
ties with Mr. Obama. The two share the same political philosophy, 
such the realization of social justice. On the diplomatic front, 
they both aim at enhancing relations with U.S. allies, such as Japan 
and the European nations." 
 
-- Some observers regard his appointment as a reward. 
 
"I can understand such a view. But this appointment has not been 
decided only as a reward. Mr. Obama is not a person who makes such a 
decision." 
 
-- How is Mr. Roos preparing himself for the new job? 
 
"As a lawyer, he has Japanese clients and has a good knowledge as 
far as business is concerned. But I think he doesn't know much about 
Japan's history, culture, and society. 
 
"But then, he is extremely capable and is eager to learn. I have 
already handed him several books on the economy, culture and 
society, including one on Japanese history written by former 
ambassador to Japan Edwin Reischauer. I told him, 'Let's have some 
discussions.' 
 
"Whether one is in the pro-Japanese or Japan-hand camp is not 
relevant. What really matters is to have and eagerness to learn 
things free from bias." 
 
-- What kind of ambassador do you think he will make? 
 
"He will be able to directly speak to the president. He can also 
offer a new perspective on U.S.-Japan relations. He has Silicon 
Valley connections and expertise. I think he can serve as a bridge 
between the United States and Japan, including in Mr. Obama's top 
priority of clean technology." 
 
5) Roos named envoy to Japan: President stresses maturity of the 
bilateral relationship with appointment of close friend 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Masaya Oikawa, Washington 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama formally announced on May 27 the 
appointment of lawyer John Roos, 54, as the next ambassador to 
Japan. Roos is an important supporter who made major contributions 
to the Obama campaign by raising a significant amount of donations 
in last year's presidential election. The appointment of a "close 
 
TOKYO 00001207  005 OF 011 
 
 
friend who can negotiate directly with the President" (in the words 
of a Obama administration official) instead of Harvard University 
Professor Joseph Nye, 72, a Japan expert who was thought to be the 
favorite, is seen as an indication that the President intends to be 
personally managing the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
The decisive factor in Roos' appointment is the personal confidence 
that President Obama places in him. On top of serving as the 
"bundler" on the California financial committee that raised millions 
of campaign dollars for Obama's presidential bid, Roos also was 
involved with setting up the Internet donation system which was 
instrumental in Obama's victory. 
 
Both Obama and Roos are forward-looking and share some common 
beliefs. 
 
Even before becoming the executive of a law firm in 2005, Roos had 
supported companies dealing in alternative energy and life sciences. 
He shares a common policy direction with Obama, who wants to lead 
the world in global warming prevention measures and other global 
issues, as well as in the study of embryonic stem cells. 
 
In addition, Roos has promoted business operations based on 
diversity without regard for race or gender, and has been given a 
top award in the U.S. for this management stance. This also has 
something in common with Obama's political stance of giving 
importance to social diversity as the first African-American 
president. This seems to be the reason why Roos "can call the 
President on the phone directly" (according to a Japan-U.S. 
diplomatic source). 
 
The two main types of U.S. ambassadors to Japan after World War II 
have consisted of scholars or diplomats who were fluent in Japanese 
and who were experts in Japanese affairs - such as Edwin Reischauer 
and Michael Armacost - and political heavyweights - such as Mike 
Mansfield, Walter Mondale, Thomas Foley, and Howard Baker. 
 
This trend was broken by the previous Bush administration's 
appointment of Thomas Schieffer. Schieffer was a businessman who 
co-owned a Major League baseball team with Bush and had no 
connections with Japan. He was, however, a "close friend" who could 
talk to Bush directly on the phone and tell him what was really 
happening in Japan. Roos is a "Schieffer-type" (according to a State 
Department source). 
 
Louis Susman, retired vice chairman of financial giant Citigroup, 
was also named ambassador to Britain on May 27. Like Roos, this 
appointment is also a "reward" for his contribution to the election 
campaign. Ambassadors with personal connections to the President 
have traditionally been appointed to the London post, so there is an 
opinion that the appointment of Roos is an indication of a "mature 
Japan-U.S. relationship" comparable to the U.S.-UK one. 
 
According to the above Japan-U.S. diplomatic source, Secretary of 
State Hillary Clinton had pushed for Nye as the next ambassador to 
Japan, but White House resisted the 
State Department-led ambassadorial appointment. 
 
There is also a view that a critical point in the nomination process 
was the discord between Japan and the U.S. in the UN Security 
Council over response to North Korea's firing of a long-range 
missile in April. It is believed that Obama, who felt there was a 
 
TOKYO 00001207  006 OF 011 
 
 
problem in communicating with Japan, opted for Roos, in whom he has 
strong confidence, for this White House-led appointment. 
 
6) Obama's Asia team takes shape; new lineup reflects emphasis on 
"Okinawa," "nuclear issue" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 6) (Excerpts) 
May 29, 2009 
 
With the nomination of John Roos as the next U.S. ambassador to 
Japan, the Obama administration's Asia policy team has taken shape. 
The administration has decided to assign experts to fill the right 
posts at the White House, the State Department, and the Defense 
Department. The lineup demonstrates its aspiration to address in a 
pragmatic manner such pending issues as the North Korean nuclear 
problem, the management of relations with China, and further 
development of the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
Presidential Special Presidential Jeffrey Bader, Deputy Secretary of 
State James Steinberg, and Assistant Secretary of State (for East 
Asia and the Pacific) Kurt Campbell support the Asia policy team. 
The administration has designated Bader, an expert on Chinese 
affairs, as coordinator, and Steinberg, who had much experience as a 
strategy at RAND Corporation, as responsible for mapping out a 
long-term vision. Meanwhile, Campbell will be in charge of 
implementing policies, based his relationship of trust with the 
two. 
 
In working out policy toward Japan, Campbell and Assistant Secretary 
of Defense (for East Asia) Wallace Gregson, who retired as the 
commander of U.S. Marines in the Pacific, will take charge. They 
will be assisted by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael 
Schiffer, a junior Democrat who is said to be well versed in 
Japanese affairs, and State Department Japan desk director-designate 
Kevin Maher. 
 
The administration aims to have this group work out measures to deal 
with such pending issues in Okinawa as the transfer of the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. 
 
Under Secretary of Defense Flournoy will be in charge of defense 
policy, based on President Obama's nuclear-free world policy. She is 
expected to exert influence over entire Asia policy, including the 
Japan-U.S. alliance, U.S.-China relations, and issues with North 
Korea, together with Under Secretary of Defense Carter, who is 
responsible for future defense technology such as the missile 
defense system. 
 
Former Defense Secretary Perry praised the Obama administration's 
Asia team as "a collection of able personnel." But he added: "I 
recommended Joseph Nye as the next ambassador to Japan." Campbell 
has established a suprapartisan Asia policy network with Harvard 
University Professor Nye, former deputy secretary of state Armitage, 
former presidential special assistant Mike Green (senior Asia 
director). This is also his strong point. 
 
7) In UN discussion on resolution against North Korea, focus is on 
cargo inspection, but Japan unable to join action under existing 
law 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 29, 2009 
 
TOKYO 00001207  007 OF 011 
 
 
 
In discussion at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on a sanction 
resolution against North Korea's nuclear test, the focus of 
attention is on a measure to make cargo inspections onboard ships 
mandatory. This measure is aimed at obligating inspections of ships 
sailing between North Korea and Japan to check if they load 
materials that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction. 
The U.S. is eager to adopt the measure, and Japan has also echoed 
the U.S. Under its relevant laws, however, the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force (MSDF) or the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) would not be able to 
carry out cargo inspections. Japan is likely to be pressed to make a 
hard decision on this measure. 
 
Need for caution voiced 
 
There are three laws that authorize cargo inspections by the MSDF or 
the JCG: (1) The Ship Inspection Operations Law; (2) the Maritime 
Transportation Restriction Law (restrictions of marine 
transportation of foreign military supplies); and (3) the Japan 
Coast Guard Law. The first law is applied in the case of a military 
attack against Japan being imminent; the second law applies in the 
case of Japan attacked; and the third applies in the case of a crime 
committed in Japanese territorial waters. A government source said 
that as a countermeasure to the North's latest nuclear test, "Japan 
is not allowed to carry out inspections under any of these laws. 
Amending the Ship Inspection Operations Law or the other laws is 
necessary." 
 
Many government officials, though, are calling for caution, one 
senior official remarking that if Japan decides to carry out cargo 
inspections by revising the laws, "North Korea might be upset and 
resort to terrorist outrages." 
 
In actuality, when South Korea announced full-scale participation in 
the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) aimed at 
preventing the transfer and transport of nuclear weapons and 
ballistic missiles, North Korea fiercely reacted, issuing a 
statement noting that it would interpret it as a declaration of war 
and would respond to it with a military strike. Following this, U.S. 
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the U.S. commitment to 
defending Japan and South Korea in an attempt to apply pressure to 
the North. 
 
8) Russia supports Japan, U.S. proposals for DPRK sanctions; China 
reluctant about cargo inspections 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Takayasu Ogura, New York 
 
The five UN Security Council (UNSC) permanent members, Japan, and 
South Korea will soon be going into final consultations on the 
proposed new resolution, drafted by Japan and the United States, to 
be adopted in reaction to North Korea's nuclear test. It was learned 
on May 28 that Russia had conveyed to Japan and the U.S. its support 
for the draft resolution. This was revealed by a Western diplomatic 
source. Russia had so far shown a certain extent of understanding to 
North Korea, but this time, it has sided with the West. China is now 
the only country with reservations. It has become highly likely that 
a resolution close to Japan's and the United States' position can be 
adopted. 
 
TOKYO 00001207  008 OF 011 
 
 
 
Japan and the U.S. had drawn up the draft resolution by comparing 
and reconciling their individual drafts and presented the finished 
product to the UK, France, China, Russia, and the ROK on the evening 
of May 27, Eastern Time in the U.S. (morning of May 28 in Japan). 
The main points of the draft consist of: (1) making the cargo 
inspections provided in Resolution 1718 (adopted in October 2006) 
mandatory; (2) expanding the scope of arms embargo from large 
weapons to weapons in general; and (3) expanding the scope of asset 
freezing of groups and adding new provisions on freezing assets of 
individuals. China has not expressed its support for the provision 
on making cargo inspections mandatory. 
 
9) Lavrov: Russia is ready to discuss concrete sanctions 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone spoke with his Russian 
counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the phone yesterday to discuss a 
response to North Korea's nuclear test. In it, touching on a new 
resolution to be adopted by the UN Security Council, which is 
chaired by Russia, Lavrov said, "We are ready to discuss concrete 
sanctions." 
 
Nakasone categorically said, "(The UNSC) should adopt a strong 
resolution, including additional sanctions." He also expressed 
Japan's desire to work closely with Russia, which currently holds 
the UNSC chairmanship. Lavrov replied, "There is a need to send a 
strong and clear message." 
 
10) Aso, Brown agree over phone to cooperate for early adoption of 
UNSC resolution on North Korea 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso spoke with British Prime Minister Gordon 
Brown on the phone last night, and the two confirmed a policy course 
of working even closer for the adoption of a new UN Security Council 
resolution in response to North Korea's second nuclear test. In the 
telephone conversation, Aso expressed his hope that China would 
lobby North Korea, saying, "It is important for China, which has 
strong influence over North Korea, to work upon that country." 
 
The two leaders also agreed to join efforts in formulating an 
international framework replacing the Kyoto Protocol on global 
warming. Aso also emphatically indicated that Japan would come up 
with a decent mid-term greenhouse gas emission reduction target. 
 
Brown asked for Japan's diplomatic efforts for the release of 
Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
 
11) MSDF patrols off to Somalia waters on antipiracy mission 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Two Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol planes yesterday took 
off from MSDF Atsugi Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture to engage in 
airborne warning and surveillance activities against pirates in the 
Gulf of Aden off the eastern African coast of Somalia. 
 
TOKYO 00001207  009 OF 011 
 
 
 
This is the first overseas task for the MSDF's P-3C patrol planes. 
The two P-3C patrols will work together with two MSDF destroyers to 
escort Japanese ships and Japan-linked ships. 
 
The P-3Cs will be based at an international airport in Djibouti, a 
neighbor of Somalia. They will provide information to the MSDF 
destroyers and others when they spot suspicious vessels. 
 
The squadron is made up of about 150 members, including about 50 
Ground Self-Defense Force members for P-3C security and other 
tasks. 
 
12) Government to toughen exports of technology information that 
could be used for nuclear weapons and other WMD 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) 
May 29, 2009 
 
The government has decided to tighten controls on technology and 
information that could be diverted for military use, such as the 
development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Under a government 
ordinance, universities, companies, and research bodies would be 
required to set up a division to control such technology and 
information. With illegal exports of materials to such countries as 
North Korea, which is developing nuclear weapons, having become a 
problem, it was judged that there needs to be stricter regulations, 
bearing in mind the possibility that illegal outflows could come 
from such places as universities where advanced research is carried 
out. This would be the first time for restrictions to be placed on 
information in the scientific area, based on national security. 
 
13) Aso: Enemy base strike included in self-defense 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso, sitting in yesterday on the House of 
Councillors Budget Committee, replied to a question concerning the 
advisability of striking enemy bases in the case where a foreign 
country set about making preparations to launch a ballistic missile 
targeted at Japan. In his reply, Aso referred to a 1956 Diet reply 
in which then Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama stated that Japan 
"should not wait for its ruin while doing nothing." Aso indicated 
that he would follow this reply. He stated: "From legal theory, it's 
included in the scope of self-defense that is allowed under the 
Constitution, and it's possible." 
 
14) Diet session to be extended until August 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
The government and the ruling parties on May 28 started final 
adjustments in order to substantially extend the current regular 
Diet session, which is to recess on June 3, for more than 60 days 
until early August so as to ensure the passage of fiscal 2009 extra 
budget-related bills. A formal decision will be reached at talks by 
party heads of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the New Komeito 
and the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on June 1. Following the 
move, an increasing number of ruling party members are taking the 
view that the general election will be extended to August or later. 
 
TOKYO 00001207  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
The LDP and the DPJ of the Upper House reached an agreement on the 
same day to take a vote on the fiscal 2009 extra budget in an Upper 
House plenary session, making it certain that the budget will be 
enacted the same day. Since a bill amending the tax code cleared the 
Lower House on the May 13, it can be readopted in the Lower House on 
July 12 or after at the latest. Key bills, including an antipiracy 
bill, are certain to secure Diet approval by late June. 
 
The ruling camp intends to have bills related to the extra budget, 
such as an amendment to the Development Bank of Japan Law, clear the 
Lower House next week or later. 
 
Given the 60-day rule, it would take until early August for those 
bills to secure Diet approval without fail. Since the regular Diet 
session can only be extended once, the government had decided to 
substantially extend the Diet session until early August. 
 
However, many ruling party members hold the view that the best 
opportunity to dissolve the Lower House should not be missed, once 
the extra budget bill and other key bills pass the Diet. The 
predominant view regarding dissolution of the Lower House is 
dissolution after the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election on July 
12 and a general election in August. Another plan is to extend the 
Diet session until late August to retain the option to dissolve the 
Lower House much later. 
 
15) DPJ to approve four extra budget-related bills 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
Concerning four bills, out of six fiscal 2009 extra budget-related 
bills, that are now under deliberation in the Lower House, the 
ruling parties and the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on May 28 
agreed to revise three and deal with one with as an attachment. As a 
result, it now seems likely that the four bills will clear the Lower 
House late next week with the approval of the DPJ as well. The 
ruling and opposition parties also agreed to take a vote on the 
extra budget in an Upper House plenary session on May 29. It is 
expected to be automatically enacted within the same day in 
accordance with a constitutional provision, after being voted down 
by opposition parties. 
 
In connection with a bill amending the Shoko Chukin Bank Law, the 
meeting on May 28 decided to revise an additional clause so as to 
allow for suspending the overall sale of Shoko Chukin Bank stocks 
held by the government, giving consideration to the DPJ, which 
opposes overall liberalization of the bank. It has already been 
decided to revise amendments to the Development Bank of Japan Law 
and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Law. An amendment 
to the Law on Limitation of Shareholding by Banks and Other 
Financial Institutions was adopted with a decision made to 
incorporate the DPJ's stance into its attachment. 
 
The DPJ is opposing the remaining two bills. The ruling parties 
intend to give up on the passage of legislation on special measures 
to deal with the crisis facing capital markets, on which the Lower 
House has yet to start deliberations. Tax code-related bills have 
already passed the Lower House. 
 
16) Splitting up welfare and labor ministry: Prime minister gives up 
 
TOKYO 00001207  011 OF 011 
 
 
on his election pledge due to opposition from government, ruling 
parties 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top Play) (Full) 
May 29, 2009 
 
The government and the ruling parties on May 28 decided to put off 
the drafting of a specific plan to split up and reorganize the 
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as ordered by Prime Minister 
Taro Aso until after the next Lower House election. The prime 
minister had intended to incorporate the plan into the Liberal 
Democratic Party's (LDP) election manifesto as a showcase policy. 
However, he was forced to give up on the idea due to opposition from 
the government and the ruling parties. The haphazard proposal he 
himself made will likely call into question his leadership. 
 
Referring to the split-up and transfer of the MHLW, the prime 
minister on the evening of the same day told reporters at the 
Kantei: "I am not insisting on that from the beginning. I just 
suggested looking into such a possibility from the perspective of 
public safety and peace of mind, including the declining birthrate 
issue. (I did not insist on making the ministry's split-up a 
foregone conclusion)." He thus revealed his intention not to draft a 
specific plan for the time being. 
 
The prime minister at a meeting of the government's Reassuring 
Society Realization Council on the 15th proposed a plan to split up 
part of the MHLS and the Cabinet Office and reorganize them into a 
social security ministry and a national livelihood ministry and 
ordered State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano 
to compile a specific plan. Since then, he has been conferring on 
the issue with related ministers with the aim of compiling a draft 
before the end of the week. 
 
However, MHSW Minister Yoichi Masuzoe said, "Such a plan should not 
be implemented in a hasty manner." A number of other related 
ministers and ruling party members also opposed the proposal. The 
prime minister had proposed the unification of jurisdiction over 
nurseries and kindergartens, which is now divided between the MHLW 
and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and 
Technology (MEXT), as well. MEXT Minister Ryu Shionoya has been 
opposing the proposal. 
 
Following this situation, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura and 
State Minister for Administrative Reform Akira Amari on the 28th met 
with Koki Chuma, chief of the LDP's Administrative Reform Promotion 
Headquarters at the party headquarters and discussed how to deal 
with the situation. They decided to put off the drafting of a 
concrete plan until after the Lower House election. 
 
ZUMWALT