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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001458 
 
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 06/29/09 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule  (Nikkei) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
4) Former Vice Foreign Minister Murata admits existence of "secret 
pact" between U.S., Japan allowing U.S. military to bring in nuclear 
weapons  (Mainichi) 
5) Japan Coast Guard to take lead in ship searches in bill to be 
presented to the Diet July 3  (Yomiuri) 
6) Move of carrier-based jets to Iwakuni may be delayed due to lack 
of training facilities  (Mainichi) 
 
7) Prime Minister Aso, ROK President Lee in summit meeting agree to 
focus on five-party talks on North Korea, accelerate negotiations to 
reach a bilateral EPA  (Nikkei) 
 
8) Japanese, UK foreign ministers in meeting express concern about 
Iran situation, confident about implementing sanctions against North 
Korea  (Nikkei) 
 
9) G-8 foreign ministers agree to focus assistance on the border 
region of Afghanistan  (Nikkei) 
 
10) U.S., Japan, China will start regular series of dialogues at 
director general level on such topics as climate change  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
Political agenda: 
11) View widening in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that Diet 
dissolution will come after the Tokyo Assembly election on July 12 
(Asahi) 
12) Calls in the LDP for moving up the presidential race growing 
stronger  (Yomiuri) 
13) LDP Secretary General Hosoda seeks New Komeito cooperation for 
passage of three major bills now before the Diet  (Yomiuri) 
14) Aso has again switched gears and is now hinting at not shuffling 
his party's executive lineup prior to the general election  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
15) Former Internal Affairs Minister Hatoyama vocally against the 
LDP going into the general election under Prime Minister Aso 
(Asahi) 
16) Former Internal Affairs Kunio Hatoyama rules out tie up with 
brother Yukio, of the DPJ, calling him "Ozawa's watchdog"  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
17) DPJ's Hatoyama and Okada seem to be veering in different 
directions on policy front  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Number of children waiting to enter nurseries is sharply increasing 
in Tokyo metropolitan area 
 
Mainichi: 
Ex-vice foreign minister Murata says he inherited secret pact on 
U.S. nuclear weapons from predecessor 
 
Yomiuri & Sankei: 
 
TOKYO 00001458  002 OF 011 
 
 
Japan, South Korea agree to thoroughly implement sanctions against 
North Korea, consider five-party talks 
 
Nikkei: 
China eyes increasing oil reserves 2.6-fold over five years 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
33-year-old independent candidate wins Yokosuka mayoral election, 
beating incumbent backed by LDP, DPJ and New Komeito 
 
Akahata: 
JCP launches campaign for Tokyo assembly election 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Japan-South Korea summit: Tighter cooperation vital on policy 
toward North Korea 
(2) Child pornography: Measures urged to protect children 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Japan, South Korea should stand solidly to denuclearize North 
Korea 
(2) Minamata disease special measures law: End should not be put to 
Minamata issue 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Japan, South Korea need to patiently apply pressure to North 
Korea 
(2) Export companies focusing on middle classes in Asia 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Electric cars bring about chance and challenge 
(2) Japan, U.S., South Korea urged to stop North Korea's reckless 
acts 
 
Sankei: 
(1) United front by Japan, South Korea needed in dealing with North 
Korea's threat 
(2) Establish system to disclose official documents in principle 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Japan, South Korea need to deepen cooperation with neighboring 
countries in confronting North Korea 
(2) Information, quick evacuation imperative to prevent flood 
damage 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Switch to increasing military budget for fiscal 2010 
unacceptable 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, June 27 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 28, 2009 
 
10:03 Took a walk near official residential quarters 
12:50 Haircut at "Sato Barber Shop" at Hotel Pacific Tokyo in 
Takanawa 
14:23 Suzuden Liquor Shop in Yotsuya 
 
TOKYO 00001458  003 OF 011 
 
 
14:47 Went through documents at Imperial Hotel 
17:30 Met special adviser to LDP president Shimamura at Imperial 
Lounge Aqua of Imperial Hotel 
19:38 Met Secretary General Hosoda at Imperial Hotel's Japanese 
restaurant "Nadaman" 
21:53 Arrived at official residential quarters 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, June 28 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 27, 2009 
 
10:01 Took a walk near official residential quarters 
14:06 Arrived at Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
15:17 Met ROK President Lee Myung Bak 
16:56 Held joint news conference; met Nippon Keidanren Chaiman 
Mitarai, chairman of Federation of Korean Industries Cho Suck Rai, 
and other Japanese, ROK business leaders with President Lee; took 
group picture 
18:13 Dinner hosted by prime minister at official residential 
quarters 
19:47 Went through documents at personal office in Nagata-cho 
20:00 Arrived at official residential quarters 
 
4) Ex-ministry official admits to taking over secret deal document 
on U.S. nuclear introduction 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Abridged) 
June 29, 2009 
 
In 1960, when Japan and the United States revised their bilateral 
security pact, the Japanese government agreed to allow U.S. naval 
ships carrying nuclear weapons to make port calls in Japan. 
Concerning this so-called secret deal on nuclear introduction, 
Ryohei Murata, 79, of Kyoto City, who became administrative vice 
foreign minister in July 1987, revealed that he had taken it over in 
written form from his predecessor. "I had heard that there was 
apparently a secret agreement, but it was not until I became 
administrative vice minister that I actually saw the Japanese side's 
paper," Murata told the Mainichi Shimbun in an interview yesterday 
evening. The Japanese government has denied such a secret accord. 
Murata is the first to admit that the secret deal over nuclear 
introduction had been handed over to successive administrative vice 
foreign ministers. 
 
According to Murata, the secret deal was "written on a regular piece 
of paper" and "put into an envelope." Murata's predecessor handed 
the envelope to him. At the time, his predecessor asked him to 
"explain this to the minister." Murata served as administrative vice 
foreign minister for about two years until August 1989. During that 
time, Murata explained the deal to the two late foreign ministers, 
Tadashi Kuranari and Sosuke Uno. Murata then handed it over to his 
successor, according to his account. 
 
In 1960, when the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was revised, the 
Japanese and U.S. governments confirmed that the two governments 
would hold prior consultations over base operations before the U.S. 
military made major changes to its equipment. At that time, however, 
the Japanese and U.S. governments secretly agreed that they would 
not hold prior consultations over nuclear-carrying U.S. naval ships' 
port calls and transits through Japanese territorial waters or U.S. 
military aircraft's flights to Japan. This arcane agreement was 
 
TOKYO 00001458  004 OF 011 
 
 
brought to light when the Mainichi Shimbun reported on former U.S. 
Ambassador to Japan Reischauer's testimony in May 1981 on "nuclear 
introduction." However, the Japanese government has denied the 
existence of this secret deal, saying: "Since there has been no 
proposal from the U.S. government for prior consultations, we 
believe that there has been no nuclear introduction. The Japanese 
government will not make an inquiry to the U.S. government." 
 
5) JCG to be tasked with cargo inspections 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
June 27, 2009 
 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the 
New Komeito party, held a meeting of their policy chiefs yesterday, 
during which they approved an outline of a government bill to be 
presented to the Diet at the current session for a special measures 
law to conduct cargo inspections. In response, the government will 
hurry to work out the bill and present it to the Diet as early as 
July 3. 
 
Cargo inspections are going to be conducted in response to United 
Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 for sanctions against North 
Korea. The action is intended to prevent North Korea from developing 
weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons and missiles. 
 
The bill will stipulates that the government will set up a liaison 
conference of its ministries and agencies concerned since the 
government will conduct cargo inspections as a whole. Actual cargo 
inspections will be undertaken by the Japan Coast Guard. The focus 
was on the Self-Defense Forces' involvement. The bill will go no 
further than to task the SDF with intelligence-gathering activities, 
which include tailing ships. 
 
However, if and when there is a special need that cannot be met by 
the JCG, the government will then invoke the Self-Defense Forces 
Law's Article 82 for maritime security operations and the SDF will 
be mobilized. The government and the ruling parties will further 
study this case before introducing the legislation to the Diet. 
 
Inspections will be conducted in Japan's territorial waters and in 
international waters. However, such inspections require consent from 
the captain of a ship to be inspected. In international waters, 
inspections also require consent from the flag state of a ship to be 
inspected. In case the captain does not consent to cargo 
inspections, the JCG will take the subject ship to a Japanese port. 
In addition, if contrabands are discovered, the JCG will order the 
subject ship to come up with them. Ships refusing inspections or 
orders will be penalized. 
 
6) Candidate site yet to be located for Atsugi-based jets' 
touch-and-go training 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Kyodo, Washington 
 
U.S. fighter jets based at Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture have 
temporarily been conducting field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at 
Tokyo's outlying island of Iwojima. The Japanese government is to 
select a permanent training facility for FCLP by July, according to 
 
TOKYO 00001458  005 OF 011 
 
 
an intergovernmental agreement reached with the United States to 
realign U.S. forces in Japan. However, the government has found it 
difficult to select it by this July, sources revealed yesterday. 
 
The Japanese government has already told the U.S. government that it 
would be difficult to make the July deadline. At the same time, the 
government rejected the U.S. government's request to locate an FCLP 
facility within a radius of 180 kilometers from Iwakuni base in 
Yamaguchi Prefecture. The government is now looking for a candidate 
site in a wider area. 
 
It was revealed by several sources on Japan-U.S. relations. FCLP 
includes night landing practice (NLP) or touch-and-go training and 
will bring about serious noise damage to local residents, so it will 
inevitably be difficult to select an FCLP site. The U.S. military is 
strongly dissatisfied. Eventually, the issue will likely delay the 
planned transfer of carrier-borne fighter jets from Atsugi to 
Iwakuni. 
 
7) Japan-ROK summit calls for five-party talks on North Korea, 
stepping up economic partnership agreement talks 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso met with ROK President Lee Myung Bak at the 
Prime Minister's Official Residence on June 28. With regard to the 
future of the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear issue, the 
two leaders agreed on considering a five-nation framework, excluding 
the DPRK. They also confirmed cooperation on the strict 
implementation of the sanctions against North Korea under the UN 
Security Council (UNSC) resolution. The holding of a deputy 
ministerial level meeting on July 1 to discuss the resumption of the 
economic partnership agreement (EPA) talks was also decided. 
 
The latest summit is part of the "shuttle diplomacy" between the two 
leaders. Around one hour of the summit lasting 90 minutes was 
devoted to a small group meeting consisting of the two leaders and 
the foreign ministers of both countries, where the discussion 
focused on the North Korea issue. Minister of Economy, Trade, and 
Industry Toshihiro Nikai and other concerned ministers participated 
in the enlarged meeting, where the EPA talks and other topics were 
discussed. 
 
Aso pointed out that North Korea's nuclear test and other 
provocative actions "constitute a grave threat to security in 
Northeast Asia as a whole." The two leaders agreed on promoting 
information exchange and other forms of cooperation in order to 
strictly enforce UNSC Resolution 1874 providing for cargo inspection 
and other sanctions. 
 
The two leaders also confirmed China's important role in this 
process. They reconfirmed close cooperation among Japan, the United 
States, and the ROK. With regard to a meeting by the participants of 
the Six-Party Talks other than the DPRK, they agreed that, "If this 
will contribute to progress in the Six-Party Talks, it will be 
meaningful for the five nations to discuss their response at some 
point." 
 
The contemplated five-party talks is meant to discuss the five 
nations' negotiation strategy with North Korea under the current 
situation where DPRK refuses to participate in the Six-Party Talks. 
 
TOKYO 00001458  006 OF 011 
 
 
The date and participants will be subject to further coordination. 
President Lee indicated his willingness to do everything possible to 
cooperate in resolving the abduction issue. 
 
Meanwhile, the Japan-ROK EPA talks, which were suspended in 2004, 
resumed in 2008, with two division chief level meetings being held 
so far. These talks will be stepped up by upgrading them to the 
deputy ministerial level. 
 
In the joint news conference held after the summit, Lee predicted 
that, "If we are able to understand each other's position, we might 
be able to reach agreement at an unexpectedly early date." 
 
8) Japan-UK foreign ministers confirm implementation of DPRK 
sanctions, express concern on Iranian situation 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 28, 2009 
 
Naoya Esato, Trieste, Northern Italy 
 
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, who is on a visit to Italy, met 
with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on the morning of June 
27 (afternoon of June 27, Japan time). They agreed that it is most 
important to steadily implement the UN Security Council resolution 
providing for new sanctions on North Korea, such as cargo 
inspections. They also confirmed cooperation between Japan and the 
UK for a comprehensive solution to issues including the abduction of 
Japanese nationals by the DPRK and its missile development. 
 
With regard to the political turmoil in Iran, Nakasone expressed 
concern about casualties. The two foreign ministers also agreed to 
step up efforts to resolve nuclear non-proliferation and other 
issues. 
 
9) G-8 foreign ministerial meeting ends, agrees on aid for Afghan 
border area 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 28, 2009 
 
Naoya Esato, Trieste, Italy 
 
The G-8 foreign ministerial meeting closed on the afternoon of June 
27 (evening of June 27, Japan time). In addition to North Korea and 
other issues, the meeting also discussed aid for the stabilization 
of Afghanistan and Pakistan. At a separate meeting of concerned 
countries on these two nations on June 27, a chairman's statement 
stressing the need for urgent aid for stabilizing the security 
situation in the border area, which has become a hotbed of terrorist 
activities, was adopted. 
 
10) Japan, U.S., China to hold regular director-general level 
dialogue on climate change, etc. 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Japan, the U.S. and China have agreed as of yesterday to hold 
regular policy talks at the director general level, according to 
government sources. Their first meeting will be held in Washington 
in late July. It will be the first time for the three countries to 
 
TOKYO 00001458  007 OF 011 
 
 
hold trilateral policy talks. Japan and the U.S. have judged it 
necessary to have China participate in wide-ranging talks on issues 
related to the Asia-Pacific region. 
 
In the first meeting, representatives from the three countries will 
discuss such issues as climate change, natural resources and energy. 
Japan and the U.S. hopes to place on the agenda in due course 
security issues in Asia, including the issue of growing Chinese 
military power. The three countries will also consider upgrading the 
regular talks to the vice ministerial level in the future. 
Meanwhile, China will be able to increase its influence in Asia by 
pursuing tighter relations with Japan and the U.S. 
 
China had proposed the idea of holding trilateral policy talks to 
the previous Bush administration, but the U.S. had declined the 
offer, out of consideration to South Korea, saddled with North 
Korean issues. In the upcoming policy talks, North Korean issues 
will not be discussed. Participating in the upcoming meeting will be 
Foreign Ministry's Foreign Policy Bureau Director General Koro 
Bessho from Japan, State Department's Policy Planning Director 
Anne-Marie Slaughter from the U.S., and a Foreign Ministry bureau 
director from China. 
 
11) View gaining ground in ruling coalition that Prime Minister will 
dissolve Lower House after Tokyo election 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
June 29, 2009 
 
In the wake of a meeting on June 27 between Prime Minister Taro Aso 
and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki 
Hosoda, a view has spread in the ruling coalition that a plan to 
shuffle the LDP executives has been put off and that the House of 
Representatives may be dissolved after the July 12 Tokyo 
Metropolitan Assembly election. 
 
In the June 27 meeting, the Prime Minister did not make any definite 
statement on changing party executives, simply expressing his desire 
to see important bills, such as one to amend the Organ Transplant 
Law, put together at an early time. 
 
Appearing on an NHK program yesterday, Hosoda explained that the 
Prime Minister had told him that he was considering many things 
about a possible shuffle of the party executives. Hosoda also quoted 
the Prime Minister as telling him, "Contrary to popular rumor, I 
cannot recall mentioning any specific individuals for a possible 
shuffle." Hosoda thus indicated that the Prime Minister has yet to 
decide to appoint any new party officers. Given the fact that the 
Prime Minister did not touch on the much-talked-about option of 
replacing Hosoda, one of the LDP leadership speculated yesterday 
that the Prime Minister would not shuffle the LDP leadership. A New 
Komeito executive, too, said, "I don't think there will be any major 
(cabinet) shuffle or LDP leadership shuffle." Another LDP executive 
indicated otherwise, saying, "The Prime Minister did not say he will 
not shuffle the cabinet or the party leadership." 
 
About the timing of Lower House dissolution, a senior New Komeito 
lawmaker commented: "There will be no dissolution before the Tokyo 
assembly election. There are many key bills, and the opposition 
parties' moves tell that the (G-8) summit will be followed by the 
Tokyo elections." LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori 
Oshima delivered a speech in Hachinohe, Aomori, yesterday in which 
 
TOKYO 00001458  008 OF 011 
 
 
he said, "I think the Prime Minister will pick one of the two 
options: before the summit or after it." Oshima thus indicated that 
the Prime Minister will dissolve the Lower House before the July 
8-10 summit or after the Tokyo election for polls in early August. 
 
12) Growing calls for speeding up LDP presidential election 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso has repeatedly said that he will make a 
decision on his own on the timing of dissolving the House of 
Representatives, but anti-Aso members in the Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) intend to move full swing starting today in their drive 
to remove him from office. They are taking a stance of preventing 
Lower House dissolution by Aso. The terms of the Lower House members 
have only two months left. This is the last chance for those forces 
to replace Aso as LDP president. It is expected that LDP leadership 
and factions will try to quell the anti-Aso moves. 
 
"A new president should be elected in August and we should then ask 
the people for a vote of confidence," former LDP Secretary General 
Tsutomu Takebe stressed in a speech delivered on June 27 in the city 
of Wakkanai, Hokkaido. As candidates to replace Aso, he cited the 
names of former Defense Minister Yuriko Koide and Health, Labor, and 
Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe. 
 
In a speech on June 26 in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Hidenao Nakagawa, 
a former LDP secretary general, called for Aso's to make a bold 
decision. After that, on the phone to Lower House member Taku 
Yamamoto, who has collected signatures from LDP lawmakers in order 
to move up the presidential election, he said, "Let's do it 
together." 
 
Yamamoto intends to cooperate with former science and technology 
minister Yasufumi Tanahashi, who (last week) directly asked Aso to 
step down. Tanahashi and junior LDP members will form a group today. 
 
 
If a majority (216) of the LDP Diet members and prefectural 
representatives request (a recall), the LDP will be able to have a 
presidential election. Yamamoto said clearly: "We can no longer go 
back. Mr. Nakagawa and Mr. Tanahashi have called for it. It will be 
possible to collect 216 signatures if we include Mr. Takebe and 
junior members who are now serving their first terms in the Diet. 
 
13) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hosoda seeks opposition parties' 
cooperation on three bills, but New Komeito unhappy about calls for 
dumping Aso in LDP 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Aso revealed to Liberal Democratic Party of Japan 
(LDP) Secretary General Hosoda on June 27 his decision to dissolve 
the House of Representatives after the Tokyo assembly election (set 
for July 12) for the reason of placing emphasis on enacting key 
bills and to give up changing the three party executive officers. 
Bearing Aso's decision in mind, Hosoda called on the opposition camp 
in an NHK Program yesterday to cooperate in Diet deliberations on 
the bills. Meanwhile, a New Komeito member expressed in the TV 
program his strong dissatisfaction at the recent moves in the LDP to 
 
TOKYO 00001458  009 OF 011 
 
 
oust Aso. 
 
In the TV program, Hosoda stressed the need to enact a cargo 
inspection special measures bill, a bill amending the Organ 
Transplant Law, and a bill to rescue unacknowledged sufferers of 
Minamata disease, saying: "Enacting the bills is vital for the sake 
of the state and its people. Let's agree on as many parts as 
possible and start deliberations quickly." Aso instructed Hosoda in 
their meeting on the 27th to have the three bills enacted in the 
current Diet session. In response, Democratic Party of Japan 
Secretary General Okada remarked: 
 
"I interpret (Aso's call for enacting the three bills) to mean that 
the Lower House will not be dissolved before the Tokyo assembly 
election. The three bills are all important, so we would like to 
fully discuss them and reach a conclusion." 
 
Regarding a change of the three party executive officers, Hosoda 
said while introducing what he discussed with the prime minister: 
 
"The prime minister told me, 'I am thinking about it, but I have not 
expressed my specific view.' He seems to be suggesting that he will 
begin with a clean slate." 
 
He also emphasized that Aso should dissolve the Lower House, 
regardless of what outcome will be brought out in the Tokyo assembly 
election. 
 
In the same program, New Komeito Secretary General Kitagawa 
expressed his strong displeasure at recent calls in the LDP for 
replacing the prime minister, saying: "Remarks that could affect our 
election campaign is very regrettable." Another senior member of the 
New Komeito also made this comment yesterday: "We might not support 
in the Lower House election the LDP members who are calling for 
dumping Aso or moving up a party presidential election." 
 
14) Prime Minister Aso remains undecided on whether to shuffle LDP 
executives; If he fails to do so, he will lose his grip on the 
party; If he shuffles, effect will be limited 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso intended to carry out a partial shuffle of 
the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) executives and his cabinet 
members before dissolving the House of Representatives to call a 
general election, but he is now showing a reluctance to do so, 
having met opposition from within the LDP. If he gives up on his 
initial idea, he would come under criticism for lacking leadership. 
Even if he implements his plan, the effect would be limited, 
possibly causing resentment in the LDP. Aso now seems to have 
reached a cul de sac. 
 
Appearing on a NHK program yesterday, LDP Secretary General Hiroyuki 
Hosoda said: "It seems to me that (the Prime Minister) has now 
returned to the drawing board" as to whether he will shuffle the LDP 
leadership. 
 
In their meeting on the night of June 27, Hosoda told Aso: "I leave 
the issue to you because it is a matter on which the LDP president 
should make a decision." Aso responded: "I haven't referred to 
anything about it. Different people have said such things but 
 
TOKYO 00001458  010 OF 011 
 
 
without consulting me." 
 
With regard to Aso's remark, a senior LDP member said: "The Prime 
Minister has not said that he would not shuffle the lineup," 
suggesting that Aso still remains undecided. 
 
There have been many cases of Aso's flip-flops having caused 
confusion in the LDP. He made policy flip-plops on such issues as 
whether to receive the cash payment and whether to split the 
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. 
 
It is true that Aso has not said clearly whether he would shuffle 
the LDP executive lineup. However, speculation has been rampant that 
he would do so. It is certain that he will lose his influence now in 
the party because if he forgoes under such circumstances, he will 
demonstrate a lack of leadership to the party. There is also a 
possibility that his relationship with former Prime Minister Shinzo 
Abe, who had suggested the shuffle of the party leadership as a 
measures to break the impasse, will worsen. 
 
However, if he changes the LDP executive lineup, the public will 
take it as an election strategy. It is unthinkable that a change in 
the LDP leadership will boost the approval rating for the Aso 
cabinet as some LDP members expect. 
 
Asked about the timing of Lower House dissolution, Aso said June 25: 
"In the not-so-distant future." His remark created a mood that he 
would dissolve the Lower House before the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan 
Assembly election. Aso made the remark to seek to constrain moves to 
dump him in the LDP. If he forgoes both the shuffle of the LDP 
executive and Lower House dissolution before the Tokyo assembly 
election, moves to remove him from office will accelerate. 
 
15) Hatoyama opposed to general election under Aso 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
June 29, 2009 
 
Former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama 
of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) delivered a speech in the town 
of Toyoyama in Aichi Prefecture yesterday. In it, touching on views 
in the party calling for an early LDP presidential election, 
Hatoyama said: "Those calls are correct. Although Prime Minister 
Taro Aso is a close friend of mine, I do not want to face the next 
general election under his banner." Hatoyama expressed his 
opposition to Lower House dissolution and the general election under 
Prime Minister Aso. Hatoyama also strongly discouraged Aso from 
dissolving the Lower House at an early time, saying, "If he 
dissolves the chamber out of desperation, all promising candidates 
will suffer serious consequences. I am thinking seriously about what 
must be done to prevent that." 
 
16) Kunio Hatoyama: My brother is Ozawa's watch dog 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
June 29, 2009 
 
In a speech delivered yesterday in the city of Otsu, former Internal 
Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama talked cynically 
about his brother, Yukio Hatoyama, president of the Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ): "He has now become the watch dog of DPJ Deputy 
President Ichiro Ozawa," indicating his negative view on the 
 
TOKYO 00001458  011 OF 011 
 
 
possibility of his forming an alliance with the DPJ. 
 
Kunio said that while both brothers when they belonged to the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had criticized Ozawa for his money 
politics and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Kunio then said: "My 
brother (having joined the DPJ) has now become the DPJ's leader, 
after exercising patience under Ozawa's leadership. I can't stand 
such patience." 
 
Referring to allegations that Yukio's fund management organization 
falsely reported on individual donations, Kunio pointed out: "If it 
is true, such will violate the law. Therefore, I can't hand over the 
reins of government to the DPJ." 
 
Prior to this, appearing on a Fuji TV program, asked about the 
possibility of political realignment and the formation of a new 
party, Kunio said: "I think there is a possibility." 
 
17) Hatoyama, Okada wide apart on reappointment of Japan Post 
president, provisional tax rates, and other policy issues 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
June 29, 2009 
 
There are apparently gaps in views between Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama and Secretary General Katsuya Okada 
over such issues as the party's independent policies and a vision 
for a DPJ administration. For instance, Hatoyama unveiled a plan to 
seek Yoshifumi Nishikawa's resignation as Japan Post Holdings Co. 
president after his party takes power. Okada, on the other hand, 
indicated during an NHK program yesterday that his party has yet to 
make an official decision not to allow Nishikawa's reappointment. 
Hatoyama and Okada are also wide apart on the question of 
provisional tax rates, such as the gasoline tax. Some in the party 
are expressing their concerns over the stances of the two leaders. 
 
In a party-heads debate on June 17, Hatoyama clearly said his party 
would ax Nishikawa as Japan Post president after wresting power from 
the ruling coalition. On June 25, a project team of the DPJ, the 
Socialist Democratic Party, and the People's New Party called for 
Nishikawa's resignation. Nishikawa's resignation is regarded as an 
established policy in the DPJ. Okada's comment is likely to cause a 
stir in the party. The two leaders are also split over the question 
of abolishing the provisional tax rates. Hatoyama emphatically said 
in a press conference on June 26, "The immediate abolishment of the 
provisional tax rates is now regarded as a fait accompli by the 
public." Meanwhile, Okada during a TV-Tokyo program expressed 
cautiousness about immediately abolishing the provisional tax rates, 
saying, "When tax revenues are on the decline, a path of going 
deeper into debt must not be taken." 
 
Okada also believes that the party needs to formulate a roadmap that 
clearly shows political reforms for the realization of a DPJ 
administration. During the party presidential race in May, Okada 
called for the formulation of a 300-day plan for a DPJ 
administration. In contrast, Hatoyama noted in a press conference on 
June 27, "We have no plan to present our roadmap in our manifesto 
(campaign pledges)." 
 
ZUMWALT