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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/16/09 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule  (Nikkei) 
 
Aso government in disarray: 
4) Aso cabinet ministers, Yosano and Ishiba, join one-third of LDP 
lawmakers calling for meeting on election failure that might lead to 
Aso's stepping down  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) Aso Cabinet in state of confusion following Prime Minister's 
abrupt declaration of Diet dissolution while staying in office 
(Nikkei) 
6) Internet poll shows public's dissatisfaction with Aso's decision 
to dissolve the Diet  (Yomiuri) 
 
Democratic Party of Japan in action: 
7) DPJ sets outline of manifesto for election campaign  (Nikkei) 
8) Outline of main points in DPJ's campaign promises  (Nikkei) 
9) DPJ explains why it refuses to deliberate on the cargo-search 
bill in the Upper House  (Yomiuri) 
10) Objections rise to scrapping of the cargo-inspection bill due to 
election fever  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
11) DPJ President Hatoyama calls for talks on the issue of nuclear 
deterrence  (Yomiuri) 
12) Hatoyama says it is possible to review the three non-nuclear 
principles  (Sankei) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
13) On 50th anniversary of the security treaty next year, 
possibility arises of a new U.S.-Japan security declaration 
expanding the scope of the alliance  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
14) China sends five warships to waters near Okinotori Island for 
military drill  (Sankei) 
15) Satoshi Morimoto to become aide to Defense Minister Hamada 
(Sankei) 
 
16) Government outlines three principles that will spell out Japan's 
new approach to North Korea  (Mainichi) 
 
17) Parents of Japanese woman abducted to North Korea to sue 
TV-Asahi talk show host Tahara for stating on live TV she was 
"probably not alive"  (Sankei) 
 
18) Japan, China, South Korea summit meeting postponed due to fluid 
political situation in Japan  (Nikkei) 
 
19) Government to help Mongolia develop its uranium deposits, seeing 
this as way of stimulating Japanese companies to invest in that 
county  (Nikkei) 
 
20) Japan and Brazil to help Africa develop agricultural sector with 
mission scheduled to visit sites in September  (Yomiuri) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi and Tokyo Shimbun: 
Yosano, Ishiba sign petition for joint meeting by both chambers' LDP 
members 
 
Mainichi: 
 
TOKYO 00001620  002 OF 014 
 
 
Anti-Aso LDP members collect 132 signatures for joint meeting 
 
Yomiuri: 
Yosano urges Aso to resign 
 
Nikkei: 
Toyota to provide core hybrid parts to Mazda 
 
Sankei: 
Anti-Aso LDP members collect signatures from more than one-third of 
LDP Diet members for joint meeting 
 
Akahata: 
JCP to make all-out effort to win Lower House election 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Good opportunity for change in Metropolitan government 
(2) More budgetary support for children's education 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Kirin-Suntory merger: Growth strategy urged for challenging 
global market 
(2) National Governors' Association awakened by "Takeshita effect" 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Government labor-management deals must be transparent 
(2) How will new GM break away from being state-run company? 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Careful inspection needed of downside risk factors to the 
economy 
(2) National Governors' Association's readiness for decentralization 
being tested 
 
Sankei: 
(1) China should provide Japan with convincing explanations on 
operations in Shirakaba (Chunxiao in Chinese) gas field 
(2) More illegal full-time union officials in the agriculture 
ministry? 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) National Governors' Association must not miss opportunity to 
accelerate decentralization 
(2) Come up with measures to deal with bullying in school 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Relocation of U.S. Marines to Guam: Tax burden to bring more 
pain caused by U.S. bases to Okinawa 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, July 15 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
10:02 Met with Venezuelan Science, Technology and Intermediary 
Industry Minister Chacon. 
11:35 Met with Chief Cabinet Minister Kawamura. 
13:02 Met with LDP Tokyo Chapter Chairman Ishihara, followed by 
 
TOKYO 00001620  003 OF 014 
 
 
Lower House member Takuji Yanagimoto. Then met with Vice Election 
Committee Chairman Suga. 
14:14 Met with Finance Minister Yosano and Agriculture Minister 
Ishiba. 
17:14 Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma. Then award 
ceremony for the winners of the Japan Manufacturing Grand Prix 
18:24 Celebration for the winners of the Japan Manufacturing Grand 
Prix. Then met with LDP General Council Chairman Sasagawa. 
19:21 Met with Special Advisor to the LDP president Shimamura 
19:34 Arrived at the official residence. 
 
4) Yosano, Ishiba urge Aso to hold general meeting of all LDP 
lawmakers; Hidenao Nakagawa: Necessary signatures to petition 
meeting collected 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
A fierce tug-of-war is now developing in the Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) over the holding of a general meeting of the LDP members 
from both Diet chambers, a move that might lead to Prime Minister 
Taro Aso's resignation. An anti-Aso group yesterday strongly 
threatened Aso, announcing that it has collected the number of 
signatures required to hold the meeting. Finance Minister Kaoru 
Yosano and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shigeru 
Ishiba met yesterday afternoon with Aso and the two ministers 
directly urged the Prime Minister to hold the meeting. This means 
that the two key ministers of the Aso cabinet have distanced 
themselves from the Prime Minister. This is the biggest blow for 
Aso. The number of DPJ members breaking away from Aso will likely 
increase. Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike and some Tokyo 
Metropolitan Assembly members held a meeting last night. They agreed 
to come up with a manifesto on their own and use it for the next 
House of Representatives election. 
 
In their meeting with Aso, Yosano and Ishiba expressed a strong 
sense of crisis, saying: "The LDP will suffer a devastating loss in 
the general election if we do nothing." The two told Aso that he 
should hold a general meeting of all the LDP lawmakers to explain 
such matters as the LDP's crushing defeat in the Tokyo assembly 
poll. 
 
Meanwhile, Hidenao Nakagawa and Tsutomu Takebe, former LDP 
secretaries general, who have called for Aso's resignation, have 
worked hard to collect signatures of more than one-third (128) of 
LDP Diet members, the number necessary for holding such a meeting. 
Nakagawa last evening told reporters that the necessary signatures 
were collected. They intend to submit them on the morning of July 17 
to the LDP leadership. 
 
The anti-Aso group wants to reach a consensus in the party to move 
up a LDP presidential election by stepping up pressure on Aso to 
step down at a LDP general meeting. 
 
Asked about moves in the LDP last evening by reporters, Aso said: 
"Regarding the review of the Tokyo assembly election, I explained at 
a meeting of the LDP Lower House members (on July 14)," indicating 
his reluctance to hold a general meeting. 
 
Aso underscored that a no-confidence motion against him was voted 
down in the Lower House plenary session on July 14. He expressed 
again that he had no intention to resign as prime minister even if a 
 
TOKYO 00001620  004 OF 014 
 
 
general meeting was held. He said: "I as the prime minister who got 
(the lower chamber's approval) of confidence, will hear views of LDP 
members." 
 
5) "Diet dissolution announcement" triggers discord in cabinet; 
Yosano asked for postponement 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Discord is spreading even in the cabinet over Prime Minister Taro 
Aso's announcement that he would dissolve the House of 
Representatives. Minister of Finance and Financial Services Kaoru 
Yosano, along with Agriculture Minister Shigeru Ishiba, met Aso at 
the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) for about 40 
minutes on July 15 and asked about the possibility of delaying the 
dissolution, but their request was rejected by the prime minister. 
Behind this is that in the aftermath of the crushing defeat of the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly 
election, there is persistent concern about going into the general 
election under Aso. 
 
According to a number of sources, Yosano explained the situation at 
his constituency in the Lower House's first district of Tokyo at the 
meeting on July 15 and told Aso that, "The election situation is 
tough all over the country. If something is not done about the 
situation, the party will be seriously hurt." He did not talk about 
the timing of Diet dissolution directly, but hinted at the 
possibility of postponing the dissolution. The prime minister was 
reportedly unmoved. He said: "I will not waver again. I will 
definitely dissolve the Diet on July 21." 
 
At an informal cabinet meeting on July 14, Aso explained his 
decision to "dissolve the Diet as soon as July 21 and hold the Lower 
House election on August 30." Yosano brought up the need to make an 
assessment of the Tokyo election, but this was not taken as an 
objection to Diet dissolution. It is possible that Aso, who had 
thought that he had obtained the approval of all the cabinet 
members, might have perceived as odd the opinion of Yosano, whom he 
trusts. 
 
Various speculations are circulating in Nagata-cho and Kasumigaseki 
about the unexpected meeting by Aso, Yosano, and Ishiba, such as, 
"Yosano might have told (Aso) that he will not sign the Emperor's 
dissolution rescript," and, "Actually, he told Aso about his 
decision to resign as minister in order to avoid having to refuse 
signing the rescript." After the meeting, Yosano shut himself up at 
his personal office near the Diet. 
 
Yosano is giving his support to the campaign to ask for a general 
meeting of LDP members of both houses of the Diet while not 
commenting in public on the signing of the dissolution rescript. On 
this issue, one aide to the prime minister said: "Anyone opposed to 
the date of Diet dissolution decided by the prime minister, even Mr 
Yosano, will be dismissed." Meanwhile, Ishiba told reporters after 
the meeting: "All this talk about not signing (the dissolution 
rescript) and handing in our resignation is not true." 
 
When asked by reporters about the subject of the three-party meeting 
in the early evening of July 15, Aso said with a poker face: "I will 
not comment on specific individuals who come to see me." 
 
 
TOKYO 00001620  005 OF 014 
 
 
6) Poll: Aso "driven" to dissolve Diet, "pushed over the precipice" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Aso has recently aired his resolve to dissolve the 
House of Representatives for a general election, which is now 
certain to take place on Aug. 30. On this snap election, the Yomiuri 
Shimbun conducted a nationwide online poll of 1,000 Internet users, 
in which respondents were asked to name the Diet dissolution this 
time and give up to three free answers. Among their answers, there 
were such namings as "oikomare kaisan" 
(I'm-driven-to-dissolve-the-Diet dissolution), "gakeppuchi kaisan" 
(cliff-hanger dissolution), "yaburekabure kaisan" (fire-and-forget 
dissolution). These harsh namings, sounding bitter about Aso, 
accounted for more than 20 PERCENT  and outnumbered all other 
answers. 
 
Among other answers, there were such namings as 
"you'd-better-step-down-for-a-change-of-gover nment dissolution" and 
"you-should-transfer-power-back-to-the-Empero r dissolution," which 
predicted a change in the framework of government after the general 
election and accounted for about 10 PERCENT . There were also more 
than 50 neutral-standing answers like "election-to-choose-government 
dissolution." 
 
7) DPJ finalizes campaign pledges, to include child allowance 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has finalized its manifesto 
(campaign pledges) for the upcoming House of Representatives 
election. It has included such policies as the payment of child 
allowance of 26,000 yen per month until the child graduates from 
middle school, making all expressways toll free, and the abolition 
of the temporary tax rates for gasoline tax and diesel fuel 
transaction tax. Since these policies will be given priority in 
budget allocation, the budget request ceilings, which are the symbol 
of the budget formulation process controlled by the Ministry of 
Finance (MOF), will be abolished. 
 
Fourteen major policies were included in the manifesto, and the 
document was approved by a meeting of the party's "Next Cabinet" on 
the same day. The manifesto will be distributed to all candidates in 
the Lower House election. 
 
8) Outline of the DPJ's manifesto 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Following is the outline of the manifesto (campaign pledges) 
compiled by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on July 15: 
 
Child allowance 
 
Payment of 26,000 yen per month, or 312,000 yen per year, per child 
from birth until the child graduates from middle school; review of 
tax deductions for dependents (aged 0 to 15 years old) and spouses. 
 
Free high school education 
 
TOKYO 00001620  006 OF 014 
 
 
 
Payment of about 120,000 yen each year for students of public high 
schools, as well as for students of private high schools (240,000 
yen for households with an income of less than 5 million yen). 
 
Pension records 
 
Intensive work on the "missing pensions" in two years; simplify 
pension record correction process and pay out lump sum 
compensation. 
 
Pension system reform 
 
Unify all systems without exception; pensions to consist of two 
components, "pension proportionate to income" and "minimum 
guaranteed pension"; minimum guaranteed pension will be 70,000 yen 
per month. 
 
Medical service reform 
 
Rescind the policy of reducing social welfare spending by 220 
billion yen each year; maintain the employee pension hospitals and 
social security hospitals as public institutions. 
 
Employment policy 
 
Create an "assistance system for job seekers"; eligibility to 
participate in unemployment insurance scheme if employed for 31 days 
or more. 
 
Regional autonomy 
 
Abolish "subsidies with strings attached" and introduce "lump sum 
tax grants" for the local governments to use freely; abolish the 
local governments' share in public work projects under the direct 
control of the national government. 
 
Toll-free expressways 
 
Expressways will be made toll free in stages; government will take 
over debts, which are currently repaid with income from tolls; six 
expressway companies will be reorganized into private companies 
based on their area of operation. 
 
Abolition of temporary tax rate for road-specific revenues 
 
Abolish temporary tax rate for gasoline and other taxes, 
implementing a 2.5 trillion yen tax cut. 
 
System of income compensation for farming households 
 
Compensation for gap between production costs and selling prices; 
system to be introduced also for animal husbandry, forestry, and 
fisheries. 
 
Global warming prevention 
 
Reduction of greenhouse gases emission by 25 percent, compared to 
the 1990 level; in the long-term, reduce emission by over 60 percent 
by 2050. 
 
Policies for small, mid-sized businesses 
 
TOKYO 00001620  007 OF 014 
 
 
 
Reduction of corporate tax rate for small and mid-sized companies to 
11 percent and abolition of taxation on business owners; legislation 
of "charter for small and mid-sized businesses," "law on the 
prevention of bullying of small and mid-sized companies," and "law 
on the facilitation of local financing." 
 
Reform of postal businesses 
 
Freezing the sale of the stocks of Japan Post, Japan Post Bank, and 
Japan Post Insurance Company; review of the breaking up of the 
postal businesses into four entities. 
 
Methods for implementing manifesto 
 
Drastic review of budget request ceilings and implementation of 
budget formulation process led by politicians; suspension of 
unnecessary and non-urgent projects; and thorough reduction of 
policy cost through the elimination of the practice of amakudari 
(golden parachute), bidding reform, and so forth. 
 
9) DPJ rejects calls for Diet deliberations on cargo inspection 
bill, citing endorsed censure motion against Prime Minister 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Upper House Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Seiji Suzuki held talks with his Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) counterpart Susumu Yanase in the Diet building yesterday. In 
the session, Suzuki asked the largest opposition party to respond to 
calls for Diet deliberations for the purpose of enacting a North 
Korea cargo inspection bill in the current Diet session. Yanase 
rejected the request, saying the Upper House has endorsed a censure 
motion against Prime Minister Taro Aso. Yanase criticized the ruling 
bloc at a press conference held after the meeting with Suzuki, 
saying: "The House of Representatives has endorsed the bill with the 
aim of maintaining that it fell through because of the DPJ. There is 
no need to discuss such a bill with a strong political intent." 
 
Ahead of the Suzuki-Yanase meeting, LDP Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Tadamori Oshima telephoned his DPJ counterpart Kenji 
Yamaoka and informally proposed holding secretaries general talks, 
but Yamaoka rejected the idea. 
 
If the Lower House is dissolved on July 21, the cargo inspection 
bill will be scrapped that day. 
 
10) Government's approach of prioritizing political situation over 
cargo inspection legislation - a de facto international pledge; 
Draws fire even from within LDP 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Koki Miura 
 
It has now become likely that a special measures bill allowing Japan 
to inspect cargo on ships traveling to and from North Korea will be 
scrapped when the House of Representatives is dissolved. Given the 
situation, the government will have to implement the latest UN 
Security Council sanctions resolution on North Korea by means of 
 
TOKYO 00001620  008 OF 014 
 
 
such activities as information-gathering by the Self-Defense Forces 
and tracking ships that are allowed under existing legislation. The 
country's political situation is now certain to take a heavy toll on 
the ship inspection legislation, which is a de facto international 
pledge. 
 
Japan took the initiative in formulating the UN sanctions 
resolution. For this reason, Prime Minister Taro Aso has repeatedly 
indicated that the enactment of the ship inspection bill is Japan's 
obligation to the international community. 
 
The bill cleared the Lower House on July 14 with the ruling bloc's 
vote, but the opposition bloc has decided to boycott all Diet 
deliberations after the House of Councillors endorsed a censure 
motion against Prime Minister Aso. The bills will go down the drain 
if the Prime Minister dissolves the Lower House on July 21. 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito called on the 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) yesterday to hold talks between 
secretaries general to seek the DPJ's cooperation for the enactment 
of the bill, but the largest opposition party rejected it. Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura has criticized the DPJ, saying: "It 
is an important bill in terms of international cooperation. I wonder 
if the party, which has run away from this (bill), really has the 
ability to run the government." 
 
But the stance of solely blaming the opposition camp has drawn 
objections from within the LDP as well. A national defense expert, 
for instance, harshly criticized the Prime Minister, saying that he 
had planned to dissolve the Lower House on July 14 (immediately 
after the Tokyo election). 
 
11) Hatoyama: Discussion must be held on nuclear deterrence 
 
YOMIURI (Pate 4) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama made the 
following comment yesterday about reports that the Japanese and U.S. 
governments have concluded a secret pact allowing port calls by U.S. 
warships carrying nuclear weapons: 
 
"Given the situation in North Korea, we would like to reach a 
conclusion after discussing the matter thoroughly and openly between 
Japan and the United States. Discussions must be held on the 
question of the threat from North Korea and on the subject of 
America's expanded deterrence (such as its nuclear umbrella)." 
 
Hatoyama was responding to a question from the press corps in 
Tokyo. 
 
12) Hatoyama: After taking power, DPJ will review the three 
nonnuclear principles and discuss principle of not allowing bringing 
nuclear weapons into Japan with U.S. 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama indicted to 
the press corps in Tokyo yesterday that if the DPJ takes the reins 
of government, the party will hold talks with the United States on 
the nation's three nonnuclear principles (of not producing, 
 
TOKYO 00001620  009 OF 014 
 
 
possessing, or not allowing bringing nuclear weapons into Japan), 
including a review of the principle of not allowing bringing nuclear 
weapons into Japan. 
 
Hatoyama said this about the three principles: 
 
"At this point, there is no reason for the United States to have 
vessels carrying nuclear (weapons) call at a Japanese port. In fact, 
the three principals have been abided by." 
 
About a review of the principles in the future, Hatoyama also said: 
 
"There should be discussion on the question of the threat from North 
Korea and on America's nuclear deterrence. A conclusion must be 
reached after thoroughly and openly discussing (the three nonnuclear 
principles) between Japan and the United States with an eye on the 
future." 
 
Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President Taku Yamasaki 
proposed on July 9 allowing nuclear-armed U.S. ships to enter 
Japanese ports in order to be prepared for North Korean's nuclear 
threat. 
 
The DPJ has hardly discussed this matter. Hatoyama plans to realize 
a review of the principles through "open discussions." But strong 
reactions are expected not only from the Social Democratic Party, 
with which the DPJ may launch a coalition government after the next 
House of Representatives election, but also from within the party, 
which includes former Japan Socialist Party members. 
 
Hatoyama also made the following comment about reports that the 
Japanese government has concluded a secret pact with the United 
Sates allowing U.S. vessels carrying nuclear weapons to enter 
Japanese ports: "Once we take the reins of government, we would like 
to clarify the existence (of the secret agreement). In the process, 
we want to reach a conclusion about a review (of the three 
nonnuclear principles)." 
 
13) Japan, U.S. to renew bilateral security declaration 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Japan and the United States have now decided to enter into 
intergovernmental consultations for a new bilateral joint 
declaration on security in order to meet terrorism and other global 
challenges. The government will start consultations with U.S. 
Assistant Secretary of State Campbell and other U.S. officials who 
will arrive in Japan today. The new joint security declaration is 
intended to expand and strengthen the alliance between Japan and the 
United States in wide-ranging areas, including the U.S. nuclear 
umbrella and global warming. It will embody the East Asia strategy 
of the Obama administration, which positions the bilateral alliance 
as the "cornerstone" of East Asian security. 
 
In the consultations, the U.S. government will explain U.S. nuclear 
deterrent strategy. The Japanese and U.S. governments are expected 
to discuss antiterror measures, bilateral cooperation on missile 
defense (MD) shields, Japan's plan to renew its national defense 
program guidelines (NDPG), the U.S. Defense Department's quadrennial 
defense review (QDR), and U.S. force realignment in Japan. The two 
governments will besides exchange views on regional situations, 
 
TOKYO 00001620  010 OF 014 
 
 
including North Korea. 
 
With the Obama administration having come into office, the United 
States has now changed its course of action to take active policy to 
combat global warming. The two governments will explore ways to beef 
up bilateral cooperation on this issue as well. 
 
The Japanese and U.S. governments are going to release the new joint 
security declaration in 2010 when the two countries' current 
bilateral security pact will mark its 50th anniversary. The two 
governments will redefine the bilateral security alliance to meet 
the new security environment, such as the war on terror after 1996 
when the two countries agreed on their current joint security 
declaration. 
 
"This is the first round of discussions," a senior Foreign Ministry 
official said, "so we will exchange views on what and how to 
discuss." 
 
In February this year, Japan and the United States held a summit 
meeting in Washington. On that occasion, President Obama noted that 
the Japan-U.S. alliance was the "cornerstone" of East Asian 
security. Obama had named Campbell, who worked out the current joint 
declaration under the Clinton administration, as assistant secretary 
of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. 
 
14) China conducted naval drills near Tokyo's outlying island 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
July 16, 2009 
 
A Chinese naval fleet of five surface vessels was spotted conducting 
activities, believed to be military training exercises, in waters 
near Tokyo's Ogasawara Village island of Okinotorishima in late 
June, sources revealed yesterday. In the case of China's surface 
ships, marine research ships and ocean-going naval vessels used to 
be out at sea near Okinotorishima Island. However, the Chinese 
navy's surface ships there conducted activities, believed to be 
military maneuvers, for a long period of time. This is the first 
time that such a fact has been confirmed. 
 
According to the Defense Ministry, the fleet of five vessels was 
made up of a missile destroyer, two frigates, a supply ship, and an 
accompanying support vessel. The five vessels entered the Pacific 
Ocean from the East China Sea on June 19, passing through the waters 
between Okinawa's main island and Miyakojima Island. After that, on 
June 22, the five ships were spotted in waters about 260 kilometers 
northeast of Okinotorishima Island. The Chinese naval fleet, when 
spotted, was apparently carrying out military training exercises, 
the ministry said. A helicopter believed to be frigate-based 
aircraft flew over the waters there, and the fleet took a short 
turn, according to the ministry. 
 
The five Chinese naval vessels headed northwest in Pacific waters 
about 170 kilometers southwest of Okinawa's main island, and they 
are believed to have returned to the East China Sea, again passing 
through the waters between Okinawa's main island and Miyakojima 
Island. The Self-Defense Forces sent P-3C patrol aircraft and 
destroyers to gather intelligence. 
 
15) Morimoto to be appointed as special advisor to defense minister 
 
 
TOKYO 00001620  011 OF 014 
 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on July 15 informally decided to 
appoint Takushoku University graduate school Professor Satoshi 
Morimoto as his special advisor, a post to be newly set up for 
political appointees. The appointment will be announced on August 
¶1. 
 
The authorized number of special advisors is up to three. However, 
Hamada will only appoint Morimoto. The special advisor attends 
meetings of a defense council (chaired by the defense minister) to 
be established anew as a non-permanent staff serving the minister to 
ensure political leadership and takes part in the defense ministry's 
decision making. 
 
Satoshi Morimoto: Graduated from the Defense Academy. Entered the 
Air Self-Defense Force in 1965. Director of the Takushoku University 
Overseas Affairs Research Center and professor at its graduate 
school since April 2005, after serving as director of the Foreign 
Ministry National Security Policy Division. 68 years old. Born in 
Tokyo. 
 
16) Government to propose three principles as new approach to making 
Six-Party Talks function effectively 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday to establish three principles as a 
new approach to making the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear 
and other issues function effectively. The three principles are: (1) 
Urge North Korea to proceed with the denuclearization process; (2) 
prevent the North from stalling for time; and (3) do not provide the 
North with heavy oil and other aid in batches in return for its 
denuclearization efforts. Japan has already obtained understanding 
for these principles from the U.S., South Korea, and China. The 
government plans to discuss future six-party negotiations with U.S. 
Assistant Secretary of State (for East Asia and Pacific Affairs) 
Kurt Campbell, who will visit Japan today. 
 
The government's decision was revealed by several senior Foreign 
Ministry officials. Countries in the Six-Party Talks provided the 
North with heavy oil and other aid when progress was made in each 
stage of the denuclearization process, such as the suspension of 
operation of its nuclear facilities. But persons related to the 
Six-Party Talks share the view that the so-called principle of 
action for action collapsed with North Korea's second nuclear test. 
A senior Foreign Ministry official commented: "We would like to come 
up with specific measures, including a strict means to verify 
progress in its denuclearization efforts" in order to resume the 
Six-Party Talks. 
 
17) Parents of Japanese woman abducted by North Korea to file suit 
against journalist Tahara for remark: "She is no longer alive" 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
Journalist Soichiro Tahara said in a TV program aired on April 25 
that it has been learned that two Japanese nationals abducted by 
North Korea - Keiko Arimoto and Megumi Yokota - are no longer alive. 
 
TOKYO 00001620  012 OF 014 
 
 
In reaction, the parents of Arimoto - her father Akihiro, 81, and 
her mother Kayoko, 83 - have decided to file a lawsuit against 
Tawara with the Kobe District Court, demanding 10 million yen in 
compensation for the mental damage they suffered from his remark, 
according to informed sources yesterday. The parents will file the 
case today. 
 
According to their lawyer and other persons concerned, Tahara said 
in the TV Asahi discussion program "Asamade nama Terebi:" "Because 
the Japanese side has negotiated with the North on the premise that 
the two are still alive although the other side has said that they 
died, no progress has been made in negotiations. Tahara further 
said: "The Foreign Ministry has also learned that (the two 
abductees) are no longer alive." 
 
18) Political vacuum casting shadow over diplomacy; Causing 
postponement of Japan-China-South Korea summit, making attendance in 
WTO and other meetings difficult 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
July 16, 2009 
 
With an agreement reached between the government and the ruling 
coalition to hold the next House of Representatives election on Aug. 
30, a long-running election campaign has been effectively launched. 
For the time being, the government must suspend its diplomatic 
activities. Coordination is now underway to postpone a summit 
meeting of Japan, China and South Korea scheduled for late August. 
It might also be difficult for the relevant ministers to attend the 
World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial to be held just after the 
election. 
 
Following Prime Minister Taro Aso's announcement of the timetable 
for Diet dissolution, the Foreign Ministry conveyed to the Chinese 
government as of yesterday that Japan's participation would be 
difficult. The trilateral summit has been set for sometime around 
Aug. 30 in Tianjin, where Premier Wen Jiabao is from. 
 
Last year, as well, a trilateral summit scheduled for Sept. 21 was 
put off due to then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's resignation 
announcement. The Foreign Ministry aims to hold the trilateral 
summit by the end of this year, but events in commemoration of the 
60th anniversary of China's foundation are planned for October in 
China. Given this, rescheduling it might not be easy. 
 
A trilateral foreign ministerial as a preparatory meeting for the 
trilateral summit is scheduled for July 25, but one official said: 
"Now that no prospects are in sight for the summit, there is no 
reason to hold the foreign ministerial." The Japanese government has 
asked the Chinese government about whether the foreign ministerial 
will be held as scheduled even if the summit is postponed, but no 
reply has come yet. 
 
The Foreign Ministry is also concerned about the diplomatic 
timetable after the election. In early September, such events have 
been arranged as the new round of WTO global trade talks (Doha 
Round), a meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) to discuss 
global warming, and a meeting of Group of 20 (G-20) foreign 
ministers. 
 
It is possible for the relevant incumbent ministers to attend 
international meetings to be held just after the general election 
 
TOKYO 00001620  013 OF 014 
 
 
until the next government is formed. But if the framework of the 
government significantly changes, the current diplomatic policy may 
be altered significantly. Some officials suggest that the government 
should bear in mind the possibility of Japanese representatives 
being unable to attend. 
 
19) Japan to assist Mongolia in developing uranium 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
In a bid to help Japanese companies take part in the development of 
uranium in Mongolia, the government will start assisting that nation 
in setting up the necessary legal system for such development and 
extend cooperation for the development of nuclear technology as 
well. The government wants to pave the way for Japan procuring 
uranium from Mongolia, which has ample uranium reserves, in view of 
intensifying global competition to secure resources. Prime Minister 
Aso and Mongolian Prime Minister Bayar will meet on July 16 and 
exchange memorandums including such details. 
 
It is believed that most of the uranium mines in Mongolia are 
undeveloped. Japan, which is advanced in terms of nuclear power 
plants, will assist Mongolia in setting up a legal system for 
investment and mining to create an environment in which Japanese 
companies can enter the business more easily. The government plans 
to look into providing nuclear power generation technology and funds 
to finance the building of infrastructure. 
 
A substantive increase in global demand for uranium used as fuel for 
nuclear power generation is expected due to the construction of new 
nuclear power plants. 
 
Russia has mining rights in most of Mongolia's uranium mines and is 
showing a desire to develop them. In reaching an agreement with 
Japan, the Mongolian government has presumably determined that it 
would be advantageous to bring in Japan's technology and funds for 
the purpose of checking China and Russia as well. 
 
20) Japan along with Brazil to help African agriculture: Survey team 
to be dispatched in September 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Almost full) 
July 16, 2009 
 
The governments of Japan and Brazil have decided to jointly help 
agriculture in Africa. The aim is to expand agricultural production 
and make the result lead to improved food self-sufficiency in 
African nations. The government will dispatch a survey team to 
Mozambique in September this year so as to narrow down areas to be 
covered under the project and crops to grow. 
 
Japan has a track record of cooperating for the development of 
Cerrado, arid land in Brazil, for many years and succeeded in 
turning the barren area into one of the largest grain-growing region 
in the world. Japan and Brazil will bring in the knowhow they 
achieved through this cooperation to Africa, where there are many 
unused land that can be used as farmland. 
 
Another aim of Japan is to back Brazil, which has achieved economic 
influence, growing into an active donor nation. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001620  014 OF 014 
 
 
The scale of agriculture in Mozambique barely allows its people to 
be self-sufficient It does not suffice domestic consumption. 
However, it has ample land. A Foreign Ministry official said, "If 
technology and funds are invested, the nation will be able to become 
a major agricultural goods producer in the future. They speak 
Portuguese like Brazil. Its climate is similar to that of Brazil. 
Mozambique is thus equipped with conditions under which Brazilian 
technicians can work. 
 
Japan and Brazil will consider dispatching irrigation and soil 
improvement engineers to Mozambique. 
 
POST