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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001629 
 
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 07/17/09 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule  (Nikkei) 
 
Visit of Assistant Secretary of State Campbell: 
4) Assistant Secretary Campbell has come to Japan to explain that 
U.S. will continue to maintain nuclear umbrella for the alliance 
(Mainichi) 
5) Assistant Secretary Campbell says there will be regular bilateral 
talks on the nuclear umbrella, stresses alliance unaffected by 
Japanese government change  (Nikkei) 
6) Campbell sees five-party talks on North Korea possible, aim is 
stop its nuclear program while strengthening U.S. deterrence 
capability  (Nikkei) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
7) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) out of consideration to the U.S. 
switching stance to allow continued oil refueling mission in Indian 
Ocean  (Mainichi) 
8) DPJ opting for pragmatic policy line, starting with Indian Ocean 
refueling mission, but at same time, it is creating wide gulf with 
Social Democratic Party  (Mainichi) 
9) U.S. high-level official, testifying before Congress, stresses 
the appropriateness of relocating Marines from Okinawa to Guam 
(Sankei) 
 
Opinion polls: 
10) National poll shows increasing number of Japanese are losing 
self-confidence  (Nikkei) 
11) Jiji poll finds Aso Cabinet support rate a mere 16.3 PERCENT , 
public support for DPJ exceeds that for LDP  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Politics in disarray: 
12) Attempt by LDP members to change Diet dissolution date fails; 
Session closed July 21  (Mainichi) 
13) Joint plenary session of LDP lawmakers put off as party 
executive balks  (Asahi) 
14) Deep fissure in the LDP may not heal easily  (Nikkei) 
15) Finance Minister Yosano urges Prime Minister Aso to name a 
successor (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun: 
LDP leadership shelving plenary meeting, eyeing informal meeting on 
July 21; Prime Minister set to dissolve chamber on afternoon of July 
21 
 
Nikkei: 
Nissan to develop compact hybrids for release on domestic market in 
2011 
 
Akahata: 
JCP Chairman Shii unveils party position to seek public mandate via 
general election to set a new course for Japan 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
 
TOKYO 00001629  002 OF 012 
 
 
(1) LDP in turmoil - must fight against headwind 
(2) Turn Japan into a country where working mothers with preschool 
children can have peace of mind 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) LDP in agony 
(2) Victims of child abuse on the rise 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Eco-car development needs full support 
(2) Former Public Security Intelligence Director-General Ogata 
receives suspended prison term for fraud 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Expectation and concern over China's 8 percent growth 
(2) Environmental technology encourages realignment of auto industry 
 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Hatoyama statement a good chance to review three nonnuclear 
principles 
(2) Former Public Security Intelligence chief found guilty of 
defrauding pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in 
Japan 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) China's economy recovering, but investments remain risky 
(2) "Smart" power grids essential for increasing solar power 
generation 
 
Akahata: 
(1) LDP-New Komeito's economic management requires a drastic shift 
to turn economic crisis around 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, July 16 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
07:29 Took a walk around his official residence. 
09:35 Arrived at Kantei. 
11:27 Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 
13:48 Met with Kawamura. 
15:27 Met Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Hayashi, attended by 
Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda. Met executives of 
the economic organization "Zenkoku Sanyu Kai." 
16:23 Met executives of his support group "Hokkaido Sojun Kai." 
17:28 Met with Upper House member Ichiro Tsukada, followed by LDP 
Public Relations Headquarters Chairman Furuya. 
18:35 Met with Mongolian Prime Minister Bayar. 
19:40 Attend signatory ceremony. Hosted dinner party for Bayar. 
21:26 Returned to official residential quarters. 
 
4) U.S. assistant secretary of state to visit Japan to explain U.S. 
policy of maintaining nuclear umbrella 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt 
 
TOKYO 00001629  003 OF 012 
 
 
Campbell, who is responsible for the U.S. Obama administration's 
Japan policy, came to Japan on July 16 for a three-day visit for the 
first time since taking office. He will confer with senior Foreign 
Ministry officials on the Obama administration's security strategy 
to Asia, including its nuclear deterrence policy following North 
Korea's nuclear tests, and the U.S. forces Japan realignment issue. 
He will also meet with Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General 
Katsuya Okada. 
 
He will take part in a meeting of senior officials of the 
governments of Japan and the U.S. responsible for foreign relations 
and defense. He is expected to explain the Obama administration's 
policy of maintaining the nuclear umbrella under the Japan-U.S. 
alliance, to Japan, which is increasingly concerned about North 
Korea. The Obama administration advocates nuclear disarmament. 
 
5) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell proposes regular talks 
on nuclear umbrella; Change of administration "will not shake 
alliance" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs 
Kurt Campbell, who is on a visit to Japan, gave an interview to 
Nihon Keizai Shimbun at a hotel in Tokyo on July 16. He revealed his 
plan to hold regular consultations between the Japanese and U.S. 
governments on ways to strengthen the nuclear deterrence provided by 
the U.S. This will be taken up officially for the first time at the 
senior level Japan-U.S. security talks starting on July 18. On the 
political situation in Japan, Campbell said he "deeply trusts the 
Japanese people and Japan's political system," indicating that 
whichever political party becomes the ruling party, the foundation 
of the Japan-U.S. alliance will not be shaken. 
 
Regarding the so-called "nuclear umbrella (extended deterrence)," 
Campbell stated unequivocally that, "We will do everything possible 
to guarantee nuclear deterrence for Japan." 
 
Meanwhile, on the alleged secret agreement between the two countries 
on bringing nuclear arms into Japan, Campbell said he is "unable to 
comment" and that "I would like to have discussions looking toward 
the future." With regard to the compatibility of U.S. nuclear 
submarines carrying nuclear weapons passing through Japanese waters 
and calling on Japanese ports with the three non-nuclear principles, 
Campbell said: "I leave (the interpretation) to Japan." 
 
Commenting on the forthcoming election in Japan, Campbell noted that 
"this could be the most important election since World War II" and 
added that he "has many friends both in the Liberal Democratic Party 
and the Democratic Party of Japan," stressing that whatever the 
shape of the next administration will not be a problem for the 
maintenance of the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
On the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in 
Okinawa, Campbell reiterated that, "We will ask for the early 
implementation (of the agreement between the two governments on 
relocation to Camp Schwab)." 
 
Campbell said that the issue of selecting Japan's next main fighter 
(FX) will be discussed at official talks between bureau chief level 
officials of Japan and the United States. "We would like to discuss 
 
TOKYO 00001629  004 OF 012 
 
 
which model is best from a broad perspective." 
 
6) U.S. assistant secretary of state on holding five-party talks on 
North Korea and preventing DPRK possession of nuclear arms along 
with strengthening deterrence 
 
NIKKEI (Page 6) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
Tsuyoshi Sunohara, editorial board member 
 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stressed on July 16 
that simultaneous efforts will be made to strengthen the nuclear 
deterrence for Japan and prevent North Korea from possessing nuclear 
arms as part of the process to achieve President Barack Obama's 
policy goal of a "world without nuclear weapons." Behind this is the 
concern that the development of nuclear arms by North Korea and Iran 
may result in anxiety among the major non-nuclear powers like Japan, 
causing a "domino effect" in the international community in favor of 
the possession of nuclear weapons. 
 
On the DPRK's nuclear arms development, Campbell said, "The Obama 
administration will absolutely not condone North Korea's possession 
of nuclear arms." 
 
Campbell also indicated his plan to hold "five-party talks" by the 
U.S., China, Russia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in the near 
future to discuss the concrete course of action toward the 
denuclearization of the DPRK. 
 
On the other hand, Campbell pointed out, "If North Korea changes its 
mind and agrees to negotiate, we are prepared to respond." He 
indicated that if the time becomes right for North Korea, which is 
currently in turmoil over the succession of power, to resume 
dialogue, U.S.-DPRK talks through multilateral venues can be resumed 
anytime, and diplomatic negotiations toward denuclearization will be 
stepped up. 
 
As the first step in the Obama administration's quest for a nuclear 
weapons-free world, the U.S. has agreed to engage in negotiations 
for substantial nuclear disarmament with Russia. As a next step, the 
Obama administration attaches great importance to maintaining the 
"nuclear umbrella" for Japan, a major non-nuclear power which is the 
only atomic-bombed country. With regard to the persistent calls 
among certain individuals in Japan for an independent nuclear 
capability, Campbell said: "This will not be in the interest of 
Japan's security." This is the reason why he also stated, "Extended 
deterrence (nuclear umbrella) is more important than ever." 
 
Regarding concrete ways to strengthen the nuclear umbrella, former 
Secretary of Defense William Perry and other U.S. experts have 
proposed the concept of nuclear sharing, which the U.S. and the NATO 
members are implementing, and the "double key" system, which 
involves the sharing of the control of the nuclear attack button by 
Japan and the U.S. 
 
Campbell refrained from commenting on this, saying: "The 
consultations between and the Japanese and U.S. governments 
(starting shortly) are at an initial stage, so I cannot go into 
details." Such concrete proposals are likely to be discussed and 
considered at the regular intergovernmental consultations in the 
future. 
 
TOKYO 00001629  005 OF 012 
 
 
 
7) DPJ to allow continuation of MSDF refueling mission until 
expiration of relevant law, out of consideration to U.S. 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) decided yesterday to have the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) continue the mission of refueling 
warships from the U.S. and other countries in the Indian Ocean for 
the time being, if the party takes over the reins of government. In 
opposing the MSDF mission, the main opposition party voted down the 
antiterrorism special measures bill aimed to endorse the mission and 
the bill amending the said law. The party, however, made a policy 
switch in response to the apprehension officially and unofficially 
expressed by the U.S. repeatedly about its stance. The about-face 
reflects its position of attaching importance to Japan-U.S. 
relations. 
 
The MSDF has been engaged in providing foreign warships with oil and 
water, based on the revised Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. The 
law is to expire on Jan. 15 next year. The DPJ intends to have the 
MSDF continue its refueling mission until the expiration of the law 
and to confer with the U.S. on an overall strategy, including 
humanitarian assistance on the ground of Afghanistan. In its policy 
manifesto for the upcoming House of Representatives election, too, 
the party will not express "opposition to the refueling mission" 
although its draft out last October included this wording. 
 
Regarding the MSDF's refueling operation, then president Ichiro 
Ozawa expressed his opposition to then U.S. ambassador Thomas 
Schieffer in August 2007, just after his party won an overwhelming 
victory in the House of Councillors election. Following the 
opposition camp obtaining a majority in the Upper House, the DPJ 
raised opposition to the bill amending the antiterrorism law 
governing the continuation of the mission. Accordingly, the MSDF 
operation was suspended, but the operation was resumed as the bill 
was enacted into law through the override vote tactic in the Lower 
House in January 2008. 
 
8) DPJ to allow continuation of refueling mission, adopting 
pragmatic policy 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has decided to allow the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to continue its refueling mission 
in the Indian Ocean for the time being. This issue has been a major 
stumbling block in the divided Diet since the DPJ won an massive 
victory in the House of Councillors election in 2007. U.S. President 
Barack Obama is expected to visit Japan in November. The party's 
switch to the pragmatic policy line reflects its desire to avoid 
strains in relations with the U.S. in the event that the party 
assumes the reins of government. 
 
A senior member of the DPJ Policy Research Council explained about 
the party's decision to approve the refueling mission: 
 
"We opposed the refueling operation because we had doubted that the 
provided oil might have been used for the Iraq war. It is impossible 
to obtain information outside the government. Upon grasping the 
 
TOKYO 00001629  006 OF 012 
 
 
actual situation, we will continue to discuss the issue until the 
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which endorses the operation, is 
to expire next January." 
 
If the DPJ assumes political power, the DPJ will focus on economic 
and other domestic issues and work out citizen-friendly policy 
measures. The government of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New 
Komeito failed to come up with satisfactory measures to deal with 
these issues and resulted in losing public support. Meanwhile, the 
ruling side has criticized the DPJ's foreign and security policies 
as inconsistent. 
 
The DPJ's about-face in relations with the U.S. to a pragmatic 
policy line stems from its desire to avoid giving the ruling camp a 
chance to launch an attack on the DPJ over foreign and security 
policies. A senior party member said: "All of us are fully aware 
that if Japan-U.S. relations become strained, we will lose 
everything." 
 
The DPJ criticized the LDP-New Komeito government's stance toward 
the U.S. as "being totally under the U.S.' thumb," emphasizing the 
need to pursue a more equal partnership. In the DPJ's policy 
manifesto for the upcoming House of Representatives election, 
however, it tones down its conventional tough views on U.S. military 
bases in Japan, as well as a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of 
Forces Agreement and host-nation support, in addition to the 
refueling mission. The party will be asked to explain its proposed 
"equal Japan-U.S. alliance" in detail. 
 
The opposition camp has a majority in the Upper House. In order to 
maintain the majority, the DPJ sees cooperation with the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) as essential. But the SDP is expected to 
react fiercely to the DPJ's about-face. In an outline of its 
manifesto for the Lower House election announced yesterday, the SDP 
called for the MSDF to immediately withdraw from its refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean. On the diplomatic and security fronts, 
the gap in the stances of the DPJ and the SDP may become wider. 
 
9) Guam relocation appropriate: senior U.S. official 
 
SANKEI (Page 8) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
Yoshihisa Komori, Washington 
 
A high-ranking official of the U.S. Defense Department clarified in 
a congressional hearing on July 15 that the U.S. government desires 
to relocate Okinawa-based U.S. Marines to Guam as planned. "This is 
an appropriate measure to further strengthen the U.S. military 
presence in Asia," the Pentagon official said. 
 
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and 
Pacific Affairs held a hearing that day on territorial disputes in 
Asia and other relevant issues. In the hearing, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Defense Robert Scher, representing the Obama 
administration, answered a question from Democrat Senator Jim Webb, 
who chairs the subcommittee, concerning a possible reduction in the 
U.S. military presence in East Asia as a result of relocating 
Okinawa-based U.S. Marines to Guam. 
 
Scher stated before the subcommittee: "First of all, this 
relocation, when viewed from the entire U.S. military presence in 
 
TOKYO 00001629  007 OF 012 
 
 
Northeast Asia, has efficacy to further centralize the forces and 
will strengthen the entire presence. That is why this is an even 
more appropriate deployment." At the same time, he also testified: 
"Secondly, the relocation can place the Japan-U.S. alliance on an 
even more correct basis." 
 
In his account on the second point, Scher stated: "Concerning the 
maintenance of our bilateral alliance with Japan, those opposed to 
that often argue that the United States is not a member of East 
Asia. However, if we station a sizable number of Marine Corps troops 
on Guam Island, which is part of the United States' territory, it 
will clearly show that the United States is a member of East Asia 
and the Pacific region, both territorially and for security." 
 
The Pentagon official's testimony before the subcommittee means that 
the Obama administration has now clarified its desire to carry out 
the Guam relocation as agreed on between Japan and the United 
States. 
 
10) Japanese still losing confidence: poll 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
July 17, 2009 
 
In the ongoing economic slump, the Japanese public remains unable to 
break away from their loss of confidence with a strong tendency to 
grope for something to believe in. The Institute of Statistical 
Mathematics (ISM), an outlet under the wing of the Ministry of 
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), yesterday 
released the results of its nationwide survey of "the Japanese 
people's national character," which has been conducted every five 
years. The survey shows that a total of 57 PERCENT  are pessimistic 
about their future, saying they will be badly off. Younger 
generations are growing irritated, the ISM says in its report. The 
ISM conducted the survey last fall when the economic recession was 
about to spread its repercussions. "Its aftereffects have now become 
serious," the ISM report says, "so many more people should be 
feeling uneasy." 
 
According to the survey, a "pessimistic view of society" has rapidly 
spread over the past two decades. The ISM has conducted four surveys 
since the economic bubble burst. In the latest survey as well, the 
loss of confidence still continues. 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked about Japan's economic power. 
To this question, affirmative answers, "very good" and "somewhat 
good," added up to 37 PERCENT . This figure is far lower than the 82 
PERCENT  in 1988. Looking ahead into the future, 57 PERCENT  said 
people would be badly off, up from 47 PERCENT  five years ago. 
Meanwhile, the proportion of those having hope while thinking people 
will be well off dropped from 14 PERCENT  to 11 PERCENT . 
 
One of the features seen in the survey this time is that there is a 
sharp increase in the number of young people growing irritated, 
reflecting the nation's social circumstances. The proportion of 
those who became irritated during a month increased sharply among 
those in their 20s to 40s. Among those in their 20s and 30s, it 
topped 60 PERCENT  for the first time. 
 
11) Poll: DPJ ranks top in public support; Cabinet support lowest 
ever at 16.3 PERCENT 
 
 
TOKYO 00001629  008 OF 012 
 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 20 (Abridged) 
July 17, 2009 
 
The public approval rating for Prime Minister Taro Aso's cabinet 
tumbled to 16.3 PERCENT , down 7.8 points from last month, in a Jiji 
Press poll conducted July 9-12. The figure was an all-time low for 
the Aso cabinet since its inauguration last September. The 
disapproval rating rose 7.6 points to 64.2 PERCENT . In the 
breakdown of public support for political parties as well, the 
leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) outstripped 
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for the first time since its 
founding in 1998. The DPJ scored 18.6 PERCENT , up 3.1 points from 
last month, with the LDP at 15.1 PERCENT , down 3.3 points. Among 
other parties, the New Komeito party, the LDP's coalition partner, 
was at 4.6 PERCENT , the Japanese Communist Party at 1.7 PERCENT , 
the Social Democratic Party at 1.3 PERCENT , and the People's New 
Party at 0.2 PERCENT . "None" was at 55.7 PERCENT . 
 
In the poll, respondents were also asked who they thought would be 
appropriate for prime minister. In the public preference for 
premiership, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama marked 34.3 PERCENT  (down 
0.3 points from last month), far above Aso's 15.1 PERCENT  (down 8.8 
points). In the popularity ranking of political parties for 
proportional representation in the next election for the House of 
Representatives as well, the DPJ scored 37.4 PERCENT  (up 3.5 
points), with the LDP dropping to 19.5 PERCENT  (down 5.3 points). 
The gap has further expanded. 
 
12) Lower House to be dissolved on afternoon of the 21st: General 
meeting of party lawmakers in both Diet Chamber is off 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Full) 
July 17, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso on July 16 firmed up his intention to 
dissolve the Lower House on the afternoon of the 21st. He will 
announce his stance of going all out for the Lower House election, 
after making a general overview of the losses in local elections, 
including the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, by 
holding an informal meeting joined by lawmakers belonging to the 
Liberal Democratic Party. Former LDP secretary general Hidenao 
Nakagawa has been calling for holding a general meeting of party 
lawmakers in both Diet chambers before Lower House dissolution. 
However, the prime minister has decided to hold the Lower House 
election on August 30 as planned. 
 
Noting that the party will hold an informal lawmakers meeting 
instead of the general meeting, a senior government official on the 
evening of the 16th revealed a schedule, "Prime Minister Aso will 
give a general overview on the defeats in local elections, including 
the Tokyo election, to lawmakers belonging to the LDP and then call 
on party members to do their utmost in concert in the run-up to the 
Lower House election." 
 
The LDP executive has also determined that if many anti-Aso members 
criticize the prime minister at a general meeting, it could lead to 
tarnishing the image of the party. It has thus decided not to hold a 
general meeting, since holding such could invite an unanticipated 
situation, such as the making of a motion calling for advancing the 
date of the LDP presidential election. Nakagawa and some other LDP 
members submitted a list of 133 signatories of LDP lawmakers calling 
for the holding of a general meeting of the party's lawmakers. On 
 
TOKYO 00001629  009 OF 012 
 
 
the afternoon of the same day, he announced that the number of 
signatories had reached 135 with some dropped from the list and 
others added to it later. However, the party executive has already 
reconfirmed the intention of each lawmaker on the signatory list. 
Chairman Masatoshi Wakabayashi of the general assembly of LDP 
lawmakers from both Diet chambers said, "The final number may fall 
below (128, which is the threshold for demanding a general meeting, 
according to party rules)." 
 
Nakagawa and other signatories are still calling on the holding of a 
general meeting. Meanwhile, former State Minister for Administrative 
Reform Genichiro Sata and Lower House member Asahiko Mihara have 
indicated their intention to have their names dropped from the 
list. 
 
Vice Election Committee Chairman Yoshihide Suga on the 16th told 
reporters in Tokyo: "Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly members are saying, 
'It is time for the LDP to act in concert.' I as a person 
responsible for election campaigns must give consideration to such a 
voice." 
 
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura of the LDP 
Machimura faction on the evening of the 16th gave a speech at a 
meeting in Tokyo. He criticized the movements of Nakagawa and 
others, saying, "Some people are trying to show the people that the 
LDP is disunited, at a time when the party needs to unite in order 
to win a tough election, while supporting Prime Minister Aso. This 
is very regrettable." 
 
13) LDP leadership shelving plenary meeting, eyeing gathering with 
no voting power 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) 
July 17, 2009 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership decided yesterday to 
hold what is temporally called a gathering of the party members of 
both houses of the Diet (ryouin giin konwakai) on July 21 in which 
Prime Minister Taro Aso will reexamine the results of a series of 
local elections and announce his resolve for the upcoming House of 
Representatives election, instead of holding a joint plenary meeting 
of the party members of both houses of the Diet, which has been 
called for by former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa and others. 
The gathering will be immediately followed by a Lower House plenary 
session in which the Prime Minister will dissolve the chamber to 
pave the way for an Aug. 18 announcement of an Aug. 30 general 
election. Nakagawa and others are still calling for a joint plenary 
meeting, however. Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano, too, is calling for 
a plenary meeting while staking his job on it. There is an 
observation that the matter will escalate into the question of Prime 
Minister Aso's resignation. 
 
After responding positively to a signature-collection drive led by 
Nakagawa and others seeking a plenary meeting, Yosano again 
indicated that he might not sign a Lower House dissolution document 
unless the Prime Minister reexamines the party's defeats in the 
series of local elections at a plenary meeting. He said, "Now that 
(the necessary) signatures have been collected, the LDP, which 
prides itself on proceeding with democratic procedures, must hold (a 
plenary meeting)." 
 
Reportedly, when he met with the Prime Minister at his official 
 
TOKYO 00001629  010 OF 012 
 
 
residence (Kantei) on July 15, Yosano told Aso of the need to 
reexamine the severe situation surrounding the upcoming general 
election and the latest Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election with a 
determination to stake his job. But according to a lawmaker close to 
Yosano, the Prime Minister did not take his advice seriously, 
further disappointing the finance minister. Some in the government 
and the ruling coalition now fear that Yosano might resign from the 
cabinet post. 
 
Yosano met with former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister 
Kunio Hatoyama yesterday evening, and the two shared the view that 
if this situation persists, the general election will result in a 
harsh outcome. An LDP executive wants to calm the storm by keeping 
Yosano in the cabinet, who has been backing the Prime Minister by, 
for instance, crafting economic policies for the upcoming general 
election. 
The LDP leadership is dismissive of holding a plenary session for 
fear of a proposal for making changes to a party role to allow an 
early LDP presidential election, thereby fueling the unseat-Aso 
drive. 
 
As such, the LDP leadership plans to hold a meeting of the LDP 
members of the two houses of the Diet without voting power on the 
morning of July 21 to calm down the turmoil in view of the 
persistent view that the Prime Minister should speak of his 
reflection on the recent local elections ahead of dissolving the 
Lower House. 
 
At the planned meeting, the Prime Minister is expected to sum up the 
results of the local elections, discuss the aim of the planned Lower 
House dissolution and his resolve to go into the general election. 
Aso plans to dissolve the Lower House at its plenary session to be 
held immediately after the meeting to pave the way for the Aug. 30 
general election. 
 
A list of signatures collected from 133 members - over one-third of 
the LDP lawmakers (128) that is necessary for holding a plenary 
meeting - was submitted (to the party leadership) yesterday. Former 
secretaries general Tsutomu Takebe and Koichi Kato, who are critical 
of Prime Minister Aso, also played a central role in the 
signature-collection drive. 
 
But alarmed at the dump-Aso movement, the party leadership applied 
pressure on LDP members in collaboration with major factions. As a 
result, member after member withdrew their signatures. The list 
includes the signatures of over 30 members of the Tsushima faction, 
the second largest in the party. The faction suggested a plan to 
have its members remove their signatures if there is a possibility 
that the LDP presidential election will be moved up. 
 
The party leadership does not think the number of signatures will 
reach 128. It plans to announce on July 17 that the drive failed to 
collect the required number of signatures after closely examine the 
authenticity of each signature. 
 
14) Widening gulf in LDP 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
July 17, 2009 
 
Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hidenao 
Nakagawa submitted yesterday to LDP Secretary General Hiroyuki 
 
TOKYO 00001629  011 OF 012 
 
 
Hosoda a list of more than 130 signatures of party members calling 
for a joint plenary meeting of LDP lawmakers from both houses of the 
Diet. The LDP leadership has launched coordination with an eye to 
holding on the morning of July 21 an "informal joint meeting," which 
does not have the right of making such decisions as an early party 
leadership election. However, Nakagawa and his followers have 
strongly reacted to such an idea. As Prime Minister Taro Aso has not 
budged from his decision to dissolve the House of Representatives on 
the afternoon of July 21, the tug-of-war in the LDP is at a critical 
juncture. 
 
The joint plenary session is the second largest decision-making 
occasion, following the party's convention. The LDP's rule 
stipulates that more than if one-third (128) of the LDP members call 
for a joint meeting, a session should be held within a week. 
 
After wrapping up a meeting last night with about ten lawmakers in 
favor of holding a joint session, Nakagawa told reporters in a 
strong tone: "There is a list of signatures of 135 LDP members. It 
is not true that those who signed their names are rescinding their 
decisions." He today will ask again the party leadership to hold a 
joint plenary session. He also revealed that he would ask Lower 
House Steering Committee Chairman Kenji Kosaka not to set a Lower 
House plenary session for the dissolution of the lower chamber. 
 
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said yesterday to former 
Defense Minister Yuriko Koike: "Prime Minister Aso should attend a 
joint plenary session. I think it would be a good chance for him to 
tell LDP members and the public his determination for the next 
election." 
 
Meanwhile, Hosoda met last evening with the secretaries general of 
LDP factions at party headquarters, and they agreed to hold an 
informal joint session in order to resolve the issue. 
 
Since the informal meeting has no right to adopt important measures 
such as revising party rules, the LDP leadership is motivated to a 
desire to contain unexpected developments, including a call for 
moving up the presidential race. Nakagawa, however, made this 
comment on the party leadership's plan: "Since it is a hypothetical 
situation, we have not discussed it yet." He has kept his option 
open. So, it is uncertain whether the LDP leadership can secure 
understanding of the anti-Aso group. 
 
The list of signatures of 135 members includes not only anti-Aso 
group members but also LDP members who have close ties with Aso. 
Nakagawa and another former Secretaries General Tsutomu Takebe and 
Koichi Kato, calling for Aso's resignation, are considering 
submitting a petition to revise the party rules so that the 
presidential race will be able to be carried out earlier than due. 
 
Meanwhile, LDP lawmakers who want to make a joint plenary session an 
occasion to hear Aso's frank view and confirm party unity for the 
general election, are perplexed at the anti-Aso movement led by 
Nakagawa. When Masatoshi Wakabayashi, chairman of the Joint Plenary 
Meeting of Party members of Both Houses of the Diet, checked the 
list of 135 signatures, there names of members who had withdrawn 
their signatures, with one saying: "I have no intention to unseat 
Aso." A senior major faction member has launched an effort to 
stifle 
 the anti-Aso group, citing the turmoil in the party will have only 
negative effect on the Lower House election. 
 
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15) Yosano advises Aso to pick his successor 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
July 17, 2009 
 
Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano and Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries Minister Shigeru Ishiba met on July 15 with Prime Minister 
Taro Aso. In the meeting, Yosano advised Aso to pick his successor, 
it was learned yesterday. A lawmaker who has close ties with Aso 
revealed this news. Yosano's aim was to put an end to the turmoil in 
the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) by letting Aso choose his 
replacement to lead the LDP into the next House of Representatives 
election. However, it could also be said that Yosano was urging Aso 
to voluntarily resign as prime minister. Since Aso has stepped up 
criticism of the LDP executives, the rift between Aso and Yosano has 
deepened. 
 
Yosano met yesterday with LDP Policy Research Council Deputy 
Chairman Hiroyuki Sonoda and Lower House member Masazumi Gotoda in 
the Finance Ministry. After that, he visited the private office of 
Kunio Hatoyama, who was dismissed from the post of internal affairs 
and communications minister over the issue of reappointment of Japan 
Post President Yoshifumi Nishikawa. 
 
Aso told Hatoyama: "I have no intention to team up as a group." 
Hatoyama, however, said to the press corps: "We share the view that 
we should find a way to win (the general election). The LDP will not 
win even if the party unites under Prime Minister Aso's 
leadership." 
 
Yosano yesterday criticized the LDP leadership: 
 
"A joint plenary meeting is an important venue at which of party 
members of both houses of the Diet can join together to make 
decisions. The party executives must think carefully before trying 
to split it up." 
 
Ishiba, appearing on a commercial television program yesterday, 
said: "I will make the right decision when I sign" the petition. He 
did not make his position clear like Yosano did. However, he told 
reporters: "We should fight in the Lower House election under Mr. 
Aso's leadership, and that is what I hope to do." 
 
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