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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001711 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/28/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule  (Nikkei) 
 
4) Kyodo poll: Voters favoring Democratic Party of Japan in the 
proportional race drop 5.5 points to 30.7 PERCENT , while Liberal 
Democratic Party support stays low at 15.6 PERCENT   (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
 
DPJ Manifesto (campaign pledges): 
5) DPJ issues set of five major campaign pledges but how to pay for 
the programs remains a mystery  (Mainichi) 
6) DPJ manifesto gives strong impression of consideration given to 
the United States  (Asahi) 
7) DPJ's concept of "equal partnership" with ally U.S. watered down 
for the manifesto  (Mainichi) 
8) Foreign policy portion of manifesto reflects consideration given 
to U.S.  (Nikkei) 
9) Fiscal resources to implement the manifesto will become the real 
challenge for the DPJ if it gains power  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
10) Manifesto aims to change government to a system led by politics, 
not bureaucrats  (Nikkei) 
11) DPJ eyes switch to political initiative  (Nikkei) 
12) Comments on the DPJ manifesto by several experts  (Nikkei) 
13) Prime Minister Aso calls the DPJ manifesto "irresponsible" and " 
vague"  (Mainichi) 
 
Political agenda: 
14) LDP will come out with its manifesto on August 31, will promise 
to increase average household income by 1 million yen  (Yomiuri) 
15) LDP members are worried about Aso's latest gaffe, likening his 
tendency to misspeak to that of former Prime Minister Mori 
(Yomiuri) 
16) Popular Yokohama City Mayor Nakata will not seek reelection, 
mulling forming new party  (Sankei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
DPJ issues manifesto, road map: Payout of 50 PERCENT  of child 
allowance, free high school education, 7.1 trillion yen spending in 
FY2010 
 
Mainichi: 
DPJ makes "five pledges" in manifesto: "Breakaway from 
bureaucrat-centered politics," "priority on livelihood," revenue 
source remains unclear 
 
Yomiuri: 
DPJ puts priority on "reconstruction of livelihood"; President 
Hatoyama voices determination to change administration in 
announcement of manifesto 
 
Nikkei: 
DPJ issues manifesto: Gives priority to support for livelihood; 
child care, agriculture, etc. require 16.8 trillion yen in 
allocations 
 
 
TOKYO 00001711  002 OF 013 
 
 
Sankei: 
DPJ issues manifesto: Ambiguous on pension, medical insurance 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
DPJ's Hatoyama makes policy shift: Consumption tax hike "needs to be 
discussed" 
 
Akahata: 
Akahata interviews 120 people on the street: Desire to end LDP-New 
Komeito administration, groping for new politics 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) DPJ manifesto: "Historic turning point" has to be convincing 
(2) Peace of mind and cost should be discussed together in social 
welfare debate 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) 2009 Lower House election: DPJ manifesto's pledge of breaking 
away from bureaucracy-centered politics serious 
(2) Working senior citizens: Prime minister should present proposals 
rather than explanations 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) DPJ manifesto: Shift to pragmatic line still insufficient 
(2) Stock market for startups: Shift from proliferation to 
consolidation 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Examining policies in 2009 Lower House election: Expectations 
and doubts about the pledges of DPJ aiming to capture political 
power 
 
Sankei: 
(1) DPJ manifesto: Clear national strategy should be the premise 
(2) Ai Miyazato's first victory in U.S. golf competition: Young 
people should follow her in making difficult challenges 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) 2009 Lower House election: Set venues for public debate 
promptly 
(2) Innovation Network Corp. Japan: Too much intervention from 
government 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Obama administration's tax reform: We should actively learn from 
good examples 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, July 27 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
07:31 Took a walk around his official residence. 
09:59 Met Japan Federation of Hire-Taxi Associations Chairman 
Masataka Tomita at the Jidosha Kaikan in Kudan-minami. 
10:39 Met Japan Federation of Used Car Dealers Associations Chairman 
Minoru Sawada at Aioi Insurance Shinjuku Bldg. In Yoyogi. 
11:26 Returned to the Kantei. 
 
TOKYO 00001711  003 OF 013 
 
 
13:18 Handled paperwork at the Imperial Hotel. 
16:16 Returned to the Kantei. 
17:22 Met Yamaguchi Gov. Nii and Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly 
Chairman Shimada, in the presence of Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Kawamura. Kawamura stayed on. 
19:28 Dined with LDP Election Strategy Council Deputy Chairman Suga 
at a restaurant in Toranomon. 
21:09 Returned to his official residential quarters. 
 
4) Poll: DPJ down to 30 PERCENT  in public preference for 
proportional representation, LDP flat at 15 PERCENT 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Ahead of the forthcoming election for the House of Representatives, 
Kyodo News conducted a telephone-based nationwide public opinion 
survey. In this pre-election poll, the Democratic Party of Japan 
(Minshuto) dropped 5.5 points from the last poll taken July 18-19 to 
30.7 PERCENT  in public preference for proportional representation. 
However, the Liberal Democratic Party leveled off at 15.6 PERCENT . 
The LDP is still in a difficult situation, while the DPJ remained 
over 30 PERCENT . "Undecided" accounted for 37.4 PERCENT  (34.7 
PERCENT  in the last poll). 
 
In the poll, respondents were also asked what form of government 
they would like to see after the election. In this public preference 
of government, a "DPJ-led coalition government" inched down from 
39.3 PERCENT  in the last poll to 38.6 PERCENT  in the poll this 
time. An "LDP-led coalition government" rose from 14.8 PERCENT  to 
18.6 PERCENT . A "new framework through political realignment" was 
almost flat at 19.4 PERCENT  (20.8 PERCENT  in the last poll). 
However, an "LDP-DPJ grand coalition" was at 11.6 PERCENT  (16.7 
PERCENT  in the last poll). The figures show the spread of public 
consciousness about choosing either the LDP or the DPJ. 
 
In the public preference of political parties for proportional 
representation, the DPJ and the LDP were followed by the Japanese 
Communist Party at 5.0 PERCENT  (3.4 PERCENT  in the last poll), the 
New Komeito at 4.9 PERCENT  (4.2 PERCENT  in the last poll), the 
Social Democratic Party at 1.1 PERCENT  (1.2 PERCENT  in the last 
poll), the People's New Party at 0.9 PERCENT  (0.1 PERCENT  in the 
last poll), the New Party Nippon at 0.1 PERCENT  (no response in the 
last poll), and other political parties or groups at 0.1 PERCENT 
(ditto). Respondents were also asked which political party's 
candidate they would vote for. To this question, 31.7 PERCENT  opted 
for the DPJ's (34.1 PERCENT  in the last poll), with the LDP at 16.1 
PERCENT , the same as in the last poll. 
 
5) DPJ makes "five pledges" in manifesto: "Breakaway from 
bureaucrat-centered politics," "priority on livelihood"; revenue 
sources still unclear 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Yu Koyama 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama held a news 
conference in Tokyo on July 27 to announce the party's manifesto 
(campaign pledges) for the House of Representatives election. He 
also presented a four-year policy road map which includes the 
 
TOKYO 00001711  004 OF 013 
 
 
implementation of a child allowance and toll free expressways as the 
centerpiece of the party's policy of "giving priority to the 
people's livelihood" from FY2010, the first fiscal year after the 
change of administration. The DPJ will work for breaking away from 
bureaucrat-controlled policymaking, and 16.8 trillion yen in policy 
spending for FY2013 will be funded with revenues derived mostly from 
eliminating wasteful spending. The party will go into the Lower 
House election without clarifying the concrete method of funding its 
policies. Hatoyama said that he will "take responsibility as a 
politician" if the pledges are not realized after he becomes prime 
minister. 
 
Hatoyama stressed at the news conference that: "We will create 
politics where the people play the leading role to replace 
bureaucrat-led politics since the Meiji Restoration. This will be a 
historic turning point." The manifesto makes "five pledges" on 
reform in the following areas: (1) wasteful spending; (2) child care 
and education; (3) pension and medical insurance; (4) regional 
autonomy; and (5) employment and the economy. It also spells out the 
fiscal year for implementing the main policies and the required 
budget. 
 
Policies to be implemented right away in FY2010 include: payout of 
50 percent of the proposed child allowance of 26,000 yen (13,000 
yen) per child per month until graduation from middle school; free 
high school education; abolition of temporary tax rates for gasoline 
and other taxes; and making some expressways toll free. Required 
funding is 7.1 trillion yen. 
 
In FY2011, the full amount of child allowance will be paid out and 
income compensation for farming households will be implemented, and 
this will require 12.6 trillion yen in allocations. Expressways will 
become toll free in stages by FY2012, and appropriations required 
for FY2013, when the design of the new pension system will be 
completed, are estimated to be 16.8 trillion yen. 
 
Proposed revenue sources include: 9.1 trillion yen from a "complete 
reshuffle" of the national government's general and special budget 
accounts totaling 207 trillion yen and elimination of wasteful 
spending; 5 trillion yen from the special accounts and other "buried 
treasures"; and 2.7 trillion yen from tax reforms. 
 
The DPJ presented a "blueprint of the Hatoyama administration" which 
will shift from bureaucrat-led to politician-led policymaking. A 
"national strategy bureau" directly under the prime minister will be 
created to formulate a national vision and the basic policy for 
budget allocations. About 100 ruling party Diet members will be sent 
to the government as ministers, senior vice ministers, parliamentary 
secretaries and assistants to ministers to "unify" policymaking in 
the government and the ruling parties. An "administrative renovation 
council" consisting of politicians and experts will also be created 
under the "national strategy bureau" to examine all government 
projects and systems in order to rectify wastefulness and 
corruption. 
 
6) DPJ plays up its stance of giving consideration for U.S. 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Kei Ukai 
 
 
TOKYO 00001711  005 OF 013 
 
 
In the part of diplomatic policy in its manifesto, the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) proclaims the establishment of a Japan-U.S. 
alliance that is close and more equal. The DPJ has played up its 
stance of attaching importance to relations with the United States 
by adding the word "close" to an equal partnership in its policy 
index, announced on July 23, which served as the basis for its 
manifesto. The manifesto includes some room allowing the party to 
deal flexibly with a change of government, while stopping short of 
discussing detailed diplomatic policies. 
 
Deputy Secretary General Yoshihiko Noda has recently emphasized a 
policy to cement relations with the United States first, saying, "We 
will stress the policy while forging relations of trust between 
'prime minister' Hatoyama and President Barack Obama." The manifesto 
reflects such a trend. The DPJ indicated in its policy index that it 
will "continue to review the realignment of U.S. forces and the 
modality of U.S. bases in Japan." But in the manifesto, this 
expression has been watered down to "looking in the direction of 
review." 
 
Like the policy index, the manifesto voids referring to the 
refueling operation in the Indian Ocean, to which the party has 
opposed. The party previously indicated that it will review the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). But the party repeated 
the expression "to present a revision" regarding the SOFA which was 
used in the policy index. 
 
The U.S. government has a strong interest in both issues. 
Administrative Vice-Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said at a press 
conference yesterday, "I expect each government will deal with those 
matters based on diplomatic continuity." Diplomacy comes out ninth 
out of the 21 items in the policy index. While in the manifesto, 
diplomacy comes after the seventh item. As a result of giving 
priority to domestic affairs and livelihood-oriented fields that are 
directly connected to the upcoming election, the gravity of foreign 
policy has declined in relative terms. 
 
7) Concept of building "more equal Japan-U.S. relationship" loses 
significance 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Takenori Noguchi 
 
Diplomacy and security did not make "five pledges" in the Democratic 
Party of Japan's (DPJ) manifesto. Although a separate item pledging 
to contribute to the world by means of independent diplomacy was set 
up, the manifesto remains in the realm of abstract expressions, such 
as to "build a close and more equal Japan-U.S. alliance by 
establishing an independent diplomatic strategy." 
 
The DPJ announced on July 17 its policy index for 2009, which served 
as the foundation for its manifesto. The policy index proclaimed the 
establishment of a Japan-U.S. alliance of a new age, while 
indicating to present a revision to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces 
Agreement and to continue to review the modality of U.S. force 
realignment and the U.S. bases in Japan. At that point, the DPJ 
retracted from its 2008 policy index which claimed to begin a 
drastic revision to the SOFA. In its manifesto, the party has 
further watered down that expression to "face a direction of 
review." 
 
TOKYO 00001711  006 OF 013 
 
 
 
The diplomatic stance of achieving a more equal Japan-U.S. 
relationship has been emphasized by the DPJ since it was led by 
Ichiro Ozawa in a bid to differentiate itself from the LDP-New 
Komeito administration. A DPJ executive commented: "We have to say 
things more clearly based on Japan's national interests, and 
bilateral relations must be made more transparent. That's the 
difference with the LDP." But as a change of government has become a 
possible reality, the concrete contents of a more equal Japan-U.S. 
partnership have now watered down and driven into insignificance in 
the manifesto. 
 
8) Consideration to U.S. evident in DPJ manifesto 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
In its manifesto for the upcoming general election, the Democratic 
Party of Japan's (DPJ) shifted its conventional hard-line stance to 
a pragmatic policy line by toning down its call for revising the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and taking flexible 
measures. The party apparently gave consideration to the growing 
concerns about the effect of its stance on Japan-U.S. relations if a 
DPJ government is launched. But such issues as dispatch of 
Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops overseas may cause a joint struggle 
among opposition parties. 
 
The DPJ manifesto features its consideration to the U.S. It 
specifies the bilateral alliance as the "cornerstone of Japan's 
foreign policy." Although it made no reference to the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's mission of refueling warships from the U.S. and 
other countries in the Indian Ocean, the manifesto pledges to 
"perform Japan's role in a positive manner while sharing roles with 
the U.S." Under president Ichiro Ozawa, the DPJ was opposed to the 
refueling operation as violating the Constitution. 
 
With respect to SOFA, too, the manifesto rewrites its conventional 
assertion from "starting review" into "advocating review." The U.S. 
is said to be extremely cautious about reviewing the Japan-U.S. 
agreement, fearing its effect on other SOFAs with other countries. 
 
The proposal to conclude a Japan-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) 
under the context of the Japan-U.S. alliance is also expected to 
cause a stir. If Japan concludes an FTA with the U.S., Japanese 
farmers will inevitably raise objections. Vice Agriculture, Forestry 
and Fisheries Minister Michio Ide expressed his concern about the 
proposal during a press conference yesterday, saying: "Almost all 
farm products could be affected." 
 
Concerning the planned transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station, the manifesto stops short of referring to its 
conventional call for relocating the facility to somewhere outside 
Okinawa Prefecture. But Policy Research Council Chairman Masayuki 
Naoshima said in a press briefing yesterday: "Our policy stance 
remains unchanged." The U.S. has no intention to alter its current 
plan to transfer the facility within the prefecture. 
 
The manifesto also includes measures to carry out cargo inspections 
of ships from and to North Korea as part of efforts to strengthen 
sanctions against North Korea, and reveals a willingness to address 
antipiracy measures in waters off Somalia. However, the Social 
Democratic Party, with which the DPJ hopes to form a coalition if it 
 
TOKYO 00001711  007 OF 013 
 
 
seizes the reins of government, remains cautious about SDF overseas 
dispatch. Foreign and security policies might become a shackle on 
the efforts to form a coalition government. 
 
9) DPJ releases manifesto: Challenge is to secure funding resources 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Abridged slightly) 
July 28, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has released a manifesto, which 
includes a number of policies intended to reduce the public 
financial burden. The manifesto notes that fiscal resources to 
finance those policies will be secured through the eradication of 
wasteful spending. However, it lacks specific explanations. The 
challenge to the DPJ, which now has the assumption of power in 
sight, is how to address criticism that it is simply tossing around 
pork-barrel largesse. 
 
Referring to funding resources, President Hatoyama underscored at a 
press conference that since the party has probed the necessity of 
spending items and suspended or put off those with low necessity 
after close examination, its proposals have not been made in an 
irresponsible manner. 
 
According to the roadmap for key policies incorporated in the 
manifesto, necessary expenses will reach 7.1 trillion yen in the 
fiscal 2010 budget and 16.8 trillion yen in the fiscal 2013 budget. 
 
Fiscal resources are to be tapped to subsidies given to independent 
administrative agencies, special public corporations, etc., cuts in 
public servants' labor costs and the use of so-called Kasumigaseki 
hidden funds (maizokin). Noting that focus will be on thoroughgoing 
efforts to eliminate wasteful expenditures, the manifesto pledges 
that the party will discuss the sales tax hike issue, but there will 
be no hike for the next four years. 
 
However, "forces of resistance" will challenge this stance. Local 
governments, which are suffering from economic decline, are bound to 
oppose cuts in public works. The proposal for cutting public 
servants' labor costs and reduction in force could make government 
office-affiliated labor unions, the DPJ's support base, stop 
supporting the DPJ. 
 
According to the manifesto, since the DPJ will dig into bureaucrats' 
vested interests, such as amakudari (golden parachute) practices, 
independent administrative agencies and special public corporations 
are certain to fiercely resist the proposal. A senior finance 
ministry official checked the proposal, noting, "Since the DPJ is 
aiming to become a ruling party, we want it to come up with specific 
points about the reform." 
 
Providing detailed explanations on an increase in financial burden 
is indispensable, instead of just presenting a rosy future. For 
instance, the establishment of child allowances is to be implemented 
concurrently with the abolition of allowance for spouse and 
allowance for dependent, meaning a tax increase for married couples 
without children. Making highways toll-free requires a switch of 
resources to repay debts inherited from the now-defunct Japan 
Highway Public Corporation from income from tolls to tax revenues. 
 
10) DPJ manifest features shift away from bureaucracy-oriented 
politics 
 
TOKYO 00001711  008 OF 013 
 
 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) 
July 28, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on July 27 released a manifesto 
(campaign pledges) for the upcoming Lower House election. It 
incorporates an "administration initiative" envisaging the launch of 
a Hatoyama administration, highlighting a shift away from 
bureaucracy-oriented politics. According to the campaign platform, 
the existing power relationship between Kasumigaseki (Japan's 
bureaucratic center) and political parties will likely change 
drastically, as 100 lawmakers of the ruling party will be appointed 
to posts in government agencies. Meanwhile, the party's stance 
toward security and decentralization has retreated significantly 
from its previous one, blurring the image of the administration it 
is aiming for. 
 
Cabinet minister to be appointed as national strategy bureau 
director general 
 
The Hatoyama administration initiative puts forward five principles 
for a government led by politicians and five policy measures to 
achieve that end. President Hatoyama at a press briefing held after 
the announcement of the manifesto, stressed, "We will change the 
nature of politics from bureaucracy-oriented politics to politics 
led by politicians." 
 
In particular, the party has placed emphasis on revising the current 
double power structure between the government and the ruling 
parties. Should the DPJ take the reins of government, it will 
abolish the "Next Cabinet," the current policy-making organ of the 
party. Decision-making authority will be centralized under a cabinet 
council joined by cabinet ministers, including prime minister 
Hatoyama. 
 
The policy platform also notes that 100 DPJ lawmakers will be 
appointed as ministers, senior vice ministers, parliamentary 
secretaries, and advisor to cabinet ministers at each government 
agency. These lawmakers will take charge of the government's 
decision-making jointly with the bureaucracy in an integrated 
manner. 
 
The national strategy bureau to be set up directly under the prime 
minister will be responsible for mapping out basic policies on 
budgets and foreign relations. Hatoyama at the press briefing on the 
27th announced a plan to appoint a cabinet minister as the bureau's 
director general. The manifesto notes that competent personnel both 
from the public and private sectors will be appointed as bureau 
officials. 
 
However, concerning the size of the organization and the ratio 
between bureaucrats and private-sector personnel, Policy Affairs 
Research Council Chairman Masayuki Naoshima simply said, "We still 
need to finalize the details." 
 
Consideration given to relations with U.S. 
 
The DPJ's manifesto for the Upper House election, released in 2007, 
was laced with key words critical of the government's policy toward 
the U.S., such as "Self-Defense Force (SDF) personnel should pull 
out of Iraq" or "the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment program 
does not give consideration to the people." 
 
TOKYO 00001711  009 OF 013 
 
 
 
The party toned down its wording in the manifesto released 
yesterday, as can be seen by a change from "we will thoroughly 
pursue problems" of the USFJ realignment program to "we will tackle 
the issue with the possibility of revising it." The manifesto does 
not touch on refueling operation in the Indian Ocean by SDF 
personnel even though the party has been opposed to extending the 
operation. This reflects that the party has given consideration to 
Japan's relations with the U.S. 
 
Regarding policy changes the DPJ has made, Hatoyama underscored, 
"Those changes are consistent with our previous stance. Our stance 
has evolved." However, the DPJ's blueprint regarding how it will 
handle the issue of refueling operations in the Indian Ocean after 
taking the reins of government remains unclear. 
 
Hatoyama has been characterizing decentralization as a campaign 
issue. The proposal included in the DPJ's manifesto for the Upper 
House election that the nation's administrative districts should be 
divided into about 300 basic autonomous bodies was not included in 
the manifesto released this time. 
 
11) DPJ eyes switch to political initiative 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
July 28, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) yesterday released its 
manifesto or campaign pledges for the forthcoming election for the 
House of Representatives. The DPJ manifesto says about 100 Diet 
members will enter the government as cabinet ministers, senior vice 
ministers, or parliamentary secretaries. In addition, a "national 
strategy bureau," directly under the prime minister's control, will 
outline the budget. The DPJ has thus declared a switch to 
decision-making under powerful political leadership. DPJ President 
Yukio Hatoyama met the press and highlighted "people-led government" 
and "post-bureaucracy." However, the DPJ is also expected to face 
difficulties. 
 
"We will create a new style of politics. We will also have to change 
the modality of governance from bureaucracy initiative to political 
initiative." With this, Hatoyama made promoted his idea of powerful 
political leadership in his press remarks. 
 
The DPJ manifesto first specifies a set of "five principles," such 
as "government under the initiative of politicians with the 
governing parties assuming responsibility instead of leaving 
everything to bureaucrats" and "Japan's national interests under the 
initiative of the prime minister's office rather than each 
ministry's interests under its bureaucratic sectionalism" Under the 
five principles, the DPJ sets forth "five policies" as a new 
mechanism under the political initiative assumed for Hatoyama and 
his government. 
 
What is symbolic of the DPJ manifesto is sending about 100 lawmakers 
to the government. They will serve as cabinet ministers, senior vice 
ministers, parliamentary secretaries, or cabinet ministerial 
assistants. Each cabinet minister, senior vice minister, and 
parliamentary secretary at government ministries and agencies will 
take the initiative to plan and coordinate policies and will make 
decisions. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001711  010 OF 013 
 
 
If there is an issue that needs interdepartmental coordination among 
government ministries and agencies, relevant cabinet ministers will 
coordinate it in a "cabinet ministerial committee." From the prime 
minister's office, the chief cabinet secretary will join the 
committee. The prime minister will arbitrate as needed. The DPJ will 
abolish the conference of administrative vice ministers from all 
government ministries and agencies or a subcabinet-level 
decision-making body, so the cabinet ministerial committee's 
decisions will be "cabinet decisions." 
 
The process of making policy decisions will basically be unified 
under the government's internal coordination. In the case of 
reforming the tax system, for example, government and ruling party 
leaders will become the government's tax commission members to make 
policy decisions. In the case of establishing a coalition government 
with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party as well, 
that coalition government, based on intra-cabinet cooperation, will 
make policy decisions internally, not on an interparty basis. 
 
In addition, the DPJ is also planning to revamp the prime minister's 
office and its leadership. The DPJ, for instance, eyes establishing 
a "national strategy bureau," which is a body of human resources 
from government and private circles and is to be directly under the 
prime minister's control. This strategy bureau will outline the 
government's national visions and fiscal budgets under the 
initiative of the prime minister's office. The Council on Economic 
and Fiscal Policy will be abolished. "The national strategy bureau's 
director general is like the chair of a political party's policy 
board and is a cabinet minister who is most familiar with policies," 
Hatoyama said, indicating his intention to appoint a cabinet 
minister to the post of national strategy bureau director general. 
 
12) Pundits' comments on DPJ policy manifesto for Aug. 30 general 
election 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Security policy - lack of specifics on necessary revenues: Wataru 
Suzuki, professor at Gakushuin University 
 
The manifesto unveiled by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) gives 
us an impression that the party plans to lavishly spend money to 
fund social security measures while leaving untouched the question 
of where the financial sources will come from. A considerable amount 
of revenues will be needed to finance the proposal to provide 
guaranteed minimum pension benefits. If the revenue source issue 
continues to be set aside, the proposed program will surely go under 
before long. It is necessary to learn how much money self-employed 
people and others have earned, because some might pass the pension 
benefits to private pension payments. The bill will be passed onto 
the younger generation. The proposed child-raising allowance is also 
a typical pork-barrel-type measure and is an ineffective way of 
spending money. 
 
Political reform - Use bureaucracy efficiently: Harutaka Takenaka, 
associate professor of National Graduate Institute for Policy 
Studies 
 
The party has pledged to set up a national strategy bureau. If this 
body becomes larger, "bureaucrats in the bureau" will be unavoidably 
created. In order for the prime minister to assume leadership, a 
 
TOKYO 00001711  011 OF 013 
 
 
system to support the prime minister will be needed. To realize a 
government led by politicians, the awareness of the need to use 
bureaucrats effectively is essential. The party proposes sending 100 
Diet members to ministries and agencies, but they must be 
well-versed in policies. I understand the importance of the proposed 
ban on civil servants' amakudari (golden parachuting) practice and 
the practice of retired government officials going from one company 
to another as executives, but it is also necessary to consider ways 
to hire and retain excellent bureaucrats as a measure to prevent the 
outflow of capable persons. 
 
Macroeconomic policy - speak of people's pain: Ryutaro Kawano, 
economist of BNP Paribas Security Japan 
 
The manifesto pledges to give priority to the viewpoint of ordinary 
citizens in carrying out politics, and this merits appreciation, 
compared with the nation's conventional policy stance shackled by 
vested interests. A reduction in public uneasiness is expected to 
contribute to boosting consumer spending. However, if the party has 
no intention to raise taxes, cutting expenditures to generate 
financial resources will become necessary. The party should explain 
what expenditures must be cut and speak of the public's pain. The 
manifesto presents no long- and mid-term growth strategy and makes 
light of market mechanisms. This point is unsatisfactory. The 
manifesto does not focus on deregulation and improvement in 
companies' productivity, either. 
Foreign policy - unclear approach in SOFA negotiations: Tomohito 
Shinoda, professor at International University of Japan 
 
The manifesto underscores the stance of giving priority to the 
Japan-U.S. alliance and comes up with practical foreign and security 
policies. This merits appreciation. But it is unclear with what 
approach the party intends to negotiation such issues as a review of 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the U.S. 
Regarding a review of the U.S. forces realignment plan agreed on 
between Japan and the U.S., as well, its stance remains ambiguous. 
It also proposes concluding a Japan-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA). 
This idea draws attention. The bottleneck is how to treat 
agricultural products, but if the party is considering promoting FTA 
negotiations in order to introduce an income indemnity system for 
individual farming households, this proposal is said to be very 
pragmatic. 
 
13) LDP, New Komeito condemn DPJ manifesto 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso criticized yesterday the Democratic Party of 
Japan's (DPJ) manifesto (campaign pledges), saying: "It's 
irresponsible, and extremely ambiguous. A pork-barrel story that 
sounds pleasant is quite dangerous. The Prime Minister also made the 
following comment about the DPJ's security policy, "Lack of 
consistency in the most important issues will be extremely dangerous 
for the security of Japan." He was speaking to the press corps at 
his official residence. 
 
Meanwhile, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki 
Hosoda told reporters at party headquarters yesterday: "Spending 
alone is too optimistic. The question of funding resources must be 
examined." 
 
 
TOKYO 00001711  012 OF 013 
 
 
The creation of a child allowance is specified in the manifesto of 
the DPJ despite the fact that the party has opposed the idea of 
improving the child-support allowance system. New Komeito 
Representative Akihiro Ota in an interview by the Mainichi Shimbun 
and other news companies commented on this fact, "(The DPJ's) 
policies change all the time. The events that have occurred up until 
now must be reviewed squarely." 
 
14) LDP to include in manifesto pledge to increase household income 
by 1 million yen by 2020 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda 
told the press corps at the party's headquarters yesterday that the 
LDP will make the main policy of its manifesto a pledge to increase 
average disposable household income by more than 1 million yen by 
¶2020. Hosoda said that the LDP will include specific policy measures 
in its manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the upcoming House of 
Representatives election. 
 
A senior LDP member said: "It will be able to cover disposable 
household incomes that drastically decreased in ten years," by 
easing the household burden by making child education free, 
improving support of women giving birth to return to their jobs, 
consolidating the work environment for the elderly, and implementing 
steadily economic stimulus measures. 
 
Hosoda also revealed that the LDP intends to release its manifesto 
as early as July 31. 
 
Meanwhile, the LDP has decided to stipulate in its manifesto a 
pledge to make the establishment of a consultative organ for 
representatives of central and local governments a legal 
requirement. 
 
15) LDP wary about Aso's making gaffes 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Senior Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members are becoming 
increasingly nervous about Prime Minister Taro Aso's latest remark, 
which is not much difference than a gaffe, made in a speech in 
Yokohama City. He said: "Elderly people have no talent other than 
working." LDP leaders have a heightened sense of alarm toward the 
possibility of Aso's habit of making gaffes forcing the LDP face an 
uphill battle in the upcoming House of Representatives election. 
 
Aso made the gaffe at a meeting on July 25 of Junior Chamber 
International Japan. Although he tried to say that he would 
revitalize the economy by promoting employment of the elderly, 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President was quick to criticize 
Aso. Aso therefore offered an apology in a speech delivered in 
Sendai City later that day, saying: "I gave a false impression." 
 
Aso apologized in a meeting of the LDP before dissolving the Lower 
House, saying: "My remarks led to lower support rates of the LDP." 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura has received many calls from 
LDP candidates for the general election, with one candidate saying: 
"I want the chief cabinet secretary to take care of the prime 
 
TOKYO 00001711  013 OF 013 
 
 
minister." Kawamura then gave Aso an earful, saying: "I want you to 
continue to feel the tension." 
 
The LDP had bitter experiences in recent national elections caused 
by remarks by prime ministers. 
 
In the 2000 Lower House election, the Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori 
said five days before the election: "I want voters, who are 
indifferent in the election, to sleep at home." The observation was 
that his remark instead forced unaffiliated voters cast their votes 
for opposition parties. 
 
In July 2004, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who enjoyed 
high popularity, came under criticism for his remark: "There are all 
kinds of people (all kinds of companies and all kinds of 
employees)," when he was pursed at the Diet. In the House of 
Councillors election held about one month later Koizumi's remark, 
the LDP was defeated by the DPJ. 
 
16) Yokohama Mayor Nakata considering forming new party, not seeking 
third term 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
July 28, 2009 
 
Yokohama Mayor Hiroshi Nakata, 44, who will be serving out his 
second term next April, has decided not to seek another term, it was 
learned on July 27. Nakata will announce his intention at a press 
conference to be held soon. 
 
The reasons for his decision reportedly include his prospects for 
formulating measures for the city's fiscal reconstruction and his 
intention to concentrate on activities toward forming a political 
organization with Hiroshi Yamada, mayor of Suginami Ward in Tokyo. 
He apparently will not run in the forthcoming House of 
Representatives election on Aug. 30. 
 
Nakata is also looking into forming a new party together with other 
mayors in favor of reforms. 
 
Nakata was first elected in 1993 to the Diet as a Lower House 
member. He is now serving in his second term as Yokohama mayor since 
he was elected in April 2002. 
 
ZUMWALT