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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001800 
 
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 08/07/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Hiroshima Memorial: 
4) Difficult for President Obama unable to make it to Hiroshima, 
Nagasaki during fall visit (Yomiuri) 
5) Statements at the Hiroshima Day memorial ceremony include 
President Obama's theme of a world without nuclear weapons (Asahi) 
 
6) Democratic Party of Japan President Hatoyama in Hiroshima speech 
says he intends to pursue "non-proliferation diplomacy" if his party 
wins the election (Yomiuri) 
 
North Korea problem: 
7) Foreign Minister Nakasone indicates that Japan worked on the U.S 
to have former President Clinton bring up the abduction issue during 
his DPRK trip (Yomiuri) 
8) Tokyo saw Clinton visit as opportunity to press North Korea on 
the abduction issue (Nikkei) 
9) Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura: Senior U.S. official told him 
that Kim Jong Il made no reaction to Clinton statement on abductees 
(Sankei) 
10) Japan concerned that it will be left behind as U.S., taking 
advantage of momentum from Clinton visit to Pyongyang, moves on 
North Korea issues (Sankei) 
 
Election campaign: 
12) Nikkei poll: DPJ up 3 points to 43% in voter approval in 
election, while LDP marks time at 26% (Nikkei) 
13) Yomiuri poll: Voters cast severe eyes of contents of DPJ's 
manifesto (campaign pledges) but that does not translate into 
support for the LDP (Yomiuri) 
14) Faced with Social Democratic Party obstinacy, DPJ wavering in 
its position on reviewing the three non-nuclear principles (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
15) Prime Minister Aso campaigns in his home district to warm 
welcome (Sankei) 
16) LDP is faced with revolt from three local chapters (Asahi) 
17) New Komeito raps DPJ for altering its stand on FTA with the 
U.S., faced with political resistance from farmers (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
18) DPJ's Hatoyama calls for a common Asian currency (Yomiuiri) 
 
19) Child pornography cases up alarmingly by 27%: Police report 
(Mainichi) 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: 
First lay judge trial ends, citizen judges, mostly positive, meet 
press 
 
Nikkei: 
Mitsubishi Rayon to make plexiglass precursor in Saudi Arabia 
 
Akahata: 
Participants in A-bombing memorial ceremony in Hiroshima pledge to 
realize a nuclear-free world 
 
TOKYO 00001800  002 OF 012 
 
 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Agreement between Aso, sufferers from A-bomb-linked illness but 
one step forward 
(2) Lay judges speak of weight of experience 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Lay judge system makes smooth start but requires constant 
examination 
(2) Make agreement between Aso, sufferers from A-bomb disease the 
first step toward a total settlement 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Monitor and improve lay judge system 
(2) All political parties must jointly address the issue of 
recognizing sufferers from A-bomb disease 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Let's use the lay judge system to improve the criminal justice 
system 
(2) The next business challenge now that corporate profits have 
bottomed out 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Lay judges superbly fulfill citizens' responsibility 
(2) Government urged to resolve remaining issues related to A-bomb 
disease 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Agreement finally reached between government and sufferers from 
A-bomb disease 
(2) Thunderclouds are warning signs of turbulent winds and tornadoes 
 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Government urged to make a sincere effort to rescue sufferers 
from A-bomb disease 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 6 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
07:41 
Departed Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima, where he stayed overnight 
 
07:50 
Memorial ceremony for victims of atomic bombing at Hiroshima City 
Peace Memorial Park 
 
09:00 
Toured Peace Memorial Museum, accompanied by Health Minister Yoichi 
Masuzoe; casual conversation with UN General Assembly President 
Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann 
 
09:38 
Signed document on basic policy on ending class action lawsuit on 
certification of A-bomb diseases at Riga Royal Hotel Hiroshima; 
 
TOKYO 00001800  003 OF 012 
 
 
followed by meeting to hear petition from A-bomb victim 
representatives 
 
10:42 
News conference 
 
11:07 
Met Nanao Kamata, head of support group for A-bomb victims at 
"Funairi Mutsumi-en," nursing home for A-bomb victims; followed by 
visit to patients 
 
11:37 
Met secretary at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima 
 
13:19 
Departed JR Hiroshima station on Nozomi-159 train 
 
14:13 
Arrived at JR Kokura station 
 
14:20 
Stump speech in front of "Koretto" shopping center in Kitakyushu 
City 
 
15:12 
Stump speech in front of "Aeon Yahata Higashi Shopping Center" 
 
15:38 
Speech at Kitakyushu Yahata Royal Hotel 
 
16:49 
Stump speech in front of "Sunlive Koga" supermarket in Koga City, 
Fukuoka Prefecture 
 
17:59 
Stump speech in front of Iizuka Bunka Kaikan in Iizuka City, Fukuoka 
Prefecture 
 
18:41 
Arrived at his private residence in Iizuka City 
 
19:09 
Met Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly member Taro Yoshihara, others at 
Nogami President Hotel; followed by party to show support for him by 
local medical association and other groups 
 
20:18 
Video recording for policy broadcasting; followed by interview with 
Iizuka city government press club 
 
21:22 
Arrived at private residence 
 
HIROSHIMA MEMORIAL 
 
4) Obama visit to Hiroshima, Nagasaki difficult 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
U.S. President Obama can hardly be expected to visit the 
atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki when he visits Japan 
 
TOKYO 00001800  004 OF 012 
 
 
in mid-November this year, Japanese government officials revealed 
yesterday. His visit there could touch off a rise of arguments over 
historical perception or the dropping of atomic bombs and its 
meaning, and this could incur negative reactions in the United 
States, officials explained. In addition, it has become certain that 
his stay in Japan will be "about one whole day." Given this, it will 
be difficult for him to travel in Japan. 
 
"It's difficult to handle an issue connected with historical views 
during his first visit to Japan," a source on Japan-U.S. relations 
said yesterday, indicating that it would be difficult for Obama to 
visit the atomic-bombed cities. 
 
5) "Japan should go further than President Obama," "The reality 
should be taken into account": Party leaders make speech on day to 
offer prayers of repose for atomic bomb victims 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Leaders of ruling and opposition parties presented their thoughts on 
August 6, a day to offer prayers of repose for atomic bomb victims. 
The nation's interest in the elimination of nuclear arms is 
heightening in response to U.S. President Obama's declaration that 
he will seek a nuclear-free world. However, party leaders were 
divided in their evaluations of the reality of Japan being protected 
by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. 
 
Prime Minister Aso held a news conference in Hiroshima City. 
Referring to the LDP's manifesto having no specific wording about 
the elimination of nuclear arms, he said: "It is the cherished 
desire of Japan, the only country on which nuclear weapons have been 
used, to bring about a nuclear-free world. Japan has so far strongly 
called for efforts for nuclear disarmament. It is not necessary to 
venture to mention that in the manifesto." Regarding the reality 
that Japan is under the U.S.' nuclear umbrella, Aso said, "There is 
a neighbor that intends to attack our country with nuclear arms. We 
must consider that reality." 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Hatoyama told reporters in 
Hiroshima City, "Since President Obama has gone as far as to declare 
his desire to create a nuclear-free world, Japan must go further 
than that." Regarding the idea of inviting the President to visit 
Hiroshima, he said, "I strongly feel that it is meaningful to invite 
President Obama to Hiroshima." 
 
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii at the party headquarters said: 
"Japan calls for the abolition of nuclear arms, while depending on 
the nuclear umbrella. This is a double standard that cannot be 
accepted. It is important for Japan to leave the U.S. nuclear 
umbrella and become a non-nuclear nation in name and reality." 
Social Democratic Party President Mizuho Fukushima said in Hiroshima 
City: "Now President Obama is considering no-first-use of nuclear 
weapons. Some say that Japan is opposing that. This is a totally 
wrong attitude." 
 
6) DPJ President intends for press nonproliferation diplomacy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Hatoyama on August 6 gave 
 
TOKYO 00001800  005 OF 012 
 
 
a speech at the memorial service for atomic-bomb victims hosted by 
the Hiroshima Prefecture Japan Confederation of Atomic-Bomb Victim 
Organizations held in Hiroshima City. He noted, "It is the moral 
mission of our country, the only country on which nuclear weapons 
have been used, to bring about a nuclear-free world. It is very 
important to call on the leaders of the world to work to eliminate 
nuclear arms." He stressed that should the DPJ takes the reins of 
government in the Lower House election; he would put his energy into 
nuclear disarmament. Hatoyama is also considering attending the NPT 
Review Conference to be held in New York in May next year, which 
would be a first for a Japanese prime minister. Hatoyama told 
reporters, "Japan should show its leadership and play a role in the 
denuclearization talks between the U.S. and Russia." 
 
The NPG Review Conference takes place once in five years to discuss 
the implementation of the treaty. Hatoyama intends to tackle 
denuclearization diplomacy as a means to materialize "fraternal 
diplomacy," which he advocates. 
 
NORTH KOREA PROBLEM 
 
7) Former U.S. president referred to abduction issue in response to 
Japan's request 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Former U.S. President Clinton's urging North Korea's General 
Secretary Kim Jong Il to settle the abduction issue was the result 
of Tokyo's working on the U.S in advance, said Foreign Minister 
Nakasone on August 6. He revealed that in a speech given in Niigata 
City, saying, "The Japanese government asked Mr. Clinton in advance 
to bring up the abduction issue when he met with General Secretary 
Kim. The former president accepted Japan's request." 
 
According to a government source, the U.S. had conveyed the former 
president's plan to visit North Korea several days earlier. 
 
8) Government to demand reinvestigation of abductions after 
Clinton's visit to North Korea; little hope for progress since the 
DPRK gives importance to U.S. alone 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
August 7, 2009 
 
The government will shortly ask North Korea for the early start of 
reinvestigation of the abduction cases through diplomatic channels 
in Beijing in the wake of former U.S. President Bill Clinton's 
personally urging the DPRK's General Secretary Kim Jong Il for a 
solution to the abduction issue. Japan will also aim for the 
resumption of bilateral dialogue, which has been suspended owing to 
the nuclear test and for other reasons, but it is believed that 
North Korea is unlikely to respond. It has become clear that Japan 
also has to rely on the United States for resolution of the 
abduction issue. 
 
When the government was informed of Clinton's visit to work for the 
release of two American reporters this month, it explained that "the 
top priority for Japan is the abduction issue," asking Clinton, 
through the U.S. government, to urge the DPRK to work for progress 
in the abduction issue. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001800  006 OF 012 
 
 
Based on Japan's request, Clinton conveyed the message to Kim, and 
after returning home, he immediately briefed the Japanese government 
on the conversation regarding the abduction issue through the U.S. 
government. A government source pointed out that "The U.S. clearly 
did not contact North Korea over Japan's head." 
 
After being briefed by the government, Teruaki Masumoto, secretary 
general of the association of families of abduction victims, 
responded positively: "Talking to General Secretary Kim directly 
about resolving the abduction issue is of great significance. I 
think conveying the message that the U.S. also attaches importance 
to a solution to the abduction issue will have an impact." 
 
However, the reason why the American reporters were released is 
because the DPRK gives great importance to the U.S. A source on 
Japan-DPRK relations offers the following analysis: "Contact between 
Japan and the DPRK has been severed. There will be no progress in 
bilateral relations." Most pundits feel that for now, Japan will 
have to rely on the U.S. 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party is expected to fight an uphill battle 
in the House of Representatives election to be held on August 30. A 
senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official also believes that 
"North Korea will be watching the Japanese political situation 
closely." It is believed that North Korea will give priority to 
direct dialogue with the U.S. for the time being. Maneuvering to 
resume serious Japan-DPRK negotiations will most probably come after 
the Lower House election. 
 
9) Chief cabinet secretary says no response by Kim to abduction 
request 
 
SANKEI (Page 7) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a press conference 
yesterday morning that a senior U.S. government official called him 
the same day to report on the results of former U.S. President Bill 
Clinton's recent visit to North Korea. He declined to disclose the 
name of the official. 
 
Kawamura quoted the U.S. official as saying: "Mr. Clinton urged 
North Korean leader Kim Jong Ill to work on the issue of his agents' 
abductions of Japanese nationals and launch a reinvestigation into 
the cases in accordance with the agreement reached between Japan and 
North Korea. But Kim made no response." He also said that the 
official notified him that "the trip was aimed solely at the release 
of two U.S. journalists and no other issues, including North Korea's 
nuclear program, were discussed. There was no message from President 
Barack Obama." 
 
10) Japan fears that abduction issue might be left unresolved due to 
North Korea's U.S.-first policy following Clinton visit 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Ruriko Kubo 
 
As seen in the recent visit to North Korea by former U.S. President 
Bill Clinton, a change in U.S.-DPRK relations is drawing a great 
deal of attention. Under such circumstances, concern is growing that 
 
TOKYO 00001800  007 OF 012 
 
 
Japan-DPRK relations and the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to 
North Korea might be left unresolved. This is because although the 
resumption of the Six-Party Talks is essential for a breakthrough in 
the deadlocked Japan-DPRK talks, to the Six-Party framework might be 
altered if the United States and North Korea resume their 
"dialogue." 
 
Pyongyang recently released the detained American journalists with 
the aim of creating a chance for bilateral talks with Washington. In 
dealing with Japan, the North also demonstrated its "hostage 
diplomacy" in such events as a visit to the North in 1990 by a 
delegation led by then LDP Vice President Shin Kanemaru over the No. 
18 Fujisan Maru incident and a visit to Pyongyang in 2002 by then 
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who brought back five abductees 
with him. The North tried to use those events to break the deadlock 
in normalization talks with Japan. 
 
But saddled with General Secretary Kim Jong Il's poor health, 
Pyongyang has given top priority to talks with the United States for 
the sake of its own security, with little regard to Japan. The 
North's traditional strategy is to build amicable relations with the 
United States first, believing South Korea and Japan will then 
follow suit. 
 
Pyongyang promised at Japan-DPRK working-level talks last August 
that it would reinvestigate the fate of Japanese abductees, but that 
has now returned to square one due to the resignation of Prime 
Minister Yasuo Fukuda. The matter has not moved forward under the 
current Aso administration. Additionally, because the former U.S. 
Bush administration delisted the North as a state sponsor of 
terrorism last October, Pyongyang no longer has any reason to give 
consideration to Japan. 
 
According to a North Korean source, Kim Jong Il issued an internal 
order on Feb. 25 this year to stop the country's maneuvering against 
Japan and South Korea. The International Department of the Workers' 
Party of Korea, a department in charge of maneuvering against Japan, 
has also been downgraded and scaled down, according to the source. 
"The step seems to reflect the conclusion that Japan's North Korea 
policy has not produced results," the source said. North Korea 
channels have been icy due partly because Japan played a leading 
role in having UN Security Council adopt a North Korea sanctions 
resolution in the wake of its nuclear test and also because Japan 
has stepped up its own sanctions against the North. That is why (Kim 
Jong Il) did not show any special response to the issue of Japanese 
abductees during his talks with Clinton, according to a senior U.S. 
official. 
 
The new Japanese administration that will be launched after the 
upcoming general election will take on the task of formulating 
Japan's new North Korea policy. 
 
ELECTION CAMPAIGN 
 
11) Pre-election poll: LDP flat at 26%, DPJ up 3 points to 43% in 
public preference for proportional representation 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Ahead of the upcoming general election for the now-dissolved House 
of Representatives, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a 
 
TOKYO 00001800  008 OF 012 
 
 
pre-election poll on Aug- 4-6 to probe public attitudes. In the 
public preference of political parties for proportional 
representation, the Democratic Party of Japan topped all other 
political parties at 43%, up 3 points from the last poll taken July 
7-9. The Liberal Democratic Party was at 26%, the same as in the 
last poll. Respondents were also asked what they thought was 
important when choosing a political party to vote for under the 
proportional representation system. To this question, 41% gave "a 
political party's proposals or policy," topping all other answers. 
"Willingness or competence for reform" followed at 24%, and "party 
head" at 4%. 
 
In public preference for proportional representation, the New 
Komeito party slipped 1 point to 6%. The Japanese Communist Party 
was at 4%, and the Social Democratic Party at 3%. Both the JCP and 
the SDP leveled off from the last poll. 
 
Among LDP supporters, 78% said they would vote for the LDP, up 4 
points from the last poll. Among DPJ supporters, the figure for the 
DPJ rose 1 point to 87%. Among floating voters with no particular 
party affiliation, the LDP dropped 4% to 8%, with the DPJ rising 5 
points to 23%. Undecided voters accounted for 33%, up 5 points. 
 
Respondents were further asked which political party's candidate 
they would vote for in their single-seat constituencies. In this 
preference, the DPJ rose 3 points to 42%, with the LDP remaining 
flat at 27%. 
 
The rate of public support for Prime Minister Aso's cabinet was 17%, 
down 1 point. The nonsupport rate for the Aso cabinet was 67%, up 2 
points. In the breakdown of public support for political parties, 
the LDP stood at 28%, down 2 points, and the DPJ at 41%, up 4 
points. 
 
The survey was taken by Nikkei Research Inc. over the telephone on a 
random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, samples were 
chosen from among men and women aged 20 and over across the nation. 
A total of 2,183 households with one or more eligible voters were 
sampled, and answers were obtained from 1,133 persons (51.9%). 
 
12) Poll: Public eye severe on DPJ pledges; Public support for LDP 
flat 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
August 7, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan remains ahead of all other political 
parties in public preference for proportional representation but the 
public eye is severe on its manifesto or campaign pledges, the 
Yomiuri Shimbun found from its pre-election public opinion survey. 
 
Public opinion was split over the DPJ's proposal of "child 
allowances." Among DPJ supporters, affirmative answers accounted for 
62%. Meanwhile, negative answers accounted for 30%. This policy 
proposal was the showcase of the DPJ's manifesto. However, the 
figures show that DPJ supporters are also opposed to the DPJ's plan 
to ensure ways and means by abolishing spouse and dependent tax 
deductions. 
 
DPJ President Hatoyama has proposed ending the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's ongoing refueling activities in the Indian Ocean by next 
January. Asked about this, affirmative answers accounted for only 
 
TOKYO 00001800  009 OF 012 
 
 
about 50% even among DPJ supporters, with negative answers adding up 
to 32%. It is clear that DPJ supporters want the DPJ to pursue even 
more down-to-earth foreign and security policies. 
 
However, the Liberal Democratic Party's manifesto also remains 
unable to gain wider support for the LDP. 
 
13) DPJ wavers on three no-nuclear principles: Differences with SDP 
may become source of conflict in future coalition 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Koki Miura 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is wavering on its policy on the 
three no-nuclear principles. While President Yukio Hatoyama 
professes his enthusiasm for the elimination of nuclear arms, he has 
indicated the possibility of a "flexible position" on the principle 
of not introducing nuclear weapons into Japan, one of the three 
principles. The Social Democratic Party (SDP), a probable coalition 
partner of the DPJ after the House of Representatives election, 
advocates upholding the three principles. This issue is a potential 
source of conflict between the two parties. 
 
In his speech at a memorial ceremony sponsored by an A-bomb victims' 
group in Hiroshima City on August 6, Hatoyama said: "U.S. President 
Obama's speech was very moving. I vow to make every effort to 
achieve a world without nuclear weapons." 
 
However, with regard to the three no-nuclear principles of "not 
possessing, producing, or introducing nuclear weapons," Hatoyama 
stated at a news conference on July 14 that "this question has been 
dealt with in a pragmatic manner precisely because there was a need, 
including with regard to the North Korea issue," which seemed to 
indicate that he condones the U.S. forces' bringing nuclear arms 
into Japan. 
 
SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima reacted fiercely to this statement that 
appeared to reduce the three principles to two principles. "If the 
three principles become shaky," she said, "Japan will not be able to 
talk to the world about the elimination of nuclear arms." She 
pressed for legislation to make the three principles legally 
binding. 
 
In light of the objection of potential coalition partner SDP, 
Hatoyama declared that he will uphold the three principles. 
Fukushima indicated she is not insisting on legislative action, 
remarking at a news conference on August 6: "The important thing is 
not legislation; what is important is to create a reality where the 
three principles will be guaranteed in the true sense." 
 
However, the SDP's flexibility is premised on the three principles 
being honored in reality. 
 
If it assumes the reins of government, the DPJ, which has written in 
its manifesto for the Lower House election that it will "take the 
lead in the elimination of nuclear weapons," intends to instruct the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has continued to deny the 
existence of a secret agreement on the U.S. forces bringing nuclear 
arms into Japan, to investigate whether such an agreement exists. 
However, if the existence of the secret agreement is uncovered, 
 
TOKYO 00001800  010 OF 012 
 
 
which means part of the three principles has fallen apart, the DPJ 
will find itself in a tight spot on how to deal with the problem. 
 
Hatoyama stated at his news conference on August 6: "It is 
unthinkable for U.S. ships carrying nuclear arms to call on Japanese 
ports. I believe that the three principles will continue to be fully 
observed in the future," stressing that it is impossible for nuclear 
arms to be actually brought into Japan. However, if the SDP insists 
on legislating on the three principles, a crack is certain to emerge 
in the coalition government. 
 
14) Aso visits home constituency, breaking LDP tradition 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Mitsuru Sakai 
 
With the Aug. 18 official announcement of the next Lower House 
election coming up, Prime Minister Taro Aso arrived in Fukuoka 
Prefecture yesterday after attending the peace memorial ceremony in 
Hiroshima. In Fukuoka, Aso delivered stumping speeches at five 
places, including his home constituency of Fukuoka 8th district in 
Iizuka City. Aso visited his home constituency for the first time 
after becoming prime minister. Contrary to his dwindling support 
ratings, Aso received an enthusiastic welcome in his home 
constituency. Nevertheless, it is the Liberal Democratic Party's 
tradition that the prime minister rarely visits his home 
constituency during his term of office. Aso's unusual visit to his 
home constituency may show his sense of alarm against the Democratic 
Party of Japan, which reportedly has the upper hand prior to the 
election. 
 
15) Three LDP prefectural chapters rebel against party headquarters 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 7, 2009 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced in late July the 
party's official candidates for the upcoming general election. The 
step has drawn strong reactions from the prefectural chapters in 
those constituencies, with some coming up with their own 
chapter-endorsed candidates and others pressing the party 
headquarters for a review of its decision. 
 
General Council Senior Deputy Chairman Hajime Funada of the Tochigi 
first constituency and former Administrative Reform Minister 
Toshimitsu Motegi of the Tochigi fifth constituency asked Secretary 
General Hiroyuki Hosoda at party headquarters yesterday to review 
the party's decision to field former Chief Cabinet Secretary Mayumi 
Moriyama, 81, as an "assassin" against Yoshimi Watanabe, who has 
bolted the party. Watanabe represents Tochigi's third district. 
 
A showdown between the "assassin" and Watanabe, who has a strong 
support base in the prefecture inherited from his father, the late 
Michio Watanabe, might have an adverse effect on other 
constituencies as well. 
 
Receiving an acute local petition, Hosoda pointed to the possibility 
of reviewing the party's decision. 
 
The Aomori prefectural chapter is also discontent with the LDP 
 
TOKYO 00001800  011 OF 012 
 
 
headquarters' rejection of its request to officially endorse Jun 
Tsushima, 42, the son of Yuji Tsushima, on the grounds of him being 
a "hereditary" candidate. Yuji Tsushima has recently announced that 
he will retire from politics. Tadamori Oshima, who is chairman of 
the Aomori prefectural chapter and chairman of Diet Affairs 
Committee, declared revolt against the party headquarters yesterday, 
saying that the prefectural chapter will independently endorse Jun 
Tsushima. 
 
The party headquarter has also turned down the Miyazaki chapter's 
request for the official endorsement of former Upper House lawmaker 
Mitshuhiro Uesugi, 67, who was publicly recruited for the Miyazaki 
No. 1 Constituency. This has resulted in the candidacy of former 
Land and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama, 66, who once announced 
not to run in the next election. The party headquarters has 
abstained not officially endorsed either one for fear of causing 
hard feelings in the party. The prefectural chapter decided on Aug. 
3 to independently endorse Uesugi. Nakayama will run in the race as 
an independent. 
 
16) New Komeito, LDP secretaries general criticize DPJ plan to 
revise manifesto on FTA with U.S. 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
At a news conference on August 6, New Komeito Secretary General 
Kazuo Kitagawa commented on the plan of the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) to revise its pledge on the signing of a free trade 
agreement (FTA) between Japan and the U.S. in its manifesto for the 
House of Representatives election. He criticized the DPJ for "making 
revisions repeatedly when faced with criticism." 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda 
also told reporters in Tokyo cynically: "I think its true intent to 
compromise is showing." 
 
17) DPJ President Hatoyama proposes common Asian currency 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 7, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Chairman Hatoyama in an article in 
the monthly magazine Voice to be published on August 10 proposed the 
creation of a common Asian currency that would integrate the 
currencies of East Asian nations. Hatoyama in an article titled "My 
Political Philosophy" indicated his stance that it is necessary to 
create an East Asian Community as a national goal, based on his own 
political belief of "Fraternity (Yuai)." 
 
Hatoyama noted this about the international situation: "The world 
will head from the era of unipolar rule by the U.S. to an era of 
multi-polarization. It is an inevitable trend that China will become 
an economic superpower, while building up its military power." He 
argued, "We should aim to realize a common Asian currency. We must 
not spare efforts to create a permanent security framework with the 
East Asian region as its backdrop." He then pointed out that "it 
will take more than a decade" to achieve that end. 
 
18) Child pornography cases increases in first half of 2009 
 
MAINICHI (Page 10) (Excerpts) 
 
TOKYO 00001800  012 OF 012 
 
 
Evening, August 6, 2009 
 
Police uncovered a record 382 cases (up 27.3% over the same period 
of last year) of violations of the law banning child prostitution 
and pornography in the first half of 2009 (from January through 
June). This was the highest number of cases detected since the 
National Police Agency (NPA) began keeping records in 2000, 
according to figures released by the NPA. The number of victims 
under the age of 18 was 218 (up 51.4%) and also the highest such 
figure on record. The number of molestation cases, which marked the 
highest record in the first half of last year, was 157 (down 3.1%), 
although those who were killed in such cases significantly decreased 
to 11 (down 62.1%). 
 
According to the NPA, the number of people apprehended surged to 289 
(up 53.7%) and also marked the highest record. The uncovered cases 
involved 106 middle school students, 71 senior high school students, 
33 elementary school students, and two children below primary school 
age. The numbers of child prostitution cases and victims in these 
cases increased from the same period a year ago for the first time 
in three years at 557 (up 7.3%) and 435 (1.9%), respectively. 
 
The number of children involved in molestation cases was 164 (down 
1.2%). The victims include 100 girls, of whom, 17 victims were aged 
between 12 and 15, followed by 15 victims aged at 12 months or 
younger. Of the children involved in such cases, 118 victims were 
treated with cruelty, and 41 suffered from sexual abuse. Five 
victims were subjected to refusal or negligence as guardians. 
 
In the 11 children who died, five were killed, four were subjected 
to bodily injury, and one each - negligence as guardians and 
abduction and confinement. In terms of relations with the victims, 
48 were real fathers, 47 were real mothers, 32 were step fathers, 
and 25 were common-law fathers. 
 
ZUMWALT