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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001880 
 
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 08/14/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Japan should pursue nuclear disarmament without impairing 
deterrence capability (Mainichi) 
(2) 2009 Lower House election: Focus already on how to treat Ozawa 
(Yomiuri) 
(3) Interview with former Lower House speaker Kono at the end of his 
political career (Tokyo Shimbun) 
(4) Bumpy road for "third force" politicians in Lower House election 
(Yomiuri) 
(5) Agricultural policy: DPJ to start income subsidies for farming 
households from FY11; LDP to increase income by full utilization of 
paddy fields (Tokyo Shimbun) 
(6) Head of agricultural cooperatives' political arm calls for firm 
resistance to FTA with U.S. (Asahi) 
(7) FRB estimate that U.S. economy is about to bottom out is 
reasonable, according to four economists: Concern about stimulus 
policy effects running out in Japan (Tokyo Shimbun) 
(8)Editorial: Bluefin tuna trade embargo - How can we continue to 
enjoy tuna? (Tokyo Shimbun) 
(9) TOP HEADLINES 
(10) EDITORIALS 
(11) Prime Minister's schedule, August 13 (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Japan should pursue nuclear disarmament without impairing 
deterrence capability 
 
MAINICHI (Page 10) (Full) 
August 14, 20009 
 
By Matake Kamiya, professor at National Defense Academy 
 
Stimulated by U.S. President Barack Obama's speech in Prague this 
April outlining his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, moves 
for nuclear disarmament are gaining momentum across the world. 
Eliminating nuclear weapons is Japan's long-felt wish. How should 
Japan face this new situation? The Obama vision is evaluated as 
"practical," but it is essential to correctly understand its 
meaning. 
 
In the Prague speech, Obama said that as the only nuclear power to 
have used a nuclear weapon, the U.S. has a moral responsibility to 
act. But he also said that since it will take time to eliminate all 
nuclear weapons, the goal is unlikely to be attained in his 
lifetime. He further said that America will maintain necessary 
nuclear weapons to deter attacks from enemies against it and its 
allies as long as nuclear weapons exist in the world. 
 
Obama indicated that the U.S. will seriously pursue the ideal of 
nuclear abolition in the future but will not sacrifice security for 
the sake of the ideal. In short, he says that he will rely on the 
role of nuclear weapons for global peace and security until all 
nuclear weapons are removed from the world. 
 
In Japan, people seem to be paying attention only to the 
unprecedented advocacy of nuclear abolition by the president of the 
U.S., the world's largest nuclear power, but seem not to comprehend 
Obama's entire vision. Obama has warned that although the threat of 
global-scale warfare has reduced, the fear of a nuclear attack is 
growing with nuclear proliferation. We should be aware that such a 
 
TOKYO 00001880  002 OF 012 
 
 
trend is particularly remarkable in Northeast Asia, which includes 
Japan. 
 
To respond to the Obama concept, Japan should pursue both the ideal 
of nuclear disarmament and the reality of security. 
 
Japan has long nursed a variety of ideas for nuclear disarmament. 
Japan should now once again propagate those ideas globally and take 
the initiative in creating feasible measures. 
 
If Japan continues to opt for a nonnuclear policy despite North 
Korea's nuclear tests and China's modernized nuclear capability, 
that stance alone will greatly contribute to the world's pursuit of 
the ideal of the abolition of nuclear weapons. 
 
Japan possesses no nuclear weapons in a world of heightened danger 
from nuclear attack. Japan also needs to mull how to ensure its 
security. The key lies in the U.S.'s nuclear umbrella. 
 
Nonnuclear powers must not fail to prepare as long as there are 
nuclear powers. The U.S.'s nuclear umbrella has offered reassurance 
to many nonnuclear powers, including Japan. Obama's reference in the 
Prague speech to the U.S. capability to deter enemies from attacks 
against its allies was made in consideration of this point. Although 
nuclear disarmament is important, it is quite natural for the 
Japanese and American governments to judge that the credibility of 
the U.S. umbrella must not be undermined. 
 
Japan should declare, as President Obama did, that it has no 
intention to jeopardize its security by exposure to a real threat 
for the sake of an ideal. Even so, Japan should consider together 
with the U.S. the question of to what extent nuclear weapons can be 
reduced while maintaining the credibility of the U.S. nuclear 
umbrella, as well as the possibility of replacing the nuclear 
umbrella with U.S.'s conventional weapons. While making such 
efforts, Japan should try to explore a constructive approach. 
 
(2) 2009 Lower House election: Focus already on how to treat Ozawa 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
August 14, 2009 
 
In the Democratic Party of Japan, the focus is already on how to 
treat Deputy President Ichiro Ozawa if the DPJ takes over the reins 
of government. If the DPJ wins the upcoming House of Representatives 
election, it is certain that the presence of Ozawa, who has been 
guiding the election, will further strengthen in the party. 
Therefore, some DPJ members are concerned about a possible dual 
power structure of Ozawa and a Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. 
 
Ozawa has been busy finding candidates for districts in which the 
LDP has not fielded any candidates, as well as with stumping in 
local areas. 
 
It is taken in the LDP that his election strategy, which includes 
filing new female candidates against seasoned Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) candidates is gradually working. Ozawa has fielded one 
female candidate against former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori in the 
No. 2 district in Ishikawa Prefecture, and another candidate against 
former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki in the No. 1 
district in Ehime Prefecture. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001880  003 OF 012 
 
 
Many of those candidates if elected will come under the influence of 
Ozawa. This means the birth of the "Ozawa children." 
 
In May, Ozawa was forced to quit the LDP presidency due to his 
secretary's receiving illegal donations from Nishimatsu Construction 
Co. However, Ozawa's aides believe that if the DPJ wins the general 
election, it means that he will be absolved from the charges. 
 
At a press conference on July 27, Ozawa expressed his willingness to 
continue taking charge of elections, saying: "At the time when we 
win the general election, I will start working for the next House of 
Councillors election." 
 
A member of a group supporting Ozawa said: "He should serve as 
secretary or deputy prime minister without portfolio. I want him to 
make efforts to fight against the bureaucracy." 
 
However, a group of members who have distanced themselves from Ozawa 
is growing alarmed, worrying about his recovery of power 
 
(3) Interview with former Lower House speaker Kono at the end of his 
political career 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
August 14, 2009 
 
Yohei Kono (72), now a former Lower House speaker, has ended his 
over 42 years of career as a lawmaker. He has been a representative 
of the dovish faction in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),. He 
served as a Lower House speaker for 2,029 days, the longest in the 
history of constitutional politics. On the eve of the anniversary of 
the end of the war,Tokyo Shimbun asked him about his impressions of 
what the Diet should do, and his thoughts about the elimination of 
nuclear arms . 
 
Nuclear disarmament is global trend 
 
-- U.S. President Obama in a speech in April in Prague pledged to 
seek a world free of nuclear weapons. 
 
"The global trend is changing. Voices calling for nuclear 
disarmament and the elimination of nuclear arms are unprecedentedly 
growing in Japan, as well. We must act in response to these calls 
and play a proactive role for nuclear disarmament and the 
elimination of nuclear arms." 
 
-- Do you intend to continue activities for the elimination of 
nuclear arms after stepping down as a politician? 
 
"I think I will, although I do not know what role I can fulfill in 
what situations. I would like to talk with people in various 
positions. 
 
-- Former Air Self-Defense Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami is 
insisting on the need for Japan to go nuclear. 
 
"It is outrageous. Those connected to the Defense Ministry must be 
more modest." 
 
-- Some circles are lionizing nuclear armament. 
 
"Will that work favorably to relations between Japan and Asia? Some 
 
TOKYO 00001880  004 OF 012 
 
 
say that doves will become extinct. I am not so pessimistic. Changes 
in the global trend will affect Japanese people. When that happens, 
expectations of doves will rise. I will do my best until such a time 
comes." 
 
(4) Bumpy road for "third force" politicians in Lower House 
election 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
August 14, 2009 
 
Independent candidate Takeo Hiranuma, a former minister of economy, 
trade, and industry, left the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 2005 
due to his opposition to postal privatization. He has persisted in 
being a "proud independent" and will be participating in the House 
of Representatives election at the head of the "Hiranuma Group" 
consisting of 17 former Lower House members. The aftereffects of the 
cerebral infarction he suffered in 2006 have disappeared almost 
completely, and it is said that he can now make four 1-hour speeches 
in a day. 
 
Hiranuma is aiming at winning at least five seats and pushing for a 
situation where neither the ruling nor the opposition parties 
control a majority. He wants to form a "robust conservative force" 
drawing members from both the LDP and the Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) in order to hold the casting vote as a "third force." 
 
Hiranuma talked about his post-election scenario when he campaigned 
for his junior peer, the LDP's Shoichi Nakagawa (former minister of 
finance and financial services) at the latter's constituency in 
Obihiro City, Hokkaido, on July 5: "I would like to join forces with 
Mr. Nakagawa to create a trend toward good politics in Japan." 
 
The DPJ has been trying to woo Hiranuma. When Deputy President 
Ichiro Ozawa was party president, he used to play golf and dine with 
Hiranuma. DPJ supreme adviser Kozo Watanabe appeared on a TV program 
with Hiranuma on July 25 and asked the ex-minister to form a cabinet 
together with him. 
 
However, about two weeks later, on August 10, Ozawa held a news 
conference in Okayama City to announce that lawyer Keito Nishimura 
was an official candidate for the DPJ. This amounted to a cutoff of 
relations with Hiranuma, who had not expressed his willingness to 
cooperate with the party. 
 
"Your Party" leader Yoshimi Watanabe declared before some 300 local 
supporters at an assembly hall in Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture, 
in the afternoon of August 11: "We have deliberately gathered under 
the banners of breaking away from bureaucrats, local autonomy, and 
emphasis on livelihood" and sought supporters' understanding for 
forming a new party. Watanabe left the LDP in January with the aim 
of realigning the political forces. He has a solid base of political 
support, which he inherited from his father, Michio Watanabe, a 
former deputy prime minister and finance minister. The LDP has 
already decided not to field a candidate against him, while the DPJ 
is also taking a wait-and-see attitude. 
 
However, the DPJ, which is now confident of capturing political 
power single-handedly, is beginning to shift from an attitude of 
deference to Watanabe to one of checking him. At his news conference 
on August 10 to announce Hiranuma's rival candidate, Ozawa stated 
with a chuckle, "Mr. Watanabe is not taking a clear stand on 
 
TOKYO 00001880  005 OF 012 
 
 
replacing the LDP-New Komeito administration. We may decide to field 
an official candidate." 
 
"Our policy direction is similar to the DPJ's," Watanabe emphasized 
in his speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club on August 13. 
"Forming a post-election coalition is possible." He has been 
lamenting to his aides recently that "if the DPJ wins too many 
seats, we won't have a role to play." 
 
(5) Agricultural policy: DPJ to start income subsidies for farming 
households from FY11; LDP to increase income by full utilization of 
paddy fields 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 7) (Full) 
August 14, 2009 
 
Tomotaka Hayashi 
 
There is strong interest in agricultural policy due to the debate 
over reviewing the rice production adjustment (gentan) policy. Both 
parties are campaigning vigorously to win support. The Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) is advocating once again the creation of a 
system of income subsidies for farming households, which was 
instrumental for its victory in the House of Councilors election two 
years ago, while the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) pledges to 
increase farmers' income. We looked into the background of their 
agricultural policies, which have often been ridiculed as a "battle 
of pork barrels." 
 
Q: What is the state of agriculture in Japan? 
 
A: Sixty percent of farmers are 65 years old or older and few have 
successors. Total farmland has decreased to three-fourths of its 
peak, and farmland left untilled is equivalent in area to Saitama 
Prefecture. Over the past 10 years the food self-sufficiency rate 
has remained at the 40 percent level, which is the lowest among the 
industrialized countries. There is no lack of issues relating to 
agriculture. 
 
Q: Why has this happened? 
 
A: Simply put, this situation arose because farming does not make 
money. Income from agriculture shrank by 50 percent between 1992 and 
¶2006. Retailers have become more powerful, so the increase in cost 
of oil or fertilizers has not been reflected in the prices of 
agricultural products. Furthermore, little progress has been made in 
enlarging the size of farms, which is necessary for cost cutting. 
Many farmers earn less than they spend on production. 
 
Q: What is the system of income subsidies for farming households 
proposed by the DPJ? 
 
A: It is a mechanism by which the government makes up for the 
difference between product cost and selling price. The DPJ's 
manifesto (campaign pledges) calls for introducing the system in 
FY11. As a first step, income subsidies will be paid for rice, 
wheat, soybean, and other high-cost crops requiring extensive land 
use. In the future, the system will also be applied to livestock 
products, as well as to workers in the timber and fishing 
industries. 
 
Q: What is the LDP's thinking on this? 
 
TOKYO 00001880  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
A: Its manifesto says it will "strengthen domestic agricultural 
production and increase farmers' income," but the document does not 
contain concrete plans or numerical targets. Overall, its proposals 
read like a continuation of the present policy of doling out 
generous subsidies to secure farmers' income. The manifesto has 
shifted from the existing policy of emphasizing farms of a certain 
size to "abolishing the land area and age requirements." 
 
Q: What is the policy of the two parties on gentan? 
 
A: On the assumption of maintaining the gentan policy, the LDP will 
continue to advocate "full utilization of rice paddies" to allow not 
only cultivation of wheat and soybean but also rice used for rice 
flour and fodder in addition to rice as a staple food. The DPJ 
advocates an "optional system," in which only farming households 
that choose to meet numerical production targets receive income 
subsidies. 
 
Q: Both parties appear to be generous to farmers, but is this not 
unfair from the standpoint of non-farmers? 
 
A: Japan cannot compete with Australia or the U.S., where low-cost 
production using wide tracts of land is possible, in price no matter 
how hard farmers work to manage their farms. On the other hand, 
relying on imports for agricultural products becomes a security 
issue. If the paddies are neglected, they also become an 
environmental issue because, for example, flooding will occur more 
easily. Support for agriculture is meant to compensate for these 
multifaceted functions. This thinking is common not only to the two 
parties, but to all political parties. 
 
Q: What is the impact of this on World Trade Organization (WTO) 
negotiations and trade policy? 
 
A: The conclusion of an agreement in WTO negotiations will have a 
serious impact on rice and other crops currently protected by high 
import tariffs. However, none of the parties' manifestos offers ways 
to cope with the WTO agreement. The DPJ has revised its manifesto to 
read "promote negotiations" for, rather than "conclude," a free 
trade agreement. 
 
(6) Head of agricultural cooperatives' political arm calls for firm 
resistance to FTA with U.S. 
 
ASAHI (Page 7) (Full) 
August 14, 2009 
 
The conflict between the JA Group and the Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) has intensified as the general election approaches. The group, 
which employs 2.6 million people and has a membership of 5 million, 
is the biggest supporter of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). How 
does it plan to engage in dialogue with the DPJ in the future? We 
interviewed Koichi Kawaida, head of JA's political arm, the National 
Federation of Farmers' Organizations for Agricultural Administration 
Movement (Zenkoku Nogyosha Nosei Undo Soshiki Renmei or Zenkoku 
Noseiren). 
 
Q: You have issued a statement opposing the conclusion of a free 
trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S., which is included in the DPJ's 
manifesto. However, the DPJ has revised this to "promoting 
negotiations" for an FTA. 
 
TOKYO 00001880  007 OF 012 
 
 
 
Kawaida: Agriculture will be ruined by the conclusion of an FTA. An 
FTA is absolutely unacceptable for me as a representative of 
farmers. Deputy President Ichiro Ozawa indicated on August 8 that 
Japan should aim to conclude an FTA. His statement is different from 
a personal opinion expressed by a Diet member. We will not be 
deceived. 
 
Q: Don't you think an emotional conflict will linger between you and 
the DPJ? 
 
Kawaida: We don't want to fight before an election. However, if the 
DPJ talks about concluding an FTA or breaking up agricultural 
cooperatives, we will have to ask, What do you mean? 
 
Q: The DPJ claims that JA should be politically neutral. 
 
Kawaida: Superficial "political neutrality" will not help protect 
agriculture. In agriculture there are factors beyond human control, 
such as poor harvests and natural disasters. Based on the thinking 
that when something happens, the government should take care of 
farmers, we have maintained our connection with the ruling party 
since World War II. Because the LDP holds power in the current 
administration, it is natural for us to support the LDP. 
 
Q: You decided in spring that the JA will field candidates in the 
House of Councilors election of July 2010. Will you have your 
candidates recognized as official LDP candidates regardless of the 
outcome of the Lower House election? 
 
Kawaida: That is our plan at present. However, if a change of 
administration takes place, the JA Group will conduct internal 
deliberations on how to deal with it. In principle, candidates will 
come from the JA Group. Several parties, including the LDP, had 
approached four or five of our people, but we declined politely. 
Since the election is fast approaching, I'd rather not talk about 
this subject anymore. 
 
Q: Some regions have stopped their one-sided support for the LDP. 
The Aomori Noseiren, for instance, is allowing its members to vote 
freely. 
 
Kawaida: I heard that there are (JA members) who are DPJ members or 
chapter heads. I think it is up to an individual's judgment. 
However, we are unanimous in resolutely resisting the FTA. 
 
Q: Do you think changes of administration will take place frequently 
from now on? 
 
Kawaida: That's probably going to be the case. JA will just have to 
deal with politics on a case-by-case basis to achieve its goal of 
protecting farmers. We have supported the LDP for 60 years, and 
perhaps we have sometimes given it too much support. 
 
Q: What do you think of the DPJ's policies? 
 
Kawaida: I am not clear about them yet. I wonder where the funding 
for income subsidies for farming households will come from. Other 
groups may complain. However, if the DPJ's policies will enable 
farmers to make ends meet, then I have no objection to them. 
 
Q: Don't you think you need to hold a constructive dialogue with the 
 
TOKYO 00001880  008 OF 012 
 
 
DPJ? 
 
Kawaida: For sure, a constructive dialogue is necessary -- that is, 
if they actually take over the reins of government. 
 
(Interviewer: Kenji Oyamada) 
 
(7) FRB estimate that U.S. economy is about to bottom out is 
reasonable, according to four economists: Concern about stimulus 
policy effects running out in Japan 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 7) (Full) 
August 14, 2009 
 
Since the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) on August 12 released a 
statement saying that economic activities in the U.S. are beginning 
to bottom out, the U.S. economy has entered a phase of looking for a 
chance to start picking up. The pace of recovery will likely be 
moderate, as the jobless rate is still expected to rise. The future 
of the Japanese economy will become unclear once the round of 
stimulus measures has run its course. Tokyo Shimbun asked four 
economists about their outlooks for the Japanese and U.S. economies. 
They are concerned about the downside risk factors for both 
economies. 
 
All four economists agree that the upward revision of the FRB's 
economic outlook this time is appropriate. This is because favorable 
factors, such as the effects of subsidies for automobile trade-ins 
and the halting of the downturn of the housing sector, are present. 
 
However, barriers against an economic pickup are high. As a 
disturbing factor, all four economists cite that adjustments to 
excessive spending financed by loans have not ended yet. Taro Saito 
at the NLI Research Institute says that the U.S. economy will not be 
able to regain it strength, which once served as a driving force for 
the global economy. 
 
Yoshiki Shinke of the Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute estimated 
that the rate of a decline in the jobless rate has shrunk, but it 
will once again rise to 10 percent. Mitsumaru Kumagai at the Daiwa 
Institute of Research is concerned about a rise in long-term 
interest rates stemming from the fiscal deficit. Takahide Kiuchi at 
the Nomura Securities Financial and Economic Research Center views: 
"The U.S. financial market is unstable. It will take about three 
times longer than past cases to recover. Full-fledged economic 
recovery will not take place before the middle of next year." 
 
It is hard to devise a scenario for the Japanese economy, which is 
dependent on foreign demand, turning around, unless the U.S. economy 
recovers smoothly. The effects of stimulus measures are propping up 
the domestic economy. However, the future of the economy is unclear 
due to the worsening employment situation. Shinke pointed out, "The 
rate of a decline in capital spending is shrinking. Capital spending 
will be basically smooth this fiscal year." Kumagai also took a 
forward-looking stance, estimating, "Economic recovery will continue 
due to the effects of policies implemented, consumption, and 
recovery seen in some industry areas." Both indicated the view that 
there are downside risk factors to the future. 
 
Kiuchi, in the meantime, predicted: "Stimulus measures are cashing 
in on future demand. Their effects are now beginning to run out. 
Employment adjustments by companies will now target permanent 
 
TOKYO 00001880  009 OF 012 
 
 
workers. The economy will return to the negative territory in the 
January-March quarter next year." 
 
Since recovery in exports and industrial output has not yet led to 
final demand, Saito took a harsh view: "Domestic demand will be 
weak. Capital spending will also be sluggish. The effects of 
stimulus measures will continue until year's end. However, the 
economy will decline again next year." 
 
 
Economic growth outlook by economists 
 
Economic growth projection (%) 
 July-Sept quarter Oct-Dec quarter Comment 
Takehide Kiuchi 
 
Nomura Securities Financial and Economic Research Center Economic 
Research Department manager 
 
Japan 2.8 
U.S. about 3 
 
Japan 0.4 
U.S. 1.8 Though the U.S. economy is now in good shape due to 
response to the sharp decline and  the effects of implemented 
policies, full-fledged recovery will not take place until after the 
middle of next year. The Japanese economy could hit a second 
bottom. 
Yoshiki Shinke 
 
Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute chief economist 
 
Japan 2.8 
U.S. 2.9 
 
Japan 3.5 
U.S. 2.5 The U.S. housing sector will show signs of stopping its 
decline. Japans' exports will grow steadily before the end of this 
fiscal year. 
Mitsumaru Kumagai 
 
Daiwa Institute of Research senior economist 
 
Japan 1.0 
U.S. 2.5 
 
Japan 1.1 
U.S. 1.9 Economic recovery is now a global trend. The economy has 
climbed out of the worst phase. In the meantime, there are still 
downside risk factors in both the Japanese and U.S. economies. 
Taro Saito 
 
NLI Research Institute chief researcher 
 
Japan 3.7 
U.S. 1.3 
 
Japan 1.2 
U.S. 1.1 The U.S. economy will soon hit bottom, but it will have no 
power to serve as a driving force for the global economy. Stimulus 
measures have produced results promptly in Japan. However, domestic 
demand is weak. 
 
TOKYO 00001880  010 OF 012 
 
 
 
(8)Editorial: Bluefin tuna trade embargo - How can we continue to 
enjoy tuna? 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full) 
August 14, 2009 
 
The United States and Europe intend to propose a blanket trade ban 
on bluefin tuna at a conference next March of the Contracting 
Parties to the Washington Convention to restrict trade of threatened 
species. Since Japan consumes about 80 percent of the fish catches, 
it should take action. 
 
Japanese people are very fond of tuna, but there are few Japanese 
who care about where and how tuna is caught and brought to our 
dinner tables. 
 
It was in the second half of the 1990s, when the belly of tuna with 
a high fat content (Otoro), which used to be very expensive, began 
to be served at conveyor-belt sushi bars at low prices. The reason 
is because Mediterranean countries began to export to Japan an 
enormous volume of tuna that was fattened up through fish farming. 
 
Fish farming, which is similar to "buying rice before the harvest," 
accelerated a decrease in the amount of tuna. It is also believed 
that a global increase in fish consumption will fuel the depletion 
of the resource. 
 
Since it is difficult for just one country to manage tuna, which is 
a migratory fish, five regional fisheries management organizations 
(RFMOs) that were formed by countries concerned manage tuna. One of 
the RFMOs, the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) decided last fall on a broad reduction of 
fishing quotas, but there is no end to the poaching of tuna for the 
fish farming, the under-declaration of fish catches, and illegal 
fishing operations due to the organization's weak penalties. 
Therefore, assessments of the RFMO system are low. 
 
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has backed moves to totally ban the 
trade of tuna, warning that Mediterranean tuna is faced with the 
threat of extinction. If the total embargo is approved by a 
two-thirds vote, not only exports and imports but also deep-sea 
fishing will be impossible. 
 
The Japanese government hosted a joint conference of the RFMOs the 
year last in Kobe City and the conference adopted an action plan to 
recover tuna. This means that the government has taken a positive 
stance toward strengthening regular restrictions. Mitsubishi 
Corporation last September released a statement that said: "Unless 
the continuity of tuna is secured, we will review our involvement in 
the tuna business." In order to protect the "tuna culture" by 
evading the trade embargo, the Japanese government has no other 
choice but to present concrete measures while expressing its 
determination to manage the resource prior to the ICCA annual 
meeting in November. Using "marine eco-labels" authorized by 
Britain's Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an effective way to 
give consideration to an ecosystem. 
 
Obtaining consumers' understanding is also indispensable. In a bid 
to prevent consumers from involuntarily supporting the poaching and 
extinction of tuna, the government should undersatnd the actual 
situation of food distribution while paying attention to the label 
 
TOKYO 00001880  011 OF 012 
 
 
indicating the place of origin. The government also should review 
consumer behavior. 
 
(9) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Transport Minister played key role in helping local construction 
companies receive orders for highway expansion projects 
 
Mainichi: 
Health Ministry amends medical center improvement guidelines to 
require prenatal care hospitals to provide emergency treatment for 
mothers 
 
Yomiuri: 
141 municipalities grant inappropriate pay raises: 3.3 billion yen 
paid to 9,200 officials 
 
Nikkei: 
Isetan Mitsukoshi to open five more department stores in China as 
pillar of overseas operations 
 
Sankei: 
DPJ to build national memorial for war dead, after launching 
administration; plans for advisory panel 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Actual jobless rate tops 9%?: LDP to focus on expanding safety net; 
DPJ to protect workers first 
 
Akahata: 
JCP's comprehensive assistance measures will strive for change from 
basic problems 
 
(10) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) 2009 general election: Start new industrial revolution in mature 
Japan; Create mechanism for sharing growth markets in Asia 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) 2009 Lower House election: Political reform; Politicians are too 
easy on themselves 
(2) Viewpoint: Lower House election; Postal privatization - Dealing 
with the aftermath of the frenzy is tough; by editorial writer 
Eietsu Imamatsu 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Pension reform: Go beyond partisan opposition and search for 
common ground 
(2) U.S. financial policy: FRB exploring exit strategy 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) 2009 Lower House election: Question policies; Proposal for 
making highways toll-free is full of problems 
(2) U.S. economy's resilience still weak 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Politics and money: Will Ozawa and Hatoyama of DPJ continue to 
ignore money scandals? 
(2) Obon festival - time to offer prayers for ancestors; Opportunity 
to think about taking over as head of the family 
 
TOKYO 00001880  012 OF 012 
 
 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) 2009 Lower House election: Resource policy that will promote 
growth urged 
(2) Bluefin tuna trade embargo: How can we continue to enjoy bluefin 
tuna forever? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Withdrawal from nuclear umbrella now being brought into 
question 
 
(11) Prime Minister's schedule, August 13 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 14, 2009 
 
08:29 
Took a walk on the grounds of the official residential quarters. 
 
10:44 
Met former Lower House member Taimei Yamaguchi, chairman of the 
Saitama Prefectural Chapter, at party headquarters. Afterward he met 
party employees to provide encouragement. 
 
12:01 
Visited Isetan Department Store, Shinjuku. 
 
12:23 
Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. 
 
15:44 
Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 
 
18:45 
Appeared on a news program at the TBS Broadcasting Center in 
Akasaka. 
 
19:47 
Returned to the official residential quarters. 
 
ZUMWALT