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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001897 
 
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 08/18/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Opinion polls on the election: 
4) Kyodo election trend poll: 32% of voters favor DPJ in 
proportional rate, while 16% would choose LDP, but 35% remain 
undecided (Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) Tokyo Shimbun poll finds DPJ with a commanding lead over the over 
the LDP in the single seat districts and proportional races (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
6) Asahi poll: Aso Cabinet support rate at 19%, almost unchanged; 
DJP remains ahead among voters, but low ratings for campaign 
promises of both parties (Asahi) 
 
Election campaign: 
7) Announcement today will officially start the campaign leading to 
the Lower House election on Aug. 30 (Asahi) 
8) Six party leaders debate the issues on national television 
(Nikkei) 
9) Exchanges between Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Hatoyama 
on foreign and security affairs in the party leaders' debate (Asahi) 
 
10) U.S.-Japan FTA comes up in the party leaders' debate (Sankei) 
 
11) Hatoyama will not appoint private sector persons to cabinet 
posts (Tokyo Shimbun) 
12) DPJ displaying the party flag but not the national flag at 
rallies (Nikkei) 
13) There are not spotlight candidates for the LDP in the campaign 
(Sankei) 
14) One of the "Koizumi children", LDP lawmaker Kuniko Inoguchi, 
withdraws from the race in a tearful news conference (Yomiuri) 
15) Ruling camp taking advantage of the rise in GDP, attributing it 
to successful economic policy (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(MHIX090818) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Nikkei, Sankei, & Akahata: 
Official campaigning for House of Representatives election to kick 
off today 
 
Mainichi, Yomiuri: 
Leaders of six major political parties face off over responsibility 
or reform 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
34% hope for change of government 
 
Akahata: 
Let us create Japan for people 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) "2009 regime" to be launched 
 
TOKYO 00001897  002 OF 012 
 
 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Start of official campaigning today: Candidates should speak of 
future of Japan; Relations with U.S. also key campaign issue 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Debate among six party leaders: Reply to voters' questions 
honestly 
(2) Positive GDP growth: Additional measures needed to put economy 
on sustainable recovery track 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Campaigning for historic election to select new government 
begins today 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Political parties should speak more about future options for 
Japan 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Official campaigning kicks off today 
 
Akahata: 
(1) JCP determined to build new Japan centered on people 
 
3)Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 16 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 18, 2009 
 
07:54 
Took a walk on the grounds of his official residence. 
 
10:30 
Left JR Shinjuku Station on Kaiji 103. 
 
11:30 
Arrived at JR Otsuki Station. Afterward delivered a stump speech in 
front of the station. 
 
12:22 
Visited Shirayuri Winery in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. 
 
13:31 
Attended an LDP Yamanashi Chapter election strategy council meeting 
at Apio Kofu Showa town. 
 
13:43 
Held an informal meeting with organizational representatives in the 
prefecture, including Seihachi Takei, Yamanashi commercial, 
industrial, and political federation chairman. Afterward delivered a 
speech. 
 
15:10 
Met with Yamanashi Chapter Vice Chairman Toshio Fukasawa and others 
at JR Kofu Station. 
 
15:29 
Left JR Kofu Station on Kaiji 116. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001897  003 OF 012 
 
 
17:07 
Arrived at JR Shinjuku Station. 
 
17:34 
Arrived at his official living quarters. 
 
18:08 
At the Imperial Hotel organized documents. 
 
21:35 
Returned to his official living quarters. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 17 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 18, 2009 
 
08:03 
Took a walk on the grounds of his official residence. 
 
10:11 
Arrived at the Kantei. 
 
11:27 
Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 
 
13:00 
Attended debate among the heads of six political parties at the 
Japan National Press Club. 
 
15:23 
Met at LDP headquarters with Secretary General Hosoda, Election 
Strategy Council Chairman Koga, his deputy Suga, Senior Deputy 
Secretary-General Ishihara, and Upper House Caucus Chairman Otsuji. 
Hosoda, Koga, Suga, and Ishihara remained. 
 
17:03 
Gave an interview to newspaper and news agencies. 
 
19:00 
Gave an interview to sports newspapers. 
 
19:43 Returned to his official living quarters. 
 
OPINION POLLS ON THE ELECTION 
 
4) Poll: DPJ scores 32%, LDP at 16% in public preference 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Ahead of the upcoming general election for the now-dissolved House 
of Representatives, Kyodo News conducted a telephone-based public 
opinion survey across the nation on Aug-15-16 to probe public 
attitudes on the election. In the pre-election poll, respondents 
were asked which political party they would vote for. In response to 
this question, 32.6% chose the Democratic Party of Japan, down 1.5 
points from the last pre-election poll taken Aug. 8-9. The Liberal 
Democratic Party was at 16.5%, up 3.2 points. The gap shrank by 4.7 
points. However, this does not represent a sea change, since the DPJ 
has maintained support in the 30% range since the first pre-election 
poll on July 18-19 and the LDP has remained in the 10% range. 
 
TOKYO 00001897  004 OF 012 
 
 
Undecided voters accounted for 35.1%, down 2.9 points from the last 
pre-election poll. 
 
Respondents were also asked which political party's candidate they 
would vote for in single-seat constituencies. 34.1% opted for the 
DPJ's candidate (35.2% in the last pre-election poll), with 18.8% 
choosing the LDP's candidate (14.8% in the last pre-election poll). 
The LDP rebounded as it did in preference for political party in 
proportional representation. 
 
In proportional representation districts the New Komeito Party 
followed the DPJ and LDP at 4.9% (3.8% in the last pre-election 
poll). Next were the Japanese Communist Party at 3.8% (3.6% in the 
last pre-election poll), the Social Democratic Party at 1.1% (1.4% 
in the last pre-election poll), the People's New Party at 0.9% (0.7% 
in the last pre-election poll), the Your Party at 0.7%, and the New 
Party Nippon by 0.2%. No respondents chose the Reform Club. 
 
5) Poll: Election battle to kick off with DPJ leading 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Ahead of the 45th general election for the House of Representatives, 
the Tokyo Shimbun conducted a telephone-based public opinion survey 
of 3,600 persons to probe the public's voting behavior. In the poll, 
respondents were asked which political party's candidate and 
political party they would vote for. In this public preference, the 
Democratic Party of Japan was way above the Liberal Democratic Party 
both for proportional representation blocs and for single-seat 
constituencies. In the desirable framework of government as well, 
those opting for a DPJ-led coalition government and those desiring 
the DPJ's single-party government added up to 34.6%, while the 
combined proportion of those choosing an LDP-led coalition 
government and those preferring the LDP's single-party government 
was 20.0%. The figures show the public's growing expectations. 
 
The Aso cabinet's support rate was 21.7%, and its nonsupport rate 
was 70.1%. Respondents were also asked if they thought Prime 
Minister Taro Aso or DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama would be more 
appropriate for prime minister. To this question, 45.9% chose 
Hatoyama, with 25.2% giving Aso. 
 
6) Poll: DPJ ahead of LDP 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Ahead of the upcoming general election for the House of 
Representatives, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based 
nationwide public opinion survey, in which respondents were asked 
which political party they would vote for in their proportional 
representation blocs if they were to vote now. In this public 
precedence of political parties for proportional representation, the 
Democratic Party of Japan scored 40% (39% in the last survey taken 
Aug. 1-2), with the Liberal Democratic Party at 21% (22% in the last 
survey). As seen from the figures, the DPJ is still far ahead of the 
LDP. Meanwhile, the LDP and the DPJ have set forth their respective 
showcase campaign pledges, with the LDP targeting an income increase 
of 1 million yen for each household and the DPJ proposing child 
allowances. However, negative opinions outnumbered affirmative 
opinions about these pledges, with a total of more than 80% feeling 
 
TOKYO 00001897  005 OF 012 
 
 
uneasy about ways and means. 
 
In the public preference of political parties, the DPJ has been 
around 40% since this May. However, the LDP has not rebounded. In 
the breakdown of public support for political parties as well, the 
DPJ keeps a big lead over the LDP prior to their campaign battle for 
the election, with the DPJ standing at 32% (26% in the last survey) 
and the LDP at 20% (24% in the last survey). 
 
The Aso cabinet's support rate was 19% (18% in the last survey), and 
its nonsupport rate was 65% (63% in the last survey). 
 
ELECTION CAMPAIGN 
 
7) Official campaign for Lower House election kicks off today 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) 
August 18, 2009 
 
The official campaign for the 45th House of Representatives election 
scheduled for Aug. 30 will begin today. The Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP), New Komeito, Japanese Communist Party (JCP), and People's New 
Party (PNP) yesterday unveiled their candidate lists for the 
proportional representation segment. The DPJ revealed the names of 
candidates running only in the proportional representation section, 
but it has yet to clarify its list. The party will make its list 
public this morning. More than 1,300 candidates are expected to run 
in the single-seat constituencies (300) and the proportional 
representation portion (180 seats). Leaders of six political parties 
held a debate yesterday. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama stated that he 
would appoint Diet members as chief cabinet secretary, foreign 
minister, and finance minister should he become prime minister. 
 
The LDP yesterday revealed its list of 306 candidates, including 
those who running only in the proportional representation segment, 
cutting the list of candidates from the 336 it had fielded in the 
2005 Lower House election. The LDP ranks seasoned politicians in its 
upper ranks, completely different from the previous list in which it 
ranked female candidates in its list for the proportional 
representation blocs of the ballot. 
 
The LDP ranks candidates running in both electoral districts and the 
proportional representation portion number one in its list in five 
proportional representation blocs of the 11 blocs. This means that 
the party aims to increase opportunities for unsuccessful candidates 
in the electoral district races to win proportional representation 
seats. 
 
The LDP tried to have Health, Labor, and Welfare Minister Yoichi 
Masuzoe run in the proportional representation segment of the Tokyo 
bloc, but Masuzoe, currently a House of Representatives member, 
refused. As a result, the party ranked a candidate running in both a 
single-seat constituency and the proportional representation Tokyo 
bloc as number one in the list. As a result, Kuniko Inoguchi, a 
former minister in charge of declining birthrate, who had been 
ranked number one in the previous election, announced her intention 
of not seeking reelection. 
 
Among the LDP candidates, only five candidates - Prime Minister Taro 
Aso; LDP Election Strategy Headquarters Acting Head Makoto Koga; 
Shinjiro Koizumi, the second son of former Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi; Takeshi Hayashida; and Norio Mitsuya - are running only for 
 
TOKYO 00001897  006 OF 012 
 
 
district seats. 
 
In the New Komeito, candidates running in eight districts, including 
party head Akihiro Ota and Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa, opted 
not to run also in the proportional representation segment. 
 
Meanwhile, the DPJ failed to announce yesterday evening its list of 
candidates for the proportional representation portion although it 
had planned to do so. However, the party unveiled the names of 59 
candidates running only in the proportional representation section 
early this morning. The 59 candidates include former Finance 
Minister Hirohisa Fujii. 
 
Assuming that most of the candidates running in both single-seat 
constituencies and the proportional representation segment will win, 
the DPJ leadership has increased the number of its candidates 
running in the proportional representation section. For this reason, 
the party's prefectural chapters asked to field many candidates in 
the proportional representation segment, exceeding the ten 
candidates in three blocs that were fielded for the previous 
election. 
 
The DPJ will rank candidates running in both single-seat and 
proportional representation section at the top of its list and it 
intends to list candidates running only in the proportional 
representation segment in the lower ranks. 
 
8) Leaders of six parties engage in battle of words over ability to 
govern 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
August 18, 2009 
 
The leaders of six ruling and opposition parties traded barbs on the 
eve of official campaigning for the Aug. 30 House of Representatives 
election. During the debate organized by the Japan National Press 
Club, Prime Minister Taro Aso (as Liberal Democratic Party 
president) stressed that the LDP would raise the consumption tax at 
a time when the people really have a sense that the economy has 
recovered. Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama 
said that he would appoint suitable persons for the posts of chief 
cabinet secretary, finance minister and foreign minister from among 
lawmakers if his party takes over the reins of government. 
 
Aso emphasized at the outset of the debate: "What I would like to 
stress the most to the public is the ability to take 
responsibility." Citing the gross domestic product's (GDP) first 
positive growth in five quarters in the April-June period, he 
boasted: "The positive growth can be attributed to our economic 
stimulus measures." Aso added: "We are still only halfway there. Our 
top priority task is to buoy up the economy. Pork-barrel policies 
with no clear strategy will not be any help in perking up the 
economy." 
 
Regarding the issue of whether the consumption tax should be hiked 
from the current 5%, Aso remarked: "The current major question is 
how to improve the economy to a satisfactory level at which the 
people can recognize both it in terms of numerical figures and their 
actual experiences. The consumption tax should be raised at such a 
stage." He indicated that the party would delay the sweeping tax 
reforms initially planned until after the economy turns around. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001897  007 OF 012 
 
 
Hatoyama struck back: "Disparities between the rich and the poor 
have become wider. Is that what you call a responsible party?" He 
then indicated that he would like to move forward with measures 
included in the party's manifesto such as introducing a system to 
offer a monthly child-raising allowance and waiving all expressway 
tolls. He also said that he would give priority to economic growth 
in Asia, including China. 
 
Aso and Hatoyama agreed on the need for the ruling and opposition 
parties to hold talks on pension and other issues after the Lower 
House election. 
 
In reference to his own vision for a new administration, Hatoyama 
said he would prepare a key post for Deputy President Ichiro Ozawa 
after the election. 
 
Aso and Japanese Communist Party President Kazuo Shii expressed 
their concern about the negative effects on domestic farmers of the 
proposed Japan-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) in the DPJ manifesto. 
Hatoyama reiterated the possibility of conducting negotiations on 
farm products except for the nation's mainstay products, such as 
rice and wheat, saying: "It should be possible for us to promote 
negotiations while protecting our national interests." 
 
9) Q&A session with party leaders on security issues at National 
Press Club debate on August 17 
 
ASAHI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Q: Was Japan's support of the attack on Iraq not a mistake? 
 
Aso: If Hussein were alive and still holding power today, there 
might have been an even more serious crisis for international peace. 
I think (the war) made some achievements. 
 
Q: Mr Obama was against the war. Does that mean that you and Mr 
Obama have different views? 
 
Aso: It is possible to argue ex post facto that the war was right or 
wrong. It is not possible to answer your question. 
 
Q: You propose to review the U.S. military bases in Japan and the 
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Will this not undermine Japan's 
security? 
 
Hatoyama: I do understand that after taking over the administration, 
it will be necessary to build a relationship of trust with President 
Obama. Without trust, it will be difficult to find a solution even 
if we demand an early review of SOFA or the withdrawal of the bases. 
I think this is an issue that can be resolved through a 
comprehensive review in the process of building trust. 
 
Q: The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is advocating the relocation 
of the U.S. forces' Futenma base (in Okinawa Prefecture) outside of 
Okinawa. Do you have a concrete plan in mind? 
 
Hatoyama: There are certain aspects that will not become clear until 
we take over the government, but we will not change our basic 
position. We would like to fully understand the wishes of the people 
of Okinawa and arrive at a final conclusion through a comprehensive 
review. 
 
TOKYO 00001897  008 OF 012 
 
 
 
Q: What is your thinking on anti-piracy measures in waters off 
Somalia? 
 
Hatoyama: Sending the ships of the Japan Coast Guard would be most 
desirable. If that is not possible, we accept the dispatch of the 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF). 
 
Q: Will you terminate the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean by 
January? 
 
Hatoyama: That is our basic thinking. We do not intend to simply 
extend the mission. We understand that (the SDF) cannot simply be 
withdrawn right away because this is a matter of foreign policy. 
However, we will be able to prepare other aid measures that will be 
much more welcome. 
 
Q: The DPJ is in favor of sending the SDF to waters off Somalia. How 
about the Social Democratic Party? 
 
Fukushima: It is necessary to state unequivocally that the SDF will 
not be sent overseas. 
 
Q: Is it possible that you will condone this under a coalition 
government? 
 
Fukushima: We are not considering it at this point. 
 
Q: Does a secret (nuclear) agreement exist? 
 
Aso: The answer is as what we have stated consistently. It is not 
possible that we will suddenly say one day that oh, actually, it 
does exist. 
 
Q: Mr Hatoyama, if you take over the reins of government, how do you 
plan to disclose the secret agreement? 
 
Hatoyama: We will investigate thoroughly. It is necessary to 
continue the investigation not only in Japan's Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs, but also in the United States. When the facts become clear, 
we will disclose the information to the people based on our 
thinking. 
 
Q: When do you expect to announce the result of the investigation? 
 
Hatoyama: For sure, it will be necessary to come up with a 
conclusion in six months or one year. 
 
Q: You have indicated a positive view on constructing a national 
memorial facility. Do you plan to realize this during the four years 
of the DPJ administration? 
 
Hatoyama: We still do not know how far we can proceed with a 
concrete plan. However, I believe that a non-religious memorial 
facility where anyone can offer prayers without ill feelings is 
necessary. We would like to build one as soon as possible. 
 
Q: What do you think, Mr Watanuki? 
 
Watanuki: I am opposed to this idea. 
 
10) Hatoyama takes heavy fire over Japan-U.S. FTA in party-heads 
 
TOKYO 00001897  009 OF 012 
 
 
debate 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Mitsuru Sakai 
 
Debates were held yesterday among the heads of six major political 
parties. With a change of government likely to occur after the next 
general election, questions were hurled most heavily at Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama. 
 
Agricultural policy 
 
In its manifesto, the DPJ had initially included the conclusion of a 
free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, but meeting with 
fierce protests from agricultural organizations and other bodies, it 
has now replaced the "conclusion of an FTA" with the "promotion of 
talks." At the party-heads debate, other parties intensively 
criticized the DPJ which has shifted its major policy in just six 
months. Prime Minister Taro Aso said, "Questions remain concerning 
the party's seriousness about agriculture." Hatoyama rebutted, "Even 
if we want to conclude a pact, it will not necessarily come true 100 
percent because the matter also involves (the other side)." 
 
Japanese Communist Party Chairman Kazuo Shii expressed an opposition 
to negotiations themselves, saying, "The country's rice production 
has dropped 82%, dealing a devastating blow to agriculture. The 
matter could deal a fatal blow to the people of Japan in general." 
Hatoyama explained that major agricultural products, such as rice, 
would be excluded from talks, but the two sides were still wide 
apart. 
 
11) DPJ President Hatoyama in party-heads debate says he will not 
appoint private-sector persons as key cabinet ministers 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
August 18, 2009 
 
An open debate of leaders of six political parties was held 
yesterday at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. In it, 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama said: "I 
would like to appoint politicians to the important posts of chief 
cabinet secretary, finance minister, and foreign minister," if his 
party takes the reins of government in the upcoming House of 
Representatives election. He revealed his intention to appoint Diet 
members as key cabinet ministers. 
 
Hatoyama is determined that it is necessary to pick lawmakers key 
cabinet ministers in a bid to manage the government under the 
initiative of politicians. 
 
Regarding economic stimulus measures, Hatoyama said: "I want to 
implement measures directly stimulating households earlier than 
planned if possible," suggesting his view that he will look into the 
possibility of moving up priority policy measures that his party has 
pledged to implement next April in its manifesto. He cited a child 
allowance program and the abolition of gasoline taxes as examples. 
 
As for the supplementary budget for fiscal 2009, which was adopted 
in May, Hatoyama indicated that it would be used as fiscal source 
for priority policies. He said: "The extra budget includes portions 
 
TOKYO 00001897  010 OF 012 
 
 
that will necessarily stimulate the economy. So it is necessary to 
recompile this part." 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso (president of the Liberal Democratic Party) 
stressed the fact that Japan's GDP returned to positive growth in 
the April-June period, saying: "This is because of my policies." He 
then expressed his eagerness to continue to take the political helm, 
noting: "The public has yet to really experience economic recovery. 
The recovery is still underway. I will definitely turn the economy 
around." 
 
The open debate was attended by Aso, Hatoyama, New Komeito leader 
Akihiro Ota, Japanese Communist Party Chairman Kazuo Shii, Social 
Democratic Party Chairperson Mizuho Fukushima, and People's New 
Party President Tamisuke Watanuki. 
 
12) Aso criticizes DPJ for cutting up Japanese flags to create party 
insignia; Haotyama apologizes 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 18, 2009 
 
At the party leaders' debate organized by the Japan National Press 
Club on August 17, Prime Minister Taro Aso took up the issue of the 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) cutting up two Japanese flags to 
create the party's insignia at a meeting held in Kagoshima 
Prefecture on August 8. He criticized DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama, 
saying, "I can't believe that the national flag, which is the symbol 
of the country, was mutilated. This is a sad and unforgivable act." 
It is believed that this statement was made with the conservative 
voters in mind. 
 
"If there were indeed people who did such a disgraceful thing, I 
apologize deeply," responded Hatoyama. 
 
13) LDP on decline; Masuzoe declines to run in Lower House election 
as proportional representation candidate 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Hiroyuki Kano 
 
The ruling and opposition parties unveiled yesterday their lists of 
candidates running in the 11 proportional representation blocs ahead 
of the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election. The Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) informally offered to Health, Labor and 
Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe, a House of Councillors member, the 
idea of putting him at the top of the party's proportional 
representation list for the Tokyo bloc, apparently in a bid to make 
him a key LDP candidate. Masuzoe, however, turned down the offer. 
 
The LDP has already failed to field Miyazaki Gov. Hideo 
Higashikokubaru for the upcoming race. The party has generated an 
impression that it is on the decline. 
 
Masuzoe garnered some 1.58 million proportional representation votes 
in the 2001 Upper House election, and 470,000 votes in the 2007 
Upper House race - the highest figures among all LDP candidates. 
Masuzoe has constantly secured the top rank in a variety of opinion 
polls. For this reason, Senior Deputy Secretary-General Nobuteru 
Ishihara and others attempted to field Masuzoe for the Tokyo bloc. 
 
TOKYO 00001897  011 OF 012 
 
 
The LDP Tokyo chapter yesterday morning sounded out Masuzoe on his 
candidacy for the upcoming race. But Masuzoe, feeling discontent 
with the fact that the request did not come from Prime Minister Taro 
Aso, reportedly turned down the offer, saying, "I cannot accept the 
offer, which is a stopgap measure in anticipation of an uphill 
battle. There is absolutely no possibility that I will run in the 
race." 
 
If Masuzoe decided to change hats and run in the Lower House, he was 
certain to become the frontrunner in the next LDP presidential race. 
Masuzoe's rejection has left some bewildered. A certain former 
cabinet minister noted: "He might think that it is advisable to 
maintain a freehand rather than to become the president of the LDP, 
an opposition party, and suffer a lot. He might have the next Tokyo 
gubernatorial race in mind." 
 
14) Kuniko Inoguchi gives up her candidacy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 39) (Excerpts) 
August 18, 2009 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) unveiled yesterday its lists of 
candidates running in the proportional representation blocs for the 
Aug. 30 House of Representatives election which will be announced 
officially today. Many candidates running also in single-seat 
constituencies have been placed at the top of the lists of 
candidates running in proportional representation blocs to improve 
their chance for success. At the same time, former State Minister in 
Charge of Gender Equality Kuniko Inoguchi, 57, who was placed at the 
top of the list in the Tokyo bloc and who also became a showcase 
cabinet minister in the former Koizumi administration, has now been 
forced to give up her candidacy. 
 
Inoguchi, holding a press conference at LDP headquarters yesterday, 
announced that she would not run in the upcoming Lower House 
election. Although she had asked the party leadership for a high 
ranking, Inoguchi was told by Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda on 
the phone that her place would be 24th on the party list, and that 
place has not changed. Inoguchi consulted with former Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi, her "political mentor." At the press conference, 
Inoguchi quoted Koizumi as saying, "(Prime Minister Aso) does not 
listen to me, and that cannot be helped. Do your best so that LDP 
candidates can win." 
 
A tearful Inoguchi also said that although she will not run in the 
race, she will continue supporting LDP candidates. 
 
15) GDP expands; Ruling camp plays up effectiveness of economic 
stimulus measures; DPJ concerned about future 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 18, 2009 
 
Junpei Kiriyama, economic news department 
 
The nation's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded in the April-June 
2009 quarter, the first growth in five quarters, according to data 
released by the Cabinet Office yesterday. The ruling LDP-New Komeito 
coalition has given itself credit for the GDP's expansion. 
Meanwhile, the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has 
criticized the government's economic stimulus measures by saying 
that they are not sufficient to boost household finances. 
 
TOKYO 00001897  012 OF 012 
 
 
 
Four hours after the data was released, a debate took place among 
the heads of six ruling and opposition parties. During the debate, 
Prime Minister Taro Aso indicated that bright economic signs have 
begun to emerge owing to the government's pump-priming measures. New 
Komeito Representative Akihiro Ota, too, talked about a plan to 
steadily implementing budgets. 
 
The positive GDP growth is bullish news for the ruling camp which is 
expected to face an uphill battle in the upcoming House of 
Representatives election. The economic expansion came following the 
nation's worst ever negative growth of the previous quarter, 
propelled by the Chinese economy. Private think tanks have been 
predicting positive growth for months. 
 
To begin with, the ruling coalition has set the Lower House election 
for late August in the hope that it go take advantage of a tailwind 
resulting from positive economic data as it goes into the election. 
In fact, the LDP manifesto reads, "Averting the worst-case scenario, 
some of the nation's economic indices have shown positive results." 
 
But some are pointing to a drop in personal consumption which 
accounts for 60% of the GDP with respect to the economy in the 
coming months. 
 
At the party-head debate, DPJ President Hatoyama played up this weak 
point in the Japanese economy, saying that the future is not 
necessarily bright. 
 
ZUMWALT