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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001931 
 
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 08/21/09 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
U.S.-Japan relations: 
4) Coordination for summit meeting between President Obama and 
Japan's prime minister on Sept. 23 at the United Nations General 
Assembly (Mainichi) 
5) Ambassador Roos arrives early in Japan to set the stage for 
post-Lower House election bilateral diplomacy (Nikkei) 
6) Roos meets with Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka (Sankei) 
7) Two aides picked for Ambassador Roos (Okinawa Times) 
 
8)Afghan presidential election: Unclear what Japan's new 
administration intends to do to help Afghan reconstruction (Asahi) 
 
 
Opinion polls: 
9) Nikkei poll: Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) heading for a 
landslide victory of over 300 seats in the upcoming Lower House 
election (Nikkei)   7 
10) Yomiuri poll also gives DPJ a 300 seat victory, with 89% of the 
electorate expressing interest in the upcoming election (Yomiuri) 
8 
11) Asahi poll: With 54% of the electorate "greatly interested" in 
the upcoming election, the same level as in the 2005 election, 
turnout rate likely to be high (Asahi)   8 
 
Election campaign: 
12) Small parties worried that they will be ignored if the DPJ wins 
a solid majority in the upcoming Lower House election (Yomiuri) 
13) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura of the LDP calls the 
DPJ's politics "socialism" (Mainichi) 
14) DPJ's Maehara in election campaign speech faults the LDP for 
being too close to America, says his party will balance ties 
(Mainichi) 
15) Japanese Communist Party Chairman Shii in speech tells Japan to 
"learn from the U.S." (Mainichi) 
16) Finance Minister Yosano denies hospitalization rumor (Sankei) 
 
 
17)Japan Coast Guard decides to include 3.2 billion yen in next 
fiscal budget request for large-scale patrol vessels needed for 
overseas dispatch (Tokyo Shimbun) 
18)Government plans to invest in overseas agro-businesses as a means 
of guaranteeing food security (Yomiuri) 
 
Ariticles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry to decide how to allocate 
new-flu vaccine 
 
Mainichi: 
Pregnant women, babies, medical staff to be given priority for 
new-flu vaccine 
 
Yomiuri: 
DPJ posed to win over 300 seats 
 
TOKYO 00001931  002 OF 011 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
DPJ posed to take more than 300 seats in landslide victory 
 
Sankei: 
University examination center: Breakthrough on "audio questions" 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Poll by labor ministry: Workers aged 60 or older account for 10% of 
entire workers in 2008 
 
Akahata: 
JCP boosts presence as constructive opposition party 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) New-type of flu: Prepare for pandemic 
(2) 2009 general election: Political parties should persuade voters 
to take "pain" caused by anti-global warming measures 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Inter-city baseball tournaments: Hardfought contests expected 
(2) Law preventing election activities considered? 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Political parties must grapple with declining birthrate 
(2) Rocky path lies ahead for Hitachi 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) 2009 general election: Political parties must compete on global 
warming issue 
(2) Collapse of Tomei Expressway a warning for disaster damage 
prevention 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Vision for maintaining Japan-U.S. alliance should be presented 
(2) Strategy of prompting autonomous growth urged 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Small GDP increase: Future of Japanese economy not optimistic 
(2) Disaster-resistant highways must be built 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Independent diplomacy is linchpin of peace 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 20 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
09:07 
Departed from Haneda Airport on ANA 3771. 
 
10:29 
Arrived at Kagoshima Airport. 
 
10:54 
Delivered a stump speech in front of Kirishima City Hall. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001931  003 OF 011 
 
 
12:08 
Delivered a stump speech in front of a supermarket in Kagoshima 
City. 
 
12:54 
Dined with his secretaries and others at a Japanese restaurant. 
 
13:29 
Delivered a stump speech in front of JR Kagoshima Central Station. 
 
14:14 
Departed from the station on Tsubame 50. 
 
14:26 
Arrived at JR Sendai Station. Delivered a stump speech in front the 
station. 
 
15:07 
Departed from the station on Tsubame 14. 
 
15:31 
Arrived at JR Yatsushiro Station. 
 
15:35 
Departed from the station on Tsubame 14. 
 
15:54 
Arrived at JR Kumamoto Station. 
 
16:10 
Departed from the station on Ariake 24. 
 
16:29 
Arrived at JR Tamana Station. 
 
16:36 
Delivered a stump speech at a park in Tamana City, Kumamoto. 
 
17:44 
Delivered a stump speech at an exhibition hall in Mashiki Town in 
Kumamoto. 
 
19:06 
Departed from Kumamoto Airport on JAL 1816. 
 
20:25 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
21:01 
Arrived at his official residence. 
 
U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS 
 
4) Coordination underway for Japan-U.S. summit meeting in U.S., 
focusing on Sept. 23 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
The governments of Japan and the U.S. have begun coordinating a 
summit meeting between the prime minister and the U.S. President for 
late September, focusing on Sept. 23. A high-level event on climate 
 
TOKYO 00001931  004 OF 011 
 
 
change is set for Sept. 22 in New York, and leaders will come to 
give speeches on Sept. 24 at the annual United Nations General 
Assembly (UNGA). If the current coalition is unseated in the Aug. 30 
House of Representatives election, it will be the first summit 
meeting with the U.S. under a Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
government. 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso took part in the UN assembly last year. DPJ 
President Yukio Hatoyama has indicated his eagerness to attend UNGA 
if he becomes the premier. On the assumption of Hatoyama visiting 
the U.S., the two governments are pushing ahead with arrangements. 
 
Arrangements are being made for President Barack Obama to visit 
Japan before or after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 
summit meeting in Singapore on Nov. 14-15. But the two governments 
have judged it necessary for their leaders to meet before Obama's 
first visit to Japan. 
 
5) Ambassador Roos arrives early to assume duties, anticipating 
post-election bilateral diplomacy 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
August 21, 2009 
 
U.S. diplomacy toward Japan was launched on Aug. 20 in anticipation 
of the political situation after the House of Representatives 
election. Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos visited 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) soon after presenting his 
credentials in order to convey the Obama administration's stance of 
attaching importance to Japan. With a change of administration 
increasingly becoming a real possibility in Japan, coordination 
between the two countries on such tough issues as U.S. military 
bases and the war on terror undoubtedly will be a challenge. The new 
Japanese administration will be under pressure to respond quickly. 
 
Receiving a courtesy call from Roos, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji 
Yabunaka was all smiles. He extended the Japanese government's 
welcome repeatedly and told the Ambassador: "This is the first time 
(that an ambassador) has presented his credentials to the Emperor 
only one day after arriving." 
 
Unusual speed 
 
Normally, the U.S. ambassador to Japan would present his credentials 
two or three days after arriving in Japan, at the earliest. It is 
unusual to do so after only one day. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo 
Kawamura, who was present at Roos's presentation of his credentials 
at the Imperial Palace, told him, "President Obama has sent the 
person he trusts the most." Kawamura wanted to convey Japan's sense 
of expectation immediately to Roos, who is close to President Obama, 
in order to promote smooth relations with the U.S. administration. 
However, it has been the U.S. side that has taken proactive steps. 
 
It is unusual for an American ambassador to arrive in Japan less 
than two weeks after being confirmed by the Senate. A senior MOFA 
official explained, "This is because the Ambassador wants to begin 
to perform his duties as soon as possible in anticipation of the 
situation after the election." The presentation of credentials on 
August 20 was a result of coordination efforts by MOFA with the 
Imperial Household Agency on scheduling at the United States' 
request. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001931  005 OF 011 
 
 
Possibility of a Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administration 
taken into account 
 
The new ambassador is scheduled to make a courtesy call on Prime 
Minister Taro Aso on August 25, but a source connected to Japan-U.S. 
relations noted, "The key meeting will be the one with DPJ President 
Yukio Hatoyama." The foreign policy of a DPJ administration is an 
unknown factor for the U.S., and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has been 
inquiring discreetly with the DPJ about a meeting between Roos and 
Hatoyama at an early date. 
 
While the DPJ has begun to grope for a more pragmatic foreign policy 
line lately, Washington remains concerned about what that policy 
will be after the Lower House election. It is obviously eager to lay 
the groundwork as quickly as possible. 
 
However, the DPJ wants to postpone the meeting between Hatoyama and 
Roos until a certain time after the election. This is because if 
differences emerge between them at this point, there will be growing 
concerns about bilateral relations in the future. 
 
Regardless of whether there will be a change of administration, 
pending issues between Japan and the U.S. will come to a head in 
September. The refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and nuclear 
deterrence in light of the situation on the Korean peninsula may be 
included in the agenda of the Japan-U.S. summit expected to take 
place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and the G-20 
financial summit in late September. Coordination with the local 
authorities on Futenma relocation in Okinawa will also enter the 
final phase. Japan-U.S. diplomacy will be put to the test 
immediately. 
 
Roos told Yabunaka at their meeting, "President Obama told me 
clearly that I will have a major role to play," conveying his great 
enthusiasm for diplomacy with Japan. 
 
6) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos meets Vice Foreign Minister 
Yabunaka 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
New U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos met Administrative Vice 
Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka at the Foreign Ministry yesterday 
morning, a day after his arrival in Japan. Roos said: "Before 
leaving for Japan, I met President Barack Obama, and we confirmed 
the importance of strengthening Japan-U.S. relations." Taking up 
Roos's schedule of being received by Emperor Akihito to present his 
credentials within 24 hours of his arrival, Yabunaka said: "This 
shows how close our relations are." 
 
The new ambassador began his official duties after he presented his 
credential to the Emperor. 
 
7) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos to appoint former Department of 
Defense official, State Department official as assistants 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 21) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
It was learned on August 20 that the new U.S. ambassador to Japan, 
John Roos, who has just arrived will appoint a former Department of 
 
TOKYO 00001931  006 OF 011 
 
 
Defense Japan desk chief and another official as his assistants. 
These appointees are expected to advice the Ambassador, who is a 
lawyer specializing in corporate M&A (mergers and acquisitions) and 
who has no experience at all in military affairs and security. 
 
The above was revealed by a source on Japan-U.S. relations. 
 
The appointees for the ambassador's assistants are Suzanne Basalla, 
former Department of Defense senior country director for Japan, and 
Department of State official Matt Ford. 
 
Basalla formerly served in the U.S. Navy and is an expert on Japan 
who has studied at the Keio University. She was involved with U.S. 
Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment, setting common strategic goals to 
strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and the discussions on reviewing 
the roles and duties of the Self-Defense Forces and the USFJ, among 
other things. 
 
8) Presidential election takes place in tense Afghanistan 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 21, 2009 
 
In Afghanistan, a presidential election was carried out on Aug. 20 
and vote-counting started nationwide. The Aug. 20 poll, the second 
in the country since the Taliban regime collapsed in 2001, is a 
critical barometer for forecasting Afghanistan's future. Polling 
stations were not even set up in the south where terrorist attacks 
occurred and the Taliban's grip is strong. The legitimacy of the new 
administration to be launched after the election might be called 
into question. The United States and Japan, which have been 
supporting Afghanistan, will likely find it difficult to deal with 
the situation. 
 
A challenge for Japan's new administration 
 
Kei Ukai, Nao Fujina 
 
The Japanese government is expecting that the Aug. 20 election will 
result in a strong and highly popular administration in Afghanistan. 
The Japanese special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who visited 
Kabul in late July, told major candidates, such as Hamid Karzai, 
that it is important to carry out the presidential election in a 
fair manner and establish a legitimate government as a result. 
 
This reflects the Foreign Ministry's view of the current situation 
in Afghanistan that the dividend on its investment has been small. 
Japan has provided 1.79 billion dollars (169.1 billion yen) in aid 
to Afghanistan since 2001 - the third largest after the United 
States and Britain. Corruption is rampant in Afghanistan and if the 
security situation deteriorates further, Japan's aid might be for 
naught. 
 
The new Japanese administration to be established after the Aug. 30 
election will have to deal with the current situation facing the new 
Afghan administration. With the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
marching toward taking the reins of government, how the new Japanese 
administration will handle the question of support for Afghanistan 
as a symbol of the war on terrorism is attracting much attention. 
 
One of the focuses is the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has 
 
TOKYO 00001931  007 OF 011 
 
 
indicated that he is not considering simply extending the mission 
beyond the law's expiry next January. At the same time, in 
consideration of Japan's relationship with Untied States, he has 
underlined the need to provide assistance that would be please the 
Afghan people. 
 
But realizing a counterproposal is not easy. The party is looking 
for ways to hold an international conference on peace in Afghanistan 
under a DPJ administration. 
 
OPINION POLLS 
 
9) Poll: DPJ likely to win overwhelming victory 
 
NIKKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Ahead of the 45th general election set to be held Aug. 30 for the 
House of Representatives, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a 
nationwide public opinion survey to probe the situation. The Diet's 
lower chamber has a total of 480 seats. The Democratic Party of 
Japan has now locked on a majority (241 seats) and is likely to 
garner more than 300 seats. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democratic Party 
is slightly under 100 seats and is likely to lose more than half of 
its pre-election 300 seats. Chances are strong that the DPJ will 
take the reins of government with its overwhelming victory. 
 
The survey targeted a total of about 210,000 voters across the 
nation, and valid answers were obtained from about 110,000 voters. 
Face-to-face interviews were also held with voters to find out 
public trends. However, 24% in 300 single-seat constituencies and 
17% in proportional representation blocs for 180 seats remain 
undecided. Given this fact, there are still fluid factors. 
 
The DPJ is now almost certain to garner nearly 200 seats in 
single-seat constituencies. Furthermore, the DPJ is likely to gain 
40 more seats or so. The DPJ is leading not only in big cities but 
also in rural districts. For proportional representation, the DPJ is 
certain to get 90 seats. The DPJ has almost secured a total of about 
290 seats in single-seat constituencies and in proportional 
representation blocs. 
 
The LDP is shaky. In single-seat constituencies, the LDP is certain 
to garner slightly under 30 seats and is likely to get a little over 
20 seats. In nearly 40 single-seat districts, the LDP could gain 
additional seats but is facing an uphill battle against the DPJ. For 
proportional representation, the LDP is now certain to garner more 
than 40 seats but has yet to reach 50 seats. On the whole, the LDP 
is certain to garner about 70 seats. Even when including seats that 
the LDP is likely to win, the total number will be slightly under 
¶100. Even if the LDP wins all uphill battles, its total holding will 
remain on the 130 range. 
 
10) Poll: DPJ likely to garner over 300 seats 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Ahead of the 45th general election set to be held Aug. 30 for the 
House of Representatives, the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a public 
opinion survey over a period of three days from Aug. 18 through Aug. 
20 to probe the situation in the initial phase of campaign battles. 
 
TOKYO 00001931  008 OF 011 
 
 
For the survey, a total of 110,000 persons were chosen from among 
the nation's voting population. The Democratic Party of Japan is 
overwhelming the Liberal Democratic Party both in single-seat 
constituencies and in proportional representation blocs. The DPJ is 
now certain to secure a majority of the seats and is even likely to 
garner more than 300 seats. The LDP is falling behind the DPJ not 
only in urban districts but also in traditionally conservative rural 
districts. The LDP is expected to sustain a sharp decrease in its 
pre-election holding of 300 seats. The New Komeito is facing an 
uphill battle while being unable to lock on its pre-election holding 
of seats. Meanwhile, undecided voters still account for 20% or so 
both in single-seat constituencies and in proportional 
representation blocs. The situation could change toward the final 
stages. 
 
89% interested in election 
 
In the survey, a total of 89% answered that they were interested in 
the upcoming general election for the Diet's lower chamber, broken 
down into 59% saying they are "very interested" and 30% saying they 
are "somewhat interested." The figure is an all-time high under the 
current single-seat constituency and proportional representation 
system that was introduced in 1996. 
 
Those "interested" in the general election accounted for 60% in 
¶1996. However, their proportion increased to 71% in 2000 and to 76% 
in 2003. The last general election was held in 2005, and the focus 
of that election was on the question of whether to privatize 
state-run postal services. At that time, the figure jumped to 86%. 
This time, the figure is even higher, clearly indicating that the 
upcoming general election is drawing extremely high public 
attention. 
 
11) Poll: 54% "very interested" in general election 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Ahead of Aug. 30's general election for the House of 
Representatives, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a public opinion survey 
on Aug. 18-19 along with a survey that probed the situation in the 
initial stages of campaign battles. In the survey, 54% of 
respondents answered that they were "very interested" in the 
upcoming election. This figure is on a par with the one that was 
shown in a survey conducted when the House of Representatives was 
dissolved over the privatization of state-run postal services and 
the public showed high interest in that election. The figure shown 
this time can be taken as reflecting the public's high interest. 
"Somewhat interested" accounted for 37% (38% in the 2005 survey), 
and "not interested" at 9% (7% in the 2005 survey). 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked which political party they 
would vote for in their proportional representation blocs. Among 
those "very interested" in the upcoming general election, 24% of 
those who answered this question chose the Liberal Democratic Party, 
while 57% of them opted for the Democratic Party of Japan. In the 
2005 survey, 47% chose the LDP, with 33% preferring the DPJ. 
 
In the meantime, respondents were also asked if they thought Japan's 
politics would "move in a good direction" if there is a change of 
government. To this question, 24% answered "yes," with 56% saying it 
would "remain unchanged" and 8% saying it would "move in a bad 
 
TOKYO 00001931  009 OF 011 
 
 
direction." Even among those who said they would vote for the DPJ in 
their proportional representation blocs, "good direction" accounted 
for 41%, with "remain unchanged" at 46%. 
 
ELECTION CAMPAIGN 
 
12) New Komeito, small opposition parties wary about DPJ's sweeping 
the board in upcoming general election 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
August 21, 2009 
 
A senior New Komeito member yesterday expressed a sense of alarm, 
saying: 
 
"While all eyes are now being focused on which the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) or Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) voters 
will choose the party that they feel should hold the political helm, 
the New Komeito is gradually being positioned as one of other 
parties. So, we will make our policy appeal to voters in public 
debates and other occasions." 
 
Although the New Komeito aims to retain its Lower House seats by 
intense cooperation with the LDP, it has been suffering an adverse 
wind. It plans to boost its campaigning in the final stage, counting 
on wins similar to those in the July Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly 
election. 
 
Small opposition parties are worried that attention is being focused 
on only the DPJ taking over the reins of government. While giving 
priority to retaining its proportional representation seats, the 
Social Democratic Party (SDP) intends to highlight differences 
between it and the DPJ. 
 
A senior People's New Party member said: "I see a favorable 
political wind blowing only for the DPJ." The likelihood of a DPJ 
victory is not preventing SDP and PNP candidates, whom the DPJ are 
supporting, from giving up fielding its own candidates in certain 
districts. 
 
The DPJ plans to form a coalition government in cooperation of the 
SDP and PNP regardless of how many seats it wins. This is because it 
does not hold a single-party majority in the House of Councillors. 
"If the DPJ wins big, it will not give much consideration to voices 
of the SDP and PNP" (senior member). 
 
13) Ex-Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura says DPJ is 
socialist 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura's remarks at a 
meeting in Aoba Ward, Sendai City: "I think it (the Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ)) is essentially a socialist political party. The 
party's members obey everything the Japan Teachers' Union says and 
will spend money recklessly they has the money. They do not think 
about investing for the future. Japan will sink if we hand the 
administration over to such an irresponsible party." 
 
14) DPJ Vice President Maehara calls for assertiveness in dealing 
with U.S. 
 
TOKYO 00001931  010 OF 011 
 
 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Remarks by Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Seiji 
Maehara during a stump speech in Yokohama City: "Prime Minister Taro 
Aso says that the DPJ's foreign and security policy is incoherent, 
but the foreign policy of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
consists only of soliciting America's wishes. The DPJ will get along 
with the United States and will establish policies that enable Japan 
to assert itself firmly for its national interests when warranted." 
 
15) JCP Chairman Shii calls for learning from the U.S. 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Remarks by Chairman Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 
during a stump speech in Sapporo City: "The Obama administration has 
increased taxes on big companies and rich people by 120 trillion 
yen. It is using this money to fund tax cuts for the common folks 
and to rebuild the health insurance system. Isn't that impressive? 
We should also learn from the good things that America does." 
 
16) Yosano denies rumor that he is hospitalized 
 
SANKEI (Page 20) (Excerpts) 
August 21, 2009 
 
Kaoru Yosano, a candidate on the Liberal Democratic Party's ticket 
running for the Tokyo No. 1 district in the House of Representatives 
election, felt lightheaded on Aug. 18 when the official campaign for 
the Aug. 30 general election kicked off. On Aug. 20, Yosana held an 
emergency press conference at his election office in Yotsuya, 
Shinjuku Ward, in order to quash the rumor that he had been 
hospitalized. He said that he had been put on an IV at a hospital 
after the ceremony at the start of the official campaigning that 
day. He then stressed that he is giving stumping speeches since 
then. 
 
Yosano held the press meeting because his office was receiving many 
inquiries about the rumor about his hospitalization. 
 
17) JCG to request 32 billion yen for building large patrol vessel 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) 
August 21, 2009 
 
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) decided has decided to include 32 
billion yen for the construction of a large ocean-going patrol 
vessel in its fiscal 2010 budgetary request to be submitted to the 
Finance Ministry on Aug. 31. The JCG gave up dispatching its patrol 
boat Shikishima to waters off Somalia on an antipiracy mission, 
saying the vessel is unfit for long-term activities. As a result, 
Self-Defense Force vessels have been dispatched. The construction of 
a large ocean-going vessel will enable the JCG to carry out 
long-term activities. 
 
The Shikishima (6,500 ton, 150 meters) is equipped with 35-mm and 
20-mm multiple-launch systems and carries two high-speed boats and 
two helicopters. The vessel is designed to allow its crew to 
continue their operations even if it is attacked with rockets by 
 
TOKYO 00001931  011 OF 011 
 
 
pirates. It was commissioned in 1992 for escorting vessels carrying 
plutonium. 
 
The vessel the JCP is going to request will be on the 
Shikishima-class, which is one of the largest in the world. The 
vessel will be constructed in four years. 
 
The JCG originally had not planned to build a Shikishima-class 
vessel because of the need to give high priority to the question of 
its old vessels. 
 
But the JCG has shifted its policy direction after its passive 
stance of not requesting an extra budget for building an ocean-going 
patrol vessel fit for an antipiracy mission had been grilled at the 
Diet. 
 
The JCG presented the following factors for the need to building the 
new vessel: (1) an increase in escorts of vessels carrying MOX, or 
plutonium-uranium mixed oxide fuel, that started in May this year; 
(2) expanded oceanic areas requiring security due to greater 
continental shelves with abundant marine resources; and (3) 
increasing and improving security in remote territorial waters, such 
as the Senkaku and Okinotori islands. 
 
18) Government's guidelines on investment in overseas agriculture 
for food security seeks "transparency in contracts" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 21, 2009 
 
The government conference on August 20 on promotion of investment in 
overseas agriculture released guidelines for overseas investment for 
promoting food security. The guidelines set action principles for 
investment by private-sector firms in overseas agriculture. 
 
Besides the need for investors to take into consideration the food 
situation in the recipient countries and sustainable agricultural 
production, the guidelines seek (1) transparency in contracts, (2) 
compliance with the law, and (3) consideration for residents and the 
environment. 
 
There is growing criticism of investments as "plundering of 
farmland" mainly in developing countries. With such criticism in 
mind, at the international conference on investment in agriculture 
to be held in the U.S. in September the government will call on the 
global community to formulate similar action principles. 
 
The guidelines incorporate promotion of appropriate investment in 
agriculture in the belief this contributes to enhancing food 
security. The government will set up a comprehensive support office 
in the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry 
and Fisheries. The guidelines also suggest that the government 
should assist companies by using public financial institutions, such 
as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and its 
official development assistance (ODA) program. 
 
ROOS