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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001954 
 
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 08/25/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
4) Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka admits to past discussions about 
issue of nuclear transit, will probe into existence of documentation 
(Asahi) 
5) Yabunaka admits difference of opinion between Japan, U.S. over 
nuclear-transit issue (Yomiuri) 
6) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Hatoyama creates stir 
by saying he will approach President Obama on the nuclear-transit 
issue (Yomiuri) 
7) DPJ's Kan blasts Foreign Ministry on the nuclear pact issue 
(Asahi) 
8) Small group of demonstrators assemble to protest arrival of 
Nimitz at Yokosuka (Tokyo Shimbun) 
9) PACC: Top brass from Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Army meet 
in Tokyo (Mainichi) 
 
North Korea problem: 
10) Senior U.S. official says that North Korea's reopening historic 
site to tourism does not change the UN sanctions situation (Yomiuri) 
 
11) Special envoy Bosworth thinking about a Pyongyang trip next 
month (Yomiuri) 
12) Japanese officials, observing U.S.-South Korea cooperation on 
North Korea policy, again fear Japan will be left behind (Nikkei) 
 
 
China connection: 
13) Japan-China summit meeting set for end of next month (Yomiuri) 
 
14) Chinese vessel spotted in waters of E-China Sea near gas field 
Japan and China are supposed to co-develop (Asahi) 
 
Election polls: 
15) Sankei poll: 45.8% of electorate will vote DPJ in the 
proportional races (Sankei) 
16) Sankei: DPJ will secure about 300 seats in upcoming election 
(Sankei) 
17) Tokyo Shimbun survey shows relatively low interest among voters 
in the manifestos (party campaign pledges) (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
18) DPJ going after the women's vote by doubling the number of 
female candidates running for Lower House seats (Asahi) 
 
19) Australian town cutting off sister-city ties with a Wakayama 
city over annual slaughter of dolphins (Yomiuri) 
 
Ariticles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
New-flu infections expanding as new school semesters begin; 38 
schools closed temporarily 
 
Mainichi: 
Opinion polls affecting parties' election campaigns; LDP lawmakers 
 
TOKYO 00001954  002 OF 012 
 
 
stay in home constituencies, DPJ executives eager to become cabinet 
ministers 
 
Yomiuri: 
Mass flu infections reported by 712 schools nationwide during summer 
holidays 
 
Nikkei: 
Series of new materials developed to help reduce eco car weights 
 
Sankei: 
DPJ certain to win 300 seats and become party in power 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
3.06 million people cast ballots early - 1.5 times 2005 election 
 
Akahata: 
Chairman Shii plays up importance of JCP as "constructive opposition 
party" in press conference in Nagano 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) 2009 general election: Decentralization must not end as pie in 
the sky 
(2) International Science Olympiads: Japan needs more students who 
like science 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Nuclear abolition must follow change in North Korea's stance 
(2) Lower House lection: General public's participation in politics 
essential 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Helping youth find jobs is an urgent task 
(2) Afghan presidential election: Securing legitimacy vital 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) International community must not let its guard down despite 
North Korea's call for dialogue 
(2) Realignment of retail industry expected centering on drug sales 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Campaign pledge to reform the pension system: Cross-party talks 
essential to reach policy agreement 
(2) NTV's examination program fails to resolve structural problems 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) North-South dialogue must be based on progress on nuclear 
abandonment 
(2) 2009 Lower House election: Food policy requires debate 
 
Akahata: 
(1) General election and education: JCP's growth will bring about 
major change 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 24 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
TOKYO 00001954  003 OF 012 
 
 
 
08:22 
Left Haneda Airport on JAL1403. 
 
09:17 
Arrived at Kochi Airport/ 
 
09:53- 
Delivered speeches in Kochi Prefecture. 
 
11:45 
Departed Ban-no-su Park on helicopter. 
 
11:57 
Arrived in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture. 
 
12:08 
Met LDP Tokushima Chapter Secretary General Kenji Takeuchi at 
restaurant Rest House Ueno. 
 
13:01 
Delivered speech in front of the shopping center Furespo Awaikeda. 
 
13:43 
Departed Miyoshi City on helicopter. 
 
14:00 
Arrived in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture. 
 
14:09 
Delivered speech at parking lot of Rihga Loyal Hotel. 
 
14:50 
Departed Niihama City on helicopter. 
 
15:06 
Arrived in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture. 
 
15:31 
Delivered speech at central park in the city. 
 
16:10 
Departed Kochi City on helicopter. 
 
16:39 
Delivered speech in Shukumo City. 
 
17:32 
Departed the city on helicopter. 
 
17:45 
Arrived Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture. 
 
17:47 
Delivered speech in the city. 
 
18:18 
Departed the city. 
 
18:41 
Arrived at Matsuyama Airport. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001954  004 OF 012 
 
 
19:49 
Departed the airport on ANA 598. 
 
20:56 
Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
 
21:28 
Arrived at his official residence. 
 
DEFENSE AND SECURITY AFFAIRS 
 
4) Vice foreign minister admits "discussions" on bringing nuclear 
arms into Japan, leaves open possibility of investigating secret 
nuclear deal 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Kei Ukai 
 
In connection with the alleged secret agreement between Japan and 
the United States that port calls by vessels carrying nuclear arms 
do not constitute "introducing them into Japan," Administrative Vice 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka stated at a news 
conference on August 24 that "I understand that there had, at times, 
been talk" about the definition of "introducing nuclear arms into 
Japan," admitting that Japan and the U.S. differed on the definition 
and had held discussions. This indicates that he has left open the 
possibility of investigating the existence of the secret agreement 
in the future. 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), seeking to take over the 
government after the general election, is poised to pursue the issue 
of the secret agreement. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has indicated 
that an investigation will also be conducted in the U.S. and a 
conclusion will be reached within six months to a year. Hatoyama 
also said that if he becomes prime minister, he will seek from the 
U.S. a firm commitment not to introduce nuclear weapons (into 
Japan). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has flatly denied the 
existence of such an agreement, but with a DPJ administration fast 
becoming a real possibility, the ministry is adjusting its 
position. 
 
Yabunaka said that "we understand that there had been various 
discussions in the past" regarding such issues as whether port calls 
by ships carrying nuclear arms constitute "introducing nuclear 
weapons" - which legally requires prior consultation between the two 
countries. However, he added that "they (the discussions) were not 
about any secret agreement," maintaining MOFA's position that a 
secret agreement does not exist. 
 
With regard to U.S. nuclear arms, then President George Bush ordered 
the removal of tactical nuclear weapons from ships and submarines in 
1991, and the U.S. government declared in 1992 that removal had been 
completed. Therefore, (U.S.) ships subsequently calling at Japanese 
ports were not carrying any nuclear arms. Yabunaka also stressed his 
understanding "that since 1991 (the introduction of nuclear arms) 
has not been an issue because they are not carried on ships." 
 
Yabunaka said with regard to an investigation into the secret accord 
demanded by the DPJ, "At this point there are no concrete plans to 
do so." He indicated that as far as MOFA is concerned, "the truth of 
 
TOKYO 00001954  005 OF 012 
 
 
the matter is that such an agreement does not exist." Yabunaka had 
also stated at a news conference in June that "at this point, we do 
not have any plan to reinvestigate." 
 
Vice-Foreign Minister Yabunaka: There was a difference in 
interpretation between Japan and U.S. 
 
5) YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Vice-Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka indicated in a press 
conference yesterday that there had been a difference in 
interpretation between the Japanese and U.S. governments regarding 
the principle of (not allowing) the United States to introduce 
nuclear weapons into Japan. 
 
Yabunaka said: "A long time ago, there was a difference in their 
interpretations. A variety of views were exchanged in the past." 
 
He also emphatically said, "This is not about a secret pact." 
 
6) Principle of not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons 
into Japan creates stir in DPJ 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama's 
indication that if the DPJ takes power in the upcoming House of 
Representatives election, he will make clear that a DPJ 
administration will not allow the United States to bring nuclear 
weapons into Japan is now creating a stir. 
 
Appearing on an Aug. 23 television program, Hatoyama indicated that 
he will try to convince U.S. President Barack Obama to make clear 
the principle of not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons 
into Japan, which is one of the three non-nuclear principles. "Prime 
minister Hatoyama" intends to visit the United States to coincide 
with a United Nations conference in the U.S. in September and then, 
in a summit meeting with the U.S. President, he plans to take up 
this matter. 
 
In this connection, DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan said yesterday: 
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) does not say things clearly. 
Diplomacy conducted by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been 
based on diplomacy by MOFA. After friendship is deepened following 
heart-to-heart talks between 'prime minister Hatoyama' and President 
Obama, he will convey Japan's view to the United States." 
 
In the 1990s, the U.S. shifted its policy to one of no longer 
mounting nuclear weapons on its warships during peacetime. There is 
a hopeful observation in the DPJ that even if the United States 
declares that it will not introduce nuclear weapons into Japan, 
there will be no major impact. It means that it will be a symbolic 
event of an equal Japan-U.S. relationship, which the DPJ advocates. 
 
At the same time, some observers think such an outlook is too 
optimistic. 
 
Regarding the operation of its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. 
position is that if such is revealed, it would undermine its 
deterrence factor. A U.S. expert on Japan, too, took this critical 
 
TOKYO 00001954  006 OF 012 
 
 
view: "China possesses nuclear weapons and North Korea is developing 
nuclear weapons. Raising questions about the United States' nuclear 
weapons alone at a time like that means that Japan's security 
consciousness is too weak." 
 
A lack of consistency in Hatoyama's remarks on the three non-nuclear 
principles has also sparked concern. 
 
In July Hatoyama said this about a "secret pact" on the introduction 
of nuclear weapons, "Because there has been a need, a pragmatic 
response has been made." Hatoyama later took a positive stance about 
codifying the three non-nuclear principles, acting under pressure 
from Social Democratic Party head Mizuho Fukushima. One DPJ lawmaker 
commented: "He is deliberately creating a source of trouble. The 
matter must be left ambiguous so as not be criticized as a violation 
of our public pledge." 
 
7) DPJ's Kan criticizes Foreign Ministry on secret agreement issue 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Deputy President Naoto Kan, at a 
meeting in Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture, criticized the Foreign 
Ministry for not admitting to the existence of a Japan-U.S. secret 
deal on the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. He stated: 
"(The ministry) takes the views of the United States into account 
and does not say things clearly. That's the Foreign Ministry's way 
of conducting diplomacy and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has 
relied on it." 
 
Referring in Naha City to the diplomatic schedule immediately 
following the House of Representatives election, Kan predicted that 
there is a possibility that DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama will meet 
with U.S. President Barack Obama when he visits Washington after 
being elected as prime minister by late September (if the DPJ wins 
the election). 
 
8) Protesters don't want U.S. aircraft carriers' port calls to 
become a fait accompli 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
Evening, August 24, 2009 
 
On the morning of August 24, when the U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz 
arrived at the Yokosuka port, some 50 members of local citizens' 
groups gathered at a park near the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka to 
protest the danger of nuclear accidents. They called out slogans 
like "U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz go away!" and 
"Don't come to Yokosuka, Nimitz!" 
 
"Port calls by several nuclear-powered aircraft carriers could turn 
Yokosuka into a supply base for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers," 
remarked Masahiko Goto, a lawyer and leader of the citizens' groups 
opposed to the deployment of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. "It 
is necessary to halt the process of making these port calls a fait 
accompli." The U.S. Navy has been reinforcing its support systems at 
Yokosuka with the stationing of the George Washington, and there is 
concern that Yokosuka may become the home port of nuclear-powered 
aircraft carriers in Far East Asia. 
 
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is unpredictable," commented 
 
TOKYO 00001954  007 OF 012 
 
 
Military analyst Kazuhisa Ogawa on the Nimitz's port calls. "You do 
not, of course, want to leave an empty house; you want to continue 
to exert pressure." Military commentary Tetsuo Maeda offered a 
different opinion:  "The risk of radiation leaks will increase if 
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers other than the George Washington 
call (at Yokosuka) on a regular basis. It is not right that Japan 
can't address this problem through domestic laws." 
 
9) Japan hosts first regional military top-brass meeting 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
The Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC) began yesterday at a 
Tokyo hotel with the participation of high-ranking officers from the 
armies of 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The PACC is 
co-sponsored by the Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Army. 
This is the first time for Japan to host a PACC event. 
 
The PACC is held every two years by its host and the United States. 
This is the sixth PACC gathering, focusing on international relief 
operations to be conducted in the event of earthquakes, tsunamis, 
and other disasters. This time the PACC is linked to a seminar for 
staff officers and will discuss how to carry out training and 
cooperation for disaster relief operations and how to train 
commanding officers. It will be in session until Aug. 28. 
 
NORTH KOREA PROBLEM 
 
10) Senior U.S. government official says, "Resumption of Kumgang-san 
tourism development project will not infringe on sanctions 
resolution" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Yasuhiro Maeda, Seoul 
 
Regarding the resumption of the development of Kumgang-san tourism, 
a project South Korea is implementing as economic cooperation for 
North Korea, U.S. State Department Coordinator for Implementation of 
UNSC Resolution 1874 Philip Goldberg revealed his view that the 
project is for the sake of economic and humanitarian development and 
it does not infringe on the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) 
resolution against North Korea due to its nuclear test. He made this 
comment in a reply to a question asked by reporters in Seoul, where 
he was visiting. 
 
North Korea had been seeking the resumption of the project. Goldberg 
presumably determined that it would not be wise to let that nation 
harden its attitude, when it is showing a stance of shifting to a 
dialogue line. Goldberg, however, stressed his stance of keeping the 
sanctions in place regardless of the resumption of the project, 
noting, "Sanctions against the North, including financial sanctions, 
will continue." 
 
11) Bosworth eyes visit to North Korea in early September 
 
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Keiichi Honma, Washington 
 
TOKYO 00001954  008 OF 012 
 
 
 
Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, is 
considering a visit to North Korea possibly in early September, 
according to informed sources yesterday. If this plan is carried 
out, the first official talks between the U.S. and North Korea will 
be held during the administration of President Barack Obama. 
 
According to U.S. government sources, details of the plan for 
Bosworth's visit to Pyongyang began to be discussed around 
mid-August, after former president Bill Clinton visited that nation. 
North Korea conveyed its willingness to accept Bosworth through the 
Office to the United Nations in New York and other organizations, 
the sources said. 
 
Under the present plan, Bosworth would make a round of visits to 
Japan, China and South Korea by mid-September, and visit North Korea 
during this period. U.S. Special Envoy to the Six-Party Talks Sung 
Kim would accompany him on his tour of North Korea, and there is 
even a report that they would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il 
 
Given the recent switch of North Korea to a policy of dialogue, some 
observers believe it aims to seek direct negotiations with the U.S. 
through Bosworth. Even so, the U.S. has maintained a stance calling 
for the North's denuclearization and return to the Six-Party Talks, 
so there is the possibility that the U.S. would forgo the plan as a 
result of a failure to bridge these differences in behind-the-scenes 
negotiations for arranging the visit. 
 
12) Government worrying about being left in lurch due to North 
Korea's "dialogue approach" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Following a meeting held between South Korean President Lee 
Myung-bak and North Korean envoys who visited Seoul to mourn the 
death of former South Korean president Kim Dae Jung, the Japanese 
government paying close attention to moves by North Korea. Bearing 
also in mind the recent visit to North Korea by former U.S. 
president Bill Clinton, the government intends to call on the U.S. 
and South Korea to step up cooperation so that Japan will not left 
in the lurch due to North Korea's "dialogue approach." 
 
In a press conference yesterday, Chief Secretary Takeo Kawamura, 
even while praising the meeting between President Lee and the North 
Korean envoys, made this remark: "It is imperative for Japan to 
continue to closely contact with the U.S. and South Korea." 
Government officials are worrying that South Korea and the U.S. 
could take a reconciliatory stance toward North Korea again. Vice 
Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka stressed in a press conference 
yesterday: "Japan in line with the U.S., South Korea and China will 
continue to urge North Korea to end its nuclear weapons ambition." 
 
CHINA CONNECTION 
 
13) Government coordinating possibility of holding Japan-China 
summit late next month 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Tokyo and Washington on August 24 started coordination on the 
 
TOKYO 00001954  009 OF 012 
 
 
possibility of holding a bilateral summit on the sidelines of a 
series of international conferences, including the financial summit, 
to be held in the U.S. in late September. The planned meeting will 
likely be attended by Chinese President Hu Jintao. Provided that 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama becomes 
prime minister after the Lower House election on August 30, this 
will be their first meeting. 
 
The leaders of both countries will likely exchange views mainly on 
ways to strengthen bilateral ties. China plans to give priority to 
internal affairs until the National Day (National Foundation Day) on 
October 1, when the nation marks the 60th anniversary of the 
foundation of the country. As such, talks on such issues as the 
development of gas fields in the East China Sea will likely be put 
off until a summit meeting after October or later. 
 
14) Chinese ship spotted in Shirakaba gas field 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
The Japanese government has confirmed that a Chinese ship conducting 
work of some sort has been spotted in the Shirakaba (Chunsiao in 
Chinese) gas field in the East China Sea, which Tokyo and Beijing 
have agreed to develop jointly. The Japanese Foreign Ministry 
inquired about the ship to its Chinese counterpart. The Japanese 
side reportedly received a reply from the Chinese side saying that 
the ship was performing maintenance work on the facilities and there 
is no change in the agreement in effect. 
 
According to government officials, the Chinese ship was seen in the 
Shirakaba gas field for several days. Reportedly, digging work has 
not been confirmed. 
 
ELECTION POLLS 
 
15) Poll: 45.8% prefer DPJ for proportional representation 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
August 25, 2009 
 
The Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) conducted a joint 
poll Aug. 20-23 on the sidelines of a survey looking into the 
situation in campaign battles for the upcoming general election for 
the House of Representatives. In the poll, respondents were asked 
which political party they would vote for in their proportional 
representation blocs. In this public preference of political parties 
for proportional representation, the Democratic Party of Japan had a 
big lead over the Liberal Democratic Party, with the DPJ scoring 
45.8% and the LDP at 24.4%. The DPJ has been promoting a slogan for 
a change of government, which has now penetrated into the public. 
This seems to be a reason for the DPJ's advantage in the campaign. 
 
The Aso cabinet's public approval rating was 22.2%, up 1.7 points 
from the last poll. The disapproval rating was 67.9%, up 1.3 points 
from the last poll. In the breakdown of public support for political 
parties, the DPJ stood at 36.0%, up 4.9 points from the last poll. 
The LDP was at 26.1%, up 4.1 points from the last poll. 
 
16) DPJ certain to take office, garnering about 300 seats 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
 
TOKYO 00001954  010 OF 012 
 
 
August 25, 2009 
 
Ahead of Aug. 30's general election for the House of 
Representatives, the Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) 
conducted a telephone-based joint public opinion survey on Aug. 
20-23 to look into the situation in the final phase of campaign 
battles. The Liberal Democratic Party is rallying in some electoral 
districts. However, the Democratic Party of Japan has an advantage 
and is expected to garner 300 seats. The DPJ is now certain to take 
office. The LDP is highly likely to win 130 or so seats, less than 
half of its pre-election holding in the Diet's lower chamber. 
However, more than 30% of the polled voters did not clarify their 
voting preference. Given this, the situation could change. 
 
The LDP has been failing to take the lead in the election campaign 
and has so far ensured only 60 seats. The LDP may lose all of its 
pre-election seats in 12 prefectures, including Hokkaido, Yamanashi, 
Shizuoka, and Okinawa. In addition, the LDP is highly likely to lose 
its seats in Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, where the LDP monopolized 
almost all seats in the last general election held four years ago 
when the House of Representatives was dissolved over the 
privatization of state-run postal services. Even the LDP's factional 
leaders and former cabinet ministers, such as Former Finance 
Minister Shoichi Nakagawa and former LDP Vice President Taku 
Yamasaki, are also facing an uphill battle. Two former prime 
ministers, Toshiki Kaifu and Yoshiro Mori, are also on the 
borderline. For proportional representation as well, the LDP is 
likely to be at around 50 or so, just half of the DPJ's. 
 
The New Komeito is now certain to garner 20 seats. In single-seat 
constituencies, however, the party's president, Akihiro Ota, and 
many other candidates running from the party are on the borderline. 
It seems difficult for the New Komeito to secure its pre-election 
strength. LDP and New Komeito leaders are aiming to secure a 
majority of seats for the LDP and the New Komeito. However, the way 
things are going, the two parties could fall substantially below a 
majority and are highly likely to lose power. 
 
17) Survey shows 30% greatly interested in campaign manifestos 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
According to the results released yesterday of a joint survey by the 
Tokyo Shimbun, Hokkaido Shimbun, Nishi-Nihon Shimbun, and Kochi 
Shimbun, many voters are interested in the political parties' 
campaign manifestos for the Aug. 30 House of Representatives 
election, although there are some differences among regions. 
 
Analysis was conducted based on the results of a general survey 
across the nation and surveys in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Kochi, and 
Fukuoka prefectures. Five levels of contact with the manifestos were 
used when posing questions. 
 
Respondents who replied that they obtained and read the manifestos, 
or that they read them in paper or on the Internet accounted for 
about 30%, although the rate was lower in Kochi. The percentages in 
Tokyo and Aichi were particularly high, probably reflecting voters' 
great interest in politics in Tokyo and Nagoya after they 
experienced the recent Tokyo assembly and Nagoya mayoral elections 
that attracted a lot of attention. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001954  011 OF 012 
 
 
The largest number of respondents - 40 to 50% - across the nation 
and in the five prefectures said that when they came into contact 
with information (on the manifestos), they paid careful attention to 
it. The rate in Tokyo was 42.6%. These figures show that many 
respondents are eager to obtain knowledge of the manifestos when 
information becomes available to them, even though they are not 
trying to actively acquire knowledge. 
 
Those who replied they just came across the information or they had 
no interest in it stayed at only about 20%. The system of "manifesto 
elections" was introduced in the Lower House election in 2003 for 
the first time. The numerical figures in the survey showed that an 
increasing number of voters are now willing to make their selections 
based on policies. 
 
The newspapers conducted the nationwide survey on 3,600 persons in 
mid-August and the surveys in the five prefectures from Aug. 20-22. 
Valid responses were collected from 34,631 persons aged at 20 or 
older. 
 
18) DPJ eyes women voters by doubling the number of female 
candidates 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) 
August 25, 2009 
 
There is a change in the stance of women in supporting political 
parties in the upcoming House of Representatives election. Many 
female voters, who used to support the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP), are now shifting to the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). This 
means that new efforts by the DPJ, which used to rely on male 
supporters, are now bearing fruit. This has become one of the strong 
driving forces for the DPJ. 
 
Actress Kazuo Matsui, who is popular with housewives as a 
"charismatic housewife," appeared on a campaign broadcast (along 
with DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama). This indicates the DPJ's extra 
efforts to generate a new image. The LDP had its female House of 
Councillors member appeared on its election broadcast, as well. 
 
How to win over woman voters has been a challenge for the DPJ since 
its foundation. Observers have said that it is the DPJ's biggest 
challenge. For example, according to the results of an Asahi opinion 
poll conducted immediately before the 2005 Lower House election, 21% 
of male respondents supported the DPJ, compare to 12% of women. Many 
woman voters supported the LDP led by Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi, which resulted in a big win for the party. 
 
This time, however, something is different from the previous general 
election. The Asahi Shimbun has found in its poll on Aug. 15-16 that 
the female support rate for the DPJ was 25%, far more than the five 
percentage points supporting the LDP. The male approval rating for 
the DPJ was 38%. In particular, the DPJ's support rates by both men 
and women in their twenties, thirties, and forties were almost the 
same. 
 
In the 2005 Lower House election, Koizumi fielded 26 woman 
candidates, the number of which was than double the female 
candidates the LDP had filed in the 2003 general election, in which 
all 26 candidates were elected. 
 
In the ongoing election, DPJ Deputy President Ichiro Ozawa, who is 
 
TOKYO 00001954  012 OF 012 
 
 
in charge of the election strategy, has filed 46 woman candidates, 
twice the number of female candidates the DPJ had sponsored in the 
previous snap election. Ozawa had them filed in single-seat 
districts against influential LDP candidates. 
 
The DPJ is filing female candidates in all single-seat districts in 
Kochi Prefecture, in which LDP members won all districts in the 
previous election. Regarding the DPJ's female candidates for the 
proportional representation segment, the Tokyo Seikatsusha Network 
asked the DPJ to file Eiko Ishige, a specialist in welfare affairs, 
a candidate for its proportional representation section, and the LDP 
has fielded her as No. 2 candidate on its list for the Tokyo 
proportional representation bloc of the ballot. The DPJ's Upper 
House member Masako Okawara, who hailed from the Tokyo Seikatsusha 
Network, said: "Mr. Ozawa is trying to cover part that the DPJ lacks 
by filing women. Women voters have now realized that politics is 
related to our daily lives." 
 
19) Town of Broome says "No!" to dolphin kill, no to sister city 
relationship to Taiji Town, Wakayama Prefecture 
 
YOMIURI (Page 37) (Full) 
August 25, 2009 
 
Tetsu Okazaki, Sydney 
 
The town of Broome in northwestern Australia on August 24 decided to 
suspend its 28-year-old sister city relationship with Taiji Town, 
Wakayama Prefecture, because of the area's slaughter of dolphins. It 
has notified the Japanese Consulate General in Perth of its 
decision. The city council voted unanimously that it will suspend 
the relationship as long as the dolphin kill continues in the area. 
 
Occasioned by "The Cove," a documentary film on Taiji Town's dolphin 
kill, which an American secretly shot, has been shown in the U.S. 
and Australia since July. The Sea Sheppard, a U.S. anti-whaling 
group, which has been opposing Taiji Town's dolphin kill, has 
reportedly urged the town of Broome and its citizens to end the 
sister city relationship with Taiji Town. 
 
According to the town of Broome, the e-mail address of a senior 
official of the town was posted on the Internet. This official then 
received more than 10,000 e-mails critical of the town's sister city 
relationship with Taiji Town both from home and abroad. Mayor 
Campbell told the Yomiuri Shimbun, "There was a potential danger of 
Japanese people living in this town being harmed if we had 
mishandled this issue. It was a tough decision." 
 
ROOS