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Viewing cable 06TOKYO1306, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/13/06

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06TOKYO1306 2006-03-13 01:45 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO6149
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1306/01 0720145
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130145Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9643
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 7705
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5074
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8198
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5101
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6255
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1080
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7271
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9254
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001306 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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 03/13/06 
 
 
Index: 
 
1)   Top headlines 
2)   Editorials 
Prime Minister's weekend, daily schedule: None 
 
Defense and security issues: 
3)   87% reject US carrier-borne aircraft redeployment to Iwakuni 
  in local plebiscite 
4)   90% opposed to US carrier-borne fighter jets relocation from 
Atsugi to Iwakuni 
5)   Iwakuni referendum finds overwhelming majority opposed to 
USFJ realignment plan 
6)   First popular will shown, heavy pressure on gov't 
7)   Gov't, LDP to prioritize US-Japan agreement on USFJ 
realignment 
8)   Japan estimates burden sharing at 3 trillion yen for USFJ 
realignment 
9)   But Finance Ministry negative about exceptional disbursement 
for USFJ realignment 
10)  US to return 3 Okinawa bases 
11)  US to return 3 Okinawa facilities 
12)  US to return Yokota-controlled airspace in part 
13)  Japan to give up completing troop pullout in May 
14)  North Korea developing Taepodong 3 to cover US 
 
Beef ban: 
15)  Farm minister denies impact on import resumption with 
  possible BSE case in US 
16)  Gov't to ask US for cattle information 
17)  US urges Japan to resume US beef imports at early date 
 
18)  Japan to go ahead with FTA talks with ASEAN countries 
 
19)  Japan likely to give up presenting USNC expansion resolution 
 
20)  Japan expert to leave Japan Desk post at US State Department 
 
21)  Abe tops all others in popularity ranking for post-Koizumi 
  premiership 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Iwakuni vote, with 58% turnout, shows 87% oppose planned 
relocation of US military airwing, casting shadow over US force 
realignment talks 
 
Yomiuri: 
Nearly 30% of reports on medical accidents by 272 hospitals do 
not post age, sex of patients for privacy-protection reasons 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
Japanese banks sharply increase lending overseas, mainly to 
Japanese firms in Asia, Middle East, as of end of January 
 
Sankei: 
Political parties making greater use of blogs 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
TOKYO 00001306  002 OF 013 
 
 
 
Asahi: 
(1)  Koreans brought to Japan for forced labor: Light at the end 
of the tunnel 
(2)  Review necessary for abnormally low rent for housing for 
government workers 
 
Mainichi: 
(1)  Reform of local allocation tax should be carried out in line 
with decentralization 
(2)  Policy debate imperative in selecting party head 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1)  Despite result of Iwakuni vote, US force realignment is 
necessary 
(2)  Encourage healthy eating habits 
 
Nihon Keizai: 
(1)  Improve legal framework for financial and capital markets 
under political leadership 
 
Sankei: 
(1)  Condemned criminals' organs: Steady efforts necessary to 
increase good-will organ donors 
(2)  Heavy snow this winter: Work out effective measures for 
survival in depopulated villages 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1)  Details about projects must be presented before introducing 
forestry environment tax 
(2)  Thorough preparations necessary for pluthermal project to 
ensure safety 
 
3) Iwakuni plebiscite marks 58% voter turnout; 87% of residents 
say 'no' to carrier-borne aircraft relocation plan; Results 
affect overall US force realignment plan 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Full) 
March 13, 2006 
 
A referendum was held yesterday in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi 
Prefecture, over the propriety of a government plan to relocate 
US carrier-borne aircraft from Atsugi Air Base in Kanagawa 
Prefecture to the Marine Corps' Iwakuni Air Station in the city. 
The votes were counted yesterday. The voter turnout was 58.68%. 
Eighty-seven percent of the voters, well over the 50% line, said 
"no" to the plan. Although the results are nonbinding, Mayor 
Katsusuke Ihara said, "Taking the results seriously, I will urge 
the central government to rescind the relocation plan." The mayor 
intends to directly convey the results to the central government 
soon. 
 
The nation's first official negative reaction at the local level 
to the planned US force realignment is likely to have an adverse 
effect on the government's efforts to persuade other local areas, 
including a plan to relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture. 
 
The vote held yesterday in Iwakuni was the nation's first 
municipal referendum over the planned US force realignment. In 
order for votes to be counted, voter turnout must exceed 50%. 
This prompted those willing to accept the plan with some 
 
TOKYO 00001306  003 OF 013 
 
 
conditions, such as local stimulus measures, to call for 
residents to boycott the referendum. 
 
With the results of the plebiscite on hand, Mayor Ihara is 
scheduled to announce his official view in the city's assembly's 
plenary session tomorrow. He is also expected to convey Iwakuni's 
policy to the central government after holding talks with the 
city assembly and prefectural government. 
 
The relocation of carrier-borne aircraft from the Atsugi base to 
Iwakuni is incorporated in the interim report released by Japan 
and the US last fall. The two governments plan to realize the 
relocation once the project to relocate the current runway 1 
kilometer further offshore is completed in fiscal 2009. 
 
The government plans to incorporate this plan in the final report 
without making any changes. Defense Agency Director General 
Fukushiro Nukaga released a comment last night that the 
government would continue explaining to local areas the need for 
relocation plans in order to obtain their understanding and 
cooperation. 
 
In anticipation of an economic stimulus package, the Yamaguchi 
prefectural government is leaning toward approving the relocation 
plan. Ihara, however, noted late yesterday, "We will not cut a 
deal (with the central government) to accept the relocation." 
Ihara will resign from post March 19, the day before Iwakuni will 
merge with other municipalities. The newly reorganized Iwakuni 
City is expected to hold a mayoral election in about a month. 
 
Results of Iwakuni referendum on relocation of US carrier-borne 
aircraft 
 
Voter turnout: 58.68% 
 
Yes         5,369 votes        10.8 % 
No         43,433 votes        87.4 % 
Invalid       879 votes         1.8 % 
 
Total eligible voters: 84,659 
 
4) Iwakuni referendum; 90% of voters against transfer of US 
military aircraft: Mayor to call for withdrawal of relocation 
plan; Blow to government; Result likely to affect other areas up 
for relocation sites 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
March 13, 2006 
 
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which hosts US Iwakuni Marine 
Corps Air Station, held a referendum on whether to accept carrier- 
borne fighter jets from the US Navy's Atsugi Air Base, Kanagawa 
Prefecture. An overwhelming majority voted against the relocation 
with 43,433 casting negative votes, while 5,369 voted in favor of 
the proposal. The number of ballots against the relocation 
accounted for 89% of valid votes, reaching a majority of eligible 
voters. The referendum was valid with voter turnout reaching 
58.68%, meeting the municipal ordinance requiring that voter 
turnout exceed 50%. 
 
Comment by Iwakuni Mayor Katsusuke Ihara: Many people expressed 
opposition to the relocation of US military aircraft at town 
 
TOKYO 00001306  004 OF 013 
 
 
meetings. The result of the referendum backs this up. I will 
discuss the proposal for relocating carrier-borne fighter jets to 
Iwakuni with the municipal assembly with the goal of having it 
withdrawn. Both the government and the US say that understanding 
and cooperation from local communities are important for the 
stable operation of military bases. I would like to convey the 
will of local residents to the government, by respecting the 
result of the referendum. I would like the government to value 
the views of the local community and make an appropriate policy 
judgment. 
 
5) Iwakuni plebiscite: Overwhelming majority says no to 
relocation of carrier-borne aircraft 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Excerpt) 
March 13, 2006 
 
A municipal plebiscite was carried out yesterday in Iwakuni City, 
Yamaguchi Prefecture, over whether to accept the government's 
plan to relocate US carrier-borne aircraft to the US Marines 
Corps' Iwakuni Air Station in the city. Voter turnout was 58.68%, 
exceeding the 50% turnout necessary to count votes. The results 
showed that about 90% of the voters rejected the relocation plan. 
Meeting the press after learning of the results, Mayor Katsusuke 
Ihara stated, "I would like to transmit the citizens' voice to 
the central government, urging it to rescind the relocation 
plan." The government still intends to aim for a final agreement 
with Washington on US force realignment before the end of the 
month. But the results of the Iwakuni referendum may affect talks 
on US force realignment. 
 
6) First local plebiscite carries tremendous weight for central 
government 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 13, 2006 
 
Commentary 
 
The Japanese government plans to produce a final report in late 
March with the US government after working out details on what 
was agreed upon with Washington last October and obtaining local 
understanding. Yesterday's referendum in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 
Prefecture, in which the vast majority said no to the relocation 
of US carrier-borne aircraft, was a serious blow to the plans of 
the central government. The local opinion revealed in the 
nation's first plebiscite on US force realignment carries 
significant weight. 
 
In the interim report released by the Japanese and US governments 
last October, the Japanese government pledged that it would 
complete coordination with local areas. US Deputy Under Secretary 
of Defense Richard Lawless has also indicated that the Japanese 
government had promised to realize local coordination. 
 
Despite that, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe stated, "Once 
Japan and the US reach an accord in the bilateral talks, that 
will be the final agreement." The Japanese government has been 
slow to win consent from local areas. The results of the Iwakuni 
plebiscite have now presented the government with a hefty task. A 
government source commented, "It has now become impossible to win 
Iwakuni's consent ahead of the final agreement." The focus will 
 
TOKYO 00001306  005 OF 013 
 
 
shift to whether the government can win local consent over the 
planned relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in 
Okinawa. 
 
Coordination with Nago, the relocation site for the Futenma 
airfield, has been experiencing difficulties. Defense Agency 
Director General Fukushiro Nukaga held talks last week with 
Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine and Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro 
in which signs of making arrangements finally emerged. 
 
A government official predicted: "Following Iwakuni's plebiscite, 
Nago residents are expected to put up stiff resistance. Residents 
of Kanagawa and Tokyo will probably not accept plans so easily." 
If the government fails on Futenma, a chain of opposition may 
spread nationwide. The government's efforts for Futenma will 
become a test that could affect the overall US force realignment 
plan. 
 
Talks with the US have been following a rocky path. There is a 
view in the government that some US government officials have 
questions about the approach of reaching an agreement by setting 
a deadline. The government must put greater efforts into local 
coordination, postponing the deadline if necessary, rather than 
forcing matters through. 
 
7) Government to give priority to Japan-US agreement on US force 
realignment despite Iwakuni referendum; Will quickly study local 
economic stimulus measures 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 13, 2006 
 
In the wake of yesterday's Iwakuni plebiscite, in which a 
majority of voters rejected the relocation of US carrier-borne 
aircraft to the city, the government and ruling coalition intend 
to proceed with local coordination carefully regarding the 
planned US force realignment. The government plans to establish a 
council to discuss local economic stimulus measures with affected 
local governments and study the creation of a subsidy system for 
municipal governments. 
 
Because local referendums are nonbinding and have no power on 
state policy, the government will not make any changes to its 
plan to relocate carrier-borne aircraft from the US Atsugi base 
in Nakagawa Prefecture to Iwakuni. The government will also aim 
to reach a final agreement with the US later this month. 
 
The government, however, fears that this negative trend could 
spread to talks with other local areas, which have been stalled. 
Liberal Democratic Party Security Research Commission Chairman 
Taku Yamasaki and others have advised Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi to speed up efforts to map out promotion measures with 
affected local governments. The government and ruling coalition 
are expected to expedite their efforts. 
 
The interim report released by Tokyo and Washington last October 
specified the relocation of Army 1st Corps headquarters from 
Washington state to Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture. As a step 
to reduce the burden on Atsugi, the report specified the 
redeployment of carrier-borne aircraft to Iwakuni. If realized, 
Iwakuni will host some 60 additional aircraft, raising the total 
number of US aircraft there to nearly 120. Iwakuni is expected to 
 
TOKYO 00001306  006 OF 013 
 
 
overtake Kadena Air Base, which is one of the largest air bases 
in the Far East. 
 
8) Realignment of US forces in Japan: Japan estimates its 
financial burden to be 3 trillion yen; US "willing to return 
some" control of air traffic over Yokota base 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 12, 2006 
 
The government has estimated its financial burden relating to the 
realignment of US forces in Japan to top 3 trillion yen, sources 
revealed yesterday. The cost includes the transfer expenses for 
US Marines from Okinawa to Guam and the construction of an 
alternate facility for the relocation of the US Futenma Air 
Station to the coastline of Camp Schwab. The government plans to 
appropriate money in its defense budget over 10 or so years. This 
plan is being discussed within the government. 
 
In working-level talks in Hawaii on March 7-11 of foreign and 
defense officials from Japan and the United States on the 
realignment of US forces in Japan, Japanese officials elaborated 
on the estimation. 
 
Additionally, Japan called for a full return of control of the 
airspace over Yokota Air Base, currently held by US forces, but 
the United States asked Japan to accept a partial return. 
Negotiations on this matter will continue, but both sides are 
likely to come to a conclusion regarding a partial reduction of 
air traffic control. Japan and the US have reached a general 
agreement on the return of portions of Sagami Depot and Camp 
Zama. 
 
Of the 3-trillion-yen estimate, major portions are occupied by 
the cost of the construction of an alternative facility relating 
to the transfer of Futenma Air Station, estimated at more than 
one trillion yen, as well as the expenses of transferring Marines 
to Guam, estimated at about 940 billion yen. On the Guam 
transfer, Japan has asked the US to share in the cost, but some 
in the US have called on Japan to bear 50% -75% of the cost. 
 
In addition, Japan is expected to outlay a total of 1.5 trillion 
yen for: 1) improvement of Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station with 
the transfer of US carrier-based aircraft from the US Naval Air 
Facility Atsugi; 2) improvement of the aircraft hanger and other 
facilities with the transfer of air tankers from Futenma Air 
Station to Kanoya Base; and 3) improvement of the runway at the 
training ground due to the shift of the training site for F-15s 
based at Kadena Air Base. 
 
With no provision in the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement 
(SOFA) regarding financial assistance for overseas US military 
facilities, the government will incorporate a provision creating 
a legal basis for Japan to pay expenses related to the Guam 
transfer in a bill intended to promote the realignment of US 
forces in Japan. The bill will be submitted to the Diet this 
April. 
 
Japan and the US will decide on a final report on the realignment 
of US forces in Japan during a meeting of the Security 
Consultative Committee (2 plus 2) of foreign and defense 
ministers slated for late this month. Although local coordination 
 
TOKYO 00001306  007 OF 013 
 
 
has been difficult, Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe stated, "The 
accord Japan and the US will reach in consultations will be the 
final agreement." 
 
On the expenses relating to the realignment of US forces in 
Japan, the government will outlay the initial cost from the 
reserve fund of the fiscal 2006 budget. Starting next fiscal 
year, the government plans to include it in the defense budget. 
 
9) Realignment of US forces in Japan: Japan's financial burden 
estimated at 3 trillion yen; Exceptional treatment difficult; SDF 
may be streamlined 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 13, 2006 
 
Analysis 
 
Japan may find it necessary to streamline the Defense Agency 
(JDA) and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) if it outlays the 
estimated 3 trillion yen concerning the realignment of US forces 
in Japan from its defense budget. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) 
is dismissive of raising any particular budgets, including 
defense. Given this, the government has to somehow appropriate 
the estimated cost in the defense budget. 
 
Defense-related expenditures in the fiscal 2006 budget bill are 
approximately 4.8 trillion yen. Three trillion yen would account 
for 60% of that amount. Even if the 3 trillion yen is 
appropriated over 10 years, an outlay of 300 billion yen on 
average for a single fiscal year will be necessary. The JDA will 
look for ways to reduce the JDA's budget itself, for instance, by 
establishing a new framework for expenses related to the Japan-US 
Special Action Committee (SACO) and utilizing yen loans from the 
Japan Bank for International Cooperation. 
 
The huge financial burden will make the government's 
accountability grow. The realignment of US forces in Japan is a 
part of the US military's global strategy to deal with terrorism 
and other new threats, and it will give a boost to the fusion of 
the US military and the SDF. On the security front, this 
realignment is significant indeed, but it is essential for the 
government to seek national understanding, given that the people 
are forced to bear the vast financial burden. 
 
On March 10, Foreign Minister Taro Aso expressed caution about 
incorporating the cost of the construction of recreational 
facilities in Japan's financial burden relating to the relocation 
of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam, noting: "Some assert that 
matters that are not considered to be directly linked to 
(Okinawa's burden reduction and maintenance of deterrent force) 
should be dropped. I agree." Bargaining between Japan and the US 
is likely to heat up towards the end of this month, the planned 
deadline for a final report to be released by Japan and the US. 
 
10) Japan, US in agreement on full return of three bases in 
Okinawa - Naha port, Makiminato area, Camp Kuwae 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) 
March 12, 2006 
 
By Yozo Furumoto 
 
TOKYO 00001306  008 OF 013 
 
 
 
In the working-level talks of defense and foreign officials on 
the realignment of US forces in Japan, which began in Hawaii on 
March 7, the Japanese and US governments on March 10 (March 11, 
Japan time) agreed in principle to return all of three US bases 
and on the partial return of one base, all of which are located 
in the south-central area in Okinawa Prefecture. This reversion 
is a main means of alleviating the prefecture's burden. Bolstered 
by this agreement, Tokyo intends to seek local understanding for 
the planned relocation of the Futenma Air Station to the coastal 
area of Camp Schwab, which has foundered. 
 
Bases that will be returned altogether to Japan are: Naha 
Military Port in Naha City, with an area of 56 hectares; 
Makiminato Service Area in Urasoe City, with an area of 274 
hectares; and Camp Kuwae (Camp Lester) in Chatan Town, with an 
area of 107 hectares. A partial return will occur in Camp 
Zukeran, covering a few municipalities, including Chatan Town, 
with an area of 643 hectares. The general agreement reached this 
time on the base return realizes the plan specified in the 
interim report on the return of a sizable scale of land south of 
the Kadena Air Base. This base return will be specified in the 
final report to be finalized by the end of this month. 
 
Naha Military Port is a hub for transporting personnel and goods. 
Following its reversion to Japan, an alternative facility is 
expected to be constructed in an area adjacent to the civilian 
port in Urasoe City. The Makiminato Service Area is a complex of 
warehouses for US forces. Discussions will continue on a plan to 
scale down and transfer its functions to other US bases in 
Okinawa. Camp Kuwae is a camp composed mainly of barracks. Most 
of the area has been already decided in the final report of the 
Japan-US Special Action Committee (SACO) to be returned to Japan. 
Following the agreement this time on the full return of the base, 
the site will be reorganized. 
 
Regarding Camp Zukeran, there is a plan to transfer the naval 
hospital in Camp Kuwae there. Japan has agreed on a partial 
return of the base because of US opposition to the transfer of 
the telecommunications facility. 
 
The general agreement will bring about the return of nearly 1,500 
hectares of land to Okinawa. 
 
11) On cost sharing of relocating three US military facilities in 
Okinawa, Japan proposes in deputy-director-level talks "under 4 
billion dollars" 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
March 13, 2006 
 
In the talks on US force realignment held through March 11 by the 
Japanese and US foreign and defense deputy directors, both sides 
confirmed that the US military would completely return three 
facilities in Okinawa to Japan. The three facilities are the Naha 
Military Port in Naha City, the Marine Corps' Makiminato Service 
Area in Urazoe City, and Camp Kuwae in Chatan City. The Japanese 
and US governments will incorporate the plan in their final 
report due out at the end of March. 
 
Both sides also agreed in general that the US would partially 
return Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the US Army's new 
 
TOKYO 00001306  009 OF 013 
 
 
joint operation headquarters will be established, as well as 
Sagami Depot in Sagamihara City. 
 
Regarding the cost of constructing facilities under a plan to 
relocate Marines in Okinawa to Guam that totals about 8 billion 
dollars, or about 940 billion yen, Japan insisted in the talks 
that it would pay less than 4 billion dollars. Japan and the US 
remained unable to work out the details of the cost-sharing plan, 
so they will discuss the issue in the next round of talks and 
beyond. Under the US force realignment plan, most of the about 
8,000 Marines being removed from Okinawa would be transferred to 
Guam. As for Japan's share, the US was looking into a plan for 
Japan to pay 75% of the total relocation cost. 
 
12) Japan, US agree on plan on US military's partial return of 
airspace near Yokota base by 2009, as measure to prevent near- 
misses 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
March 13, 2006 
 
The Japanese and US governments agreed in talks held through 
March 11 in Hawaii by their foreign and defense deputy director 
generals that the US military would partially return the control 
of airspace around Yokota Air Base in Tokyo. The US would return 
mainly the top layer in the southern part of the airspace, 
possibly by 2009, when the number of commercial flights is 
expected to increase by 40% over the present level, as Haneda 
Airport will be expanded. Under an agreement between Japan and 
the US, some 470 flights a day by Japanese commercial planes 
avoid the US-controlled airspace around Yokota. Some experts have 
pointed to this as a cause of near-miss incidents. If the plan is 
realized, flight times will be shorted by up to 9 minutes, and 
the risk of near-misses will be eased. 
 
13) Gov't to give up on completing GSDF withdrawal from Iraq in 
May 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
March 11, 2006 
 
Japan will substantially delay its planned withdrawal of Ground 
Self-Defense Force troops currently deployed in the southern 
Iraqi city of Samawah, sources said yesterday. In Iraq, the 
ongoing political process for its recovery of sovereignty has now 
become fluid due to the recent deterioration of the local 
security situation. Meanwhile, the US government has asked Japan 
to forego its scheduled pullout. As it stands, the Japanese 
government will give up on its plan to complete the withdrawal of 
GSDF troops in May. The government is now beginning to study 
replacing the Samawah-based GSDF detachment with a new one to 
continue Japan's assistance with Iraqi reconstruction. 
 
14) Taepodong 3 under development: US military official 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
March 11, 2006 
 
Washington, Takashi Arimoto 
 
North Korea is developing the Taepodong 3, an advanced 
intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking anywhere 
 
TOKYO 00001306  010 OF 013 
 
 
in the United States, US Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Bell 
testified before the US House of Representatives Armed Services 
Committee in a hearing held March 9. It is the first time a high- 
ranking US military official has clarified North Korea's ongoing 
development of the Taepodong 3 missile. The commander noted in 
the hearing that the Taepodong 3 outranges the Taepodong 1, which 
has a range of more than 1,500 kilometers and was test-launched 
in 1998, and the Taepodong 2, which has a range of about 3,500- 
6,000 kilometers. "The Taepodong 3 is capable of reaching not 
only Alaska but also the entire United States," the commander 
said. The Taepodong 3 is an update of the Taepodong 2 and is 
believed to be a three-stage missile. It reportedly has a range 
of more than 12,000 kilometers. 
 
15) Agriculture Minister on suspected BSE case in US: "No effect 
on import resumption" 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) 
March 13, 2006 
 
Koji Ichimura, London 
 
In reference to the discovery of a cow that tested positive for 
BSE in a routine test in the US, Agriculture, Forestry, and 
Fisheries Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, now visiting Britain for a 
meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), stated on March 
11: "I heard about the case in detail from US Agriculture 
Secretary Johanns. But the case is not likely to have any effect 
 
SIPDIS 
(on the issue of whether Japan should resume imports) for now." 
 
Secretary Johanns reported on the case directly to Nakagawa 
 
SIPDIS 
during a WTO ministerial meeting. 
 
The Agriculture Ministry intends to watch the US government's 
process of determining the results of ongoing detailed tests 
carefully. There are cases in which cows testing positive for BSE 
in regular tests were later found free of the disease in more 
detailed tests. Nakagawa's comment also reflects the fact that 
the BSE-suspected cow is not eligible for export to Japan, 
because Japan's condition for exports is only beef from cattle 20 
months or younger. 
 
The import of US beef has been suspended since vertebral columns 
were found in a Japan-bound shipment this January. If a new case 
of BSE is confirmed, consumers' concerns about US beef will 
inevitably grow stronger. Recovering consumer trust is 
indispensable for Japan's resumption of US beef imports. The 
result of the detailed tests might affect the timing for Japan to 
reopen its market. 
 
16) Government to ask US for detailed information on possible 
case of BSE 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
March 13, 2006 
 
A possible case of BSE, which could be the third, has been 
reported in the US. The Japanese government will determine its 
future response after obtaining detailed information from the US 
Department of Agriculture. Tokyo takes the view that this case 
will not immediately affect the issue of whether to resume US 
beef imports, but cautious views about a resumption of imports 
 
TOKYO 00001306  011 OF 013 
 
 
might spread among domestic consumers. 
 
The government intends to ask the US through diplomatic channels 
to present information on details, such as the age and birthplace 
of the cow in question. In the case of the US, though, only 
cattle over 30 months of age and dead cows are subject to BSE 
testing. Since Japan has set the condition that only beef from 
cattle 20 months of age or younger be imported, the government is 
of the view that even if the cow tests positive, there will be 
little impact on bilateral beef talks. 
 
However, now that the sloppy US processing has been exposed in 
the recent case of a specified risk material found in a shipment 
to Japan, Japanese consumers may have stronger concerns about the 
safety of US beef. 
 
17) Talks between Japanese, US agriculture officials; US calls on 
Japan to resume beef imports at early date 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) 
March 11, 2006 
 
Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, now visiting the US, on 
Mar. 10 met with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. During 
the talks, Johanns said that the US would formally reply next 
week to questions asked by the Japanese side regarding the US 
report on the inclusion of vertebral columns in a beef shipment 
to Japan. He once again called on Japan to resume imports of US 
beef at an early date, saying, "The US will do anything it can do 
for Japan." 
 
Meeting the press after the talks, Nakagawa said: "Now I am 
waiting for the US reply. I have not yet made a reply regarding 
the next stage." He thus noted that he never referred to 
conditions for lifting the second ban on US beef imports. 
 
18) Economic talks with ASEAN to be resumed next month after 
hiatus of 8 months: Priority to be given to FTA talks; Speedy 
trade negotiations eyed 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
March 11, 2006 
 
The government will resume free trade agreement (FTA) talks with 
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in April after 
a hiatus of eight months. Learning lessons from the strained 
talks with the organization in the past to sign a comprehensive 
economic partnership agreement (EPA), which covers procedures for 
settling disputes and the protection of intellectual property 
rights as well, the government will aim for speedy talks by 
giving priority to an FTA. It aims to reach a consensus next 
March. 
The government has decided to switch to speedy trade talks by 
giving priority to signing FTAs instead of EPAs, which require 
negotiations on broad areas. FTA talks with ASEAN started in 
April 2005 but bogged down that August. Behind Japan's decision 
to restart talks with ASEAN is the fact that China, which had 
been positive about pursuing trade talks with the ASEAN, has 
already signed an FTA with it. South Korea has also reached an 
agreement with it in general principle. 
 
Talks with ASEAN will focus on scrapping tariffs on goods, 
 
TOKYO 00001306  012 OF 013 
 
 
including agricultural products and mined and manufactured 
products. Once an FTA is concluded, the focus will be shifted to 
the possibility of signing an EPA. It will not be easy to reach 
an agreement, even if the talks focus only on an FTA. The 
greatest obstacle is agricultural products, including rice. Japan 
intends to call for making rice an exception to the pact, as was 
the case with Thailand and the Philippines, but whether ASEAN 
will agree to that is not clear. 
 
19) UNSC expansion resolution; Japan finds it difficult to 
present due to mountain of other key reform issues, including 
reform of Secretariat; UN members no longer interested in issue 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
March 12, 2006 
 
An effort to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to 
meet Japan's bid to secure a permanent seat on it will likely bog 
down. Talks at the UN on such key issues as the establishment of 
a human rights council and reform of the Secretariat are facing 
difficulties. In addition, many members are no longer interested 
in UNSC expansion. Japan has made efforts to present its own 
resolution to reform the UNSC, but it now finds itself in a 
situation in which it has no other option but to give up on that 
initiative. 
 
UN Secretary General Annan on Mar. 10 indicated to reporters that 
under the present circumstances, in which there are a mountain of 
pending reforms, including the establishment of a human rights 
council, reform of the Secretariat, revisions to various 
projects, and antiterrorism measures, it would be difficult to 
take up UNSC reform. His statement is a major step back from his 
usual contention that reform of the UN will not be completed 
without reforming the UNSC. 
 
US Ambassador to the UN Bolton, from whom Japan has sought 
cooperation for the drafting of a resolution, also told a news 
conference: "The US will not support any UNSC reform proposal. 
There are no proposals that will be able to obtain support from 
more than two-thirds of members at the General Assembly." He 
stressed that for the time being, efforts should be focused on 
reform of the Secretariat, noting, "Last year's overheated 
discussions on reforming the UNSC could spoil the atmosphere for 
discussing other reform items." 
 
Confrontation between advanced industrialized countries, which 
want to promote reform of the UNSC, and resistant developing 
countries is intensifying at the UN. Japan, Germany, India, and 
Brazil, which last year submitted a joint proposal for expanding 
the UNSC framework, are the only members that want to promote 
UNSC reform. A UN diplomatic source noted, "If Japan presents a 
UNSC expansion resolution under this atmosphere, it will only 
incur a negative reaction from other countries." 
 
Given that the G-4 plan fell through last year, Japan wants to 
produce results by September, characterizing this as round two of 
the fight. However, many government officials are skeptical about 
mapping out and submitting a resolution that is unlikely to be 
adopted. 
 
20) Japan Desk director, Japan expert at US Department of State, 
to quit 
 
TOKYO 00001306  013 OF 013 
 
 
 
MAINICHI SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
March 12, 2006 
 
It was learned on Mar. 10 that Japan Desk Director David Straub, 
who is known as a Japan expert at the US Department of State, 
will leave his office in late April. Economic Minister Councilor 
James Zumwalt will replace him, according to a State Department 
source. 
 
Straub came into office as Japan Desk director in 2004. He is now 
serving as a point of contact with Japan on the BSE issue. 
 
21) Poll: Abe tops all others at 54% as next premier 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
March 12, 2006 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe topped all others in terms of 
popularity for the post-Koizumi premiership, according to 
findings from a face-to-face nationwide public opinion survey 
conducted by the Japan Polling Association on March 4-5. The 
ruling Liberal Democratic Party is slated to elect its new 
president to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 
September. In the survey, respondents were asked to pick an 
appropriate person for the next prime minister. In response to 
this question, Abe stood at 54%, followed by former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yasuo Fukuda at 10% and Foreign Minister Taro Aso at 
 
SIPDIS 
6%. Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki ranked fifth. 
 
In the survey, respondents were also asked if they thought 
Koizumi's successor should visit Yasukuni Shrine. In response, 
"no" accounted for 47%, with "yes" at 42%. Meanwhile, the leading 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is also 
scheduled to elect its new president around that time. In a 
further question asking respondents to pick a candidate for the 
party's presidency, DPJ Vice President Ichiro Ozawa stood at 26%, 
followed by former DPJ President Naoto Kan at 24%, and DPJ 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama. The party's incumbent 
 
SIPDIS 
president, Seiji Maehara, was at 11%, apparently reflecting the 
party's recent email fiasco. 
 
SCHIEFFER