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Viewing cable 07TOKYO1934, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/01/07-3

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07TOKYO1934 2007-05-01 04:20 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO1983
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1934/01 1210420
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 010420Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3178
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//
RUALSFJ/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 3355
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0912
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4448
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 0187
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1820
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6838
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2906
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4111
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 001934 
 
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 05/01/07-3 
 
 
Defense Minister Kyuma to USA: 
24) Defense Minister Kyuma meets Defense Secretary Gates, promises 
to stop leaks of defense secret 
25) Kyuma, visiting Tampa, explains his critical remarks of Iraq war 
 
26) Kyuma in Pentagon meeting seeks F-22 data, reaches agreement on 
GSOMIA 
27) US at 2-plus-2 meeting to refer to "nuclear umbrella" 
 
28) Japan to strengthen nuclear-cooperation ties with Kazakhstan 
 
29) US, Japan begin talks on simplifying cargo inspection exported 
to US, limited to superior companies 
 
Diet agenda: 
30) Last half of regular Diet session: backlog of important bills 
and signs of renewed clashes with opposition parties pushing own 
agenda 
31) Ruling parties agree on amendments to Political Funds Control 
Law that would require office expense receipts for items of 50,000 
yen 
 
32) Demonstrations of interest groups against easing of conditions 
for imports of US beef 
 
Articles: 
 
24) Kyuma vows to prevent classified info leakage 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 1, 2007 
 
WASHINGTON-Defense Minister Kyuma met with US Defense Secretary 
Gates at the US Defense Department on the morning of April 30 or 
late at night on the same day. In the meeting, Kyuma explained 
Japan's information security setup in connection with the recently 
exposed case of information leakage that resulted from a Maritime 
Self-Defense Force petty officer second class' taking home of Aegis 
vessel data. Kyuma promised to uncover the whole truth and to 
prevent such information leakage from recurring. "I'm sorry to have 
bothered you while we were now going to share intelligence," Kyuma 
said. 
 
In the meeting, the two exchanged views in a wide range of areas, 
including the planned realignment of US forces in Japan and the two 
countries' respective policies toward Iraq. Kyuma asked the US side 
to provide information about the United States' newest stealth 
fighter, the F-22 Raptor, which is a potential candidate fighter 
model for the Air Self-Defense Force's follow-on fighter (FX) to be 
determined in the summer of next year. 
 
This is the first time for Kyuma and Gates to meet in their defense 
summit. Kyuma reported the Defense Ministry's current status 
upgraded from its previous agency status. The Japanese and US sides 
also agreed to take steady steps, based on their agreement, to 
relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa 
Prefecture and to transfer USMC troops from Okinawa to Guam in the 
process of realigning US forces in Japan. 
 
Concerning the leakage of information, the US side took the position 
that it is important to share information in bilateral cooperation. 
In this connection, the US side called on Japan to protect 
 
TOKYO 00001934  002 OF 008 
 
 
confidential information in an even more effective way. Japan vowed 
 
SIPDIS 
to make efforts from now on. 
 
Japan expressed its support for the United States' stance of 
stabilizing Iraq in trying to dispel the US side's distrust caused 
by Kyuma's critical remarks about the Iraq war. The two sides also 
confirmed that Japan and the United States would ready themselves to 
share missile launch information in connection with ballistic 
missile defense (BMD) as a pillar of defense cooperation. 
 
In addition, Kyuma also asked the US side to provide information 
about the F-22 for Japan's process of screening and selecting the FX 
model. The F-22 features its high stealth from radar and its 
supersonic cruise capability. However, the United States is 
prohibited under its domestic law from exporting the F-22. Moreover, 
the United States also embargoes its data for export. The Japanese 
side asked the US side for detailed information about the F-22's 
performance and about its manufacturer's maintenance backup. 
 
25) Kyuma in US apologizes for criticizing Iraq war 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 1, 2007 
 
TAMPA, Florida-Defense Minister Kyuma, now visiting the United 
States, explained his standpoint on April 29 about his remarks in 
which he criticized the United States' decision to start the Iraq 
war as "wrong." Kyuma explained, "At that time I didn't say the 
decision to use force was right or not right." Kyuma told this to 
Japanese reporters when he visited the US Central Command (CENTCOM) 
at its headquarters, which oversees US forces in Iraq and other 
regions. 
 
Referring to his remarks made at the Japan National Press Club in 
January, Kyuma explained, "I said there that I was thinking to 
myself at that time that there were no nuclear weapons." Kyuma also 
told reporters that he "did not comment" on the US government's 
decision or the Japanese government's support. Meanwhile, he also 
said his remarks "caused misunderstandings in some respects." 
 
In addition, Kyuma also declared his support for US military 
operations in Iraq. Touching on US President Bush's plan to send 
more troops to Iraq, Kyuma said: "It's his last gamble, perhaps -- 
his commitment to send even more troops. I think highly of the 
president's resolve." 
 
The Japanese side hoped to meet CENTCOM Commander Fallon. However, 
the commander was absent as he was on his way back from the Middle 
East, according to Kyuma. In Fallon's stead, CENTCOM Deputy 
Commander Nichols met Kyuma at the headquarters. The deputy 
commander explained, "Commander Fallon was supposed to speak, but he 
could not come back in time from the area we cover." 
 
26) Kyuma, Gates agree to ink info security pact; Japan asks US for 
F-22 data 
 
TOKYO (Page 2) (Full) 
May 1, 2007 
 
WASHINGTON-Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, now visiting the United 
States, met for the first time with US Secretary of Defense Gates at 
the US Department of Defense on the morning of April 30 (late at 
 
TOKYO 00001934  003 OF 008 
 
 
night on the same day). 
 
Kyuma expressed his regret for a Maritime Self-Defense Force 
member's leakage of Aegis vessel data. In this regard, Kyuma vowed 
to make his utmost efforts to uncover the truth about the incident 
and prevent such an incident from recurring. With this, Kyuma sought 
understanding from the US side growing distrustful of Japan's 
information control. 
 
Kyuma and Gates concurred on toughening information security and 
agreed to enter into a general security of military information 
agreement (GSOMIA). In addition, the two also confirmed that Japan 
and the United States would step up bilateral cooperation on a 
missile defense (MD) system. 
 
Kyuma asked the US side to provide detailed information about the US 
Air Force's newest fighter jet, the F-22, which is likely to become 
a candidate in the process of screening and selecting candidate 
models for the Air Self-Defense Force's follow-on mainstay fighter 
(FX). 
 
Meanwhile, the issue of relocating the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, has been stalemated in 
connection with the planned realignment of US forces in Japan. On 
this issue, Kyuma told the US side that Japan, based on its 
agreement with the United States, would push ahead with a plan to 
build a V-shaped pair of airstrips in a coastal area of Camp Schwab 
in the island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. 
 
In addition, Kyuma also clarified that Japan would extend its Iraq 
reconstruction assistance special measures law for two years to 
continue the ASDF's airlift support. They reconfirmed the two 
countries' bilateral alliance. 
 
27) US to refer to "nuclear umbrella" in 2 + 2 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
May 1, 2007 
 
Hiroyuki Kano, Washington 
 
In a Japan-United States Security Consultative Committee meeting (2 
+ 2) to be held in Washington on May 1, local time, the foreign and 
defense ministers of the two countries will agree to strengthen 
cooperation in operating a missile defense (MD) system. The US is 
expected to stress its continued deterrence for Japan, including its 
"nuclear umbrella," focusing on North Korea's development of nuclear 
weapons and ballistic missiles. 
 
Behind the US reference to the "nuclear umbrella" seems to be a 
desire to hold in check arguments for Japan becoming a nuclear power 
that have begun to be heard in Japan since North Korea's nuclear 
test last year. 
 
Participating in the upcoming 2 + 2 meeting will be Foreign Minister 
Aso and Defense Minister Kyuma from Japan and Secretary of State 
Rice and Defense Secretary Gates from the US. Both Gates, who 
assumed office last December, and Kyuma will participate in the 2 + 
2 for the first time. 
 
In the 2 + 2 meeting, Kyuma, as he did in a meeting with Gates on 
April 30, will refer to the recent leak of Aegis information by a 
 
TOKYO 00001934  004 OF 008 
 
 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) seaman and promise to prevent the 
recurrence of a similar incident. 
 
Giving consideration to the fact that the US has expressed concern 
about the Defense Ministry's loose handling of defense intelligence, 
as seen from the leak of Aegis intelligence. Kyuma will reveal that 
he has established a taskforce under his lead in the Defense 
Ministry and reiterate his determination to take every possible 
measure to protect military secrets. 
 
Kyuma is also expected to touch on his own remarks this January 
criticizing President Bush's decision on the Iraq war as a mistake. 
He is willing to obtain understanding from the US by relaying the 
Japanese government's willingness to make utmost efforts to enact a 
bill amending the Iraq Reconstruction Assistance Measures Law to 
extend the law by another two years in order to continue to help 
reconstruct Iraq. 
 
Many Liberal Democratic Party members attribute the delayed holding 
of the 2 + 2 meeting to Washington's displeasure at Kyuma's 
controversial remarks. 
 
Meanwhile, Aso and Kyuma will explain that the government has 
submitted a USFJ realignment special measures bill to the Diet and 
intends to steadily push ahead with the plan to relocate the US 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, 
to a coastal area of Camp Schwab in Ginowan, Okinawa, as agreed on 
between Japan and the US last May. 
 
The two countries are also expected to agree to conclude a General 
Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) to enhance the 
protection of their intelligence. 
 
28) Japan to secure 30% of its uranium demand through strengthened 
tie-ups with Kazakhstan 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 1, 2007 
 
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Minister Akira Amari, now 
visiting Kazakhstan, on Apr. 30 met with Prime Minister Karim 
Masimov in Astana, the capital of the nation and signed a joint 
statement advocating the strengthening of broad-based bilateral 
relations in the atomic energy area. The Japanese side with a 
delegation of about 150 members from the government and the private 
sector, including presidents of nuclear power-related companies, 
obtained the right to procure more than 30% of its annual demand for 
uranium used for atomic power generation - 9,500 tons in fiscal 
2005. Japan has thus paved the way for a stable procurement of 
uranium, whose prices are skyrocketing following the fierce 
scramble. 
 
Amari during a joint press conference stressed, "We have made a 
major achievement in only six months." Masimov expressed hopes for 
Japan's technical assistance, noting, "The two countries have taken 
a step forward for the stage for new cooperation in qualitative 
terms." 
 
The two leaders have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations 
characterizing each other as a strategic partner in the joint 
statement. They also reaffirmed their determination to start talks 
in order to sign a nuclear cooperation pact intended to smoothen 
 
TOKYO 00001934  005 OF 008 
 
 
exchanges of nuclear substances and technical cooperation. 
 
A total of 29 nuclear power-related and government-affiliated 
companies, and the Resources and Energy Agency signed 24 contracts 
the same day with such companies as Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan's 
national atomic company that monopolizes uranium in that nation. The 
leaders and cabinet ministers of the two countries participated in 
the signing ceremony. 
 
Four companies, including Marubeni Corporation and Tokyo Electric 
Co., have joined a uranium mines development project and obtained 
stake equivalent to 20% of Japan's annual demand for the material. 
Itochu Corp. also signed a long-term procurement contract for a 
uranium concentrate. Kazakhstan accounts for 1% of uranium supplies 
to Japan. However, the outlook is now more than 30% of Japan's 
annual demand can be secured from that nation within several years. 
Toshiba is considering sealing a tie-up deal with Kazatomprom for 
the construction of a nuclear power generation plant. Mitsubishi 
Nuclear Fuel Co. will consider transferring technology for the 
construction of uranium recycling and processing plant by 
Kazatomprom. 
 
29) Japan, US to start discussions on simplifying cargo inspections 
for superior export agents 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
May 1, 2007 
 
The governments of Japan and the United States will launch official 
talks aimed to simplify examinations in Japan of US-bound cargoes. 
Cargo inspections have been tightened as part of antiterrorist 
measures. The two sides will discuss measures to ease the existing 
rule requiring the notification of cargo shipments to the US Customs 
at least 24 hours before they are loaded onto freighters. Japan also 
hopes to lower the ratio of cargoes subject to strict sampling tests 
to the total. The eased rules, if agreed on, will only apply to 
superior export agents who have abided by rules. 
 
The Asia Gateway Strategy Council, chaired by Tokyo University 
Professor Motoshige Ito, will specify the government's proposals in 
its final report due out later this month and present them to the 
US. The Japanese and US leaders agreed in their latest meeting to 
start government-level talks on this matter. Japan and the US will 
shortly launch a study group of their experts. 
 
The government-envisioned framework will only apply to export agents 
that fulfill certain conditions, such as no record of violating 
rules. Japan also hopes to lower the ratio of cargoes subject to 
inspection to the total and to have cargoes from Japan inspected at 
the US Customs on a priority basis. 
 
30) Fierce battle expected between ruling and opposition camps 
during latter half of Diet session 
 
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
May 1, 2007 
 
A fierce tug-of-war will occur between the ruling and opposition 
parties in the second half at the current session of the Diet with 
the focus being on the House of Councillors election in July. The 
ruling coalition intends to take a bullish posture of not hesitating 
to railroad votes on such important bills as a national referendum 
 
TOKYO 00001934  006 OF 008 
 
 
bill and three bills related to education reform. The main 
opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) plans to 
strengthen a stance of opposing the ruling coalition, focusing on 
the pension issue, as well as the issue of "politics and money," in 
which the public has a strong interest. 
 
Since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has indicated that he would set a 
constitutional reform issue as a campaign issue for this coming 
summer's Upper House election, passing a bill outlining procedures 
for a national referendum to amend the Constitution is the top 
priority for the ruling parties. The Upper House Special Committee 
for Research on the Constitution will hold public hearings on May 7 
in the cities of Sapporo and Fukuoka and call experts to testify as 
Diet witnesses on the 8th. The ruling camp is eager to run the bill 
through the Diet as early as mid-May. 
 
The ruling parties aim to pass the three education reform-related 
bills and a bill revising the Iraq Special Measures Law through the 
House of Representatives in mid-May. They aim to push a bill on the 
realignment of US forces in Japan through the Diet in mid-May. 
Deliberations on a measure to reform the Social Insurance Agency 
will start in a plenary session on May 8 of the Lower House, with 
the aim of passing it through the chamber before the end of May. 
 
Determined that a tactic of boycotting Diet debates would not be 
wise to obtain understanding from voters, Minshuto will set a policy 
course of making a clear distinction between the party's position 
and that of the ruling coalition, presenting counterproposals. 
 
The largest opposition party will submit its own bill on a national 
referendum as early as the end of the Golden Week Holiday period, 
aiming at putting off taking a vote on the government-sponsored 
national referendum bill. As the party has already submitted its own 
education reform bill and a bill to revise the Iraq Special Measures 
Law, it will not respond to taking a vote on these bills. 
 
However, there is a sense of frustration in Minshuto as the party 
remains unable to find any good tactic. Although the party has 
called for rectifying the income gap in society, one of the party's 
members has said: "It is too abstract for voters to understand the 
policy." President Ichiro Ozawa has ordered to narrow down the focus 
with an eye on the Upper House election. 
 
One of Minshuto's major issues is the pension issue, which became 
driving force for the party's leap in the 2004 Upper House race. The 
party will submit a set of three bills to recover public trust in 
the pension system on May 7 as a counterproposal toward the ruling 
coalition's bill to reform the Social Insurance Agency. 
 
Major bills at the second half of the current Diet session 
 
1. Bills sponsored by government and ruling parties 
2. Minshuto-sponsored bill 
 
National referendum bill 
1. Sets procedures for a national referendum. The minimum age for 
granting voting rights should be 18? 
2. Submit to the Upper House counterproposal as early as sometime 
after the Golden Week Holidays. National referendum should be 
expanded to other national issues. 
 
Three education reform related bills 
 
TOKYO 00001934  007 OF 008 
 
 
1. Introduce teachers' license renewal system and reform of the 
board of education system. 
2. Term of teachers' training should be extended to six years from 
four years. 
 
Bill to reform the Social Insurance Agency 
1. The agency should be a new organization. Increase consignment of 
public pension business to the private sector. 
2. Set up a new organization by merging the agency into the National 
Tax Agency (bill to establish a revenue agency). 
 
31) Ruling coalition agrees to require receipts for office expenses 
exceeding 50,000 yen 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
April 28, 2007 
 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition 
partner New Komeito have reviewed the Political Funds Control Law. 
The expectation is that the two ruling parties will agree to require 
political fund management organizations to attach receipts for 
office expenses and utility charges, excluding staff costs, that 
exceed 50,000 yen to their reports on political funds to the 
government. They will reach a final agreement in a meeting early in 
next week of their project team on reform of political funds and 
submit a proposal to the government in mid-May. 
 
The New Komeito had called for the attachment of receipts, while the 
LDP had opposed the idea, claiming that the requirement would hamper 
the freedom of political activities. 
 
9) US beef: Shokkenren, Nominren, Chikuzenkyo protest against easing 
of import conditions 
 
AKAHATA (Page 5) (Full) 
April 28, 2007 
 
Protesting against the easing of US beef import conditions, the 
National Liaison Council to Protect Food and Health of the People 
(Shokkenren), the National Federation of Farmers Movement 
32Nominren) and the National Association of Livestock Farmers 
(Chikuzenkyo) on Apr. 27 submitted an emergency request seeking the 
suspension of US beef imports to the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Ministry of Health, Labor and 
Welfare (MHLW) and held talks with the MHLW. 
 
Import conditions have been violated, as can be seen in the fact 
that the frozen beef shipped by Tyson Foods included sausages - 
processed food -- and tongues from cattle of unknown age in its 
shipments to Japan, violating the import condition that limits beef 
eligible for exports to Japan to cattle aged 20 months or younger, a 
measure to prevent BSE infection. However, MAFF Minister Toshikatsu 
Matsuoka and US Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns 
during a telephone conversation held prior to the bilateral summit 
reached an agreement that Japan complies with the US government's 
request to ease its import condition in return for the US government 
accepting the inspections of 21 meat-processing facilities by 
Japan. 
 
Shokkenren made the following requests: (1) total suspension of US 
beef imports; (2) continuation of inspections of all boxes and 
budget appropriation to local governments for blanket cattle 
 
TOKYO 00001934  008 OF 008 
 
 
inspections; and (3) request to the US to carry out BSE-preventive 
measures similar to those taken in Japan and rejection to the US 
request to ease import conditions. 
 
In the talks with the MHLW, a representative of Shokkenren asked, 
"The implementation of inspections of meat-processing facilities 
eligible for exporting to Japan and all boxes containing imported US 
beef was a condition for resuming US beef imports. Has the 
government been importing US products disregarding these promises?" 
and "What is the reason for ending inspections of all boxes?" An 
official in charge at the MHLW replied, "The violations were 
isolated cases. We will not conduct inspections of all boxes shipped 
by meatpackers, whose products have so far been safe." 
 
Participants in the talks lodged a strong protest, noting, 
"Violations of the import conditions have been discovered during 
inspections of all boxes shipped by meatpackers, whose products had 
been considered safe before that. It is not possible to protect the 
lives and health of Japanese people without all-box inspections" or 
"It is absolutely impermissible to reconsider the easing of the 
import conditions." 
 
DONOVAN