Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08TOKYO291, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 02/05/08
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08TOKYO291.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO291 | 2008-02-05 01:19 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO9329
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0291/01 0360119
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 050119Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1495
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/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8300
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5904
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9571
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4528
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6512
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1496
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7559
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8193
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000291
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 02/05/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Child pornography issue:
4) Prime Minister Fukuda vows to toughen restrictions on child
pornography in Japan (Nikkei)
5) Justice Minister Hatoyama wants to make possession of child
pornography a crime (Yomiuri)
Defense and security affairs:
6) Iwakuni mayoralty race marks the third time that city voters have
been asked to make their judgment on the relocation of U.S. jets
from Atsugi (Yomiuri)
7) Yomiuri poll shows mayoralty race in Iwakuni is a dead heat
(Yomiuri)
Political agenda:
8) Asahi poll finds 55 PERCENT of public favor compromise between
ruling and opposition camps in the Diet over tax issue instead of
head-on clashes (Asahi)
9) LDP in disarray over revision of gasoline tax bill with
road-policy clique dead set against placing gasoline tax revenues
into general account budget (Yomiuri)
10) With Upper House controlled by opposition camp, if key
budget-related bills are not passed on time, nation's broadcast
system, NHK, could stop operating July 1 (Sankei)
11) Poisoned dumpling panic could lead to strict system of labeling
imported foods (Yomiuri)
12) Proposed restriction of foreign investments in airports may be
motivated by desire to protect jobs of retired bureaucrats (Tokyo
Shimbun)
13) Japanese flag-carrying ships to double in five years under new
plan linked to resource development and acquisition of rare metals
and other resources (Yomiuri)
14) Kyoto prefecture introduces new carbon gas bank scheme in which
household reductions are purchased by companies (Mainichi)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, & Tokyo Shimbun:
Pesticide detected inside unopened package of Chinese gyoza
dumplings
Nikkei:
Companies offering better pay, hours to attract retired workers
Sankei:
Tianyang Foods frozen foods used in lunches in 606 schools
Akahata:
DPJ lawmaker Yamashita pursues shortage of doctors and financial
difficulties in hospitals
TOKYO 00000291 002 OF 012
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Poisoned Chinese gyoza dumplings: Settlement is touchstone for
Japan and China
(2) New Thai government: Relapse not allowed
Mainichi:
(1) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport needs to provide
convincing explanations on introduction of restrictions on foreign
investment in airport management companies
(2) Let us support system to protect rights of elderly with
dementia
Yomiuri:
(1) Information disclosure: Measures to exclude fabrication urgently
needed
(2) Terrestrial digital broadcasting: Copyright protection and
user-friendliness important
Nikkei:
(1) Can Japanese banks find means of survival?
(2) Hotel ignored justice
Sankei:
(1) Poisonous Chinese gyoza dumplings: Close cooperation is
important to resolve the issue
(2) Albatross: We pray for success of relocation plan
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Microsoft's bid for Yahoo creating stir
(2) What does Prime Minister Fukuda want to do with Social Security
Council?
Akahata:
(1) Kyoto mayoral race: Best chance to refresh municipal
administration
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, February 4
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
February 5, 2008
09:24
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi at the Kantei.
10:00
Upper House Budget Committee meeting.
12:32
Met with Futahashi at the Kantei.
13:00
Upper House Budget Committee meeting.
15:22
Met with Futahashi and Assistance Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
Saka, followed by Public Security Intelligence Agency Director
General Yanagi.
17:00
TOKYO 00000291 003 OF 012
LDP executive meeting in the Diet building.
17:40
Met with Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta. Deputy Assistant Chief
Cabinet Secretary Ando was present.
18:07
Met with National Police Agency Director General Yoshimura and
Security Bureau Director General Ikeda. Then met with Saka and
Cabinet Secretariat Director General Yamamoto and General Affairs
Ministry Administrative Management Bureau Director General Muraki.
Saka remained.
19:26
Arrived at the official residence.
4) Restrictions on child pornography to be tightened
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
February 5, 2008
At a meeting yesterday of the Upper House Budget Committee, Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda referred to measures to address child
pornography and noted, "We must take some action." He thus indicated
he is positive about strengthening restrictions on child
pornography. At present, simple possession of child pornography is
not subject to regulation, but Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama
emphasized, "Moving to punish it would be desirable." Hatoyama was
replying to a question raised by Haruko Arimura of the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party.
5) Justice minister mulling punishment for possession of child
pornography
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
February 5, 2008
At a session yesterday of the Upper House Budget Committee, Justice
Minister Hatoyama revealed his intention to consider revising the
Law for Punishing Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child
Pornography by setting punishments even for simple possession of
child pornography without any intention of selling or distributing
it.
Hatoyama noted: "Child pornography is closely intertwined with
sexual abuse. Stricter punishment will be desirable. I think there
is no problem about setting a punishment (for simple possession)."
Prime Minister Fukuda, as well, pointed out: "A society that is
tolerant of child pornography is not at all a society that we can be
proud of." They were replying to a question posed by Haruko Arimura
of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
When the law drafted by a cross-party group of lawmakers was enacted
in 1999, whether to set a stipulation banning simple possession of
child pornography was discussed, but because many were opposed to
such a stipulation as a violation of privacy, that stipulation was
not included in the law.
6) Iwakuni citizens to make decision for third time on relocation of
U.S. air wing
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
TOKYO 00000291 004 OF 012
February 5, 2008
A fierce battle is underway for the Feb. 10 mayoral election of
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, between former LDP House of
Representatives member Yoshihiko Fukuda, who supports the
government's plan to relocate a carrier-based air wing to the U.S.
Marine air station in the city, and former Mayor Katsusuke Ihara,
who opposes the plan. The outcome of the race in Iwakuni, a city of
150,000, is a matter of great concern to the government and ruling
parties, for it might affect the overall issue of U.S. force
realignment.
The governments of Japan and the United States are in an agreement
to relocate 59 aircraft, including FA-18s, to the Iwakuni base from
the U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture by 2014.
The Iwakuni base, along with Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, is a
symbol of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
Although a mayor has no legal authority to refuse relocation, the
government is alarmed, with one person saying, "A victory by Ihara
might give the impression that the realignment issue is not
proceeding smoothly."
Fukuda's resignation as a Lower House member will also result in a
by-election in the Yamaguchi No. 2 constituency for April 27, the
first national election under the Fukuda administration. The mayoral
race is a prelude to the by-election.
The LDP effectively backs Fukuda, and the major opposition
Democratic Party of Japan supports Ihara. The two camps, referring
to themselves as citizens' parties, plan to refrain from
eye-catching activities, such as stumping for the candidates by
party executives.
Yesterday, the day after the official campaign for the race kicked
off, Fukuda raised his voice at a restaurant parking lot overlooking
the Iwakuni base, saying: "This area has been suffering from noise.
I'll promise you that once I'm elected, I will negotiate with the
government on a review of the flight paths and shortening flight
times."
Fukuda's strategy is to focus on revitalizing the local economy and
fiscal issues, putting many conditions regarding the base issue to
the central government. Lined with shuttered shops and restaurants,
shopping streets near JR Iwakuni Station are nearly deserted. The
city has over 100 billion yen in debt that bears 7 million yen in
interest a day.
Mainly backed by municipal assemblymen and business circles tolerant
of the relocation plan, the Fukuda camp has repeatedly held small
rallies in an effort to translate economic issues into votes. LDP
lawmakers have also visited corporations behind the scenes. A large
portion of New Komeito supporters, believed to number 7,000 to
8,000, are also expected to vote for Fukuda.
Iwakuni is going to the polls for the third time over the relocation
issue. The anti-relocation group won a March 2006 municipal
referendum and the April 2006 mayoral race. Ihara remained opposed
to the relocation on the strength of those results. In reaction, the
government has frozen 3.5 billion yen in subsidies in fiscal 2007
for the construction of a new city hall. The government has also
removed Iwakuni from the list of subsidies to local governments with
TOKYO 00000291 005 OF 012
greater base-hosting burdens.
Ihara yesterday mainly campaigned in Iwakuni suburbs, arguing,
"Whether the base will become bigger will be determined by this
election. A bigger base will make your life harder."
The Ihara camp, which is trying to rally together anti-relocation
citizens, is alarmed at reports of a close contest, with one
supporter saying: "The atmosphere is clearly different from the
previous race, in which we achieved an overwhelming victory."
Some are concerned about the division. An elderly man said with
alarm, "While the two groups are locking horns, young people will
leave the city, because the economy is in poor shape."
7) Iwakuni race a dead heat
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged)
February 5, 2008
The city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture will elect its new mayor
on Feb. 10. Candidates are now campaigning, and the Yomiuri Shimbun
polled the city's voting population and analyzed the race. Yoshihiko
Fukuda, 37, a new face and a former member of the House of
Representatives, and former Mayor Katsusuke Ihara, aiming for a
second term, are running in a dead heat. One out of every four
voters remains undecided, so the situation is fluid.
The mayoral election has kicked off due to Ihara's resignation as
mayor. Ihara is opposed to accepting the proposed redeployment of
U.S. carrier-borne aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni base
along with the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. Meanwhile,
Fukuda is flexible about accepting carrier-borne aircraft to the
base. The election is a one-on-one duel between the two.
In the survey, local respondents were asked if they supported the
Japan-U.S. agreement on the planned redeployment of U.S.
carrier-borne aircraft to Iwakuni. In response, 15 PERCENT answered
"yes," and 31 PERCENT said "yes, if the government revises the plan
to reflect the opinion of local communities." Meanwhile, "no"
accounted for 47 PERCENT .
The survey was conducted Feb. 3-4 on a random digit dialing basis
after the election was officially announced. A total of 1,251
households were found to have one or more eligible voters, and
answers were obtained from 815 persons (65 PERCENT ).
8) Poll: 55 PERCENT want ruling, opposition blocs to compromise on
gas tax
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
February 5, 2008
The Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide public
opinion survey on Feb. 2-3, in which respondents were asked if they
thought the ruling and opposition parties should compromise on a
bill revising the Special Taxation Measures Law to extend the
current rate of temporary taxation on gasoline for another 10 years.
In response to this question, 55 PERCENT answered "yes," with 33
PERCENT saying "no." As seen from these figures, those who want the
ruling and opposition parties to give way to each other
substantially outnumbered those who are negative about that.
TOKYO 00000291 006 OF 012
Respondents were also asked if they thought road-related taxation
should be continued. To this question, "yes" accounted for only 27
PERCENT , with "no" at 60 PERCENT . In the meantime, 54 PERCENT
support the idea of using road-related tax revenues for other
purposes. The cabinet support rate was 35 PERCENT , leveling off
from the 34 PERCENT rating in the last survey conducted Jan.
11-12.
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 30 PERCENT (26 PERCENT in the
January survey), with the leading opposition Democratic Party of
Japan (Minshuto) at 24 PERCENT (25 PERCENT in the January survey).
Respondents were further asked which political party they would vote
for in their proportional representation blocs if a general election
were held now. To this question, 30 PERCENT chose the LDP, with 32
PERCENT opting for the DPJ.
9) LDP in disarray over revision of gasoline tax bill, with LDP
Upper House positive, road construction clique negative
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
February 5, 2008
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership has run into
trouble in dealing with the issue of modifying a bill to amend the
Special Taxation Measures Law that would retain the current
provisional tax for gasoline and other road-related taxes. The
reason is that members of the LDP caucus in the House of Councillors
are calling for consultations with the main Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) on revising the bill in order to make sure
the legislation is enacted by the end of the current fiscal year.
However, LDP lawmakers with ties to road construction interests are
opposed to tinkering with the bill.
Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki stated in a press conference Feb. 1:
SIPDIS
"We have obtained the party's approval of the present government's
bill. We have no intention to seek a revision of the bill."
The agreement between the ruling and opposition parties through the
good offices of the leaders of the two Diet houses calls for: 1)
reaching a certain conclusion by the end of the fiscal year; and 2)
revising those provisions on which each party can agree. The DPJ,
however, has asserted that the party did not agree to take a vote on
the bill within the current fiscal year, and it is taking a stance
of responding to revising the bill.
The LDP Upper House caucus has sought a revision of the bill in the
House of Representatives, citing that the DPJ considers a revision
of the bill a precondition for it to respond to putting the bill to
a vote before the end of March.
Election Committee Chairman Makoto Koga, a leader of the road
construction clique in the Diet, expressed displeasure with revising
the bill, saying, "It is extremely regrettable that the issue of
revising the bill is going ahead."
The dominant view in the LDP is that the party will not be able to
accept the idea of abolishing the tax revenue for road construction
and reducing the provisional tax rates even if it agrees to
revisions in the bill. The focus will be on whether to extend by a
decade the provisional tax rates.
TOKYO 00000291 007 OF 012
The largest opposition party is, however, trying to shift its
strategy of abolishing the provisional tax for gasoline and cutting
gasoline prices. The reason is that it does not appear likely that
the party will force to abolish the provisional tax rates since it
accepted the mediation by the Lower House speaker and Upper House
president. Appearing on an NHK talk show on Feb. 3, Vice President
Katsuya Okada underscored: "What we want to place top priority is to
integrate the special account of road-related taxes into the general
account. As a result, we want to reduce the provisional tax rates."
He made this remark to shake up the LDP since there is a view in the
party favoring the plan of shifting the revenues for road projects
to the general budget.
10) NHK may suspend broadcasting on July 1 in aftermath of battle
between ruling and opposition blocs in divided Diet if budget bill
fails to get approval from opposition parties
SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged)
February 5, 2008
Personnel selection for key positions requiring Diet approval, such
as the Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor, is drawing attention in the
divided Diet where the ruling bloc controls the Lower House but the
Upper House is under the opposition bloc's control. Besides, what
will happen to a 2008 budget bill for NHK (Japan Broadcasting
Corp.), a pending problem, is also drawing attention. The NHK budget
bill needs to be approved by both the chambers of the Diet, but
because the provision stipulating the Lower House's decision
overrides a bill rejected by the Upper House is not applied to this
budget bill as well as personnel selection requiring Diet approval,
a worst-case scenario is that if the NHK budget bill fails to be
approved by the Upper House, NHK may be forced to stop broadcasting
on July 1. Although such a worst-case scenario is expected to be
somehow avoided, the NHK budget bill is unlikely to be approved so
smoothly, given a series of scandals involving NHK personnel.
Under the Broadcast Law, NHK is obligated to obtain Diet approval
for its budget bill as well as its business plans by the end of
March every year. Even if the NHK budget bill is not approved (by
the end of March), a provisional budget for NHK will be implemented
for three months until the end of June unlike annual revenue-related
bills (that must be passed by a fixed date). But if that happens,
NHK will be saddled with a number of restrictions.
During the implementation of the provisional budget, NHK will have
difficulty to implement new projects and it will also find it
impossible to hike the television reception fee. Also, NHK will be
forced to suspend its ongoing project for constructing terrestrial
digital broadcasting relay stations; as a result, there will be a
significant impact on a full transition to terrestrial digital
broadcasting in the target year of 2011.
Furthermore, NHK will find it difficult to produce grand-scale
programs, such as "NHK special," and to conclude contracts on talent
charges.
If the NHK budget bill is not approved at the end of June, more
serious effects would arise The Broadcast Law has no rules about
budget compilation after the provisional budget expires, and NHK is
highly likely to be unable to collect the television reception
fees.
TOKYO 00000291 008 OF 012
Although there is no law banning broadcasting if the budget bill is
not approved, NHK may be forced to suspend broadcasting.
According to a senior ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) member,
the tide of opinion in the ruling bloc is that no opposition parties
will drive NHK into suspending broadcasting. But in March 2005, the
opposition parties, namely, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the
Japanese Communist Party (JCP), and the Social Democratic Party
(SDP) were opposed to approving the 2005 NHK budget bill on the
grounds of a former NHK chief producer having swindled money out of
the program production budget and the problem of nonpayment of the
television reception fees.
NHK also has suffered internal dissension even now after its
Chairman resigned in January 2005. In last December, some executive
committee members "revolted" openly against Executive Committee
Chairman Shigetaka Komori. In January, former NHK Chairman Genichi
Hashimoto resigned to take the responsibility for the scandal that
some NHK employees engaged in insider stock trading. Former Asahi
Breweries Chairman Shigeo Fukuchi became new chairman and revamped
the structures in the company, but some in the opposition bloc are
still unhappy with the current NHK management. Depending on
circumstances, NHK may be forced to drastically revise the initial
budget bill.
11) New law regulating food labeling to be enacted: Government
considering mandating labeling imported ingredients
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
February 5, 2008
The government yesterday decided to establish a food labeling law by
unifying food labeling regulations stipulated under several laws,
including the Food Hygiene Law. The aim is to adopt an
easy-to-understand labeling system for expiry dates, country of
origin and other information. The move is in response to a flurry of
false food labeling incidents. The government wants to include in
the envisaged law a unified expiry label, by unifying two different
standards -- an eat-by freshness date and a use-by date, a stricter
regulation on country-of-origin labels and the confiscating of
illegally earned profits from companies that use false information.
It plans to submit a bill to the next regular Diet session at the
earliest.
There are five laws regulating food-labeling -- the Food Hygiene
Law, the Japan Agricultural Standards, the Unfair Competition
Prevention Law, the Law against Unjustifiable Premiums and
Misleading Representations and the Measurement Law. The Ministry of
Health, Labor and Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Fair
Trade Commission have jurisdiction on those laws. Regarding this
situation, some have noted that there is bureaucratic sectionalism
and that cooperation among concerned government agencies is not
smooth.
The National Life Advisory Council, a panel reporting to Prime
Minister Fukuda, who advocates attaching importance to consumers, is
now looking into the possibility of enacting a new law. The
government will enter a full-fledged legislative process, based on a
report the panel will submit in late March.
There are currently two labels to indicate expiration dates --
TOKYO 00000291 009 OF 012
use-by date for perishable food items, such as packed lunches and
prepared foods, and eat-by freshness date for confectioneries, which
have less possibility of causing food poisoning, though their taste
deteriorates after the expiration date has passed. Consumers have
complained that such a dual labeling system is difficult to
understand. The panel is now discussing the issue with the
possibility of unifying the two standards into a use-by date in
order to give priority to safety.
Concerning country-of-origin labeling, the panel will look into the
possibility of mandating the labeling of country of origin of raw
materials used for processed food products. JAS does not obligate
country-of-origin labeling for raw materials, if they weigh less
than half the total weight of the processed food product. In the
food poisoning case from Chinese-made gyoza dumplings, it was found
that pouch-packed-foods using materials produced by Tianyang Food
Processing, the maker of the gyoza dumplings in question, had no
label indicating that the products contain Chinese ingredients,
indicating that key information has not been provided to consumers.
The government will also consider introducing a regulation for
confiscating profits from companies that use false information, by
estimating profits the companies in question made unduly.
12) Transport Ministry eyes restrictions on foreign ownership of
airports -- aiming to secure postretirement posts?
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Excerpts)
February 25, 2008
The Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Ministry is studying the
possibility of limiting foreign stakes in the operators of major
facilities at Haneda and Narita airports. Some argue that it could
hamper the Fukuda administration's policy of expediting outside
investment in Japan. Under such a situation, the ministry hopes to
have a bill amending the Airport Development Law approved by the
cabinet on Feb. 8. The bill includes the proposed restrictions. Many
in the government and the Liberal Democratic Party criticize the
proposed rules as intended to help bureaucrats secure their
interests.
A government source grumbled: "What officials in the Transport
Ministry want to protect by introducing restrictions are their
lucrative postretirement positions, that is, executive posts at
companies linked to both Haneda and Narita airports.
The Koizumi administration decided in a cabinet meeting in 2002 to
turn the predecessor of Narita International Airport Corp., which
operates Narita Airport, into a special corporation in the process
of privatizing it in the future. In 2004, the administration
transformed the company into a special corporation financed 100
PERCENT by the government. The government is aiming to privatize it
sometime after next fiscal year. But the ministry is concerned that
it might lose its important retirement posts if foreign firms
acquire large shares in airport operators.
Three of the 13 executives in Narita International Airport Corp.
came from the Transport Ministry. Among the remainder, there is also
a former National Police Agency official and a former National Tax
Administration official. The total amount of annual salary paid to
the 13 executives is 286 million yen, an average of 22 million yen.
TOKYO 00000291 010 OF 012
Among all government agencies, the Transport Ministry has secured
the largest number of post-retirement jobs for its officials. A
ministry official said: "Narita is a very lucrative company for
retired ministry bureaucrats."
Last summer, an Australian investment fund purchased nearly 20
PERCENT of the shares in Japan Airport Terminal Co. (JAT) and
became the biggest shareholder. This move prompted the Transport
Ministry to move to place restrictions on foreign firms. JAT
operates Haneda Airport and is listed on the First Section of the
Tokyo Stock Exchange.
A ministry official commented: "Haneda and Narita are key
infrastructure. To dispel concerns about the safety of airports, it
is necessary to place certain restrictions on foreign ownership."
The ministry is considering holding foreign ownership of four
airports -- three firms linked to Haneda, including JAT, and Narita
International Airport -- to less than one-third in terms of voting
rights.
However, LDP House of Representatives member Hiroshige Sekou has
continued to oppose the proposed regulations, arguing: "The logic of
the Transport Ministry, which brandishes the word 'safety', is
irrational."
Citing an incident in July 1999 in which an ANA airplane left Haneda
for New Chitose was hijacked and its captain killed, Sekou
emphasized in a meeting of the LDP Land and Transport Department:
"The main cause for the incident was the lax security system at
Haneda Airport. Ownership of foreign companies and air safety have
nothing to do with each other."
Sekou also pointed out that 75 PERCENT of total revenues earned by
JAT are from sales of goods at Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu airports.
He then assured: "I wonder why foreign-ownership regulations are
necessary on sales of goods. After all, what the ministry wants to
protect are postretirement jobs." Former Deputy Vice Transport
Minister Katsuji Doi is now vice president at JAT.
The restriction plan contradicts the Fukuda administration's goal of
promoting foreign investment in Japan. Financial Services Minister
Yoshimi Watanabe is also critical of the plan, arguing: "The
proposed rules go against the national strategy of strengthening
Japan's capital market and expediting foreign investment."
According to a survey by the Transport Ministry, only Thailand has
placed almost the same level of restrictions on foreign ownership of
airports as the rules now under consideration in Japan. Thailand
limits foreign ownership to less than 5 PERCENT . A government
source commented: "Restricting foreign capital is indisputably a
sort of discrimination toward foreigners. The Japanese government
has called in trade negotiations of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Thailand, for easing or abolishing
all measures to protect their domestic firms. It is a bad joke for
the government to introduce restrictions, following Thailand."
13) Japan to double ships in 5 yrs
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
February 5, 2008
The government's ocean policy task force, headed by Prime Minister
TOKYO 00000291 011 OF 012
Fukuda, has worked out a draft of its basic oceanic plan for Japan's
ocean policy. The draft basic plan, revealed yesterday, notes that
the number of ships under the flag of Japan has been decreasing. As
it stands, the draft plan sets numerical benchmarks to attain. In
concrete terms, the draft plan suggests the need for Japan to double
its holding of ships in five years. In addition, the draft plan
proposes increasing the number of Japan's ocean line seafarers by 50
PERCENT in 10 years. The government will also work out a plan
within fiscal 2008 for Japan's development of marine energy and
mineral resources, including oil and natural gas. The draft plan is
expected to be adopted in a cabinet meeting this month.
The draft basic plan for Japan's ocean policy is based on the Basic
Act on Ocean Policy, which was enforced in July last year. The basic
plan is intended to unify the government's ocean policy measures
that are currently in the hands of its ministries. The government
will review its ocean policy in five years.
Japan's holding of ocean liners is now below 1,000 as of 2006. The
number of Japanese seamen is also below 3,000. "Japan depends
largely on ocean shipping," the draft plan notes. "This situation is
therefore problematical for Japan from the perspective of ensuring
ocean shipping," it adds. The government will lighten or reduce
taxes on Japanese shipping companies to increase their ships and
seafarers.
In addition, the draft basic plan stresses that it is "vital" for
Japan to probe and exploit marine energy and mineral resources. In
this regard, the basic plan suggests the need for government
ministries and agencies to work together and formulate a "marine
energy and mineral resources development plan" within fiscal 2008.
This development plan is to prescribe a blueprint of projects for
Japan's exploitation of marine resources as well as technology
development needed for Japan to exploit marine resources.
Furthermore, the draft basic plan says Japan, for the time being,
will need to probe and exploit marine resources in its exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) waters, pinpointing: 1) petroleum; 2) natural
gas; 3) methane hydrate; and 4) sea-floor hydrothermal deposits,
including rare metals. The basic plan says the government should
intensively invest its policy-based resources as necessary. It also
sets a goal for Japan to head for its commercialization of methane
hydrate and sea-floor hydrothermal deposits in about 10 years.
14) Kyoto Prefecture to launch CO2 reduction bank: Company to
purchase emissions reduced by households
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
February 5, 2008
Kyoto Prefecture on February 4 released a plan to start a Kyoto CO2
Reduction Bank, an emissions quota transactions system allowing
companies to purchase carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cut by
households, staring this fiscal year. Under the system, each
household registers with the bank and obtains points, according to
the amount of CO2 it has cut. It can use the points at registered
neighborhood stores. Companies that purchased emissions credits can
count them as emissions cuts. The registered stores would receive
the payment for goods they sold through the bank. Kyoto is the first
area to adopt such a system, according to the prefecture.
Kyoto Prefecture has adopted a regulation on measures to combat
TOKYO 00000291 012 OF 012
climate change. It seeks to have leading companies cut CO2 emissions
by 10 PERCENT by 2010, compared with 1990 levels. The envisaged
system would benefit both companies and households and would
stimulate local shopping areas.
The prefecture will establish the bank in April and invite
households and companies to register. Emissions trading will start
this fall. It expects that about 3,000 households and 20-30
companies will take part, enabling the reduction of 1,200 tons of
CO2 emissions a year.
The amount of cuts achieved by households will be confirmed using
the amount of electricity and gas they use compared with the
previous year. The prefecture calculated that a company would
purchase a 1 kg cut for 5 yen. An average household that emits 4
tons of CO2 a year could obtain points worth 2,000 yen if it cuts
emissions by 10 PERCENT . A credit card will be used for shopping at
registered stores.
SCHIEFFER