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Viewing cable 08TOKYO1065, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/18/08

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO1065 2008-04-18 01:13 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO1173
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1065/01 1090113
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 180113Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3551
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 9713
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7335
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1006
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5739
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7929
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2872
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8894
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9412
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001065 
 
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 04/18/08 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Court ruling on ASDF Iraq mission: 
4) High court: ASDF mission in Iraq unconstitutional  (Asahi)    4 
5) ASDF Iraq mission "unconstitutional in part"  (Yomiuri) 
6) Gov't account overruled  (Asahi) 
7) No problem: Prime Minister Fukuda  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
8) Japan to continue ASDF deployment  (Yomiuri) 
9) Gov't, LDP denies repercussions on ASDF airlifts  (Nikkei) 
10) Opposition parties again call for pullout  (Nikkei) 
 
Japan-China ties: 
11) Foreign Minister Koumura in meeting with Chinese Foreign 
Minister Yang Jiechi suggests need for China to hold talks with the 
14th Dalai Lama  (Nikkei) 
12) Foreign Minister Koumura urges China to hold dialogue with Dalai 
Lama  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
13) Chinese President Hu Jintao's Japan visit set for May 6-10 
(Nikkei) 
14) Ex-LDP policy chief Nakagawa, other LDP lawmakers blame China 
over Tibet issue  (Yomiuri) 
15) DPJ's Ozawa raps China over Tibet  (Asahi) 
16) 'No, thank you' to Chinese security guards in blue tracksuits: 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura  (Asahi) 
 
Defense & security issues: 
17) Foreign Minister Koumura in Diet panel says MP officer's action 
as questionable  (Yomiuri) 
 
Climate change & economic topics: 
18) Prime Minister Fukuda welcomes President Bush's CO2 emission 
target plan  (Nikkei) 
19) G-8 business leaders in Tokyo work out post-Kyoto statement 
(Asahi) 
20) METI releases 'critical technology' list  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Tokyo Shimbun & Akahata: 
Nagoya High Court: ASDF mission to Iraq runs counter to Article 9 of 
the Constitution 
 
Mainichi & Sankei: 
ASDF's airlift ruled unconstitutional 
 
Yomiuri: 
Companies employed more than 2 million people aged 65 or over last 
year, up 30 PERCENT  in four years 
 
Nikkei: 
ASDF's Iraq operations "partially unconstitutional" 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) SDF dispatch to Iraq ruled unconstitutional 
 
TOKYO 00001065  002 OF 009 
 
 
(2) U.S. President Bush does not understand world trend on global 
warming 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Ambiguous explanation on ASDF activities in Iraq unallowable 
(2) "Zero reply" on decentralization reform unforgivable 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) ASDF airlift in Iraq not use of force 
(2) Need for sufficient vaccine for new flu 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Debate on collective defense needed now 
(2) Protect children from Internet crimes 
 
Sankei: 
(1) ASDF mission in Iraq ruled unconstitutional: Does high court 
reject peace cooperation? 
(2) Policy consultative organ: Consensus in ruling parties is top 
priority 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) ASDF airlift in Iraq unconstitutional; SDF overseas deployments 
to be affected 
(2) Use all possible measures to deal with new flu 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Hansen's disease basic law: Final battle for former patients 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, April 17 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
10:04 
G-8 business summit at Japan Business Federation in Otemachi. 
 
10:31 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
10:45 
Met with Special Advisor Ito at the Kantei. 
 
11:19 
Met with LDP Reform Headquarters head Takebe, followed by Asahi 
Shimbun columnist Wakamiya. 
 
12:39 
Imperial garden party at the Akasaka Palace. 
 
15:04 
Arrived at the official residence. 
 
15:53 
Met with Deputy Vice METI Minister Toyoda and Trade Policy Bureau 
Director General Ishige. 
 
16:04 
Met with former Upper House member Keizo Takemi and Tadashi 
Yamamoto, director of the Japan International Exchange Center. Then 
 
TOKYO 00001065  003 OF 009 
 
 
met with Secretaries General Ibuki and Kitagawa. Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Machimura was present. Then met with Finance Minister 
 
SIPDIS 
Nukaga and Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka. 
 
17:57 
Education Revitalization round-table. 
 
19:16 
Received a joint statement of the G-8 Business Summit from Japan 
Business Federation Chairman Mitarai at the official residence. Then 
hosted dinner party. 
 
4) Nagoya High Court rules ASDF mission in Iraq unconstitutional 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
April 18, 2008 
 
In a ruling yesterday on a lawsuit seeking to end the dispatch of 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq, the Nagoya High Court 
under Presiding Judge Kunio Aoyama said that the Air Self-Defense 
Force's (ASDF) airlift of multinational troops to Iraq's capital of 
Baghdad violates Article 9-1 of the Constitution. But the verdict 
did not side with the plaintiffs. 
 
This is the first case among similar lawsuits filed across the 
country in which the court ruled (the dispatch of the ASDF to Iraq) 
unconstitutional. The plaintiffs have taken the ruling as being in 
their favor in essence and declared they will not appeal. The 
government won the case in actuality, and that is why it cannot 
appeal the case to a higher court. Accordingly, the high court's 
ruling is expected to be a final ruling. 
 
The verdict looked at the current situation in Iraq and said, "The 
combat in Iraq is in effect an extension of the attack on Iraq that 
began in March 2003. It is an international conflict between a 
multinational force and armed elements." The ruling recognized 
Baghdad as a "combat zone" as defined under the Iraq Special 
Measures Law because it is a "region where acts are being committed 
to kill and maim people and destroy property as part of an 
international armed conflict." 
 
The verdict also said, "In modern warfare, supply activities, 
including transport, are an important part of combat activities." 
Referring to the ASDF's activities, the ruling said, "The ASDF's 
airlifting of armed soldiers in the multinational force to the 
Baghdad combat zone were acts that could be identified as being 
involved in the use of force by other nations, and the ASDF could be 
viewed as having used force." The ruling concluded: "Part of the 
ASDF duties had violated provisions of the Iraq Special Measures Law 
banning the use of force and Article 9 of the Constitution." 
 
5) ASDF operations in Iraq "partially unconstitutional," Nagoya High 
Court rules 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) 
April 18, 2008 
 
Members of citizens' group opposing the dispatch of the Self-Defense 
Force to Iraq had filed a lawsuit against the state seeking 
confirmation of the unconstitutionality of the deployment of 
Self-Defense Forces (SDF). The Nagoya High Court yesterday handed 
down a ruling in this appeal trial with Presiding Judge Kunio Aoyama 
 
TOKYO 00001065  004 OF 009 
 
 
noting that the Air Self-Defense Force's (ASDF) mission is 
unconstitutional. He said that airlifting armed troops from 
multinational forces to Baghdad, a war zone, is an act integral to 
the use of force by other countries and that such an act runs 
counter to the special law to allow the SDF to provide humanitarian 
support for Iraq's reconstruction efforts and Article 9 of the 
Constitution. The Court, however, rejected the plaintiff's call for 
to rule the entire deployment unconstitutional and demand a 
suspension of the dispatch of SDF personnel as unlawful. 
 
6) Court ruling overturns government's previous grounds 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
April 18, 2008 
 
Analysis 
 
The Nagoya High Court's ruling on a demand for an injunction against 
the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) dispatch to Iraq did not side with the 
plaintiffs, but it rejected the government's previous grounds. 
 
The government has so far explained that the SDF are operating in a 
noncombat zone and are not involved in activities using force, but 
the court's ruling identified the (Air Self-Defense Force's) 
airlifts to Baghdad, which is still in turmoil, as "acts that have 
been involved in other countries' activities using force." This was 
the first time for a court to rule that the ASDF airlift violates 
Article 9-1 of the Constitution banning the use of force. 
 
The basis for that ruling is that ASDF transport planes have 
airlifted soldiers in the multinational force. The verdict also 
said, "Supply activities are an important part of combat 
activities." It is only natural to say that in terms of the aspects 
of the war, but the government has until now reiterated the concept 
of a noncombat zone. 
 
7) Fukuda says in response to Nagoya High Court's ruling that ASDF 
Iraq mission is unconstitutional: "ASDF activities are not 
problematic" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
The Nagoya High Court ruled yesterday that the Air Self-Defense 
Force's mission in Iraq is unconstitutional. But the government 
intends to have the ASDF continue its mission. 
 
The court, though, dismissed the plaintiffs' lawsuit demanding a 
suspension of the SDF dispatch to Iraq. Given this, Prime Minister 
Yasuo Fukuda said: "(The ruling) concludes that the state's judgment 
is valid." He then emphasized that the ruling will not affect the 
ongoing ASDF mission, remarking: "There is no problem. We will not 
change our policy." 
 
8) Government to continue SDF dispatch 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
Commenting on the Nagoya High Court's decision, Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Machimura on April 17 said, "Baghdad Airport is a 
 
SIPDIS 
noncombat zone. We cannot accept such a ruling. It will have no 
 
TOKYO 00001065  005 OF 009 
 
 
influence on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces." He then 
announced the government's policy of continuing the dispatch, 
saying, "Airlifting activities will be continued." Prime Minister 
Fukuda also told reporters, "There is no problem with the Air 
Self-Defense Force's activities." 
 
9) Government, ruling bloc do not expect court ruling to affect ASDF 
airlift; Prime minister rules out reviewing mission, saying, "There 
are no problems" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
In response to the Nagoya High Court's ruling that part of the Air 
Self-Defense Force's airlift mission in Iraq is unconstitutional, 
the government contends that activities have been carried out in 
non-combat zones and are not integrated with military actions. The 
government believes the decision will have no negative impact on the 
ASDF's activities. 
 
The ASDF's airlift mission started in March 2004. Based in Kuwait, 
an ASDF C-130 cargo plane has been airlifting personnel from the UN 
and multinational forces and medical supplies to Baghdad and Arbil 
up in the north. According to the basic plan adopted by the cabinet, 
the areas of ASDF activities are specified as non-combat zones, such 
as an airport in Baghdad. 
 
Before the press at his office last night, Prime Minister Yasuo 
Fukuda rejected a review of the airlift mission, saying: "There are 
no problems. We have no intention of altering it." Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, too, said in a press briefing: "The 
 
SIPDIS 
high court's decision is unacceptable, because we still believe 
areas of activities meet the necessary requirement of non-combat 
zones." 
 
LDP Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki told the press, "The ruling won't 
immediately affect the operation." New Komeito Representative 
Akihiro Ota described the decision as somewhat abrupt. 
 
At the same time, the decision might cast a pall on the ongoing 
discussion on a permanent law (general law) allowing the government 
to send the SDF on overseas missions as necessary. The duration of 
the ASDF mission is until July 2009. The court's decision might 
affect the government's response in the event a need for an 
extension arises. 
 
A government source said yesterday, "Once the decision becomes 
final, we will consider releasing a statement," adding that given 
the ruling in favor of the state, it would be difficult for the 
plaintiffs to appeal. 
 
He expressed the perception that in order to avoid adverse effects 
on the discussion on the overseas dispatch of the SDF, the 
government will have to consider some kind of response. 
 
10) Opposition parties again call for SDF withdrawal from Iraq, 
envision resubmission of bill aimed at scrapping Iraq special 
legislation 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
 
TOKYO 00001065  006 OF 009 
 
 
Following the Nagoya High Court's ruling, the opposition parties 
have began calling for an immediate withdrawal of the Self-Defense 
Forces (SDF) troops from Iraq. The major opposition Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ) has begun considering resubmitting to the Upper House 
during the current session of the Diet a bill aimed at scrapping the 
Iraq Special Measures Law, although a similar bill was killed in the 
last extraordinary Diet session. 
 
At a news conference yesterday, DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan 
criticized former Prime Minister Junichio Koizumi for his Diet 
replies, in which he said, "The area where the SDF are conducting 
their activities is a noncombat zone." Koizumi served as prime 
minister when the SDF were first dispatched to Iraq. Kan added: "The 
court's verdict could be taken as rejecting his misleading 
accounts." 
 
The Japanese Communist Party's Diet Affairs Committee Chairperson 
Keiji Kokuta noted, "We'd like to again call on the government to 
pull out (the Air-Self Defense Force's) troops (from Iraq)." The 
Social Democratic Party's President Mizuho Fukushima told a Nikkei 
reporter: "The government must take the verdict seriously and must 
withdraw the SDF. It's an encouraging thing, for we are trying to 
prevent the move to submit a permanent law on dispatch of the SDF to 
the Diet." 
 
11) Tibet: Koumura during foreign ministerial urges China to hold 
direct dialogue; "It is a domestic issue," replies Yang 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
April 18, 2008 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura yesterday met with visiting 
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Foreign Ministry's 
Iikura State Guest House in Tokyo. Koumura sought further disclosure 
of information on the riots that have occurred in the Tibetan 
Autonomous Region. He also urged him to hold a direct dialogue with 
the 14th Dalai Lama. Yang replied, "The obstacle to a meeting is not 
China but the Dalai Lama." He continued, "The Tibet issue is China's 
internal affair. Foreign countries should not interfere." 
 
Regarding the Tibet issue, Koumura suggested, "It is important to 
hold a meeting, securing transparency. Why not hold talks without 
attaching any conditions?" 
 
Yang fiercely criticized the 14th Dalai Lama, characterizing him as 
the leader of the riots. He said, "The Dalai Lama's group has caused 
the riots, by organizing and maneuvering them." He at the same time 
said, "The door to talks is open. If he abandons his stance of 
seeking the independence of Tibet and stops using violence and 
obstructing the Beijing Olympic Games, then we want to hold talks 
with the Dalai Lama at any time." 
 
Concerning the tainted Chinese-made gyoza dumplings, they agreed to 
deepen cooperation between investigators of both countries to shed 
light on what happened. However, regarding the East China Sea gas 
field issue, they simply confirmed both countries' stance of 
continuing efforts for an early settlement. 
 
12) Japan-China foreign ministerial: Koumura calls for dialogue with 
Dalai Lama; Yang calls it internal matter 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
 
TOKYO 00001065  007 OF 009 
 
 
April 18, 2008 
 
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura held yesterday a meeting with 
visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Foreign 
Ministry's Iikura Guesthouse. Koumura urged China to engage in a 
dialogue with the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan 
Buddhism, saying: "Revealing the circumstances while securing full 
transparency will be in China's interest. China should consider a 
dialogue without attaching any conditions." 
 
In response, Yang rebutted: "It is an internal matter. Other 
countries should not intervene." He also criticized the Dalai Lama, 
saying: "He has incited violence in collusion with pro-independence 
forces at home and abroad." 
 
Yang added: "We will respond to a call for contact and dialogue if 
he abandons the drive for independence, stops violence, and suspends 
activities to destroy the Beijing Olympics." 
 
13) Chinese President Hu to visit Japan May 6-10 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
The foreign ministers of Japan and China confirmed yesterday that 
Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit Japan May 6-10. Foreign 
Minister Masahiko Koumura stated in a press conference the same day: 
"We should make the upcoming presidential visit a success by all 
means. I would like to dramatically promote strategic reciprocal 
relations." 
 
14) Conservative LDP lawmakers adopt resolution criticizing China 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
A group of Liberal Democratic Party conservative members, led by 
Shoichi Nakagawa, a former LDP policy chief, yesterday adopted a 
resolution criticizing the Chinese government's handling of the 
Tibet issue, calling on Beijing to immediately halt its suppression 
of human rights. 
 
15) DPJ head Ozawa criticizes China's handling of Tibet 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the 
largest opposition force, commented on the issue of Tibet in a 
speech yesterday: 
 
"Set off by ethnic issues, the contradictions China holds have now 
come into the open. The existence of a communist autocratic 
government and political freedom do not go together." 
 
Ozawa also added: "In order for a communist regime to survive in 
changing times, the regime itself has to change." 
 
16) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura: Japan will not use Chinese 
guards' help for torch relay in Nagano; 3,000 police to be 
mobilized 
 
 
TOKYO 00001065  008 OF 009 
 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
April 18, 2008 
 
The National Police Agency (NPA) decided yesterday to guard the 
Beijing Olympics torch relay to be held on April 26 in Nagano using 
about 3,000 police officers. The NPA plans to have several dozen 
police officers run along with the runners. Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Nobutaka Machimura declared that Japan would not use help from 
Chinese guards. 
 
The Nagano prefectural police had initially planned to have about 
500 police control traffic and prevent confusion without getting 
help from neighboring prefectural police. However, Nagano police 
drastically reviewed their plan, learning from the disturbances in 
other countries over the Tibet issue. At present, Nagano police will 
mobilize about 1,500 officers, nearly half the force. Nagano has now 
decided to get the support of more than 200 riot police from the 
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, as well as neighboring 
prefectural police. 
 
17) Koumura: "There might be problems under SOFA" 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
U.S. Marine police officers tool into custody two sons of U.S. 
Marines who shoplifted at a clothing store in Chatan, Okinawa 
Prefecture, on April 13. The U.S. side did not comply with the 
Okinawa prefectural police's request for the handover of their 
custody. Touching on this matter, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura 
said before the House of Councillors Foreign Affairs and Defense 
Committee yesterday, "There might be problems depending on the facts 
under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement." Thus, Koumura 
indicated that the government has sought an explanation from the 
U.S. 
 
18) Fukuda welcomes Bush's proposal to fight global warming, 
 
NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda last night praised the United States' 
new target for fighting global warming, saying: "I hear that the 
target covers a wide range of areas. I welcome it." On the question 
of whether Japan will present a mid-term target prior to the G-8 
Summit (Lake Toya Summit) in July, Fukuda said: "Japan has its own 
stance as the host nation. Also keeping in mind the need to form a 
framework that involves major greenhouse gas emitters, we will make 
a decision." 
 
In the Japanese government, however, some are critical of the U.S. 
target as lacking specific measures. Japan has set the goal of 
bringing the growth of emissions across the world to the minus 
column in 10 to 20 years. But "it will be difficult to attain 
(Japan's proposal) if emissions are reduced at the pace suggested by 
the U.S.," said a senior officer of a relevant government ministry. 
 
Even so, the European Union (EU) has set forth a positive reduction 
goal, and Japan's stance is closer to that of the U.S. Japan needs 
to cooperate with the U.S. in taking the initiative in forming a 
post-Kyoto framework. Given this, Japan has refrained from outwardly 
criticizing the U.S. approach to global warming. 
 
TOKYO 00001065  009 OF 009 
 
 
 
19) G-8 business leaders come up with joint statement on post-Kyoto 
scheme 
 
ASAHI (Page 7) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) held a meeting of 
business leaders from the Group of Eight countries in Tokyo 
yesterday. In a joint statement released after the meeting, the G-8 
business chiefs called on their governments to ensure that all major 
greenhouse gas emitters join a post-Kyoto framework and that 
progress be made in sector-specific approaches. 
 
Fujio Mitarai, chairman of Nippon Keidanren, handed the joint 
statement to Prime Minister Fukuda after the meeting, asking him to 
reach an agreement at the Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido in July. 
 
This was the second G-8 business summit. The joint statement 
included as measures to curb global warming "promoting the 
development and spread of low-carbon technologies" and "ensuring 
that measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions be fair for all 
major emitters," reflecting the views of the Japanese government and 
Keidanren. 
 
But the joint statement stopped short of referring to a 
cap-and-trade system, to which business circles are reacting 
fiercely. On ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the statement 
just called for flexibility and diversity to be ensured so that 
suitable measures will be worked out for each country. 
 
20) METI releases list of key technologies for new products, 
services 
 
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 18, 2008 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) released a 
technology strategy map 2008 yesterday. The report includes motives 
for developing key technologies in major industries and research 
goals. Predicting the time when new products or services will make 
it to the market, the report lists technologies indispensable for 
creating them. The report also explains the current state of 
applications for patents and market share. The report will be used 
when the government draws up a technology strategy. It also includes 
information useful for companies to chart business strategies. METI 
will post the list on its website today. 
 
SCHIEFFER