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 08TOKYO905, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/03/08
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. #08TOKYO905.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO905 | 2008-04-03 01:28 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO1737
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0905/01 0940128
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030128Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3110
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 9422
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7039
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0708
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5488
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7635
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2594
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8621
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9159
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 000905
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 04/03/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Base incidents:
4) Kanagawa police expected to arrest Yokosuka sailor today on
charge of murdering cab driver (Mainichi)
5) U.S. Navy expected to hand over sailor suspect of slaying cabbie;
Case reveals something lacking in training system (Asahi)
6) Police talks on handing over U.S. military suspects did not
always go well in the past (Tokyo Shimbun)
7) Locals in Yokosuka disgruntled about the Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA) that gives U.S. military special treatment (Tokyo
Shimbun)
8) Yokosuka Navy commander imposes voluntary curfew on off-base
activities after 7 pm (Asahi)
9) Okinawa, Iwakuni bases are easing curfew on U.S. troops that have
been on since rape incident (Asahi)
Host-nation support:
10) Special measure agreement allowing Japan to provide host-nation
support for U.S. troops will pass the Lower House today, with DPJ
opposed (Nikkei)
11) Upper House will vote down the host-nation support agreement
(Mainichi)
12) Prime Minister Fukuda is unhappy with calls for boycotting the
Beijing Olympics (Tokyo Shimbun)
13) Japan to extend sanctions on North Korea a half year (Nikkei)
14) With Japan dropping to 5th place as ODA donor, urgent need
arises for a new aid strategy (Asahi)
15) Iran agrees to release young Japanese male held hostage for half
a year (Mainichi)
Political agenda:
16) LDP readies child-pornography law amendment that would make
simple possession a crime, but DPJ concerned about invasion of
privacy (Mainichi)
17) Yomiuri poll: Cabinet support rate a record low of 27 PERCENT ,
but 58 PERCENT of public want to see road-related taxes turned into
general funds (Yomiuri)
18) Bucking party elders, junior LDP politicians set up a group to
back Fukuda on pledge to turn road-related taxes into general funds
by fiscal 2009 (Yomiuri)
19) Ruling camp considering a vote of confidence for the Fukuda
Cabinet (Tokyo Shimbun)
20) Gasoline prices initially drop an average of 10 yen a liter
after gasoline tax expires (Asahi)
21) Opposition camp wavering on whether to file a censure motion
against Health Minister Masuzoe on the pension issue (Mainichi)
22) Yamasaki of LDP meets with senior DPJ members (Mainichi)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
TOKYO 00000905 002 OF 015
Central Disaster Prevention Council predicts 12.52 million people
would try to walk home if major quake struck Tokyo
Mainichi:
CDPC predicts 2.01 million people would be stuck on crowded roads
for 3 hours if major quake struck Tokyo
Yomiuri:
Poll: 58 PERCENT support using road tax revenues for general
purposes
Nikkei:
Toshiba receives nuclear reactor orders worth 1.4 trillion yen from
U.S. power companies
Sankei:
Amnesty International criticizes IOC for giving China's suppression
of human rights "tacit approval" and urges China to improve human
rights situation
Tokyo Shimbun:
Panel predicts 4.75 million people would be stuck on crowded roads,
walk for 15 hours from Marunouchi to Yokohama
Akahata:
Kanagawa police to seek arrest warrant for U.S. military serviceman
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Prime Minister Fukuda should talk more about Tibet
(2) Need for reliable earthquake-resisting system for nuclear
plants
Mainichi:
(1) Welfare Minister Masuzoe first should offer an apology for
breaking pension-record pledge
(2) Education ministry needs to produce good teachers rather than
conduct physical tests in elementary schools across nation
Yomiuri:
(1) Don't jeopardize alliance's credibility
(2) Introduction of metabolic examination would benefit relevant
companies?
Nikkei:
(1) China should hold dialogue with Dalai Lama to bring success to
Beijing Olympics
(2) Need for reliable medical safety committee
Sankei:
(1) We support absence of Imperial Family members from Beijing
Olympics opening ceremony
(2) DPJ weakening Japan-U.S. alliance
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Arrest of U.S. military serviceman took too much time
(2) Under revised part-time Law, labor conditions should be improved
further
Akahata:
(1) Film "Yasukuni" -- Don't allow freedom of express to be
TOKYO 00000905 003 OF 015
infringed
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, April 2
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
09:58
Met with LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chair Oshima at Kantei, joined
by Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. Machimura remained.
11:08
Attended the first joint ceremony for the opening of the initial
training course for civil servants held at National Olympic Memorial
Youth Center at Yoyogi, Tokyo.
12:02
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi at Kantei.
14:25
Met with LDP Policy Research Council Chair Tanigaki and Machimura.
15:12
Met with State Minister in Charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy Ota,
Deputy Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka and others.
16:05
Attended a Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee session.
18:27
Attended a meeting of the Council for Promoting Consumer Policy at
Kantei.
19:48
Arrived at Kantei residence.
4) U.S. sailor to be arrested today on charge of murdering taxi
driver
MAINICHI (Page 31) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Kanagawa prefectural police will seek an arrest warrant today for a
22-year-old U.S. Navy seaman (joto suihei), who is one of the crew
of the Aegis-equipped cruiser USS Cowpens and is currently in the
U.S. military's custody, in connection with a recent incident in
which Masaaki Takahashi, a 61-year-old taxi driver of Tokyo's
Shinagawa-ku, was stabbed to death in the city of Yokosuka, Kanagawa
Prefecture. Kanagawa police will ask the U.S. military to turn over
the seaman to local investigative authorities before his indictment,
based on an intergovernmental agreement between Japan and the United
States on the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement's improved
implementation. Meanwhile, the U.S. military expressed its intention
soon after the incident's occurrence to fully cooperate in the
investigation. The local police will arrest the seaman today.
Yokosuka at a loss
In Okinawa, an antibase mood mounts every time an incident is
brought about by U.S. servicemen. Meanwhile, Yokosuka has coexisted
TOKYO 00000905 004 OF 015
with the U.S. Navy and the Maritime Self-Defense Forces against the
backdrop of its history as a military port for the now-defunct
Imperial Japanese Navy. Yokosuka's local communities have built up a
relationship of mutual trust with the U.S. Navy through voluntary
guides and downtown area patrols. Local confidence, however, is now
being rocked.
There is a "base tour" to show around historic sites on the premises
of U.S. Naval Forces Japan's Yokosuka base. Yokosuka City's
municipal government sponsors the tour, with cooperation obtained
from the U.S. Navy. Each tour has more than 100 participants. Young
people in the U.S. Navy also join the tour with Japanese history
fans, and they have deepened friendship through their limited
facility in Japanese. However, Yoshifumi Ishii, a 63-year-old
voluntary guide, is now beginning to ask himself about being a
guide. Ishii, fascinated by a different culture, became a guide.
However, he said: "There may be someone who committed a heinous
crime. When I think this way, I hesitate to join the tour."
Masamitsu Koshikawa, who chairs a local association of stores in
Yokosuka, patrols downtown areas near the base with the U.S. Navy
once a month. "We have established a friendship, but . . ." The base
plans to hold a cherry blossom festival on Apr. 6. For that event,
the association of local stores is also planning some stage shows,
including street performances. In the wake of the incident, the U.S.
Navy will scale down the festival. "I don't know what's going to
happen," Koshikawa said. "I'm really sorry," he added.
Two years ago, there was a robbery and murder in Yokosuka. After
that incident, the U.S. Navy imposed a curfew on its Yokosuka-based
servicemen and also set up no-alcohol hours. This became a blow to
local restaurants and bars. This time as well, the U.S. Navy took
similar action on Apr. 2. The action will continue until Apr. 7. A
63-year-old man runs an eatery for over 30 years along the city's
Dobuita Dori street with a number of bars standing for U.S.
servicemen. He sighed, "The victim of U.S. servicemen's crimes is
the economy of Dobuita Dori."
5) Police to arrest U.S. sailor possibly today; U.S. likely to agree
to hand over suspect
ASAHI (Page 31) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Kanagawa prefectural police has decided to arrest as early as today
a 22-year-old U.S. seaman (joto suihei) of Nigerian nationality
based at Yokosuka Naval Base on suspicion of murder and other
charges. In questioning, he has admitted to slaying a taxi driver in
Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. His credit card was found in the taxi
of the slain driver.
In a Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meeting today, the Japanese side
will request the handover of the seaman, now detained at the U.S.
base, under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. The U.S. side
is expected to agree to the handover.
The sailor reportedly told investigators, "I did it," and "I heard a
voice saying, 'kill a person.'" Once the suspicion that the seaman
killed the driver without paying the taxi fares is verified, the
prefectural police envisage pressing murder and robbery charges
against him.
TOKYO 00000905 005 OF 015
The U.S. Navy in Japan seized the seaman, who had left the base
without permission, on March 22 in Tokyo. The U.S. Navy notified the
Yokosuka municipal government on the same day that "if there is a
request for the handover of the sailor from the Japanese side, we
will immediately cooperate in accordance with the SOFA."
According to investigations by the prefectural police, the taxi
driver, Masaaki Takahashi, 61, was found slain at around 9:20 p.m.
March 19 in his taxi at 2-chome, Shioiri-cho, Yokosuka, with a knife
in the neck. The sailor's credit card was also found near the feet
of Takahashi in the driver's seat.
Lack of education of young service members; Little interest in
metropolitan area
Under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, a set of procedures
will begin for the handover of the U.S. sailor, who is suspected to
have killed the taxi driver in Yokosuka. The newspaper has asked the
opinions of residents in municipalities hosting U.S. bases.
? Okinawa
Tetsuei Tamayose, 73, chief organizer of the March 23 Okinawa
prefectural rally protesting incidents and accidents committed by
U.S. service members, said: "Unless U.S. servicemen are treated in
the same way as Japanese people, their 'occupation mentality' will
not go way." A 34-year-old female company employee shopping on a
street near Kadena Air Base noted, "I feel that education of young
service members is insufficient."
? Misawa, Aomori
Yoshikatsu Iwamoto, 70, chairman of the association of communities
near Misawa Air Base, Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, commented as his
personal view: "We have been suffering from U.S. military aircraft
noise. We definitely don't want such incidents."
? Atsugi, Kanagawa
Minako Kato, a 39-year-old housewife of Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture,
hosting NAF Atsugi, took this view: "I often see U.S. service
members near my house. I also hear stories that they are awful to
women, so I always walk on the opposite side of the street when
passing by a U.S. service member."
Yoshiaki Aizawa, 64, of the plaintiffs who have filed the 4th Atsugi
base noise suit, said: "If it had occurred in Okinawa, a fiercer
outcry would have resulted in. I feel that except for residents near
bases, people in the metropolitan area have little interest in a
problem like this."
6) Japan has been in negotiations with U.S. military on transfer of
custody since suspect was detained
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 27) (Abridged)
April 3, 2008
The Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters is set to arrest a U.S.
seaman belonging to Yokosuka Navy Base who admitted in questioning
that he killed a taxi driver in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The police have held negotiations with the U.S. Navy on the
pre-indictment transfer of custody of the suspect based on the
TOKYO 00000905 006 OF 015
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The U.S. government is expected
to accept Japan's request.
The SOFA specifies that if the U.S. military detains a service
member suspected of committing a crime off-base, the U.S. military
will keep the suspect in custody until Japanese authorities bring an
accusation. Following the rape of a schoolgirl in Okinawa in 1995,
the governments of Japan and the U.S. agreed that the U.S. would
give favorable consideration on the handover of suspects in vicious
crimes by improving the application of the SOFA.
The police will seek an arrest warrant in accordance with the
improved application. In a Japan-U.S. Joint Committee meeting,
representatives from the Japanese government will call for
transferring the custody of the seaman.
Since the agreement on better SOFA application, there have been five
cases in which the Japanese government sought custody transfer, of
which the U.S. military agreed to Japan's request in four cases.
In a robbery and murder case involving a U.S. soldier in Yokosuka in
January 2006, the U.S. military speedily handed the suspect over to
Japanese authorities before indictment for the first time.
Based on this experience, the prefectural police dispatched
investigators to the Yokosuka base immediately after the suspect was
put in the custody of the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigation Service
to seek their cooperation in the investigation. Japan has continued
negotiations on the handover of the suspect with the U.S. Navy while
carefully conducting the investigation.
A senior prefectural police officer said: "The negotiations with the
U.S. are moving smoothly."
7) Disgruntled locals calling for SOFA revision in reaction to
murder case involving U.S. serviceman
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 27) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2008
The U.S. sailor who is now in the custody of the U.S. Navy on
suspicion of slaying a taxi driver in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture,
admitted to the killing during questioning by Japanese investigators
yesterday. Meanwhile, calls are growing among local residents for
tougher restrictions on U.S. servicemen and for revising the
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
A housewife, 52, who lives near the site of the murder, said: "While
I am going for a walk with the dog, U.S. servicemen are friendly
when they go by. This kind of incident is regrettable." In Yokosuka,
an attempted murder case involving a seaman apprentice also took
place in July 2007.
A man, 35, who works for a pet shop in the city, commented: "There
needs to be a revision of the SOFA and tougher crackdowns by the
police."
Numerous reporters gathered in front of the entrance of the Yokosuka
Navy Base yesterday, but U.S. military personnel did not respond to
their questions. A member of the base affairs division of the
Yokosuka municipal government just said: "I refrain from making any
comment. We will watch how the investigation develops."
TOKYO 00000905 007 OF 015
8) U.S. forces Japan to impose measure calling for self-restraint on
drinking, targeting Yokosuka
ASAHI (Page 31) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The commander of the U.S. Navy in Japan, following the murder of a
taxi driver in Yokosuka City, yesterday announced a measure running
until the 7th that calls for restraint in the drinking of alcoholic
beverages in public places. The measure targets military personnel
stationed at Yokosuka Navy Base. This will be "a period for showing
consideration to the local community," and during that period,
restrictions will be placed in principle on movements and activities
outside the base from 10:00 pm to 06:00 am.
9) Okinawa, Iwakuni ease ban on going off base for U.S. troops
ASAHI (Page 31) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The U.S. forces in Japan, following such incidents as the arrest of
a Marine stationed in Okinawa for raping a schoolgirl, imposed a
night curfew measure for two months on U.S. servicemen at bases in
Okinawa and Iwakuni. The curfew was from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. The
USFJ has now announced that the curfew will be changed to cover the
time period midnight to 5:00 am. The new curfew will go into effect
on April 4. The ban on drinking alcoholic beverages off base will
remain in place.
10) Sympathy budget not to be adopted until early next month;
Special measure agreement to pass Lower House today, with DPJ
opposed
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpt)
April 3, 2008
The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday
adopted by a majority ruling-camp approval the new special measures
agreement extending for three years Japan's host nation support
(sympathy budget) to cover the costs of stationing U.S. forces in
Japan. Three parties - the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Japanese
Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party - all opposed the
measure. The agreement will be approved by the full Lower House on
the 3rd, and be sent on to the House of Councilors. Although the
agreement is likely to be voted down by the Upper House, since it is
a treaty, and the Lower House adoption receives priority treatment,
the outlook is that the agreement will be adopted in early May.
11) Upper House to vote down sympathy budget; Divided Diet also
takes toll on Japan-U.S. alliance
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
April 3, 2008
The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee took a vote
yesterday on a special agreement on Japan's host-nation support
(sympathy budget) for the costs of stationing U.S. forces in Japan,
which expired on March 31, and it passed the lower chamber with a
majority by the ruling parties. The agreement, however, is expected
to be voted down in the opposition-controlled House of Councillors
due to opposition by the Democratic Party of Japan. Nevertheless,
TOKYO 00000905 008 OF 015
the special agreement, which is treated in the same way as a treaty,
is likely to win Diet approval in the end under a constitutional
stipulation that gives precedence to the Lower House decision over
the Upper House's. The delay in approving the new agreement has
already adversely affected the training of U.S. forces in Japan.
Confrontation between the ruling and opposition camps under the
divided Diet has taken a toll on the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Before the Foreign Affairs Committee, Prime Minister Fukuda
yesterday underlined the need to keep the special agreement in
place, saying: "The presence of the U.S. military is linked to the
security of Japan and all of East Asia. (The special agreement) must
be maintained."
The special agreement is expected to be endorsed at a Lower House
plenary session today and sent to the Upper House. When the two Diet
chambers make different decisions on a treaty or when the upper
chamber does not reach a decision within 30 days, the lower
chamber's decision takes precedence over the upper chamber's. This
means if the agreement is sent to the Upper House on April 3, it
will win Diet approval on May 3.
A plan to shift U.S. fighter jet training from U.S. bases to SDF
bases within in April has been postponed due to the delay in Diet
approval. The agreement also covers salaries for Japanese employees
working at U.S. bases. Payments to them would inevitably be delayed
until around May 10. Unity costs would also have to be paid
temporarily by the U.S. side.
Although the direct impacts would be limited, the divided Diet has
again taken a toll on the political front, following the temporary
suspension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation
in the Indian Ocean. Some are highly concerned about possible
long-tern adverse effects on the Japan-U.S. alliance, with a senior
Defense Ministry official saying, "The U.S. government has a sense
of mistrust and displeasure with Japanese politics, which cannot
make decisions."
12) Prime Minister Fukuda expresses displeasure at calls for
boycotting Beijing Olympics
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are calling for
boycotting the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics over the
Tibet riots. When asked about this move, Prime Minister Fukuda
expressed displeasure by saying: "At a time when the Chinese
government is making efforts, we should say something like 'Japan
should not take part in the Olympics.' Japan and China have close
relations, so we must make a cool-headed decision."
"No one expects the Olympics to be cancelled. I hope the Chinese
government will deal with the current situation appropriately,"
Fukuda added and expressed hope that the Chinese side would make
further efforts to resolve the issue. Fukuda was replying to
questions posed by reporters at the Prime Minister's Official
Residence.
13) Government to extend economic sanctions against North Korea by
six months
TOKYO 00000905 009 OF 015
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The government is expected to decide in a cabinet meeting next week
to extend its independent economic sanctions against North Korea by
another six months after they expire on April 13. The sanctions
include two key measures -- prohibiting port entry by all North
Korean vessels, including the passenger-cargo ferry Man Gyong
Bong-92, and banning all imports from North Korea. This decision
reflects the fact that no progress has been made on the abduction
and nuclear issues. On the nuclear issue, North Korea has yet to
implement the second-phase measures agreed on in the six-party
talks, which includes Pyongyang's declaration of its all nuclear
programs.
The Japanese government invoked sanctions against North Korea in
reaction to the announcement of its nuclear test in October 2006.
The government intends to keep in place such sanctions as banning
the import of any goods from the North and exports of luxury goods
to that nation, as well as prohibiting North Korean nationals from
entering the nation in principle. A senior Foreign Ministry official
said yesterday: "If there is no change in the current situation,
Japan will extend the sanctions."
The government intended to lift the sanctions in accordance with
progress on the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues. On the
definition of "progress" on the abduction issue, Foreign Minister
Masahiko Koumura has said: "If several abductees return to Japan, we
will judge that there was progress."
However, the Japan-North Korea working group to discuss normalizing
bilateral diplomatic ties has held no meeting since last September.
The government has urged North Korea to deal with the abduction and
nuclear issues in an appropriate manner by using a variety of
channels, for instance, by holding negotiations with North Korean
representatives in the Shenyang, China, in October of last year. But
"North Korea has made no positive response," a government official
said. Pyongyang has begun to take a tough stance again. The Rodong
Sinmum (Workers' Newspaper) criticized South Korean President Lee
Myung-bak by name on April 1.
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan will
arrive in Japan today. On the 20th, President Lee will be visiting
Japan. The government takes these visits as a good opportunity for
Japan and South Korea to confirm the need to jointly ratchet up
pressure on North Korea. It will place importance on trilateral
cooperation, including the U.S, in dealing with North Korea.
14) Japan's ODA last year slips to fifth place: Revising ODA
strategy a pressing issue
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Japan once topped the ODA donor list. However, it now has slipped to
fifth place. Since stepping up assistance to developing countries
with the aim of achieving millennium development goals, including
poverty reduction, will become a major part of the agenda of the
July Lake Toya G-8 summit in Hokkaido, the number is shocking for
Japan, the host country.
Japan during the 2005 Gleneagles G-8 announced a policy of
TOKYO 00000905 010 OF 015
increasing its ODA budget by 10 billion dollars over five years
starting in fiscal 2006. Even though it is now strapped with fiscal
difficulties, cutting the ODA budget goes against its international
commitment. A government source underscored the need to shift the
ODA policy from quantity to quality, noting, "Japan must promote aid
with mobility by combining yen loans, grant aid and technical
cooperation." However, a reduction in ODA loans could let down
developing countries and delay development.
It is necessary for the government to fundamentally question how
best aid can be extended to developing countries in the run-up to
the integration of the yen loan section of the Japan Bank for
International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) expected to take place this fall.
To be precise, the government should come up with a strategic
approach, based on local needs, the efficiency of aid and Japan's
national interests regarding: (1) package-based aid of consolidating
an investment environment for companies and combining the power of
the public and private sectors thorough the consolidation of
infrastructure in developing countries; (2) extending aid in the
form of cooperating with related countries in relevant regions, as
can be seen in assistance to Iraq provided by Egypt and Japan;
(3)assistance combining Japan's aid know-how and ample oil money of
oil-producing countries; and (4) combining aid through international
organizations and bilateral aid. The Tokyo International Conference
on African Development (TICAD) in May and the July Summit would be
the best venues for Japan to reveal its new aid policy.
15) Armed group reaches agreement with Iranian security authorities
to release Japanese student
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2008
Takayuki Kasuga, Teheran
Iranian security officials and an armed group that kidnapped Satoshi
Nakamura (24), a Japanese student at Yokohama National University,
last October when he was traveling in Iran's southeast region, have
now reached an agreement to release Nakamura after negotiations,
informed sources told the Mainichi yesterday. The question of
whether both sides will actually implement the agreement still
remains to be seen, but the incident has entered a final phase
leading to a full settlement a half year after its occurrence.
According to the informed sources, the criminal group is the
drug-smuggling group led by Shahbakhsh. This group agreed with
security officials on the release of Nakamura on the conditions that
security officials would release two group members now in jail.
Reportedly, no ransom will be paid.
Shahbakhsh initially demanded the release of his son (19) and two
senior group members. Security officials rejected the demand in
terms of preventing a recurrence of kidnapping. But they came around
to release the son and one of the two detained group members as a
result of negotiations on March 22.
The group has brought Nakamura to somewhere in Pakistan. It has
reached an accord with security officials on how to hand Nakamura
over to them, but they remain alert to the group because Nakamura
has yet to be released.
TOKYO 00000905 011 OF 015
16) In amending law banning child porno, LDP decides to add
provision of penalizing "simple possession of child pornography"
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Nariyuki Tanaka, Eriko Horii
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the major opposition
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) yesterday each held a working-level
meeting to discuss amending the Law for Punishing Acts Related to
Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The LDP decided to add to
the law a provision that would punish "simple possession" of child
pornographic images showing boys or girls below 18 years of age by
individuals, even if part of their personal collections. Meanwhile,
the DPJ began full-fledged discussion on an amendment to the law the
same day. In the discussion, concern was voiced that restricting
simple possession could lead to the abuse of the right to
investigate. Both parties are in agreement on the need to revise the
law. As the next step for them to take, both parties are likely to
search for common ground in the days ahead.
The current law took effect in 1999 and regulates images and videos
that show children below 18 in the way to overly stimulate people
sexually. Acts that are subject to punishment under the law include
production and sale of such images and videos, their possession for
the purposes of selling or providing them to someone, and their
release on the Internet. But personal possession for one's own
collection is not subject to the law. Reportedly, it is Japan and
Russia alone among the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized countries
that have yet to ban simple possession.
Partly reflecting America's call on Japan to tighten regulations on
child pornography, the ruling parties are gaining steam to amend the
law. Last month, the junior coalition partner New Komeito's project
team decided to add simple possession to a list of acts subject to
punishment.
At a meeting yesterday of its sub-committee on a review of the Law
for Punishing Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child
Pornography (chaired by Mayumi Moriyama), the LDP reached agreement
on making simple possession of child porn subject a punishable
crime, although until recently the party had been cautious about
punishing such an act out of concern about the possible abuse of the
right to investigate. The LDP decided to punish an act of simple
possession on the premise that measures to prevent the abuse of the
right to investigate be established so that cases where individuals
happen to unintentionally possess child pornographic images, their
having been sent to them in the form of junk e-mails.
Meanwhile, the DPJ, prior to the first meeting of its project team
on amendment to the Law for Punishing Acts Related to Child
Prostitution and Child Pornography (chaired by House of Councillors
member Keiko Chiba), had a session with U.S. Ambassador to Japan J.
Thomas Schieffer and exchanged views on revisions to the law.
Schieffer emphasized the significance of banning simple possession.
In response, Chiba noted, "Given the current state of police
investigation in Japan, I feel misgivings about such a regulation."
In the first project team meeting, House of Representatives member
TOKYO 00000905 012 OF 015
Yoko Komiyama expressed concern: "All participants want to protect
children, but it is troublesome if the right to investigate is
abused."
Main points of the LDP's draft amendment to the Law for Punishing
Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
? Add "possession without any special purpose" to the list of
prohibited acts regarding child pornography (such as production and
imports)
? "Possession" should be strictly defined. (Discussion is underway
to exclude cases where individuals are not aware that child
pornographic images were sent to them and that they happen to
possess them.)
? Stipulate a provision on punishment against "possession."
17) Poll: 58 PERCENT favor Fukuda's general-purpose initiative over
road tax revenues; Cabinet support at 28 PERCENT
YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged)
April 3, 2008
Following up the expiration of provisional extra taxation added to
gasoline and other taxes used for road construction and other
road-related infrastructure projects, the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted
a telephone-based nationwide spot public opinion survey on Apr. 1-2.
The road-related tax revenues have now been in place for over a half
century, and the survey asked people if they supported the idea of
incorporating the road-related tax revenues into the state's general
account budget to use the tax revenues for other purposes as well.
In response to this question, 58 PERCENT answered "yes," with 28
PERCENT saying "no." In their breakdown, "yes" came from 57 PERCENT
of those who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and from
65 PERCENT of those who support the leading opposition Democratic
Party of Japan (Minshuto). The survey shows that an increasing
number of people are calling for the government to use the
road-related tax revenues for general purposes in addition to
highway projects. This will now likely affect the ruling and
opposition parties in their discussions.
Prime Minister Fukuda has come up with the idea of abolishing the
road-related tax revenues and incorporating the tax revenues into
the general account budget from fiscal 2009. In the survey,
respondents were asked if they appreciated the idea. To this
question, a total of 53 PERCENT answered that they "appreciate very
much" or "appreciate somewhat," with a total of 36 PERCENT saying
they "don't appreciate very much" or "don't appreciate at all."
Among DPJ supporters, 51 PERCENT were also affirmative. Among those
with no particular party affiliation, 49 PERCENT gave high marks to
the Fukuda initiative.
The rate of public support for the Fukuda cabinet was 28.0 PERCENT ,
failing to reach 30 PERCENT . The nonsupport rate was 57.7 PERCENT
.
Among LDP supporters, the Fukuda cabinet's support rate was 61.6
PERCENT , with its nonsupport rate at 26.7 PERCENT . Among New
Komeito supporters, a little over 40 PERCENT supported the Fukuda
cabinet. Among DPJ supporters, the Fukuda cabinet's nonsupport rate
reached 85.6 PERCENT . Among those unaffiliated, the Fukuda
cabinet's support rate was 16.5 PERCENT , with its nonsupport rate
at 63.3 PERCENT .
TOKYO 00000905 013 OF 015
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP
stood at 27.3 PERCENT , with the DPJ at 22.9 PERCENT .
Respondents were also asked which political party they would vote
for in the next election for the House of Representatives in their
proportional representation blocs. To this question, 29 PERCENT
opted for the DPJ, with 26 PERCENT choosing the LDP. As seen from
these figures, the DPJ outstripped the LDP. This can be taken as
reflecting a trend found in telephone-based surveys like this one of
growing support for the DPJ.
18) Junior LDP lawmakers back Prime Minister Fukuda's decision to
use road tax revenues for general purposes
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Maneuvering intensified yesterday between the ruling and opposition
parties over Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's proposal to allow the
revenue sources designated for highway projects to be used for
general purposes, starting fiscal 2009.
The executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its
coalition partner New Komeito launched yesterday coordination to
exchange agreement notes on the prime minister's proposal. The aim
is to make clear their agreement with the integration of the special
account from road-related taxes into the general account.
Junior and mid-level Diet members from the two ruling parties,
including LDP Lower House member Kenichi Mizuno and New Komeito
Lower House Isamu Ueda, held yesterday a preparatory meeting of a
parliamentary league aiming to realize Fukuda's proposal, starting
FY2009. About 40 lawmakers attended the meeting.
Mizuno emphasized:
"It is true that some LDP members say that since the prime
minister's proposal is a pump-primer to find a compromise with the
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto), the proposal will not
be implemented. But we will counter such a view."
The parliamentary group has agreed to revote on a bill amending the
Special Taxation Measures Law aimed to retain the provisional
gasoline tax rate and other road-related taxes in the House of
Representatives. However, some group members have called for
revising a bill to amend the Road Construction Revenues Special
Exemption Law, which allows surplus revenues to be used for other
general purposes for 10 years, in line with Fukuda's proposal for
shifting the special road revenues to the general revenue funds from
FY2009. Lower House Speaker Taro Kono told the press the same day:
"If the Lower House takes a vote on the special measures law
revision bills without amending, I will prevent the bills from being
put to a vote."
The LDP's Nikai faction submitted to the government and the LDP
leadership a letter calling for enacting the tax-related bills
without amendment. The faction's Lower House member Kotaro Nagasaki
told reporters: "We need to debate this further."
19) Ruling camp considering cabinet confidence resolution
TOKYO 00000905 014 OF 015
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The ruling parties yesterday began looking into a possibility of
presenting a cabinet confidence resolution to the House of
Representatives if the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ or Minshuto) submits a censure motion against Prime Minister
Yasuo Fukuda. The DPJ plans to submit a censure motion against
Fukuda should the ruling coalition revote on a bill amending the
Special Taxation Measures Law in the House of Representatives. The
largest opposition party intends to force the prime minister to
dissolve the Lower House after adopting the censure motion in
cooperation with other opposition parties.
Since a censure motion has no binding force, Fukuda has no plan to
dissolve the Lower House and shuffle his cabinet. Because there is a
possibility that public criticism of the cabinet will become
stronger, the ruling camp is now considering submitting a confidence
resolution to the Lower House, which is controlled by the ruling
bloc.
A confidence resolution for the cabinet of Prime Minister Kiichi
Miyazawa was adopted in June 1992, which is the only resolution
adopted so far.
20) Gas prices drop average 10 yen per liter on April 1, following
expiry of provisional tax rate
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2008
A special price survey on petroleum products, released yesterday by
the Resources and Energy Agency, shows that the average price of
regular gasoline per liter throughout the nation as of April 1 was
142.2 yen, down 10.7 yen from the level of March 31, immediately
before the expiration of the provisional gas tax rate of 25.1 yen
per liter. The margin of the decline in prices varied among eight
regions throughout the nation with that in Hokkaido marking 19.6
yen, while Kyushu and Okinawa saw only a 4.9 yen drop. Since
gasoline prices have been following an upward trend since last
spring, 142.2 yen per litter is the lowest level since early October
ΒΆ2007. The gas tax is a shipment tax imposed when products are
shipped from oil factories of oil wholesale companies. It is viewed
that it would take 3-4 days for gas stations to sell out gasoline
levied with the provisional rate in stock. The outcome of the survey
revealed that many gas stations sold previously taxed gasoline at
significantly lowered prices.
21) Censure motion against welfare minister: Gaps in stances of
opposition parties; SDP in agreement, while PNP remaining cautious
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has decided to consider
submitting a censure motion against Health, Labor and Welfare (MLIT)
Minister Yoichi Masuzoe in connection with the pension fiasco. Gaps
in the stances of opposition parties regarding the move have become
clear with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) agreeing with the idea,
but the People's New Party (PNP) questioning it.
SDP Chairman Mizuho Fukushima during a news conference yesterday
TOKYO 00000905 015 OF 015
supported the DPJ's move, saying, "MLIT Minister Masuzoe has clearly
broken his pledge." She categorically said, "We would also like to
look into submitting a censure motion."
However, PNP head Tamisuke Watanuki during a press briefing
yesterday made a cautious comment, "I cannot tell before I see the
details." Secretary General Hisaoki Kamei noted, "This is not a
matter concerning deliberations by the Upper House but the issue
involving the administration as a whole." He thus indicated his
perception that it would be improper to pursue the pension issue by
submitting a censure motion against Masuzoe to the Upper House.
22) Yamasaki of LDP meets with senior DPJ members
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Former Vice President Taku Yamasaki and former Secretary General
Koichi Kato of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Deputy President
Naoto Kan and former Secretary General Yukio Edano of the Democratic
Party of Japan (DPJ), and Deputy President Shizuka Kamei of the
People's New Party met at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Tokyo
yesterday. They exchanged views on the future political situation.
Kan sought an early dissolution of the Lower House and a snap
election. However, Yamasaki reportedly replied, "That's impossible,"
citing the Lake Toya G-8 in Hokkaido in July.
SCHIEFFER