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 08TOKYO1526, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 06/04/08
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. #08TOKYO1526.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO1526 | 2008-06-04 08:30 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
P 040830Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4769
INFO SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
USFJ //J5/JO21//
COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
CTF 72
AMCONSUL NAHA
AMCONSUL FUKUOKA
AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE
AMCONSUL NAGOYA
AMCONSUL SAPPORO
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY SEOUL
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS TOKYO 001526
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: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 06/04/08
INDEX:
(1) DPJ coordinating with three other opposition parties on censure
motion against prime minister, depending on ruling bloc's response
to bill scrapping the medical system for elderly (Sankei)
(2) "We have various pieces of information," says Chief Cabinet
Secretary Machimura concerning Chinese Navy's test-firing of SLBM
(Sankei)
(3) Fiscal Affairs Council underscores importance of fiscal
reconstruction: Fiscal System Council calls for discussion on
consumption tax in fall (Tokyo Shimbun)
(4) Japan's additional food aid reflects major importer's sense of
alarm about global food shortage (Tokyo Shimbun)
(5) Fukuda's four-nation tour designed to get acquainted with
European leaders to make G8 Summit a success (Yomiuri)
(6) DPJ may field Kazumi Ota for Tokyo No. 12 district (Sankei)
(7) Ruling coalition to approve use of weapons in protective action
under permanent legislation (Tokyo Shimbun)
(8) JICA, MOFA considering introducing qualification system for
"international collaborators" (Tokyo Shimbun)
(9) Is a Cabinet shuffle golden remedy or a poison pill? (Asahi)
(10) Reporters' monthly report: Prime Minister Fukuda often meets
with ruling coalition members (Tokyo Shimbun)
ARTICLES:
(1) DPJ coordinating with three other opposition parties on censure
motion against prime minister, depending on ruling bloc's response
to bill scrapping the medical system for elderly
SANKEI ONLINE NEWS (Full)
June 4, 2008, 12:45
The major opposition Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) President
Ichiro Ozawa and other leaders this morning held an executives'
meeting at party headquarters and confirmed a plan to get the four
opposition party-sponsored bill intended for scrapping the
controversial medical system for the elderly through the Upper House
on June 6 and then demand that the ruling bloc adopt the bill in the
Lower House by the end of the current session of the Diet, which is
to close on June 15. They also decided to hold a meeting of
secretaries general from the four opposition parties possibly by the
end of the day to discuss whether to decide to submit a censure
motion against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda if the ruling bloc
rejects the opposition bloc's plan, and push coordination of views
among the opposition parties.
After the executives' meeting, the DPJ's Diet Affairs Committee
Chair Kenji Yamaoka told reporters in a firm tone: "If (the
government and the ruling parties) decide to carry over the bill
aimed at scrapping the current medical system for the elderly to the
next Diet session and refuses to scrap that system, is it all right
for us to allow them to do so? Scrapping that system is the highest
priority task for the public."
(2) "We have various pieces of information," says Chief Cabinet
Secretary Machimura concerning Chinese Navy's test-firing of SLBM
Sankei on-line
June 4, 2008, 11:57
Referring to the strong possibility of the Chinese Navy having
test-fired in the Yellow Sea in late May a submarine-launched
ballistic missile (SLBM) slated to be fitted to its state-of-the-art
submarine, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura during a press
briefing on the morning of June 4 stated, "The government is always
trying to collect and analyze information on such a military
movement. It has various pieces of information." However, he stopped
short of making a categorical statement, simply saying, "I would
like to refrain from making any comment on individual pieces of
information, judging from the nature of the matter."
(3) Fiscal Affairs Council underscores importance of fiscal
reconstruction: Fiscal System Council calls for discussion on
consumption tax in fall
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
June 4, 2008
The Fiscal System Council reporting to the finance minister
yesterday submitted a letter of proposals concerning the compilation
of the fiscal 2009 budget to Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga. The
letter stresses the importance of fiscal reconstruction, noting that
it is necessary to firmly maintain the basic policy guidelines on
economic and fiscal management and structural reforms for the fiscal
2006 national budget, which stipulates that reform should be
promoted with strengthened growth potential and fiscal soundness as
the two wheels of a cart.
On the expenditure front, the letter points out that spending reform
in such areas as social security and local finances should be
strictly enforced. Regarding the revenue front, it notes that it is
necessary to secure stable fiscal resources instead of depending on
temporary fiscal resources. To that end, the letter indicates the
stand that it is necessary to realize at an early date drastic
reform of the tax code, including the consumption tax, instead of
depending on so-called hidden slush funds, such as reserve funds in
special accounts.
Chairman Taizo Nishimura during a press conference after the meeting
said that by revenue reform at an early date, the panel meant reform
should be carried out during the next budget deliberations. He thus
indicated the stand that discussion of reform of the consumption tax
should be held this fall.
Regarding individual areas, the report proposes a revision of the
current system of state contribution to pension insurance, including
a possible abolition. Concerning nursing-care insurance, too, it
calls on the government to make efforts to hold down spending,
citing that high growth in payouts is continuing.
On the education front, the report points out that a goal should be
set in terms of results to be produced, instead of input, such as a
budgetary amount.
The panel's proposal regarding official development assistance (ODA)
is that the budgetary amount should be constrained, while project
volume being secured through such efforts as to cut costs.
Concerning local finances, the panel is of the opinion that a local
tax code centered on taxes causing less imbalances among local
municipalities should be adopted, noting that it would be possible
to create a system that can improve local taxes and correct income
disparity as sought by local governments, if local tax taxes are
increased and revenues from such taxes are distributed, based on
objective standards, such as populations, as is the case of the
local consumption tax or a local transfer tax.
(4) Japan's additional food aid reflects major importer's sense of
alarm about global food shortage
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
June 4, 2008
In a speech Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda delivered on June 3 at a
United Nations' food summit, he revealed Japan's plan to offer
additional emergency aid to developing countries. This policy
decision also reflects Japan's sense of alarm toward the recent
global food shortage from the standpoint of being a major food
importer.
In a study meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office ahead of the
food summit, Fukuda instructed the participants to give priority to
what Japan, as a food importer, can do" in drafting the prime
minister's speech for the food summit.
Japan has imported about 770,000 tons of rice annually under the
minimum access requirement. The volume of imported rice in stock (as
of the end of last October) was 1.52 million tons. The government
plans to release such rice to developing countries facing
difficulties in procuring rice on international markets due to
soaring prices. The imported rice should be consumed in the nation
in principle, but the government has decided to ship such rice to
the Philippines from a humanitarian point of view and as an
emergency measure to curb skyrocketing international prices.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said that the food issue
"complicatedly involves a variety of factors. This is not such a
simple question as industrialized countries just extending
assistance to developing countries."
In actuality, the steep rise in grain prices has pushed up food
prices. In the speech he delivered at the food summit, Fukuda
referred to the need for Japan to raise its food self-sufficiency,
but it is also true that Japan is being pressed to improve its
structure of depending on imports for most of its non-rice grain.
Recently, public attention is being focused on the "food mileage"
index to gauge the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) discharged in the
process of transporting foodstuffs. The amount is calculated by
multiplying the volume of transported goods by the transport
distance. Japan's total amount is about three times larger than that
of the U.S. and about five times more than those of Britain and
Germany.
Japan has given off such a large volume of CO2 in the air in order
to supply food to its people, bringing about climate change and a
food crisis to the poorest nations. Critics point out that Japan,
whose food self-sufficiency has dropped to below 40 PERCENT , has
also exacerbated global warming.
Such a severe situation surrounding Japan is represented in the
following words used by the prime minister in his speech: "I am
feeling a sense of urgency."
(5) Fukuda's four-nation tour designed to get acquainted with
European leaders to make G8 Summit a success
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
June 4, 2008
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, now on a European tour, has held talks
in succession with leaders of Germany, Britain, France and Italy.
Fukuda, who will chair this year's Group of Eight Lake Toya Summit
which is only one month away, has now met with all the leaders of
the G8 member countries except Canada. Although Fukuda has paved the
way for the G8 Summit, there still remain huge gaps among the G8
countries over climate change, especially their measures to cut
greenhouse gas emissions. There are a plethora of tasks that must be
addressed.
On the morning of June 3, or the evening of June 3, Japan time,
Fukuda delivered a speech at the UN Food Summit in Rome, concluding
it with his enthusiasm for the G8 Summit.
Fukuda initially planned to make a European tour during the Golden
Week holiday period from late April through early May. But it was
called off as a result of giving priority to measures for the
divided Diet. Since becoming prime minister last September, Fukuda
had meetings only with the U.S. and Russian presidents of the G8
leaders. He was keenly aware of the need to have get-acquainted
sessions with other leaders ahead of the G8 Summit.
It was not easy to set up events for Fukuda's long-awaited European
tour. A Foreign Ministry source said: "There was no other option but
to hold a Fukuda-Merkel meeting on Sunday. Berlin was slow to give a
nod to it, saying, 'We will welcome Prime Minister Fukuda but not on
Sunday.'" Apparently in consideration of such circumstances, Fukuda
expressed his gratitude in a press conference after his meeting with
Merkel on June 1, saying: "German people work hard even on Sundays.
I am grateful for their consideration."
In his talks with G8 counterparts, Fukuda clearly expressed his
enthusiasm as the chair of this year's summit.
Touching on climate change in the joint press conference with
Merkel, Fukuda said: "Japan would like to clarify its policy before
the Summit, including its thinking about setting midterm targets
(greenhouse gas emission reduction targets between 2020 and 2030)."
Many industrial circles are reluctant to set midterm targets at an
early time.
Among the G8, the European Union, which is calling for a 20 PERCENT
cut, is at odds with the United States, which is opposed to setting
compulsory midterm targets for reducing emissions. A senior Economy,
Trade and Industry Ministry official took this view: "If Japan
presents a midterm target, that would make it difficult to handle
the matter as the coordinator."
Meanwhile, most of European leaders did not react positively to
Japan's sector-by-sector approach. British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown on June 2 urged Japan to join the emissions trading scheme. In
response, Prime Minister Fukuda simply indicated that Japan would
consider it. Although Fukuda seems to hold a positive view about
emissions trading, he apparently gave heed to such industries as
iron and steel and power in Japan. Difficulty ironing out views in
Japan and abroad has now become apparent ahead of the G8 Summit.
Under the divided Diet in which the opposition parties have control
of the Upper House, the prime minister is facing difficulties in
steering Diet businesses. Coming under public criticism over the
reinstated provisional gasoline tax rate and the healthcare system
for the elderly, he is struggling with sagging support ratings as
well.
Given the situation, the prime minister is desperate to boost his
administration on the diplomatic front by making the G8 Summit a
success following the fourth Tokyo International Conference on
African Development (TICAD IV) held in late May. Such a sense of
crisis was evident from his jam-packed European tour.
(6) DPJ may field Kazumi Ota for Tokyo No. 12 district
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
June 4, 2008
It was once rumored that Ichiro Ozawa, president of the major
opposition Democratic Party of Japan, would run for the Tokyo No. 12
district in the next Lower House election, leaving his old
constituency. This time around, a plan has cropped up in the DPJ to
field Kazumi Ota, who won the Lower House by-election for Chiba
Prefecture's No. 7 district in 2006, for the Tokyo No. 12
constituency. A DPJ executive said yesterday, "It has not been
decided yet. (The Tokyo No. 12 district) is left to President Ozawa.
Such (fielding Ota) is possible."
The Tokyo No. 12 district is currently represented by Akihiro Ota,
head of the New Komeito. If the plan materializes, 28-year-old
Kazumi Ota, the youngest among the Lower House members along with
Taizo Sugimura of the Liberal Democratic Party, would vie for the
seat with the veteran New Komeito head.
The DPJ intends to confuse New Komeito supporters by fielding a
person with the same family name (as New Komeito's Ota), according
to a person connected with the DPJ. It can said to be another DPJ
tactic to apply pressure on the New Komeito, following the rumor
about Ozawa's switching constituencies.
In the process of coordinating candidates last December, the DPJ
officially decided to field Akira Uchiyama of the Southern Kanto
proportional representation bloc for the Chiba No. 7 district. Ozawa
commented about Ota: "She is going to play a major role in a new
constituency."
(7) Ruling coalition to approve use of weapons in protective action
under permanent legislation
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
June 4, 2008
In discussing permanent legislation to enable Self-Defense Force
(SDF) personnel to be dispatched overseas as needed, the ruling
coalition decided yesterday to allow SDF troops to take some
protective action involving the use of weapons in self-defense if
they are attacked by criminal groups or terrorists. This measure
will be included in a draft plan to be released by the ruling camp's
project team on permanent law by the end of this month.
The items subject to SDF guarding include personnel from other
countries and United Nations members participating in peacekeeping
operations, Japanese living overseas, and goods and facilities
designated by the UN.
SDF overseas missions are currently limited to (1) ceasefire
monitoring; (2) humanitarian aid; and (3) logistic support.
Guarding, security activities, and ship inspections are not included
in the list.
(8) JICA, MOFA considering introducing qualification system for
"international collaborators"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full)
June 4, 2008
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) are considering establishing a
qualification system for "international collaborators" to give
credentials to those who took part in, for instance, the Japan
Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). They plan to back up those
participants by establishing a qualification system so that they
will be given a qualification for their participation in the JOCV in
developing countries with the aim of their receiving a favorable
evaluation in the job market or at their workplaces.
Under the qualification system, a certification examination will be
conducted to see whether applicants have a certain level of
linguistic skills, as well as technical skills in the area of
cooperation. Whether activities in nongovernmental organizations
will be viewed as one of the activities required for certification
will also be discussed. A MOFA official noted in this context: "The
idea has yet to take shape. We need to flesh it out."
JICA will make a fresh start as a new organization to implement
official development assistance by integrating the Japan Bank for
International Cooperation's (JBIC) yen-loan sector and a part of
MOFA's grant aid projects. Establishing a qualification for
international collaborators is likely to help strengthen the
functions of JICA.
(9) Is a Cabinet shuffle golden remedy or a poison pill?
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
June 3, 2008
With the government and ruling parties started looking into
convening an extraordinary session of the Diet in late August, the
view has become stronger that in order to seriously tackle the
issues facing his administration, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will
likely shuffle his cabinet soon after the end of the Group of Eight
summit in July in Hokkaido. However, since there have been cases in
which a new cabinet was hit by scandals, a shuffle could turn out to
be a double-edged sword.
Growing calls for July cabinet shuffle to boost the administration's
popularity
One of the reasons for convening the extra session earlier than
usual is to secure sufficient time so that the House of
Representatives will be able to hold a revote on a bill amending the
refueling mission special measures law (after the House of
Councillors rejects the bill). Given an agreement between the ruling
camp and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on a
revised bill to reform the public servant system, the DPJ may
cooperate on such bills as the one to establish a Consumer Agency,
which has the strong policy imprint of the prime minister, according
to a senior Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Diet Affairs Committee
member. To that end, the government and ruling coalition want to
secure sufficient time for deliberations.
In order to thoroughly deliberate bills with a strong Fukuda-policy
image, it is better for the prime minister to pick his own cabinet
members. This is one reason for the growing number of calls for a
cabinet shuffle before the opening of the extra Diet session. Of the
current cabine, only two -- Kisaburo Tokai, minister of education,
culture, sports, and science and technology, and Shigeru Ishiba,
defense minister -- were picked by Fukuda himself. A shuffle of the
cabinet therefore can be seen as a trump card to boost the
popularity of the Fukuda administration, which has suffered from
declining support rates in the polls.
The prevailing view is that the cabinet should be shuffled in the
second half of July, according to a former cabinet member. This
means that Fukuda would carry out the shuffle after he wraps up the
G8 Summit.
Former LDP Secretary General Taku Yamasaki stressed:
"A cabinet shuffle should be carried out soon after the G8 summit. I
cannot call the present cabinet the Fukuda cabinet. In order to
implement his own policies, Mr. Fukuda should form his own
cabinet."
One of the LDP executive members pointed out: "A cabinet shakeup is
a less expensive measure to boost cabinet support rates." A senior
New Komeito member expressed expectations, saying: "I want new
cabinet ministers to compile budgetary requests for next fiscal year
in late August and I want them to boost the government's
popularity."
If a new cabinet comes into being by late July, the new cabinet
ministers will be able to attend the extra session after studying
their duties for about one month. It is good for them to be involved
in budgetary compilation from the process of budgetary requests.
In the ruling camp, however, there is a cautious view toward an
early cabinet shuffle, as well. Another former cabinet member has
called for convening the extra session in mid-September, noting:
"Because the opposition camp opposes the refueling mission bill,
three days are enough for deliberations on the legislation in the
Lower House." This is because a longer term of a session would be
disadvantageous for Fukuda because he would be grilled many times in
a prolonged Diet session. So, a cabinet shuffle will likely be
carried out in September.
In September, the DPJ is expected to hold its presidential election.
Another view is that there is no need for hurriedly convening the
extra Diet session because there is a possibility that if the LDP
holds the party leadership race while the Diet is in session, a
political cease-fire will occur.
With expectation of boosting Fukuda government's popularity, calls
for July cabinet shuffle growing
A cabinet shuffle not only boosts the cohesion of the administration
but also carries risks leading to discovery of scandals involving
new cabinet members. In the Abe cabinet, a series of scandals
involving new cabinet members were discovered immediately after the
cabinet was shuffled and they put an end to the Abe administration.
If Fukuda makes a mistake in picking new ministers, the Fukuda
cabinet may fall into the same rut.
In an attempt to boost the approval ratings for the Fukuda cabinet,
Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki said: "The prime minister should
appoint female lawmakers or private-sector persons as new cabinet
members." Since former prime ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo
Abe picked their cabinet members on their own style called
"single-rod-fishing," there are many mid-level LDP lawmakers waiting
for cabinet posts. If they are not given minister posts,
dissatisfaction could only grow in the party.
If Fukuda fails in a cabinet shuffle, he will lose everything. A
senior LDP member quipped: "The prime minister should be
thoughtful." However, Prime Minister Fukuda himself has not
mentioned anything about a cabinet shuffle.
(10) Reporters' monthly report: Prime Minister Fukuda often meets
with ruling coalition members
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
June 1, 2008
With an eye on future political realignment, ruling and opposition
Diet members recently have been often holding meetings at nights.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, too, resumed meeting with senior
members of the ruling parties soon after turning the corner in
converting tax revenues currently earmarked for road maintenance and
construction into general spen