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 08TOKYO2123, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/04/08
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. #08TOKYO2123.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO2123 | 2008-08-04 01:52 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO2213
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2123/01 2170152
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040152Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6285
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 1561
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 9187
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2925
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 7380
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9770
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4695
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0684
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1060
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 16 TOKYO 002123
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 08/04/08
Index:
1) Hiroshima peace groups protest remark made by Ambassador
Schieffer about the dropping of atom bombs saved many more lives by
ending the war (Nikkei)
New Fukuda Cabinet:
2) Cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Fukuda a shift in gears to face
a Lower House election, but it also symbolizes a change away from
reform line (Akahata)
3) Average age of the new Fukuda Cabinet is 62, older than the first
cabinet (Yomiuri)
4) Prime Minister Fukuda in press conference denies the possibility
of an early Diet dissolution, as rumored in the media (Asahi)
5) LDP Election Chairman Koga, kept on in his post, retracts earlier
statement about an early Diet dissolution (Asahi)
6) Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Yosano to be the control
tower for Fukuda administration's economic policy (Nikkei)
Opinion polls:
7) Cabinet support rate leaps 14.7 points to 41.3 PERCENT in
Yomiuri poll, boosted by LDP Secretary General Aso's 66 PERCENT
popularity (Yomiuri)
8) Nikkei poll: Cabinet support rate soars 12 points to 38 PERCENT ,
with LDP support rate outpacing DPJ's, 37 PERCENT to 33 PERCENT
(Nikkei)
9) Mainichi poll shows little change in cabinet support rate, rising
3 points to 25 PERCENT , with 56 PERCENT of public not appreciating
the new lineup (Mainichi)
10) Asahi poll after the cabinet shuffle has the support rate at 24
PERCENT , the same as before, but 51 PERCENT of the public are
positive about the Aso appointment (Asahi)
11) Kyodo poll shows 4.7 point rise in cabinet support rate to 31.5
PERCENT , but voters would prefer a DPJ-centered government over an
LDP one, 48.2 PERCENT to 34.8 PERCENT (Tokyo Shimbun)
12) Nikkei poll found Taro Aso the most popular future candidate for
prime minister, favored by 20 PERCENT of the voters (Nikkei)
Diplomatic issues:
13) Nikkei poll finds 48 PERCENT of the public favoring a
withdrawal of the MSDF from its refueling mission in the Indian
Ocean (Nikkei)
14) Fukuda in press conference after cabinet shuffle skirts the
issue of whether his government would present bill extending MSDF
refueling in the Indian Ocean (Tokyo Shimbun)
15) LDP General Council Chairman Sasagawa cautious about extending
MSDF's mission in the Indian Ocean (Tokyo Shimbun)
16) Fukuda Cabinet to face difficult foreign policy issues with
U.S., starting with the extension of the MSDF's mission in the
Indian Ocean (Nikkei)
Sasebo incident:
17) Small leak of radiation from U.S. Navy submarine at Sasebo
occurred in March but went unreported (Asahi)
18) Foreign Minister Koumura annoyed, said he saw news of the Sasebo
sub leak on CNN (Tokyo Shimbun)
19) Prime Minister's Official Residence not contacted by the Foreign
Ministry about the U.S. Navy sub leaking radiation (Sankei)
20) Local government officials in Sasebo query Tokyo for reason why
they were not informed about the U.S. Navy sub leaking radiation in
their waters (Nikkei)
TOKYO 00002123 002 OF 016
Economic agenda:
21) Fukuda orders comprehensive economic policy measures drawn up
(Yomiuri)
22) Government and ruling camp mulling submission of supplemental
budget during extra Diet to deal with soaring fuel and food prices
(Nikkei)
23) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura, also retained in the cabinet,
rules out tax hike next fiscal year (Sankei)
24) Major cabinet figures starting to call for need to stimulate the
now sagging economy (Yomiuri)
Articles:
1) Sit in at Hiroshima of atomic-bomb victims, foreign
representatives of peace groups protest remark by U.S. Ambassador to
Japan justifying the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Full)
August 4, 2008
(Photo shows a peace groups staging sit in at the Peace Park in
Hiroshima City with banner reading: "We protest the remark by U.S.
Ambassador to Japan Schieffer, "Dropping of atomic bombs saved many
more lives.")
The peace groups, Hiroshima Prefecture Gensuikyou (headed by
Masanobu Omori) and the Hiroshima Prefecture Hidankyou (headed by
Kazushi Kaneko), staged a sit in yesterday in front of the memorial
to atomic bomb victims in the Peace Park in Hiroshima City to
protest a remark by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Schieffer the dropping
of atomic bombs on Japan "were necessary to hasten the end of the
war." The sit in was joined by foreign representatives who had come
to Hiroshima to attend the 2008 international rally and convention
to ban nuclear weapons. The sit in was staged in 35 degree heat,
displaying a banner protesting the statement, "Dropping atomic bombs
saved many more lives." A protest letter was sent to Ambassador
Schieffer that went: "The dropping of atomic bombs was in inhuman
act that violated international law. They cannot be justified for
any reason whatsoever."
Gensuikyou head Omori said: "The Schieffer remark can be said to be
an official statement of the U.S. government. It is a major setback
for the move to ban nuclear weapons." From the foreign visitors, one
representative said: "With the dropping of the bombs, the Cold War
started. What Schieffer should do is to seriously study and learn
that. He should come here and apologize."
The statement by Ambassador Schieffer occurred in a city in Fukuoka
Prefecture in answer to a question after his lecture to high-school
students.
2) Fukuda shuffles cabinet, apparently keeping in mind Lower House
election, picks Aso as secretary general, expecting him to lead LDP
ASAHI (Top Play) (Lead paragraph)
August 2, 2008
Prime Minister Fukuda launched his new cabinet last night. In
picking new cabinet members and Liberal Democratic Party executives,
Fukuda apparently kept in mind the next general election, as seen
from the selection of Taro Aso as "the poster-boy" for the LDP. In
TOKYO 00002123 003 OF 016
terms of policies, as well, he gave priority to such challenges as
dealing with soaring commodity prices and buoying up the economy,
shifting his policy priority away from structural reform. Even so,
unless such a change in his policy course contributes to boost his
government, he may promptly lose his grip on power and become unable
to exercise his right to dissolve the House of Representatives.
Fukuda shifts away from reform line
The new lineup shows that the government has turned away from the
structural policy line that was promoted by the Koizumi and Abe
administrations. Given skyrocketing gasoline and food prices,
uncertainty is now looming large over an economic recession. Under
such a circumstance, the new lineup reflects the government's desire
to shift to policies that will be favorably taken by the voters,
with an eye on the next general election.
Finance Minister Ibuki and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister
Yosano, those responsible for the government's economic and fiscal
policies, are regarded as advocates of fiscal reconstruction. They
insist that since expenditure cuts have their limits, discussion of
a consumption tax hike must be proactively conducted in order to
strengthen social security and other services for the people.
For the posts related to economic and fiscal policies, Fukuda tapped
lawmakers who draw a line with market-oriented structural reform
line, including Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Minister
Tanigaki. At the outset of a press conference yesterday, Fukuda also
categorically said: "I would like to come up with a lineup that is
capable of implementing policies whereby the people can feel the
improved quality of their lives."
Fukuda also appointed Kosuke Hori as Policy Research Council
chairman and Seiko Noda as consumer policy minister, both of who
opposed the privatization of postal services and once bolted the LDP
but returned to the party under the Abe administration. Among those
who left the party over the postal issue but returned to it, Hori
and Noda are the first members who assumed one of the four key party
posts or joined the cabinet.
Meanwhile, no key post has been given to former Secretary General
Hidenao Nakagawa, who supported the Koizumi and Abe administration
and insisted on the need to give priority to economic growth and
spending cuts. Former Administrative Reform Minister Yoshimi
Watanabe and former Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Hiroko Ota
are said to have views close to Nakagawa's, but both have also left
the cabinet.
Attributing the ruling camp's crushing defeat in the House of
Councillors election in July of last year to the structural reform
policy line, many ruling members were calling on Fukuda to change
his policy course. Even while giving consideration to the
side-effect of reform, the prime minister has continued to raise the
slogan of reform out of fear about a further drop in public support
for his cabinet. But in the run-up to a general election, he seems
to have taken one step toward a policy change in term of lineup,
first.
3) Average age of ministers 62: Five first-time ministers
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
August 2, 2008
TOKYO 00002123 004 OF 016
Average age higher than that of previous cabinet
The average age of newly appointed ministers, including Prime
Minister Fukuda, is 62, which is higher than the previous cabinet's
60.2. This is because priority has been given to the appointments of
experienced veterans. The oldest minister is the prime minister at
72, followed by Finance Minister Ibuki, 70. The youngest are State
Minister in charge of Consumer Affairs Noda and Defense Minister
Hayashi. Both are 47 years old.
One from private sector
There are five first-time ministers, compared with one in the
previous cabinet. The number of ministers from the private sector
decreased from two to one.
Distribution of cabinet posts
Abe cabinet Shuffled Abe cabinet Fukuda cabinet Shuffled Fukuda
cabinet
Machimura faction 4 1 2 2
Tsushima faction 2 3 4 1
Koga faction 4 2 2 3
Yamasaki faction 1 2 2 2
Ibuki faction 2 1 1
Aso faction 1 1
Nikai faction 1 1 1
Koumura faction 1 1 1 1
Independent 3 2 3
New Komeito 1 1 1 1
Private sector 1 2 2 1
4) Fukuda denies early Lower House dissolution, playing up plan to
implement policies
ASAHI (Page 4) (Lead paragraph)
August 2, 2008
After shuffling the LDP executive lineup and his cabinet, Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda held a press conference at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) on the night of August 1.
Asked whether he would dissolve the Lower House for a snap general
election under the new cabinet lineup, Fukuda ruled out an early
Diet dissolution, revealing a plan to give top priority to
implementing policies. He said: "The socioeconomic situation is such
that policies must be implemented rather than talking about Lower
House dissolution. The situation does not allow me to consider
dissolving the Lower House immediately."
5) Koga retracts statement on early Lower House dissolution
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
August 4, 2008
In a speech in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture yesterday, Makoto
Koga, the Liberal Democratic Party's Election Committee chairman,
said: "If the Lower House is dissolved for a snap election under the
current situation, the outcome may be disastrous. In order for the
ruling coalition to win the election, the sole way is to make
efforts to get the people to realize that the cabinet will put them
at ease."
TOKYO 00002123 005 OF 016
On the timing for dissolving the House of Representatives, Koga had
echoed the New Komeito's insistence on late this year or early next
year, but he said in the speech: "I had said until recently sometime
between late this year or early next year, but I have to change the
remark into one suggesting sometime very close to the expiration of
the members' term." He indicated that time is needed to work out
economy-boosting measures following the shuffle of the cabinet.
6) Yosano to serve as control tower for economic policy: Distancing
himself from those who attach importance to economic growth;
Appointment of former postal rebels likely to dim Koizumi reform
policy
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
April 2, 2008
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, who is well-versed in
policy matters, has assumed the post of state minister in charge of
economic and fiscal policy. He will once again play the role of the
central command of economic policy as the fixer of the Council on
Economic and Fiscal Policy, whose presence has been declining as the
ruling parties and government agencies increase pressure.
He is expected to play a leading role in the management of the
economy in cooperation with Secretary General Taro Aso, with whom he
has a deep relationship of trust.
Since he is a prominent advocate of fiscal reconstruction, he will
likely firmly maintain the government goal of putting the primary
balance back into the black.
Regarding the tax code, he has called for concrete discussions of a
hike in the consumption tax. Bunmei Ibuki, who took office as
finance minister and has previously served as the chairman of the
subcommittee of the Liberal Democratic Party Tax System Research
Commission, is also known as an advocate of fiscal reconstruction.
This could affect discussions of reforming the tax code starting in
the fall.
Kosuke Hori, who took office as Policy Research Council, is an
influential figure among education and agriculture policy experts in
the Diet, who are calling for a positive increase in expenditures.
Aso during a press conference said, "Economic stimulus measures are
a key policy that would lead to buoying up the administration."
Among those who attach importance to economic growth and are in
confrontation with Yosano over the restoring of fiscal health is
Toshihiro Motegi, who holds the post of state minister for
administrative reform. However, former Secretary General Hidenao
Nakagawa, leader of those calling for economic growth, has again not
been given a cabinet post.
Yosano is negative toward the idea of increasing tax revenues
through higher economic growth, as called for by Nakagawa. He is
also cautious about implementing more thorough administrative
reform. Some take the view that the stand of those who want to
maintain the Koizumi reform policy line will now become difficult to
promote.
7) Spot poll: Cabinet support rebounds to 41 PERCENT
TOKYO 00002123 006 OF 016
YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged)
August 3, 2008
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide public
opinion survey from the evening of Aug. 1 through Aug. 2, in which
the rate of public support for the new cabinet of Prime Minister
Fukuda was 41.3 PERCENT and the nonsupport rate was 47.0 PERCENT .
The figures cannot be compared simply with those in the past surveys
but changed for the better from the 26.6 PERCENT approval rating
and the 61.3 PERCENT disapproval rating in this July's face-to-face
survey taken July 12-13. Fukuda appointed Taro Aso to the post of
secretary general for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. In the
survey, respondents were asked if they supported this appointment.
To this question, "yes" totaled 66 PERCENT . The figure shows that
public expectations for improving the ability to carry out policy
measures with the appointment of a heavyweight pushed up public
support for the Fukuda government.
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP
stood at 35.1 PERCENT , with the leading opposition Democratic Party
of Japan (Minshuto) at 24.6 PERCENT . The figures showed no marked
changes from this July's face-to-face survey (27.2 PERCENT for the
LDP, 18.8 PERCENT for the DPJ).
8) Poll: Cabinet support rises to 38 PERCENT
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged)
August 4, 2008
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun and TV Tokyo conducted a joint spot poll on
Aug. 2-3 in the wake of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's shuffling of
his cabinet. In the poll, the rate of public support for the new
Fukuda cabinet was 38 PERCENT , up 12 percentage points from the
last poll taken in late June. The nonsupport rate was 49 PERCENT .
It still remains high but was down 14 points from the last survey.
The public saw the new Fukuda cabinet as an ability-oriented one.
This apparently had a favorable impact on the support rate. The
ruling Liberal Democratic Party stood at 37 PERCENT in public
support, up 1 point. The leading opposition Democratic Party of
Japan (Minshuto) was at 33 PERCENT , down 2 points.
The LDP outstripped the DPJ for the second time in a row. The gap
between the two parties was 1 point in the last survey but increased
to 4 points in the latest poll.
The survey was taken by Nikkei Research Inc. by telephone on a
random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, samples were
chosen from among men and women aged 20 and over across the nation.
A total of 1,402 households with one or more eligible voters were
sampled, and answers were obtained from 856 persons (63.8 PERCENT
).
9) Poll: Cabinet support up 3 points to 25 PERCENT
MAINICHI (Top play) (Abridged)
August 3, 2008
In the wake of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's shuffling of his
cabinet and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party's executive lineup,
the Mainichi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide
public opinion survey on Aug. 1-2. The rate of public support for
TOKYO 00002123 007 OF 016
the new Fukuda cabinet, which was formally launched yesterday, was
25 PERCENT , up 3 percentage points from the last survey conducted
in July. In the survey, respondents were asked if they would
positively evaluate the Fukuda cabinet's new lineup and the LDP's.
To this question, 56 PERCENT answered "no." Respondents were also
asked if they thought that the cabinet shuffle clearly showed
Fukuda's political philosophy, and 72 PERCENT answered "no." The
figures show that the cabinet and LDP shuffles did not necessarily
lead to boosting the Fukuda government.
The nonsupport rate for the new Fukuda cabinet was 52 PERCENT , a
decrease of 2 points from the last survey. The proportion of those
"not interested" was 21 PERCENT , remaining the same as in the last
survey.
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP
stood at 24 PERCENT , up 2 points. The leading opposition Democratic
Party of Japan (Minshuto) was also at 24 PERCENT , down 1 point.
However, 46 PERCENT chose the DPJ, with 31 PERCENT picking the
LDP, when asked which political party between the LDP and the DPJ
they would like to see win in the next election for the House of
Representatives. The gap between the LDP and the DPJ has narrowed
from 27 points in a survey taken in May when the government's newly
introduced healthcare system for the elderly came under attack. It
also narrowed from 21 points in the last survey.
10) Poll: Cabinet support levels off at 24 PERCENT
ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged)
August 3, 2008
In the wake of Prime Minister Fukuda's shuffling of his cabinet, the
Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public
opinion survey on Aug. 1-2. The approval rating for the new Fukuda
cabinet was 24 PERCENT , remaining unchanged from the 24 PERCENT
rating in the last survey taken July 12-13. The disapproval rating
was 55 PERCENT (58 PERCENT in the last survey). Fukuda appointed
Taro Aso to the post of secretary general for his ruling Liberal
Democratic Party. In the survey, 51 PERCENT supported this
appointment, with 29 PERCENT saying they do not.
Respondents were also asked which political party they would vote
for in their proportional representation blocs if they were to vote
now in an election for the House of Representatives. To this
question, 25 PERCENT chose the LDP, with 32 PERCENT preferring the
leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto). In this
June's survey, the LDP was at 23 PERCENT , with the DPJ scoring 36
PERCENT . The gap between the two parties has narrowed. However, the
DPJ is still above the LDP.
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP
stood at 23 PERCENT (26 PERCENT in the last survey), with the DPJ
at 22 PERCENT (24 PERCENT in the last survey).
11) Kyodo News opinion poll finds 31 PERCENT support for shuffled
Fukuda cabinet. But 48 PERCENT of public prefer a DPJ-centered
administration
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full)
August 3, 2008
With Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's shuffle of his cabinet and the
TOKYO 00002123 008 OF 016
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) executive posts, Kyodo News carried
out a telephone-based nationwide spot public opinion survey from the
evening of Aug. 1 through Aug. 2. The poll showed the support rate
of the new cabinet to be 31.5 PERCENT , a 4.7 PERCENT rise from the
previous poll in July. The non-support rate for the cabinet dropped
5.4 points to 48.1 PERCENT . On the other hand, regarding the
framework of the administration preferred by the public, close to
half or 48.2 PERCENT said they favored a Democratic Party of Japan-
(DPJ) centered one, an increase of 2.9 points from July, while only
34.8 PERCENT supported an LDP-centered administration, a drop of
3.6 points.
Although the appointment of Taro Aso as LDP secretary general and a
strong cabinet made up of veteran lawmakers received a certain level
of appreciation, the poll still showed that the public is
increasingly seeking a change in administration. Prime Minister
Fukuda is likely to continue to be forced to run his government
under severe circumstances.
Asked about the lineup in the new cabinet, 37.9 PERCENT of the
public picked the answer, "They do not project anything different."
Only 3.7 PERCENT chose, "It is a fresh cabinet, not fettered by
factions." A small percentage, 7.7 PERCENT , chose, "I sense there
is an eagerness to carry out reforms."
As for party-support rates, the LDP and DPJ in the last survey were
dead even at 28.6 PERCENT , but this time, the DPJ increased to 30.2
PERCENT , while the LDP remained the same at 28.7 PERCENT .
On the extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF)
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, a hot issue in the upcoming
extra Diet session, a majority or 52.4 PERCENT said they opposed
such a bill, while another 34 PERCENT said they approved it. When
asked when they expected the Lower House election to be held, 37.6
PERCENT thought it would be later this year.
As for reasons for supporting the Prime Minister the most favored
answer with 45.7 PERCENT was, "There is no other appropriate person
around." The most favored reason for not supporting the Prime
Minister, with 32.6 PERCENT , was the answer, "I have no
expectations of his economic policies." As for the agenda of the new
cabinet, the most picked choice (29 PERCENT ) was "economy and
jobs," followed by "social security, including pensions" (28.6
PERCENT ), and then by "income disparity issue" (11.5 PERCENT ).
Support rates for parties other than the LDP and DPJ: the New
Komeito had 3.4 PERCENT ; the Japanese Communist Party had 2.9
PERCENT ; the Social Democratic Party, 1.7 PERCENT ; Peoples New
Party, 0.5 PERCENT , and New Party Japan, 0.7 PERCENT .
12) Aso ranks first at 20 PERCENT in popularity ranking for
post-Fukuda premiership
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
August 4, 2008
In a recent spot poll conducted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and TV
Tokyo, respondents were asked who they thought would be appropriate
for prime minister in the future. To this question, Taro Aso, the
new secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, ranked
first at 20 PERCENT . The same question was asked in a survey taken
in May, and Aso topped all others at 21 PERCENT in that survey. He
TOKYO 00002123 009 OF 016
has now become LDP secretary general. Its effects did not show in
the survey this time, but he is still above all others.
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ranked second at 13 PERCENT
, followed by Ichiro Ozawa, president of the leading opposition
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), at 10 PERCENT . Koizumi and
Ozawa stood at the same rankings and popularity ratings as in the
May survey. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda rose from 4 PERCENT in May
to 8 PERCENT in the latest survey.
DPJ Vice President Naoto Kan was at 8 PERCENT . Land, Infrastructure
and Transport Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and former DPJ President
Katsuya Okada were at 5 PERCENT , followed by former Defense
Minister Yuriko Koike at 4 PERCENT .
13) Poll: 48 PERCENT opposed to continue MSDF mission in Indian
Ocean
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
August 4, 2008
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a joint spot poll with TV Tokyo
in the wake of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's shuffling of his
cabinet. In the survey, respondents were asked if Japan should
continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's current refueling mission
in the Indian Ocean after the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law
expires in January next year. To this question, 48 PERCENT answered
that the MSDF mission there should be discontinued then, with only
36 PERCENT saying it should be continued. The government plans to
revise the law at the next extraordinary Diet session to extend the
MSDF mission. However, the opposition parties are opposed to the
legislation. There are also cautious views in New Komeito, the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner.
In a previous poll taken in December 2007 after the MSDF was
temporarily recalled from the Indian Ocean, 44 PERCENT said Japan
should not resume the MSDF's Indian Ocean refueling mission, with 39
PERCENT saying Japan should resume it.
14) Prime Minister Fukuda in press conference did not mention
whether bill extending MSDF refueling mission would be presented to
the Diet or not
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpt)
August 2, 2008
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in his press conference at the official
residence following his shuffling of his cabinet, stated his view
that it was necessary to extend the refueling mission of the
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in the Indian Ocean: "We cannot
ignore a problem which has cause great losses for concerned
countries." On the other hand, on the question of whether he would
be presenting a bill to the extraordinary session of the Diet this
fall extending the anti-terrorism special measures law, he avoided
mentioning anything specific, only saying, "We are considering the
specific handling of this, so we are not at the stage of my
announcing anything."
15) Sasagawa cautious about refueling operation in Indian Ocean
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
August 4, 2008
TOKYO 00002123 010 OF 016
The New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, the law that serves as
the basis for the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling
operation in the India Ocean, expires in January next year. Takashi
Sasagawa, General Council chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP), during a Fuji TV talk show on August 3 indicated a cautious
stance toward an extension of the law, noting, "The Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is not opposing Japan taking measures to
ensure the safety of oil coming from Arab countries, and it is
necessary for MSDF vessels to do that job. There may be a gap
between this job and refueling operations."
Sasagawa stressed that it would be difficult to obtain the public's
understanding regarding continuing the refueling operation when
crude oil prices are surging. He said, "The domestic situation this
year is completely different from the situation last year."
16) Fukuda administration's foreign policy faces difficulty in
relations with U.S.; Takeshima, too, remains contentious issue
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged)
August 2, 2008
The new Fukuda cabinet has been launched bearing a heavy workload on
the diplomatic front, as well. In particular, the administration
faces a number of difficult problems in relations with the United
States, such as extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF)
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The standoff with South Korea
over the Takeshima (Dokdo) isles, as well, shows no sign of abating.
With the appointment of Taro Aso as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
secretary general, who has a different foreign policy line than
Prime Minister Fukuda, some observers are worried whether the two
will be able to cooperate.
"Next January, we will likely face a big crisis in our Asia
diplomacy, centering on our relations with the United States," said
a senior Foreign Ministry official, echoing the views of others in
the ministry who see the Fukuda administration's relationship with
the U.S. as a spark ready to ignite. In addition to the refueling
services in the Indian Ocean which expire by law in January, there
is no prospect in sight for dispatching the Self-Defense Forces to
mainland Afghanistan, as the government had been considering.
The U.S. is in a political season culminating in November with the
presidential election and the inauguration of a new administration
next January. A government source spoke for many others by stating,
"If the refueling mission is withdrawn, and the contribution planned
for the Afghan mainland is not in train, Japan-U.S. relations by the
end of this year will likely to grow ugly."
The standoff between Japan and the Republic of Korea over the
Takeshima issue, too, is filled with the danger of undermining the
entirety of Fukuda's Asia diplomacy. This fall, there is supposed to
a summit meeting held in Tokyo between Japanese and South Korean
leaders, the first for the two in Japan. But according to a
diplomatic source connected to the bilateral relationship, there is
a possibility that "South Korean President Lee could possibly cancel
his trip to Japan." The confrontation between Japan and the ROK
could impact adversely on their policy cooperation toward North
Korea.
17) U.S. submarine leaked radiation since its port call at Sasebo in
TOKYO 00002123 011 OF 016
March; level not harmful
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
Evening, August 2, 2008
Washington
The U.S. Navy announced on August 1 that there was a possibility
that the USS Houston, a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine,
leaked minute amounts of radiation for several months, including
during its port call at Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, in March and
April and its navigation in waters around Japan.
U.S. CNN reported on the matter, and the U.S. Navy public relations
office confirmed the fact in the Asahi Shimbun's question about it.
The level of leakage is so low that there is no danger of causing
any damage but for the maintenance of transparency, the U.S. Navy
notified the Japanese government of the fact on July 31, U.S.
Eastern time, according to the U.S. Navy public relations office.
The U.S. Navy also notified the fact to Guan and Hawaii where the
submarine visited in May.
The radiation leak was found during the Houston's regular inspection
on July 17 in which about 1 gallon (about 3.8 liters) of water
splashed on the feet of one crewmember when it came through a valve
near the sub's engine room. The water was not in direct contact with
the nuclear reactor.
The U.S. Navy explained that the crewmember who was exposed to the
water, proved to be unaffected and that the amount of leaked
radiation was estimated at 0.5 micro-curie at the most -- the level
equivalent to being exposed to a 50 pounds (22 kilograms) of plant
fertilizer (in daily life).
18) Koumura learned of U.S. submarine radiation leak through CNN
report; Harshly raps administrative officers
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
August 3, 2008
A Foreign Ministry department was notified on August 1 by the U.S.
side on the leak of radiation from the USS Houston, the
nuclear-powered submarine that had docked in Sasebo, Nagasaki
Prefecture. But the office did not report the matter to Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura, Defense
Ministry, and other nerve centers of the government, it was learned
on August 2. Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura in a press
conference expressed strong displeasure, saying: "It was pretty bad.
It was about radiation. The office should have announced it
immediately."
The Foreign Ministry was notified of the matters from the U.S.
government on the afternoon of August 2. A Foreign Ministry official
explained, "We judged the amount of radiation would not have any
impact on humans or the environment." When the Houston docked in
Japanese ports in March and April, no abnormal figures were detected
in radiation examinations. For this reason, the Foreign Ministry
kept the information to itself without reporting it to other
government offices and municipalities concerned, such as Sasebo.
Koumura learned of the matter through a CNN television report on the
morning of August 2. After seeing the report, Koumura reportedly
TOKYO 00002123 012 OF 016
immediately confirmed the fact with administrative officials.
Koumura harshly criticized the ministry's inappropriate handling of
the matter, saying: "I ordered the ministry to announce such
information immediately. It should have been made public much
earlier."
19) Foreign Ministry failed to report U.S. submarine's radiation
leak to Kantei
SANKEI (Page 1) (Full)
August 3, 2008
The Foreign Ministry failed to report to Foreign Minister Masahiko
Koumura and the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) the
information it had obtained that the U.S. Navy nuclear-powered
submarine USS Houston that had docked in Sasebo, Nagasaki
Prefecture, in late March leaked a small amount of radiation, it was
learned yesterday. Foreign Minister Koumura in a press conference
yesterday harshly criticized the Foreign Ministry's office that had
been responsible for the matter.
Koumura learned of the radiation leak through a CNN television
report yesterday morning. The Foreign Ministry department that
received the information on August 1 from the United States
reportedly did not make it public, judging that the amount of
radiation leaked was low that would not have any impact on humans.
Koumura expressed a strong sense of displeasure, saying: "The office
should have announced it much earlier. (Whether the amount was
minute or not) was not the rightful reason (not to make the
information public). It is simply unacceptable."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, too, in a news
conference yesterday, called for speedy reporting to the Kantei,
saying: "It is pretty bad. It's about radiation. Once the Foreign
Ministry is notified by the U.S. government, it should report the
matter immediately to the Kantei to make it public."
According to the U.S. Navy, the nuclear-powered submarine had been
leaking minute amounts of radiation for several months since March.
The leak was found in a regular inspection on July 16. The submarine
had docked in Sasebo for a week. It also visited Guam and Hawaii.
20-1) U.S. base-hosting municipalities becoming distrustful of
Japanese government that failed to report on U.S. submarine's
radiation leak
NIKKEI (Page 11) (Full)
Evening, August 2, 2008
A radiation leak by a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine has come
to light through a CNN television report. Was the government's
communication system functioning properly? Residents of Sasebo,
Nagasaki Prefecture, are becoming distrustful of the government,
because it failed to announce the fact.
The Japanese government was notified on August 1 by the U.S. side
about the leak. But the information on the leak did not reach Sasebo
until a news program reported it. Masahide Haraguchi, the
59-year-old head of Sasebo city's bureau in charge of U.S. military
base programs, said: "I wonder why the Foreign Ministry didn't tell
local communities after it learned of the incident. I wish they had
handled the matter properly even if the leak was not problematic."
TOKYO 00002123 013 OF 016
Mayor Tsuneo Chinen of Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, where the USS
Houston, the nuclear-powered submarine that leaked radiation, docked
for a short period of time, also expressed concern, saying: "The
matter is too serious to overlook. Radiation must not be leaked,
even a minute amount."
According to the Okinawa Prefecture base affairs department, the
Huston docked in the U.S. Navy base of White Beach for 24 minutes on
March 12 replenishing supplies. The level of radiation in an
inspection conducted at that time was reportedly normal.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington is scheduled
to be deployed at Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Yokosuka base
affairs division director Masashi Suzuki said: "(As of August 2),
there has been no notice. I think there will be an explanation of
some sort, but we won't know anything until we hear an
explanation."
20-2) Japan, U.S. required to mutually report on radiation accidents
during port calls in Japan
NIKKEI (Page 11) (Full)
Evening, August 2, 2008
When U.S. nuclear-powered vessels enter Japanese ports, Japan and
the United States are required to sample air and seawater in order
to check the level of radiation and to report to each other swiftly
when an accident occurs.
When U.S. nuclear-powered vessels enter, leave, or are docked at
Japanese ports, such as Sasebo, the Japanese side also checks air
and seawater to detect possible radiation leaks by using radiation
measuring instruments set at bases and their vicinity. The
Education, Science and Technology Ministry collects seawater and
seabed mud by using Japan Coast Guard radiation research vessels to
find any anomalies. However, Japan is reportedly not allowed to
conduct onboard inspections from the perspective of protecting
military secrets.
After a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine left Yokosuka port in
September 2006, a minute amount of Cobalt 60, a radioactive
substance, was detected in seawater collected by the Japanese side.
But the U.S. Navy concluded that there was no problem aboard the
submarine.
21) Fukuda to instruct Yosano today to produce comprehensive
economic package this week
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
August 4, 2008
Prime Minister Fukuda will call in Minister of Economy, Trade and
Industry Yosano to the Prime Minister's Office this morning to
instruct him to produce a package of comprehensive economic measures
this week to cope with skyrocketing oil and food prices and an
economic slowdown.
Fukuda will order Yosano to compile a policy package to quickly
erase public uneasiness and dissatisfaction about price hikes and
other problems, as well as to sweep away people's concern about the
economy. The package is likely to include measures to boost aid to
TOKYO 00002123 014 OF 016
small businesses and to industries related to agriculture, forestry
and fisheries, which are suffering from the recent steep rise of oil
prices. The package is also expected to include measures to promote
energy conservation and new energy.
As key points in drawing up measures, the following three points
will bepQQLQxQl or stopgap measures;
and (3) maintain the policy of keeping fiscal soundness, as well as
promote examining government disbursements and reviewing the special
accounts simultaneously.
22) Government, ruling parties now looking into submitting
supplementary budget to upcoming extraordinary Diet session as
measure to address soaring crude oil, food prices
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
August 4, 2008
The government and the ruling camp yesterday started looking into
the possibility of submitting a supplementary budget for the current
fiscal year to the upcoming extraordinary Diet session. Their
judgment is that it will be necessary to make fiscal disbursements
in a flexible way in order to cope with soaring crude oil and food
prices and a slowing domestic economy. With the next Lower House
election in mind, some in the ruling parties are calling for
large-scale fiscal disbursements so as to demonstrate their stance
of attaching importance to the economy. This will likely generate
vigorous discussions about the scale and specifics of fiscal
disbursements.
Referring to the possible compilation of a supplementary budget,
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura during a TV program that
day noted, "Such a judgment must be made at the appropriate time. We
will do whatever necessary during the extraordinary session in a
flexible manner." Appearing on another TV talk show, he said, "We
are ready (to compile a supplementary budget), if necessary."
Finance Minister Bunmei Ibuki also noted, "The government will use
the budget ahead of schedule to implement measures to boost the
economy." He then indicated the government policy of looking into
compiling a supplementary budget, saying that it would make efforts
to implement the budget for the current fiscal year ahead of
schedule and consider what to do, when it is used up.
Concerning specifics to be incorporated in a supplementary budget,
the finance minister said that the focus will be on measures to
address soaring crude oil prices. He noted, "The first thing we
should do is to take emergency individual measures for businesses
that cannot pass higher costs along to consumers, such as farmers,
commercial fishermen, livestock farmers and the trucking industry."
Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito (New Komeito) pointed out, "All
policy measures, including fiscal disbursements, should be fully
mobilized."
Machimura said, "It is questionable whether the situation now
requires tax cuts and a substantial increase in spending. Measures
that greatly deviate from the government policy of bringing the
primary balance into the black by fiscal 2011 should not be taken."
He thus indicated a cautious stance toward large-scale fiscal
disbursements that could lead to a change in the fiscal
reconstruction policy line.
TOKYO 00002123 015 OF 016
23) Hiking consumption tax next fiscal year difficult, says Chief
Cabinet Secretary Machimura; Unavoidable over mid- to long-term
SANKEI (Page 1) (Full)
August 4, 2008
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, appearing on NHK and TV
Asahi talk shows on August 3, indicated a negative view on a hike in
the consumption tax in fiscal 2009. He said, "The economy is showing
signs of losing steam. Given the current economic situation, it
would be rather difficult to decide to raise the consumption tax in
the tax code revision for next year."
Concerning the issue of raising the state contribution to the basic
pension to 50 PERCENT starting in fiscal 2009, Machimura pointed
out, "It must be implemented, because the increase is stipulated by
law." Regarding fiscal resources to finance the increase, he
indicated his perception that it would be possible to finance the
increase using reserves in the special account.
He also said, "The public expects improved social security and solid
measures to ensure that. It is necessary to indicate a mid-term
vision to the public." He thus indicated that it raising the
consumption tax over the medium term will be unavoidable.
Referring to measures to address rising prices in the wake of the
steep rise in crude oil prices and the economic slowdown, Finance
Minister Bunmei Ibuki on an NHK talk show of the same day said, "We
will implement the budget ahead of schedule in order to boost the
economy." He thus indicated that the government will deal with those
issues by implementing the fiscal 2008 budget ahead of schedule for
the time being. He at the same time indicated his stance of looking
into a possible compilation of a supplementary budget, saying, "We
must consider what do to when the budget is used up."
Machimura also stated, "We will take measurers in the extraordinary
Diet session in a flexible manner, if necessary."
24) Major cabinet ministers insist on need for economic stimulus
measures
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
August 4, 2008
Appearing on NHK and commercial TV programs yesterday, major members
of the shuffled Fukuda cabinet reiterated the need for
economy-spurring measures to deal with soaring oil and food prices,
as well as economic slowdown.
Finance Minister Ibuki indicated a positive view about compiling a
supplementary budget in a NHK program, saying: "Upon working out
economic stimulus measures, the government will have to come up with
additional steps." Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura also commented:
"We will flexibly take measures if necessary during the
extraordinary Diet session."
On the scale of fiscal disbursements, Land, Infrastructure, and
Transport Minister Tanigaki said: "There is room to come up with
something other than fiscal disbursements." But Environment Minister
Saito asserted: "Fiscal disbursements and measures that need no
money should be fully employed."
TOKYO 00002123 016 OF 016
Asked about a consumption tax hike, Machimura stated: "Since there
are signs of an economic slowdown, it might be difficult to decide
to raise the consumption tax in FY2009."
Regarding the proposed constraint of growth in spending on social
security to 220 billion yen in the budgetary request guidelines for
FY2009, Machimura indicated that the government would secure 330
billion yen under a separate account as money to finance measures to
implement key tasks and to cover the contained expenditures for
social security with the money.
SCHIEFFER