Cablegate: Daily Summary of Japanese Press 11/20/07

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 005298

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA;
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA

SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/20/07

Index:

(1) Japan-ASEAN reach settlement on EPA to be put into effect next
fall: Tariff on flat-screen TV to be abolished over 10 years
(Asahi)

(2) ASEAN summit: ASEAN looking forward to new Fukuda Doctrine
(Sankei)

(3) Editorial: One step toward realization of concept of East Asia
Community (Asahi)

(4) Female victim rate lower than US rate: US Embassy officer
(Okinawa Times)

(5) Foreign residents worried about how fingerprint data will be
used (Asahi)

(6) TOP HEADLINES

(7) EDITORIALS

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, November 19 (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) Japan-ASEAN reach settlement on EPA to be put into effect next
fall: Tariff on flat-screen TV to be abolished over 10 years

ASAHI (Page 10) (Full)
November 20, 2007

Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at an
economic ministerial meeting yesterday reached an agreement to sign
an economic partnership agreement (EPA) featuring trade
liberalization. The agreement is expected to be put into effect next
fall. This is Japan's first EPA with a regional association, which
will bring about a wide-area economic bloc since ASEAN countries
have a total population of about 550 million.

Japan's trade with ASEAN in 2006 reached approximately 156.3 billion
dollars or approximately 17.2 trillion yen, accounting for about 13
PERCENT of the nation's entire trade amount. According to the
envisaged EPA, Japan will immediately abolish tariffs on more than
90 PERCENT of imports from ASEAN, and ASEAN will scrap tariffs on
more than 85 PERCENT of imports from Japan over 10-18 years. For
instance, tariffs on flat-screen TV will be scrapped in seven ASEAN
member nations within 10 years, which would make it easier for
Japanese companies to manufacture products based on the division of
labor.

In the East Asia region, moves to sign EPAs and free trade
agreements (FTA) are gathering momentum with focus on ASEAN.
Individual agreements between ASEAN, and countries like Japan,
China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, will be put
into effect next year.

Japan has advocated an East Asia EPA (ASEAN plus Japan, China and
South Korea, plus Australia and New Zealand) putting together all
those EPAS. The result of studies on its proposal will likely be
reported at the East Asia summit next year along with an ASEAN plus
3 (Japan, China and South Korea) EPA advocated by China. Discussions

TOKYO 00005298 002 OF 007

on the future image of an East Asia economic bloc will thus move
into full swing. The East Asia EPA initiative is also aimed at
softening China's influence.

However, it is noteworthy that ASEAN has not necessarily been
positive toward the idea of signing an EPA. Since its members have
different levels of the economies and different religions and
cultures, it lacks cooperativeness like the EU has. The EPA talks
with ASEAN have followed a thorny path with member nations'
motivated by the desire to keep tariffs high in order to give
priority to inviting investors to their own countries instead of
within the region.

ASEAN member nations expect Japan to liberalize its agricultural
market, invest in their countries and transfer technology to them.
Japan's ability to construct a cooperative system involving the
private sector will be put to the test.

"It is almost impossible for Doha Round to reach a settlement within
the year," says METI minister during WTO talks

Singapore, Yusuke Murayama

Commenting on the possibility of the multilateral trade negotiations
at the World Trade Organization (WTO) reaching a settlement within
the year, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Amari during a press
conference yesterday evening said, "It is almost impossible by any
stretch of the imagination." He also indicated an outlook that a
ministerial meeting, a premise for reaching an agreement, will be
delayed until immediately after the World Economic Forum Annual
Plenary Session (Davos Conference) to be held in Switzerland in late
January next year.

(2) ASEAN summit: ASEAN looking forward to new Fukuda Doctrine

SANKEI (Page 7) (Full)
November 20, 2007

Kinya Fujimoto, Singapore

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has initiated a
series of events for its summit meeting, holding an informal dinner
party in Singapore. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will attend the East
Asia summit tomorrow. It has been 30 years since the late Prime
Minister Takeo Fukuda, the father of Yasuo, advocated the so-called
Fukuda Doctrine, in which he articulated Japan's foreign policy
toward Southeast Asia. Among ASEAN member countries, the Fukuda
Doctrine has been highly appreciated, citing that it became the
foundation for them to build a relationship of trust with Japan.
There is a view calling for a second Fukuda doctrine that would meet
the needs of the new era.

The Straits Time, a Singaporean daily newspaper, stated in a
commentary on Nov. 16 that Prime Minister Fukuda's foreign policy
toward Asia, would be similar to that of his father Takeo, who was
regarded as a friend of Asia, in particular ASEAN. All ASEAN member
countries are welcoming Fukuda's first official visit to Singapore.

The Fukuda Doctrine, which was asserted by the late Japanese prime
minister in 1977 in Manila, included three principles for Japan's
Southeast Asia foreign policy: 1) Japan would never become a
military power and would contribute to Southeast Asian and world

TOKYO 00005298 003 OF 007

peace; 2) Japan would build up relationship of mutual confidence and
trust with Southeast Asian countries; and 3) Japan on equal footing
would contribute to peace and prosperity of South East Asian
countries.

The Fukuda Doctrine was meant to repair the bad image that Japan
then held in Asia.
In 1974, then Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka faced anti-Japanese
crowds in Bangkok and Jakarta who were defiantly against Japanese
companies' unilateral investment in Southeast Asia.

Former Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, in a symposium held in
Singapore this month commemorating the 30th anniversary of the
Fukuda Doctrine, stated: "Up to that time, Japan conducted its
foreign policy only for the sake of its economy." He gave a positive
assessment of the Fukuda Doctrine, saying:

"Because successive cabinets in Japan since 1977 have continued the
Fukuda Doctrine, Japan and Southeast Asian countries have been able
to share economic and commercial interests, bringing stability to
the region."

As concrete achievements, he mentioned Japan's contribution to
bringing peace to Cambodia and to resolving the East Timor dispute.

There are also skeptical views. Singapore's Vice Foreign Minister
Andrew Tong threw doubt on whether an equal relationship was
realized, saying: "Japan's 'checkbook diplomacy' (after the Fukuda
Doctrine) has created erroneous thinking among Japanese elites (that
Japan only gives aid)"

University of Wisconsin Prof. Jian Wei, who hails from China,
pointed out: "The Fukuda Doctrine can also be interpreted as Japan
having made a political decision to return from the West to Asia."
As long as Japan continues its "US-centered diplomatic strategy,"
actions by Japan and ASEAN will be constrained and the "Fukuda
Doctrine would not be fully implemented," he said.

Surin, a former foreign minister in Thailand who will become ASEAN
secretary general next January, stated:

SIPDIS

"Although peace and prosperity were achieved in Southeast Asia as a
whole, there are now such new issues as the gap between rich and
poor, human rights, and human security."

Former ASEAN Secretary General Seberino (TN: phonetic) said:
"Although the Fukuda Doctrine is not outdated, a re-definition is
necessary."

In Indonesia in 2004 after he stepped down as chief cabinet
secretary, Prime Minister Fukuda commented on the doctrine: "Since

SIPDIS
it is little bit old, we should look into one that has new
expressions and policies replacing the old ones."

(3) Editorial: One step toward realization of concept of East Asia
Community

ASAHI (Page 3) (Full)
November 20, 2007

Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
finalized negotiation on concluding an economic partnership

TOKYO 00005298 004 OF 007

agreement (EPA) yesterday. From a long-term standpoint, this
agreement is significant, because the concept of an East Asia
Community, which had just been viewed as an account of a dream, has
been turned into a future goal.

An EPA includes such sectors as service trade and investment in a
free trade agreement (FTA) designed to reduce or abolish tariffs.

Japan has so far concluded FTAs separately with six countries of the
10-nation ASEAN, but the latest one covers the entire region.

China and South Korea have already struck free-trade deals with
ASEAN. As a result of Japan joining them, a trilateral economic zone
will be established, centered around ASEAN. In addition, if Japan
signs FTAs with China and South Korea, and if China and South Korea
also concludes an FTA, the framework for the concept of an East Asia
Community will be completed.

Of course, it will not be easy to reach the goal. FTA talks between
Japan and South Korea have been suspended over the past three years,
blocked by such pending issues as Japan's closed rice market and
past military aggression. Japan and China have yet to start even
negotiations.

Encouraged by the agreement with ASEAN, Japan should move in a
positive manner. Countries in East Asia have put their economies on
the development track and have served as an engine to pull along the
global economy. If they strengthen coordination to establish an
economic community, results significant for each nation should be
produced.

Tariffs on about 90 PERCENT of imports in terms of value will be
gradually repealed after the agreement takes effect. For instance,
in case Japan exports liquid crystal panels to Malaysia to make TV
sets there and then exports the products to the Philippines, no
tariff will be imposed on imports in the entire process.

In the agreement between Japan and ASEAN, however, there are
insufficient parts. Japan has put aside rice and dairy products from
the application of the accord in order to protect domestic farmers.
Thailand and Vietnam have excluded automobiles. Japan has a
responsibility to enhance cooperation by opening up its market on
its own initiative.

Meanwhile, it is also essential to push ahead with ongoing global
trade talks under the World Trade Organization (WO). But the talks
have been stalled as the interests of 150 participant countries are
involved in a complicated way. Japan will have to pour its energies
in both WTO talks and FTA negotiations.

ASEAN has marked the 40th anniversary of its establishment. The
association has steadily taken one step after another toward
establishing a common market. Upon successfully dealing with the
financial crunch in Asia 10 years ago, the countries have sparked
their economies back to life. We feel deeply moved by the fact that
ASEAN has reached the stage of moving toward establishing a
community.

In the summit today, ASEAN will adopt a charter that will base the
establishment of a community. Japan should also be indirectly
involved in the process of establishing a community modeled after
the European Union (EU) so that progress will be made in the

TOKYO 00005298 005 OF 007

process.

(4) Female victim rate lower than US rate: US Embassy officer

OKINAWA TIMES (Page 27) (Full)
November 20, 2007

TOKYO-A group of women, including Hiroko Takahashi, a
co-representative of the Ai Josei Kaigi (I Women's Council),
formerly the Nihon Fujin Kaigi (Japan Women's Council), and Nobuko
Karimata, a member of Okinawa Prefecture's assembly, who chairs the
council's Okinawa prefectural headquarters, called at the US Embassy
in Japan yesterday and met Security Policy Division Director Raymond
Greene at the embassy to protest a recent spate of incidents in
which Japanese women were raped, killed, or injured by US servicemen
in Japan.

According to Karimata and others, Greene indicated his view, saying
the rate of similar incidents in Japan is "lower than that in a
certain state of the United States." Those representatives from the
council were strongly repulsed by this remark. One of them said, "If
there is even a single victim, it is still a problem." Another said,
"In sexual violence cases, there are also so many victims who cannot
report their cases to police and find themselves helpless."

In Okinawa, a US serviceman's son committed a rape resulting in
bodily injury. Moreover, a group of Iwakuni-based US Marines
allegedly gang-raped a Japanese woman. Referring to these cases, the
council representatives pointed out that there were a number of
incidents caused by US servicemen.

(5) Foreign residents worried about how fingerprint data will be
used

ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
November 19, 2007

An increasing number of countries have introduced stricter
immigration checks. In Britain, applicants for visas are required to
be fingerprinted. Japanese nationals have also been subject to this
requirement since early this month. The European Union (EU) has
introduced a similar system to Britain's. But there is no other
country but Japan and the United States in which almost all visitors
are subject to the requirement of fingerprinting. The Justice
Ministry dispatched in September its officers to China, Taiwan, and
South Korea, from which 60 PERCENT of all foreign visitors to Japan
come, to seek understanding of Japan's new system from their travel
agencies and press companies.

A sense of resistance is spreading among foreign residents in Japan.
In the case of Japan, unlike the US, even foreigners married to
Japanese, as well as those with permanent residency, will be subject
to the requirement. Groups opposed to the new system have issued
statements criticizing it as discriminatory, based on the
preconceived notion that foreigners are terrorists.

Collected fingerprints will be put into a database, and the data
will also be used in criminal investigations. Some have voiced
concern about the government's policy of strengthening the control
of foreign residents in Japan, with one person grumbling: "I wonder
how the government will use the data."

TOKYO 00005298 006 OF 007

North Korean and South Korean residents will be excluded from the
application of the new system. Faced with strong objections, the
government dropped the fingerprinting system under the Alien
Registration Law in 2000. This experience is behind the decision to
exclude Korean residents. The eldest son of the late Choi Chang Hwa,
who launched a campaign against the fingerprinting system, said: "I
am disappointed at the resumption of the system only seven years
after it was ended. It is strange to require general permanent
residents who have long been deep-seated in Japan to be
fingerprinted. I will raise opposition."

(6) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Nukaga helped Yamagata construction firm take part in bidding for
defense-related facilities through Moriya in 2000

Mainichi:
Fund pooled in US by ex-Yamada executive reached 1.1 billion yen

Yomiuri:
LDP, DPJ leaders to hold talks on Nov. 22

Nikkei:
Sumitomo Trust & Banking, Aozora Bank to form comprehensive
operational ties

Sankei:
Kyuma vs. Moriya over CX engine procurement

Tokyo Shimbun:
Japan, ASEAN reach agreement on EPA

Akahata:
Nukaga wined and dined by Mitsubishi Group

(7) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Japan-ASEAN EPA agreement: First step toward East Asia
Community
(2) Osaka mayoral election: Grand coalition fiasco does not affect
election

Mainichi:
(1) Global warming report: Use scientific data for policy
(2) Osaka mayoral election: New mayor must push forward with reform

Yomiuri:
(1) How to eliminate Kasumigaseki's resistance toward
decentralization
(2) OPEC supports fight against global warming

Nikkei:
(1) Japan, ASEAN still unhappy with EPA accord
(2) Reform of Osaka City administration indispensable

Sankei:
(1) Fiscal council's proposals: Ruling and opposition camps cannot
ease up
(2) We hope Kibo will make new chapter for Japan's space development

TOKYO 00005298 007 OF 007

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Finance Minister Nukaga's explanations do not make sense
(2) Russia, US, China should join international effort to reduce
CO2

Akahata:
(1) Proposals by fiscal system council: Don't prey on common people
and rural areas

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, November 19

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 20, 2007

11:41 Entered his name in the register book to report his return
home.
11:59 Met with Vice Defense Minister Masuda at the Prime Minister's
Official Residence (Kantei).
12:24 Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Yabunaka, Asian and Oceanian
Affairs Bureau Director General Sasae and Southeast and Southwest
Asian Affairs Director General Atsumi. Deputy Chief Cabinet
Secretary Iwaki was present.

SIPDIS
14:46 Arrived at the official residence.
15:49 Left Haneda Airport on government plane to attend East Asia
summit.
Evening Arrived at Singapore International Airport. Stayed overnight
at Four Seasons Hotel.

SCHIEFFER

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