Cablegate: Daily Summary of Japanese Press 08/07/08
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P 070808Z AUG 08
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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
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 08/07/08
INDEX:
(1) Foreign Ministry orally asks U.S. deputy chief of mission for
participation of U.S. forces in nuclear disaster prevention drill;
Director-general directly afterward stresses that it was an "unusual
measure" (Nishinippon Shimbun)
(2) Interview with Minister of State for Okinawa Motoo Hayashi: The
pollution left on returned base land is the central government's
responsibility (Okinawa Times)
(3) Yomiuri survey of LDP prefectural chapters find 16 that would
prefer to go into the next election under Prime Minister Fukuda, 10
that want the election under Aso (Yomiuri)
(4) TOP HEADLINES
(5) EDITORIALS
(6) Prime Minister's schedule, August 6
ARTICLES:
(1) Foreign Ministry orally asks U.S. deputy chief of mission for
participation of U.S. forces in nuclear disaster prevention drill;
Director-general directly afterward stresses that it was an "unusual
measure"
NISHINIPPON SHIMBUN (Internet edition) (Full)
August 7, 2008
In connection with the release of radiation by the U.S.
nuclear-powered submarine Houston, the prefecture and Sasebo City
have been repeatedly urging the U.S. forces to participate in a
nuclear disaster prevention drill. On that issue, the Foreign
Ministry today revealed that North America Bureau Director General
Shinichi Nishimiya orally transmitted the local governments' request
to James Zumwalt, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in
Japan. The ministry, which has been sharply criticized by the
cabinet for ignoring the information from the U.S. about the
radiation leak, stressed, "This was a rare high-level step."
Deputy Chief of Mission Zumwalt is the American representative next
to Ambassador Schieffer. According to the Japan-U.S. Status of
Forces Agreement Office of the Foreign Ministry, after Governor
Genjiro Kaneko met Vice Minister Yabunaka, Director General
Nishimiya on the afternoon of Aug. 5 reportedly transmitted to
Deputy Chief of Mission Zumwalt the following as a request from the
local governments: 1) to present information quickly that clears up
the cause of the radiation leak and that shows the steps to prevent
a recurrence; 2) to have the U.S. forces participate in a nuclear
disaster prevention drill that will take place in Sasebo City; and
3) lift the embargo on prior announcements of port calls by
nuclear-powered submarines.
A responsible official at the same office stated: "The U.S. and we,
too, are accountable for such matters as clearing up the cause (of
the leak). It would not do if this were carried out lackadaisically;
we are looking to the U.S. to take a strong stance."
(2) Interview with Minister of State for Okinawa Motoo Hayashi: The
pollution left on returned base land is the central government's
TOKYO 00002176 002 OF 005
responsibility
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Excerpts)
August 7, 2008
-- On the relocation of Futenma Air Station, two working teams from
the central and local governments have been launched. How will they
tackle this issue?
"Our role is to serve as a bridge between the central government and
local government. We will take the views of the local communities
seriously and our desire is to transmit them to the government and
put them into shape. We will efforts toward that end."
-- What about moving the site into the ocean as Governor Nakaima is
seeking?
"I would like to listen to the voices of the local communities.
Whether it will be carried out as is will be subject to discussion
next."
-- On the use of the land being returned south of Kadena, the local
governments have requested the central government for fiscal
backing.
"Since the use of the returned land must move ahead smoothly, I
think it probably should be the responsibility of the central
government for a survey to see if there is polluted materials and
cleaning them up."
(3) Yomiuri survey of LDP prefectural chapters find 16 that would
prefer to go into the next election under Prime Minister Fukuda, 10
that want the election under Aso
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
August 7, 2008
With the shuffling of the Fukuda Cabinet, the Yomiuri Shimbun has
carried out a survey targeting one executive each in Liberal
Democratic Party's (LDP) 47 prefectural chapters, with Diet members
being excluded. The question was asked, "Do you think it desirable
to go into the next Lower House election under Prime Minister Fukuda
(LDP president)?" In response, the executives in 16 prefectural
chapters chose Fukuda as "desirable," while another 20 executives
chose the answer, "I can't say which." The executives in 10
prefectures, however, found him "undesirable." Those 10 prefectures
instead supported Aso, stating, "He would be an appropriate prime
minister for facing the next Lower House election,"
The survey was carried out Aug. 2-6 in a questionnaire form, with
responses coming from every prefectural chapter. The Shizuoka
chapter, however, replied that the members had not yet finalized
their thinking so it could not answer the questions.
Among the executives who replied that it was not desirable to carry
out the election under Prime Minister Fukuda there were such
comments as: "We can't win (the election) with Prime Minister
Fukuda, for there have been no accomplishments, including the bad
handling of the issue of the system of medical care for the elderly"
(Haruto Oda, policy research chair at the Okayama Prefectural
Chapter); "There is a problem with his leadership" (Akashi Nekoda,
secretary general of the Gifu Prefectural Chapter), and. "The
TOKYO 00002176 003 OF 005
impression is that he lacks leadership, and his support ratings are
low" (Toshihiko Takeishi, secretary general of the Kochi Prefectural
Chapter). All wanted a change in the prime minister before the next
election. Den Chiba, the secretary general of the Iwate Prefectural
Chapter brought up this reason for promoting Aso for the prime
minister's post: "He is popular across the nation, and there are
high expectations of him."
Among those executives who chose the answer, "Can't say who," Minoru
Kasahara, secretary general of the Ehime Prefectural Chapter said
this about changing prime minister's before a general election, "It
depends now on the efforts of the current prime minister."
On the cabinet shuffle, 44 of the prefectural chapters gave it high
marks, while 33 indicated that with the shuffle, their evaluation of
the prime minister had risen. Another question was, "What would be a
good time to dissolve the Lower House and call a snap election?" In
response, 25 chapters, the highest number, chose the answer "after
the fiscal 2009 budget is passed." Another 14 preferred the election
be at the end of the members' term, while four chapters chose the
end of the year or the beginning of the next year.
(4) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
Hiroshima, Nagasaki urge major nuclear powers to eliminate nuclear
weapons
Mainichi:
Key gauge in June shows economy worsening
Yomiuri:
China confirms dumplings poisoning case
Nikkei:
China eases lending restrictions, indicating greater emphasis on
economy
Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun
Beijing Olympics to open tomorrow, with gloomy predictions for
weather, mood
Akahata:
63rd anniversary of atomic bombing: Joint international action
starts to create nuclear weapons-free world
(5) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Publicize actual facts about Chinese dumpling poisoning case
(2) Shut off lure of "debts" as means to buoy up economy
Mainichi:
(1) China should make Beijing Olympics as step toward an open
nation
Yomiuri:
(1) In dumpling poisoning case in Japan, products found contaminated
in China, as expected
(2) Hammer out measures to ease shock of economic deterioration
Nikkei:
TOKYO 00002176 004 OF 005
(1) China urged to pin down cause of dumpling poisoning case
(2) Panel decides on minimum wage rise
Sankei:
(1) Opening of peaceful festival, Beijing Olympics
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Olympics and terrorism: China's excessive guard concerned
(2) Guerrilla downpour shows tremendousness of flood damage in
cities
Akahata:
(1) Significantly raise minimum wage, reflecting actual situation
(6) Prime Minister's schedule, August 6
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
August 7, 2008
07:47
Left Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima where he stayed overnight.
07:55
Attended the Peace Memorial Service for the Atomic Bomb Victims and
Peace Memorial
08:54
Inspected the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, accompanied by
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe.
09:37
Press conference at Rihga Royal Hotel in Hiroshima. Then attended a
meeting to hear requests from a representative of atomic bomb
victims
11:07
Inspected the Nursing Home Kurakake Nozomi for atomic bomb victims.
Met with Hiroshima Mayor AKiba and Kamata, chief of the nursing
home. Masuzoe was present.
13:42
Left Hiroshima Airport on JAL 1608.
14:49
Arrived at Haneda Airport.
15:48
Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura at the Kantei.
16:30
Attended a special cabinet meeting. State Minister for Economic and
Fiscal Policy Yosano remained.
17:18
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi.
17:38
Issued a letter of appointment to parliamentary secretaries. Then
photo session, followed by parliamentary secretaries' meeting.
18:02
Met with Machimura and Futahashi.
TOKYO 00002176 005 OF 005
18:40
Arrived at the official residence.
SCHIEFFER