Cablegate: Daily Summary of Japanese Press 02/10/10

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 000281

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 02/10/10

INDEX:

(1) Interview with former Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer:
Unshakable U.S. policy toward Japan carries heavy weight (Yomiuri)
(2) Tinian Island, U.S. territory south of Saipan, willing to accept
Futenma relocation (Mainichi)
(3) Okada hints at a revision of Guam agreement if new Futenma
relocation site is found (Okinawa Times)
(4) Okinawa 21st Century Vision submitted to prefectural assembly:
"No military base in the future" deleted (Ryukyu Shimpo)
(5) FM Okada denies DPJ Secretary General Ozawa's role in Futenma
relocation issue (Ryukyu Shimpo)
(6) Okinawa governor to appoint Executive Office chief Uehara as
vice governor (Okinawa Times)
(7) Yonekura-led Keidanren to have record high of 18 vice chairmen
(Nikkei)
(8) Editorial: Toyota's response to vehicle defects will have a
significant impact on the reputation of Japanese products (Nikkei)
(9) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Yomiuri)
(10) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Asahi)
(11) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Mainichi)

ARTICLES:

(1) Interview with former Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer:
Unshakable U.S. policy toward Japan carries heavy weight

YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
February 7, 2010

Interviewer, Keiko Iizuka, Dallas

I have always been and always will be a Democrat, but I worked for
President George W. Bush as ambassador to Japan for four years (from
2005 through 2009). For Japanese people, this seemed to be hard to
understand. In the case of the U.S., however, its policy toward
Japan has served its long-term strategic national interests and has
won bipartisan support, so no one raised any questions. Security
relations between Japan and the U.S. have been close and also have
influenced the stability of Asia. That is why no drastic change has
taken place in U.S. policy toward Japan even after the change of
government.

Over the past 50 years since the conclusion of the revised
Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the Republican Party was in control of
the government for 29 years, while the Democratic Party has held
power for 21 years. In Japan, however, since the Liberal Democratic
Party was in power for 49 years, its people are unaccustomed to
changes of government. Although it may take a little longer, I
believe the Hatoyama administration will gain an awareness of the
significance of the consistency in the U.S.'s Japan policy, which
has won bipartisan support.

Some people in Japan have begun to assert that U.S. forces should be
deployed only as the need arises, instead of stationing them
permanently. I am worried more about this argument than the
deadlocked issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air
Station. The Marines do not have that level of mobility at the
present time. Under a bilateral alliance, both sides pursue common
goals based on mutual responsibility and sacrifices. Meanwhile,
there is no alliance in which one side can enjoy benefits without
paying any sacrifice.

TOKYO 00000281 002 OF 013

In their meetings, Prime Minister Hatoyama and President Barack
Obama intentionally stopped short of referring to the imbalance in
the nature of the bilateral alliance. In an emergency situation, the
U.S. will protect Japan, but Japan has no obligation to protect the
U.S. During the Cold War period, this situation was less serious,
because even if the former Soviet Union launched a ballistic missile
targeting the U.S., Japan could do nothing. But the situation has
changed. Japan has now deployed a missile defense system. If Japan
decided not to intercept ballistic missiles headed toward the U.S.,
the Japan-U.S. alliance would fall apart.

If the Futenma issue is not resolved by the end of May and accidents
such as a helicopter crash occur, the alliance will be faced with a
crisis.

(2) Tinian Island, U.S. territory south of Saipan, willing to accept
Futenma relocation

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Lead paragraph)
Evening, February 10, 2010

Kyodo, Manila - Mayor Ramon de la Cruz of Tinian, Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, told Kyodo News in a telephone
interview on Feb. 10 that the island wishes to accept U.S. troops
being relocated under the U.S. Forces Japan realignment plans. He
also indicated a positive stance on accepting the U.S. forces'
Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa), saying Tinian "can
possibly serve as the relocation site."

(3) Okada hints at a revision of Guam agreement if new Futenma
relocation site is found

OKINAWA TIMES (Page 3) (Full)
February 10, 2010

Tokyo

In a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee
yesterday, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada indicated that if the
government finds a new relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps'
Futenma Air Station, it might become necessary to review the
existing accord to transfer U.S. Marines in Okinawa to Guam. He
said: "A new relocation plan will not necessarily require a revision
of the accord, but if (the realignment plans of U.S. forces in
Japan) are treated as a package, reviewing the accord might become
necessary." He indicated that whether the accord should be reviewed
depends on what conclusion (Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama) will
reach by the end of May.

People's New Party member Mikio Shimoji, who asked the question,
pointed out no need for revising the accord, quoting officials of
the previous Aso cabinet as saying that "the two countries have
confirmed that even if Japan does not construct an alternative
Futenma facility (based on the roadmap agreed on between Japan and
the U.S.), it will not violate the accord." Prime Minister Yukio
Hatoyama commented: "(What Shimoji pointed out) is true, but the
relocation of the Futenma base, the transfer of Marines to Guam, and
the integration of facilities and return of land south of Kadena Air
Base are connected to each other." He added: "We are making utmost
efforts with strong resolve to find a new relocation site by the end

TOKYO 00000281 003 OF 013

of May without fail."

State Minister for Okinawa Seiji Maehara spoke of the decreasing
number of tourists to Okinawa: "(The downward trend) is conspicuous
not only in Okinawa but across the nation. The ministry will triple
the budget for measures to woo tourists from overseas, mainly from
Asia, to Japan, including Okinawa."

(4) Okinawa 21st Century Vision submitted to prefectural assembly:
"No military base in the future" deleted

Ryukyu Shimpo (Page 2) (Excerpts)
February 10, 2010

The prefecture-sponsored "Okinawa 21st Century Vision," a long-term
initiative that envisions Okinawa in 2030 was presented to the
prefectural assembly on Feb. 9. Concerning Okinawa pushing for the
return of U.S. bases in the future, the draft noted as of November
last year that Okinawa will aim at becoming a base-free island.
However, it has been learned that this expression was in the end
replaced with the words "Okinawa will aim at becoming a peaceful and
affluent island." The opposition party assembly group is opposing
the replacement with one noting, "The phrase has been downgraded
behind the scenes to more abstract wording."

The nature of the vision is similar to a comprehensive plan
formulated by municipalities. And yet, some in the prefectural
assembly are making an issue over the prefecture taking the view
that the vision does not require action by the assembly. The
prefecture plans to make a final decision on the vision by the end
of March. Discussions will likely be held at the regular assembly
session in February over how the vision should be handled.

Planning Department chief Yoshihisa Kawakami at a briefing given to
the opposition party group in the assembly said: "The revision was
made not behind-the-scenes but based on discussion by the
deliberation council. This is to reflect the fact that there are
various views on the future image of Okinawa desired by the people
of Okinawa."

(5) FM Okada denies DPJ Secretary General Ozawa's role in Futenma
relocation issue

RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 3) (Full)
February 10, 2010

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada commented on Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa's possible visit to the
U.S. at a news conference on the afternoon of Feb. 9. He said: "The
secretary general has made it clear that the government is
responsible for policies." He thus denied the view that Ozawa may
play a role in finding a solution to the issue of the relocation of
the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station.

(6) Okinawa governor to appoint Executive Office chief Uehara as
vice governor

OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full)
February 10, 2010

Governor Hirokazu Nakaima decided on Feb. 9 to appoint Yoshiyuki
Uehara, 60, current director of the governor's Executive Office, as

TOKYO 00000281 004 OF 013

vice governor. Uehara will replace Vice Governor Zenki Nakazato, 73.
It is believed that he will be in charge of the issue of the
relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station and will draw up
a new economic program to replace the Okinawa Development Program
that will expire in FY2011.

Nakaima will brief the ruling parties as early as Feb. 10 and is
expected to submit a proposal for Uehara's appointment to the
prefectural assembly's regular session for February.

Nakaima's first term as governor will end this year. He is focusing
on exchange of information and negotiations with the central
government as various issues in the prefecture, such as the military
bases and the next Okinawa development plan, are approaching a
critical stage. He decided to appoint Uehara based on his
involvement in the formulation of major policies and extensive
personal connections in Tokyo.

Uehara has participated in the drafting of major policies, including
the concept for the creation of an international city and the
Okinawa development plan. He became chief of the office of planning
and development science and academic advancement in April 2004,
which is a position at the level of department director general, and
took charge of founding the Okinawa Institute of Science and
Technology.

He was promoted to director general of the Planning Department in
2005. During his four years in office, Okinawa drafted independently
for the first time an "Okinawa's Vision for the 21st Century"
(tentative name). He has headed the governor's Executive Office
since 2009 and has worked on such issues as Futenma relocation. He
was born in Naha in 1950 and is a graduate of the Faculty of Law of
the University of the Ryukyus.

(7) Yonekura-led Keidanren to have record high of 18 vice chairmen

NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full)
February 9, 2010

Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the nation's most
powerful business lobby, decided yesterday at a meeting of its
chairman and vice chairmen on its roster of officials to support the
new chairman, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura, who
will take over the chairmanship in May. The following officials were
informally selected to serve on Keidanren's Board of Councillors,
which is an advisory body. Nippon Oil Co. Chairman Fumiaki Watari
was named to serve as chairman of the Board of Councillors. Hitachi
Ltd. Chairman and President Takashi Kawamura, Komatsu Ltd. Chairman
Masahiro Sakane, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Co. President
Satoshi Miura, and Keidanren Secretariat Director General Yoshio
Nakamura were informally selected as vice chairmen. The business
lobby will have a record high of 18 vice chairmen, who will pool
their knowledge to formulate policy proposals.

The new officials will be formally selected at a general meeting on
May 27. The number of vice chairmen will increase by three from the
current 15 members. Incumbent Chairman Fujio Mitarai commented on
the reason for the increase in the number of vice chairmen at a
press conference after the meeting: "Japan faces a mountain of
issues and we need to be able to solve those diverse problems."

Concerning the three businessmen selected to lead Keidanren, Mitarai

TOKYO 00000281 005 OF 013

said, "We have chosen them in light of the need to cover as many
industries as possible." Sakane and Miura, who are currently serving
as vice chairmen of the Board of Councillors, are actively involved
in the business community. The chairman of the Board of Councillors
will concurrently serve as vice chairman for the first time in 22
years.

However, there are many harsh views about the roster of new
officials. This is because although the Hitachi chairman resigned as
Keidanren vice chairman last May due to a downturn in his company's
business without completing his term as vice chairman, he is
returning to the post of vice chairman after just one year. A source
connected to Keidanren said: "Keidanren probably wants to rely on
major companies in terms of money and votes after all."

Roster of Keidanren officials

Chairman
Hiromasa Yonekura Chairman, Sumitomo Chemical Co.

Vice Chairmen
Mikio Sasaki Chairman, Mitsubishi Corp.
Kunio Nakamura Chairman, Panasonic Corp.
Tomijiro Morita Chairman, Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance
Shoei Utsuda Chairman, Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
Sadayuki Sakakibara President, Toray Industries, Inc.
Terunobu Maeda Chairman, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
Kazuo Tsukuda Chairman, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Junichi Ujiie Chairman, Nomura Holdings, Inc.
Yoji Ohashi Chairman, All Nippon Airways
Hiromichi Iwasa President, Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.
Masataka Shimizu President, Tokyo Electric Power Company
Katsuaki Watanabe Vice Chairman, Toyota Motor Co.
Atsutoshi Nishida Chairman, Toshiba Corporation
Shoji Muneoka President, Nippon Steel Co.
Takashi Kawamura Chairman and President, Hitachi Ltd.
Masahiro Sakane Chairman, Komatsu Ltd.
Satoshi Miura President, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Co.
Yoshio Nakamura Director General, Secretariat, Keidanren

(8) Editorial: Toyota's response to vehicle defects will have a
significant impact on the reputation of Japanese products

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
February 6, 2010

Toyota Motor Corporation, which has been labeled the best company in
the world, is facing a serious challenge. It is under fire for
issues relating to "quality and safety," which are supposed to be
its strong points.

If it does not handle this problem properly, the reputation of "high
quality Toyota cars," which it has worked hard to build up steadily
over the years, will be ruined. Toyota is in a critical situation
that may damage its long-term growth potential and profitability.

At a news conference on Feb. 5, Toyota President Akio Toyoda stated,
"We will deal with this by giving top priority to alleviating our
customers' anxiety." However, the situation will not be remedied by
just words. The urgent task is to find out the cause of the defects
and take corrective measures.

TOKYO 00000281 006 OF 013

Changes in the industrial structure are behind these quality issues.
In the past decade, there has been significant globalization of auto
production and parts procurement. Toyota has also increased its
overseas production of automobiles from 1.75 million units in 2000
by more than two times to 4.3 million units in 2007 at its peak.
Quality assurance may have suffered in this process of rapid
expansion. Toyota needs to do some soul-searching and examination.

Another factor is increasingly sophisticated technology. In recent
years, electronic control devices and software utilizing IT
(information technology) have become more and more important
components of cars, which used to be products of mechanical
engineering.

The complaints about the brakes on the Prius hybrid car, which has
become Toyota's flagship product, are also related to electronic
control devices. Toyota should not be complacent about its past
success and should establish a new mechanism for quality assurance
that is compatible with the electronic age.

Furthermore, the company's crisis management ability is also being
put to a tough test. What triggered the present problem was an
accident in California last summer which killed a family of four
riding in a Lexus. Toyota's response to this incident could hardly
be regarded as timely.

As one problem dragged on, the next problem surfaced, and the
situation became worse by the day. If this vicious cycle is not
broken, Toyota cars will be abandoned by consumers all over the
world.

Congressional by-elections will take place in the U.S., which is the
epicenter of Toyota's woes right now, this autumn. There have been
signs of rising protectionism. It is possible that the backlash
against foreign manufacturers may grow stronger.

For this reason, the president of Toyota should exercise leadership
in swiftly taking measures to alleviate the consumers' apprehensions
and squarely address criticism from society. He needs to send out a
strong and clear message to Toyota employees and stockholders on the
company's future direction.

Toyota is a company that represents Japan. The disarray in this
company may lead to loss of confidence in the Japan brand as a
whole. Furthermore, the globalization of production is a change in
the environment that is shared by many Japanese companies. Other
companies should learn from this incident and make greater efforts
to ensure quality and safety.

(9) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties

YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full)
February 7, 2010

Questions & Answers
(Figures are percentages)

Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet?

Yes 44
No 47
Other answers (O/A) 4

TOKYO 00000281 007 OF 013

No answer (N/A) 4

Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question)
Pick only one from among the following reasons for your approval of
the Hatoyama cabinet.

Something can be expected of its policy measures 22
The prime minister is aiming to make policy decisions at the
initiative of politicians 17
The prime minister has leadership ability 3
There's something stable about the prime minister 4
His cabinet's lineup is good 7
Because it's a non-Liberal Democratic Party government 43
O/A 1
N/A 4

Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Pick
only one from among the following reasons for your disapproval of
the Hatoyama cabinet.

Nothing can be expected of its policy measures 24
Nothing can be expected of its policy decisions made at the
initiative of politicians 12
The prime minister lacks leadership ability 38
There's nothing stable about the prime minister 12
His cabinet's lineup is not good 5
Because it's a non-Liberal Democratic Party government 5
O/A 0
N/A 4

Q: Which political party do you support now? Pick only one.

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 33
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Jiminto) 20
New Komeito (NK) 3
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1
Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 1
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) --
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) --
Other political parties 0
None 38
N/A 1

Q: Mr. Tomohiro Ishikawa, a former secretary of DPJ Secretary
General Ichiro Ozawa and currently a DPJ lawmaker seated in the
House of Representatives, and two other aides have been prosecuted
on the charge of failing to include in a political fund report the
money paid by Mr. Ozawa's fund management organization to purchase
land, and the prosecutors decided not to indict Mr. Ozawa in this
case. Do you think Mr. Ozawa should resign from his party post to
take responsibility for this case?

Yes 74
No 20
N/A 5

Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) Do
you think Mr. Ozawa should resign as a member of the House of
Representatives?

TOKYO 00000281 008 OF 013

Yes 66
No 29
N/A 5

Q: Mr. Ozawa met the press after responding to the Tokyo District
Public Prosecutors Office's questioning and explained that he was
not involved in his fund management organization's political fund
reports, maintaining that the money used for the land purchase was
from his "private funds." Is this account convincing?

Yes 9
No 86
N/A 5

Q: Do you think the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's
decision not to indict Mr. Ozawa was appropriate?

Yes 31
No 51
N/A 18

Q: Do you think the DPJ has taken remedial action like asking Mr.
Ozawa to give a more detailed explanation of the case or pursuing
his political responsibility?

Yes 5
No 88
N/A 7

Q: Do you think Mr. Ishikawa should resign from the Diet?

Yes 64
No 26
N/A 10

Q: Do you think Prime Minister Hatoyama has fulfilled his
responsibility to explain to the public about his own
"politics-and-money" problems, such as his fund management
organization's falsification of political fund reports on political
donations?

Yes 16
No 79
N/A 5

Q: Do you think the Hatoyama cabinet will be able to turn the
nation's economy around?

Yes 21
No 66
N/A 13

Q: Do you think the U.S. military's Futenma airfield in Okinawa
Prefecture should be relocated to Nago City in the prefecture as
agreed on between Japan and the U.S., or do you think Futenma
airfield should be relocated out of Okinawa Prefecture or Japan?

Relocated according to the agreement 31
Relocated out of Okinawa Prefecture 15
Relocated out of Japan 35
N/A 19

TOKYO 00000281 009 OF 013

Q: Do you feel uneasy about the future of Japan-U.S. relations under
the Hatoyama government?

Yes 68
No 25
N/A 6

Q: There will be an election this summer for the House of
Councillors. Which political party's candidate or which political
party are you thinking of voting for in your proportional
representation bloc?

DPJ 27
LDP 22
NK 3
JCP 2
SDP 2
YP 2
PNP 0
RC --
NPN --
Other political parties --
Undecided 36
N/A 6

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Feb. 5-6 across the
nation on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis.
Households with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,707. Valid
answers were obtained from 1,054 persons (62 PERCENT ).

(Note) In some cases, the total percentage does not add up to 100
PERCENT due to rounding. "0" indicates that the figure was less
than 0.5 PERCENT , and "--" denotes that no respondents answered.

(10) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet, political parties

ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
February 7, 2010

Questions & Answers
(Figures are percentages, rounded off. Bracketed figures denote
proportions to all respondents. Figures in parentheses denote the
results of the last survey, conducted Jan. 16-17.)

Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet?

Yes 41 (42)
No 45 (41)

Q: Why? (One reason only. Left column for those marking "yes" on
previous question, and right for those marking "no.")

The prime minister is Mr. Hatoyama 7(3) 5(2)
It's a DPJ-led cabinet 40(16) 11(5)
Policies 40(16) 31(14)
Actions 6(2) 48(22)

Q: Which political party do you support now?

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 34 (36)
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 18 (16)

TOKYO 00000281 010 OF 013

New Komeito (NK) 3 (3)
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2 (2)
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1 (1)
Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 1 (1)
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (1)
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) 0 (0)
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0)
Other political parties 0 (0)
None 37 (36)
No answer (N/A) + don't know (D/K) 4 (4)

Q: There will be an election this summer for the House of
Councillors. If you were to vote now, which political party or which
political party's candidate would you like to vote for in your
proportional representation bloc?

DPJ 34 (36)
LDP 27 (23)
NK 3 (3)
JCP 3 (3)
SDP 1 (2)
YP 2 (2)
PNP 0 (1)
RC 0 (0)
NPN 0 (0)
Other political parties 1 (1)
N/A+D/K 29 (29)

Q: The next question concerns the problem of DPJ Secretary General
Ozawa's political funds. Three of Mr. Ozawa's aides, including DPJ
lawmaker Ishikawa who was a secretary of Mr. Ozawa, have been
prosecuted, and the prosecutors have decided not to indict Mr.
Ozawa. Do you approve of the explanation provided so far by Mr.
Ozawa's on this problem?

Yes 6
No 86

Q: Do you think Mr. Ozawa should resign from his party post to take
responsibility for the problem?

Yes 68 (67)
No 23 (23)

Q: Prime Minister Hatoyama has announced his intention to have DPJ
Secretary General Ozawa continue in his party post. Do you approve
of how Mr. Hatoyama is handling this problem concerning Mr. Ozawa's
political funds?

Yes 16
No 76

Q With regard to the problem concerning Mr. Ozawa's political funds,
has your evaluation of the DPJ declined or remained the same?

Declined 64 (59)
Remained the same 32 (36)

Q: Do you think it is desirable that Mr. Ozawa has an influence over
the Hatoyama cabinet?

Yes 12

TOKYO 00000281 011 OF 013

No 74

Q: The opposition parties have submitted a resolution recommending
that House of Representatives member Ishikawa, who has been
indicted, resign from the Diet. The DPJ will not agree to deliberate
on this resolution. Do you approve of the DPJ's response?

Yes 18
No 71

Q: When you vote in this summer's election for the House of
Councillors, do you think you will attach importance to the problem
concerning Mr. Ozawa's political funds?

Yes 44
No 48

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted from the evening of
Feb. 5 through the night of Feb. 6 over the telephone on a
computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. Respondents were
chosen from among the nation's voting population on a three-stage
random-sampling basis. Households with one or more eligible voters
totaled 1,704. Valid answers were obtained from 1,042 persons (61
PERCENT ).

(11) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged)
February 7, 2010

Questions & Answers
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female)

Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet?

T P M F
Yes 49 (50) 52 47
No 37 (38) 36 39
Not interested 13 (12) 11 14

Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why?

T P M F
Because the prime minister is from the Democratic Party of Japan 9
(7) 10 7
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's leadership
2 (2) 3 2
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's policies
14 (13) 10 17
Because the nature of politics is likely to change 74 (78) 76 73

Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why?

T P M F
Because the prime minister is from the Democratic Party of Japan 3
(3) 1 4
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's leadership
37 (41) 39 36
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's policies 30
(32) 35 27
Because the nature of politics is unlikely to change 29 (23) 24 33

TOKYO 00000281 012 OF 013

Q: Which political party do you support?

T P M F
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 34 (30) 40 30
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Jiminto) 14 (16) 14 14
New Komeito (NK) 5 (4) 3 7
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) 4 2
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (1) 2 2
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (1) 0 --
Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 6 (4) 7 6
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) -- (--) -- --
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) -- 0
Other political parties 0 (1) 0 1
None 34 (39) 30 37

Q: Do you think DPJ Secretary General Ozawa is to blame for the
indictment of his former secretaries?

T P M F
Yes 88 84 90
No 10 14 7

Q: Mr. Ozawa will remain in his post of DPJ secretary general. Do
you think Mr. Ozawa should resign from his party post?

T P M F
Yes 69 (76) 63 73
No 28 (18) 35 23

Q: Prime Minister Hatoyama decided to have DPJ Secretary General
Ozawa stay on. Do you approve of Prime Minister Hatoyama's
decision?

T P M F
Yes 26 32 23
No 70 64 74

Q: What's your image of the DPJ with Mr. Ozawa continuing in his
party post?

T P M F
Improved 2 2 2
Worsened 50 51 49
Unchanged 46 46 46

Q: The LDP and other opposition parties called for DPJ lawmaker
Ishikawa to resign from the Diet. Also, there are calls from within
the DPJ for him to leave the DPJ. What do you think he should do?

T P M F
He should resign from the Diet 53 52 54
He doesn't have to resign from the Diet but should leave the DPJ 24
25 24
He doesn't have to resign from the Diet or leave the DPJ 18 19 18

Q: If an election for the House of Councillors were to be held now,
which political party or which political party's candidate would you
vote for in your proportional representation bloc?

T P M F
DPJ 36 (35) 41 33

TOKYO 00000281 013 OF 013

LDP 22 (20) 22 22
NK 6 (5) 3 8
JCP 5 (4) 6 4
SDP 3 (2) 2 3
PNP 0 (1) 1 0
YP 9 (6) 10 8
RC -- (--) -- --
NPN 0 (0) -- 0
Other political parties 12 (15) 10 13

(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "0" indicates that
the figure was below 0.5 PERCENT . "No answer" omitted. Figures in
parentheses denote the results of the last survey conducted Jan.
30-31.

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Feb. 5-6 over the
telephone across the nation on a computer-aided random digit
sampling (RDS) basis. A total of 1,686 households with one or more
eligible voters were sampled. Answers were obtained from 1,023
persons (61 PERCENT ).

ROOS

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