AMERICAN EMBASSY, TOKYO
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
OFFICE OF TRANSLATION AND MEDIA ANALYSIS
INQUIRIES: 03-3224-5360
INTERNET E-MAIL ADDRESS: tokyoots@state.gov
DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS
May 14, 2001
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INDEX:
(1) Genetic material espionage case involving Japanese researchers; U.S.'
"common sense" perplexes Japan; Strict management of research materials
in U.S., even a pencil
(2) Foreign Ministry's Makiko-maru [ship]; Reasons for stormy voyage;
Cancels meetings to write thank-you letter for phalaenopsis flowers; Toplevel officials who resisted transfer of Vice Minister – order made as Diet
policy – banned from entering her office; Tells off Deputy Minister, "You will
be fired'; Supporters say, "She is highly motivated"; Not popular among
experts as lacking "common sense," of "being discourteous"
(3) Foreign Minister Tanaka indicates early replacement of vice minister;
absents herself from dinner with foreign VIP; Foreign Ministry bureaucracy
gives up; U.S. Embassy has "doubts about her judgment"
(4) Economic structural reforms: Economy and Trade Minister Hiranuma to
strengthen measures to create jobs by improving action plan
(5) Reporter's thoughts: Injustice felt by residents near the U.S. military
base
ARTICLES:
of the theft was to bring about benefits to Riken, the
FBI decided to apply the Economic Espionage Act.
(1) Genetic material espionage case involving
Japanese researchers; U.S.' "common sense"
perplexes Japan; Strict management of
research materials in U.S., even a pencil
The Riken side has been perplexed, one
executive grumbling, "The research materials at that
time should no longer be useful." The focus of the
research that Okamoto was conducting has been
shifted to other materials that are also considered to
cause Alzheimers.
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Excerpt)
May 11, 2001
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) has indicted two Japanese nationals, who had
been conducting Alzheimer's research in the U.S., on
charges of violation of the Economic Espionage Act.
This espionage case demonstrates that international
competition has been intensifying in the area of basic
life science research, as well. Needless to say, the
results of research, even research materials and
technologies, will serve as means for nations to
gather wealth in the future. The U.S. considers it
vital to take the lead in the science and technology
area as a key element for the sake of its national
interests. Because the U.S., based on this stance, has
tightened measures to protect intellectual property,
similar cases might occur in the future.
The stage for the economic espionage was the
Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, a leading comprehensive
medical and research institute established in 1921 by
the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Charged with
economic espionage are Takashi Okamoto (40), the
team leader of the Brain Science Research Center of
the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
(Riken; Wako City, Saitama Prefecture), and Hirosaki
Serizawa (39), a faculty member at the University of
Kansas School of Medicine.
According to the indictment, Okamoto, who
had played an important role at the Cleveland Center
since 1997, conspired with Serizawa to search
research materials, including cells, reagents, and
DNA genetic samples, and then took them to Japan
when he returned to Japan to work for Riken in 1999.
Specific cells are needed for genetic research to find
the outset of the disease, so the stolen materials were
valuable. Stemming from the judgment that the aim
2
Brain Science Research Center Director
Masao Ito stated:
"It is quite normal for researchers to
carry research materials out of lab. As
long as they maintain good relations
with their colleagues, no problem
should arise."
Some point out, though, that it is common for
U.S. labs to manage and keep research results and
materials in a strict way. South California University
professor Koichi Iwaki said:
"In the U.S., we can never even take a
pencil outside the lab. There are very
clear-cut rules."
Bio-frontier
Partners
Yoshihiro Ootaki also remarked:
President
"U.S. [labs] are, in a sense, very
nervous about [controlling the] results
of their research. There are cases in
which researchers are bound by
contract."
In Japan, even if a foreign researcher removes
research materials from a lab, that person is not
regarded as a spy. Japanese researchers, therefore,
have a somewhat lax perception. Director Ito
commented:
"In many cases, basic research is
conducted based on a gentleman's
agreement. Since we are now in hard
times, we need to alter our patterns of
awareness, for instance, being aware
of the need to conclude a contract.
when such activities bring benefits to another country
than the U.S.
.
Increasing lawsuit cases over intellectual property
between domestic and foreign firms
Regarding intellectual property rights, an
increasing number of lawsuits involving Japanese and
foreign firms have been filed recently.
According
to
the
Supreme
Court
Administrative Bureau, lawsuits that were filed with
local courts annually totaled some 20 in the early
1990's. The number surged to about 40 in 1996 and
to about 50 in 1997.
Although the number at one time dropped to
about 20, sources connected to the Supreme Court
and to legal affairs gave this analysis:
"The value of intellectual property
rights is rapidly increasing across the
world.
Recently, an increasing
number of companies try to hold
negotiations
beforehand
with
companies that have the patent right
concerned."
Various means – wiretapping, bribery, using
sexual charm …
The U.S. government is increasingly alarming
about possible outflow of information held by
domestic companies and research institutes to
overseas. According to a survey by the U.S.
Economy Security Society, economic espionage
activities were carried out in the U.S. in 1997 by 23
countries, including France, Germany and China, by
such means as wiretapping, hacking, stealing of
valuable floppy disk and CD-ROM, bribery and
approach by attractive men or women to engineers, an
the like. The U.S. suffered losses worth of 30 billion
dollars.
As a response measure to a sharp increase in
espionage activities in the early 1990's, the U.S.
enacted the Economic Espionage Act. Economic
conspiracy carries a less than 15-year prison term
3
But the FBI is alert to increasing economic
espionage activities by foreign firms and individuals.
This year, six cases have already been reported.
Many observers believe that the indictment of
the two Japanese nationals reflect such concern on
the U.S. side. Citing the IBM industrial spy case in
1982, lawyer Toshiaki Hasegawa, who is expert on
suits in Western countries, analyzes that in this case
as well, the FBI had targeted Japanese firms. He
speculated: "The incident happened two years ago.
Investigators in the meantime have likely been
collecting information on the suspects."
(01051104ys)
(2) Foreign Ministry's Makiko-maru [ship];
Reasons for stormy voyage; Cancels meetings
to write thank-you letter for phalaenopsis
flowers; Top-level officials who resisted
transfer of Vice Minister – order made as Diet
policy – banned from entering her office; Tells
off Deputy Minister, "You will be fired';
Supporters say, "She is highly motivated";
Not popular among experts as lacking
"common sense," of "being discourteous"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 12, 17) (Almost full)
May 11, 2001
The Tanaka shock is sweeping across the
Foreign Ministry (MOFA). MOFA is, however,
ostensibly taking a sanctimonious stance with one
senior official noting, "As bureaucrats, we feel we are
not competent enough to live up to the expectations
of the Minister, who is highly popular in the country.
All we can do is to make efforts to live up to her
expectations."
However, the fault line between Foreign
Minister Tanaka and MOFA bureaucrats has already
become definite.
One government source has
unveiled the inside story about the Tanaka vs. MOFA
battle, which has popped up since her coming into
office.
Right after she came into office, Foreign
Minister Tanaka asked senior officials to wipe the
slate clean on the diplomatic funds embezzlement
case. She told them, "I do not want to make an
awkward reply on the secret funds problem at the
Lower House Budget Committee meeting (starting
from the 14th). I would, therefore, like you to settle
the disposition of those who were involved in the
embezzlement."
The disposal of the officials involved as
intended by Foreign Minister Tanaka included
replacing Administrative Vice Minister Yutaka
Kawashima. The Foreign Minister ordered Deputy
Foreign Minister Ryozo Kato, the number-two man in
MOFA, to draw up a plan for personnel selection. He,
however, rejected the order. The Foreign Minister
reportedly told him off, "Then, I will discharge you."
This sourced continued:
"Since then, an abnormal situation is
continuing at MOFA with the number-one
and number-two officials being banned from
entering the Minister's office unless they are
called in. Personnel Division Chief Akitaka
Saiki, with whom the Foreign Minister was
indignant over his reportedly having
intimidated her over the problem of the
transfer of former Russian Affairs Division
Director General Kodera, was also prohibited
from entering her office.
The Foreign
Minister has cut off communications with
those three senior officials, who are in charge
of MOFA.
How could she engage in
diplomatic policies under such a situation?"
The recent last-minute cancellations of a
meeting with Deputy State Secretary Armitage and a
telephone meeting with Foreign Minister Ivanov are
due to this "battle."
The successive cancellations of those
schedules were due to private business as the Foreign
Minister herself explained. This government source
4
revealed that she was writing autograph letters to
thank for the gifts of dozens of phalaenopsis pots her
supporters' organization sent to her to celebrate her
appointment to foreign minister.
This source, however, added, "It is true that
she was busy writing thank-you letters. However, the
major reason for the cancellations is probably that the
Foreign Minister was not fully prepared for such
meetings. Having severed communications with the
Vice Minister and other senior officials, she has no
decent advisors who can give her prior briefings."
On the 10th, it was found that she intended to
replace Vice Minister Kawashima.
This Government source made this comment
on Makiko-style drastic handling of MOFA affairs:
"She is mixing up her hatred for the
Hashimoto faction of the Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP) with management of personnel
affairs to settle the secret funds problem to
maintain popular appeal to people. That has
given rise to conflict. She has turned the
entire Ministry into her enemy. If she is not
provided with information, she could not hold
proper talks with any foreign VIPs. If that
happens, she could not think of foreign
policies."
Experts' views are also severe. Hikeaki Kaso,
a diplomatic analyst, criticized her outright for
canceling the scheduled meeting with the U.S.
Deputy Secretary of State. He noted:
"Although his position is deputy secretary, he
has brought a personal letter from the
President.
Furthermore, Japan attaches
importance to the U.S. It is (regrettable) that
the Foreign Minister did not meet with such a
person due to private business. It is only
natural for the Foreign Minister to give first
consideration to the affairs of state. She
cannot possibly make any excuse for
canceling such schedules."
Yasuhiko Yoshida, professor of international
relations at the Osaka University of Economics and
Law, pointed an accusing finger, saying, "It was
discourteous."
Deputy State Secretary is person responsible for
America's Japan policy American
Professor Yoshida noted:
"Although Armitage is the Deputy State
Secretary, he is a heavyweight politician. He
compiled the Armitage Report last October.
He has proposed that Japan be enabled to use
the right of collective self-defense, even by
amending the Constitution. He is the person
effectively responsible for the U.S.
Administration's Asia and Japan policies."
Kase, however, gave high marks to her
management of MOFA's personnel affairs. He
remarked:
"It is not sound that personnel affairs are
entirely in the hand of bureaucrats. Up until
now, foreign ministers have been just a hat on
the bureaucratic organization. It is fine that
she is not at the beck and call of bureaucrats.
I would rather hope to see Foreign Minister
Tanaka give her house a thorough turnout
regarding such problems as the misuse of
diplomatic funds."
Professor Yoshida takes a slightly different
position from Kase's. He pointed out:
"True, the Hashimoto faction reportedly took
an active hand in the transfer of the division
director general, who advocated the return of
the four Northern Islands at one time, but
overturning the official announcement is …
There must have been some other ways to
take, such as reinstating him in his former
post."
Preserving continuity of her father's achievement,
grudge against Keisei-kai"
5
Professor Yoshida says that much cause for
concern is above all that she is visibly taking a stance
of preserving the continuity of the achievement of her
father, the later Kakuei Tanaka who was prime
minister. He added:
"It appears that she is trying to cling to her
sentiment on her having accompanied her
father when he visited foreign countries for
summit meetings, which is as old as 30 years.
She is apparently interfering in personnel
affairs out of a grudge against the Keisei-kai,
which betrayed her father."
Even so, she is receiving support as well.
Tetsu Yamazaki, a playwright, surmised, "Her action
as seen in the cancellations of meetings with foreign
politicians and the statement to freeze the personnel
changes is extraordinary when seen from outside.
That is presumably because her desire to change the
conventional relationship between the financial
minister and bureaucrats is so strong."
In any case, Foreign Minister Tanaka is the
number-one
eye-catcher
of
the
Koizumi
Administration. Yamazaki said:
"I hope she will disclose information on
internal conflicts however trivial they are.
She should disclose information even if it
results in her giving in (to the force that
objects to her policy) due to a lack of
influence."
(01051105yk)
(3) Foreign Minister Tanaka indicates early
replacement of vice minister; absents herself
from dinner with foreign VIP; Foreign
Ministry bureaucracy gives up; U.S. Embassy
has "doubts about her judgment"
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
May 11, 2001
A serious rift has opened up between Foreign
Minister Tanaka and the Foreign Ministry
bureaucracy centered on such issues as her forcing on
it her policy of freezing personnel assignments. The
Foreign Minister, it was learned yesterday, has
indicated that there will be an early replacement of
Vice Minister Kawashima because of his insufficient
handling of the scandal involving the misuse of secret
diplomatic funds in the ministry. Because Chief
Cabinet Secretary Fukuda and others have objected to
this move, the outlook is that this personnel change
will not be carried out, but the Foreign Minister's
"arbitrary and willful actions" (Foreign Ministry
source) have released a barrage of criticism of her in
the government and ruling camp.
The Foreign Minister, who continues her
tough organization management against the backdrop
of her national popularity, absented herself from a
dinner for visiting Argentine Foreign Minister
Giavarini scheduled after their meeting yesterday.
This was a "scheduling convenience," according to
one of her aides. In addition, she has directed the
Secretariat not to schedule her for any evening
dinners in principle with any visiting foreign
dignitaries.
Ordinarily, the foreign minister
personally attends these kinds of dinners, but last
evening, Senior Vice Minister Shigeo Uetake
hurriedly filled in as host. The Secretariat has given
up on her.
The Foreign Minister on the 8th, with the
issuance of her declaration of a freeze on personnel
assignments, forbid such senior officials as Vice
Minister Kawashima and Secretariat Chief Iimura
from entering her office. Even now, the situation of
her "working completely independently" (Ministry
source) continues.
6
Objections to the Foreign Minister's conduct
have come from other countries, as well.
The phone call between the Foreign Minister
and U.S. Secretary of State Powell was to take place
on the 2nd, but it was delayed because she kept
changing the time for her convenience. In the end,
the U.S. side had to wait three days and became
disgruntled. The U.S. side reports that the call was
ended in an unusually short time, three minutes.
Because the Foreign Minister also cancelled
her meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State
Armitage, a senior U.S. embassy official on the
evening of the 8th expressed strong unhappiness with
the move, saying, "Until now, no Japanese foreign
minister has ever responded in an irresponsible
manner. We have doubts about her judgment. The
Deputy Secretary, too, was upset." Since she also
cancelled a telephone conversation set up with
Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov on the 8th, a
Russian diplomatic source on the 10th expressed
irritation by saying, "If she had no intention of
making the call, why did she promise it in the first
place."
Prime Minister Koizumi covered her by
telling the press corps, "The Foreign Minister also
understands the importance of the Japan-U.S.
relationship," but within the government and the
ruling camp, there has been a rush of statements
questioning the Foreign Minister's responses.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Teijiro
Furukawa, at a press conference that evening,
commenting on the Foreign Minister's giving
consideration to re-punishing senior officials and
staff in connection with the secret-funds
embezzlement case, pointed out: "Punishing someone
two or three times based on the same materials is
forbidden, isn't it?" Hoshuto (Conservative Party)
Secretary General Noda also remonstrated her by
stating: "(Canceling meetings) hurts our national
interests.
I would like her to handle matters
properly."
A former cabinet member in the Liberal
Democratic Party warned Chief Cabinet Secretary
Fukuda on the 9th: "I want you to provide firm
leadership so that the Foreign Minister is not a loose
cannon. You should slap her wrist so that the wound
does not spread." But some are taking the view that
"the Foreign Minister immediately flies off the handle
angrily, so there is no one among the executives in
the ruling camp or in the bureaucracy who can give
her advice" (LDP official).
also will make it easier for private-sector firms to
make inroads into the hospital business and to
establish authorized day-care centers and nursing
homes for the elderly. METI will then look into the
possibility of
expanding
opportunities
for
environment-related business, such as by passing a
bicycle-recycling law.
(01051104kn)
(01051101bb)
(4) Economic structural reforms: Economy
and Trade Minister Hiranuma to strengthen
measures to create jobs by improving action
plan
(5) Reporter's thoughts: Injustice felt by
residents near the U.S. military base
ASAHI (Page 14) (Full)
May 11, 2001
By Shigehito (?) Nakazawa of the Atsugi Bureau
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full)
May 11, 2001
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo
Hiranuma decided yesterday to improve his ministry's
action plan that was adopted last November, as well
as to place priority on areas where the impact will
greater. In cooperation with ministries concerned,
METI will put its energy into creating markets by
relaxing restrictions in such areas as datacommunications, medical and social welfare services,
and environment-related industries. The ministry
also intends to create jobs by encouraging venture
capital companies. The action plan will be submitted
as the "Hiranuma initiative" to the Industrial
Structural Reform and Employment Measures
Headquarters, the establishment of which will be
approved in today's Cabinet meeting. The ministry
will hurriedly come up with specific measures in
order to carry out structural reforms that Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi has advocated.
Since there is concern that the number of
unemployed persons will increase after the work to
dispose of non-performing loans starts, METI will
step up measures necessary for creating new markets
and job opportunities.
Regarding the datacommunications area, the ministry will increase
business opportunities for new entrants by facilitating
competition and improving the e-commerce law. It
7
How can the Government be so generous as to
pay the cost to take special measures when
Americans are the victims? This feeling is shared by
many local residents.
In dealing with gaseous emissions from the
incinerator of a private industrial waste disposal firm
situated in the vicinity of the United States Atsugi
Naval Air Facility (located in the cities of Yamato
and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture), the Japanese
Government decided to remove the incinerator by
buying it from the company. The issue will be then
completely resolved. A total of 7 billion yen or so
will be disbursed to pay compensation to the disposal
firm as well as to cover the removal cost.
In 1999, dioxin detected in the air within the
base was 66 times the national standard level, which
is dangerous enough to jeopardize the people's health.
Whoever are sufferers, Americans or local residents,
delay is unacceptable in the effort to bring the
problem to a solution. It is then only natural that the
Government reached a decision to remove the
incinerator.
Even so, however, many inhabitants near the
base are disgusted by the Government's decision.
"The decision itself is good, for the
smokestack emission issue will be dissolved. But the
Government's reaction to us is far different…," said
Motomu Maya, who leads the plaintiff group in the
third round of lawsuit against the Government for
Atsugi base noise pollution.
importance of the "Japan-U.S. alliance." But the
Government has dismissed the lawsuit the local
residents suffering from noise pollution caused by the
base have filed seeking suspension of night landing
practice (NLP), playing up likewise the importance of
the "Japan-U.S. alliance."
The Government says its decision made this
time is "essential to enhance the credibility of the
Japan-U.S. security arrangements." "It also concerns
the health of local residents," it adds. But its citing as
one of the reasons "the health of the local populace"
seems something incidental.
The number of noise complaints Kanagawa
Prefecture received during the last fiscal year totaled
5,408, up sharply from the 3,000 level recorded every
year over the past few years. The prefectural
government gives as the reason the adoption by the
U.S. forces of a large number of noisy carrier-borne
planes.
Adjacent to the incinerator is the industrial
park where 26 company buildings stand. These
workers for over 20 years have called for dissolving
the smokestack emission issue, but no action was
ever been taken by administrative officials.
To tell the truth, the Government was initially
reluctant to deal with the request by the U.S. seeking
reduction in smokestack emissions. But the issue
was put on agenda for topics at the bilateral JapanU.S. summit meeting. In addition, the U.S. forces,
irritated by Japan's slow move, filed an application
for provisional disposition calling for suspension of
the operation of the incinerator. They claimed: "If
the issue is left unheeded beyond this, the Japan-U.S.
alliance will be seriously and harmfully affected.
The Japanese Government then looked like
being placed in the position of middle management,
always watched by the president.
Fighter planes and helicopters are flying days
and nights over the residential area near the Atsugi
base. Lawsuits against the Government filed by the
local populace suffering from noise pollution have
continued over a quarter century, but no convincing
settlement has yet been reached.
That is the very reason why the inhabitants
have a sense of injustice about the Government.
In the case of the incinerator issue whose
victim is the U.S. forces, the Government quickly
took action to settle the issue, playing up the
8
Living under a quiet sky is the desire of the
local populace. There is no difference between their
desire and the desire of the families of American
servicemen, namely, "clean air." The Japanese
Government "appears sensible" to the U.S., but not to
the local populace.
(01051104ku)