JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
March 22, 2002
AMERICAN EMBASSY, TOKYO
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
OFFICE OF TRANSLATION AND MEDIA ANALYSIS
(03-3224-5360, tokyoots@state.gov)
TODAY’S FEATURES
Top headlines .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Editorials ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Prime Minister's daily schedule ............................................................................................................ 3
Opinion polls:
-- 71% of lawmakers approve constitutional amendment, 66% support emergency bills, 54%
favor use of collective self-defense: Yomiuri poll ............................................................................. 3
-- Yomiuri-Hankook Ilbo poll: 47% of Japanese, 32% of South Koreans see bilateral ties as
"good," up 10 and 13 points, respectively, over 1996 ....................................................................... 4
Political merry-go-round:
-- Former LDP lawmaker Koichi Kato to be questioned by Tokyo prosecutors regarding 100
million yen received from former aide, now under arrest for tax evasion ...................................... 4
-- SDP legislator Tsujimoto may testify in Diet over alleged misuse of public secretary's pay .. 5
-- Kyoto gubernatorial race to be deeply affected by LDP's Sukuki-Kato scandals ...................... 5
Prime Minister Koizumi in Seoul expresses strong desire to resolve abduction issue with North
Korea ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Former foreign minister Tanaka receives red-carpet treatment in China ....................................... 6
Foreign Ministry refuses to surrender Suzuki-related documents requested by opposition party .. 7
U.S.-Japan trade issues:
-- Japan may impose retaliatory tariffs against U.S. for steel import restrictions; New WTO round
damaged by U.S. move .......................................................................................................................... 7
-- USTR considering compensatory measures for imposing steel import restrictions on Japan . 8
-- U.S. Transportation Department may retaliate against Japan over FedEx slot squabble at Narita
Airport ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
-- Government planning to expand FedEx's slots at Narita .............................................................. 8
Emergency legislation:
-- Government plans to have emergency legislation in place within 2 years ................................. 9
-- Government to include Diet approval in emergency bills to ensure civilian control ................ 9
-- Prime Minister in press conference stresses emergency legislation to cope with terrorism, rules
out Cabinet reshuffle .............................................................................................................................. 9
Economic agenda:
-- Prime Minister rules out additional anti-deflationary measures for the time being ............... 10
-- Economic and financial panel plans to recycle results of structural reform as tax cuts ......... 10
(MHIX020322)
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
TOP HEADLINES
EDITORIALS
Asahi:
Yatsuha Butsuryu, health food retailer that went
under in January, collected 150 billion yen, by
pledging dividends; Metropolitan Police Agency to
conduct raid early next week
Asahi:
(1) Outline of countermeasures on global warming;
Feasibility is questionable
(2) Court-martial; Truth abut ethnic war should be
unraveled
Mainichi:
Twelve leading banks projected to fall into red in
March settlement of accounts; Liabilities likely to
exceed 2.5 trillion yen due to accelerated liquidation
of problem companies
Mainichi:
(1) Intellectual Property Council: Show strategy for
triggering industrial revitalization!
(2) New blood law; Monitoring organ should be set
up to secure safety
Yomiuri:
Yomiuri poll on Diet members; 71 percent in favor
of revising the Constitutions; 66 percent support
emergency defense legislation [Translation below]
Yomiuri:
(1) New course of study: Indicate path to education
that will foster ability to think!
(2) Post-graduate student murder case: Policy
should correct their lax handling through
thorough investigation into why they made
mistake
Nihon Keizai:
China treading close on Japan's heels in number of
international patent applications; Competition
among IT companies; Intellectual property rights to
be piled up for next generation
Nihon Keizai:
(1) Recovery of global economy relying on United
States is unstable
Sankei:
Prime Minister: Emergency defense legislation
should also cover anti-terrorist measures; Flatly
rules out possibility of cabinet shuffle [Translation
below]
Sankei:
(1) China's defense expenditures: ODA to China
should be suspended to stem its military buildup
(2) 30 years have passed since the discovery of the
Takamatsu Mound; Research should be
conducted as a state project
Tokyo Shimbun:
Road policy specialists in Diet securing vested
interests through cross-holding of stocks; 60 percent
of stocks unloaded at behest of government sold to
affiliated institutions; Monopoly continues through
amakudari (golden parachute) practice
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Steel problem: Speak out at the WTO
(2) Recall system: Root out whitewashing of defects
of products
(02032203yk)
(02032204yk)
2
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
right of collective self-defense has been a major
point at issue in the course of discussions on
constitutional revision. Asked about this issue, 54%
of the respondents answered that the Constitution
should be amended to make it possible for Japan to
use the right of collective self-defense. The
government is now in the process of packaging
legislative measures dealing with war contingencies,
and this emergency defense legislation is now being
regarded as a major point at issue during the current
Diet session. In this regard, 66% of the respondents
supported the legislation. In reply to a question
asking about the propriety of having women
succeed to the Imperial Throne, 88% were in favor
of the idea. Poll results show a rapid change in the
Dietmembers' views of the Constitution. It will
likely have a significant impact on discussions in
the lower and upper house committees on
constitutional affairs, and is also likely to greatly
affect the moves for constitutional reform.
Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, March 21
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
March 22, 2002
09:39
12:17
13:15
Evening
Night
Attended the spring festival of the
Imperial Ancestors' Shrine at the
Imperial Palace.
Met at his official residence with
Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda.
Left Haneda Airport for Seoul by
government plane.
Arrived at Seoul Airport. Offered
flowers at National Cemetery. Visited
a shopping mall. Enjoyed traditional
music at the National Music Hall.
Held
informal
talks
with
accompanying reporters at the Shiragi
Hotel. Dined with Ambassador to the
ROK Terada and others at a ROK
restaurant in the city. Stayed at the
hotel.
Asked about the propriety of amending the
Constitution, more than 70% of the respondents
were in favor of it. The percentage of those
opposing constitutional revision stood at 24%,
down 11 percentage points.
(02032203ys)
In the breakdown of those respondents into
political parties, 97% of the respondents from the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party were in favor of
constitutional revision, up 21 percentage points
from the previous poll. In addition, all of the
respondents from the Liberal Party (Jiyuto) and
from the New Conservative Party (Hoshuto) were in
favor of constitutional reform. Furthermore, 65% of
those from the Democratic Party of Japan
(Minshuto) and 64% of those from the New
Komeito party or about two-thirds of these two
parties favored the idea of revising the Constitution.
In the case of the Japan Communist Party and the
Social Democratic Party (Shaminto), all of their
Dietmembers were against revising the Constitution.
OPINION
Diet poll: 71% in favor of constitutional
revision; 66% support emergency legislation;
54% think it possible for Japan to participate
in collective defense
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a
questionnaire survey of all Dietmembers regarding
the Constitution of Japan, which will soon mark the
55th anniversary of its effectuation. The poll shows
that 71% of those who responded were in favor of
revising the Constitution, up 11 percentage points
from the last survey conducted in March 1997. The
In the breakdown of those respondents into
age brackets, 68% of those in their 60s were in
favor of constitutional reform. Among those in
their 50s, the proportion of opinions favoring
constitutional amendment was 69%. In the case of
those in their 40s, the percentage of opinions
3
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
favoring constitutional reform was 73%. Among
those in their 30s and under, 80% were in favor of
constitutional reform. The poll thus shows that the
inclination of younger generations toward
constitutional revision was stronger.
(ROK), the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Hankook Ilbo
jointly carried out a public opinion survey in the
two countries and found that 47 percent of Japanese
and 32 percent of South Koreans think bilateral
relations are now "good."
Compared to the
previous survey in 1996, the percentage rose 10
points and 13 points in Japan and the ROK,
respectively. On the question, "Can you trust" the
other country, 55 percent of Japanese and 24 percent
of South Koreans answered yes, up 14 percent and 7
percent, respectively.
There was a substantial increase in the
percentage of those in favor of constitutional
revision.
This is presumably because the
Dietmembers' awareness of the Constitution has
now changed due to the fact that after the previous
survey, the so-called regional contingency security
law came into effect, and that there were a number
of events affecting Japan's national security, such as
the intrusion of North Korean spy boats and the
outbreak of terrorist attacks in the United States. In
addition, they are now increasingly concerned about
environmental issues, such as the Kyoto Protocol to
prevent global warming.
Asked about whether bilateral ties would
"become better from now," taking advantage of the
co-hosting of the World Cup games, 51 percent of
Japanese and 49 percent of South Koreans agreed.
The survey thus showed that one out of every two
Japanese and South Korean think that the World
Cup games will be a good chance to improve
relations.
Those in favor of constitutional revision
were also asked to give reasons. As a result, 71%
answered that that is because there are now
international contributions and other new issues that
Japan remains unable to meet under its present-day
constitution. Among other reasons, 64% pointed to
the necessity of expressly stipulating Japan's right of
self-defense and the Self-Defense Forces' existence,
with 62% suggesting the need to stipulate
environmental rights and other new provisions.
Specifically, 90% were in favor of amending the
Constitution with its express stipulation of Japan's
right to self-defense and the SDF's existence,
topping all other answers.
The latest joint opinion poll targeted eligible
voters in both countries. It was carried out as a
face-to-face survey during late February and early
March.
(02032101bb)
POLITICS
Lawmaker Koichi Kato to be questioned by
Tokyo prosecutors office on suspicion of
receiving 100 million yen from his former
office representative Sato
(02032202im)
MAINICHI (Top play) (Excerpt)
March 21, 2002
Joint Yomiuri-Hankook Ilbo poll on JapanROK relations shows 47 percent of Japanese
and 32 percent of South Koreans see ties as
"good"
Koichi Kato, the former Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP) secretary general who has just resigned
from the party, is under strong suspicion of having
received approximately 100 million yen from his
former office representative, Saburo Sato (61), who
is now under arrest [for tax evasion], it was learned
yesterday from an informed source. The money
apparently was transferred in 1997 from funds held
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
March 21, 2002
Prior to the co-hosting of the Soccer World
Cup finals by Japan and the Republic of Korea
4
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
by former office representative Sato, who in that
year had received 150 million yen from
entertainment producers. The special investigation
division of the Tokyo Prosecutors Office intends to
question Kato about the matter and he will be asked
for an explanation about this money.
On this alleged fraud problem by Tsujimoto,
SDP head Takako Doi has indicated her opinion of
accepting the summoning of Tsujimoto as a sworn
witness or a witness to a Diet hearing, but she has
also stated that she has no intention of conducting
her party's own investigations into Tsujimoto's case.
Former LDP secretary general Kato has
insisted that he did not know anything about the taxevasion activities of his former office manager Sato.
He denied having received any of the money in
question. But according to an informed source, the
entertainment production company Freegate
Promotions (formerly Rising Production) in June
1997 procured 150 million yen under the pretext of
it being loans for executive use, and the president of
a company related to Rising Production reportedly
passed over the money to Sato in Kato's office.
(02032201ku)
Suzuki, Kato scandals seriously affecting
Kyoto gubernatorial election; Communist
Party at an advantage; Joint endorsement
having hard time
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
Sato is said to have handed over to Kato
approximately 100 million yen of that money. Kato
then reportedly used some of that money as his
political campaign fund. However, if Kato applied
any of this money for personal use, he will fall
under suspicion of tax evasion, the source said.
The Kyoto gubernatorial election was
formally announced yesterday, and four independent
new-face candidates announced their candidacies.
The race will be fought essentially among three
individuals: one backed by six non-Communist
Party parties, a candidate supported by the Japan
Communist Party, and a powerful new-face. Joint
sponsorship by six parties seems to give their
candidate the upper hand. However, the Kyoto
gubernatorial race made its start amid a powerful
adverse wind from resignations from the Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) by Muneo Suzuki and
Koichi Kato.
(02032102bb)
Hoshuto Secretary General demands
summoning Tsujimoto, now under suspicion
for fraud related to her secretary's salary
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
March 22, 2002
A truce among six parties
The ceremony to kick off Mr. Yamada's
campaign brought together such members as LDP
Secretary General Taku Yamasaki, Hiromu Nonaka,
Sadakazu Tanigaki as well as executives of New
Komeito, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan),
Hoshuto (New Conservative Party, and the Social
Democratic Party. Although a fierce battle is going
on in the Diet between the two camps over such
problems as the Suzuki and Kato scandals and a
new one involving Kiyomi Tsujimoto, the six
parties are on a truce temporarily just for the race in
Kyoto. The LDP Kyoto chapter even considered a
cancellation of Yamasaki's speech in the wake of
Hoshuto's (New Conservative Party)
Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai in a press
conference yesterday in Wakayama City touched on
the weekly Shukan Shincho's article alleging that
Social Democratic Party (SDP) Policy-Making
Board Chairman Kiyomi Tsujimoto swindled her
secretary's salary. Nikai indicated his intention to
demand that Tsujimoto willingly accept being
summoned as a sworn witness to a Diet hearing,
remarking: "Given that she has so vigorously
pursued other's allegations in the Diet, I don't think
she should avoid her summons as a witness."
5
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
weekly magazine reports on his extramarital affair
with a certain woman.
Yamasaki, however,
delivered a speech for about two minutes, the
shortest among party executives.
South Korean authorities replete with relevant
information because nearly 500 South Koreans are
said to have been kidnapped by North Korean
agents.
Yamada's campaign manager Ikuta Tasaka,
who is also the chief of the LDP Kyoto chapter,
expressed anxiety, saying, "Mr. Suzuki's scandal is
most serious. The Communist Party is trying to
generate an image that the race is between the LDP
and the Communist Party. It's too bad because other
parties are also backing (Mr. Yamada)." New
Komeito's Kyoto chapter chief Junichi Ikemoto also
complained, "Criticism is growing in response to
the vetoed resolution that sought Mr. Suzuki's
resignation." There is an observation that the
outcome of the election will deal a blow to the
Koizumi administration.
(02032202ku)
China treats Makiko Tanaka like a cabinet
member when she and her husband Naoki
arrive in Beijing
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts)
March 22, 2002
[Beijing, March 21, Makoto Nagasaka]
Former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka and
her husband Naoki, an Upper House member,
arrived in Beijing this afternoon aboard a Japan
Airlines (JAL) plane. Upon arriving in China, she
stated, "I am visiting China as a member of the
Diet," but the Chinese government is treating her
like a cabinet member, with National People's
Congress' Standing Committee Chairman Li Peng –
who is number two in China – meeting her, for
instance. Unusual responses made by the Japanese
embassy and Japanese and Chinese media are proof
of how everything that lawmaker Tanaka says and
does is being watched attentively.
(02032201st)
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Prime Minister highly enthusiastic about
resolving alleged abductions; Declares his
intention to strengthen ties with ROK
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
March 22, 2002
"It is a great honor for me to be able to meet
with Chinese leaders. Thirty percent of (the
purpose of my visit to China this time) is to meet
with such leaders, but 70 percent of it is to allow me
to see modern-day China first hand." Tanaka made
this remark at Beijing Airport, indicating that she
planned to inspect a farm area, military facilities
and the information and technology (IT) industry, as
arranged by the China-Japan Friendship Association,
an organization that invited Tanaka to visit China.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a
meeting yesterday with the press in a plane on his
way to Seoul. During the meeting, the premier
expressed his strong enthusiasm for resolving the
alleged abductions of Japanese nationals by North
Korean agents. Can he hammer out any specific
measures to resolve the abduction issue in some
way or another? The summit meeting between him
and President Kim Dae Jung will likely test his
leadership.
But that evening, Tanaka met Chairman Li
and other key Chinese officials including Foreign
Minister Tang Jiaxuan. Earlier that day, the
Chinese Foreign Ministry's Press Bureau's Deputy
Press Officer Zhang Qiyue in a press conference
praised Tanaka, noting: "It is a Chinese tradition
The prime minister has stated anew that the
abduction issue is "tantamount to infringing on the
lives and safety of the Japanese people." As part of
the effort to find a way out of the abduction issue,
he declared his intention to strengthen ties with
6
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
for us never to forget our old friend. We appreciate
her efforts made to enhance China-Japan ties when
she was in office as foreign minister. We also
believe that she will continue her such efforts even
though she is not in that post now."
TRADE
United States considering compensatory
measures for its steel import curbs, says
USTR
(02032203ku)
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full)
March 22, 2002/03/22
POLITICS & FOREIGN RELATIONS
As a compensatory measure for the
emergency import curbs (safeguard), which the U.S.
government invoked on March 20, the Japanese
government has called on the United States to lower
tariffs on items other than steel products, including
video cameras. In this connection, it was learned on
March 21 that United States Trade Representative
(USTR) Zoellick announced the U.S. intention to
consider the Japanese government's request. The
USTR told this to several American media
institutions.
Foreign Ministry for a month has continued
to reject Minshuto's request for documents
on "international organ"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) has
demanded that the Foreign Ministry produce
documents on an "international organ" that was
established based on bilateral agreements in the
same way as the ministry's Cooperation Committee,
which was the source of scores of scandals
involving Muneo Suzuki over Japan's assistance to
the four northern islands. The Foreign Ministry,
however, has refused to submit the documents for
nearly one month now, it was learned yesterday.
The Foreign Ministry is essentially operating the
Japan-Russia Youth Exchange Committee, an
organization Suzuki is believed to have exploited
for building his personal ties. It has become clear
that the international organ exists in name only.
Minshuto deems that the Foreign Ministry is buying
time to cook the books on the documents.
According to the report, USTR Zoellick
indicated a positive stance toward considering
Japan's request, noting, "We will be able to meet the
requirements of World Trade Organization (WTO)
rules by lowering barriers elsewhere (in areas other
than steel)."
During bilateral negotiations held before
Japan filed its complaint with the WTO, the
Japanese government called on the U.S. government
to lower tariffs on video cameras and wristwatches
imported from Japan as a compensatory measure for
damages Japan will sustain from the import curbs
by the United States. The talks, however, ended in
a rupture. Until now, the USTR has taken the
position of rejecting requests for compensatory
measures.
(02032202st)
(02032202yk)
7
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
measure. Moreover, with Japan, Europe and South
Korea building an encircling ring [of WTO
complaints] against America, there inevitably will
be an adverse impact on the future of the new WTO
round that has finally just got started.
U.S. Transportation Department hints at
sanctions against Japan over Narita-slot issue
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
(02032103bb)
[Washington, March 20, Shinji Amano]
The
United
States
Transportation
Department issued a statement on Mar. 20 on the
Japanese government's refusal to transfer slots at
Narita Airport to the leading American cargo carrier
FedEx. The statement read: "We will not hesitate to
take action if the rights of American air carriers are
violated." The statement also stressed that if this
issue was not quickly resolved, the U.S. would take
retaliatory measures against Japanese airliners.
Transport ministry decides to approve
transfer of Delta's Narita slots to FedEx
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Full)
March 22, 2002
The Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry decided yesterday to accept the U.S. call
regarding the reallocation of slots at Narita Airport.
Delta Air Lines plans to announce today that it will
transfer its slots to the leading U.S. cargo carrier
FedEx. The possibility of the United States taking
countermeasures is now likely to be avoided.
The U.S. Transportation Department
instructed Japanese air carriers the same day to
submit by Mar. 22 the timetables of their cargo
flights bound for the U.S. Should no progress be
made on this issue, some sanction measures might
be slapped on Japanese carriers, such as a reduction
in slots in the U.S. for Japanese cargo carriers.
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Excerpt)
March 21, 2002
The air dispute, which could have developed
into a possible air war between Japan and the
United States, was set off by the Japanese transport
ministry's refusal in February of Delta Air Lines'
proposal for transferring its slots at Narita Airport to
FedEx. Delta had obtained slots from FedEx in
1998, in accord with the 1998 Japan-U.S. aviation
agreement.
Because of a sharp drop in the
passenger load rate in the wake of the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks on the United States, Delta has
decided to withdraw its services to Japan. The air
carrier is hoping to transfer its slots to FedEx on
March 31.
Japan has decided to file a complaint with
the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the
United States for invoking emergency import
restraints (safeguards) on foreign steel products.
The decision was made because the measure taken
by America, according to a senior official in the
Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, was "an
action that clearly violates [the WTO] for it gives
priority to protecting the steel industry." In addition,
the government is considering imposing retaliatory
tariffs on good imported from the U.S. as a protest
The Transport Ministry had refused the
proposed transfer, citing the reason that FedEx was
operating light planes with few cargo loads, in an
attempt to protect its Narita flight slots. The
ministry intended to reallocate the slots to carriers
other than American companies. Japan's refusal
also reflected the strong dissatisfaction of European
and Asian airliners, given chronic shortfalls of
Narita slots, claiming, "Japan has given favorable
treatment to American carriers in the slot-allocation
scheme."
(02032202ys)
Japan may apply retaliatory tariffs in
response to U.S. safeguards on steel imports;
U.S. action will inevitably impact adversely
on new WTO round
8
Japanese Morning Press Highlights
Government to require Diet approval before
declaring emergency situations to ensure
civilian control
But the Transport Ministry decided to
approve the proposal in response to the explanation
of FedEx about its plan to use all the slots allocated
to it, including those from Delta Air Lines.
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
On the issue, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Mineta issued a statement on March 20, in
which he said, "We will not hesitate to take action if
the rights of U.S. air carriers are infringed on." The
possibility had surfaced that the United States
would take countermeasures, including the U.S.
denial of Japanese carriers' rights for flights to the
United States.
The government has decided to include in a
package law a provision requiring Diet approval
before designating national emergency situations in
the event of Japan coming under armed attacks.
The government has recognized the need to ensure
civilian control in order to give the government
powers that would lead to restricting citizens' rights
during armed attacks. With this, the government's
procedures during emergency situations have
generally been set.
(02032201ys)
The government will enter into coordination
with the ruling camp on the timing for giving Diet
approval on two plans: 1) Diet approval should be
obtained ahead of time in principle, but approval
after the event is acceptable in real emergency, as
exception; and 2) seeking Diet approval in 20 days
after start taking measures. In the event the
government fails to obtain Diet approval, the
government needs to discontinue such activities as
evacuating citizens and assisting the U.S. armed
forces. But stipulating "emergency" would allow
the government to obtain Diet approval after taking
actions. The government thinks either plan would
allow it to take quick response.
DEFENSE & SECURITY
Government plans to complete the setting up
of emergency legislation within two years,
including target date in promotional bill
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
March 21, 2002
The Government on March 20 indicated its
plan to the security project team of the three
coalition parties that completion of the legal system
to respond to an armed attack against Japan will be
carried out by 2004. The Government first will
present to the current Diet session four related bills,
including a promotional bill, which will
comprehensively set the basic policy responses to
emergencies. It will include in the promotional bill
a target date to complet all legal preparations within
two years including all remaining areas.
The government plans to have Cabinet
approval first on "basic policy" that spells out
specific defense activities and measures for ensuring
people's safety and then report it to the Diet.
(02032203st)
(02032201bb)
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Japanese Morning Press Highlights
Emergency legislation:
Premier
preparing to deal with terrorism, too
ECONOMY
eyes
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
Prime Minister rules out for the time being
additional deflationary measures, denies that
he plans to reshuffle cabinet soon
[Seoul, March 21, Keisuke Kinomoto]
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
March 22, 2002
Prime Minister Koizumi told reporters at a
Seoul hotel today that his government would
package emergency defense legislative measures
that can deal with large-scale terrorism as well as
war contingencies. The prime minister remarked in
an informal meeting that "it would be better not to
force out discussions on preparations for urgent
situations."
(Seoul, Eiji Sakamoto)
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the
afternoon of March 21 landed at Seoul Airport
aboard the government's official airplane for a state
visit to the Republic of Korea. Speaking to the
press corps at a hotel in Seoul, he referred to the
question of additional anti-deflationary measures,
saying, "There will be no additional policy measures
attached to the fiscal 2002 budget." He indicated
that he did not think there was any need at this time
for a new package of measures.
The prime minister set forth his view of
emergency defense legislation, underscoring that
"the basic idea of emergency legislation is to
prepare Japan for armed attacks, following the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks in the United States, and mystery
ships." The premier added, "What concerns the
people is how to meet a state of emergency. We
will have to show what can answer that argument."
(02032202bb)
He also indicated that some of these
emergency legislative measures could be carried
over to the next Diet session or after, saying: "Bills
that can be enacted will be passed, and we can take
time for those that will take time."
Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy to
propose recycling results of reform, including
spending cuts in the form of tax breaks; 30trillion yen cap on issuance of bonds also to
be upheld
The government and the ruling coalition
have reaffirmed that they would study separate
legislative measures against large-scale terrorism,
armed mystery ships, armed spies, and cyberterrorism apart from those dealing with war
contingencies. On the other hand, the government
regards limited guerrilla attacks and missile attacks
as "armed attacks" and it therefore includes such
situations in the scope of legislative measures
dealing with war contingencies. The prime minister
also thinks that the government should conduct a
broader study of legislative measures that can meet
urgent situations. In this regard, the premier
revealed that he has ordered his government to enter
into policy coordination with the ruling coalition.
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
March 22, 2002
In facilitating reform of the tax system, one
of the major agenda items for the year, the Council
on Economic and Fiscal Policy (CEF) has decided
as of March 21 to call for the introduction of reform
recycling-type tax cuts. The aim is to reinvigorate
the economy through tax cuts financed by the
results of structural reforms, including spending
cuts. The CEF sees that reform of the spending
sectors would enable securing financial resources to
avert a worsening of the economy and uphold the
Koizumi Cabinet's commitment to a 30-trillion yen
cap on the issuance of national bonds.
(02032201im)
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Japanese Morning Press Highlights
The proposals for the reform recycling-type
tax breaks will be included in a readjustment plan
for tax system reform arguing points to be
publicized at a CEF meeting at the end of the month.
The CEF is expected to activate discussion of the
proposal along with other issues in the run-up to the
compilation of basic guidelines for June.
(02032201yk)
11