Asahi :: Monday, June 29, 2009

• Defense procurement program rapped again (6/29)
  THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
  A defense procurement program long criticized as inefficient and a waste of taxpayers' money is under fire again.
  At issue is the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which allows the Defense Ministry to buy military ordnance directly from the United States. Under the program, the two countries sign documents that specify the price Japan must pay upfront.
  The final price is calculated only after the equipment is delivered.
  However, delays in delivery of the hardware and other factors have led to a huge amount of transactions in which no final accounting has been made.
  The accumulated amount of transactions that remain outstanding reached 362.6 billion yen in fiscal 2007, sources said. continued ...


• 'Muneo' stages comeback as people's politician (6/29)
  BY SO WAKAMATSU, THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
  He was once demonized as the greedy villain of Japanese politics. In just a few years, however, lawmaker Muneo Suzuki has completed one of the most remarkable comebacks to the public stage, where he now portrays himself as a champion of the downtrodden.
  The 61-year-old Lower House member, who is on bail for bribery and other convictions, has become a much sought-after speaker at events nationwide. Fast-talking and full of vigor, he draws large audiences with his popular touch. continued ...


• EDITORIAL: Political donations (6/29)
  Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano is singlehandedly in charge of the Aso administration's economic and fiscal policies. The leader of the main opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), Yukio Hatoyama, will become the next prime minister if his party wins the next Lower House election. These two key members of the two main parties are now facing allegations involving political donations. continued ...


• EDITORIAL: Checking Korean ships (6/29)
  The ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party has worked out an outline of a bill for Japan's inspections of ships traveling to and from North Korea to see whether they are carrying nuclear materials or other banned items. Such inspections are part of the international sanctions against North Korea contained in a resolution recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council. continued ...