美日繼續商討稀土問題

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

前原外相とクリントン米国務長官は２７日（日本時間２８日）、米ハワイ・ホノルルのホテルで会談し、中国が世界の生産量の９割以上を占めるレアアース（希土類）について、供給源の多角的な確保へ連携して取り組むことで一致した。

　長官は会談後の記者会見で、中国によるレアアースの輸出規制について「目覚ましとなった。一つの供給源に依存しすぎれば、災害などで供給が止まってしまう。全世界がもっと供給源を追求すべきだ」と強調。外相も「中国に依存するのは適切でなかった。日米で連携し、多角的な資源外交に努力したい」と述べた。
　会談は約２時間行われ、１１月のオバマ大統領来日を前に「アジア・太平洋地域の共有財」としての日米同盟の重要性と、同盟深化協議の加速を再確認。

(試譯文)

On the 27th (28th Japan standard time) Foreign Minister Maehara and Secretary of State Clinton held a discussion at a hotel in U.S. Hawaii Honolulu to work out a co-ordinated approach to secure a diversified supply source for rare earth (rare earthes) which China accounted for 90 percent or more of its production in the world.

The Secretary, having regard to China on the restriction of export of rare earth, at a press conference after the talk emphasised that ｢It became an alarm clock. Supply stoppage could be a disaster if depending on one supply source too much. We should pursue more supply sources from all parts of the world｣. The Foreign Minister also expressed that ｢Depending on China was imappropriate. I want Japan and U.S. to co-operate and to make a diplomatic effort to seek diversified resources｣.
The conference lasted for about two hours, and before President Obama visiting Japan in November the conference would reaffirm the importance of the alliance between Japan and the United States as the "Common fortune of Asia Pacific region", and also reaffirm the acceleration of the deepening of the alliance.

It seems that Japan and the US are sharing similar line of thinking as far as the world supply of rare earth is concerned.

日本將會進口美國稀土

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:

住友商事が米国のレアアース（希土類）鉱山に進出を検討していることが２２日分かった。レアアース世界生産量の９割を占める中国は輸出規制を強めており、住友商事は中国以外の調達先の確保を狙う。日米による「脱中国」の動きが本格化してきた。
　進出検討の対象は、米カリフォルニア州にあるモリコープ社のマウンテン・パス鉱山。休眠状態だが２０１１年前半に採掘を再開し、分離や精製、精錬の設備を新設して１２年末までに年２万トンの生産体制にする計画だ。
　設備新設には数百億円規模の資金が必要とされるうえ、多くの関連特許を日本企業は持つ。住友商事は出資や融資を検討、技術面でも協力できないか協議している模様だ。
　大手商社の双日によると、１１年のレアアースの世界需要（中国内需を除く）は５万６８００トンで、１万６８００トンの供給不足。日本は１万トン余りの供給不足が予想され、住友商事は同鉱山から日本向け輸出を確保する。
　マウンテン・パス鉱山は一時は世界最大の生産量を誇ったが、９０年代に入り、中国のレアアースの安値攻勢に敗れて休眠していた。だが中国はレアアースの資源価値を重視し、輸出許可枠を０６年から減らし始めた。そんななか米国資本がマウンテン・パス鉱山に注目した。
　同鉱山のレアアースはほかの鉱山よりも良質とされ、ほかの日本の商社や企業も関心を示している。

On the 22nd, it was understood that Sumitomo Corporation was examining the importation of rare earth (rare earthes) from mines in the United States. China that accounted for 90 percent of the rare earth world production was strengthening the restriction on export, and Sumitomo Corporation aimed at securing the procurement from destinations other than China. The movement of "De-China" by Japan-U.S. had become full-scale.
The object of importation under investigation was a mine of the Moriko-pu Co. at Mountain Pass in U.S. California state. It was scheduled to restart mining in the first half of 2011 although it had been in a dormancy state at the moment. Using newly established equipment to do separation and refinement, and smelting there were plans to make the system to produce 20,000 tons yearly up to the end of 12 years.
On top of the capital of several ten billion yen scale would be needed, Japanese firms had a lot of related patents in the establishment of new equipment. Sumitomo Corporation examined the investment and the financing, and seemed to be conferring on solving cooperating difficulties on the technical side.
The world demand for the rare earth in the year 2011 ( Chinese domestic demand excluded) would be 56,800 tons according to Double Day, a big trader, and the short supply would be 16,800 tons. Japan expected to face a short supply of the balance of over 10,000 tons, and Sumitomo Corporation would secure export to Japan from this mine.
Entering the 90's, the mine at Mountain Pass was defeated by the low price offensive of the rare earth of China, and the mine was resting though it had once boasted as the world's largest production site. However, since the year 2006 China valued the resource value of rare earth, and began to decrease the number of export permission. As such, capitals in the United States paid attention to the mine at Mountain Pass.
It was said the mine was of better quality than other mines, and other Japanese trading companies and enterprises were also interested in the rare earth of this mine.

It seems that Japan is preparing to rely more on the US on the importation of raw materials.

日本人減少到中國旅行

Recently the Asahi News reported the following:

日本旅行業協会が２０日発表した旅行大手７社の１０～１２月の海外ツアー予約状況によると、中国方面が前年同期と比べ、最大で３割近く減った。尖閣諸島沖の漁船衝突事件による日中関係の悪化が影響しているとみられる。
　１０月が２７．０％減、１１月は３．１％減、１２月は２６．８％減だった。８月の実績は９．７％減だったが、事件が発生した９月に２５．４％減と急減。年末にかけて減少が続いている。同協会の担当者は「旅行者が中国から行き先を変えたり、様子を見るため旅行を延期したりしている」と分析する。
　一方、ツアー全体では、１０月は６．１％減だが、１１月は１９．０％増、１２月は５．９％増。米国、韓国、台湾方面が２０％以上増えた。

(試譯文)

According to the announcement made on the 20th by the Japan Association of Travel Agents, overseas tour reservation status of seven major travel companies in October to December showed that travel to China had decreased by as much as about 30 percent compared to same time last year. It was expected to be the influence of the Japan-China deteriorated relations due to the fishing boat collision event off the coast of Senkaku Islands.
It was a 27.0% decrease October, 3.1% decrease in November, and 26.8% decrease in December. Although it was a 9.7% decrease in August, it decreased suddenly in September by 25.4% when the event occurred. The decrease continued until the end of the year. The person in charge of this agency analyzed that "Travelers change the China destination, and postpone the journey in order to see the situation".
On the other hand, for the entire tourist travel, although it was a 6.1% decrease in October, it was a 19.0% increase in November, 5.9% increase in December. In respect of the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan there was a 20% or more increase.

It seems that fewer Japanese will visit China in the near future.

日本留意習近平的外交路線

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

中国の習近平国家副主席が中国共産党中央軍事委員会副主席に選出され、胡錦濤国家主席の後継地位を確定させたことについて、政府は「習氏は日本とのかかわりが薄く、未知数な面が多い」（外務省幹部）として、習氏の対日政策に関する情報収集、分析を進める方針だ。

　菅首相は１８日夜、首相官邸で記者団に「次期国家主席にどなたがなられても、日中の戦略的互恵関係を進めるように双方努力する必要がある」と述べた。
　習氏は高級幹部子女の「太子党」有力者で、反日的な姿勢が目立った江沢民前国家主席の推薦で抜てきされたとみられる。日中外交筋は「対日外交では基本的に胡政権と同様の現実路線を踏襲すると思われるが、実際に最高指導者になってみないと分からない」との見方を示した。
　習氏と日本の関係では、昨年１２月に来日した際の天皇陛下との会見が記憶に新しい。

(試譯文)

China's National vice-chairman Xi Jinping was elected as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, and became the successor of President Hu Jinto; because the succession position was confirmed, and that "Xi Jinping's relation with Japan was weak and there were lots of unknown", information gathering and analysis on Xi's policy towards Japan became the direction ahead for high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials.

On the night of the 18th, Prime Minister Kan described to reporters in the Prime Minister's Office that "Whoever becomes the President in the next term, it is necessary for both parties to make an effort to advance the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship between Japan and China".

It was thought that Xi Jinping was a powerful figure in the "Crown Prince Party" and was elected with the recommendation of the former President Jiang Zemin whose anti-Japan posture stood out. Japan China diplomatic source showed the view that "Although it was not understood whether or not actually he would become the top leader, it seemed that the basic diplomatic policy towards Japan would follow a practical route similar to that of Hu's administration."

On Xi's relation with Japan, his meeting with the emperor when he came to Japan last December was still fresh in the memory.

It seems that Japan is keen to know more about Xi Jinping in view of his recent promotion in China.

日本與美國談論武器輸出

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

菅総理大臣は、北澤防衛大臣が見直しを目指す考えを示した「武器輸出３原則」について、１２日夜、記者団に対し「基本的な考え方を変えるつもりはない」と述べました。
外国への武器の輸出などを禁じている「武器輸出３原則」をめぐっては、北澤防衛大臣が１１日、訪問先のベトナムでアメリカのゲーツ国防長官と会談した際に見直しを目指す考えを伝え、仙谷官房長官も１２日、現時点で基本的な考え方は変えていないものの、今後、見直すべきかどうかの議論は必要だという認識を示しました。これについて菅総理大臣は１２日夜、総理大臣官邸で記者団に対し「武器輸出３原則の基本的な考え方を変えるつもりはない」と述べました。そのうえで、記者団が「北澤防衛大臣の発言は勇み足だという理解か」と質問したのに対し、菅総理大臣は「直接、まだ話を聞いていない。従来からこの問題はいろいろなレベルの話があり、基本的な考え方については、今申し上げた通りだ」と述べました.

(試譯文)

Prime Minister Kan described to reporters about showing the idea to Minister of Defense Kitazawa that aimed at reviewing "Three Principles on Arms Export", had said on the night of the 12th that "There will be no change to the basic idea".
It was said that Minister of Defense Kitazawa showed the idea that aimed at reviewing the "Three Principles on Arms Export" that prohibited the export of arms to the foreign country when he on the 11th conferred with Secretary of Defense Gates of the United States who was paying a visit to Vietnam, and on the 12th the Chief Cabinet Secretary Tani also showed recognition that a discussion would be needed whenever reviewing it again in future although at this moment there was no change to the basic idea. On the night of 12th, Prime Minister Kan described to reporters about this in the Prime Minister official residence saying that "There will be no change in the basic idea of Three Principles on Arms Export". During that period reporters asked the Prime Minister Kan, enquiring that "Is there an understanding that Minister of Defense Kitazawa's remark is an overstepping?" Prime Minister Kan replied that "The story has not been heard directly yet. As in the past, for this problem there is a story at different levels, and as for the basic thinking it is as what I have said now."

It is not sure that whether there is a communication problem between Japan's Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense. But to discuss exporting weapons is an interesting development in Japan, my wild guess is that probably it may have some connection with the recent diplomatic conflict between China and Japan.

日本零售業低迷

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

大丸と松坂屋を傘下に持つ「Ｊ．フロントリテイリング」など、大手デパート３社のことし８月の中間決算は、消費の低迷で衣料品などの販売が伸び悩んだことから、いずれも売り上げが前の年の同じ時期を下回りました。
大手デパート３社のことし８月の中間決算が１２日までに出そろい、このうち、売り上げは、大丸と松坂屋を傘下に持つ「Ｊ．フロントリテイリング」と「セブン＆アイ・ホールディングス」傘下の「そごう・西武」がいずれも２．８％、「高島屋」が１．４％、前の年の同じ時期を下回りました。これは消費の低迷で主力の衣料品や時計など高額商品の売り上げが伸び悩んだことなどによります。各社とも従業員の数を減らしたり、広告費を削減したりするなど、合理化を進めており、営業利益については、Ｊ．フロントリテイリングと高島屋の２社が前の年の同じ時期を上回りました。しかし、急激に進む円高や株価の低迷などで、経営を取り巻く環境は厳しくなるとみており、新たなテナントの誘致や若者向けの低価格の衣料品などの品ぞろえを強化するなどして売り上げの回復につなげていきたい考えです。

(試譯文)

The interim account of three major department store companies such as "J. Front Retailing Company" that was holding Daimaru and Matsuzakaya as subsidiaries, in August this year all the sales fell below the same time of the previous year because sales such as apparel were unable to move upward due to decrease in consumption.
In the August interim account this year presented as at 12th for the three major department store companies, the sales of "J. Front Retailing Company" that was holding Daimaru and Matsuzakaya as subsidiaries fell by 2.8% below the same time of the perious period, and the same was true for "Sogo Stores and Seibu" held by "Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd." as a subsidiary, and it was 1.4% for "Takashimaya". This was because the inability to move upward the sales of the high priced commodity major items such as apparel and clocks due to the depression of consumption etc. Rationalization was advanced in both companies by decreasing the number of employees, and reducing advertising expenses, the operating profit of the two companies (the J.Front Retailing Co. and Takashimaya) exceeded that of the same time the previous year. But because of the rapid appreciation of the yen and the sluggish stock market, the environment surrounding the management was expected to become severe, and had the idea to tie the recovery of sales by strengthening goods with stocks such as the low price apparel so as to attract new tenants and young people.

Its seems that the high yen value has adversely affected the business sector of Japan.

日本加強連絡東南亞國家

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

ベトナムを訪れている北澤防衛大臣は、ベトナムやインドネシアなど東南アジア各国の国防相と相次いで会談し、東シナ海や南シナ海で活動を活発化させている中国への対応について、各国と意見交換を重ねながら連携を強めていきたいという考えを伝えました。
ベトナムを訪れている北澤防衛大臣は、１２日に開かれるＡＳＥＡＮ＝東南アジア諸国連合の拡大国防大臣会議に出席するベトナムやインドネシアなど５カ国の国防相と、相次いで会談しました。一連の会談で北澤大臣は、さきの尖閣諸島沖で起きた中国漁船による衝突事件への日本の対応について、理解を求めたうえで「最近の東シナ海や南シナ海における中国の進出には、連携して対処することが重要だ」と述べ、中国への対応について各国と意見交換を重ねながら連携を強めていきたいという考えを伝えました。これに対し、インドネシアのプルノモ国防相は「我が国も南シナ海やマラッカ海峡で、同様の経験をしており、強い姿勢で漁船の取締りに当たっている」と述べたほか、各国の国防相からは、尖閣諸島をめぐる問題は国際法に基づいて平和的に解決されることを望む声が出されました。

Minister of Defense Kitazawa who was visiting Vietnam conferred with Defense Minister of countries of Southeast Asia one after another such as Vietnam and Indonesia to tell the idea repeatedly that he wanted to do opinion exchange on strengthening co-operation in response to China's increased activity in East China Sea and the South China Sea.
Minister of Defense Kitazawa who was visiting Vietnam conferred one after another with the Defense Minister of five countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia that attended the expanded National Defense Minister Conference of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) opened on the 12th. Minister Kitazawa told the idea of wishing to explain the response of Japan about the earlier collision event with a Chinese fishing boat that happened off the coast of Senkaku Islands, and requested an understanding "In view of the recent advancement of China into East China Sea and into the South China Sea, to jointly deal with the matter was important", repeatedly performed opinion exchange that aimed at strengthening co-operation with individual countries at a series of conferences. As for the problem over Senkaku Islands, Defense Minister Purunomo of Indonesia described "Our country also was having a similar experience in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, and it hit the management of the fishing boat in a strong manner", among the Defense Ministers of individual country, the voice that hoped the Senkaku Islands problem would be solved peaceful based on International Laws was sounded out.

The Senkaku Islands dispute offered Japan the opportunity to form a united front among south-east Asian countries, a situation that China will not feel comfortable.

日本青年團到上海世博訪問四日

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:

中国漁船衝突事件の影響で延期された約１０００人の日本青年上海万博訪問団を、中国側が２７日から受け入れると連絡してきたことが１０日、分かった。事務局を務める日中友好会館がホームページで明らかにした。
　菅直人首相と中国の温家宝首相の首脳会談を受け、９日には中国で拘束されていた高橋定さんが釈放されており、日中関係修復に向けた中国側の動きの一環とみられる。
　日中友好会館によると、中国側から外務省に対し、あらためて招待の連絡があったという。３０日まで４日間の日程で訪問する予定。

On the 10th it was understood that China on the 27th accepted the Japanese Youth Shanghai Expo visiting group of about 1000 people which had been postponed due to the Chinese fishing boat collision event. The Japan-China Friendship Center that served as the secretariat clarified it at its homepage.
Because of the summit meeting of Prime Minister Naoto Kan and China Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, on the 9th Mr. Takahashi who had been detained in China was released, and this was thought of as part of the movement of China to restore the Japan-China relations.
According to the Japan-China Friendship Center, it was said that the invitation was reported from China to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By the itinerary, it was scheduled to visit for four days until the 30th.

It seems that the Sino-Japanese relationship is going back to normal again.

東芝年尾推出新立體電視機

Recently the Mainichi News reported the following:

　東芝は４日、家庭用としては世界で初めて、専用眼鏡なしで三次元（３Ｄ）映像が見られる液晶テレビを１２月下旬に国内で発売すると発表した。３Ｄテレビは専用眼鏡が普及拡大のネックとの指摘もあり、新技術で需要掘り起こしを狙う。
　新たな３Ｄテレビは、角度の異なる複数の映像を生成する「インテグラルイメージング方式」を採用。液晶パネルに張った特殊なシートを通して映像を映し出すことで、裸眼で高精細な３Ｄ映像を楽しめる。２Ｄ映像を３Ｄ映像に変換する機能も搭載した。画面サイズは１２型と２０型の２機種で、想定価格は１２万円と２４万円前後。月１０００台以上の販売を目指す。
　３Ｄテレビは、国内ではパナソニック、ソニー、シャープ、東芝、三菱電機が発売しているが、いずれも専用眼鏡が必要なタイプだった。会見で大角（おおすみ）正明上席常務は「眼鏡がないほうが３Ｄ映像を楽しんでもらいやすい。今後は眼鏡なしの流れになっていくだろう」と述べ、今後４０型以上の大型サイズでも裸眼３Ｄテレビの製品化を検討する。
　ただ、調査会社ＢＣＮの調べでは、９月の薄型テレビの販売台数に占める３Ｄテレビの割合は２．５％にとどまっている。道越一郎アナリストは「裸眼で３Ｄを見たいというニーズは多いが、今回の製品は小型で価格が高め。まだソフトも少ないので、３Ｄテレビの本格普及にはもう少し時間がかかる」と指摘している。

On the 4th Toshiba announced that they would put on the market domestically by late December the world's first family use LCD TV with three-dimension (3D) images that could be seen without the need of special glasses. Regarding 3D television there was suggestion that special glasses was the problem that would affect its expansion and become popular, out of need they aimed at digging up new technology.
3D new television adopted "Integral imaging method" that generated two or more images with different angles. 3D high minute images could be enjoyed by the naked-eye by projecting the image through the special sheet put on the liquid crystal panel. The function to convert 2D image into 3D image was installed. The screen size had two models (type 12 and type 20), and the assumed price would be around 120,000 yen and 240,000 yen. It aimed at sales of 1000 or more a month.
3D televisions currently were being put on the market by Panasonic, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation domestically, all were the types that needed special glasses. In the interview, Masaaki Osumi the managing director said ｢It is easier to enjoy 3D images with no glasses. In the future, without glasses would become the trend｣, and in future they would examine the the commercialization of bigger than type 40 large-scale size naked-eye 3D televisions.
However, according to a study by a research company BCN, in September the proportion of 3D televisions among the number of sales of thin-screen TV remained at 2.5%. Analyst Ichiro Michiko pointed that "Although there are lots of news about the wish to watch 3D in naked-eye, this time the product is small but the price is high. Also because software is few, it would take a little more time for 3D televisions to be fully popular".

It is nice to hear that 3D televisions for naked-eye will be available by the end of the year.

橫濱港橋底觀景通道關閉

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

横浜港に架かる「横浜ベイブリッジ」の下に設けられた、歩行者専用の展望施設「スカイウォーク」が入場者数の低迷などから、２６日で閉鎖されることになり、２１年の歴史に幕を閉じました。
「スカイウォーク」は、横浜ベイブリッジの下に横浜港やみなとみらい地区を一望できる観光用の歩道として平成元年に完成しました。年々、利用者が伸び悩んで赤字が続き、管理する横浜市はことし３月に閉鎖を決めて、土曜日曜と祝日に限って営業を続けてきました。２６日は午後６時前から式典が行われ、訪れた人たちが壁にはられた模造紙にメッセージを書いたり、記念撮影をしたりして、閉鎖を惜しみました。横浜市から来た子ども連れの女性は「昔、主人といっしょに来たことがあります。きょうは最後の思い出にと思ってきました」と話していました。横浜市の７５歳の男性は「ここからの夕日の眺めは最高でした。市もお金がないのでしょうが、こういうところを応援してくれるとうれしいのですが」と残念そうに話していました。横浜市によりますと、「スカイウォーク」の今後の利用方法などについては、まだ決まっていないということです。

The "Sky walk" built under the "Yokohama Bay Bridge" at the Yokohama port used by pedestrians for sight seeing purpose would be closed on the 26th of September due to low visiting figure, and its 21 years history would come to an end.
Built under the Yokohama Bridge the "Sky walk" was completed in 1989 as a pavement for sightseeing that could command the Yokohama port and the Minatomirai district. Every year there was a deficit due to stagnation of users, the Yokohama City that managed it decided closing it in March this year, and had kept doing business only on Sundays, Saturdays and holidays. On the 26th at 6.00 pm a commemorative ceremony was held, visitors wrote messages on thick paper mounted on the wall, and the people who visited took pictures for memory and regretted the closing. A woman together with her child coming from Yokohama City said "In the old days had come with the husband. To-day was thought of as the last memories". A 75-year-old man in Yokohama City said in a regretting tone "From here the view of the evening sun was the highest. Although the city might not have money, it is glad that it assists such a place". According to the Yokohama city the future use of the "Sky walk" had not yet decided.

So people who want to enjoy the harbor view when visiting the Yokohama city will have one place less to choose.

日對釣魚台做民意調查

Recently the Excite News reported the following

毎日新聞は２、３の両日、全国世論調査を実施した。菅内閣の支持率は４９％と再び５割を割り込み、９月の前回調査（６４％）から１５ポイント減と急落した。沖縄県・尖閣諸島沖で中国漁船が海上保安庁の巡視船に衝突した事件を巡り、中国人船長の釈放を「検察の判断」とする政府の説明に対し、「納得できない」との回答が８７％を占めた。「政府が政治判断を示すべきだった」との回答も８０％に上り、政府対応への批判が支持率低下を招いた。

　菅直人首相は９月の民主党代表選で、小沢一郎元幹事長を破り再選。その後の内閣改造・党役員人事でも「脱小沢路線」をとり、前回の世論調査では、内閣支持率が６４％まで急上昇した。しかし、乱高下する支持率は消極的支持の表れともいえ、政権運営は厳しさを増している。

　漁船衝突事件を巡り、９月８日に中国人船長を逮捕した判断の是非を聞いたところ、「適切だった」が８３％に上る一方、同２５日に釈放した判断については「適切でなかった」が７４％を占めた。「釈放は検察の判断」とする政府の説明に「納得できない」との回答は、内閣、民主党支持層でも８割を超えた。逮捕に踏み切った当初方針から、対応を転換したにもかかわらず、十分な説明がなかったことに批判が集まった。

　今回の事件を受け、中国のイメージが「悪くなった」との回答は４４％に上った。今後の日中関係については「日本の主張を優先すべきだ」が３５％と最多で、「関係改善を急ぐべきだ」と「しばらく距離を置くべきだ」がともに３１％と、回答が分かれた。

　沖縄県石垣市に属する尖閣諸島を巡り、中国や台湾も領有権を主張していることについて「以前から知っていた」が６４％を占めた。一方で「今回、初めて知った」との回答も３４％に上っている。

Mainichi Shimbun carried out a nationwide public opinion poll on both 2nd and 3rd days. The approval rate for the Kan Cabinet dropped again into half, from the investigation did last time in September (64%) dropped sharply by 15 points.

Centering around the event that a Chinese fishing boat collided with the patrol boat of the Japan Coast Guard off Okinawa Prefecture at the coast of Senkaku Island, regarding the release of the Chinese captain, the response to the explanation given by the government that it was "Judgment of the prosecution", 87% of the reply said that"it is not possible to consent". The response that saying that "The government had to have shown political judgment" also went up to 80%, these criticism towards the government's response to the incident had caused the approval rating to decrease.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan in September broke the re-election of former chief secretary Ichiro Ozawa in the Democratic Party representative election. Afterwards the "De-Ozawa route" was taken through cabinet reshuffling and changing the party executive-level management, thus pushed up the last public opinion poll on the cabinet support rate to 64%. However, the violent fluctuation of the approval rate could be said that it showed passive support, and that difficulties in political management grew.

Concerning the fishing boat collision event, on September 8 when heard about the arrest of the Chinese captain, those saying that the judgement "Was appropriate" went up to 83%, regarding the right or wrong about his release on the 25th, those saying "It was not appropriate" accounted for 74%. Even among Cabinet and the Democratic Party supporters over 80 percent of the answer said that the explanation of the government that "Release is a judgment of the prosecution" was "Not possible to consent". The criticism gathered around that there was not enough explanation, that at the start the policy carried out was to arrest, and could not understand why later there was a change in responding.

Because of this event, the reply that the image of China "Worsened" had gone up to 44%. Regarding Japan-China relations in future "It was necessary to give priority to the insistence of Japan" was in the majority of 35%, and "It was necessary to speed up improvement in relations" and "Should keep a distance for a while" was 31%.

About the insistence by China and Taiwan that they had territorial right over the Senkaku Islands which belonged to the Okinawa Prefecture stone wall city, 64% said that "Have known it before". On the other hand, the answer that "This time, knew it for the first time" also has gone up to 34%.

This opinion survey has shown many interesting observation. It is a valuable tool to read into the minds of the Japanese regarding the conflict.

沖縄県議会有抗議

Recently the FNN reported the following:

沖縄県議会は28日、尖閣諸島および周辺海域が、日本の固有の領土であることを諸外国に示すことなどを国に求める抗議決議を、全会一致で可決した。
沖縄県議会では、「本県議会は、県民および国民の生命、安全および領土・領海を守る立場から、今回の政府の措置に抗議する」と抗議決議が読み上げられた。
決議ではまた、日本の漁業者が尖閣諸島周辺で安全に操業できる措置を講じるよう、国に求める一方、中国に対しても、領海侵犯事件を再発しないよう求めている。

On the 28th, the Okinawa prefecture assembly passed unanimously the protest resolution to request the country to show to foreign countries that Senkaku Islands and the surrounding ocean area were integral territories of Japan.

In the Okinawa prefecture assembly, the protest resolution was read out , saying that "This prefecture assembly protests to government measures from the standpoint of the life and safety of the inhabitants of the prefecture, and calling on the defending of territorial waters of the prefecture".

The resolution, while requesting the country to take measures so that fishermen in Japan could operate safely around Senkaku Islands, also aimed towards China to request it not to relapse into intruding into territorial waters again.

In Japan, some people in Okinawa were quite unhappy with the measures taken by Tokyo. To hear different voices is common in a democratic country.