On my trip to London—from which I have just now returned—I spent some time in the British National Archives looking over British diplomatic reports on Qajar Persia in the period from 1905-1909. It was tedious going through all the individual papers, but I saw something that inspired me with an idea.

It was the custom at that time for the ambassador in Tehran to send monthly summaries of events in Persia to the Foreign Minister. These were some of the most pleasurable documents for me to read because they tried to make some initial analysis of what significant events had occurred. After the hundred years that have elapsed since those reports were written, they retain their value to the historian.

In a more modest way, I’ve now decided to do the same thing in the Shingetsu Newsletter. It has been my habit since the newsletter began in June to give a listing of articles on Japanese-Islamic relations that were printed in the Asahi Shinbun, the Mainichi Shinbun, the Nihon Keizai Shinbun, the Japan Times, and the Yomiuri Shinbun, and which are available for researchers who might come to the Shingetsu Institute office in Kitakyushu. I will continue doing this, but at the same time, I will preface each of these listing of articles with a monthly summary of events.

Here I present the first of these monthly summaries.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS IN JAPANESE-ISLAMIC RELATIONS FOR AUGUST 2005

There were three major stories in August 2005:

1) A strengthening of Japanese ties with Saudi Arabia accompanied by mysterious tensions in Japan-UAE relations.

2) A deterioration of the situation on the ground in Samawa, and the prospect of an SDF withdrawal in December.

3) A Visit to by Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that was only moderately successful.

In regard to the first item, the death of King Fahd led to high-level personal contacts between Japanese and Saudi leaders. At the same time, a huge deal was struck between Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical to build a massive petrochemical plant along the Red Sea coast. These events, together with some kind of problem in Japan-UAE relations, seems to suggest that the Japanese interests in the Persian Gulf are centered on Saudi Arabia in particular much more than has been the case in the recent past.

As for the second item, tensions have been boiling over in the sweltering August heat in Samawa. Residents have been growing angry over poor public services and protests are mounting. Loyalists of Muqtada al-Sadr have given voice to this discontent, and the Sadr faction seems to be growing in influence. The local authorities, who are backed by SCIRI, have been losing ground in a clash that is growing more violent. When Prime Minister Koizumi called a snap Lower House election to be held in September, the prospect of a major DPJ victory briefly appeared, which would probably have led to an SDF withdrawal by December. However, by the end of the month, Koizumi and the LDP appeared to be heading for electoral victory due to a rapid renewal of Koizumi’s personal popularity. The actual situation in Samawa, however, remained tense.

The only major state visit to take place in August was that of Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Aziz made the expected appeal for Japanese investment and tourism, and he was able to secure an end to the freeze on yen loans to Pakistan. However, the fact that the Pakistani military decided to launch a new nuclear-capable missile during Aziz’s visit was a diplomatic misstep. Also, any prospective Japanese tourists in Pakistan could not have been encouraged by the reported disappearance in Pakistan of two Japanese school teachers at the end of the month.

Aside from these three major stories, the smaller and more subtle events of August 2005 included the following:

1) Strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian nations regarding Malacca Straits piracy.

2) Growing uneasiness in Tokyo over the Iran nuclear crisis and the intentions of the new Ahmadinejad administration.

3) More Japanese investment in Indonesia.

4) Growing calls for Japan to prepare for a terrorist attack in Tokyo and the home islands generally.

5) Appreciation of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

6) Announcement that the Japan-Central Asia Foreign Ministers meeting would be delayed.

7) Denial of the Hashida family’s claims for a life insurance payment

8) Tokyo police investigators sent to Beirut to help in the Hariri assassination investigation

9) Annoucement that MOFA official Yusuke Kudo would be sent to the UNMIS operation in southern Sudan.

In the five newspapers I survey, there were 115 articles in August. They will shortly be added to the Shingetsu Institute archives:

1) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Sumitomo Kagaku, Mitsubishi Shoji—08-nen Kado ni Kodawari (Concern for Operations in 2008: Sumitomo Chemical and the Mitsubishi Corporation),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 1, 2005.

2) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Sumitomo Kagaku, Sauji Sekka—Toshi Bocho, 2-bai no 9000-okuen (Sumitomo Chemical’s Investment in Saudi Petrochemicals Doubles to 900 Billion Yen),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 1, 2005.

3) Asahi Shinbun, “Sumitomo Kagaku—Sauji Toshi 9500-okuen ni—Saidaikyu no Sekka Keikaku ni Choin (Sumitomo Chemical: Investment in Saudi Arabia Reaches 950 Billion Yen: A Plan for the Largest Scale Petrochemical Project is Signed),” Asahi Shinbun, August 2, 2005.

4) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Nihon-muke Chokusetsu Torihiki Genyu—Chuto-san ga Saikone (Direct Sales of Crude Oil to Japan: Prices Reach a Record Level),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 2, 2005.

5) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Sauji Sekka Toshigaku Baizo Happyo—Sumitomo Kagaku Shuekisei ni Jishin (Investment in Saudi Petrochemicals Has Doubled: Sumitomo Chemical is Confident on Profitability),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 2, 2005.

6) Japan Times, “Iraqis Draft a Constitution,” Japan Times, August 3, 2005.

7) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Kotaishi-sama Chomon ni Shuppatsu—Sauji Arabia e (The Crown Prince Departs for Saudi Arabia to Express Condolences),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 3, 2005.

8) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Kotaishi-sama Sauji Chomon e (The Crown Prince to Express Condolences in Saudi Arabia),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 3, 2005.

9) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Marubeni, Nikki, Itochu—Sauji de Hatsuden, Tansuika (Marubeni, JGC, and Itochu Engage in Electricity Generation and Water Purification in Saudi Arabia),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 3, 2005.

10) Nukihora, Kimihiro, “Kotaishi-sama to Hashimoto-shi Chomon e (The Crown Prince and Mr. Hashimoto to Express Condolences),” Asahi Shinbun, August 3, 2005.

11) Ogura, Izumi, “Malakka Kaikyo Anzen Kakuho Kaigi—Kakuryo Reberu de Teiki Kaigo (The Security Conference of the Malacca Straits: Periodic Meetings at the Cabinet Level),” Asahi Shinbun, August 3, 2005.

12) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Anzen Hosho Kankyo no Kaizen—Iraku Fukko Shien (Improving the Security Environment: Reconstruction Support for Iraq),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 3, 2005.

13) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Nihon wa Iraku Minshuka no Tehon (Japan is an Example for Iraqi Democratization),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 4, 2005.

14) Nukihora, Kimihiro, “Sauji Shin-Kokuo ni Buzokucho Chusei (Tribal Leaders Swear Loyalty to the New Saudi King),” Asahi Shinbun, August 4, 2005.

15) Takahashi, Muneo, “Samawa Shimin wa Naze Jieitai ni Se o Muke Hajimeta no ka (Why Have the People of Samawa Begun to Lose Interest in the SDF?),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 4, 2005.

16) Yamamori, Eiji, “Baamiyan Iseki—Chosa Hozon wa Fukko no Shigen (The Preservation of Studies are a Resource for Restoration),” Asahi Shinbun, August 4, 2005.

17) Japan Times, “Death Sparks Crisis in Sudan,” Japan Times, August 5, 2005.

18) Japan Times, “Saudi Arabia’s Challenge,” Japan Times, August 5, 2005.

19) Kato, Hideo, “Iraku Takokusekigun—Tettai, Nanseibu kara: Eigun Shireikan Mitoshi: Jieitai Churyu Kikan ni mo Eikyo (Iraq Multinational Force: The British Commander Has Suggested that Withdrawal Will Start from the Southeast: Impact on the SDF Presence),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 6, 2005.

20) Yamauchi, Masayuki, “Chuto Josei no Kantan (Admiration from Middle East Women),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 6, 2005.

21) Asahi Shinbun, “Shasetsu: Sauji Shin-taisei: Kaikaku wa Sakerarenai (Editorial: Saudi New Order: Reform is Inevitable),” Asahi Shinbun, August 7, 2005.

22) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Rikuji Dai-2-jin ga Iraku e Shuppatsu: Fukuoka kara 200-nin (SDF Second Division Dispatched to Iraq: 200 Members from Fukuoka),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 7, 2005.

23) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Shasetsu—Kenen Fukamaru Iran Shin-seiken (Editorial: Rising Concern for Iranian New Regime),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 7, 2005.

24) Kagaya, Kazuki, “Iraku, Samawa Demo Botoka—Hitori Shibo 50-nin Ijo Fusho (Demonstration Became a Mob in Samawa, Iraq: One Dead, More Than 50 People Injured),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 8, 2005.

25) Okamoto, Jiro, “Samawah Shimin 1000-nin Demo: Seikatsu Kaizan Yokyu—Keisatsukan to Shototsu, Hitori Shibo (One Thousand Citizens Demonstrate in Samawa: Demand for Improvement of Their Lives; Clash with a Policeman, One Dead),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 8, 2005.

26) Takahashi, Muneo, “Samawa de 3000-nin Demo: Hitori Shibo (Three Thousand People Demonstrate in Samawah: One Dead),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 8, 2005.

27) Yoshioka, Hajime, “Demo ni Happo Sankasha Shibo—Samawa, Soran ni (Shooting at Demonstrators: A Participant Died: Riot in Samawa),” Asahi Shinbun, August 8, 2005.

28) Asahi Shinbun, “Paresuchina, Nihon no Kokosei ‘Seiji kara Me o Somukerarenai’ (High School Students of Palestine and Japan ‘Can’t Get Their Eyes Off Politics’), Asahi Shinbun, August 9, 2005.

29) Kyodo News, “Buso Seiryoku ga Jugeki: Keikan Hitori ga Fusho—Samawa (An Armed Group Shot a Gun: One Policeman Injured: Samawah),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 9, 2005.

30) Kyodo News, “Power Outrages Spur Samawa Protest; One Dead,” Japan Times, August 9, 2005.

31) Sakuma, Makoto, “Jidai no Shogensha—Perusha-wan no Jieitai Hokori ni Omou (Testimony of the Age: Proud of SDF Dispatch to the Persian Gulf),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 9, 2005.

32) Yamada, Takeshi, “Pakisutan Ajisu Shusho—Nihon Kigyo ni Toshi Yosei (Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz: Request to Japan for More Investment),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 9, 2005.

33) Yoshioka, Hajime, “Samawa Soran Ichiji Chinseika—Shutiji Kainin Ketsugi (Samawa Turbulence Temporarily Suppressed: Vote for Dismissal of the State Governor)” Asahi Shinbun, August 9, 2005.

34) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Abudabi Seifu Sogo Shosha Setsuritsu—Marubeni, Nohau Teikyo (Abu Dhabi Government to Start a General Trading House: Marubeni Gives Advice),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 10, 2005.

35) Sadamori, Daiji, “Kaigai Media Byoyomi: Sedai Koitai naki ‘Keisho’: Sauji Shin-taisei: Kaikaku Habamu ‘Ouke no Antei’ (A Look into Foreign Media: The ‘Inheritance’ without Generational Change: A New Order in Saudi: ‘Stability of the Royal Family’ Prevents Reform),” Asahi Shinbun, August 10, 2005.

36) Sakuma, Makoto, “Jidai no Shogensha: Kantei no Chumon maru de Eirian (Testimony of the Age: Prime Minister Ordered Stupid Things),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 10, 2005.

37) Iwasaki, Hideo, “Indoneshia Zanryu Nihonhei to Izokura—Dokuritsu Senso no Kirokushu Hakkan e (The Japanese Soldiers Left Behind in Indonesia and Their Bereaved Families: Their Independence War Memiors to be Published),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 11, 2005.

38) Kyodo News, “Ken Hyogiintaku Jugeki, Futari Kega (The House of a Provincial Councilor is Shot At and Two are Wounded),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 11, 2005.

39) Sunohara, Takeshi, “Iraku de Mita ‘Hinomaru’: Jieitaiin to no Sagyo no Jishin (We Have Confidence in Working with SDF Members),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 11, 2005.

40) AP, “Artist to ‘Re-Create’ Bamiyan Buddhas,” Japan Times, August 12, 2005.

41) AP and Kyodo News, “Pakistan Prime Minister: Invest in Boom,” Japan Times, August 12, 2005.

42) Horiuchi, Mitsuo, “Aichi Exchange to Make Bilateral Ties Stronger,” Japan Times, August 12, 2005.

43) Niaz, Kamran, “Prime Minister’s Visit Taps Expo,” Japan Times, August 12, 2005.

44) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Genpatsu Shugeki Tero Sotei shi Kunren (A Drill Based on the Scenario of a Terrorist Attack on a Nuclear Power Plant),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 12, 2005.

45) Akashi, Yasushi, “Afurika to Nihon—Heiwa no Taido ni Te o Kaso (Africa and Japan: Helping to Bring About Peace),” Asahi Shinbun, August 13, 2005.

46) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iran wa Uran Tenkan o Yame yo (Iran! Stop the Enrichment of Uranium!),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 13, 2005.

47) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Iran Kaku Giwaku—Setogiwa Seisaku de Nani ga Erareru no ka (Doubts about Iran’s Nuclear Program: What Can Be Done as an Emergency Policy?),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 13, 2005.

48) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “7-jitai no Shukkoku Kanryo—Rikuji no Iraku Fukko Shien (The Seventh Unit Completes its Departure from the Country: The GSDF’s Iraq Reconstruction Support,” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 15, 2005.

49) Yoshioka, Hajime, “Samawa Tero Misuihan Kakutoku Joho (An Arrest in Samawa in Regard to Attempted Terrorism),” Asahi Shinbun, August 15, 2005.

50) Daikei, Tatsuya, “Indoneshia—Ache, Shigen Kaihatsu ni Hazumi (Indonesia: Aceh to Rebound through the Development of Natural Resources),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 16, 2005.

51) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iraku Jieitai 12-gatsu Tettai—Minshu Manifesuto-an (The DPJ Manifesto Calls for an SDF Withdrawal in December),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 16, 2005.

52) Asahi Shinbun, “Jieitai wa Nennai ni Tettai—Iraku Shien Minshu Seiken Koyaku (The SDF Would be Withdrawn this Year: The Public Pledge of the Democratic Party in Regard to Iraq Support),” Asahi Shinbun, August 17, 2005.

53) Ito, Shingo, “Kamikaze: ‘Today’s Suicide Bombers Not Like Us’,” Japan Times, August 17, 2005.

54) Kyodo News, “Samawa no Senkan de Kogeki suru to Kyohaku (Threats of Attacks on Samawa Election Administration Officials),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 17, 2005.

55) Tanaka, Nariyuki, “’Iraku’ nado Apiiru—Minshu Seiken Koyaku Genan o Happyo (An Appeal about ‘Iraq’ and Other Matters: The Democratic Party’s Public Pledges are Published),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 17, 2005.

56) Tanaka, Nariyuki, “Minshu Seiken Koyaku Genan—‘Koizumi Gaiko’ to Issenkaku su (The Public Pledges of the Democratic Party: Drawing a Sharp Distinction with ‘Koizumi Diplomacy’),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 17, 2005.

57) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Gaza Nyushokuchi Tekkyo—Chuto Wahei e no Tegakari to naru ka (The Withdrawal of the Gaza Settlements: Will this be the Key to Middle East Peace?),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 17, 2005.

58) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Tero Taisaku de Kinyucho—Koguchi Sokin demo Honnin Kakunin (The Financial Agency’s Antiterrorism Policy: Even Small Transfers of Money Will Require Identification),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 17, 2005.

59) Daikei, Tatsuya, “Kokusai Sekiyu Kaihatsu—Daikei Kaitei Gasuden Hakken—Indoneshia Tobu (Inpex Corporation Development: Exploration of a Large-scale Gas Field: Eastern Indonesia),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 18, 2005.

60) Fukuda, Yasuo, “New President, Aceh Peace Signal Prosperous Future,” Japan Times, August 18, 2005.

61) Irsan, Abdul, “Third Largest Democracy Seeks Closer Ties through Japanese Technology and Youth,” Japan Times, August 18, 2005.

62) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Ache Goi—Saika ga 30-nenme no Wahei o Hiraita (The Aceh Peace Accord: The Calamity Turns to Peace after Thirty Years),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 18, 2005.

63) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Afugan no Kodomo ni Ehon o Yomasetai—NGO no Josei, Shien Uttae (I’d Like to Read a Picturebook to an Afghan Child: NGO Women Make an Appeal),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 18, 2005.

64) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Samawa Jieitai Tohyo Dekizu (The SDF in Samawa Will Not be Able to Vote),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 18, 2005.

65) Yoshida, Reiji, “DPJ’s Platform Vows Troop Pullout,” Japan Times, August 18, 2005.

66) Asahi Shinbun, “Iraku—Naisen no Setogiwa da (Iraq: It is the Critical Moment of Civil War),” Asahi Shinbun, August 19, 2005.

67) Harada, Katsuhiro, “Afugan no Akahige Sensei (The Red-bearded Teacher of Afghanistan),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 19, 2005.

68) Mainichi Shinbun, “Gaza Nyushokuchi Teppo—Seigan kara no Tettai ni Tsunageyo (The Withdrawal of Settlements from Gaza: Link It with a Withdrawal from the West Bank),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 19, 2005.

69) Negishi, Mayumi, “China to Swoop on Iran Oil Field If Tokyo Pulls Support: Firms,” Japan Times, August 19, 2005.

70) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Gaza Tettai-go no Itte ga Juyo da (Help Will Be Necessary After the Gaza Withdrawal),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 19, 2005.

71) Noguchi, Takenori, “Isuraeru, Paresuchina—Kokosei ga Shusho Hyokei (Israeli and Palestinian High School Students Pay Their Respects to the Prime Minister),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 19, 2005.

72) Asahi Shinbun, “Sekiyu Kaihatsu—Kita-Afurika Nekki—Nihon Kigyo, Keneki Kakutoku Arasou (Oil Development: Japanese Companies Compete for Rights in North Africa),” Asahi Shinbun, August 20, 2005.

73) Furukawa, Katsuhiko, “Tero no Kakusan—‘Raishu’ Zentei Nihon o Sonae o (The Spread of Terrorism: Japan Should Prepare on the Premise of an Attack),” Asahi Shinbun, August 20, 2005.

74) Maeda, Eiji, “Gaisho Seisaku Taiwa o Enki—Nihon to Chuo-Ajia 5-kakoku—Kaisan no Yoha de (The Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Five Central Asian Countries Delayed: Due to the Dissolution of the Diet),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 20, 2005.

75) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iraku Hakken—Jieitaiin, Tohyo Muzukashiku (The Iraq Deployment: It Won’t Be Possible for SDF Members to Vote),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 20, 2005.

76) Ono, Motohiro, “Iraku Jieitai—Tettai, Encho Mini Shimesu Kikai (The SDF in Iraq: An Opportunity for Public Opinion to be Expressed on Withdrawal or Extension),” Asahi Shinbun, August 20, 2005.

77) Japan Times, “First Step of the Peace Process,” Japan Times, August 21, 2005.

78) Fukuhara, Naoki, “Moto-nihinhei no Senhan Shiryo—Batabia Hotei—Moto-saibancho ga Hokan (The Former Chief Justice of the Batavia Court Safely Kept Materials about Japanese Soldier’s War Crimes),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 22, 2005.

79) Asahi Shinbun, “Shigen Gaiko—Tayo-na Hosaku o Sagure (Resource Diplomacy: Explore Various Policy Options),” Asahi Shinbun, August 23, 2005.

80) Asahi Shinbun, “Hashida-san Jugekishi—Hokenkin Menseki ni Gaito (The Shooting Death of Mr. Hashida: The Insurance Money is Exempted from Payment),” Asahi Shinbun, August 24, 2005.

81) Ikeuchi, Satoshi, “Kotonaru Kachikan ni Do Mukiau ka—Nihon no Taigai Rikai no Mondaiten (How to Deal with Different Values? Japan’s Difficulty with Understanding the Foreign),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 24, 2005.

82) Izaki, Takashi, “Izoku no Hokenkin Seikyu Kikyaku—Iraku Shibo Hashida-san (The Family is Denied Insurance Money: Mr. Hashida Who Died in Iraq),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 24, 2005.

83) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iraku Shugeki ‘Hoken Menseki’ (Insurance Payment is Exempted in Iraq Attack),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 24, 2005.

84) Asahi Shinbun, “Afugan e no Chirai Jokyosha (Mine Removal Vehicle for Afghanistan),” Asahi Shinbun, August 25, 2005.

85) Asahi Shinbun, “Gaza Tettai—Wahei e no Jokyoku ni Suginu (The Gaza Withdrawal: No More than a Prelude to Peace),” Asahi Shinbun, August 25, 2005.

86) Asahi Shinbun, “’Te o Furutte Mukaete Kureta’—Iraku Rikuji Guncho Terebi Denwa Kaiken (‘He Waved for Us’: The GSDF Unit Commander in Iraq Gives a Videophone Interview),” Asahi Shinbun, August 25, 2005.

87) Ito, Masami, “Court Nixes Policy Payout to Family of Journalist Slain in Iraq,” Japan Times, August 25, 2005.

88) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Senka ni Kurushimu Iraku ni Hitobito Egaita Eiga (A Film that Depicts the War Sufferings of People in Iraq),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 25, 2005.

89) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Rebanon—Kokuren Chosadan ni Keishicho Sosain (Lebanon: Metropolitan Police Department Investigators to Join UN Team),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 25, 2005.

90) Adachi, Kazunari, “Iraku Fukko Shien—Fukuoka-Samawa Eisei Kaiken—Dai-7-ji Guncho, Kinjo Hokoku (Iraq Reconstruction Support: A Satellite Interview Between Fukuoka and Samawa: The Leader of the Seventh Unit Gives a Report on the Recent Situation),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 25, 2005.

91) AFP-Jiji, “Fabled Marshes Drained by Hussein: Japan-backed UNEP Project Revives Iraq Wetland,” Japan Times, August 26, 2005.

92) Asahi Shinbun, “Busshu Seiken—Semareru Tettai e no Ketsudan (The Bush Administration: The Difficult Decision for Withdrawal),” Asahi Shinbun, August 26, 2005.

93) Kyodo News, “Ondanka Boshi Uttae Gakuseira ga Engi—Piramiddo-mae de (Students Performance in Front of Pyramids an Appeal against Global Warming),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 26, 2005.

94) Mainichi Shinbun, “Samawa no Jieitai—Tettai o Shiya ni Ireta Giron o (The SDF in Samawa: The Withdrawal Perspective Enters the Discussions),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 26, 2005.

95) Omurada, Yoshiyuki, “Iraku Haken, Handan Chushi—Nichibei Domei Tanomi do suru (No Decision on the Iraq Deployment: Leave It to the US-Japan Alliance?),” Asahi Shinbun, August 26, 2005.

96) Ueno, Chikae, “Sotengai shi Narau Jimin—Iraku Jieitai Haken to Beigun Saihen (The Debate that the LDP Wants to Exclude: The SDF Deployment to Iraq and the Reorganization of the American Army),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 26, 2005.

97) Asahi Shinbun, “Iraku Jieitai—Tettai ka Encho ka, Ronsen o (The Iraq SDF: Withdrawal or Extension? We Should Have a Debate),” Asahi Shinbun, August 27, 2005.

98) Kyodo News, “MPD Trio to Join Beirut Probe into Assassination,” Japan Times, August 27, 2005.

99) Associated Press, “Teachers Missing in Pakistan or Afghanistan,” Japan Times, August 28, 2005.

100) Kyodo Photo, (Japanese and Egyptian Students Protest in Front of Pyramids), Japan Times, August 28, 2005.

101) Asahi Shinbun, “Shukueichi Chikaku Fuhatsu no Hodan—Samawa (An Unexploded Shell Near the Camp in Samawa), Asahi Shinbun, August 29, 2005.

102) Associated Press and Kyodo News, “Search Started for Teachers Missing in Afghanistan,” Japan Times, August 29, 2005.

103) Koike, Tamio, “Senso Bochi no Chinmoku no Shogen (A Testimony to the Silence of War Graves),” Asahi Shinbun, August 29, 2005.

104) Nakatani, Iwao, “Nihonjin no Shukyokan (The Japanese View of Religion),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 29, 2005.

105) Yoshioka, Hajime, “Samawa Seijo Fuan Tsuyomaru (The Political Situation in Samawa Grows More Unstable),” Asahi Shinbun, August 29, 2005.

106) Japan Times, “Quenching China’s Thirst for Oil,” Japan Times, August 30, 2005.

107) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iraku (Iraq),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 30, 2005.

108) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iraku Jieitai—Okada Daihyo ’12-gatsu made ni Tettai’; Shusho ‘Churyu Kigen no Jokyo Mite’ (The SDF in Iraq: Mr. Okada Says ‘Pull Out before December; Prime Minister Says ‘Look at the Situation at the Time’),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 30, 2005.

109) Yomiuri Shinbun, “Iraku Josei—Shin-Kenpo e no Zento wa nao Kewashii (The Iraq Situation: The Prospects for the New Constitution Remain Difficult),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 30, 2005.

110) Japan Times, “A Timely Warning to Tokyo,” Japan Times, August 31, 2005.

111) Kataoka, Masato, “Baamiyan Hekiga Ganryo Bunseki ni Kitai (Looking Forward to Analyzing the Paint of the Bamiyan Murals),” Yomiuri Shinbun, August 31, 2005.

112) Kyodo News, “’Judo Hatten Mazushii Kuni mo’ Ejiputo de Yamashita-san (Mr. Yamashita in Egypt Says that ‘Judo is Flourishing in Poor Countries as Well’),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 31, 2005.

113) Mainichi Shinbun, “Iraku Shin-Kenpo—Kiken-na Meiro ni Hamarikomu na (The New Iraqi Constitution Does Not Lead the Way Out of the Dangerous Maze),” Mainichi Shinbun, August 31, 2005.

114) Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Iraku Antei e no Hikari Miezu (We Cannot See Any Hint of Stability in Iraq),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, August 29, 2005.

115) Watanabe, Tsutomu, “Hahei Seitoka ni Bei Daitoryo Yakki—‘Iraku no Minshuka Kanarazu Seiko’ Nihon Hikiai ni Kyocho (The American President Gets Worked Up about Legitimizing the Sending of Troops to Iraq: He Says that ‘the Democratization of Iraq Must Succeed’ and Makes an Analogy with Japan),” Asahi Shinbun, August 31, 2005.