Cablegate: Japanese Morning Press Highlights 09/10/09

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002089

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA;
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA

SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/10/09

Index:
1) Editorials
2) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
3) DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama's schedule, September 9 (Nikkei)

Politics
4) DPJ sets foreign and security policy with an eye toward U.S.
(Nikkei)
5) Shrewd New Komeito pursues omnidirectional diplomacy (Sankei)
6) DPJ, SDP, and PNP to form coalition government (Nikkei)
7) Coalition partners reach compromise on security policy; SDP still
harbors concerns (Asahi)
8) DPJ, SDP, and PNP reach agreement on coalition (Yomiuri)
9) Reviewing realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan (Yomiuri)

Foreign Relations
10) U.S. Ambassador to Japan: "Strengthening bilateral relationship
top priority" (Nikkei)
11) Gist of Ambassador Roos's comments (Nikkei)
12) Futenma transfer potential flashpoint in policy toward U.S.
(Mainichi)

Space
13) H2B" to be launched tomorrow (Tokyo Shimbun)

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun:
DPJ, SDP, PNP agree to form coalition government

Akahata:
JCP Chairman Shii delivers speech on JCP's 87th anniversary

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) SDP, PNP have responsibility as coalition government members
(2) LDP in turmoil: LDP members must run for the presidency

Mainichi:
(1) DPJ, SDP, PNO should run coalition administration in line with
popular will
(2) Baseball player Ichiro's never-ending challenge

Yomiuri:
(1) Coalition deal could shake alliance with U.S.
(2) Japan needs effective policy to increase spending on education

Nikkei:
(1) Coalition government should not distort policies
(2) Rules to prevent credit crunch needed

Sankei:
(1) Coalition deal could raise doubts about maintenance of
Japan-U.S. alliance
(2) Put a stop to increase in bad teachers

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Coalition agreement: Three parties' compromises could become
source of trouble

TOKYO 00002089 002 OF 009

(2) Eight years since 9/11 terrorist attacks: President Obama must
end Afghan war

Akahata:
(1) LDP presidential race: Defeat in general election has deepened
chaos in LDP

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, September 9

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 10, 2009

08:03 Took a walk near official residential quarters
10:25 Met former Lower House member Nobuhiko Endo at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
11:05 Met Chairman Masahiro Akiyama of Ocean Policy Research
Foundation; followed by LDP Youth Division chief Shinji Inoue;
followed by Upper House member Junzo Yamamoto, secretary general of
Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union, Japan chapter, and members of
the Union, Upper House members Tsukasa Akimoto, Yasuhiro Oe, Shinobu
Kandori
13:15 Renewed driver's license at Metropolitan Police Department
driver's license renewal center in Uchikanda
14:09 Arrived at Kantei
18:44 Arrived at official residential quarters; met Yoshinobu
Shimamura, special assistant to LDP president, and his wife
Back to Top

DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama's schedule, September 9

08:30 Left residence in Denenchofu
09:04 Met Secretary General Katsuya Okada at DPJ headquarters
09:28 Met PRC Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei with Okada; followed by
Sapporo Mayor Fumio Ueda; followed by former Finance Minister Koji
Omi; DPJ Executive Office Chairman Hirofumi Hirano also present at
meeting
10:27 Met New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Secretary General
Yoshihisa Inoue, Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Yoshio Urushibara,
Policy Research Council Chairman Tetsuo Saito, Okada, DPJ Diet
Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka at Diet building
10:54 Arrived at personal office in Nagata-cho
13:37 Met former DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Yoshito
Sengoku, Hirano at DPJ headquarters; Hirano stayed behind
14:42 Arrived at personal office
15:37 Met Chairman Tadashi Kato of Hokkaido Ainu Association at DPJ
headquarters
16:00 Met Hokkaido Governor Harumi Takahashi
16:26 Met Wataru Aso, chairman of National Association of Governors,
and representatives of five other groups; Deputy President Naoto Kan
also present at meeting
17:02 Met President Makoto Miyazaki of Japan Federation of Bar
Associations; Sengoku also present at meeting
17:30 Met SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima, PNP leader Shizuka Kamei at
Diet building; accompanied by Okada, DPJ Policy Research Committee
Chairman Masayuki Naoshima, SDP Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno,
PNP policy chief Shozaburo Jimi
18:24 Watched animated movie "Summer Wars" at Mediage in Daiba with
wife Miyuki
20:51 Shopped at hamburger shop "MOS Burger Senzokuike Branch" in

TOKYO 00002089 003 OF 009

Kamiikedai with wife
21:10 Arrived home

4) DPJ gives consideration to U.S.

NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged)
September 10, 2009

In the run-up to forming a coalition government, the Democratic
Party of Japan (DPJ) held policy talks with its two allies, the
Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP). In
their talks, the SDP adhered to its position in the area of foreign
and security policies, where the SDP can assert itself as a party
protecting the Constitution. Most of all, the SDP is attaching
importance to reviewing the planned relocation of U.S. Forces
Japan's Futenma airfield and revising the Japan-U.S. Status of
Forces Agreement, or SOFA for short, which Okinawa and its
base-hosting municipalities are highly concerned about. The three
parties' talks for a coalition government focused on the wording to
be incorporated in their written agreement concerning these two
issues.

Meanwhile, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama, soon to become prime
minister, is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Obama late this
month for the first time. Given this, the DPJ was nervous since it
did not want to irritate the United States unnecessarily. In the
tripartite talks, the SDP maintained that the three parties'
agreement should specify the names of places in Okinawa, such as
"Futenma" and "Henoko," where Futenma airfield's heliport functions
will be relocated. The DPJ, however, rejected the SDP's assertion.

In the end, the DPJ wrapped up its coalition talks with the SDP and
the PNP by agreeing to "bring up the issue of revising the
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and review the presence of
U.S. military bases in Japan." The DPJ, showing consideration for
the SDP, incorporated the wording "Status of Forces Agreement" in
the written agreement. However, this expression was exactly the same
as the expression in the DPJ's manifesto of "pragmatic" public
pledges for the recent general election.

This is an equivocal compromise for the SDP, which has been
insisting on revising the SOFA pact in its entirety and relocating
Futenma airfield elsewhere outside Japan. "The SDP's position
remains unchanged and we want to translate it into reality with the
DPJ," SDP President Mizuho Fukushima told the press after reaching
the agreement to form a coalition government. Even so, there is an
obvious gulf between the two parties.

5) New leader of New Komeito pursues omnidirectional diplomacy

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
September 10, 2009

New Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi yesterday called
on other party leaders at the Diet building to inform them that he
has assumed the party's top post. He told Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama that his party would cooperate with
the DPJ depending on the policies, while he asked Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda to continue relations
between the two parties. He was pursuing omnidirectional diplomacy.

According to a person attended the meeting, Yamaguchi and Hatoyama

TOKYO 00002089 004 OF 009

agreed on environment policies and measures for supporting families
raising children. When one of the DPJ leaders said: "We had policy
consultations with your party while we were members of the (now
defunct) New Frontier Party. Since we have something in common,
there is a room for us to cooperate," Yamaguchi reportedly took a
positive stance, saying: "I would like to discuss what we should do
regarding concrete measures."

6) DPJ, SDP, PNP agree to form coalition government

NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph)
September 10, 2009

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama, Social
Democratic Party (SDP) Chairperson Mizuho Fukushima, and People's
New Party (PNP) Representative Shizuka Kamei held a meeting
yesterday evening at the Diet building, in which the three leaders
agreed to form a coalition government. On diplomatic and security
policies, in line the SDP's wishes, the coalition document included
the wording "(the three parties) will move in the direction of
revising" the planned realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, but (the
three leaders agreed) to follow the expression the DPJ had
stipulated in its manifest (set of campaign pledges) for the Aug. 30
House of Representatives election. In the meeting, Hatoyama asked
Fukushima and Kamei to join the incoming cabinet and it was
informally decided that the leaders of the two minor parties would
join the cabinet. Hatoyama will decide on the lineup of his cabinet
members before the end of the week. He will then speed up
preparations for taking the reins of a government.

7) SDP concession over security area leaves concern

ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
September 10, 2009

Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Fukushima during a press
conference after the three party-head talks expressed her
determination, "The SDP will play its proper role in the new
coalition government." The SDP's participation in the DPJ-led
coalition has been a done deal since election campaigns started.
However, the SDP found it difficult to harmonize members' opinions
on the matter. Some members even said that they would not mind if
the coalition talks fell through. This is because the party made a
series of concessions on the security front, which is considered to
be vital to its political identity.

With the Japan-U.S. summit approaching later this month, the DPJ has
made few concessions. Fukushima on the evening of the 8th, when the
talks hit a snag, called Hatoyama and said to him, "Leave the other
items alone, but we cannot possibly give in over Okinawa."

The SDP at noon on the 9th drafted an amendment that referred to a
reduction in the burden of the people of Okinawa. It then faxed it
to the DPJ after obtaining approval from a lawmaker elected from
Okinawa. The two parties reached an agreement because the DPJ
accepted the SDP proposal. Upper House member Tokushin Yamauchi,
former mayor of Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture, took the
outcome favorably, saying, "We have struggled locally for a long
time. The time has now come to reach a settlement at a political
venue. I feel deeply moved."

However, the DPJ turned down other requests, including an immediate

TOKYO 00002089 005 OF 009

pull-out of Self-Defense Force troops from the Indian Ocean and off
Somalia and the US Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station relocation
issue. Concern that the security issue will jolt the SDP under the
coalition government will likely linger.

8) DPJ, SDP, PNP agree to form coalition: Revision of SOFA to be
proposed

YOMIURI (Top Play)
September 10, 2009

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Hatoyama, Social
Democratic Party (SDP) leader Fukushima, and People's New Party
(PNP) leader Kamei on the evening of September 9 held party-head
talks in the Diet building. They formally reached an agreement to
form a coalition and signed a three-party coalition agreement. In
the diplomacy and security arena, which was the focus of attention,
the policy agreement stipulated that the coalition government will
propose a revision of the SOFA to the U.S. The Hatoyama cabinet of
the DPJ, the SDP and the PNP will be inaugurated on the 16th, after
Hatoyama is voted in as prime minister at a special Diet session to
be convened on the same day.

9) Coalition deal reached, including review of U.S. force
realignment

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
September 10, 2009

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party
(SDP), and the People's New Party (PNP) reached yesterday a
coalition government policy agreement that includes factors, such as
a review of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, that might rock
Japan-U.S. relations.

& Futenma

The SDP insisted on reducing the burden on Okinawa which hosts the
bulk of U.S. bases in Japan. As a result, the coalition agreement
specifies that the new coalition government will take a stance of
reviewing the realignment of U.S. force and U.S. bases in Japan.

The biggest point of contention is the planned relocation of the
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, situated in a densely
populated area (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture), to the coastal area
of Camp Schwab in Nago in the prefecture. The U.S. force realignment
roadmap, adopted by the Japanese and U.S. governments in 2006,
stipulates the goal of finishing building the replacement facility
by 2014. To meet the goal, work for building the replacement
facility must start by next spring after obtaining the governor's
authorization.

Procedures for an environmental impact assessment are underway. The
governor and others are requesting the relocation site be moved to
an offshore area, citing the noise factor and other matters. Talks
are underway behind the scenes to coordinate views with the
government.

If the new coalition government adheres to its aim of relocating
Futenma Air Station out of Okinawa or of Japan, the United States is
certain to react strongly to it.

TOKYO 00002089 006 OF 009

If the Japan-U.S. agreement returns to square one, plans to relocate
U.S. Marine Corps from Okinawa to Guam and to return the six
facilities and areas south of Kadena Air Base will be left in
limbo.

To begin with, the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan is only part
of the global transformation of U.S. forces for dealing with new
threats, such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. The aim is for Japan and the United States to work
together in addressing changes in the global security environment.
(The cancellation of the Japan-U.S. agreement) might have an adverse
effect on the overall bilateral alliance.

& SOFA

The coalition agreement says that the new government will "bring up"
a review of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a
matter repeatedly asked by Okinawa and other base-hosting
municipalities.

The SOFA stipulates the legal status of U.S. forces in Japan. The
SOFA contains some problems such as that (1) Japan is not allowed to
seek the pre-indictment transfer of custody of a U.S. service member
suspected of committing a crime; and (2) the Japanese side's access
to a U.S. base where accidents, such as environmental contamination,
occurred is restricted.

Every time a problem associated with the SOFA occurred, the Japanese
and U.S. governments have reviewed the operation of the SOFA rather
than revising the pact. As a result, Japan is now allowed to seek
the pre-indictment transfer of custody of a U.S. service member who
committed a heinous crime.

Tokyo and Washington have avoided revising the SOFA for fear that
the United States will come under strong pressure for revising its
pacts with other countries. Future talks with the United States are
likely to encounter difficulties.

Future developments over Futenma relocation

October 2009 The Okinawa governor presents to the Defense Ministry
his views on the ministry's preliminary environmental assessment
report.
Fall to winter of 2009 The Defense Ministry presents its
environmental assessment report to the governor. The governor
presents his views on the assessment report to the Defense
Ministry.
February to March 2010 The Defense Ministry requests the governor
for his authorization for landfill work for using the surface of
public waters.
Around spring of 2010 Landfill work beings.
2014 Construction of the replacement facility is complete, as
stipulated in the Tokyo-Washington roadmap for U.S. force
realignment.

10) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos gives top priority to
strengthening alliance, voices expectation for contribution in
Afghanistan

NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
September 10, 2009

TOKYO 00002089 007 OF 009

U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview to Nihon Keizai
Shimbun at the Ambassador's residence in Akasaka, Tokyo, on
September 9. He conveyed his determination to strengthen the
Japan-U.S. alliance relationship in the area of security. Although a
coalition administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan, which
advocates an "equal Japan-U.S. relationship," will soon be
inaugurated, Roos said, "I am confident that we will continue to
have a strong, positive, and productive relationship with the new
administration."

Ambassador Roos took up his post on August 20. He explained that
"the Japan-U.S. relationship is the United States' strategic and
economic cornerstone in East Asia." He stressed that collaboration
between the two countries, particularly in the area of security, "is
of critical significance." In connection with the 50th anniversary
of the revision of the Japan-U.S. security treaty next year, he
said, "My top priority is to strengthen the alliance and lay the
groundwork for celebrating the centennial of the bilateral
relationship 50 years later."

Roos said, "The economic powers Japan and the United States need to
deal jointly with such issues as the world economic crisis, climate
change, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the rise of China," asking Japan to
contribute to solutions to global issues. It is believed that his
mentioning Afghanistan indicates his expectation that aid for that
country will continue even if the new administration ends the
refueling mission.

11) Gist of Ambassador Roos's remarks in interview with Nihon Keizai
Shimbun

NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full)
September 10, 2009

Following is the gist of the remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Japan
John Roos:

Q: What are your strengths? Why do you think President Obama
selected you?

Roos: (My strength) lies in my close relationship with the
President. I think the President has faith not only in my judgment,
but also in my candidness. I listen to people's views and learn from
them. I have the ability to bring people together. I also have the
unique experience of having worked in the areas of technology and
venture business in Silicon Valley for 25 years.

Q: How would you strengthen the Japan-U.S. relationship?

Roos: Japan and the United States are the world's two leading
countries in the innovation that produces new ideas. For example,
Japan possesses wonderful expertise in hybrid vehicles, solar power
generation, and other technologies. On the other hand, America
possesses an entrepreneurial spirit that can transform little-known
companies into world players. The two countries are already pooling
their strengths for collaboration in various fields. I would like to
strongly support such collaboration during my tour. I also have a
strong interest in educational exchange between the two countries in
science and technology.

Q: Does President Obama consider economics and trade the top
priority in the Japan-U.S. relationship?

TOKYO 00002089 008 OF 009

Roos: President Obama considers many areas to be very important in
the Japan-U.S. relationship. The relationship is the United States'
strategic and economic cornerstone in East Asia. The strategic
relationship (in security) is of critical significance. We will be
celebrating the 50th anniversary (of the revision of the Japan-U.S.
security treaty) next year. My top priority in the next few years is
to strengthen the alliance relationship and lay the groundwork for
celebrating the centennial of the Japan-U.S. relationship 50 years
later.

There are many other ways to strengthen the relationship. The United
States and Japan are the number one and number two economic powers
in the world. They need to cooperate in dealing with such global
issues as the world economic crisis, climate change, renewable
energy, Iraq, Afghanistan, piracy, and the rise of China.

Q: The realignment of U.S. military bases in Japan was discussed
during the coalition government talks.

Roos: I do not intend to comment on Japanese domestic politics at
this point. However, I believe that the bilateral relationship will
continue to deepen and expand both strategically and
non-strategically.

Q: Did you sense a change in foreign policy from your meeting with
Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama?

Roos: I met President Hatoyama twice, and both times the
conversation was positive. I look forward to working with him. I am
confident that the new administration in Japan will continue to have
a strong, positive, and productive relationship with the United
States.

Q: How would you assess President Hatoyama's proposal for greenhouse
gas emission reduction?

Roos: The important thing is for Japan, the U.S., China, and other
countries to work together. There are great potentials for
collaboration between Japan and the United States. Silicon Valley is
working on fostering a Google in the area of renewable energy. Japan
also has the potential.

12) Sources of contention in diplomacy toward U.S.: Futenma Air
Station relocation issue to come to climax shortly

MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full)
September 10, 2009

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party
(SDP), and the People's New Party (PNP) at their coalition talks
reached an agreement, while there remains a gap between the DPJ,
which is trying to switch its foreign affairs and security policy to
a pragmatic policy line that attaches importance to the U.S., and
the SDP, which gives priority to its ideals. In the end, the DPJ
reluctantly complied with the SDP's request for the DPJ to modify
(the three-party coalition agreement) in compliance with the
language incorporated in its manifesto for the Lower House election,
because it found no justifiable reason to turn down the SDP request.
It is likely that the two parties will clash over the plan to
relocate the US Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City,
Okinawa Prefecture, to the coast of Camp Schwab in Henoko, Nago

TOKYO 00002089 009 OF 009

City, Okinawa Prefecture.

The DPJ had been in step with the SDP in calling for an amendment to
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), opposing the
relocation of Futenma functions within the prefecture and seeking a
pullout of the Maritime Self-Defense Force from the Indian Ocean,
where it is engaging in a refueling operation. However, the DPJ
modified its stance even before the Lower House election, by not
incorporating in its policy manifesto a pullout of the MSDF troops
from the Indian Ocean and diluting the language of an amendment to
SOFA and the Futenma function relocation issue, as the possibility
of its taking the reins of government came into sight. Thus it has
shown consideration for the U.S.

13) H-2B liftoff set for tomorrow

SANKEI (Page 21) (Full)
September 10, 2009

Japan's new large-scale launch vehicle will make its debut flight
into space tomorrow. The H-2B, co-developed by the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency (JAXA) and contractors including Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Ltd., will be launched from JAXA's Tanegashima Space
Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at around 2 a.m.

ROOS

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