Cablegate: Japanese Press Mornign Highlights 09/24/09

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002228

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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 PRESS MORNIGN HIGHLIGHTS 09/24/09

INDEX:

1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)

Hatoyama Diplomacy in New York
4) Hatoyama and Obama agree at meeting to strengthen Japan-U.S.
alliance (Yomiuri)
5) Hatoyama and Obama reaffirm Japan-U.S. alliance (Nikkei)
6) Gist of discussion at Hatoyama-Obama meeting (Yomiuri)
7) Prime Minister expresses willingness to expand PKO role for Japan
(Nikkei)
8) Japanese and Russian leaders meet (Nikkei)
9) British prime minister asks Hatoyama to continue refueling
mission (Nikkei)
10) Hatoyama expresses willingness to expand PKO role in meeting
with UN Secretary General (Sankei)
11) Gist of discussion of between Hatoyama and UN Secretary General
(Sankei)
12) Obama vouches for U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos during summit
with Hatoyama (Yomiuri)

Okada Diplomacy in New York
13) FM Okada criticizes uranium enrichment in meeting with Iranian
counterpart (Nikkei)

Security & Defense
14) Administration's positive attitude toward basic defense program
spurs MOD to accelerate its formulation (Yomiuri)

Economy
15) Keidanren chairman calls for public debate on greenhouse gas
reduction (Nikkei)

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei & Sankei
Hatoyama, Obama agree to strengthen bilateral alliance

Tokyo Shimbun:
Construction Minister Maehara apologizes for policy change on Yamba
Dam project: "Consideration was lacking"

Akahata:
JCP Chairman Shii, Kazakhstan ruling party's first vice chairman
confirm cooperation in eliminating nuclear weapons, ensuring peace
in Asia

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Quickly arrange next climate change summit to break impasse in
negotiations
(2) Welfare Ministry under Nagatsuma should become good model of
politicians-led politics for people

Mainichi:
(1) Climate change summit: Present specific measures under Hatoyama
initiative

TOKYO 00002228 002 OF 008

(2) U.S. mediation in Middle East: Continue persuasion on halt of
immigration by Israel

Yomiuri:
(1) Hatoyama UN speech: No domestic consensus yet on a 25 PERCENT
cut in gas emissions
(2) Cancellation of Yamba Dam project: Stance of sticking to
campaign pledges unreasonable

Nikkei:
(1) Make use of Hatoyama speech to accelerate negotiations on global
warming
(2) Make efforts to establish relationship of trust between Japan,
China before working on concept of East Asia Community

Sankei:
(1) Pledge of 25 PERCENT cut in gas emissions: Explanation needed
about increase in public burden
(2) Reconstruction of financial system: Concerns looming about
increase in government bond issuance

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Try to translate "government's determination" to reduce gas
emissions by 25 PERCENT into reality
(2) Final stage of Olympics-invitation race: Convey Japan's
eagerness

Akahata:
(1) Climate change summit: Make efforts to translate government's
determination into action

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, September 24, 2009

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 22, 2009

Afternoon Met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Interviewed by
the Washington Post at Intercontinental Hotel. Held informal meeting
with Japanese officials at UN. dinner meeting with Ban Ki Moon at UN
headquarters. Met British Prime Minister Brown.

Prime Minister's schedule, September 24, 2009

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 23, 2009

Morning Met President Obama at Waldorf Astoria. Interviewed by news
organizations at Intercontinental Hotel.
Afternoon Met Russian President Medvedev at Waldorf Astoria.

4) Japan-U.S. summit confirms strengthening of alliance, cooperation
in dealing with North Korea, nuclear issue, global warming

YOMIURI (Top play) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Kohei Kobayashi, New York

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held his first meeting with U.S.
President Barack Obama after assuming office, for about 35 minutes

TOKYO 00002228 003 OF 008

at a hotel in New York on the morning of September 23 (evening of
September 23, Japan time). The two leaders confirmed their intention
to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and to cooperate in
dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue, nuclear disarmament,
and climate change.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister told reporters: "The President
and I were able to build a relationship with a certain degree of
trust."

Hatoyama stated at their meeting that the bilateral alliance "will
continue to be the cornerstone of security," while Obama said that
the alliance is "the basis of the two countries' security and
economic prosperity."

There was no specific discussion on such issues as the revision of
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a review of the
U.S. Forces Japan realignment plans, and what to do with the
refueling mission of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian
Ocean whose authorization will expire in January 2010. The President
told Hatoyama: "We will have a long relationship starting today, so
let's resolve the issues one by one." Hatoyama replied that, "We
would like to consider our best possible contribution from an
overall perspective," indicating Japan's willingness to provide
agricultural aid, vocational training, and other civilian assistance
to support reconstruction in Afghanistan.

The two leaders agreed that North Korea's possession and development
of nuclear arms is "unacceptable." Hatoyama pointed out that it is
"important" for U.S.-DPRK talks to take place "within the framework
of the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue." He also requested
support in seeking a solution to the problem of Japanese nationals
abducted by the DPRK.

On climate change, Hatoyama explained Japan's mid-term goal of
reducing greenhouse gas emission by 25 percent from 1990 levels by
2020, asking the United States to also make efforts. He also
complimented the President on his advocacy of a "world without
nuclear weapons" in April and confirmed with him the two countries'
cooperation in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Regarding the Hatoyama administration's policy on Asia, the Prime
Minister explained that Japan "will strengthen its relationship of
trust with the Asian countries and promote regional cooperation with
the Japan-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone." The President welcomed
this policy.

5) Hatoyama, Obama agree to uphold Japan-U.S. alliance

NIKKEI (Top play) (Excerpts)
September 24, 2009

Naoya Yoshino, New York

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held talks for about 25 minutes with
U.S. President Barack Obama at a New York hotel on the morning of
Sept. 23 (the night of Sept. 23, Japan time). The two leaders agreed
to maintain the bilateral alliance with next year marking the 50th
anniversary of the conclusion of the revised U.S.-Japan Security
Treaty. They also agreed to work closely for overcoming the global
economic crisis. The two leaders stopped short of referring to an
extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in

TOKYO 00002228 004 OF 008

the Indian Ocean or the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.

Gist of the Japan-U.S. summit talks

Q The leaders agreed that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone
of the two countries' security policies and that they must deepen
the bilateral alliance.
Q They emphasized the need to work closely for overcoming the global
economic crisis.
Q They shared the view that the Six-Party Talks is an effective
framework in dealing with the North Korean issue.
Q Prime Minister Hatoyama announced a plan to provide civilian aid
to Afghanistan. President Obama welcomed the announcement.
Q They agreed to cooperate to achieve their common goal of making
the world nuclear free.
Q The two leaders agreed to cooperate in the international talks in
the run-up to the COP15 climate change conference to be held in
December.
Q President Obama will visit Japan in November.

6) Main points of the Japan-U.S. summit

YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Japan-U.S. relations

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: The Japan-U.S. alliance will continue
to be the cornerstone of security. We would like to engage in close
consultations on all issues pertaining to the bilateral security
arrangements. Japan will strengthen its relationship of trust with
the Asian countries and promote regional cooperation with the
bilateral alliance as the cornerstone.

President Barack Obama: I welcome your policy. The Japan-U.S.
relationship is very important not only to both countries, but also
to the world. The bilateral alliance is the basis of the two
countries' security and economic prosperity. We will have a long
relationship, so let us resolve the issues one by one.

North Korea

Hatoyama: In addition to the policy of dialogue and cooperation, we
also need to take a tough stance when necessary. The Six-Party Talks
is the most effective framework, and it is important that U.S.-DPRK
talks take place within this framework. A comprehensive solution to
the issues of abduction, nuclear arms, and missiles is important. We
would like to strengthen our cooperation.

Obama: Let us continue to cooperate.

Climate change

Hatoyama: Japan will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25
percent from 1990 levels by 2020 premised on all the major powers
also taking effective actions. While our industrial sector still has
problems with this, a political solution is necessary.

Both leaders: Let us promote international negotiations ahead of the
15th Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on
Climate Change (COP15). We will collaborate closely.

TOKYO 00002228 005 OF 008

Afghan aid

Hatoyama: Japan will become actively involved in the reconstruction
of Afghanistan and Pakistan as its own cause. We excel at
agricultural aid, vocational training, and other forms of assistance
for stable livelihoods, so we intend to make positive contributions
in this area. We plan to consider our best possible contribution
from an overall perspective.

Obama: That will be very helpful.

Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament

Hatoyama: Let us take the lead in realizing a world without nuclear
weapons.

Exchanges between leaders

Obama: I look forward to my visit to Japan in November.

Hatoyama: We welcome you wholeheartedly.

7) Prime Minister Hatoyama willing to expand Japan's PKO

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Yusuke Nakajima, New York

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, now visiting the United States, met
with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at UN headquarters
on the afternoon of Sept. 22 (early on the morning of Sept. 23,
Japan time). Referring in it to Japan's UN peacekeeping operations
(PKO), Hatoyama said, "Our personnel contribution is not sufficient,
but I think we should make more efforts." He expressed his
willingness to expand Japan's participation in PKO. He told Ban, "I
would like you to exercise your leadership" regarding the North
Korean nuclear and missile issues.

8) Hatoyama, Medvedev meet

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Naoya Yoshino, New York

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev in New York at noon Sept. 23 (early on the morning of Sept.
24, Japan time). Hatoyama is expected to tell Medvedev about his
determination to resolve the issue of the Northern Territories and
seek his cooperation. He is also expected to propose strengthening
relations in such areas as the economy, energy, and anti-global
warning efforts.

9) British premier asks Hatoyama to extend refueling mission

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 24, 2009

(Yusuke Nakajima, New York)

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, now visiting the U.S., met with his

TOKYO 00002228 006 OF 008

British counterpart, Gordon Brown, on the evening of Sept. 22 (local
time). Brown asked Hatoyama whether Japan would continue the
Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean
beyond its January expiration. "We will consider what would be the
best way to contribute to the future of Afghanistan," Hatoyama
replied. Citing as an example vocational training for elements of
the Taliban, an armed anti-government group, Hatoyama indicated
Japan would place emphasis on aid in the public welfare area.

Prior to the Hatoyama-Brown meeting, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada
met British Foreign Secretary David Miliband at UN Headquarters.
Miliband called for Japan's continued refueling operation. "During
the campaign (for the latest House of Representatives election), we
emphasized our intention of not simply extending the refueling
mission," Okada said in response. "We would like to thoroughly
discuss the issue." He pointed out that poverty is behind the
Taliban's gaining in influence. He added: "To facilitate Taliban
soldiers' reintegration into society we will emphasize job creation,
vocational training, and help in finding jobs."

10) Hatoyama in meeting with UN secretary general expresses
eagerness for more contributions in UN PKO

SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts)
September 24, 2009

(Morimichi Imahori, New York)

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, currently visiting the U.S., met UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in UN headquarters in New York on the
afternoon of Sept. 22, local time, in which he indicated a
willingness to expand Japan's contribution in UN peacekeeping
operations (PKO). Hatoyama said: "Japan's personnel contribution is
not enough. Japan must make more efforts in this area." He made this
remark in response to Ban's reference to the need to step up efforts
to prevent disputes and build peace.

11) Gist of meeting between Hatoyama, UN Secretary General Ban

(UN PKO)

Hatoyama: The (Hatoyama) coalition government has placed emphasis on
the UN more than the previous governments. I am glad that I was
given an opportunity to address the UN as my first job.

Ban: I have a deep sense of gratitude toward Japan's assistance to
the UN in such areas as peacekeeping, human rights, development, and
finances. It is necessary to step up our efforts to prevent disputes
and build peace.

Hatoyama: Japan's personnel contribution in PKO is not enough. Japan
must make more efforts in this area.

(Climate change)

Ban: You were able to announce the target of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by 25 PERCENT owing to your wonderful leadership. The
target has been favorably taken by other UN member nations.

Hatoyama: In order for human beings to survive, we think it is
necessary to attain this target, although it is set high. Japan
would like to play the role of leading the world in the technical

TOKYO 00002228 007 OF 008

area.

(North Korea)

Hatoyama: I want you as a UN secretary general from Asia to
demonstrate your leadership in resolving the North Korean nuclear
and missile issues. I appreciate the UN for its efforts to settle
the issue of abductions by North Korean agents from a humanitarian
point of view.

Ban: I am willing to make utmost efforts to settle various issues
related to North Korea. I highly appreciate Japan's contributions to
the UN Security Council.

(Nuclear disarmament)

Hatoyama: Japan, as the only atomic-bombed nation, would like to
take the lead in reducing nuclear arms and play its role.

Ban: I also want to convey such a message to the world.

12) President Obama vouches for U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos

YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Satoshi Ogawa

"He is a person I can trust very much."

This is how President Barack Obama reportedly described U.S.
Ambassador to Japan John Roos, who just assumed his post in August,
toward the end of the Japan-U.S. summit on Sept. 23. There are
concerns in Japan about Ambassador Roos, a former lawyer, because he
has little experience in diplomacy although he has close ties to the
President. President Obama was apparently addressing those concerns.
Roos is an alumnus of Stanford University, which is also the alma
mater of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. Hatoyama and Obama
reportedly talked casually about the university in English, drawing
laughter.

13) In meeting with Iranian foreign minister, Foreign Minister Okada
criticizes Iran's uranium enrichment program

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with his Iranian counterpart
Manouchehr Mottaki on the afternoon of Sept. 22 (the early morning
of Sept. 23, Japan time) in New York. During the meeting, Okada
criticized Iran's stance of continuing its uranium enrichment
program, saying, "Iran should dispel the international community's
doubts" about its nuclear program.

Mottaki asserted, "Since our religion prohibits us from possessing
weapons of mass destruction, we have no intention to have nuclear
weapons." Okada told Mottaki: "The U.S. administration has changed,
and President Obama is now in office. Why don't you hold
straightforward talks with the United States?"

14) Gov't to speed up defense program revision

TOKYO 00002228 008 OF 008

YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged)
September 24, 2009

The government is set to revise its national defense program
guidelines, or NDPG for short, and its midterm defense buildup plan
later in the year. The Hatoyama cabinet has indicated a positive
stance about overhauling the two defense plans. In response, the
Defense Ministry is now gearing up to review them.

The NDPG is an outline of Japan's defense capabilities for the years
ahead. Its current version, adopted in a cabinet meeting of December
2004, is required to be revised in five years. Meanwhile, the
current midterm defense buildup plan, which stipulates a five-year
timetable for the government to procure mainstay equipment and
weaponry for the Self-Defense Forces, also expires in the current
fiscal year. In this regard, Defense Minister Kitazawa revealed in a
Sept. 17 press conference that he had been told by Prime Minister
Hatoyama to coordinate with relevant ministers to revise the NDPG
and formulate a new midterm defense buildup plan. "I am the person
in charge," Kitazawa said, "so it's my responsibility to make
preparations for the plans that will expire at the end of the
current fiscal year."

15) Nippon Keidanren chairman calls for public debate on greenhouse
gas emissions cut

NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full)
September 24, 2009

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the high-level meeting on climate
change hosted by the UN (climate change summit) announced Japan's
mid-term goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by
2020 from the 1990 level. Japan Business Federation (Nippon
Keidanren) Chairman Fujio Mitarai released a comment on the
announcement, saying, "A strong resolution to build a fair and
effective international framework that major emitters participate in
has been announced." He then asked the prime minister to generate
public debate after showing a concrete path toward emissions
reduction and the burdens to be shouldered.

President Tadashi Okamura of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry also released a statement, which read, "We take it
seriously that the prime minister has pledged (a 25 percent
emissions cut) to the world. I would like him provide a clear
roadmap toward making the environment and the economy compatible."

ROOS

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