Cablegate: Japanese Morning Press Highlights 11/04/09

VZCZCXRO8188
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2539/01 3080325
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040325Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7225
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9578
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7222
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1041
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4456
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7734
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1679
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8337
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7845

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002539

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 11/04/09

INDEX:

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

Foreign relations:
4) Japan-U.S. summit set for Nov. 13 (Nikkei)
5) U.S. State Dept. spokesperson: Cancelation of Clinton-Okada
meeting was simple mistake (Yomiuri)
6) U.S. says it's ready for Japan-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting
(Sankei)
7) Okinawa Governor Nakaima leaves for U.S. today (Tokyo Shimbun)

Defense & security:
8) PM rules out change in constitutional ban on collective defense
(Yomiuri)
9) Government Revitalization Unit may scrutinize MOD budget request
connected to "sympathy budget" (Mainichi)
10) GSDF officer divulged dates of surprise inspections (Tokyo
Shimbun)

Afghanistan aid:
11) Govt. mulls 500 billion yen in aid for Afghanistan (Yomiuri)
12) Japan considering dispatch of SDF personnel to ISAF headquarters
in Kabul (Nikkei)

SOFA revision?
13) Hatoyama says U.S. can not readily respond to a request for SOFA
revision (Nikkei)
14) Prime Minister denies he will request revision of SOFA to
require the pre-indictment handover of accused U.S. service members
(Akahata)

Special Diet session:
15) Diet debate (Yomiuri)

Politics:
16) Ozawa: DPJ Okinawa Prefectural Chapter independently endorsed
Nago mayoral candidate calling for Futenma relocation outside
prefecture (Nikkei)

Opinion
17) Asahi/Tokyo University poll: 66 PERCENT desire political system
in which administrations change (Asahi)
18) Mainichi/Ryukyu Shimpo poll: 70 PERCENT of Okinawa residents
want Futenma relocated out of prefecture (Mainichi)
Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
121 bridges across Japan on verge of collapse

Mainichi:
Kadena town cooperates with U.S. forces to avert Futenma integration
with Kadena base

Yomiuri:
Konami set to buy Victor's music business

Nikkei:

TOKYO 00002539 002 OF 010

Government mulls flexible patent process for time-consuming
products

Sankei:
What is Hatoyama administration's next education policy? Japan
Teachers Union's policy index is source of DPJ's education policy

Tokyo Shimbun:
Defense Ministry's surprise inspection schedule found to have
leaked

Akahata:
Protect child-care services

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Poverty rate of 15.7 PERCENT reflects crisis in Japan

Mainichi:
(1) Rengo (Japan Trade Union Confederation) must improve
non-permanent labor situation
(2) JR Shikoku is initial test for toll free highways (by
commentator Hirao Kodama)

Yomiuri:
(1) Toll-free highways might have adverse effect on local
transportation
(2) Committees for the Inquest of Prosecution: Important role of
lawyers to provide advice

Nikkei:
(1) How to realize 25 PERCENT emission cut: Corporations must
compete with foreign companies on low-carbon age management

Sankei:
(1) New Afghan government: Japan must do its utmost to support
Afghan reconstruction
(2) Blue roses: Suntory's dream comes true

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Anti-global warming measures: Government must dispatch clear
message to the public
(2) Achievement tests: Review exam questions next

Akahata:
(1) What should Afghanistan do to extricate itself from chaos?

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, November 3

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 4, 2009

10:09 Attended the Order of Culture conferment ceremony.
16:07 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries Matsuno and Matsui.
18:34 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano, Matsuno and Matsui.

4) Hatoyama-Obama summit meeting to take place on November 13

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged)

TOKYO 00002539 003 OF 010

November 4, 2009

The governments of Japan and the United States have decided to hold
a summit meeting between the leaders of the two countries on Nov. 13
during U.S. President Barack Obama's first visit to Japan on Nov.
12-13. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will brief the President on new
aid measures for Afghanistan at this meeting. The two leaders are
also expected to discuss the key issue of the relocation of the U.S.
forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa).

Hatoyama will tell Obama about Japan's plan to withdraw the Maritime
Self-Defense Force from its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean
and explain new aid measures for Afghanistan worth a total of 4-5
billion dollars over five years, consisting mostly of civilian aid,
such as paid vocational training for former Taliban soldiers.
Dialogue between the two countries on how to handle the Futenma
issue is currently in progress, so it is unclear at this point to
what extent this issue will be discussed at the summit meeting.

5) Cancellation of foreign minister's U.S. visit simple mistake,
explains U.S. State Department spokesman Kelly

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
November 4, 2009

Satoshi Ogawa, Washington

Referring to the U.S. Department of State having released a weekly
schedule including a meeting between Department of State Secretary
Clinton and Foreign Minister Okada on the morning of Nov. 6th (after
midnight on the 7th, Japan time), and then canceled it later, State
Department spokesman Kelly at a press briefing on the 2nd said,
"(The schedule) was still at a planning stage. It was not intended
for a release." Concerning an outlook for a meeting between Clinton
and Okada, Kelly noted, "The Secretary is ready to meet him on the
6th. Whether the meeting will take place or not is up to the
Japanese Foreign Ministry."

Referring to this issue, a senior State Department official said,
"It's our fault. Although the meeting was on the calendar, it was
clear that the foreign minister needs to obtain approval for his
U.S. visit from the Diet."

6) U.S. is ready to hold Okada-Clinton talks

SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 4, 2009

Takashi Arimoto, Washington

With respect to a visit to the United States by Foreign Minister
Katsuya Okada, U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly indicated
in a press briefing on Nov. 2 that Washington is ready to hold talks
with him. "Secretary of State Clinton has time on Nov. 6 (Nov. 7,
Japan time) to meet with Foreign Minister Okada, but I think I will
have to refer you to the Japanese Foreign Ministry about his plans,"
Kelly said, indicating that it is up to Japan to decide whether to
hold the envisaged meeting.

Okada has expressed his desire to hold talks with Clinton to discuss
the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in
Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture) and other matters ahead of President

TOKYO 00002539 004 OF 010

Barack Obama's visit to Japan in mid-November. But the Japanese side
has shown its reluctance to agree on the date proposed by the United
States because it overlaps with Diet events.

7) Okinawa Gov. Nakaima to leave for U.S. today

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 4, 2009

Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima will leave for Washington today as
representative of the liaison council of governors from 14
prefectures hosting U.S. bases and military facilities. He will join
Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa, chairman of the council, in
Washington. The two governors plan to call on senior U.S. government
officials, as well as Senators and Members of the House of
Representatives, to improve basis issues.

Nakaima said yesterday afternoon at Naha airport: "In Japan, a new
administration, which advocates reviewing the Japan-U.S. Status of
Forces Agreement, has been launched. I would like to talk to the
U.S. side about the need for a revision of the accord."

8) Hatoyama in Diet reply indicates no intention of altering
interpretation of right to collective self-defense

YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts)
November 3, 2009

A full-scale battle of words between the ruling and opposition
parties kicked off in a meeting of the House of Representatives
Budget Committee held yesterday for the first time after the launch
of the cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. In replying to
questions, Hatoyama revealed that he had no intention of removing
the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense by
changing the current government interpretation of the Constitution.
Observers surmise that the prime minister is hoping to avoid any
confusion from being caused by a change in the interpretation until
his administration's foundation becomes stable.

The right to collective self-defense is the right to use force to
stop an armed attack on a foreign country with which the state has
close relations, even if the state itself is not under direct
attack. The existing government interpretation is that the nation
possesses the right but is prohibited from exercising it. Hatoyama
said in the Diet reply: "My administration has just been launched,
so I have no intention of altering the interpretation. This is a
unified view in the Hatoyama cabinet." Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa has said that the use of armed
force overseas (by the Self-Defense Force) should not infringe on
the Constitution if the act is endorsed by a UN resolution. Asked
what response he would make if a perception gap appears between the
government and the DPJ, Hatoyama emphasized: "The cabinet will take
responsibility in handling the issue of what to do about the
government interpretation of the Constitution."

9) Two projects in host nation support likely to be reviewed by
panel tasked with cutting wasteful spending

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
November 4, 2009

The nation's host nation support (the so-called omoiyari yosan or

TOKYO 00002539 005 OF 010

"sympathy budget") for the U.S. forces in Japan is expected to be
reviewed by the Government Revitalization Unit tasked with
scrutinizing public works to cut wasteful spending (chaired by Prime
Minister Yukio Hatoyama), it was learned from informed sources
yesterday. The panel is considering conducting a review of spending
for the maintenance of housing for U.S. military personnel's
families and salaries for Japanese employees working at U.S.
military bases. The taskforce of lawmakers and other members
questioned concerned Defense Ministry officials about these projects
yesterday. State Minister for Government Revitalization Yoshito
Sengoku will make the final decision, but (if the panel decides to
review these projects,) it might cause a stir between Japan and the
U.S., which are already at odds over the issue of relocating the
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

10) Defense Ministry's surprise inspection schedule found to have
leaked

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Lead paragraph)
November 4, 2009

It has been learned that a Ground Self-Defense Force's lieutenant
colonel in the analysis department at the Defense Intelligence
Headquarters had leaked the schedule of surprise inspections, which
the Defense Ministry conducts to prevent defense intelligence from
being leaked, rendering them ineffectual. In 2006 and 2007 there was
a succession of leaks at the ministry, including the removal of
important documents on Aegis destroyers. U.S. Defense Secretary
Robert Gates, who recently visited Japan, requested the Defense
Ministry ensure the security of intelligence. However, the recent
incident, in which even the surprise inspection schedule necessary
for plugging leaks was itself leaked, reveals a ministry prone to
divulging information.

11) Government mulls 500 billion yen in financial support to
Afghanistan

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
November 3, 2009

The outline of the Afghanistan reconstruction support measures the
government is considering was revealed on Nov. 2. The plan is to
extend financial support totaling 400 to 500 billion yen over five
years starting in fiscal 2010 mainly for the development of the
metropolitan area in and around the capital city of Kabul and the
continuation of assistance for the payment of salaries to policemen
as part of security measures. Related ministers, such as Chief
Cabinet Secretary Hirano and Foreign Minister Okada will reach a
final decision at a meeting to be held as early as the 5th. Prime
Minister Hatoyama will then convey the outline of the support plan
to U.S. President Obama, who will visit Japan on the 12th.

For the development of the metropolitan area, technological and
financial support financed by official development assistance (ODA)
will be extended for the building of social infrastructure, such as
the construction of roads and water supply and sewerage systems with
the aim of helping the nation cope with a water shortage and traffic
congestion stemming from a sharp increase in the population of
Kabul. Support for other projects such as repairing runways at Kabul
International Airport and building a taxiway will also be extended.

This year the Japanese government has provided the salaries for

TOKYO 00002539 006 OF 010

80,000 Afghanistan policemen for six months through the UN
Development Program. Given the serious security situation in that
nation, it has decided to continue the support next year and
thereafter as well.

The government is currently providing a training course to about 10
senior Afghanistan police officers. It now plans to expand this
course. It is looking into a way to hold such a course in a
different Islamic country, such as Turkey.

The plan also includes a program designed for the social
rehabilitation of former soldiers who joined the Taliban militants
due to poverty, by having them engage in construction work or
providing them with vocational training. Providing financial support
to them while they are undergoing vocational training is also under
consideration.

12) Government considering sending SDF personnel to ISAF operational
headquarters

NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
November 4, 2009

On Nov. 3 the government began discussions on sending several
Self-Defense Force members to the operational headquarters of the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), currently deployed
in Afghanistan as part of international peace-keeping activities, by
the end of the year. With Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama scheduled to
hold talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Nov. 13, the measure
is designed to demonstrate the government's eagerness to come up
with a new approach to cooperation with the United States. The
government will explore the possibility of contributing manpower in
place of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in
the Indian Ocean, which is to end next January. The government
specifically envisages the dispatch of SDF personnel to serve as
"liaison officers" who will not engage in combat.

13) PM Hatoyama says decision on SOFA revision to take time

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 3, 2009

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama commented on Nov. 2 on the revision of
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, which prescribes the
legal status of U.S. Forces Japan. He said: "I think this is a very
important subject of discussion, but we are not in a position to
demand (revision from the U.S. side) hastily and quickly make a
decision right now." He also said: "At least, the Kantei (Prime
Minister's office) does not think that we are ready to go into
negotiations." The above was in response to questions from reporters
at the Kantei.

14) Prime Minister dismisses a proposal for pre-indictment handover
of custody

AKAHATA (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 4, 2009

Some media outlets have reported that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama
has begun considering proposing, during a visit to Japan by U.S.
President Barack Obama, the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of
Forces Agreement to require the United States to hand over the

TOKYO 00002539 007 OF 010

custody of the accused, which is limited to heinous crimes such as
murder. The Prime Minister denied the report on Nov. 2 in response
to a question from the press corps at the Kantei (Prime Minister's
Official Residence). He said: "Even if a request is made hastily,
the situation does not allow an easy answer. At least the Kantei is
not at the stage to negotiate the matter."

15) Gist of PM Hatoyama's responses to interpellation on foreign
policy issues at Lower House Budget Committee on November 2

YOMIURI (Page 8) (Full)
November 3, 2009

North Korea

Hideo Hiraoka (Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)): Is dialogue and
cooperation your policy on dealing with North Korea?

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: A soft stance should be avoided at a
time when there are no concrete messages (from the North Korean
side). We will give importance to dialogue and work for a solution
by employing all possible means.

Japan-U.S. relations

Nobutaka Machimura (Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)): The smooth
operation of the Japan-U.S. security treaty is important for Japan's
security.

Hatoyama: The Japan-U.S. alliance does not conflict with the concept
of an East Asian community. Peace in East Asia is guaranteed by the
Japan-U.S. alliance, and this has great significance.

Machimura: What has been unequal in the Japan-U.S. relationship so
far?

Hatoyama: An equal partnership means that when an issue arises,
Japan is able to speak out without any reservations even if it
differs with the United States. (Under the LDP administration)
Japan's diplomatic posture changed significantly whenever the U.S.
expressed a strong opinion. I think that constituted "subservience
to the U.S."

U.S. Forces Japan realignment

Tomoko Abe (Social Democratic Party): Cabinet members are expressing
different opinions on Okinawa issues. What is your basic stance?

Hatoyama: The relocation of the Futenma Air Station is an important
issue for the Japan-U.S. alliance. I would like the ministers in
charge to make efforts to look into the options for reducing the
burden on the people of Okinawa while keeping in mind the importance
of the existing Japan-U.S. agreement. We would like to come up with
a solution acceptable to both countries that will reduce the burden
on Okinawa.

Mikio Shimoji (People's New Party): Even if the Japanese and U.S.
governments agree, the issue will not move forward without Okinawa's
agreement.

Hatoyama: We cannot ignore the sentiments of the local communities
and reach a conclusion between the two countries. While it is true

TOKYO 00002539 008 OF 010

that the bilateral agreement was reached under the previous
administration, we cannot possibly overlook its significance. I
think the two countries cannot possibly reach an arbitrary
conclusion without an agreement between the new administration and
the governor of Okinawa that is acceptable to both parties.

Tadamori Oshima (LDP): What will you decide with regard to Futenma
relocation, move this base out of Japan, out of Okinawa, or within
Okinawa?

Hatoyama: We are making efforts to reach a conclusion by looking at
several options.

Oshima: When will you reach a conclusion?

Hatoyama: We have just prepared several options and begun to examine
them. I am not able to say when we will be able to reach a
conclusion. I am also fully aware that we cannot delay this issue
too much.

Oshima: The timing (for making a decision) is important. It is (the
Prime Minister's) responsibility to indicate the timetable.

Hatoyama: I do not think that a decision has to be made before U.S.
President Barack Obama visits Japan. We must not upset the Okinawan
people by rushing.

Machimura: Local communities close to Kadena Air Base are saying
they are absolutely opposed (to Futenma's relocation).

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada: I understand that there are
operational issues (in relocating the Futenma base to Kadena), but
are these issues vital? We are looking into this to find a
convincing answer.

Afghan aid

Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi (DPJ): What do you think of the strategy on
Afghanistan so far?

Hatoyama: There are constitutional constraints on sending the
Self-Defense Forces overseas. Assistance consisting mainly of
civilian aid is greatly appreciated (by the Afghan government).
Fighting with weapons is bound to bring about a quagmire. We will
make efforts to develop the (Afghan) economy in a manner appropriate
for Japan.

Oshima: Will Japan not engage in the refueling mission (by the
Maritime Self-Defense Force) in the Indian Ocean ever again?

Hatoyama: We will not submit a bill on this to the extraordinary
Diet session. I have concluded that the refueling mission will at
least not be extended simply.

Oshima: Will an extension that is not simple be possible?

Hatoyama: We are currently compiling a package of aid measures
desired by the Afghan people, such as agricultural aid and
vocational training. There is no need to submit a bill regarding the
refueling mission to the extraordinary Diet session.

Oshima: Will the government's interpretation of the right of

TOKYO 00002539 009 OF 010

collective and individual self-defense remain unchanged?

Hatoyama: The new administration has just started. We have no
intention to change the interpretation.

Oshima: Is it acceptable if the government and the DPJ have
different interpretations?

Hatoyama: That will not happen. The cabinet will take responsibility
for the government's constitutional interpretation.

16) DPJ Ozawa: "The party will let Okinawa federation independently
support" Nago mayoral candidate calling for moving Futenma facility
outside prefecture

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 3, 2009

In reference to the upcoming Nago mayoral election, Secretary
General Ichiro Ozawa of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) said in
a press conference yesterday: "Party headquarters will not endorse
the candidate (backed by the DPJ Okinawa Prefectural Federation).
The party will let the federation support the candidate
independently." The focal point at issue in the election is the
relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air Station in Ginowan
city, Okinawa Prefecture. The federation has decided to support
former Nago City Board of Education superintendent Susumu Inamine,
who has been calling for moving the facility out of the prefecture.

17) Poll: 66 PERCENT desire politics with gov't changes

ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
November 3, 2009

An estimated 66 PERCENT of the nation's voting population want
"politics with changes in the governing parties." Meanwhile, the
proportion of those who want "a longlasting government led by the
same political party (parties)" was only 34 PERCENT , about a half
of those who want government changes. This public attitude became
clear from a joint poll of voters conducted by the Asahi Shimbun and
University of Tokyo Professor Masaki Taniguchi's office after this
summer's general election for the House of Representatives.

For the survey, a total of 3,000 persons were chosen from among the
nation's voting population. A questionnaire was mailed to them on
Aug. 29, the day before the election. After the election, valid
answers were obtained from 2,067 persons by Sept. 30.

In the survey, respondents were asked if they desire to see the
governing parties change from time to time or see the same governing
parties remain in office for a long period of time. To this
question, 75 PERCENT of those who voted for the Democratic Party of
Japan and 48 PERCENT of those who voted for the Liberal Democratic
Party chose changes in the governing parties. These answers came
after the election, but the percentage of those who want to see
changes in the governing parties was high among those who voted for
the DPJ. It may safely be said that the public does not necessarily
want the DPJ to establish a single-party advantage.

18) Poll in Okinawa: 70 PERCENT want Futenma base moved out of
Okinawa or abroad

TOKYO 00002539 010 OF 010

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
November 3, 2009

Concerning the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma
Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, the Mainichi Shimbun
conducted a joint public opinion survey of the local population with
the Ryukyu Shimpo on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. In the survey, a total of
67 PERCENT were opposed to the current plan to relocate the
heliport functions of Futenma airfield to a coastal area of Camp
Schwab, a U.S. military base located in the Henoko area of the
island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. Affirmative
answers accounted for 20 PERCENT . Respondents were asked what they
thought Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama should do. To this question, a
total of 70 PERCENT said he should negotiate with the United States
with the aim of relocating the Futenma base outside Okinawa
Prefecture or out of Japan. As seen from the figures, the greater
part of the prefecture's people want the base moved out of the
prefecture or abroad as pledged by Hatoyama in this summer's general
election for the House of Representatives.

Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has called for the construction site
of Futenma airfield's alternative facility to be moved offshore.
However, those who insist on offshore relocation accounted for 13
PERCENT . Among other answers, 7 PERCENT insisted on looking for
another relocation site in Okinawa Prefecture, with 5 PERCENT
saying the current plan should be accepted. The total percentage of
those who approved of Futenma relocation within Okinawa Prefecture
was only 25 PERCENT .

Nakaima and Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro have indicated that
they would accept the Futenma relocation within Okinawa Prefecture
on the premise of an intergovernmental agreement reached between
Japan and the United States. With the birth of the Hatoyama
administration, however, the survey results show the local people's
growing expectations for a review of the plan.

The U.S. government continues to insist the Futenma airfield to be
relocated to the shore of Camp Schwab. Meanwhile, the Hatoyama
cabinet has been split over the Futenma-relocation issue. Foreign
Minister Katsuya Okada has reiterated that he will study the option
of integrating the functions of Futenma airfield into the U.S.
Kadena Air Base, which straddles Kadena Town and other
municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture. In the survey, respondents
were also asked about the idea of merging Futenma airfield with the
Kadena base. In response to this question, negative answers
accounted for 72 PERCENT , with affirmative ones at 15 PERCENT .

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted by telephone on Oct.
31 and Nov. 1 on a computer-aided random digit sampling (RDS) basis.
Answers were obtained from 1,015 persons.

ROOS

© Scoop Media