Cablegate: Daily Summary of Japanese Press 01/11/10

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0061/01 0110813
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
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RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
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RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0593
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8252
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2065
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5351
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8748
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2583
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9248
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8670

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000061

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: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01/11/10

INDEX:

(1) Government sources reveal China mulling replacing Japan's
refueling operations in Indian Ocean (Sankei)
(2) Governance: The two faces of Ozawa (Mainichi)
(3) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano visits Okinawa without any
concrete plans (Asahi)
(4) Chief cabinet secretary visits Okinawa, based on Hatoyama's
desire to settle Futenma issue under Kantei's lead (Mainichi)
(5) Editorial on Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano's visit to Okinawa:
Futenma should be returned without being relocated within prefecture
(Ryukyu Shimpo)
(6) Kyosera Chairman Inamori asked to become new CEO of JAL (Asahi)

(7) JAL to be reconstructed under Corporate Rehabilitation Law:
Corporate turnaround body to expand restructuring plan (Nikkei)
(8) Turnaround body not to allow JAL to accept financial assistance
by U.S. carriers' capital help (Nikkei)
(9) Maehara announces expansion of timeframe for foreign carriers at
New Chitose Airport (Asahi)
(10) TOP HEADLINES
(11) EDITORIALS
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, January 10 (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) Government sources reveal China mulling replacing Japan's
refueling operations in Indian Ocean

SANKEI (Top play) (Full)
January 11, 2010

It was learned from several government sources on Jan. 10 that the
Chinese navy is considering taking over the refueling operations of
the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in light of its withdrawal
from the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean by Jan. 15. Japan,
which relies on the Middle East for 90 percent of its crude oil
imports, will not only lose its presence in the sea lane in that
area, but the very foundation of its energy policy will also be
under China's control. There is a growing sense of alarm in the
government.

According to government sources, although the PRC government
stresses that "the deployment of troops to the multinational forces
in Afghanistan is out of the question," several intelligence sources
have confirmed that it is considering participation in and
cooperation with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
responsible for security maintenance in Afghanistan behind the
scenes. While some Chinese officials are cautious about such a move,
there is also a persistent opinion that the withdrawal of the MSDF
refueling mission is a good opportunity for participation in the
"war against terrorism."

In light of the piracy problem in waters off Somalia, China has
dispatched two destroyers and one supply vessel to the Gulf of Aden
and adjacent waters to participate in operations to crack down on
pirates and protect commercial vessels. According to a defense
official, "the Chinese supply vessel has become quite proficient"
and it is possible that the scope of operations of this vessel may
be expanded to take over refueling operations in the Indian Ocean.

However, since maritime interdiction under Operation Enduring

TOKYO 00000061 002 OF 010

Freedom (OEF) is undertaken by the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150)
led by the U.S. forces, there is also the opinion that it is
unlikely for China to place its forces under U.S. military command.
In addition, the technical standards of China's supply vessel are
different from those of the other participating nations, creating
technical problems.

However, China's participation in the OEF will enable it to share
information on the Afghan and Middle East situation with the other
participating nations. Its taking part in sea lane defense in the
Indian Ocean will also bring invaluable benefits.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has decided to withdraw the MSDF in
anticipation of the expiration of the special antiterrorism measures
law authorizing its mission on Jan. 15.

With the withdrawal, Japan will not only be relying on other
countries for the safety of its own ships, but will also be
extremely restricted in its access to information relating to
terrorism and other matters. In light of the discord in the
Japan-U.S. relationship over the relocation of the U.S. forces'
Futenma Air Station, a source on defense issues points out that "it
is possible that China may announce its participation in OEF in
order to highlight U.S.-China rapprochement."

(2) Governance: The two faces of Ozawa

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
January 10, 2010

Ozawa has a drastic perception of bureaucratic rule: "All companies
and organizations are under the control of the central government
agencies. For the Japanese, the government means the authorities or
the bureaucracy. Even lawmakers from the ruling parties are not
aware that it is their cabinet." Based on this perception, Ozawa has
been insisting on the need to send teams of politicians into
government agencies, modeled after Britain, or calling for banning
bureaucrats from making Diet replies. These initiatives, which are
now about to be materialized under the Hatoyama administration, have
already been presented in his book "Blueprint for a New Japan,"
published in 1993.

Takashi Hara, a politician who served as prime minister in the
middle of the Taisho Period and whom Ozawa respects, aimed at
political leadership. He opened up bureaucratic posts, such as vice
ministerial posts, which Aritomo Yamagata allowed bureaucrats to
dominate, to lawmakers in order to let politicians to take part in
the governing body. At the same time, Hara lured high-ranking
bureaucrats, such as Takejiro Tokonami, into Seiyu-Kai in an effort
to heighten political parties' governance capabilities.

What makes Ozawa different from Hara is his expectations for
politicians other than himself. He in November 2007 gave a glimpse
of this nature in the so-called grand coalition talks, which rocked
political circles.

Ozawa told his cabinet formation plan to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda
at the time: "I will become deputy prime minister. I do not mind
serving as a minister without portfolio." He then continued: "I
would like to see a coalition fixed first. If that is fixed,
policies can be set at our own discretion. Since we cannot rely on
politicians, both sides should appoint a couple of persons other

TOKYO 00000061 003 OF 010

than lawmakers to attend talks."

He proposed leaving his aides to work out policy talks, without
trusting lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

But the initiative never materialized, and it turned out that there
was more to it after all. Fukuda was asked by several routes to
appoint former Vice Finance Minister Jiro Saito (now Japan Post
president) as governor of the Bank of Japan from December 2007
through January 2008. Ozawa's intention to reinstate Saito was
behind such requests.

Saito, who tried to introduce a national welfare tax during the
Hosokawa administration, is Ozawa's close friend. For this reason,
Saito lost favor with the LDP, which later regained power. Ozawa
used abusive language toward the Imperial Household Agency director
general over the setting of a meeting with the Emperor (for Vice
President Xi Jinping) as an exception, saying, "He is a prime
example of bureaucracy." However, Ozawa's anti-bureaucratic
sentiment was absent when he gave thoughtful consideration to
Saito.

He has one face as a reformist who advocates political supremacy and
wresting power from central bureaucrats in the policymaking process,
and another face, which he shows secretly. This dual nature of such
an influential person is bound to affect the new relationship
between politicians and bureaucrats.

(3) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano visits Okinawa without any
concrete plans

ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
January 10, 2010

Shinji Muramatsu, Tsukasa Kimura, and Atsushi Matsukawa

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, who serves as a coordinator
for the three coalition parties, visited Okinawa for the first time
since assuming his post in an effort to find a breakthrough in the
deadlocked issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air
Station in Ginowan in the prefecture. On Jan. 9, he held talks with
Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima and inspected some U.S. bases in the
prefecture. Hirano has just become involved in this issue. With the
deadline approaching this May, will the government be able to come
up with a new relocation site that is acceptable to both the local
residents and the United States? Local leaders take sober views of
the government's effort to find a new site.

"We may have to ask for your decision," Hirano said to Gov. Nakaima
toward the end of their meeting on Jan. 9. Hirano's comment can be
taken to mean that if the government picks a new relocation site
within Okinawa, Tokyo will have to ask for the consent of the
governor.

The Hatoyama cabinet, which has given up on settling the issue in
2009, has launched a new government panel on Okinawa bases composed
of the three coalition parties of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),
the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party. The three
parties are scheduled to present their respective relocation plans
later this month to make a final decision by May. Prime Minister
Yukio Hatoyama hopes to finish coordinating views with the U.S. side
in May.

TOKYO 00000061 004 OF 010

Nevertheless, unlike past chief cabinet secretaries who served as
coordinators between the government and Okinawa, Hirano has hardly
been involved in the Futenma issue at all. Although he is tasked
with playing the role of main coordinator, it is unclear how deeply
involved Hirano can become in handling this matter.

Since it is his first visit to Okinawa, Hirano's itinerary is packed
with people to see and places to go. On Jan. 9, he visited, among
other places, Camp Schwab, the site picked by Tokyo and Washington
to replace Futenma Air Station, in addition to meeting with Nakaima.
He also held talks with the heads of Kadena Town, Okinawa City, and
Chatan Town that host Kadena Air Base.

On Jan. 10, he is scheduled to view Okinawa's main island from a
helicopter and some remote islands from the Self-Defense Force's U-4
multipurpose assistance plane. Included in those islands are Ie
Island (in the village of Ie) and Shimoji Island (in the city of
Miyako) that have been mentioned as possible relocation sites for
the training of Futenma-based helicopters.

Nevertheless, some cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Minister
Katsuya Okada, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, and Prime Minister
Hatoyama are also making their own moves.

Okada is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton in Honolulu on Jan. 12. Their discussion will center
on finding a breakthrough in Japan-U.S. relations which have become
tense due to the Futenma issue. Kitazawa has begun making moves
toward selecting a relocation site by launching a special team in
his ministry.

Hatoyama has had frequent contact with Yukio Okamoto, a former
Foreign Ministry official and a foreign affairs commentator with
strong connections with the United States.

In a national vision research council meeting, held by the Prime
Minister on Jan. 5, Ukeru Magosaki, a former director-general of the
Foreign Ministry International Information Bureau, proposed moving
Futenma either to Maritime Self-Defense Force Omura Air Base (in the
city of Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture) or to Ground Self-Defense Force
Camp Ainoura (in the city of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture).

There is a possibility that the actual work to determine a
relocation site might proceed separately from the three-party
coalition framework. It appears that Hirano's Okinawa tour was
intended to demonstrate that the government attaches importance to
local wishes.

In their talks with Hirano, the chiefs of three municipalities
hosting Kadena Air Base urged the chief cabinet secretary to come up
with a direction after discussing the options at a nationwide level
rather than focusing on those in Okinawa. Despite that, Hirano told
the press corps on Jan. 9: "I would like to abstain from making any
comment so as not to cause any impact on the government panel."

Ie and Shimoji islands stepping up opposition to relocation

There is a growing backlash in Ie and Shimoji islands. "We have not
received any notification from the central government," Ie Mayor
Katsumasa Oshiro said angrily. "We found out about everything
through the newspapers. It is truly regrettable."

TOKYO 00000061 005 OF 010

The Ie Village assembly and Miyako City assembly are scheduled to
hold special meetings soon to adopt their respective position papers
opposing the relocation.

"Before the matter moves forward, we must declare our determination
not to accept the relocation," Miyako City Assembly Speaker Akira
Shimoji said. "The DPJ, which has won control of the government on a
platform of moving Futenma outside Okinawa or even Japan must
deliver on its pledge."

Gov. Nakaima is also becoming increasingly frustrated with the
government's inconsistent stance. Nakaima's term of office will
expire in December this year. He won the post in the previous 2006
gubernatorial election on a pledge to effectively close down the
Futenma airfield within three years. Nakaima's reelection depends on
a certain level of expectation that the Futenma issue will be
resolved, but there have been no prospects for resolution since the
change of government.

(4) Chief cabinet secretary visits Okinawa, based on Hatoyama's
desire to settle Futenma issue under Kantei's lead

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
January 10, 2010

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano visited Okinawa on Jan. 8,
based on Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's desire to resolve the issue
of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan
City, Okinawa Prefecture, under the lead of the Prime Minister's
Office (Kantei). It was the first time in 10 years for a chief
cabinet secretary to visit Okinawa. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada
and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, who were in charge of
negotiations on the Futenma issue up until late last year, have now
stepped back. Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima asked Hirano to move
the Futenma base out of the prefecture, but the U.S. side still
regards the current plan to relocate the Futenma airfield to the
coastal area of Camp Schwab in Henoko, Nago City, as the best
option. The prime minister has said that the government will reach a
conclusion by May, but the conclusion that will emerge remains
unknown.

In the early afternoon of Jan. 9, Hirano walked along a residential
street adjacent to the Futenma airfield and asked local residents if
the noise was deafening and if they have taken soundproofing
measures. He then went up onto the roof of an elementary school
contiguous to the airfield. It is unprecedented for a cabinet
minister to get his first look at a situation by walking along a
residential street. Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha told reporters: "I
think it was the first time for a chief cabinet secretary to visit
even an elementary school. I am grateful to him for having climbed
to the roof of the school."

Hirano told Hatoyama when they held talks while dining at a Tokyo
hotel on the night of Jan. 4: "Leave the Futenma issue in my hands.
You should remain steadfast. I will take responsibility." In
December, Hirano assumed the chairmanship of a committee tasked with
finding a settlement of the relocation issue. In conversations with
close aides he has expressed his resolve (to settle the Futenma
issue): "My U.S. counterpart is James Jones, assistant to the
President." Hatoyama also commented on Jan. 8: "He is acting with a
strong determination."

TOKYO 00000061 006 OF 010

In addition, some changes are also seen in the lineup of outside
advisers to the prime minister over the Futenma issue. In seeking
advice, the prime minister greatly relied on Japan Research
Institute Chairman Jitsuro Terashima, who has advocated a security
arrangement without the permanent presence of U.S. forces. Recently,
however, Hatoyama has often exchanged views with Yukio Okamoto, a
former special adviser to the prime minister, and former deputy
foreign minister Hiroshi Tanaka, both of whom have a good knowledge
about the process that led to the Japan-U.S. agreement reached
around 1997 to relocate the Futenma facility within the prefecture.
A government source said: "The increase in Hatoyama's meetings with
Okamoto and Tanaka indicates his willingness to examine the Futenma
issue from multiple angles and make a final decision by himself."

Meanwhile, Okada intends to entrust the Futenma issue to the Kantei
and to tackle Japan-U.S. relations as a whole. In a press conference
on Jan. 8, he emphasized: "On the Futenma issue, various views have
been presented, and the issue has unavoidably affected the bilateral
relationship. But the two countries have shared the view that their
alliance must be deepened." He then indicated he would devote
himself to consolidating the environment surrounding Japan and the
U.S.

Kitazawa was initially taking the stance of approving the existing
relocation plan, but he established in the Defense Ministry a
special team that includes those who were not involved in the
process of drawing up the existing plan, out of consideration for
the prime minister. Parliamentary Defense Secretary Akihisa
Nagashima also said in a symposium in Tokyo on Jan. 9: "Regardless
of the outcome of the upcoming Nago mayoral election, this issue is
very difficult." He thus indicated that even if the incumbent, who
has approved the existing relocation plan, is re-elected in the
mayoral election on Jan. 24, it might be difficult to implement the
existing plan.

Local governments begin to call for moving airfield out of Okinawa

Okinawa Governor Nakaima asked Hirano at the outset of their meeting
to move the Futenma facility outside the prefecture. The governor
said: "The people in Okinawa are strongly hoping to see the Futenma
facility moved outside the prefecture. We expect the government will
come up with a reply, keeping their desire also in mind." This
expression was stronger than his remark last November. At that time,
he had said: "Expectations are growing in the prefecture for the
Futenma base to be relocated out of the prefecture."

The governor has changed his stance in response to the Liberal
Democratic Party Okinawa Prefectural Federation's policy switch from
approving the plan to relocate the base within the prefecture to
calling for moving the facility outside the prefecture. In addition,
his supporters' group has also begun to urge the governor to call on
the central government to move the Futenma base out of the
prefecture. A senior prefectural federation member emphasized:
"There is no need for the prefectural government to refer to the
existing plan to relocate the facility to the Henoko district. What
the prefectural government should do is to only call for moving the
facility out of the prefecture as the best option."

Meanwhile, the three heads of the municipal governments hosting the
U.S. Kadena Air Station met Hirano at the Chatan Town Hall on Jan.
9. They renewed their opposition to the proposed integration of

TOKYO 00000061 007 OF 010

Futenma helicopter functions with Kadena Air Base and called for
moving it out of the prefecture. Kadena Town Mayor Tokujitsu Miyagi
said: "More than 70 PERCENT of all prefectural citizens are hoping
to see the Futenma base moved out of the prefecture. We would like
you to take advantage of this opportunity as chief cabinet secretary
to start a national debate on security rather than having Okinawa
shoulder the burden of Japan's defense."

(5) Editorial on Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano's visit to Okinawa:
Futenma should be returned without being relocated within
prefecture

RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full)
January 10, 2010

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano visited Futenma Air Station,
Kadena Air Base, Camp Schwab, and other U.S. military facilities in
Okinawa on Jan. 9 to familiarize himself with the actual situation.
Anyone with common sense would find it odd that three-fourths of all
facilities for the exclusive use of U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) are
concentrated in Okinawa, which only makes up 0.6 percent of Japan's
total land area.

Governor Hirokazu Nakaima also conveyed to Mr. Hirano the Okinawan
people's hope for Futenma's relocation out of the prefecture. We
would like the government to make serious efforts to conduct a
drastic review of the Japan-U.S. agreement on USFJ realignment after
Mr. Hirano's visit to Okinawa.

Mr. Hirano chairs the government and the ruling parties' panel for
examining the base issues in Okinawa, which is looking into new
relocation sites for the Futenma base. He can certainly be
considered to be one of the politicians that hold the fate of
Okinawa.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated at a debate of the leaders
of six major political parties last August that "(the Futenma base)
should at least be relocated out of Okinawa."

Since Mr. Hirano is the Prime Minister's top aide, his job is to
come up with a conclusion that will not result in the Okinawan
people accusing the Prime Minister of being a "liar."

If the return of Futenma is achieved without the base being
relocated to elsewhere in Okinawa, the name of Yukio Hatoyama will
go down in the history of Okinawa as a statesman who worked to
achieve a solution to the base issues. On the other hand, if he
continues to impose the base-hosting burden on Okinawa, he will be
known to future generations as the "prime minister who deceived the
Okinawan people."

Mr. Hirano will reportedly inspect the islands of Shimoji and Ie
from the air on Jan. 10. If he is considering these islands as
possible relocation sites, he is looking in the wrong direction.

The Ryukyu government invited the Shimojishima airport in Miyakojima
City to be set up as a training facility for jet pilots in 1969,
before Okinawa's reversion to Japanese administration. There were
concerns about the military's use of the airport, e.g., by the
Self-Defense Forces, when the airfield was being constructed and
there were even some violent incidents in connection with it.

TOKYO 00000061 008 OF 010

For this reason, the Ryukyu government and the Japanese government
confirmed that the airfield would only be used by civilian aircraft
in an official document in August 1971. This memorandum is still
valid. The Miyakojima city assembly is making arrangements to pass a
statement opposing the relocation of the Futenma base to Shimoji
island.

Ie island was designated by the SACO (Special Action Committee on
Okinawa) agreement as a site for parachuting exercises. It has
experienced many problems related to landing errors, for instance.
The Ie village assembly is also expected to pass a resolution
opposing the relocation.

Mr. Hirano said, "We may need a decision from the governor," but the
government should really make the decision. Is it acceptable to
destroy the beautiful sea and living environment in Henoko? We hope
he will look at this issue with clear vision.

(6) Kyosera Chairman Inamori asked to become new CEO of JAL

ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
January 11, 2010

The government and the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation
of Japan have asked Kazuo Inamori, honorary chairman of Kyocera
Corp., to assume the post of chief executive officer (CEO) of the
cash-strapped Japan Airlines. According to informed sources, he has
not responded to the offer yet.

(7) JAL to be reconstructed under Corporate Rehabilitation Law:
Corporate turnaround body to expand restructuring plan

NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead para.)
January 9, 2010

Japan Airlines (JAL) is now set to reconstruct its management, using
the Corporate Rehabilitation Law. Enterprise Turnaround Initiative
Corporation of Japan (ETIC), a public organization, which is set to
extend finance assistance to the carrier, has decided to expand the
restructuring plan. The aim is to reconstruct the carrier by taking
prompt measures. ETIC has already asked for debt forgiveness from
concerned financial institutions. It will boost that amount to 350
billion yen. It will also increase the number of domestic and
overseas routes for termination and personnel cuts. Concerning the
responsibility of stockholders, there are two proposals - delisting
the carrier from the Tokyo Stock Exchange through a 100 percent
capital reduction or keeping the carrier listed by leaving set
portions of stockholders' shares intact. The government will
continue to coordinate views.

Points of JAL reconstruction plan

Q ETIC will decide to assist JAL right after the carrier files a
petition around the 19th for protection with the court under the
Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
Q Total protection of loan claims on JAL concerning general
commercial transactions, such as the costs of fuel and equipment.
Q Ask for debt waiver worth 350 billion yen from concerned financial
institutions
Q Cuts in portions of corporate bonds and pension liability
Q Clarify shareholders' responsibility through a capital decrease.
There are arguments for and against keeping the carrier listed.

TOKYO 00000061 009 OF 010

Q Further restructuring through cuts in domestic and foreign flight
routes. Aim at reconstruction within three years under ETIC.

(8) Turnaround body not to allow JAL to accept financial assistance
by U.S. carriers' capital help

NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead para.)
January 10, 2010

Japan Airlines, which is now set to reconstruct its management under
the Corporate Rehabilitation Law, and Enterprise Turnaround
Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC), which is to assist the
carrier's business management, have decided not to accept capital
help either from Delta Air Lines or from American Airlines, with
which it is currently pursuing talks on a business tie-up. A tie-up
will be limited to the business front in order for JAL to aim at
prompt reconstruction under strong control of ETIC and the
government. ETIC intends to carefully determine the possible effects
of a business tie-up. As such, the likelihood is that a decision on
JAL's business partner will not be made until February or later.

(9) Maehara announces expansion of timeframe for foreign carriers at
New Chitose Airport

ASAHI (Page 7) (Full)
January 9, 2010

Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Tourism Seiji Maehara
announced on Jan. 8 that the timeframe for flights by foreign
airlines to and from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, until now
restricted for national security reasons, will be expanded from
March 28. The expansion resulted from coordination between the
ministries of defense and of land, infrastructure and tourism for
the purpose of drawing tourists from China and elsewhere to
Hokkaido, a popular destination. Daytime flights have been
restricted to 11:20 in the morning until 1:50 in the afternoon on
Wednesday. Henceforth the timeframe will be expanded to 12:00 noon
until 4:00 in the afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

(10) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
JAL's stock to be delisted, according to Enterprise Turnaround
Initiative Corporation of Japan's plan

Mainichi:
80 percent of nurseries for sick children to go into the red

Yomiuri:
Children of married couples using dual surnames to have same
surnames under amended civil code

Nikkei:
Local autonomy law to be amended drastically

Sankei:
Refueling operation in Indian Ocean to end on Jan. 15: China
considering taking over

Tokyo Shimbun:
Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures to set rules on
transportation of patients at perinatal stage

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Akahata:
Chairman Shii in NHK party head interview calls for switch from
politics centered on business world and stance of blindly following
U.S.

(11) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Year of reading: Fully utilize neighborhood libraries
(2) Abuse of elderly people: Do not overlook people who are
exhausted from care-giving

Mainichi:
(1) School teachers suffering from psychological problems: Hurry to
reduce their burden of school affairs
(2) Concerned nations should not allow acts of obstruction to
research whaling

Yomiuri:
(1) USFJ expenses: Not sympathy budget, but necessary expenses
(2) Coming-of-Age day: Make concrete plans for future

Nikkei:
(1) Responsibility for future: Inspire young people's enthusiasm and
energy

Sankei:
(1) Local suffrage for permanent foreign residents: LDP should
clarify its opposition
(2) Coming-of-Age day: What we expect from new adults

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Thoughts on Coming-of-Age day: Be active, new adults

Akahata:
(1) To new adults who will open up doors to new age

(12) Prime Minister's schedule, January 10

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
January 11, 2010

Spent the morning at the official residential quarters.

14:22
Visited Hie Shrine in Nagata-cho with his wife.

15:12
Arrived at the official residential quarters.

18:57
Met Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kan.

ROOS

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