Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2341
2006-04-28 08:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/28/06

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA 
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DE RUEHKO #2341/01 1180800
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280800Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1528
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/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8597
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5969
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9163
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5949
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7140
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2023
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8197
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0047
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 002341

SIPDIS

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 04/28/06

INDEX:

(1) Expansion of joint use of US military facilities may obscure
overburden on Okinawa

(2) Editorial: Japan to pay 3 trillion yen in USFJ realignment;
Don't let figures take on a life on their own

(3) Deployment of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier: US discloses
information to convince Yokosuka residents; Gives red-carpet
treatment to highlight safety; Construction of facilities near at
hand

(4) USFJ realignment (Part 2): Post-Koizumi leader to carry out
agreement, shoulder heavy expectations from US

ARTICLES:

(1) Expansion of joint use of US military facilities may obscure
overburden on Okinawa

Okinawa Times (Page 2) (Full)
April 28, 2006

Commentary

Okinawa houses 75% of all the US military bases in Japan. By
promoting the joint use of US military facilities and areas in
Okinawa by US and Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops, it will become
possible for the government to change this percentage, which
represents an overload on the prefecture. Meanwhile, the US
military will be able to reduce its base-maintenance costs by
letting the SDF use its facilities. The proposal for expanded
joint use will thus benefit both sides. The government says that
the promotion of joint use will lead to reducing the base burden
on Okinawa. This explanation, though, is just a manipulation of
numbers. There may be even a possibility of Okinawa's burden
increasing in substance.

DFAA Naha Regional Defense Facilities Administration Bureau
Director General Tsutomu Sato in a regular press conference
yesterday revealed the plan for the first time of "studying the
possibility of additional chances for the SDF to use US military

facilities and areas in Okinawa."

Sato emphatically said, in an attempt to deny that this was an
abrupt change: "The interim report (on US forces realignment in
Japan) referred to an increase in interoperations by Japanese and
American troops and effective use of US military bases. In the
process of discussing such measures, the idea emerged."

On the propriety of joint use, though, views in Okinawa are
divided. Some might oppose setting an expansion of joint use of
US military bases as the government's established policy in the
final report, which is due out soon.

The Mid-Term Defense Buildup Plan covering fiscal 2005 through
fiscal 2009 incorporates a plan to upgrade the Ground Self-
Defense Force 1st Mixed Regiment in Naha to a brigade.

Regarding the proposed joint use of US military bases, one senior
Defense Agency (JDA) official said: "Raising the mixed regiment
to a brigade is now under consideration, but the government is

TOKYO 00002341 002 OF 006


probably considering the possibility that Camp Hansen might not
have enough capacity to accommodate it."

The Mid-Term Plan in 2004 added the clause "responses to invasion
of islands" and shifted attention to the west, keeping an
emerging China in mind. Given the situation, in order to scale
down the presence of US forces in Okinawa without reducing their
deterrence capability, some people in Okinawa suggest that there
will be no other means but for the SDF to manage US military
bases and allow US troops to be stationed there only in times of
emergency.

But the government is keeping in mind the application of Article
II, clause 4, paragraph A, of the Japan-US Status of Forces
Agreement, with the US military as the "master," in its call for
the joint use of Kadena Air Base and Camp Hansen.

Okinawa residents' uncompromising position is that US military
troops must be reduced as the premise for implementing the joint-
use plan.

(2) Editorial: Japan to pay 3 trillion yen in USFJ realignment;
Don't let figures take on a life on their own

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
April 28, 2006

US Deputy Defense Under Secretary Richard Lawless stated in a
press conference that Japan would pay an estimated 26 billion
dollars (2.99 trillion yen) to implement the overall US military
realignment. His statement is now causing a major stir in Japan.

Lawless made the statement soon after Tokyo and Washington had
struck a deal on sharing the cost of relocating US Marines from
Okinawa to Guam, with Tokyo paying 59%, or 6.09 billion dollars
(approximately 710 billion yen). Many Japanese people, therefore,
might have doubts as to why Japan would have to pay such a huge
amount.

The United States is urging Japan to pay 3 trillion yen for the
USFJ realignment. Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa
Moriya stated in a speech: "We have estimated that the
realignment project will cost 2 trillion yen, excluding the cost
of relocating US Marines, over eight years." The Defense Agency
estimates a total of 2.71 trillion yen. Lawless presented an
estimate that exceeds 2.71 trillion yen. Although his statement
appears to be aimed at a domestic audience, the Japanese side
cannot be satisfied with it, thinking that Washington is forcing
Japan to pay additional money.

The United States released the cost without clarifying the
grounds for its calculation, as it did when it proposed the share
for the cost of relocating Marines from Okinawa to Guam.

Since USFJ realignment is part of the global transformation of
the US military, it must be part of the global strategy of the
United States. At the same time, the USFJ is partly responsible
for Japan's security based on the Japan-US Security Treaty. It is
true that Japan worked on the US to reduce its burden of US
military bases.

If that was the case, the sharing of costs should be determined
taking the circumstances of the two countries into account.

TOKYO 00002341 003 OF 006


Officials in charge of accounting attended the final stage of
senior working-level talks on the USFJ realignment. The contents
of the agreement on cost-sharing should be made public based on
the approval of both sides. The contents should be acceptable for
the people.

Asked about his impression of Lawless's statement, Chief Cabinet
Secretary Shinzo Abe said at first: "My impression is that it is

SIPDIS
an incredible sum of money. I will refrain from making a
comment." He later in a press conference said that the government
would seek further explanation from the US government. Whether a
sufficient study was carried out in the government is
questionable. Reportedly internal discord is evident in the
government as to whether Japan's share of the USFJ realignment
cost should be included in the Defense Agency budget or should be
handled separately.

The government seems to have made such a move based on the
agreement on Japan's share of the cost of relocating US Marines
to Guam. However, it should first look into the details of the
estimated costs and then assess from all angles whether the
amount is appropriate.

Japan should take responsibility for calculating the cost of
relocating US bases in Japan. The United States should not
announce its own calculation without asking Japan. The two
countries should not let the figures take on a life of their own
in order to prevent bilateral ties from being strained.

With the realignment of US forces in Japan, the Japan-US alliance
will face a new stage. With the introduction of a missile defense
system, the division of roles between Japan's Self-Defense Forces
(SDF) and USFJ and their cooperation will greatly change.
There remain only the finishing touches on negotiations on USFJ
realignment. The government should give the public a clear
explanation about the share of Japan's cost.

(3) Deployment of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier: US discloses
information to convince Yokosuka residents; Gives red-carpet
treatment to highlight safety; Construction of facilities near at
hand

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Abridged)
April 28, 2006

The United States is planning to deploy a nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier to Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The US Navy has disclosed partial data on the nuclear reactors
onboard US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to local
residents who fear a nuclear accident. Although the contents of
the fact sheet fell far short of fully verifying the safety of
nuclear warships, the US Navy has changed its posture of refusing
to disclose information under the pretext of maintaining
confidentiality. The disclosure of the fact sheet offered a

SIPDIS
glimpse into the US Navy's need to convince Yokosuka residents
regarding the planned construction of facilities.

Yokosuka Mayor Ryoichi Kabaya received the fact sheet on the
safety of nuclear-powered warships on April 17. That day, a
Yokosuka delegation composed of 20 municipal assembly members and
business leaders received a briefing on the safety of nuclear
reactors aboard the USS John Stennis in San Diego.


TOKYO 00002341 004 OF 006


"The Navy's nuclear rectors are pressurized water reactors that
use solid metal fuel. Output (approximately 200,000 kilowatts) is
one-fifth of a large power-producing nuclear reactor. Navy
nuclear warships are loaded with two such reactors."

Referring briefly to the structure of nuclear reactors, a US Navy
spokesman revealed that their fuel enrichment is 93%, which is
far higher than that of power-generating reactors (3%-5%),adding
that they are controlled by 400 highly trained personnel.

Despite its strong desire, the mission was not allowed to take a
firsthand look at the nuclear reactors. US Naval Forces Japan
Public Affairs Officer Commander John Wallach, who accompanied
the mission to San Diego, said:

"We cannot reveal design data and technology of nuclear reactors,
because if they were copied, we would lose our strategic
advantage. Even I cannot see the reactors."

Deploying a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Yokosuka is vital
for the US military's Asia strategy. Still, the disclosure of
technological information, albeit partially, proved the
importance of local support. Japanese Embassy Defense Attach
Rear Admiral Masanori Yoshida, who came all the way from
Washington, commented: "The US military has never offered an
explanation this thorough. This is exceptionally good treatment."

The US Navy's earnest efforts to convince Yokosuka residents is
ascribable to the growing need to build facilities for
accommodating a new aircraft carrier.

The largest challenge is construction to make the dock's seafloor
nearly two meters deeper in order to berth a new aircraft
carrier. Shallow waters threaten the safety of a nuclear aircraft
carrier, which needs to take in seawater in order to cool off its
nuclear reactors.

The government intends to include funds for the work in its
fiscal 2007 budgetary request in August. A preliminary survey for
that is near at hand. In order to begin construction, it is
essential to win the concurrence of Mayor Kabaya, the
administrator of the Yokosuka bay and port.

Proving the safety of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is the
key to winning his concurrence. Positively evaluating the
disclosed information by the US Navy, a Foreign Ministry official
said, "There is no need to review the government's judgment
trusting the safety of nuclear-powered vessels." In contrast, a
nuclear engineer noted, "Some innovative ideas were clearly
necessary in order to make small reactors that can fit in
vessels. But it is not possible to verity safety with this
information."

The conclusion of a disaster prevention pact between the
municipal government and the US Navy against possible nuclear
disasters would help put residents at ease. But even San Diego
has no agreement focusing on nuclear power vessels.

Upon returning home, the mission presented Mayor Kabaya with a
report supportive of the deployment of a nuclear-powered aircraft
carrier. Some groups in the municipal assembly decided April 26
to accept the deployment of a nuclear vessel, saying that safety
has been confirmed. At the same time, there is a growing backlash

TOKYO 00002341 005 OF 006


from citizen groups, who claim that the US Navy has disclosed
only advantageous information and has not disclosed any dangers.

What kind of decision will Kabaya make on construction that is
directly linked to the deployment of a nuclear vessel? The issue
will soon reach a critical stage.

(4) USFJ realignment (Part 2): Post-Koizumi leader to carry out
agreement, shoulder heavy expectations from US

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
April 27, 2006

Hiroshi Marutani, Washington

In early June, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit the
United States. His upcoming US trip will likely be unprecedented.
President Bush will take Koizumi over to show him Elvis Presley's
Graceland mansion in Tennessee. Koizumi is a big fan of Elvis.
Bush will also host a banquet for Koizumi at the White House.
Chinese President Hu Jintao was eager for a White House banquet
when he recently visited the United States, but his ardent desire
did not come true.

Tokyo did not ask Washington to do so. These are all Bush's own
ideas, one said. Bush is even more favorable in his talk of
Koizumi.

On April 24, Bush delivered a speech in California on the United
States' immigration policy. In that speech, Bush stressed his
"special relationship" with Koizumi. "He's an interesting man,"
Bush said. He went on: "We will talk about Iraqi democracy. Japan
has sent troops to Iraq."

Koizumi is now one of Bush's favorite buddies. For one thing,
Koizumi-as is evident from his California remarks-has sent Self-
Defense Forces troops to Iraq in a state of war. Koizumi made up
his mind to do so in defiance of opposition in Japan. That's why
Bush, unlike his predecessors, refers so often to "Japan" and
"Prime Minister Koizumi."

More than two years later, however, Tokyo is exploring when to
withdraw the SDF troops from Iraq. Meanwhile, Japan and the
United States have reached an agreement on the realignment of US
forces in Japan. The agreement is a categorical imperative for
Koizumi's successor as well to declare a stronger alliance.

"I have full confidence in the agreement with the Japanese
government," US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Lawless told a
press conference on April 25 when he was asked about the future
course of coordination between the Japanese government and base-
hosting localities. This is a message compelling Japan to keep
its word without fail in order to complete the US military's
realignment in Japan by 2012.

The Japanese government is not only tasked with local
coordination. In May, the two countries' foreign and defense
ministers will work out a final report, which is to feature
bilateral fusion in the area of military affairs with integrated
command functionalities and other steps to go through.

"We were ordered to think big in the process of transformation."
With this, a Pentagon official stressed the objective of the US

TOKYO 00002341 006 OF 006


military's global transformation. The US Marine Corps will move
troops from Okinawa to Guam. Their presence, however, will remain
a deterrent in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan will serve as a
linchpin in the event of an emergency or a terrorist attack.

Lawless also said: "Realignment is not the first thing to do. We
will transform the alliance first, and realignment comes next."
He added, "Physical realignment is just a small part of it." He
also stressed, "Joint training exercises and joint operations
will strengthen our alliance." Even so, the United States is
seeking to ensure its military's command integration with Japan
in the realignment process. In this area, Japan's contribution,
unlike its cost sharing, is hardly visible.

In the process of negotiating with the United States over its
military's realignment, Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro
Nukaga met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, Foreign
Minister Taro Aso, and Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki to
coordinate what to negotiate with the United States. They are all
seen as post-Koizumi candidates. Another prospective one, Yasuo
Fukuda, will also visit the United States after the holidays in
early May. There's no doubt that the post-Koizumi leader-whoever
may become prime minister after Koizumi-will be committed to the
realignment plan.

"The prime minister and I will discuss a broad range of issues.
The first thing we're going to talk about is how to ensure the
deployment of US troops to the satisfaction of Japan." With this,
Bush said he would take up the realignment of US forces in Japan
at his final meeting with Koizumi. This shows how much the US
government weighs the force realignment.

Washington is fully expecting Tokyo to carry out the agreement.
It is the post-Koizumi generation's job to translate it into
action.

DONOVAN