Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO540
2007-02-06 08:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 02/06/07

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA 
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P 060826Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0409
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
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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 2245
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RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1799
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3191
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000540 

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 02/06/07

INDEX:

(1) US Assistant Secretary of State Hill calls on DPRK to "swiftly
implement "preliminary steps," adding, "Implementation should be
carried out in a few weeks"

(2) Foreign minister's remark critical of US Iraq policy might be
aimed to constrain US request for Japan's cost-sharing in war
against terrorism

(3) Ruling coalition members unhappy with Prime Minister Abe, with
one member calling him as "impervious to public opinion" as many
unaffiliated voters supported opposition backed candidate in Aichi
gubernatorial race, moving away from LDP

(4) LDP vexed by swing voters turning away from party

(5) Controversial remarks by Defense Minister Akio Kyuma and Foreign
Minister Taro Aso

(6) Potential uses of base land after reversion in Okinawa's
central, southern parts (Part 1): Prologue; Camp Kinser's overall
return in package with Futenma relocation unexpected to Urasoe City;
Municipal officials upset at conditional return; No schedule in
sight, local government at loss

(7) US media cynically report on Yanagisawa's remark, saying
"baby-making machines are also voters"

(8) Health Minister Yanagisawa makes another provocative remark at
press briefing this morning: "Having two children or more is a
healthy hope"

ARTICLES:

(1) US Assistant Secretary of State Hill calls on DPRK to "swiftly
implement "preliminary steps," adding, "Implementation should be
carried out in a few weeks"

MAINICHI (Page
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000540

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 02/06/07

INDEX:

(1) US Assistant Secretary of State Hill calls on DPRK to "swiftly
implement "preliminary steps," adding, "Implementation should be
carried out in a few weeks"

(2) Foreign minister's remark critical of US Iraq policy might be
aimed to constrain US request for Japan's cost-sharing in war
against terrorism

(3) Ruling coalition members unhappy with Prime Minister Abe, with
one member calling him as "impervious to public opinion" as many
unaffiliated voters supported opposition backed candidate in Aichi
gubernatorial race, moving away from LDP

(4) LDP vexed by swing voters turning away from party

(5) Controversial remarks by Defense Minister Akio Kyuma and Foreign
Minister Taro Aso

(6) Potential uses of base land after reversion in Okinawa's
central, southern parts (Part 1): Prologue; Camp Kinser's overall
return in package with Futenma relocation unexpected to Urasoe City;
Municipal officials upset at conditional return; No schedule in
sight, local government at loss

(7) US media cynically report on Yanagisawa's remark, saying
"baby-making machines are also voters"

(8) Health Minister Yanagisawa makes another provocative remark at
press briefing this morning: "Having two children or more is a
healthy hope"

ARTICLES:

(1) US Assistant Secretary of State Hill calls on DPRK to "swiftly
implement "preliminary steps," adding, "Implementation should be
carried out in a few weeks"

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
Eve., February 6, 2007

Takayasu Ogura

Ahead of the next round of the six-party talks to reconvene on Feb.
8, US chief negotiator Christopher Hill, assistant secretary of
state, today gave an interview to the press corps, including the
Mainichi Shimbun, at the US Embassy in Tokyo. In the session, Hill
indicated that after discussions on "preliminary steps" for North
Korea to dismantle its nuclear arms programs, those steps should be
implemented in a few weeks. Hill continued, "It is a good sign that
North Korea has now become willing to return to the multilateral
talks. There was also a good sign in the (US-North Korea) talks in
Berlin (in January)." He thus indicated that he was optimistic about
the implementation of "preliminary steps."


When asked in what form an agreement would be announced if such were
reached in the resumed six-party talks, Hill stated; "It would be
fine to announce it in the form of a chairman's statement or a joint
statement, but I think an agreement should be announced in the form
of obligating the member nations to do the following.'"

Moreover, Hill indicated that what should be done in addition to

TOKYO 00000540 002 OF 010


"preliminary steps" must be mentioned in the (statement) and noted
that as a medium-term form of discussions, "We may establish working
groups."

Regarding the working groups, Hill revealed the notion of having
every member in the six-party talks serve as chair of a working
group and stated, "The chairman's post managing all the discussions
will be held by China," indicating that it was desirable to advance
discussions in line with the current form.

When asked whether North Korea is reportedly calling for a supply of
500,000 tons or more of heavy oil in return for it to dismantle its
nuclear development-related facilities, Hill expressed displeasure
at such a rumor flying around, saying: "Even in the talks in Berlin,
such a matter did not crop up. I don't know who said such a thing,
but I won't comment on it."

(2) Foreign minister's remark critical of US Iraq policy might be
aimed to constrain US request for Japan's cost-sharing in war
against terrorism

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
February 6, 2007

Foreign Minister Taro Aso called the Bush administration's Iraq
policy "extremely naive." In the government, many officials wonder
why the foreign minister made such a remark criticizing the US
government just ahead of the planned visit to Japan by Vice
President Cheney on Feb. 20, and just after Defense Minister Fumio
Kyuma uttered his criticism of the US. The US is now being pressed
to significantly increase its antiterrorism budget. It is
conceivable that the US will ask Japan to partially foot the global
war-on-terror bill. Keeping such a possibility in mind, a government
source said, "Aso might have tried in his own way to head that
off."

"His real aim may have been to underscore that Japan can contribute
to peace building." "He did not say that the use of force was a
mistake." In a press conference yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary
Yasuhisa Shiozaki thus defended Aso's remark in an attempt to
dismiss the concern about a negative impact of the remark on
Japan-US relations, prior to the planned Japan visit by the US vice
president. Shiozaki, though, added, "I think his words were somewhat
inappropriate."

Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi said, "His remark
was not intended to deny the US military's strenuous efforts to
stabilize the security situation in Iraq." He added, "Since the US
might feel apprehensive (about Aso's remark),we have given our
explanation in a businesslike manner."

The Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) and the Foreign Ministry have
both defended Aso's controversial remark. Behind their stance is
President Bush's own recognition in a speech in January that his
efforts to maintain security in Iraq had failed and his appeal for
understanding for his policy switch.

Aso has insisted since the time he was internal affairs and
communications minister in the former Koizumi administration, "The
Iraqis should take charge of maintaining security in their country."
On postwar security policy in Iraq, as well, Aso is quoted as
telling his aides, "Compared with General MacArthur, who ran the
occupation of Japan, while keeping the Emperor and the bureaucracy

TOKYO 00000540 003 OF 010


in place, the Bush administration's policy seems naive."

However, a close aide to the foreign minister said, "The recent
remark by Aso was not intended to criticize the US but was based on
what President Bush said in his speech."

The Bush administration requested in his budget message for FY2008
(October 2007 - September 2008) that outlays for fighting terrorism
should be significantly increased. Focusing on this, some officials
in the Foreign Ministry believe that the foreign minister might have
tried to prevent the US from coming up with another request for
Japan to share the cost." Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also told
reporters at the Kantei last night: "Aso's remark means that Japan
must fulfill its responsibility in the international community,"
denying the remark was intended to criticize the US.

Prime Minister Abe told cabinet ministers on Feb. 1: "Take a grip on
yourselves so as to avoid giving the impression of disunity in the
cabinet." In the Foreign Ministry, too, some are overheard
expressing concerns about an impact on Japan-US relations of the
series of controversial statements by cabinet ministers.

Preoccupied with explaining Kyuma's calling the Iraq war "a
mistake," the Defense Ministry has also been in a great quandary,
with a senior official saying, "What is going on when even the
foreign minister makes a remark that rubs the US the wrong way.
Japan will be in a fix if the situation in the Middle East turns
into chaos."

(3) Ruling coalition members unhappy with Prime Minister Abe, with
one member calling him as "impervious to public opinion" as many
unaffiliated voters supported opposition backed candidate in Aichi
gubernatorial race, moving away from LDP

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
February 6, 2007

In the Aichi gubernatorial election on Feb. 4, the candidate backed
by the ruling parties faced an unexpected uphill battle, although he
won the race. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a result is being forced
to come up with a strategy of winning voters unaffiliated with any
party in the July House of Councillors election. Health, Labor and
Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa's remark referring to women as
baby-bearing machines is regarded as the main reason for making
unaffiliated voters distance themselves from the ruling Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP). Some in the ruling coalition have expressed
unhappiness with the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei),
which has supported Yanagisawa, calling the Kantei officials,
"impervious to public opinion." They have also pointed out gaps
between the public opinion and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has
advocated constitutional reform as the main campaign issue for the
Upper House election.

Yoichi Masuzoe, LDP Upper House Caucus policy chief, who will seek a
reelection in the summer election, said: "The Kantei is impervious
to the public opinion and the prime minister acts like the
proverbial Emperor's New Clothes." In an interview to the Mainichi
Shimbun yesterday, he severely criticized Abe, saying, "There are
gaps between public opinion" and Abe, who puts up the political
slogan of "creating a beautiful country." The ruling camp probably
sees the outcome of the Aichi gubernatorial race as a typical
example of the Kantei being impervious to the public opinion.
Worrying about the negative impact of Yanagisawa's controversial

TOKYO 00000540 004 OF 010


remark, calls in the LDP for his resignation were floated at an
early stage,. However, Abe has never stopped supporting him. In the
Kantei, such optimistic views are now spreading: "It did not have a
negative impact on the local elections," said a senior official; and
an Abe aide chimed in: "We won the race even though it was a bitter
fight. We will take the offensive.

The ruling camp has not taken the Kantei's views seriously. A senior
LDP Upper House member spoke distinctly: "Since Yanagisawa's remark
had a significant impact, we will be forced to engage in a tough
struggle in the Upper House election." Concern is now being
widespread in the LDP that the party will find it difficult to win
the election as local assembly members are upset about the
Yanagisawa comment. The ruling camp's distrust in Abe has spilled
over into his strategy for the July Upper House election. Abe has
consistently attached top priority to constitutional amendments and
the revitalizing of the education system connected to the shape of a
state, but the Abe cabinet approval rate has continued to drop. A
senior Koga faction member pointed out: "The public needs policies
that deal with their daily lives. We cannot win the election on
foreign policy and views of the state." Regarding the issue of
narrowing the income gap in society, which Minshuto (Democratic
Party of Japan) has advocated, Abe has insisted on a strategy of
increasing the level of wages through economic growth. A government
source lamented: "Because the prime minister uses difficult words,
some say that his cabinet makes no sense tp the common people."

Abe strongly reacted against Masuzoe's calling him impervious to
public opinion, telling reporters last night: "I don't think so." A
source familiar with the New Komeito, however, called on Abe to
review his strategy, saying, "He should consider well the reasons
why unaffiliated voters, whom former Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi had drawn to the LDP, now shy away from the party."

(4) LDP vexed by swing voters turning away from party

ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged)
February 6, 2007

The candidate backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the New
Komeito narrowly won the Aichi gubernatorial election on Feb. 4. But
in the Kitakyushu mayoral race, the candidate supported by the major
opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) defeated the
candidate backed by the two ruling parties, exposing unaffiliated
voters' strong discontent with the ruling coalition. In the election
two weeks earlier, residents of Miyazaki Prefecture elected as their
governor former TV comedian Sonomanma Higashi, whose real name is
Hideo Higashikokubaru. Although the ruling coalition has identified
Higashikokubaru's victory as a special case resulting from a schism
in conservative forces, the two ruling parties are fearful that they
will be forced to fight uphill battles in the upcoming national
elections. Minshuto, on the other hand, has gained confidence from
the Kitakyushu race, although it had failed to attract swing voters
in Miyazaki.

Nakagawa calls for Abe's strong leadership

In an executive meeting last evening, LDP Secretary General Hidenao
Nakagawa explained the Feb. 4 elections this way: "In Aichi, the
opposition candidate garnered more young voters than the ruling
candidate did. In Kitakyushu, about 30% of LDP supporters voted for
the opposition candidate."


TOKYO 00000540 005 OF 010


He also indicated that the LDP would closely analyze every district
to step up responses under the initiative of district leaders. His
words reflected the party's determination not to repeat the same
mistakes in the upcoming Upper House election in which the LDP-New
Komeito coalition is expected to clash with Minshuto head on.

In the wake of Higashikokubaru's victory in the Miyazaki
gubernatorial race in January, the LDP leadership concluded the need
to carefully determine its candidates, ascribing the party's defeat
to its failure to field a unified candidate.

In the Kitakyushu election, a Minshuto-backed candidate without any
celebrity status achieved victory owing to support by a large number
of unaffiliated voters. Such can no longer be identified as a
special case by the LDP.

Asahi Shimbun exit polls showed that floating voters, especially
young voters, threw their weight behind the Minshuto candidates.

In Aichi, the Minshuto-backed candidate garnered 55% of the
unaffiliated votes against the LDP-New Komeito candidate's 38%. In
Kitakyushu, 57% of the swing votes -- more than double the coalition
candidate's 26% -- went to the Minshuto-endorsed candidate who won
the race. Furthermore, those who voted for the Minshuto candidate
were mostly in their twenties to forties.

What can the ruling coalition do to stop such a trend? "There are no
effective means for unaffiliated voters. First of all, the support
rate must be raised," commended a senior LDP lawmaker responsible
for election campaigning.

Secretary General Nakagawa briefed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the

SIPDIS
results of the Aichi and Kitakyushu elections at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) yesterday afternoon. Nakagawa
also said to Abe: "You should display leadership, without reserve.
We will firmly support you."

Nakagawa's unusual advice came against the backdrop of a Kyodo News
Service weekend opinion survey in which 30.4% of respondents -- up
from 21.9% from the previous month -- pointed out the prime
minister's lack of leadership. Subsequently, Nakagawa expressed a
sense of alarm to reporters, saying, "This figure must be taken
seriously."

The LDP and New Komeito leaderships' plan was to garner additional
votes on the strength of Abe's popularity in the Upper House
election, while solidifying their organizations. But with many
unaffiliated voters turning away from the ruling coalition amid the
declining cabinet support rate, the LDP and the New Komeito may have
to change their strategy altogether.

Another LDP election campaign official took this view: "No matter
how hard we work to cultivate new organizations, we won't be able to
stop the trend of unaffiliated voters. We are well aware of public
opinion that thinks the prime minister lacks leadership."

Minshuto gains confidence from absorbing swing votes

Minshuto thinks it has succeeded in absorbing swing votes in the
Feb. 4 elections by making Health, Labor, and Welfare Minister Hakuo
Yanagisawa's gaffe a campaign issue.

Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said yesterday: "I hear that one

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TOKYO 00000540 006 OF 010


out of every three persons gave serious thought to Yanagisawa's
comment in casting their votes. Each ballot carried significant
weight."

The largest opposition party, which had failed to make its presence
felt in the Wakayama, Yamanashi, Ehime, and Miyazaki gubernatorial
elections, fielded its own candidates for the Feb. 4 races in order
to force the ruling coalition to fight uphill battles. Confidence is
spreading among Minshuto lawmakers that offering more options to
voters for a tenser atmosphere would help the party win the hearts
of those critical of the ruling coalition.

The Minshuto leadership is aware, however, that swing voters'
support for their party is so transient that it might not last until
the Upper House election.

Minshuto President Ichiro Ozawa, speaking to the press in Matsuyama
City yesterday, said: "(The health, labor, and welfare minister's
remarks) had an impact on the latest elections, but I don't think it
was a major factor." The Feb. 4 elections exposed challenges for
Minshuto, as well. For one thing, the party's strategy of making the
Yanagisawa gaffe a campaign issue was insufficient to win female
votes.

The Asahi Shimbun exit polls showed that the Minshuto-backed
candidate in the Kitakyushu race won more female votes than the
LDP-New Komeito candidate did. But in the Aichi race, the ruling
coalition-baked candidate won 52% of the female votes, against the
opposition candidate's 42%. Minshuto remains unpopular among female
voters. "Attracting female voters has been a challenge over the last
ten years. (Expanding the support base) will not be easy," a senior
Minshuto lawmaker said.

(5) Controversial remarks by Defense Minister Akio Kyuma and Foreign
Minister Taro Aso

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
February 6, 2007

Satoshi Morimoto, director of Takushoku University Overseas Affairs
Research Center: Inappropriate in political terms

Defense Minister Akio Kyuma and Foreign Minister Taro Aso have made
remarks questioning the validity of the Iraq war. It is politically
inappropriate for the foreign minister and the defense minister, who
in their respective positions represent the people of Japan, one of
the closest allies of the US, to say that the Iraq war was a mistake
or that the US policy toward Iraq is extremely naive.

In my view, the US decision to open war with Iraq was appropriate in
light of international law. I think that it was also correct that
the Japanese government supported the US decision. Because of the US
action, the Hussein regime collapsed and terrorism was contained.

Some in the international community presumably took the position of
opposing the Iraq war. The US admittedly did not give full account
on its launching of operations only for the reason of Iraq
possessing weapons of mass destruction. However, President Bush
himself admitted that the assumption was not correct. The US has
recently revised its Iraq policy. History will tell whether it was a
right move or not. This is something that should be evaluated or
analyzed after the US ends its occupation policy. Whether the US
action was correct or not is a matter to be overviewed and

TOKYO 00000540 007 OF 010


determined by the US people.

Aso and Kyuma have probably voiced their views as individuals. Now
that the situation in Northeast Asia is unstable, Japan must rely on
the US, its ally. With that in mind, the Japanese government has
dispatched Self-Defense forces to Iraq. At such a time, the cabinet
ministers in charge of the Japan-US alliance should not have said
that the US policy toward Iraq was wrong.

Koji Murata, professor at Doshisha University: No friction will
occur

Remarks made by Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Defense Minister Akio
Kyuma over the US Iraq policy will have no major impact on the
Japan-US alliance. Opposition parties and media institutions are
making an issue over their remarks. It means that they have no other
materials to use in attacking the Abe administration.

I am not sure whether the word "naive" used by Aso was proper or
not. When he said "naive," he did not refer to the cause for the
war. He meant that the US occupation policy in Iraq has not been
adequate. President Bush himself has admitted that. In that sense,
there is no fundamental difference in the views of Japanese and US
governments.

If you listen to Mr. Aso's entire remark, you will know that he
noted the importance of the Japan-US alliance. It is questionable to
pick up one particular part of his speech and make an issue over it.
Given the purport of the remark, no friction will occur between the
two countries.

Right from the opening of the war, Mr. Kyuma's position has been
that it will be fine for the Japanese government to understand the
war, instead of supporting it. I believe he referred to this
original view of his in his recent remark. The problem is, however,
he repeatedly has made such a remark, planting the seeds of
distrust, though he might have made the series of remarks as a kind
of strategic bargaining toward the US. He has provided opposition
parties with material to attack, saying that there is discord in the
cabinet. This has worsened the position of the government.

The US is not reacting that strongly. However, if the Japanese media
and opposition parties make a fuss over the issue, the American
public might respond to it. Even if such a thing occurs, it will
probably not affect the bilateral alliance.

(6) Potential uses of base land after reversion in Okinawa's
central, southern parts (Part 1): Prologue; Camp Kinser's overall
return in package with Futenma relocation unexpected to Urasoe City;
Municipal officials upset at conditional return; No schedule in
sight, local government at loss

RYUKYU SHIMPO (Top play) (Full)
January 31, 2006

Tokyo and Washington have now finalized a report of their talks over
the planned realignment of US forces in Japan, incorporating an
agreement to return the sites of US military bases and facilities in
Okinawa's main island on a large scale. Judging from their location
and size, the sites of these bases and facilities have considerable
potential. However, there is still no detailed information about
when the sites will be returned to local hands. As it stands, many
landowners and base-hosting localities are at a loss. This series

TOKYO 00000540 008 OF 010


verifies how the sites of bases returned in the past have been used
and looks into local efforts and challenges for the large-scale
reversion of bases in the central and southern parts of Okinawa's
main island.

Route 58, a national road running through the island, is where
traffic is always snarled up with bumper-to-bumper gridlock. In
contrast to its chronically heavy traffic, there is an area of
warehouses standing in silence with an overall length of about three
kilometers along its western side. The area is the Makiminato
Service Area, a facility of the US Marine Corps, and it is called
Camp Kinser.

During the Vietnam War, the warehouses on Camp Kinser stored
war-reserve supplies. In addition, Camp Kinser was where bodies were
kept and bloody vehicles were washed. In those days, Camp Kinser was
in full operation as a base in the rear to support US military
operations on the front. Nowadays, the base has fallen silent, quite
different from what it used to be in those days.

Now, Camp Kinser is a quiet base. In the past, however, there were
accidents and incidents involving US servicemen based there. In
addition, a fire broke out there in 1997 and panicked nearby local
residents. In 2000, uranium-tipped shell casings, mixed in iron
scraps sold to locals, were discovered on the private premises in
the town of Nishihara. As seen from such events, the base harmed
local communities in its vicinity.

Japan and the United States formally agreed on the overall return of
Camp Kinser in a report finalized in May 2006 on the realignment of
US forces in Japan.

The words "overall return" were long awaited by Urasoe City, which
hosts Camp Kinser. These two words were incorporated in the final
report. "I couldn't believe it," said Hidemori Mekaru, director of
the Planning Division of the Planning Department of the Urasoe city
government. "I was really surprised," Mekaru recalled. At that time,
Mekaru was sure of the city's development.

In 1996, Japan and the United States finalized a report of
intergovernmental agreements reached in the Japan-US Special Action
Committee on Facilities and Areas in Okinawa (SACO). The final
report of SACO specified a plan to relocate the Naha Port
Facility-also known as the Naha military port-to a site on the
western coast of Urasoe City. Mekaru was then in the Planning
Division of the city's municipal government, and he gave
explanations to local residents about the military port's planned
relocation as a base reversion project. In those days, however, the
military port could not be expected to return into local hands,
according to Mekaru. "There was no atmosphere or reality for
creating the plan," Mekaru said. After the SACO final report,
however, Urasoe shifted its stance from "preparing for the military
port's return" to "shaping the city's ideal future." Mekaru happened
to experience two turning points with the final reports of SACO
agreements and USFJ realignment agreements. "It's a strange turn of
Fortune's wheel," Mekaru said. With this, he is envisioning how to
use the port facility's site after its return.

On Dec. 22, 2005, Urasoe City's Mayor Mitsuo Gima called at the
Defense Agency, where he met with the agency's administrative deputy
director general, Takemasa Moriya. "The government has expropriated
the military port over the past 60 years," Gima said. The mayor went
on, "It's outrageous that the government attached conditions to the

TOKYO 00000540 009 OF 010


military port's return after making the decision on its return." So
saying, the mayor came out with his anger. Japan and the United
States have agreed on the relocation of Futenma airfield, whereas
the sites of US military bases and facilities in the central and
southern parts of Okinawa will not be returned as long as there is
no progress in the planned relocation of Futenma airfield to Henoko
in the city of Nago. The military port is among those US military
bases and facilities in Okinawa's central and southern localities,
so the military port is also in a package with Futenma relocation.
The mayor was upset at this precondition.

In 1980, the city's officials created a blueprint for the city's
reuse of the military port's site after its return. In the past,
they have retouched the blueprint. The military port's return in a
package with Futenma relocation was unexpected to the city. "How can
we accept such a precondition?" With this, all in the Planning
Division were dissatisfied. This fact depicts a base-hosting
locality at the mercy of Japan-US realignment talks.

(7) US media cynically report on Yanagisawa's remark, saying
"baby-making machines are also voters"

MAINICHI (Page 6) (Full)
Evening, February 6, 2007

Hiroaki Wada, Washington

Focusing on Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa's
controversial remark calling women baby-making machines, the major
US media, including CNN TV, the Los Angeles Times, and Time Magazine
(electronic edition),reported on Feb. 5 that "a number of difficult
problems lie ahead of the ruling parties in Japan," with analysis
attached of the present state of the Abe administration, which is
suffering from plummeting public support rates.

In its popular morning program, CNN cited the Yanagisawa remark as
"one of the articles that received the largest number of hits on our
website this morning." The newscaster then made this cynical
comment: "Since those 'baby-making machines' are also voters, (the
minister) had no choice but to apologize."

The Los Angeles Times carried an article dispatched from its Tokyo
correspondent on the political situation in Japan. The article
analyzed that the Abe government has been in disarray, affected by a
series of political gaffes, such as Foreign Minister Aso's criticism
of the US Iraq occupation policy as "naive" and Defense Minister
Fumio Kyuma's comment calling the US decision to launch the Iraq war
"a mistake," not to mention the Yanagisawa remark.Time noted: "In
Japan, male chauvinism is publicly accepted. But even in such a
country, the (Yanagisawa) remark upset women."

(8) Health Minister Yanagisawa makes another provocative remark at
press briefing this morning: "Having two children or more is a
healthy hope"

MAINICHI online news
February 6, 2007

Tatsuya Tamaki

Emerging from a cabinet meeting this morning, Health Minister Hakuo
Yanagisawa again offered an apology for his recent provocative
remark calling "women child-bearing machines," saying, "I'd like to

TOKYO 00000540 010 OF 010


offer my apology for my inappropriate remark." Reiterating his
intention not to step down from the post, Yanagisawa stressed
firmly, "I'll do what I can do to carry out my duties." When asked
about measures to halt the falling birthrate, Yanagisawa stated: "We
must consider a policy approach that will meet the very healthy hope
(of young people) who want to have two or more children after they
get married."

Health Minister Yanagisawa's remark "A couple with two children is
healthy" raises doubts

ASAHI online news
February 6, 2007, 13:07p.m.

Health Minister Yanagisawa's latest remark seems likely to create
another stir. The new remark cropped up just before the opposition
parties made a move to bring Diet management back to normal. Before
the controversy over his old remark has yet to quiet down,
Yanagisawa made another controversial comment at a press conference
this morning, saying that young people were in a "healthy condition"
because "they want to get married and to have two or more
children."

SCHIEFFER

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