JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/12/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/12/08 Index: Opinion polls: 1) Aso likely to win in the first ballot with survey showing 60 PERCENT of LDP lawmakers ready to cast their ballots for him in the LDP presidential election (Sankei) 2) Asahi spot poll shows 42 PERCENT of the public back Aso in the upcoming Lower House election, with 53 PERCENT giving his "effectiveness" as reason for support (Asahi) 3) Yomiuri poll gives Aso the election nod with 59 PERCENT of public favoring him over DPJ rival Ozawa, who netted 28 PERCENT (Yomiuri) 4) Internet poll shows Japanese favor Obama for U.S. president (Sankei) Election campaigning: 5) Taro Aso in campaign speeches promised to spend fiscal money to boost the economy, while rival Kaoru Yosano promises to raise the consumption tax (Nikkei) 6) Poll: Aso grabs lead among LDP presidential candidates as person to lead LDP into Lower House election (Yomiuri) 7) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to sponsor 200 official candidates in expected Lower House election (Sankei) 8) DPJ President Ozawa begins nationwide stumping tour in preparation for next Lower House election (Asahi) War on terror: 9) Government to put in every effort to pass bill extending MSDF refueling mission in the Indian Ocean (Yomiuri) 10) U.S. understands Japan's reason for withdrawing MSDF from transport service in Iraq (Yomiuri) 11) With U.S. troop shift from Iraq to Afghanistan, Japan may be asked by U.S. to help foot the bill for the expanded operations (Asahi) 12) With ASDF withdrawing from Iraq, and MSDF oil refueling service in Indian Ocean in doubt, Japan has reached crossroads in efforts to back war on terror (Tokyo Shimbun) 13) Iraq withdrawal decision received with surprise and relief (Asahi) 14) Controversial Aircraft washer likely to be moved at Kadena base this month (Okinawa Times) Articles: 1) Poll: Aso secures 60 PERCENT of LDP lawmaker votes SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) September 12, 2008 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has kicked off a race to elect its new president as the successor to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. In the run-up to the party election set for Sept. 22, LDP Secretary General Taro Aso, 67, a candidate running from his faction in the LDP and up for his fourth challenge, is now certain to garner 230 votes among the LDP's 387 lawmakers, having already secured 60 PERCENT , the Sankei Shimbun found yesterday from its survey. The LDP also allocates a balloting slot of three votes to each of its prefectural federations, adding up to 141 votes. On the local side as well, Aso is reportedly leading all other candidates. As it stands, Aso is highly likely to garner a majority of the votes in TOKYO 00002507 002 OF 010 the first ballot. The other four candidates are desperately trying for a roll back. The focus is whether they can slide into a run-off. The survey was conducted Sept. 10-11 by interviewing each candidate's camp, each LDP faction's leadership, and LDP lawmakers. The Sankei Shimbun tabulated survey results in its own way. According to findings from the survey, Aso has gained a wide range of support from various factions in the LDP. He has now secured a majority of 194 votes plus more than 20 votes among the LDP's lawmakers in the Diet's lower and upper chambers. The second runner-up is Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano, 70, unaffiliated with any faction, and he has secured around 50 votes. Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, 56, running from the Machimura faction, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara, 51, up from the Yamasaki faction, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 51, of the Tsushima faction, have also secured 20-30 votes. The voting attitudes of 20-30 LDP lawmakers are still unclear. Broken down into factions, Aso is supported by all of the Nikai faction and is also supported by almost all of the Ibuki, Aso, and Koumura factions. In the third-largest Koga faction, its chairman, LDP Election Strategy Council Chairman Makoto Koga, and more than half support Aso. In the Tsushima and Yamasaki factions as well, nearly a majority of their members clarified their support for Aso. 2) Poll: 42 PERCENT back Aso in LDP race ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) September 12, 2008 In the wake of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's announcement of its presidential election, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public opinion survey. There are five candidates, and respondents were asked to pick the most appropriate one for prime minister. In this survey, LDP Secretary General Taro Aso ranked top at 42 PERCENT , outdistancing the other four. The second-ranking candidate was former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara, standing at 10 PERCENT . Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike was at 8 PERCENT , Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano at 6 PERCENT , and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba at 3 PERCENT . In the survey, respondents were also asked if they were interested in the LDP presidential election. In response to this question, "yes" came from 61 PERCENT , which was lower than the 69 PERCENT at the time of the previous LDP race after Prime Minister Abe's resignation last year. Respondents were further asked about their impression of the LDP in the ongoing presidential race. Only 11 PERCENT answered that it has improved, with 21 PERCENT saying it has worsened and 65 PERCENT saying it remains unchanged. In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP stood at 29 PERCENT (29 PERCENT in the last survey taken Sept. 2-3),with the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) at 19 PERCENT (21 PERCENT in the last survey). 3) Poll: 59 PERCENT favor Aso for premiership, Ozawa at 28 PERCENT YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) TOKYO 00002507 003 OF 010 September 12, 2008 In the wake of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's recent kick-off of its presidential election, the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public opinion survey on Sept. 10-11. Five candidates, including LDP Secretary General Taro Aso, are running in the LDP race. In the survey, respondents were asked who they thought would be appropriate for prime minister between each of the five and Ichiro Ozawa, president of the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto). In response to this question, 59 PERCENT chose Aso, with 28 PERCENT opting for Ozawa in the head-to-head comparison of the two. Respondents were also asked who they thought would be the most appropriate person for the LDP presidency among the five candidates. Aso topped all others at 49 PERCENT , followed by former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara at 12 PERCENT , former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike at 8 PERCENT , Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano at 6 PERCENT , and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba at 4 PERCENT . In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP stood at 43.4 PERCENT , up 8.3 percentage points from 35.1 PERCENT in a telephone-based spot survey taken Aug. 1-2 after Prime Minister Fukuda's shuffle of his cabinet. The figures can be taken as reflecting the LDP presidential race and its effects. The DPJ was at 26.3 PERCENT , up 1.7 points. In addition, respondents were further asked which political party they would like to vote for in the next election for the House of Representatives in their proportional representation blocs. To this question, 39 PERCENT chose the LDP, with 33 PERCENT preferring the DPJ. The difference between the two parties is smaller than that between their respective public support ratings, and the LDP presidential race's effects seem unlikely to directly affect the public's voting attitude. 4) Majority of respondents in Internet survey favor Obama as next U.S. president SANKEI (Page 6) (Full) September 12, 2008 Almost a majority of respondents answering an Internet questionnaire predicted that Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic Party's candidate, would become the next American president. The survey was conducted from Aug. 25 through Sept. 5 on the Internet and received replies from about 11,100 people. Survey results were released by the Nippon Foundation. Asked about which candidate would become the next U.S. president, 48.6 PERCENT favored Obama, while only 13.3 PERCENT picked Senator John McCain. Asked about what would happen to Japan-U.S. relations if Obama assumed the presidency, 20.3 PERCENT replied that relations would become better, while 25.5 PERCENT gave negative replies. Asked about bilateral relations if McCain became president, 14 PERCENT said relations would become better, while 25.6 PERCENT were negative. 5) Aso pledges aggressive use of fiscal disbursements, while Yosano promises consumption tax hike in three years, in policy addresses in LDP presidency race TOKYO 00002507 004 OF 010 NIKKEI (Page 1) Full) September 12, 2008 Five candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency to succeed Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda gave addresses on economic, fiscal and other policies before party members at LDP headquarters yesterday. Secretary General Taro Aso emphasized: "I will take a three-stage economic approach - pump priming for the time being, fiscal reconstruction over the medium term, and economic growth in the mid- to long-term term." State Minister in charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano stressed the need to raise the consumption tax by 2-3 PERCENT as measures to rebuild the nation's finances. Stressing three years would be needed to bring the economy back on a solid recovery track, Aso said: "I will support the economy by taking every possible means," adding that he would use fiscal disbursements in an effective way. Aso also remarked that he would aim to reconstruct the fiscal system by increasing tax revenues through economic revitalization, but he did not refer to any specific tax-increase measures. To maintain the current social security system, Yosano said that an increase in the consumption tax is inevitable, stressing the need to raise the tax to 10 PERCENT by 2015. But he added: "Different tax rates should be imposed on daily living necessaries and goods people need to buy every month." Former Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara labeled the three years from now as an intensive reform period and said: "I am determined to build an independent welfare state only addressing (a hike in) the consumption tax as the overall finish of sweeping tax reform." Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike stated: "There are other things we should do before raising the consumption tax." Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba just said: "A hike in the consumption tax in the future is unavoidable, along with reviews of the direct-indirect tax ratio and of the progressive tax-rate system. 6) Poll: Aso grabs lead among LDP presidential candidates as person to lead LDP into Lower House election YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 12, 2008 A Yomiuri nationwide telephone opinion poll, conducted on Sept. 10-11, on the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election found that Secretary General Taro Aso had gained a great advantage over the four other candidates when the question was asked who would be most suitable as the one to lead the LDP into the next House of Representatives election in a head-to-head match with Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),the largest opposition party. Fifty-nine percent also said that Aso would be more suitable to become prime minister than Ozawa. Ozawa secured only 28 PERCENT of the public's support. By age, about 80 PERCENT of respondents in their twenties picked Aso. By sex, Aso garnered 64 PERCENT of female respondents support, while Ozawa secured 22 PERCENT . Forty-seven percent of unaffiliated voters said that they wanted Aso to become prime minister, while 25 PERCENT preferred Ozawa. Since TOKYO 00002507 005 OF 010 nonaligned voters are believed to be the key factor for winning the next Lower House election, if an Aso-led government is inaugurated, it will likely become a threat to the Ozawa-led DPJ. How its own supporters will respond is a potential concern for the largest opposition party because 30 PERCENT of DPJ supporters said that they preferred Aso, although 61 PERCENT answered Ozawa would be more suitable than Aso. It seems that all DPJ supporters will not necessarily vote in the general election for the party of Ozawa, who has just been reelected for a third term as DPJ president. The poll found only 9 PERCENT percent of LDP supporters replying that Ozawa would be more appropriate for the prime minister's post. But 37 PERCENT of LDP supporters preferred Ozawa to Yuriko Koike, 32 PERCENT preferred Ozawa over Shigeru Ishiba, 30 PERCENT preferred Ozawa to Kaoru Yosano, and 23 PERCENT preferred Ozawa to Nobuteru Ishihara. It is apparent that with the exception of Aso, none of four LDP presidential candidates are seen as having the capability to lead their party to victory in a head-to-head match with the Ozawa-led party in a general election. Sixty-one percent of LDP supporters found Aso suitable to become the new LDP president. Aso was followed by Ishihara who secured 11 PERCENT , Koike with 8 PERCENT , Yosano with 5 PERCENT , and Ishiba with 4 PERCENT . By gender, Koike, who is the first Japanese woman to run for LDP president, garnered only 9 PERCENT of female supporters, coming in third after Aso and Ishihara. 7) DPJ to announce today 200 official candidates as first batch for Lower House election SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) September 12, 2008 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa and other party executives in a board meeting yesterday confirmed that the DPJ will announce tomorrow its first pick of candidates for the next House of Representatives election. Although the DPJ has informally endorsed 246 candidates, including incumbent lawmakers and new-face candidates, it plans to reduce the number of candidates to about ¶200. Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, after the meeting, told reporters: "We will endorse those who will be able to win." The aim is to gear up those who are delayed in their preparations for the race. The DPJ aims to field a total of 260 candidates eventually. Attending the opening ceremony of the party's election headquarters in Sapporo, Ozawa gave words of encouragement: "I want you to be elected in all single-seat constituencies in Hokkaido where our party's support base is strong. I also would like you to lead our efforts to take over the reins of government." In order to come up with a manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the next Lower House election, the DPJ plans to hold "manifesto public hearings" to exchange views with voters across the nation, starting next week. 8) DPJ President Ozawa starts nationwide stumping tour TOKYO 00002507 006 OF 010 TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) September 12, 2008 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa arrived in Sapporo yesterday, hitting the campaign road on his nationwide tour for the first time after his reelection for a third term became certain. The DPJ plans to announce about 200 candidates as its first pick for the next House of Representatives election. With an early Lower House election in mind, the largest opposition party is accelerating preparations for that election. Ozawa attended an opening ceremony of his party's Hokkaido election headquarters and a rally hosted by the Japan Trade Union Confederation (Rengo). In the rally, he stressed his determination to take over the reins of government, saying: "I will do my best to create new systems for the daily lives of people." As the DPJ has a strong support base in Hokkaido, it won eight single-seat constituency races but it lost four competitions. Ozawa has started to strengthen the party's political base by participating in meetings of industrial associations. Ozawa will set full motion his nationwide stumping tour next week. He is expected to attend meetings that the DPJ will hold in regional areas in order to compile a manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the next Lower House election. 9) Government decides to end ASDF Iraq mission and make utmost efforts to continue refueling mission, while stressing need to eradicate terrorism in Afghanistan YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) September 12, 2008 The government announced yesterday a plan to withdraw before the end of the year the Air Self-Defense Force troops deployed in Kuwait as part of Japan's Iraq reconstruction assistance, putting an end to the five years of the SDF's activities in Iraq. The government plans to make all-out efforts for the continuation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, slated to expire next January. But given the strong opposition of the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest party in the Upper House, there are no prospects for the refueling mission bill to pass the Diet. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday explained this way to reporters the reason for withdrawing the ASDF from Iraq: "The security situation in Iraq has improved. I think the situation allows us to consider pulling the SDF out of the country." The government sent an ASDF advance unit to Kuwait in December 2003 based on the Iraq Special Measures Law that was enacted in July that year. The ASDF has been airlifting troops and supplies between Kuwait, Baghdad, and Arbil for the U.S.-led coalition forces. As of Sept. 10 this year, the ASDF made 768 flights airlifting a total of 640 tons of supplies. The Ground Self-Defense Force, too, carried out such reconstruction support activities as providing medical support, repairing public facilities, and providing clean water in the southeastern part of Iraq. By its withdrawal from the country in July 2006, the GSDF repaired a total 133 schools and medical facilities and provided TOKYO 00002507 007 OF 010 53,500 tons of water. The government's decision to end the ASDF mission was prompted by the shift of weight to the war on terror in Afghanistan by the United States and other countries. The prime minister yesterday had this to say about Japan's international cooperation after leaving Iraq: "The interest of the international community is shifting to Afghanistan. We must eradicate terrorism." He thus emphasized the plan to make utmost efforts to contribute to the war on terror. Nevertheless, sending SDF troops to Afghanistan is extremely difficult as there is no legal basis. Japan's international contributions would center on its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean for the time being. As such, the prime minister pointed out the need to continue the mission at all costs. Five LDP presidential candidates are also calling for the continuation of the refueling mission. Former LDP Vice President Taku Yamasaki said: "The DPJ is opposed to the extension. We should make this a campaign issue in the next Lower House election." But even if the ruling coalition wins a majority in the next Lower House election, there will be no change to the divided Diet in which the opposition bloc controls the Upper House. In anticipation of its being forced to suspend the refueling mission, the government has begun studying its possible responses, such as enhanced humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan. 10) U.S. shows understanding to ASDF pullout YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 12, 2008 Igarashi, Washington The Japanese government announced yesterday that it would end the Air Self-Defense Force's airlift mission in Iraq before the end of the year. In response, the U.S. government released a statement showing understanding to Japan's decision: "The SDF has made important contributions to the coalition forces. Japan's sacrifice will never be forgotten." The statement released in the name of National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe emphasized that the security situation in Iraq has improved owing to the reinforced U.S. troops and other factors, while referring to Japan's withdrawal from Iraq as the result of progress in that country. 11) U.S. military shifts weight from Iraq to Afghanistan, may ask Japan to bear financial burden ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) September 12, 2008 While the security situation in Iraq is improving, the situation in Afghanistan is worsening due to intensifying attacks by the antigovernment Taliban. The number of U.S. troops killed in fighting with the Taliban topped TOKYO 00002507 008 OF 010 500 this year, more than the number in Iraq. The number of civilian casualties also increased 60 PERCENT over last year. The U.S. Bush administration has decided to withdraw 8,000 military personnel from Iraq and to send 4,500 troops to Afghanistan. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has also been reinforced, with its members now totaling 63,000. But the situation is such that "We cannot say that we are about to win a victory in the war in Afghanistan," as said by Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs. It is also necessary to shift funds to Afghanistan. U.S. Defense Secretary Gates in congressional testimony on Sept. 10 expressed hope that allies that have not dispatched troops will bear a heavier financial burden. It is estimated that over one billion dollars will be needed to strengthen Afghanistan's troops. The secretary's reference to this topic itself reflects his strong hopes for allies' financial assistance. The U.S. is expected to come to ask Japan to shoulder a financial burden in exchange for the planned withdrawal of Air Self-Defense Force troops from Iraq. 12) Japan's antiterrorism cooperation at crossroads; ASDF Iraq mission to end; Continuation of refueling mission also uncertain TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) September 12, 2008 By Takayuki Shimizu The government decided yesterday to end the Air Self-Defense Force's mission in Iraq before the end of the year. As a result, the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean will be Japan's only antiterrorism cooperation with the United States. Whether the government can continue the refueling mission is uncertain due to the divided Diet and opposition from the public. Japan's decision to withdraw the ASDF comes from the fact that a UN resolution serving as the basis for the ASDF mission expires at the end of the year, that the security situation in Iraq has improved, and that the U.S. government is shifting weight from Iraq to Afghanistan in its antiterrorism measures. Since the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Japan's international contributions have been centered on three activities: the Ground Self-Defense Force's reconstruction assistance in Iraq (ended in 2006),the ASDF's airlift mission, and the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. With the ASDF pullout, the refueling mission would be Japan's only overseas operation. The government is eager to continue the refueling mission, with Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi saying, "Japan must not drop out of (the war on terror)." The situation is severe, however. To continue the refueling mission, the government and ruling coalition intend to submit to the extraordinary Diet session in the fall a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law scheduled to expire in January. But there are cautious views not only in the opposition bloc, which controls the Upper House, but also in the New Komeito. Further, if the next prime minister dissolves the Lower House at the outset of the next Diet session after the LDP presidential election, the fate of the bill would become even more uncertain. TOKYO 00002507 009 OF 010 The question is widespread in the public as to why Japan has to provide the vessels of the United States and other countries with fuel free of charge when crude oil prices are so high. Although all LDP presidential candidates are calling for the continuation of the refueling mission, they have yet to present any convincing plan to the New Komeito and the public. The "Japan-U.S. alliance in a global context" that started during the Koizumi administration is now at a crucial stage. 13) Surprise and relief greet the government's decision to withdraw ASDF from Iraq ASAHI (Page 37) (Excerpts) September 12, 2008 The government on Sept. 11 revealed that it planned to withdraw by the end of the year Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) personnel from Iraq. After almost five years of activities in a "combat zone" in Iraq, suddenly everything will stop. Although surprise has spread across the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces, there were senior officials and officers who took the news with relief on their faces. On the other hand, the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) continues to supply fuel for the multinational force operating in the Indian Ocean. Those involved in the peace movement will now be watching carefully to see what the government's next move will be. Sept. 11 was the day marking the seventh year since the terrorist attacks on America. The Defense Ministry held an event in which an appeal was made about the importance of the war on terror, and instructions went out from Minister Hayashi to senior officials. One senior uniformed officer could not conceal the surprise on his face about the news. The ASDF has dispatched three C-130 transport planes from Komaki Airbase in Aichi Prefecture. As of Sept. 10 this year, the planes have carried out 768 flights. Although the aircraft transport multinational and United Nations personnel as well as materiel, in fact, most of the work is reportedly related to U.S. troops. Since the C-130 pilots and maintenance crew are limited in number, the same personnel have been dispatched repeatedly. There seemed to be no exit for such dangerous work, with a British Royal Air Force C-130 having crashed in 2005. But with the news of withdrawal, a sign of relief passed over the face of one senior uniformed officer. 14) Aircraft washer likely to be moved at Kadena base this month OKINAWA TIMES (Page 5) (Full) Eve., September 10, 2008 A new aircraft washing facility is expected to go operational this month at the U.S. Air Force's Kadena base, sources revealed today. The new facility, designed to wash large- and medium-sized aircraft, is located away from the current aircraft wash rack in place, and has already been completed. Japan and the United States will shortly hold a meeting of their intergovernmental joint committee to go through procedures to transfer the new facility to the U.S. military. The wash rack will now be moved from its current location. "One of the base-caused sufferings we've had for years will be mitigated at long last," one local resident said. TOKYO 00002507 010 OF 010 Kenji Chinen, director general of the Okinawa prefectural government's cultural and environmental affairs department, and other officials from the prefectural government requested today that aircraft noise around the U.S. military's Kadena base and Futenma airfield be reduced. In response to this request, Masahiro Akase, director general of the planning department at the Defense Ministry's Okinawa bureau, explained the aircraft wash rack's relocation. The current aircraft washing facility's location is contiguous to a residential area of Kadena Town's Yara district, and locals living there have been affected by splashing water. Kadena Town has requested for years that the aircraft washer be relocated at an early date. In 1996, the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) finalized a report that recommended Japan and the United States to relocate the aircraft washer and the adjacent naval tarmac to Okinawa City. However, their relocation will be completed in fiscal 2010 or later. Kadena Town has therefore requested the aircraft washing facility be separately relocated earlier than scheduled. Kadena Mayor Tokujitsu Miyagi welcomed the aircraft washing facility's relocation, saying: "We've seen no progress in their action to relocate the tarmac, so we negotiated to move at least the aircraft washing facility to another location that is far from the residential area in the town." With this, the mayor stressed that he would continue to work on the government to relocate the hardstand at an early date. Atsuko Ikehara, 64, the principal of Eiko Yochien, a kindergarten near the aircraft washing facility, said with a relief: "We always hear U.S. military aircraft's roaring engine sounds, and this has been a heavy burden on the children here, too. It took so many years." Kadena Town's Higashiku district is across from the aircraft washing, with Route 74, a prefectural road, in between. This district has been troubled with splashing water that wets laundries. "We wanted that facility to be relocated," said Toshio Shimabukuro, who represents the district. "It's good to lighten the burden for local people," he added. Kensaku Nakamoto, 35, an auto sales firm employee, voiced concern: "I'm sure the cars here will not be wet. But I'm worried that they may do engine adjustments there in that space." Chinen and other prefectural officials requested the Okinawa Defense Bureau work on the U.S. government to regulate noise in a strict manner and abate noise so as to clear the environmental benchmark. Meanwhile, the Okinawa Defense Bureau conducted a monitoring survey of aircraft paths around Futenma airfield from this month. "We have yet to see the results, but we will let the local residents know the results." ZUMWALT