DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/10/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003124 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 11/10/08 INDEX: (15) President-elect Obama: Round table of experts on his expected presidential agenda (Asahi) (16) Obama's America: Japan-U.S. alliance might weaken (Yomiuri) (17) U.S. under Obama and the world: How to strengthen alliance with U.S. is test for Japan under new administration's "cobweb diplomacy" (Nikkei) (18) Change in America: Koizumi's North Korea diplomacy a model? (Sankei) (19) Interview with Daiwa Institute of Research Executive Director Muto: "Shared perception is needed" (Mainichi) (20) Coordination underway for holding 2nd round of financial summit in Japan: Prime Minister eager to host meeting since Japan's tenure as G8 host nation expires soon (Sankei) (21) PACOM chief indicates delay in transfer of Marines to Guam by a year for cost reason (Okinawa Times) ARTICLES: (15) President-elect Obama: Round table of experts on his expected presidential agenda ASAHI (Page 9) (Excerpts) November 7, 2008 Participants: Tokyo University Professor Fumiaki Kubo; Former Prime Ministerial Assistant Yukio Okamoto, and Fuji-Xerox consultant and supreme advisor Yotaro Kobayashi Foreign policy -- The Bush administration was noted for its unilateralism. What kind of role do you think the Obama administration will play in the world? Kobayashi: Compared to the Bush administration, Obama will likely give higher consideration to dialogue and conciliation. My expectation is that Mr. Obama, given his intellect, will create a new American leadership, giving equal attention to Europe and Asia, and taking a cooperative line that does not hurt U.S. national interests. He will humbly turn an ear to listen to America's allies; and from that, search for a fresh approach for the U.S. I think Europeans, too, harbor a sense of alarm about Putin's Russia and want the U.S. to stay the course. Okamoto: The Bush administration started the Iraq war (in spite of the opposition of European countries). In opposition to Russia, as well, it decided to provide missile defense bases to Poland (installing such bases there). The neo-cons (neo-conservatives) took the lead in key diplomatic areas, and the world fell into an unnecessarily confrontational mode. In that sense, we will probably return to a more moderate, high-road diplomacy, as it originally should have been. -- Mr. Obama said he was prepared to have dialogues with even Iran TOKYO 00003124 002 OF 010 and North Korea. Okamoto: The Bush administration set up the stage for creating an adversary. For Iran, as well, He cut off any contacts with the moderate (President Mohammad) Khatami's regime by calling Iran a part of the "axis of evil." It may be an exaggeration to say, but he may have brought about the arrival of the (anti-U.S. hard-liner) President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad. During the second term, interest in Asian policy waned, and the North Korea issue was left to only two officials to handle: Secretary of State Rice and Assistant Secretary of State Hill. Asia policy was unpredictable. Looking at the lineup of foreign-policy advisors to Mr. Obama, I see many who will take a balanced view. There are also some Japan experts. There will not likely be a partiality toward China. I think that Obama's administration will take a more balanced approach in setting the order of global priorities. -- What will happen to anti-terrorist strategy? Kubo: One foreign policy priority on the Obama administration's agenda will be the anti-terrorist war in Afghanistan. He plans to increase troops there. In contrast to Iraq, he also will provide assistance to the domestic government there. However, from a long-range perspective, Afghanistan may prove to be more difficult than Iraq. Things will not turn suddenly better even if Bin Laden is captured. The best case scenario would be for public security to be stabilized, terrorists eliminated, and U.S. troops starting to withdraw four years from now. But there is also a possibility of security not being stabilized, and many more deaths to occur. In that case, an anti-war movement might develop against "Obama's war." Japan-U.S. relations -- From the trauma of past trade disputes between Japan and the U.S., there is a tendency to be wary of Democratic administration being protectionist. Okamoto: There's not much to be worried about. Although there is such a belief in Japan, the severest period occurred during the Republican Bush administration (the current president's father) with requests under the bilateral framework talks for Japan to set numerical targets that would eliminate the trade imbalance. As a general trend, there is likely to be stronger tinge of managed trade, but the impact will be felt on China and South America more than on Japan. Kobayashi: Although from long ago there has been talk of the U.S. ignoring Japan, basically, whether there is a Republican or Democratic administration, I don't think there will be any change in the U.S. stance of placing importance on Japan. However, there is need for us to debate among ourselves and for our political leaders to lay out a position about what Japan can do. The U.S. hopes to see Japan take such a proactive stance. -- How can Japan and the Obama administration best face each other? Okamoto: The Obama administration is not likely to do something like TOKYO 00003124 003 OF 010 the second-term Bush administration that suddenly removed North Korea from the list of states sponsoring terrorism. But no matter who is in charge, Japan-U.S. relations are likely to become more difficult to manage. Japan-U.S relations have been feasting on the legacy of the personal ties of Bush and Koizumi. We need to be resolved that a new relationship will have to be rebuilt from scratch. Kobayashi: Speaking from the standpoint of an Asian or global perspective, we should welcome that Mr. Obama is thinking of placing the Japan-U.S. relationship a larger framework. China and Europe, as well, will likely be in that same framework. The importance of Japan-U.S. relationship, based on consideration given to relations with other countries, will clearly become different. The special characteristics of living in a multi-polar or non-polar world, I think, will require Japan itself to write its own scenario and promote it by dialogue with the United States. -- What about on the security front? Okamoto: Everything was fine for former Prime Minister Koizumi because he came up with the idea of dispatching the Self-Defense Forces to the Indian Ocean and to Iraq. However, SDF troops have been withdrawn from Iraq, and there is a political battle over the dispatch to the Indian Ocean. In such a situation, Japan must readjust its sights as to what it can or cannot do. (The U.S.) Democratic Party in the national security area is naive about Japan, in contrast to the Republican Party, which knows what Japan can handle. There is a strong possibility of the Japan-U.S. framework being redesigned. Since there will be a grace period of six months to a year, Japan must hammer out the specifics of what it can do. Kubo: The top priority item on the Obama agenda is the war on terror in Afghanistan. When it comes to the U.S., to what extent Japan can help that cause will be the criterion to assess it. The NATO members are doing their best to fight terrorism there, but ally Japan cannot fight alongside them due to constitutional restrictions. If the refueling operation were to suddenly come to an end, Japan's importance would inevitably diminish. Okamoto: Convergence with the Republicans focused on a narrowly defined security agenda, but for the Obama administration, Japan-U.S. cooperation will focus on what can be done in a broad range of areas, such as economic security that includes natural resources and energy, as well as the environment, economic cooperation, and even Africa assistance. Since the Obama administration with its futuristic vision has been formed, making a breakthrough in the Japan-U.S. relationship that has now reached an impasse will be easier said than done. (16) Obama's America: Japan-U.S. alliance might weaken YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) November 8, 2008 By Satoshi Ogawa, Washington In a public-opinion survey released on October 28 by the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs, a U.S. foreign policy research institute, Japan ranked fourth on a scale of relative importance of countries in the world. China came in third. The survey also found that 52 PERCENT of Americans regarded China as "very important" to TOKYO 00003124 004 OF 010 the United States, compared to the 45 PERCENT who said this about Japan. The results reflect the present situation in the United States, which is now more interested in China than in Japan. Jeffery Bader, who heads President-elect Barack Obama's Asia team, was a former director for Asian affairs on the National Security Council (NSC) under the Clinton administration. He is a China expert. According to a member of Obama's policy advisory group on Japan, the Obama administration plans to strengthen the U.S. dialogue with China in dealing with both global issues, such as global warming, and regional issues like the North Korean nuclear issue. This can be seen in the President-elect's statement that China should not be ignored in settling such issues. The member also explained that the Obama administration would strengthen the alliance with Japan in order for the United States to be able to carry out an effectively diplomacy for resolving issues. President-elect Obama opened on Nov. 6 his transitional team's webpage expressing his eagerness to "forge a more effective framework in Asia that goes beyond bilateral agreements, occasional summits, and ad hoc arrangements, such as the six-party talks on North Korea." Saying that such would be conducive to U.S. national interests, Japan experts are calling for strengthening the alliance with Japan that has underpinned the U.S. military's forward deployment in the region. However, a source in the U.S. Embassy in Japan said: "We can sense (the Obama administration's) stance that it will not give special treatment to its allies." Former NSC Asian Affairs Director Michael Green, a backer of the Japan-U.S. honeymoon during the first term of the Bush administration, noted: "As a general principle, Mr. Obama says the U.S.-Japan alliance is important. The question is whether he will make efforts for Japan regarding specific issues, such as the abductions." In fact, in his telephone conversation with President elect-Obama on the morning of Nov. 7, Prime Minister Aso broached the abduction issue but Obama reportedly did not refer to it. There is a possibility that Obama's policy line of dialogue with North Korea will result in friction between Japan and the United States. South Korea, which was labeled an unreliable ally during the administration of President Roh Moo Hyun, is now striving to reinvigorate the alliance under President Lee Myung Bak. There is speculation among experts that South Korea, which does not have constraints like Japan has with its Constitution and the historical issue, has the potential to become a dependable ally, replacing Japan. The question is whether Japan can uphold its strong alliance with the United States during the tenure of the Obama administration. Japan's response to Obama's top foreign policy priority of maintaining security in Afghanistan and providing that country with more reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan will be the first and foremost test for its commitment to the alliance. The Ground Self-Defense Force possesses large transport helicopters that are in short supply in Afghanistan and the United States needs such assistance. TOKYO 00003124 005 OF 010 If Japan continues to reject extending cooperation by citing domestic political considerations, it as a U.S. ally is certain to diminish in importance. (17) U.S. under Obama and the world: How to strengthen alliance with U.S. is test for Japan under new administration's "cobweb diplomacy" NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) November 9, 2008 Frank Jannuzi, a staff member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and a member of the Asia policy team under President-elect Barack Obama, called the next administration's Asia policy "a web of partnerships." Policy of dialogue unshakable The next administration will expand cooperation with its traditional allies such as Japan and South Korea, while being eager to strengthen relations with such emerging countries as India and Vietnam. The new administration will also be willing to boost cooperation with the emerging powerhouse China in dealing with environment issues and in promoting nuclear nonproliferation. Obama in the presidential election campaign set forth a policy of dialogue with many countries, stressing: "I am keen to meet the leaders of all countries no matter whether they are friends or enemies." This image projected by this policy can be represented by the words "cobweb-building diplomacy." Whenever Republican candidate McCain expressed doubts about Obama's advocacy in the campaign of a policy of dialogue, the candidate refuted: "Our hardlined diplomatic approach prompted Iran and North Korea to develop nuclear weapons." The Iraq war resulted in intensifying anti-U.S. sentiment among terrorists. Iran and North Korea, which President Bush called "rogue states," promoted the development of nuclear weapons for self-defense purposes. According to Obama's logic, the U.S. is no longer safe. A senior Republican Party member said: "Once the Obama administration is launched, terrorists will begin to take provocative actions." The terrorist attacks on the U.S. in 2001 took place eight months after President Bush came into office. A senior member of the Obama camp emphasized: "The policy of dialogue does not necessarily mean taking a soft approach. If necessary, we will impose sanctions or resort to strong measures." Even so, the policy of dialogue itself will remain unshakable. Obama evaluates the Bush administration's delisting of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism as an appropriate step. He has also expressed his eagerness to set up a multinational security mechanism based on the framework of six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue. Obama has decided to take over in principle and expand the policy toward North Korea pursued by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the latter half of the Bush administration. This makes Japanese officials feel uneasy. Prime Minister Taro Aso left his private residence in Kamiyama-cho, Tokyo, after 6:00 on Nov. 7 to wait at his official residence for a telephone call from Obama, who has started preparations in Chicago for the transfer of power. TOKYO 00003124 006 OF 010 The Japanese government contacted senior members of the Obama camp in preparation for the inauguration of the Obama administration through the Japanese Embassy in the U.S. and the Foreign Ministry even from before the presidential election. In the teleconference two days after the election, Aso was able to elicit Obama's commitment to strengthen the alliance with Japan. With this, persons concerned felt relieved, but their optimism may not be warranted. Attention paid to China's moves However, his advocacy "a web of partnerships" means that the Obama administration will not treat U.S.-Japan relations as special but on an equal plane to ties with other countries. Above all, Japan is nervous about moves by China. Meeting with a staff member of the Obama camp during a visit to Washington in late October, a ranking Japanese government official had in mind the perception gap between the two countries over the North Korean nuclear issue when he said: "I hope Japan and the U.S. will actively exchange views." He then added: "I would like you to examine closely how China should be treated in the future." Among those individuals viewed as certain to join the Obama administration are a number of experts on China. Rising China remains a potential destination for U.S. investment, although trade friction is expected. China has boosted its presence as a buyer of U.S. government bonds. To contain the ongoing financial crisis and to accrue the money to finance measures to buoy up the economy, the U.S. will have to issue a large volume of government bonds. In this respect, as well, President-elect Obama is placing high expectations on China. With the aim of increasing Japan's influence in the Obama administration, Aso suggested (in the teleconference) that Japan would offer cooperation in a variety of areas. He stressed a willingness to cooperate in dealing with tasks facing the international community, such as the global economy, Afghanistan, climate change, and North Korean issues. The thorniest issue for Japan is cooperation on Afghanistan. Obama defines Afghanistan as the frontline of the war on terror. The possibility cannot be ruled out that he will come up with a request for Japan to provide specific contributions. In security affairs, the stalled realignment of U.S. forces in Japan remains a major issue. In order for Japan to be proactively involved in the Obama administration's multilateral foreign policy of dialogue, it will inevitably be pressed to provide cooperation in the security area, the core of the traditional alliance relationship. (18) Change in America: Koizumi's North Korea diplomacy a model? SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) November 8, 2008 Takashi Arimoto, Washington A group in charge of planning foreign policy for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is now studying the case of then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to North Korea in September 2002. A source connected to the Democratic Party says that there are many TOKYO 00003124 007 OF 010 aspects of Koizumi's trip to Pyongyang that would be useful for the Obama administration in carrying out negotiations with Pyongyang after its inauguration. Koizumi was able to get North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to admit that his country had abducted Japanese nationals and the prime minister even succeed in bringing back five abductees to Japan. During his presidential campaign, Obama stressed the need for direct dialogue with enemy countries, including North Korea. He even praised the Bush administration's decision to hold talks with the North, saying: "It is one of the few areas in which a certain level of progress has been seen." The Obama administration appears to be responding to a dialogue with North Korea, with an eye on a first meeting between President Obama and Kim, while closely watching Kim's health problem. In a desperate attempt to produce achievements in its North Korea policy, the Bush administration in its final months delisted the North as a state-sponsoring terrorism, creating a rift with Japan, an ally of the United States. Harvard University Prof. Joseph Nye, who served as assistant secretary of defense in the Clinton administration, predicts that Obama, having seen the Bush administration at work, will probably promote talks with North Korea, while carrying out thorough consultations with Japan. Nye, who has advocated the importance of not only the use of military and economic power but also culture and even values, said: "In addition to his personality, the fact that Mr. Obama, a Black American, was elected president, defeating two strong rival candidates -- Hilary Clinton and John McCain -- will be very effective for the U.S. in using its soft power in the world." The Bush administration, having set a new security strategy that became the so-called Bush Doctrine, launched the Iraq war, without hesitating to take unilateral action. However, Obama, who opposed the Iraq war, has emphasized that he will work together closely with America's allies. With the inauguration of President Obama, who has hinted at the possibility of multilateral cooperation, there is a possibility that U.S. foreign and security policy will drastically change. How the young leader will actually steer the country and the extent of his capabilities are still unknown, however. Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea ..... James Steinberg, professor at the University of Texas, one of those rumored to be appointed as next national security adviser, pointed out in The Washington Quarterly -- a journal of international affairs -- that Obama will come into office at a unique and dangerous time in the history of the United States. Obama has indicated he will place priority on eliminating terrorist forces in Afghanistan, as well as on withdrawing combat troops from Iraq. However, it is not clear how much cooperation the Obama administration will be able to secure from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Japan. The Wall Street Journal, in an editorial, criticized Obama as overoptimistic for being eager to hold a direct dialogue with Iran, which has pushed ahead with a nuclear weapons program. The Journal warned that soon after the new government is inaugurated, Iran may possibly declare it possesses nuclear weapons. Vice President-elect Joe Biden, recalling President John F. Kennedy TOKYO 00003124 008 OF 010 when he was confronted with the Cuban Crisis, predicted that Obama may be forced to respond to an international crisis. For Obama, there are many difficult issues to face. Bill Clinton after he became U.S. president, was hit with conflict in Somalia where many U.S. soldiers were either killed or wounded. President Bush was hit by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It would not be strange for the Obama administration to face a crisis at anytime. Obama says that he learned from his high school basketball coach how important it is for individual team members to his or her best for the sake of the team. He is going to lead team America. There is no question his decisions will have a significant impact not only on the United States but also on the international community. (19) Interview with Daiwa Institute of Research Executive Director Muto: "Shared perception is needed" MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) November 8, 2008 In response to an interview request by the Mainichi Shimbun, Toshiro Muto, executive director of the Daiwa Institute of Research, former deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, expressed his expectations for the upcoming emergency financial summit, noting, "It is important to start discussions to share views of the financial crisis, based on various analyses of the situations from the participants, and then come up with an pragmatic approach." However, he warned, "We should not excessively hold out hope that they can hit on a good idea for dealing with the turmoil in just one meeting." Regarding the financial summit, Muto said, "Overseeing methods adopted by financial institutions that operate on the international market and measures in the event of the financial crisis spreading will be presumably discussed." Asked about the U.S. government's response to the financial crisis, he noted, "I have the impression that the U.S. measures came too late." He did give high marks to the measures, saying, "All their measures are now out on the table. We must watch to see what achievements will come now." Concerning when the U.S. economy might recover, he projected, "In my view, economic recovery will start in 2010 in the U.S. However, it will take some more time for it fully recovery." Regarding when the Japanese economy would recover, he estimated that it will not be before 2010, as is the case of the U.S. economy, noting, "Domestic measures have a limit in what they can do in making the economy bounce back after a slowdown caused by such external factors as troubles in the U.S. economy." (20) Coordination underway for holding 2nd round of financial summit in Japan: Prime Minister eager to host meeting since Japan's tenure as G8 host nation expires soon SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 9, 2008 In connection with the upcoming emergency financial summit to deal with the global financial crisis, the government on November 8 started coordination with 20 participating countries about the possibility of holding a second round in Japan in mid-December. Japan as the host nation of the G8, the countries of which form the key portion of the financial summit, aims to take the initiative in dealing with the financial crisis. It wants to secure approval for TOKYO 00003124 009 OF 010 the holding of a second round of the financial summit following the first one in Washington on Nov. 14-15. According to a government source, the government is now sounding out countries involved in the ASEAN plus 3 (Japan, South Korea and China) to be held in Thailand on December 16-17 about Japan holding a second round of the financial summit. One aim of hosting such a summit is to allow the results achieved at the first summit to be debated at a venue joined by various Asian leaders. A place near Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture has been designated as a candidate venue for the summit. However, in view of securing space to accommodate government leaders and officials and offering transportation service from the airport, the government is now considering having it someplace in Tokyo. Prime Minister Taro Aso wants Japan as the chair of the G8 to display leadership in dealing with the international financial crisis. The prime minister on October 10 announced that he is ready to hold a financial summit in Japan. However, he gave in to Washington's request to hold the first meeting in the U.S., because the financial crisis was launched in the U.S. For this reason, the prime minister's strong wishes are reflected in Japan's bid to hold the second round of the summit as the follow-up, according to a government source. At work behind the prime minister's intent is his political motivation: He wants to show the public that he is adept in economic and diplomatic areas by organizing a summit. This will allow him to control his future political agenda, including possibly the dissolution of the Lower House for a snap election. The expiration of the tenure of the G8 chair is also indirectly fueling the prime minister's desire to host a second round of the financial summit. However, the countries involved reportedly are taking the stand that a second round of the financial summit should be held after January 20 next year, when the U.S. Obama administration will formally be launched. As such, whether Japan will be able to hold a second round before year's end is uncertain. (21) PACOM chief indicates delay in transfer of Marines to Guam by a year for cost reason OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Excerpts) November 7, 2008 (Kyodo, New York) In a news conference with correspondents from Asia in New York on Nov. 5, Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of the Pacific Command, said that the plan to move Marines in Okinawa to Guam is likely to be delayed to 2014 or 2015 because of an expected increase in the cost agreed on between the U.S. and Japanese governments. Okinawa government emphasizes necessity for his visit to U.S. In response to the remark by Keating, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima commented: "I would like to fully consider what he meant. Many changes are arising in the world." He then emphasized the need for him to visit the U.S. prior to President-elect Barack Obama's assumption of office on Jan. 20, saying: "I would like to exchange views in advance." 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