JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/17/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/17/09 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) Hatoyama Administration 4) Gist of Prime Minister Hatoyama's inaugural press conference (Asahi) 5) Pace of negotiations for realignment of U.S. forces to pick up; Japan to request North Korea reinvestigate abduction issue (Nikkei) 6) The Hatoyama Cabinet (Yomiuri) 7) DPJ leaders (Nikkei) 8) Foreign Minister orders investigation of secret nuclear accord (Asahi) 9) Gist of Hatoyama Cabinet's basic policies (Yomiuri) 10) Foreign Minister Okada says no to first use (Nikkei) Foreign Relations 11) Foreign Minister Okada: I want to deepen Japan-U.S. ties (Yomiuri) 12) Japan Council Against A & H Bombs requests start of talks for the elimination of nuclear weapons (Akahata) 13) Hatoyama to emphasize mutual understanding with U.S. (Yomiuri) Defense & Security 14) Foreign Minister Okada plans to take a flexible approach to the Futenma issue (Mainichi) 15) Defense Minister Kitazawa's positions on security issues unknown (Mainichi) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun & Akahata Hatoyama cabinet launched: Prime minister stresses his resolve to break away from bureaucrat-led politics; Land Minister Maehara announces suspension of Yamba Dam construction; Budget to be compiled before year's end; First non-LDP administration in 16 years 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Request to Prime Minister Hatoyama: Send messages that give people a real sense of change Mainichi: (1) Hatoyama administration launched: Resolutely stick to "change": Administrative clean-up needed first Yomiuri: (1) Hatoyama cabinet launched: Press ahead with reform without taking wrong policy course Nikkei: (1) Prime Minister Hatoyama should address expectations of people who hoped for change of government TOKYO 00002170 002 OF 012 Sankei: (1) New Hatoyama cabinet: Give top priority to national interests: Necessary to revise public pledges, face reality Tokyo Shimbun: (1) New Hatoyama cabinet inaugurated: Fulfill responsibility to convince public Akahata: (1) Inauguration of new Hatoyama cabinet ushers in new political phase 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, September 16 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 16, 2009 Taro Aso 09:01 Attended a special cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 10:00 Held a press conference. Later met Kawamura. 11:49 Met Kawamura and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma. 12:30 Received a bouquet of flowers from Kantei staff and left the Kantei. 12:50 Attended a meeting of lawmakers in the Diet Building. 13:05 Attended a Lower House plenary session. Yukio Hatoyama 13:05 Attended a Lower House plenary session. 14:51 Appointed as 93th prime minister. Went around making courtesy visits in the Diet Building. 15:36 Met party executive office chief Hirano. 16:00 Met Social Democratic Party leader Fukushima and People's New party leader Kamei, with Secretary General Ozawa and others present. Set up an office for forming a cabinet. Called new cabinet members into the office. 18:00 Held a press conference. 18:33 Met Yoshikatsu Nakayama and Katsuya Ogawa, advisors to the prime minister. 18:59 Attended an attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace, followed by a ceremony of prime minister-installation by the Emperor and a formal presentation ceremony for the new cabinet ministers. 21:50 Met National Strategy Minister Kan at the Kantei. 22:02 Issued official appointments to the ministers. Attended a cabinet meeting. Later, posed for photos with the cabinet ministers. Then issued letters of appointment to the advisors to the prime minister and others. Posed for photos with them. Sept. 17 00:22 Returned to his private residence. DPJ Hatoyama's schedule, Sept. 16 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 08:44 Left home in Denenchofu. 09:23 Met Chairman Koshiishi of the DPJ Caucus in the Upper House in the Diet Building. Later attended a meeting of party members of both houses of the Diet. 10:02 Arrived at party headquarters. 11:20 Met Hirano, joined by Deputy President Kan. 12:14 Met Hirano and Upper House member Koji Matsui. TOKYO 00002170 003 OF 012 11:34 Attended a meeting of lawmakers in the Diet Building. 4) Prime Minister Hatoyama's inaugural press conference ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) September 17, 2009 The following is a gist of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's inaugural press conference held on Sept. 16: The moment I was elected prime minister in both houses of the Diet, I trembled with emotion to think that the history of Japan will change. I also felt a strong sense of responsibility to change this country into a true people-oriented society and to spearhead that endeavor. We have yet to change the history (of this country). Making real change happen is dependent on the work we do from now on. The people are the real winners in the latest election. We will conduct the kind of politics that make the people feel that they are the real winners. We will build a people-oriented political system, and to that end, we must break away from bureaucrat-controlled policymaking. Questions and answers -- What is the immediate top-priority policy challenge for the Hatoyama administration? Prime Minister: Needless to say, it is our manifesto. As the coalition government, we will implement the policies that were agreed upon. As the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),we will first of all implement measures to stimulate household finances, such as the provision of child allowances and the abolition of provisional tax rates, so that the people can sense that the financial situation has improved and pin their hopes on this administration. The question of funding will then emerge, and I want every government office to make maximum efforts to eliminate wasteful spending. I have confidence that we will be able to secure over 7 trillion yen for the initial year. We will also have to thoroughly review the economic stimulus measures and the supplementary budget. Those that have yet to be implemented require drastic review. -- Specifically how are you going to shift power away from bureaucrats? Prime Minister: At each ministry, policy decisions will be made by the minister, deputy minister, and parliamentary secretaries. We will build a system under which lawmakers take leadership roles and make decisions on projects. Now that the vice-ministers meetings have been abolished, the resistance of bureaucrats will not have such a strong influence. -- Are you going to compile the budget before the end of the year and aim to enact it by the end of the year? Prime Minister: We will conduct a "zero-based review" of the current approach. We will basically review the conventional way of producing the budgetary request guidelines. Although (budget-compilation) will start later than usual, we will follow a schedule that will enable us to finish compiling the budget before the end of the year. TOKYO 00002170 004 OF 012 -- In the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit, are you going to bring up the issue of a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement? Prime Minister: Building a relationship of trust with President Obama is the top priority. I will focus on forging relations of trust in the upcoming event. It is important to address a variety of outstanding bilateral issues over time. -- How is your government going to deal with the abduction issue? Prime Minister: The most important thing is to prompt North Korea to settle the abduction issue in a practical manner. -- When you were serving as secretary general, you used the expression "investigations at the behest of the state" in connection with the Nishimatsu Construction illegal donation scandal. Do you still have that opinion? Prime Minister: I used the expression "investigations at the behest of the state" only once, but not a second time. I feel some regret over using the expression and have refrained from using it since then. -- Are you planning to offer a new explanation on the false donation case in view of its possible impact on the new administration? Prime Minister: It is a fact that the general public has not been convinced by (my explanation). I will make efforts to offer further explanation. I want to convey my thinking to the people as accurately and honestly as possible to deepen their understanding with an eye on future developments. 5) Okada to accelerate talks on U.S. force realignment, call on N. Korea to reinvestigate abductions NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 17, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, meeting the press early today after taking up his portfolio, indicated that he would seek revisions to an intergovernmental agreement reached between Japan and the United States on the planned realignment of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. "There's no change in our stance of going for it (relocating Futenma airfield outside Okinawa Prefecture)." He added, "Relocation to Henoko (in the prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago) is now underway. If we leave this matter as is, it will become a fait accompli. We will have to discuss it soon." However, Okada also clarified that he would negotiate with the U.S. government in a flexible way, saying, "If we're shackled too much, we could be bound hand and foot. We may consider some more options." On the North Korea problem, Okada stated: "To my way of thinking, there will be no diplomatic normalization unless the abduction issue is resolved as well as the nuclear and missile issue." He also referred to the issue of reinvestigating the whereabouts of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea. "North Korea promised, so I want them to fulfill their responsibility," he said. TOKYO 00002170 005 OF 012 6) Hatoyama Cabinet Lineup YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) September 17, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (62) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),8th term in Lower House, Hokkaido No. 9 district, DPJ secretary general and president, Stanford University Graduate School (first cabinet post) Deputy Prime Minister and National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan (61) DPJ, 10th term in Lower House, Tokyo No. 18 district, health and welfare minister, DPJ president, and deputy president; Tokyo Institute of Technology Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Kazuhiro Haraguchi (50) DPJ, 5th term in Lower House, Saga No. 1 district, general affairs committee member and responsible for internal affairs, University of Tokyo (first cabinet post) Minister of Justice Keiko Chiba (61) DPJ, 4th term in Upper House, Kanagawa Prefecture, lawyer, DPJ vice president, and responsible for justice affairs, Chuo University (first cabinet post) Minister of Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada (56) DPJ, 7th term in Lower House, Mie No. 3 district, DPJ policy chief, president, and secretary general; University of Tokyo (first cabinet post) Minister of Finance Hirohisa Fujii (77) DPJ, 7th term in Lower House (two terms in Upper House), proportional representation Minami Kanto bloc, finance minister and DPJ secretary general, University of Tokyo Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Tatsuo Kawabata (64) DPJ, 8th term in Lower House, Shiga No. 1 district, DPJ Diet affairs committee chair and secretary general, Kyoto University Graduate School (first cabinet post) Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Akira Nagatsuma (49) DPJ, 4th term in Lower House, Tokyo No. 7 district, DPJ policy deputy chief and responsible for pension affairs, Keio University (first cabinet post) Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries TOKYO 00002170 006 OF 012 Hirotaka Akamatsu (61) DPJ, 7th term in Lower House, Aichi No. 5 district, DPJ Diet affairs committee chair and election campaign committee chair, Waseda University (first cabinet post) Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki Naoshima (63) DPJ, 3rd term in Upper House, proportional representation, DPJ Upper House secretary general and DPJ policy chief, Kobe University (first cabinet post) Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, State Minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Seiji Maehara (47) DPJ, 6th term in Lower House, Kyoto No. 2 district, DPJ deputy secretary general, president, and vice president; Kyoto University (first cabinet post) Minister of Environment Sakihito Ozawa (55) DPJ, 6th in Lower House, Yamanashi No. 1 district, DPJ deputy secretary general and national rallying and canvassing committee chair, University of Tokyo (first cabinet post) Minister of Defense Toshimi Kitazawa (71) DPJ, 3rd term in Upper House, Nagano Prefecture, DPJ Upper House secretary general and foreign affairs and defense committee chairman, Waseda University (first cabinet post) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano (60) DPJ, 5th term in Lower House, Osaka No. 11 district, DPJ deputy secretary general and executive office head, Chuo University (first cabinet post) National Public Safety Commission Chairman, State Minister for Abduction Issue Hiroshi Nakai (67) DPJ, 11th term in Lower House, Mie No. 1 district, justice minister, DPJ standing officers council chair, Keio University State Minister for Financial Affairs, Postal Reform Shizuka Kamei (72) People's New Party (PNP),11th term in Lower House, Hiroshima No. 6 district, transport minister, construction minister, and PNP representative, University of Tokyo State Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety, Declining Birthrate, Gender Equality Mizuho Fukushima (53) Social Democratic Party (SDP),2nd term in Upper House, proportional representation, lawyer, SDP public relations committee chair, TOKYO 00002170 007 OF 012 secretary general, and chairperson, University of Tokyo (first cabinet post) State Minister for Administrative Reform Council, Public Servant System Reform Yoshito Sengoku (63) DPJ, 6th term in Lower House, Tokushima No. 1 district, DPJ constitution research council committee chair and policy chief, left University of Tokyo in mid-course (first cabinet post) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries Yorihisa Matsuno, 48 (for state affairs) Koji Matsui, 49 (for state affairs) Kinya Takino, 62 (for administrative affairs) Cabinet Legislative Bureau Director General Reiichi Miyazaki, 64 (reappointed) 7) New DPJ Executive Lineup NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full) September 17, 2009 President Yukio Hatoyama Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa (67) Former Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) deputy president and president (Keio University; 14th term in the House of Representatives; Iwate No. 4 district),Ozawa group Chairman of DPJ Caucus in the House of Councillors (reappointment) Azuma Koshiishi (73) Former DPJ Upper House secretary general (Tsuru University; 2nd term in Upper House; Yamanashi Prefecture; served two terms in the House of Representatives),DPJ group affiliated with the former Japan Socialist Party Diet Affairs Committee Chairman (reappointment) Kenji Yamaoka (66) Former DPJ Diet affairs committee chair and financial affairs committee chair (Keio University; 5th term in Lower House; Tochigi No. 4 district; served two terms in the Upper House),Ozawa group 8) Foreign Minister Okada orders investigation into secret accords between Japan, U.S. ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) September 17, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada instructed Administrative Foreign Vice Minister Mitoji Yabunaka before dawn of Sept. 17 to examine documents concerning secret accords signed between Japan and the U.S., including one allowing the entry into Japan of U.S. ships and aircraft carrying nuclear weapons and another over the return of Okinawa to Japan. He also ordered Yabunaka to report the results of TOKYO 00002170 008 OF 012 the investigation to him by late November. In a press conference Okada held before giving the instruction, he said about the purported secretive aspects of Japan-U.S. security cooperation: "This is an extremely serious problem. It is my responsibility to uncover the details of this issue at an early date. I will issue a ministerial order and instruct (Foreign Ministry officials) to thoroughly investigate the issue, setting a time limit." Okada listed four purported secret accords for investigation: a pact in 1960 allowing stopovers in Japan's territory by U.S. military aircraft and vessels carrying nuclear weapons; a pact on combat action in times of emergency on the Korean Peninsula; a pact allowing the U.S. military to bring nuclear weapons into Japan in possible emergencies on the occasion of Okinawa's reversion to Japan in 1972; and a pact concerning Japan's payment of fees for restoring to their original state sites vacated by the U.S. military. 9) Gist of Hatoyama cabinet's basic policies YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) September 17, 2009 The Hatoyama cabinet will move to create a new nation, based on two policy pillars - materializing real popular sovereignty and increasing substantive autonomy of local regions. Starting today, our country will aim to end patronage politics and a political system that is dependent on the bureaucracy, which has undergirded such politics. We are not aiming to create politics intended to bash bureaucrats. We will urge bureaucrats to strive for a change in awareness and tackle reforms together with us. We want them to regain their pride as the nerve center that supports the nation. The Hatoyama cabinet will set up in each government agency a policy affairs executive council led by the minister, the senior vice minister and the parliamentary secretary. The panel will map out policies and coordinate them from the peoples' perspective. We will fundamentally reform the political climate, under which politicians will confirm policies decided by bureaucrats. A national strategy office will be established in the Cabinet Secretariat as an organ directly reporting to the prime minister. A framework for tax finances and basic policies on the management of the economy will be decided under the leadership of the Kantei. Administrative reform meetings will be held to review all of the government's budgets and project programs and thoroughly eliminate wasteful spending of tax revenues. Amakudari (brokering the re-employment of retired national government employees) and watari (practice of retired officials jumping from one easy job to another many times, receiving pensions and pay along the way) for government employees will be totally banned. The Hatoyama cabinet will promote a bold transfer of state authorities and financial resources to local governments. It will reduce direct burdens on people's livelihood, such as highway (tolls) and the gas tax, with the aim of creating local communities full of vitality. It will also drastically review the nature of postal services. It will materialize economic growth led by domestic demand, by boosting personal consumption through an increase in actual disposal income of household budgets. TOKYO 00002170 009 OF 012 The Hatoyama cabinet will rebuild the Japan-U.S. alliance into a close and equal one. Concerning the North Korea issue, too, it will explore ways to settle it, using every possible means - both hard-line and soft-line approaches. The Hatoyama cabinet will make efforts toward the development of a "yuai" (friendship and love) society composed of the central and local governments as well as the people, where all people mutually feel that the existence of the others is indispensable. 10) Foreign Minister Okada: Preemptive use of nuclear weapons must not be allowed NIKKEI (Page 4) (Full) September 17, 2009 -- How are you going to deal with the question of a secret pact allowing the United States to introduce nuclear weapons into Japan? Okada: Foreign policy must be underpinned by public trust and understanding. The question of the secret agreement is an extremely grave matter. It must be resolved at an early time. I will order the vice-foreign minister to conduct a thorough investigation by a certain date. -- What is your view about the preemptive use of nuclear weapons? Okada: I wonder if a country that has declared it will use nuclear weapons preemptively is entitled to advocate nuclear disarmament. I have repeatedly said that the preemptive use of nuclear weapons must not be allowed. Is there any conclusion other than that? I do not think (abandonment of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons) will weaken nuclear deterrence. -- Are you going to ask North Korea for a reinvestigation of the abduction issue? Okada: North Korea has promised it. I want that country to deliver on its promise in a responsible manner. There will be no normalization of diplomatic ties (with North Korea) unless the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues are settled properly. 11) Okada: I want to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) September 17, 2009 The following is the gist of Foreign Minister Okada's press remarks. Diplomacy must be backed by public understanding and trust. We must investigate the secret agreement (on nuclear introduction) at an early stage to find out whether it is true or not. I will order the vice foreign minister to investigate this problem thoroughly within a set timeframe. We should tackle such issues as the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and the presence of U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture within the year. I will find time to visit Okinawa, and then I'd like to push ahead. The question is how to deepen the bilateral alliance between Japan and the United States. I want to further TOKYO 00002170 010 OF 012 deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance so it is sustainable in the medium and long term. 12) Gensuikyo asks U.S. Embassy for nuclear abolition talks AKAHATA (Page 1) (Full) September 17, 2009 Representatives from the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) visited the American Embassy in Tokyo's Minato Ward yesterday and requested the United States make its utmost effort to pursue an agreement on the total prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons and start talks in the run-up to the nuclear nonproliferation conference scheduled for 2010. Hiroshi Takakusaki, chief of the secretariat to Gensuikyo, met with U.S. Embassy Secretary Jerome Ryan to deliver a special resolution, "A letter to the Governments of All Countries for a Nuclear-Free World," adopted at a world conference against atomic and hydrogen bombs held in August and his own letter addressed to U.S. President Obama. In his letter Takakusaki refers to discussions at the United Nations Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly. The letter says, in part, "It's impossible to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons as long as the existing nuclear powers justify their nuclear weapons for 'deterrence' and 'security' reasons." His letter calls on the five nuclear powers, especially the U.S. government, to take the initiative for the total prohibition of nuclear weapons. In making his request Takakusaki indicated his "heartfelt reception" of Obama's Prague and Cairo speeches. "We'd like to work together for the chance to eliminate nuclear weapons," he stressed. "In order to realize this project, we will need to mobilize public opinion around the world." At the same time, he noted that "countries with nuclear weapons must eliminate them; otherwise other countries will want to possess them. All countries should be equally prohibited by law from possessing nuclear weapons." He further said, "I request you make concrete efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons." Ryan said, "I will send the letter to my home government as soon as possible." He added, "It's really good to see you today." Thus he expressed his gratitude for the request. 13) Prime Minister Hatoyama at press conference: We will place importance on mutual understanding with U.S. YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 17, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday held his first press conference as prime minister at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). Referring to the new administration's policy toward the United States, Hatoyama said, "I think building relations of trust with the United States is crucial," indicating that he will make an effort to build a relationship of mutual trust with the U.S., including personal ties with President Barack Obama. When asked by reporters about a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, as well as of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, which were included in an agreement to form a coalition government, Hatoyama said, "It is important to take our time with discussions." He TOKYO 00002170 011 OF 012 indicated that his administration would undertake the review in a cautious manner, demonstrating consideration for the U.S. Hatoyama stated: "I have no intention to change the basic policy (of the agreement on the coalition government). Regarding a variety of pending issues between Japan and the United States and security issues, he said, "It is important to take time for a comprehensive review." As to how his government will go along with Washington, he said, "I would like to build a situation under which we can frankly discuss issues." 14) Foreign Minister Okada says he will deal with Futenma issue flexibly, indicating emphasis on relations with U.S. MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) September 17, 2009 In the new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, both of whom have assumed cabinet posts for the first time, are in charge of the nation's foreign and defense policies, respectively. There are numerous pending key challenges the new administration has to tackle through negotiations with the U.S. If they fail to make proper judgments, the foundation of the new administration could immediately deteriorate. In his first press conference after assuming the post, Foreign Minister Okada emphasized: "I am determined to make efforts to continue deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance." On the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, he indicated he would work on the issue in a flexible manner, saying: "We will try to resolve the issue through negotiations, so the issue will never be resolved if our side only asserts what it wants." As "issues that must be resolved within 100 days," Okada cited the relocation of U.S. military bases in Okinawa and support for Afghanistan, in addition to issues related to North Korea and global warming. He thus indicated he would give top priority to Japan-U.S. relations. Important events for the new administration to establish a solid relationship with the U.S. have been arranged in succession, such as the first meeting between Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama set for Sept. 23, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' visit to Japan in mid-October, and in mid-November President Obama's first visit to Japan since coming into office. The government will be pressed to take a specific approach in negotiations on such sticky issues as Futenma relocation, whether the Maritime Self-Defense Force should continue its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, and whether the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement should be revised. Stopping short of discussing these issues beyond what was written in the party's policy manifesto for the last House of Representatives election, Okada showed consideration for the U.S. when he as secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan engaged in talks on forming a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party. A senior Foreign Ministry official said: "Mr. Okada is fully aware of the necessity of continuity in foreign policy." 15) Approach by Defense Minister Kitazawa in dealing with refueling, Futenma issues unknown TOKYO 00002170 012 OF 012 MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) September 17, 2009 Toshimi Kitazawa chaired the House of Councillors' Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee from September 2007 through this January, but officials of the Defense Ministry do not regard him as an expert on security policy. It is uncertain whether he will be able to smoothly deal with such sticky issues as revision of the National Defense Program Outline at year's end. The Defense Ministry has to deal with a number of key issues, such as whether the Maritime Self-Defense Force should continue its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean as part of assistance in the war on terror and what to do about the planned transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. On his website Kitazawa severely criticizes Japan's dispatch of Self-Defense Force troops to Iraq as "a reckless act that distorts the Constitution and violates the Iraq special measures law." Some Defense Ministry officials worry about what approach Kitazawa will take to Japan's participation in UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) now that Japan has a firm role in those operations. ROOS