DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/18/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 002194 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 09/18/09 INDEX: (1) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell: Washington will discuss U.S. force realignment with Hatoyama administration; Emphasizes flexible stance (Yomiuri) (2) Campbell in interview: "U.S. is ready to hold talks on Futenma issue" (Asahi) (3) Okada asks U.S. to cooperate in investigating secret pact (Nikkei) (4) Interview with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada - I will not penalize bureaucrats over secret pact (Asahi) (5) Foreign minister's statement on nuclear weapons show he lacks perception of reality (Sankei) (6) Editorial: New Hatoyama cabinet should give priority to national interests (Sankei) (7) Government adopts new rules on relations between lawmakers and bureaucrats (Nikkei) (8) Kan to become "chief strategist" for macroeconomy (Nikkei) (9) New Lower House committee chairs (Nikkei) (10) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Asahi) (11) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell: Washington will discuss U.S. force realignment with Hatoyama administration; Emphasizes flexible stance YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) September 18, 2009 Evening Edition Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell gave an exclusive interview to the Yomiuri Shimbun at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo earlier today. "I am aware that the new Japanese administration wants to make some changes to what was agreed upon," Campbell said regarding the realignment of U.S. bases in Japan. "As Japan's close ally, it is the United States' duty to come to the negotiating table and lend an ear." Washington has indicated in the past that it will not renegotiate with Tokyo a plan to relocate Futenma Air Station within Okinawa or other matters. Campbell indicated that the U.S. government will shift to a "firm yet flexible" response, while describing the Japan-U.S. relationship as an "equal partnership." He also stressed �A;that the United States will "respect" the Hatoyama administration's wishes, saying, "It is unproductive for the United States to tell (Japan) what it should do." At the same time, Campbell warned against seeking a hasty review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and other matters, saying, "Continuity is vital in several sectors, and that has been the foundation for the bilateral alliance that has functioned TOKYO 00002194 002 OF 015 effectively over the last 50 years." (2) Campbell in interview: "U.S. is ready to hold talks on Futenma issue" ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) September 18, 2009, Evening Edition By Yoichi Kato, senior staff writer In an interview this morning with the Asahi Shimbun at the U.S. Embassy in Akasaka, Tokyo, visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said with regard to the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, "If the Hatoyama administration says it wants to hold talks, we are obligated to respond to the request," indicating the U.S.'s readiness to start talks with Japan. The assistant secretary said, "The U.S. government strongly hopes to continue to implement those agreements already concluded with the Japanese government." But he added, "A stance in which we give orders or press Japan to accept our conclusions will inevitably result in undermining what we are going to build, which is an equal and firm partnership." Campbell also said: "I am fully aware that the Japanese government is willing to hold talks. We must agree to hold such talks. That is why I am visiting Japan." He thus indicated a flexible stance at least with respect to sitting at the table for talks on reviewing the Futenma relocation plan. The Hatoyama administration has said that it would not simply extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. On this issue, Campbell remarked: "We are facing a crucial situation (in Afghanistan and Pakistan). We will now welcome any form of aid from Japan." He indicated a strong hope that if Japan halts its refueling mission, Japan will take some alternative steps. Prime Minister Hatoyama has come up with the mid-term goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 PERCENT from 1990 levels. Campbell said, "The goal is welcome at the global level." But he added, "The form it will assume in negotiations (on creating an international framework) is another matter." Regarding President Barack Obama's planned visit to Japan, Campbell said, "The White House has high expectations for the visit." He then disclosed that it has been decided that senior U.S. government officials will hold discussions with Japanese officials at the rate of almost once a week. (3) Okada asks U.S. to cooperate in investigating secret pact NIKKEI (Online) (Full) September 18, 2009 (14:28) Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell at the Foreign Ministry this morning. Okada told Campbell that the Foreign Ministry would begin an in-house investigation into the issue of a secret pact allowing the United States to bring nuclear weapons into Japan. Okada asked Campbell for the United States' cooperation on this issue. In the meeting, Campbell first conveyed U.S. President Obama's TOKYO 00002194 003 OF 015 "heartfelt congratulations" on the new government's inauguration. "In the months and weeks ahead, we would like to consult closely and work together on issues facing Japan and the United States." Okada stressed. "There are various issues between Japan and the United States, but our alliance is sustainable for 30 or 50 years." He added, "I will make efforts to deepen it." (4) Interview with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada - I will not penalize bureaucrats over secret pact ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) September 18, 2009 -- Why are you going to investigate the Japan-U.S. secret agreement now? Okada: To restore public trust in foreign policy. Foreign policy rests on public support and trust. There is no doubt that the secret pact issue has damaged that. -- In response to questions in the Diet, senior government or Foreign Ministry officials have consistently denied the existence of such. Are you going to penalize them? Okada: If the (foreign) minister or the prime minister says such does not exist, (government officials) cannot make replies that conflict with their statements. In that sense, I think the foreign minister and the prime minister are to blame. I don't think it's right to blame the government officials. -- You have indicated that you will not 'make a simple extension' of the (Maritime) Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Does that mean you will approve an extension on certain conditions, such as Diet approval? Okada: The lack of additional explanation adds to the significance of what exactly the 'simple extension' means. I have repeatedly said, 'Nothing more, nothing less.' Basically it all depends on talks with the United States. -- Are you aiming to reach an agreement with the United States on the relocation of Futenma Air Station in Okinawa before the end of the year? Okada: No specific deadline is set, but once the environmental impact assessment is over, the next question will be whether or not to earmark a budget for it. In that context, we will probably have to reach a conclusion by the end of the year. -- Do you support recent moves between the United States and North Korea to enter into dialogue? Okada: It is not bad for the United States and North Korea to open dialogue. The United States, too, has indicated that it will conduct dialogue within the framework of the Six-Party Talks and that the dialogue will not conflict with the Six-Party Talks. I agree. Then again, Japan and the United States must fully communicate with one another on the matter. North Korea promised to reinvestigate the fate of the Japanese abductees, but it has yet to launch the reinvestigation. Given North Korea's missile and nuclear tests, Japan will never take a TOKYO 00002194 004 OF 015 reconciliatory stance. This means we will wait for North Korea's policy shift while increasing our sanctions against the North in compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. -- What is your deadline for starting talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States? Okada: I have to watch what I say because there are people who are just waiting to jump on me. As is specified in our manifesto (campaign pledges),we will make every effort to prevent a Japan-U.S. FTA from adversely affecting the Japanese agricultural market. We want to advance discussions in line with that direction. (5) Foreign minister's statement on nuclear weapons show he lacks perception of reality SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 18, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in his first press conference since taking office said, "In the capacity of cabinet minister, I will issue an order to thoroughly investigate the Japan-U.S. secret pact concerning the three nonnuclear principles. He also stressed that there has been no change in his pet argument of calling on the U.S. to abandon the preemptive use nuclear weapons. Both issues involve the very foundations of the Japan-U.S. alliance. We are concerned that the foreign minister's statement is idealistic and lacks any perception of reality. What is important is for him to properly grasp the fact that (the nuclear umbrella) for prevention of nuclear proliferation provided the U.S. is Japan's ultimate security measure and it is ensured under the Japan-U.S. security arrangement. We would like to support the foreign minister's eagerness to deepen the alliance. However, in order for us to do so, we would like him to keep reality in mind as he tackles the challenges facing Japan and the U.S. The so-called secret pact indicates an understanding reached between Japan and the U.S. during the Cold War age - U.S. vessels carrying nuclear arms making port calls in Japan or passing its territorial waters will not be subject to prior consultation. One could say that this is a political solution for making nonnuclear ideals and the reality of security policy, which has to rely on nuclear deterrence, compatible. The pact has lost its practical meaning since 1992, when the U.S. changed its nuclear policy. The foreign minister ordered a thorough investigation retrospectively back through that date. We do not mean to say that the investigation will be meaningless. However, there are many pressing challenges between Japan and the U.S., including the U.S. Forces Japan realignment and support for action against terrorists. These should be the matters to which the foreign minister should devote himself, before spending immense time and manpower on the work of digging up the past. Referring to the issue of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons, too, the foreign minister said, "I wonder whether a country that categorically said that it will use nuclear weapons preemptively is entitled to speak of nuclear disarmament or nonproliferation." The U.S. is in fact making diplomatic efforts for nuclear arms reduction TOKYO 00002194 005 OF 015 and nonproliferation. President Obama will preside over the UNSC summit on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament next week. In order to press ahead with nuclear reduction while protecting national security, the ideals and the reality must be compatible. What is important is not immature idealism but a flexible sense of balance. The foreign minister might have had China's principle of the abandonment of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in mind when he made that statement. However, this was just a political statement that is not legally binding. We should not forget that a senior Chinese military officer in 2005 made a statement that indicated that China would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons preemptively. He said, "If the U.S. interferes in the China-Taiwan dispute, China will launch a nuclear attack on the continental U.S." Foreign Minister Okada has been insisting that Japan should be half-covered by the nuclear umbrella, by making Japan and South and North Koreas nonnuclear zones in combination with the abandonment of preemptive use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. Is it possible to cope with a nuclear threat from North Korea and China's military buildup with such an approach? We are concerned that the foreign minister's policy could result in pleasing only North Korea and China, undermining the nuclear umbrella and the Japan-U.S. alliance. (6) Editorial: New Hatoyama cabinet should give priority to national interests SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 17, 2009 Yesterday Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama was elected to lead the 93rd administration and later launched his cabinet with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party. Given high public expectations that the new administration might be able to break the current impasse in politics, Prime Minister Hatoyama bears an extremely heavy responsibility. In a press conference, Hatoyama said: "I am shouldering a very heavy responsibility." We expect Hatoyama to run his government with the determination to protect Japan's safety and prosperity. For the sake of the national and public interest, the new government will unavoidably have to reconsider the promises the DPJ has made until now. After giving a proper explanation, the party should make a policy switch without hesitation. The top leader's decisiveness and courage will set the nation's course in the right direction. Hatoyama included in his cabinet junior, mid-ranking and veteran lawmakers, with past party presidents as its core members. The lineup shows that he struggled to achieve a sense of stability. The lineup gives the impression he is determined through the united efforts of his cabinet to change the trend of Japanese politics. Take over basic security policy The new administration is expected to take a scalpel to wasteful spending and the bloated bureaucracy, which is described as a "bureaucratic cabinet system." State Minister for National Strategy Bureau Naoto Kan and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Akira Nagatsuma got to the truth about AIDS contracted from contaminated blood products and the pension TOKYO 00002194 006 OF 015 record-keeping fiasco through heated debate with government officials and bureaucrats. Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara will fight to review wasteful spending in public works projects. They are expected to demonstrate not only their capabilities to break the bureaucracy's monopoly but also capabilities to work out effective measures to resolve such issues. But we cannot help feeling concerned about the new administration's diplomatic and security policies. Will the administration be able to make responses realistically and flexibly while maintaining an alliance with the SDP, which considers the Self-Defense Force as unconstitutional and takes an anti-U.S. stance? The people did not pin their hopes on the SDP (in the Lower House election). The DPJ should consider cooperating with the Liberal Democratic Party and other parties if necessary. Concern also remains about Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. While stating that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy, he stresses "an equal partnership" with the U.S. His statement contains no specific vision that explains exactly what his idea means. Okada expressed his intention to call on the U.S. to adopt a policy of no-first use of nuclear weapons. We should not forget that Japan's peace and safety are being protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Diplomacy that just plays around with words could undermine the Japan-U.S. alliance. In order to erase such concerns, Prime Minister Hatoyama should take a pragmatic approach and demonstrate his leadership and identity. He is scheduled to visit the U.S. immediately after assuming the premiership. He said, "I want to establish a relationship of trust with America during my visit to the U.S." We expect Hatoyama to confirm the solid Japan-U.S. relationship and also to reconsider whether it is appropriate to halt the ongoing Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean even though the U.S. has expressed hope for its continuation. The new government also needs to urgently start compiling next fiscal year's budget. The Japanese economy, seriously hit by the global economic recession, is said to have bottomed out, but some observers are concerned that the economy might lose steam again. Under such a situation, the government is required to speed up budget-compilation work. Don't delay budget compilation DPJ officials have said that the new government plans to have agencies redo their budget requests and resubmit them later this month. The new government will also drastically revise this fiscal year's supplementary budget for covering economic stimulus measures and compile a second supplementary budget. Since the new government will start compiling the budget from scratch, the work will inevitably face difficulties, but any delay is unacceptable. The DPJ has promised to offer child-raising allowances and to introduce income subsidies for all farming households. To implement these measures, 16.8 trillion yen will be needed. The party has said that it will be able to come up with most of the money by reallocating the budget. Specifically, it intends to reallocate the TOKYO 00002194 007 OF 015 general account and special accounts, as well as to erase wasteful spending. But the party has not revealed how much money can be collected by such means. It is also difficult to depend on the unused funds in the supplementary budget. Certainly, there are wasteful projects linked to vested interests that were worked out in the days of LDP administration. But since many local governments and companies have also been involved in such projects, the new government's policy might result in slowing down the economy, depending on circumstances. Steady economic recovery and a growth strategy are indispensable in order to secure tax revenues, but the new administration seems oblivious of this. The DPJ has also closed the door on a consumption tax hike. If securing tax revenues is impossible despite an increase in spending, there will be no other means but to depend on issuing government bonds. Japan's economy - now in the worst shape among those of industrialized countries - might deteriorate further. State Minister for Financial Affairs and Postal Reform Shizuka Kamei flatly opposed the ongoing process of privatizing postal services and also advocated a debt-moratorium plan for loans to small businesses and for housing loans. A sort of "debt cancellation order" might shake the foundation of the market economy. The new government has also said that it will abandon reform efforts. The government's policy coordination capability is now being called into question. There is also the question of whether the DPJ will be able to carry out drastic reforms, because the party received support from government and public workers' unions, including the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union, in the last Lower House election. In education as well, it is also necessary to carefully watch whether the new government will not carry out politics that reflect only the interests of specific groups such as the Japan Teachers' Union. (7) Government adopts new rules on relations between lawmakers and bureaucrats NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) September 17, 2009 The government adopted yesterday a set of new rules on relations between lawmakers and bureaucrats, including a decision to terminate the regular press conference held by the administrative vice-minister at each ministry, with the aim of realizing the Democratic Party of Japan's goal of politician-led policymaking. How the government will harmonize its ideals with practical affairs remains to be seen. The new guidelines require government officials to report to the ministers and prohibit the concealment of information or the provision of biased information. They also require records be kept of contacts between lawmakers and government officials as per the Basic Law for Reform of the Civil Servant System. The guidelines read: "Lawmakers are to plan, coordinate, and determine policies and to directly control and oversee government officials." TOKYO 00002194 008 OF 015 Budget compilation for fiscal 2010 will be the first test for "politician-controlled policymaking." The budget will be jointly compiled by the National Strategy Bureau - a body to be placed directly under the Prime Minister -- the Administrative Renewal Council, and the Finance Ministry, which has always played the central role in budget compilation. The National Strategy Bureau cannot be established without an amendment to the Cabinet Law. As such, the National Strategy Office will first be established to pave the way for the National Strategy Bureau. The National Strategy Office will determine the budget's framework, and the Finance Ministry will compile the budget in line with that framework. The new cabinet aims at producing budget-compilation guidelines before the end of the month to implement the DPJ's unique campaign pledges, such as child allowances, in fiscal 2010. The implementation of such policies requires 7 trillion yen in fiscal 2010. In addition to putting part of the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget on hold, the government will set up the Administrative Renewal Council, which will play an important role in exploring funding sources, such as the elimination of wasteful spending. Prime Minister Hatoyama has named his close friend, Naoto Kan, national strategy minister. Kan doubles as deputy prime minister. Hatoyama has also appointed Yoshito Sengoku, a policy expert, as state minister for administrative reform. The prime minister has apparently formed a cabinet comprising lawmakers capable of promoting DPJ policies in consultation with bureaucrats. Administrative vice-minister meetings, which have functioned as "coordinators" between government agencies, will be replaced with theme-specific cabinet committees. There is skepticism about creating a system that does not involve prior adjustment of views by administrative authorities. The presence of Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa is another challenge. The Hatoyama administration's attempt to centralize policy-making under the cabinet is likely to be affected by the degree to which the Prime Minister can maintain his honeymoon-like relationship with Ozawa. It can be said that bills' fate in a sense is in the hands of Ozawa. Review of postal services The new administration intends to freeze sales of Japan Post shares and to review the group's four-company system with the aim of rebuilding a system providing three postal services -- mail delivery, savings, and insurance -- under a single entity. At a press conference yesterday, State Minister for Financial Affairs and Postal Reform Shizuka Kamei expressed eagerness for reviewing the system. Meanwhile, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi indicated at a press meeting before dawn today that he will seek the resignation of Japan Post Holdings Co. President Yoshifumi Nishikawa, as was requested by Prime Minister Hatoyama. "We will freeze the sale of Japan Post shares first and then present a bill to reform postal services," Haraguchi said. A bill freezing the sale of Japan Post shares might be able to clear the Diet in the TOKYO 00002194 009 OF 015 extraordinary session this fall. At the same time, the move faces criticism for running counter to the reform drive. "I want to adopt an innovative idea that can make the postal service networks serve like economic capillaries," Kamei said about the postal financial services. Some private financial institutions are concerned whether the competitive conditions will be maintained. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada held his inaugural press conference after midnight today. In reference to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which is to expire next January, he said, "My view is that we will not make a simple extension. Nothing more, nothing less." The DPJ presented the same position during the recent House of Representatives election. The refueling mission is a form of logistical support for the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and a symbol of Japan-U.S. security cooperation. If Japan decides to terminate the refueling mission, the United States is expected to ask (from Japan) for an alternative contribution to Afghanistan. The Hatoyama administration is set to study the option of civilian support in place of refueling activities. Nevertheless, with the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorating, many observers opine Japan has few options. "He has hinted at the possibility of continuing the refueling mission with conditions, such as Diet approval," said a DPJ lawmaker in explaining Okada's remarks. (8) Kan to become "chief strategist" for macroeconomy NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full) September 17, 2009 Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who has been appointed to the concurrent posts of state minister for national strategy and state minister for economic and fiscal policy in the new administration, will exercise his abilities as "chief strategist" in managing the economy for the Hatoyama administration. The Japanese economy has been facing difficult times due to unemployment rates continuously surpassing the previous record for the worst rate ever. In government economic agencies, officials feel a mixture of anticipation for and anxiety about Kan, who has advocated the importance of political leadership. A senior official of the Cabinet Office made no bones about the sense of alarm, saying, "The economic recovery is slowing down. So, we cannot let our guard down on economic management." The real economic growth rate showed positive growth in the April-June period. The positive growth was mostly due to stimulus measures pushed forward by the Aso administration. If the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) suspends the implementation of the supplementary budget for fiscal 2009, "the possibility of an economic downturn will become stronger," according to Taro Saito of NLI Research Institute. Despite economic reconstruction being the top priority issue for the Hatoyama administration, the DPJ did not allow cabinet ministers to make contact with senior bureaucrats on Sept. 16. "We are not allowed to have a chance to inform (the new minister) about the severe economic situation," said a senior bureaucrat. Government economic agencies see Kan as a leader of the advocates of political leadership. However, he did not make any significant remarks on the economic situation at a press conference after the cabinet meeting. TOKYO 00002194 010 OF 015 "I wonder if he is really interested in macroeconomy," said a bureaucrat. The state minister of economic and fiscal policy has a wide-range of duties, including attending monthly economic report-connected cabinet ministers' meetings, in which economic assessments are reexamined, as well as the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meetings. The BOJ is now holding a two-day Monetary Policy Meeting that started on Sept. 16. The Cabinet Office is having a senior official attend the meeting on behalf of the minister. However, one bureaucrat said, "I wonder if it is appropriate to have a bureaucrat take part in the meeting even though the new administration advocates political leadership." (9) New Lower House committee chairs NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full) September 18, 2009 All House of Representatives standing and special committee chairmen were informally picked yesterday. The 17 standing committees will be chaired by 14 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) members, two Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members and one New Party Daichi member. The seven special committees will be headed by five DPJ members and one member each from the LDP and New Komeito. The expectation is that the appointments of the new Lower House committee chairs will be formally adopted at a plenary session on Sept. 18. ? Standing Committee Chairs (Committee on the Cabinet) Keishu Tanaka (DPJ) Graduated from Tokai University, former labor committee chairman, Lower House member representing Kanagawa No. 5 district, 6th term, 71 years old (Committee on General Affairs) Shoichi Kondo (DPJ) Sophia University, former chairman of special committee on youth problems, Aichi No. 3 district, 5th term, 51 (Committee on Judicial Affairs) Makoto Taki (DPJ) University of Tokyo, former senior vice justice minister, Nara No. 2 district, 5th term, 71 (Committee on Foreign Affairs) Muneo Suzuki (New Party Daichi) Takushoku University, former Hokkaido/Okinawa development agency chief, proportional representation Hokkaido bloc, 8th term, 61 (Committee on Financial Affairs) Koichiro Genba (DPJ) Sophia University, former DPJ deputy secretary general, Fukushima No. 3 district, 6th term, 45 TOKYO 00002194 011 OF 015 (Committee on Education, Culture and Science) Makiko Tanaka (DPJ) Waseda University, former foreign minister, Niigata No. 5 district, 6th term, 65 (Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare) Osamu Fujimura (DPJ) Hiroshima University, former chairman of special committee on youth problems, Osaka No. 7 district, 6th term, 59 (Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) Nobutaka Tsutsui (DPJ) Waseda University, former audit, and oversight of administration committee chairman, Niigata No. 6 district, 5th term, 64 (Committee on Economy and Industry) Shozo Azuma (DPJ) Soka University Graduate School, former parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, Tokyo No. 15 district, 5th term, 58 (Committee on Land and Transport) Hiroshi Kawauchi (DPJ) Waseda University, former DPJ Diet affairs vice chairman, Kagoshima No. 1 district, 5th term, 47 (Committee on Environment) Shinji Tarutoko (DPJ) Osaka University, former DPJ Diet affairs deputy chairman, Osaka No. 12 district, 5th term, 50 (Committee on Security) Jun Azumi (DPJ) Waseda University, DPJ Diet affairs committee deputy chair, Miyagi No. 5 district, 47 (Committee on National Basic Policy) Akihiro Ohata (DPJ) Musashi Institute of Technology Graduate School, former cabinet committee chairman, Ibaraki No. 5 district, 7th term, 61 (Committee on the Budget) Michihiko Kano (DPJ) Gakushuin University, former agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, Yamagata No. 1 district, 11th term, 67 (Committee on Audit and Oversight of Administration) Masahiro Imamura (LDP) University of Tokyo, former senior vice minister for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, proportional representation Kyushu bloc, 5th term, 62 (Committee on Rules and Administration) TOKYO 00002194 012 OF 015 Takeaki Matsumoto (DPJ) University of Tokyo, former DPJ policy chief, Hyogo No. 11 district, 4th term, 50 (Committee on Discipline) Takeo Kawamura (LDP) Keio University, former chief cabinet secretary, Yamaguchi No. 3 district, 7th term, 66 ? Special Committee Chairs (Special Committee on Disasters) Fumihiko Igarashi (DPJ) University of Tokyo, former DPJ policy research committee deputy chief, Saitama No. 9 district, 4th term, 60 (Special Committee on Political Ethics/Public Offices Election Law) Seishu Makino (DPJ) Chuo University, former justice parliamentary secretary, Shizuoka No. 1 district, 4th term, 64 (Special Committee on Okinawa/Northern Territories) Koichi Yamamoto (LDP) Keio University, former senior vice minister for internal affairs, Ehime No. 4 district, 6th term, 62 (Special Committee on Youth Problems) Yasuko Ikenobo (New Komeito) Entered but did not graduate from Gakushuin University, senior vice education minister, proportional representation Kinki bloc, 5th term, 67 (Special Committee on Antipiracy) Katsuyuki Ishida (DPJ) Nihon University, former chairman of special committee on youth problems, Saitama No. 2 district, 54 (Special Committee on Abduction Issue) Koriki Jojima (DPJ) University of Tokyo, former budget committee director, Kanagawa No. 10 district, 4th term, 62 (Special Committee on Consumer Affairs) Yoshinori Suematsu (DPJ) Hitotsubashi University, former chairman of special committee on youth problems, Tokyo No. 19 district, 5th term, 52 (Chairman of Deliberative Council on Political Ethics) Kansei Nakano (DPJ) Kansai University, former Lower House vice speaker, Osaka No. 8 district, 11th term, 68 TOKYO 00002194 013 OF 015 (10) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet, political parties ASAHI (Page 37) (Abridged) September 18, 2009 Questions & Answers (Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. Bracketed figures denote proportions to all respondents. Figures in parentheses denote the results of the last survey conducted Aug. 31 through Sept. 1.) Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet? Yes 71 No 14 Q: Why? (One reason only. Left column for those marking "yes" on previous question, and right for those marking "no.") The prime minister is Mr. Hatoyama 8(6) 4(1) It's a DPJ-led cabinet 27(19) 27(4) Policy 46(33) 41(6) Action 13(9) 23(3) Q: Which political party do you support now? Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 46 (39) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 15 (22) New Komeito (NK) 3 (6) Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1 (1) Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 1 (1) People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) Other political parties 0 (1) None 29 (22) No answer (N/A) + don't know (D/K) 2 (5) Q: When you look at the Hatoyama cabinet's lineup, do you appreciate Prime Minister Hatoyama's selections? Yes 52 No 14 Q: The DPJ-led government has now come into office. Do you think the initiative of politicians will be stronger than the bureaucrats? Yes 49 No 32 Q: The DPJ is now in office. Do you think the coalition government will be able to reduce the state's fiscal waste? Yes 61 No 26 Q: How do you think Japan's relations with the U.S. will change under the DPJ-led government? Change for the better 8 Change for the worse 14 Remain unchanged 71 TOKYO 00002194 014 OF 015 Q: Do you appreciate Mr. Hatoyama's appointment of Mr. Ichiro Ozawa as DPJ secretary general? Yes 45 No 40 Q: The Hatoyama cabinet is a tripartite coalition government of the DPJ, SDP, and PNP. Do you think Prime Minister Hatoyama should accept the SDP's and PNP's viewpoints to the extent possible to run the government? Yes 61 No 31 Polling methodology: The survey was conducted from the late afternoon of Sept. 16 through the evening of Sept. 17 over the telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. Respondents were chosen from among the nation's voting population on a three-stage random-sampling basis. Households with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,812. Valid answers were obtained from 1,054 persons (58 PERCENT ). (11) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 18, 2009 Questions & Answers (Figures shown in percentage. Parentheses denote results for the Aso cabinet in the last survey conducted in July.) Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet? Yes 75 (20) No 17 (62) Can't say (C/S) + don't know (D/K) 8 (18) Q: Which political party do you support or prefer? Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 58 (38) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 22 (29) New Komeito (NK) 2 (5) Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2 (3) Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (2) People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 1 (1) New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) Other political parties 1 (0) None 8 (10) C/S+D/K 3 (10) (Note) Percentages may not add up to 100 PERCENT in some cases due to rounding. Polling methodology: The survey was taken Sept. 16-17 by Nikkei Research Inc. by telephone on a random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, samples were chosen from among men and women aged 20 and over across the nation. A total of 1,397 households with one or more eligible voters were sampled, and answers were obtained from 857 persons (61.3 PERCENT ). TOKYO 00002194 015 OF 015 ROOS