JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/28/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/28/09 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) Futenma Facility Relocation 4) Okinawa governor accepts transfer of Futenma facility within prefecture (Tokyo Shimbun) 5) Hatoyama reaffirms intention to have transfer Futenma facility outside Okinawa (Yomiuri) 6) MOD Kitazawa says relocation of Futenma facility to Kadena would be difficult (Asahi) 7) MOD Kitazawa says it is difficult to move Futenma facility outside Okinawa (Tokyo Shimbun) 8) FM Okada discloses intention to examine the background behind the decision to move Futenma facility to Camp Schwab (Yomiuri) Defense & Security 9) Japan and Australia to conclude ACSA (Sankei) 10) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos meets with MOD Kitazawa (Yomiuri) 11) Foreign Ministry changes explanation for reason why ship is not carrying nuclear weapons (Yomiuri) 12) Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawless says carrying out pledges is a problem (Asahi) Refueling Mission 13) Hatoyama says Japan will not simply extend refueling mission (Yomiuri) 14) FM Okada to examine refueling mission and Afghan aid separately (Nikkei) Foreign Relations 15) Foreign Ministry begins investigation of "secret accord" (Nikkei) 16) Okada plans to prepare alternative Afghan aid measure before U.S. President arrives in Japan (Tokyo Shimbun) 17) Hatoyama to visit South Korea on Oct. 9 (Asahi) 18) Japanese, Chinese, and Korean foreign minister to meet today (Nikkei) 19) Hatoyama: Afghan aid to be top priority (Sankei) Politics 20) LDP to elect president today (Asahi) 21) Cabinet Committee for Basic Policy to hold first meeting today (Tokyo Shimbun) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Prime Minister Hatoyama aims to abolish bureaucrats' retiring early to land next job Mainichi, Yomiuri & Tokyo Shimbun: Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Minister Maehara vows to review special account budget for airports Nikkei: There are barriers to sustaining recovery TOKYO 00002255 002 OF 009 Sankei: Public, private sectors baffled by Hatoyama's international pledge to cut emissions by 25 PERCENT Akahata: Two news photographers get permanent posts at local TV station in Kyoto right before cancellation of their contracts 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Support for advanced technology research should be reviewed with wide field of vision (2) New government must investigate actual damage caused by Minamata mercury poisoning Mainichi: (1) Hatoyama diplomacy: Message of "change" conveyed successfully (2) New flu: Manage information to prevent confusion Yomiuri: (1) Abolishing provisional gasoline tax will not benefit financial situation or environment (2) Teacher's license recertification system: Priority is to verify effectiveness Nikkei: (1) Health, labor and welfare minister should quickly design a "revenue agency" that can harness the potential of the private sector (2) Can next-generation PHS service take off? Sankei: (1) Abduction issue: Hatoyama government should step up pressure on North Korea and call for reinvestigation (2) New defense minister's visit to Okinawa: Face up to the reality of Futenma relocation Tokyo Shimbun: (1) G-20 financial summit: Efforts to rectify imbalance to be tested (2) 50 years after Isewan typhoon: Any possibility of recurrence of "nightmare"? Akahata: (1) "Secret nuclear deal" - Shed light on the truth about Japan-U.S. security treaty 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, Sep 24-25 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 26, 2009 (Local time in the U.S.) September 24 Afternoon Left Kennedy International Airport on government plane; arrived in Pittsburgh International Airport; met Rengo (Japanese Trade Union Confederation) Chairman Tsuyoshi Takagi, others at Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh TOKYO 00002255 003 OF 009 Evening G-20 Summit reception at Phipps Conservatory; working dinner; informal meeting with reporters at Westin Hotel; stayed at Westin Hotel September 25 Morning Meetings with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Convention Center; Plenary Session 1 of Financial Summit Prime Minister's schedule, September 25-26 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 27, 2009 September 25 (local time in U.S.) Morning Photo session with leaders participating in Financial Summit at Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Afternoon Working lunch; met Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Plenary Session 2 of Financial Summit; met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Westin Hotel; news conference for Japanese and foreign media. Evening Met with U.S. Major League Baseball pitcher Hiroki Kuroda; threw first pitch at Pirates vs Dodgers game; informal meeting with Japanese residents in Pittsburgh; left Pittsburgh International Airport on government plane. September 26 (Japan time) 23:39 Arrived at Haneda Airport; met by Minister for National Strategy Naoto Kan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano. 00:33 Arrived at private residence. Prime Minister's schedule, September 27 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 28, 2009 Morning Stayed at private residence. 15:00 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano at Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) . 16:00 Joined by National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan; Hirano stayed behind; joined by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno. 16:15 Met Nihon Sumo Kyokai Chairman Musashikawa at Ryogoku Kokugikan. 17:02 Watched Grand Sumo September Tournament with wife Miyuki; accompanied by Matsuno. 18:00 Presented award certificate, Prime Minister's Trophy to winner Yokozuna Asashoryu; Prime Minister said: "Today is also Asashoryu-zeki's birthday. Congratulations!" 18:07 Dinner at chanko restaurant in Ryogoku with wife Miyuki, Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa, Matsuno, and others. 21:00 Arrived at private residence. 4) Okinawa gov. accepts Futenma's within-prefecture relocation TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) September 26, 2009 Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa met yesterday with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture. During the meeting, they discussed the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan. In this regard, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan is aiming to move Futenma airfield out of TOKYO 00002255 004 OF 009 Okinawa Prefecture or Japan. Nakaima underscored his acceptance of the relocation of Futenma airfield at an early date to a coastal area of Camp Schwab in the island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. "Relocating the airfield outside Okinawa Prefecture or outside Japan would be the best possible option," Nakaima said. "But it wouldn't be easy to do so," he added, "given past circumstances." He further said, "If Nago City accepts the Futenma relocation, we will accept its relocation within the prefecture." 5) Prime Minister intends to move Futenma out of Okinawa YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 26, 2009 Takuji Murao, Pittsburgh Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held informal talks with the accompanying press corps on the night of Sept. 24 (around noon on Sept. 25, Japan time). He indicated a plan to move the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa, out of the prefecture by reviewing the existing plan to relocate the base to Nago. Hatoyama said, "I have no intention to change the basic thinking." He also said: "Should the matter be decided by the end of the year? We need to determine the right timing." 6) Defense minister in Okinawa: Implementing plan to transfer functions of Futenma to Kadena Base "difficult" ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) September 27, 2009 Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, now visiting Okinawa Prefecture, made tours of the U.S. military's Camp Schwab in Henoko district in Nago City, which is viewed as the relocation site of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station; Okinawa International University, on the campus of which a U.S. military helicopter crashed in 2004; and other places yesterday. Kitazawa exchanged views with municipal government heads on the relocation of U.S. forces in Japan. He told the local heads that he will meet Prime Minister Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Tatsuya Okada early next week and formulate the government's policy at an early date. In the meeting with the mayors of three cities that lie along Kadena Air Base's perimeter, Kitazawa discussed a plan being floated for relocating the functions of Futenma Air Station to Kadena. Tokujitsu Miyagi, mayor of Kadena Town, expressed his opposition to the plan. At a post-meeting press conference Kitazawa indicated it would be difficult to implement the plan. "It is very unlikely (to be able to reach an agreement) with the U.S. military," he said. "Looking at the actual situation of Kadena Town, I thought it is extremely difficult to impose a further burden on (the residents of) the town." 7) Defense Minister Kitazawa to tell Prime Minister early next week that moving Futenma out of Okinawa would be difficult TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) September 27, 2009 Koki Miura Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, as the first minister of the TOKYO 00002255 005 OF 009 Hatoyama administration to visit Okinawa, inspected the relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan) on Sept. 26. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy is to move the air station out of the prefecture. Despite that, Kitazawa indicated after hearing views from local residents that relocating the air station out of the prefecture would be difficult. "We will be grateful if can explore ways for a relocation within the prefecture," Kitazawa said in a news conference held after the inspection of the relocation site. "Moving the base out of the prefecture would take a substantial amount of time. The current situation of Futenma Air Station permits of no delay." It is likely that Kitazawa will tell the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada early next week that moving the air station out of the prefecture would be difficult. 8) Foreign Minister Okada reveals plan to examine Futenma relocation plan YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 26, 2009 Toshimitsu Miyai, New York Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, meeting the press corps at a New York hotel on the night of Sept. 24 (on the morning of Sept. 25, Japan time),expressed a plan to examine how the coastal area of Camp Schwab (in Nago) was selected as the relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture). "The plan was determined when the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was in power," Okada said. "How (the LDP government) settled on that plan must be examined. What to do with (the relocation plan) is a subject to be discussed after that." The relocation of Futenma Air Station is specified in the roadmap for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, (adopted by Japan and the United States) in 2006. 9) Japan, Australia to conclude ACSA SANKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) September 27, 2009 The Japanese and Australian governments are expected to enter into an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA) for Japan's Self-Defense Forces and Australian forces to provide each other with food and fuel, sources revealed yesterday. Japan and Australia will hold a security consultative committee meeting of their foreign and defense ministers (2 plus 2) later this year to discuss specifics. This is the first time for Japan to conclude an ACSA treaty with a country other than the United States. 10) U.S. Ambassador Roos holds talks with Defense Minister Kitazawa YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 26, 2009 U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos held talks with Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa at the Defense Ministry on Sept. 25. Referring to U.S. force realignment, Ambassador Roos emphasized that "the roadmap and the various talks held to date carry great significance." 11) Foreign Ministry changes grounds for denying that U.S. is TOKYO 00002255 006 OF 009 bringing nuclear weapons into Japan, probably with "secret accord" in mind YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) September 26, 2009 In response to an inquiry by a local government on the possibility of the U.S. bringing nuclear weapons into Japan, the Foreign Ministry changed the grounds it has so far cited in denying such a possibility, according to local government officials concerned on Sept. 25. To a question from the Kochi Prefectural Government on the same day, the ministry said that U.S. warships are not capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The Foreign Ministry has said that it changed the explanation according to instructions from Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in the new government of the Democratic Party of Japan. The Kochi Prefectural Government asked the Foreign Ministry about whether the USNS Safeguard, which is scheduled to call at Kochi Port next month, is carrying nuclear weapons, according to prefectural government officials concerned. The Foreign Ministry replied orally on Sept. 25: "Since the U.S. salvage vessel is not capable of carrying nuclear weapons, the government has no doubt that the vessel is not carrying nuclear weapons." In replying to similar inquires and Diet replies in the past, the Foreign Ministry used to explain that the government had no doubt about the U.S. bringing nuclear weapons into Japan as long as there had been no prior consultations. Some observers have speculated that the ministry changed its explanation probably bearing in mind the possibility that it might be pressed to acknowledge the existence of alleged Japan-U.S. secret pacts in the future. 12) Ex-U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Richard Lawless: "Arbitrary implementation of DPJ's campaign pledge a problem" ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) September 26, 2009 Yoichi Kato, editorial staff member We interviewed former U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Richard Lawless, who was involved with the negotiations on U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment as the representative of the U.S. government, about the Hatoyama administration's policies. Q: The new administration is leaning toward a review of USFJ realignment Lawless: One-sided implementation of (the Democratic Party of Japan's) manifesto will damage the partnership with the U.S. Our concern is that the new administration appears not to understand how the various agreements came about and how changes in some parts will have a dramatic impact on the overall agreement. We hope they listen carefully to briefings by the bureaucrats. Q: Is there no possibility at all for any change in the Futenma relocation plan? Lawless: The U.S. accepted Japan's plans even though it was not 100 percent satisfied with them because Japan promised that it will TOKYO 00002255 007 OF 009 implement these plans without fail. Q: How about the proposal to merge (Futenma) with Kadena Air Base? Lawless: This is not realistic in terms of the capability required to deal with emergencies. Another military base is absolutely necessary. Q: How about the discontinuation of the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean? Lawless: Right now, Afghanistan is facing a period of challenge. Withdrawal will undermine trust in Japan. If continuation is not possible, it should think of alternative proposals other than just providing funds. Q: What do you think of making the secret nuclear agreement public? Lawless: I can understand this as a historical issue, but if this affects extended deterrence (the nuclear umbrella),it should be handled very carefully, because Japan is protected by extended deterrence. 13) Hatoyama says Japan will not simply extend refueling mission YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged) Eve., September 26, 2009 Kohei Kobayashi, Pittsburgh Prime Minister Hatoyama, meeting the press at a Pittsburgh hotel on the evening of Sept. 25 (on the morning of Sept. 26, Japan time), said he was not thinking of simply extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean that is set to end in January next year. At the same time, Hatoyama also indicated that the government would promptly study civilian aid measures, such as agricultural assistance and job training in Afghanistan, as Japan's international contribution instead of the MSDF's refueling activities. 14) FM Okada: Refueling mission, Afghan aid proposals to be considered separately NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 28, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada discussed Afghan reconstruction aid during an NHK TV program on September 27. He said: "Our thinking is not that we are replacing the refueling operation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean (with more aid)," indicating that the refueling mission and aid will be considered separately. With regard to when the aid proposals will be drawn up, he stated that "it will be desirable to come up with certain answers" by the time of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Japan in November. With regard to the relocation of the U.S. Forces' Futenma base (in Ginowan City, Okinawa),Okada pointed out that: "The permanent location of bases in Okinawa should be avoided as much as possible. We need to give more thought to the excessive burden (on Okinawa)." However, he also said: "This is an issue that has a history of more than 10 years. It will not be easy to change our approach just like that." TOKYO 00002255 008 OF 009 This statement indicates that the possibility remains that the government may settle on the current plan after a process of reexamination. Okada also revealed that Japan and the U.S. will jointly reexamine the existing plan, saying that: "For the U.S., this plan was put together under the Republican administration. It has been decided that both sides will reexamine it." 15) Foreign Ministry launches investigation into alleged secret accords NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 28, 2009 The Foreign Ministry has started an investigation into secret accords reached between the governments of Japan and the U.S., including one allowing stopovers in Japan's territory by U.S. military aircraft and vessels carrying nuclear weapons. An investigation team of about 15 ex-officials of the North American Affairs Bureau and others is examining about 3,700 volumes of related materials, aiming to complete a probe by the end of November. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada also intends to set up an expert panel tasked with looking into past circumstances and other details regarding the accords. 16) FM Okada: Japan to come up with alternative Afghan aid proposals ahead of U.S. President's visit TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) September 28, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada indicated during an NHK TV program on September 27 that the government will draw up new Afghan reconstruction aid proposals as an alternative to the refueling mission of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in the Indian Ocean, if the mission is discontinued, before U.S. President Barack Obama's first visit to Japan in November. The government's policy is to withdraw the MSDF when the authorization of the refueling mission expires in January. Okada said: "The withdrawal of the SDF may affect (other countries') aid to Afghanistan. We are saying that the mission will not simply be extended. We will engage in negotiations (with the U.S. and other countries) with a number of cards in our pocket." 17) Prime Minister Hatoyama to visit South Korea on Oct. 9 ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) September 28, 2009 Aihiro Makino, Seoul Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to visit South Korea on Oct. 9, according to South Korean government officials. The South Korean government, which aims to strengthen relations with Japan, requested that the Prime Minister chose Seoul as the first city he will visit in his bilateral diplomacy. Seoul's request was accepted by the Hatoyama administration, which has advocated the creation of an East Asian community. Hatoyama is expected to arrive in Seoul on the morning of Oct. 9. He is expected to take part in a summit meeting and luncheon there, and then leave for Beijing without staying overnight to attend a trilateral summit meeting on Oct. 10 TOKYO 00002255 009 OF 009 among Japan, China, and South Korea. 18) Japan-China-ROK foreign ministerial today NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 28, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada will visit Shanghai today to attend a trilateral foreign ministerial meeting among Japan, China, and South Korea to take place this afternoon. The trilateral foreign ministerial talks are aimed at laying the groundwork for a three-way summit slated for Oct. 10. The three foreign ministers are expected to discuss such issues as North Korea and global warming. 19) Hatoyama: Afghan aid to be top priority SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) September 26, 2009 Morimichi Imahori, Pittsburgh Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, now visiting the United States, held an informal meeting with accompanying reporters at a Pittsburgh hotel late at night on Sept. 24 (on the morning of Sept. 25, Japan time),during which he clarified that Japan, in its relations with the United States, would give top priority to putting together its own assistance measures to help stabilize Afghanistan. 20) New LDP president to be elected today ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpt) September 28, 2009 The opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect its 24th president today. The winner will be determined by ballots by the party's 199 Diet members and 300 votes by local party members. Sadakazu Tanigaki, 64, is ahead in the race in terms of Diet votes. Taro Kono and Yasutoshi Nishimura, both 46, are pinning their hopes on local votes. 21) Basic policy cabinet ministers committee to hold first meeting today TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) September 28, 2009 Yesterday Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). They decided to hold today the first meeting of the "Basic Policy Cabinet Ministers Committee," at which party-head-level officials of the three ruling parties coordinate policy. The committee comprises Deputy Prime Minister and National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ); Mizuho Fukushima, chairperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and state minister for consumer affairs; and Shizuka Kamei, representative of the People's New Party (PNP) and state minister for financial affairs. Hatoyama also will attend today's meeting. The four leaders are expected to mainly discuss the basic policy of compiling a state budget for next fiscal year. ROOS