JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/15/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002370 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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/15/09 INDEX: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) Ambassador Roos interviews: 4) "Stick with the plan" for Futenma facility relocation; "I hope for continuation" of the refueling mission" (Sankei) 5) Japan and U.S. "should cooperate as equal partners in eliminating nuclear weapons" (Mainichi) 6) Gist of Ambassador's comments in Mainichi interview (Mainichi) 7) "Japan-U.S. FTA should include agriculture" (Nikkei) U.S. base issues 8) Minister for Financial Affairs Kamei calls for debate on the rationale for U.S. bases (Nikkei) 9) SDP opposes proposal to build Futenma replacement facility in offing (Nikkei) North Korean issues 10) Govt. to ask for reinvestigation of abductions (Nikkei) 11) Govt. defers submitting bill on inspecting North Korean cargo (Yomiuri) Politics 12) Record budget request tops 90 trillion yen (Nikkei) Opinion poll 13) Yomiuri poll: 91 PERCENT think newspapers are necessary; 85 PERCENT believe what they read (Yomiuri) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: BNP Paribas suspected of illegal transactions Mainichi: Government panel to urge abolishment of system of recommendations by National Personnel Authority on wage hikes for state employees Yomiuri: DPJ Ozawa's fund reports contain false statements Nikkei & Tokyo Shimbun Budget requests for fiscal 2010 to be highest-ever at over 90 trillion yen Sankei: Hatoyama administration indicates plan to issue more deficit-covering bonds Akahata: JCP in central committee meeting emphasized need to demonstrate real value of constructive opposition party 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Real negotiations on Futenma relocation start now TOKYO 00002370 002 OF 008 (2) Government should allocate more funds in second extra budget for measures with high priority for public livelihoods Mainichi: (1) Newspapers should continue to respond to young people's expectations (2) Moratorium turmoil: Media caught in trap of Kamei's PR strategy Yomiuri: (1) Government should approve relocation of Futenma within Okinawa (2) Newspaper must play role of "window" to reflect social changes and show Japan's future course Nikkei: (1) International cooperation imperative in regulating commodity futures trading (2) BOJ must decide when to end purchase of commercial papers and debentures in careful manner Sankei: (1) Present specific measures for turning Haneda into international hub (2) Prime minister urged to approve relocation of Futenma facility within Okinawa Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Newspaper Week: Analysis and examination necessary for people (2) Look into possibility of bid to bring Olympic Games to atomic-bombed city Akahata: (1) Free navigation through five straits: U.S. applies pressure on strength of "secret nuclear accord" 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, October 14 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) October 15, 2009 09:07 Met House of Representatives member Keishu Tanaka at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. 10:13 Met Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka, followed by Senior Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Masamitsu Naito. 10:56 Met Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing. 11:41 Lunch and study meeting with Tokyo University Graduate School Professor Motoshige Ito and others. 14:01 Met Chairman Musashikawa of Japan Sumo Association and grand champions Asashoryu and Hakuho. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano was also present. 14:38 Met National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan and Hirano. Kan stayed behind. 18:43 Informal meeting with reporters covering the prime minister at Chinese restaurant Kamonka in Akasaka. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno was also present 21:38 Arrived at his private residence. 4) Ambassador Roos in interview expresses hopes for preservation of existing plan on Futenma relocation, continuation of refueling mission TOKYO 00002370 003 OF 008 SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) October 15, 2009 U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview with the Sankei Shimbun at his official residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo, yesterday. In reference to the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, the Ambassador said: "It is the hope and expectation of the U.S. that "the Japanese government will return to the existing (U.S. force realignment) roadmap," indicating a negative view about a review of the current agreement, in the belief that preserving the current plan is the best option. Regarding the Maritime Self-Defense Force's ongoing refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, the Ambassador frankly expressed expectations for its continuation, saying: "The international community has appreciated the Japanese mission, and many countries are hopeful for its continuation." The Ambassador pointed out that Japan and the U.S. are already "equal partners, and they should be equal partners in the future." Asked his opinion on the proposed review of the existing Futenma relocation plan by some members of the Hatoyama government, the Ambassador said: "In the U.S. as well, the new (Obama) administration reexamined the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the road map," indicating understanding of the new Japanese government's reexamination of the process. However, the Ambassador said that (the roadmap) is "the result of the examination of all possible options by Japanese and U.S. experts over a dozen years." He emphasized that "it is not productive to focus on parts of the agreed package and pose questions." He added that the roadmap is the best option (for Japan and the U.S.) to move forward, and it is a vital agreement." Regarding Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, even while saying "I do not want to prejudge the final decision to be made by the Hatoyama administration," the Ambassador commented: "I hope that Japan will continue a significant effort in a significant way." Asked about the concept of an East Asia Community proposed by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the Ambassador replied: "In view of overcoming global issues it is constructive for Japan to strengthen relations with its neighbors." But he warned that the concept should not exclude the U.S., saying: "The U.S. is a state in the Pacific region and one of the core states indispensable for the development of a regional framework." 5) U.S. Ambassador Roos calls for Japan's cooperation as an equal partner in nuclear abolition; urges Japan to accept existing Futenma relocation plan MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) October 15, 2009 Naoya Sugio U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, 54, gave an interview to the Mainichi Shimbun at his official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 14. With respect to President Barack Obama's two top priorities of elimination of nuclear weapons and combating global warming, the Ambassador said, "Japan and the United States should cooperate as TOKYO 00002370 004 OF 008 equal partners." He also cited the response to the rise of China, the Afghan issue, and combating piracy off Africa as other areas requiring (bilateral) cooperation. The Ambassador left the door open for President Obama's visit to Hiroshima, the city that suffered atomic bombing, saying, "The President will make a decision himself." The Ambassador also called for the acceptance of the existing plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Camp Schwab. He said: "After assuming office, President Obama reexamined the previous policy and has renewed his commitment to the Japan-U.S. alliance. I want to see the Hatoyama administration reach a similar conclusion." Referring to Japan's contributions to Afghanistan that are under review by the Hatoyama administration, the Ambassador indicated that Japan should make contributions in addition to those made to date. He thus strongly called for the continuation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The Ambassador gave high marks to Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada's announcement during his recent Afghan visit to offer vocational training to former Taliban soldiers, saying it would be a positive contribution. On the concept of an East Asian Community, advocated by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the U.S. envoy said, "I support the effort to strengthen relations between Japan and its neighbors." At the same time, he played up the need for the United States to become involved in Asia, saying, "It is important that the United States plays a vital role in the region." "I worked for 25 years (as a lawyer) in Silicon Valley until taking up the post of Ambassador to Japan," Roos said. "I hope to use my expertise and background in that area." He also expressed a desire to promote collaboration between the government and the private sector, between governments, and between companies in fields of technological innovation such as renewable energy. "Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Mansfield's words (that the Japan-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world) are equally true today," Ambassador Roos said, "I want to contribute to further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance." 6) Gist of interview with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos MAINICHI (Page 7) (Full) October 7, 2009 The following is the gist of comments by U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos. (U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station relocation issue) I can understand that Japan's new administration is examining past policies. Following its launch the Obama administration reaffirmed the present roadmap. I hope Japan will reach the same conclusion. (Future relations between Japan and the U.S.) Former Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield's words "the U.S.-Japan relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, bar none" still hold true. Next year will mark the 50th TOKYO 00002370 005 OF 008 anniversary of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. We should further promote our alliance. Japan and the U.S. are now equal partners. The U.S. hopes to cooperate with Japan on such issues as the rise of China, North Korea, and international terrorism. We will address two issues - the elimination of nuclear arms and nuclear nonproliferation, and climate change and renewable energy, to which the leaders of Japan and the U.S. attach importance. (Prime Minister Hatoyama's Initiative for an East Asian Community) Relations between Japan and its neighbors are not a zero-some game. It is important for the U.S. to play a key role in building relations in this region. (Visit to Hiroshima) Three generations of my family visited the Peace Memorial Park and the (Atomic) Bomb Museum and were deeply moved by what we saw. I would like to share this experience of mine with the President. The White House is now working out details for the president's visit to Japan in November. (Switch from being an attorney to an ambassador) I became the Ambassador to Japan at a historically very interesting time (the change in government). I would like to contribute (to bilateral relations) through technological innovation, such as measures to curb global warming, by using my experience in Silicon Valley. 7) Ambassador Roos says at interview Japan-U.S. FTA should include agriculture, current plan favored for Futenma relocation NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) October 15, 2009 U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview to Nihon Keizai Shimbun at his official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 14. Discussing Japan-U.S. trade relations, the Ambassador said: "It is important to expand free trade in the world. I hope to be able to make progress on a comprehensive trade agreement with Japan," indicating that the Obama administration has a strong interest in a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan. Although the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) indicated in its manifesto (campaign pledges) for the recent House of Representatives election that agriculture will be excluded from the FTA, Ambassador Roos pointed out that "agriculture should also be included." Regarding the timetable for FTA negotiations, he said: "Experts of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and Japanese experts should continue to hold open dialogue." He added, "Personally, I always favor comprehensive, free trade," indicating his hope for the conclusion of an FTA at an early date. On the question of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, Roos noted: "Like the United States, Japan has had a change of administration. The Hatoyama administration is conducting its own analysis and discussions (on the Japan-U.S. agreement)." He then said, "After this process is completed, I hope the Japanese administration, like the Obama administration, will reconfirm the realignment plan." TOKYO 00002370 006 OF 008 On this issue, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima is demanding that the facility replacing Futenma, to be built in the coastal area of Camp Schwab in Okinawa under the Japan-U.S. agreement, be moved farther offshore. Roos commented, "At this point, it would not be productive to discuss minor modifications or alternative plans," refraining from going into specifics. The Hatoyama administration advocates building a "close and equal relationship" as a policy goal. "If I may borrow Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's words," he said, "(Japan and the United States) should be able to respect each other and hold a dialogue as equal partners on many issues." As examples he cited "North Korea (the nuclear arms development issue),Afghanistan (reconstruction aid), Pakistan (political stability),Iraq (reconstruction aid),and anti-piracy operations, as well as nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, global warming prevention, and other issues agreed upon by President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama." With regard to the selection of Japan's next main fighter (FX),Roos said, "This is a decision for the Japanese government to make on the basis of what is best for building Japan's defense capability and for the bilateral alliance." He refrained from mentioning specific models, such as the F-22 or the F-35, which are tipped as the top choices, and added that, "Licensed production (in Japan in the future) should also be discussed between Japanese experts and the Department of Defense," indicating an intention to step up government level talks from a multifaceted standpoint. 8) Financial services minister Kamei urges government to discuss issue of military bases with U.S. NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) October 15, 2009 Shizuka Kamei, state minister for financial affairs and postal reform, yesterday delivered a speech at the Japan National Press Club. Referring in his speech to the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station (Ginowan City in Okinawa Prefecture),he expressed the view that Japan and the United States should seriously look into whether the U.S. bases in Okinawa and Yokota Air Force Base in Tokyo are absolutely necessary for the U.S. He also stressed: "The time for Japan to go along what the U.S. says is over. The government should discuss security issues with the U.S. administration on an equal footing." 9) SDP rejects plan to build alternative Futenma replacement facility offshore NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) October 15, 2009 Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima, state minister for consumer affairs, food safety, declining birthrate and gender equality, renewed her call for relocating U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, outside the prefecture. In a press conference yesterday, she referred to a position paper on the assessment of the environmental impact of the existing relocation site submitted by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima calling for moving the construction site offshore from the coastal area of Camp Schwab in Nago City office: "I am determined to make efforts in the coalition government to prevent the plan to build an offshore facility from being implemented." TOKYO 00002370 007 OF 008 Fukushima also said: "Politicians should decide on when and how (the policy) should be relayed (to the U.S.)." She also indicated that the issue will be discussed at the Ministerial Committee on Basic Policies, which the ruling parties' leaders, including Fukushima, will participate in. 10) Government to ask North Korea to reinvestigate abduction of Japanese nationals NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) October 15, 2009 In light of the growing view that talks between the United States and North Korea will be held soon in order to resume the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear programs, the government yesterday decided to ask North Korea to reinvestigate the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals by the reclusive state through the United States and other countries. While gauging the outcome of U.S.-North Korea talks, the government aims to restart dialogue with Pyongyang, conditioned on progress on the abduction issue. However, it is uncertain how North Korea will respond to the request. On Oct. 15 Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki will leave for Washington for discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue. He is expected to meet with Assistant Secretary of State (for East Asia and Pacific) Kurt Campbell, Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth, and other U.S. government officials. 11) Sanctions against North Korea: Submission of ship inspection legislation put on hold YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpt) October 15, 2009 The government on Oct. 14 decided to put off the submission of North Korean cargo inspection special measures legislation for implementing the UN Security Council's resolution on sanctions against North Korea to the extraordinary Diet session to be convened on the 23rd, and conveyed its decision to the ruling camp. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has been aiming to re-submit a bill with contents that are almost identical to those included in the government-sponsored bill, which was killed during the previous ordinary Diet session. However, the DPJ has given consideration to the Social Democratic Party's cautious approach to the bill and North Korea's flexible stance on the resumption of the Six-Party talks to discuss its nuclear program. 12) Fiscal 2010 budget requests likely to top largest-ever amount of 90 trillion yen NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead para.) October 15, 2009 It appears likely that according to fiscal 2010 budget requests, the total amount of general-account expenditures, which indicate the state's fiscal scale, will reach the highest-ever level, topping 90 trillion yen. This is because the Democratic Party (DPJ) will implement the showcase policies it pledged in its manifesto for the Lower House election. The government's fiscal 2010 budget compilation guidelines adopted at a cabinet meeting in September TOKYO 00002370 008 OF 008 call for each cabinet member to submit requests that are below the level of the fiscal 2009 initial budget. Pressure for greater expenditure is building despite a drop in tax revenues, which will likely cause uncertainty about the securing of funding resources to remain. 13) Poll: 91 PERCENT see need for newspapers YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) October 15, 2009 Ahead of the 62nd Newspaper Week event that starts today, the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a face-to-face nationwide public opinion survey to probe public attitudes toward newspapers. In this survey, 91 PERCENT of respondents answered "yes" when asked if they need newspapers to obtain information or knowledge. This year's survey posted a high percentage similar to the result of last year's survey, in which "yes" accounted for 90 PERCENT . Meanwhile, a total of 85 PERCENT answered that the press reporting is reliable. In last year's survey, this figure was also 85 PERCENT . The survey shows that the general public values the newspapers. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought newspapers provide the information they need or information that is helpful for their daily lives. In response to this question, "yes" accounted for 88 PERCENT (86 PERCENT in last year's survey). Respondents were also asked if they thought newspapers report facts and various opinions fairly. To this question, "yes" accounted for 69 PERCENT (66 PERCENT in last year's survey). Furthermore, respondents were asked if newspapers pay attention to people's human rights and privacy so as not to violate them. To this question, "yes" accounted for 74 PERCENT (70 PERCENT in last year's survey). The figures were all higher than last year's. In addition, respondents were asked to pick one or more news media which they thought played a significant role in focusing on the background behind the news or delving into the issues at hand. In their multiple-choice answers, "newspapers" accounted for 61 PERCENT (76 PERCENT in last year's survey),topping all other media. Also, when asked about the media coming up with solutions to public concerns or problems, "newspapers" topped all other media, scoring 59 PERCENT (63 PERCENT in last year's survey). The survey was conducted Sept. 5-6. ROOS