TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RELOCATION OF FUTENMA AIR STATION

UNCLAS TOKYO 002436 SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RELOCATION OF FUTENMA AIR STATION ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning included a Yomiuri report claiming that Secretary of Defense Gates urged Foreign Minister Okada during their meeting on Tuesday in Tokyo to make a decision on Futenma relocation by the time President Obama visits Japan on November 12-13. ¶2. "Hatoyama Administration Should Finalize Its Policy on Futenma Relocation" The liberal Asahi editorialized (10/22): "The relocation of MCAS Futenma functions to Henoko in Nago City in Okinawa was agreed upon by the previous administrations of the U.S. and Japan.... The DPJ has been calling for relocating the Futenma functions either outside Okinawa or outside Japan. It is reasonable for the Japanese side to request that the U.S. give it time to review the issue, including new possibilities. However, the Hatoyama administration should not simply put off its decision.... The U.S. and Japan should avoid heading toward a situation in which their differences of opinions over the Futenma issue undermine the overall bilateral relationship.... The Hatoyama administration should promptly finalize its basic policy on Futenma relocation." ¶3. "Futenma Issue Must Not Be Put Off" The moderate Yomiuri argued in an editorial (10/22): "Concerning the relocation of MCAS Futenma functions, the USG has taken a step forward. It is time for the GOJ to come to a compromise instead of putting off the issue.... Postponing the decision will not only delay the schedule but also weaken the momentum in the U.S. and Okinawa for relocating the base, causing the whole plan to fall apart." ¶4. "'Security Friction' Might Jeopardize U.S.-Japan Alliance" The business-oriented Nikkei contended in an editorial (10/22): "Although it is natural for policies to change after a new administration takes the helm, international commitments are different. For example, the Bush administration maintained the 1996 U.S.-Japan agreement on the return of Futenma that was agreed to under the Clinton administration. If the U.S. had broken the agreement, the Japanese side might have lost its trust in U.S. foreign policy.... The U.S.-Japan friction over security issues that has become evident through Secretary Gates's visit to Japan should be limited to a temporary phenomenon associated with a change of government. If Japan continues to be unable to resolve the outstanding issues, President Obama's visit to Japan in November could actually end in failure even if Japan tries to present an appearance of success with words alone." ¶5. "Warning on Alliance Should Be Taken Seriously" The conservative Sankei editorialized (10/22): "Secretary of Defense Gates stressed to the Japanese side, which has failed to provide a clear response, that there will be no transfer of Marines to Guam without Futenma relocation. This statement should be taken to signify disappointment with the Hatoyama administration, which continues to postpone the U.S. force realignment, and a warning that the U.S.-Japan alliance could collapse if Japan fails to deal with the issue in a proactive manner." ¶6. "All Possible Options Should Be Studied" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun opined in an editorial (10/22): "Secretary of Defense Gates, while visiting Japan, strongly called for relocating MCAS Futenma functions within Okinawa. Although the agreement between the two governments is important, all possible options, including relocating outside Okinawa or outside Japan, should be studied." ROOS