JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/09/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/09/09 INDEX: (1) Obama to postpone visit to Japan by a day to attend ceremony for victims of recent shooting incident (Yomiuri) (2) U.S. President Obama's visit to Japan slips to Nov. 13; U.S. government slights Japan (Sankei) (3) Prime minister shows understanding toward U.S. (Asahi) (4) U.S. irked by delay in Futenma relocation decision, terms PM Hatoyama's statement "irresponsible" (Asahi) (5) GOJ makes budget allocation to build port on Okinotori Island to strengthen its position in continental shelf dispute with China (Sankei) (6) In e-mail magazine Prime Minister Hatoyama stresses option of relocating Futenma out of Okinawa and out of Japan (Mainichi) (7) Government to extend 5 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan over five years (Yomiuri) (8) Labor costs worth 116.4 billion yen in HNS to face scrutiny (Yomiuri) (9) Questions and answers from House of Councillors Budget Committee session on Nov. 6 - Foreign Minister eyes conclusion to U.S. force realignment next month (Asahi) (10) Prime Minister Hatoyama to announce policy of boosting ODA to Myanmar (Nikkei) (11) Okada to visit Okinawa this month (Nikkei) (12) Japan-U.S. foreign ministerial set for Nov. 11 (Nikkei) (13) PNP cautious about local voting rights for permanent foreign residents, reflecting different position from SDP (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Obama to postpone visit to Japan by a day to attend ceremony for victims of recent shooting incident YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) Evening, November 7, 2009 It has been learned that the U.S. government has conveyed to Japan a plan to push back President Obama's visit to Japan from Nov. 12-13 to Nov. 13-14. This was revealed on the 7th by a Japanese government source. As the reason for the delay in the President's visit to Japan, the U.S. cited that the President will attend a ceremony for the victims of a recent shooting incident at a U.S. Army base in Texas that took place on Nov. 5 (local time). The Japanese government is now conducting final coordination with related organizations in order to accommodate the schedule change. Obama's original schedule was to visit Japan on the afternoon of the 12th and leave for Singapore after holding a Japan-U.S. summit on the 13th to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting to be held on the 14th and the 15th. TOKYO 00002581 002 OF 010 It is unusual (for a U.S. president) to change his schedule right before visiting Japan. The Japanese government source said, "Since the only plan for the 12th was a dinner party, it is possible to change the schedule." (2) U.S. President Obama's visit to Japan slips to Nov. 13; U.S. government slights Japan SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) November 8, 2009 Hiroyuki Kano "Things must be difficult in the wake of the random shooting incident. We must understand that point. We will work hard so that it will not have a negative impact on our summit meeting." So spoke Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on the afternoon of Nov. 7 in reply to questions from the press corps about U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to delay his visit to Japan. Given the fact that it includes a luncheon with the Emperor and the Empress, the President's visit can be described as a quasi-state visit. The event has been arranged despite a series of imperial court events, such as the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's accession to the Throne. For this reason, some regard the abrupt change of schedule as not showing due respect. At the same time, the Japanese government cannot afford to unilaterally complain about the U.S. request for a change of schedule. Washington asked Tokyo to come up with an "answer" regarding the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture) -- the biggest outstanding issue between Japan and the United States - before the President's visit to Japan. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, obsessed with the idea of integrating Futenma with Kadena Air Base, explored ways to directly negotiate with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but he cancelled the plan at the last moment. The Prime Minister, too, announced on Oct. 22, "It is not something for which we must give an answer before the President arrives in Japan." As such, it can't be helped that within the U.S. government there is a growing trend to make light of Japan. In his talks with President Obama, Prime Minister Hatoyama intends to affirm a plan to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and discuss such issues as support for Afghanistan and the global environment. At the same time, Hatoyama has conveyed to the U.S. side his intention to minimize discussion of the Futenma issue. There is every reason for the President to believe that talks for formality's sake will suffice. (3) Prime minister shows understanding toward U.S. ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) November 8, 2009 The change in U.S. President Obama's schedule to visit to Japan will necessitate the rescheduling of such events as the bilateral summit from scratch, according to a senior Foreign Ministry official. Prime TOKYO 00002581 003 OF 010 Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 7 indicated his readiness to accept the U.S. request, noting to the press corps, "I think the President is having a hard time due to the shooting rampage. We must take into consideration his feelings." On the morning of the 7th the U.S. sounded out Japan about changing the schedule of the President's visit. Both leaders are expected to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting to be held in Singapore, starting on the 14th. The prime minister said, "I would like to have substantial talks (with President Obama). I hear the President also thinks that way." Japan-U.S. relations have become strained recently over such issues as the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. A Foreign Ministry official said, "There was a possibility of the President's cancelling his visit to Japan. He has decided to come to Japan in spite of a tight schedule. This indicates he attaches importance to Japan." (4) U.S. irked by delay in Futenma relocation decision, terms PM Hatoyama's statement "irresponsible" ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) November 7, 2009 In response to a question from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s Yoichi Masuzoe, former heath and labor minister, on the meaning of an "equal Japan-U.S. relationship" at the House of Councillors Budget Committee on Nov. 6, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama reiterated his opinion, saying: "Up until now, Japan has tended to conduct its diplomacy by saying 'yes' in accordance with the United States' wishes." At the committee meeting, Masuzoe, former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi (LDP),and other Upper House members expressed their concerns about the Japan-U.S. relationship. Kawaguchi pressed for reaching a conclusion at an early date on the Futenma issue, on which the government's has not determined a policy, by saying: "The U.S. embassy monitors (the live telecast of the Budget Committee proceedings) constantly. The Prime Minister must be aware that his statements send important messages to the U.S." Hatoyama advocated moving the Futenma base out of Okinawa during the recent general election, but Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa accepts the current plan to move the base to Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa. On the other hand, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has given up on moving the base out of Okinawa, but is looking at the possibility of merging Futenma with Kadena Air Base. The U.S. side is perplexed because it has no idea whom to talk to in the Hatoyama administration in order to reach an agreement, and even the members of the Hatoyama administration seem to have no idea. Hatoyama met President Barack Obama in the U.S. shortly after taking office. At that time, it seemed as if the bilateral relationship had gotten off to a good start, with the two leaders talking amicably about the change of administration (in both countries) and so forth. However, officials and Japan experts in the U.S. government point out that Hatoyama's statement on Oct. 16 "changed the situation completely." Hatoyama indicated then that a decision on the Futenma issue would be deferred until after the Nago mayoral election in TOKYO 00002581 004 OF 010 January 2010. The U.S. side is furious because this is "overly irresponsible." There are also growing concerns on the Japanese side about the stance of the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). A Diet member who serves as one of the top political appointees in a ministry says: "The administration as a whole does not give enough consideration to diplomacy with the U.S. Since we do not even understand what the Kantei is thinking, there is no way the U.S. can understand." A senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official also says: "The next one or two months will be critical. If we fail, the U.S. side will come to the conclusion that there is no use working with the Democratic Party of Japan administration on anything." (5) GOJ makes budget allocation to build port on Okinotori Island to strengthen its position in continental shelf dispute with China SANKEI (Top play) (Full) November 7, 2009 The government decided on Nov. 6 to build a port facility on Okinotori Island (part of the village of Ogasawara, Tokyo),an uninhabited island in the southernmost part of Japan. Funds to start the survey and design of the port will be allocated in the FY2010 budget. It is believed that there are rare metal and other seabed resources in waters near Okinotori, but the Chinese government claims that the island is merely a "rock," which Japan cannot use as a basis for setting its exclusive economic zone (EEZ, approximately 370 kilometers from the coast line). The government intends to demonstrate to the international community that Okinotori is an "island" by setting up a base for surveying, development, and other economic activities there. Okinotori Island is located about 1,700 kilometers south-southwest of Tokyo at 20 degrees 25 minutes north latitude and 136 degrees 4 minutes east longitude. It consists of two small islands that are only a few meters high and wide at high tide surrounded by a coral atoll. The island has no port for ships to moor, so the only way to land on the island is to anchor ships in nearby waters and transfer to small boats. For this reason, the government plans to build a port facility on the atoll for ships to anchor and make this the operational base for embankment management and maritime surveys. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) has earmarked several hundred million yen for surveying and design for "building an operational base for activities in remote islands" in its FY2010 budget requests. Field surveys and schematic design will be conducted for Okinotori, along with the Minamitori Island, where officials of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces, Japan Coast Guard (JCG),and the Japan Meteorological Agency are stationed. Last August, China asked the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which makes recommendations on setting the outer limit of the continental shelf, to designate Okinotori as a "rock that cannot sustain human habitation and economic life." At present, the existence of Okinotori Island enables Japan to set an EEZ of some 400,000 square kilometers around the island, which is larger than its national territory (approximately 380,000 square kilometers),and to exercise its sovereign right to develop resources and engage in fishing and other economic activities. If Okinotori is designated as a "rock," an EEZ cannot be set, and this TOKYO 00002581 005 OF 010 will limit Japan's rights to an area within a 22-kilometer radius around the island (approximately 1,500 square kilometers). China has set the "first island chain" from the Southwest Islands to Taiwan as its defense line for the command of the sea to counter U.S. military intervention in the event of a contingency in Taiwan. It is also believed to be eyeing further inroads into the outer "second island chain" from the Ogasawara islands to Saipan and Guam, which makes Okinotori a critical location. China has been actively conducting maritime surveys in sea areas near the island and is believed to be also collecting data necessary for submarine navigation. For the above reason, the recognition of Okinotori Island as a base for economic activities is of great significance in terms of security. For this same reason, the JCG set up a lighthouse on Okinotori in 2007 to assert Japan's sovereignty. Meanwhile, MLIT Minister Seiji Maehara has stated repeatedly since the time he was in the opposition camp that "the possibility of China attempting to exercise effective control on Okinotori Island and the adjacent EEZ cannot be ruled out." (6) In e-mail magazine Prime Minister Hatoyama stresses option of relocating Futenma out of Okinawa and out of Japan MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) November 8, 2009 In reference to the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) in his Cabinet's e-mail magazine distributed on Nov. 7, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama criticized the previous Aso administration's diplomacy for servility to the United States. He wrote in the e-mail magazine: "There is no room for doubt that the previous administration fashioned a Japan-U.S. relationship based on subservience to America. I think a reexamination may be necessary." He stressed his intention of looking into a review of the Futenma base relocation plan with an eye to relocating the base outside Okinawa or outside Japan. He also said in the e-mail magazine: "I want to reach a conclusion after examining seriously every possible option, including relocation in or outside Okinawa, and in or outside Japan. The issue is not so simple that I can say when we will arrive at a conclusion." (7) Government to extend 5 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan over five years ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) November 7, 2009 The cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday compiled a package of measures to help reconstruct Afghanistan. Under the package, the government will extend 5 billion dollars, or approximately 450 billion yen, over five years for civilian support, including measures to provide vocational training for former soldiers of the anti-government Taliban and to reinforce police functions. It will also extend 2 billion dollars, or approximately 180 billion yen, over five years to Afghanistan's neighbor Pakistan, where the security situation is deteriorating. TOKYO 00002581 006 OF 010 Hatoyama has revealed that he has no intention to extend the ongoing Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean beyond its expiration in January. In response, cabinet members have worked out assistance measures to replace the mission. Japan has so far disbursed a total of about 2 billion dollars in civilian aid for Afghanistan since 2002. The amount of aid will be significantly increased. The prime minister is prepared to inform U.S. President Barack Obama about the package during the Japan-U.S. summit meeting set for Nov. 13 in a bid to demonstrate Japan's willingness to cooperate in building stability in Afghanistan. The government plans to focus particularly on aid that will help restore public order. It will also continue a measure undertaken this year to pay half of the salaries of police officers. Japan has given training to about 10 senior police officers every year, and it intends to increase the number of trainees. In addition, the government has decided to introduce a program under which former Taliban soldiers will acquire civil engineering skills while receiving wages. It will also support a rural development project designed to enable former soldiers to reintegrate into society after completing the training course. (8) Labor costs worth 116.4 billion yen in HNS to face scrutiny YOMIURI (Top Play) (Excerpts) Evening, November 7, 2009 The Government Revitalization Unit has decided to review the salaries of base workers as a target for cuts in a bid to eliminate wasteful spending in budgetary requests for fiscal 2010. Base workers salaries are part of labor costs in the nation's host nation support (HNS, the so-called omoiyari yosan, or "sympathy budget") for U.S. forces in Japan. Of the191.9 billion yen in the Defense Ministry's budget request for HNS, 116.4 billion yen will be subject to review for possible cuts. Government Revitalization Minister Yoshito Sengoku will discuss the issue with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, and other concerned officials before deciding on the budget cut at a meeting of the said panel early next week. A total of 25,499 Japanese (as of the end of fiscal 2008) are working at U.S. military bases as clerks at command centers or employees of restaurants or recreation facilities such as golf courses. A Japan-U.S. special agreement on HNS for U.S. bases stipulates that the Japanese government pay salaries for 23,055 workers, with the rest paid by the U.S. military. The burden on the Japanese government is likely to be affected. The U.S. base workers conclude contracts with the Japanese government, but their status is not that of public servants. They receive the same treatment as that of workers at private companies. Their wage levels, however, are set by the government every year and are almost the same as those of national public servants. (9) Questions and answers from House of Councillors Budget Committee session on Nov. 6 - Foreign Minister eyes conclusion to U.S. force realignment next month YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) November 7, 2009 TOKYO 00002581 007 OF 010 & North Korean issue Yoichi Masuzoe (of the Liberal Democratic Party): Do the Self-Defense Forces have the capability to defend themselves against a nuclear attack by North Korea? Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: The SDF's capability is not in a condition to deal entirely with North Korea's military potential. & Japan-U.S. relations Masuzoe: What does an equal Japan-U.S. relationship mean? Prime Minister: We must continue to deepen Japan-U.S. relations in a multilayered way. There have been many cases of diplomacy in which Japan went along with the United States' intentions. Yoriko Kawaguchi (of the LDP): Do you think relations between the two countries are equal in the security area? Prime Minister: In making decisions, the two countries have not been equal in the past. The new administration's foreign policy aims at making (the two countries) more equal. & Futenma relocation issue Masuzoe: (Cabinet ministers' views are lacking unity) regarding the Futenma issue. Prime Minister: I have no intention to postpone the deadline endlessly. I am examining the options with relevant ministers to come up with innovative ideas. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada: If we are to take the feelings of the people in Okinawa into consideration, we will not be able to come up with an answer next week. Prime Minister: I have no intention to reach a conclusion by the time (President Obama) visits Japan. We will discuss the Afghan issue as well, so I have confidence that (President Obama's) visit to Japan will be fruitful. Kawaguchi: You are examining the U.S. force realignment roadmap that was agreed upon between Japan and the United States. Are you going to reach a conclusion by December? Foreign Minister: The end of December could certainly be a target. We will make efforts to make a decision by then, but we might not be able to meet that target. I don't want to continue reviewing (the roadmap) beyond December. Prime Minister: I have no intention to set a deadline to complete the review. & Support for Afghanistan Masuzoe: What has happened to the idea of dispatching Self-Defense Force troops? Prime Minister: I have no intention to dispatch SDF troops to Afghanistan. TOKYO 00002581 008 OF 010 Kawaguchi: We would like a thorough explanation about why the government will not continue the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Prime Minister: As a result of considering what can be done using the limited resources we have, we thought we should extend support activities that the Afghan people will appreciate more than the refueling mission. We will extend economic aid that will allow people to stop growing poppies and engage in new agricultural programs. Japan is paying the salaries of police officers. We want to step up that program. It is also necessary to encourage Taliban soldiers to abandon their weapons and take on new jobs. Kawaguchi: What about counterterrorism measures? Prime Minister: Things will be difficult (if we provide support) in the military sector alone. It is essential to eradicate the roots of terrorism with civilian support. Yamaguchi: It has been reported that Japan will extend civilian aid worth 400 billion to 500 billion yen. Prime Minister: We are thinking of providing aid on that level for five years. & East Asian Community concept Masuzoe: Where will the United States be positioned (in the concept of an East Asian Community)? Prime Minister: I envisage a concept that also requires the cooperation of the United States in the future. At present, I am not thinking of which countries will be included or not included in the concept. (10) Prime Minister Hatoyama to announce policy of boosting ODA to Myanmar NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) November 7, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will hold talks on Nov. 7 with visiting Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein and announce that his government will expand grant aid and technical cooperation for its official development assistance (ODA) to Myanmar (Burma) on the condition that positive steps are made toward democratization. The Japanese government plans to gradually increase its ODA from 2010 while gauging progress in democratization in Myanmar. Hatoyama told reporters on Nov. 6: "If we conclude that steps have been taken toward democratization, it will be possible for us to increase a variety of assistance measures." In the wake of the Myanmar military government's house arrest of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2003, Japan drastically reduced its ODA to Myanmar. However, the Hatoyama administration has now decided to increase its ODA to the nation because the U.S. Obama administration, which places importance on Southeast Asia, has embarked on a policy of improving relations with Myanmar. Japan provided ODA worth about 2.8 billion yen to Myanmar in fiscal ¶2007. The Japanese government, however, intends to boost its ODA to TOKYO 00002581 009 OF 010 Myanmar to the level of 5 to 7 billion yen, which Japan provided in 2003 and before. (11) Okada to visit Okinawa this month NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 7, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, meeting the press yesterday, said he will visit Okinawa Prefecture to hear local views concerning the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the prefecture. "I think I should visit there as soon as possible," he said. Meanwhile, State Minister for Consumer Affairs and Declining Birthrate Mizuho Fukushima, who heads the Social Democratic Party, one of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's two coalition partners, said yesterday she would cancel her plan to visit Okinawa. Fukushima had planned to visit Okinawa on Nov. 8 to participate in a rally to protest the relocation of Futenma airfield within Okinawa Prefecture. She is believed to have made the decision in order to avoid confusion ahead of U.S. President Obama's visit to Japan. (12) Japan-U.S. foreign ministerial set for Nov. 11 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 7, 2009 It has been decided that Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and U.S. Secretary of State Clinton will meet in Singapore on Nov. 11. Okada is expected to conduct final coordination on such issues as the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station and Japan's assistance to Afghanistan, which are to be discussed in a meeting to be held between Prime Minister Hatoyama and President Obama on Nov. 13 in Japan. Okada and Clinton will visit Singapore to attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) foreign ministerial meetings to be held there on Nov. 11-12. The Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to hold a meeting between Okada and Clinton during the APEC session. Okada had considered visiting the United States, but he gave up on the plan due in part to the Diet schedule. (13) PNP cautious about local voting rights for permanent foreign residents, reflecting different position from SDP NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 8, 2009 People's New Party leader Shizuka Kamei on Nov. 7 indicated a cautious stance toward the submission of a bill granting local voting rights for permanent foreign residents. He noted, "It is necessary to obtain a national consensus (before submitting the legislation). The nature of the legislation doesn't warrant adopting it just because the number of votes supported it exceed those against it." He made this remark in a reply to a question from the press corps. On the other hand, Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima said, "The SDP agrees to submit the bill and pass it into law." The remarks of the two leaders made it clear that ruling coalition members' differ in their stances toward local voting TOKYO 00002581 010 OF 010 rights for permanent foreign residents. ROOS