JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/09/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002581

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.


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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


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& 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.


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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

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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

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rights for permanent foreign residents.

ROOS