TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 002585 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 - U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: There were no papers published on Monday morning due to a press holiday. Most broadcasters reported on a mass rally held on Sunday in Ginowan, Okinawa, to protest the current plan to relocate MCAS Futenma to Camp Schwab. ¶2. "GOJ Should Work on Restructuring U.S.-Japan Alliance" The moderate Yomiuri editorialized (11/7): "It is almost certain that the issue of relocating MCAS Futenma in Okinawa will not be settled before President Obama visits Japan on November 12. This will likely have an adverse effect on U.S.-Japan relations. We think this is a deplorable situation.... Prime Minister Hatoyama has said he will 'deepen the U.S.-Japan alliance in a multilayered manner,' looking toward the 50th anniversary of the revision of the bilateral security treaty next year. However, his remarks on putting off a decision on the Futenma issue, halting the refueling operation, and reducing host nation support for U.S. forces in Japan have all served to undermine the alliance.... One of the reasons behind his series of remarks is the presence of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),a junior coalition partner, in the Hatoyama government. The SDP is opposed to any attempts by the Hatoyama administration to shift its policy on those issues. Easy compromises should not be made on foreign and security issues that form the foundation of the nation. Prime Minister Hatoyama must reason with the SDP to restructure the U.S.-Japan alliance." ROOS