JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/14/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/14/09 INDEX: (1) Japan-U.S. summit: Hatoyama, Obama agree to reach expeditious conclusion on Futenma and to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance (Yomiuri) (2) Hatoyama, Obama agree to start talks anew to deepen alliance (Nikkei) (3) President Obama arrives in Japan, holds talks with Prime Minister; emphasizes plan to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance; calls for implementation of Futenma agreement (Asahi) (4) Japan-U.S. summit: Intergovernmental talks for deepening bilateral alliance to begin; Prime Minister pledges to resolve Futenma issue early (Sankei) (5) Gist of remarks by PM Hatoyama, President Obama at joint news conference (Asahi) (6) Japanese, U.S. leaders confirm cooperation in dealing with North Korea, without any reference to abduction issue (Nikkei) (7) Japan, U.S. agree on long-term target to combat global warming (Yomiuri) (8) U.S. President Obama indicates eagerness to visit Hiroshima, Nagasaki (Nikkei) (9) President Obama to affirm cooperation with Asia in speech on policy toward Asia today (Yomiuri) (10) President Obama: We would like to be involved in formulating post-Kyoto Protocol (Yomiuri) (11) PM Hatoyama, President Obama "differ" on economic issues at summit meeting (Asahi) (12) Japan-U.S. summit: Energy cooperation to be promoted (Asahi) (13) Japan-U.S. summit: U.S. announces policy of attaching importance to Asia; Japan's role to take on added significance (Yomiuri) (14) Tokyo placed on high alert for President Obama's visit (Sankei) (15) Abductees' families invited to President Obama's speech (Mainichi) (16) People in Okinawa, Hiroshima, Nagasaki unimpressed by President Obama's words (Asahi) (17) Obama City mayor, Fukui governor invited to President Obama's speech in Tokyo on Nov. 14 (Yomiuri) (18) Hiroshima Mayor Akiba to absent himself from President Obama's Nov. 14 speech (Sankei) (19) Poll: Cabinet support down to 54 PERCENT (Tokyo Shimbun) Articles: TOKYO 00002632 002 OF 010 (1) Japan-U.S. summit: Hatoyama, Obama agree to reach expeditious conclusion on Futenma and to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) November 14, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held talks with U.S. President Barack Obama, who is visiting Japan for the first time since taking office, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) on the night of Nov. 13. The two leaders agreed to begin new intergovernmental talks to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance to coincide with the 50th anniversary next year of the revision of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, now in focus, the two leaders also agreed to establish a cabinet-level working group of the two countries' foreign and defense ministers to reach a conclusion expeditiously. Prime Minister Hatoyama directly told President Obama that he will aim for an "expeditious conclusion" to the Futenma relocation issue by reversing his earlier stance of not insisting on a settlement of the issue within the year, making an early settlement of the issue Japan's public pledge at the summit level. Given the situation, Tokyo will be pressed to accelerate its work. (2) Hatoyama, Obama agree to start talks anew to deepen alliance NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) November 14, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met yesterday evening at his office with visiting U.S. President Obama, who came to Japan for the first time since taking office. Hatoyama and Obama confirmed the necessity of deepening and developing the alliance between Japan and the United States. Meanwhile, next year marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Ahead of that event, Hatoyama and Obama agreed to kick off a round of intergovernmental consultations over a period of one year in order to deepen the bilateral alliance. In addition, the two leaders also concurred on making efforts for an early solution to the pending issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. They also confirmed that the two countries will work together to assist Afghanistan and deal with the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues. (3) President Obama arrives in Japan, holds talks with Prime Minister; emphasizes plan to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance; calls for implementation of Futenma agreement ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpt) November 14, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Japan on Nov. 13 for the first time since taking office and later held talks with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). The two leaders agreed to begin a "new process of talks" in order to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance to coincide with the 50th anniversary next year of the bilateral security treaty. The two leaders later held a joint press conference in which the Prime Minister expressed his intention to resolve the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture) at an "early date" through a cabinet-level working group. Meanwhile, President Obama called for an early implementation of the existing plan, indicating that the "working group will focus TOKYO 00002632 003 OF 010 on the implementation of the Japan-U.S. agreement." (4) Japan-U.S. summit: Intergovernmental talks for deepening bilateral alliance to begin; Prime Minister pledges to resolve Futenma issue early SANKEI (Top play) (Excerpt) November 14, 2009 Air Force One carrying U.S. President Barack Obama landed at Haneda Airport on the afternoon of Nov. 13. It is President Obama's first visit to Japan since taking office. President Obama held talks with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) last night. In the talks, the two leaders affirmed a policy course aimed at deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance to coincide with the 50th anniversary next year of the conclusion of the revised U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and to begin intergovernmental talks on the extended deterrence of the nuclear umbrella as well as on the missile defense (MD) shield. President Obama sought an expeditious solution to the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture) premised on the existing plan. The two leaders later issued a joint statement specifying their countries' efforts to realize President Obama's vision of a nuclear-free world and to reduce the two countries' greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by ¶2050. (5) Gist of remarks by PM Hatoyama, President Obama at joint news conference ASAHI (Page 2) (Abridged) November 15, 2009 Following is the gist of the joint news conference by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and President Barack Obama: Prime Minister Hatoyama: The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's entire foreign policy. I would like to further deepen and develop the alliance in accordance with the changing times and world environment. I would like to build a constructive and future-oriented new Japan-U.S. alliance. I proposed a new process to discuss this for one year, and the President approved it. It is necessary to build a new security system under the Japan-U.S. alliance. This is also true for disaster prevention, medical services, public health, education, and environment issues. With regard to Afghan aid, I would like to boost civilian aid and not logistic support operations. Regarding the issue of climate change, Japan and the U.S. agreed on the major goal of reducing (greenhouse gases emission) by 80 percent by 2050. We also agreed to cooperate to make the 15th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15) a success. The President pointed out the importance of the United States to Asia. My concept of the East Asian Community is based on the Japan-U.S. alliance as the linchpin. I have great hopes for an increasing U.S. presence in Asia. President Obama: The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of stability and prosperity not only of the two countries but also of the Asia-Pacific region. Yukio and I were elected for our pledge to TOKYO 00002632 004 OF 010 "change." The alliance relationship is robust, and there is no doubt that our friendship will grow stronger. I would like to express my appreciation for our cooperation on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Japan is an outstanding partner in our efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear arms and work for a world without nuclear weapons. (6) Japanese, U.S. leaders confirm cooperation in dealing with North Korea, without any reference to abduction issue NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) November 14, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed in their meeting yesterday that Japan and the U.S. should take joint steps to deal with North Korea. Although there are many contentious points in both countries' security policies, they are able to share the same views on issues related to North Korea. The U.S. and North Korea have decided to start bilateral talks on North Korea's nuclear development issue by the end of the year, premised on an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks. But Japanese officials are concerned that talks between the U.S. and North Korea might take precedence as they did in the latter half of the Bush administration. The issue of past abductions of Japanese nations by North Korea was not taken up either in the summit meeting or the press conference. During their meeting yesterday, Obama told Hatoyama in reference to North Korean issues: "There is a plan for Special Representative for North Korea Policy Bosworth to visit North Korea, but he will hold talks with North Koreans within the framework of the Six-Party Talks." They did not refer to the abduction issue. After the Obama administration was launched, the U.S. began to place emphasis on pressure in dealing with North Korea, as does Japan, which is saddled with the abduction issue. The U.S., however, has begun to take a policy of dialogue toward the North after former President Bill Clinton suddenly visited North Korea in August on the pretext of urging the North to release American journalists detained by that nation. Japan is hoping that the planned U.S.-North Korea talks will contribute to resuming the Six-Party Talks and also to restarting Japan-North Korea talks and moving negotiations on the abduction issue forward. (7) Japan, U.S. agree on long-term target to combat global warming YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) November 14, 2009 In a press conference following his summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday, Prime Minister Hatoyama said: "Japan and the U.S. have agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 PERCENT by 2050." He underscored that Japan and the U.S. will take joint steps based on this long-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with an eye toward the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15) in December to discuss a new international framework to combat global warming beyond the 2008-2012 timeframe set under the Kyoto Protocol. TOKYO 00002632 005 OF 010 However, the declaration issued at the G-8 Summit (L'Aquila Summit) this July also pledged that "industrialized countries will aim to cut emissions by more than 80 PERCENT as a whole," although attaching some conditions. With this declaration in mind, a government source commented: "This target is not sufficient to move the stalled COP negotiations forward." In the joint press conference, the two leaders emphasized cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in moving the COP negotiations forward, using such words as: "We must make the COP15 negotiations successful without fail." They apparently had the deepening conflict between industrial and developing countries in mind when they made the remarks. (8) U.S. President Obama indicates eagerness to visit Hiroshima, Nagasaki NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 14, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama met yesterday evening with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. During a joint press conference after the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, President Obama stated in reference to his initiative to create a world free of nuclear weapons: "Japan has a unique perspective regarding nuclear weapons because of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki." He then continued: "It would be a great honor for me to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the future. I don't have any immediate plans to visit, but I think it would be meaningful for me to do so," indicating his eagerness to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the future. (9) President Obama to affirm cooperation with Asia in speech on policy toward Asia today YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) November 14, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver a keynote speech on U.S. policy toward Asia at the Suntory Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo, today. In the speech, the President is expected to define the U.S. as a Pacific state and affirm the U.S.'s solidarity with Asia through cooperation with its traditional allies, such as Japan, and approach to emerging countries, including China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (10) President Obama: We would like to be involved in formulating post-Kyoto Protocol YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) November 14, 2009 It has been learned that U.S. President Barack Obama expressed a positive stance toward the creation of an international framework (post-Kyoto Protocol) during his talks with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday. President Obama reportedly said: "Although we have not been involved in formulating the Kyoto Protocol up until now, we now have a strong determination to be involved in it." This was revealed by one of the attendees of the Japan-U.S. summit meeting. The President also expressed that he hopes to urge China to take part (in formulating a post-Kyoto Protocol). (11) PM Hatoyama, President Obama "differ" on economic issues at TOKYO 00002632 006 OF 010 summit meeting ASAHI (Page 6) (Full) November 14, 2009 Toshihiko Ogata Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and President Barack Obama differed slightly on economic issues at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting. Hatoyama devoted most of his time to explaining the security issues, which are plagued by frictions with the U.S. On the other hand, Obama stressed the need to make efforts for economic recovery in order to create jobs with the unemployment rate in the U.S. exceeding 10 percent. While Hatoyama said at the post-summit news conference that "the economy was not a major topic of discussion," Obama said: "We will make greater efforts to create jobs." According to an informed source, when the summit was about to end without any serious discussion on economic issues, Obama brought up the importance of economic growth and the liberalization of trade shortly before the meeting ended. (12) Japan-U.S. summit: Energy cooperation to be promoted ASAHI (Page 6) (Full) November 14, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama on Nov. 13 agreed to accelerate joint research on environmental and energy technologies. In line with the agreement, an Action Plan that states areas of joint research to be conducted on a priority basis by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the U.S. Department of Energy was released. The plan is also aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in international talks on the creation of the post-Kyoto Protocol framework for curbing global warming. The two countries will work together in such areas as the next-generation power transmission network (Smart Grid system), which will enable a stable power supply even if large amounts of renewable energies are introduced, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). A joint demonstration project will be conducted in New Mexico, U.S.A, for the development of the Smart Grid system. Both countries will also set up a joint taskforce to share the results of demonstration projects they are now separately conducting in Okinawa and Hawaii. They will also work together for the international standardization of the technology. In developing the CCS system, Japan and the U.S. will cooperate for the development of simulation technology to predict the movement of the carbon dioxide stored underground over the long term. The two countries will set up a working group for the international standardization of electric auto parts. They will also promote joint research on nuclear-cycle technology. (13) Japan-U.S. summit: U.S. announces policy of attaching importance to Asia; Japan's role to take on added significance YOMIURI (Page 9) (Excerpts) TOKYO 00002632 007 OF 010 November 14, 2009 The leaders of Japan and the U.S. at their summit on Nov. 13 reaffirmed the cooperative relationship of the two countries in the economic area, including energy and the environment. Amid the U.S. strategy of achieving high economic growth by deepening America's involvement in Asia, Japan is taking on an added significance. Since there are currently no visible trade issues between the two countries, the challenge for Japan is to formulate a stance toward the U.S.'s Asia strategy. During the post-summit press conference President Obama indicated his perception that working together with Asia is essential for the growth of the U.S. economy. He said, "I categorically said that the U.S. is one of the countries of the Pacific Rim. Asia and the U.S share the same destiny." The cardinal feature of the U.S. strategy will be to boost exports of its products, by urging Asian countries that from China down are continuing to achieve high growth, to expand domestic demand and open their markets. (14) Tokyo placed on high alert for President Obama's visit SANKEI (Page 22) (Full) November 14, 2009 The Metropolitan Police Department stepped up its security measures yesterday when U.S. President Barack Obama visited Japan for the first time, following a similar situation the previous day when a ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's accession took place. The MPD will continue keeping guard by demonstrating its heightened security measures while the President is staying in Tokyo until Nov. 14, mobilizing about 16,000 police officers, mainly riot police, per day. At Haneda Airport, where Air Force One landed with President Obama onboard, the number of riot police was increased to guard against the possible appearance of terrorists and guerillas. The MPD used security dogs to search suspicious objects. In such places as JR Tokyo Station, a number of police officers were deployed to patrol the areas. (15) Abductees' families invited to President Obama's speech MAINICHI (Page 31) (Full) November 14, 2009 Visiting U.S. President Obama is expected to deliver a speech on his Asia policy in Tokyo on Nov. 14. In this connection, it has been learned that Shigeo Iizuka (71),the representative of the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, and Shigeru Yokota (77),the former representative, and his wife Sakie (73) were invited to the President's speech. They have no plan to directly meet with the President. However, Iizuka expressed the hope to do so. "I would like the U.S. to press North Korea to settle the abduction issue." (16) People in Okinawa, Hiroshima, Nagasaki unimpressed by President Obama's words ASAHI (Page 38) (Slightly abridged) November 14, 2009 TOKYO 00002632 008 OF 010 What is the impression of the people in the atomic-bombed cities and Okinawa of the exchanges between Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama on the two major themes of the realization of a "world without nuclear weapons" and the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station? Hideo Tsuchiyama, 84, a former president of Nagasaki University who has worked for the elimination of nuclear arms, said: "The dialogue mostly consisted of abstract expressions and was unsatisfactory." Although the joint statement mentioned the early effectuation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),Tsuchiyama pointed out: "What we want to know is the means to make this a concrete process and the deadline. If that is all the U.S. can propose at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference next year, the pace of the elimination of nuclear arms will slow down." Commenting on the President's not responding to the question of whether the dropping of the atomic bombs was justified, Tsuchiyama showed understanding. He said: "I think he purposely evaded the question. Public opinion in the U.S. is very sensitive. If he provokes the public thoughtlessly, his visit to the atomic-bombed cities will not be possible, even though he has said that 'I don't have immediate plans, but I would be honored if I am able to make the visit during my term of office'." Miyoko Matsubara, 77, who has testified in the U.S. on her experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima when she was 12, said: "There was nothing in the President's words that touched the heart. If he is serious about realizing a 'world without nuclear weapons' as he stated in his speech in Prague, he would have visited the atomic- bombed cities as soon as possible. His words at the news conference merely meant that he would like to visit them if he gets a chance. I am disappointed." Hiromichi Umebayashi, special adviser to the NPO Peace Boat (based in Yokohama) who is knowledgeable about developments relating to nuclear weapons, observed that, "Both Japan and the U.S. did not wish to make any new statements on nuclear disarmament." "The emphasis in the Prague speech was on the possibility, but my feeling is that the emphasis is now on the difficulty." With regard to the Futenma relocation issue, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima issued a comment after the summit meeting: "While they confirmed that a conclusion will be reached at an early date, it is regrettable that they did not say anything specific about the relocation." However, he also said that close cooperation to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance "has great significance." Mayor Yoshikazu Shimbukuro of Nago City, which has been chosen as Futenma's relocation site, issued a statement saying: "I appreciate the two leaders' decision to create a cabinet-level working group to seek an early solution." (17) Obama City mayor, Fukui governor invited to President Obama's speech in Tokyo on Nov. 14 YOMIURI ONLINE (Slightly abridged) 11:05, November 13, 2009 It was learned that Mayor Koji Matsuzaki of Obama City and Governor Issei Nishikawa have been invited from Fukui Prefecture to U.S. President Barack Obama's speech in Tokyo on Nov. 14. The city of TOKYO 00002632 009 OF 010 Obama has been publicizing the fact that it has the same name as the President. The two officials intend to attend the speech. Matsuzaki said: "My dream to be near the President will come true. I am really excited. If possible, I would like to say congratulations to him for winning the Nobel Peace Prize and invite him to visit Obama City." Matsuzaki sent a letter to U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos in August to invite the President to visit Obama City. He received a response from the Ambassador that "the President is extremely busy, so he will not be able to make the visit." In October, he visited the U.S. Embassy (in Minato Ward, Tokyo) with Governor Nishikawa to talk to the Ambassador in person about this. (18) Hiroshima Mayor Akiba to absent himself from President Obama's Nov. 14 speech SANKEI ONLINE 09:58, November 13, 2009 The Hiroshima City government said on Nov. 12 that although Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba has received an invitation to U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to be delivered in Tokyo on Nov. 14, he will not be able to attend the event due to other official engagements. Mayor Tomihisa Taue of Nagasaki City, another A-bombed city, will attend the event. According to Hiroshima City, the mayor received the invitation from the U.S. Embassy in Japan on Nov. 10 and he informed the Embassy that he will not be able to attend the event due to several official engagements in the city on Nov. 14. Although he will not be able to visit Hiroshima or Nagasaki this time, President Obama has expressed his eagerness to visit the cities in the future. The two mayors have issued statements welcoming the President's plan to visit their cities in the future. (19) Poll: Cabinet support down to 54 PERCENT TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) November 14, 2009 The public approval rating for the Hatoyama cabinet was 54.4 PERCENT in a public opinion survey conducted by Jiji Press on Nov. 6-9, down 6.2 percentage points from the last survey conducted right after its inauguration. The disapproval rating was 22.8 PERCENT , up 7.2 points from the preceding month. The fluctuations in the approval and disapproval ratings for the Hatoyama cabinet are apparently ascribable to the public's negative attitude toward a series of amakudari (a practice in which senior bureaucrats are given high-profile positions after retirement) appointments, such as the appointment of former Administrative Vice Finance Minister Jiro Saito as Japan Post president. In addition, the results can be taken as reflecting confusion within the cabinet over the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station and the filing of falsified reports by Prime Minister Hatoyama's fund-managing body on political donations. The survey was conducted across the nation on a face-to-face basis, with a total of 2,000 persons chosen from among men and women aged TOKYO 00002632 010 OF 010 20 and over. The response rate was 66.2 PERCENT . In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan stood at 28.4 PERCENT (down 1.0 points from the last survey),with the opposition Liberal Democratic Party scoring 15.3 PERCENT (down 2.4 points) and the New Komeito at 4.7 PERCENT (up 1.2 points). The Japanese Communist Party was at 2.1 PERCENT . The Social Democratic Party, one of the DPJ's two coalition partners, was at 0.9 PERCENT . The Your Party was at 0.5 PERCENT . The People's New Party, also a coalition partner of the DPJ, was at 0.2 PERCENT . "None" accounted for 46.5 PERCENT . ROOS