JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12/03/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002761 SIPDIS DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12/03/09 INDEX: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) GOJ reaction to Obama speech: 4) U.S. troop augmentation certain to result in request for additional Japanese financial aid (Mainichi) 5) Obama gives Hatoyama cold shoulder (Yomiuri) 6) Emphasis on civilian aid raises concerns about Japan's declining presence (Nikkei) Futenma issue: 7) Hatoyama mulling postponing Futenma decision until next year (Asahi) 8) Argument for delaying Futenma decision growing stronger (Yomiuri) Defense & security: 9) Japan calls on U.S. to incorporate environmental clause in SOFA (Mainichi) 10) Japanese and Korean ministers to hold security meeting tomorrow (Nikkei) Economy : 11) Prime Minister and BOJ Chairman agree to tackle deflation (Yomiuri) 12) U.S. and Japan to conclude open skies agreement by year end (Nikkei) 13) Manufacturing sector's greenhouse-gas-reduction target only 13.9 PERCENT (Nikkei) Politics: 14) SDP leader Fukushima to run for reelection (Nikkei) 15) Your Party representative hints at tie-up with DPJ (Yomiuri) 16) LDP-led Diet member caucus opposes bill that would grant local suffrage for permanent foreign residents (Mainichi) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Government to give up on plan to settle Futenma Air Station relocation plan by year's end with prime minister attaching importance to ruling coalition Mainichi: Government mulling raising tobacco tax by 2-3 yen per cigarette: Substantive tax hike to be put on hold Yomiuri: COP15: Chairman's draft of UN climate conference proposes aiming to turn around global warming gas emissions to below 1990 level by 2020 Nikkei: Peugeot in talks with Mitsubishi Motors for capital tie-up: Final coordination underway with possibility of securing 30-50 percent of voting rights TOKYO 00002761 002 OF 010 �A; Sankei: U.S. new strategy for Afghanistan: 30,000 additional troops to be deployed; Withdrawal to be started in July 2011; Japanese government fearing request for additional assistance? Tokyo Shimbun: Cost of maintaining and managing dams totals over 100 billion yen annually: Such costs for 45 dams now under consideration or construction estimated to reach 25.5 billion yen Akahata: Supreme Court's guilty verdict against Arakawa for distributing flyers is oppression: World is concerned about Japan's lack of common sense 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) New U.S. strategy for Afghanistan: The situation cannot be stabilized just by sending more troops (2) Lawsuit filed by local residents: Watered-down assembly unforgivable Mainichi: (1) U.S. to send more troops to Afghanistan: Hard battle will continue (2) Supreme Court hands down guilty sentence against person who distributed flyers: The sentence seems inappropriate Yomiuri: (1) New U.S. strategy for Afghanistan: Is it possible to turn the war around? (2) Testimony by former Foreign Ministry bureau chief: Government's claim that there is no secret accord has collapsed Nikkei: (1) Danger of postal administration once again becoming the government's "purse" (2) Japan should support U.S. strategy for Afghanistan Sankei: (1) New U.S. strategy for Afghanistan: Japan should reconsider cooperating for the alliance (2) Talks between Prime Minister Hatoyama and Bank of Japan Governor Shirakawa: Dispel mistrust in market Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Additional troops for Afghanistan: Path to contain terrorism not yet in sight (2) Eliminate trend of people turning blind eye to violence toward children Akahata: (1) Afghanistan issue cannot be settled by sending additional troops 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, December 2 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 TOKYO 00002761 003 OF 010 08:00 Attended a meeting of top officers of the government and Rengo at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). Later, met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsui. 09:28 Met National Strategy Minister Kan, Cabinet Office Senior Vice Minister Furukawa, and Vice Finance Minister Noda. Joined by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano. Kan and Hirano stayed behind. 10:34 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno. 12:16 Met Special Advisor Nakayama. 13:27 Attended a meeting of former Lower House members at the first Lower House members' office building. 15:09 Met at the Kantei with Internal Affairs Minister Haraguchi, and vice internal affairs ministers Watanabe and Naito. Later met with Finance Minister Fujii, Vice Finance Minister Noda, Parliamentary Secretary Ogushi, and Vice Minister Tango. 17:30 Met Bank of Japan Governor Shirakawa, Kan, and Hirano. 19:06 Met Toyota Motor adviser Hiroshi Okuda and others at the Garden Court in the Hotel New Otani, with Hirano present. 21:12 Returned to his official residential quarters. 4) Afghanistan: Request for additional financial assistance certain MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) December 3, 2009 The new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan attaches importance to securing military assistance from its allies. The Japanese government intends to implement civilian aid worth 5 billion dollars over five years as its contribution for the stabilization of Afghanistan. Its deviation from the U.S. way of fighting against terrorism has apparently further widened. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano at a press conference on Dec. 2 welcomed the new strategy. However, he underscored that Japan "has already announced the area in which it can make contribution." The government wants to contribute (for the stabilization of Afghanistan) through civilian assistance, including providing vocational training to former Taliban militants. However, the U.S. is bound to seek more financial assistance for the Afghan military and police. Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on the 2nd pointed out in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, "There is a very strong possibility of the U.S. seeking further assistance from Japan." Japan is determined to withdraw the Maritime Self-Defense force from its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in January and not to comply with a request for fresh military assistance. The White House on Nov. 30 released a plan according to which President Obama will give advance notice of the new strategy to Britain and France, which are dispatching troops to Afghanistan, and also to China and India. Japan would simply be notified via its foreign minister--a clear differentiation of approach. 5) Without a call from President Obama, Prime Minister Hatoyama left in dark YOMIURI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) December 3, 2009 Hideki Kawasaki, political department The government welcomes the Afghan strategy announced by U.S. TOKYO 00002761 004 OF 010 President Barack Obama and intends to steadily implement its civilian support measures worth 5 billion dollars in five years starting this year. Shortly before announcing his new Afghan strategy, President Obama called the top leaders of such countries as India and Russia, in addition to the UK, France, and Germany that are taking part in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, to inform them of the plan. But Prime Minister Hatoyama was left in the dark. As such, a Japan-U.S. diplomatic source said: "It reflects strained ties between the two countries over the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station." On the United States' new strategy, Prime Minister Hatoyama made the following comment to the press corps at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) last night: "Japan has decided on its own support measures. I want to step up cooperation by combining efforts (with the United States)." Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano emphasized the good communications (between Tokyo and Washington),indicating that Foreign Minister Okada was briefed on the new U.S. strategy by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the phone. Of its Afghan support measures, the government intends to incorporate a highly urgent portion worth 80 billion yen in the fiscal 2009 second supplementary budget and the fiscal 2010 budget. The government specifically envisages support in such areas as salaries of police officers to improve the security situation, food, and anti-drug measures. But given the Hatoyama administration's decisions to end the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean next January and not to use the SDF in supporting Afghanistan, there is concern that Japan's presence in the international community will decline. 6) U.S. troop buildup in Afghanistan: Japan's presence weakening NIKKEI (Page 8) (Excerpts) December 3, 2009 (Following his decision to send more troops to Afghanistan,) President Obama cited "43 allies" and asked them to fall in step with the U.S.'s troop buildup strategy. Japan, however, is not included among the 43 allies, because Constitutional issues have prevented it from joining the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Japan has decided to halt the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in January. This policy decision was also reflected in the exclusion of Japan from "the allies." Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano emphasized in a press conference yesterday: "Mr. Obama (has said that) he appreciates (Japan)." But Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said that Japan will be asked by the U.S. to offer more assistance. Many government officials take the view that the government's civilian support measures worth up to 5 billion dollars announced in November are not enough. A Foreign Ministry official says that the effects the measures, including occupational training for Taliban soldiers, will have are unknown. 7) Hatoyama administration gives up on settling Futenma relocation issue by year's end ASAHI (Top play) (Full) December 3, 2009 TOKYO 00002761 005 OF 010 The Hatoyama cabinet began coordination on Dec. 2 to defer making a decision on the issue of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) beyond 2009. In addition to opposition from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party - the coalition partners of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) - to arriving at a solution before the end of the year, little headway is being made in negotiations with the U.S. side on additional measures to reduce the burden (imposed by U.S. bases on Okinawa). Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama was asked by reporters on Dec. 2 if he will make a decision even in the face of the SDP's opposition. He said: "My desire to value the coalition government remains unchanged," indicating the possibility that a decision will be postponed until 2010. In a speech on the same day, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa also stated: "If the three-party coalition cabinet collapses, there will be political confusion. The relationship between the U.S. and Japan will not become excessively strained even if the settlement is carried over to next year," indicating that he would not insist on settling the issue before year's end. However, the government still plans to earmark expenditures related to the relocation of the Futenma base to Henoko in Nago city in the FY2010 budget even if a decision will not be made in 2009. This move is intended to signal that the Japan-U.S. agreement on U.S. Forces Japan realignment is not being scrapped. The U.S. side is demanding the early implementation of the agreement. The postponement of a solution on this issue is certain to have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship. The concerned cabinet ministers have been exchanging views with senior DPJ officials on the Futenma issue since late November. It is believed that during these discussions, DPJ officials expressed concern that forcing through a decision before the end of the year may result in a rift in the ruling coalition and this may affect the steering of the regular Diet session early next year. A cabinet minister observes that at that point, "a complete change of tide occurred." Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Kitazawa had long discussions with Hatoyama and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on Dec. 1. At another meeting of the concerned cabinet members, the unanimous opinion of all participants, except Okada, was that it would be difficult to arrive at a solution by the end of the year. A meeting of the Japan-U.S. ministerial-level working group will be held in Tokyo on Dec. 4. The outcome of negotiations with the U.S. will also be taken into account in making the final decision. 8) GOJ increasingly leaning toward deferring Futenma relocation decision to 2010 YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 A proposal emerged in the government on Dec. 2 to defer a decision on the question of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa to early next year. This is because if a decision is made before the end of the year to relocate the Futenma base to the coastal area of Camp Schwab based on the existing relocation TOKYO 00002761 006 OF 010 plan, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is certain to fiercely oppose the decision, and the government has decided to give priority to preventing confusion inside the coalition administration. A government source revealed on Dec. 2: "The tide changed in the past few days. The shift became final due to the SDP's opposition," indicating his view that a solution in 2009 will be difficult. This is because the SDP has toughened its stance and declared at the meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Basic Policies on Nov. 30 its opposition to the existing plan, and the People's New Party also fell in step with the SDP. A senior government official also stated on the evening of Dec. 2 that "it would be meaningless if the administration collapses. There is no need to rush." Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters on the evening of Dec. 2 that he wants to "value the three-party coalition" and that he will "make efforts not to have an impact on the Japan-U.S. relationship." Even if a decision is deferred to next year, the government will earmark expenditures related to the relocation in the FY2010 budget bill in consideration of the U.S., which is demanding a decision based on the current plan before year end. However, it is uncertain whether this will obtain the U.S.'s understanding. 9) Government to propose adding environment clause to SOFA to U.S. side in connection with Futenma MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) December 3, 2009 The government decided yesterday to ask the United States to add an environment conservation clause to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The government will present the proposal at a Japan-U.S. ministerial-level working group meeting to be held shortly to discuss the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture). The aim is to play up the government's eagerness to reduce the burden on Okinawa by presenting a plan to revise the SOFA even partially -- an outstanding issue between Japan and the United States - in order to settle the Futenma issue. The items that Japan is proposing for inclusion in the SOFA include the obligation for the United States to restore land to its original state if environmental pollution has occurred and the right of the state and municipalities to conduct on-site investigations. In the past there have been accidents involving the outflow of hazardous materials, such as fuel, in the vicinity of U.S. military bases. But the U.S. side has neither allowed the Japanese side to investigate the state of environmental pollution nor responded to Japan's calls to restore the land to its original state when returning its bases to Japan, citing the facilities management right and other factors under the SOFA. The SOFA was concluded in 1960 based on the U.S. Japan-Security Treaty, and it has never been revised. It includes no provision on environmental conservation. Meanwhile, when South Korea revised its SOFA with the United States in April 2001, an environment cause was added to the pact. The clause stipulates that United States will respect ROK environmental legislation and when environmental pollution occurs on a U.S. base, the United States and South Korea will jointly conduct investigations. TOKYO 00002761 007 OF 010 When Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima held talks with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 30, the governor sought the government's support for restoring contaminated land to its original state, a situation that is likely to occur after Futenma Air Station is returned to Japan. This is regarded as the governor's de facto condition in exchange for accepting the existing relocation plan. Nevertheless, the U.S. side is reluctant to revise the SOFA. There is a possibility that the United States will not change its assertion of dealing with the matter through improved operations of the pact. 10) Japan, S. Korea to hold security talks tomorrow NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 Japan and South Korea are set to hold security talks tomorrow on the South Korean island of Cheju, with senior officials attending from their foreign and defense ministries, the Foreign Ministry announced yesterday. This is the ninth time for the two countries to hold security dialogue. They are expected to discuss such issues as North Korea's nuclear development programs, China's military expansion, and assistance to Afghanistan. 11) Prime minister, BOJ governor agree on need to tackle deflation YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Masaaki Shirakawa met at the Prime Minister's Official Residence yesterday to exchange views on the current financial and economic situations. Based on the view that the Japanese economy is in a mild deflationary phase, they confirmed the need for the government and the BOJ to make joint efforts to stem the recent sharp appreciation of the yen and deflation by taking measures to underpin the economy. They also agreed to hold talks if the financial and economic situations deteriorate further. In the meeting, Hatoyama spelled out the additional economic stimulus package that the government plans to finalize by the end of this week. Shirakawa explained the possible effect of the monetary easing measure the central bank decided to introduce on Dec. 1 by injecting about 10 trillion into the financial system. After the meeting, Hatoyama praised the BOJ's additional measure, saying: "The bank has taken swift action." He then emphasized: "The government will share a common awareness and make joint efforts (with the BOJ) to overcome deflation and buoy up the economy." Shirakawa commented: "We will carry out monetary policies while exchanging views with the government." 12) Japan, U.S. to reach consensus to sign open skies agreement with the aim of putting it into effect next year NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) December 3, 2009 The governments of Japan and the U.S. will likely reach a consensus to conclude an open skies agreement that will allow them to set flight routes at their own discretion. They will aim to reach the TOKYO 00002761 008 OF 010 consensus at bilateral aviation talks to be held in Washington for three days starting on Dec. 7 and put it into effect next year. Up until now only a few air carriers have been allowed to set the number of flights and flight routes at their own discretion. However, once the agreement is put into practice, other carriers will also be able to do so. The new system would offer hopes for improved convenience due to an increase in the number of flights and expanded flight networks. At present, only three Japanese carriers, including Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, and three U.S. carriers, including Delta Airlines, are basically exempt from the rule that limits flight routes and the number of flights. Once the agreement is reached at the upcoming talks, other carriers will become able to operate flights at their own discretion. If other carriers inaugurate flights between Japan and the U.S., traveling between the two countries would become convenient due to an increase in the number of flights and the opening of new routes. Competition would become fierce, which would lead to improved service. Chances are that under the open skies agreement, even if Japanese and U.S. carriers deepen cooperation in terms of flight schedules and air fares, the U.S. government and Japan's Fair Trade Commission would exempt those carriers from the application of their anti-monopoly laws. This would enable members of an international aviation alliance to adopt unified fares for duplicated routes and produce complementary flight schedules. Flexible connections both in the U.S. and Japan would also become possible. Improved operation efficiency will likely create room for fare reductions. United Airlines and All Nippon Airways have indicated their intention to apply for antitrust immunity (AMI). There remain questions concerning the allocation of departure and landing slots at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. U.S. carriers are showing interest in securing slots at Haneda. However, few carriers are hoping to increase flights to Narita Airport. Carriers around the world are now facing a harsh management environment due to the financial/economic crisis, for which reason some analysts believe carriers can't easily open new routes. 13) Poll: Manufacturers expect fiscal 2020 greenhouse gas emissions cuts to stay at 13.9 PERCENT NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) December 3, 2009 Japan's major manufacturers expect the nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13.9 PERCENT from 1990 levels by fiscal 2020, according to a survey by the Nikkei. This figure falls far short of the government's target of reducing emissions by 25 PERCENT from 1990 levels by 2020 set with an eye on the upcoming international conference on forming a new framework to fight global warming (beyond the timeframe set under the Kyoto Protocol). To attain the government's goal, companies might be forced to shoulder heavier burdens, such as purchasing emissions credits, and to move their production overseas. The number of companies, including non-manufacturing firms, responding to an environmental management survey by early November TOKYO 00002761 009 OF 010 was 835. The 13 PERCENT figure was based on a weighted average of 160 manufacturers responding to a question about how much they will be able to cut emissions by 2020 through the installation of energy efficient facilities and other measures. The industrial sector, composed mainly of manufacturers, generates 37 PERCENT of domestic carbon dioxide emissions. The weighted average of 183 companies was 14.3 PERCENT . The previous Aso government had set a midterm target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15 PERCENT from 2005 levels, which is equivalent to 8 PERCENT from 1990 levels. This level would be achievable for the companies surveyed. But the current Hatoyama government has proposed a 25 PERCENT reduction that would require manufacturers to curb their emissions by 20 to 30 PERCENT . The levels are viewed as out of reach by some industries. Regarding projections for reductions by industry, automakers and auto parts manufacturers expect to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 28.1 PERCENT , and electric machinery firms expect a 33.1 PERCENT cut due to expected increases in demand for eco-friendly cars and solar batteries. 14) Fukushima to run for SDP presidency NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 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, will run for her party's presidential election, which will be announced tomorrow. Fukushima announced her candidacy in a meeting yesterday of her party's members seated in the House of Councillors, and obtained their consent. She is now expected to be elected for a fourth term of her party's presidency. "I will give it my best in order to rebuild people's livelihoods and promote politics that place value on life," she said. Fukushima met on Dec. 1 with SDP Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno and two SDP vice presidents, Sadao Fuchigami and Seiji Mataichi, and the three agreed that they will stay on in their respective party posts. Meanwhile, some SDP members, who have been distancing themselves from Fukushima, were calling for the party leadership to set up an acting president post. The three SDP executives, however, shelved the proposed idea of setting up an acting president post and confirmed their intention to place top priority on uniting the party. 15) Your Party leader hints at possibility of cooperation with DPJ YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) December 3, 2009 Yesterday in his greeting at a party hosted by Lower House member Mito Kakizawa in Tokyo, Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe hinted at the possibility his party will join hands with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan. He talked about this in connection with Upper House member Ryuhei Kawada's joining Your Party. Watanabe said, "(In the coalition government) the Social Democratic Party has the casting vote. However, there will be various issues from now on. The one Upper House seat (of Your Party) would have great influence." 16) Parliamentary group opposes granting permanent foreign residents TOKYO 00002761 010 OF 010 suffrage in local elections MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) December 3, 2009 A group of parliamentarians mainly from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party yesterday compiled a resolution opposing the idea of giving permanent foreign residents in Japan the right to vote in prefectural and municipal elections. The group, called the "Truly Conservative Policy Study Association" with a membership of 78, is headed by former Prime Minister SHINZO Abe. The resolution points out that there is an extremely high possibility that granting permanent foreign residents suffrage would violate Article 15 of the Constitution (which stipulates that the people have the inalienable right to choose and dismiss their public officials). ROOS