DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/03/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002766 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: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/03/09 INDEX: (1) Interview with Ambassador Roos on Futenma relocation: U.S. sets no deadline (Okinawa Times) (2) Interview with Ambassador Roos: President Obama believes that the current plan is the best option (Ryukyu Shimpo) (3) PM Hatoyama tells FM Okada, DM Kitazawa no Futenma decision before year's end (Yomiuri) (4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicates deferring Futenma decision to next year unavoidable (Nikkei) (5) Does postponement of Futenma decision reflect DPJ Secretary General Ozawa's wish to give priority to the coalition ahead of Upper House election? (Nikkei) (6) SDP leader hints at breaking away from ruling coalition if decision made to relocate Futenma base to Henoko (Yomiuri) (7) Editorial: Japan should reexamine alliance cooperation (Sankei) ARTICLES: (1) Interview with Ambassador Roos on Futenma relocation: U.S. sets no deadline OKINAWA TIMES (Page 3) (Full) December 3, 2009 In connection with the efforts being made by the ministries of defense and foreign affairs to arrive at a solution to the issue of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos stated on Dec. 2 that "the U.S. government has never set a deadline." On the other hand, he stressed: "The Japanese government is undertaking an examination process. It is important that it comes to a conclusion as expeditiously as possible." The Ambassador did not directly touch on the fact that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has not given up on relocation out of Okinawa or out of Japan, but he said: "The Obama administration has also undertaken an examination and confirmed that the current plan is the best and most viable option." To the question whether the Obama administration considered relocating the Futenma base out of Okinawa or out of Japan in its examination process, Roos would only say: "The realignment road map was agreed upon after spending more than 10 years. A decision was made based on this long history." Interview Interviewer: Shin Yoshida, political and economic reporter Q: This is your first visit to Okinawa. What do you think of the burden imposed by the U.S. forces on Okinawa? Roos: I visited the Peace Memorial Museum and came to know the history of the suffering brought about by war. This made a very TOKYO 00002766 002 OF 008 powerful impression. I have renewed my belief that the maintenance of peace and regional stability is very important. Along with fulfilling our role under the Japan-U.S. security treaty, it is also important to reduce the burden on the people of Okinawa. The President has pledged to take measures without fail. The realignment road map was drawn up for this purpose. Q: As a member of the Japan-U.S. cabinet level working group, how do you assess the prospects of reaching a solution? Roos: The Ambassador to Japan is a member of the U.S. government. I think it is very important to come to a conclusion expeditiously about matters that have been agreed upon between the U.S. and Japan. We are still in the middle of this process, but I am optimistic about reaching a conclusion speedily. After the change of administration in the U.S., we also reached a conclusion through our own process that the implementation of the road map as soon as possible is the best and most viable option. I think the Japanese government will also reach a conclusion through the working group process. Q: Did the U.S. examination process include the options of relocation out of Okinawa or out of Japan? Roos: The road map is an agreement that was reached after spending more than 10 years. During the examination process a decision was made based on this long history. Q: Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has not given up on relocation out of Okinawa. Roos: The Prime Minister and the Japanese government are still going through the process. I am not in a position to comment. However, the most important thing is that the Japanese government is emphasizing the fact that the Japan-U.S. security treaty and the bilateral relationship are important as the linchpin of regional peace and stability. All parties agree that it is important to reach a conclusion expeditiously based on an equal relationship between the two countries. Q: The Prime Minister has not said that he will make a decision before the end of 2009. What do you think of the timing for making a decision? Roos: The U.S. government has never set a deadline. The important thing is that we move quickly to reach a conclusion. The Japanese government will make a decision at its own discretion through this process. Q: Ambassador, you visited Hiroshima and mentioned that President Obama may visit Hiroshima. Is there any possibility of a presidential visit to Okinawa? Roos: What I can say is that it would be an honor for the President to visit Hiroshima during his term of office. The same goes for Okinawa. This is a matter for the President to decide. He will be in Japan again for the APEC Summit next year. The White House makes the decisions on scheduling. (2) Interview with Ambassador Roos: President Obama believes that TOKYO 00002766 003 OF 008 the current plan is the best option RYUKYU SHIMPO (Pages 1, 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 Michiyo Yonamine U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview to Ryukyu Shimpo at the official residence of the U.S. Consul General in Ginowan City on the afternoon of Dec. 2. Discussing the relocation of the Futenma Air Station, the Ambassador said: "President Obama believes that the package we have discussed is the best option. He emphasized that when he came to Japan (in November)," relating that President Barack Obama favors the construction of a replacement facility in Henoko, Nago City, as agreed upon by the two countries. He attached importance to the examination process by the Japan-U.S. working group and said: "I am optimistic about reaching a conclusion expeditiously." Roos is known to be a close friend of President Obama. With regard to the U.S. position, Roos emphasized: "We have always thought from the very beginning that the current plan is the best and only viable option." He mentioned that the Obama administration examined the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment plans after its inauguration and reaffirmed their importance. He said: "The new administration in Japan is going through a similar process," showing his understanding of the new administration's decision. When asked if the conclusion of the cabinet-level working group is bound to be the current relocation plan, he said "no." Regarding the need to station U.S. forces in Okinawa, Roos stressed that "it is very important to have military bases in Okinawa for Japan's defense and for peace and stability in the Asian region." In relation to Futenma relocation, Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto has remarked that if presented with proposals from the national government, the utilization of the Kansai and Kobe airports should be considered and has indicated that he is amenable to the entire Kansai region debating this option. Commenting on this, Roos reiterated that "the road map is the only realistic option," negating options other than the current plan. Roos made his first visit to Okinawa on Nov. 30 and met with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and other Okinawan officials. He inspected the Futenma base, the Henoko area and Kadena Air Base aboard a helicopter and also visited the Cornerstone of Peace memorial, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, and other sites. He returned to Tokyo on the evening of Dec. 2. Following is the interview with Ambassador Roos: Q: How is work at the Japan-U.S. working group going? Roos: The Obama administration examined the USFJ realignment plans after its inauguration and reaffirmed their importance. I understand that the new administration in Japan is undertaking a similar process. The working group is engaged in this examination process right now so I cannot reveal the details, but I am optimistic that it will reach a conclusion expeditiously. TOKYO 00002766 004 OF 008 Q: What sort of solution would you like to see? Roos:The U.S. has always thought from the very beginning that the current plan is the best and most viable option. Q: If people who believe that the current plan is the best option are conducting the examination in the working group, the answer is predetermined, and there is criticism that this is an exercise in "fabricating an alibi." Roos: The Japanese and U.S. governments are working together under a good relationship. I don't agree with your assertion. Q: If a decision is made to relocate according to the existing plan, will you accept moving (the runways) farther offshore? Roos: I will refrain from speculating on minor modifications. The important thing is to resolve this issue through the examination process. I am confident that this will be done. Q: Why are the U.S. Marines concentrated in Okinawa? Is there any possibility of moving them elsewhere? Roos: Okinawa occupies a very important strategic position in Asia. Under the Japan-U.S. security treaty, Japan's defense is important, and the maintenance of peace and security in Asia is very important. Q: Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto has said that he is amenable to discussing the possibility of accepting the Futenma base and the exercises conducted there at Kansai Airport. Roos: The road map is the best and only viable option. Q: Have you discussed the Futenma issue with President Obama? Did he give you any instructions? Roos: He believes that the (USFJ realignment) package is the best option. He emphasized this point when he came to Japan. Q: What is your impression of Okinawa on your first visit? Roos: I would like to visit Okinawa frequently from now on. (Interviewer: Michiyo Yonamine) (3) PM Hatoyama tells FM Okada, DM Kitazawa no Futenma decision before year's end YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) Evening, December 3, 2009 It was learned on Dec. 3 that in connection with the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa that "priority must be given to the coalition," informing them that he had, in effect, given up on making a decision before the end of the year. This is because the Social Democratic Party has begun to take a tougher stance in opposing the existing plan to relocate Futenma to the coastal area of Camp Schwab based on the Japan-U.S. agreement and has hinted at leaving the coalition. Hatoyama indicated that he is giving top priority to the stability TOKYO 00002766 005 OF 008 of the coalition government. The U.S., which is demanding a solution based on the current relocation plan before the end of the year, is certain to react strongly to this, and this development will inevitably deal a serious blow to the Japan-U.S. relationship. According to an informed source, Hatoyama and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano met Okada and Kitazawa at the Prime Minister's Official Residence to discuss the Futenma issue on Dec. ¶1. Hatoyama said during the meeting: "Priority must be given to the coalition. Is it necessary to rush a decision before the end of the year?" Okada and Kitazawa explained that the foreign affairs and defense officials of both countries have been stepping up the coordination process to aim at a solution before the end of the year. They tried to persuade Hatoyama that "the Japan-U.S. relationship will be undermined if this is put off until next year." However, it appears that Okada and Kitazawa failed to convince the Prime Minister, although he did approve of earmarking relocation-related expenditures in the FY2010 budget bill. (4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicates deferring Futenma decision to next year unavoidable NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) Evening, December 3, 2009 Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano discussed the timing for making a decision on the relocation site for the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station and related issues at a news conference in the morning of Dec. 3. He said: "This is an important issue. The schedule is too tight (for making a decision before year end)." He also stated: "I have never said that a decision will be made before the end of 2009, although I did say as soon as possible. I understand that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama thinks the same way," indicating that deferring a solution to next year will be unavoidable. Hirano pointed out: "If we need time to arrive at a conclusion on measures to reduce the burden on Okinawa and to find a solution based on an agreement among the three ruling parties, then we will have to spend time on it." He also emphasized that "the Japan-U.S. relationship is not so flimsy that if we fail on this issue, everything will go up in smoke." At a meeting with a group of Democratic Party of Japan Diet members close to Hatoyama at noon on the same day, the Prime Minister's assistant Yoshikatsu Nakayama also explained that "it will be difficult to reach a conclusion by year end." Hatoyama told reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in the morning that he had "thought all along that it would not be easy (to make a decision before year end). The Okinawan people want to see the early removal of the danger (affecting the residents in areas near the Futenma base)." He also said: "While the Okinawans think that a new military base is unacceptable, an agreement reached between Japan and the U.S. should also be taken seriously." (5) Does postponement of Futenma decision reflect DPJ Secretary General Ozawa's wish to give priority to the coalition ahead of Upper House election? TOKYO 00002766 006 OF 008 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 The reason behind the likely postponement of a decision on the relocation site of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa is the growing gap between the U.S. side, which strongly demands an early solution based on the current relocation plan, and public opinion in Okinawa, the Social Democratic Party (SDP),and other groups which have strong expectations for Futenma's relocation out of the prefecture. It is believed that the stance of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who gives top priority to the House of Councillors election next summer, also plays a role. A bureaucratic level meeting of the working group on Futenma relocation is scheduled for Dec. 4. The Japanese side is amenable to upgrading this to the ministerial level depending on the progress made, but in reality, there is a wide gap with the U.S. position. The Japanese side is looking into the possibility of dispersing the U.S. forces' exercises and other ways to lighten the burden imposed by U.S. bases on the local communities, as well as the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement every three years and other proposals. However, the U.S. side insists on giving top priority to settling the issue based on the Japan-U.S. agreement to relocate the Futenma base to the coastal area of Camp Schwab before the end of 2009. It is unlikely that a middle ground can be found. Meanwhile, with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama having hinted previously at the relocation of Futenma out of Okinawa, there has been a surge in expectations in the prefecture, thus raising higher the hurdle of the issue of the relocation site. The SDP, which consistently advocates relocation out of Okinawa, has also maneuvered in response to this situation. It is voicing strong criticism, saying, "the Prime Minister once asserted that (Futenma) should at least be relocated out of Okinawa." With the glaring gap in the positions of the two sides, there have been active moves in the government and the ruling parties to make a fresh start in the coordination process. It appears that Azuma Koshiishi, chair of the DPJ caucus in the Upper House, took the lead to lobby for deferring a decision because the SDP's opinion cannot be ignored in a situation where the DPJ does not control a majority in the Upper House. This is based on the judgment that a rift in the coalition framework is unacceptable at this point. A junior DPJ Upper House member points out that "Mr. Koshiishi probably conveyed Mr. Ozawa's stance to the defense minister." He thus explains that the trend toward reaching a solution on the Futenma issue before year end changed drastically at a certain point. There is an opinion that the turning point was a single sentence uttered by Ozawa: "Is the current Futenma relocation plan really appropriate?" Hatoyama told reporters on Dec. 2: "With regard to when (a decision will be made),I am saying as soon as possible. I am not in a position yet to say when." He added, "We are not at the stage where I have made serious consultations with the SDP. However, I would like to attach importance to the coalition government." (6) SDP leader hints at breaking away from ruling coalition if TOKYO 00002766 007 OF 008 decision made to relocate Futenma base to Henoko YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) Evening, December 3, 2009 (The following is the gist of Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima's remarks on the relocation of Futenma Air Station the at the party's executive meeting on the morning of Dec. 3.) The SDP is making every effort to prevent Futenma's relocation (within Okinawa) and to avert the construction of an offshore military base in the coastal area of Henoko (in Nago City, Okinawa) in particular. There are news reports that the Prime Minister will not make a decision (on the relocation issue) by the end of the year. The tide is changing gradually. The issue of peace, the Okinawa issues, and preventing the construction of an offshore military base in waters off Henoko are very important for the party. These are issues that bear on the very foundation of our party. If the cabinet makes a decision to construct an offshore base in Henoko, the party and I will have to make a grave decision. Let us work hard to realize the provision in the coalition agreement on dealing with the U.S. Forces Japan realignment plans for reducing the burden on the Okinawan people "in the direction of a review" that the party made vigorous efforts to have included in that agreement. (7) Editorial: Japan should reexamine alliance cooperation SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 3, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a new Afghan strategy centering on a plan to send about 30,000 additional troops to the country and an exit strategy. He also strongly called for the cooperation and unity of the international community, saying that the security of the United States, its allies, and the world is at stake. The success or failure of the new strategy is likely to affect the global war on terrorism as well. It must not be allowed to fail. Despite the critical situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is trying to end the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean early next year and to make up for it by offering alternative assistance measures. This is not an appropriate step for a U.S. ally to take. The government must earnestly discuss once again how to participate in (the Afghan effort) on the occasion of the announcement of the new strategy. It is the United States' second decision to send additional troops since March. The President has decided for the first time to increase the size of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan to 100,000 based on the assessment that the situation in the country is more serious than expected and it will be impossible to maintain the status quo. The new strategy is designed to expedite efforts to make densely populated areas safer and to train Afghanistan's security forces. In order to drive away the international terrorist group al Qaeda that carries out activities transcending the border tribal areas and the TOKYO 00002766 008 OF 008 armed fundamentalist Islamic group Taliban, the strategy also specifies the need to work closely with Pakistan and to secure nuclear materials. A new support system aimed at performance and results will also be introduced to eliminate corruption. It can be said that the key to the new strategy consisting of three pillars -- the military, civilian support, and cooperation with Pakistan -- is speed and efficiency. The cost of sending troops is projected at 30 billion dollars (2.6 trillion yen) for the initial year alone. Given deep-seated war-weariness in the United States, the President had to present an exit strategy to begin withdrawing troops in a year and a half. To President Obama, the new strategy is also a gamble with the fate of the nation. It can be said that the cooperation of and participation by the international community, including U.S. allies, is indispensable for making this strategy a success and laying a foundation of stability and peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Despite that, the Hatoyama administration has decided to terminate the refueling mission that has been conducted as part of the war against terrorism, disappointing the Afghan government, the United States and European countries. Last month, the government came up with a 5-billion-dollar alternative support package for Afghanistan and a 1-billion-dollar package for Pakistan. Although the figures are huge, a large portion of them is grand aid. There is a lack of security measures, which are essential in order to implement support measures and verify the level of achievement in the two countries. It is a problem that of all major U.S. allies, Japan alone has eliminated the Self-Defense Forces' participation from its options. Ahead of announcing his new strategy, President Obama called the top leaders of major powers, such as European countries and China, to inform them of the strategy in person. Japan was not included in the list of his telephone calls. This reflects the current state of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Prime Minister Hatoyama should reexamine the modalities of alliance cooperation and joint international activities, including the continuation of the refueling mission. ROOS