DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/14/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002853 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 12/14/09 INDEX: (1) U.S. offers plan to ease burden on Okinawa premised on implementation of existing Futenma relocation plan (Yomiuri) (2) Prime Minister to request review of U.S. force realignment, including Futenma relocation, in line with three-party agreement (Yomiuri) (3) U.S. urges Japan to reach conclusion on existing Futenma relocation plan by Dec. 18 (Yomiuri) (4) Shizuoka governor: I haven't heard anything about a plan to relocate U.S. military training (Mainichi) (5) PM Hatoyama: U.S. actually wants Futenma base to stay where it is if the current relocation plan is not implemented (Nikkei) (6) Japanese ambassador to U.S.: Prolongation of Futenma relocation issue to impact bilateral relationship (Mainichi) (7) Prime Minister considering making changes to Japan-U.S. agreement (Nikkei) (8) Ginowan mayor asks chief cabinet secretary to move Futenma facility to Guam (Mainichi) (9) U.S. refuses to meet PM Hatoyama's "special envoy" in early December, demonstrating its tough stance toward his administration (Sankei) (10) Gov't planning nationwide PAC-3 deployment in stages; Futenma relocation costs also earmarked (Yomiuri) (11) PAC-3 functionality to be limited (Nikkei) (12) Poll: Record 78 PERCENT feel friendly toward U.S. (Tokyo Shimbun) (13) Editorial: We hope that Ozawa-led delegation to China holds discussions that will advance the national interest (Sankei) (14) Ozawa concerned about China's arms buildup (Yomiuri) (15) Premier eager to visit North Korea (Nikkei) (16) Japan, Australia to conclude ACSA pact (Yomiuri) (17) Prime Minister to hold talks with Shii on Dec. 14 (Nikkei) (18) Original copy of "secret agreement" on Japan paying for restoration of U.S. military bases during Okinawa's reversion no longer exists (Mainichi) (19) Government decides not to agree to simply extend Kyoto Protocol (Yomiuri) (20) Editorial: Obama's Nobel Peace Prize: Will he win the world's support? (Tokyo Shimbun) (21) Junior partners stir up coalition government (Asahi) TOKYO 00002853 002 OF 012 ARTICLES: (1) U.S. offers plan to ease burden on Okinawa premised on implementation of existing Futenma relocation plan YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) December 12, 2009 The United States floated a proposal designed to ease the burden on Okinawa Prefecture of hosting the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station on the condition that Japan implement the existing plan to relocate Futenma to Nago in the prefecture. The U.S. proposal includes a plan to add an environmental clause to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA),several government sources said on Dec. 11. Washington's move apparently reflects its strong desire to implement the existing relocation plan as soon as possible. However, the Hatoyama administration has shown no intention of accepting the U.S. proposal. The environmental clause would authorize the Japanese government, as well as local governments hosting U.S. military bases, to inspect bases if environmental pollution occurred there. The United States has signed similar agreements with Germany and South Korea, both of which host U.S. bases. For many years, the Okinawa prefectural government has called for adding an environmental clause to the SOFA. However, Tokyo has never officially submitted such a request to Washington, saying that the issue could be dealt with sufficiently under the SOFA. (2) Prime Minister to request review of U.S. force realignment, including Futenma relocation, in line with three-party agreement YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) December 13, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has decided to ask the U.S. government for a new forum to discuss the realignment of U.S. forces (in Japan),including the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. An agreement was reached on the matter in a meeting on Dec. 11 of the heads of the three ruling parties - Hatoyama, State Minister for Consumer Affairs Mizuho Fukushima (head of the Social Democratic Party),and State Minister for Financial Affairs Shizuka Kamei (representative of the People's New Party). Early next week, the Prime Minister will announce the plan along with a decision to postpone a conclusion on determining a relocation site. In September, the three ruling parties reached an accord to deal with the U.S. force realignment "in the direction of reviewing it." Based on this agreement, the Prime Minister has decided to ask the United States to review the plan to relocate Futenma to Henoko in Nago, on which Tokyo and Washington agreed in 2006, as well as the U.S. force realignment roadmap, including whether or not the plan to relocate U.S. Martine Corps to Guam can be accelerated. (3) U.S. urges Japan to reach conclusion on existing Futenma relocation plan by Dec. 18 YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) Evening, December 12, 2009 Satoshi Ogawa, Washington TOKYO 00002853 003 OF 012 Mikio Shimoji, the policy research committee head of the People's New Party, discussed the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corp' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and others at the State Department on Dec. 11. According to Shimoji, the U.S. side urged the Japanese government to decide whether or not to accept the existing plan by Dec. 18, citing the possible impact on the compilation of the fiscal 2011 budget. The U.S. side also mentioned the possibility of not requesting funding for relocating 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam in budget compilation in case Japan does not accept the existing plan. (4) Shizuoka governor: I haven't heard anything about a plan to relocate U.S. military training MAINICHI (Page 31) (Abridged slightly) December 13, 2009 Masashi Okazaki The United States has made a proposal to Japan on shifting a portion of U.S. Marine Corps helicopter unit's training exercises, currently conducted at Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture), to Camp Fuji (in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture). On Dec. 12, Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu reacted strongly to the U.S. proposal, saying, "I haven't heard anything from the government." "What is the government planning to do?" Kawakatsu said in an interview in Numazu City in Shizuoka. "The government must first determine its policy. What sort of plan is it going to draw up for the national defense and security of Japan? I cannot accept the proposal unless that becomes clear." (5) PM Hatoyama: U.S. actually wants Futenma base to stay where it is if the current relocation plan is not implemented NIKKEI ONLINE (Full) 13:24, December 11, 2009 In connection with the issue of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters at his office on the morning of Dec. 11: "I feel that the U.S. actually thinks that no change will be best." It is believed that this indicates his view that if the existing Japan-U.S. agreement to relocate the Futenma base to the coastal area of Camp Schwab (in Nago City) is not implemented, the U.S. actually wants Futenma to stay where it is. He also said: "The local residents near Futenma have lived with the danger for many years. Considering there is also the problem of noise, I think such a solution is unacceptable. We are in the process of making our best effort to make sure that this will not happen. We will make a maximum effort," indicating his intention to work for the reduction of the burden on Okinawa. (6) Japanese ambassador to U.S.: Prolongation of Futenma relocation issue to impact bilateral relationship MAINICHI ONLINE (Full) 11:27, December 11, 2009 TOKYO 00002853 004 OF 012 Yoso Furumoto in Washington At a news conference on Dec. 10, Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki discussed the issue of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa). He said: "We need to take the U.S. side's concerns seriously," indicating that the situation is becoming serious with the postponement of the Japanese side's decision on Futenma relocation. Fujisaki also stated: "This issue is extremely important. It needs to move forward as quickly as possible," pointing out that the prolongation of the issue may have a serious impact on the Japan-U.S. relationship. (7) Prime Minister considering making changes to Japan-U.S. agreement NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 12, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on the night of Dec. 11 expressed a view that implementing the existing plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa to the coastal area of Camp Schwab would be difficult. He said: "Things would be easy if the Japanese government, along with the Japanese people, could say, 'Yes, let's implement the Japan-U.S. agreement.' But at present, we are not at such a stage." He also indicated that he is considering modifying the agreement. (8) Ginowan mayor asks chief cabinet secretary to move Futenma facility to Guam MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) December 12, 2009 Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano met with Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha to discuss the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station at the Prime Minister's Official Residence yesterday. In response to Iha's request that the Futenma facility be moved to Guam, a U.S. territory, Hirano indicated that the government would take measures to ensure the safety of the base while the alternative site remains undecided, saying: "The dangers of the base will be removed to meet the expectations of the Okinawan people." Regarding the Guam idea, he simply said: "We will thoroughly examine it." In a press conference after the meeting, Iha remarked: "I felt that the government might be considering the possibility of leaving the Futenma airfield as is." Hirano denied this conjecture, saying: "I told him that we must make efforts so as not to bring about a worst-case scenario and I did not say that the Futenma facility might be left unchanged." The council of three ruling parties' lawmakers to discuss issues related to U.S. military bases in Okinawa and other locations met yesterday and agreed on the view that the Guam idea should be studied. Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima visited Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, and State Minister for Okinawa, Northern Territories and Disaster Prevention Seiji Maehara to make requests related to the fiscal 2010 budget. (9) U.S. refuses to meet PM Hatoyama's "special envoy" in early TOKYO 00002853 005 OF 012 December, demonstrating its tough stance toward his administration SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) December 12, 2009 Yoshihisa Komori in Washington It was learned that Tama University President Jitsuro Terashima, who is known to be a foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, went to Washington in early December for the purpose of "clearing up the Obama administration's misunderstanding of Prime Minister Hatoyama," but the Obama administration refused to have any contact with him, demonstrating its tough stance toward the Hatoyama administration. An informed U.S. source close to the Obama administration revealed on Dec. 10 that Terashima asked the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo for assistance in November, saying that he "would like to visit Washington to clear up the Obama administration's misunderstanding of Prime Minister Hatoyama." However, the Embassy sent a "recommendation" to Washington stating that it is not desirable for incumbent officials of the Obama administration to meet Terashima, on account of his anti-U.S. bias over the years and the present confusion in the Japanese administration. Terashima went to Washington for a few days in early December, but according to the above source, "As far as we know, Mr. Terashima was unable to meet any U.S. government officials." As a matter of fact, although Terashima met with some 20 Japanese students and researchers living in Washington for a long informal meeting and engaged in other activities, he returned home without having any substantial meeting with U.S. officials. Terashima had advocated in the past the concepts of an "equal Japan-U.S. alliance," "East Asian community," and "Japan's positioning itself between the U.S. and China" before Hatoyama embraced these ideas and is believed to be advising the Prime Minister on foreign policy. It is said that U.S. officials involved with Japan policy think that Hatoyama has moved away from the U.S. and closer to China on such issues as the Japan-U.S. security alliance and U.S. military bases in Japan due to Terashima's influence. (10) Gov't planning nationwide PAC-3 deployment in stages; Futenma relocation costs also earmarked YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) December 12, 2009 The government yesterday held a cabinet ministerial meeting at the prime minister's office to discuss Japan's defense buildup for fiscal 2010 and worked out a draft basic course of action incorporating plans to deploy the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3),a ground-to-air guided missile system, across the country in stages and to earmark costs relating to the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma airfield in Okinawa Prefecture. The government is expected to hold a cabinet ministerial meeting on basic policies and a Security Council meeting next week to adopt the basic course of action. The PAC-3 is currently deployed to three of the Air Self-Defense Force's six air defense missile groups. The Defense Ministry, in its TOKYO 00002853 006 OF 012 initial budget estimate, made a request to extend the deployment of PAC-3 batteries to all these six ASDF air-defense-missile groups across the country. However, the government eyes cutting back on spending. To this end, the relevant cabinet ministers agreed to improve the PAC-3's key components including radar and the missile. Meanwhile, the relocation of Futenma airfield is premised on the current plan to realign the presence of U.S. forces in Japan. In this regard, the cabinet ministers confirmed a plan to earmark costs related to the Futenma relocation and costs related to the transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam from the perspective of continuing consultations with the United States. (11) PAC-3 functionality to be limited NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 12, 2009 The government yesterday held an informal meeting of cabinet ministers to discuss Japan's defense buildup, in which they agreed on the Defense Ministry's budget request to deploy the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3),a ground-to-air guided missile system, to three additional locations, but also concurred on limiting the PAC-3's functionality. (12) Poll: Record 78 PERCENT feel friendly toward U.S. TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) December 13, 2009 The Cabinet Office released yesterday findings from its public opinion survey on foreign relations, in which the proportion of those who feel friendly toward the United States reached 78.9 PERCENT , up 5.6 percentage points from the previous survey last year. The figure is the highest ever since the survey started in ¶1978. The proportion of those who think Japan-U.S. relations are in good shape also rose 12.9 points to 81.8 PERCENT , rebounding from the previous all-time low of 68.9 PERCENT in the last survey. This can be taken as reflecting the public's favorable impression of U.S. President Obama, who was sworn in this January and who advocated "a world without nuclear weapons" and expressed his willingness to visit the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, the survey was conducted in October. Its results therefore do not reflect the recent sticky situation resulting from the issue of relocating the U.S. military's Futenma airfield. Meanwhile, the proportion of those who think Japan-China relations are in good shape also rose 14.8 points to 38.5 PERCENT . In addition, the proportion of those who feel friendly toward China also rose 6.7 points to 38.5 PERCENT . (13) Editorial: We hope that Ozawa-led delegation to China holds discussions that will advance the national interest SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 10, 2009 The Democratic Party of Japan's delegation led by Secretary General TOKYO 00002853 007 OF 012 (as honorary head) will leave for Beijing today. The delegation consists of 143 lawmakers from the two Diet chambers and DPJ supporters, totaling more than 600 members. Ozawa emphasizes in a letter of invitation that (the purpose of their visit to China is) to build a heart-to-heart relationship. He is expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao. For the purpose of deepening mutual understanding between Tokyo and Beijing, their meeting should be significant. However, at a time when the Japan-U.S. relationship has been strained over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, the impression that the large-scale Japanese delegation to China gives the world does not necessarily serve Japan's national interest. The 143 Diet members will be divided into six groups. They reportedly will separately visit a Chinese-government-affiliated organization, military facility, economic technological development zone, farm village, and other places. We hope that the delegation members exchange in-depth views with the Chinese side, although they will stay in Beijing only four days. After spending one night in Beijing, Ozawa will fly to Seoul on the 11th to attend an informal dinner party hosted by President Lee Myung Bak. We hope he takes a resolute attitude to protect Japan's national interest. China is now Japan's top trade partner and the country in which it has its largest investment. The reality is that in order to get through the financial crisis and global recession, Japan, the U.S. and Europe have no other choice but to rely on the Chinese economy, which is expected to grow by 8.5 percent this year. However, since the delegation is led by the governing party, it should give a thought to China's being a totalitarian country and to the unsolved issues between Tokyo and Beijing. Japan and China have agreed to develop gas fields in the East China Sea. However, China recently completed unilaterally the construction of a drilling facility in the Shirakaba gas field, in which Japan had planned to invest money. The delegation should not forget that behind China's attempt are Chinese military strength aimed at securing energy resources -- especially China's drive to build a blue-water navy. The delegation includes about 80 House of Representatives members, who were elected to the Diet for the first time in the August Lower House election. There are many issues the delegation should discuss with the Chinese side, such as the call for China to make its military strength transparent and food safety measures in response to a series of food-poisoning cases involving Chinese-made dumplings. We want the delegation to make its China visit an experience that will lead to the future. There are complicated conflicts of interest that cannot be controlled by the framework of Japan-China friendship. We hope that the delegation serves as an aid to building a true friendship that will not cover up or contain such conflicting interests. (14) Ozawa concerned about China's arms buildup YOMIURI (Page 2) (Almost full) TOKYO 00002853 008 OF 012 December 9, 2009 Taishi Tajima, Seoul Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ozawa on Dec. 11 met with Chinese National Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Beijing. Referring to the annual increase in China's military budget, he said, "I am very concerned about China's arms buildup." He pointed out: "There is a 'China as a threat' argument in Japan. If Japan builds up its arms to compete with China, the results will not be good for either country." In response, Liang stressed his nation's stance: "China will never seek hegemony. The purpose of the Chinese military is to defend its great national borders and land." (15) Premier eager to visit North Korea NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 9, 2009 On the possibility of taking a trip to North Korea with the aim of finding a breakthrough in the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Dec. 11 told the press corps: "When the need for me to visit North Korea arises, I should lay my life on the line (for a settlement of the issue) and go to that nation." He thus realized his eagerness to visit that nation while in office. He, however, explained that it is still too early to start considering a visit in concrete terms, saying, "Now is obviously not the right time for such a visit." (16) Japan, Australia to conclude ACSA pact YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) December 13, 2009 The Japanese and Australian governments have now decided to conclude an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA for short, in order for the Self-Defense Forces and Australian forces to help each other with munitions and services when they are on such overseas missions as United Nations peacekeeping operations and disaster relief activities, officials said yesterday. Australian Prime Minister Rudd is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Dec. 15 and meet with Prime Minister Hatoyama, and they are expected to reach a formal agreement to start negotiations on concluding an ACSA. (17) Prime Minister to hold talks with Shii on Dec. 14 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 12, 2009 It has been decided that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will hold talks with Japanese Communist Party Chairman Kazuo Shii in the Diet building on Dec. 14. The party-head meeting was requested by Shii to demand such things as the unconditional removal of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from Okinawa and employment measures. During the administration led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the prime minister used to hold talks with opposition party heads around the time to compile the budget each year. Although the LDP also requested talks for resolving the Futenma issue before the end of the year, the prime minister's office rejected the request. (18) Original copy of "secret agreement" on Japan paying for restoration of U.S. military bases during Okinawa's reversion no TOKYO 00002853 009 OF 012 longer exists MAINICHI (Top play) (Abridged) December 13, 2009 Yudai Nakazawa It was learned on Dec. 12 that investigations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) failed to find the original document on the alleged secret agreement on "Japan paying 4 million dollars on behalf of the U.S. as the cost of restoring U.S. military bases to their original state" in connection with Okinawa's reversion to Japanese administration in 1972. Bunroku Yoshino, former director general of MOFA's North American Affairs Bureau who signed this document, has testified in court on the existence of this agreement and that he filed the document. It is now highly likely that MOFA destroyed this document at some point. A source related to the experts' committee launched in November to investigate the issue of secret agreements (chaired by Tokyo University Professor Shinichi Kitaoka) told Mainichi Shimbun that "the original copy of the document that was signed was not found." On the other hand, the investigations found documents relating to the negotiation process that show that Japan directly paid the 4 million dollars. The committee is still conducting a closer examination of these documents, but it is highly likely that the committee will conclude in the end that a secret agreement existed. In that case, the conclusion is likely to be: "The secret agreement existed but the document itself has been lost or destroyed." (19) Government decides not to agree to simply extend Kyoto Protocol YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) December 12, 2009 The government held a meeting of the ministerial committee on global warming yesterday and decided on what position Japan should take at the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen. Although the government has not disclosed the details of its position because of the possible impact on negotiations, it has apparently decided on such basic policies as not agreeing to simply extend the Kyoto Protocol; calling for the entire world to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050 and for all industrialized countries to cut emissions by 80 PERCENT ; establishing a new framework that also involves developing countries; and setting the precondition for Japan to implement its 25 PERCENT reduction goal of all industrialized countries agreeing to set ambitious goals. Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa, who will arrive in Copenhagen on Dec. 12, emphasized in a press conference: "It is meaningless to extend the Kyoto Protocol, which does not place emission-cut obligations on the U.S. and China." (20) Editorial: Obama's Nobel Peace Prize: Will he win the world's support? TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full) December 12, 2009 TOKYO 00002853 010 OF 012 U.S. President Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize amid criticism that the award was premature. Was he able to win the support of the international community with his speech where he affirmed the concept of a "just war" and called for the building of a new "just peace"? Mr. Obama started his speech by citing the names of past recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize and said: "My accomplishments are slight." He made utmost efforts to show modesty in light of the negative public opinion in the U.S., with nearly 70 percent of the people thinking that he "does not deserve" the prize. Mr. Obama has just announced the deployment of 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. His speech reflected the mixed feelings crisscrossing his mind at every turn. He said, for instance: "Perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of the military of a nation in the midst of two wars." The keyword is "just war." Expounding on this theme that is deeply rooted in the history of Europe and America, Mr. Obama confirmed the history of the idealist philosophy in America and emphasized its tradition of maintaining the international order through the use of force. He stated that in the 60 years after World War II in particular, the United States' overwhelming military power has been responsible for stability in the international order. Citing the old Nazi regime, the ethnic conflicts in the old Yugoslavia after the Cold War, and other examples, Mr. Obama claimed that, "The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it." He asserted that war can be justified under certain conditions for the maintenance and building of peace. Fanatic resistance to such Western values is a factor behind the terrorism of Islamic radicals. It is ironic that some conservative politicians of the U.S. Republican Party praised Obama's speech, but a simple return to past policies is unacceptable. Mr. Obama proposed three ways to build a "just peace" as a goal in the new era -namely: tough sanctions and pressure on forces disrupting the international order, support and promotion of human rights, and freedom from want - and appealed for unity. Tangible progress in the major policies of eradication of nuclear arms, dialogue with Islam, and global warming prevention is indispensable for the effective achievement of the above goal. Yet, have the U.S.'s efforts been adequate? A case in point is the delay in the U.S.-Russia negotiations on the strategic arms reduction treaty. Mr. Obama became the President against the backdrop of discrimination against black people, and he moved away from the hitherto predominant unilateralism in U.S. foreign policy. We ask that he reflect once again on the message of approval of this policy of international cooperation contained in the decision of the Nobel Prize committee members. It would be undesirable both for the U.S. and for the international community for this great honor to become a heavy burden. (21) Junior partners stir up coalition government ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) TOKYO 00002853 011 OF 012 December 11, 2009 The two junior coalition partners have caused problems for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at every juncture in the policymaking process. With the aim of reaffirming unity among the three parties, Hatoyama has made arrangements for a dinner with Social Democratic Party (SDP) head Mizuho Fukushima (state minister for consumer affairs, food safety, declining birthrate and gender equality) and People's New Party (PNP) head Shizuka Kamei (state minister for financial affairs and postal reform) today. As junior partners in a coalition government, the smaller parties tend to resort to brinkmanship tactics. PNP invokes "veto right" on extra budget, SDP on Futenma issue Asked by reporters yesterday about the reason for arranging the dinner for the three coalition parties, Hatoyama replied: "Since they have worked hard for the coalition government, I would like to hold a dinner in recognition of their services." In both Houses of the Diet, the coalition government holds a total of 443 seats, with only 12 and eight held by the SDP and the PNP, respectively. Despite this situation, Hatoyama has given consideration to the junior coalition partners because he has been at the mercy of the two parties since his administration was launched. Hatoyama was optimistic before his government was launched in September. He came up with the idea of setting up a ministerial panel to discuss basic policies, saying: "I would like to introduce a system for the three party leaders to hold discussions and to make policy decisions." The two parties have different policy principles (from the Democratic Party of Japan's) so the prime minister aimed to set up a system for keeping them under control by having them hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan. The prime minister, however, later found that he was being overoptimistic. Fukushima and Kamei have kept in touch with each other by cellular phone and taken joint steps in ministerial talks. In meetings of the Ministerial Committee on Basic Policies, they have employed brinkmanship tactics, with the effective "veto right," as expressed by Kamei, in their hands. On the issue of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, SDP members have strongly opposed moves in the cabinet to reach a conclusion by the end of the year. In response to a request by Fukushima for his help, Kamei conveyed the SDP's opposition to Hatoyama and then said: "It would be a good idea to establish a team under the Ministerial Conference on Basic Policies and slowly proceed with discussions." Meanwhile, Fukushima hinted at leaving the coalition, using the expression "a grave decision." The government had compiled a second supplementary budget bill for fiscal 2009 worth 2.7 trillion yen under the leadership of Kan, but the SDP and the PNP insisted that the amount should be raised further. On this issue, Kamei took a tough stance. He delayed the compilation work by staying away from a meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Basic Policies and succeeded in having the government increase the amount in the end. Kan grumbled: "This government is led neither by Ms. Fukushima nor by Mr. Kamei." TOKYO 00002853 012 OF 012 The SDP again lashed out at the government over the Futenma issue yesterday. The party is calling for the Futenma facility to be moved to Guam, a U.S. territory. But when he visited Guam, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said that it would be difficult to relocate the airfield there. In reaction, SDP Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno said in a press conference yesterday: "It can't be possible to reach a conclusion during such a short visit." Behind the two parties' strong attitude is the fact that although the DPJ holds 308 seats in the House of Representatives, nearly two-thirds of all the seats, it holds only 115 seats, seven fewer than half of the seats in the House of Councillors. The majority is only possible through the DPJ's alliance with the SDP and the PNP. In reference to the disarray in the government over the second extra budget, Hatoyama told reporters on the morning of Dec. 8: "As expected, it is difficult to operate a coalition government." Kamei, however, relentlessly said during a press conference after a cabinet meeting the same day: "This is not a single-party DPJ government. No matter how much (the prime minister) stamps his feet in frustration, he can do nothing." Outcome of brinkmanship tactics Even so, the future of junior coalition partners that resort to brinkmanship tactics is not bright. The dominant view in the DPJ is that it would be impossible for the SDP and the PNP to exert their influence after the Upper House election next summer. Ozawa aims to win an outright majority in both Houses of the Diet. In this case, even if it maintains the current coalition regime, the DPJ will no longer be swayed by its junior partners. Kamei has been eager to form a third major party, eyeing the voters who are dissatisfied with the two-party system. But he remains unable to find like-minded lawmakers. Mid-ranking DPJ lawmakers view Kamei's moves coolly, with one member remarking: "He is probably aiming to turn the tide of the Upper House election in his favor by ruining our efforts and cutting public support for the DPJ." ROOS