JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12/17/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12/17/09 INDEX: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) Defense & security: 4) PM Hatoyama shelves his theory on "security alliance without regular stationing of troops" (Nikkei) 5) Hatoyama says relocation of Futenma facility by 2014 possible (Yomiuri) 6) LDP's Ishiba slams delay of decision on Futenma (Yomiuri) 7) Government to make decision on PAC3 deployment today (Nikkei) 8) Japan to provide Afghan army 1.2 billion yen in medical support (Asahi) Foreign relations: 9) Foreign Minister Okada to visit Russia on Dec. 27 (Nikkei) 10) Japanese, Singaporean defense ministers share importance of presence of U.S. troops (Yomiuri) 11) Okada asks Xi Jinping for early exchange of document on gas field development (Sankei) 12) Commentary: PM Hatoyama's security policy remains vague (Nikkei) Politics: 13) SDP leader Fukushima meets Okinawa governor to discuss Futenma relocation (Mainichi) 14) Future "national policy officials" get to work (Tokyo Shimbun) Space: 15) GX rocket development cancelled (Mainichi) Opinion: 16) Diet poll: Ruling parties differ on foreign national suffrage (Yomiuri) Economy: 17) American Airlines' parent company CEO: "AMR will object if antitrust immunity is approved for Delta" (Nikkei) 18) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry calls for participation in Pacific Rim FTA (Nikkei) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Mainichi: DPJ urges government to keep gasoline tax rate, set income limit for child allowances Yomiuri: DPJ asks government to maintain provisional tax rates with aim of curbing issuance of government bonds Nikkei: Coordination underway between government and ruling coalition to keep gas tax rate and to set income limit for child allowances Sankei: Priority budgetary requests presented to PM Hatoyama; Ozawa destroys TOKYO 00002883 002 OF 009 centralized policy system Tokyo Shimbun: Major general contractors' donations to Ozawa increased four-fold to mend ties, according to person concerned Akahata: Demonstration held in Kasumigaseki to seek jobs 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Imperial audience: Political leadership must be demonstrated properly (2) Retrial set for Fukawa case: Criminal investigation process must be completely revealed Mainichi: (1) Issue of imperial audience requires rational discussion (2) Fukawa case: Leave the door wide open for retrials Yomiuri: (1) Avoid making hasty decision on special taxation measures in view of economy (2) Fukawa case retrial: Confession-oriented investigation repeated Nikkei: (1) Do not give up on new climate protocol that includes U.S. and China (2) Anxiety over Ozawa-centered petition system Sankei: (1) COP summit: Demonstrate determination to leave framework (2) Legislation essential to join international network to prevent illegal arms exports to North Korea Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Fukawa case retrial: Build solid system to prevent wrong judgments (2) Liberalization of aviation industry: Increase competition for better service Akahata: (1) Futenma must be removed: Stop looking for relocation site 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, December 16 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 17, 2009 09:54 Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). 12:37 Met Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Otani and Special Advisor Nakayama. 14:27 Met Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. 15:00 Met LDP President Tanigaki, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano and LDP policy chief Ishiba present. 16:44 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsui. 17:01 Held discussion with DPJ Secretary General Ozawa and senior party members on DPJ's requests regarding budget and tax systems, with relevant ministers present. TOKYO 00002883 003 OF 009 18:09 Met METI Minister Naoshima and Hirano. Naoshima stayed behind. Met Turkmenistan President Berdimuhamedow. 19:18 Attended signing ceremony and joint press conference. Hosted dinner party. 20:55 Saw the Turkmenistan president off. 21:00 Met Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi. 21:40 Arrived at his official residential quarters. 4) PM Hatoyama shelves his theory on "security alliance without permanent presence of troops" NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) December 17, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama talked about his idea of a "security alliance without the permanent presence of troops" in relation to the role of U.S. Forces Japan under the Japan-U.S. security arrangements on Dec. 16. He said: "Since in reality, I have become the prime minister, that idea will have to be shelved now." He made this comment in response to a question from reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. During the time of the former Democratic Party of Japan (before its merger with the Liberal Party in 2003),Hatoyama advocated a "security alliance without the permanent presence of troops" under which U.S. troops would not be stationed in Japan in peacetime, and Japan would only request their mobilization in a contingency. While indicating that he is shelving this idea, Hatoyama also said: "I used to subscribe to such an idea, and when you think about Japan's future for the next 50 or 100 years, it is natural for the question of whether it is appropriate for foreign troops to remain to arise." 5) Prime Minister tells LDP's Tanigaki that it will be possible to relocate Futenma by 2014 YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpt) December 17, 2009 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held talks yesterday with Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki. The Prime Minister indicated that it will be fully possible to complete the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture by 2014, as agreed upon in 2006 between Japan and the United States. Some people think it will be difficult to meet the goal partly because the Prime Minister has revealed a plan to look for sites other than the coastal area of Camp Schwab, which is specified in the existing plan. The Prime Minister apparently rebutted such a view. 6) LDP's Ishiba slams PM's decision to postpone Futenma decision as irresponsible YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) December 17, 2009 In reaction to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's announcement of his intention to review the Japan-U.S. agreement on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture and to look for new alternative sites, many people, both in Japan and the United States, expressed their opposition and concerns TOKYO 00002883 004 OF 009 yesterday. U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway held a press conference at the Defense Department on Dec. 15 (Dec. 16, Japan time) in which he expressed his irritation with Japan's policy flip-flops. He said: "There have been media reports from Japan and Okinawa that the minister said such and such, and other people said such and such. We must give the Japanese government a chance to reach a logical decision and a formal answer." Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba, too, severely criticized the government's response in a press conference yesterday, saying: "(The Prime Minister) said that he has decided not to decide anything - the contents, the relocation site, or the deadline. This is utterly irresponsible and the policy is inconsistent. We absolutely cannot accept such a decision." 7) Defense spending policy to be adopted today; limited deployment of PAC-3 and no increase in SDF personnel specified NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) December 17, 2009 The overall draft policy on defense spending for fiscal 2001, which is expected to be adopted in a cabinet meeting on Dec. 17, was disclosed yesterday. Reflecting strained Japan-U.S. relations over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, the draft stipulates that the government will "consider deepening security cooperation between Japan and the United States" in connection with security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The draft also specifies the limited deployment of Patriot Advanced Capabiltiy-3 (PAC-3) ground-to-air guided missiles. Additionally the government will give up on an increase in the number of Self-Defense Force personnel. The draft policy was produced because the National Defense Program Guidelines, the basis for budget-compilation, is scheduled to expire at the end of this year. The government has put forward its stance to deeply cut back on defense spending based on the wishes of the Social Democratic Party, a coalition partner, and the results of the Government Revitalization Unit's screening of state projects. The draft policy also sounds an alarm saying that the North Korean nuclear and missile issues are becoming serious, while pointing out the military modernization of neighboring countries and the spurt in their activities with China in mind. The gist of the draft basic policy on defense spending Q The North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile issues are becoming serious. Q It is necessary to consider deepening Japan-U.S. cooperation in security. Q The nation's defense capabilities must be improved based on the thinking of the National Defense Program Guidelines. Q It is essential to improve equipment that is necessary to deal with a ballistic missile attack, a commando raid, and situations on outlying islands; to maintain precautionary and surveillance TOKYO 00002883 005 OF 009 activities and collect information at all times; and to deal with major/exceptional disasters. Q Equipment that can be used in international peace cooperation activities must be improved. Q Anti-ballistic missile capabilities must be improved. 8) Government to extend 1.2 billion yen in medical assistance to Afghan armed forces ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) December 17, 2009 The cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has decided to provide the armed forces of Afghanistan with 1.2 billion yen as new aid measures for security in Afghanistan. Of the 50 billion yen in Afghan support measures included in the second supplementary budget for fiscal 2009, which was approved on Dec. 15 by the cabinet, 18.5 billion yen will be appropriated to police assistance. The Hatoyama cabinet has given priority to assistance for security in Afghanistan. The government will provide support for the Afghan armed forces through a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) fund. Since this NATO fund allows the donor to designate the use of the money donated, the government will limit the use of its donation to the purchase of medical equipment and supplies, as well as medicines. 9) Foreign Minister Okada to visit Russia on Dec. 27 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 17, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has decided to visit Russia on Dec. 27 for a three-day stay. This will be the foreign minister's first trip to Russia. He is expected to attend the first meeting of the regular bilateral foreign ministerial on the issue of the Northern Territories. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and President Dmitry Medvedev agreed in September to hold regular foreign ministerial meetings on the issue. The purpose of his visit to Russia is to seek a breakthrough in the deadlocked territorial issue through talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The two foreign ministers will exchange views on the details of Russia's proposed "creative approaches" for the dispute over the Russia-held islands off Hokkaido. Okada also aims to deepen mutual trust by launching discussions with Lavrov. 10) Japanese, Singaporean defense ministers agree on importance of presence of U.S. troops YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) December 17, 2009 Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa met with his Singaporean counterpart Teo Chee Hean, who also serves as deputy prime minister, at the Defense Ministry yesterday. In the meeting, Kitazawa said: "The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and defense policies." Teo replied: "Singapore has allowed the U.S. military to use our facilities and its fighters, warships, and aircraft to make stopovers in its territory," stressing the importance of its relations with the U.S. TOKYO 00002883 006 OF 009 11) Okada calls on Chinese vice president for early negotiations to draw up official document on joint development of gas fields SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpt) December 17, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at a Tokyo hotel yesterday. In the meeting, Okada called on Xi to start negotiations at an early date to draw up an official document on the planned joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea, saying: "It is essential that we translate the agreement reached last year into action. We should push ahead with negotiations, as confirmed by our nations' leaders." In response, Xi simply said: "We would like to maintain the agreement and continue working-level talks." 12) Commentary: PM Hatoyama's security policy remains vague NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 17, 2009 Eiji Sakamoto, editorial staff member How does Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama intend to restructure the Japan-U.S. alliance relationship? Even if one listens carefully to his statements on the issue of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station and on his shelving of the concept of a "security alliance without the regular stationing of troops," it remains unclear what he is aiming at. It is believed that his remarks on Dec. 16 were meant to dispel U.S. concerns that the Hatoyama administration is moving toward reviewing the Japan-U.S. alliance. Yet they can also be taken to mean that he is shelving the concept temporarily and has no intention to change his position. The true intent of many of Hatoyama's statements on security policy, not only on this occasion, is often unclear. Is he changing his policy or is he merely explaining the situation? The "frivolity" of his words has caused serious repercussions both at home and abroad. How to deal with North Korea's development of nuclear arms and China's military expansion are real issues facing politicians. If Hatoyama wants to relocate the Futenma base overseas or stick to his idea of a "security alliance without the regular stationing of troops," an explanation on the strategy to make up for the deterioration of deterrence will be necessary. It is a matter of course that there will be renewed debate on security policy in response to changes in the international situation. However, the Prime Minister's imprudent behavior is exposing the Japan-U.S. alliance to risks pointlessly. 13) SDP leader Fukushima meets Okinawa governor to discuss Futenma relocation MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) December 17, 2009 Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima visited Okinawa on Dec. 16 and met Governor Hirokazu Nakaima at the Okinawa Prefectural Government building. Fukushima said: "We can strive TOKYO 00002883 007 OF 009 together for the relocation of Futenma (Air Station) out of Okinawa or out of Japan." Nakaima replied: "I have also been saying that relocation out of Okinawa is the best option." After the meeting, Fukushima toured Henoko in Nago City, where the coastal area of Camp Schwab, which has been chosen as the Futenma relocation site under the existing plan, is located. 14) Future "national policy officials" start working TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) December 17, 2009 Naoto Kan, deputy prime minister and state minister for national strategy, yesterday assembled Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lawmakers who have joined the National Policy Unit at the Diet building, and asked them for cooperation in drafting growth strategies. After bills related to upgrading the unit to a "bureau" are passed during the next regular Diet session, he explained to them that lawmakers who applied to take part in the unit would be treated as "national policy officials." Seven DPJ House of Representatives members - Hideo Kataoka, Mitsu Shimojo, Kaname Shimada, Yoshio Tezuka, Kazue Fujita, and Takahiro Kuroiwa - have joined the National Policy Unit. They will be in charge of hearing the views of experts and various government agencies, and drafting the framework for growth strategies to be formulated before the end of the year. Kan offered words of encouragement to the members, saying, "We will explain what the Hatoyama cabinet has been working on and gain understanding from the public. I think we have a number of members who are skilled at formulating these kinds of strategies." 15) Gov't calls off GX rocket development MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) December 17, 2009 The government decided yesterday in a meeting of the Strategic Headquarters for Space Development (SHSD) to discontinue its joint project with the private sector of developing a midsize launching vehicle called "GX." This GX rocket development project has been called into question due in part to its growing cost. The GX cannot be expected to receive orders for satellite business and purposes, according to SHSD officials. Meanwhile, the government will continue to develop a new type of liquefied natural gas engine for the GX. 16) Diet poll: Ruling parties differ on suffrage for foreign nationals YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) December 17, 2009 The ruling Democratic Party of Japan's policies incorporated in its manifesto, a collection of public pledges for this summer's House of Representatives election, enjoy high support among its lawmakers on the whole, according to a recent parliamentary survey of all Diet members. Among DPJ lawmakers who responded to the survey, 76 PERCENT approved of making the nation's expressways toll free and 74 PERCENT approved of pushing for a free trade agreement with the United States. TOKYO 00002883 008 OF 009 The DPJ manifesto did not include any mention of vesting foreign nationals, who have permanent resident status in Japan, with the right to vote in local elections. Concerning this issue of giving local suffrage to foreign national residents, however, DPJ Secretary General Ozawa has indicated his intention to present relevant legislative measures to the Diet during next year's ordinary session for enactment. In the survey, the polled lawmakers were asked if they approve of vesting foreign national residents with the voting right. Among DPJ respondents, 50 PERCENT answered "yes" to the question, with 23 PERCENT saying they "can't say which" and 25 PERCENT saying "no." This situation in the DPJ appears to be one of the reasons why the DPJ did not mention local suffrage in its manifesto. In the case of the Social Democratic Party, all of those who responded to the survey answered "yes" to the question. However, 60 PERCENT of those respondents from the People's New Party said "no." As seen from these figures, the ruling parties cannot be said to be monolithic. Among the opposition parties, 86 PERCENT of respondents from the Liberal Democratic Party were opposed to suffrage for foreign nationals. However, 92 PERCENT of the New Komeito's respondents and all of the Japanese Communist Party's respondents said "yes." 17) American Airlines' parent company CEO: "AMR will object if antitrust immunity is approved for Delta" NIKKEI (Page 11) (Excerpts) December 17, 2009 AMR Corp. (AMR) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gerard Arpey held a press conference in Tokyo yesterday and emphasized: "We will support the reconstruction effort of Japan Airlines Corp. (JAL) through our oneworld alliance." AMR is the parent company of American Airlines, which is stepping up efforts to expand its partnership with embattled JAL. Arpey said that AMR would "forcefully object" if JAL and Delta Air Lines formed a partnership and applied for antitrust immunity (ATI). Prior to the press conference, Arpey met with Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara. Maehara said regarding which company should be JAL's partner: "That is what JAL, a private firm, should decide." But he added: "We are interested in which group JA will choose," indicating that the ministry would be indirectly involved in the selection process. 18) METI set to specify in economic growth strategy goal of joining Trans-Pacific partnership agreement NIKKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) December 17, 2009 The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has started coordination to incorporate in the government's economic growth strategy the goal of joining a free trade agreement (FTA) signed between countries in the Pacific Rim region. Based on the judgment that it is an influential framework for Japan to deepen economic ties with other Asian countries, the ministry aims to join the agreement to pave the way for establishing a free trade zone covering all Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum member countries in the future. TOKYO 00002883 009 OF 009 The framework METI is aiming to join is the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) signed between Singapore, Brunei, Chile and New Zealand (in 2005). The U.S. and Australia have expressed their willingness to join it. Observers have pointed out that TPP may become the core of the envisioned free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific region, but the Japanese government has so far indicated that it would be difficult to participate in TPP. ROOS