TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - FUTENMA RELOCATION

UNCLAS TOKYO 002930 SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - FUTENMA RELOCATION ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most papers on Tuesday morning front- paged reports from New Delhi on press remarks on Monday by Prime Minister Hatoyama, during which he reportedly said that the coalition agreement on Futenma relocation must not ignore the U.S.'s intentions. ¶2. "Sites Other Than Okinawa Must Be Seriously Considered" The liberal Asahi editorialized (12/29): "A working team of the GOJ and the ruling coalition was launched to look for a new relocation site for MCAS Futenma. This is a fresh start for the new administration, which has been in disarray over the issue during its first 100 days. Although the plan to move the Futenma functions to Henoko, which was agreed upon between the governments of the U.S. and Japan three years ago, has not been rejected as an option, the ruling parties must first explore extensively the possibility of relocating the base out of Okinawa.... There is one important point, though. The power of deterrence the U.S. Marines have provided for the defense of Japan and the stability of the region must be maintained in some form." ROOS