DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 1 02/09/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TOKYO 000300 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 1 02/09/09 INDEX: (1) Government welcomes Clinton's Japan visit on Feb. 16 on first overseas trip as representing emphasis on Japan-U.S. alliance (Tokyo Shimbun) (2) Coordination underway for meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Clinton and abductee families (Yomiuri) (3) Foreign Minister Nakasone to propose in meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Clinton the holding of international assistance conference for Pakistan hosted by Japan (Asahi) (4) Japan's presence in Munich conference weak; Defense minister to meager contribution mesuers (Mainichi) (5) Japan, UK defense chiefs agree on antipiracy cooperation (Yomiuri) (6) LDP puts off approving Defense Ministry reform draft bill (Nikkei) (7) Japanese, Thai premiers agree to cooperate on East Asia summit (Nikkei) (8) LDP project team sets policy proposal to create 600,000 jobs; Meeting to discuss specific measures to be held as early as next week (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Government welcomes Clinton's Japan visit on Feb. 16 on first overseas trip as representing emphasis on Japan-U.S. alliance TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) February 7, 2009 The government welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Japan as the first country for her visit starting on Feb. ¶16. A government official said: "This decision reflects Washington's stance of placing importance on the Japan-U.S. alliance." Clinton is expected to meet separately with Prime Minister Aso and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on the 17th. Aso told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday: "Her decision to visit Japan on her first official overseas trip is a very good message to show her stance of attaching importance to Asia. The focus of discussion in our meeting will be on how the world's largest and second largest economic powers should avert the ongoing global (economic) crisis and then consider what type of world order should be established." Nakasone also commented in a press conference: "Her decision to visit Japan first shows that she is attaching importance to relations with Japan. It is important to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance during the meeting." Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura expressed hopes that Clinton's visit to Japan will pave the way for a Japan-U.S. summit meeting. Given that the Japanese government has yet to have as extensive contacts in the Obama administration as those in the Bush TOKYO 00000300 002 OF 005 administration, it is eager to quickly establish a network of personnel ties with the new U.S. government. (2) Coordination underway for meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Clinton and abductee families YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) January 8, 2009 The government has begun coordination with the U.S. administration for a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who will visit Japan on Jan. 16, and the families of the Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea, government sources revealed yesterday. However, there still remains an uncertainty about whether the meeting will be realized due to schedule constrains. (3) Foreign Minister Nakasone to propose in meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Clinton the holding of international assistance conference for Pakistan hosted by Japan ASAHI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged) February 7, 2009 The government plans to propose during the meeting between Foreign Minister Nakasone and U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, who arrives in Tokyo Feb. 16, that Japan hold a cabinet-level international conference on assistance to Pakistan. Current thinking in the Aso government is to build a deep relationship of trust with the new U.S. administration by Japan taking the lead in efforts to stabilize Pakistan, a country that the Obama administration places high priority, given its influence on Afghanistan as its neighbor. The Japanese government welcomes the fact that Secretary of State Clinton chose Japan as her first overseas visit, deeming that this decision expresses the importance that the Obama administration places on Japan. The proposal that Japan should hold a pledging conference to assist Pakistan is intended to "show the U.S. that Japan is a reliable partner," said a top official in the Foreign Ministry. Although Pakistan is a Muslim country, it has cooperated in the war on terror in which America has the lead. However, in the region bordering on Afghanistan, public security has rapidly deteriorated, and Islamic fundamentalist groups like the Taliban have built a stronghold. Moreover, Pakistan's economy, affected by the global financial crisis, is on the verge of collapse. Stabilizing Pakistan is an urgent task for the international community. The government's plan is to invite such participants as the G-8 countries, European Community, China, and the Gulf oil-producing states. The plan is to raise assistance pledges amounting to several billion dollars. Japan, too, is considering a pledge of an appropriate level. The aim is to convene the conference at an early date once the agreement of the participating donors is received. (4) Japan's presence in Munich conference weak; Defense minister to meager contribution mesuers MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) February 8, 2009 Ryo Matsuo TOKYO 00000300 003 OF 005 Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada is scheduled to meet with his counterparts from European nations and other countries for the first time on the sidelines of this year's Munich Security Conference with the aim of playing up Japan's cooperative stance with European nations by modeling after the U.S. Obama administration. Having failed to send its cabinet ministers in the past, Japan's presence in the conference is weak. Further, Japan has yet to come up with any new additional assistance measures for Afghanistan. "I am going to transmit to other countries Japan's defense policy, including efforts for global issues, such as terrorism, in order to deepen their understanding," said Hamada about the conference, prior to his departure for Munich on the morning of Feb. 6. Hamada is the second incumbent Japanese cabinet minister to attend the conference following Masahiko Komura last year, who was foreign minister. A Defense Ministry leader explained why Hamada has decided to attend this year's conference: "The United States values the European Union (EU) highly, and Japan, too, needs to deepen its relations (with the EU)." North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations have already dispatched their naval vessels to fight rampant piracy in waters off Somalia, East Africa. Japan, too, has decided to dispatch its destroyers. It is therefore essential to make close coordination with (European countries) on this matter, as well. Nevertheless, Japan is clearly lagging behind (the EU) due to its slant toward the United States during the former Koizumi administration. In fact, Japan was not able to make a decision until late last year to extend the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean regarding the war on terror in Afghanistan. A senior Defense Ministry official indicated that the defense minister in the Munich conference would simply explain Japan's previous activities and announce civilian assistance. The option of sending the Self-Defense Forces to Afghanistan is not even on the agenda as too dangerous. With the approach of Lower House dissolution for a snap general election, it is difficult for Japan to promptly respond to requests from Western countries. Hamada's meetings with French and Czech counterparts cancelled Munich, Kyodo Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada had been scheduled to have separate meetings in Munich on February 7 with his French counterpart Herve Morin and Czech counterpart Vlasta Parkanova. But the two countries notified Japan that they would cancel the meetings and the events were called off as a result. The eleventh-hour cancellations occurred because the two countries prioritized an international security conference over the meetings with Hamada. (5) Japan, UK defense chiefs agree on antipiracy cooperation YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) February 8, 2009 Shozo Nakayama, Munich Defense Minister Hamada, now visiting Germany, met with British TOKYO 00000300 004 OF 005 Defense Minister Hutton at a Munich hotel on the afternoon of Feb. 7 (on the evening of Feb. 7 Japan time) and agreed on antipiracy cooperation in waters off the eastern African coast of Somalia. "We're preparing to send the Maritime Self-Defense Force," Hamada said. He added, "Our fact-finding team will go there, so I'd like to ask you for cooperation." Hutton said, "We appreciate the contribution." Hutton added that Britain would cooperate with other countries for cooperation. In addition, Hamada told Hutton that Japan is opposed to the idea of lifting the European Union's embargo on its exports of weapons to China. "We're concerned that China may increase its military spending and activate its military activities," Hamada said. Hutton said, "We want to pay careful attention to Japan's views." Earlier in the day, Hamada met with Singaporean Defense Minister Teo and sought antipiracy cooperation. Teo said he welcomes the MSDF dispatch. After meeting with his British and Singaporean counterparts, Hamada attended the Munich Security Conference, an international symposium. He is the first Japanese defense minister to attend the conference. In his speech there, Hamada will clarify that Japan will strengthen security cooperation with European countries and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (6) LDP puts off approving Defense Ministry reform draft bill NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) February 7, 2009 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) General Council postponed on Feb. 6 a plan to approve a draft bill to revise the Defense Ministry Establishment Law, featuring measures to reform the ministry's organization following a series of scandals involving its personnel. This is because objections were raised to the idea of setting up political appointee defense advisor posts, abolishing the current defense counselor posts, which are concurrently served by bureau directors general. One member said, "How will the ministry handle defense secretes if civilians are appointed?" Another said, "It is irresponsible to replace the defense advisors every time the defense minister is replaced." (7) Japanese, Thai premiers agree to cooperate on East Asia summit NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) February 7, 2009 Prime Minister Taro Aso met with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit on Feb. 6 at his office, in which the two leaders agreed that they would cooperate for an East Asia summit, which is scheduled to be held in Thailand probably in late April. Aso told Abhisit: "It is important to send a strong message to the world that Asia will continue to play its role as the economic growth center." Abhisit responded: "Trade barriers should not be created." On the political turbulence in Thailand, including an anti-government group's occupation of Bangkok International Airport, Aso asked Abhisit to make further efforts so that Japanese companies will regain eagerness for investments in Thailand. Aso then unveiled a plan to provide 6.3 billion yen in yen loans to Thailand for its construction of a subway system in Bangkok. TOKYO 00000300 005 OF 005 (8) LDP project team sets policy proposal to create 600,000 jobs; Meeting to discuss specific measures to be held as early as next week NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) February 7, 2009 The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Economic and Job Creation New Deal Promotion Protect Team, chaired by Genichiro Sata, at a meeting held on Feb. 6 at party headquarters adopted a policy proposal of creating 600,000 jobs by the end of fiscal 2009. The panel will incorporate the decision into a package of employment measures to be compiled possibly in early March. The ruling parties' project team will be set up as early as next week to draft specific measures. The panel during the meeting heard requests from directors of various LDP divisions. The envisaged plan is to map out specific measures with immediate effects to be included in the first and second extra budgets for fiscal 2008 and the budget for fiscal 2009. Sata said, "We would like to frontload necessary projects, such as making school buildings earthquake-resisting or consolidating a sewer system, and improve vocational trading for jobless people." The panel also decided to raise the proportion of government subsidies for projects so as to lessen the burden of local governments. ZUMWALT