DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 1 02/09/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TOKYO 000300

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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(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