DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/06/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000780

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SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/06/09

INDEX:

(1) North Korea launches missile - part 1: Comprehensive
negotiations backed by pressure (Yomiuri)

(2) Seiron (argument) column: Time for missile defense system to be
tested (Sankei)

(3) DPJ to conduct opinion survey on April 18-19 (Sankei)

(4) Nishimatsu conveyed to Nikai office desire to win contracts in
Haneda, Kansai airport projects (Mainichi)

(5) Commentary: U.S. minesweeper forcibly enters Ishigaki port for
"goodwill"; Taiwan crisis also in mind; U.S. consul general sticks
to port call within his term (Ryukyu Shimpo)

(6) Fluoroscope column: Visit to Ishigaki Port by U.S. naval
vessels; U.S. side demonstrates provocative attitude; Citizens
concerned about U.S. military accumulating achievements (Ryukyu
Shimpo)

(7) Japan might be pressed to endlessly bear costs for U.S. Marines
transferred from Okinawa to Guam, including even activity costs
(Akahata)

(8) Editorial: Can new U.S. strategy serve as a turning point for
stability of Afghanistan? (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) North Korea launches missile - part 1: Comprehensive
negotiations backed by pressure

YOMIURI (Page 6) (Full)
April 6, 2009

Hitoshi Tanaka

North Korea has launched a ballistic missile under cover of a
communications satellite. The major goal is to maintain the Kim Jong
Il regime.

Though North Korea is a reclusive state, it is fully aware of the
ferocity of the U.S. It is presumably trying to secure a deterrent
capability against the U.S. by showing off its technical capability
to launch a missile that can reach that country. In reality,
however, there is a huge gap between the U.S. and North Korea in
terms of military capabilities. Therefore, North Korea's launch of a
missile appears to have little meaning as a deterrent against the
U.S. However, there is a possibility of that nation using it as a
diplomatic card.

The North's missile launch is probably also aimed at tightening the
domestic front, as well as to boost national prestige. Kim Jong Il's
health problem has long been reported. There is little doubt but
that the country's domestic economy is in bad shape. The launch was
presumably also meant to show to a domestic audience that North
Korea is a major country able to launch an artificial satellite or a
long-rage ballistic missile as the culmination of its science and
technology capability.


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Whether that nation actually launched an artificial satellite or not
will determine the future course of international discussions on the
issue. If it was actually an artificial satellite that was launched,
China and Russia will likely oppose the idea of adopting a
resolution against the nation at the UN Security Council (UNSC),
citing that an extreme response should be avoided, because the
nation had undergone necessary procedures needed for the launch in
advance. If it was not an artificial satellite, the basis for their
opposition would be weakened.

Japan should pursue talks in a bid to send a strong message that the
launch is in violation of the UNSC resolution. However, it is
impossible to prejudge the outcome of the talks.

What is most important is the collaboration and unity of the
international community. If the views of various countries are
split, that is exactly what Pyongyang wants to see.

The six-party talks to discuss North Korea's nuclear are important
as a framework for neighboring countries to unite with one another.
The U.S. is calling for the resumption of the six-party talks. Japan
shares the same stance. The missile launch yesterday is regrettable.
However, (the international community) should search for a path
toward talks with North Korea at some point.

It is necessary for Japan to think about purpose when conducting
diplomacy. There is always a specific goal to achieve in diplomacy.
Diplomacy does not rest on a process alone. There are cases that
require tough sanctions. However, that is not enough to conduct
diplomacy. Settling pending issues between Japan and North Korea,
such as the nuclear, abduction and missile issues in a comprehensive
manner will serve the best interests of our nation. Such is also the
objective of diplomacy.

What is needed for Japan-North Korea relations are not just talks
but negotiations. It is necessary to press ahead with comprehensive
negotiations, backed by national power, including pressure.

The Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and North Korea issued in
September 2002 incorporated a freeze on missile launches. It is
important for Japan to seek negotiations and point out that the
missile launch yesterday is in violation (of the UN resolution).

North Korea is undoubtedly a threat to Japan's security. Japan has
revised its security system in tandem with North Korea's moves.
Following the first nuclear crisis between 1993 and 1994, Japan and
U.S. revised their defense cooperation guidelines. A missile defense
system was introduced after the launch of a ballistic missile in

1998. As a result, Japan came to possess intelligence satellites. It
is imperative for Japan to further strengthen its defense system.
Diplomatic negotiations are only possible with deterrent capability
and strong Japan-U.S. ties.

Hitoshi Tanaka: Senior fellow at the Japan Center for International
Exchange. Former Foreign Ministry bureau director general and deputy
foreign minister. His works include "Strength of Diplomacy." 62
years old.

(2) Seiron (argument) column: Time for missile defense system to be
tested

SANKEI (Page 7) (Full)

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April 1, 2009

By Toshiyuki Shikata, professor at Teikyo University

Politicians often use the expressions " public thinking (kokumin no
mesen de)" and "the thinking of the average people (seikatsusha no
mesen de)." We feel the arrogance of politicians in those
expressions, which seems somewhat odd.

Politicians are bound to always serve the nation and the people, as
well as to implement policies with a broad perspective for the
future. Therefore, it is only natural for them to give consideration
to what the public is thinking. But I do not want them to say things
that are better left unsaid. In reference to political donation
scandals, politicians who say that politics should be carried out
based on consideration of public thinking and that things should be
put back into the hands of people are suspicious.

The opposite meaning of the public thinking is state thinking, which
is absolutely necessary. No matter how hard individuals,
corporations, and local governments work, there are issues that they
cannot be resolved on their own. That's why national politics
exists. It is needless to say that the Constitution is the basis of
national politics.

The Constitution stipulates that all of the people shall have the
right to maintain minimum standards of health and cultural life. To
ensure this right, there are national economic, fiscal and financial
policies, including the improving of the safety net to protect the
compulsory education system, the insurance and annuity system, and
the situation of the socially weak. Apart from fundamentalist and
autocratic states, in democracies it is possible to correct, review
and make concessions on social and economic policies. They can be
converged over a short period.

However, such is not applicable to diplomacy and national defense
that are the heart of the national politics. Short-term and stopgap
measures do not work when foreign and national defense affairs are
concerned. Unlike economic measures, it is difficult to correct and
revise foreign and national defense policies.

A ballistic missile launching by North Korea has become a major
issue. Japan has an option to intercept the missile, to bring the
issue to the UN Security Council, as well as to step up its economic
sanctions against the North. This is because Japan made a strategic
decision to have the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) possess an
anti-ballistic missile system and worked at it for a long time.

It is a good example that foreign and defense policies related to
national security require a long-term and strategic response. If
mistakes are made in the timing and direction, they cannot be
corrected.

The improvement of the defense-oriented equipment system -- under
which the SDF would shoot down a missile by a missile -- requires
high-level skills, huge costs and a long period of time. This is the
result of such many efforts as crafting a strategy of dealing with
envisaged threats, developing technologies, acquiring equipment,
bringing up SDF personnel, training troops, and revising (Article
82-2 of the SDF Law).

At present, the SDF's anti-ballistic missile system has yet to be

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completed. However, Japan has now the option of intercepting
missiles because the nation came up with the strategy early on of
improving the system. Without accumulated efforts, Japan would not
have had any means to respond to a ballistic missile threat.

Japan has had no other choice but to rely on everything from the
United States, even if the people feel intimidated, harboring a
sense of helplessness and self-defeat.

An effort for improving the missile defense system is different from
one to recover the economic and financial systems which take two to
several years.

We now understand from the dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force
personnel off Somalia that foreign policy and national defense are
the two sides of the same coin. In consideration of the fact about
2,000 vessels affiliated with Japan pass through the Gulf of Aden,
the security of waters around this area is our country's vital
interest.

It has been crystal clear since last year that in order to maintain
the security of this region, Japan should participate in
international activities. However, the government greatly delayed in
coming up with an anti-piracy bill because it was busy with dealing
with the economic crisis.

In the waters off Somalia, naval ships from about 20 countries have
carried out anti-piracy operations. Japan, however, finally
dispatched two destroyers there. The destroyers are conducting
operations for now under the maritime policing action provision in
the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law, which allows the SDF to protect
only Japan-related ships. Japan as an independent state is a coward.


I urge the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) not to
take the anti-piracy measures bill, which has been submitted to the
Diet, as a hostage because of the political situation. If the DPJ
tries to delay the enactment of the bill by presenting an
unrealistic revision bill and counterproposals, it will never be
able to take over the reins of government. Establishing a clear law
as quickly as possible so that the commander of the dispatched unit
will not be confused is real civil control and political
responsibility.

There are parties that have called for dispatching Japan Coast Guard
ships, not sending SDF destroyers. If Japan wants to dispatch JCG
ships, related bills including measures to strengthen the JCG's
functions and capabilities needed to be presented.

Japanese politicians and people should recognize that both the
missile defense system and anti-piracy measures in waters off
Somalia are important national policy directly linked to Japan's
security, not to international contributions. Unless Japan can share
risks with the international community, it should not consider
becoming a permanent UNSC member.

(3) DPJ to conduct opinion survey on April 18-19

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
April 4, 2009

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa decided on

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April 3 that the DPJ would carry out an opinion poll on its own on
April 18-19 regarding a general election for the House of
Representatives. Ozawa conveyed the decision to Lower House member
Katsumasa Suzuki in their meeting in Tokyo.

Referring to Vice President Seiji Maehara's proposal for the holding
of an open discussion based on the results of the planned poll, DPJ
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said: "I want party members to
trust me and the party head (concerning the analysis of the
situation)," taking a negative stance toward the proposal.

Hatoyama stated in a strong voice:

"If all the party members are allowed to see the outcomes of the
poll, the contents would be leaked to outside the party through the
media. Should candidates come to know the results, some candidates
would slacken their efforts, and some would abandon their hopes. I
cannot imagine that the outcome of the poll would be open to the
public."

Referring in the taping of a TBS program on April 3 to the question
of whether Ozawa should remain in his party post or quit, Hirohisa
Fujii, a supreme advisor to the DPJ, said: "He will make an
appropriate decision on his own." He indicated that he would keep a
close watch on what response Ozawa would take.

Pointing out that Ozawa has said that winning the next Lower House
election is everything, Fujii stated: "Ozawa is the only person who
can reform the government bureaucracy of Kasumigaseki. I want him to
consider reforming Kasumigaseki from various perspectives."

(4) Nishimatsu conveyed to Nikai office desire to win contracts in
Haneda, Kansai airport projects

MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
April 4, 2009

Nishimatsu Construction Co. started in 1999 conveying to Economy,
Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai's political group its
desire to receive orders in projects related to Kansai International
Airport and Haneda Airport in exchange for its providing political
donations to the Nikai group, according to Nishimatsu sources.
During this period, Nishimatsu had been paying the rent of about 24
million yen on an office used by Kansai Shinpu-kai, a political
organization linked to Nikai. The second-tier general contractor had
allegedly provided Nikai's political group with funds, with the aim
of winning contracts in large-scale projects. The Tokyo District
Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad reportedly
will start final talks with a higher-level government office
possibly early next week.

According to Nishimatsu sources, the company was desperate to
receive orders in a project to construct the 4th runway (2,500
meters) at Haneda Airport and for the second-phase construction of a
second parallel runway (4,000 meters) and related facilities at
Kansai International Airport.

The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry made an
official announcement in December 2001 on the project for a new
runway at Haneda Airport, which is estimated to be worth
approximately 598.5 billion yen, including designing costs. Only a
joint venture (JV) composed of 15 companies including Kashima Corp.

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and Nishimatsu participated in the tender, and the JV won the
contract without competition. Nishimatsu received orders worth about
20.9 billion yen. The project was set in motion in March 2007, and
the new runway is expected to be opened in October next year. The
second-phase Kansai International Airport project was launched in
July 1999. The total cost of orders issued for land reclamation is
approximately 527 billion yen. Nishimatsu received some orders in
connection with this project, too.

(5) Commentary: U.S. minesweeper forcibly enters Ishigaki port for
"goodwill"; Taiwan crisis also in mind; U.S. consul general sticks
to port call within his term

RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full)
April 4, 2009

What lies behind the recent port call of a U.S. Navy minesweeper at
the island of Ishigakijima is that the United States, with a Taiwan
crisis and other contingencies in mind, wants to ensure refugee
evacuation. The minesweeper's official port call there was for the
purpose of promoting "friendship and goodwill," according to a U.S.
military press release. However, the U.S. military is steadily
gathering information needed for its use of ports.

The U.S. Navy minesweeper that called at Ishigaki port had made a
port call at the island of Yonagunijima in 2007, the first call of a
U.S. warship at a commercial seaport since the reversion of Okinawa
to Japan. This is the second case of a U.S. warship's port call
since the return of Okinawa. There are many seaports in Okinawa
Prefecture. But this time as well the U.S. military chose a port of
the Yaeyama islands near the border. A U.S. warship once made a port
call at Yonagunijima. At that time, the U.S. military had first
sounded out Ishigakijima on its plan to make a port call there.
However, Ishigakijima rejected the proposal. In July, U.S. Consul
General in Okinawa Maher will become director for Japanese affairs
(Japan Desk) at the U.S. Department of State. He seems to have stuck
to the minesweeper's port call at Ishigakijima before that.

The minesweeper is the USS Patriot. Its captain, Robert Shu, said:
"The Navy's continual presence demonstrates our commitment to
security arrangements in this region." This could be a military
message to neighboring countries, meaning that the U.S. Navy will
make its forward deployment possible at all times by making port
calls.

Maher says U.S. warships "need to make port calls to maintain
stability, safety, and peace in the region." However, he does not
specify how the port call at Ishigakijima will lead to maintaining
peace. In fact, the U.S. military is going ahead with military
actions while reiterating the concept of bilateral security
arrangements between Japan and the United States.

According to emergency and other relevant bills enacted in 2004, the
U.S. military is to take precedence to use Japan's civilian seaports
and airports during emergencies. Such an environment and actual port
calls in Okinawa might have something to do with each other.

Gov. Nakaima: It's unfavorable

Concerning the recent entry of a U.S. Navy minesweeper into the port
of Ishigaki in the face of local opposition, Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu
Nakaima said in Tokyo where he was visiting on an official trip: "I

TOKYO 00000780 007 OF 010


wonder if military ships should be allowed to enter civilian ports
during nonemergency times. Besides, it's unfavorable." He also
expressed a feeling of discomfort the purpose of the minesweeper's
port call, saying: "It was not in an emergency situation like taking
refuge from a typhoon. It was for goodwill, not urgent."


Minimum study for safety: captain

Lt. Cmdr. Robert Shu, the captain of the USS Patriot, a U.S. Navy
minesweeper that called at the port of Ishigaki, and Kevin Maher,
U.S. consul general in Okinawa, met the press in the port after the
minesweeper's arrival. Shu explained the preliminary study of ports
visited, saying: "We are conducting a minimum study of safety as we
do in other ports. None of the crew came here to check the port in
advance. We secured information from open sources on the Internet."

Asked if the Patriot called at Ishigaki in its readiness to meet a
Taiwan crisis, Shu answered: "This is a normal port call and does
not have any particular meaning." He also stressed the significance
of displaying the U.S. naval presence, saying: "The Navy's continual
presence shows our commitment to security arrangements in this
region."

Meanwhile, the mayor of Ishigaki City participated in a local rally
against the minesweeper's entry into the port of Ishigaki and held a
press conference against it. "We are aware of the mayor's position,
but it is necessary to make port calls under the security
arrangements. Asked about this, Maher said: "This is not rare at all
in Japan, and there is no legal problem. There are people who are
against the port call, but there are also people who welcome it."

"It looks like a small number of people are reportedly against our
visit here, but I understand that many other people welcome us," Shu
said, indicating that many locals welcome the minesweeper's port
call. The U.S. military has not disclosed such data as the
minesweeper's weaponry. Asked about this, Shu only answered, "We
will not do anything like hurting Ishigakijima people."

(6) Fluoroscope column: Visit to Ishigaki Port by U.S. naval
vessels; U.S. side demonstrates provocative attitude; Citizens
concerned about U.S. military accumulating achievements

RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 3) (Full)
April 6, 2009

Yuki Fukasawa

The U.S. Navy's minesweepers Patriot and Guardian, which were at
anchor in Ishigaki for the first time, left Ishigaki Port around
noon April 5. The vessels made the port call in defiance of repeated
oppositions by Ishigaki Mayor Nagateru Ohama and calls for restraint
by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. Experiencing a rejection of
its request to allow its naval vessels enter Ishigaki Port two years
ago, the U.S. side was hell-bent to realize a port call this time
around, and its attitude remained provocative even after the Patriot
and Guardian entered the port. The vessels made the port call in the
name of forging friendships with local communities and providing
crew members with rest. Looking back at their port call, U.S. Consul
General for Okinawa Kevin Maher described the event "a success,"
citing such actual achievements as exchanges with local people,
fueling, and so on. "Port calls by U.S. naval vessels might become a

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standard practice," a local resident said apprehensively.

After mooring the minesweepers to the pier, Consul General Maher and
others tried to visit the shopping district shortly before noon, but
their path was blocked by local protesters. After being stranded
there for about five hours, they, escorted by police officers,
elbowed their way through the protestors.

According to some concerned sources, when Consul General Maher
struggled with some protesters, he cursed them, saying, "You
idiots!" On the following day as well, there was a scene in which
the U.S. diplomat, blocked by a human wall, shouted back at some
local protesters.

Request not accepted

In a way, clashes with local residents resulted from the U.S. side's
responses.

On the day of the port call, the Ishigaki municipal government, the
administrator of the port, asked U.S. persons concerned to use a
certain gate to go in and out of the port. But witnessing the
situation where someone could get hurt, a city official in charge
asked Consul General Maher, who was staying at a city hotel, to stay
away from the port. But he did not heed to the request. Worse yet,
entering a port facility, he demonstrated the provocative attitude
of making a U-turn before the human wall of local residents at the
gate. When the consul general wrestled with the local protestors,
the official in charge proposed that he leave the spot via another
gate, but he insisted on forcing his way through the protesters. The
U.S. side forcibly carried out the two naval vessels' call at
Ishigaki Port after experiencing a rejection two year ago. Even
after the vessels entered the port, the U.S. side continued to act
provocatively occasionally, drawing fire from local residents.

The U.S. side informed Japan in advance that the purpose of the port
call was to provide crew members with rest and to promote friendship
with locals. The U.S. side has gained more than that in terms of
collecting information and making track records.

Refueling to the two minesweepers began at 8 a.m. on April 4, day
two of their stay at the port. Since there is no vessel-fueling
station in Ishigaki Port, the vessels received fuel from tank trucks
in the city. According to Ishigaki City Fire Headquarters, tank
trucks are usually not allowed to provide fuel in the port. But the
fire headquarters authorized a local operator's request and applied
to the U.S. vessels the special standards under the Hazardous
Materials Control Ordinance on the condition of setting up an oil
fence to minimize damage in case of a disaster and an off-limits
area. The U.S. Navy confirmed that refueling at Ishigaki Port was
possible.

List of restaurants

Meanwhile, the U.S. side asked a waste-disposal company in the city
to dispose of trash in the minesweepers within the city of Ishigaki,
but the municipal government told the firm: "What's in the trash is
unknown. Please deal with the matter in line with the wishes of the
city." As a result, the trash was carried back into the vessels.

Citizens welcoming the vessels' visit had surveyed the restaurants
in Misakicho, and presented the U.S. side with a list of restaurants

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open to U.S. service members. Parties and courtesy calls were
planned for exchanges with crew members. Readiness to receive
American crew members was also confirmed. "We fear most the
possibility of the U.S. military accumulating real experiences,"
Yaeyama district labor union president Akihiko Ohama, 49, said
anxiously.

(7) Japan might be pressed to endlessly bear costs for U.S. Marines
transferred from Okinawa to Guam, including even activity costs

AKAHATA (Top Play) (Full)
April 4, 2009

Japan has been asked to bear partial construction costs of new
facilities in Guam for U.S. Marines to be transferred from Okinawa.
In this transfer plan, Japan might have to foot even the bill for
activities by Marines transferred to the U.S. territory, according
to informed sources yesterday. Japanese Communist Party (JCP) member
Akira Kasai questioned about this possibility during a meeting of
the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee in which the
Japan-U.S. relocation accord was deliberated on.

Kasai: "Japan-U.S. accord unacceptable"

In reference to a statement made by the Defense Ministry on the
breakdown of costs related to projects to construct facilities and
infrastructure under the Guam relocation plan, Kasai pointed out
that the statement included this passage: "Costs associated with the
transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam and their activities
are not included in the relocation plan worth 10.27 billion dollars
(to be borne by both Japan and the U.S.)" Kasai questioned about
the possibility of Japan paying even the costs for combat forces
left behind in Okinawa to participate in training in Guam and for
their activities.

Nobushige Takamizawa, the Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau
director general, replied, without denying Japan's possible burden
sharing in the future: "On expenses for transferring drills and
other matters, we have made a specific judgment in each case." Kasai
said: "Since the conclusion and the ratification of the Guam
relocation accord is indisputably the gateway to Japan's unlimitedly
expanded burden-sharing, the accord is totally unacceptable."

Kasai also referred to the indication in the Defense Ministry's
report on Japan's basic concept that if loans and funds rendered for
U.S. military housing in Guam are not recovered over 50 years, the
losses would be covered with tax money. He then criticized it:
"Although nobody knows what the global situation would be 50 years
from now, it is strange to offer (loans or funds) on the premise
that such money will be surely paid back." Foreign Minister Hirofumi
Nakasone replied: "It certainly is difficult to predict the
situation 50 years in the future."

(8) Editorial: Can new U.S. strategy serve as a turning point for
stability of Afghanistan?

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 2, 2009

The U.S. Obama administration has unveiled a new comprehensive
strategy for Afghanistan combining military support with civilian
aid to help bring stability to that country. A multilateral

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cabinet-level meeting held in The Hague has supported the U.S.-led
new policy. The international community has confirmed a policy
course to work together toward a solution to the Afghan issue.

The current situation in Afghanistan, a country dotted with bases of
international terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and other forces that
sympathize with it, is serving as a breeding ground for drugs
farming poppies for drugs, is a source of great concern for global
security. We hope to see the new U.S. strategy and the confirmed
international cooperation will serve as a turning point for the
improvement of the situation in Afghanistan.

It has been seven and a half years since the United States launched
a military intervention. Although over 60,000 troops have been
stationed in Afghanistan centering on U.S. forces, the country's
security has continued to deteriorate. With European countries
remaining reluctant to send additional troops, it has become clear
that it is difficult to rely solely on military power to bring
stability to that country. The Obama administration's comprehensive
strategy putting an emphasis on civilian assistance and diplomatic
efforts is intended to facilitate stabilization on all fronts.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has advocated reconciliation
with moderate Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group. What makes
the Obama administration unique is that it seeks the stability of
the region including Pakistan whose border with Afghanistan is
dotted with Al-Qaeda bases.

The Afghan presidential election set for August must be a short-term
challenge. In the long run, nation-building must be pursued via
restoring security by strengthening the police system in the
country, developing industries, and improving the administration.

The United States has announced that it would send an additional
17,000 troops to Afghanistan. The United States will also send an
additional 4,000 troops to Afghanistan for nurturing its military
and police officers. To Pakistan, the United States will extend 1.5
billion dollars in annual aid over the next five years.

For the stability of Afghanistan, cooperation of its neighboring
countries, such as China, Russia, India, and Iran, is essential.
Sending its vice foreign minister to a cabinet-level meeting in The
Hague, Iran, which takes an adversarial stance toward the United
States, has also promised cooperation on antinarcotics measures.

Japan is also expected to play a major role in economic
reconstruction, agricultural development, and developing human
resources for the administration and the police force. The Japanese
government has already announced to extend an aid package worth 2
billion dollars. At this stage, Japan should consider additional
contribution measures.

ZUMWALT