JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01/22/10

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01/22/10 INDEX: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials Futenma issue: 3) New proposals on Futenma relocation site to be submitted to panel second week of February, not January (Yomiuri) 4) SDP cancels inspection tour to Guam after being refused entry to U.S. military base (Yomiuri) 5) Hatoyama orders Hirano to settle Futenma issue by end of May (Nikkei) Defense & Security: 6) Defense industry calls for relaxation of three arms-export rules (Yomiuri) 7) SDF medical team to Haiti (Mainichi) 8) Okada sends letter to U.S. explaining Japan's position on nuclear policy (Nikkei) Foreign relations: 9) Japan and U.N. to cooperate in resolution of abduction issue (Tokyo Shimbun) Ozawa scandal: 10) Prosecutors eyeing criminal case against Ozawa (Sankei) 11) Ozawa to undergo questioning tomorrow (Tokyo Shimbun) Politics: 12) Replies to questions in Diet session (Yomiuri) 13) Association of prefectural assembly chairmen calls for caution regarding bill granting local suffrage to permanent (Yomiuri) 14) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano: Government mulls new panel on economic development measures for Okinawa (Yomiuri) 15) Haraguchi denies intervening in reporting on Ozawa scandal (Yomiuri) Economy: 16) Chrysler model first U.S. car to be subsidized (Nikkei) Opinion: 17) Yomiuri-Waseda poll: "High expectations for DPJ" substantially down to 55 PERCENT (Yomiuri) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Party heads debate: Prime Minister Hatoyama, LDP President Tanigaki face off in lax manner Mainichi: Question time: Defensive DPJ, feeble LDP Yomiuri: JAL to cut 15,000 jobs in one year Nikkei: Japan's pension money to be invested in Asian infrastructure Sankei: TOKYO 00000139 002 OF 008 Prosecutors eyeing filing charges against Ozawa Tokyo Shimbun: Ozawa to be questioned tomorrow over land deal Akahata: Ozawa's source of funding for land purchase may be kickbacks from general contractors 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Internal affairs minister's comment: Shallowness of governing party is astonishing (2) Diet: Set the stage for policy debate Mainichi: (1) Lower House Budget Committee: Make debate more interesting for audience (2) Cabinet ministers' criticism of media: Their comments were careless Yomiuri: (1) Budget Committee: Intensify diet debates between party leaders (2) President Obama's first year in office: Rocky path lies ahead for policy of change Nikkei: (1) Responsibility of China, which is closing in on Japan in terms of GDP (2) Intensify party-head debates Sankei: (1) Declaring false political fund reports is serious crime (2) Pressure on prosecutors not acceptable Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Politics and money: Prime Minister Hatoyama should take initiative in shedding light on the allegations (2) Chinese economy: Pay attention to both strong and weak sides Akahata: (1) Sports 2010: Give consideration to environment surrounding Olympic athletes 3) New proposals on Futenma relocation site to be submitted to panel in second week of February, not January YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) January 22, 2010 The government and the ruling parties held a meeting of the "Okinawa base issues examination committee," which is studying relocation sites for the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) on Jan. 21. The committee decided that its members will submit their new proposals for Futenma's relocation site in the second week of February, instead of in January as originally planned. An inspection tour to the U.S. territory of Guam, which the Social Democratic Party and others are proposing as a possible relocation site, will also be considered. TOKYO 00000139 003 OF 008 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama disclosed on Jan. 21 that he ordered Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano to come up with a conclusion on the relocation site after coordinating with the U.S. side by the end of May. Hatoyama told reporters at the Kantei, "It is impossible for the Japanese government to come up with a proposal without coordinating with the U.S." 4) SDP cancels inspection tour to Guam after being refused entry to U.S. military base YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) January 22, 2010 At an executive meeting on Jan. 21, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) decided to cancel its planned inspection tour to Guam, which the party is proposing as a possible relocation site for the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. The reason is that permission to visit the U.S. military base was not granted. The SDP had requested permission from the U.S. side through the Prime Minister's Official Residence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit the Andersen Air Force Base, the relocation site for some 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa, and other locations during a three-day trip to Guam from Jan. 25. However, the U.S. side responded that it would be difficult to accommodate the SDP visitors. There is speculation in the party that: "They have refused the visit even though we have not asked to see military secrets. This is probably because the party advocates the relocation of the Futenma base out of Okinawa or out of Japan (which conflicts with the U.S. position)." At a news conference on Jan. 21, Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno said: "This is regrettable. We will approach (the U.S. side) about an inspection tour of the working team of the three ruling parties (which is studying relocation sites for Futenma)." 5) Hatoyama directs Hirano to settle Futenma issue by the end of May NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) January 22, 2010 Prime Minister Hatoyama told reporters yesterday at his office that once again he has directed Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano to work with the United States and decide by the end of May on where to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. Earlier in the day, the government and ruling parties held a meeting of their panel to discuss Okinawa base issues. In the meeting, the tripartite ruling coalition concurred on looking into the possibility of visiting Guam shortly as a candidate for the relocation of Futenma airfield. Another possibility now being considered in the government is that Prime Minister Hatoyama will visit the United States in early June for a final agreement at a summit meeting with U.S. President Obama. 6) Defense industry calls for relaxation of three arms export principles YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) TOKYO 00000139 004 OF 008 January 22, 2010 A meeting to exchange views between Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and defense industry executives was held yesterday in Tokyo. The industry side called for easing of the three arms export principles effectively prohibiting the exports of arms and related technologies, saying that if Japan does not participate in international joint development projects and technology tie-ups, the country might not be able procure advanced equipment. 7) SDF medical team departs for Haiti MAINICHI (Page 25) (Excerpt) January 25, 2010 The Self-Defense Forces' emergency medical team (headed by Col. Makoto Shirakawa) left Narita Airport yesterday for quake-stricken Haiti on a chartered plane. Sachiko Ozawa, 35, a doctor who is a representative of the Kofu-based NGO named Haiti Friendship Association, will also leave for Haiti on Jan. 24 as a member of the Japanese Red Cross Society's relief team. The SDF's medical team of some 100 individuals, including 14 medical officers, will carry out relief activities in Haiti. 8) Okada sent letters to U.S. explaining Japan's position on nuclear policy NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) January 22, 2010 It was learned yesterday that Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada sent last December letters on nuclear policy to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Supporting President Barack Obama's nuclear-free world vision, the letters positively evaluate the U.S. deterrent via its nuclear umbrella. The letters are apparently intended to clarify the Japanese government's position of aiming for nuclear disarmament before the U.S. government releases its new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR). The NPR shows the U.S. government's policy for the next five to ten years. The U.S. government will issue its new NPR as early as March. The NPR is drawing attention as a factor that will have an impact on the global trend toward nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. 9) Okada, UN rapporteur reaffirm cooperation on abduction issue TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) January 22, 2010 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN special rapporteur for human rights in North Korea at the Foreign Ministry yesterday afternoon. In the meeting, the UN investigator agreed to continue to cooperate with Japan to resolve the issue of North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals. Okada told Muntarbhorn that North Korea has yet to respond to Japan's call for set up a committee to reinvestigate the abduction cases in line with an accord reached at a Japan-North Korea working-level meeting in August 2008. Muntarbhorn emphasized: "It is important that North Korea set a specific timeframe for resolving the abduction issue and follow up on the accord." Okada praised the activity of Muntarbhorn, who has been TOKYO 00000139 005 OF 008 investigating North Korea's human rights issues since July 2004, saying: "He has been urging North Korea to act quickly on the abduction issue." Muntarbhorn is visiting Japan to collect information for an annual report on the North's human rights situation to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council and the UN general assembly. He visited a site where Japanese were abducted and met abductees' family members. North Korea has not responded to the investigation. 10) Prosecutors eyeing criminal case against Ozawa SANKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) January 22, 2010 Inquiries made by Sankei to sources close to the case revealed yesterday that House of Representatives member Tomohiro Ishikawa, 36, former administrative chief of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa's political fund management organization, Rikuzankai, who has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Control Law over the questionable land purchase, has admitted that Rikuzankai's unnecessary loan after the purchase of land was a deception to cover up the source of the funding used to purchase the land. The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Prosecutors' Office apparently has been investigating the case with an eye on filing charges against Ozawa based on the belief that Ozawa was aware of his fund management body's intention not to declare the source of the funding in his political fund report because he was involved in the entire process. 11) Prosecutors to question Ozawa tomorrow on land deal TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Excerpts) January 22, 2010 Inquires made by Tokyo Shimbun to parties connected with the land deal case involving Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa's political fund management body, Rikuzankai, revealed that Tomohiro Ishikawa, 36, a DPJ House of Representatives member, who has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Control Law, had applied for a bank loan of 400 million yen the day before the purchase of land. Ishikawa confessed to the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office that he had reported to Ozawa that he got the loan on security of his fixed deposit. Prosecutors will question Ozawa voluntarily on Jan. 23 and seek his explanation about the circumstances surrounding the land deal. 12) Report of debate in Lower House Budget Committee meeting on Jan. 21 YOMIURI (Page 10) (Excerpts) January 22, 2010 Futenma relocation issue People's New Party lawmaker Mikio Shimoji: Can you promise the people that you will definitely reach (a conclusion) by May? Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: I will decide on the relocation site for the Futenma airfield by May without fail. TOKYO 00000139 006 OF 008 Shimoji: An increasing number of local government heads have begun to show their willingness to share with Okinawa the burden of the bases. It might be an idea to discuss this matter in meetings of the National Governors' Association. Hatoyama: I would like to utilize ruling parties' Okinawa Base Issues Study Committee. I would like to meet with the relevant municipal leaders on the committee to look for a conclusion. I hope I will come up with a conclusion that is acceptable to the U.S. Shimoji: The budgetary allocations for Okinawa have remarkably decreased over the past decade, so promotion measures are necessary. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano: I would like to promote discussions on the issue with experts and the concerned municipal leaders in Okinawa. Japan-U.S. relations Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki: Democratic Party of Japan's Diet Affairs Committee Chairman (Kenji) Yamaoka described relations between Japan, the U.S. and China as an "equilateral triangle." Hatoyama: I do not think that each side of the triangle is the same in length. The Japan-U.S. security arrangements and the Japan-U.S. alliance are the cornerstone (of Japan's foreign and security policies). With relations with the U.S. as the basis, I will deepen cooperative relations with Asian countries. China is an important country among them. Haiti earthquake Shimoji: It is necessary for the Japanese government to continuously extend assistance to Haiti. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada: I hear some say that the government should have extended (assistance) sooner. That is a matter for examination in the days ahead. But giving consideration to the safety of emergency rescue team members is also necessary. We dispatched (the aid team) as swiftly as possible. 13) Association of prefectural assembly chairmen calls for caution regarding bill granting local suffrage to foreign permanent residents YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) January 22, 2010 At a general meeting on Jan. 21, the national association of prefectural assembly chairmen passed a special resolution in connection with the government's plan to pass a law granting local suffrage to permanent resident foreigners, saying: "This is an issue bearing on the very foundation of democracy. The bill should not be submitted or deliberated hastily." After the meeting, Masuo Kaneko (of Kagoshima Prefecture),chairman of the association, held a news conference where he criticized the government, stating: "I have a feeling that this is based on partisan interests (eyeing electoral gains). It is absolutely unacceptable." TOKYO 00000139 007 OF 008 14) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano: Government mulls new panel on economic development measures for Okinawa YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) January 22, 2010 At a news conference on Jan. 21, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano revealed that a new panel on economic measures for Okinawa consisting of representatives of the government and the local governments is under consideration. There are already two existing panels on Okinawa regional development measures, the "Okinawa policy council," consisting of all cabinet ministers and the governor of Okinawa, and the "council on Futenma relocation," consisting of the chief cabinet secretary, other concerned ministers, and local government officials. However, the former has not been convened since April 2005, and the latter, since April 2009. Hirano said: "We need to sort out what role each of the two councils plays and think of a framework that will enable the implementation of more responsive (economic measures)." 15) Internal affairs minister denies intervening in press reports YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) January 22, 2010 Concerning his own statement that it is improper to use the term "related sources," when referring to information sources in TV reports on the alleged violation of the Political Funds Control Law involving Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ozawa's political funds management organization, Internal Affairs Minister Haraguchi on the evening of Jan. 21 said, "I never meant to say that information sources should not be kept confidential or that each news source must be made clear. I have no intention of intervening in the specifics of broadcasting or making a complaint." He told this to the press corps at the Internal Affairs Ministry. Haraguchi explained that he made that statement with the press report guidelines formulated by the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan in mind. The guidelines stipulate that making news sources clear is the basis for (press reports). 16) Chrysler becomes first U.S. automaker eligible for subsidies for eco-friendly car buyers NIKKEI (Page 11) (Full) January 22, 2010 Chrysler Japan, headquartered in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Jan. 21 announced that it will put on the market on Feb. 1 a vehicle eligible for subsidies granted to buyers of new cars. Chrysler will be the first U.S. automaker to take advantage of the subsidy. The vehicle is the 2010 model of the Jeep Patriot sport utility vehicle. The new model has improved fuel efficiency in comparison with the 1009 model. The government has recently eased the screening standards for imported cars eligible for the subsidy system. The new model was found eligible for the system because it meets the existing criteria. Chrysler has improved the fuel efficiency of the 2009 model (10 kilometers per liter) to 10.6 kilometers per liter by modifying its electronic engine control system. If a buyer replaces a car which he or she owned for more than 13 years, they can receive a subsidy of TOKYO 00000139 008 OF 008 250,000 yen. The new model has a 2,359-cc in-line four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine. Three types with different accessories are available. The manufacturer's suggested retail prices begin from 2,919,000 yen. 17) Yomiuri-Waseda poll: "High expectations for DPJ" drop substantially to 55 PERCENT YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) January 22, 2010 The Yomiuri Shimbun and Waseda University jointly conducted a face-to-face public opinion survey across the nation on Jan. 16-17. In the survey, 55 PERCENT answered that they had high expectations for the ruling Democratic Party of Japan in the future. The figure was down from the previous survey (72 PERCENT ) conducted last September right after the election for the House of Representatives. The proportion of those disappointed with the DPJ in the past rose to 59 PERCENT (37 PERCENT in the previous survey). It has been over four months since the DPJ came into office. The public's expectations for the DPJ, however, have apparently shrunk and their disappointment has grown. Meanwhile, respondents were also asked if they would like the DPJ to win a single-party majority in this summer's election for the House of Councillors. To this question, only 35 PERCENT answered "yes," with 54 PERCENT saying "no." In the survey, respondents were further asked if they approved of the Hatoyama cabinet's job performance on the whole. In response to this question, 53 PERCENT answered "yes," with 45 PERCENT saying "no." In the area of policy measures, however, 58 PERCENT disapproved of the DPJ's economic steering and foreign policy. When asked about the DPJ's policy measures for social security, 46 PERCENT were affirmative, with 48 PERCENT negative. As seen from these figures, negative answers outnumbered affirmative ones in both policy areas. In addition to the "politics-and-money" problems of Prime Minister Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ozawa, the DPJ-led government has been unable to show specific results in the area of policies. This led to the public's harsh ratings for the DPJ. When asked if the DPJ is competent enough to run the government, 54 PERCENT answered "yes," down from 67 PERCENT in the previous survey. To the same question asked about the Liberal Democratic Party now in the opposition bench, 54 PERCENT answered "yes," also down from 57 PERCENT in the survey. The DPJ was thus at the same level as the LDP. ZUMWALT