DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01/22/10

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01/22/10 INDEX: (1) Governor Nakaima: No Futenma relocation site in Okinawa other than Henoko (Mainichi) (2) Okinawa governor indicates he will still support current relocation plan even if opponent to Futenma's relocation wins in Nago mayoral election (Sankei) (3) 50th anniversary of revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty: Japan, U.S. facing turning point (Mainichi) (4)"News Navigator" column: Nago mayoral election a vote on Futenma relocation (Mainichi) (5) 50-year-old Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Part 2): Asian Community concept a pipe dream (Nikkei) (6) Two days until Nago mayoral election: Former U.S. marine laments that U.S. military is treated like a nuisance (Asahi) (7) Election in Nago City to determine fate of U.S. military base (Asahi) (8) Nago mayoral election on the 24th: Lavish subsidies undermine self-reliance of local industries (Tokyo Shimbun) (9) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Tokyo Shimbun) ARTICLES: (1) Governor Nakaima: No Futenma relocation site in Okinawa other than Henoko MAINICHI ONLINE (Full) 13:00, January 22, 2010 Teruhisa Mimori At a news conference on Jan. 22, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima discussed the alternative proposals in the government and the ruling parties for the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, such as moving the Futenma base to Iejima (in Ie Village) or Shimojishima (in Miyakojima City) or integrating it with Kadena Air Base. He said: "By common sense, it will not be possible (for the Futenma base to be relocated) to such locations." He thus indicated for the first time that other than the coastal area of Camp Schwab (in Henoko, Nago City),Futenma's relocation within Okinawa is not possible. The Okinawa base issues examination committee of the government and the ruling parties is considering the relocation site for the Futenma base. The local communities in Iejima and Shimojishima are both opposed to the relocation. It is believed that the governor respected the opinion in the local communities. However, Nakaima also said: "I can't say for sure until I am briefed by the committee. I cannot possibly just ignore the proposals studied by the government and the ruling parties," thus indicating that he is willing to consider proposals from the committee. (2) Okinawa governor indicates he will still support current relocation plan even if opponent to Futenma's relocation wins in TOKYO 00000149 002 OF 013 Nago mayoral election SANKEI ONLINE (Full) 14:02, January 22, 2010 Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima indicated on Jan. 22 that even if the candidate opposed to the current plan to relocate the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station to Henoko in Nago City wins in the Nago mayoral election, where Futenma's relocation is at issue, he will possibly maintain his position of "accepting the existing relocation plan with reluctance." The governor has regarded Nago City's approval of the relocation plan as one reason why he accepts it. He emphasized that even if the opposing candidate wins, "I don't think all the preconditions (for Henoko relocation) will cease to exist." He said that "Henoko has been considered since the Hashimoto administration, and the environmental impact assessment is almost complete," pointing out that early implementation of Futenma's relocation is highly feasible. An independent neophyte candidate who is opposed to the current relocation plan, former Education Board Chairman Susumu Inamine, 64, is engaged in a close contest with the incumbent mayor, Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, 63, who tolerates Futenma's relocation, in this mayoral election. (3) 50th anniversary of revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty: Japan, U.S. facing turning point MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) January 19, 2010 Takashi Sudo Today marks 50 years since the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was signed on Jan. 19, 1960. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told the press corps yesterday evening at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei): "Unless the Futenma issue is resolved, we won't be able to move forward with the Japan-U.S. security arrangements in a trust-based manner. Solving the issue by May will be an initial test and we will then move forward in that direction," indicating that the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) holds the key to deepening the bilateral alliance. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the revised security treaty, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and President Barack Obama are expected to release separate statements today stressing their efforts toward deepening the bilateral alliance. The foreign and defense ministers of the two countries will also release a joint statement in their names. The revision of the security treaty, which sparked tremendous controversy, has been recognized as the foundation of the bilateral alliance. As symbolized by the Futenma issue, however, the bilateral alliance relationship is now facing a turning point. At an annual convention on Jan. 16 of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),Hatoyama said that the Futenma issue will be an initial test for deepening the bilateral alliance relationship. TOKYO 00000149 003 OF 013 However, one of the reasons for the deadlock in the Futenma issue is a gap in the perceptions of Tokyo and Washington on the balance between the mutual benefits and burdens of the alliance. There is also a discrepancy between the nuclear policies of the two countries. The Washington Times (electronic edition),a conservative U.S. newspaper, reported on Jan. 7 that the U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR),which describes the U.S.'s basic nuclear policy, has been delayed by one month until March 1, and that a study on declaring "no first use" of nuclear weapons is the reason for the delay. It is believed that the "no first use" of nuclear weapons is the first step to reducing nuclear weapons, and it seems that President Obama's idea of creating a world without nuclear weapons is having an influence on the NPR. Meanwhile, nuclear deterrence is also an important topic in the NPR. Obama stressed in his speech in Tokyo last November that the United States would maintain a nuclear deterrent that guarantees the defense of its allies, including Japan. How will a world free of nuclear weapons and the nuclear umbrella fit together? The Foreign Ministry has put off issuing a report on its investigations into a secret nuclear pact until late February. If the ministry admits to the existence of the secret deal, which has supported the nuclear umbrella, Japan will then be faced with the issue of how to deal with the nuclear umbrella. (4)"News Navigator" column: Nago mayoral election a vote on Futenma relocation MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) January 22, 2010 Nakae Ueno, Shinichiro Nishida, Yoshichika Imoto It is now two days until the Jan. 24 mayor election in Nago City, Okinawa. This contest between the incumbent mayor, who accepts the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) to Henoko in Nago City under certain conditions, and the neophyte candidate advocating Futenma's relocation out of Okinawa is likely to have a significant influence on the decision of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Futenma's relocation site, which he will make by May. In the early evening of Jan. 19, Yasuhide Miyagi, 54, chairman of the "association for the promotion of the replacement facility" stated in a relaxed mood at the association's office in Henoko, which is the relocation site under the current relocation plan: "We have no choice but to live with the bases. I think in Henoko, the ratio is 7 to 3 in favor of accepting the relocation." Green banners with the name of the incumbent mayor, Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, 63, fluttered outside the office. The association has cooperated with the acceptance of Futenma's relocation since the previous Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-New Komeito administration. "We are not inviting (the replacement facility) wholeheartedly. If we take a cooperative approach toward the government and set our conditions, there will be some gains for the local community." This group hopes for economic development measures in return for accepting the relocation and wants to establish a foothold for self-reliance with the spinoffs. TOKYO 00000149 004 OF 013 The Henoko district is approximately 9 kilometers southeast of the city center. It has a population of 2,000. During the Vietnam War, there were more than 100 eating and drinking places in this area catering to U.S. soldiers from nearby Camp Schwab. However, only a handful of them are still in business today. The paint on the shop signs in English and on the wall has worn off and the whole place feels listless. On the morning of Jan. 21, Shimabukuro said in his speech in the city center: "Government requires continuity." He did not touch on the Futenma relocation issue at all and consistently emphasized his achievements in terms of economic development measures. He also told reporters that "the economic development measures for northern Okinawa have been moving forward considerably." Since 1997, when the proposal to relocate the Futenma base to Henoko came up, some 45 billion yen has been spent on Nago as of FY09 as economic measures for northern Okinawa. However, the per capita income in the city remains below the average in Okinawa, never mind the national average in Japan. Ikuo Nishikawa, 65, owner of a hardware store who supports the neophyte candidate Susumu Inamine, 64, who opposes the relocation, said hopefully: "The citizens in this city have begun to realize that the economic development measures do not help regional development." Nishikawa has been a leader of the opponents to relocation since 1997, and he was feeling fed up with the movement and ready to give up on it after experiencing strife and conflict with close friends and relatives every time there was an election. But the sudden arrival of the Hatoyama administration has presented a "last chance." Nishikawa worked hard for Inamine to visit Henoko, and on the afternoon of Jan. 17, Inamine gave a speech in Henoko, calling for "reconciling the outcome of this election with the popular will expressed 13 years ago and restoring a peaceful and quiet Henoko." The "popular will of 13 years ago" refers to the referendum in December 1997 where a majority voted against the construction of an offshore heliport. Nishikawa said: "The citizens should express their honest feelings just like in 1997." However, despite their taking different sides in the mayoral election, Miyagi and Nishikawa both believe that "in the end, the relocation site will probably still be Henoko." This is because the government is reconsidering the relocation site from scratch, meaning Henoko remains one of the options, while relocation out of Okinawa or out of Japan remains unfeasible. Miyagi said: "Whatever the outcome of the election, the Futenma issue will drag on." When asked how the outcome of the Nago mayoral election will affect his decision at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Jan. 21, Prime Minister Hatoyama said: "Ultimately, the national government will have to take the responsibility. The government will be responsible for reaching a conclusion from scratch." This is the fifth time that the popular will of the Nago citizens is being sought on Futenma's relocation. The first time was in December 1997, when a referendum was held on the construction of an offshore heliport. A majority voted no. The next three times were during mayoral elections. All three elections were won by candidates who accepted Futenma's relocation to Henoko. If Inamine, who advocates relocation out of Okinawa and who has the endorsement of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),the Japanese TOKYO 00000149 005 OF 013 Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party, wins, this will be the first time for an opponent to Futenma relocation to be elected as mayor. In contrast to Inamine's unequivocal opposition to Futenma's relocation, Shimabukuro, who has the support of the LDP and New Komeito, never mentions his longstanding position of conditional acceptance of the relocation and keeps stressing his "achievements." While the election campaign is heating up in Nago, the ruling and opposition parties in Tokyo have not been observed to be campaigning actively. Ministers of the Hatoyama cabinet and senior party officials have not come to campaign for Inamine. This is because while the DPJ Okinawa chapter has come out clearly against relocation to Henoko, the government has not eliminated Henoko as an option. The local chapter is facing the dilemma that "full-fledged campaigning may eliminate Henoko as an option." Although Shimabukuro obtained the "endorsement" of the LDP and New Komeito in the last election, he is getting only their "support" this time. With rising expectations among the Okinawans for relocation out of the prefecture, it is difficult to campaign on the LDP and New Komeito's platform of accepting the relocation openly. Behind the LDP and New Komeito's offering only "support" to Shimabukuro is the fact that the Okinawa chapters of these two parties have shifted their policy to demanding relocation out of Okinawa, based on the calculation that (supporting Henoko relocation) would not benefit them. Since Hatoyama has stated repeatedly that he will "respect the popular will of Okinawa," he will not be able to ignore the outcome of the Nago election. On the other hand, if he makes the outcome the basis of his decision on Futenma's relocation, he will be criticized for "irresponsibility." The Prime Minister will face a tough decision regardless of who wins in this election. (5) 50-year-old Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Part 2): Asian Community concept a pipe dream NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) January 22, 2010 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Jan. 6 ordered State Minister for Government Revitalization Yoshito Sengoku to concurrently serve as state minister for national policy. Hatoyama also instructed Sengoku to draw a picture of the East Asian Community concept. Earlier, late last year, Hatoyama had also ordered administrative officials to come up with specific measures for the concept. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula. In 1995, then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama released a statement expressing his feelings of remorse and an apology for Japan's past actions. According to a source versed in Japan-Korea relations, Prime Minister Hatoyama is considering issuing a new statement in August. Hatoyama is apparently planning to resolve the history issue to pave the way for the East Asian Community concept. There are already such frameworks as the East Asia Summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Why is Hatoyama so obsessed with the East Asian Community concept? TOKYO 00000149 006 OF 013 "Creating a new economic bloc is not the Prime Minister's goal," a Hatoyama aide said. "His goal is to turn Asia into a no-war zone, with the East Asia Community concept as a beginning." It is clear Hatoyama wants to build a multilateral security organization in Asia. Although he has sealed away his pet theory of a Japan-U.S. security alliance without the regular stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, he has not relinquished it. Hatoyama probably thinks that the establishment of a multilateral security system in Asia will help reduce Japan's dependence on U.S. forces in Japan. As if to coincide with that, the Hatoyama administration has accelerated what can be described as a multilateral foreign policy. For instance, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada made his international debut at the Japan-U.S.-Australia foreign ministers' meeting last September. Administrative-level talks are still continuing. The first-ever Japan-U.S.-Russia government-private security dialogue will also begin this spring. If such multilateral cooperation deepens, will it be able to take over the role of the Japan-U.S. alliance? Such a framework will probably help reduce tensions among member countries, but it could spark a leadership struggle at the same time. "Japan is advocating an East Asian Community, but China has no intention of joining it if it does not include the United States, so don't worry," a senior Chinese official said to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. The Chinese official was visiting Washington after Premier Wen Jiabao expressed understanding for the East Asian Community concept during his talks with Hatoyama last October. Campbell later informed Tokyo of Beijing's intention to drive a wedge between Japan and the United States. Campbell also asked Japan, "China is taking advantage of the East Asian Community concept. Aren't you going to do something about it?" In the early 20th century, Japan managed to win the war with Russia by forming an alliance with Britain, a major power at the time. But the alliance ended after only about 20 years. This was followed by the establishment of security arrangements among, Japan, Britain, the United States, and France. Before long Japan became isolated and marched toward war. Given the war in Afghanistan and the long economic slump, the United States, too, wants to build a multilateral-security system in Asia to lessen its obligations to its allies. Japan has a bitter experience. In 2008, toward the end of the Bush administration, then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice proposed upgrading the Six-Party talks (on North Korea) to a foreign-minister-level forum and declaring the establishment of a Northeast Asia security framework. The Fukuda administration objected, saying that measures for security in Asia must be centered on the Japan-U.S. alliance. Rice then promised to keep the alliance intact, but the concept consequently fizzled out. The United States and European countries were able to strengthen the unity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the Cold War because they had a common hypothetical enemy: the Soviet Union. Can such a phenomenon occur in Asia? The theory of replacing TOKYO 00000149 007 OF 013 the Japan-U.S. alliance with a multilateral security system has dangerous pitfalls. (6) Two days until Nago mayoral election: Former U.S. marine laments that U.S. military is treated like a nuisance ASAHI (Page 34) (Full) January 22, 2010 Tetsuya Kumagai In the Henoko district, Nago City, few people pass through the town where about 2,000 people live. In the office of the council to promote the relocation of the Futenma air base, senior council members were holding a secret meeting on the afternoon of Jan. 21. They have been absorbed in analyzing the situation. There were only two old women in the office of a candidate running for the Jan. 24 mayoral election. The candidate is opposed to the existing plan to relocate the Futenma base to Henoko. Only TV crews and reporters were passing through the area. In the town, no candidates have taken to the streets to campaign for the election after Jan. 17 when the official campaign for the election kicked off. Samuel Epperson, a former U.S. marine, 64, lives in this town, which has an ocean view. The residents call him Sam-san. He said, "It's unfortunate that the city is divided in two groups over the base issue." Although he has not been able to get out and about recently due to poor health, he has obtained information about the mayoral election and Futenma issue on English websites. He was assigned to Camp Schwab, which is adjacent to the town where he eventually settled down, and he married Katsuko, 64, who was a Japanese waitress at the cafeteria at the camp. The couple has been living in the Henoko district for about 30 years. He witnessed a referendum conducted in 1997 to put the relocation issue to a vote, and three mayoral elections. He said that he felt sad to see the U.S. military being treated like a nuisance. Around the middle of the 1980s, he worked at the Futenma base for about 18 months. The environment surrounding the Futenma base made pilots nervous. He thought that Futenma was dangerous, and it was difficult to carry out training under such a situation. He was once rushed to join troops to rescue Philippines President Marcos. During the Vietnam War, Okinawa was a relay point from the mainland. He thinks U.S. bases in Okinawa are necessary, but he said, "There are too many bases in Okinawa." After retiring from the service in 1990, he has taught English to the Nago residents and participated in almost all of the social events in the community. The local people now invite him to their golf competitions. Regardless of the results of the mayoral election, he thinks the choice of the residents should be respected. He has permanent resident status, but does not have the right to vote. Asked to which candidate he would vote for if he had the right to vote, he said, "I know both of the candidates very well. They are both gentlemen," making a gesture of tossing a coin. (7) Election in Nago City to determine fate of U.S. military base ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) January 18, 2010 TOKYO 00000149 008 OF 013 Should the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma airfield in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, be relocated to Henoko, Nago City as agreed upon between Japan and the U.S. four years ago? The Nago mayoral election, officially announced on Jan. 17, has turned out to be a one-on-one fight between a rookie candidate Susumu Inamine, who opposes the relocation of the Futenma facilities to Henoko, and the incumbent Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, who is in favor of accepting it. Nago residents are not necessarily interested in the base issue. Even so, the results of the election on the 24th will have a considerable impact on Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's decision. Visiting Henoko, which has been designated as the relocation site, Inamine told an audience of about 20: "Why don't we settle the relocation issue by matching the public opinion of 13 years ago with the results of this election. The sea of Henoko does not need a new military base." Inamine is characterizing the mayoral election this time as an occasion to once again demonstrate public opinion opposing the relocation of the military base, which won a majority in the referendum in 1997, and to put an end to the relocation issue. Shimabukuro, in the meantime, appealed to about 300 supporters in Sukuta, Nago City, his hometown, located on the western coast of the mainland of Okinawa opposite Henoko: "The national government, including the prime minister, remains indecisive. However, the people of Nago are not wavering." Shimabukuro as the incumbent mayor announced his acceptance of the Japan-U.S. agreement to relocate the Futenma facilities to Henoko, reached in May 2006. Inamine and Shimabukuro are diametrically opposed over the Futenma issue. However, the mayoral election does not present a simple pattern of pro-military base residents vs. anti-military base residents. As the city's general affairs department manager and controller, Inamine worked under three mayors in the past who announced their acceptance of the Futenma facilities. He underscored: "(My determination to oppose the relocation of the Futenma airfield to Henoko) will not change. I will stand firm in my belief." However, some people still have their doubts about Inamine. A former construction company operator in the city took the view, "He might eventually accept the Futenma facilities with some conditions, finding it impossible to continue to oppose the relocation when the government determines that there is no other construction site than Henoko." Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member Yoshikazu Tamagusuku, a senior member of Inamine's campaign headquarters on the 17th stressed Inamine's connection with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),the party in power, saying, "Japan's politics has changed. Susumu Inamine is the one who can work together with the central government." However, the DPJ headquarters did not respond to a request by local people to send in a speaker to support Inamine. A senior member of the DPJ Okinawa Chapter said, "Some at the DPJ headquarters hope Mr. Shimabukuro will win, expecting a decision to relocate the Futenma facilities to Henoko to be made. These people cannot possibly come to Okinawa to support (Mr. Inamine)." In the meantime, senior members of Shimabukuro's campaign headquarters, who made street-corner campaign speeches on Jan. 17, TOKYO 00000149 009 OF 013 declared, "The Futenma issue has been settled in the past three elections" and, "Futenma is not a point at issue. Don't be beguiled." The Shimabukuro camp does not want the Futenma issue, over which public opinion is split, to be brought to the forefront. It is also frantic about eliminating any party affiliation, which tends to be linked to the Futenma issue. It received an endorsement from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito in the previous election. However, it turned down the offer this time. There is still a deep-rooted view mainly among construction companies and commercial or industrial sectors that the construction of a U.S. military base or economic development projects is the only way for the neighborhood to revitalize itself. Prime minister to take feelings of Nago residents into consideration The prime minister on the 17th told the press corps in Kobe City, "It's possible that the decision (on the Futenma relocation issue) will be determined by which candidate is elected." He also said on the 15th, "I would like to make efforts to reach a decision promptly, while taking the feelings of the residents of Nago into consideration." Some have cast doubts on the prime minister's stance, noting that the state's security policy should not be delegated to a decision by locals. Senior Vice Foreign Minister Tetsuro Fukuyama said, "It is questionable whether it is appropriate for the government to leave the Futenma relocation issue to the Nago mayoral election to work out." A senior official at the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) said cool-headedly, "To begin with, the Nago mayor has no authority (to decide on the relocation issue)." If Inamine, who opposes the relocation, wins the election, the path to the relocation of Futenma facilities to Henoko will become completely blocked. The U.S. is consistently seeking the early relocation of the Futenma airfield to Henoko. It would be difficult to reach a consensus with the U.S. on a relocation site other than Henoko. The Social Democratic Party (SDP),which is seeking relocation of the Futenma facilities outside the prefecture or the nation, is bound to gain momentum. Leader Mizuho Fukushima, state minister for consumer affairs and declining birthrate, on the 17th told reporters in Tokyo: "What decision will residents of Nago reach on the issue of building a new military base in Henoko? The SDP cannot afford to lose this election." In the meantime, if the incumbent Shimabukuro, who approves the relocation of the Futenma facilities to Henoko, wins the election, there would still be a slight possibility of relocating the facilities to Henoko. A certain state minister said, "(If Mr. Shimabukuro wins, the government's options will increase." However, the people of Okinawa have a harsh view of the Hatoyama cabinet, which continues to waver on the relocation issue. Some Defense Ministry officials take the view that the possibility of Henoko disappeared at the end of last year. They believe that it will be impossible to go back to the existing plan no matter which candidate wins the election. TOKYO 00000149 010 OF 013 (8) Nago mayoral election on the 24th: Lavish subsidies undermine self-reliance of local industries TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Abridged slightly) January 22, 2010 The Nago mayoral election will take place on Jan. 24 with the propriety of accepting the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma airfield (Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) functions as a campaign issue. It has been 13 years since Nago City was picked by the Special Actions Committee on Okinawa (SACO) as a relocation site for the Futenma airfield. Nearly 50 billion yen has been provided from state coffers as a measure to develop the city in reward for its hosting the military base during this period. What have massive amounts of public investment brought about in the city? Foundation work for the Machinaka municipal housing project, an eight-story building (56 households),is underway in the Ohigashi area in the downtown area. At the construction site there is a standing signboard protesting construction of the municipal apartment building. Residents protested to the city because the constructions work began without advance notice. Construction work was then suspended for a year until last fall. An official of the construction department of the city explained: "It is true we were slow in giving an explanation of the construction work. However, there were no prospects for constructing a municipal apartment building unless we took advantage of the state's northern area development promotion." The Defense Ministry will shoulder 90 percent of the project expense of 1.314 billion yen. There are many vacant apartments in the neighborhood. A housewife living in the area said: "I wonder why the city is squeezing private landlords. I am still opposed to construction of the municipal housing." Ward Mayor Higa said: "We cannot stop the work, even if we oppose it. The municipality has pledged to build a new city hall as compensation." The construction of the city hall will also be subsidized by the government. The Nago City Sports Rehabilitation Center was opened last May in a suburb of the city. The center is equipped with a sports facility and orthopedic surgery and internal medicine clinic. The Defense Ministry again shouldered 90 percent of the total construction cost of 1.8 billion yen. Users of the facility until November last year stood at 138 a day, which is far below the goal of 500, the minimum to turn a profit. Assembly member Nakamura, who pursued this issue during the municipal assembly, said: "The state paid the construction cost. However, it is Nago City that maintains and administers the facility. A short-sighted stance toward public works will inconvenience citizens." Public works are not the only area in which the state generously treats Nago. It is the only city in the nation that was designated as a special financial and information area, where companies that set up offices at the city's invitation can receive preferential tax treatment. Sixteen IT-related companies opened offices in the Multimedia Hall on the east coast, which hired 535 personnel. TOKYO 00000149 011 OF 013 An official of the Special Financial and Information Area Promotion Office of the city said that the project had created jobs. However, most locally employed personnel are contract workers. If the relocation of the Futenma facilities to Camp Schwab is realized according to the Japan-U.S. agreement, the northern part of the east coast called the Futami No. 10 District would be under the flight path of helicopters. In response to a complaint that the city would be subjecting residents to noise, it consecutively built a fire station, a clinic, and a town hall. The city is saturated with public works. In the meantime, ten construction companies went belly up over the past five years. The vacancy rate of stores reached 23 percent, double the figure in ¶1999. Nago City once ranked second in the prefecture in agricultural production. However, its yield dropped by half, from 9 billion yen to 5 billion yen, during the past 20 years. A woman who runs a restaurant said, "Money comes from the state, so nobody is trying to be resourceful." (9) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) January 19, 2010 Questions & Answers (Figures are percentages. Parentheses denote the results of the last survey conducted Jan. 10-11.) Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet? Yes 41.5 (50.8) No 44.1 (33.2) Don't know (D/K) + no answer (N/A) 14.4 (16.0) Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the previous question) What is the primary reason for your approval of the Hatoyama cabinet? Pick only one from among those listed below. The prime minister is trustworthy 7.8 (6.5) Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Democratic Party of Japan, Social Democratic Party, and People's New Party 11.1 (11.7) The prime minister has leadership ability 1.1 (0.5) Something can be expected of its economic policies 10.3 (10.8) Something can be expected of its foreign policy 0.6 (0.8) Something can be expected of its political reforms 26.6 (24.6) Something can be expected of its tax reforms 4.0 (3.5) Something can be expected of its administrative reforms 12.6 (13.9) There's no other appropriate person (for prime minister) 24.5 (25.5) Other answers (O/A) 0.2 (0.0) D/K+N/A 1.2 (2.2) Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the first question) What is the primary reason for your disapproval of the Hatoyama cabinet? Pick only one from among those listed below. The prime minister is untrustworthy 16.7 (14.1) Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Democratic Party of Japan, Social Democratic Party, and People's New Party 10.5 (11.3) TOKYO 00000149 012 OF 013 The prime minister lacks leadership ability 29.0 (22.1) Nothing can be expected of its economic policies 21.2 (28.0) Nothing can be expected of its foreign policy 3.5 (5.1) Nothing can be expected of its political reforms 6.8 (6.8) Nothing can be expected of its tax reforms 3.6 (4.7) Nothing can be expected of its administrative reforms 3.1 (1.7) Don't like the prime minister's personal character 3.6 (3.3) O/A 1.1 (1.4) D/K+N/A 0.9 (1.5) Q: Which political party do you support? Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 32.1 (38.7) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Jiminto) 22.7 (17.3) New Komeito (NK) 4.5 (3.4) Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3.6 (2.9) Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.7 (3.0) Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 2.1 (2.7) People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.5 (0.1) Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) --- (---) New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0.3 (0.4) Other political parties, groups 0.1 (0.1) None 31.7 (30.6) D/K+N/A 0.7 (0.8) Q: In connection with the purchase of land by DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa's fund-managing body, Tomohiro Ishikawa, who was a secretary of Mr. Ozawa and is now a DPJ lawmaker seated in the House of Representatives, and two other former secretaries, have been arrested. Mr. Ozawa criticized the prosecutors and asserted that there was nothing illicit about the money used for the land purchase, claiming that there was a mistake in the formalities and that their arrests are unacceptable. Do you approve of this explanation from Mr. Ozawa? Yes 6.3 No 86.0 D/K+N/A 7.7 Q: Mr. Ozawa has said he will stay on as DPJ secretary general. What do you think? He should stay on as DPJ secretary general 20.3 He should quit his party post 39.5 He should quit the Diet 33.8 D/K+N/A 6.4 Q: The LDP and other opposition parties say the Diet should summon Mr. Ozawa as an unsworn witness for interpellations over this issue. Do you think the ruling parties, including the DPJ, should accept his Diet summons? Yes 80.7 No 13.3 D/K+N/A 6.0 Q: A former secretary of Prime Minister Hatoyama has been indicted without arrest for his fund-managing body's falsification of reports on political donations. In this case as well, the opposition bench insists that the Diet should summon those involved as unsworn witnesses. Do you think the ruling coalition should accept their Diet summons? TOKYO 00000149 013 OF 013 Yes 69.6 No 23.8 D/K+N/A 6.6 Q: Do you think the politics-and-money problems of DPJ Secretary General Ozawa and Prime Minister Hatoyama will affect this summer's election for the House of Councillors? Yes 43.3 Yes to a certain extent 46.2 Not very much 5.6 No 1.7 D/K+N/A 3.2 Q: There will be an election this summer for the House of Councillors. Which political party are you going to vote for in your proportional representation bloc? DPJ 28.4 LDP 24.7 NK 4.0 JCP 4.3 SDP 1.9 YP 3.9 PNP 0.4 RC --- NPN 0.3 Other political parties, groups --- D/N+N/A 32.1 Polling methodology: The survey was conducted across the nation on Jan. 17-18 by Kyodo News Service on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. Among randomly generated telephone numbers, those actually for household use with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,471. Answers were obtained from 1,026 persons. ZUMWALT