JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 02/02/10

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000202 SIPDIS DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 02/02/10 INDEX: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials Futenma relocation: 3) Okada says continued use of Futenma possible (Yomiuri) 4) Alternative Futenma options to be decided by March (Mainichi) 5) Gregson: Implementation of existing plan best option (Tokyo Shimbun) Defense & security: 6) Cabinet to make on Feb. 5 decision on dispatch of SDF to Haiti (Nikkei) Politics: 7) Ozawa mentions issue of resignation over Rikuzan-kai scandal "if held criminally liable" (Yomiuri) 8) Excerpts of Diet debate (Yomiuri) Foreign relations: 9) Gregson says Japan-U.S. relations not in crisis (Mainichi) 10) Hatoyama says Japan, Mexico must break away from dependence on U.S. economy (Asahi) 11) Campbell to meet with Ozawa today (Nikkei) Economy: 12) GDP marks annualized growth of 4 PERCENT (Mainichi) 13) Japan, other Asian nations to unify export procedures (Nikkei) 14) G-7 to discuss the yuan (Nikkei) 15) JAL inaugurates new management setup (Yomiuri) 16) JAL needs quick decision on tie-up partner (Asahi) 17) Gov't to advocate liberalization by sector to APEC nations (Nikkei) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Ozawa questioned again; says "if held criminally liable," he has "serious responsibility" Mainichi: Ozawa at news conference mentions possibility of resigning if indicted Yomiuri: Ozawa mentions issue of resignation over Rikuzan-kai scandal "if held criminally liable" Nikkei: Government draws up road map for greenhouse gas emissions reduction to achieve goal of 25 PERCENT reduction Sankei: Ozawa questioned again; says "if held criminally liable," he has "serious responsibility," hinting at resigning as DPJ secretary general Tokyo Shimbun: Ozawa mentions issue of resignation for the first time, says he will TOKYO 00000202 002 OF 010 resign if held criminally liable Akahata: 
Ozawa questioned again by Tokyo District Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Division 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Election of Takanohana as sumo association director: Powerful morning call on the sumo circles (2) Japan-China study of history: Distance from politics is important Mainichi: (1) Diet representative interpellations: Prime Minister's responses lack impact (2) Takanohana as new director of sumo association: Implement reforms desired by fans Yomiuri: (1) Japan-China joint study: Differences in interpretation of history brought to the forefront (2) Takanohana's election as sumo association director: Reform the sumo world under new leadership Nikkei: (1) Ozawa should also provide explanation in the Diet (2) China's military expansion stirring up new controversy Sankei: (1) Second questioning of Ozawa: Resignation from Diet is the way to take responsibility (2) Shooting at Japanese fishing boat: Firing at ship's hull cannot be overlooked Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Diet representative interpellations: It's a problem that "Ozawa dictatorship" has become a topic (2) Japan-China study of history: Start by examining the differences Akahata: (1) Afghanistan: Now is the time to shift to political peace 3) Okada: U.S. military might continue to use Futenma YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) February 2, 2010 Foreign Minister Okada has implied the possibility of the U.S. military continuing its current use of Futenma airfield in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, if the government finds it impossible to find an alternative site for its relocation. "This is not desirable, but if there is no other location, Futenma airfield could be left as is," Okada said in a press conference yesterday at the Japan National Press Club at Uchisaiwaicho in Tokyo. Prime Minister Hatoyama, however, had ruled out the option of continuing to use Futenma airfield. "We've never talked about anything like continued use," he said on Jan. 28. Hatoyama and Okada appear to be differing on the Futenma relocation issue. The Social TOKYO 00000202 003 OF 010 Democratic Party and the People's New Party, currently allied with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, are expected to react negatively. 4) Examination committee on Futenma relocation to select candidate relocation sites by end of March MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) February 2, 2010 With regard to the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa),the "Okinawa base issues examination committee" of the government and the ruling parties (chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano) began on Feb. 1 coordination to decide on candidate relocation sites and report to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama by the end of March. The committee may possibly submit several proposals to the Prime Minister for him to make the final decision. The coordination process is expected to reach a critical stage before the government's deadline to decide on the relocation site toward the end of May. The committee is working to reach a conclusion at an early date in order to allow time for negotiations with the U.S. and the local government hosting the relocation site. Members of the committee from the ruling parties will submit their proposed relocation sites by the second week of February. Social Democratic Party (SDP) policy chief Tomoko Abe is asking the government to request that the U.S. forces accept the committee's inspection of Guam, which the SDP regards as the "most promising" relocation site. This issue is expected to be discussed at the committee's meeting on the afternoon of Feb. 2. People's New Party policy chief Mikio Shimoji is likely to propose the integration of the Futenma base with the U.S. forces' Kadena Air Base (straddling the towns of Kadena and Chatan and Okinawa City). 5) Pentagon official urges Japan to implement current plan for Futenma relocation TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) February 2, 2010 Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Gregson has reiterated that it would be desirable to implement the current plan to relocate the U.S. military's Futenma airfield facility in Okinawa Prefecture to a coastal area of Camp Schwab, a U.S. military base located in the Henoko area of Nago City in the island prefecture. "This is the plan the Japanese and U.S. governments proposed after holding consultations for many years," he said in a speech delivered yesterday afternoon in Tokyo. 6) SDF unit to be dispatched to Haiti on Feb. 5 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) February 2, 2010 The government decided yesterday to make a final decision on Feb. 5 at a cabinet meeting on its plan to dispatch a Self-Defense Forces (SDF) engineering unit to earthquake-hit Haiti to join the UN peacekeeping operations (PKO). Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa will then issue an order on the 5th to dispatch the SDF unit. The SDF unit is expected to comprise about 530 members, mainly Ground Self-Defense Force personnel. TOKYO 00000202 004 OF 010 7) Ozawa mentions resignation over land deal scandal "if held criminally liable" YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) February 2, 2010 It was learned that Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa was questioned again by the Tokyo District Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Division on Jan. 31 for violation of the Political Funds Control Law in relation to his fund management organization Rikuzan-kai's land purchase. This was revealed by Ozawa at his regular news conference held at the party headquarters on Feb. 1. Ozawa mentioned for the first time the question of his resignation if he is held criminally liable. Ozawa said at the news conference: "I think I will have very serious responsibility if I am held criminally liable." It is believed that he was hinting at his resignation as secretary general if he is indicted or otherwise held criminally liable over this scandal. He also said: "I have never received any illicit political donations or slush funds. In that sense, I do not expect to be held criminally liable." 8) Excerpts of PM Hatoyama's responses to Diet interpellation YOMIURI (Page 5) (Excerpts) February 2, 2010 Manifesto The implementation of some policies in the manifesto (campaign pledges) is being put off due to the 9 trillion yen shortfall in tax revenues. I have apologized sincerely to the people. The Democratic Party of Japan and the coalition government will implement the manifesto and the three-party policy agreement faithfully. We will seek the people's verdict on our accomplishments in this process in the next House of Representatives election. I do not think that the realization of the manifesto is "pork barrel spending." We will focus allocations on the high priority areas in overall expenditures and work for both economic growth and fiscal health. Local suffrage for permanent resident foreigners I have said in my previous responses that I am positive about this issue. I can understand that there are various opinions in the ruling and opposition parties about this critical issue that affects the very foundation of Japan's (political) system. The government will listen to the people's views and is in the process of sorting out the issues in preparation for submitting a bill. Abduction issue I do not regard the normalization of relations (with North Korea) as a foregone conclusion. As a government that seeks to "protect lives," we have pledged to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Along with strengthening the mechanisms for the collection and analysis of information, we will elicit concrete action from North Korea. Futenma relocation issue TOKYO 00000202 005 OF 010 I will value the feelings of the people of Okinawa and also consider the issue from the security standpoint. I have no intention to procrastinate irresponsibly. I will make a decision by May based on three factors: selection (of a relocation site) based on an agreement among the three ruling parties, agreement (of the local government at the relocation site),and agreement of the U.S. side. Japan-U.S. alliance U.S. Forces Japan serve as a deterrent force that contributes to peace and stability in Asia and the Pacific, so they need to be maintained. Right now, I have shelved debate on a "security alliance without permanent stationing of troops," and this will not be discussed between Japan and the U.S. U.S. President Barack Obama and I have issued statements on our commitment to deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance in a form befitting the 21st century. Refueling mission in the Indian Ocean I do not deny that the mission contributed to the fight against international terrorism to a certain extent, but it is a fact that the frequency of refueling operations had been dwindling and the significance of the mission had diminished. We will continue to contribute actively to the international community's efforts to fight terrorism mainly through civilian aid (to Afghanistan). Japan's thinking is fully understood by the U.S. and the international community. JAL bailout The main reason for Japan Airlines' poor business performance is its high-cost structure resulting from the maintenance of unprofitable routes, possession of a large fleet of big aircraft, surplus personnel, and other factors. There had also been problems with aviation administration, such as with regard to the construction of unprofitable local airports. Income subsidy for farming households This is a mechanism to enhance productivity. A pilot project of income subsidy will be introduced for rice farmers. Full-scale implementation and farm products eligible for subsidy will be further discussed. We will extensively increase the number of farm products other than rice. 9) Japan-U.S. ties not in crisis: Pentagon official MAINICHI (Page 7) (Full) February 2, 2010 Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Gregson delivered a speech yesterday in Tokyo at the Japan Institute of International Affairs, in which he referred to the pending issue of relocating the U.S. military's Futenma airfield in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture. "This is only a part of the wide-ranging relations between our two countries," Gregson said in the speech. "Our bilateral relationship is not in a 'crisis' situation like what is being reported on," he added. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama promised in his Jan. 29 policy speech before the Diet to decide by the end of May on where to relocate Futenma airfield. In this regard, Gregson said the United States would wait for Hatoyama to make a decision. TOKYO 00000202 006 OF 010 Concerning the relocation of Futenma airfield, Gregson said Japan and the United States should "work together" on the issue and the United States would not unilaterally force this issue on Japan. He also referred to an intergovernmental agreement reached between Japan and the United States in 2006 to relocate the Futenma airfield to a coastal area of Camp Schwab, a U.S. military base located in the Henoko area of the island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. "The Japanese and U.S. governments at the time thought it was the best option," Gregson said. In addition, as a way of deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance, Gregson proposed establishing a legal framework in order for U.S. forces and the Self-Defense Forces to act in concert in dealing with natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. Also, in connection with the Obama administration's advocacy of "a world without nuclear weapons," Gregson implied that a nuclear deterrent would be unnecessary against the nonnuclear weapons of mass destruction. "We think we will be able to prevail on the Korean Peninsula without nuclear weapons (against North Korea's biochemical attacks)," he said. 10) Prime Minister Hatoyama: Departure from dependence on U.S. on economic front ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) February 2, 2010 Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stated yesterday at a joint press conference with Mexican President Filipe Calderon after their meeting: "Both Mexico and Japan have relied on the United States on the economic front. Believing that we should break away from this situation and need to strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties with Asia, we now share the perception that it is very important to further develop the economic partnership agreement." Hatoyama perhaps thought that his comment could be taken as making light of the U.S., because he immediately said: "I mean that we will deepen exchanges with Asia based on the perception that the United Sates is the most important partner of the two countries." In their meeting, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation for the success of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (CPO16),which will take place in Mexico this year. They released a joint statement, which includes the above point. 11) DPJ's Ozawa to meet today with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) February 2, 2010 The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) announced yesterday that its Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa will hold talks on Feb. 2 with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State (for East Asian and Pacific affairs) Kurt Campbell in the Diet building. The two are expected to exchange views on the issue of where to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 12) Nation's GDP estimated to mark an annualized 4 PERCENT growth in Oct.-Dec.quarter owing to brisk personal consumption TOKYO 00000202 007 OF 010 MAINICHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) February 2, 2010 Eleven major private research institutes have formulated their estimates for the growth rate of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) for the October-December 2009 quarter that will be announced by the Cabinet Office on Feb. 15. On average, an annualized rate of actual growth excluding the impact of price fluctuations is expected to mark a 4 PERCENT increase, showing the third consecutive quarterly rise. Helped by growth in exports mainly to Asia in addition to brisk personal consumption, the October-December quarter is expected to see growth greater than that in the July-September quarter (over 1.3 PERCENT ). All the research institutes estimate positive private consumption, but private consumption was still sluggish excluding such products as automobiles and televisions, according to BNP Paribas Securities. Once policies lose their effectiveness, consumption might slow down. Eight institutes estimate that capital investment increased for the first time in four quarters. At the same time, the Nomura Securities Financial and Economic Research Center and other institutions think it is too early to conclude that (companies) have begun making (investments) actively. 13) 16 Asian nations to unify export rules, with eye on free trade zone NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) February 2, 2010 Sixteen countries, including Japan, China, South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, will begin discussing unifying the rules and procedures for certifying the origin of exported products. The aim of this move is to reduce administrative burdens for exporters that are doing business in multiple countries in Asia and to promote trade in the region. The Japanese government sees the establishment of unified rules as a first step toward creating a free trade zone encompassing the 16 countries. The 16 countries will aim at introducing a unified rule of origin. Under bilateral free trade agreements (FTA),special low tariffs on traded goods are set, so it is crucial to take procedures to certify that traded goods were produced domestically in an effort to prevent goods produced in duty-evading third countries from being exchanged. In Asia, Japan, China and South Korea each have concluded separate FTAs with ASEAN, but their rules and procedures for affirming a product's origin vary according to agreements. For instance, trade pacts signed between Japan and partner nations set the rate of domestically produced parts at about 40 PERCENT of the finished goods. But this percentage varies according to the agreement. In Japan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry issues certificates of product origin, but in some countries, exporting firms themselves provide the certificate. 14) G-7 meeting to discuss China's yuan policy NIKKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) February 2, 2010 TOKYO 00000202 008 OF 010 Group of Seven (G-7) finance ministers and central bank governors will meet in Iqaluit, northern Canada, on Feb. 5-6. China's yuan policy will be placed high on the agenda, with the correction of global trade imbalances as the main theme. In addition, the participants will discuss U.S. President Barack Obama's proposal for new limits on the size and activities of big banks. The aim is to iron out differences among industrialized countries prior to a Group of 20 (G-20) summit meeting, in which China and other developing countries will participate. Although a joint statement is usually issued in winding up a G-7 meeting, the upcoming meeting will likely forgo a statement. Japan cautious about Obama proposal for new bank rules President Obama's move to tighten financial regulations is likely to take center stage in the G-7 meeting. Finance Minister Naoto Kan commented on the proposal: "I understand the President's intention to restrict banks from handling risky commodities. ... But we need to keep close tabs on future developments so that the rules will not have a severe impact on Japanese banks" due to a drop in stock prices. In the U.S. and European countries, there are strong reactions to exorbitant executive pay at banks. French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his support for the U.S. proposal. But Kan remains cautious, remarking: "I do not think that Japan should follow the U.S. move to curb big banks' activities." 15) JAL's new management launched YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) February 2, 2010 Japan Airlines, which is now in the process of corporate reconstruction under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law, on Feb. 1 launched a new management team with Kazuo Inamori (78) as chairman and Masaru Onish as president. The carrier will tackle the difficult challenge of achieving a balance between corporate downsizing and a quick recovery of profits in a three-year period, during which the carrier can receive financial assistance from the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC). The government-backed corporate turnaround body will take the lead in the reconstruction of JAL. Meeting the press in Tokyo, Chairman Inamori stressed that "if the business turnaround plan mapped out by ETIC and JAL is steadily implemented, it would be fully possible for the carrier to reconstruct itself." Concerning the carrier's management, he stated his goal: "I think JAL has had a very bureaucratic organization, based on the government-will-foot-the-bill mindset. I would like to change things such that the company takes an interest in calculation of profits and losses." He also indicated his stance of searching for ways for a corporate reconstruction that preserves JAL's international flight operations, saying: "I would like to manage the carrier in the form of developing both domestic and international flight operations." 16) JAL rushing to reach decision on business partner ASAHI (Page 7) (Excerpts) February 2, 2010 TOKYO 00000202 009 OF 010 Shinichi Maruishi, Dallas; Toshihiko Ogata, Washington; Ikki Yamakawa Japan Airlines' new management structure, designed to rebuild the company, has gotten underway. One challenge the new management will face is the selection of a U.S. carrier to form a partnership with. In order for the carrier to recover its profitability, it will need to decide on a business partner and obtain anti-trust immunity (ATI). Delta Air Lines, the world's largest carrier, is highly likely to be picked as JAL's business partner. However, the carrier may find it difficult to obtain approval from the U.S. transport authority. Asked when JAL will select its business partner, President Masaru Onishi, who took office on Feb. 1, replied at a press conference, "As soon as possible." Concerning which candidate he is inclining to pick - Delta Air Lines or American Airlines, the current partner, Onishi simply said, "(My view on the two candidate carriers) is neutral. They have both merits and demerits." Tug-of-war between Delta and American Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have been competing to become JAL's business partner, proposing the provision of massive amounts of financial assistance to it since last fall. However, the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC) and JAL do not plan to accept capital investment from either of the carriers in order to maintain leadership in the reconstruction process. They say they will select JAL's business partner based on which carrier will help JAL reconstruct itself and achieve growth. According to the reviews ETIC and JAL have conducted so far, Delta is the stronger candidate. If JAL joins the SkyTeam alliance, to which Air France and KLM, major European carriers belong, its flight network will be substantially expanded compared to if it remains in the OneWorld alliance led by American Airlines, according to a Delta executive. Many JAL officials are pinning high hopes on Americans and Europeans using JAL flights via SkyTeam member carriers' flights. Delta will reportedly shoulder the entire cost of JAL switching airline groups. In the meantime, American Airlines in January released its policy of guaranteeing annual income of 100 million dollars (approximately 9 billion yen) for JAL's Japan-U.S. flights for three years. American Airlines is emphasizing that cooperation in terms of the operational system will lead to JAL's reconstruction, while stressing the risk of switching airline groups. U.S. transport authority files complaint However, ATI approval will not necessarily be granted smoothly. According to a diplomatic source, an official of the U.S. Department of Transport orally conveyed a complaint to the Japanese government, noting, "There is a possibility that the application for ATI status by Japanese and American carriers will not be granted." This announcement put a damper on the optimism spreading in Japan regarding ATI status. That is because Washington's stance is that the screening will be carried out based on the U.S. law without prior speculation. 17) Government to advocate liberalization of specific areas in TOKYO 00000202 010 OF 010 upcoming APEC forum in run up to building Free Trade Area of Asia-Pacific NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) February 2, 2010 The government decided yesterday to advocate the economic liberalization of specific areas, such as investment and services, with the aim of building a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) during the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Yokohama in November. As the chair, Japan will first make a proposal at the APEC high-level administrative meeting to be held in Hiroshima in late February. This will be followed by full-fledged talks. The government wants to take the initiative in the FTAAP debate by taking advantage of the opportunity to serve as the chair of the APEC forum for the first time in 15 years. Given huge economic disparities among APEC member countries and regions, the government will encourage talks in specific areas to make it easier for member countries to take part with the aim of establishing the FTAAP. Besides the liberalization of investment and services, the government envisages the facilitation of physical distribution and the simplification of customs procedures by using IT (information technology). The government is aiming at a loose economic integration - rather than a legal framework - that is different from a free trade agreement (FTA) or an economic partnership agreement (EPA). Action programs for one to three years will be formulated by area. Discussions will also begin on expanding such existing trade liberalization frameworks as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),and the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP). ROOS