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UNCLAS TOKYO 000384 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, 
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; 
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; 
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; 
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; 
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION  US-JAPAN SECURITY - TOKYO 
 
 
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged 
the continuing investigation into Livedoor's alleged 
violations of the Securities and Exchange Law, with 
reports noting that one of the arrested company 
executives has admitted to the firm's window-dressing of 
its accounts. 
 
¶1. "GOJ Should Use Outcome of Nago Mayoral Election to 
Advance Futenma Relocation" The top-circulation, moderate 
Yomiuri editorialized (1/25): "The central government 
should use the victory of Nago Mayor-elect Yoshikazu 
Shimabukuro, an independent backed by the two ruling 
parties, as momentum to advance plans to relocate the 
functions of the US Marine Corps heliport in Futenma to 
the shore of Camp Schwab in Nago, Okinawa. Shimabukuro 
was also backed by conservatives, including business 
leaders who hope for GOJ funds for regional development. 
The mayor-elect had stated his opposition to the planned 
construction of the Schwab heliport.  Following his 
election, though, Shimabukuro told journalists that he 
would meet with the GOJ on the matter if requested. It 
will be difficult to modify the plan at the request of 
local residents, though, given that it was the GOJ that 
pushed the plan and got the US to agree to it. 
 
¶2. "Under the present circumstances, the GOJ should do 
everything possible to persuade local residents to accept 
the construction of the heliport. The GOJ should also 
move quickly to coordinate with the US on issues like 
coastal flight routes and helicopter noise to dispel 
local residents' concerns. It is also important to 
promote regional development. We hope that Shimabukuro 
will demonstrate leadership in persuading local residents 
to accept the plan.... The US force transformation and 
base realignment are aimed at not only reducing Okinawa's 
security burden but also maintaining and strengthening US 
military deterrence. The US-Japan alliance is the key to 
the security of Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, and 
Okinawa is its cornerstone. The central government has 
the responsibility to implement the bilateral agreement 
to construct a Futenma replacement facility in Nago." 
 
SCHIEFFER