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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000371 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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 02/13/08 
 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Okinawa incident: 
4) Prime Minister Fukuda in meeting with Secretary Rice to press for 
stronger USFJ discipline and measures to stop recurrences of rape 
incidents in Okinawa  (Mainichi) 
5) Government protests alleged rape incident in Okinawa to American 
Embassy charge d'affaires  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
6) Naha consul general, Marine commandant apologize to Okinawa 
governor for Marine incident  (Asahi) 
7) Okinawa Prefecture sends letter to U.S. military on Okinawa 
seeking measures to stop rape incidents from reoccurring  (Yomiuri) 
 
8) Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to issue protest resolution against 
Marine incident  (Mainichi) 
9) Okinawa protests widen  (Asahi) 
10) 250 demonstrators gather to protest Marine incident  (Mainichi) 
 
11) Arrested Marine: "I thought she was an adult"  (Asahii) 
12) Prime Minister's exchange in the Diet on the Okinawa incident 
(Mainichi) 
13) Foreign Ministry dispatching top official to Okinawa  (Yomiuri) 
 
 
14) Opposition parties issue protest messages, with some lawmakers 
calling for reducing U.S. bases  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
15) Government shocked by alleged rape incident in Okinawa, 
concerned it could derail USFJ realignment process  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
16) Rape incident puts Futenma relocation plan in peril  (Sankei) 
 
17) USFJ housing at Sasebo paid for by Japanese road taxes 
(Mainichi) 
 
18) Democratic Party of Japan President Ozawa seeks to check growing 
enmity toward him in the party over choice of Bank of Japan governor 
 (Mainichi) 
 
 
19) Former FSA minister Ito picked as prime ministerial assistant 
for social welfare  (Yomiuri) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Bridgestone suspects 150 million yen paid as bribes in 20 projects 
 
Mainichi: 
Okinawa prefectural assembly set to adopt protest resolution over 
alleged rape of 14-year-old girl by U.S. Marine; Top U.S. military 
official in Okinawa apologizes 
 
Yomiuri: 
Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to begin offering subsidies to 
cover pay for obstetricians at financially troubled hospitals in 
rural areas 
 
TOKYO 00000371  002 OF 012 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
Fujifilm to acquire Toyama Chemical 
 
Sankei: 
China conducting internal investigation into tainted gyoza dumpling 
case, aiming to resolve it before Hu's Japan visit 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Shinginko Tokyo to ask metropolitan government for 30-40 billion 
yen 
 
Akahata: 
U.S. Marine rapes14-year-old junior high school girl in Okinawa 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Schoolgirl rape: Okinawa's patience running out 
(2) Carrot-and-stick approach worked in Iwakuni mayoral race 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Okinawa rape: Heinous crime must not be repeated 
(2) Afghanistan: Discord in NATO worries us 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Government must take time on consumer affairs reform 
(2) Lowering patent fees will help reduce corporate burden 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Why another incident in Okinawa? 
(2) Centralized administration for consumer affairs essential 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Fallout of Okinawa rape must be minimized so as not to affect 
overall U.S. force realignment plan 
(2) Toxic gyoza scare underlines importance of "food terrorism" 
viewpoint 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Another rape in Okinawa 
(2) New chairman of Japan Federation of Bar Associations must 
continue pursuing reform 
 
Akahata: 
(1) U.S. Marine's heinous crime unforgivable 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, February 11 and 12 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Feb. 11 
Spent whole day at his official residence. 
 
Feb. 12 
 
08:10 
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ono. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000371  003 OF 012 
 
 
08:31 
Attended cabinet meeting in the Diet building. Health, Labor and 
Welfare Minister Masuzoe remained in the office. 
 
09:03 
Attended Lower House Budget Committee session. 
 
12:18 
Met at Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. 
 
13:04 
Attended Lower House Budget Committee session. 
 
17:19 
Met at Kantei with Special Advisor Nakayama. Held talks on phone 
with British Prime Minister Brown. 
 
18:08 
Attended meeting of the consumer administration promotion council. 
 
19:28 
Returned to his official residence. 
 
4) Prime Minister Fukuda to ask U.S. to take measures to prevent 
recurrence of similar incidents when meeting with U.S. secretary of 
state 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Yudai Nakazawa, Ken Utsuka 
 
As part of the efforts to deal with the recent rape of a junior high 
school girl in Okinawa, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday 
decided to ask the U.S. side to strengthen discipline among U.S. 
military personnel, for instance, by tightening the current U.S. 
military's program to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents, 
when he is expected to meet with Secretary of State Rice on Feb. 26. 
The government is alarmed by the possible impact of the incident on 
the realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan. Administrative Vice 
Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka summoned Joseph Donovan, deputy 
chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, to his ministry and 
filed a protest with him. Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori 
Onodera will visit Okinawa today and ask Lt. General Richard Zilmer, 
the commander of the U.S. forces in Okinawa, and other U.S. 
officials to take measures to prevent a recurrence of similar 
incidents. 
 
After the rape of an elementary school girl by three U.S. Marines in 
the northern part of Okinawa in September 1995, U.S. forces in Japan 
created a program to prevent a recurrence, but the details of the 
program have not been made clear so far. Late yesterday, Fukuda, 
speaking of the latest rape, told reporters: "Is it all right to 
simply follow past measures? I think various ideas are necessary. 
While conferring with municipalities in Okinawa, I want to address 
the matter seriously." These remarks are taken to mean that Fukuda, 
based on the desires of the Okinawa people, intends to ask the U.S. 
side to come up with specific and effective measures. 
 
Meanwhile, Yabunaka yesterday conveyed dismay to Donovan over the 
incident. After the session with Yabunaka, Donovan told the press: 
"I apologize to the victim and her family for the incident. We will 
 
TOKYO 00000371  004 OF 012 
 
 
fully cooperate with the Japanese government in order to shed light 
on the entire incident." 
 
5) Japan to call for all-out preventive measures; Gov't lodges 
strong protest with U.S. Embassy's charge d'affaires 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, attending the House of Representatives 
Budget Committee meeting yesterday afternoon, referred to the recent 
incident in which a third-year junior high school girl was raped by 
an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine. "It's truly regrettable," Fukuda 
stated before the committee. "We must make a strong request to the 
United States so that this kind of incident will never happen 
again," he added. With this, Fukuda stressed that the Japanese 
government would strongly ask the U.S. government to take 
thoroughgoing measures to prevent such an incident from recurring. 
 
In this connection, Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji 
Yabunaka called in U.S. Charge d'Affaires Donovan to the Foreign 
Ministry to lodge a strong protest. "We have asked the United States 
time and again to prevent such an incident from recurring," Yabunaka 
told Donovan. "Nevertheless," Yabunaka went on, "a U.S. serviceman 
has been arrested." He added, "It is extremely regrettable." Donovan 
expressed his "heartfelt sympathy" to the victim and her family. He 
promised to extend full-fledged cooperation on investigations. U.S. 
Forces Japan Deputy Commander Flock, who was present with Donovan, 
stressed: "The U.S. military would never tolerate any kind of sexual 
violence." 
 
6) U.S. officers, including consul general, apologize to Okinawa 
governor 
 
ASAHI (Page 35) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Following the arrest of an Okinawa-based Marine Corps sergeant on 
suspicion of raping a junior high school girl, U.S. Consul General 
in Okinawa Kevin Maher and Marine Corps Bases Japan Commander Lt. 
General Richard Zilmer called on Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima 
at the prefectural government office last evening. Zilmer said: "I 
deeply regret the incident involving a 14-year-old girl." He then 
promised to make utmost efforts to prevent similar incidents. 
 
During the meeting with the two American officers, which started a 
little past 6:00 p.m. and lasted for about 15 minutes, Governor 
Nakaima kept a stone-like expression, hardly looking them in the 
eye. 
 
Zilmer explained a plan to give education on ethics and behavior to 
all Marines under him during this week, saying: "Taking the incident 
seriously, we will fully cooperate with the police investigation and 
bring out the truth. We would like to maintain good relations with 
you as our good friends." 
 
Looking at his notes, Nakaima stated: "I find it truly regrettable 
that this kind of incident occurred again. I want you to strengthen 
discipline and give thorough education, as well as to do your best 
to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents." 
 
7) Rape of girl by U.S. Marine: Okinawa Prefecture submits written 
 
TOKYO 00000371  005 OF 012 
 
 
request to U.S. military to prevent recurrence 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
A third-year junior high school girl, 14, was sexually assaulted by 
a U.S. Marine in Okinawa Prefecture. The Okinawa Prefectural Policy 
referred Tyrone Hadnott, 38, a staff sergeant belonging to the U.S. 
Marines' Camp Courtney, to the Naha District Public Prosecutors 
Office on suspicion of rape. The police are now collecting evidence, 
including seizing the car allegedly used in the crime. In protest 
against the incident, the prefectural government the same day 
submitted to the U.S. military a letter of request calling for the 
prevention of a recurrence. Lt. General Richard Zilmer, commander of 
the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan, visited Governor Hirokazu Nakaima 
and offered an apology, noting, "I sincerely regret the incident." 
 
8) Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to adopt resolution of protest 
against alleged rape of girl by U.S. Marine; Top commander of U.S. 
forces in Okinawa apologizes 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Teruhisa Mimori, Junichiro Nagasawa 
 
Lt. General Richard Zilmer, the top commander of U.S. forces in 
Okinawa, and U.S. Consul General Kevin Maher yesterday evening 
visited Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima at his prefectural government 
office and apologized for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by 
a U.S. Marine, who has been arrested by the Okinawa police. The 
Okinawa prefectural government has filed a protest with the U.S. 
side against the incident and asked it to prevent a recurrence of 
similar incidents. The prefectural assembly also intends to adopt a 
resolution of protest. 
 
In meeting with Gov. Nakaima, Lt. General Zilmer said, "I deeply 
deplore that such an incident occurred. I am worried about the 
damage to the 14-year-old girl and her family," and stressed: "I 
will give all U.S. Marines stationed in Japan instructions about 
morals and daily activities and discipline them." Also, Zilmer said, 
"I would like you to understand that the incident contradicts the 
values shared among the U.S. military personnel," and sought the 
Japanese side's understanding. 
 
Consul General Maher, as well, apologized for the incident by 
saying, "The United States government takes the incident 
seriously." 
 
Nakaima told them: "It is an extremely serious incident. Now that 
the Okinawa people's rage has erupted, there may be a serious impact 
on base issues. I would like you to take every measure to prevent a 
recurrence of similar incidents." 
 
Meanwhile, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly's Special Committee on 
U.S. Military Bases is expected to adopt a resolution of protest 
against the incident and a written request calling on the U.S. 
military to compensate the victim and strengthen discipline among 
U.S. military personnel after discussing both. The resolution and 
the request are both to be expected to be adopted by a full session 
of the prefectural assembly slated for tomorrow. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000371  006 OF 012 
 
 
The man who has been arrested and sent to prosecutors is Tyrone 
Hadnott (38), a staff sergeant who belongs to Camp Courtney and who 
lives in Kitanakagukusu Village, Okinawa. 
 
According to the police investigation, Hadnott is suspected of 
raping a 14-year-old junior high school girl in his car parked on a 
street in front of a park in Chatan Town, Okinawa. Reportedly, 
Hadnott denied the allegations and insisted, "I kissed and touched 
her in the car, but I did not rape her." He also reportedly said, "I 
did not think she was underage." Allegedly Hadnott spoke to the girl 
in the city of Okinawa and took her with him by telling her, "I will 
take you home." 
 
9) Alleged raping of girl by U.S. soldier: Increasing number of 
local governments adopting resolutions protesting incident; U.S. 
Embassy charge expresses regret 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
A U.S. Marine (38) has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 
third-year junior high school student (14). Following the incident, 
the Naha Assembly on Feb. 12 adopted a resolution calling for an 
apology to the victim. Such a move is spreading to other local 
governments in Okinawa. 
 
The Naha City Assembly on the 12th unanimously adopted a resolution 
protesting the incident that will be sent to the commander of the 
U.S. forces stationed in Japan and a written statement addressed to 
the prime minister. Both missives criticize the incident, noting 
that the assembly strongly feels indignant toward the unchanging 
nature of the U.S. forces in Japan and the U.S. servicemen who 
commit such incidents Both call for and apology,  a consolidation 
and reduction of U.S. bases, and a drastic revision of the 
Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA). 
 
Senior prefectural government officials, including Education Board 
Chairman Morikazu Nakamura, visited Camp Zukeran on the 12th and 
filed a protest on the incident. They called on the U.S. side to do 
its utmost to prevent a recurrence. The assemblies of Okinawa City, 
where the victim met the suspect, and Chatan Town, where she was 
allegedly sexually assaulted, presented resolutions on the 12th 
protesting the incident and prepared written statements. Both will 
likely be adopted at their extraordinary assembly sessions on the 
13th. The prefectural assembly will also adopt a similar resolution 
at a regular assembly session to be held on Feb. 14. 
 
Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka called in U.S. Embassy Charge 
Joseph Donovan and conveyed his regret to him. He also asked him to 
take thorough measures to tighten discipline and prevent a 
recurrence. Regarding an investigation into the incident, Yabunaka 
noted that the Japanese side would deal with the matter properly, 
based on Japanese law and evidence, and seeking the cooperation of 
the U.S. side. He also asked Donovan to convey this policy to 
Ambassador Schieffer. 
 
Donovan said, "The incident was regrettable. The U.S. takes to heart 
what happened. We would like to offer a sincere sympathy to the 
victim and her family." He added, "We will fully cooperate in the 
investigation by the Japanese side. 
 
Regarding measures to prevent recurrence, Prime Minister Fukuda told 
 
TOKYO 00000371  007 OF 012 
 
 
reporters, "We must use our resourcefulness, including the question 
of whether it is all right to take the same approach as before. I 
would like to tackle the issue properly this time." 
 
10) 250 gather together for protest rally 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Takeshi Noda 
 
In reaction to the rape of a junior high school girl, the civic 
group Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center and other organizations held an 
emergency rally yesterday evening in front of Camp Zukeran, where 
the United States Marine Corps headquarters is located. Camp Zukeran 
is situated in the village of Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa. 
 
The rally was participated in by some 250 labor union members and 
others. Shikou Sakiyama, chairman of the Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center, 
declared a strong protest against the incident by saying, "Following 
the 1995 rape of an elementary school girl, an incident that must 
not reoccur has taken place. It is an absolutely unforgivable 
crime." 
 
After the rally, participants marched in a demonstration in front of 
the base. 
 
11) U.S. marine accused of raping girl: "I thought she was an 
adult" 
 
ASAHI (Page 35) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
In questioning by police in Okinawa Prefecture, Tyrone Hadnott, 38, 
an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant who was arrested 
on suspicion of raping a junior high school student, 14, said: "I 
thought she was over 20." According to investigators, the girl 
attempted to run way from him, but Hadnott forced her into his car 
after chasing her down and he then drove around. 
 
Hadnott told police in the questioning: "When I looked at her, I 
thought the girl was over 20, so I spoke to her." When a police 
interrogator told him that the girl was a junior high school 
student, he seemed surprised. The suspect is also quoted as saying: 
"I caused trouble for my country by committing this kind of 
incident." The suspect has admitted that he touched her body but 
denied the allegation, saying: "I never raped her." 
 
According to investigators, Hadnott took her to his house by 
motorbike and they then drove around by van. The girl told him a 
lie: "My house is near here, so let me off around here," but Hadnott 
forced her to get into the van again, saying: "Let me know your 
phone number," and "Let's go for a drive." The police handed the 
suspect over to the Naha district public prosecutors office 
yesterday. 
 
12) In Lower House Budget Committee meeting, Eda of New Komeito: 
"Rape incident by U.S. Marine unforgivable;" Fukuda: "We will deal 
with the case based on Japanese law" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 27) (Excerpts) 
February 13, 2008 
 
TOKYO 00000371  008 OF 012 
 
 
 
Mikio Shimoji (People's New Party, Sozo): The rape incident 
involving a junior high school girl by a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant 
is unforgivable. We must seriously face the fact that the steps 
taken to prevent any recurrence (following similar incidents in the 
past) have produced no results. How about taking such measures as 
having Okinawa Prefecture Police and the U.S. military jointly go on 
patrol in shopping and amusement districts on every weekend? 
 
Prime Minister Fukuda: Since the idea of joint patrol seems 
effective, we would like to also consider the measure in 
discussions. 
 
Yasuyuki Eda (New Komeito):  The U.S. Marine rape incident is 
absolutely unforgivable. We strongly demand that steps be taken to 
prevent similar incidents. 
 
Fukuda: The government will hold full negotiations with the U.S. We 
will do our best to clear up the truth of the incident and to do our 
best to come up with preventive measures. We will deal with the case 
based on Japanese law and the evidence. 
 
13) Government to dispatch senior vice foreign minister to Okinawa 
for talks with U.S. military on alleged rape of junior high school 
girl by U.S. serviceman 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Following the incident in which a junior high school girl was 
sexually assaulted by a U.S. Marine, the government on Feb. 12 
decided to dispatch Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera to 
Okinawa on the 13th for talks with prefectural and U.S. military 
sources. 
 
Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka on the afternoon of the 12th 
summoned Joseph Donovan, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy 
in Tokyo, to the Foreign Ministry. He lodged a protest with him, 
noting, "It is extremely regrettable that a U.S. serviceman was 
arrested over an incident like this. I would like to ask you to take 
steps to tighten discipline and prevent a recurrence." Donovan 
offered an apology, saying, "What happened is deplorable. We take it 
seriously." He conveyed that the U.S. government is ready to fully 
cooperate in the investigation by the Japanese side. Ambassador 
Schieffer will visit Okinawa today and hold talks with Governor 
Hirokazu Nakaima. 
 
14) Opposition parties express regret, call for base reduction 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
Concerning the recent schoolgirl rape in Okinawa, all opposition 
parties in the Diet yesterday called for reviewing the Japan-U.S. 
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and scaling back on U.S. military 
bases in Japan. 
 
Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), 
told reporters, "It is very regrettable that such a scandal has 
happened again." He also said, "If Japan and the United States are 
not on an equal footing to talk about base issues and scandals, 
that's a big problem." Yoshio Hachiro, foreign minister in the DPJ's 
 
TOKYO 00000371  009 OF 012 
 
 
shadow cabinet, commented: "The Japan-U.S. Status of Forces 
Agreement is said to be unequal. However, the government has only 
improved its implementation of SOFA provisions instead of revising 
it. This remains an obstacle to the reduction of similar crimes." 
 
Tadayoshi Ichida, chief of the Japanese Communist Party's 
secretariat, told reporters, "There are heinous crimes in places 
 
SIPDIS 
where there are U.S. military bases, and this is the reality of 
Japan as a country of military bases." With this, Ichida called for 
reducing and removing U.S. military bases in Japan and carrying out 
a drastic review of the SOFA. 
 
Mizuho Fukushima, president of the Social Democratic Party 
(Shaminto), also told reporters, "U.S. military bases and women's 
human rights cannot stand together." She added, "We will need a 
drastic revision of the SOFA." Hisaoki Kamei, secretary general of 
the People's New Party, said, "We want to ask the United States to 
take strict action." 
 
15) Marine rape in Okinawa shocks gov't over realignment 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
February 13, 2008 
 
A U.S. Marine based in Okinawa-Japan's southernmost island 
prefecture-has been arrested on suspicion of raping a local girl. On 
the sidelines of this rape incident, the government is now 
desperately trying to minimize the repercussions on Japan-U.S. 
relations, including the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. The 
incident reminds local people of an incident in 1995 in which three 
Okinawa-based U.S. Marines gang-raped a local schoolgirl. This time 
as well, Okinawa's local communities are erupting in anger. Okinawa 
will likely call for Tokyo to review its U.S. military realignment 
plans, such as the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station in the prefecture's central city of Ginowan, and to revise 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. 
 
The government yesterday requested the U.S. Embassy's Charge 
d'Affaires Donovan and other U.S. officials again to enforce 
discipline and take preventive steps in a thoroughgoing way. The 
government will send Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera 
to Okinawa Prefecture today in order to lodge a direct protest and 
request with U.S. forces in Okinawa. 
 
Meanwhile, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the city of Iwakuni held a 
mayoral election on Feb. 10, with the focus on the advisability of 
accepting the proposed relocation of U.S. carrier-borne fighter jets 
to the U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni Air Station. In the end, a 
candidate in favor of hosting U.S. jets won the mayoral race. The 
government then expected to see progress in the planned realignment 
of U.S. forces in Japan. Shortly thereafter, the rape took place. 
The government is therefore greatly shocked. "I wonder if we can 
hold down the negative impact on Japan-U.S. relations," Foreign 
Minister Masahiko Koumura said. "I can't say there will be no 
impact," he added. Above all, the government is nervous about the 
deterioration of feelings toward the United States in the nation's 
local communities hosting U.S. military bases. 
 
After the 1995 Okinawa rape, the United States did not comply with 
the Japanese government's request to turn over the suspects. At the 
time, Okinawa's local communities held a rally of 85,000 local 
residents in protest of the incident. As seen from that, Okinawa's 
 
TOKYO 00000371  010 OF 012 
 
 
local sentiment exploded in pursuit of reducing the U.S. military 
presence on the island. In the following year, the Japanese and U.S. 
governments agreed to relocate Futenma airfield. 
 
More than 10 years later, however, Futenma airfield has yet to be 
relocated. The government and Okinawa are now finally at the stage 
of reaching a basic agreement to start an environmental impact 
assessment. Okinawa Prefecture and its base-hosting localities have 
been calling for the government to move the construction site of a 
newly planned alternative facility to the sea. The government and 
Okinawa remain divided over the relocation site. The incident this 
time could make it even more difficult for Tokyo and Okinawa to iron 
out their differences. 
 
At the time of the 1995 incident, the SOFA was called into question 
over its stipulation that the United States would retain custody of 
suspect prior to indictment. 
 
16) Rape incident casts pall on Futenma relocation plan 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
February 13, 2008 
 
The alleged rape of a 14-year-old junior high schoolgirl in Okinawa 
by a U.S. Marine has cast a pall over the government's effort to 
realign U.S. forces in Japan. The central and Okinawa governments 
are in agreement to begin an environmental impact assessment this 
month in the sea area around Camp Schwab in Nago, the relocation 
site for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. The 
government's failure to take fundamental steps to prevent a 
recurrence of a similar incident might draw strong protest from 
people in Okinawa and eventually stall the relocation plan. 
 
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in a House of Representatives Budget 
Committee session yesterday afternoon condemned the incident, 
saying: "We must strongly urge the United States to take steps to 
absolutely prevent a recurrence of a similar incident." Angry views 
emerged from opposition party members, including Democratic Party of 
Japan President Ichiro Ozawa, who described the repetition of 
incidents as "truly regrettable." 
 
In the wake of Sunday's Iwakuni mayoral race in Yamaguchi 
Prefecture, in which a candidate supporting the relocation of a 
carrier-based air wing, won, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka 
Machimura elatedly said: "The stage has been set for U.S. force 
realignment to move forward steadily." The government is now busy 
calming down a new storm. 
 
The latest incident reminded government and ruling party executives 
of the 1995 rape of a schoolgirl in Okinawa by U.S. servicemen. The 
incident sparked a huge demonstration by local residents demanding 
the return of U.S. bases in the prefecture that eventually resulted 
in a Japan-U.S. agreement to return Futenma Air Station. In 
yesterday's press conference, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba even 
suggested a plan for Japan and the United States to jointly study 
steps to prevent a recurrence. His suggestion comes from strong 
mistrust of U.S. efforts that have failed to prevent a recurrence. 
 
Moving the deadlocked U.S. force realignment plan forward is one of 
the top priorities for the Fukuda cabinet. That is why the 
administration has pursued dialogue-oriented policy toward relevant 
local governments. If trust in U.S. forces in Japan wavers, such 
 
TOKYO 00000371  011 OF 012 
 
 
efforts of the government would go down the drain. 
 
17) 2.8 billion yen from road-use revenue disbursed for relocation 
of U.S. military housing in Sasebo 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
It was learned yesterday in a question-and-answer session of the 
House of Representatives that about 2.8 billion yen from the 
provisional tax revenue for road construction had been disbursed for 
the relocation of U.S. military housing in Sasebo City, Nagasaki 
Prefecture. The relocation of the military housing was needed for 
construction of a West-Kyushu motorway. Land, Infrastructure and 
Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba and other officials admitted to 
the fact by responding to a question by Nobuto Hosaka of the Social 
Democratic Party. 
 
A total of 11 military housing units were relocated within Sasebo 
due to the construction of an interchange. Hosaka questioned: "About 
250 million yen was spent for the construction of one housing unit, 
which is too luxurious." 
 
Fuyushiba stressed that there was no problem, responding: "The 
relocation site was chosen at the request of the U.S. military side, 
which wanted their housing near the base. For land acquisition, 1.4 
billion yen was needed." Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba also 
stated: "It was done to compensate for the relocation. Housing was 
built on a small plot of land. So they are not luxurious. 
 
18) DPJ President Ozawa seeks to constrain internal opposition to 
promotion of Muto to BOJ governor 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 13, 2008 
 
When asked by reporters yesterday about his view on the idea of 
separating monetary policy from financial authorities, something 
intertwined with the selection of governor of the Bank of Japan, 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa 
said: "At present, since (financial authorities) issue government 
deficit bonds worth as much as 1,000 trillion yen, they are closely 
related to monetary policy. There is a view that the issue cannot be 
resolved by the idea of separating monetary policy from financial 
authorities." Ozawa appears to have made the remark in an attempt to 
constrain some members in his party opposing the party's policy of 
going along with the promotion of current BOJ Vice Governor Toshiro 
Muto to the post of BOJ governor. 
 
Meanwhile, the DPJ's financial affairs department yesterday came up 
with four conditions for the criteria for deciding on a BOJ 
governor: A person should be independent from the government and 
Diet, well-versed in the domestic and international financial 
situations, have crisis management capability, and have 
communication skills with markets. The panel did not refer to the 
idea of separating monetary policy from financial authorities in 
consideration of Muto. 
 
19) Former Financial Services Agency head Ito named special advisor 
to prime minister on social security 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00000371  012 OF 012 
 
 
February 13, 2008 
 
The government yesterday established the post of special advisor to 
the prime minister on social security and informally decided to 
appoint Tatsuya Ito, former Financial Services Agency chief, to 
serve in the new post. Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura 
will reveal the decision in a press conference on Feb. 13. The 
appointment is scheduled to be announced today. 
 
The expectation is that Ito will be in charge of the government's 
Social Security National Council, which was inaugurated in late last 
month, as well as responsible for coordination between the 
government and ruling parties. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda aims to 
play up efforts by the government and ruling coalition to deal with 
the pension-records mess, as well as to review the social security 
system. 
 
A high government official told reporters yesterday: 
 
"(Ito) is a well-balanced person who is well versed in social 
security policy but does not belong to any policy clique in the 
Diet. He has no intention of raising the burden on the public first. 
We highly valued his cabinet experience." 
 
Ito is the fifth person to serve as special advisor to the prime 
minister, serving alongside Kyoto Nakayama, special advisor on the 
abduction issue, and Eriko Yamatani, special advisor on education 
reform. 
 
Tatsuya Ito, a Lower House member from the Tokyo No. 22 district and 
former Financial Services Agency chief, graduated from Keio 
University. He is now serving in his fifth term in the Diet. He is 
¶46. He is a member of the LDP's Tsushima faction. 
 
SCHIEFFER