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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 000465 
 
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:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 02/21/08 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Assistant Secretary of State Hill meets senior Foreign Ministry 
official; Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau Director Saiki: "We still 
have a long ways to go on the North Korea issue" (Sankei) 
 
(2) Philippine woman who was raped is still hospitalized, as anger 
and distrust amplifies in Okinawa (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(3) DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama says party considering filing a 
censure motion against  Defense Minister Ishiba (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) Mayor: Remove U.S. Marines, stop Futenma base operation 
(Akahata) 
 
(5) SOFA again steps into spotlight following Okinawa rape incident; 
"We don't want dangerous neighbors"; U.S. service members living off 
base uncontrolled (Part A) (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(6) SOFA again steps into spotlight following Okinawa rape incident; 
"We don't want dangerous neighbors"; U.S. service members living off 
base uncontrolled (Part B) (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(7) Editorial: Put efforts into SOFA revision (Okinawa Times) 
 
(8) Taro Aso absorbed in political activities with eye on next LDP 
presidential race (Sankei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Assistant Secretary of State Hill meets senior Foreign Ministry 
official; Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau Director Saiki: "We still 
have a long ways to go on the North Korea issue" 
 
SANKEI ON LINE (Full) 
11:44, February 21, 2008 
 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hill, who is visiting Japan, this 
morning met at the Foreign Ministry with Asian and Oceanic Affairs 
Bureau Director Akitaka Saiki, who is Japan's chief delegate to the 
Six-Party Talks on the North Korea nuclear issue. The two discussed 
the issue of North Korea, which has not yet carried out its 
commitment to fully implement by the end of last year a complete 
report of its nuclear programs. They agreed to even more closely 
cooperate with other concerned countries to come up with a 
breakthrough in the situation. This was the first time for the two 
chief delegates to discuss since Saiki's appointment. 
 
In the meeting, Hill briefed Saiki on the contents of his 
conversation with North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-Gwan. 
Afterwards Hill told the press corps, "There are things that North 
Korea does not want to include in its report." Saiki replied, "I 
have the impression that we have a long ways to go." Hill also gave 
his outlook that as long as North Korea does not present "a complete 
and correct list," Six-Party Talks cannot be restarted. 
 
Prior to the meeting, Hill spoke with North American Bureau Director 
General Shinichi Nishimiya. He reiterated his regrets regarding the 
series of unfortunate incidents involving U.S Marines. "I am worried 
about the feelings and sensitivities of the people of Okinawa 
Prefecture," he said. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000465  002 OF 009 
 
 
(2) Philippine woman who was raped is still hospitalized, as anger 
and distrust amplifies in Okinawa 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Internet edition) (Almost full) 
12:47, February 21, 2008 
 
In the case of a suspected rape of Philippine woman by a U.S. Army 
soldier, who is now under U.S. military custody, Okinawa Police 
Department Chief Hachiro Tokutsu today revealed in a reply to the 
prefectural assembly that the incident occurred on the 18th in a 
hotel in Okinawa City, and that the woman has been hospitalized for 
injuries sustained. 
 
The police have already questioned the suspected U.S. Army soldier 
and relevant parties on a voluntary basis. They plan shortly to seek 
arrest papers charging the suspect with rape. "We have been carrying 
out the investigation with the full cooperation of the U.S. forces," 
Chief Tokutsu said. 
 
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima states at the prefectural assembly: "We 
should try the case strictly under Japanese legal procedures. To 
repatriate the individual to America once the crime has been atoned 
for would go along with the feelings of the prefectural residents." 
 
With the occurrence of still another incident, the anger and 
distrust toward the U.S. military within the Okinawa Prefecture has 
grown even stronger. 
 
(3) DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama says party considering filing a 
censure motion against Defense Minister Ishiba 
 
YOMIURI ONLINE (Full) 
12:40, February 21, 2008 
 
Commenting on the issue of Defense Minister Ishiba's accountability 
in connection with the collision accident of a Maritime Self-Defense 
Force Aegis ship, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General 
Yukio Hatoyama this morning told the press corps in Tokyo: "In the 
event he continues to take the attitude that he won't resign, we are 
full able to use the power of the Upper House where we have the 
numbers." He indicated he was considering having the party file a 
censure motion in the Upper House where the ruling parties command a 
majority of seats. 
 
Hatoyama pointed out: "The Defense Ministry has not changed its 
cover-up nature (such as its changing its explanation of the 
accident back and forth). It is necessary for the government to feel 
responsible." In addition, in a meeting of the party's foreign and 
defense departments this morning, the members agree to call for the 
defense minister's resignation. In the meeting, shadow foreign 
minister in the Next Cabinet Yoshio Hachimoto stressed, "The defense 
minister's resignation is essential. I would like to severely pursue 
his responsibility." 
 
The Social Democratic Party in a meeting of its permanent 
secretaries this morning affirmed a policy course of demanding the 
 
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resignation of the defense minister. 
 
(4) Mayor: Remove U.S. Marines, stop Futenma base operation 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Full) 
February 21, 2008 
 
TOKYO 00000465  003 OF 009 
 
 
 
Mayor Yoichi Iha from the Okinawa prefectural city of Ginowan, which 
is saddled with the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, 
yesterday visited the Japanese Communist Party's waiting room in the 
Diet to meet with JCP Chairman Kazuo Shii. In the meeting, Iha took 
up the recent occurrence in Okinawa Prefecture of incidents 
involving U.S. military personnel, such as a recent schoolgirl rape. 
In this regard, Iha asked Shii to cooperate on local efforts to have 
the U.S. Marine Corps pull its troops out of Okinawa and stop its 
use of the dangerous Futenma airfield. 
 
Iha pointed out that his city of Ginowan neighbors the town of 
Chatan, where the recent rape of a junior high school girl took 
place. Iha also indicated that U.S. servicemen still cause nearly 
100 crimes a year in Okinawa. "That's because there are Marines in 
Okinawa," Iha said. 
 
"It's impossible to imagine the anger of people in Okinawa 
Prefecture at the incident this time," Shii said. In addition, Shii 
also underscored the fact that there is no end to the occurrence of 
similar heinous incidents even after U.S. Marines' gang rape of a 
local schoolgirl in 1995, although the Japanese government has 
called for the U.S. government to enforce stricter discipline and 
take preventive steps. "We must remove the Marines and the bases," 
Shii said, "or we can't resolve this kind of problem." 
 
Iha also described that U.S. military aircraft training over 
residential areas near Futenma airfield has been intensifying from 
year to year. 
 
In his explanation, Iha pointed to a regulation in the United States 
that allows no building outside domestic military bases because it 
is dangerous. In this connection, Iha noted that in Ginowan, there 
is even an elementary school located in such a danger zone in 
Ginowan. Nevertheless, the Futenma base is not seen as a problem in 
its masterplan obtained by the city's municipal government, Iha 
said. He insisted that the U.S. military, based on that U.S. 
regulation, should stop using the base. 
 
"Taking up this problem alone," Iha responded, "the Futenma base 
should be closed down." 
 
Finally, Shii said: "We understand your request. We would like to 
make efforts in cooperation to remove the Marines and U.S. military 
bases." So saying, Shii shook hands with Iha. 
 
In the meeting, Akira Koike, chair of the JCP Policy Board, and 
Seiken Akamine, a JCP House of Representatives member, were also 
present. 
 
(5) SOFA again steps into spotlight following Okinawa rape incident; 
"We don't want dangerous neighbors"; U.S. service members living off 
base uncontrolled (Part A) 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Pages 24 and 25) (Abridged slightly) 
February 21, 2008 
 
By Katsumi Sekiguchi, Nobuyuki Suzuki 
 
In the wake of the alleged rape (on Feb. 10) of a junior high school 
girl by a U.S. Marine, the anger of the Okinawa public is about to 
boil over. The slogan "Protect the children" has spread across 
 
TOKYO 00000465  004 OF 009 
 
 
Okinawa Prefecture. An emergency women's meeting was held on the 
night of Feb. 19 in Chatan Town, where the incident occurred, in 
which many called for the removal of U.S. bases. Although the 
government is desperately trying to calm down the storm, while 
rejecting calls for a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces 
Agreement (SOFA), the question of U.S. military personnel living off 
base now has also cropped up. Governor Hirokazu Nakaima indicated 
yesterday that he was considering visiting the United States to call 
for a fundamental revision of the SOFA. 
 
On the evening of February 19, some 320 women, mostly from within 
the prefecture, assembled in a hall in Chatan Town to protest the 
latest rape incident. With a banner reading "We don't want dangerous 
neighbors!" in the background, the women in the hall all angrily 
shouted at the top of their lungs: "What kind of country is this? 
This is not a lawless country. Why do children have to be assaulted 
time and again by U.S. soldiers who are supposed to protect the 
peace of Japan and the world?" 
 
The meeting against the alleged rape that occurred in this quiet 
town lasted two and a half hours. 
 
The incident occurred on the night of February 10. Tyrone Hadnott. 
38, a staff sergeant attached to Camp Courtney, offered a ride home 
to a 14-year-old junior high school girl in Okinawa City, but he 
instead took her to his home in Kitanakagusukuson. Hadnott allegedly 
took her to his home instead and then tried to rape her. The girl 
started crying so he then took her to his car, saying he would drive 
her home. He then allegedly raped her in the car parked on a street 
near a park in Chatan. 
 
The girl was found by Okinawa police officers near the scene, and 
Hadnott was arrested on suspicion of raping her. The U.S. Marine, 
however, has denied the rape charge, though he admitted to forcibly 
touching her body. 
 
Okinawa hosts 70 PERCENT  of U.S. military facilities in Japan. In 
1995, an elementary schoolgirl was raped by three Marines. This 
enraged residents of Okinawa. The governments of Japan and the 
United States as a result improved the operation of the SOFA. Japan 
has repeated called for tighter discipline and preventive measures, 
but crimes continued to occur. 
 
Yoko Higa, chairperson of the Okinawa women's groups liaison 
council, and others criticized the Japanese government, as well as 
the United States, saying: "We thought that peace had finally 
returned to Okinawa, but the presence of the U.S. military has 
stolen the peace from our hearts. Under the U.S.-Japan Security 
Treaty, Japan has been providing a sympathy budget to an unwelcome 
U.S. military, whose troops have committed crime after crime." Many 
also voiced the view that in order to prevent a recurrence of 
crimes, there is no other option but to remove the U.S. military 
from Okinawa. 
 
According to Okinawa police statistics, 14 rape incidents, including 
attempted rapes, have been committed by U.S. military service 
members since 1995 and 17 members have been arrested. 
 
A 28-year-old Naha City housewife with a two-year-old daughter in 
her arms said: "In many cases, sexually assaulted women do not come 
forward. The figure 14 is the tip of the iceberg. The presence of 
U.S. bases in Okinawa, including the noise from them, is an obstacle 
 
TOKYO 00000465  005 OF 009 
 
 
to raising children. I want to see them leave Okinawa soon." 
 
The women's anger was also directed at media reports that blamed the 
girl for following the perpetrator. Many women indicated that such 
an irrelevant argument would encourage violence, saying: "Can't 
children of that age go out and play? Human rights must not be 
violated regardless of time and place. The girl is blameless." 
 
A 37-year-old housewife from Okinawa City took this view: "Young 
women tend to adore U.S. soldiers. The U.S. service member who took 
advantage of the girl's pure feeling is entirely to blame. This is 
not an emotionally-charged argument but a fact." 
 
(6) SOFA again steps into spotlight following Okinawa rape incident; 
"We don't want dangerous neighbors"; U.S. service members living off 
base uncontrolled (Part B) 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Pages 24 and 25) (Abridged slightly) 
February 21, 2008 
 
In the meeting, questions were raised about the presence of U.S. 
service members living off base. The view is prevalent that it was 
easy for Hadnott, who is also living off base, to take the girl to 
his home. A sexual assault took place at an off-base home in January 
¶2007. 
 
According to the Okinawa prefectural government, the registered 
off-base U.S. military housing units number 6,098 and of them 5,107 
units are under contract. The occupants are not registered as 
residents, and the prefectural government does not know the exact 
number of U.S. service members living off base. In an attempt to 
wipe out local people's "allergic reaction" to the U.S. bases, the 
U.S. military is reportedly making tremendous efforts to present 
itself as their good neighbor and increasing the number of service 
member living off base. 
 
Suzuyo Takasato, co-representative of the Okinawa Women Act against 
Military Violence, and others said: "U.S. soldiers are flowing out 
of the bases. Allowing U.S. service members to live off base is 
tantamount to creating another base outside the base." The group has 
adopted a resolution urging Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and others 
to grasp and review the situation of U.S. service members living off 
base. 
 
On the following day, February 20, we visited Nakagusukuson where 
Hadnott's home is located. The central part of Okinawa has a large 
off-base population. 
 
Hadnott's home is in a residential area with some 20 single-story 
houses overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The houses are occupied 50-50 
by Japanese and Americans. A 29-year-old woman who knows Hadnott 
said to us: "He is a friendly person. He greeted us and petted our 
dog. I still cannot believe the incident." 
 
On Feb. 18, an intoxicated U.S. Marine was arrested on suspicion of 
trespassing in a private residence in Nago. U.S. Marine headquarters 
in Japan has imposed a lockdown to completely prohibit U.S. service 
members from leaving the base, starting on February 20. Service 
member living off base are also prohibited from leaving their homes 
other than for performing their duties and the like. 
 
The Japanese government has denied revising the SOFA. Concerned 
 
TOKYO 00000465  006 OF 009 
 
 
about the rape incident's possible negative impact on the relocation 
of Futenma Air Station, the government is scheduled to come up 
shortly with preventive measures in collaboration with the U.S. 
military. 
 
Meanwhile, Governor Nakaima revealed his intention to lobby the U.S. 
government and Congress for a review of the SOFA, saying, "I would 
like to visit the United States to transmit Okinawa's situation and 
get it understood." 
 
A man living near Hadnott's home said coldly: "Every time an 
incident occurs, the U.S. military pledges to take preventive 
measures. But a crime occurred right here. They cannot keep an eye 
on every U.S. service member outside the base." 
 
SOFA remains one-sided 
 
Attention is again focused on a revision of the SOFA, which was 
concluded in 1960. Lawyer Toshio Ikemiyagi, who is also 
representative of the Okinawa national network providing relief to 
victims of crimes by U.S. service members, noted: "(Hadnott) has 
denied the rape charge. If he had run into the base, the U.S. 
military might not have handed him over to Japan." 
 
The SOFA includes preferential treatment to the U.S. military. The 
U.S. military can refuse the pre-indictment handover to Japan of a 
U.S. service member who committed a crime while on duty. The U.S. 
has agreed, following the 1995 incident, to give "sympathetic 
consideration" to the pre-indictment handover if service members are 
suspected of coming serious crimes. Still, the pact is unfair. 
 
The agreement has no mention of off-base housing, and the Japanese 
side does not know who lives where. Hosei University Professor 
Hiroshi Honma, who is well versed in the SOFA, noted: "The incident 
has exposed a huge loophole in the SOFA." 
 
Reportedly, the U.S. military regards off-base housing areas as its 
property, and Japan needs U.S. authorization in searching off-base 
U.S. military housing. U.S. service members living off base are free 
from paying resident taxes and public services, such as collecting 
garbage, are covered by municipal governments. 
 
(7) Editorial: Put efforts into SOFA revision 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 5) (Full) 
February 21, 2008 
 
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima is planning to visit the United States 
to call for a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement 
(SOFA). Nakaima revealed the plan for the first time in a February 
regular meeting of the Okinawa prefectural assembly. 
 
The SOFA accords various privileges to U.S. military personnel. Its 
implementation is also up to the U.S. military's discretion. 
 
Iha addressed the prefectural assembly with his policy speech in its 
current session. In that speech as well, Iha referred to the 
necessity of revising the SOFA provisions. He suggested the need for 
the government to take action. "It's very important to obtain 
understanding and cooperation from many more lawmakers and people," 
he stated. He also said, "I will make positive efforts for that 
through every opportunity in cooperation with the governors of other 
 
TOKYO 00000465  007 OF 009 
 
 
base-hosting prefectures." 
 
The government's response is now being called into question. 
However, the government does not intend at all to negotiate with the 
United States to revise the SOFA, and insists that improvements only 
need to make in the application of the provisions. 
 
This time around, Gov. Nakaima has revealed his plan to visit the 
United States. He probably deemed it would be a shortcut to make a 
direct appeal to the U.S. government and the U.S. Congress based on 
the real situation in Okinawa. However, the United States is not 
easy to deal with. 
 
That is because the United States fears potential repercussions on 
its status of forces agreements with Japan, South Korea, and other 
countries should it decide to revise the SOFA provisions. This is 
also why the United States has consistently refused to revise the 
SOFA and has shrugged off local outcries by improving the operation 
of SOFA provisions. 
 
Okinawa must make its call strong enough so that the SOFA is 
revised. To that end, it is essential to obtain public support not 
only in Okinawa Prefecture but across the nation. 
 
We wonder if the governor has voiced words that are convincing 
enough to obtain such public support. 
 
In the wake of a recent schoolgirl rape, Nakaima first expressed 
concern about its possible impact on the realignment of U.S. forces. 
This may well cause us to think he may be worried about something 
else in his heart of hearts. It is hard to see what he meant to 
say. 
 
In the age of television politics, a politician's casual gesture can 
show that person's innermost thinking. 
 
Nakaima's predecessors worked out respective detailed proposals to 
revise the SOFA provisions. Nakaima should go over these proposals 
for SOFA change. And then, we want him to send a clear-cut message 
about which portion of the SOFA should be revised and how. 
 
(8) Taro Aso absorbed in political activities with eye on next LDP 
presidential race 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
February 20, 2008 
 
Taro Aso, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP), who was defeated by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in the party 
leadership race last September, has made himself the topic of 
conversation in various ways. He advocated in a monthly magazine the 
notion of covering basic pensions by using tax revenues. He became 
the chair of a group of nonpartisan Diet members who are calling for 
the promotion of information technology at the local-government 
level. Aso aims to succeed Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda by forming an 
alliance with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former LDP policy 
chief Shoichi Nakagawa. What will be his next move in the current 
tumultuous political atmosphere? 
 
Aso, on the evening of Feb. 9 delivered a speech before a large 
crowd in front of Yokohama station, standing alongside former 
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshihide Suga. He 
 
TOKYO 00000465  008 OF 009 
 
 
jokingly said: 
 
"There is no such thing as a perfect political party or a perfect 
politician. Is there anyone who thinks your husband is the best? Oh, 
there is one person over there? Don't you know that you are being 
deceived?" 
 
Aso has already visited more than 80 places across the nation since 
last year's LDP presidential election. He still enjoys high 
popularity. 
 
Aso's political slogan is "Tremendous Japan." His speeches about 
Japan's potentialities that seek to root out the current pessimism 
seem to have struck a sympathetic cord among young people and 
housewives. 
 
Aso has been also busy himself with political activities. He is a 
member of the group of HANA consisting of former MITI minister Takeo 
Hiranuma, Abe, Nakagawa and Aso. The group advocates a plan to 
revitalize conservatism. He has boosted exchanges with such No. 
2-level members in the factions as Suga, Economy, Trade and Industry 
Minister Akira Amari, Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama, and Diet 
Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima. 
 
In a Lower House plenary session on Jan. 18, Aso told Nakagawa, who 
sits next to him in the chamber: "Let's form a group called NASA, 
which would be made up of the initials of Nakagawa, Aso, Suga, and 
Amari!" 
 
Nakagawa said: "Are you planning space travel?" 
 
However, the LDP's faction heads are becoming increasingly nervous 
about Aso's moves. They are concerned that they may be replaced if 
Aso becomes prime minister. 
 
Under such circumstances, Aso met with former Secretary General 
Hidenao Nakagawa on Jan. 30 and Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka 
Machimura on Feb. 1. He has decided to visit South Korea on Feb. 
24-25 along with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Hidenao 
Nakagawa to attend the presidential inauguration for Lee Myung Bak. 
 
Aso has decided to avoid needless confrontation with the Machimura 
faction, from which he has distanced himself. Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Machimura, who heads the faction, appears to have judged 
 
SIPDIS 
that cooperation with Aso is indispensable for the stability of the 
Fukuda government. 
 
Aso also eyes cooperation with the main opposition Democratic Party 
of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto). Teaming with DPJ Secretary General Yukio 
Hatoyama, he formed the parliamentarians' league to promote IT in 
local governments. This move indicated a political realignment of 
conservative forces, intertwined with Hiranuma's notion of forming a 
new party. Aso wrote an article, "Aso plan to restore security," for 
the March issue of the monthly Chuo Koron. In it, he proposes a plan 
to cover the basic pension system by using tax revenues. 
 
However the Aso faction has only 18 members. Therefore, he will be 
forced into a tough situation if the Machimura, Koa and Yamasaki 
factions move to tighten the noose around him. 
 
Former Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, who is an old friend and 
advisor of Aso, commented: "Aso is the only person in the party who 
 
TOKYO 00000465  009 OF 009 
 
 
has flair, which is an indispensable requirement for LDP president. 
The one thing that he needs, though, is flexibility." 
 
SCHIEFFER