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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003124 
 
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 11/10/08 
 
INDEX: 
 
(15) President-elect Obama: Round table of experts on his expected 
presidential agenda (Asahi) 
 
(16) Obama's America: Japan-U.S. alliance might weaken (Yomiuri) 
 
(17) U.S. under Obama and the world: How to strengthen alliance with 
U.S. is test for Japan under new administration's "cobweb diplomacy" 
(Nikkei) 
 
(18) Change in America: Koizumi's North Korea diplomacy a model? 
(Sankei) 
 
(19) Interview with Daiwa Institute of Research Executive Director 
Muto: "Shared perception is needed" (Mainichi) 
 
(20) Coordination underway for holding 2nd round of financial summit 
in Japan: Prime Minister eager to host meeting since Japan's tenure 
as G8 host nation expires soon (Sankei) 
 
(21) PACOM chief indicates delay in transfer of Marines to Guam by a 
year for cost reason (Okinawa Times) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(15) President-elect Obama: Round table of experts on his expected 
presidential agenda 
 
ASAHI (Page 9) (Excerpts) 
November 7, 2008 
 
Participants: Tokyo University Professor Fumiaki Kubo; Former Prime 
Ministerial Assistant Yukio Okamoto, and Fuji-Xerox consultant and 
supreme advisor Yotaro Kobayashi 
 
Foreign policy 
 
-- The Bush administration was noted for its unilateralism. What 
kind of role do you think the Obama administration will play in the 
world? 
 
Kobayashi: Compared to the Bush administration, Obama will likely 
give higher consideration to dialogue and conciliation. My 
expectation is that Mr. Obama, given his intellect, will create a 
new American leadership, giving equal attention to Europe and Asia, 
and taking a cooperative line that does not hurt U.S. national 
interests. He will humbly turn an ear to listen to America's allies; 
and from that, search for a fresh approach for the U.S. I think 
Europeans, too, harbor a sense of alarm about Putin's Russia and 
want the U.S. to stay the course. 
 
Okamoto: The Bush administration started the Iraq war (in spite of 
the opposition of European countries). In opposition to Russia, as 
well, it decided to provide missile defense bases to Poland 
(installing such bases there). The neo-cons (neo-conservatives) took 
the lead in key diplomatic areas, and the world fell into an 
unnecessarily confrontational mode. In that sense, we will probably 
return to a more moderate, high-road diplomacy, as it originally 
should have been. 
 
-- Mr. Obama said he was prepared to have dialogues with even Iran 
 
TOKYO 00003124  002 OF 010 
 
 
and North Korea. 
 
Okamoto: The Bush administration set up the stage for creating an 
adversary. For Iran, as well, He cut off any contacts with the 
moderate (President Mohammad) Khatami's regime by calling Iran a 
part of the "axis of evil." It may be an exaggeration to say, but he 
may have brought about the arrival of the (anti-U.S. hard-liner) 
President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad. 
 
During the second term, interest in Asian policy waned, and the 
North Korea issue was left to only two officials to handle: 
Secretary of State Rice and Assistant Secretary of State Hill. Asia 
policy was unpredictable. Looking at the lineup of foreign-policy 
advisors to Mr. Obama, I see many who will take a balanced view. 
There are also some Japan experts. There will not likely be a 
partiality toward China. I think that Obama's administration will 
take a more balanced approach in setting the order of global 
priorities. 
 
-- What will happen to anti-terrorist strategy? 
 
Kubo: One foreign policy priority on the Obama administration's 
agenda will be the anti-terrorist war in Afghanistan. He plans to 
increase troops there. In contrast to Iraq, he also will provide 
assistance to the domestic government there. However, from a 
long-range perspective, Afghanistan may prove to be more difficult 
than Iraq. Things will not turn suddenly better even if Bin Laden is 
captured. 
 
The best case scenario would be for public security to be 
stabilized, terrorists eliminated, and U.S. troops starting to 
withdraw four years from now. But there is also a possibility of 
security not being stabilized, and many more deaths to occur. In 
that case, an anti-war movement might develop against "Obama's 
war." 
 
Japan-U.S. relations 
 
-- From the trauma of past trade disputes between Japan and the 
U.S., there is a tendency to be wary of Democratic administration 
being protectionist. 
 
Okamoto: There's not much to be worried about. Although there is 
such a belief in Japan, the severest period occurred during the 
Republican Bush administration (the current president's father) with 
requests under the bilateral framework talks for Japan to set 
numerical targets that would eliminate the trade imbalance. As a 
general trend, there is likely to be stronger tinge of managed 
trade, but the impact will be felt on China and South America more 
than on Japan. 
 
Kobayashi: Although from long ago there has been talk of the U.S. 
ignoring Japan, basically, whether there is a Republican or 
Democratic administration, I don't think there will be any change in 
the U.S. stance of placing importance on Japan. However, there is 
need for us to debate among ourselves and for our political leaders 
to lay out a position about what Japan can do. The U.S. hopes to see 
Japan take such a proactive stance. 
 
-- How can Japan and the Obama administration best face each other? 
 
Okamoto: The Obama administration is not likely to do something like 
 
TOKYO 00003124  003 OF 010 
 
 
the second-term Bush administration that suddenly removed North 
Korea from the list of states sponsoring terrorism. But no matter 
who is in charge, Japan-U.S. relations are likely to become more 
difficult to manage. Japan-U.S relations have been feasting on the 
legacy of the personal ties of Bush and Koizumi. We need to be 
resolved that a new relationship will have to be rebuilt from 
scratch. 
 
Kobayashi: Speaking from the standpoint of an Asian or global 
perspective, we should welcome that Mr. Obama is thinking of placing 
the Japan-U.S. relationship a larger framework. China and Europe, as 
well, will likely be in that same framework. The importance of 
Japan-U.S. relationship, based on consideration given to relations 
with other countries, will clearly become different. The special 
characteristics of living in a multi-polar or non-polar world, I 
think, will require Japan itself to write its own scenario and 
promote it by dialogue with the United States. 
 
-- What about on the security front? 
 
Okamoto: Everything was fine for former Prime Minister Koizumi 
because he came up with the idea of dispatching the Self-Defense 
Forces to the Indian Ocean and to Iraq. However, SDF troops have 
been withdrawn from Iraq, and there is a political battle over the 
dispatch to the Indian Ocean. In such a situation, Japan must 
readjust its sights as to what it can or cannot do. (The U.S.) 
Democratic Party in the national security area is naive about Japan, 
in contrast to the Republican Party, which knows what Japan can 
handle. There is a strong possibility of the Japan-U.S. framework 
being redesigned. Since there will be a grace period of six months 
to a year, Japan must hammer out the specifics of what it can do. 
 
Kubo: The top priority item on the Obama agenda is the war on terror 
in Afghanistan. When it comes to the U.S., to what extent Japan can 
help that cause will be the criterion to assess it. The NATO members 
are doing their best to fight terrorism there, but ally Japan cannot 
fight alongside them due to constitutional restrictions. If the 
refueling operation were to suddenly come to an end, Japan's 
importance would inevitably diminish. 
 
Okamoto: Convergence with the Republicans focused on a narrowly 
defined security agenda, but for the Obama administration, 
Japan-U.S. cooperation will focus on what can be done in a broad 
range of areas, such as economic security that includes natural 
resources and energy, as well as the environment, economic 
cooperation, and even Africa assistance. Since the Obama 
administration with its futuristic vision has been formed, making a 
breakthrough in the Japan-U.S. relationship that has now reached an 
impasse will be easier said than done. 
 
(16) Obama's America: Japan-U.S. alliance might weaken 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
November 8, 2008 
 
By Satoshi Ogawa, Washington 
 
In a public-opinion survey released on October 28 by the Chicago 
Council on Foreign Affairs, a U.S. foreign policy research 
institute, Japan ranked fourth on a scale of relative importance of 
countries in the world. China came in third. The survey also found 
that 52 PERCENT  of Americans regarded China as "very important" to 
 
TOKYO 00003124  004 OF 010 
 
 
the United States, compared to the 45 PERCENT  who said this about 
Japan. The results reflect the present situation in the United 
States, which is now more interested in China than in Japan. 
 
Jeffery Bader, who heads President-elect Barack Obama's Asia team, 
was a former director for Asian affairs on the National Security 
Council (NSC) under the Clinton administration. He is a China 
expert. 
 
According to a member of Obama's policy advisory group on Japan, the 
Obama administration plans to strengthen the U.S. dialogue with 
China in dealing with both global issues, such as global warming, 
and regional issues like the North Korean nuclear issue. This can be 
seen in the President-elect's statement that China should not be 
ignored in settling such issues. The member also explained that the 
Obama administration would strengthen the alliance with Japan in 
order for the United States to be able to carry out an effectively 
diplomacy for resolving issues. 
 
President-elect Obama opened on Nov. 6 his transitional team's 
webpage expressing his eagerness to "forge a more effective 
framework in Asia that goes beyond bilateral agreements, occasional 
summits, and ad hoc arrangements, such as the six-party talks on 
North Korea." 
 
Saying that such would be conducive to U.S. national interests, 
Japan experts are calling for strengthening the alliance with Japan 
that has underpinned the U.S. military's forward deployment in the 
region. However, a source in the U.S. Embassy in Japan said: "We can 
sense (the Obama administration's) stance that it will not give 
special treatment to its allies." 
 
Former NSC Asian Affairs Director Michael Green, a backer of the 
Japan-U.S. honeymoon during the first term of the Bush 
administration, noted: "As a general principle, Mr. Obama says the 
U.S.-Japan alliance is important. The question is whether he will 
make efforts for Japan regarding specific issues, such as the 
abductions." 
 
In fact, in his telephone conversation with President elect-Obama on 
the morning of Nov. 7, Prime Minister Aso broached the abduction 
issue but Obama reportedly did not refer to it. There is a 
possibility that Obama's policy line of dialogue with North Korea 
will result in friction between Japan and the United States. 
 
South Korea, which was labeled an unreliable ally during the 
administration of President Roh Moo Hyun, is now striving to 
reinvigorate the alliance under President Lee Myung Bak. There is 
speculation among experts that South Korea, which does not have 
constraints like Japan has with its Constitution and the historical 
issue, has the potential to become a dependable ally, replacing 
Japan. 
 
The question is whether Japan can uphold its strong alliance with 
the United States during the tenure of the Obama administration. 
Japan's response to Obama's top foreign policy priority of 
maintaining security in Afghanistan and providing that country with 
more reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan will be the first and 
foremost test for its commitment to the alliance. The Ground 
Self-Defense Force possesses large transport helicopters that are in 
short supply in Afghanistan and the United States needs such 
assistance. 
 
TOKYO 00003124  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
If Japan continues to reject extending cooperation by citing 
domestic political considerations, it as a U.S. ally is certain to 
diminish in importance. 
 
(17) U.S. under Obama and the world: How to strengthen alliance with 
U.S. is test for Japan under new administration's "cobweb 
diplomacy" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 9, 2008 
 
Frank Jannuzi, a staff member of the U.S. Senate Committee on 
Foreign Relations and a member of the Asia policy team under 
President-elect Barack Obama, called the next administration's Asia 
policy "a web of partnerships." 
 
Policy of dialogue unshakable 
 
The next administration will expand cooperation with its traditional 
allies such as Japan and South Korea, while being eager to 
strengthen relations with such emerging countries as India and 
Vietnam. The new administration will also be willing to boost 
cooperation with the emerging powerhouse China in dealing with 
environment issues and in promoting nuclear nonproliferation. Obama 
in the presidential election campaign set forth a policy of dialogue 
with many countries, stressing: "I am keen to meet the leaders of 
all countries no matter whether they are friends or enemies." This 
image projected by this policy can be represented by the words 
"cobweb-building diplomacy." 
 
Whenever Republican candidate McCain expressed doubts about Obama's 
advocacy in the campaign of a policy of dialogue, the candidate 
refuted: "Our hardlined diplomatic approach prompted Iran and North 
Korea to develop nuclear weapons." The Iraq war resulted in 
intensifying anti-U.S. sentiment among terrorists. Iran and North 
Korea, which President Bush called "rogue states," promoted the 
development of nuclear weapons for self-defense purposes. According 
to Obama's logic, the U.S. is no longer safe. 
 
A senior Republican Party member said: "Once the Obama 
administration is launched, terrorists will begin to take 
provocative actions." The terrorist attacks on the U.S. in 2001 took 
place eight months after President Bush came into office. A senior 
member of the Obama camp emphasized: "The policy of dialogue does 
not necessarily mean taking a soft approach. If necessary, we will 
impose sanctions or resort to strong measures." Even so, the policy 
of dialogue itself will remain unshakable. 
 
Obama evaluates the Bush administration's delisting of North Korea 
as a state sponsor of terrorism as an appropriate step. He has also 
expressed his eagerness to set up a multinational security mechanism 
based on the framework of six-party talks on the North Korean 
nuclear issue. Obama has decided to take over in principle and 
expand the policy toward North Korea pursued by Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice in the latter half of the Bush administration. This 
makes Japanese officials feel uneasy. 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso left his private residence in Kamiyama-cho, 
Tokyo, after 6:00 on Nov. 7 to wait at his official residence for a 
telephone call from Obama, who has started preparations in Chicago 
for the transfer of power. 
 
TOKYO 00003124  006 OF 010 
 
 
 
The Japanese government contacted senior members of the Obama camp 
in preparation for the inauguration of the Obama administration 
through the Japanese Embassy in the U.S. and the Foreign Ministry 
even from before the presidential election. In the teleconference 
two days after the election, Aso was able to elicit Obama's 
commitment to strengthen the alliance with Japan. With this, persons 
concerned felt relieved, but their optimism may not be warranted. 
 
Attention paid to China's moves 
 
However, his advocacy "a web of partnerships" means that the Obama 
administration will not treat U.S.-Japan relations as special but on 
an equal plane to ties with other countries. Above all, Japan is 
nervous about moves by China. 
 
Meeting with a staff member of the Obama camp during a visit to 
Washington in late October, a ranking Japanese government official 
had in mind the perception gap between the two countries over the 
North Korean nuclear issue when he said: "I hope Japan and the U.S. 
will actively exchange views." He then added: "I would like you to 
examine closely how China should be treated in the future." 
 
Among those individuals viewed as certain to join the Obama 
administration are a number of experts on China. Rising China 
remains a potential destination for U.S. investment, although trade 
friction is expected. China has boosted its presence as a buyer of 
U.S. government bonds. To contain the ongoing financial crisis and 
to accrue the money to finance measures to buoy up the economy, the 
U.S. will have to issue a large volume of government bonds. In this 
respect, as well, President-elect Obama is placing high expectations 
on China. 
 
With the aim of increasing Japan's influence in the Obama 
administration, Aso suggested (in the teleconference) that Japan 
would offer cooperation in a variety of areas. He stressed a 
willingness to cooperate in dealing with tasks facing the 
international community, such as the global economy, Afghanistan, 
climate change, and North Korean issues. The thorniest issue for 
Japan is cooperation on Afghanistan. Obama defines Afghanistan as 
the frontline of the war on terror. The possibility cannot be ruled 
out that he will come up with a request for Japan to provide 
specific contributions. 
 
In security affairs, the stalled realignment of U.S. forces in Japan 
remains a major issue. In order for Japan to be proactively involved 
in the Obama administration's multilateral foreign policy of 
dialogue, it will inevitably be pressed to provide cooperation in 
the security area, the core of the traditional alliance 
relationship. 
 
(18) Change in America: Koizumi's North Korea diplomacy a model? 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 8, 2008 
 
Takashi Arimoto, Washington 
 
A group in charge of planning foreign policy for U.S. 
President-elect Barack Obama is now studying the case of then Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to North Korea in September 2002. 
A source connected to the Democratic Party says that there are many 
 
TOKYO 00003124  007 OF 010 
 
 
aspects of Koizumi's trip to Pyongyang that would be useful for the 
Obama administration in carrying out negotiations with Pyongyang 
after its inauguration. Koizumi was able to get North Korean leader 
Kim Jong Il to admit that his country had abducted Japanese 
nationals and the prime minister even succeed in bringing back five 
abductees to Japan. 
 
During his presidential campaign, Obama stressed the need for direct 
dialogue with enemy countries, including North Korea. He even 
praised the Bush administration's decision to hold talks with the 
North, saying: "It is one of the few areas in which a certain level 
of progress has been seen." The Obama administration appears to be 
responding to a dialogue with North Korea, with an eye on a first 
meeting between President Obama and Kim, while closely watching 
Kim's health problem. 
 
In a desperate attempt to produce achievements in its North Korea 
policy, the Bush administration in its final months delisted the 
North as a state-sponsoring terrorism, creating a rift with Japan, 
an ally of the United States. Harvard University Prof. Joseph Nye, 
who served as assistant secretary of defense in the Clinton 
administration, predicts that Obama, having seen the Bush 
administration at work, will probably promote talks with North 
Korea, while carrying out thorough consultations with Japan. 
 
Nye, who has advocated the importance of not only the use of 
military and economic power but also culture and even values, said: 
 
"In addition to his personality, the fact that Mr. Obama, a Black 
American, was elected president, defeating two strong rival 
candidates -- Hilary Clinton and John McCain -- will be very 
effective for the U.S. in using its soft power in the world." 
 
The Bush administration, having set a new security strategy that 
became the so-called Bush Doctrine, launched the Iraq war, without 
hesitating to take unilateral action. However, Obama, who opposed 
the Iraq war, has emphasized that he will work together closely with 
America's allies. With the inauguration of President Obama, who has 
hinted at the possibility of multilateral cooperation, there is a 
possibility that U.S. foreign and security policy will drastically 
change. How the young leader will actually steer the country and the 
extent of his capabilities are still unknown, however. 
 
Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea ..... James Steinberg, 
professor at the University of Texas, one of those rumored to be 
appointed as next national security adviser, pointed out in The 
Washington Quarterly -- a journal of international affairs -- that 
Obama will come into office at a unique and dangerous time in the 
history of the United States. 
 
Obama has indicated he will place priority on eliminating terrorist 
forces in Afghanistan, as well as on withdrawing combat troops from 
Iraq. However, it is not clear how much cooperation the Obama 
administration will be able to secure from the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization (NATO) and Japan. The Wall Street Journal, in an 
editorial, criticized Obama as overoptimistic for being eager to 
hold a direct dialogue with Iran, which has pushed ahead with a 
nuclear weapons program. The Journal warned that soon after the new 
government is inaugurated, Iran may possibly declare it possesses 
nuclear weapons. 
 
Vice President-elect Joe Biden, recalling President John F. Kennedy 
 
TOKYO 00003124  008 OF 010 
 
 
when he was confronted with the Cuban Crisis, predicted that Obama 
may be forced to respond to an international crisis. For Obama, 
there are many difficult issues to face. Bill Clinton after he 
became U.S. president, was hit with conflict in Somalia where many 
U.S. soldiers were either killed or wounded. President Bush was hit 
by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It would not be strange for the Obama 
administration to face a crisis at anytime. 
 
Obama says that he learned from his high school basketball coach how 
important it is for individual team members to his or her best for 
the sake of the team. He is going to lead team America. There is no 
question his decisions will have a significant impact not only on 
the United States but also on the international community. 
 
(19) Interview with Daiwa Institute of Research Executive Director 
Muto: "Shared perception is needed" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) 
November 8, 2008 
 
In response to an interview request by the Mainichi Shimbun, Toshiro 
Muto, executive director of the Daiwa Institute of Research, former 
deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, expressed his expectations for 
the upcoming emergency financial summit, noting, "It is important to 
start discussions to share views of the financial crisis, based on 
various analyses of the situations from the participants, and then 
come up with an pragmatic approach." However, he warned, "We should 
not excessively hold out hope that they can hit on a good idea for 
dealing with the turmoil in just one meeting." 
 
Regarding the financial summit, Muto said, "Overseeing methods 
adopted by financial institutions that operate on the international 
market and measures in the event of the financial crisis spreading 
will be presumably discussed." Asked about the U.S. government's 
response to the financial crisis, he noted, "I have the impression 
that the U.S. measures came too late." He did give high marks to the 
measures, saying, "All their measures are now out on the table. We 
must watch to see what achievements will come now." 
 
Concerning when the U.S. economy might recover, he projected, "In my 
view, economic recovery will start in 2010 in the U.S. However, it 
will take some more time for it fully recovery." Regarding when the 
Japanese economy would recover, he estimated that it will not be 
before 2010, as is the case of the U.S. economy, noting, "Domestic 
measures have a limit in what they can do in making the economy 
bounce back after a slowdown caused by such external factors as 
troubles in the U.S. economy." 
 
(20) Coordination underway for holding 2nd round of financial summit 
in Japan: Prime Minister eager to host meeting since Japan's tenure 
as G8 host nation expires soon 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 9, 2008 
 
In connection with the upcoming emergency financial summit to deal 
with the global financial crisis, the government on November 8 
started coordination with 20 participating countries about the 
possibility of holding a second round in Japan in mid-December. 
Japan as the host nation of the G8, the countries of which form the 
key portion of the financial summit, aims to take the initiative in 
dealing with the financial crisis. It wants to secure approval for 
 
TOKYO 00003124  009 OF 010 
 
 
the holding of a second round of the financial summit following the 
first one in Washington on Nov. 14-15. 
 
According to a government source, the government is now sounding out 
countries involved in the ASEAN plus 3 (Japan, South Korea and 
China) to be held in Thailand on December 16-17 about Japan holding 
a second round of the financial summit. One aim of hosting such a 
summit is to allow the results achieved at the first summit to be 
debated at a venue joined by various Asian leaders. 
 
A place near Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture has been designated 
as a candidate venue for the summit. However, in view of securing 
space to accommodate government leaders and officials and offering 
transportation service from the airport, the government is now 
considering having it someplace in Tokyo. 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso wants Japan as the chair of the G8 to 
display leadership in dealing with the international financial 
crisis. The prime minister on October 10 announced that he is ready 
to hold a financial summit in Japan. However, he gave in to 
Washington's request to hold the first meeting in the U.S., because 
the financial crisis was launched in the U.S. 
 
For this reason, the prime minister's strong wishes are reflected in 
Japan's bid to hold the second round of the summit as the follow-up, 
according to a government source. At work behind the prime 
minister's intent is his political motivation: He wants to show the 
public that he is adept in economic and diplomatic areas by 
organizing a summit. This will allow him to control his future 
political agenda, including possibly the dissolution of the Lower 
House for a snap election. The expiration of the tenure of the G8 
chair is also indirectly fueling the prime minister's desire to host 
a second round of the financial summit. 
 
However, the countries involved reportedly are taking the stand that 
a second round of the financial summit should be held after January 
20 next year, when the U.S. Obama administration will formally be 
launched. As such, whether Japan will be able to hold a second round 
before year's end is uncertain. 
 
(21) PACOM chief indicates delay in transfer of Marines to Guam by a 
year for cost reason 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 7, 2008 
 
(Kyodo, New York) 
 
In a news conference with correspondents from Asia in New York on 
Nov. 5, Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of the Pacific Command, said 
that the plan to move Marines in Okinawa to Guam is likely to be 
delayed to 2014 or 2015 because of an expected increase in the cost 
agreed on between the U.S. and Japanese governments. 
 
Okinawa government emphasizes necessity for his visit to U.S. 
 
In response to the remark by Keating, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu 
Nakaima commented: "I would like to fully consider what he meant. 
Many changes are arising in the world." He then emphasized the need 
for him to visit the U.S. prior to President-elect Barack Obama's 
assumption of office on Jan. 20, saying: "I would like to exchange 
views in advance." 
 
TOKYO 00003124  010 OF 010 
 
 
 
SCHIEFFER