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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TOKYO 000300 
 
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 1 02/09/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Government welcomes Clinton's Japan visit on Feb. 16 on first 
overseas trip as representing emphasis on Japan-U.S. alliance (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
(2) Coordination underway for meeting between U.S. Secretary of 
State Clinton and abductee families (Yomiuri) 
 
(3) Foreign Minister Nakasone to propose in meeting with U.S. 
Secretary of State Clinton the holding of international assistance 
conference for Pakistan hosted by Japan (Asahi) 
 
(4) Japan's presence in Munich conference weak; Defense minister to 
meager contribution mesuers (Mainichi) 
 
(5) Japan, UK defense chiefs agree on antipiracy cooperation 
(Yomiuri) 
 
(6) LDP puts off approving Defense Ministry reform draft bill 
(Nikkei) 
 
(7) Japanese, Thai premiers agree to cooperate on East Asia summit 
(Nikkei) 
 
(8) LDP project team sets policy proposal to create 600,000 jobs; 
Meeting to discuss specific measures to be held as early as next 
week (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Government welcomes Clinton's Japan visit on Feb. 16 on first 
overseas trip as representing emphasis on Japan-U.S. alliance 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
February 7, 2009 
 
The government welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 
visit to Japan as the first country for her visit starting on Feb. 
¶16. A government official said: "This decision reflects Washington's 
stance of placing importance on the Japan-U.S. alliance." 
 
Clinton is expected to meet separately with Prime Minister Aso and 
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on the 17th. 
 
Aso told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday: "Her 
decision to visit Japan on her first official overseas trip is a 
very good message to show her stance of attaching importance to 
Asia. The focus of discussion in our meeting will be on how the 
world's largest and second largest economic powers should avert the 
ongoing global (economic) crisis and then consider what type of 
world order should be established." 
 
Nakasone also commented in a press conference: "Her decision to 
visit Japan first shows that she is attaching importance to 
relations with Japan. It is important to further strengthen the 
Japan-U.S. alliance during the meeting." Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Takeo Kawamura expressed hopes that Clinton's visit to Japan will 
pave the way for a Japan-U.S. summit meeting. 
 
Given that the Japanese government has yet to have as extensive 
contacts in the Obama administration as those in the Bush 
 
TOKYO 00000300  002 OF 005 
 
 
administration, it is eager to quickly establish a network of 
personnel ties with the new U.S. government. 
 
(2) Coordination underway for meeting between U.S. Secretary of 
State Clinton and abductee families 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 8, 2009 
 
The government has begun coordination with the U.S. administration 
for a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who 
will visit Japan on Jan. 16, and the families of the Japanese 
nationals abducted to North Korea, government sources revealed 
yesterday. However, there still remains an uncertainty about whether 
the meeting will be realized due to schedule constrains. 
 
(3) Foreign Minister Nakasone to propose in meeting with U.S. 
Secretary of State Clinton the holding of international assistance 
conference for Pakistan hosted by Japan 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged) 
February 7, 2009 
 
The government plans to propose during the meeting between Foreign 
Minister Nakasone and U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, who arrives 
in Tokyo Feb. 16, that Japan hold a cabinet-level international 
conference on assistance to Pakistan. Current thinking in the Aso 
government is to build a deep relationship of trust with the new 
U.S. administration by Japan taking the lead in efforts to stabilize 
Pakistan, a country that the Obama administration places high 
priority, given its influence on Afghanistan as its neighbor. 
 
The Japanese government welcomes the fact that Secretary of State 
Clinton chose Japan as her first overseas visit, deeming that this 
decision expresses the importance that the Obama administration 
places on Japan. The proposal that Japan should hold a pledging 
conference to assist Pakistan is intended to "show the U.S. that 
Japan is a reliable partner," said a top official in the Foreign 
Ministry. 
 
Although Pakistan is a Muslim country, it has cooperated in the war 
on terror in which America has the lead. However, in the region 
bordering on Afghanistan, public security has rapidly deteriorated, 
and Islamic fundamentalist groups like the Taliban have built a 
stronghold. Moreover, Pakistan's economy, affected by the global 
financial crisis, is on the verge of collapse. Stabilizing Pakistan 
is an urgent task for the international community. 
 
The government's plan is to invite such participants as the G-8 
countries, European Community, China, and the Gulf oil-producing 
states. The plan is to raise assistance pledges amounting to several 
billion dollars. Japan, too, is considering a pledge of an 
appropriate level. The aim is to convene the conference at an early 
date once the agreement of the participating donors is received. 
 
(4) Japan's presence in Munich conference weak; Defense minister to 
meager contribution mesuers 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
February 8, 2009 
 
Ryo Matsuo 
 
TOKYO 00000300  003 OF 005 
 
 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada is scheduled to meet with his 
counterparts from European nations and other countries for the first 
time on the sidelines of this year's Munich Security Conference with 
the aim of playing up Japan's cooperative stance with European 
nations by modeling after the U.S. Obama administration. Having 
failed to send its cabinet ministers in the past, Japan's presence 
in the conference is weak. Further, Japan has yet to come up with 
any new additional assistance measures for Afghanistan. 
 
"I am going to transmit to other countries Japan's defense policy, 
including efforts for global issues, such as terrorism, in order to 
deepen their understanding," said Hamada about the conference, prior 
to his departure for Munich on the morning of Feb. 6. Hamada is the 
second incumbent Japanese cabinet minister to attend the conference 
following Masahiko Komura last year, who was foreign minister. 
 
A Defense Ministry leader explained why Hamada has decided to attend 
this year's conference: "The United States values the European Union 
(EU) highly, and Japan, too, needs to deepen its relations (with the 
EU)." 
 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations have already 
dispatched their naval vessels to fight rampant piracy in waters off 
Somalia, East Africa. Japan, too, has decided to dispatch its 
destroyers. It is therefore essential to make close coordination 
with (European countries) on this matter, as well. 
 
Nevertheless, Japan is clearly lagging behind (the EU) due to its 
slant toward the United States during the former Koizumi 
administration. In fact, Japan was not able to make a decision until 
late last year to extend the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean 
regarding the war on terror in Afghanistan. A senior Defense 
Ministry official indicated that the defense minister in the Munich 
conference would simply explain Japan's previous activities and 
announce civilian assistance. 
 
The option of sending the Self-Defense Forces to Afghanistan is not 
even on the agenda as too dangerous. With the approach of Lower 
House dissolution for a snap general election, it is difficult for 
Japan to promptly respond to requests from Western countries. 
 
Hamada's meetings with French and Czech counterparts cancelled 
 
Munich, Kyodo 
 
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada had been scheduled to have separate 
meetings in Munich on February 7 with his French counterpart Herve 
Morin and Czech counterpart Vlasta Parkanova. But the two countries 
notified Japan that they would cancel the meetings and the events 
were called off as a result. The eleventh-hour cancellations 
occurred because the two countries prioritized an international 
security conference over the meetings with Hamada. 
 
(5) Japan, UK defense chiefs agree on antipiracy cooperation 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 8, 2009 
 
Shozo Nakayama, Munich 
 
Defense Minister Hamada, now visiting Germany, met with British 
 
TOKYO 00000300  004 OF 005 
 
 
Defense Minister Hutton at a Munich hotel on the afternoon of Feb. 7 
(on the evening of Feb. 7 Japan time) and agreed on antipiracy 
cooperation in waters off the eastern African coast of Somalia. 
"We're preparing to send the Maritime Self-Defense Force," Hamada 
said. He added, "Our fact-finding team will go there, so I'd like to 
ask you for cooperation." Hutton said, "We appreciate the 
contribution." Hutton added that Britain would cooperate with other 
countries for cooperation. 
 
In addition, Hamada told Hutton that Japan is opposed to the idea of 
lifting the European Union's embargo on its exports of weapons to 
China. "We're concerned that China may increase its military 
spending and activate its military activities," Hamada said. Hutton 
said, "We want to pay careful attention to Japan's views." 
 
Earlier in the day, Hamada met with Singaporean Defense Minister Teo 
and sought antipiracy cooperation. Teo said he welcomes the MSDF 
dispatch. 
 
After meeting with his British and Singaporean counterparts, Hamada 
attended the Munich Security Conference, an international symposium. 
He is the first Japanese defense minister to attend the conference. 
In his speech there, Hamada will clarify that Japan will strengthen 
security cooperation with European countries and the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO). 
 
(6) LDP puts off approving Defense Ministry reform draft bill 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 7, 2009 
 
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) General Council 
postponed on Feb. 6 a plan to approve a draft bill to revise the 
Defense Ministry Establishment Law, featuring measures to reform the 
ministry's organization following a series of scandals involving its 
personnel. This is because objections were raised to the idea of 
setting up political appointee defense advisor posts, abolishing the 
current defense counselor posts, which are concurrently served by 
bureau directors general. One member said, "How will the ministry 
handle defense secretes if civilians are appointed?" Another said, 
"It is irresponsible to replace the defense advisors every time the 
defense minister is replaced." 
 
(7) Japanese, Thai premiers agree to cooperate on East Asia summit 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 7, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso met with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit on Feb. 
6 at his office, in which the two leaders agreed that they would 
cooperate for an East Asia summit, which is scheduled to be held in 
Thailand probably in late April. Aso told Abhisit: "It is important 
to send a strong message to the world that Asia will continue to 
play its role as the economic growth center." Abhisit responded: 
"Trade barriers should not be created." 
 
On the political turbulence in Thailand, including an 
anti-government group's occupation of Bangkok International Airport, 
Aso asked Abhisit to make further efforts so that Japanese companies 
will regain eagerness for investments in Thailand. Aso then unveiled 
a plan to provide 6.3 billion yen in yen loans to Thailand for its 
construction of a subway system in Bangkok. 
 
TOKYO 00000300  005 OF 005 
 
 
 
(8) LDP project team sets policy proposal to create 600,000 jobs; 
Meeting to discuss specific measures to be held as early as next 
week 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 7, 2009 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Economic and Job Creation New 
Deal Promotion Protect Team, chaired by Genichiro Sata, at a meeting 
held on Feb. 6 at party headquarters adopted a policy proposal of 
creating 600,000 jobs by the end of fiscal 2009. The panel will 
incorporate the decision into a package of employment measures to be 
compiled possibly in early March. The ruling parties' project team 
will be set up as early as next week to draft specific measures. 
 
The panel during the meeting heard requests from directors of 
various LDP divisions. The envisaged plan is to map out specific 
measures with immediate effects to be included in the first and 
second extra budgets for fiscal 2008 and the budget for fiscal 2009. 
Sata said, "We would like to frontload necessary projects, such as 
making school buildings earthquake-resisting or consolidating a 
sewer system, and improve vocational trading for jobless people." 
The panel also decided to raise the proportion of government 
subsidies for projects so as to lessen the burden of local 
governments. 
 
ZUMWALT