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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000780 
 
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 04/06/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) North Korea launches missile - part 1: Comprehensive 
negotiations backed by pressure (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Seiron (argument) column: Time for missile defense system to be 
tested (Sankei) 
 
(3) DPJ to conduct opinion survey on April 18-19 (Sankei) 
 
(4) Nishimatsu conveyed to Nikai office desire to win contracts in 
Haneda, Kansai airport projects (Mainichi) 
 
(5) Commentary: U.S. minesweeper forcibly enters Ishigaki port for 
"goodwill"; Taiwan crisis also in mind; U.S. consul general sticks 
to port call within his term (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(6) Fluoroscope column: Visit to Ishigaki Port by U.S. naval 
vessels; U.S. side demonstrates provocative attitude; Citizens 
concerned about U.S. military accumulating achievements (Ryukyu 
Shimpo) 
 
(7) Japan might be pressed to endlessly bear costs for U.S. Marines 
transferred from Okinawa to Guam, including even activity costs 
(Akahata) 
 
(8) Editorial: Can new U.S. strategy serve as a turning point for 
stability of Afghanistan? (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) North Korea launches missile - part 1: Comprehensive 
negotiations backed by pressure 
 
YOMIURI (Page 6) (Full) 
April 6, 2009 
 
Hitoshi Tanaka 
 
North Korea has launched a ballistic missile under cover of a 
communications satellite. The major goal is to maintain the Kim Jong 
Il regime. 
 
Though North Korea is a reclusive state, it is fully aware of the 
ferocity of the U.S. It is presumably trying to secure a deterrent 
capability against the U.S. by showing off its technical capability 
to launch a missile that can reach that country. In reality, 
however, there is a huge gap between the U.S. and North Korea in 
terms of military capabilities. Therefore, North Korea's launch of a 
missile appears to have little meaning as a deterrent against the 
U.S. However, there is a possibility of that nation using it as a 
diplomatic card. 
 
The North's missile launch is probably also aimed at tightening the 
domestic front, as well as to boost national prestige. Kim Jong Il's 
health problem has long been reported. There is little doubt but 
that the country's domestic economy is in bad shape. The launch was 
presumably also meant to show to a domestic audience that North 
Korea is a major country able to launch an artificial satellite or a 
long-rage ballistic missile as the culmination of its science and 
technology capability. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000780  002 OF 010 
 
 
Whether that nation actually launched an artificial satellite or not 
will determine the future course of international discussions on the 
issue. If it was actually an artificial satellite that was launched, 
China and Russia will likely oppose the idea of adopting a 
resolution against the nation at the UN Security Council (UNSC), 
citing that an extreme response should be avoided, because the 
nation had undergone necessary procedures needed for the launch in 
advance. If it was not an artificial satellite, the basis for their 
opposition would be weakened. 
 
Japan should pursue talks in a bid to send a strong message that the 
launch is in violation of the UNSC resolution. However, it is 
impossible to prejudge the outcome of the talks. 
 
What is most important is the collaboration and unity of the 
international community. If the views of various countries are 
split, that is exactly what Pyongyang wants to see. 
 
The six-party talks to discuss North Korea's nuclear are important 
as a framework for neighboring countries to unite with one another. 
The U.S. is calling for the resumption of the six-party talks. Japan 
shares the same stance. The missile launch yesterday is regrettable. 
However, (the international community) should search for a path 
toward talks with North Korea at some point. 
 
It is necessary for Japan to think about purpose when conducting 
diplomacy. There is always a specific goal to achieve in diplomacy. 
Diplomacy does not rest on a process alone. There are cases that 
require tough sanctions. However, that is not enough to conduct 
diplomacy. Settling pending issues between Japan and North Korea, 
such as the nuclear, abduction and missile issues in a comprehensive 
manner will serve the best interests of our nation. Such is also the 
objective of diplomacy. 
 
What is needed for Japan-North Korea relations are not just talks 
but negotiations. It is necessary to press ahead with comprehensive 
negotiations, backed by national power, including pressure. 
 
The Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and North Korea issued in 
September 2002 incorporated a freeze on missile launches. It is 
important for Japan to seek negotiations and point out that the 
missile launch yesterday is in violation (of the UN resolution). 
 
North Korea is undoubtedly a threat to Japan's security. Japan has 
revised its security system in tandem with North Korea's moves. 
Following the first nuclear crisis between 1993 and 1994, Japan and 
U.S. revised their defense cooperation guidelines. A missile defense 
system was introduced after the launch of a ballistic missile in 
¶1998. As a result, Japan came to possess intelligence satellites. It 
is imperative for Japan to further strengthen its defense system. 
Diplomatic negotiations are only possible with deterrent capability 
and strong Japan-U.S. ties. 
 
Hitoshi Tanaka: Senior fellow at the Japan Center for International 
Exchange. Former Foreign Ministry bureau director general and deputy 
foreign minister. His works include "Strength of Diplomacy." 62 
years old. 
 
(2) Seiron (argument) column: Time for missile defense system to be 
tested 
 
SANKEI (Page 7) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00000780  003 OF 010 
 
 
April 1, 2009 
 
By Toshiyuki Shikata, professor at Teikyo University 
 
Politicians often use the expressions " public thinking (kokumin no 
mesen de)" and "the thinking of the average people (seikatsusha no 
mesen de)." We feel the arrogance of politicians in those 
expressions, which seems somewhat odd. 
 
Politicians are bound to always serve the nation and the people, as 
well as to implement policies with a broad perspective for the 
future. Therefore, it is only natural for them to give consideration 
to what the public is thinking. But I do not want them to say things 
that are better left unsaid. In reference to political donation 
scandals, politicians who say that politics should be carried out 
based on consideration of public thinking and that things should be 
put back into the hands of people are suspicious. 
 
The opposite meaning of the public thinking is state thinking, which 
is absolutely necessary. No matter how hard individuals, 
corporations, and local governments work, there are issues that they 
cannot be resolved on their own. That's why national politics 
exists. It is needless to say that the Constitution is the basis of 
national politics. 
 
The Constitution stipulates that all of the people shall have the 
right to maintain minimum standards of health and cultural life. To 
ensure this right, there are national economic, fiscal and financial 
policies, including the improving of the safety net to protect the 
compulsory education system, the insurance and annuity system, and 
the situation of the socially weak. Apart from fundamentalist and 
autocratic states, in democracies it is possible to correct, review 
and make concessions on social and economic policies. They can be 
converged over a short period. 
 
However, such is not applicable to diplomacy and national defense 
that are the heart of the national politics. Short-term and stopgap 
measures do not work when foreign and national defense affairs are 
concerned. Unlike economic measures, it is difficult to correct and 
revise foreign and national defense policies. 
 
A ballistic missile launching by North Korea has become a major 
issue. Japan has an option to intercept the missile, to bring the 
issue to the UN Security Council, as well as to step up its economic 
sanctions against the North. This is because Japan made a strategic 
decision to have the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) possess an 
anti-ballistic missile system and worked at it for a long time. 
 
It is a good example that foreign and defense policies related to 
national security require a long-term and strategic response. If 
mistakes are made in the timing and direction, they cannot be 
corrected. 
 
The improvement of the defense-oriented equipment system -- under 
which the SDF would shoot down a missile by a missile -- requires 
high-level skills, huge costs and a long period of time. This is the 
result of such many efforts as crafting a strategy of dealing with 
envisaged threats, developing technologies, acquiring equipment, 
bringing up SDF personnel, training troops, and revising (Article 
82-2 of the SDF Law). 
 
At present, the SDF's anti-ballistic missile system has yet to be 
 
TOKYO 00000780  004 OF 010 
 
 
completed. However, Japan has now the option of intercepting 
missiles because the nation came up with the strategy early on of 
improving the system. Without accumulated efforts, Japan would not 
have had any means to respond to a ballistic missile threat. 
 
Japan has had no other choice but to rely on everything from the 
United States, even if the people feel intimidated, harboring a 
sense of helplessness and self-defeat. 
 
An effort for improving the missile defense system is different from 
one to recover the economic and financial systems which take two to 
several years. 
 
We now understand from the dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force 
personnel off Somalia that foreign policy and national defense are 
the two sides of the same coin. In consideration of the fact about 
2,000 vessels affiliated with Japan pass through the Gulf of Aden, 
the security of waters around this area is our country's vital 
interest. 
 
It has been crystal clear since last year that in order to maintain 
the security of this region, Japan should participate in 
international activities. However, the government greatly delayed in 
coming up with an anti-piracy bill because it was busy with dealing 
with the economic crisis. 
 
In the waters off Somalia, naval ships from about 20 countries have 
carried out anti-piracy operations. Japan, however, finally 
dispatched two destroyers there. The destroyers are conducting 
operations for now under the maritime policing action provision in 
the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law, which allows the SDF to protect 
only Japan-related ships. Japan as an independent state is a coward. 
 
 
I urge the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) not to 
take the anti-piracy measures bill, which has been submitted to the 
Diet, as a hostage because of the political situation. If the DPJ 
tries to delay the enactment of the bill by presenting an 
unrealistic revision bill and counterproposals, it will never be 
able to take over the reins of government. Establishing a clear law 
as quickly as possible so that the commander of the dispatched unit 
will not be confused is real civil control and political 
responsibility. 
 
There are parties that have called for dispatching Japan Coast Guard 
ships, not sending SDF destroyers. If Japan wants to dispatch JCG 
ships, related bills including measures to strengthen the JCG's 
functions and capabilities needed to be presented. 
 
Japanese politicians and people should recognize that both the 
missile defense system and anti-piracy measures in waters off 
Somalia are important national policy directly linked to Japan's 
security, not to international contributions. Unless Japan can share 
risks with the international community, it should not consider 
becoming a permanent UNSC member. 
 
(3) DPJ to conduct opinion survey on April 18-19 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
April 4, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa decided on 
 
TOKYO 00000780  005 OF 010 
 
 
April 3 that the DPJ would carry out an opinion poll on its own on 
April 18-19 regarding a general election for the House of 
Representatives. Ozawa conveyed the decision to Lower House member 
Katsumasa Suzuki in their meeting in Tokyo. 
 
Referring to Vice President Seiji Maehara's proposal for the holding 
of an open discussion based on the results of the planned poll, DPJ 
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said: "I want party members to 
trust me and the party head (concerning the analysis of the 
situation)," taking a negative stance toward the proposal. 
 
Hatoyama stated in a strong voice: 
 
"If all the party members are allowed to see the outcomes of the 
poll, the contents would be leaked to outside the party through the 
media. Should candidates come to know the results, some candidates 
would slacken their efforts, and some would abandon their hopes. I 
cannot imagine that the outcome of the poll would be open to the 
public." 
 
Referring in the taping of a TBS program on April 3 to the question 
of whether Ozawa should remain in his party post or quit, Hirohisa 
Fujii, a supreme advisor to the DPJ, said: "He will make an 
appropriate decision on his own." He indicated that he would keep a 
close watch on what response Ozawa would take. 
 
Pointing out that Ozawa has said that winning the next Lower House 
election is everything, Fujii stated: "Ozawa is the only person who 
can reform the government bureaucracy of Kasumigaseki. I want him to 
consider reforming Kasumigaseki from various perspectives." 
 
(4) Nishimatsu conveyed to Nikai office desire to win contracts in 
Haneda, Kansai airport projects 
 
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
April 4, 2009 
 
Nishimatsu Construction Co. started in 1999 conveying to Economy, 
Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai's political group its 
desire to receive orders in projects related to Kansai International 
Airport and Haneda Airport in exchange for its providing political 
donations to the Nikai group, according to Nishimatsu sources. 
During this period, Nishimatsu had been paying the rent of about 24 
million yen on an office used by Kansai Shinpu-kai, a political 
organization linked to Nikai. The second-tier general contractor had 
allegedly provided Nikai's political group with funds, with the aim 
of winning contracts in large-scale projects. The Tokyo District 
Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad reportedly 
will start final talks with a higher-level government office 
possibly early next week. 
 
According to Nishimatsu sources, the company was desperate to 
receive orders in a project to construct the 4th runway (2,500 
meters) at Haneda Airport and for the second-phase construction of a 
second parallel runway (4,000 meters) and related facilities at 
Kansai International Airport. 
 
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry made an 
official announcement in December 2001 on the project for a new 
runway at Haneda Airport, which is estimated to be worth 
approximately 598.5 billion yen, including designing costs. Only a 
joint venture (JV) composed of 15 companies including Kashima Corp. 
 
TOKYO 00000780  006 OF 010 
 
 
and Nishimatsu participated in the tender, and the JV won the 
contract without competition. Nishimatsu received orders worth about 
20.9 billion yen. The project was set in motion in March 2007, and 
the new runway is expected to be opened in October next year. The 
second-phase Kansai International Airport project was launched in 
July 1999. The total cost of orders issued for land reclamation is 
approximately 527 billion yen. Nishimatsu received some orders in 
connection with this project, too. 
 
(5) Commentary: U.S. minesweeper forcibly enters Ishigaki port for 
"goodwill"; Taiwan crisis also in mind; U.S. consul general sticks 
to port call within his term 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full) 
April 4, 2009 
 
What lies behind the recent port call of a U.S. Navy minesweeper at 
the island of Ishigakijima is that the United States, with a Taiwan 
crisis and other contingencies in mind, wants to ensure refugee 
evacuation. The minesweeper's official port call there was for the 
purpose of promoting "friendship and goodwill," according to a U.S. 
military press release. However, the U.S. military is steadily 
gathering information needed for its use of ports. 
 
The U.S. Navy minesweeper that called at Ishigaki port had made a 
port call at the island of Yonagunijima in 2007, the first call of a 
U.S. warship at a commercial seaport since the reversion of Okinawa 
to Japan. This is the second case of a U.S. warship's port call 
since the return of Okinawa. There are many seaports in Okinawa 
Prefecture. But this time as well the U.S. military chose a port of 
the Yaeyama islands near the border. A U.S. warship once made a port 
call at Yonagunijima. At that time, the U.S. military had first 
sounded out Ishigakijima on its plan to make a port call there. 
However, Ishigakijima rejected the proposal. In July, U.S. Consul 
General in Okinawa Maher will become director for Japanese affairs 
(Japan Desk) at the U.S. Department of State. He seems to have stuck 
to the minesweeper's port call at Ishigakijima before that. 
 
The minesweeper is the USS Patriot. Its captain, Robert Shu, said: 
"The Navy's continual presence demonstrates our commitment to 
security arrangements in this region." This could be a military 
message to neighboring countries, meaning that the U.S. Navy will 
make its forward deployment possible at all times by making port 
calls. 
 
Maher says U.S. warships "need to make port calls to maintain 
stability, safety, and peace in the region." However, he does not 
specify how the port call at Ishigakijima will lead to maintaining 
peace. In fact, the U.S. military is going ahead with military 
actions while reiterating the concept of bilateral security 
arrangements between Japan and the United States. 
 
According to emergency and other relevant bills enacted in 2004, the 
U.S. military is to take precedence to use Japan's civilian seaports 
and airports during emergencies. Such an environment and actual port 
calls in Okinawa might have something to do with each other. 
 
Gov. Nakaima: It's unfavorable 
 
Concerning the recent entry of a U.S. Navy minesweeper into the port 
of Ishigaki in the face of local opposition, Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu 
Nakaima said in Tokyo where he was visiting on an official trip: "I 
 
TOKYO 00000780  007 OF 010 
 
 
wonder if military ships should be allowed to enter civilian ports 
during nonemergency times. Besides, it's unfavorable." He also 
expressed a feeling of discomfort the purpose of the minesweeper's 
port call, saying: "It was not in an emergency situation like taking 
refuge from a typhoon. It was for goodwill, not urgent." 
 
 
Minimum study for safety: captain 
 
Lt. Cmdr. Robert Shu, the captain of the USS Patriot, a U.S. Navy 
minesweeper that called at the port of Ishigaki, and Kevin Maher, 
U.S. consul general in Okinawa, met the press in the port after the 
minesweeper's arrival. Shu explained the preliminary study of ports 
visited, saying: "We are conducting a minimum study of safety as we 
do in other ports. None of the crew came here to check the port in 
advance. We secured information from open sources on the Internet." 
 
Asked if the Patriot called at Ishigaki in its readiness to meet a 
Taiwan crisis, Shu answered: "This is a normal port call and does 
not have any particular meaning." He also stressed the significance 
of displaying the U.S. naval presence, saying: "The Navy's continual 
presence shows our commitment to security arrangements in this 
region." 
 
Meanwhile, the mayor of Ishigaki City participated in a local rally 
against the minesweeper's entry into the port of Ishigaki and held a 
press conference against it. "We are aware of the mayor's position, 
but it is necessary to make port calls under the security 
arrangements. Asked about this, Maher said: "This is not rare at all 
in Japan, and there is no legal problem. There are people who are 
against the port call, but there are also people who welcome it." 
 
"It looks like a small number of people are reportedly against our 
visit here, but I understand that many other people welcome us," Shu 
said, indicating that many locals welcome the minesweeper's port 
call. The U.S. military has not disclosed such data as the 
minesweeper's weaponry. Asked about this, Shu only answered, "We 
will not do anything like hurting Ishigakijima people." 
 
(6) Fluoroscope column: Visit to Ishigaki Port by U.S. naval 
vessels; U.S. side demonstrates provocative attitude; Citizens 
concerned about U.S. military accumulating achievements 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 3) (Full) 
April 6, 2009 
 
Yuki Fukasawa 
 
The U.S. Navy's minesweepers Patriot and Guardian, which were at 
anchor in Ishigaki for the first time, left Ishigaki Port around 
noon April 5. The vessels made the port call in defiance of repeated 
oppositions by Ishigaki Mayor Nagateru Ohama and calls for restraint 
by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. Experiencing a rejection of 
its request to allow its naval vessels enter Ishigaki Port two years 
ago, the U.S. side was hell-bent to realize a port call this time 
around, and its attitude remained provocative even after the Patriot 
and Guardian entered the port. The vessels made the port call in the 
name of forging friendships with local communities and providing 
crew members with rest. Looking back at their port call, U.S. Consul 
General for Okinawa Kevin Maher described the event "a success," 
citing such actual achievements as exchanges with local people, 
fueling, and so on. "Port calls by U.S. naval vessels might become a 
 
TOKYO 00000780  008 OF 010 
 
 
standard practice," a local resident said apprehensively. 
 
After mooring the minesweepers to the pier, Consul General Maher and 
others tried to visit the shopping district shortly before noon, but 
their path was blocked by local protesters. After being stranded 
there for about five hours, they, escorted by police officers, 
elbowed their way through the protestors. 
 
According to some concerned sources, when Consul General Maher 
struggled with some protesters, he cursed them, saying, "You 
idiots!" On the following day as well, there was a scene in which 
the U.S. diplomat, blocked by a human wall, shouted back at some 
local protesters. 
 
Request not accepted 
 
In a way, clashes with local residents resulted from the U.S. side's 
responses. 
 
On the day of the port call, the Ishigaki municipal government, the 
administrator of the port, asked U.S. persons concerned to use a 
certain gate to go in and out of the port. But witnessing the 
situation where someone could get hurt, a city official in charge 
asked Consul General Maher, who was staying at a city hotel, to stay 
away from the port. But he did not heed to the request. Worse yet, 
entering a port facility, he demonstrated the provocative attitude 
of making a U-turn before the human wall of local residents at the 
gate. When the consul general wrestled with the local protestors, 
the official in charge proposed that he leave the spot via another 
gate, but he insisted on forcing his way through the protesters. The 
U.S. side forcibly carried out the two naval vessels' call at 
Ishigaki Port after experiencing a rejection two year ago. Even 
after the vessels entered the port, the U.S. side continued to act 
provocatively occasionally, drawing fire from local residents. 
 
The U.S. side informed Japan in advance that the purpose of the port 
call was to provide crew members with rest and to promote friendship 
with locals. The U.S. side has gained more than that in terms of 
collecting information and making track records. 
 
Refueling to the two minesweepers began at 8 a.m. on April 4, day 
two of their stay at the port. Since there is no vessel-fueling 
station in Ishigaki Port, the vessels received fuel from tank trucks 
in the city. According to Ishigaki City Fire Headquarters, tank 
trucks are usually not allowed to provide fuel in the port. But the 
fire headquarters authorized a local operator's request and applied 
to the U.S. vessels the special standards under the Hazardous 
Materials Control Ordinance on the condition of setting up an oil 
fence to minimize damage in case of a disaster and an off-limits 
area. The U.S. Navy confirmed that refueling at Ishigaki Port was 
possible. 
 
List of restaurants 
 
Meanwhile, the U.S. side asked a waste-disposal company in the city 
to dispose of trash in the minesweepers within the city of Ishigaki, 
but the municipal government told the firm: "What's in the trash is 
unknown. Please deal with the matter in line with the wishes of the 
city." As a result, the trash was carried back into the vessels. 
 
Citizens welcoming the vessels' visit had surveyed the restaurants 
in Misakicho, and presented the U.S. side with a list of restaurants 
 
TOKYO 00000780  009 OF 010 
 
 
open to U.S. service members. Parties and courtesy calls were 
planned for exchanges with crew members. Readiness to receive 
American crew members was also confirmed. "We fear most the 
possibility of the U.S. military accumulating real experiences," 
Yaeyama district labor union president Akihiko Ohama, 49, said 
anxiously. 
 
(7) Japan might be pressed to endlessly bear costs for U.S. Marines 
transferred from Okinawa to Guam, including even activity costs 
 
AKAHATA (Top Play) (Full) 
April 4, 2009 
 
Japan has been asked to bear partial construction costs of new 
facilities in Guam for U.S. Marines to be transferred from Okinawa. 
In this transfer plan, Japan might have to foot even the bill for 
activities by Marines transferred to the U.S. territory, according 
to informed sources yesterday. Japanese Communist Party (JCP) member 
Akira Kasai questioned about this possibility during a meeting of 
the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee in which the 
Japan-U.S. relocation accord was deliberated on. 
 
Kasai: "Japan-U.S. accord unacceptable" 
 
In reference to a statement made by the Defense Ministry on the 
breakdown of costs related to projects to construct facilities and 
infrastructure under the Guam relocation plan, Kasai pointed out 
that the statement included this passage: "Costs associated with the 
transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam and their activities 
are not included in the relocation plan worth 10.27 billion dollars 
(to be borne by both Japan and the U.S.)"  Kasai questioned about 
the possibility of Japan paying even the costs for combat forces 
left behind in Okinawa to participate in training in Guam and for 
their activities. 
 
Nobushige Takamizawa, the Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau 
director general, replied, without denying Japan's possible burden 
sharing in the future: "On expenses for transferring drills and 
other matters, we have made a specific judgment in each case." Kasai 
said: "Since the conclusion and the ratification of the Guam 
relocation accord is indisputably the gateway to Japan's unlimitedly 
expanded burden-sharing, the accord is totally unacceptable." 
 
Kasai also referred to the indication in the Defense Ministry's 
report on Japan's basic concept that if loans and funds rendered for 
U.S. military housing in Guam are not recovered over 50 years, the 
losses would be covered with tax money. He then criticized it: 
"Although nobody knows what the global situation would be 50 years 
from now, it is strange to offer (loans or funds) on the premise 
that such money will be surely paid back." Foreign Minister Hirofumi 
Nakasone replied: "It certainly is difficult to predict the 
situation 50 years in the future." 
 
(8) Editorial: Can new U.S. strategy serve as a turning point for 
stability of Afghanistan? 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
April 2, 2009 
 
The U.S. Obama administration has unveiled a new comprehensive 
strategy for Afghanistan combining military support with civilian 
aid to help bring stability to that country. A multilateral 
 
TOKYO 00000780  010 OF 010 
 
 
cabinet-level meeting held in The Hague has supported the U.S.-led 
new policy. The international community has confirmed a policy 
course to work together toward a solution to the Afghan issue. 
 
The current situation in Afghanistan, a country dotted with bases of 
international terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and other forces that 
sympathize with it, is serving as a breeding ground for drugs 
farming poppies for drugs, is a source of great concern for global 
security. We hope to see the new U.S. strategy and the confirmed 
international cooperation will serve as a turning point for the 
improvement of the situation in Afghanistan. 
 
It has been seven and a half years since the United States launched 
a military intervention. Although over 60,000 troops have been 
stationed in Afghanistan centering on U.S. forces, the country's 
security has continued to deteriorate. With European countries 
remaining reluctant to send additional troops, it has become clear 
that it is difficult to rely solely on military power to bring 
stability to that country. The Obama administration's comprehensive 
strategy putting an emphasis on civilian assistance and diplomatic 
efforts is intended to facilitate stabilization on all fronts. 
 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has advocated reconciliation 
with moderate Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group. What makes 
the Obama administration unique is that it seeks the stability of 
the region including Pakistan whose border with Afghanistan is 
dotted with Al-Qaeda bases. 
 
The Afghan presidential election set for August must be a short-term 
challenge. In the long run, nation-building must be pursued via 
restoring security by strengthening the police system in the 
country, developing industries, and improving the administration. 
 
The United States has announced that it would send an additional 
17,000 troops to Afghanistan. The United States will also send an 
additional 4,000 troops to Afghanistan for nurturing its military 
and police officers. To Pakistan, the United States will extend 1.5 
billion dollars in annual aid over the next five years. 
 
For the stability of Afghanistan, cooperation of its neighboring 
countries, such as China, Russia, India, and Iran, is essential. 
Sending its vice foreign minister to a cabinet-level meeting in The 
Hague, Iran, which takes an adversarial stance toward the United 
States, has also promised cooperation on antinarcotics measures. 
 
Japan is also expected to play a major role in economic 
reconstruction, agricultural development, and developing human 
resources for the administration and the police force. The Japanese 
government has already announced to extend an aid package worth 2 
billion dollars. At this stage, Japan should consider additional 
contribution measures. 
 
ZUMWALT