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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 000875 
 
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 04/16/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Former Prime Minister Abe in meeting with U.S. Vice President 
Biden supports the President's nuclear policy [Mainichi] 
 
(2) Visit to Hawaii by Imperial couple and Pearl Harbor becomes an 
"issue" [Sunday Mainichi] 
 
(3) Who should play main role, MSDF or JCG? Should prior Diet 
approval be mandatory? Gulf exists between ruling and opposition 
camps over antipiracy legislation [Asahi] 
 
(4) U.S. still exploring possibility of dialogue policy line: DPRK's 
hard-line within range of expectations [Nikkei] 
 
(5) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura reveals that he had 
expressed view that moving Futenma replacement facility to offshore 
site was within Japan's permissible scope [Ryukyu Shimpo] 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Former Prime Minister Abe in meeting with U.S. Vice President 
Biden supports the President's nuclear policy 
 
MAINICHI (Online edition) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
By Masaya Nogawa in Washington 
 
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting the United States, 
met with Vice President Biden at the White House where he handed 
over a letter addressed to President Obama from Prime Minister Taro 
Aso expressing support for the President's policy intention to head 
toward eliminating all nuclear weapons by ratifying the 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 
 
In their meeting, Abe stressed his backing by saying, "If the U.S. 
ratifies the CTBT, it would have an enormous impact in the world." 
The Vice President replied, "Japan's support is extremely 
important," welcoming it as material to persuade those in the U.S. 
opposed to ratification. 
 
The Vice President also discussed the United Nations Security 
Council's presidential statement that condemned North Korea for 
launching a ballistic missile. He highly praised Japan's response, 
saying: "It important for its extremely severe contents. If Japan 
had not participated as a member of the Council and played a major 
role, it would never have been adopted." On the abduction issue, he 
promised his cooperation, saying, "We support Japan's position." 
 
Abe during the meeting also touched on the visit to Japan by 
President Obama expected this fall, saying, "Japan is the only 
country ever to be atom bombed. I would like him to visit Japan with 
that in mind." Although this would seem to be his way of subtly 
floating the suggestion that the President visit Hiroshima when he 
comes to Japan, the Vice President, according to a briefing from the 
Japanese side, reportedly did not refer to any places he would 
visit. 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura: "It is not being considered by the 
government" 
 
 
TOKYO 00000875  002 OF 007 
 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, during his press conference on the 
morning of April 16, said this about the possibility of U.S. 
President Obama visiting Hiroshima when he comes to Japan this fall: 
"He is likely to come to Japan fully aware that Japan is the only 
country to be atom bombed, and that the United States is the only 
country to have used an atom bomb." However, he added, "At this 
point, there is no consideration being given by the government (to 
his visiting Hiroshima)." 
 
(2) Visit to Hawaii by Imperial couple and Pearl Harbor becomes an 
"issue" 
 
SUNDAY MAINICHI (Pp 220 & 221) (Excerpts) 
April 19, 2009 
 
By Hidemi Igarashi 
 
The Emperor and Empress have visited more than 30 countries in 20 
years, since the Emperor assumed the Imperial Throne. The Imperial 
couple will visit Canada and Hawaii in July. There was a recent fuss 
about a Kyodo News Agency's wire report -- "A visit to Pearl Harbor 
by the Emperor and Empress is being looked into" -- which the 
Imperial Household Agency totally denied. A delicate issue may 
emerge from this fuss. 
 
On March 2, many local newspapers such as The Hokkaido Shimbun Press 
and The Chugoku Shimbun carried in their morning editions such 
headlines as: "Visit to Pearl Harbor being looked into"; and, 
"Closure to be brought to postwar Japan-U.S. history." The local 
newspapers carried the news as distributed by Kyodo from 
Washington. 
 
Although it has been informally decided that the Emperor and Empress 
will visit Canada and Hawaii, the details of their trips have not 
been revealed as of March 2. According to the Kyodo dispatch, the 
Japanese and U.S. governments are coordinating schedules for the 
Imperial couple to pay a visit to Pearl Harbor. Kyodo's information 
came from "sources connected to Japan-U.S. relations." 
 
Last year, Lower House Speaker Yohei Kono visited the USS Arizona 
Memorial to reciprocate for a visit to Hiroshima by U.S. House of 
Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, no successive 
Japanese prime ministers have ever visited Pearl Harbor. If the 
Imperial couple visited that site, it would be an historic event. 
 
However, the Imperial Household Agency immediately denied the media 
reports. A source connected with the agency said: 
 
"As of March 1, when Kyodo distributed the news, the Agency received 
inquiries from news companies and broadcasters. The Agency has 
answered that the Imperial couple will not visit Pearl Harbor and 
that a visit is not being looked into." 
 
On March 12, the Agency gave a lecture about the Imperial couple's 
tour. In it, Grand Master of the Ceremonies Koichi Haraguchi once 
more denied media reports. 
 
Kyodo distributed the news that said: "According to Grand Master of 
the Ceremonies Haraguchi, the Emperor and the Empress will not visit 
Pearl Harbor. The purpose of their Hawaii visit is not to pay 
respects to the war dead." 
 
 
TOKYO 00000875  003 OF 007 
 
 
The Imperial couple will visit Canada, as they have received an 
invitation. The purpose of their visit to Hawaii is to attend an 
event for the 50th anniversary of a scholarship program that was 
established on the occasion of their marriage. 
 
The Imperial couple visited Hawaii in June 1994. At that time, a 
Pearl Harbor visit was planned. The Foreign Ministry looked into the 
possibility of their offering flowers at the USS Arizona Memorial. 
The ministry, however, met with opposition. Therefore, the plan was 
shelved. 
 
A source connected to the Imperial Household Agency said: 
 
"I presume that Kyodo's news was written by a correspondent in 
Washington, and the correspondent heard such a story from a Foreign 
Ministry official at the Japanese Embassy in Washington who wants 
the Emperor and the Empress to visit [Pearl Harbor]." 
 
A journalist pointed out: 
 
"There must be a pro-Japanese group in Washington who think that 
since the Royal couple went to the Punchbowl National Cemetery, they 
would be able to visit Pearl Harbor next time. On the Japanese side, 
as well, there must be those who are considering the possibility of 
a visit to Pearl Harbor by the Imperial couple. It would not be 
surprising to think that a visit to Pearl Harbor by the Emperor and 
the Empress could become a promising 'diplomatic card' that might 
lead to a visit to Hiroshima by President Barack Obama. It would not 
be out of the question for President Obama, who is calling for a 
world without nuclear weapons, to visit Hiroshima." 
 
The journalist means that if the leaders of Japan and the United 
States visited Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, the bilateral 
relationship would be strengthened further. 
 
The Emperor and the Empress visited China in 1992; Okinawa in 1993; 
Iwo Jima in 1994; and Saipan in 2005. So, would be possible for them 
to visit Pearl Harbor? 
 
Keio University Prof. Hidehiko Ogasawara, an expert in Japanese 
political history, commented: 
 
"Different from Saipan and other places, Pearl Harbor is a special 
place. Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor prior to the 
declaration of a state of war became a problem in view of 
international law. Since there is an interpretation that America had 
obtained information about Japan's surprise attack in advance, this 
is a historically complicated issue. The present Constitution states 
that the Emperor is the symbol of the state and the people and that 
the Emperor does not have powers related to government. However, a 
visit to Pearl Harbor is unavoidably related to responsibility for 
the war. The Foreign Ministry must have the idea of trying to 
politically exploit a visit to Pearl Harbor by the Emperor. However, 
the Imperial Household Agency thinks that political activities by 
the Emperor should be avoided at all costs." 
 
Haruki Wada, a historian and professor emeritus at the University of 
Tokyo, said: 
 
"America is the friendliest country for Japan. It is only natural 
for human being to offer flowers to console the spirits of deceased 
Hawaiians. I assume that the Emperor and the Empress think so, too. 
 
TOKYO 00000875  004 OF 007 
 
 
Although it is not easy to realize such a visit, we should think 
that their visit to Pearl Harbor would produce positive effects for 
Japan and the United States. I also hope that a visit to South Korea 
by the Imperial couple will be realized." 
 
(3) Who should play main role, MSDF or JCG? Should prior Diet 
approval be mandatory? Gulf exists between ruling and opposition 
camps over antipiracy legislation 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Jun Tabuse, Hisashi Ishimatsu 
 
The ruling and opposition parties kicked off their debate on 
antipiracy legislation yesterday at the House of Representatives' 
piracy and terrorism special committee. Who should play the central 
role in taking antipiracy measures in waters off Somalia, the Japan 
Coast Guard (JCG) or the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF)? What 
role should the Diet play? The government, ruling parties, and 
opposition parties remain divided on solutions to these issues. 
There are no signs of compromises. 
 
In yesterday's question-and-answer session, Hiroshi Kawauchi of the 
major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) pressed the 
government hard, saying, "We cannot cast aside the public's 
speculation that SDF dispatch is a foregone conclusion." 
 
The major difference between the plans produced by the government 
and the DPJ is who should play the main role in carrying out 
antipiracy measures. Both plans are based on the notion that the JCG 
would play the central role in principle. At the same time, the 
government plan is designed to allow the defense minister to issue 
an order to the SDF in situations that [the JCG] finds difficult to 
handle. The DPJ plan stipulates: "SDF troops are to carry out 
activities under orders from the antipiracy headquarters to be 
established." 
 
After confirming that the JCG has two large patrol boats comparable 
to MSDF destroyers, Kawauchi challenged the government, asking, "Why 
can't the JCG play the central role?" In response, Land, 
Infrastructure, and Transport Minister Kazuyoshi Kaneko rejected the 
option, saying: "In view of the distance from Japan, weapons the 
pirates possess, and measures by the militaries of other countries, 
this would be difficult under the current situation." The JCG has 
resisted playing the central role by presenting estimates that its 
mission in waters off Somalia would require five patrol boats that 
would cost 175 billion yen and take four years to build. 
 
The involvement of the Diet is another point at issue. The 
government plan, which defines the SDF's activities as part of 
maritime policing operations, requires the Defense Ministry to 
report to the Diet when approving an antipiracy mission and when the 
mission is over. Meanwhile, the DPJ plan requires prior Diet 
approval of the overseas dispatch of Japanese troops. The DPJ's 
Koichi Takemasa argued: "The Diet must play an appropriate role from 
the viewpoint of civilian control." 
 
The question of limitations to maritime policing activities is also 
a point of contention. This issue has surfaced in two cases in which 
the MSDF destroyers provided protection to foreign vessels that were 
not subject to escort. 
 
TOKYO 00000875  005 OF 007 
 
 
 
Kantoku Teruya of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) pressed the 
government, arguing: "If this is allowed, MSDF personnel who are on 
the mission based on Article 82 of the SDF Law would end up 
committing irregularities." Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada fended 
off Teruya's criticism, saying: "The action was taken from a 
humanitarian perspective without the use of force, and what you said 
will not happen." 
 
Meanwhile, the Diet affairs committee chairmen of the DPJ, SDP and 
the People's New Party met yesterday. In the session, the DPJ sought 
the other two parties' support for its antipiracy plan, and they 
took it to their parties. In yesterday's question-and-answer 
session, Gen Nakatani, who heads the LDP's antipiracy committee, 
expressed his eagerness for revision talks, saying: "We would like 
to conduct substantial deliberations, such as constructive revision 
talks." 
 
(4) U.S. still exploring possibility of dialogue policy line: DPRK's 
hard-line within range of expectations 
 
NIKKEI (Page 6) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
It is becoming clearer that despite its hard-line response toward 
Pyongyang, the Obama administration is maintaining a policy line of 
pursuing a dialogue with that country. The DPRK has announced its 
decision to opt out of the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear 
ambitions in opposition to the UN Security Council (UNSC) 
president's statement. However, senior officials at the White House 
and Department of State hinted at responding to direct talks with 
DPRK, even while criticizing the North's confrontational response. 
It has been three months since the Obama administration was 
launched, and as it tackled serious diplomatic issues, it seems 
motivated by a desire to avoid any strains in Northeast Asia. Press 
Secretary Gibbs at the outset of a press conference on April 14 read 
out the U.S. government's stance on the North Korea issue. The 
statement criticized North Korea as moving in the wrong direction, 
but it also underscored the efficacy of the Six-Party Talks and 
dialogue. 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Seiji Maehara at the 
entrance of the State Department building about two hours after the 
meeting mentioned Special Representative for North Korea Policy 
Special Bosworth's remark that the U.S. will respond to direct talks 
with the North, if deemed appropriate. Shortly after that, State 
Secretary Hillary Clinton after meeting with the Georgian foreign 
minister told reporters, "Eventually, there will be an opportunity 
to hold talks with North Korea." 
 
North Korea until April 14 has repeatedly revealed its hard-line 
stance concerning the Six-Party Talks and observers at its nuclear 
facility. Secretary Clinton exchanged views on the North Korea issue 
with Vice President Biden at a regular breakfast meeting. This 
suggests that the White House and the Department of State 
coordinated views regarding the moves of the North. 
 
Washington's move can be taken as riding on the North's calculation 
to have the U.S. engage in direct talks with it. However, the Obama 
administration had expected such a response from DPRK. Maintaining a 
policy course to hold talks with the North was, in a way, also a 
predetermined policy. 
 
TOKYO 00000875  006 OF 007 
 
 
 
With his 100th day in office close at hand, President Obama noted in 
a speech that there are signs of his economic policy making headway. 
He is entering the stage of making an overview of the initial phase 
of his political administration. The Middle East peace process is to 
resume in June. Nuclear disarmament talks with Russia are expected 
in July. The work for the pullout of U.S. forces stationed in Iraq 
and the reinforcement of the Afghan front will soon start in force. 
He will also get down to talks with Iran. 
 
To have strains mounting at such a time in Northeast Asia would not 
be desirable for the promotion of those other diplomatic and 
security policies. This factor is presumably behind the Obama 
administration's adhering to a dialogue policy line. 
 
Washington is pinning high hopes on China, the chair of the 
Six-Party Talks. The ultimate objective of U.S.-North Korea talks is 
to have the North return to the Six-Party Talks and make as much 
progress on the nuclear issue as possible. In that sense, the U.S. 
and China share the same position. Press Secretary Gibbs clearly 
expressed the U.S.'s expectations for China, noting, "President 
Obama hopes that China will play a constructive role." 
 
(5) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura reveals that he had 
expressed view that moving Futenma replacement facility to offshore 
site was within Japan's permissible scope 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full) 
April 16, 2009 
 
Michiyo Yonamine 
 
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura gave an interview 
to the Ryukyu Shimpo at the House of Representatives No. 1 Office 
Building yesterday. In it, touching on the planned relocation of the 
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, Machimura said: "Governor 
Hirokazu Nakaima's wishes must be respected as much as possible. 
Moving [the relocation site] 50 meters or several dozen meters [from 
the plan agreed upon by the United States and Japan] is within the 
permissible scope of a decision by Japan as a sovereign state and 
that that would not require the government to redo the 
[environmental impact] assessment." He thus indicated that the 
relocation site should be allowed to be moved up to 55 meters 
further offshore without redoing the environmental impact 
assessment. Machimura also revealed that in 2008 when he had been 
serving as chief cabinet secretary, he held talks with Governor 
Nakaima behind the scenes and that a settlement was about to be 
reached on making minor changes within the permissible scope based 
on a plan to move the relocation site to an offshore area. 
 
Coordination with the governor last fall 
 
It is the first time that what had been arranged between the 
government and Okinawa behind the scene for the relocation of 
Futenma Air Station has been revealed. In a Futenma relocation 
consultative council meeting on April 8, Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Takeo Kawamura cited Machimura's comment, saying, "We keep in mind 
the local wishes, including the moving of the location." As 
evidenced by this, the present administration has a stance of giving 
consideration to the governor, as was the previous administration. 
 
In the interview, Machimura indicated that the governor's 
 
TOKYO 00000875  007 OF 007 
 
 
cooperation was essential for realizing the relocation, saying: "Not 
all the governor's wishes would come true, and things do not move 
forward unless broad local understanding is obtained. Landfill work 
for using surface areas, the last step for the relocation, requires 
the governor's seal of approval. When the prefectural police make 
moves, the response to the anti-base group differs largely depending 
on whether or not there is the governor's backup." 
 
Machimura also explained that in the fall of 2008, he had envisaged 
that the matter would be settled on moving the relocation site to an 
offshore area. He also said that the government had looked for ways 
to specify in its preliminary environmental assessment report that 
the replacement facility shall be moved further offshore and that 
the moving distance shall be discussed later on. The government 
sought then U.S. Deputy Defense Undersecretary Richard Lawless' 
understanding of the offshore plan, according to Machimura. 
 
Machimura also indicated that he had included the Futenma issue in 
the list of top priorities for his successor, Takeo Kawamura, and 
that he advised Kawamura: "You should hold an introductory 
consultative council meeting at an early time so as not to send the 
wrong message that the current administration is slighting 
Okinawa." 
 
ZUMWALT