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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001759 
 
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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/03/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
 
2) Editorials 
 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
 
4) F-35 to be considered as next generation fighter, now that the 
first choice, F-22, has been ruled out (Mainichi) 
 
5) Even though the F-22 is no longer pursuable as the next 
generation fighter, the Defense Ministry intends to continue to 
press the U.S. for information on the plane (Yomiuri) 
 
6) Regular consultations between the U.S. and Japan on the "nuclear 
umbrella" to start in mid-September (Nikkei) 
 
7) Opposition parties continue stinging criticism of Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) head Hatoyama's remark about continuing MSDF 
refueling in the Indian Ocean (Yomiuri) 
 
8) Group of 14 governors call for SOFA review (Yomiuri) 
 
Election campaign: 
 
9) DPJ still has the election lead over the Liberal Democratic Party 
(LDP) in latest Asahi poll (Asahi) 
 
10) Nine organizations rate coalition's performance and give it a 
caustic review (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
11) Party leaders stump across the country attacking other parties' 
policies (Nikkei) 
 
12) LDP releases manifesto (campaign pledges) with heavy focus on 
economic policy measures (Yomiuri) 
 
13) LDP, in foreign and security policies portion of manifesto, 
stresses continuation of MSDF refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
(Yomiuri) 
 
14) DPJ in manifesto wants to create an equal alliance with the U.S. 
(Nikkei) 
 
15) Interview with DPJ President Hatoyama: Seeks independent foreign 
policy for Japan not dependent on the United States (Asahi) 
 
16) Hatoyama plans to have his cabinet installed by mid-September so 
he can attend the UN General Assembly as premier (Mainichi) 
 
17) Hatoyama sets up the outline of a cabinet strategy bureau that 
will be directly him (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
LDP, New Komeito get low score on 2005 campaign pledges 
 
TOKYO 00001759  002 OF 013 
 
 
 
Mainichi: 
Enola Gay crew surprised at unexpected radiation damage 
 
Yomiuri: 
First lay judge trial to start today 
 
Nikkei: 
Accounting body seeks more transparency in banks' risky assets 
 
Sankei: 
Hironoshin Furuhashi dies in Roma at age of 80 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
DPJ to have its policy chief head a National Strategy Bureau 
 
Akahata: 
Failure of medical services system caused by LDP-New Komeito 
government 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Next-generation transmission network: Japan urged to become low 
carbon society 
(2) Rugby World Cup: Japan will host in 2019 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Manifestos for 2009 Lower House election: Need to create 
assessment system 
(2) Crime situation: Police should restore reliability 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Minimum wage should always exceed welfare 
(2) Pay full attention to infections abroad 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Speed up efforts for realizing a gender-equal society 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Pledge for declining birthrate: Explanation needed for fiscal 
resources and fairness 
(2) U.S.-China strategic dialogue: Power of "U.S.-Japan alliance" to 
be reviewed 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) 2009 Lower House election: Show future picture of employment 
(2) NPO bank: Don't nip growing bank in the bud 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Deteriorating employment situation: Need to correct lawless 
major companies 
 
(09080305kn) Back to Top 
 
Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
3) Prime Minister's schedule, August 1 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 2, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00001759  003 OF 013 
 
 
08:24 
Left Tokyo station on Max Toki-309 train 
 
10:38 
Arrived at JR Niigata station 
 
10:58 
Toured site where Megumi Yokota was abducted in Niigata; accompanied 
by Kyoko Nakayama, prime minister's adviser on abduction issue, 
Upper House member Ichiro Tsukada, others 
 
11:32 
Arrived at Okura Hotel, Niigata 
 
12:23 
Street corner speech in front of construction company Kagata Corp. 
 
14:10 
Street corner speech in front of Murakami City Hall 
 
15:59 
Street corner speech in front of Uokuro Supermarket in Niitsu 
 
17:19 
Street corner speech in front of Uokuro Supermarket in Yoshida, 
Tsubame City 
 
18:26 
Left JR Tsubame-sanjo station on MaxToki-344 train 
20:11 Arrived at JR Tokyo station 
 
20:27 
Arrived at official residential quarters 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, August 2 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 3, 2009 
 
08:10 
Left JR Tokyo station on Nozomi-11 train 
 
09:56 
Arrived at JR Nagoya station 
 
10:31 
Office of candidate for Lower House election at Miwa-cho, Aichi 
Prefecture 
 
11:18 
Street corner speech in front of Nakamura-koen subway station 
 
12:01 
Met Chubu Economic Federation Chairman Kawaguchi, Nagoya Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry Chairman Okada, Aichi Governor Masaaki Kanda, 
others at Nagoya Kanko Hotel 
 
13:29 
Street corner speech in front of Ito Yokado Supermarket in 
Owariasahi City 
 
14:47 
 
TOKYO 00001759  004 OF 013 
 
 
Street corner speech in front of Apita Supermarket in Kozoji, 
Kasugai City 
 
15:56 
Street corner speech in front of Apita Supermarket in Ichinomiya 
City 
 
16:51 
LDP Aichi Chapter office in Otsubashi Hall, Nagoya City 
 
17:14 
Street corner speech at Sakae intersection 
 
18:10 
Left JR Nagoya station on Nonomi-132 train 
 
19:53 
Arrived at JR Tokyo station 
 
20:07 
Arrived at official residential quarters 
 
DEFENSE AND SECURITY AFFAIRS 
 
4) ASDF likely to mull F-35 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 1, 2009 
 
The F-22, a U.S.-developed state-of-the-art fighter jet model, is a 
strong candidate for the Air Self-Defense Force's follow-on mainstay 
fighter plane (FX). On July 30, however, the U.S. House of 
Representatives passed a defense spending bill, which crossed out a 
budget slot that had been earmarked for the United States to produce 
additional F-22s. Eventually, the Defense Ministry can hardly 
introduce the F-22. As it stands, the ministry will likely begin 
studying the F-35 and other alternative models. 
 
The U.S. Congress continues to embargo the F-22 for security 
reasons, and U.S. Defense Secretary Gates has also clarified that he 
would stop producing F-22 jets after producing 187 F-22s as planned. 
The F-22 was therefore a hard choice. In June, however, both the 
U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives approved a defense 
spending bill that included appropriations for a feasibility study 
of F-22 exports to Japan. The Defense Ministry therefore had hopes 
for its F-22 introduction plan. 
 
However, the House's passage of the bill has further made it 
difficult for Japan to introduce the F-22. "Japan will now have to 
think about an alternative model," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo 
Kawamura said in a press conference yesterday. A senior official of 
the Defense Ministry also indicated that it would be almost 
impossible to introduce the F-22. 
 
The ASDF Air Staff Office, however, is so keen with its desire to 
procure the F-22, which has the world's best stealth capability. 
"The United States may stop producing the F-22, but they have yet to 
decide not to produce its export version," an ASO officer said 
regretfully. 
 
5) Giving up on F-22, selection of next main fighter may be delayed 
significantly; MOD to "continue gathering information" 
 
TOKYO 00001759  005 OF 013 
 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
August 1, 2009 
 
In light of the U.S. House of Representatives' deletion of budget 
allocations for the procurement of additional F-22 fighters - which 
is Japan's first choice for its next main fighter (FX) - the 
government has given up on importing F-22s. However, prospects are 
unclear for the selection of a different model. A senior Ministry of 
Defense (MOD) official says the ministry will "continue to gather 
information," but since the selection process so far had focused on 
the F-22, a significant delay in the FX selection process appears to 
be certain. 
 
The current Mid-term Defense Buildup Program (FY05-09) provides for 
contracting for the procurement of seven FX. With the delay in 
procurement, issues such as dealing with the aging of the F-4 and 
other fighters in service with restriction of flight time will 
become a problem. 
 
6) Coordination underway to start Japan-U.S. regular consultations 
on "nuclear umbrella" around mid-September 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
August 2, 2009 
 
The Japanese and U.S. governments have begun coordination to hold 
the first meeting of the regular consultations on extended 
deterrence, including the "nuclear umbrella" provided by the U.S. to 
Japan, around mid-September. At first, the U.S. side had wanted 
strongly to start the consultations before the House of 
Representatives election on August 30, but it eventually judged that 
the meeting should be held after the Japanese government is firmly 
established, in light of the possibility of a change in the 
administration's framework. 
 
The holding of regular consultations on extended deterrence was 
agreed upon at the Japan-U.S. Security Subcommittee (SSC) held at 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on July 18. The purpose of 
the consultations is to conduct regular exchange of views on ways to 
maintain and reinforce deterrence in response to changes in the East 
Asian security environment, such as North Korea's development of 
nuclear arms and China's military buildup. 
 
The consultations were originally set at the working level, but it 
has been suggested that the meeting may be upgraded to a higher 
level depending on the administration's composition after the Lower 
House. The framework and starting date of the meeting will be 
finalized based on the wishes of the post-election administration. 
 
The Japanese side intends to get a briefing on the role of U.S. 
nuclear arms and its deterrence system in relation to the process of 
updating the "Nuclear Posture Review" next year. The U.S. side will 
indicate its policy of maintaining and reinforcing extended 
deterrence and seek the Japanese side's understanding. 
 
7) SDP, PNP unhappy with Hatoyama's "continue refueling" remark 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 1, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan, Social Democratic Party, and People's 
 
TOKYO 00001759  006 OF 013 
 
 
New Party yesterday held a meeting of their secretaries general and 
policy chiefs in the Diet. In the meeting, DPJ President Hatoyama 
indicated that if there is a change of government, Japan will 
continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's ongoing refueling 
activities in the Indian Ocean for the time being. The SDP and the 
PNP voiced complaints about this. 
 
SDP Vice President Seiji Mataichi criticized Hatoyama's remarks, 
complaining: "It's strange to say such an imprudent thing to cause 
commotion among the opposition parties." PNP Deputy President 
Shizuka Kamei was also critical, saying, "That sounds like saying 
you think your party has already taken over the reins of 
government." 
 
In the meeting, the three parties agreed to work out their common 
policies by mid-August toward the upcoming general election for the 
now-dissolved House of Representatives. 
 
8) Base-hosting governors call for SOFA revisions 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
August 1, 2009 
 
A liaison and consultative body of 14 governors from Tokyo, 
Hokkaido, and other prefectures hosting U.S. military facilities 
yesterday made a proposal in written form to the Foreign Ministry, 
requesting the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) be 
revised drastically. The proposal notes that the SOFA pact is now 
about 50 years old but has never been revised. The base-hosting 
governors request the U.S. military comply promptly with Japan's 
request to enter U.S. bases and hand over U.S. military personnel 
who committed a crime. 
 
ELECTION CAMPAIGN 
 
9) Pre-election poll: DPJ keeps lead position 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
August 3, 2009 
 
Ahead of the upcoming general election for the now-dissolved House 
of Representatives, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based 
nationwide public opinion survey on Aug. 1-2. In the survey, 
respondents were asked which political party they would vote for in 
their proportional representation blocs if they were to vote now. In 
this public preference of political parties for proportional 
representation, the Democratic Party of Japan scored 39% (42% in the 
last survey taken July 18-19). The Liberal Democratic Party 
rebounded somewhat, but the DPJ remains far ahead of the LDP. 
 
Respondents were also asked to what extent they thought the LDP and 
the DPJ are competent to run the government. To this question, 
"very" and "somewhat" totaled 47% for the LDP and 54% for the DPJ. 
As seen from the figures, the DPJ was somewhat above the LDP. 
 
In addition, respondents were asked if they had expectations for the 
LDP or the DPJ about economic policy measures, state fiscal deficit 
turnaround measures, and foreign relations and defense issues. On 
economic policy measures, 31% chose the LDP, with 47% picking the 
DPJ. On fiscal deficit turnaround measures as well, the DPJ was 
above the LDP, with the DPJ reaching 46% and the LDP at 28%. Prime 
Minister Aso has stressed actual results from his economic stimulus 
 
TOKYO 00001759  007 OF 013 
 
 
measures and liability for fiscal management. However, the public is 
in favor of the DPJ. On foreign relations and defense issues, the 
LDP outdistanced the DPJ, with the LDP scoring 49% and the DPJ at 
27%. Among DPJ supporters as well, 33% said they had expectations 
for the LDP. 
 
Respondents were further asked if they would like other political 
parties to gain more seats in the upcoming election. To this 
question, a total of 54% answered "yes," with a total of 38% saying 
"no." Meanwhile, the proportion of those "very interested" in the 
upcoming general election increased to 49% in the survey this time 
from 43% in the last survey. 
 
The Aso cabinet's support rate was 18% (17% in the last survey), and 
its nonsupport rate was 63% (69% in the last survey). In the 
breakdown of public support for political parties, the last survey 
found the LDP down to 20%, the lowest ever under the current polling 
methodology adopted in April 2001, but the party rebounded to 24% in 
the survey this time. The DPJ was at 26% (31% in the last survey). 
 
10) LDP-New Komeito administration gets extremely severe ratings, 
scoring 57 points at highest, 25 points at lowest out of hundred 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
August 3, 2009 
 
The 21st Century Ad Hoc Council for the Promotion of Administrative 
Reform, consisting of experts, held an administration achievement 
evaluation meeting to verify the track records of the Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP)-New Komeito administration since the 2005 
Lower House election. Nine organizations participated in the 
meeting, including the Japan Association of Corporate Executives 
(Keizai Doyukai), the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), 
and various think tanks. 
 
In the ratings, Rengo gave the lowest score of 25 out of 100 points. 
Even the highest score, given by the Association of Prefectural 
Governors, was only 57. 
 
Each organization rated the management of the administration and the 
track record of policy implementation, based on the manifestos 
issued for the 2005 Lower House election and the 2008 Upper House 
election. 
 
The continuity of the manifestos received especially low ratings. 
Many groups pointed out that which policies have been inherited or 
changed is particularly unclear as changes of administration have 
taken place almost every year in the order of Koizumi, Abe, Fukuda 
and Abe. Some also pointed out that the administration's 
accountability was insufficient. 
 
In an overview debate held after all organizations submitted their 
reports, Co-chairman Takeshi Sasaki said, "It is necessary for the 
administration to recognize that the risk of not inheriting policies 
is heavy." The administration achievement evaluation meeting has 
been held before national elections since the 2003 Lower House 
election. This was the fourth meeting. 
 
11) Battle of words between Aso and Hatoyama on policy and fiscal 
resources moving into full gear 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
 
TOKYO 00001759  008 OF 013 
 
 
August 3, 2009 
 
Ruling and opposition parties have now issued their manifestos 
(campaign pledges) for the House of Representatives election on Aug. 
¶30. Policy debate is intensifying. Prime Minister Taro Aso gave a 
stump speech on Aug. 2 in Nagoya City. He stressed: "The 
government's economic stimulus measures are still underway. I want 
voters to compare policies of other parties with those of the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)." In Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama criticized 
the LDP-New Komeito government's tendency to increase taxes. He 
emphasized: "I want you to make a judgment in the election on what 
the LDP-New Komeito administration did in four years." 
 
On Aug. 2, the first weekend after all the ruling and opposition 
parties unveiled their manifestos, the ruling and opposition 
parties' policy chiefs participated in policy debates on TV talk 
shows. 
 
Yoshimasa Hayashi, special assistant to the LDP Policy Research 
Council chairman, criticized the DPJ, which came up with new 
policies that would cost 16.8 trillion yen, saying: 
 
"That's a first step toward a large government. The DPJ should make 
clear which special accounts' surplus will be spent and how much 
reserve funds will be used. Otherwise, we will be very worried about 
it." 
 
Pointing out the need for an early establishment of a regional bloc 
system basic law, LDP Deputy Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara 
said: "At the time when regional blocs are created, the government 
office district of Kasumigaseki will be disbanded." 
 
DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Masayuki Naoshima 
emphasized: 
 
"We will directly provide money to people who need support (through 
child care allowances and compensation for individual farmers). The 
ruling coalition has wasted a lot of money by indirectly offering 
money to industrial associations in order to implement policies." 
 
12) LDP manifesto attaches importance to economic growth: Household 
income to be boosted by 1 million yen over next decade 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
August 1, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso (Liberal Democratic Party president) on July 
31 released his party's manifesto (campaign pledges) for the Lower 
House election at a press conference held at the LDP Headquarters. 
Based on the LDP stance of continuing to us public spending to 
stimulate the economy, the manifesto mentions specific goals, such 
as reaching annual economic growth of 2 percent, securing roughly 2 
million jobs by creating demand worth between 40 trillion yen and 60 
trillion yen over the next three years, and raising per-capita 
income to the top level in the world by increasing each household's 
disposable income to by 1 million yen over the next 10 years. Now 
that all major parties have issued their manifestos, a full-scale 
war of words is about to kick off. 
 
The manifesto consists of two versions - the policy BANK, which 
covers overall policies, and the digest version. Key policies are 
 
TOKYO 00001759  009 OF 013 
 
 
shown in three areas - reassurance, vitality and responsibility. In 
the reassurance area, education fees for pre-school children will be 
reduced in stages and made free eventually in the fiscal 2012. For 
higher education school education, the manifesto pledges to set up a 
cash handout-type grant system and make tuition fees free for 
students of low income-earners free. As social security policy, the 
manifest also pledges to introduce a social security number and card 
system. 
 
Gist of LDP manifesto 
 
Q Take legal steps needed to fundamentally reform the tax code, 
including the sales tax, by fiscal 2010 and implement such without 
delay once the economy turns around. 
Q Cut pre-school children's education fees for three years in stages 
and made them free in the fiscal 2012. 
Q Bring about annualized economic growth rate of 2 percent in the 
second half of the fiscal 2010. Increase each household's disposable 
income by 1 million yen over the next 10 years. 
Q Enact a doshu or regional bloc system at an early date and 
introduce the system possibly in six to eight years' time after the 
enactment. 
Q Implement security measures necessary to intercept North 
Korea-launched ballistic missiles heading toward the U.S. or defend 
vessels of the U.S., with which Japan closely cooperate regarding 
missile defense. 
 
13) LDP manifesto plays up "responsibility" as party in power, 
pledging to continue refueling mission in Indian Ocean 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
August 1, 2009 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party unveiled on July 31 its manifesto 
(campaign pledges) for the upcoming House of Representatives 
election, saying that it has listed feasible policies by emphasizing 
the word "responsibility" as the party in power. But a point has 
been made that the explanations of funding sources for policies and 
their roadmaps are insufficient and that the party cannot criticize 
the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) fiscal resources as 
ambiguous. 
 
The LDP manifesto has defined the Japan-U.S. alliance as the 
cornerstone of our country's foreign policy. The party also pledges 
to proceed with U.S. force realignment as planned and to continue 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean. 
 
It is also noteworthy that the manifesto clearly stipulates that the 
LDP will take necessary security measures to allow (the SDF) to 
intercept a ballistic missile heading for the United States and to 
defend U.S. warships jointly engaged in ballistic missile defense. 
Although such steps are conditioned on protection of the Japanese 
people from North Korean ballistic missiles, they might have an 
impact on the government's constitutional interpretation that 
prohibits the exercise of the right to collective self-defense. 
 
The manifesto also specifies the legislation of a permanent 
(general) law governing the dispatch of the SDF to carry out 
international peacekeeping operations. The permanent law will allow 
the SDF to deal with situations swiftly. Also included in the 
manifesto is the establishment of a national security council at the 
 
TOKYO 00001759  010 OF 013 
 
 
Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei), an idea considered in 
the former Abe cabinet. It is designed to reinforce the control 
tower's functions to handle foreign and security affairs. The LDP 
also pledges to bring all those abducted by North Korea back to 
Japan. 
 
14) "Responsibility" or "change of government"? LDP manifesto eyes 
raising economic level through growth, DPJ's platform puts emphasis 
on assistance directly connected with households 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
August 1, 2009 
 
Both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the major 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) unveiled their manifestos 
(campaign pledges) by July 31 for the upcoming House of 
Representatives election. The DPJ's manifesto lists scores of 
measures directly supporting people's livelihoods, while the LDP's 
policy platform is designed to raise the nation's economic level 
through a growth strategy. The difference in policies between the 
LDP which plays up its "responsibility" and the DPJ which advocates 
a "change of government" is becoming clear. 
 
LDP pledges to enhance Japan-U.S. alliance, while DPJ plays up equal 
partnership 
 
Both the LDP and the DPJ have defined the U.S.-Japan alliance as the 
basis of the country's foreign and security policies. But there are 
gaps in the two parties' psychological distances from the United 
States. The gaps are particularly evident regarding such matters as 
the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces' 
contributions to the international community. 
 
The LDP pledges to promote U.S. force realignment, a top priority 
for the U.S., as well as to take measures to allow (the SDF) to 
intercept a ballistic missile targeting the United States. They are 
designed to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance. The LDP also aims at 
the legislation of a permanent (basic international cooperation) law 
allowing the government to dispatch the SDF overseas as required. 
 
In contrast, the DPJ, advocating a Japan-U.S. alliance based on 
equality, envisages a review of U.S. force realignment and a 
revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. DPJ President 
Yukio Hatoyama has expressed his opposition to extending the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in the Indian 
Ocean in defiance of America's hope for its continuation. 
 
The two parties are also wide apart regarding trade liberalization. 
The DPJ plans to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with the 
United States. The conclusion of an FTA with the United States, a 
major agricultural exporter, is certain to have a serious impact on 
farmers in the country. The LDP plays up its stance of giving 
consideration to the domestic agricultural sector in conducting 
agricultural negotiations with other countries. 
 
15) Interview with DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama: Independent 
diplomacy that does not rely on U.S.; No dual structure of power 
with Ozawa 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
August 1, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00001759  011 OF 013 
 
 
Q: What is the significance of the forthcoming election and what is 
your criterion of victory? 
 
Hatoyama: This election is for a change of government. In order to 
change bureaucrat-centered politics to politics where the people 
play the leading role in developing policy, the coalition government 
of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito needs to be 
ended by all means, and a new politics with the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) at its core needs to be set up. (My criterion of 
victory) is to win as many seats as possible more than the LDP, 
allowing the DPJ to become the number one party. Maintaining a 
majority with the cooperation of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 
and the People's New Party (PNP) is imperative. We would like to 
make every effort to achieve this goal. 
 
Q: You have decided not to extend the refueling mission of the 
Self-Defense Forces in the Indian Ocean. Will this not give rise to 
friction in the Japan-U.S. relationship? 
 
Hatoyama: While we attach utmost importance to the Japan-U.S. 
alliance, it is necessary not to rely on the U.S. and develop a more 
independent foreign policy. A diplomatic posture of giving 
importance both to Asia and the U.S. is required. It is possible 
that we may seek an appropriate "distance" in security. The most 
important thing is how to build a relationship of trust with 
President Obama. Based on this relationship, we will gather 
information and conduct a comprehensive review. I have no intention 
to change the basic policy line. 
 
Q: If you become the prime minister, will you attend the UN General 
Assembly and the G-20 financial summit in mid- and late September? 
 
Hatoyama: Great importance should be given to the UN General 
Assembly and the G-20 regardless of who takes over the 
administration. If the DPJ comes to power, we will make efforts to 
deal with such diplomatic agenda. This will be quite difficult to do 
if a cabinet is not formed by then. 
 
Q: Many of the plans you have for the new administration require 
legislative measures. 
 
Hatoyama: Legislation will be necessary to give the National 
Strategy Bureau (reporting directly to the prime minister, which 
will decide the outline of the budget, etc.) strong powers. However, 
it is not impossible to launch the Bureau (without legislative 
measures). If we take over the government, I am thinking of passing 
the relevant laws in the extraordinary Diet session (this fall). 
 
Q: What will you do with Deputy President Ichiro Ozawa? Will there 
not be a dual structure of power? 
 
Hatoyama: I have not thought about (what to do with him). The 
Hosokawa administration ended up with a dual structure of power 
because it managed the government and the ruling parties separately 
like the LDP administration. We will make sure that policymaking 
takes place in the government as much as possible. There will be no 
dual structure of power. 
 
Q: Will there be any change in the coalition with the SDP and the 
PNP depending on the outcome of the House of Councillors election in 
summer 2010? 
 
 
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Hatoyama: When forming the coalition, we will have to respect the 
wishes of the SDP and the PNP. It is also necessary to think about 
stable steering of the administration based on their wishes. We have 
no plan to hold power alone. I think it is rather very sensible to 
manage the administration with the cooperation of other parties for 
the sake of stability. 
 
DPJ's Hatoyama plans to form a cabinet by mid-September 
 
16) MAINICHI (Page 1) (Almost full) 
August 3, 2009 
 
In an interview to the Mainichi Shimbun July 31, Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama said that if his party comes to 
power in the upcoming House of Representatives election, he will 
attend as prime minister the UN General Assembly to be held in 
September in the United States. He then expressed his intention to 
form a new administration by mid-September. He said: "It will be 
extremely difficult (for me to attend the UN session) unless a 
cabinet is formed by that time." 
 
Hatoyama stated: "Since the DPJ has advocated its policy of placing 
importance on the United Nations, we want to carry out diplomacy 
based on such policy when we take the reins of government." He also 
pointed out: "Priority should be given to the Group of 20 Summit 
(financial summit)." 
 
The UN General Assembly will take place on Sept. 15 in New York. 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hatoyama has received 
an invitation to the High Level Meeting on Climate Change to be held 
on Sept. 22. 
 
With regard to the deputy chief cabinet secretary for administrative 
affairs, who is in charge of coordination among ministries and 
agencies, he indicated that there would be a possibility of 
appointing from former administrative vice ministers, as well as 
from the private sector. He said: "I don't mind appointing neither 
public- or private-sector persons if the person can control well 
bureaucrats." 
 
Hatoyama stressed that how to secure fiscal resources would become a 
main issue in the campaigning for the next Lower House election. 
 
17) DPJ to have its policy chief head a National Strategy Bureau 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full) 
August 3, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama finalized 
the outline of a National Strategy Bureau, which the party included 
in its manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the upcoming House of 
Representatives election. (The DPJ plans to set up the strategic 
bureau under the immediate control of the prime minister.) Hatoyama 
will have the DPJ's Policy Research committee chairman concurrently 
serve as bureau chief. The bureau will be made up of about 20 
members, including DPJ personnel, who are well-versed in policy, 
bureaucrats, and private-sector persons. The bureau will formulate 
the framework of a budget for fiscal 2010 under the leadership of 
the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). 
 
The DPJ stipulates five principles and five policies as a "Hatoyama 
administration vision (Hatoyama seiken koso)" in its manifesto. The 
 
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National Strategy Bureau will be in charge of substantiating one of 
the five principles that a DPJ-led administration will place 
priority on seeking Kantei-led national interests. 
 
The DPJ intends to change the existing budget compilation system. If 
a Hatoyama administration is inaugurated, the National Strategic 
Bureau will compile the outline of a budget, which will include top 
priority issues, and carry out coordination with relevant cabinet 
ministers at a "Cabinet Committee." 
 
Therefore, Hatoyama is determined that it is desirable to have the 
party's policy chief serve as head of the bureau. He intends to 
implement the administrative principles by letting his cabinet make 
policies, abandoning the present system of coming up with policies 
separately by the government and the ruling parties. 
 
Hatoyama will also put an Administrative Reform Council (gyosei 
sasshin kaigi) under the prime minister's direct control. The 
council will in charge of eliminating wasted budgets. He intends to 
have private-sector persons, who have worked on examining carefully 
local governments' projects and their effectiveness, check national 
projects. 
 
ZUMWALT