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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002089 
 
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 09/10/09 
 
Index: 
1) Editorials 
2) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
3) DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama's schedule, September 9  (Nikkei) 
 
Politics 
4) DPJ sets foreign and security policy with an eye toward U.S. 
(Nikkei) 
5) Shrewd New Komeito pursues omnidirectional diplomacy  (Sankei) 
6) DPJ, SDP, and PNP to form coalition government  (Nikkei) 
7) Coalition partners reach compromise on security policy; SDP still 
harbors concerns  (Asahi) 
8) DPJ, SDP, and PNP reach agreement on coalition  (Yomiuri) 
9) Reviewing realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan  (Yomiuri) 
 
Foreign Relations 
10) U.S. Ambassador to Japan: "Strengthening bilateral relationship 
top priority"  (Nikkei) 
11) Gist of Ambassador Roos's comments   (Nikkei) 
12) Futenma transfer potential flashpoint in policy toward U.S. 
(Mainichi) 
 
Space 
13) H2B" to be launched tomorrow  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun: 
DPJ, SDP, PNP agree to form coalition government 
 
Akahata: 
JCP Chairman Shii delivers speech on JCP's 87th anniversary 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) SDP, PNP have responsibility as coalition government members 
(2) LDP in turmoil: LDP members must run for the presidency 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) DPJ, SDP, PNO should run coalition administration in line with 
popular will 
(2) Baseball player Ichiro's never-ending challenge 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Coalition deal could shake alliance with U.S. 
(2) Japan needs effective policy to increase spending on education 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Coalition government should not distort policies 
(2) Rules to prevent credit crunch needed 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Coalition deal could raise doubts about maintenance of 
Japan-U.S. alliance 
(2) Put a stop to increase in bad teachers 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Coalition agreement: Three parties' compromises could become 
source of trouble 
 
TOKYO 00002089  002 OF 009 
 
 
(2) Eight years since 9/11 terrorist attacks: President Obama must 
end Afghan war 
 
Akahata: 
(1) LDP presidential race: Defeat in general election has deepened 
chaos in LDP 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 9 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
08:03 Took a walk near official residential quarters 
10:25 Met former Lower House member Nobuhiko Endo at the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
11:05 Met Chairman Masahiro Akiyama of Ocean Policy Research 
Foundation; followed by LDP Youth Division chief Shinji Inoue; 
followed by Upper House member Junzo Yamamoto, secretary general of 
Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union, Japan chapter, and members of 
the Union, Upper House members Tsukasa Akimoto, Yasuhiro Oe, Shinobu 
Kandori 
13:15 Renewed driver's license at Metropolitan Police Department 
driver's license renewal center in Uchikanda 
14:09 Arrived at Kantei 
18:44 Arrived at official residential quarters; met Yoshinobu 
Shimamura, special assistant to LDP president, and his wife 
Back to Top 
 
 
DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama's schedule, September 9 
 
08:30 Left residence in Denenchofu 
09:04 Met Secretary General Katsuya Okada at DPJ headquarters 
09:28 Met PRC Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei with Okada; followed by 
Sapporo Mayor Fumio Ueda; followed by former Finance Minister Koji 
Omi; DPJ Executive Office Chairman Hirofumi Hirano also present at 
meeting 
10:27 Met New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Secretary General 
Yoshihisa Inoue, Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Yoshio Urushibara, 
Policy Research Council Chairman Tetsuo Saito, Okada, DPJ Diet 
Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka at Diet building 
10:54 Arrived at personal office in Nagata-cho 
13:37 Met former DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Yoshito 
Sengoku, Hirano at DPJ headquarters; Hirano stayed behind 
14:42 Arrived at personal office 
15:37 Met Chairman Tadashi Kato of Hokkaido Ainu Association at DPJ 
headquarters 
16:00 Met Hokkaido Governor Harumi Takahashi 
16:26 Met Wataru Aso, chairman of National Association of Governors, 
and representatives of five other groups; Deputy President Naoto Kan 
also present at meeting 
17:02 Met President Makoto Miyazaki of Japan Federation of Bar 
Associations; Sengoku also present at meeting 
17:30 Met SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima, PNP leader Shizuka Kamei at 
Diet building; accompanied by Okada, DPJ Policy Research Committee 
Chairman Masayuki Naoshima, SDP Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno, 
PNP policy chief Shozaburo Jimi 
18:24 Watched animated movie "Summer Wars" at Mediage in Daiba with 
wife Miyuki 
20:51 Shopped at hamburger shop "MOS Burger Senzokuike Branch" in 
 
TOKYO 00002089  003 OF 009 
 
 
Kamiikedai with wife 
21:10 Arrived home 
 
4) DPJ gives consideration to U.S. 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
September 10, 2009 
 
In the run-up to forming a coalition government, the Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) held policy talks with its two allies, the 
Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP). In 
their talks, the SDP adhered to its position in the area of foreign 
and security policies, where the SDP can assert itself as a party 
protecting the Constitution. Most of all, the SDP is attaching 
importance to reviewing the planned relocation of U.S. Forces 
Japan's Futenma airfield and revising the Japan-U.S. Status of 
Forces Agreement, or SOFA for short, which Okinawa and its 
base-hosting municipalities are highly concerned about. The three 
parties' talks for a coalition government focused on the wording to 
be incorporated in their written agreement concerning these two 
issues. 
 
Meanwhile, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama, soon to become prime 
minister, is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Obama late this 
month for the first time. Given this, the DPJ was nervous since it 
did not want to irritate the United States unnecessarily. In the 
tripartite talks, the SDP maintained that the three parties' 
agreement should specify the names of places in Okinawa, such as 
"Futenma" and "Henoko," where Futenma airfield's heliport functions 
will be relocated. The DPJ, however, rejected the SDP's assertion. 
 
In the end, the DPJ wrapped up its coalition talks with the SDP and 
the PNP by agreeing to "bring up the issue of revising the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and review the presence of 
U.S. military bases in Japan." The DPJ, showing consideration for 
the SDP, incorporated the wording "Status of Forces Agreement" in 
the written agreement. However, this expression was exactly the same 
as the expression in the DPJ's manifesto of "pragmatic" public 
pledges for the recent general election. 
 
This is an equivocal compromise for the SDP, which has been 
insisting on revising the SOFA pact in its entirety and relocating 
Futenma airfield elsewhere outside Japan. "The SDP's position 
remains unchanged and we want to translate it into reality with the 
DPJ," SDP President Mizuho Fukushima told the press after reaching 
the agreement to form a coalition government. Even so, there is an 
obvious gulf between the two parties. 
 
5) New leader of New Komeito pursues omnidirectional diplomacy 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
New Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi yesterday called 
on other party leaders at the Diet building to inform them that he 
has assumed the party's top post. He told Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama that his party would cooperate with 
the DPJ depending on the policies, while he asked Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda to continue relations 
between the two parties. He was pursuing omnidirectional diplomacy. 
 
According to a person attended the meeting, Yamaguchi and Hatoyama 
 
TOKYO 00002089  004 OF 009 
 
 
agreed on environment policies and measures for supporting families 
raising children. When one of the DPJ leaders said: "We had policy 
consultations with your party while we were members of the (now 
defunct) New Frontier Party. Since we have something in common, 
there is a room for us to cooperate," Yamaguchi reportedly took a 
positive stance, saying: "I would like to discuss what we should do 
regarding concrete measures." 
 
6) DPJ, SDP, PNP agree to form coalition government 
 
NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) 
September 10, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama, Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) Chairperson Mizuho Fukushima, and People's 
New Party (PNP) Representative Shizuka Kamei held a meeting 
yesterday evening at the Diet building, in which the three leaders 
agreed to form a coalition government. On diplomatic and security 
policies, in line the SDP's wishes, the coalition document included 
the wording "(the three parties) will move in the direction of 
revising" the planned realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, but (the 
three leaders agreed) to follow the expression the DPJ had 
stipulated in its manifest (set of campaign pledges) for the Aug. 30 
House of Representatives election. In the meeting, Hatoyama asked 
Fukushima and Kamei to join the incoming cabinet and it was 
informally decided that the leaders of the two minor parties would 
join the cabinet. Hatoyama will decide on the lineup of his cabinet 
members before the end of the week. He will then speed up 
preparations for taking the reins of a government. 
 
7) SDP concession over security area leaves concern 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Fukushima during a press 
conference after the three party-head talks expressed her 
determination, "The SDP will play its proper role in the new 
coalition government." The SDP's participation in the DPJ-led 
coalition has been a done deal since election campaigns started. 
However, the SDP found it difficult to harmonize members' opinions 
on the matter. Some members even said that they would not mind if 
the coalition talks fell through. This is because the party made a 
series of concessions on the security front, which is considered to 
be vital to its political identity. 
 
With the Japan-U.S. summit approaching later this month, the DPJ has 
made few concessions. Fukushima on the evening of the 8th, when the 
talks hit a snag, called Hatoyama and said to him, "Leave the other 
items alone, but we cannot possibly give in over Okinawa." 
 
The SDP at noon on the 9th drafted an amendment that referred to a 
reduction in the burden of the people of Okinawa. It then faxed it 
to the DPJ after obtaining approval from a lawmaker elected from 
Okinawa. The two parties reached an agreement because the DPJ 
accepted the SDP proposal. Upper House member Tokushin Yamauchi, 
former mayor of Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture, took the 
outcome favorably, saying, "We have struggled locally for a long 
time. The time has now come to reach a settlement at a political 
venue. I feel deeply moved." 
 
However, the DPJ turned down other requests, including an immediate 
 
TOKYO 00002089  005 OF 009 
 
 
pull-out of Self-Defense Force troops from the Indian Ocean and off 
Somalia and the US Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station relocation 
issue. Concern that the security issue will jolt the SDP under the 
coalition government will likely linger. 
 
8) DPJ, SDP, PNP agree to form coalition: Revision of SOFA to be 
proposed 
 
YOMIURI (Top Play) 
September 10, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Hatoyama, Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) leader Fukushima, and People's New Party 
(PNP) leader Kamei on the evening of September 9 held party-head 
talks in the Diet building. They formally reached an agreement to 
form a coalition and signed a three-party coalition agreement. In 
the diplomacy and security arena, which was the focus of attention, 
the policy agreement stipulated that the coalition government will 
propose a revision of the SOFA to the U.S. The Hatoyama cabinet of 
the DPJ, the SDP and the PNP will be inaugurated on the 16th, after 
Hatoyama is voted in as prime minister at a special Diet session to 
be convened on the same day. 
 
9) Coalition deal reached, including review of U.S. force 
realignment 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
September 10, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party 
(SDP), and the People's New Party (PNP) reached yesterday a 
coalition government policy agreement that includes factors, such as 
a review of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, that might rock 
Japan-U.S. relations. 
 
& Futenma 
 
The SDP insisted on reducing the burden on Okinawa which hosts the 
bulk of U.S. bases in Japan. As a result, the coalition agreement 
specifies that the new coalition government will take a stance of 
reviewing the realignment of U.S. force and U.S. bases in Japan. 
 
The biggest point of contention is the planned relocation of the 
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, situated in a densely 
populated area (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture), to the coastal area 
of Camp Schwab in Nago in the prefecture. The U.S. force realignment 
roadmap, adopted by the Japanese and U.S. governments in 2006, 
stipulates the goal of finishing building the replacement facility 
by 2014. To meet the goal, work for building the replacement 
facility must start by next spring after obtaining the governor's 
authorization. 
 
Procedures for an environmental impact assessment are underway. The 
governor and others are requesting the relocation site be moved to 
an offshore area, citing the noise factor and other matters. Talks 
are underway behind the scenes to coordinate views with the 
government. 
 
If the new coalition government adheres to its aim of relocating 
Futenma Air Station out of Okinawa or of Japan, the United States is 
certain to react strongly to it. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002089  006 OF 009 
 
 
If the Japan-U.S. agreement returns to square one, plans to relocate 
U.S. Marine Corps from Okinawa to Guam and to return the six 
facilities and areas south of Kadena Air Base will be left in 
limbo. 
 
To begin with, the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan is only part 
of the global transformation of U.S. forces for dealing with new 
threats, such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction. The aim is for Japan and the United States to work 
together in addressing changes in the global security environment. 
(The cancellation of the Japan-U.S. agreement) might have an adverse 
effect on the overall bilateral alliance. 
 
& SOFA 
 
The coalition agreement says that the new government will "bring up" 
a review of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a 
matter repeatedly asked by Okinawa and other base-hosting 
municipalities. 
 
The SOFA stipulates the legal status of U.S. forces in Japan. The 
SOFA contains some problems such as that (1) Japan is not allowed to 
seek the pre-indictment transfer of custody of a U.S. service member 
suspected of committing a crime; and (2) the Japanese side's access 
to a U.S. base where accidents, such as environmental contamination, 
occurred is restricted. 
 
Every time a problem associated with the SOFA occurred, the Japanese 
and U.S. governments have reviewed the operation of the SOFA rather 
than revising the pact. As a result, Japan is now allowed to seek 
the pre-indictment transfer of custody of a U.S. service member who 
committed a heinous crime. 
 
Tokyo and Washington have avoided revising the SOFA for fear that 
the United States will come under strong pressure for revising its 
pacts with other countries. Future talks with the United States are 
likely to encounter difficulties. 
 
Future developments over Futenma relocation 
 
October 2009 The Okinawa governor presents to the Defense Ministry 
his views on the ministry's preliminary environmental assessment 
report. 
Fall to winter of 2009 The Defense Ministry presents its 
environmental assessment report to the governor. The governor 
presents his views on the assessment report to the Defense 
Ministry. 
February to March 2010 The Defense Ministry requests the governor 
for his authorization for landfill work for using the surface of 
public waters. 
Around spring of 2010 Landfill work beings. 
2014 Construction of the replacement facility is complete, as 
stipulated in the Tokyo-Washington roadmap for U.S. force 
realignment. 
 
10) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos gives top priority to 
strengthening alliance, voices expectation for contribution in 
Afghanistan 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00002089  007 OF 009 
 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview to Nihon Keizai 
Shimbun at the Ambassador's residence in Akasaka, Tokyo, on 
September 9. He conveyed his determination to strengthen the 
Japan-U.S. alliance relationship in the area of security. Although a 
coalition administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan, which 
advocates an "equal Japan-U.S. relationship," will soon be 
inaugurated, Roos said, "I am confident that we will continue to 
have a strong, positive, and productive relationship with the new 
administration." 
 
Ambassador Roos took up his post on August 20. He explained that 
"the Japan-U.S. relationship is the United States' strategic and 
economic cornerstone in East Asia." He stressed that collaboration 
between the two countries, particularly in the area of security, "is 
of critical significance." In connection with the 50th anniversary 
of the revision of the Japan-U.S. security treaty next year, he 
said, "My top priority is to strengthen the alliance and lay the 
groundwork for celebrating the centennial of the bilateral 
relationship 50 years later." 
 
Roos said, "The economic powers Japan and the United States need to 
deal jointly with such issues as the world economic crisis, climate 
change, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the rise of China," asking Japan to 
contribute to solutions to global issues. It is believed that his 
mentioning Afghanistan indicates his expectation that aid for that 
country will continue even if the new administration ends the 
refueling mission. 
 
11) Gist of Ambassador Roos's remarks in interview with Nihon Keizai 
Shimbun 
 
NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
Following is the gist of the remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Japan 
John Roos: 
 
Q: What are your strengths? Why do you think President Obama 
selected you? 
 
Roos: (My strength) lies in my close relationship with the 
President. I think the President has faith not only in my judgment, 
but also in my candidness. I listen to people's views and learn from 
them. I have the ability to bring people together. I also have the 
unique experience of having worked in the areas of technology and 
venture business in Silicon Valley for 25 years. 
 
Q: How would you strengthen the Japan-U.S. relationship? 
 
Roos: Japan and the United States are the world's two leading 
countries in the innovation that produces new ideas. For example, 
Japan possesses wonderful expertise in hybrid vehicles, solar power 
generation, and other technologies. On the other hand, America 
possesses an entrepreneurial spirit that can transform little-known 
companies into world players. The two countries are already pooling 
their strengths for collaboration in various fields. I would like to 
strongly support such collaboration during my tour. I also have a 
strong interest in educational exchange between the two countries in 
science and technology. 
 
Q: Does President Obama consider economics and trade the top 
priority in the Japan-U.S. relationship? 
 
TOKYO 00002089  008 OF 009 
 
 
 
Roos: President Obama considers many areas to be very important in 
the Japan-U.S. relationship. The relationship is the United States' 
strategic and economic cornerstone in East Asia. The strategic 
relationship (in security) is of critical significance. We will be 
celebrating the 50th anniversary (of the revision of the Japan-U.S. 
security treaty) next year. My top priority in the next few years is 
to strengthen the alliance relationship and lay the groundwork for 
celebrating the centennial of the Japan-U.S. relationship 50 years 
later. 
 
There are many other ways to strengthen the relationship. The United 
States and Japan are the number one and number two economic powers 
in the world. They need to cooperate in dealing with such global 
issues as the world economic crisis, climate change, renewable 
energy, Iraq, Afghanistan, piracy, and the rise of China. 
 
Q: The realignment of U.S. military bases in Japan was discussed 
during the coalition government talks. 
 
Roos: I do not intend to comment on Japanese domestic politics at 
this point. However, I believe that the bilateral relationship will 
continue to deepen and expand both strategically and 
non-strategically. 
 
Q: Did you sense a change in foreign policy from your meeting with 
Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama? 
 
Roos: I met President Hatoyama twice, and both times the 
conversation was positive. I look forward to working with him. I am 
confident that the new administration in Japan will continue to have 
a strong, positive, and productive relationship with the United 
States. 
 
Q: How would you assess President Hatoyama's proposal for greenhouse 
gas emission reduction? 
 
Roos: The important thing is for Japan, the U.S., China, and other 
countries to work together. There are great potentials for 
collaboration between Japan and the United States. Silicon Valley is 
working on fostering a Google in the area of renewable energy. Japan 
also has the potential. 
 
12) Sources of contention in diplomacy toward U.S.: Futenma Air 
Station relocation issue to come to climax shortly 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party 
(SDP), and the People's New Party (PNP) at their coalition talks 
reached an agreement, while there remains a gap between the DPJ, 
which is trying to switch its foreign affairs and security policy to 
a pragmatic policy line that attaches importance to the U.S., and 
the SDP, which gives priority to its ideals. In the end, the DPJ 
reluctantly complied with the SDP's request for the DPJ to modify 
(the three-party coalition agreement) in compliance with the 
language incorporated in its manifesto for the Lower House election, 
because it found no justifiable reason to turn down the SDP request. 
It is likely that the two parties will clash over the plan to 
relocate the US Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, 
Okinawa Prefecture, to the coast of Camp Schwab in Henoko, Nago 
 
TOKYO 00002089  009 OF 009 
 
 
City, Okinawa Prefecture. 
 
The DPJ had been in step with the SDP in calling for an amendment to 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), opposing the 
relocation of Futenma functions within the prefecture and seeking a 
pullout of the Maritime Self-Defense Force from the Indian Ocean, 
where it is engaging in a refueling operation. However, the DPJ 
modified its stance even before the Lower House election, by not 
incorporating in its policy manifesto a pullout of the MSDF troops 
from the Indian Ocean and diluting the language of an amendment to 
SOFA and the Futenma function relocation issue, as the possibility 
of its taking the reins of government came into sight. Thus it has 
shown consideration for the U.S. 
 
13) H-2B liftoff set for tomorrow 
 
SANKEI (Page 21) (Full) 
September 10, 2009 
 
Japan's new large-scale launch vehicle will make its debut flight 
into space tomorrow. The H-2B, co-developed by the Japan Aerospace 
Exploration Agency (JAXA) and contractors including Mitsubishi Heavy 
Industries, Ltd., will be launched from JAXA's Tanegashima Space 
Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at around 2 a.m. 
 
ROOS