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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002114 
 
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 09/11/09 
 
INDEX: 
(1) U.S. seeks Japan's continued refueling mission in Indian Ocean - 
a source of trouble for Hatoyama diplomacy (Nikkei) 
 
(2) Eight years after 9/11; Japan should also participate in war on 
terror (Sankei) 
 
(3) Eight years after 9/11 terrorist attacks on U.S.; Beyond war on 
terrorism (Asahi) 
 
(4) Editorial: Don't make the Afghan war the "Obama War" (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
(5) Editorial: Coalition agreement questionable for Japan-U.S. 
alliance (Sankei) 
 
(6) Final coordination underway for Japan-China-ROK summit (Yomiuri) 
 
 
(7) Okinawa calls on U.S. military, other organizations to reduce 
base noise (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(8) Nago mayor, citizens complain survey of noise levels near 
Futenma relocation site conducted through demo flights did not 
reflect reality (Okinawa Times) 
 
(9) Aircraft noise increased at 10 places around Kadena Air Base in 
Fiscal 2008 (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(10) H2B rocket launch successful, Japanese space development enters 
new phase (Asahi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) U.S. seeks Japan's continued refueling mission in Indian Ocean - 
a source of trouble for Hatoyama diplomacy 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged) 
September 11, 2009 
 
Ahead of the establishment next week of a coalition government led 
by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) a source of conflict has 
already emerged between Japan and the United States. The U.S. 
government has revealed a plan to ask the DPJ to reconsider its 
policy of terminating the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean after it expires next January. The DPJ 
intends to expedite its efforts to find new assistance measures 
replacing the refueling mission. Nevertheless, given the harsh 
security situation in Afghanistan, options are limited for the new 
administration. 
 
A U.S. Defense Department spokesman has urged Japan to continue its 
refueling activities beyond next January. Last night a DPJ executive 
explained the spokesman's comment this way: "The message is nothing 
new. The U.S. government probably cannot change what it has said in 
the past." 
 
The DPJ did not specify its stance on the refueling mission in its 
manifesto (campaign pledges). President Yukio Hatoyama has announced 
that the incoming administration will not extend the refueling 
mission once it expires. The DPJ intends to adhere to this policy 
even if the United States calls for an extension. 
 
TOKYO 00002114  002 OF 010 
 
 
 
At the same time, the party is aware that the deterioration of 
relations with the United States might damage the stability of the 
(DPJ-led) administration. The party is exploring ways of continuing 
to contribute to the war against terrorism by coming up with new 
steps, such as civilian support, although the refueling mission will 
be terminated next January. 
 
Anti-government Taliban militants are regaining strength, and the 
security situation in Afghanistan is rapidly deteriorating. What 
Japan can do to assist Afghanistan is limited. In 2008 the DPJ came 
up with a set of assistance measures including an approach to end 
disputes (in Afghanistan) and humanitarian and reconstruction 
support. The measures were criticized by the government and the 
ruling coalition as impractical. 
 
The DPJ is certain to lose more options once it forms a coalition 
government with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which opposes the 
overseas dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). When the party 
was led by Ichiro Ozawa, the DPJ advocated joining the International 
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The SDP is likely 
to oppose this idea as well. 
 
Reportedly the DPJ does not plan to dispatch SDF troops to 
Afghanistan. Many also think that it is difficult to dispatch 
civilian assistance teams in view of the security situation in 
Afghanistan. If the involvement of the SDF becomes a topic of 
discussion, it could cause trouble for the DPJ-led coalition 
government. 
 
(2) Eight years after 9/11; Japan should also participate in war on 
terror 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Editorial) 
September 11, 2009 
 
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. 
in 2001. The attacks killed about 3,000 people, including 24 
Japanese nationals. Let us offer a silent prayer to those victims, 
honoring the memory of the tragedy. 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama faces the anniversary under an 
unprecedentedly severe situation. Elements of Al-Qaeda, an 
international terrorist group responsible for the attacks on the 
U.S., are still hiding in Afghanistan. In this country, an 
increasing number of troops of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization) force, including the U.S., and civilians have been 
injured or killed. There has been no remarkable progress in 
improvement of the security situation and reconstruction efforts 
there. 
 
A presidential election was held In Afghanistan in late August, and 
the tallying of the votes cast is going on. Since (the UN-backed 
watchdog) has invalidated more than 2,000 votes, the Afghan 
government is having difficulty ensuring the validity of the 
election. 
 
In an airstrike on Sept. 4 by the NATO force targeting Talban 
militants, scores of civilians were also killed accidentally. Such 
incidents have strained relations between the Afghan people and the 
NATO force. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002114  003 OF 010 
 
 
Immediately after the 9/11 attacks took place eight years ago, an 
overwhelming number of Americans supported the war on terrorism in 
Afghanistan. Recently, however, many Americans have been critical of 
even the government's decision to increase troops in Afghanistan. In 
an opinion poll conducted by CNN, 57 PERCENT  of respondents voiced 
opposition against the (NATO force's) military operation in 
Afghanistan. 
 
Keeping in mind the fact that terrorist acts have continually taken 
place around the world also since 9/11, we should recognize anew 
that Afghanistan is the forefront of the war on terror. Taliban 
elements have crossed the border and have also engaged in terrorist 
attacks in Pakistan, a nuclear power. It is vital to maintain 
stability in this region, including Pakistan, for the sake of world 
safety. 
 
By including measures to assist public welfare in his comprehensive 
strategy toward Afghanistan out this March, President Obama 
indicated a willingness to change the strategy heretofore used to 
combat terrorism. Obama, though, has clearly said that the military 
campaign in Afghanistan is a "necessary war." For his new strategy 
to succeed, it is vital for the U.S. to ensure unity in the 
international community and to obtain cooperation from other 
countries, especially its allies. 
 
Japan has provided aid in public welfare in Afghanistan, including 
dispatching civilians to help reconstruct schools and hospitals, as 
well as giving advice on rice farming. The Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean has been evaluated as 
Japan's most distinguished contribution. Eyeing the launch of a new 
government led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on Sept. 16, 
the Pentagon spokesman said: "We are hopeful that there will be 
continuity (in the strength of the alliance between the two 
countries)." 
 
A new coalition government should be aware that Japan's continued 
refueling mission will lead to preventing terrorism in Japan and 
other countries. The DPJ has said that it would end the mission next 
January, when the law authorizing the mission expires. But the party 
should make a policy switch to continue this mission, bearing the 
actual situation in Afghanistan in mind. 
 
(3) Eight years after 9/11 terrorist attacks on U.S.; Beyond war on 
terrorism 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Editorial) 
September 11, 2009 
 
We recall then President Bush's tense look on TV screens. Hijacked 
airplanes plowed into the World Trade Center Building in New York 
and into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2009, 
claiming the lives of more than 3,000. 
 
Bush swore that he would take vengeance on the terrorists, saying on 
TV, "This is an act of war." He declared war on international 
terrorism. 
 
Bush's war, which started with an attack on Afghanistan, led to a 
strike on Iraq. U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq alone have by far 
exceeded the number of victims claimed in the 9/11 terrorist 
attacks. Iraq has lost a vast greater number of civilians to war. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002114  004 OF 010 
 
 
This year President Obama succeeded Bush, who continued to describe 
the war against terrorism as a just cause. The key word of the new 
administration is reconciliation with Islam. The war on terrorism 
has thus been replaced with confrontation against militant 
extremism. 
 
This is a change brought about by lessons learned from the 
devastating destruction, sacrifice, sorrow and anger visited by war 
over eight years. It is a switch from the previous policy line of 
simply categorizing people as terrorists or allies, and pummeling 
with overwhelming military power those determined to be terrorists. 
 
New strategies, such as getting to the root of nondemocratic 
politics, injustice, poverty and sagging economies, elements that 
are encouraging support for extremists, and building confidence with 
people with different cultures and religions through dialogue, are 
discernable in President Obama's policy stance. 
 
The world welcomed this direction from Obama. In Japan, too, a 
change of government from the LDP, which supported the Bush-style 
war on terrorism, to the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which 
opposed the Iraq War, will take place. The moment has arrived for 
Japan to establish a proactive foreign policy and a mechanism to 
provide support that are different from those of the LDP era. 
 
However, the war cannot be easily ended once it was started. 
President Obama, who advocates dialogue, is now facing this grim 
fact. He is dispatching additional troops to Afghanistan, deeming 
the war in that nation to be a necessary one. However, the situation 
is gradually deteriorating. 
 
The Taliban militants, who had been driven out of the 
administration, have regained strength. The Afghan government's 
ability to govern is questionable. Casualties are sharply increasing 
among troops dispatched by various European countries. A large 
number of civilians have become collateral damage during bombings. 
Since skepticism about continuing to station troops in Afghanistan 
is growing in many countries, Britain and Germany have proposed 
holding an international conference with the aim of restoring 
security. 
 
Concern about Afghanistan becoming a second Vietnam is beginning to 
be heard in and outside the U.S. -- the U.S. had to pull out of 
Vietnam, failing to achieve stability even though it repeatedly 
reinforced troops. 
 
How to rebuild Afghanistan is one of the most difficult challenges 
facing the world. What is clear, however, is that it is impossible 
to find a way to subdue Islamic extremism without deepening dialogue 
with Islamic societies. 
 
(4) Editorial: Don't make the Afghan war the "Obama War" 
 
TOKYO (Page 5) (Full) 
September 11, 2009 
 
Tomorrow will mark the eighth anniversary of the September 11 
terrorist attacks on the United States. A matter of grave concern 
for the Obama Administration is the resolution of the Afghan war, 
which bears a relation to (preventing) the spread of nuclear weapons 
to terrorists. The Obama administration should not turn the former 
administration's negative legacy into the "Obama War." 
 
TOKYO 00002114  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
Two airliners crashed into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, 
killing about 3,000 people, including 24 Japanese, at one fell 
swoop. The attack was carried out by the Islamic fundamentalist 
group Al-Qaeda. We still remember the horror of the terrorist 
attacks. Although Ground Zero is now being redeveloped, family 
members and victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks still bear 
emotional scars. 
 
If the Iraq war symbolizes "Bush's war," the Afghan war is a 
touchstone for the Obama administration -- a touchstone of how to 
exit from the war and cope with terrorism. 
 
Ever since his presidential campaign, Obama has advocated a 
nation-building policy that attaches priority to the civilian 
sector, while denying resolution by military strength alone. "The 
true terrorist threat facing America comes from Afghanistan," he 
said. 
 
Since assuming office Obama has consistently called for dialogue 
with Islam. His strategy has been to reach out to moderate Muslim 
groups. His speeches in Turkey and Egypt were meant to clarify 
differences between his administration and George Bush's and to aim 
for moral advantage. 
 
Obama appointed General Stanley McChrystal, who led the Joint 
Special Operations Command, as the head of the International 
Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), which commands a 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization unit. He dispatched more U.S. 
troops. He has not wavered from the goal of defeating terrorism. 
 
There will be many difficulties on the path to bringing stability to 
Afghanistan. The Taliban, which has vowed jihad against superpowers, 
is growing in strength. Battles in many Afghan regions have been 
intensifying. The toll of victims is rising. Early this month a NATO 
air strike killed many civilians in the province of Kundu. 
 
In his speech to veterans last month Obama said the war in 
Afghanistan "is an indispensable war." It was an expression of alarm 
at the increasing power of the Taliban, which has strong influence 
in Pakistan, a country with a nuclear arsenal. 
 
There are signs of change under the new Afghan government. The 
outcome of the presidential election - votes are still being tallied 
-- is the key to the future of Afghanistan. McChrystal visited Kundu 
immediately after the (collateral damage) incident and released a 
statement apologizing for the strike. Reportedly he achieved a 
degree of understanding from local people. Obama's policy of 
dialogue has received high marks from moderate Muslims. 
 
The keys to Obama's exit strategy are to marginalize radical 
terrorist networks and to have Afghanistan engage in nation-building 
of its volition. The international community's cooperation is 
indispensable for preventing the Afghan war from becoming a quagmire 
like the Viet Nam. 
 
(5) Editorial: Coalition agreement questionable for Japan-U.S. 
alliance 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
September 10, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00002114  006 OF 010 
 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and its two allies, the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP), have now 
finally agreed to form a tripartite coalition government. 
 
The three parties' agreement incorporated their common pledges they 
made public in the run-up to the recent general election for the 
House of Representatives. For example, one of their common public 
pledges is to leave the consumption tax rate unchanged at 5 PERCENT 
. Concerning Japan's foreign and security policies, their agreement 
incorporated the idea of building "a close, equal relationship 
between Japan and the United States" and the idea of reviewing the 
presence of U.S. military bases in Japan. 
 
The coalition government must protect Japan's peace, security, and 
prosperity. So Japan's alliance with the United States must not be 
undermined. 
 
The agreement reached this time held down an anti-U.S. imprint as a 
result of giving first consideration to the establishment of a 
coalition government. Even so, we wonder if the new coalition 
government will be able to maintain the alliance in a facilitative 
way. 
 
Meanwhile, their coalition agreement did not directly refer to the 
policy of ending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission 
in the Indian Ocean. Instead, the three parties agreed to "remove a 
hotbed of terrorism" and "study measures to assist Afghanistan, 
based on its actual circumstances." Their agreement did not specify 
any alternative plans. However, this can be taken to imply that 
Japan will not break away from the war on terror at once. 
 
DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has indicated that he would examine the 
current government's antiterror policy when meeting with U.S. 
President Obama. However, he should present a specific plan that can 
build a relationship of mutual trust. 
 
In the process of holding policy talks, the SDP proposed 
incorporating its stance of reviewing the planned relocation of the 
U.S. military's Futenma airfield, while the DPJ wanted to use 
abstract wording. In the end, their policy talks reached an 
agreement to "move in the direction of reviewing" the presence of 
U.S. military bases as well as the realignment of U.S. forces in 
Japan. However, it would not be realistic to upset the results of 
negotiations held between Japan and the United States for years. 
 
In addition, the three parties also agreed to propose revising the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement concerning the status of U.S. 
military personnel in Japan, including jurisdiction over them. 
However, we wanted the three parties to recognize the international 
situation, in which Japan and the United States should maintain and 
strengthen their bilateral alliance. 
 
(6) Final coordination underway for Japan-China-ROK summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 11, 2009 
 
Satoshi Saeki, Beijing 
 
It has been learned that the Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean 
governments are in the final stage of coordinating a schedule for 
the planned summit meeting in China of their top leaders, with an 
 
TOKYO 00002114  007 OF 010 
 
 
eye toward holding it on Oct. 10. A foreign ministerial is expected 
to take place on Sept. 28 in Shanghai as a preparatory session, 
according to sources in Beijing on Sept. 10. 
 
Reportedly there is a possibility that the venue for the summit will 
be changed from the planned location of Tianjin to Beijing. 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama, who will 
be voted in as the new prime minister on Sept. 16, will visit China 
to hold talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and South Korean 
President Lee Myung Bak, in addition to Chinese President Hu Jintao. 
Hatoyama and the Chinese leaders will confirm that they plan to 
further develop the Japan-China relationship. DPJ Secretary General 
Katsuya Okada, who will be appointed as foreign minister, will 
attend the foreign ministerial meeting. 
 
The Chinese government sent Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, a Japan 
expert, to Tokyo on Sept. 7. Wu met with Hatoyama during his visit. 
According to sources familiar with Japan-China relations, Liu 
Hongcai, deputy chief of the Chinese Communist Party's International 
Department, an expert on Japan, will also visit Japan next week. The 
Chinese government is now demonstrating a policy of attaching 
importance to its relations with Japan. 
 
(7) Okinawa calls on U.S. military, other organizations to reduce 
base noise 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Full) (Page 31) 
September 11, 2009 
 
Kenji Chinen, director general of Okinawa Prefecture's cultural and 
environmental affairs department, and Munehide Taira, the 
prefecture's base disaster prevention coordinator, yesterday visited 
the U.S. Forces' Okinawa Area Coordinator Office, the U.S. Consulate 
General in Okinawa, the Defense Ministry's Okinawa Bureau, the 
Foreign Ministry's Okinawa office, and the Air Self-Defense Force's 
(ASDF) Naha base. The two Okinawa government officials asked them to 
reduce noise at U.S. Kadena Air Base, the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station, and Naha Airport. 
 
Citing the aircraft noise-restriction measures, which regulate 
flights from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Okinawa's request letter for 
Kadena Air Base and the Futenma Air Station pointed out that no 
clear effects have been seen. The request also indicated exercises 
conducted by non-Okinawa base aircraft and noise in such densely 
populated areas as Naha City as problems. Okinawa prefecture called 
for 1) noise reduction, 2) strict implementation of the aircraft 
noise-restriction measures, 3) reporting on how the measures are 
being implemented to the prefecture and municipalities around the 
bases. 
 
At the Foreign Ministry's Okinawa office, Kazuhiro Kuno, deputy head 
of the office, said: "We will continue to ask (the U.S. side) to 
avoid taking off in the early morning when aircraft that are 
provisionally deployed in Kadena Air Base return to the U.S." 
 
According to Okinawa prefecture, U.S. Forces' Okinawa Area 
Coordinator Kevin Bishop (colonel), who responded (to Chinen and 
Taira), reportedly said: "We are aware that there is concern about 
noise (in local areas). So we will continue to make efforts to 
operate below the accepted noise level based on the (noise 
restriction measures)." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002114  008 OF 010 
 
 
(8) Nago mayor, citizens complain survey of noise levels near 
Futenma relocation site conducted through demo flights did not 
reflect reality 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 27) (Excerpts) 
September 11, 2009 
 
Northern Okinawa - Two U.S. military helicopters flew over the 
planned runways and helipads in waters off Henoko. The demo flights 
that took place in Nago City and Ginoza Village on September 10 were 
a survey that the local community had been demanding for a long 
time. However, the flight routes consisted mostly of air space over 
the site of Futenma's replacement facility off the coast selected by 
the national government. The aircraft did not fly over civilian 
areas or between military facilities, so the noise level was lower 
than what the residential areas experience on a daily basis during 
exercises. Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro noted that, "Noise was 
observed in the nearby areas," indicating that the government's plan 
will have a serious impact on the local community. Many citizens 
pointed out that the survey was insufficient and "did not reflect 
reality." 
 
Shimabukuro and city officials observed the helicopters from the 
rooftop of a public apartment building in Henoko which overlooks the 
Henoko seashore. He gave the following comments to reporters after 
the survey ended: "Hovering produced noise exceeding 80 decibels in 
nearby residential areas. It was noisy. I felt that this will be a 
big problem for local residents." 
 
More than 20 Nago City lawmakers and other officials gathered at the 
"Tower of Peace" around 1 kilometer from the planned runway site. 
After observing the helicopters hovering over the proposed helipad 
sites, Kenyu Shimabukuro, Nago City Assembly chairman who lives in 
Henoko, said that this is "absolutely unacceptable." He added that: 
"I was able to get an image of how close they are flying. Right now, 
helicopters fly over land on a daily basis. It will be difficult to 
assess noise with the demo flights alone." 
 
Ginoza Village Mayor Hajime Azuma and about 20 local residents 
watched the demo flights from, the rooftop of the Second Server Farm 
in the Matsuda district. Azuma observed that, "The noise level is 
lower than that during normal exercises. This data will not be 
useful." 
 
(9) Aircraft noise increased at 10 places around Kadena Air Base in 
Fiscal 2008 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 29) (Full) 
September 8, 2009 
 
The Okinawa prefectural government's culture and environment office 
revealed on Sept. 7 the results of an aircraft noise level 
measurement in fiscal 2008. According to the results, the WECPN 
(weighted equivalent continuous perceived level, an indicator of 
aircraft noise) exceeded environmental standards in nine (the same 
number as in fiscal 2007) of the 15 measurement stations around 
Kadena Air Base and three (the same number as in fiscal 2007) of the 
nine measurement stations around Futenma Air Station. Instances of 
noise generation at ten stations around Kadena Air Base exceeded the 
number in fiscal 2007. At Kadena instances of noise between 10:00 
p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when the number of flights is limited under the 
aircraft-noise-control- measures law, increased to 400.7 from 222.0 
 
TOKYO 00002114  009 OF 010 
 
 
(monthly averages) in fiscal 2007, a record number since 1996, when 
the Japanese and U.S. government agreed on the measurement  law. 
 
Okinawa government to ask U.S. military to reduce aircraft noise 
 
The Okinawa prefectural government will ask five places, including 
the (Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Ministry's) Naha Airport 
office, on Sept. 8 and the U.S. bases in Okinawa on the 10th, to 
reduce noise levels, on the grounds the noise seriously affects the 
daily lives of residents of communities around the bases. 
 
Instances of noise generation increased substantially at Yara A 
station, to 79.1 from 60.3 in fiscal 2007; at Yara B station, to 
110.2 from 91.2 in 2007; and at Kamisei station, to 104.9 from 97.3 
in 2007. The largest noise level was 118.7 decibels (dB) recorded at 
Sunabe station. 
 
The WECPNL exceeded the environmental standard at nine stations, 
such as 89 in Sunabe (environmental standard of 75), and 82 in Yara 
B (70). At four stations the noise levels in 2008 topped those in 
¶2007. Instances of predawn noise surpassed figures for fiscal 2007 
at three of the four stations. For example, the figure at Yara A 
station was 101.4 times compared with 82.2 times in 2007. 
 
Around Futenma Air Station aircraft noise increased at only one 
station. Even in eight stations where instances of noise decreased, 
the biggest decrease was at the Kamiojana station, to 56.4 instances 
in 2008 from 63.9 instances in 2007, a decrease of 7.5. There was no 
drastic decrease in noise levels. The highest intensity was 120.7 
decibels at Kamiojana. The WECPNL was exceeded at three stations, 
including Kamiojana, where it was 83, compared with the 
environmental standard of 70. The WECPNL topped the environmental 
standard at one of the three stations around Naha Airport. 
 
Kenji Chinen, chief of the Culture and Environment Office, said: "I 
don't think aircraft noise was reduced. Overall, such noise 
increased. It is difficult to identify reasons for the increase. We 
will tenaciously call for reduction (of noise)." Referring to the 
fact that predawn instances of noise doubled in stations around 
Kadena Air Base, he said, "I have heard from Kadena Town that engine 
tune-ups have increased. Since there is a road between the town 
office, where noise is measured, and the base, vehicle noise may 
contribute to the noise level, (but) we don't have any details." 
 
(10) H2B rocket launch successful, Japanese space development enters 
new phase 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
Evening, September 11, 2009 
 
The domestically produced rocket H2B No. 1, carrying Japan's first 
unmanned spaceship HTV transporting supplies for the International 
Space Station (ISS), was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center 
in Kagoshima Prefecture at 02:01:46 a.m. on September 11. The Japan 
Aerospace Exploration Agency confirmed after 15 minutes that the HTV 
had successfully entered the intended orbit. 
 
While the ultimate success of this project can only be determined 
after the HTV docks at the ISS, the successful launch means that 
Japan has taken an important step toward a stronger international 
presence in space development. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002114  010 OF 010 
 
 
The rights to use the ISS for the participants of the project - the 
U.S., Europe, Russia, Canada, and Japan - are determined by the 
level of contribution. An agreement stipulating that Japan will 
provide the ISS with 6 tons of supplies was reached previously. Even 
though Japan's possession of its own transfer vehicle does not mean 
that its rights to use the ISS will be increased, there will be 
equipment that only the HTV can transport since the Space Shuttle 
will be retired next year. NASA operations chief Bill Gerstenmaier, 
who was present at the post-launch news conference, said that "the 
HTV will play a central role in the ISS's operations." 
 
Japan also envisions developing the HTV into a manned spaceship in 
the future. Therefore, data collection is also a goal in this 
mission. Japan's space development has entered a new phase following 
Koichi Wakata's long-term stay at the ISS and the completion of the 
"Kibo" laboratory. 
 
ROOS