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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002170 
 
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 09/17/09 
 
Index: 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Hatoyama Administration 
4) Gist of Prime Minister Hatoyama's inaugural press conference 
(Asahi) 
5) Pace of negotiations for realignment of U.S. forces to pick up; 
Japan to request North Korea reinvestigate abduction issue  (Nikkei) 
 
6) The Hatoyama Cabinet  (Yomiuri) 
7) DPJ leaders  (Nikkei) 
8) Foreign Minister orders investigation of secret nuclear accord 
(Asahi) 
9) Gist of Hatoyama Cabinet's basic policies  (Yomiuri) 
10) Foreign Minister Okada says no to first use  (Nikkei) 
 
Foreign Relations 
11) Foreign Minister Okada: I want to deepen Japan-U.S. ties 
(Yomiuri) 
12) Japan Council Against A & H Bombs requests start of talks for 
the elimination of nuclear weapons  (Akahata) 
13) Hatoyama to emphasize mutual understanding with U.S.  (Yomiuri) 
 
 
Defense & Security 
14) Foreign Minister Okada plans to take a flexible approach to the 
Futenma issue  (Mainichi) 
15) Defense Minister Kitazawa's positions on security issues unknown 
 (Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun & Akahata 
 
Hatoyama cabinet launched: Prime minister stresses his resolve to 
break away from bureaucrat-led politics; Land Minister Maehara 
announces suspension of Yamba Dam construction; Budget to be 
compiled before year's end; First non-LDP administration in 16 
years 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Request to Prime Minister Hatoyama: Send messages that give 
people a real sense of change 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Hatoyama administration launched: Resolutely stick to "change": 
Administrative clean-up needed first 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Hatoyama cabinet launched: Press ahead with reform without 
taking wrong policy course 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Prime Minister Hatoyama should address expectations of people 
who hoped for change of government 
 
 
TOKYO 00002170  002 OF 012 
 
 
Sankei: 
(1) New Hatoyama cabinet: Give top priority to national interests: 
Necessary to revise public pledges, face reality 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) New Hatoyama cabinet inaugurated: Fulfill responsibility to 
convince public 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Inauguration of new Hatoyama cabinet ushers in new political 
phase 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 16 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 16, 2009 
 
Taro Aso 
09:01 Attended a special cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Met Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 
10:00 Held a press conference. Later met Kawamura. 
11:49 Met Kawamura and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma. 
12:30 Received a bouquet of flowers from Kantei staff and left the 
Kantei. 
12:50 Attended a meeting of lawmakers in the Diet Building. 
13:05 Attended a Lower House plenary session. 
Yukio Hatoyama 
13:05 Attended a Lower House plenary session. 
14:51 Appointed as 93th prime minister. Went around making courtesy 
visits in the Diet Building. 
15:36 Met party executive office chief Hirano. 
16:00 Met Social Democratic Party leader Fukushima and People's New 
party leader Kamei, with Secretary General Ozawa and others present. 
Set up an office for forming a cabinet. Called new cabinet members 
into the office. 
18:00 Held a press conference. 
18:33 Met Yoshikatsu Nakayama and Katsuya Ogawa, advisors to the 
prime minister. 
18:59 Attended an attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace, 
followed by a ceremony of prime minister-installation by the Emperor 
and a formal presentation ceremony for the new cabinet ministers. 
21:50 Met National Strategy Minister Kan at the Kantei. 
22:02 Issued official appointments to the ministers. Attended a 
cabinet meeting. Later, posed for photos with the cabinet ministers. 
Then issued letters of appointment to the advisors to the prime 
minister and others. Posed for photos with them. 
Sept. 17 
00:22 Returned to his private residence. 
 
DPJ Hatoyama's schedule, Sept. 16 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
 
08:44 Left home in Denenchofu. 
09:23 Met Chairman Koshiishi of the DPJ Caucus in the Upper House in 
the Diet Building. Later attended a meeting of party members of both 
houses of the Diet. 
10:02 Arrived at party headquarters. 
11:20 Met Hirano, joined by Deputy President Kan. 
12:14 Met Hirano and Upper House member Koji Matsui. 
 
TOKYO 00002170  003 OF 012 
 
 
11:34 Attended a meeting of lawmakers in the Diet Building. 
 
4) Prime Minister Hatoyama's inaugural press conference 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
September 17, 2009 
 
The following is a gist of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's inaugural 
press conference held on Sept. 16: 
 
The moment I was elected prime minister in both houses of the Diet, 
I trembled with emotion to think that the history of Japan will 
change. I also felt a strong sense of responsibility to change this 
country into a true people-oriented society and to spearhead that 
endeavor. 
 
We have yet to change the history (of this country). Making real 
change happen is dependent on the work we do from now on. The people 
are the real winners in the latest election. We will conduct the 
kind of politics that make the people feel that they are the real 
winners. We will build a people-oriented political system, and to 
that end, we must break away from bureaucrat-controlled 
policymaking. 
 
Questions and answers 
 
-- What is the immediate top-priority policy challenge for the 
Hatoyama administration? 
 
Prime Minister: Needless to say, it is our manifesto. As the 
coalition government, we will implement the policies that were 
agreed upon. As the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), we will first 
of all implement measures to stimulate household finances, such as 
the provision of child allowances and the abolition of provisional 
tax rates, so that the people can sense that the financial situation 
has improved and pin their hopes on this administration. 
 
The question of funding will then emerge, and I want every 
government office to make maximum efforts to eliminate wasteful 
spending. I have confidence that we will be able to secure over 7 
trillion yen for the initial year. We will also have to thoroughly 
review the economic stimulus measures and the supplementary budget. 
Those that have yet to be implemented require drastic review. 
 
-- Specifically how are you going to shift power away from 
bureaucrats? 
 
Prime Minister: At each ministry, policy decisions will be made by 
the minister, deputy minister, and parliamentary secretaries. We 
will build a system under which lawmakers take leadership roles and 
make decisions on projects. Now that the vice-ministers meetings 
have been abolished, the resistance of bureaucrats will not have 
such a strong influence. 
 
-- Are you going to compile the budget before the end of the year 
and aim to enact it by the end of the year? 
 
Prime Minister: We will conduct a "zero-based review" of the current 
approach. We will basically review the conventional way of producing 
the budgetary request guidelines. Although (budget-compilation) will 
start later than usual, we will follow a schedule that will enable 
us to finish compiling the budget before the end of the year. 
 
TOKYO 00002170  004 OF 012 
 
 
 
-- In the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit, are you going to bring up the 
issue of a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement? 
 
Prime Minister: Building a relationship of trust with President 
Obama is the top priority. I will focus on forging relations of 
trust in the upcoming event. It is important to address a variety of 
outstanding bilateral issues over time. 
 
-- How is your government going to deal with the abduction issue? 
 
Prime Minister: The most important thing is to prompt North Korea to 
settle the abduction issue in a practical manner. 
 
-- When you were serving as secretary general, you used the 
expression "investigations at the behest of the state" in connection 
with the Nishimatsu Construction illegal donation scandal. Do you 
still have that opinion? 
 
Prime Minister: I used the expression "investigations at the behest 
of the state" only once, but not a second time. I feel some regret 
over using the expression and have refrained from using it since 
then. 
 
-- Are you planning to offer a new explanation on the false donation 
case in view of its possible impact on the new administration? 
 
Prime Minister: It is a fact that the general public has not been 
convinced by (my explanation). I will make efforts to offer further 
explanation. I want to convey my thinking to the people as 
accurately and honestly as possible to deepen their understanding 
with an eye on future developments. 
 
5) Okada to accelerate talks on U.S. force realignment, call on N. 
Korea to reinvestigate abductions 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, meeting the press early today after 
taking up his portfolio, indicated that he would seek revisions to 
an intergovernmental agreement reached between Japan and the United 
States on the planned realignment of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. "There's no change in our stance 
of going for it (relocating Futenma airfield outside Okinawa 
Prefecture)." He added, "Relocation to Henoko (in the prefecture's 
northern coastal city of Nago) is now underway. If we leave this 
matter as is, it will become a fait accompli. We will have to 
discuss it soon." 
 
However, Okada also clarified that he would negotiate with the U.S. 
government in a flexible way, saying, "If we're shackled too much, 
we could be bound hand and foot. We may consider some more 
options." 
 
On the North Korea problem, Okada stated: "To my way of thinking, 
there will be no diplomatic normalization unless the abduction issue 
is resolved as well as the nuclear and missile issue." He also 
referred to the issue of reinvestigating the whereabouts of Japanese 
nationals abducted to North Korea. "North Korea promised, so I want 
them to fulfill their responsibility," he said. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002170  005 OF 012 
 
 
6) Hatoyama Cabinet Lineup 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Prime Minister 
 
Yukio Hatoyama (62) 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), 8th term in Lower House, Hokkaido 
No. 9 district, DPJ secretary general and president, Stanford 
University Graduate School (first cabinet post) 
 
Deputy Prime Minister and National Strategy Minister 
 
Naoto Kan (61) 
DPJ, 10th term in Lower House, Tokyo No. 18 district, health and 
welfare minister, DPJ president, and deputy president; Tokyo 
Institute of Technology 
 
Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications 
 
Kazuhiro Haraguchi (50) 
DPJ, 5th term in Lower House, Saga No. 1 district, general affairs 
committee member and responsible for internal affairs, University of 
Tokyo (first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Justice 
 
Keiko Chiba (61) 
DPJ, 4th term in Upper House, Kanagawa Prefecture, lawyer, DPJ vice 
president, and responsible for justice affairs, Chuo University 
(first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs 
 
Katsuya Okada (56) 
DPJ, 7th term in Lower House, Mie No. 3 district, DPJ policy chief, 
president, and secretary general; University of Tokyo (first cabinet 
post) 
 
Minister of Finance 
 
Hirohisa Fujii (77) 
DPJ, 7th term in Lower House (two terms in Upper House), 
proportional representation Minami Kanto bloc, finance minister and 
DPJ secretary general, University of Tokyo 
 
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 
 
Tatsuo Kawabata (64) 
DPJ, 8th term in Lower House, Shiga No. 1 district, DPJ Diet affairs 
committee chair and secretary general, Kyoto University Graduate 
School (first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare 
 
Akira Nagatsuma (49) 
DPJ, 4th term in Lower House, Tokyo No. 7 district, DPJ policy 
deputy chief and responsible for pension affairs, Keio University 
(first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
 
TOKYO 00002170  006 OF 012 
 
 
 
Hirotaka Akamatsu (61) 
DPJ, 7th term in Lower House, Aichi No. 5 district, DPJ Diet affairs 
committee chair and election campaign committee chair, Waseda 
University (first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry 
 
Masayuki Naoshima (63) 
DPJ, 3rd term in Upper House, proportional representation, DPJ Upper 
House secretary general and DPJ policy chief, Kobe University (first 
cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, State Minister for 
Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs 
 
Seiji Maehara (47) 
DPJ, 6th term in Lower House, Kyoto No. 2 district, DPJ deputy 
secretary general, president, and vice president; Kyoto University 
(first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Environment 
 
Sakihito Ozawa (55) 
DPJ, 6th in Lower House, Yamanashi No. 1 district, DPJ deputy 
secretary general and national rallying and canvassing committee 
chair, University of Tokyo (first cabinet post) 
 
Minister of Defense 
 
Toshimi Kitazawa (71) 
DPJ, 3rd term in Upper House, Nagano Prefecture, DPJ Upper House 
secretary general and foreign affairs and defense committee 
chairman, Waseda University (first cabinet post) 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary 
 
Hirofumi Hirano (60) 
DPJ, 5th term in Lower House, Osaka No. 11 district, DPJ deputy 
secretary general and executive office head, Chuo University (first 
cabinet post) 
 
National Public Safety Commission Chairman, State Minister for 
Abduction Issue 
 
Hiroshi Nakai (67) 
DPJ, 11th term in Lower House, Mie No. 1 district, justice minister, 
DPJ standing officers council chair, Keio University 
 
State Minister for Financial Affairs, Postal Reform 
 
Shizuka Kamei (72) 
People's New Party (PNP), 11th term in Lower House, Hiroshima No. 6 
district, transport minister, construction minister, and PNP 
representative, University of Tokyo 
 
State Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety, Declining 
Birthrate, Gender Equality 
 
Mizuho Fukushima (53) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP), 2nd term in Upper House, proportional 
representation, lawyer, SDP public relations committee chair, 
 
TOKYO 00002170  007 OF 012 
 
 
secretary general, and chairperson, University of Tokyo (first 
cabinet post) 
 
State Minister for Administrative Reform Council, Public Servant 
System Reform 
 
Yoshito Sengoku (63) 
DPJ, 6th term in Lower House, Tokushima No. 1 district, DPJ 
constitution research council committee chair and policy chief, left 
University of Tokyo in mid-course (first cabinet post) 
 
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries 
 
Yorihisa Matsuno, 48 (for state affairs) 
Koji Matsui, 49 (for state affairs) 
Kinya Takino, 62 (for administrative affairs) 
 
Cabinet Legislative Bureau Director General 
 
Reiichi Miyazaki, 64 (reappointed) 
 
7) New DPJ Executive Lineup 
 
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
President   Yukio Hatoyama 
 
Secretary General 
 
Ichiro Ozawa (67) 
Former Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) deputy president and 
president (Keio University; 14th term in the House of 
Representatives; Iwate No. 4 district), Ozawa group 
 
Chairman of DPJ Caucus in the House of Councillors (reappointment) 
 
Azuma Koshiishi (73) 
Former DPJ Upper House secretary general (Tsuru University; 2nd term 
in Upper House; Yamanashi Prefecture; served two terms in the House 
of Representatives), DPJ group affiliated with the former Japan 
Socialist Party 
 
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman (reappointment) 
 
Kenji Yamaoka (66) 
Former DPJ Diet affairs committee chair and financial affairs 
committee chair (Keio University; 5th term in Lower House; Tochigi 
No. 4 district; served two terms in the Upper House), Ozawa group 
 
8) Foreign Minister Okada orders investigation into secret accords 
between Japan, U.S. 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada instructed Administrative Foreign 
Vice Minister Mitoji Yabunaka before dawn of Sept. 17 to examine 
documents concerning secret accords signed between Japan and the 
U.S., including one allowing the entry into Japan of U.S. ships and 
aircraft carrying nuclear weapons and another over the return of 
Okinawa to Japan. He also ordered Yabunaka to report the results of 
 
TOKYO 00002170  008 OF 012 
 
 
the investigation to him by late November. 
 
In a press conference Okada held before giving the instruction, he 
said about the purported secretive aspects of Japan-U.S. security 
cooperation: 
 
"This is an extremely serious problem. It is my responsibility to 
uncover the details of this issue at an early date. I will issue a 
ministerial order and instruct (Foreign Ministry officials) to 
thoroughly investigate the issue, setting a time limit." 
 
Okada listed four purported secret accords for investigation: a pact 
in 1960 allowing stopovers in Japan's territory by U.S. military 
aircraft and vessels carrying nuclear weapons; a pact on combat 
action in times of emergency on the Korean Peninsula; a pact 
allowing the U.S. military to bring nuclear weapons into Japan in 
possible emergencies on the occasion of Okinawa's reversion to Japan 
in 1972; and a pact concerning Japan's payment of fees for restoring 
to their original state sites vacated by the U.S. military. 
 
9) Gist of Hatoyama cabinet's basic policies 
 
YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet will move to create a new nation, based on two 
policy pillars - materializing real popular sovereignty and 
increasing substantive autonomy of local regions. Starting today, 
our country will aim to end patronage politics and a political 
system that is dependent on the bureaucracy, which has undergirded 
such politics. We are not aiming to create politics intended to bash 
bureaucrats. We will urge bureaucrats to strive for a change in 
awareness and tackle reforms together with us. We want them to 
regain their pride as the nerve center that supports the nation. 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet will set up in each government agency a policy 
affairs executive council led by the minister, the senior vice 
minister and the parliamentary secretary. The panel will map out 
policies and coordinate them from the peoples' perspective. We will 
fundamentally reform the political climate, under which politicians 
will confirm policies decided by bureaucrats. 
 
A national strategy office will be established in the Cabinet 
Secretariat as an organ directly reporting to the prime minister. A 
framework for tax finances and basic policies on the management of 
the economy will be decided under the leadership of the Kantei. 
Administrative reform meetings will be held to review all of the 
government's budgets and project programs and thoroughly eliminate 
wasteful spending of tax revenues. Amakudari (brokering the 
re-employment of retired national government employees) and watari 
(practice of retired officials jumping from one easy job to another 
many times, receiving pensions and pay along the way) for government 
employees will be totally banned. 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet will promote a bold transfer of state 
authorities and financial resources to local governments. It will 
reduce direct burdens on people's livelihood, such as highway 
(tolls) and the gas tax, with the aim of creating local communities 
full of vitality. It will also drastically review the nature of 
postal services. It will materialize economic growth led by domestic 
demand, by boosting personal consumption through an increase in 
actual disposal income of household budgets. 
 
TOKYO 00002170  009 OF 012 
 
 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet will rebuild the Japan-U.S. alliance into a 
close and equal one. Concerning the North Korea issue, too, it will 
explore ways to settle it, using every possible means - both 
hard-line and soft-line approaches. 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet will make efforts toward the development of a 
"yuai" (friendship and love) society composed of the central and 
local governments as well as the people, where all people mutually 
feel that the existence of the others is indispensable. 
 
10) Foreign Minister Okada: Preemptive use of nuclear weapons must 
not be allowed 
 
NIKKEI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
-- How are you going to deal with the question of a secret pact 
allowing the United States to introduce nuclear weapons into Japan? 
 
Okada: Foreign policy must be underpinned by public trust and 
understanding. The question of the secret agreement is an extremely 
grave matter. It must be resolved at an early time. I will order the 
vice-foreign minister to conduct a thorough investigation by a 
certain date. 
 
-- What is your view about the preemptive use of nuclear weapons? 
 
Okada: I wonder if a country that has declared it will use nuclear 
weapons preemptively is entitled to advocate nuclear disarmament. I 
have repeatedly said that the preemptive use of nuclear weapons must 
not be allowed. Is there any conclusion other than that? I do not 
think (abandonment of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons) will 
weaken nuclear deterrence. 
 
-- Are you going to ask North Korea for a reinvestigation of the 
abduction issue? 
 
Okada: North Korea has promised it. I want that country to deliver 
on its promise in a responsible manner. There will be no 
normalization of diplomatic ties (with North Korea) unless the 
abduction, nuclear, and missile issues are settled properly. 
 
11) Okada: I want to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance 
 
YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
The following is the gist of Foreign Minister Okada's press 
remarks. 
 
Diplomacy must be backed by public understanding and trust. We must 
investigate the secret agreement (on nuclear introduction) at an 
early stage to find out whether it is true or not. I will order the 
vice foreign minister to investigate this problem thoroughly within 
a set timeframe. 
 
We should tackle such issues as the realignment of U.S. forces in 
Japan and the presence of U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture 
within the year. I will find time to visit Okinawa, and then I'd 
like to push ahead. The question is how to deepen the bilateral 
alliance between Japan and the United States. I want to further 
 
TOKYO 00002170  010 OF 012 
 
 
deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance so it is sustainable in the medium 
and long term. 
 
12) Gensuikyo asks U.S. Embassy for nuclear abolition talks 
 
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Representatives from the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen 
Bombs (Gensuikyo) visited the American Embassy in Tokyo's Minato 
Ward yesterday and requested the United States make its utmost 
effort to pursue an agreement on the total prohibition and 
elimination of nuclear weapons and start talks in the run-up to the 
nuclear nonproliferation conference scheduled for 2010. 
 
Hiroshi Takakusaki, chief of the secretariat to Gensuikyo, met with 
U.S. Embassy Secretary Jerome Ryan to deliver a special resolution, 
"A letter to the Governments of All Countries for a Nuclear-Free 
World," adopted at a world conference against atomic and hydrogen 
bombs held in August and his own letter addressed to U.S. President 
Obama. 
 
In his letter Takakusaki refers to discussions at the United Nations 
Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly. The letter says, in 
part, "It's impossible to prevent the proliferation of nuclear 
weapons as long as the existing nuclear powers justify their nuclear 
weapons for 'deterrence' and 'security' reasons." His letter calls 
on the five nuclear powers, especially the U.S. government, to take 
the initiative for the total prohibition of nuclear weapons. 
 
In making his request Takakusaki indicated his "heartfelt reception" 
of Obama's Prague and Cairo speeches. "We'd like to work together 
for the chance to eliminate nuclear weapons," he stressed. "In order 
to realize this project, we will need to mobilize public opinion 
around the world." At the same time, he noted that "countries with 
nuclear weapons must eliminate them; otherwise other countries will 
want to possess them. All countries should be equally prohibited by 
law from possessing nuclear weapons." He further said, "I request 
you make concrete efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons." 
 
Ryan said, "I will send the letter to my home government as soon as 
possible." He added, "It's really good to see you today." Thus he 
expressed his gratitude for the request. 
 
13) Prime Minister Hatoyama at press conference: We will place 
importance on mutual understanding with U.S. 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday held his first press 
conference as prime minister at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei). Referring to the new administration's policy 
toward the United States, Hatoyama said, "I think building relations 
of trust with the United States is crucial," indicating that he will 
make an effort to build a relationship of mutual trust with the 
U.S., including personal ties with President Barack Obama. When 
asked by reporters about a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces 
Agreement, as well as of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, 
which were included in an agreement to form a coalition government, 
Hatoyama 
said, "It is important to take our time with discussions." He 
 
TOKYO 00002170  011 OF 012 
 
 
indicated that his administration would undertake the review in a 
cautious manner, demonstrating consideration for the U.S. 
 
Hatoyama stated: "I have no intention to change the basic policy (of 
the agreement on the coalition government). Regarding a variety of 
pending issues between Japan and the United States and security 
issues, he said, "It is important to take time for a comprehensive 
review." As to how his government will go along with Washington, he 
said, "I would like to build a situation under which we can frankly 
discuss issues." 
 
14) Foreign Minister Okada says he will deal with Futenma issue 
flexibly, indicating emphasis on relations with U.S. 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
In the new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama 
yesterday, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defense Minister 
Toshimi Kitazawa, both of whom have assumed cabinet posts for the 
first time, are in charge of the nation's foreign and defense 
policies, respectively. There are numerous pending key challenges 
the new administration has to tackle through negotiations with the 
U.S. If they fail to make proper judgments, the foundation of the 
new administration could immediately deteriorate. 
 
In his first press conference after assuming the post, Foreign 
Minister Okada emphasized: "I am determined to make efforts to 
continue deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance." On the issue of 
relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, he 
indicated he would work on the issue in a flexible manner, saying: 
"We will try to resolve the issue through negotiations, so the issue 
will never be resolved if our side only asserts what it wants." As 
"issues that must be resolved within 100 days," Okada cited the 
relocation of U.S. military bases in Okinawa and support for 
Afghanistan, in addition to issues related to North Korea and global 
warming. He thus indicated he would give top priority to Japan-U.S. 
relations. 
 
Important events for the new administration to establish a solid 
relationship with the U.S. have been arranged in succession, such as 
the first meeting between Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. 
President Barack Obama set for Sept. 23, U.S. Secretary of Defense 
Robert Gates' visit to Japan in mid-October, and in mid-November 
President Obama's first visit to Japan since coming into office. The 
government will be pressed to take a specific approach in 
negotiations on such sticky issues as Futenma relocation, whether 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force should continue its refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean, and whether the Japan-U.S. Status of 
Forces Agreement should be revised. 
 
Stopping short of discussing these issues beyond what was written in 
the party's policy manifesto for the last House of Representatives 
election, Okada showed consideration for the U.S. when he as 
secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan engaged in talks 
on forming a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party 
and the People's New Party. A senior Foreign Ministry official said: 
"Mr. Okada is fully aware of the necessity of continuity in foreign 
policy." 
 
15) Approach by Defense Minister Kitazawa in dealing with refueling, 
Futenma issues unknown 
 
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MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Toshimi Kitazawa chaired the House of Councillors' Foreign Affairs 
and Defense Committee from September 2007 through this January, but 
officials of the Defense Ministry do not regard him as an expert on 
security policy. It is uncertain whether he will be able to smoothly 
deal with such sticky issues as revision of the National Defense 
Program Outline at year's end. 
 
The Defense Ministry has to deal with a number of key issues, such 
as whether the Maritime Self-Defense Force should continue its 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean as part of assistance in the 
war on terror and what to do about the planned transfer of the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. 
 
On his website Kitazawa severely criticizes Japan's dispatch of 
Self-Defense Force troops to Iraq as "a reckless act that distorts 
the Constitution and violates the Iraq special measures law." Some 
Defense Ministry officials worry about what approach Kitazawa will 
take to Japan's participation in UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) 
now that Japan has a firm role in those operations. 
 
ROOS