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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 002194 
 
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 09/18/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell: Washington will 
discuss U.S. force realignment with Hatoyama administration; 
Emphasizes flexible stance (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Campbell in interview: "U.S. is ready to hold talks on Futenma 
issue" (Asahi) 
 
(3) Okada asks U.S. to cooperate in investigating secret pact 
(Nikkei) 
 
(4) Interview with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada - I will not 
penalize bureaucrats over secret pact (Asahi) 
 
(5) Foreign minister's statement on nuclear weapons show he lacks 
perception of reality (Sankei) 
 
(6) Editorial: New Hatoyama cabinet should give priority to national 
interests (Sankei) 
 
(7) Government adopts new rules on relations between lawmakers and 
bureaucrats (Nikkei) 
 
(8) Kan to become "chief strategist" for macroeconomy (Nikkei) 
 
(9) New Lower House committee chairs (Nikkei) 
 
(10) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Asahi) 
 
(11) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Nikkei) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Campbell: Washington will 
discuss U.S. force realignment with Hatoyama administration; 
Emphasizes flexible stance 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 18, 2009 Evening Edition 
 
Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell gave an 
exclusive interview to the Yomiuri Shimbun at the U.S. Embassy in 
Tokyo earlier today. "I am aware that the new Japanese 
administration wants to make some changes to what was agreed upon," 
Campbell said regarding the realignment of U.S. bases in Japan. "As 
Japan's close ally, it is the United States' duty to come to the 
negotiating table and lend an ear." 
 
Washington has indicated in the past that it will not renegotiate 
with Tokyo a plan to relocate Futenma Air Station within Okinawa or 
other matters. Campbell indicated that the U.S. government will 
shift to a "firm yet flexible" response, while describing the 
Japan-U.S. relationship as an "equal partnership." He also stressed 
that the United States will "respect" the Hatoyama administration's 
wishes, saying, "It is unproductive for the United States to tell 
(Japan) what it should do." 
 
At the same time, Campbell warned against seeking a hasty review of 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and other matters, saying, 
"Continuity is vital in several sectors, and that has been the 
foundation for the bilateral alliance that has functioned 
 
TOKYO 00002194  002 OF 015 
 
 
effectively over the last 50 years." 
 
(2) Campbell in interview: "U.S. is ready to hold talks on Futenma 
issue" 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 18, 2009, Evening Edition 
 
By Yoichi Kato, senior staff writer 
 
In an interview this morning with the Asahi Shimbun at the U.S. 
Embassy in Akasaka, Tokyo, visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of 
State Kurt Campbell said with regard to the relocation of the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, "If the Hatoyama administration 
says it wants to hold talks, we are obligated to respond to the 
request," indicating the U.S.'s readiness to start talks with 
Japan. 
 
The assistant secretary said, "The U.S. government strongly hopes to 
continue to implement those agreements already concluded with the 
Japanese government." But he added, "A stance in which we give 
orders or press Japan to accept our conclusions will inevitably 
result in undermining what we are going to build, which is an equal 
and firm partnership." Campbell also said: "I am fully aware that 
the Japanese government is willing to hold talks. We must agree to 
hold such talks. That is why I am visiting Japan." He thus indicated 
a flexible stance at least with respect to sitting at the table for 
talks on reviewing the Futenma relocation plan. 
 
The Hatoyama administration has said that it would not simply extend 
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean. On this issue, Campbell remarked: "We are facing a crucial 
situation (in Afghanistan and Pakistan). We will now welcome any 
form of aid from Japan." He indicated a strong hope that if Japan 
halts its refueling mission, Japan will take some alternative 
steps. 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama has come up with the mid-term goal of 
cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 PERCENT  from 1990 levels. 
Campbell said, "The goal is welcome at the global level." But he 
added, "The form it will assume in negotiations (on creating an 
international framework) is another matter." 
 
Regarding President Barack Obama's planned visit to Japan, Campbell 
said, "The White House has high expectations for the visit." He then 
disclosed that it has been decided that senior U.S. government 
officials will hold discussions with Japanese officials at the rate 
of almost once a week. 
 
(3) Okada asks U.S. to cooperate in investigating secret pact 
 
NIKKEI (Online) (Full) 
September 18, 2009 (14:28) 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with visiting U.S. Assistant 
Secretary of State Campbell at the Foreign Ministry this morning. 
Okada told Campbell that the Foreign Ministry would begin an 
in-house investigation into the issue of a secret pact allowing the 
United States to bring nuclear weapons into Japan. Okada asked 
Campbell for the United States' cooperation on this issue. 
 
In the meeting, Campbell first conveyed U.S. President Obama's 
 
TOKYO 00002194  003 OF 015 
 
 
"heartfelt congratulations" on the new government's inauguration. 
"In the months and weeks ahead, we would like to consult closely and 
work together on issues facing Japan and the United States." Okada 
stressed. "There are various issues between Japan and the United 
States, but our alliance is sustainable for 30 or 50 years." He 
added, "I will make efforts to deepen it." 
 
(4) Interview with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada - I will not 
penalize bureaucrats over secret pact 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
September 18, 2009 
 
-- Why are you going to investigate the Japan-U.S. secret agreement 
now? 
 
Okada: To restore public trust in foreign policy. Foreign policy 
rests on public support and trust. There is no doubt that the secret 
pact issue has damaged that. 
 
-- In response to questions in the Diet, senior government or 
Foreign Ministry officials have consistently denied the existence of 
such. Are you going to penalize them? 
 
Okada: If the (foreign) minister or the prime minister says such 
does not exist, (government officials) cannot make replies that 
conflict with their statements. In that sense, I think the foreign 
minister and the prime minister are to blame. I don't think it's 
right to blame the government officials. 
 
-- You have indicated that you will not 'make a simple extension' of 
the (Maritime) Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian 
Ocean. Does that mean you will approve an extension on certain 
conditions, such as Diet approval? 
 
Okada: The lack of additional explanation adds to the significance 
of what exactly the 'simple extension' means. I have repeatedly 
said, 'Nothing more, nothing less.' Basically it all depends on 
talks with the United States. 
 
-- Are you aiming to reach an agreement with the United States on 
the relocation of Futenma Air Station in Okinawa before the end of 
the year? 
 
Okada: No specific deadline is set, but once the environmental 
impact assessment is over, the next question will be whether or not 
to earmark a budget for it. In that context, we will probably have 
to reach a conclusion by the end of the year. 
 
-- Do you support recent moves between the United States and North 
Korea to enter into dialogue? 
 
Okada: It is not bad for the United States and North Korea to open 
dialogue. The United States, too, has indicated that it will conduct 
dialogue within the framework of the Six-Party Talks and that the 
dialogue will not conflict with the Six-Party Talks. I agree. Then 
again, Japan and the United States must fully communicate with one 
another on the matter. 
 
North Korea promised to reinvestigate the fate of the Japanese 
abductees, but it has yet to launch the reinvestigation. Given North 
Korea's missile and nuclear tests, Japan will never take a 
 
TOKYO 00002194  004 OF 015 
 
 
reconciliatory stance. This means we will wait for North Korea's 
policy shift while increasing our sanctions against the North in 
compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. 
 
-- What is your deadline for starting talks on a free trade 
agreement (FTA) with the United States? 
 
Okada: I have to watch what I say because there are people who are 
just waiting to jump on me. As is specified in our manifesto 
(campaign pledges), we will make every effort to prevent a 
Japan-U.S. FTA from adversely affecting the Japanese agricultural 
market. We want to advance discussions in line with that direction. 
 
(5) Foreign minister's statement on nuclear weapons show he lacks 
perception of reality 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 18, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in his first press conference since 
taking office said, "In the capacity of cabinet minister, I will 
issue an order to thoroughly investigate the Japan-U.S. secret pact 
concerning the three nonnuclear principles. He also stressed that 
there has been no change in his pet argument of calling on the U.S. 
to abandon the preemptive use nuclear weapons. 
 
Both issues involve the very foundations of the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
We are concerned that the foreign minister's statement is idealistic 
and lacks any perception of reality. What is important is for him to 
properly grasp the fact that (the nuclear umbrella) for prevention 
of nuclear proliferation provided the U.S. is Japan's ultimate 
security measure and it is ensured under the Japan-U.S. security 
arrangement. 
 
We would like to support the foreign minister's eagerness to deepen 
the alliance. However, in order for us to do so, we would like him 
to keep reality in mind as he tackles the challenges facing Japan 
and the U.S. 
 
The so-called secret pact indicates an understanding reached between 
Japan and the U.S. during the Cold War age - U.S. vessels carrying 
nuclear arms making port calls in Japan or passing its territorial 
waters will not be subject to prior consultation. One could say that 
this is a political solution for making nonnuclear ideals and the 
reality of security policy, which has to rely on nuclear deterrence, 
compatible. The pact has lost its practical meaning since 1992, when 
the U.S. changed its nuclear policy. 
 
The foreign minister ordered a thorough investigation 
retrospectively back through that date. We do not mean to say that 
the investigation will be meaningless. However, there are many 
pressing challenges between Japan and the U.S., including the U.S. 
Forces Japan realignment and support for action against terrorists. 
These should be the matters to which the foreign minister should 
devote himself, before spending immense time and manpower on the 
work of digging up the past. 
 
Referring to the issue of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons, 
too, the foreign minister said, "I wonder whether a country that 
categorically said that it will use nuclear weapons preemptively is 
entitled to speak of nuclear disarmament or nonproliferation." The 
U.S. is in fact making diplomatic efforts for nuclear arms reduction 
 
TOKYO 00002194  005 OF 015 
 
 
and nonproliferation. President Obama will preside over the UNSC 
summit on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament next 
week. In order to press ahead with nuclear reduction while 
protecting national security, the ideals and the reality must be 
compatible. What is important is not immature idealism but a 
flexible sense of balance. 
 
The foreign minister might have had China's principle of the 
abandonment of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in mind when he 
made that statement. However, this was just a political statement 
that is not legally binding. We should not forget that a senior 
Chinese military officer in 2005 made a statement that indicated 
that China would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons preemptively. 
He said, "If the U.S. interferes in the China-Taiwan dispute, China 
will launch a nuclear attack on the continental U.S." 
 
Foreign Minister Okada has been insisting that Japan should be 
half-covered by the nuclear umbrella, by making Japan and South and 
North Koreas nonnuclear zones in combination with the abandonment of 
preemptive use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. Is it possible to cope 
with a nuclear threat from North Korea and China's military buildup 
with such an approach? We are concerned that the foreign minister's 
policy could result in pleasing only North Korea and China, 
undermining the nuclear umbrella and the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
(6) Editorial: New Hatoyama cabinet should give priority to national 
interests 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Yesterday Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama was 
elected to lead the 93rd administration and later launched his 
cabinet with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party. 
Given high public expectations that the new administration might be 
able to break the current impasse in politics, Prime Minister 
Hatoyama bears an extremely heavy responsibility. In a press 
conference, Hatoyama said: "I am shouldering a very heavy 
responsibility." We expect Hatoyama to run his government with the 
determination to protect Japan's safety and prosperity. 
 
For the sake of the national and public interest, the new government 
will unavoidably have to reconsider the promises the DPJ has made 
until now. After giving a proper explanation, the party should make 
a policy switch without hesitation. The top leader's decisiveness 
and courage will set the nation's course in the right direction. 
 
Hatoyama included in his cabinet junior, mid-ranking and veteran 
lawmakers, with past party presidents as its core members. The 
lineup shows that he struggled to achieve a sense of stability. The 
lineup gives the impression he is determined through the united 
efforts of his cabinet to change the trend of Japanese politics. 
 
Take over basic security policy 
 
The new administration is expected to take a scalpel to wasteful 
spending and the bloated bureaucracy, which is described as a 
"bureaucratic cabinet system." 
 
State Minister for National Strategy Bureau Naoto Kan and Health, 
Labor and Welfare Minister Akira Nagatsuma got to the truth about 
AIDS contracted from contaminated blood products and the pension 
 
TOKYO 00002194  006 OF 015 
 
 
record-keeping fiasco through heated debate with government 
officials and bureaucrats. Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism 
Minister Seiji Maehara will fight to review wasteful spending in 
public works projects. 
 
They are expected to demonstrate not only their capabilities to 
break the bureaucracy's monopoly but also capabilities to work out 
effective measures to resolve such issues. 
 
But we cannot help feeling concerned about the new administration's 
diplomatic and security policies. Will the administration be able to 
make responses realistically and flexibly while maintaining an 
alliance with the SDP, which considers the Self-Defense Force as 
unconstitutional and takes an anti-U.S. stance? The people did not 
pin their hopes on the SDP (in the Lower House election). The DPJ 
should consider cooperating with the Liberal Democratic Party and 
other parties if necessary. 
 
Concern also remains about Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. While 
stating that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's 
diplomacy, he stresses "an equal partnership" with the U.S. His 
statement contains no specific vision that explains exactly what his 
idea means. 
 
Okada expressed his intention to call on the U.S. to adopt a policy 
of no-first use of nuclear weapons. We should not forget that 
Japan's peace and safety are being protected by the U.S. nuclear 
umbrella. Diplomacy that just plays around with words could 
undermine the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
In order to erase such concerns, Prime Minister Hatoyama should take 
a pragmatic approach and demonstrate his leadership and identity. He 
is scheduled to visit the U.S. immediately after assuming the 
premiership. He said, "I want to establish a relationship of trust 
with America during my visit to the U.S." We expect Hatoyama to 
confirm the solid Japan-U.S. relationship and also to reconsider 
whether it is appropriate to halt the ongoing Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean even though the U.S. 
has expressed hope for its continuation. 
 
The new government also needs to urgently start compiling next 
fiscal year's budget. The Japanese economy, seriously hit by the 
global economic recession, is said to have bottomed out, but some 
observers are concerned that the economy might lose steam again. 
Under such a situation, the government is required to speed up 
budget-compilation work. 
 
Don't delay budget compilation 
 
DPJ officials have said that the new government plans to have 
agencies redo their budget requests and resubmit them later this 
month. The new government will also drastically revise this fiscal 
year's supplementary budget for covering economic stimulus measures 
and compile a second supplementary budget. Since the new government 
will start compiling the budget from scratch, the work will 
inevitably face difficulties, but any delay is unacceptable. 
 
The DPJ has promised to offer child-raising allowances and to 
introduce income subsidies for all farming households. To implement 
these measures, 16.8 trillion yen will be needed. The party has said 
that it will be able to come up with most of the money by 
reallocating the budget. Specifically, it intends to reallocate the 
 
TOKYO 00002194  007 OF 015 
 
 
general account and special accounts, as well as to erase wasteful 
spending. But the party has not revealed how much money can be 
collected by such means. 
 
It is also difficult to depend on the unused funds in the 
supplementary budget. Certainly, there are wasteful projects linked 
to vested interests that were worked out in the days of LDP 
administration. But since many local governments and companies have 
also been involved in such projects, the new government's policy 
might result in slowing down the economy, depending on 
circumstances. 
 
Steady economic recovery and a growth strategy are indispensable in 
order to secure tax revenues, but the new administration seems 
oblivious of this. The DPJ has also closed the door on a consumption 
tax hike. If securing tax revenues is impossible despite an increase 
in spending, there will be no other means but to depend on issuing 
government bonds. Japan's economy - now in the worst shape among 
those of industrialized countries - might deteriorate further. 
 
State Minister for Financial Affairs and Postal Reform Shizuka Kamei 
flatly opposed the ongoing process of privatizing postal services 
and also advocated a debt-moratorium plan for loans to small 
businesses and for housing loans. A sort of "debt cancellation 
order" might shake the foundation of the market economy. The new 
government has also said that it will abandon reform efforts. The 
government's policy coordination capability is now being called into 
question. 
 
There is also the question of whether the DPJ will be able to carry 
out drastic reforms, because the party received support from 
government and public workers' unions, including the All Japan 
Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union, in the last Lower House 
election. In education as well, it is also necessary to carefully 
watch whether the new government will not carry out politics that 
reflect only the interests of specific groups such as the Japan 
Teachers' Union. 
 
(7) Government adopts new rules on relations between lawmakers and 
bureaucrats 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
September 17, 2009 
 
The government adopted yesterday a set of new rules on relations 
between lawmakers and bureaucrats, including a decision to terminate 
the regular press conference held by the administrative 
vice-minister at each ministry, with the aim of realizing the 
Democratic Party of Japan's goal of politician-led policymaking. How 
the government will harmonize its ideals with practical affairs 
remains to be seen. 
 
The new guidelines require government officials to report to the 
ministers  and prohibit the concealment of information or the 
provision of biased information. They also require records be kept 
of contacts between lawmakers and government officials as per the 
Basic Law for Reform of the Civil Servant System. 
 
The guidelines read: "Lawmakers are to plan, coordinate, and 
determine policies and to directly control and oversee government 
officials." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002194  008 OF 015 
 
 
Budget compilation for fiscal 2010 will be the first test for 
"politician-controlled policymaking." The budget will be jointly 
compiled by the National Strategy Bureau - a body to be placed 
directly under the Prime Minister -- the Administrative Renewal 
Council, and the Finance Ministry, which has always played the 
central role in budget compilation. The National Strategy Bureau 
cannot be established without an amendment to the Cabinet Law. As 
such, the National Strategy Office will first be established to pave 
the way for the National Strategy Bureau. 
 
The National Strategy Office will determine the budget's framework, 
and the Finance Ministry will compile the budget in line with that 
framework. The new cabinet aims at producing budget-compilation 
guidelines before the end of the month to implement the DPJ's unique 
campaign pledges, such as child allowances, in fiscal 2010. 
 
The implementation of such policies requires 7 trillion yen in 
fiscal 2010. In addition to putting part of the fiscal 2009 
supplementary budget on hold, the government will set up the 
Administrative Renewal Council, which will play an important role in 
exploring funding sources, such as the elimination of wasteful 
spending. 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama has named his close friend, Naoto Kan, 
national strategy minister. Kan doubles as deputy prime minister. 
Hatoyama has also appointed Yoshito Sengoku, a policy expert, as 
state minister for administrative reform. The prime minister has 
apparently formed a cabinet comprising lawmakers capable of 
promoting DPJ policies in consultation with bureaucrats. 
 
Administrative vice-minister meetings, which have functioned as 
"coordinators" between government agencies, will be replaced with 
theme-specific cabinet committees. There is skepticism about 
creating a system that does not involve prior adjustment of views by 
administrative authorities. 
 
The presence of Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa is another challenge. 
The Hatoyama administration's attempt to centralize policy-making 
under the cabinet is likely to be affected by the degree to which 
the Prime Minister can maintain his honeymoon-like relationship with 
Ozawa. It can be said that bills' fate in a sense is in the hands of 
Ozawa. 
 
Review of postal services 
 
The new administration intends to freeze sales of Japan Post shares 
and to review the group's four-company system with the aim of 
rebuilding a system providing three postal services -- mail 
delivery, savings, and insurance -- under a single entity. 
 
At a press conference yesterday, State Minister for Financial 
Affairs and Postal Reform Shizuka Kamei expressed eagerness for 
reviewing the system. 
 
Meanwhile, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro 
Haraguchi indicated at a press meeting before dawn today that he 
will seek the resignation of Japan Post Holdings Co. President 
Yoshifumi Nishikawa, as was requested by Prime Minister Hatoyama. 
 
"We will freeze the sale of Japan Post shares first and then present 
a bill to reform postal services," Haraguchi said. A bill freezing 
the sale of Japan Post shares might be able to clear the Diet in the 
 
TOKYO 00002194  009 OF 015 
 
 
extraordinary session this fall. At the same time, the move faces 
criticism for running counter to the reform drive. "I want to adopt 
an innovative idea that can make the postal service networks serve 
like economic capillaries," Kamei said about the postal financial 
services. Some private financial institutions are concerned whether 
the competitive conditions will be maintained. 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada held his inaugural press conference 
after midnight today. In reference to the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which is to expire 
next January, he said, "My view is that we will not make a simple 
extension. Nothing more, nothing less." 
 
The DPJ presented the same position during the recent House of 
Representatives election. The refueling mission is a form of 
logistical support for the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and 
a symbol of Japan-U.S. security cooperation. If Japan decides to 
terminate the refueling mission, the United States is expected to 
ask (from Japan) for an alternative contribution to Afghanistan. 
 
The Hatoyama administration is set to study the option of civilian 
support in place of refueling activities. Nevertheless, with the 
security situation in Afghanistan deteriorating, many observers 
opine Japan has few options. "He has hinted at the possibility of 
continuing the refueling mission with conditions, such as Diet 
approval," said a DPJ lawmaker in explaining Okada's remarks. 
 
(8) Kan to become "chief strategist" for macroeconomy 
 
NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full) 
September 17, 2009 
 
Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who has been appointed to the 
concurrent posts of state minister for national strategy and state 
minister for economic and fiscal policy in the new administration, 
will exercise his abilities as "chief strategist" in managing the 
economy for the Hatoyama administration. The Japanese economy has 
been facing difficult times due to unemployment rates continuously 
surpassing the previous record for the worst rate ever.  In 
government economic agencies, officials feel a mixture of 
anticipation for and anxiety about Kan, who has advocated the 
importance of political leadership. 
 
A senior official of the Cabinet Office made no bones about the 
sense of alarm, saying, "The economic recovery is slowing down. So, 
we cannot let our guard down on economic management." The real 
economic growth rate showed positive growth in the April-June 
period. The positive growth was mostly due to stimulus measures 
pushed forward by the Aso administration. If the Democratic Party of 
Japan (DPJ) suspends the implementation of the supplementary budget 
for fiscal 2009, "the possibility of an economic downturn will 
become stronger," according to Taro Saito of NLI Research Institute. 
 
 
Despite economic reconstruction being the top priority issue for the 
Hatoyama administration, the DPJ did not allow cabinet ministers to 
make contact with senior bureaucrats on Sept. 16. "We are not 
allowed to have a chance to inform (the new minister) about the 
severe economic situation," said a senior bureaucrat. Government 
economic agencies see Kan as a leader of the advocates of political 
leadership. However, he did not make any significant remarks on the 
economic situation at a press conference after the cabinet meeting. 
 
TOKYO 00002194  010 OF 015 
 
 
"I wonder if he is really interested in macroeconomy," said a 
bureaucrat. 
 
The state minister of economic and fiscal policy has a wide-range of 
duties, including attending monthly economic report-connected 
cabinet ministers' meetings, in which economic assessments are 
reexamined, as well as the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meetings. 
The BOJ is now holding a two-day Monetary Policy Meeting that 
started on Sept. 16. The Cabinet Office is having a senior official 
attend the meeting on behalf of the minister. However, one 
bureaucrat said, "I wonder if it is appropriate to have a bureaucrat 
take part in the meeting even though the new administration 
advocates political leadership." 
 
(9) New Lower House committee chairs 
 
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
September 18, 2009 
 
All House of Representatives standing and special committee chairmen 
were informally picked yesterday. The 17 standing committees will be 
chaired by 14 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) members, two Liberal 
Democratic Party (LDP) members and one New Party Daichi member. The 
seven special committees will be headed by five DPJ members and one 
member each from the LDP and New Komeito. The expectation is that 
the appointments of the new Lower House committee chairs will be 
formally adopted at a plenary session on Sept. 18. 
 
 
? Standing Committee Chairs 
 
(Committee on the Cabinet) 
 
Keishu Tanaka (DPJ) 
Graduated from Tokai University, former labor committee chairman, 
Lower House member representing Kanagawa No. 5 district, 6th term, 
71 years old 
 
(Committee on General Affairs) 
 
Shoichi Kondo (DPJ) 
Sophia University, former chairman of special committee on youth 
problems, Aichi No. 3 district, 5th term, 51 
 
(Committee on Judicial Affairs) 
 
Makoto Taki (DPJ) 
University of Tokyo, former senior vice justice minister, Nara No. 2 
district, 5th term, 71 
 
(Committee on Foreign Affairs) 
 
Muneo Suzuki (New Party Daichi) 
Takushoku University, former Hokkaido/Okinawa development agency 
chief, proportional representation Hokkaido bloc, 8th term, 61 
 
(Committee on Financial Affairs) 
 
Koichiro Genba (DPJ) 
Sophia University, former DPJ deputy secretary general, Fukushima 
No. 3 district, 6th term, 45 
 
 
TOKYO 00002194  011 OF 015 
 
 
(Committee on Education, Culture and Science) 
 
Makiko Tanaka (DPJ) 
Waseda University, former foreign minister, Niigata No. 5 district, 
6th term, 65 
 
(Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare) 
 
Osamu Fujimura (DPJ) 
Hiroshima University, former chairman of special committee on youth 
problems, Osaka No. 7 district, 6th term, 59 
 
(Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) 
 
Nobutaka Tsutsui (DPJ) 
Waseda University, former audit, and oversight of administration 
committee chairman, Niigata No. 6 district, 5th term, 64 
 
(Committee on Economy and Industry) 
 
Shozo Azuma (DPJ) 
Soka University Graduate School, former parliamentary secretary for 
foreign affairs, Tokyo No. 15 district, 5th term, 58 
 
(Committee on Land and Transport) 
 
Hiroshi Kawauchi (DPJ) 
Waseda University, former DPJ Diet affairs vice chairman, Kagoshima 
No. 1 district, 5th term, 47 
 
(Committee on Environment) 
 
Shinji Tarutoko (DPJ) 
Osaka University, former DPJ Diet affairs deputy chairman, Osaka No. 
12 district, 5th term, 50 
 
(Committee on Security) 
 
Jun Azumi (DPJ) 
Waseda University, DPJ Diet affairs committee deputy chair, Miyagi 
No. 5 district, 47 
 
(Committee on National Basic Policy) 
 
Akihiro Ohata (DPJ) 
Musashi Institute of Technology Graduate School, former cabinet 
committee chairman, Ibaraki No. 5 district, 7th term, 61 
 
(Committee on the Budget) 
 
Michihiko Kano (DPJ) 
Gakushuin University, former agriculture, forestry and fisheries 
minister, Yamagata No. 1 district, 11th term, 67 
 
(Committee on Audit and Oversight of Administration) 
 
Masahiro Imamura (LDP) 
University of Tokyo, former senior vice minister for agriculture, 
forestry and fisheries, proportional representation Kyushu bloc, 5th 
term, 62 
 
(Committee on Rules and Administration) 
 
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Takeaki Matsumoto (DPJ) 
University of Tokyo, former DPJ policy chief, Hyogo No. 11 district, 
4th term, 50 
 
(Committee on Discipline) 
 
Takeo Kawamura (LDP) 
Keio University, former chief cabinet secretary, Yamaguchi No. 3 
district, 7th term, 66 
 
? Special Committee Chairs 
 
(Special Committee on Disasters) 
 
Fumihiko Igarashi (DPJ) 
University of Tokyo, former DPJ policy research committee deputy 
chief, Saitama No. 9 district, 4th term, 60 
 
(Special Committee on Political Ethics/Public Offices Election Law) 
 
Seishu Makino (DPJ) 
Chuo University, former justice parliamentary secretary, Shizuoka 
No. 1 district, 4th term, 64 
 
(Special Committee on Okinawa/Northern Territories) 
 
Koichi Yamamoto (LDP) 
Keio University, former senior vice minister for internal affairs, 
Ehime No. 4 district, 6th term, 62 
 
(Special Committee on Youth Problems) 
 
Yasuko Ikenobo (New Komeito) 
Entered but did not graduate from Gakushuin University, senior vice 
education minister, proportional representation Kinki bloc, 5th 
term, 67 
 
(Special Committee on Antipiracy) 
 
Katsuyuki Ishida (DPJ) 
Nihon University, former chairman of special committee on youth 
problems, Saitama No. 2 district, 54 
 
(Special Committee on Abduction Issue) 
 
Koriki Jojima (DPJ) 
University of Tokyo, former budget committee director, Kanagawa No. 
10 district, 4th term, 62 
 
(Special Committee on Consumer Affairs) 
 
Yoshinori Suematsu (DPJ) 
Hitotsubashi University, former chairman of special committee on 
youth problems, Tokyo No. 19 district, 5th term, 52 
 
 
(Chairman of Deliberative Council on Political Ethics) 
 
Kansei Nakano (DPJ) 
Kansai University, former Lower House vice speaker, Osaka No. 8 
district, 11th term, 68 
 
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(10) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet, political parties 
 
ASAHI (Page 37) (Abridged) 
September 18, 2009 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. Bracketed figures denote 
proportions to all respondents. Figures in parentheses denote the 
results of the last survey conducted Aug. 31 through Sept. 1.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet? 
 
Yes 71 
No 14 
 
Q: Why? (One reason only. Left column for those marking "yes" on 
previous question, and right for those marking "no.") 
 
The prime minister is Mr. Hatoyama 8(6) 4(1) 
It's a DPJ-led cabinet 27(19) 27(4) 
Policy 46(33) 41(6) 
Action 13(9) 23(3) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support now? 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 46 (39) 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 15 (22) 
New Komeito (NK) 3 (6) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1 (1) 
Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 1 (1) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 
Other political parties 0 (1) 
None 29 (22) 
No answer (N/A) + don't know (D/K) 2 (5) 
 
Q: When you look at the Hatoyama cabinet's lineup, do you appreciate 
Prime Minister Hatoyama's selections? 
 
Yes 52 
No 14 
 
Q: The DPJ-led government has now come into office. Do you think the 
initiative of politicians will be stronger than the bureaucrats? 
 
Yes 49 
No 32 
 
Q: The DPJ is now in office. Do you think the coalition government 
will be able to reduce the state's fiscal waste? 
 
Yes 61 
No 26 
 
Q: How do you think Japan's relations with the U.S. will change 
under the DPJ-led government? 
 
Change for the better 8 
Change for the worse 14 
Remain unchanged 71 
 
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Q: Do you appreciate Mr. Hatoyama's appointment of Mr. Ichiro Ozawa 
as DPJ secretary general? 
 
Yes 45 
No 40 
 
Q: The Hatoyama cabinet is a tripartite coalition government of the 
DPJ, SDP, and PNP. Do you think Prime Minister Hatoyama should 
accept the SDP's and PNP's viewpoints to the extent possible to run 
the government? 
 
Yes 61 
No 31 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted from the late 
afternoon of Sept. 16 through the evening of Sept. 17 over the 
telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
Respondents were chosen from among the nation's voting population on 
a three-stage random-sampling basis. Households with one or more 
eligible voters totaled 1,812. Valid answers were obtained from 
1,054 persons (58 PERCENT ). 
 
(11) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 18, 2009 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage. Parentheses denote results for the Aso 
cabinet in the last survey conducted in July.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet? 
 
Yes 75 (20) 
No 17 (62) 
Can't say (C/S) + don't know (D/K) 8 (18) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support or prefer? 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 58 (38) 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 22 (29) 
New Komeito (NK) 2 (5) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2 (3) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (2) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (0) 
Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 1 (1) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 
Other political parties 1 (0) 
None 8 (10) 
C/S+D/K 3 (10) 
 
(Note) Percentages may not add up to 100 PERCENT  in some cases due 
to rounding. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was taken Sept. 16-17 by Nikkei 
Research Inc. by telephone on a random digit dialing (RDD) basis. 
For the survey, samples were chosen from among men and women aged 20 
and over across the nation. A total of 1,397 households with one or 
more eligible voters were sampled, and answers were obtained from 
857 persons (61.3 PERCENT ). 
 
 
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ROOS