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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002228 
 
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 PRESS MORNIGN HIGHLIGHTS 09/24/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Hatoyama Diplomacy in New York 
4) Hatoyama and Obama agree at meeting to strengthen Japan-U.S. 
alliance  (Yomiuri) 
5) Hatoyama and Obama reaffirm Japan-U.S. alliance  (Nikkei) 
6) Gist of discussion at Hatoyama-Obama meeting  (Yomiuri) 
7) Prime Minister expresses willingness to expand PKO role for Japan 
 (Nikkei) 
8) Japanese and Russian leaders meet  (Nikkei) 
9) British prime minister asks Hatoyama to continue refueling 
mission  (Nikkei) 
10) Hatoyama expresses willingness to expand PKO role in meeting 
with UN Secretary General  (Sankei) 
11) Gist of discussion of between Hatoyama and UN Secretary General 
(Sankei) 
12) Obama vouches for U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos during summit 
with Hatoyama  (Yomiuri) 
 
Okada Diplomacy in New York 
13) FM Okada criticizes uranium enrichment in meeting with Iranian 
counterpart  (Nikkei) 
 
Security & Defense 
14) Administration's positive attitude toward basic defense program 
spurs MOD to accelerate its formulation  (Yomiuri) 
 
Economy 
15) Keidanren chairman calls for public debate on greenhouse gas 
reduction  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei & Sankei 
Hatoyama, Obama agree to strengthen bilateral alliance 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Construction Minister Maehara apologizes for policy change on Yamba 
Dam project: "Consideration was lacking" 
 
Akahata: 
JCP Chairman Shii, Kazakhstan ruling party's first vice chairman 
confirm cooperation in eliminating nuclear weapons, ensuring peace 
in Asia 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Quickly arrange next climate change summit to break impasse in 
negotiations 
(2) Welfare Ministry under Nagatsuma should become good model of 
politicians-led politics for people 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Climate change summit: Present specific measures under Hatoyama 
initiative 
 
TOKYO 00002228  002 OF 008 
 
 
(2) U.S. mediation in Middle East: Continue persuasion on halt of 
immigration by Israel 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Hatoyama UN speech: No domestic consensus yet on a 25 PERCENT 
cut in gas emissions 
(2) Cancellation of Yamba Dam project: Stance of sticking to 
campaign pledges unreasonable 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Make use of Hatoyama speech to accelerate negotiations on global 
warming 
(2) Make efforts to establish relationship of trust between Japan, 
China before working on concept of East Asia Community 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Pledge of 25 PERCENT  cut in gas emissions: Explanation needed 
about increase in public burden 
(2) Reconstruction of financial system: Concerns looming about 
increase in government bond issuance 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Try to translate "government's determination" to reduce gas 
emissions by 25 PERCENT  into reality 
(2) Final stage of Olympics-invitation race: Convey Japan's 
eagerness 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Climate change summit: Make efforts to translate government's 
determination into action 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 24, 2009 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 22, 2009 
 
Afternoon Met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Interviewed by 
the Washington Post at Intercontinental Hotel. Held informal meeting 
with Japanese officials at UN. dinner meeting with Ban Ki Moon at UN 
headquarters. Met British Prime Minister Brown. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 24, 2009 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 23, 2009 
 
Morning Met President Obama at Waldorf Astoria. Interviewed by news 
organizations at Intercontinental Hotel. 
Afternoon Met Russian President Medvedev at Waldorf Astoria. 
 
4) Japan-U.S. summit confirms strengthening of alliance, cooperation 
in dealing with North Korea, nuclear issue, global warming 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Kohei Kobayashi, New York 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held his first meeting with U.S. 
President Barack Obama after assuming office, for about 35 minutes 
 
TOKYO 00002228  003 OF 008 
 
 
at a hotel in New York on the morning of September 23 (evening of 
September 23, Japan time). The two leaders confirmed their intention 
to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and to cooperate in 
dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue, nuclear disarmament, 
and climate change. 
 
After the meeting, the Prime Minister told reporters: "The President 
and I were able to build a relationship with a certain degree of 
trust." 
 
Hatoyama stated at their meeting that the bilateral alliance "will 
continue to be the cornerstone of security," while Obama said that 
the alliance is "the basis of the two countries' security and 
economic prosperity." 
 
There was no specific discussion on such issues as the revision of 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a review of the 
U.S. Forces Japan realignment plans, and what to do with the 
refueling mission of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian 
Ocean whose authorization will expire in January 2010. The President 
told Hatoyama: "We will have a long relationship starting today, so 
let's resolve the issues one by one." Hatoyama replied that, "We 
would like to consider our best possible contribution from an 
overall perspective," indicating Japan's willingness to provide 
agricultural aid, vocational training, and other civilian assistance 
to support reconstruction in Afghanistan. 
 
The two leaders agreed that North Korea's possession and development 
of nuclear arms is "unacceptable." Hatoyama pointed out that it is 
"important" for U.S.-DPRK talks to take place "within the framework 
of the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue." He also requested 
support in seeking a solution to the problem of Japanese nationals 
abducted by the DPRK. 
 
On climate change, Hatoyama explained Japan's mid-term goal of 
reducing greenhouse gas emission by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 
2020, asking the United States to also make efforts. He also 
complimented the President on his advocacy of a "world without 
nuclear weapons" in April and confirmed with him the two countries' 
cooperation in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. 
 
Regarding the Hatoyama administration's policy on Asia, the Prime 
Minister explained that Japan "will strengthen its relationship of 
trust with the Asian countries and promote regional cooperation with 
the Japan-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone." The President welcomed 
this policy. 
 
5) Hatoyama, Obama agree to uphold Japan-U.S. alliance 
 
NIKKEI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Naoya Yoshino, New York 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held talks for about 25 minutes with 
U.S. President Barack Obama at a New York hotel on the morning of 
Sept. 23 (the night of Sept. 23, Japan time). The two leaders agreed 
to maintain the bilateral alliance with next year marking the 50th 
anniversary of the conclusion of the revised U.S.-Japan Security 
Treaty. They also agreed to work closely for overcoming the global 
economic crisis. The two leaders stopped short of referring to an 
extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in 
 
TOKYO 00002228  004 OF 008 
 
 
the Indian Ocean or the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. 
 
Gist of the Japan-U.S. summit talks 
 
Q The leaders agreed that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone 
of the two countries' security policies and that they must deepen 
the bilateral alliance. 
Q They emphasized the need to work closely for overcoming the global 
economic crisis. 
Q They shared the view that the Six-Party Talks is an effective 
framework in dealing with the North Korean issue. 
Q Prime Minister Hatoyama announced a plan to provide civilian aid 
to Afghanistan. President Obama welcomed the announcement. 
Q They agreed to cooperate to achieve their common goal of making 
the world nuclear free. 
Q The two leaders agreed to cooperate in the international talks in 
the run-up to the COP15 climate change conference to be held in 
December. 
Q President Obama will visit Japan in November. 
 
6) Main points of the Japan-U.S. summit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Japan-U.S. relations 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: The Japan-U.S. alliance will continue 
to be the cornerstone of security. We would like to engage in close 
consultations on all issues pertaining to the bilateral security 
arrangements. Japan will strengthen its relationship of trust with 
the Asian countries and promote regional cooperation with the 
bilateral alliance as the cornerstone. 
 
President Barack Obama: I welcome your policy. The Japan-U.S. 
relationship is very important not only to both countries, but also 
to the world. The bilateral alliance is the basis of the two 
countries' security and economic prosperity. We will have a long 
relationship, so let us resolve the issues one by one. 
 
North Korea 
 
Hatoyama: In addition to the policy of dialogue and cooperation, we 
also need to take a tough stance when necessary. The Six-Party Talks 
is the most effective framework, and it is important that U.S.-DPRK 
talks take place within this framework. A comprehensive solution to 
the issues of abduction, nuclear arms, and missiles is important. We 
would like to strengthen our cooperation. 
 
Obama: Let us continue to cooperate. 
 
Climate change 
 
Hatoyama: Japan will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 
percent from 1990 levels by 2020 premised on all the major powers 
also taking effective actions. While our industrial sector still has 
problems with this, a political solution is necessary. 
 
Both leaders: Let us promote international negotiations ahead of the 
15th Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (COP15). We will collaborate closely. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002228  005 OF 008 
 
 
Afghan aid 
 
Hatoyama: Japan will become actively involved in the reconstruction 
of Afghanistan and Pakistan as its own cause. We excel at 
agricultural aid, vocational training, and other forms of assistance 
for stable livelihoods, so we intend to make positive contributions 
in this area. We plan to consider our best possible contribution 
from an overall perspective. 
 
Obama: That will be very helpful. 
 
Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament 
 
Hatoyama: Let us take the lead in realizing a world without nuclear 
weapons. 
 
Exchanges between leaders 
 
Obama: I look forward to my visit to Japan in November. 
 
Hatoyama: We welcome you wholeheartedly. 
 
7) Prime Minister Hatoyama willing to expand Japan's PKO 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Yusuke Nakajima, New York 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, now visiting the United States, met 
with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at UN headquarters 
on the afternoon of Sept. 22 (early on the morning of Sept. 23, 
Japan time). Referring in it to Japan's UN peacekeeping operations 
(PKO), Hatoyama said, "Our personnel contribution is not sufficient, 
but I think we should make more efforts." He expressed his 
willingness to expand Japan's participation in PKO. He told Ban, "I 
would like you to exercise your leadership" regarding the North 
Korean nuclear and missile issues. 
 
8) Hatoyama, Medvedev meet 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Naoya Yoshino, New York 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Russian President Dmitry 
Medvedev in New York at noon Sept. 23 (early on the morning of Sept. 
24, Japan time). Hatoyama is expected to tell Medvedev about his 
determination to resolve the issue of the Northern Territories and 
seek his cooperation. He is also expected to propose strengthening 
relations in such areas as the economy, energy, and anti-global 
warning efforts. 
 
9) British premier asks Hatoyama to extend refueling mission 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
(Yusuke Nakajima, New York) 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, now visiting the U.S., met with his 
 
TOKYO 00002228  006 OF 008 
 
 
British counterpart, Gordon Brown, on the evening of Sept. 22 (local 
time). Brown asked Hatoyama whether Japan would continue the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
beyond its January expiration. "We will consider what would be the 
best way to contribute to the future of Afghanistan," Hatoyama 
replied. Citing as an example vocational training for elements of 
the Taliban, an armed anti-government group, Hatoyama indicated 
Japan would place emphasis on aid in the public welfare area. 
 
Prior to the Hatoyama-Brown meeting, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada 
met British Foreign Secretary David Miliband at UN Headquarters. 
Miliband called for Japan's continued refueling operation. "During 
the campaign (for the latest House of Representatives election), we 
emphasized our intention of not simply extending the refueling 
mission," Okada said in response. "We would like to thoroughly 
discuss the issue." He pointed out that poverty is behind the 
Taliban's gaining in influence. He added: "To facilitate Taliban 
soldiers' reintegration into society we will emphasize job creation, 
vocational training, and help in finding jobs." 
 
10) Hatoyama in meeting with UN secretary general expresses 
eagerness for more contributions in UN PKO 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) 
September 24, 2009 
 
(Morimichi Imahori, New York) 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, currently visiting the U.S., met UN 
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in UN headquarters in New York on the 
afternoon of Sept. 22, local time, in which he indicated a 
willingness to expand Japan's contribution in UN peacekeeping 
operations (PKO). Hatoyama said: "Japan's personnel contribution is 
not enough. Japan must make more efforts in this area." He made this 
remark in response to Ban's reference to the need to step up efforts 
to prevent disputes and build peace. 
 
11) Gist of meeting between Hatoyama, UN Secretary General Ban 
 
(UN PKO) 
 
Hatoyama: The (Hatoyama) coalition government has placed emphasis on 
the UN more than the previous governments. I am glad that I was 
given an opportunity to address the UN as my first job. 
 
Ban: I have a deep sense of gratitude toward Japan's assistance to 
the UN in such areas as peacekeeping, human rights, development, and 
finances. It is necessary to step up our efforts to prevent disputes 
and build peace. 
 
Hatoyama: Japan's personnel contribution in PKO is not enough. Japan 
must make more efforts in this area. 
 
(Climate change) 
 
Ban: You were able to announce the target of reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions by 25 PERCENT  owing to your wonderful leadership. The 
target has been favorably taken by other UN member nations. 
 
Hatoyama: In order for human beings to survive, we think it is 
necessary to attain this target, although it is set high. Japan 
would like to play the role of leading the world in the technical 
 
TOKYO 00002228  007 OF 008 
 
 
area. 
 
(North Korea) 
 
Hatoyama: I want you as a UN secretary general from Asia to 
demonstrate your leadership in resolving the North Korean nuclear 
and missile issues. I appreciate the UN for its efforts to settle 
the issue of abductions by North Korean agents from a humanitarian 
point of view. 
 
Ban: I am willing to make utmost efforts to settle various issues 
related to North Korea. I highly appreciate Japan's contributions to 
the UN Security Council. 
 
(Nuclear disarmament) 
 
Hatoyama: Japan, as the only atomic-bombed nation, would like to 
take the lead in reducing nuclear arms and play its role. 
 
Ban: I also want to convey such a message to the world. 
 
12) President Obama vouches for U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Satoshi Ogawa 
 
"He is a person I can trust very much." 
 
This is how President Barack Obama reportedly described U.S. 
Ambassador to Japan John Roos, who just assumed his post in August, 
toward the end of the Japan-U.S. summit on Sept. 23. There are 
concerns in Japan about Ambassador Roos, a former lawyer, because he 
has little experience in diplomacy although he has close ties to the 
President. President Obama was apparently addressing those concerns. 
Roos is an alumnus of Stanford University, which is also the alma 
mater of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. Hatoyama and Obama 
reportedly talked casually about the university in English, drawing 
laughter. 
 
13) In meeting with Iranian foreign minister, Foreign Minister Okada 
criticizes Iran's uranium enrichment program 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with his Iranian counterpart 
Manouchehr Mottaki on the afternoon of Sept. 22 (the early morning 
of Sept. 23, Japan time) in New York. During the meeting, Okada 
criticized Iran's stance of continuing its uranium enrichment 
program, saying, "Iran should dispel the international community's 
doubts" about its nuclear program. 
 
Mottaki asserted, "Since our religion prohibits us from possessing 
weapons of mass destruction, we have no intention to have nuclear 
weapons." Okada told Mottaki: "The U.S. administration has changed, 
and President Obama is now in office. Why don't you hold 
straightforward talks with the United States?" 
 
14) Gov't to speed up defense program revision 
 
 
TOKYO 00002228  008 OF 008 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
September 24, 2009 
 
The government is set to revise its national defense program 
guidelines, or NDPG for short, and its midterm defense buildup plan 
later in the year. The Hatoyama cabinet has indicated a positive 
stance about overhauling the two defense plans. In response, the 
Defense Ministry is now gearing up to review them. 
 
The NDPG is an outline of Japan's defense capabilities for the years 
ahead. Its current version, adopted in a cabinet meeting of December 
2004, is required to be revised in five years. Meanwhile, the 
current midterm defense buildup plan, which stipulates a five-year 
timetable for the government to procure mainstay equipment and 
weaponry for the Self-Defense Forces, also expires in the current 
fiscal year. In this regard, Defense Minister Kitazawa revealed in a 
Sept. 17 press conference that he had been told by Prime Minister 
Hatoyama to coordinate with relevant ministers to revise the NDPG 
and formulate a new midterm defense buildup plan. "I am the person 
in charge," Kitazawa said, "so it's my responsibility to make 
preparations for the plans that will expire at the end of the 
current fiscal year." 
 
15) Nippon Keidanren chairman calls for public debate on greenhouse 
gas emissions cut 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
September 24, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the high-level meeting on climate 
change hosted by the UN (climate change summit) announced Japan's 
mid-term goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 
2020 from the 1990 level. Japan Business Federation (Nippon 
Keidanren) Chairman Fujio Mitarai released a comment on the 
announcement, saying, "A strong resolution to build a fair and 
effective international framework that major emitters participate in 
has been announced." He then asked the prime minister to generate 
public debate after showing a concrete path toward emissions 
reduction and the burdens to be shouldered. 
 
President Tadashi Okamura of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry also released a statement, which read, "We take it 
seriously that the prime minister has pledged (a 25 percent 
emissions cut) to the world. I would like him provide a clear 
roadmap toward making the environment and the economy compatible." 
 
ROOS