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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002255 
 
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 09/28/09 
 
Index: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Futenma Facility Relocation 
4) Okinawa governor accepts transfer of Futenma facility within 
prefecture  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) Hatoyama reaffirms intention to have transfer Futenma facility 
outside Okinawa  (Yomiuri) 
6) MOD Kitazawa says relocation of Futenma facility to Kadena would 
be difficult  (Asahi) 
7) MOD Kitazawa says it is difficult to move Futenma facility 
outside Okinawa  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
8) FM Okada discloses intention to examine the background behind the 
decision to move Futenma facility to Camp Schwab  (Yomiuri) 
 
Defense & Security 
9) Japan and Australia to conclude ACSA  (Sankei) 
10) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos meets with MOD Kitazawa  (Yomiuri) 
 
11) Foreign Ministry changes explanation for reason why ship is not 
carrying nuclear weapons  (Yomiuri) 
12) Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawless says 
carrying out pledges is a problem  (Asahi) 
 
Refueling Mission 
13) Hatoyama says Japan will not simply extend refueling mission 
(Yomiuri) 
14) FM Okada to examine refueling mission and Afghan aid separately 
(Nikkei) 
 
Foreign Relations 
15) Foreign Ministry begins investigation of "secret accord" 
(Nikkei) 
16) Okada plans to prepare alternative Afghan aid measure before 
U.S. President arrives in Japan  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
17) Hatoyama to visit South Korea on Oct. 9  (Asahi) 
18) Japanese, Chinese, and Korean foreign minister to meet today 
(Nikkei) 
19) Hatoyama: Afghan aid to be top priority (Sankei) 
 
Politics 
20) LDP to elect president today  (Asahi) 
21) Cabinet Committee for Basic Policy to hold first meeting today 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Prime Minister Hatoyama aims to abolish bureaucrats' retiring early 
to land next job 
 
Mainichi, Yomiuri & Tokyo Shimbun: 
Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Minister Maehara vows to review 
special account budget for airports 
 
Nikkei: 
There are barriers to sustaining recovery 
 
 
TOKYO 00002255  002 OF 009 
 
 
Sankei: 
Public, private sectors baffled by Hatoyama's international pledge 
to cut emissions by 25 PERCENT 
 
Akahata: 
Two news photographers get permanent posts at local TV station in 
Kyoto right before cancellation of their contracts 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Support for advanced technology research should be reviewed with 
wide field of vision 
(2) New government must investigate actual damage caused by Minamata 
mercury poisoning 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Hatoyama diplomacy: Message of "change" conveyed successfully 
(2) New flu: Manage information to prevent confusion 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Abolishing provisional gasoline tax will not benefit financial 
situation or environment 
(2) Teacher's license recertification system: Priority is to verify 
effectiveness 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Health, labor and welfare minister should quickly design a 
"revenue agency" that can harness the potential of the private 
sector 
(2) Can next-generation PHS service take off? 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Abduction issue: Hatoyama government should step up pressure on 
North Korea and call for reinvestigation 
(2) New defense minister's visit to Okinawa: Face up to the reality 
of Futenma relocation 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) G-20 financial summit: Efforts to rectify imbalance to be 
tested 
(2) 50 years after Isewan typhoon: Any possibility of recurrence of 
"nightmare"? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) "Secret nuclear deal" - Shed light on the truth about Japan-U.S. 
security treaty 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, Sep 24-25 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 26, 2009 
 
(Local time in the U.S.) 
 
September 24 
Afternoon Left Kennedy International Airport on government plane; 
arrived in Pittsburgh International Airport; met Rengo (Japanese 
Trade Union Confederation) Chairman Tsuyoshi Takagi, others at 
Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh 
 
TOKYO 00002255  003 OF 009 
 
 
Evening G-20 Summit reception at Phipps Conservatory; working 
dinner; informal meeting with reporters at Westin Hotel; stayed at 
Westin Hotel 
 
September 25 
Morning Meetings with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, German 
Chancellor Angela Merkel at Convention Center; Plenary Session 1 of 
Financial Summit 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 25-26 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 27, 2009 
 
September 25 (local time in U.S.) 
Morning Photo session with leaders participating in Financial Summit 
at Convention Center in Pittsburgh. 
Afternoon Working lunch; met Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; 
Plenary Session 2 of Financial Summit; met Indonesian President 
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Westin Hotel; news conference for 
Japanese and foreign media. 
Evening Met with U.S. Major League Baseball pitcher Hiroki Kuroda; 
threw first pitch at Pirates vs Dodgers game; informal meeting with 
Japanese residents in Pittsburgh; left Pittsburgh International 
Airport on government plane. 
 
September 26 (Japan time) 
23:39 Arrived at Haneda Airport; met by Minister for National 
Strategy Naoto Kan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano. 
00:33 Arrived at private residence. 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, September 27 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
Morning Stayed at private residence. 
15:00 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano at Prime 
Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) . 
16:00 Joined by National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan; Hirano stayed 
behind; joined by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno. 
16:15 Met Nihon Sumo Kyokai Chairman Musashikawa at Ryogoku 
Kokugikan. 
17:02 Watched Grand Sumo September Tournament with wife Miyuki; 
accompanied by Matsuno. 
18:00 Presented award certificate, Prime Minister's Trophy to winner 
Yokozuna Asashoryu; Prime Minister said: "Today is also 
Asashoryu-zeki's birthday. Congratulations!" 
18:07 Dinner at chanko restaurant in Ryogoku with wife Miyuki, 
Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa, Matsuno, and others. 
21:00 Arrived at private residence. 
 
4) Okinawa gov. accepts Futenma's within-prefecture relocation 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
September 26, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa met yesterday with Okinawa 
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture. During the 
meeting, they discussed the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine 
Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan. In this regard, the ruling 
Democratic Party of Japan is aiming to move Futenma airfield out of 
 
TOKYO 00002255  004 OF 009 
 
 
Okinawa Prefecture or Japan. Nakaima underscored his acceptance of 
the relocation of Futenma airfield at an early date to a coastal 
area of Camp Schwab in the island prefecture's northern coastal city 
of Nago. "Relocating the airfield outside Okinawa Prefecture or 
outside Japan would be the best possible option," Nakaima said. "But 
it wouldn't be easy to do so," he added, "given past circumstances." 
He further said, "If Nago City accepts the Futenma relocation, we 
will accept its relocation within the prefecture." 
 
5) Prime Minister intends to move Futenma out of Okinawa 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 26, 2009 
 
Takuji Murao, Pittsburgh 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held informal talks with the 
accompanying press corps on the night of Sept. 24 (around noon on 
Sept. 25, Japan time). He indicated a plan to move the U.S. Marine 
Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa, out of the 
prefecture by reviewing the existing plan to relocate the base to 
Nago. Hatoyama said, "I have no intention to change the basic 
thinking." He also said: "Should the matter be decided by the end of 
the year? We need to determine the right timing." 
 
6) Defense minister in Okinawa: Implementing plan to transfer 
functions of Futenma to Kadena Base "difficult" 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 27, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, now visiting Okinawa Prefecture, 
made tours of the U.S. military's Camp Schwab in Henoko district in 
Nago City, which is viewed as the relocation site of the U.S. Marine 
Corps' Futenma Air Station; Okinawa International University, on the 
campus of which a U.S. military helicopter crashed in 2004; and 
other places yesterday. Kitazawa exchanged views with municipal 
government heads on the relocation of U.S. forces in Japan. He told 
the local heads that he will meet Prime Minister Hatoyama and 
Foreign Minister Tatsuya Okada early next week and formulate the 
government's policy at an early date. 
 
In the meeting with the mayors of three cities that lie along Kadena 
Air Base's perimeter, Kitazawa discussed a plan being floated for 
relocating the functions of Futenma Air Station to Kadena. Tokujitsu 
Miyagi, mayor of Kadena Town, expressed his opposition to the plan. 
At a post-meeting press conference Kitazawa indicated it would be 
difficult to implement the plan. "It is very unlikely (to be able to 
reach an agreement) with the U.S. military," he said. "Looking at 
the actual situation of Kadena Town, I thought it is extremely 
difficult to impose a further burden on (the residents of) the 
town." 
 
7) Defense Minister Kitazawa to tell Prime Minister early next week 
that moving Futenma out of Okinawa would be difficult 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
September 27, 2009 
 
Koki Miura 
 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, as the first minister of the 
 
TOKYO 00002255  005 OF 009 
 
 
Hatoyama administration to visit Okinawa, inspected the relocation 
site for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan) on 
Sept. 26. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy is to move the air 
station out of the prefecture. Despite that, Kitazawa indicated 
after hearing views from local residents that relocating the air 
station out of the prefecture would be difficult. 
 
"We will be grateful if can explore ways for a relocation within the 
prefecture," Kitazawa said in a news conference held after the 
inspection of the relocation site. "Moving the base out of the 
prefecture would take a substantial amount of time. The current 
situation of Futenma Air Station permits of no delay." It is likely 
that Kitazawa will tell the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister 
Katsuya Okada early next week that moving the air station out of the 
prefecture would be difficult. 
 
8) Foreign Minister Okada reveals plan to examine Futenma relocation 
plan 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 26, 2009 
 
Toshimitsu Miyai, New York 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, meeting the press corps at a New 
York hotel on the night of Sept. 24 (on the morning of Sept. 25, 
Japan time), expressed a plan to examine how the coastal area of 
Camp Schwab (in Nago) was selected as the relocation site for the 
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa 
Prefecture). "The plan was determined when the Liberal Democratic 
Party (LDP) was in power," Okada said. "How (the LDP government) 
settled on that plan must be examined. What to do with (the 
relocation plan) is a subject to be discussed after that." The 
relocation of Futenma Air Station is specified in the roadmap for 
the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, (adopted by Japan and the 
United States) in 2006. 
 
9) Japan, Australia to conclude ACSA 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) 
September 27, 2009 
 
The Japanese and Australian governments are expected to enter into 
an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA) for Japan's 
Self-Defense Forces and Australian forces to provide each other with 
food and fuel, sources revealed yesterday. Japan and Australia will 
hold a security consultative committee meeting of their foreign and 
defense ministers (2 plus 2) later this year to discuss specifics. 
This is the first time for Japan to conclude an ACSA treaty with a 
country other than the United States. 
 
10) U.S. Ambassador Roos holds talks with Defense Minister Kitazawa 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 26, 2009 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos held talks with Defense Minister 
Toshimi Kitazawa at the Defense Ministry on Sept. 25. Referring to 
U.S. force realignment, Ambassador Roos emphasized that "the roadmap 
and the various talks held to date carry great significance." 
 
11) Foreign Ministry changes grounds for denying that U.S. is 
 
TOKYO 00002255  006 OF 009 
 
 
bringing nuclear weapons into Japan, probably with "secret accord" 
in mind 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
September 26, 2009 
 
In response to an inquiry by a local government on the possibility 
of the U.S. bringing nuclear weapons into Japan, the Foreign 
Ministry changed the grounds it has so far cited in denying such a 
possibility, according to local government officials concerned on 
Sept. 25. To a question from the Kochi Prefectural Government on the 
same day, the ministry said that U.S. warships are not capable of 
carrying nuclear weapons. The Foreign Ministry has said that it 
changed the explanation according to instructions from Foreign 
Minister Katsuya Okada in the new government of the Democratic Party 
of Japan. 
 
The Kochi Prefectural Government asked the Foreign Ministry about 
whether the USNS Safeguard, which is scheduled to call at Kochi Port 
next month, is carrying nuclear weapons, according to prefectural 
government officials concerned. The Foreign Ministry replied orally 
on Sept. 25: "Since the U.S. salvage vessel is not capable of 
carrying nuclear weapons, the government has no doubt that the 
vessel is not carrying nuclear weapons." 
 
In replying to similar inquires and Diet replies in the past, the 
Foreign Ministry used to  explain that the government had no doubt 
about the U.S. bringing nuclear weapons into Japan as long as there 
had been no prior consultations. Some observers have speculated that 
the ministry changed its explanation probably bearing in mind the 
possibility that it might be pressed to acknowledge the existence of 
alleged Japan-U.S. secret pacts in the future. 
 
12) Ex-U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Richard Lawless: 
"Arbitrary implementation of DPJ's campaign pledge a problem" 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
September 26, 2009 
 
Yoichi Kato, editorial staff member 
 
We interviewed former U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Richard 
Lawless, who was involved with the negotiations on U.S. Forces Japan 
(USFJ) realignment as the representative of the U.S. government, 
about the Hatoyama administration's policies. 
 
Q: The new administration is leaning toward a review of USFJ 
realignment 
 
Lawless: One-sided implementation of (the Democratic Party of 
Japan's) manifesto will damage the partnership with the U.S. Our 
concern is that the new administration appears not to understand how 
the various agreements came about and how changes in some parts will 
have a dramatic impact on the overall agreement. We hope they listen 
carefully to briefings by the bureaucrats. 
 
 
Q: Is there no possibility at all for any change in the Futenma 
relocation plan? 
 
Lawless: The U.S. accepted Japan's plans even though it was not 100 
percent satisfied with them because Japan promised that it will 
 
TOKYO 00002255  007 OF 009 
 
 
implement these plans without fail. 
 
Q: How about the proposal to merge (Futenma) with Kadena Air Base? 
 
Lawless: This is not realistic in terms of the capability required 
to deal with emergencies. Another military base is absolutely 
necessary. 
 
Q: How about the discontinuation of the refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean? 
 
Lawless: Right now, Afghanistan is facing a period of challenge. 
Withdrawal will undermine trust in Japan. If continuation is not 
possible, it should think of alternative proposals other than just 
providing funds. 
 
Q: What do you think of making the secret nuclear agreement public? 
 
Lawless: I can understand this as a historical issue, but if this 
affects extended deterrence (the nuclear umbrella), it should be 
handled very carefully, because Japan is protected by extended 
deterrence. 
 
13) Hatoyama says Japan will not simply extend refueling mission 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
Eve., September 26, 2009 
 
Kohei Kobayashi, Pittsburgh 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama, meeting the press at a Pittsburgh hotel on 
the evening of Sept. 25 (on the morning of Sept. 26, Japan time), 
said he was not thinking of simply extending the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean that is 
set to end in January next year. At the same time, Hatoyama also 
indicated that the government would promptly study civilian aid 
measures, such as agricultural assistance and job training in 
Afghanistan, as Japan's international contribution instead of the 
MSDF's refueling activities. 
 
14) FM Okada: Refueling mission, Afghan aid proposals to be 
considered separately 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada discussed Afghan reconstruction aid 
during an NHK TV program on September 27. He said: "Our thinking is 
not that we are replacing the refueling operation of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean (with more aid)," indicating 
that the refueling mission and aid will be considered separately. 
With regard to when the aid proposals will be drawn up, he stated 
that "it will be desirable to come up with certain answers" by the 
time of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Japan in November. 
 
With regard to the relocation of the U.S. Forces' Futenma base (in 
Ginowan City, Okinawa), Okada pointed out that: "The permanent 
location of bases in Okinawa should be avoided as much as possible. 
We need to give more thought to the excessive burden (on Okinawa)." 
However, he also said: "This is an issue that has a history of more 
than 10 years. It will not be easy to change our approach just like 
that." 
 
TOKYO 00002255  008 OF 009 
 
 
 
This statement indicates that the possibility remains that the 
government may settle on the current plan after a process of 
reexamination. Okada also revealed that Japan and the U.S. will 
jointly reexamine the existing plan, saying that: "For the U.S., 
this plan was put together under the Republican administration. It 
has been decided that both sides will reexamine it." 
 
15) Foreign Ministry launches investigation into alleged secret 
accords 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
The Foreign Ministry has started an investigation into secret 
accords reached between the governments of Japan and the U.S., 
including one allowing stopovers in Japan's territory by U.S. 
military aircraft and vessels carrying nuclear weapons. An 
investigation team of about 15 ex-officials of the North American 
Affairs Bureau and others is examining about 3,700 volumes of 
related materials, aiming to complete a probe by the end of 
November. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada also intends to set up an 
expert panel tasked with looking into past circumstances and other 
details regarding the accords. 
 
16) FM Okada: Japan to come up with alternative Afghan aid proposals 
ahead of U.S. President's visit 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada indicated during an NHK TV program on 
September 27 that the government will draw up new Afghan 
reconstruction aid proposals as an alternative to the refueling 
mission of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in the Indian 
Ocean, if the mission is discontinued, before U.S. President Barack 
Obama's first visit to Japan in November. 
 
The government's policy is to withdraw the MSDF when the 
authorization of the refueling mission expires in January. Okada 
said: "The withdrawal of the SDF may affect (other countries') aid 
to Afghanistan. We are saying that the mission will not simply be 
extended. We will engage in negotiations (with the U.S. and other 
countries) with a number of cards in our pocket." 
 
17) Prime Minister Hatoyama to visit South Korea on Oct. 9 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
Aihiro Makino, Seoul 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to visit South Korea on 
Oct. 9, according to South Korean government officials. The South 
Korean government, which aims to strengthen relations with Japan, 
requested that the Prime Minister chose Seoul as the first city he 
will visit in his bilateral diplomacy. Seoul's request was accepted 
by the Hatoyama administration, which has advocated the creation of 
an East Asian community. Hatoyama is expected to arrive in Seoul on 
the morning of Oct. 9. He is expected to take part in a summit 
meeting and luncheon there, and then leave for Beijing without 
staying overnight to attend a trilateral summit meeting on Oct. 10 
 
TOKYO 00002255  009 OF 009 
 
 
among Japan, China, and South Korea. 
 
18) Japan-China-ROK foreign ministerial today 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada will visit Shanghai today to attend a 
trilateral foreign ministerial meeting among Japan, China, and South 
Korea to take place this afternoon. The trilateral foreign 
ministerial talks are aimed at laying the groundwork for a three-way 
summit slated for Oct. 10. The three foreign ministers are expected 
to discuss such issues as North Korea and global warming. 
 
19) Hatoyama: Afghan aid to be top priority 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
September 26, 2009 
 
Morimichi Imahori, Pittsburgh 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, now visiting the United States, held 
an informal meeting with accompanying reporters at a Pittsburgh 
hotel late at night on Sept. 24 (on the morning of Sept. 25, Japan 
time), during which he clarified that Japan, in its relations with 
the United States, would give top priority to putting together its 
own assistance measures to help stabilize Afghanistan. 
 
20) New LDP president to be elected today 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpt) 
September 28, 2009 
 
The opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect its 24th 
president today. The winner will be determined by ballots by the 
party's 199 Diet members and 300 votes by local party members. 
Sadakazu Tanigaki, 64, is ahead in the race in terms of Diet votes. 
Taro Kono and Yasutoshi Nishimura, both 46, are pinning their hopes 
on local votes. 
 
21) Basic policy cabinet ministers committee to hold first meeting 
today 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
September 28, 2009 
 
Yesterday Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano at the Prime Minister's Official Residence 
(Kantei). They decided to hold today the first meeting of the "Basic 
Policy Cabinet Ministers Committee," at which party-head-level 
officials of the three ruling parties coordinate policy. 
 
The committee comprises Deputy Prime Minister and National Strategy 
Minister Naoto Kan of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ); Mizuho 
Fukushima, chairperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and 
state minister for consumer affairs; and Shizuka Kamei, 
representative of the People's New Party (PNP) and state minister 
for financial affairs. Hatoyama also will attend today's meeting. 
The four leaders are expected to mainly discuss the basic policy of 
compiling a state budget for next fiscal year. 
 
ROOS