VZCZCXRO0291
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2370/01 2880117
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150117Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6790
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9244
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6891
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0709
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4178
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7403
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1385
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8046
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7590

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002370 
 
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 10/15/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Ambassador Roos interviews: 
4) "Stick with the plan" for Futenma facility relocation; "I hope 
for continuation" of the refueling mission"  (Sankei) 
5) Japan and U.S. "should cooperate as equal partners in eliminating 
nuclear weapons"  (Mainichi) 
6) Gist of Ambassador's comments in Mainichi interview  (Mainichi) 
7) "Japan-U.S. FTA should include agriculture"  (Nikkei) 
 
U.S. base issues 
8) Minister for Financial Affairs Kamei calls for debate on the 
rationale for U.S. bases  (Nikkei) 
9) SDP opposes proposal to build Futenma replacement facility in 
offing  (Nikkei) 
 
North Korean issues 
10) Govt. to ask for reinvestigation of abductions  (Nikkei) 
11) Govt. defers submitting bill on inspecting North Korean cargo 
(Yomiuri) 
 
Politics 
12) Record budget request tops 90 trillion yen  (Nikkei) 
 
Opinion poll 
13) Yomiuri poll: 91 PERCENT  think newspapers are necessary; 85 
PERCENT  believe what they read  (Yomiuri) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
BNP Paribas suspected of illegal transactions 
 
Mainichi: 
Government panel to urge abolishment of system of recommendations by 
National Personnel Authority on wage hikes for state employees 
 
Yomiuri: 
DPJ Ozawa's fund reports contain false statements 
 
Nikkei & Tokyo Shimbun 
Budget requests for fiscal 2010 to be highest-ever at over 90 
trillion yen 
 
Sankei: 
Hatoyama administration indicates plan to issue more 
deficit-covering bonds 
 
Akahata: 
JCP in central committee meeting emphasized need to demonstrate real 
value of constructive opposition party 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Real negotiations on Futenma relocation start now 
 
TOKYO 00002370  002 OF 008 
 
 
(2) Government should allocate more funds in second extra budget for 
measures with high priority for public livelihoods 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Newspapers should continue to respond to young people's 
expectations 
(2) Moratorium turmoil: Media caught in trap of Kamei's PR strategy 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Government should approve relocation of Futenma within Okinawa 
(2) Newspaper must play role of "window" to reflect social changes 
and show Japan's future course 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) International cooperation imperative in regulating commodity 
futures trading 
(2) BOJ must decide when to end purchase of commercial papers and 
debentures in careful manner 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Present specific measures for turning Haneda into international 
hub 
(2) Prime minister urged to approve relocation of Futenma facility 
within Okinawa 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Newspaper Week: Analysis and examination necessary for people 
(2) Look into possibility of bid to bring Olympic Games to 
atomic-bombed city 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Free navigation through five straits: U.S. applies pressure on 
strength of "secret nuclear accord" 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, October 14 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
09:07 Met House of Representatives member Keishu Tanaka at the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence. 
10:13 Met Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka, followed by Senior 
Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Masamitsu 
Naito. 
10:56 Met Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing. 
11:41 Lunch and study meeting with Tokyo University Graduate School 
Professor Motoshige Ito and others. 
14:01 Met Chairman Musashikawa of Japan Sumo Association and grand 
champions Asashoryu and Hakuho. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi 
Hirano was also present. 
14:38 Met National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan and Hirano. Kan 
stayed behind. 
18:43 Informal meeting with reporters covering the prime minister at 
Chinese restaurant Kamonka in Akasaka. Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno was also present 
21:38 Arrived at his private residence. 
 
4) Ambassador Roos in interview expresses hopes for preservation of 
existing plan on Futenma relocation, continuation of refueling 
mission 
 
TOKYO 00002370  003 OF 008 
 
 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview with the Sankei 
Shimbun at his official residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo, yesterday. 
In reference to the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' 
Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, the Ambassador said: "It is the hope 
and expectation of the U.S. that "the Japanese government will 
return to the existing (U.S. force realignment) roadmap," indicating 
a negative view about a review of the current agreement, in the 
belief that preserving the current plan is the best option. 
 
Regarding the Maritime Self-Defense Force's ongoing refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean, the Ambassador frankly expressed 
expectations for its continuation, saying: "The international 
community has appreciated the Japanese mission, and many countries 
are hopeful for its continuation." 
 
The Ambassador pointed out that Japan and the U.S. are already 
"equal partners, and they should be equal partners in the future." 
Asked his opinion on the proposed review of the existing Futenma 
relocation plan by some members of the Hatoyama government, the 
Ambassador said: "In the U.S. as well, the new (Obama) 
administration reexamined the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance 
and the road map," indicating understanding of the new Japanese 
government's reexamination of the process. 
 
However, the Ambassador said that (the roadmap) is "the result of 
the examination of all possible options by Japanese and U.S. experts 
over a dozen years." He emphasized that "it is not productive to 
focus on parts of the agreed package and pose questions." He added 
that the roadmap is the best option (for Japan and the U.S.) to move 
forward, and it is a vital agreement." 
 
Regarding Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, even while 
saying "I do not want to prejudge the final decision to be made by 
the Hatoyama administration," the Ambassador commented: "I hope that 
Japan will continue a significant effort in a significant way." 
 
Asked about the concept of an East Asia Community proposed by Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the Ambassador replied: "In view of 
overcoming global issues it is constructive for Japan to strengthen 
relations with its neighbors." But he warned that the concept should 
not exclude the U.S., saying: "The U.S. is a state in the Pacific 
region and one of the core states indispensable for the development 
of a regional framework." 
 
5) U.S. Ambassador Roos calls for Japan's cooperation as an equal 
partner in nuclear abolition; urges Japan to accept existing Futenma 
relocation plan 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Naoya Sugio 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, 54, gave an interview to the 
Mainichi Shimbun at his official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 14. With 
respect to President Barack Obama's two top priorities of 
elimination of nuclear weapons and combating global warming, the 
Ambassador said, "Japan and the United States should cooperate as 
 
TOKYO 00002370  004 OF 008 
 
 
equal partners." He also cited the response to the rise of China, 
the Afghan issue, and combating piracy off Africa as other areas 
requiring (bilateral) cooperation. The Ambassador left the door open 
for President Obama's visit to Hiroshima, the city that suffered 
atomic bombing, saying, "The President will make a decision 
himself." 
 
The Ambassador also called for the acceptance of the existing plan 
to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the 
coastal area of Camp Schwab. He said: "After assuming office, 
President Obama reexamined the previous policy and has renewed his 
commitment to the Japan-U.S. alliance. I want to see the Hatoyama 
administration reach a similar conclusion." 
 
Referring to Japan's contributions to Afghanistan that are under 
review by the Hatoyama administration, the Ambassador indicated that 
Japan should make contributions in addition to those made to date. 
He thus strongly called for the continuation of the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The 
Ambassador gave high marks to Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada's 
announcement during his recent Afghan visit to offer vocational 
training to former Taliban soldiers, saying it would be a positive 
contribution. 
 
On the concept of an East Asian Community, advocated by Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the U.S. envoy said, "I support the effort 
to strengthen relations between Japan and its neighbors." At the 
same time, he played up the need for the United States to become 
involved in Asia, saying, "It is important that the United States 
plays a vital role in the region." 
 
"I worked for 25 years (as a lawyer) in Silicon Valley until taking 
up the post of Ambassador to Japan," Roos said. "I hope to use my 
expertise and background in that area." He also expressed a desire 
to promote collaboration between the government and the private 
sector, between governments, and between companies in fields of 
technological innovation such as renewable energy. 
 
"Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Mansfield's words (that the 
Japan-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship 
in the world) are equally true today," Ambassador Roos said, "I want 
to contribute to further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance." 
 
6) Gist of interview with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos 
 
MAINICHI (Page 7) (Full) 
October 7, 2009 
 
The following is the gist of comments by U.S. Ambassador to Japan 
John Roos. 
 
(U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station relocation issue) 
 
I can understand that Japan's new administration is examining past 
policies. Following its launch the Obama administration reaffirmed 
the present roadmap. I hope Japan will reach the same conclusion. 
 
(Future relations between Japan and the U.S.) 
 
Former Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield's words "the U.S.-Japan 
relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the 
world, bar none" still hold true. Next year will mark the 50th 
 
TOKYO 00002370  005 OF 008 
 
 
anniversary of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. We should 
further promote our alliance. Japan and the U.S. are now equal 
partners. The U.S. hopes to cooperate with Japan on such issues as 
the rise of China, North Korea, and international terrorism. We will 
address two issues - the elimination of nuclear arms and nuclear 
nonproliferation, and climate change and renewable energy, to which 
the leaders of Japan and the U.S. attach importance. 
 
(Prime Minister Hatoyama's Initiative for an East Asian Community) 
 
Relations between Japan and its neighbors are not a zero-some game. 
It is important for the U.S. to play a key role in building 
relations in this region. 
 
(Visit to Hiroshima) 
 
Three generations of my family visited the Peace Memorial Park and 
the (Atomic) Bomb Museum and were deeply moved by what we saw. I 
would like to share this experience of mine with the President. The 
White House is now working out details for the president's visit to 
Japan in November. 
 
(Switch from being an attorney to an ambassador) 
 
I became the Ambassador to Japan at a historically very interesting 
time (the change in government). I would like to contribute (to 
bilateral relations) through technological innovation, such as 
measures to curb global warming, by using my experience in Silicon 
Valley. 
 
7) Ambassador Roos says at interview Japan-U.S. FTA should include 
agriculture, current plan favored for Futenma relocation 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview to Nihon Keizai 
Shimbun at his official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 14. Discussing 
Japan-U.S. trade relations, the Ambassador said: "It is important to 
expand free trade in the world. I hope to be able to make progress 
on a comprehensive trade agreement with Japan," indicating that the 
Obama administration has a strong interest in a free trade agreement 
(FTA) with Japan. Although the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
indicated in its manifesto (campaign pledges) for the recent House 
of Representatives election that agriculture will be excluded from 
the FTA, Ambassador Roos pointed out that "agriculture should also 
be included." 
 
Regarding the timetable for FTA negotiations, he said: "Experts of 
the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and Japanese 
experts should continue to hold open dialogue." He added, 
"Personally, I always favor comprehensive, free trade," indicating 
his hope for the conclusion of an FTA at an early date. 
 
On the question of the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air 
Station in Okinawa, Roos noted: "Like the United States, Japan has 
had a change of administration. The Hatoyama administration is 
conducting its own analysis and discussions (on the Japan-U.S. 
agreement)." He then said, "After this process is completed, I hope 
the Japanese administration, like the Obama administration, will 
reconfirm the realignment plan." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002370  006 OF 008 
 
 
On this issue, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima is demanding that 
the facility replacing Futenma, to be built in the coastal area of 
Camp Schwab in Okinawa under the Japan-U.S. agreement, be moved 
farther offshore. Roos commented, "At this point, it would not be 
productive to discuss minor modifications or alternative plans," 
refraining from going into specifics. 
 
The Hatoyama administration advocates building a "close and equal 
relationship" as a policy goal. "If I may borrow Prime Minister 
Yukio Hatoyama's words," he said, "(Japan and the United States) 
should be able to respect each other and hold a dialogue as equal 
partners on many issues." As examples he cited "North Korea (the 
nuclear arms development issue), Afghanistan (reconstruction aid), 
Pakistan (political stability), Iraq (reconstruction aid), and 
anti-piracy operations, as well as nuclear non-proliferation and 
disarmament, global warming prevention, and other issues agreed upon 
by President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama." 
 
With regard to the selection of Japan's next main fighter (FX), Roos 
said, "This is a decision for the Japanese government to make on the 
basis of what is best for building Japan's defense capability and 
for the bilateral alliance." He refrained from mentioning specific 
models, such as the F-22 or the F-35, which are tipped as the top 
choices, and added that, "Licensed production (in Japan in the 
future) should also be discussed between Japanese experts and the 
Department of Defense," indicating an intention to step up 
government level talks from a multifaceted standpoint. 
 
8) Financial services minister Kamei urges government to discuss 
issue of military bases with U.S. 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Shizuka Kamei, state minister for financial affairs and postal 
reform, yesterday delivered a speech at the Japan National Press 
Club. Referring in his speech to the relocation of the U.S. Marine 
Corp's Futenma Air Station (Ginowan City in Okinawa Prefecture), he 
expressed the view that Japan and the United States should seriously 
look into whether the U.S. bases in Okinawa and Yokota Air Force 
Base in Tokyo are absolutely necessary for the U.S. He also 
stressed: "The time for Japan to go along what the U.S. says is 
over. The government should discuss security issues with the U.S. 
administration on an equal footing." 
 
9) SDP rejects plan to build alternative Futenma replacement 
facility offshore 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima, state minister for 
consumer affairs, food safety, declining birthrate and gender 
equality, renewed her call for relocating U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, outside the 
prefecture. In a press conference yesterday, she referred to a 
position paper on the assessment of the environmental impact of the 
existing relocation site submitted by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu 
Nakaima calling for moving the construction site offshore from the 
coastal area of Camp Schwab in Nago City office: "I am determined to 
make efforts in the coalition government to prevent the plan to 
build an offshore facility from being implemented." 
 
TOKYO 00002370  007 OF 008 
 
 
 
Fukushima also said: "Politicians should decide on when and how (the 
policy) should be relayed (to the U.S.)." She also indicated that 
the issue will be discussed at the Ministerial Committee on Basic 
Policies, which the ruling parties' leaders, including Fukushima, 
will participate in. 
 
10) Government to ask North Korea to reinvestigate abduction of 
Japanese nationals 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
In light of the growing view that talks between the United States 
and North Korea will be held soon in order to resume the Six-Party 
Talks on North Korea's nuclear programs, the government yesterday 
decided to ask North Korea to reinvestigate the issue of the 
abduction of Japanese nationals by the reclusive state through the 
United States and other countries. While gauging the outcome of 
U.S.-North Korea talks, the government aims to restart dialogue with 
Pyongyang, conditioned on progress on the abduction issue. However, 
it is uncertain how North Korea will respond to the request. 
 
On Oct. 15 Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau 
Director General Akitaka Saiki will leave for Washington for 
discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue. He is expected to 
meet with Assistant Secretary of State (for East Asia and Pacific) 
Kurt Campbell, Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen 
Bosworth, and other U.S. government officials. 
 
11) Sanctions against North Korea: Submission of ship inspection 
legislation put on hold 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
October 15, 2009 
 
The government on Oct. 14 decided to put off the submission of North 
Korean cargo inspection special measures legislation for 
implementing the UN Security Council's resolution on sanctions 
against North Korea to the extraordinary Diet session to be convened 
on the 23rd, and conveyed its decision to the ruling camp. The 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has been aiming to re-submit a bill 
with contents that are almost identical to those included in the 
government-sponsored bill, which was killed during the previous 
ordinary Diet session. However, the DPJ has given consideration to 
the Social Democratic Party's cautious approach to the bill and 
North Korea's flexible stance on the resumption of the Six-Party 
talks to discuss its nuclear program. 
 
12) Fiscal 2010 budget requests likely to top largest-ever amount of 
90 trillion yen 
 
NIKKEI (Top play) (Lead para.) 
October 15, 2009 
 
It appears likely that according to fiscal 2010 budget requests, the 
total amount of general-account expenditures, which indicate the 
state's fiscal scale, will reach the highest-ever level, topping 90 
trillion yen. This is because the Democratic Party (DPJ) will 
implement the showcase policies it pledged in its manifesto for the 
Lower House election. The government's fiscal 2010 budget 
compilation guidelines adopted at a cabinet meeting in September 
 
TOKYO 00002370  008 OF 008 
 
 
call for each cabinet member to submit requests that are below the 
level of the fiscal 2009 initial budget. Pressure for greater 
expenditure is building despite a drop in tax revenues, which will 
likely cause uncertainty about the securing of funding resources to 
remain. 
 
13) Poll: 91 PERCENT  see need for newspapers 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Ahead of the 62nd Newspaper Week event that starts today, the 
Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a face-to-face nationwide public opinion 
survey to probe public attitudes toward newspapers. In this survey, 
91 PERCENT  of respondents answered "yes" when asked if they need 
newspapers to obtain information or knowledge. This year's survey 
posted a high percentage similar to the result of last year's 
survey, in which "yes" accounted for 90 PERCENT . Meanwhile, a total 
of 85 PERCENT  answered that the press reporting is reliable. In 
last year's survey, this figure was also 85 PERCENT . The survey 
shows that the general public values the newspapers. 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought newspapers 
provide the information they need or information that is helpful for 
their daily lives. In response to this question, "yes" accounted for 
88 PERCENT  (86 PERCENT  in last year's survey). Respondents were 
also asked if they thought newspapers report facts and various 
opinions fairly. To this question, "yes" accounted for 69 PERCENT 
(66 PERCENT  in last year's survey). Furthermore, respondents were 
asked if newspapers pay attention to people's human rights and 
privacy so as not to violate them. To this question, "yes" accounted 
for 74 PERCENT  (70 PERCENT  in last year's survey). The figures 
were all higher than last year's. 
 
In addition, respondents were asked to pick one or more news media 
which they thought played a significant role in focusing on the 
background behind the news or delving into the issues at hand. In 
their multiple-choice answers, "newspapers" accounted for 61 PERCENT 
 (76 PERCENT  in last year's survey), topping all other media. Also, 
when asked about the media coming up with solutions to public 
concerns or problems, "newspapers" topped all other media, scoring 
59 PERCENT  (63 PERCENT  in last year's survey). 
 
The survey was conducted Sept. 5-6. 
 
ROOS