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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002375 
 
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 10/15/09 
 
INDEX: 
(1) U.S. Ambassador to Japan gives greatest consideration to 
Hatoyama administration (Mainichi) 
 
(2) Interview with Ambassador Roos: U.S. to continue support to 
resolve abduction issue (Sankei) 
 
(3) Editorial: Afghan strategy - Time for drastic review (Asahi) 
 
(4) Twists and turns expected before settlement of Futenma 
relocation issue (Nikkei) 
 
(5) Editorial: Government should change policy and accept Futenma 
relocation within Okinawa (Yomiuri) 
 
(6) Editorial: Futenma Air Station: Prime Minister should decide on 
relocation within Okinawa (Sankei) 
 
(7) Editorial: Futenma relocation: The real negotiations have yet to 
begin (Asahi) 
 
(8) Prime Minister Hatoyama lauds President Obama's Nobel Peace 
Prize, saying, "Under Mr. Obama's leadership, the world is changing" 
(Asahi) 
 
(9) Japan, U.S. differ on handling of parental rights in failed 
international marriages, urged to sign Hague Convention (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) U.S. Ambassador to Japan gives greatest consideration to 
Hatoyama administration 
 
MAINICHI (Page 7) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Naoya Sugio 
 
During an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun, U.S. Ambassador to 
Japan John Roos showed full consideration for Japan, where the new 
administration has just gotten under way, saying, "Japan and the 
U.S. are equal partners." There are a number of challenges in store 
for the two countries, such as the realignment of U.S. forces in 
Japan and the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean, which will likely be terminated in January next year. 
Roos made a comment supportive (of the Hatoyama administration), 
saying, "Following its inauguration, the Obama administration also 
reviewed (past) policies." It appears that he is cautiously 
searching for a new bilateral relationship between Japan and the 
U.S. at a crucial time when the change of government has just taken 
place in Japan. 
 
The Hatoyama administration is now taking time to reexamine such 
issues as relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in 
Okinawa Prefecture. Roos said: "It is a newly-launched 
administration. It is not fair to set a deadline." He thus indicated 
a stance of waiting for Japan to reach a decision. 
 
Before his arrival at his post in Japan, Roos was an able attorney, 
who had nurtured many high-tech companies in California. However, 
when asked about Hiroshima, the site of the first atomic bombing, he 
 
TOKYO 00002375  002 OF 012 
 
 
became serious in trying to show consideration for Japan. On Oct. 4, 
Roos visited Hiroshima with his parents and son. When asked about 
this, he appeared to be careful in his choice of words. "My heart 
was deeply shaken, and I became emotional." 
 
U.S. President Obama will visit Japan in November for the first 
time. He has won the Nobel Peace Prize. There are also growing 
expectations for his visit to Hiroshima. Roos said the question of 
whether Obama will visit Hiroshima was a "deeply personal matter," 
and the president will make up his mind on his own. 
 
Asked whether Roos himself will participate in a peace memorial 
ceremony to be held in Hiroshima in August next year, he said, "I 
would like to consider it seriously." No U.S. ambassadors to Japan 
have ever participated in this ceremony annually held in Hiroshima 
and Nagasaki in August. If Roos attends it, he will be the first 
U.S. ambassador to do so. 
 
(2) Interview with Ambassador Roos: U.S. to continue support to 
resolve abduction issue 
 
SANKEI (Page 9) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
(Japan-U.S. relations) 
 
Japan and the U.S. are equal partners. It is important for them to 
continue this relationship. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary 
of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty next year, the two countries 
should not only celebrate the past solid bilateral relationship but 
also pledge to build a more solid relationship. 
 
We need to continue our efforts to resolve global economic issues. 
There are also such issues as the rise of China and infections 
pandemic, as well as problems related to North Korea, Iraq, 
Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition, there are such challenges as 
nuclear abolition and nuclear nonproliferation, which President 
Obama and Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama discussed for hours. In 
addition, there is climate change, too. It is necessary for Japan 
and the U.S., as good friends and as close allies, to work 
together. 
 
(Refueling mission in Indian Ocean) 
 
I do not want to prejudge the final decision to be made by the 
Hatoyama government. The government is reexamining the refueling 
mission. What I can say now is that the U.S., the international 
community and its allies have greatly appreciated Japan's refueling 
mission. Many countries are hopeful of its continuation. I hope that 
Japan will continue significant efforts in a significant way. 
 
(Relocation of Futenma air station) 
 
The Hatoyama administration is now reexamining the (U.S. force 
realignment) road map. In the U.S., as well, the Obama 
administration, when it came into office early this year, reexamined 
it and reaffirmed the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the 
road map. It is the hope and expectation of the U.S. that the 
Japanese government will return to the road map after reexamining 
it. 
 
The agreement was reached through many years of negotiations and is 
 
TOKYO 00002375  003 OF 012 
 
 
the result of the examination of all possible options. It is the 
best option (for the two countries) to move forward and is a vital 
agreement. It is not productive to focus on parts of the agreed 
package and pose questions. 
 
(Concept of East Asian Community) 
 
The Japanese leader also has revealed his intention to strengthen 
Japan-U.S. relations, so I am not feeling anxiety. In view of 
successfully dealing with global thorny issues, it is constructive 
for Japan to strengthen relations with its neighbors. The U.S. is a 
state in the Pacific region and one of the core states that are 
indispensable for the development of a regional framework. (The 
Japan-U.S. relationship) is not a zero-sum game. 
 
(Abduction issue) 
 
I met family members of abduction victims, including the parents of 
Ms. Megumi Yokota. Any parents should not have such an experience. I 
told the state minister for abduction issue (Hiroshi Nakai) that the 
U.S. will continue various forms of support in an effort to settle 
the issue. 
 
(Visit to Hiroshima, Nagasaki) 
 
The decision on whether President Obama would visit (Hiroshima and 
Nagasaki) should be a personal decision to be made by the President. 
I have not talked about this issue after (the President) won the 
Nobel Peace Prize, so I am looking forward to (discussing it with 
the President). 
 
(3) Editorial: Afghan strategy - Time for drastic review 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 14, 2009 
 
On his visit to Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told 
President Hamid Karzai that Japan will provide Afghanistan with new 
assistance measures such as vocational training for former Taliban 
militants. 
 
It will soon be eight years since the Taliban regime collapsed in 
the Afghan war after the 9/11 terrorist attack. The results of the 
presidential election in August have yet to be confirmed due to a 
series of reports on wrongdoings by the Karzai government. The 
Afghan situation is extremely unstable because of a spate of 
terrorist attacks by the Taliban, which has regained its power. 
 
We approve of Okada's visit to Afghanistan under such a situation to 
explain Japan's policy of continuing assistance to the war-torn 
country. 
 
As the U.S. Obama administration underscored in its comprehensive 
new strategy toward Afghanistan that was compiled in March, it is 
crystal clear that military power alone cannot break the present 
deadlock. Japan has offered great contributions to Afghanistan by 
building an agriculture infrastructure and paying the salaries of 
police. 
 
In order to prevent the Afghan situation from becoming unstable, it 
is important for Japan to consider what it can do under such severe 
conditions including the security situation. Japan must show its 
 
TOKYO 00002375  004 OF 012 
 
 
stance of continuing and expanding its assistance. Assistance for 
former Taliban militants is also necessary to prevent the Taliban's 
military power from expanding. Okada should also give considerable 
thought to how to support education and agriculture in Afghanistan. 
 
The Obama administration is reexamining its strategy. It is now 
being forced to make a difficult decision. The U.S. Naval Forces 
Japan commander has requested that another 40,000 troops be 
dispatched. However, there are objections in the U. S. that such a 
dispatch might turn the situation into a hopeless mess. 
 
Actually, a mood of war-weariness is spreading both in the United 
States and in European countries, which have participated in the 
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAFA), 
because the number of soldiers suffering casualties has been 
increasing rapidly. 
 
Obama's argument that the Afghan war is a necessary war is becoming 
weaker. The Al Qaeda international terrorist network used to have 
its base in Afghanistan, but it has moved to Pakistan and North 
Africa. Osama bin Laden's whereabouts still remain unknown. 
 
As the U.S.'s new strategy has already indicated, assistance to 
Pakistan should be considered together with assistance to 
Afghanistan. In Pakistan, many terrorist attacks, believed to be 
carried out by local Taliban forces, have continued to occur. The 
recent terrorist attack on Pakistan's military headquarters 
amplified concerns over the country's control of nuclear weapons. 
 
A dispatch of more troops to Afghanistan might increase civilian 
casualties. If that is the case, the dispatch would have little 
effect on an improvement of public security. We hope that President 
Obama will drastically review the Afghan strategy so that he can 
effectively contain terrorism. The Obama administration should not 
make Afghanistan "Obama's Vietnam." 
 
The term of the refueling mission, which Japan has carried out as a 
less expensive and effective contribution, will expire next January. 
While the United States is being pressed to review its entire Afghan 
strategy, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama should thoroughly explain to 
Obama his administration's contributions, designed mainly for the 
civilian sector, and seek his understanding for the Japanese 
government's policy. 
 
Moreover, Japan should proactively seek its own contributions to 
stabilizing Afghanistan as well as to antiterrorism measures. That 
is a responsibility that Japan should fulfill an ally of the United 
States. 
 
(4) Twists and turns expected before settlement of Futenma 
relocation issue 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
October 14, 2009 
 
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima proposed that an alternative to 
the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa 
Prefecture) be built offshore from Camp Schwab. In response, the 
government intends to hurriedly work out specific measures. By 
specifying the "offshore plan" in his position paper on the 
assessment of the environmental impact of the existing plan 
(submitted to the Okinawa Defense Bureau), Nakaima is aiming to pave 
 
TOKYO 00002375  005 OF 012 
 
 
the way toward an early solution to the Futenma relocation issue. 
Although Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama appears to be gradually 
reaching the conclusion that turning a proposal to relocate the 
Futenma air station outside the prefecture into reality would be 
difficult, many twists and turns are expected before the issue can 
be resolved. 
 
Governor's torment implied 
 
The position paper produced by Nakaima includes this paragraph: 
"Although moving the air station outside the prefecture would be the 
best choice, the Okinawa government had to accept the relocation of 
the facility within the prefecture in order to remove the danger of 
the Futenma facility." This passage represents his torment over the 
fact that the local government had to accept the plan so that the 
Futenma air station, which is located in a densely populated area, 
would be swiftly relocated to another place. 
 
In April 2006, then Defense Agency director general Fukushiro Nukaga 
and then Nago mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro agreed on the current plan 
to build a V-shaped pair of runways at Camp Schwab. Afterward, the 
Aso government unofficially sounded out the U.S. side on a plan to 
move the construction site into the sea. It had anticipated that the 
U.S. would respond to Japan's call for discussing this new proposal. 
Nakaima also appears to have expected that Japan and the U.S. would 
be able to agree to revise the existing plan. 
 
Over the Futenma issue, however, the political map of Okinawa is 
complicated. In the Okinawa prefectural assembly, a majority of 
members are calling for relocating the Futenma facility outside the 
prefecture. In the latest House of Representatives election, 
candidates opposed to relocation within the prefecture were elected 
in four constituencies in the prefecture. Next January, a mayoral 
election will be held in Nago City. The incumbent mayor, who has 
agreed to accept the alternative facility on the condition of moving 
the construction site offshore, will seek reelection, but other 
potential candidates in favor of moving the alternative facility 
outside the prefecture are also gaining influence. That is why 
Nakaima is eager to speed up the process for an early solution of 
the Futenma issue. 
 
On the government side, there is also a reason (for it to be unable 
to swiftly decide its policy on the Futenma issue). The Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) specified in its policy manifesto for the Lower 
House in 2005: "The party aims to relocate the Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station in Okinawa outside the prefecture." Also in the campaign 
for the Lower House election in August of this year, Hatoyama said: 
"We want to make active efforts toward moving the facility at least 
outside the prefecture." The DPJ has thus expressed its 
determination to move the Futenma functions outside Okinawa, or even 
outside Japan. 
 
Limited potential sites for alternative location 
 
However, Hatoyama seems to be gradually realizing that it would be 
difficult to relocate the facility out of the prefecture. An aide to 
the prime minister said: "It would be desirable to find a potential 
site outside the prefecture, but it would be undesirable to take 
another 10 or 20 years." As seen from the past process of searching 
for potential sites, the alternatives are extremely limited. 
 
A senior Defense Ministry official pointed out: "The DPJ is 
 
TOKYO 00002375  006 OF 012 
 
 
beginning to focus on reality." A senior member of the U.S. Marine 
Corps stressed the need for an early solution to the Futenma 
relocation issue, remarking: "Priority must be given to a settlement 
of (the base issue in) Okinawa. The refueling mission and assistance 
for Afghanistan should be discussed next." 
 
Members of the Social Democratic Party have strongly opposed the 
relocation of the Futenma functions within the prefecture. Under 
this situation, coordination of views is unlikely to be easy within 
the ruling coalition. 
 
An increasing number of people anticipate that the government may 
have to put off a final decision until sometime after U.S. President 
Barack Obama visits Japan on Nov. 12. Defense Minister Toshimi 
Kitazawa said yesterday: "It will probably be impossible to settle 
everything by the time of President Obama's visit to Japan." 
 
(5) Editorial: Government should change policy and accept Futenma 
relocation within Okinawa 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama should change his policy and accept 
the relocation of the U.S. Marines' Futenma Air Station within 
Okinawa Prefecture to maintain the reliability of the Japan-U.S. 
alliance and drastically reduce the burden imposed by the U.S. 
military bases on the prefecture. 
 
The Okinawa prefectural government has released a position paper of 
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima concerning the preparatory documents on 
the environmental impact assessment of the site of the Futenma 
base's replacement facility which demands moving the facility 
further offshore than originally planned. 
 
Although the governor said that moving the Futenma facility out of 
the prefecture is "the best choice," he reiterated his acceptance of 
the Futenma relocation within the prefecture so the danger posed by 
Futenma could be removed as soon as possible. 
 
This position paper clearly shows that Okinawa wants the realization 
of this second best plan at an early date since there is yet no 
realistic plan for relocation outside the prefecture. The central 
government needs to respond to this wish squarely. 
 
Hatoyama hinted last week at the possibility of accepting the 
relocation of Futenma airfield's heliport functions within Okinawa, 
saying he "would not deny the possibility of changing" the pledge 
the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) made during the House of 
Representatives election campaign "on account of the passing of 
time." 
 
However, he reversed his remark the following day and said that the 
"most important basic policy" is the accord of the three coalition 
parties, which includes reviewing the U.S. force realignment plans. 
He has been wavering in his statements. 
 
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), one of the DPJ's two coalition 
partner, strongly advocates a review of the existing relocation 
plan. Hatoyama apparently has to give certain consideration to the 
SDP in its management of the coalition government. But, as the head 
of the government, Hatoyama should put priority on national 
 
TOKYO 00002375  007 OF 012 
 
 
interests and should rather persuade the SDP to accept the plan. 
 
The return of Futenma to Japan has gone through 13 years of twists 
and turns. It is not wise to undo past negotiations, and the 
shortest way to realize the alleviation of the burden on Okinawa is 
to carry out the agreement that has been built up between Japan and 
the United States. 
 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa has admitted that it would be 
difficult to relocate Futenma outside the prefecture. We think his 
view is reasonable because it is not easy to find a local government 
outside Okinawa willing to accept a U.S. base, and also because 
there are military requirements for the Futenma-based helicopter 
transport unit to stay close to the U.S. Marines in the prefecture. 
 
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to visit Japan next 
week, and President Barack Obama is expected in mid-November. Japan 
and the United States have numerous issues to tackle together, 
including North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles, 
countermeasures against international terrorism, and China's growing 
military power. 
 
It is not productive to expend a lot of energy on the Futenma issue, 
which would not be on the agenda if the Japanese side had not raised 
the problem. 
 
Both the U.S. government and the Okinawa prefectural government 
support the relocation of Futenma within the prefecture. It is very 
strange that only the central government is being obsessed with the 
DPJ's pledge made in the Lower House election and insisting on 
moving the base outside Okinawa. 
 
The government should focus its energy on bridging the gap between 
Okinawa and the U.S. government over the location of the replacement 
facility and realize the relocation. 
 
(6) Editorial: Futenma Air Station: Prime Minister should decide on 
relocation within Okinawa 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima has issued a position paper indicating his 
acceptance of the plan to relocate the U.S. forces' Futenma Air 
Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) to the coastal area of Camp 
Schwab in Nago City under the Japan-U.S. agreement, on condition 
that the new facility's runways are moved further offshore. He asked 
the government to decide on a policy at an early date. 
 
Setting aside the pros and cons of moving the runways further 
offshore, we welcome Okinawa Prefecture's realistic stance of 
accepting relocation within the prefecture. While Prime Minister 
Yukio Hatoyama and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano have 
indicated that the option of relocation out of Okinawa is still 
being looked into by saying "we need to find out the overall 
consensus of the people of Okinawa," we think the only possible 
solution is to make a decision in line with the Japan-U.S. agreement 
at an early date. 
 
The danger posed by the Futenma base to the local residents also 
needs to be removed as soon as possible. The irresponsible pursuit 
of the option of relocation out of Okinawa will only undermine the 
 
TOKYO 00002375  008 OF 012 
 
 
foundation of the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
The governor's opinion is expressed in a position paper on the 
preparatory documents for the environmental assessment (of the 
proposed relocation site) drawn up by the Ministry of Defense (MOD). 
The governor asks for making utmost efforts to contain the loss of 
coral by moving the runways as far offshore as possible. The mayor 
of Nago City also cites moving the runways offshore as the condition 
for accepting the relocation plan. 
 
MOD's preparatory documents compared the current plan with six other 
options with different locations for the runways and concluded that 
the present plan will produce the least noise and have the least 
impact on the environment, and is, therefore, the most appropriate. 
 
Okinawa Prefecture and Nago City have long argued for moving the 
runways under the current plan by 100-200 meters further offshore. 
This will entail major modifications to the plan under the bilateral 
agreement and may require redoing the environmental assessment. 
 
The MOD also takes the rightful position that "change is not 
possible without a valid reason." The fact that the preparatory 
documents even mentioned the proposal to move the runways further 
offshore is meant to indicate that Okinawa's view has been given due 
consideration. 
 
The U.S. and Japanese governments finally reached an agreement three 
years ago after a tortuous process in which Okinawa Prefecture and 
other parties overturned previous agreements after the two 
governments first agreed on the return of Futenma in 1996. The 
Japanese government's international commitment is a serious matter. 
The new facility is supposed to be completed in 2014 under the 
current plan. Full-fledged construction work has to begin in the 
next fiscal year to achieve this goal. 
 
The Prime Minister should realize that any further delay will have 
an adverse effect on Japan-U.S. relations, and quickly come to a 
conclusion that may involve withdrawing his assertion that the 
facility should be relocated outside Okinawa. 
 
(7) Editorial: Futenma relocation: The real negotiations have yet to 
begin 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 15, 2009 
 
The U.S. Marines' Futenma Air Station is located in a 
densely-populated residential area in Ginowan City, Okinawa, and is 
said to be the "most dangerous airfield in the world." Will this 
military base be moved to Henoko, Nago City in the prefecture in 
accordance with the 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement or will it be moved 
out of Okinawa? The Hatoyama administration is faced with a 
decision. 
 
In its manifesto for the recent House of Representatives election, 
the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) pledged to "review U.S. Forces 
Japan (USFJ) realignment and U.S. military bases in Japan in the 
direction of a review," proposing to review the plan for relocation 
to Henoko drawn up under the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
administration. 
 
However, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stated the other day that, "I 
 
TOKYO 00002375  009 OF 012 
 
 
do not deny the possibility of the manifesto being changed over 
time," which has been taken to mean that he might accept relocation 
to Henoko. 
 
Relocation out of Okinawa is everyone's wish. Yet, there is no clear 
prospect for finding another relocation site. Hatoyama might have 
been thinking of broadening his options to include a change in the 
DPJ's pledge ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Japan 
in November. 
 
If that is the case, he cannot avoid being criticized for giving in 
so soon. 
 
The USFJ's presence plays an important role not only for Japan's 
defense, but also for the security of Asia and the Pacific. The DPJ, 
like the previous administration, regards the Japan-U.S. alliance as 
the linchpin of its foreign and security policy. 
 
However, we want to remind the Prime Minister once again of the 
seriousness of the fact that massive amounts of foreign troops are 
being stationed in a sovereign state. Furthermore, 75 percent of the 
U.S. military bases in Japan are concentrated in Okinawa, imposing 
an immeasurable burden on the people of Okinawa. 
 
During the LDP era, the status quo of USFJ deployment and the 
provision of bases and facilities were considered almost a matter of 
course. The change of administration will only be meaningful if this 
state of affairs is reviewed with a broad perspective. 
 
The Obama administration implemented policy changes to withdraw 
troops from Iraq and discontinue missile defense deployment in East 
Europe after its inauguration. Changes in specific policies are 
possible with a change of administration. 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada says that he will examine the process 
through which the relocation site was selected under the previous 
administration. It is quite natural for the new administration to 
look into whether there are other possible relocation sites, whether 
integration with other existing facilities is possible, and such 
other options. 
 
Thirteen years have passed since the first agreement on the return 
of Futenma was made. The fact that no progress has been made on this 
issue illustrates the difficulty of relocation within Okinawa. While 
we would like to remove the danger posed by Futenma as quickly as 
possible, a rough-and-ready approach should be avoided and all 
options should be considered. 
 
In the recent general election, all four districts in Okinawa 
elected candidates opposed to the Henoko relocation plan. This 
public opinion cannot be taken lightly. 
 
Although the U.S. government is negative about reviewing the 
existing plan, we hope that the Prime Minister will talk to 
President Obama candidly based on the expressed will of the people. 
He should strive to find a solution in the larger context of 
Japan-U.S. cooperation on global warming prevention, Afghan aid, and 
other issues while maintaining the relationship of trust in the 
alliance. 
 
The real negotiations have yet to begin. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002375  010 OF 012 
 
 
(8) Prime Minister Hatoyama lauds President Obama's Nobel Peace 
Prize, saying, "Under Mr. Obama's leadership, the world is 
changing" 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 10, 2009 
 
Kengo Sakajiri in Beijing, and Kei Ukai 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who is making efforts to deal with 
the issue of eliminating nuclear weapons, welcomed the awarding of 
the Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Barack Obama. This is 
because there is a possibility that if the award boosts efforts for 
the elimination of nuclear weapons in the United States, it will 
lead to an early effectuation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban 
Treaty (CTBT), which the Japanese government has called on the 
international community to ratify. 
 
On Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, Hatoyama said to reporters on Oct. 9 
in Beijing: "I feel that the world is changing under the President's 
leadership. His speech calling for a nuclear free world was 
terrific. It is difficult for the president of the country 
possessing the largest amount of nuclear weapons to deliver such a 
speech. I believe that (the Nobel committee) decided to offer the 
Peace Prize to the President out of a sense of expectation (for 
Obama's future efforts)." 
 
Hatoyama delivered a speech on Sept. 24 at the summit of the UN 
Security Council members on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear 
disarmament. Referring in it to his experience of having heard from 
atomic-bomb victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Hatoyama stressed 
that Japan as the only atomic-bombed country has a moral 
responsibility to make efforts toward the elimination of nuclear 
weapons. Referring also to Obama's initiative for a "nuclear free 
world," Hatoyama appealed to the world when he said, "Now is the 
time that we must take action." For this reason, he said "I'm really 
pleased" about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize. 
 
With Obama winning the prize, there is a possibility that 
expectations will become stronger in Japan that Obama will visit 
Hiroshima and Nagasaki when he comes to Japan next month. However, 
the resistance is strong on the part of the United States. Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano stated on Oct. 9, "It would be 
extremely difficult because he (will stay in Japan) for only two 
days." 
 
Some have voiced doubts about blindly praising Obama's Nobel Peace 
Prize. Regarding the U.S.'s efforts toward the elimination of 
nuclear weapons, a senior Foreign Ministry official made the 
analysis that although the United States has involved China and 
Russia in its efforts toward nuclear disarmament, it has done so 
under a situation in which it has an advantage on China and Russia. 
He also said that the U.S. is not acting based on an idealistic 
perspective. The senior official pointed out the possibility that 
Obama might find it difficult to take military action, noting, "His 
political hands will be tied" because he received the Nobel Prize. 
 
(9) Japan, U.S. differ on handling of parental rights in failed 
international marriages, urged to sign Hague Convention 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Pages 26-27) (Excerpts) 
October 15, 2009 
 
TOKYO 00002375  011 OF 012 
 
 
 
Miki Kato in New York 
 
"Why was he arrested?" "The Japanese (ex-wife) was the abductor." 
The case of an American father who was arrested in Fukuoka 
Prefecture while attempting to reclaim his two children whom his 
ex-wife had taken away to Japan has been attracting a lot of 
attention in the U.S. The Hague Convention stipulates rules for 
resolving parental rights issues in failed international marriages, 
but Japan is not a signatory. The United States criticizes the 
Japanese for virtually allowing "abductors" to go scot free, but it 
appears that there is a significant difference in the thinking in 
the two countries on bringing up children after divorce. 
 
Christopher Savoie, 38, a businessman living in Tennessee, was 
arrested and has been detained by the Fukuoka Prefectural Police for 
taking away his 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter on their way 
to school in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka, on Sep. 28 on the charge of 
abduction of minors. His ex-wife had brought the children back to 
Japan in August without his permission. 
 
The taking away of children by divorced parents is a serious offense 
in the U.S. and most reports have been sympathetic to Savoie's 
actions or have portrayed him as a hero. 
 
Savoie's American lawyer asserted on Oct. 12 that how Savoie is 
being treated in Japan amounts to "torture," and voiced criticism 
that he is being detained for a prolonged period of time before 
indictment and that he is not even allowed to meet his lawyer in 
private or receive medication for hypertension. The Yanagawa Police 
Station of the Fukuoka Police has refuted such accusations. 
 
In the midst of prominent coverage of the Savoie incident by the 
U.S. media, American family members who have had similar experiences 
held a protest rally in front of the Japanese Embassy in Washington 
on Oct. 3, demanding Savoie's release. 
 
One of the protesters, Patrick Braden, 49, an art dealer from Los 
Angeles, also had his 4-year old daughter taken away to Japan by his 
Japanese ex-wife, 36, three years ago. While he admitted that what 
Savoie did "was not right," he said, "I can understand very well his 
frustration and feeling of desperation." 
 
In order to bring public attention to cases of taking children away 
across national boundaries, Braden has been lobbying the U.S. 
Congress and has petitioned with over 100 members of Congress. He 
said that he met with President Obama when he was a senator and the 
members of the association of family members of Japanese abductees. 
 
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a unanimous resolution in 
March asking all non-signatories of the Hague Convention to sign 
it. 
 
According to the resolution, 455 children were taken away from the 
U.S. to non-signatory states in 2008, of which the largest number, 
101, were taken to Japan, followed by 67 to India and 37 to Russia. 
 
The resolution also cited Braden's case and pointed out the flaws in 
Japanese laws. "While the Japanese family law does not discriminate 
based on nationality, the courts do not recognize parental rights 
for foreigners. U.S. court rulings on child support and visitation 
rights are also not executed." 
 
TOKYO 00002375  012 OF 012 
 
 
 
Walter Benda, 52, founder of the NGO Children's Rights Council of 
Japan, also had his two daughters taken away by his Japanese wife 14 
years ago. He pointed out that: "In America, both parents are 
involved with the children's lives even after divorce. In Japan, 
only one parent -- in most cases, the mother - has parental rights 
and the other parent is cut off from the children." He claimed that 
the thinking of Japanese and Americans on bringing up children after 
divorce is completely different. 
 
The taking away of children to Japan is becoming a diplomatic issue 
between Japan and the U.S. At the confirmation hearing of the Senate 
Foreign Affairs Committee for Assistant Secretary of State for East 
Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell in June, Campbell promised 
to take up this issue with Japan in his first bilateral meeting. 
U.S. Ambassador Roos to Japan John Roos also remarked on Oct. 2 that 
the taking away of children is a "major difference between Japan and 
the U.S." 
 
The U.S. journal Foreign Affairs (online edition) has reported on a 
statement by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in July, before the 
recent general election, that "this issue also affects Japanese 
fathers," indicating his positive stance on signing up to the Hague 
Convention. It also quoted U.S. government officials as commenting 
that they have "great expectations" on the Japanese government's 
response. 
 
Fukuoka police say case being investigated under Japanese law 
 
Yuji Kato 
 
The Yanagawa Police Station of the Fukuoka police takes the position 
that Savoie "is charged with a domestic crime, so he is being 
investigated under Japanese law." It asserts that, "In this case, 
Savoie forcibly took the children away even though they resisted. 
There are also indications of the involvement of a third party. This 
is a bit different from what he claims was an act of an American 
parent trying to reclaim his children." 
 
According to the police station, CNN and two other U.S. media 
outlets have come to cover the case. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) says that it is in the 
process of "considering whether signing the Hague Convention is 
possible." Most of the signatories are Western countries, and Sri 
Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Macau are the only Asian countries 
that have signed it. 
 
MOFA cites differences in the thinking on marriage and divorce as 
the reason why Japan has not signed the convention so far. It 
explains that before doing so, "the merits and demerits for Japan 
have to be examined closely, and we also have to think about the 
institutional requirements for such matters as procedures for taking 
children back to the other parent's country if Japan does become a 
signatory to the convention." 
 
ROOS