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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002399 
 
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 10/19/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Futenma flip-flopping: 
4) U.S. will accept minor modification to Futenma agreement  (Asahi) 
 
5) Cabinet asks for continuation of assistance to relocation site 
communities  (Asahi) 
6) PM Hatoyama: Futenma relocation decision to be made next year 
(Asahi) 
7) FM Okada: Govt. will aim to reach a decision on Futenma this year 
 (Yomiuri) 
 
Refueling mission: 
8) Japan Govt. examining shift of replenishment ships to anti-piracy 
operation  (Sankei) 
9) DOS hopes for continuation of refueling mission  (Sankei) 
10) LDP to submit refueling bill  (Nikkei) 
 
Foreign relations: 
11) FM Okada: U.S. concerns about East Asian Community  (Nikkei) 
12) FM Okada says he would like to discuss no-first use policy with 
U.S.  (Nikkei) 
 
Defense & Security: 
13) Secretary of Defense Gates to visit Japan tomorrow  (Sankei) 
14) Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mullen to visit Japan  (Nikkei) 
15) Okada tells Kanagawa Gov. Matsuzawa SOFA to be reviewed next 
year  (Yomiuri) 
 
Opinion polls: 
16) Mainichi poll: 72 PERCENT  support cabinet; 71 PERCENT  approve 
cutting supplementary budget by 2.9 trillion yen  (Mainichi) 
17) Yomiuri poll: 53 PERCENT  believe coalition partners out of 
synch; disarray on security, alliance  (Yomiuri) 
18) Nikkei poll: Support for cabinet remains at 70 PERCENT  level; 
61 PERCENT  give high marks to job performance  (Nikkei) 
19) Jiji poll: cabinet support rate at 60.6 PERCENT ; third highest 
for a cabinet just after its inauguration  (Nikkei) 
 
Child abduction issue: 
20) Eight ambassadors visit Minister of Justice Chiba; express hope 
Japan will sign Hague Convention  (Nikkei) 
21) At least two years required for the GOJ to accede to the Hague 
Convention  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
U.S. to accept minor changes in Futenma relocation plan 
 
Mainichi: 
Hatoyama government launches half of pledges in manifesto 
 
Yomiuri: 
Vaccination against new flu to cover all applicants with single 
inoculation 
 
TOKYO 00002399  002 OF 010 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
Value of shares in global markets now close to level just before 
financial crisis 
 
Sankei: 
Government eyes use of refueling vessels for combating pirates 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
U.S. defense official indicates willingness to agree to move 
construction site for Futenma replacement facility offshore 
 
Akahata: 
JCP makes demands requests to new government on budget requests, 
issue of bureaucrats' Diet replies 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Let's introduce school autonomy system 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Welfare Minister Nagatsuma expected to promote reform of social 
security system 
(2) Japan welcomes inclusion of golf as sports at 2016 Olympic 
Games 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Treat serious new-flu patients on priority basis 
(2) New Rengo system: Deal with issues through coordination between 
labor and management 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Goal of 25 PERCENT  cut in greenhouse gas emissions: Aim at 
introducing fair emissions-trading system, carbon tax 
 
Sankei: 
(1) New type of influenza: Ensure smooth vaccinations 
(2) Speedily work out JAL reconstruction plan 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Why is government going to introduce system of income 
compensation for farmers so hastily? 
(2) New tax panel should come up with fair, transparent system that 
can convince 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Supreme Court urged to hold hearing on suppression of leaflet 
distribution in Katsushika Ward 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, October 18 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 19, 2009 
 
10:40 Participated in Denenchofu Clean Festa with wife Miyuki at 
Denenchofu Seseragi Park. 
12:09 Had lunch with wife Miyuki at Chinese restaurant in Denenchofu 
Razan. 
12:55 Went to Denenchofu Branch of Precce supermarket. 
 
TOKYO 00002399  003 OF 010 
 
 
13:17 Arrived at private residence. 
 
4) U.S. to accept minor change to Futenma relocation plan; presses 
Japan for implementation of agreement 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
October 19, 2009 
 
Hiroshi Ito, Washington 
 
A high-ranking U.S. Defense Department official indicated that 
Washington would accept moving the envisaged facility replacing the 
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa 
Prefecture) about 50 meters further offshore than under the existing 
plan, adding that the U.S. government would not accept major changes 
to the existing plan. The official pressed the Hatoyama 
administration, which is exploring ways to move the air station out 
of Okinawa or even out of the country, for the early implementation 
of a bilateral agreement, warning that the failure to implement the 
agreement would deal a serious blow to relationship of trust between 
Japan and the United States. 
 
The official revealed the view ahead of Secretary of Defense Robert 
Gates's visit to Japan on Oct. 20. Tokyo and Washington reached an 
agreement in 2006 on the existing (Futenma) relocation plan as part 
of a "package deal" that includes the relocation of U.S. Marine 
Corps to Guam and the return of U.S. military bases and facilities 
in Okinawa. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima later requested the 
alternative Futenma facility be located further offshore than the 
planned site, and the Hatoyama administration is examining how the 
Henoko district was selected as the relocation site. 
 
"It is natural for the new administration to reexamine how the 
bilateral agreement was reached," the high-ranking U.S. official 
said. "We believe the agreement is worth implementing." The official 
also said that major changes to the existing plan would result in 
other decisions, indicating that such would have an impact on other 
agreements made between Japan and the United States besides U.S. 
force realignment. The official repeatedly expressed hope for the 
implementation of the existing agreement. 
 
The official showed some understanding about moving the replacement 
facility offshore, saying, "If the governor calls for moving the 
facility 50 meters, it is a matter that concerns the governor and 
the Japanese government," adding, "If the Japanese government 
proposes it to the United States, it will be studied within the 
framework of the existing agreement." 
 
According to the Japanese government's study, the replacement 
facility can be moved 55 meters or so without redoing the 
environmental impact assessment. The high-ranking official indicated 
that the facility can be moved 50 meters or so without making 
changes to a set of procedures, such as the environmental 
assessment, within the framework of the existing agreement. 
 
At the same time, on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling 
mission in the Indian Ocean, which is to expire next January, the 
official showed understanding for the withdrawal of the force. The 
Hatoyama administration is earnestly looking for new measures to 
support Afghanistan in place of the refueling mission. "Assistance 
does not have to be military," the official said. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002399  004 OF 010 
 
 
5) Cabinet Office requests continuation of development of Futenma 
functions relocation site in fiscal 2010 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 17, 2009 
 
In return for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station to Nago City in the northern part of the main island of 
Okinawa, over the last 10 years the government has been carrying out 
the North Development Program, under which 10 billion yen has been 
allocated annually for Okinawa Prefecture, Nago City, and 12 other 
municipalities. The government fundamentally intends to continue the 
program with the Cabinet Office asking for 7 billion yen in its 
estimated budget request, submitted on Oct. 16, for fiscal 2010. 
State Minister for Okinawa Seiji Maehara said, "I will not link this 
program to the base issue. Along with Okinawa Prefecture, I would 
like to press ahead with the program, which will promote Okinawa's 
economic independence and development." He thus explained that the 
ministry has filed the request regardless of the fate of the Futenma 
relocation issue. 
 
6) Hatoyama eyes reaching conclusion next year on Futenma 
relocation 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
October 17, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama clarified yesterday that he will postpone 
making a final decision until next year on the pending issue of 
relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, 
Okinawa Prefecture. This is apparently because there is no prospect 
for "moving Futenma airfield out of Okinawa Prefecture or Japan" as 
pledged by his ruling Democratic Party of Japan in its manifesto. 
 
However, Japan and the United States have already reached an 
intergovernmental agreement to relocate the heliport functions of 
Futenma airfield to Henoko in the island prefecture's northern 
coastal city of Nago by 2014. To that end, the government will 
presumably have to start the construction of an alternative base 
there during the next fiscal year. The U.S. government is also 
likely to call on the Hatoyama government to accept the agreement. 
 
7) Okada aiming to reach conclusion later this year on Futenma 
relocation 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) 
October 18, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Okada yesterday underscored his intention to reach 
a conclusion by the end of this year on the pending issue of 
relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, 
Okinawa Prefecture. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hatoyama implied his 
intent to postpone making a final decision on the issue. "The 
question is whether to earmark it in the fiscal 2010 budget, so I'm 
expecting to decide by the end of this year," Okada told a press 
conference held yesterday in the city of Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Asked 
about Hatoyama's remarks, however, Okada went no further than to 
comment that Hatoyama meant to say it would be better to proceed 
with the matter in a cautious manner. 
 
8) Government considering allowing refueling vessel to serve on 
antipiracy mission 
 
TOKYO 00002399  005 OF 010 
 
 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
October 19, 2009 
 
Given the likelihood that the Maritime Self-Defense Force's supply 
vessel is likely to be withdrawn from the Indian Ocean, the 
government is looking into the option of allowing the ship to 
provide fuel to foreign vessels engaged in antipiracy operations off 
Somalia. Many U.S. and European naval vessels that were engaged in 
antiterrorism operations in the Indian Ocean are now combating 
piracy off Somalia. The view is prevalent in the Japanese government 
that refueling services off Somalia can be a new means to contribute 
to the international community, making up for the termination of the 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. If the government can obtain 
the understanding of the Social Democratic Party, which is reluctant 
to send the Self-Defense Forces on overseas missions, the United 
States and European countries, this might emerge as a strong option 
for replacing the refueling mission. 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has repeatedly indicated that the 
government will not simply extend the refueling mission in the 
Indian Ocean. The government is considering providing civilian 
support to Afghanistan to replace the refueling mission. Whether 
Tokyo can obtain the understanding of Washington, which expects 
contribution in personnel, with the Somalia piracy plan alone 
remains to be seen. 
 
9) U.S. Department of State hopes Japan will continue assistance to 
Afghanistan 
 
SANKEI (Page 8) (Full) 
October 17, 2009 
 
The Hatoyama administration is now coordinating views with the 
possibility of withdrawing Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel 
from their refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Referring to this, 
U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Wood at a press conference on 
Oct. 15 said, "What Japan does in the future is up to Japan to work 
out." However, he continued, "We hope that Japan will find a way to 
continue to assist the ongoing operations in Afghanistan." Wood 
highly praised Japan's refueling operation, saying, "It was a very 
important contribution. We are deeply grateful." 
 
10) LDP to submit refueling bill, other legislation at upcoming 
extra Diet session 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 19, 2009 
 
Appearing on a NHK talk show yesterday, the main opposition Liberal 
Democratic Party's Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Jiro Kawasaki 
said the LDP will submit a special measures bill designed to 
facilitate cargo inspections of ships going in and out of North 
Korea, as well as a bill to continue the Maritime-Self Defense Force 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, at the upcoming extraordinary 
Diet session, to be convened on Oct. 26. He also said on the TV talk 
show, "Although we will discuss the matter with the New Komeito, we 
will submit the bills as lawmaker-initiated legislation to the 
Diet." 
 
11) U.S. concern about East Asian Community initiative groundless, 
says foreign minister 
 
TOKYO 00002399  006 OF 010 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 17, 2009 
 
Referring to U.S. concern about Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's 
Initiative for an East Asian Community, Foreign Minister Katsuya 
Okada at a press conference on Oct. 16 said, "(The U.S. concern) is 
groundless. It is an overreaction to worry about it at this stage." 
He also took the view that it is not necessary to rush to come up 
with the specifics of the initiative, noting, "It is a vision for 
the future. There is no need to make it concrete in the beginning." 
 
12) FM Okada indicates willingness to discuss no-first-use of 
nuclear weapons with U.S., implying government's policy switch 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 19, 2009 
 
In a speech presented in Kyoto yesterday, Foreign Minister Katsuya 
Okada said: "I hope Japan and the U.S. will thoroughly discuss the 
issue of no-first-use of nuclear weapons," on the premise that the 
International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and 
Disarmament, an expert panel, will compile a report by the end of 
the year. Okada said that the report is now likely to include the 
policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. He emphasized: "We would 
like to respect the policy and to make it the government's policy." 
 
Okada pointed out: "The government has so far asked the U.S. to 
refrain from referring to the policy (of no-first-use of nuclear 
weapons) because of a possible weakening of (the U.S.') nuclear 
deterrence capability." He then remarked: "We cannot rule out the 
policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons as a major policy 
direction of the government," indicating a possibility that the 
government would revise its policy. 
 
13) U.S. Defense Secretary Gates to arrive in Japan tomorrow; might 
accept moving planned runways further offshore without making change 
to Futenma relocation site 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
October 19, 2009 
 
Takashi Arimoto, Washington 
 
A U.S. government official underscored to the Sankei Shimbun on Oct. 
17 that the governments of Japan and the United States have settled 
on the coastal area of Camp Schwab as the relocation site for the 
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa 
Prefecture) after many years of talks between the two sides. The 
official reiterated the U.S. view that it cannot accept a plan that 
has emerged in Japan to integrate the functions of Futenma Air 
Station into Kadena Air Base. 
 
At the same time, the official indicated that if the Hatoyama 
administration accepts the relocation of Futenma to the coastal area 
of Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Washington is ready to consider Okinawa's 
call for moving the envisaged runways further offshore than the 
planned site. The officially was apparently putting pressure on the 
Japanese government to accept the existing replacement site by 
exhibiting a flexible stance about making a change to the planned 
construction site for the runways ahead of Secretary of Defense 
Robert Gates' visit to Japan on Oct. 20. 
 
TOKYO 00002399  007 OF 010 
 
 
 
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has been calling for the planned 
runways be moved further offshore than the planned site in the 
Henoko district. The official indicated that the U.S. government 
would accept moving the (runways) 50 meters or so, saying, "It is a 
matter that concerns the Japanese government and Okinawa, and if 
there is a formal request from the Japanese side, we will look into 
it." 
 
Secretary Gates is scheduled to stay in Japan until Oct. 21. In his 
talks with Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, Secretary Gates is 
expected to tell his Japanese counterpart that the Futenma 
relocation was agreed upon not between two political parties but 
between the governments of Japan and the United States after 
explaining the status of progress on the U.S. side for the 
realignment of U.S forces in Japan. 
 
14) Top U.S. brass to visit Japan 
 
NIKKEI (Page 9) (Full) 
October 17, 2009 
 
Sachiko Deshimaru 
 
WASHINGTON-Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mullen, who tops the 
United States' armed services, will visit Japan next weekend, 
sources said Oct. 15. Mullen is expected to visit Japan after 
Secretary of Defense Gates's planned visit to Japan from Oct. 20. 
Mullen will meet with Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and others, 
and he is expected to discuss such issues as the realignment of U.S. 
forces in Japan and the North Korean situation. He will also convey 
his gratitude to his Japanese counterparts for the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, 
Japanese and U.S. government officials revealed. 
 
15) Okada says gov't to review SOFA next year 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
October 17, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Okada met yesterday with Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi 
Matsuzawa at the Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, they 
discussed the issue of revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces 
Agreement, or SOFA for short. "It's an issue we are going to address 
next year," Okada told Matsuzawa. The ruling Democratic Party of 
Japan, in its manifesto, pledged to revise SOFA provisions. 
 
16) Poll: Cabinet support at 72 PERCENT 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
October 19, 2009 
 
The Mainichi Shimbun conducted a nationwide public opinion survey 
regarding the Hatoyama cabinet, which has now been in office for a 
month since taking the reins of government The Hatoyama cabinet's 
support rate was 72 PERCENT , remaining high despite a drop of 5 
points from the last survey conducted Sept. 16-17 shortly after its 
debut. The nonsupport rate was 17 PERCENT . Among those who support 
the now-ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), 99 PERCENT 
supported the Hatoyama cabinet. In addition, 57 PERCENT  of those 
with no particular party affiliation and 39 PERCENT  of those who 
support the now-opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) supported 
 
TOKYO 00002399  008 OF 010 
 
 
the Hatoyama cabinet. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the DPJ 
stood at 40 PERCENT , down 5 points from the last survey. The LDP 
was at 14 PERCENT , inching up from its record low of 12 PERCENT  in 
the last survey. Asked about the desirable framework of government 
after next summer's election for the House of Councillors, 
respondents were split, with 36 PERCENT  choosing the DPJ's 
single-party government and 32 PERCENT  preferring the current 
DPJ-led coalition with the Social Democratic Party and the People's 
New Party. 
 
17) Poll: 53 PERCENT  see discord in coalition gov't over security 
issues, Japan-U.S. relations 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) 
October 18, 2009 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a face-to-face nationwide public 
opinion survey on Oct. 10-11. In the survey, a total of 53 PERCENT , 
or more than half the respondents, answered "no" when asked if they 
thought the tripartite coalition government led by Prime Minister 
Hatoyama and comprising the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and its 
two coalition partners, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the 
People's New Party (PNP), was functioning well. "Yes" accounted for 
only 33 PERCENT . Respondents were also asked what issues they 
thought were dividing the three ruling parties. To this question, 21 
PERCENT  chose "security," topping all other choices. Among other 
choices, "Japan-U.S. relations" accounted for 18 PERCENT , followed 
by "an overhaul of postal privatization" at 15 PERCENT  and "a 
fiscal turnaround" at 11 PERCENT . 
 
It has now been about a month since the new DPJ-led government came 
into office. The SDP has been strongly calling for a review of the 
current plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station 
in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture. Meanwhile, the PNP has insisted on 
overhauling postal privatization and has called for introducing a 
loan moratorium system for the sake of small businesses. The public 
apparently saw such developments as indicating disharmony within the 
coalition government. 
 
18) Poll: Cabinet support remains over 70 PERCENT 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
October 19, 2009 
 
The rate of public support for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his 
cabinet remained high at 73 PERCENT  in the latest public opinion 
survey jointly conducted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and TV Tokyo on 
Oct. 16-18, though the figure was down 2 percentage points from the 
last survey conducted in September right after the Hatoyama 
cabinet's inauguration. The nonsupport rate rose 4 points to 21 
PERCENT . In the survey, respondents were also asked if they 
approved of the Hatoyama cabinet's job performance. To this 
question, "yes" accounted for 61 PERCENT , the highest level among 
recent cabinets. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling 
Democratic Party of Japan stood at 55 PERCENT , down 3 points from 
the last survey. The opposition Liberal Democratic Party dropped 1 
point to 21 PERCENT . 
 
 
TOKYO 00002399  009 OF 010 
 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet's approval rating was over 60 PERCENT  among 
all generations. The highest figure came from those in their 30s, 
reaching 81 PERCENT . By gender, the Hatoyama cabinet's support rate 
was 75 PERCENT  among male respondents and 71 PERCENT  among female 
respondents. Among DPJ supporters, the Hatoyama cabinet's support 
rate was 96 PERCENT . Also, a third of those supporting the LDP 
supported the Hatoyama cabinet. 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was taken by Nikkei Research Inc. 
over the telephone on a random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the 
survey, samples were chosen from among men and women aged 20 and 
over across the nation. A total of 1,553 households with one or more 
eligible voters were sampled, and answers were obtained from 1,008 
persons (64.9 PERCENT ). 
 
19) Poll: Hatoyama cabinet's support rate at 60.6 PERCENT , 3rd 
highest ever 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) 
October 17, 2009 
 
The public approval rating for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his 
cabinet marked 60.6 PERCENT  in a public opinion survey conducted by 
Jiji Press on Oct. 9-10. The disapproval rating was 15.6 PERCENT . 
It was the first Jiji Press poll for the Hatoyama cabinet since 
coming into office. The Hatoyama cabinet's support rate upon its 
inauguration scored the third highest percentage among its 
predecessors ever since the Ikeda cabinet was launched in July 1960, 
following the Koizumi cabinet at 72.8 PERCENT  in a survey conducted 
in May 2001 and the Hosokawa cabinet at 62.9 PERCENT  in a survey 
conducted in August 1993. The figure apparently reflects the 
public's expectations for the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto 
that pledged such policies as breaking away from dependence on 
bureaucrats. 
 
The survey was conducted across the nation on a face-to-face basis, 
with a total of 2,000 persons chosen from among men and women aged 
20 and over. The response rate was 67.4 PERCENT . 
 
20) Eight ambassadors ask justice minister to sign Hague Convention 
 
MAINICHI (Page 28) (Slightly abridged) 
October 17, 2009 
 
Junichi Ishikawa 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos and the ambassadors of seven 
other countries visited Justice Minister Keiko Chiba at the Ministry 
of Justice on Oct. 16 and asked that Japan sign the Hague Convention 
on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. 
 
The eight ambassadors issued a joint statement after the meeting, 
saying: "Parents whose children have been taken away to Japan have 
no hope of reclaiming their children, making it extremely difficult 
to exercise parental rights. It is important to find a concrete 
solution. We will cooperate positively with the new administration." 
At a news conference held after the cabinet meeting on the same day, 
Chiba said: "I am aware that there are international opinions on 
this issue. We will deal with this based on the overall trend." 
 
The Hague Convention stipulates that when the parent whose children 
have been taken away applies to reclaim his or her children, the 
 
TOKYO 00002399  010 OF 010 
 
 
government of the country where the children have been taken is 
obliged to cooperate in returning them to the original country of 
residence. Japan and Russia are the only G-8 countries that are not 
signatories to the Convention. 
 
21) Japan's membership in the Hague Convention to take two years at 
the least 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged) 
October 18, 2009 
 
It was learned that while the government plans to speed up efforts 
to sign the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International 
Child Abduction setting the rules for settling disputes arising from 
international marriages, the submission of the related bills to the 
Diet, which will be the prerequisite for membership in the 
Convention, will not take place until 2011. 
 
The Hague Convention stipulates that if one parent in a failed 
international marriage takes the children to his or her home country 
without the other parent's consent, the children will be returned to 
their original country of residence. 
 
One reason why Japan is hesitant to sign the convention is because 
many cases in which Japanese mothers bring their children back to 
Japan involve domestic violence by the ex-husband. 
 
However, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has announced that steps 
will be taken promptly to study signing the convention. On Oct. 16 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos and the ambassadors and ministers 
of seven other countries asked Justice Minister Keiko Chiba to sign 
the convention at an early date. With rising pressure from the 
international community, there is now increasing momentum in favor 
of signing the convention. 
 
However, legislation of the required domestic laws will take time. 
Signatories to the convention are obliged to locate the children and 
return them to their countries of residence in cases where they have 
been taken away. Specifically, a "central authority" of the 
government will serve as the point of contact for receiving 
complaints from parents whose children have been taken away, and if 
the courts rule that the children should be returned, the offending 
parents will be ordered to return the children. 
 
For this reason, the National Government Organization Law will have 
to be amended and new special laws will also have to be legislated 
to authorize the courts to issue orders to return children. The 
Justice Ministry's Legislative Council has advised that 
"deliberations will take one year," according to a senior ministry 
official. Therefore, the submission of the related bills to the 
Diet, which will be the prerequisite for signing the Hague 
Convention, can only take place at the regular Diet session in 2011 
at the earliest, and it is likely that Diet approval may take even 
longer. 
 
ROOS