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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002434 
 
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 10/22/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
 
Secretary Gates visit: 
3) Defense Secretary Gates asks for decision on Futenma no later 
than U.S. President's visit to Japan  (Yomiuri) 
4) Okinawa worried about collapse of U.S. forces realignment plan 
(Mainichi) 
5) Gates warns Kitazawa to be careful that investigation of secret 
accords doesn't have adverse effect on bilateral alliance  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
U.S.-Japan relationship: 
6) Ozawa tells Ambassador Roos the DPJ administration will speak 
frankly about issues to U.S.  (Nikkei) 
7) U.S. and Japan also far apart on Afghan aid question  (Nikkei) 
 
Other base issue: 
8) F-35B fighters to be deployed at Iwakuni from 2015; concerns 
about increase in noise level  (Akahata) 
 
Foreign relations: 
9) FM Okada hints at loosening rules governing SDP participation in 
PKO  (Mainichi) 
10) Prime Minister departs for Thailand tomorrow  (Nikkei) 
 
Special Diet session: 
11) Bill on North Korean ship inspections to be submitted to special 
Diet session  (Nikkei) 
12) LDP sets up panel to review DPJ election pledges  (Nikkei) 
13) Hatoyama and coalition party heads discuss content of his 
upcoming policy speech to Diet  (Mainichi) 
14) Special Diet session set to run for 36 days  (Nikkei) 
 
Economy: 
15) Transport minister as Finance Minister to provide public funds 
for JAL bailout  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Newly appointed Japan Post president Saito denies having 
ex-bureaucrat's mentality in news conference 
 
Mainichi: 
Court to examine as witness defense counsel-endorsed expert in 
Ashikaga case retrial 
 
Yomiuri: 
Gates calls for settlement of Futenma issue by time President Obama 
visits Japan 
 
Nikkei: 
Itochu to take stake in Uny, help expand China retail operations 
 
Sankei: 
State budget in danger (Part 1): Budget compilation without 
guidelines results in expansion 
 
TOKYO 00002434  002 OF 008 
 
 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Government to install new Japan Post management 
 
Akahata: 
Financial support for high school education must not be reduced in 
exchange for revival of subsidies to single-parent families 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) New Japan Post president: Public-sector-to-private-sector trend 
must go on 
(2) New government must finalize its Futenma relocation policy 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Ashikaga case retrial: Court must examine evidence and offer 
apology 
(2) Appointment of new Japan Post president contradicts policy of 
shifting power away from bureaucrats 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) U.S. defense secretary's visit: Futenma issue must not be put 
off 
(2) Appointment of ex-finance ministry official as next Japan Post 
president unexpected 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Concerns raised about "security friction" that might endanger 
Japan-U.S. alliance 
(2) Appointment of ex vice-minister not in line with policy of 
ending bureaucratic control 
 
Sankei: 
(1) New Japan Post president: Appointment runs counter to policy of 
reducing power of bureaucrats 
(2) Gates-Kitazawa meeting: Japan must take note of warning to 
bilateral alliance 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Futenma relocation: Government must explore all options 
(2) Ashikaga case retrial an occasion to end false accusations 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Okinawa new base talks: Respond straightforwardly to wishes of 
people of Okinawa 
 
3) Gates calls for settlement of Futenma issue before President 
Obama's visit to Japan 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) 
October 22, 2009 
 
During his talks with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on Oct. 20, 
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged the Japanese government 
to reach a conclusion on the question of relocating the U.S. Marine 
Corps' Futenma Air Station by the time President Barack Obama visits 
Japan on Nov. 12-13, according to a concerned source. In response, 
Okada simply said, "We will work hard to reach a conclusion as soon 
as possible." The talks went nowhere. 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also held talks with Secretary Gates 
 
TOKYO 00002434  003 OF 008 
 
 
on Oct. 21. After his talks with Gates, the Prime Minister indicated 
to the press corps at the Prime Minister's official Residence 
(Kantei) that he had told Gates it would be difficult to implement 
the existing relocation plan at an early date. Hatoyama said: "There 
is a gap between two factors: our campaign pledge for the last Lower 
House election (to review the existing plan) and the Japan-U.S. 
agreement. It will take some time to come up with an answer. I asked 
for his understanding." Hatoyama has demonstrated a policy of 
postponing a government decision until after the mayoral election 
next January for the city of Nago, which is the relocation site for 
Futenma Air Station. "(Even after my talks with Gates), I (still) 
basically think so," said Hatoyama. 
 
Now that Gates and others' efforts on Oct. 20-21 to iron out 
differences in views with Japan have effectively ended in failure, 
the U.S. side is highly alarmed about a possible negative impact on 
President Obama's Japan visit. The Japan-U.S. relationship is 
becoming strained. 
 
According to a person involved in the situation, Gates presented a 
deadline during his talks with Okada, urging the Japanese government 
to settle the Futenma issue by the time President Obama visits Japan 
in November. Washington has thus far taken a wait-and-see attitude 
with one official saying, "The deadline is up to Japan to decide." 
But observing the Japanese government's earnest efforts to review 
the existing plan, as seen in its proposal for consolidating Futenma 
functions with Kadena Air Base, Washington seems to have decided to 
convey its firm intentions to Tokyo. 
 
A sense of alarm is growing in the U.S. government, with one 
official saying, "We cannot afford to come under criticism from 
within the United States after President Obama's visit to Japan." 
 
4) Okinawa fears collapse of USFJ realignment plans after Secretary 
Gates's remarks on Futenma relocation 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
Teruhisa Mimori 
 
In reaction to the statement made by U.S. Secretary of Defense 
Robert Gates at a joint news conference with Defense Minister 
Toshimi Kitazawa that "there can be no Guam relocation without a 
Futenma replacement facility," Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima 
said on Oct. 21: "The Marines' relocation to Guam should be 
implemented without fail." 
 
Nakaima has so far rated highly the plans to relocate U.S. Marines 
in Okinawa to Guam and the return of six military facilities south 
of Kadena Air Base under the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment 
package agreed upon by Japan and the United States, saying that 
"this will be a new engine for Okinawa's economic development." He 
has consistently stood firm on his position of conditional 
acceptance of the plan to relocate the Futenma base to the coastal 
of Camp Schwab based on the reasoning that, "While relocation out of 
Okinawa is the best option, realistically, relocation within Okinawa 
is inevitable," out of his concern that the realignment process 
might collapse. 
 
Meanwhile, a senior Okinawa official demonstrated a wait-and-see 
approach to the Hatoyama administration's response, stating: "It is 
 
TOKYO 00002434  004 OF 008 
 
 
a matter of course for the U.S., which does not the realignment 
process to be delayed, to emphasize the original package. Instead, 
the question now is whether the Japan government will tackle the 
issue of Futenma relocation with the readiness to wreck the 
realignment plan if warranted." 
 
5) Defense Secretary Gates cautions Japan on investigations into 
alleged secret agreements on introducing nuclear arms, Okinawa 
reversion 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
At his meeting with Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on Oct. 21, 
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates touched on the ongoing 
investigations by Japan into the secret agreement between the two 
countries on bringing nuclear arms into the Japan and on Okinawa's 
reversion to Japanese administration. He said, "We hope that care is 
taken not to have a negative impact on nuclear deterrence (provided 
by the U.S.) and the bilateral relationship," cautioning Japan. In 
response Kitazawa said, "We will take care that the secret agreement 
issue will not become a negative factor with respect to the 
Japan-U.S. alliance and will continue to disclose information." 
 
6) Ozawa in meeting with U.S. Ambassador Roos: "DPJ administration 
will speak candidly" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa met 
with U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos at party headquarters 
yesterday. They shared the view that Japan and the U.S. should 
further expand ties. Ozawa said: "I am responsible for party 
affairs, so I cannot comment on government affairs," but he 
emphasized: "I think the DPJ government should say what it needs to 
say to the U.S. in a candid manner on every issue." The Ambassador 
praised Ozawa by saying, "You are the most influential politician in 
Japan." The Ambassador also said: "I would like to make efforts to 
establish a relationship of mutual trust. It is important to deepen 
Japan-U.S. relations." 
 
7) Gap between Japan, U.S. emerges on Afghan aid; U.S. 
"disappointed" with lack of progress in security issues 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
Itaru Oishi, Washington 
 
The Obama administration of the United States is increasingly 
frustrated with Japan's failure to take a clear stance on 
contribution to the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and U.S. 
Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment. While the U.S. intends to avoid a 
situation where the two sides would lock horns during President 
Barack Obama's visit to Japan in November from the standpoint of 
giving importance to the Japan-U.S. alliance, the White House's 
tendency for "Japan passing" is likely to increase since pro-China 
officials occupy the key posts in the administration. 
 
Ahead of his visit to Japan, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates 
reportedly told the Japanese government that "we will not ask 
 
TOKYO 00002434  005 OF 008 
 
 
anything from anybody." This is because it was thought that being 
seen as applying pressure on Japan will be counterproductive for the 
Hatoyama administration's process of domestic coordination. 
 
However, about one month since the Japan-U.S. summit, which side 
stepped security issues, the U.S., which had hoped for some 
progress, is now openly showing its disappointment because "there 
has practically been no response," according to a U.S. Democratic 
Party source. After his meetings, Gates indicated his displeasure 
particularly with Japan's bringing up once again the proposal to 
merge the Futenma Air Station with Kadena Air Base, a plan that had 
been discussed many times in the past but was unacceptable to the 
USFJ. 
 
More than the issue of USFJ realignment, the U.S. side had had even 
higher hopes on Afghan aid proposals. The Obama administration is 
currently drafting a new policy toward Afghanistan that will include 
economic aid. One purpose of Gates's trip to Asia is to draw 
positive contributions from Japan and South Korea to help facilitate 
the decision-making process for the new Afghan policy. He was 
disappointed on the very first leg of the trip. 
 
8) F-35B to be deployed to Iwakuni 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Abridged) 
October 22, 2009 
 
The U.S. Marine Corps plans to deploy 16 F-35B fighter jets to its 
Iwakuni base in Yamaguchi Prefecture, beginning in the fall of 2015. 
This plan became known from the USMC's recently released aircraft 
procurement plan for fiscal 2010. The F-35B is a next-generation 
state-of-the-art fighter jet model. 
 
The F-35B, a follow-on model to the USMC's AV-8B and FA-18, will 
replace the older aircraft at the base. The AV-8B is a vertical 
takeoff and landing (VTOL) jet and the FA-18 a fighter attack jet. 
The F-35B is a stealth plane, which, according to the U.S. 
Department of Defense, is outfitted with "the world's most powerful 
turbofan engine." This engine enables the F-35B to fly at supersonic 
speed and make short takeoffs and vertical landings (STOVL). 
 
F-35B deployment to the Iwakuni base will further strengthen the 
base's functions in line with the shift of (Atsugi-based) 
carrier-borne fighter jets to Iwakuni -- part of the Pentagon's 
roadmap for realigning U.S. forces in Japan. Furthermore, it is 
feared the F-35B deployment will increase the impact of the base on 
the surrounding community by raising the level of aircraft noise. 
 
9) Okada studying easing five PKO rules 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
October 22, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada gave a speech in Tokyo yesterday. In 
it, he indicated that he has ordered a study on revising the 
Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Cooperation Law authorizing the 
dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to UN peacekeeping 
operations. Okada said, "There are five PKO principles under 
constitutional restrictions. I think we should review them within 
the framework of the Constitution." 
 
His order is aimed at avoiding Japan being regarded by the 
 
TOKYO 00002434  006 OF 008 
 
 
international community as reluctant to dispatch the SDF overseas 
due to the government's decision to halt the Maritime Self-Defense 
Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. 
 
The five PKO principles regarding SDF participation in PKO 
operations are stipulated in the PKO Cooperation Law. They are: (1) 
there must be a cease-fire agreement; (2) warring parties must 
accept Japan's participation; (3) (the SDF) must maintain a neutral 
position; (4) if the basic principle is not fulfilled, SDF troops 
can be withdrawn; and (5) the use of weapons is limited to a minimum 
for defending lives. 
 
10) Prime Minister Hatoyama to leave for Thailand tomorrow 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday on the diplomatic schedule for 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who will attend the summit of the 
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Thailand. 
According to the schedule, Hatoyama will attend the summit of ASEAN 
and Japan, China, and South Korea on the afternoon of Oct. 24 and 
the East Asia Summit on the morning of the 25th. He will seek 
understanding for his East Asian Community concept from other Asian 
countries. He is expected to return to Japan on the evening of the 
25th. 
 
11) Government to submit ship inspection legislation with no mention 
of SDF to extra Diet to deal with North Korea 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 22, 2009 
 
The government decided yesterday to submit to the next extraordinary 
Diet session to be convened on Oct. 26 a special measures bill to 
facilitate cargo inspections on ships traveling to and from North 
Korea. The bill stipulates that ship inspections will be carried out 
by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), not by the Self-Defense Forces 
(SDF), reflecting the government's consideration paid to the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP). Giving priority to the compilation of the 
fiscal 2010 budget by the end of the year, the government had 
initially planned not to submit the ship inspection legislation to 
the upcoming extra Diet session. Reversing this policy direction, 
the government will now aim for the early enactment of the ship 
inspection legislation. The SDP will discuss the matter today. 
 
The previous coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party 
and New Komeito submitted ship inspection legislation to the earlier 
regular Diet session in line with a UN Security Council sanctions 
resolution following North Korea's nuclear test in May. The 
legislation went down the drain due to the dissolution of the House 
of Representatives. 
 
The scrapped bill contained a provision saying, "In the event there 
are special circumstances preventing the JCG from dealing with the 
situation independently, the (SDF) will take security and other 
necessary steps." This provision will be eliminated from the new 
legislation. 
 
12) LDP to examine DPJ campaign pledges in preparation for Diet 
debate 
 
 
TOKYO 00002434  007 OF 008 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
October 223, 2009 
 
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held at party headquarters 
yesterday the first meeting of its committee tasked with drafting 
the party's policies and strategy in preparation for Diet debate. 
The committee decided to set up a manifesto examination committee to 
analyze problems in the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) policies. 
The party is accelerating its preparations for debate with the 
administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the extraordinary 
Diet session to be convened on Oct. 26. 
 
The manifesto examination committee, which will be composed of 
senior members of the Policy Research Council, including chairman 
Shigeru Ishiba, will hold its first meeting on the 22nd. In the 
meeting yesterday, Ishiba referred to the fact that the Hatoyama 
cabinet has refused to have its three key parliamentary executives 
participate in a sectional meeting of the LDP and openly revealed 
feelings of rivalry toward the DPJ, remarking: "If they continue to 
refuse to attend the meeting, we will not reply (to questions asked 
by bureaucrats to LDP lawmakers)." The committee decided to ask 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano to have the three key 
parliamentary executives attend the sectional meeting. 
 
13) Cabinet ministers discuss Prime Minister Hatoyama's policy 
speech to be delivered on Oct. 26 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
Yesterday the ministerial committee on basic policies held at the 
Prime Minister's Office a meeting in which participants, including 
the heads of the three ruling parties, discussed a policy speech 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will deliver at the extraordinary Diet 
session to be convened on Oct. 26. Under the coalition government of 
the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito, no such session 
was held. With the first Diet session after the change of government 
drawing closer, Hatoyama proposed the session in consideration of 
the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP). 
 
Yesterday's meeting was attended by Hatoyama; Naoto Kan, deputy 
prime minister and state minister for national strategy; Mizuho 
Fukushima, SDP chairperson and state minister for consumer affairs 
and declining birthrate; Shizuka Kamei, PNP leader and state 
minister for financial affairs and postal reform; Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano; and other officials. Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Koji Matsui read aloud the draft policy speech and 
participants exchanged views. 
 
During the discussions, Fukushima and PNP policy chief Mikio Shimoji 
(House of Representatives member elected in the Okinawa No. 1 
district) urged the use of stronger language regarding the 
realignment of U.S. forces in Japan in consideration of Okinawa 
residents. However, Hirano said, "The Prime Minister will take your 
views into consideration and make a decision on his own." 
 
14) Extra Diet session to run for 36 days 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
The House of Representatives Steering Committee yesterday decided in 
 
TOKYO 00002434  008 OF 008 
 
 
its board meeting to hold the extraordinary Diet session, which will 
be convened on Oct. 26, for 36 days until Nov. 30. Party 
representatives' interpellation with respect to Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama's policy speech will be carried out on Oct. 28 and 29. In 
yesterday's meeting the Democratic Party of Japan and the People's 
New Party confirmed that they will forgo questioning. 
 
15) Transport minister to ask finance minister for public support 
for JAL 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
October 22, 2009 
 
Construction and Transport Minister Seiji Maehara will ask Finance 
Minister Hirohisa Fujii within this week to come up with measures to 
help rebuild Japan Airlines, including the use of public funds. 
(Based on a revised reconstruction plan drafted by the task force 
under the construction minister,) the government will offer 550 
billion yen in financial aid, with 300 billion yen in public aid and 
private investment added to 250 billion yen generated through debt 
waiver and debt-for equity swap. The money will cover the struggling 
airline's excessive debt. 
 
Task force's revised JAL reconstruction plan (the figures in 
parentheses are those in the draft plan) 
 
Financial aid 
Q 300 billion yen (150 billion yen) in increased capital, including 
public funds 
Q 220 billion yen (250 billion yen) through debt waiver 
Q 30 billion yen (50 billion yen) through debt-for-equity swap 
 
Loans from financial institutions 
Q 200 billion yen (180 billion yen) in emergency loans 
Q 150 billion yen (150 billion yen) in syndicate loans 
 
Business restructuring plan 
Q 50 to 70 billion yen in operating profits for fiscal 2014 
Q 1,200 billion yen in sales for fiscal 2014 
Q Reduction in the number of employees by nearly 9,000 (about 
9,000) 
 
Reduction in pension-related liabilities 
Q Addition of a lump-sum pension-payment measure to the draft 
(reduction in the deficit in the reserve fund from the original 330 
billion yen to 100 billion yen). 
 
ROOS