VZCZCXRO8188
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2539/01 3080325
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040325Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7225
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 9578
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7222
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1041
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4456
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7734
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1679
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8337
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7845

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002539 
 
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 11/04/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Foreign relations: 
4) Japan-U.S. summit set for Nov. 13  (Nikkei) 
5) U.S. State Dept. spokesperson: Cancelation of Clinton-Okada 
meeting was simple mistake  (Yomiuri) 
6) U.S. says it's ready for Japan-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting 
(Sankei) 
7) Okinawa Governor Nakaima leaves for U.S. today  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Defense & security: 
8) PM rules out change in constitutional ban on collective defense 
(Yomiuri) 
9) Government Revitalization Unit may scrutinize MOD budget request 
connected to "sympathy budget"  (Mainichi) 
10) GSDF officer divulged dates of surprise inspections  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
Afghanistan aid: 
11) Govt. mulls 500 billion yen in aid for Afghanistan  (Yomiuri) 
12) Japan considering dispatch of SDF personnel to ISAF headquarters 
in Kabul  (Nikkei) 
 
SOFA revision? 
13) Hatoyama says U.S. can not readily respond to a request for SOFA 
revision  (Nikkei) 
14) Prime Minister denies he will request revision of SOFA to 
require the pre-indictment handover of accused U.S. service members 
(Akahata) 
 
Special Diet session: 
15) Diet debate  (Yomiuri) 
 
Politics: 
16) Ozawa: DPJ Okinawa Prefectural Chapter independently endorsed 
Nago mayoral candidate calling for Futenma relocation outside 
prefecture  (Nikkei) 
 
Opinion 
17) Asahi/Tokyo University poll: 66 PERCENT  desire political system 
in which administrations change  (Asahi) 
18) Mainichi/Ryukyu Shimpo poll: 70 PERCENT  of Okinawa residents 
want Futenma relocated out of prefecture  (Mainichi) 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
121 bridges across Japan on verge of collapse 
 
Mainichi: 
Kadena town cooperates with U.S. forces to avert Futenma integration 
with Kadena base 
 
Yomiuri: 
Konami set to buy Victor's music business 
 
Nikkei: 
 
TOKYO 00002539  002 OF 010 
 
 
Government mulls flexible patent process for time-consuming 
products 
 
Sankei: 
What is Hatoyama administration's next education policy? Japan 
Teachers Union's policy index is source of DPJ's education policy 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Defense Ministry's surprise inspection schedule found to have 
leaked 
 
Akahata: 
Protect child-care services 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Poverty rate of 15.7 PERCENT  reflects crisis in Japan 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Rengo (Japan Trade Union Confederation) must improve 
non-permanent labor situation 
(2) JR Shikoku is initial test for toll free highways (by 
commentator Hirao Kodama) 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Toll-free highways might have adverse effect on local 
transportation 
(2) Committees for the Inquest of Prosecution: Important role of 
lawyers to provide advice 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) How to realize 25 PERCENT  emission cut: Corporations must 
compete with foreign companies on low-carbon age management 
 
Sankei: 
(1) New Afghan government: Japan must do its utmost to support 
Afghan reconstruction 
(2) Blue roses: Suntory's dream comes true 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Anti-global warming measures: Government must dispatch clear 
message to the public 
(2) Achievement tests: Review exam questions next 
 
Akahata: 
(1) What should Afghanistan do to extricate itself from chaos? 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, November 3 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 4, 2009 
 
10:09 Attended the Order of Culture conferment ceremony. 
16:07 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries Matsuno and Matsui. 
18:34 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano, Matsuno and Matsui. 
 
4) Hatoyama-Obama summit meeting to take place on November 13 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
 
TOKYO 00002539  003 OF 010 
 
 
November 4, 2009 
 
The governments of Japan and the United States have decided to hold 
a summit meeting between the leaders of the two countries on Nov. 13 
during U.S. President Barack Obama's first visit to Japan on Nov. 
12-13. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will brief the President on new 
aid measures for Afghanistan at this meeting. The two leaders are 
also expected to discuss the key issue of the relocation of the U.S. 
forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa). 
 
Hatoyama will tell Obama about Japan's plan to withdraw the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force from its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
and explain new aid measures for Afghanistan worth a total of 4-5 
billion dollars over five years, consisting mostly of civilian aid, 
such as paid vocational training for former Taliban soldiers. 
Dialogue between the two countries on how to handle the Futenma 
issue is currently in progress, so it is unclear at this point to 
what extent this issue will be discussed at the summit meeting. 
 
5) Cancellation of foreign minister's U.S. visit simple mistake, 
explains U.S. State Department spokesman Kelly 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 4, 2009 
 
Satoshi Ogawa, Washington 
 
Referring to the U.S. Department of State having released a weekly 
schedule including a meeting between Department of State Secretary 
Clinton and Foreign Minister Okada on the morning of Nov. 6th (after 
midnight on the 7th, Japan time), and then canceled it later, State 
Department spokesman Kelly at a press briefing on the 2nd said, 
"(The schedule) was still at a planning stage. It was not intended 
for a release." Concerning an outlook for a meeting between Clinton 
and Okada, Kelly noted, "The Secretary is ready to meet him on the 
6th. Whether the meeting will take place or not is up to the 
Japanese Foreign Ministry." 
 
Referring to this issue, a senior State Department official said, 
"It's our fault. Although the meeting was on the calendar, it was 
clear that the foreign minister needs to obtain approval for his 
U.S. visit from the Diet." 
 
6) U.S. is ready to hold Okada-Clinton talks 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2009 
 
Takashi Arimoto, Washington 
 
With respect to a visit to the United States by Foreign Minister 
Katsuya Okada, U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly indicated 
in a press briefing on Nov. 2 that Washington is ready to hold talks 
with him. "Secretary of State Clinton has time on Nov. 6 (Nov. 7, 
Japan time) to meet with Foreign Minister Okada, but I think I will 
have to refer you to the Japanese Foreign Ministry about his plans," 
Kelly said, indicating that it is up to Japan to decide whether to 
hold the envisaged meeting. 
 
Okada has expressed his desire to hold talks with Clinton to discuss 
the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (in 
Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture) and other matters ahead of President 
 
TOKYO 00002539  004 OF 010 
 
 
Barack Obama's visit to Japan in mid-November. But the Japanese side 
has shown its reluctance to agree on the date proposed by the United 
States because it overlaps with Diet events. 
 
7) Okinawa Gov. Nakaima to leave for U.S. today 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2009 
 
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima will leave for Washington today as 
representative of the liaison council of governors from 14 
prefectures hosting U.S. bases and military facilities. He will join 
Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa, chairman of the council, in 
Washington. The two governors plan to call on senior U.S. government 
officials, as well as Senators and Members of the House of 
Representatives, to improve basis issues. 
 
Nakaima said yesterday afternoon at Naha airport: "In Japan, a new 
administration, which advocates reviewing the Japan-U.S. Status of 
Forces Agreement, has been launched. I would like to talk to the 
U.S. side about the need for a revision of the accord." 
 
8) Hatoyama in Diet reply indicates no intention of altering 
interpretation of right to collective self-defense 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
November 3, 2009 
 
A full-scale battle of words between the ruling and opposition 
parties kicked off in a meeting of the House of Representatives 
Budget Committee held yesterday for the first time after the launch 
of the cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. In replying to 
questions, Hatoyama revealed that he had no intention of removing 
the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense by 
changing the current government interpretation of the Constitution. 
Observers surmise that the prime minister is hoping to avoid any 
confusion from being caused by a change in the interpretation until 
his administration's foundation becomes stable. 
 
The right to collective self-defense is the right to use force to 
stop an armed attack on a foreign country with which the state has 
close relations, even if the state itself is not under direct 
attack. The existing government interpretation is that the nation 
possesses the right but is prohibited from exercising it. Hatoyama 
said in the Diet reply: "My administration has just been launched, 
so I have no intention of altering the interpretation. This is a 
unified view in the Hatoyama cabinet." Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa has said that the use of armed 
force overseas (by the Self-Defense Force) should not infringe on 
the Constitution if the act is endorsed by a UN resolution. Asked 
what response he would make if a perception gap appears between the 
government and the DPJ, Hatoyama emphasized: "The cabinet will take 
responsibility in handling the issue of what to do about the 
government interpretation of the Constitution." 
 
9) Two projects in host nation support likely to be reviewed by 
panel tasked with cutting wasteful spending 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 4, 2009 
 
The nation's host nation support (the so-called omoiyari yosan or 
 
TOKYO 00002539  005 OF 010 
 
 
"sympathy budget") for the U.S. forces in Japan is expected to be 
reviewed by the Government Revitalization Unit tasked with 
scrutinizing public works to cut wasteful spending (chaired by Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama), it was learned from informed sources 
yesterday. The panel is considering conducting a review of spending 
for the maintenance of housing for U.S. military personnel's 
families and salaries for Japanese employees working at U.S. 
military bases. The taskforce of lawmakers and other members 
questioned concerned Defense Ministry officials about these projects 
yesterday. State Minister for Government Revitalization Yoshito 
Sengoku will make the final decision, but (if the panel decides to 
review these projects,) it might cause a stir between Japan and the 
U.S., which are already at odds over the issue of relocating the 
U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. 
 
10) Defense Ministry's surprise inspection schedule found to have 
leaked 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Lead paragraph) 
November 4, 2009 
 
It has been learned that a Ground Self-Defense Force's lieutenant 
colonel in the analysis department at the Defense Intelligence 
Headquarters had leaked the schedule of surprise inspections, which 
the Defense Ministry conducts to prevent defense intelligence from 
being leaked, rendering them ineffectual. In 2006 and 2007 there was 
a succession of leaks at the ministry, including the removal of 
important documents on Aegis destroyers. U.S. Defense Secretary 
Robert Gates, who recently visited Japan, requested the Defense 
Ministry ensure the security of intelligence. However, the recent 
incident, in which even the surprise inspection schedule necessary 
for plugging leaks was itself leaked, reveals a ministry prone to 
divulging information. 
 
11) Government mulls 500 billion yen in financial support to 
Afghanistan 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 3, 2009 
 
The outline of the Afghanistan reconstruction support measures the 
government is considering was revealed on Nov. 2. The plan is to 
extend financial support totaling 400 to 500 billion yen over five 
years starting in fiscal 2010 mainly for the development of the 
metropolitan area in and around the capital city of Kabul and the 
continuation of assistance for the payment of salaries to policemen 
as part of security measures. Related ministers, such as Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Hirano and Foreign Minister Okada will reach a 
final decision at a meeting to be held as early as the 5th. Prime 
Minister Hatoyama will then convey the outline of the support plan 
to U.S. President Obama, who will visit Japan on the 12th. 
 
For the development of the metropolitan area, technological and 
financial support financed by official development assistance (ODA) 
will be extended for the building of social infrastructure, such as 
the construction of roads and water supply and sewerage systems with 
the aim of helping the nation cope with a water shortage and traffic 
congestion stemming from a sharp increase in the population of 
Kabul. Support for other projects such as repairing runways at Kabul 
International Airport and building a taxiway will also be extended. 
 
This year the Japanese government has provided the salaries for 
 
TOKYO 00002539  006 OF 010 
 
 
80,000 Afghanistan policemen for six months through the UN 
Development Program. Given the serious security situation in that 
nation, it has decided to continue the support next year and 
thereafter as well. 
 
The government is currently providing a training course to about 10 
senior Afghanistan police officers. It now plans to expand this 
course. It is looking into a way to hold such a course in a 
different Islamic country, such as Turkey. 
 
The plan also includes a program designed for the social 
rehabilitation of former soldiers who joined the Taliban militants 
due to poverty, by having them engage in construction work or 
providing them with vocational training. Providing financial support 
to them while they are undergoing vocational training is also under 
consideration. 
 
12) Government considering sending SDF personnel to ISAF operational 
headquarters 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2009 
 
On Nov. 3 the government began discussions on sending several 
Self-Defense Force members to the operational headquarters of the 
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), currently deployed 
in Afghanistan as part of international peace-keeping activities, by 
the end of the year. With Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama scheduled to 
hold talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Nov. 13, the measure 
is designed to demonstrate the government's eagerness to come up 
with a new approach to cooperation with the United States. The 
government will explore the possibility of contributing manpower in 
place of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in 
the Indian Ocean, which is to end next January. The government 
specifically envisages the dispatch of SDF personnel to serve as 
"liaison officers" who will not engage in combat. 
 
13) PM Hatoyama says decision on SOFA revision to take time 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 3, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama commented on Nov. 2 on the revision of 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, which prescribes the 
legal status of U.S. Forces Japan. He said: "I think this is a very 
important subject of discussion, but we are not in a position to 
demand (revision from the U.S. side) hastily and quickly make a 
decision right now." He also said: "At least, the Kantei (Prime 
Minister's office) does not think that we are ready to go into 
negotiations." The above was in response to questions from reporters 
at the Kantei. 
 
14) Prime Minister dismisses a proposal for pre-indictment handover 
of custody 
 
AKAHATA (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
November 4, 2009 
 
Some media outlets have reported that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama 
has begun considering proposing, during a visit to Japan by U.S. 
President Barack Obama, the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of 
Forces Agreement to require the United States to hand over the 
 
TOKYO 00002539  007 OF 010 
 
 
custody of the accused, which is limited to heinous crimes such as 
murder. The Prime Minister denied the report on Nov. 2 in response 
to a question from the press corps at the Kantei (Prime Minister's 
Official Residence). He said: "Even if a request is made hastily, 
the situation does not allow an easy answer. At least the Kantei is 
not at the stage to negotiate the matter." 
 
15) Gist of PM Hatoyama's responses to interpellation on foreign 
policy issues at Lower House Budget Committee on November 2 
 
YOMIURI (Page 8) (Full) 
November 3, 2009 
 
North Korea 
 
Hideo Hiraoka (Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)): Is dialogue and 
cooperation your policy on dealing with North Korea? 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: A soft stance should be avoided at a 
time when there are no concrete messages (from the North Korean 
side). We will give importance to dialogue and work for a solution 
by employing all possible means. 
 
Japan-U.S. relations 
 
Nobutaka Machimura (Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)): The smooth 
operation of the Japan-U.S. security treaty is important for Japan's 
security. 
 
Hatoyama: The Japan-U.S. alliance does not conflict with the concept 
of an East Asian community. Peace in East Asia is guaranteed by the 
Japan-U.S. alliance, and this has great significance. 
 
Machimura: What has been unequal in the Japan-U.S. relationship so 
far? 
 
Hatoyama: An equal partnership means that when an issue arises, 
Japan is able to speak out without any reservations even if it 
differs with the United States. (Under the LDP administration) 
Japan's diplomatic posture changed significantly whenever the U.S. 
expressed a strong opinion. I think that constituted "subservience 
to the U.S." 
 
U.S. Forces Japan realignment 
 
Tomoko Abe (Social Democratic Party): Cabinet members are expressing 
different opinions on Okinawa issues. What is your basic stance? 
 
Hatoyama: The relocation of the Futenma Air Station is an important 
issue for the Japan-U.S. alliance. I would like the ministers in 
charge to make efforts to look into the options for reducing the 
burden on the people of Okinawa while keeping in mind the importance 
of the existing Japan-U.S. agreement. We would like to come up with 
a solution acceptable to both countries that will reduce the burden 
on Okinawa. 
 
Mikio Shimoji (People's New Party): Even if the Japanese and U.S. 
governments agree, the issue will not move forward without Okinawa's 
agreement. 
 
Hatoyama: We cannot ignore the sentiments of the local communities 
and reach a conclusion between the two countries. While it is true 
 
TOKYO 00002539  008 OF 010 
 
 
that the bilateral agreement was reached under the previous 
administration, we cannot possibly overlook its significance. I 
think the two countries cannot possibly reach an arbitrary 
conclusion without an agreement between the new administration and 
the governor of Okinawa that is acceptable to both parties. 
 
Tadamori Oshima (LDP): What will you decide with regard to Futenma 
relocation, move this base out of Japan, out of Okinawa, or within 
Okinawa? 
 
Hatoyama: We are making efforts to reach a conclusion by looking at 
several options. 
 
Oshima: When will you reach a conclusion? 
 
Hatoyama: We have just prepared several options and begun to examine 
them. I am not able to say when we will be able to reach a 
conclusion. I am also fully aware that we cannot delay this issue 
too much. 
 
Oshima: The timing (for making a decision) is important. It is (the 
Prime Minister's) responsibility to indicate the timetable. 
 
Hatoyama:  I do not think that a decision has to be made before U.S. 
President Barack Obama visits Japan. We must not upset the Okinawan 
people by rushing. 
 
Machimura: Local communities close to Kadena Air Base are saying 
they are absolutely opposed (to Futenma's relocation). 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada: I understand that there are 
operational issues (in relocating the Futenma base to Kadena), but 
are these issues vital? We are looking into this to find a 
convincing answer. 
 
Afghan aid 
 
Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi (DPJ): What do you think of the strategy on 
Afghanistan so far? 
 
Hatoyama: There are constitutional constraints on sending the 
Self-Defense Forces overseas. Assistance consisting mainly of 
civilian aid is greatly appreciated (by the Afghan government). 
Fighting with weapons is bound to bring about a quagmire. We will 
make efforts to develop the (Afghan) economy in a manner appropriate 
for Japan. 
 
Oshima: Will Japan not engage in the refueling mission (by the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force) in the Indian Ocean ever again? 
 
Hatoyama: We will not submit a bill on this to the extraordinary 
Diet session. I have concluded that the refueling mission will at 
least not be extended simply. 
 
Oshima: Will an extension that is not simple be possible? 
 
Hatoyama: We are currently compiling a package of aid measures 
desired by the Afghan people, such as agricultural aid and 
vocational training. There is no need to submit a bill regarding the 
refueling mission to the extraordinary Diet session. 
 
Oshima: Will the government's interpretation of the right of 
 
TOKYO 00002539  009 OF 010 
 
 
collective and individual self-defense remain unchanged? 
 
Hatoyama: The new administration has just started. We have no 
intention to change the interpretation. 
 
Oshima: Is it acceptable if the government and the DPJ have 
different interpretations? 
 
Hatoyama: That will not happen. The cabinet will take responsibility 
for the government's constitutional interpretation. 
 
16) DPJ Ozawa: "The party will let Okinawa federation independently 
support" Nago mayoral candidate calling for moving Futenma facility 
outside prefecture 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 3, 2009 
 
In reference to the upcoming Nago mayoral election, Secretary 
General Ichiro Ozawa of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) said in 
a press conference yesterday: "Party headquarters will not endorse 
the candidate (backed by the DPJ Okinawa Prefectural Federation). 
The party will let the federation support the candidate 
independently." The focal point at issue in the election is the 
relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air Station in Ginowan 
city, Okinawa Prefecture. The federation has decided to support 
former Nago City Board of Education superintendent Susumu Inamine, 
who has been calling for moving the facility out of the prefecture. 
 
17) Poll: 66 PERCENT  desire politics with gov't changes 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) 
November 3, 2009 
 
An estimated 66 PERCENT  of the nation's voting population want 
"politics with changes in the governing parties." Meanwhile, the 
proportion of those who want "a longlasting government led by the 
same political party (parties)" was only 34 PERCENT , about a half 
of those who want government changes. This public attitude became 
clear from a joint poll of voters conducted by the Asahi Shimbun and 
University of Tokyo Professor Masaki Taniguchi's office after this 
summer's general election for the House of Representatives. 
 
For the survey, a total of 3,000 persons were chosen from among the 
nation's voting population. A questionnaire was mailed to them on 
Aug. 29, the day before the election. After the election, valid 
answers were obtained from 2,067 persons by Sept. 30. 
 
In the survey, respondents were asked if they desire to see the 
governing parties change from time to time or see the same governing 
parties remain in office for a long period of time. To this 
question, 75 PERCENT  of those who voted for the Democratic Party of 
Japan and 48 PERCENT  of those who voted for the Liberal Democratic 
Party chose changes in the governing parties. These answers came 
after the election, but the percentage of those who want to see 
changes in the governing parties was high among those who voted for 
the DPJ. It may safely be said that the public does not necessarily 
want the DPJ to establish a single-party advantage. 
 
18) Poll in Okinawa: 70 PERCENT  want Futenma base moved out of 
Okinawa or abroad 
 
 
TOKYO 00002539  010 OF 010 
 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 3, 2009 
 
Concerning the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, the Mainichi Shimbun 
conducted a joint public opinion survey of the local population with 
the Ryukyu Shimpo on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. In the survey, a total of 
67 PERCENT  were opposed to the current plan to relocate the 
heliport functions of Futenma airfield to a coastal area of Camp 
Schwab, a U.S. military base located in the Henoko area of the 
island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. Affirmative 
answers accounted for 20 PERCENT . Respondents were asked what they 
thought Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama should do. To this question, a 
total of 70 PERCENT  said he should negotiate with the United States 
with the aim of relocating the Futenma base outside Okinawa 
Prefecture or out of Japan. As seen from the figures, the greater 
part of the prefecture's people want the base moved out of the 
prefecture or abroad as pledged by Hatoyama in this summer's general 
election for the House of Representatives. 
 
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has called for the construction site 
of Futenma airfield's alternative facility to be moved offshore. 
However, those who insist on offshore relocation accounted for 13 
PERCENT . Among other answers, 7 PERCENT  insisted on looking for 
another relocation site in Okinawa Prefecture, with 5 PERCENT 
saying the current plan should be accepted. The total percentage of 
those who approved of Futenma relocation within Okinawa Prefecture 
was only 25 PERCENT . 
 
Nakaima and Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro have indicated that 
they would accept the Futenma relocation within Okinawa Prefecture 
on the premise of an intergovernmental agreement reached between 
Japan and the United States. With the birth of the Hatoyama 
administration, however, the survey results show the local people's 
growing expectations for a review of the plan. 
 
The U.S. government continues to insist the Futenma airfield to be 
relocated to the shore of Camp Schwab. Meanwhile, the Hatoyama 
cabinet has been split over the Futenma-relocation issue. Foreign 
Minister Katsuya Okada has reiterated that he will study the option 
of integrating the functions of Futenma airfield into the U.S. 
Kadena Air Base, which straddles Kadena Town and other 
municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture. In the survey, respondents 
were also asked about the idea of merging Futenma airfield with the 
Kadena base. In response to this question, negative answers 
accounted for 72 PERCENT , with affirmative ones at 15 PERCENT . 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted by telephone on Oct. 
31 and Nov. 1 on a computer-aided random digit sampling (RDS) basis. 
Answers were obtained from 1,015 persons. 
 
ROOS