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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7915

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 002591 
 
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 11/09/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(14) Japan-Mekong summit: Japan aims to retain leverage (Mainichi) 
 
(15) Interview with Tokyo University Professor Shinichi Kitaoka: 
Avoid weakening the Japan-U.S. alliance (Nikkei) 
 
(16) Base representatives apologize to Tsugaru city for car accident 
in Nakadomari that killed driver; "Vehicle is connected with the 
U.S. military" (Too Nippo) 
 
(17) USFJ "civilian employee" dies in car accident, suspected of 
driving under the influence of alcohol (Too Nippo) 
 
(18) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano comments on 
USFJ-related hit-and-run incident in Yomitan, Okinawa (Mainichi) 
 
(19) Man found dead in Yomitan; Hit-and-run involving a U.S. 
military vehicle? (Okinawa Times) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(14) Japan-Mekong summit: Japan aims to retain leverage 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 8, 2009 
 
Yudai Nakazawa, Hideyuki Nishio (Bangkok) 
 
Japan and five nations of the Mekong river region (Thailand, 
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar) held their first Japan-Mekong 
summit in Tokyo on Nov. 6-7. At the meeting, the nations adopted a 
Tokyo Declaration that includes official assistance development 
(ODA) worth more than 500 billion yen to be provided to the five 
Mekong nations by Japan over the next three years and agreed to hold 
the summit on a regular basis. Japan is hoping to use the summit to 
work toward realizing Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Initiative for 
East Asian Community in the future by supporting the development of 
Mekong countries. However, rivalry toward China, whose presence is 
growing in the Mekong River region, is also discernible in Japan's 
move. 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama, during a joint press conference with 
participants from the five Mekong countries held after the meeting 
on Nov. 7, underscored the meaning of the East Asian Community 
Initiative: "(The Mekong countries) form an important region that 
holds the key to realizing the East Asian Community Initiative in 
terms of how it can rectify regional disparities and achieve joint 
development." He has secured the participating countries' 
cooperation with the inclusion of the wording "(The Mekong 
countries) will contribute to the building of the East Asian 
Community as a long-term vision." 
 
What Japan had in mind at the summit was the presence of China, 
which is making efforts to strengthen its ties with the Mekong 
nations through economic support. The prime minister indicated a 
stance of seeking cooperation at the Japan-China Mekong Policy 
Dialogue, which Japan and China established in 2008, pointing out, 
"It is not a matter of Japan being put at a disadvantage because of 
China focusing its efforts on Mekong countries. It is important for 
both countries to cooperate." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002591  002 OF 007 
 
 
Japan's presence in the region has been declining as it has reduced 
its ODA in recent years. All the more for that reason, the prime 
minister wants to regain the lost ground by demonstrating his stance 
of attaching importance to Asia by providing large amounts of ODA 
and forming of an East Asian Community. 
 
These Mekong countries, excluding Thailand, joined the Association 
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the 1990s. They are known as 
the least developed ASEAN members. They are lagging behind in the 
development of transportation infrastructure, such as the building 
of roads, ports, harbors, and airports. They are pinning high hopes 
on Japan's financial support. Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone during 
the press conference said, "The meeting was a complete success. We 
would like to materialize the Tokyo Declaration by developing a 
detailed plan. 
 
However, a fierce confrontation occurred between Thailand and 
Cambodia about former Thai Prime Minister Taksin right before the 
summit this time. The momentum for Indochinese nations to jointly 
achieve economic development is lacking due to economic disparities 
and differences in the political systems. The true feeling of Mekong 
countries is that they do not want to be involved in a leadership 
struggle between Japan and China. 
 
China builds track record by moving southward 
 
Joji Uramatsu, Beijing 
 
Backed by its economic power, China has been strengthening its 
transportation links with Mekong countries and using them as 
stepping stones in its southward advance to Southeast Asia. The key 
route for its southward advance is the Kunming-Bangkok Expressway, 
which opened in April last year. Vice Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at 
the Economic Forum with ASEAN held on Oct. 20 underscored, "We will 
promote the building of expressways and a railway system linking 
China and its neighbors on a top priority basis." 
 
China has held summit meetings with Mekong countries every three 
years since 2002 to discuss a Greater Mekong Area Economic 
Cooperation Program. It has thus built up cooperation with Mekong 
countries in areas other than transportation, such as electric power 
and communications, as well. The Kunming-Bangkok Expressway, which 
could be considered China's southward advance route, and the 
East-West highway connecting Vietnam and Myanmar, for which Japan 
provides assistance, cross in the Mekong River region. 
 
Likening the leadership battle between Japan and China to China's 
Warring States Period, diplomatic sources in Beijing predict that 
alignments among Mekong countries will progress as the 
Kunming-Bangkok Expressway and the East-West highway are built. 
 
Gist of Tokyo Declaration adopted at Japan-Mekong states summit 
 
Q Highly praise self-supporting efforts by Mekong states and welcome 
the role of Japan and Thailand in the region. 
Q Japan and Mekong states will establish a common, prosperous new 
partnership for the future. 
Q Mekong states will proactively contribute to the strengthening of 
the integration of ASEAN and the establishment of the East Asian 
Community as a long-term vision. 
Q Japan will extend ODA worth more than 500 billion yen to the 
Mekong River region as a whole over the next three years. 
 
TOKYO 00002591  003 OF 007 
 
 
 
(15) Interview with Tokyo University Professor Shinichi Kitaoka: 
Avoid weakening the Japan-U.S. alliance 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 7, 2009 
 
(Interview conducted by Hiroyuki Akita, editorial staff member) 
 
Akita: While the Hatoyama administration advocates a "close and 
equal Japan-U.S. relationship," it has brought about various 
conflicts on such issues as U.S. military bases in Japan. 
 
Kitaoka: The Japan-U.S. alliance is beneficial for stability in East 
Asia. It would be fine for Japan to upgrade its role in security to 
make the relationship more equal, but it is undesirable to do so by 
downgrading the United States' role. This will not constitute a 
"close and equal" relationship. East Asia has to deal with the issue 
of a nuclear North Korea and the challenge of China's steady 
military buildup. Against this background, policies should be made 
from the standpoint of how to maintain East Asian stability and 
Japan's security. 
 
If the Hatoyama administration continues to defer decisions on the 
U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment and other issues, a sense of 
distrust will grow on both sides. This will result in a "weak and 
equal Japan-U.S. relationship." 
 
Remaining trustworthy 
 
Akita: There is concern that if things go on like this, the 
Japan-U.S. relationship may deteriorate further. 
 
Kitaoka: The emergence of differences of opinion during a change of 
administration is inevitable. I have heard the criticisms of the 
Hatoyama administration by the Republicans in the U.S. I think their 
opinions are a bit exaggerated. 
 
Akita: You are saying that it is not only in Japan that a certain 
amount of confusion arises during a period of change in 
administration? 
 
Kitaoka: The United States itself has without qualms revoked 
agreements it has signed several times in the past. It did not join 
the League of Nations after World War I, and the U.S. sometimes 
acted unreasonably during the period of Japan-U.S. trade friction in 
the 1980s. However, Japan should more faithfully abide by past 
agreements and remain more trustworthy than the U.S. The fact is 
Japan cannot do things that are unacceptable for the U.S. to do as a 
superpower. 
 
Akita: The top pending issue is the U.S. forces' Futenma base in 
Okinawa. How should this be tackled? 
 
Kitaoka: It is truly a shame that the people of Okinawa have to bear 
the burden. However, geopolitically speaking, Okinawa is in a 
critical location. When Commodore Perry came to Japan toward the end 
of the Edo Period, he first set eyes on Okinawa and attempted to 
bring it under America's sway. From Okinawa's viewpoint, its 
location is truly unfortunate. Therefore, the Japanese government 
should treat Okinawa with the utmost respect and provide various 
forms of aid to compensate for the burden imposed on the local 
 
TOKYO 00002591  004 OF 007 
 
 
communities. The Prime Minister should visit Okinawa personally to 
persuade the people to accept the replacement base. 
 
Akita: There seems to be a mood in the Hatoyama administration that 
since the government has changed, it is a matter of course that 
policies should also change. 
 
Kitaoka: Generally speaking, a review of policies will naturally 
take place after a change of administration. However, it is absurd 
to regard doing things differently from the previous administration 
as a goal in itself. It is hoped that decisions will be made based 
on what is the best option under the present circumstances. 
 
Make constitutional interpretation the key 
 
Akita: It is also necessary to accept the corresponding 
responsibility in order to achieve equality. 
 
Kitaoka: In the first place, Japan does not play a role equal to the 
U.S. under the bilateral security treaty. Japan provides military 
bases to compensate for such inequality. That is the reason why some 
Japanese think that the bases are not needed during peacetime. On 
the other hand, the U.S. side thinks that why should we shed blood 
in an emergency for a big country like Japan? We need to look at the 
big picture. 
 
Akita: What needs to be done in concrete terms? 
 
Kitaoka: It is necessary for Japan to play a bigger role in 
supporting the U.S. forces' operations in order to preserve peace 
and stability in Japan and East Asian. For this purpose, a certain 
degree of revision of the constitutional interpretation banning the 
exercise of the right of collective self-defense will be the key. 
Another important thing is that Japan should further beef up its 
defense capability. Doing so will bring it one step closer to a 
close and equal relationship. 
 
(The Japan-U.S. relationship is in flux with many issues pending. 
How should the bilateral relationship be steered? We interviewed 
experts in Japan, the U.S., China, and South Korea ahead of U.S. 
President Barack Obama's first visit to Japan on Nov. 12.) 
 
(Part one of an ongoing series) 
 
(16) Base representatives apologize to Tsugaru city for car accident 
in Nakadomari that killed driver; "Vehicle is connected with the 
U.S. military" 
 
TOO NIIPPO (Page 25) (Full) 
November 3, 2009 
 
Late in the night on Oct. 30, a car struck the rail of the Tsugaru 
Ohashi Bridge on the prefectural road in Tamogi-Wakamiya in the town 
of Nakadomari and burst into flames. The driver died. In this 
connection, Capt. Kirby J. Atwell and others of the U.S. Army 
Shariki Communications Site in the city of Tsugaru visited the city 
office on Nov. 2 and offered an apology to Mayor Hiroyoshi 
Fukushima, saying, "Although the man in question has yet to be 
identified, the vehicle that caused the accident was driven by a 
person connected with the base." Although the Goshogawara Police 
Station had indicated that the identification of the man in question 
was still under investigation, it acknowledged on Oct. 30 that the 
 
TOKYO 00002591  005 OF 007 
 
 
vehicle was connected with the U.S. military. 
 
According to the police station, the man's body was badly 
disfigured, making identification difficult. The police station also 
indicated that a DNA test is being conducted and that the man would 
be identified within several days. 
 
"As we saw the license plate, we thought that someone connected with 
(the base) was involved in the accident, so we have come here to 
offer an apology," Capt. Atwell said. "The investigation is 
continuing, so we cannot answer any questions about the person who 
died. We would like to enhance safety measures in the future." In 
response, Mayor Fukushima said: "I have asked the U.S. base not to 
cause any further traffic accidents. I request that people connected 
with the base thoroughly comply with the law and raise their 
awareness of traffic safety." 
 
(17) USFJ "civilian employee" dies in car accident, suspected of 
driving under the influence of alcohol 
 
TOO NIPPO (Page 25) (Full) 
November 5, 2009 
 
The Goshogawara Police Station announced on Nov. 4 that the man who 
died in the accident late in the night of Oct. 30 on the prefectural 
highway in Tamogi, Nakadomari-machi (Aomori Prefecture), in which a 
car crashed into the railing of the Tsugaru bridge and went up in 
flames, was Greg A. Williams, 48, a civilian employee of the U.S. 
Army's Shariki Communications Site. The police also announced that 
traces of alcohol were detected in Mr. Williams's body. Another male 
civilian employee of the Shariki base had just been arrested for 
driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in July. Local citizens 
are saying that it's a miracle there have been no serious accidents 
until now and that such incidents will undermine the relationship of 
trust. 
 
According to the Goshogawara police, the body was badly disfigured, 
and the prefectural police's criminal investigation laboratory 
finally identified the deceased as Mr. Williams through DNA 
examination on Nov. 3. It was also learned that he was burned to 
death. 
 
Furthermore, it was also learned that an alcohol level well above 
the 0.15 milligram per liter of breath, at which a driver is 
considered to be DUI, was detected in his blood. The Goshogawara 
Police Station is continuing with its investigation, with the 
possibility of filing charges for violation of the Road Traffic Law 
provisions on safe driving. 
 
In response to Too Nippo's queries regarding the fact that Mr. 
Williams was a civilian employee of the U.S. military base and that 
he was DUI, the Shariki Communications Site said: "We are unable to 
comment because we have not received an official report." 
 
The U.S. Army's Shariki Communications Site has been in operation 
for only three years from September 2006. In April 2008, a male 
civilian employee was charged with trespassing, and another male 
civilian employee was involved in a car crash on the prefectural 
highway in Kizukuri, Tsugaru City in July and was arrested for DUI. 
 
Shiro Hayashi, head of the neighborhood association in the Shariki 
district, said angrily: "A DUI incident again? It is extremely 
 
TOKYO 00002591  006 OF 007 
 
 
regrettable because we are trying to build friendly relations with 
the U.S. forces. We hope they will exercise the greatest caution." 
 
A man, 50, who witnessed the accident on the prefectural highway in 
July, was appalled at the latest incident. He said: "U.S. military 
people drive recklessly at high speed. I think it's a miracle there 
have been no serious accidents until now." 
 
In light of the recent incident, a representative from the Shariki 
base visited the Tsugaru City Hall on Nov. 2 to apologize to Mayor 
Hiroyoshi Fukushima. However, the city's general affairs chief 
Arihiko Yamamoto says: "It is truly regrettable that this has caused 
great anxiety among the citizens and undermined the relationship of 
trust. We would like to demand that they obey traffic rules and make 
thorough efforts to raise traffic safety consciousness." 
 
(18) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano comments on 
USFJ-related hit-and-run incident in Yomitan, Okinawa 
 
MAINICHI (Page 10) (Full) 
Evening, November 9, 2009 
 
Shinichiro Nishida 
 
At a news conference on the morning of Nov. 9, Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicated that since the car believed to 
be involved in the hit-and-run incident in Sobe, Yomitan Village, 
Okinawa Prefecture, has a Y number plate, the owner "must be related 
to the U.S. forces." He also said, "It is extremely regrettable if 
this is (an incident) involving a person related to U.S. forces." 
 
(19) Man found dead in Yomitan; Hit-and-run involving a U.S. 
military vehicle? 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full) 
November 9, 2009 
 
On Nov. 7 a man with blood on his head was found dead in a wooded 
area alongside a street in Sobe, Yomitan Village. Kadena police who 
were investigating the man's death concluded on Nov. 8 that he was 
run down by a hit-and-run driver from shards of automobile glass 
strewn in the area where the body was found. Concluding that it is 
highly possible that a U.S. military vehicle brought to a repair 
shop near the site after the man's body was found caused the 
accident, the police impounded the vehicle. This was learned through 
interviews with investigation sources. 
 
According to those sources, the U.S. military vehicle, which is 
likely to be the hit-and-run car, is a white passenger car with a 
smashed windshield. The Kadena police are attempting to identify the 
person who brought the vehicle to the repair shop, while conducting 
an investigation that includes an inquiry placed with the U.S. 
military. The Okinawa prefectural police will conduct next week a 
DNA test to see whether the hair that adhered to the windshield is 
that of the deceased. 
 
Meanwhile, the man was later identified by a relative as Masakazu 
Hokama, 66, a resident in Yomitan Village. A forensic autopsy 
disclosed the cause of his death was the fracture of the cervical 
collar. 
 
The wooded area where Hokama's body was found is located three to 
 
TOKYO 00002591  007 OF 007 
 
 
five meters from the road along the former site of Yomitan auxiliary 
airport near the U.S. military's Torii Station. Few people pass 
through that area, where there are only scattered apartment 
buildings. 
 
Hokama's wake was held by his relatives at his home on the evening 
of Nov. 8. A man in his 50's said in a low voice, "What happened to 
him?" According to the man, Hokama enjoyed taking a walk every day, 
and from around 5:00 am he set off in the direction of Zanpa point. 
 
ROOS