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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002622 
 
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 11/13/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Japan-U.S. summit: 
4) Japan and U.S. leaders to pledge cooperation on global warming 
and arms reduction; Futenma issue to be placed on back burner 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
5) Japan and U.S. agree on cooperation in five areas including the 
environment and energy  (Yomiuri) 
6) Japan-U.S. joint statement to include target of 80 PERCENT 
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050  (Nikkei) 
7) At summit Japan and U.S. to steer clear of focus on Futenma 
(Mainichi) 
8) Japan eager to choreograph successful summit  (Yomiuri) 
 
Foreign relations: 
9) Ainu Association Chairman invited to Obama speech  (Mainichi) 
10) Hatoyama hopes for U.S. participation in East Asia Community 
(Asahi) 
 
Politics: 
11) Defense Parliamentary Secretary objects to budget screening 
(Sankei) 
12) Reserve funds of 700 billion yen to be returned; budget 
screening team eyes using funds  (Nikkei) 
 
Economy: 
13) Japan, U.S., and Europe to strengthen cooperation in patent 
inspections  (Nikkei) 
14) Two U.S. carriers battling for JAL  (Yomiuri) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Government Revitalization Unit calls public corporations to return 
600 billion yen in funds to state coffers on day two; money can 
become new "buried treasure" 
 
Mainichi: 
Government panel eyes clear criteria on screening work overlapping 
with local regions; corporations hiring retired government officials 
also subject to screening 
 
Yomiuri: 
Government panel urges return of 627.1 billion yen in "buried 
treasure" in special accounts 
 
Nikkei: 
China to stockpile coal; imports of iron ore, copper also on sharp 
rise; competition for resources intensifying 
 
Sankei: 
Emperor celebrates 20 years on the throne; expresses hope for the 
people to nurture ties and overcome difficulties 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office special investigation squad 
 
TOKYO 00002622  002 OF 009 
 
 
paying attention to unexplained 500 million yen reported by Prime 
Minister's political fund management organization over five years 
 
Akahata: 
Health and Labor Ministry considering eliminating evacuation, fire 
resistance criteria for daycare centers; Safety for children and 
state responsibility might be abandoned 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Afghan aid: Japan should do what is possible boldly 
(2) Hisaya Morishige, a renowned actor of postwar period 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Inoculation system effective against the new strain of influenza 
necessary 
(2) A visit to North Korea by high-ranking U.S. official: Stand 
strong against intimidation 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Budget screening work: Aim is understandable, but method is 
problematic 
(2) Case of the murder of British woman: Suspect arrested owing to 
information from citizens 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Distribution of payments to medical institutions must be 
reviewed rather than increasing payments 
(2) Board of Audit must be utilized more effectively 
 
Sankei: 
(1) U.S. President's visit to Japan: "Situation of uncertainly" must 
be corrected 
(2) Prime Minister's political funds: Does DPJ not investigate? 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Emperor marks 20th anniversary of reign: Emperor of Heisei 
always on the side of the people 
(2) Wasteful spending of tax money: Board of Audit must work closely 
with Government Revitalization Unit 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Take first step toward abolishing sympathy budget 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, November 12 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
10:09 Met Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Haraguchi and 
Lower House member Seiji Osaka at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei). 
11:04 Met Ambassador to U.S. Fujisaki, Administrative Vice Foreign 
Minister Yabunaka, and deputy foreign ministers for foreign affairs 
Sasae and Otabe, joined by Senior Vice Foreign Minister Takemasa. 
13:58 Went to National Theatre of Japan together with National 
Strategy Minister Kan and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano to meet the 
Emperor and Empress. Attended ceremony commemorating the 20th 
anniversary of the Emperor's accession. 
 
TOKYO 00002622  003 OF 009 
 
 
15:24 Along with Kan and Hirano saw off the Emperor and Empress. 
15:38 Met Foreign Minister Okada and Otabe at Kantei. Okada stayed 
behind. 
16:12 Met Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. 
17:04 Gave interview to Singaporean media companies. 
18:15 Attended event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 
Emperor's accession held plaza in front of the Imperial Palace. 
19:19 Arrived at his official residential quarters. 
 
4) Japanese, U.S. leaders to affirm cooperation over global warming, 
nuclear arms reduction, but to sidestep Futenma issue 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 13, 2009 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Japan today for the first 
time since assuming office in January and hold a meeting with Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the Prime Minister's official Residence 
(Kantei). The two leaders are expected to reaffirm that they will 
cooperate in dealing with global warming and promoting nuclear arms 
reduction while putting off a conclusion on the issue of relocating 
the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, Okinawa 
Prefecture, the thorniest issue between Japan and the U.S. 
 
On the Futenma issue, Washington has urged Tokyo to swiftly 
implement the current plan to construct an alternative facility in a 
coastal area of Camp Schwab, but the Hatoyama administration remains 
indecisive. 
 
In the summit meeting today, the Japanese and U.S. leaders are 
expected to just confirm the need to make efforts for an early 
resolution of the Futenma issue in order to avoid throwing into 
relief the gap between the two countries. Speaking before reporters 
at the Kantei last evening, Hatoyama said: "It is necessary to 
convey to the President in some form or other the government's 
willingness to bring about a settlement at an early date." 
 
Regarding nuclear arms reduction, coordination is now underway for 
the two leaders to issue a statement that specifies their 
determination to realize a nuclear-free world, proposed by the 
President. The two countries are also studying the possibility of 
issuing a statement in which they will vow to strengthen cooperation 
in containing global warming. 
 
With respect to aid to Afghanistan, Hatoyama will inform the 
President of the government's new package of assistance measures 
worth 5 billion dollars, or 450 billion yen, over five years 
starting this year. He will also ask for the President's 
understanding in regard to the policy of halting the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in 
January. 
 
5) Japan, U.S. to agree on cooperation for five projects in 
environment and energy areas 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama will 
affirm during their meeting on the 13th that the two countries will 
cooperate in the environment and energy areas. According to an 
outline of the cooperation plan released yesterday, the two 
 
TOKYO 00002622  004 OF 009 
 
 
countries will promote joint research on five projects, including 
the smart grid strategy, to adjust electricity supply and demand 
among regions by making use of information technology (IT) and the 
development of Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) technology 
to bury in the ground carbon dioxide emitted from thermal and other 
power plants. 
 
As early as 2010 Japan and the U.S. will set up a task force to 
implement plans for cooperation on the smart grid and hammer out an 
action plan. The two countries aim to advance global-warming 
countermeasures by deepening their cooperation in cutting-edge 
fields and to lead the world in new growth areas. 
 
Japan and the U.S. will also jointly conduct research on 
atomic-power generation, fuel cells, hydrogen technology, renewable 
energy, and energy conservation. They announced a plan this spring 
to reach a package agreement to jointly expedite these projects in 
the environment and energy areas and launch joint research. Their 
leaders will reaffirm this plan in their summit meeting. 
 
6) Japan, U.S. to issue joint statement on 80 PERCENT  greenhouse 
gas emission cut by 2050 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will hold today a summit meeting with 
U.S. President Barack Obama at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei). The two leaders will issue a joint statement 
aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 PERCENT  by 2050, as 
well as to bring about a world free of nuclear weapons. They intend 
not to take up the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station 
Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture, the key pending issue, as a major 
agenda item in their summit. Instead, the Futenma issue will be 
discussed at a working group meeting likely to be held early next 
week. 
 
In connection with his East Asian Community initiative, the Prime 
Minister is expected to tell the President that the U.S.'s 
involvement in the community is indispensable and that he welcomes 
it. The Prime Minister's aim is to ease the U.S. side's anxiety 
about his initiative. 
 
With regard to aid measures for Afghanistan, on which the Obama 
administration places priority, the Prime Minister will convey to 
the President that Japan will extend up to 5 billion dollars in 
fresh civilian aid to Afghanistan over five years from 2009. The 
Hatoyama administration intends to portray its civilian aid to 
Afghanistan as a new set of measures to support efforts by the 
United States in place of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which will expire next 
January. 
 
7) Cabinet-level Futenma group to be established to avoid discussing 
contentious matter at summit 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Shinichiro Nishida, Tomoko Onuki 
 
Since the governments of Japan and the United States have agreed to 
 
TOKYO 00002622  005 OF 009 
 
 
establish a cabinet-level working group to reach a swift conclusion 
to the question of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture), the Futenma issue is 
unlikely to take center stage at the Japan-U.S. summit today. 
However, there is a subtle difference between the motives of the two 
governments over the significance of the establishment of the 
working group. The Nago mayor, who has accepted the existing plan to 
relocate Futenma to the coastal area of Camp Schwab (in Nago, 
Okinawa Prefecture), announced on Nov. 12 that he will welcome an 
alternative plan if one is presented, and called for a swift 
decision. There are likely to be many obstacles along the path 
toward a settlement of the issue. 
 
"I commend the Nago mayor on the difficult decision he had to make. 
We are examining several options while respecting such thinking and 
the feelings of the people of Okinawa." 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama reiterated his previous stance of 
gauging the Okinawa public's consensus to the press corps at the 
Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) yesterday evening, 
while indicating that he will take Nago Mayor Yoshikazu 
Shimabukuro's "difficult decision" into consideration. 
 
Hatoyama's insistence on postponing a conclusion comes from his 
resolve to end Japan's diplomacy of blindly following the United 
States and not to accept U.S. requests easily. It also comes from 
his intention to avoid stumbling in the initial process of building 
(a new) Japan-U.S. alliance, which he has described as the 
cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy. The U.S. side, too, also decided 
not to allow any specific issues to be focused on in Japan, the 
first leg of (President Obama's) Asia tour, to avoid giving the 
impression that his visit has failed. This is what led to 
Washington's decision not to discuss contentious matters during the 
Japan-U.S. summit. 
 
The Japanese side attaches importance to the fact that the policy 
direction to postpone a conclusion was confirmed beforehand, with 
one official saying, "The U.S. side has officially acknowledged the 
need for examination work." The U.S. side, on the other hand, has 
not changed its stance of calling for the implementation of the 
existing plan, regarding the working group as a framework for the 
swift completion of the examination. 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton agreed in their talks in Singapore on Nov. 11 to reach a 
conclusion swiftly through working-group talks. "I received a report 
from Foreign Minister Okada," Hatoyama told the press corps 
yesterday. "Rather than promising to resolve the matter at an early 
date, (the Japanese government) conveyed (to the U.S. government) 
its desire to settle the matter." 
 
8) "Scanner" column: Government scrambles to stage "good Japan-U.S. 
relations" for President Obama's visit 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Aya Igarashi, Hideki Kawasaki 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama will make his first visit to Japan on 
Nov. 13 and hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama. The Japanese government is making vigorous efforts to 
 
TOKYO 00002622  006 OF 009 
 
 
stage the "success" of this visit amid strains in the Japan-U.S. 
relationship on such issues as the relocation of the U.S. forces' 
Futenma Air Station. However, it is uncertain whether the Prime 
Minister will behave according to prior arrangements due to his own 
attitude toward the United States and his political style. 
 
Developing an agenda 
 
When he emerged from his official residential quarters on the 
morning of Nov. 12, Hatoyama told reporters that "preparations are 
underway" for the Japan-U.S. summit. 
 
Hatoyama, who advocates "political leadership," tends not to rely on 
the question and answer scenarios prepared by the bureaucrats and 
likes to speak "in his own words" at meetings. However, tension is 
high in the bilateral relationship over Futenma and other issues. 
The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense are edgy because they 
"cannot afford to make mistakes at this summit meeting." 
 
Hatoyama held preparatory study sessions for the summit with Senior 
Vice Foreign Minister Koichi Takemasa and Vice Foreign Minister 
Mitoji Yabunaka on Nov. 11 and 12. According to senior Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials, the Prime Minister listened 
intently to the briefing and made occasional suggestions about 
wording and expressions. In its attempt to make the summit a success 
at all cost, the government has been saying "the Japan-U.S. 
relationship is not limited to the Futenma issue" (according to a 
government source) as a precautionary measure and has been 
scrambling to develop an agenda. Its strategy is to demonstrate the 
achievements of the summit by drafting joint communiqus on nuclear 
disarmament, global warming prevention, and other areas. 
 
In particular, a package of Afghan aid measures worth a total of 5 
billion dollars (approximately 450 billion yen) over five years 
starting this year to replace the Maritime Self-Defense Force's 
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean has been prepared as the 
biggest "present" for the President's trip to Japan. While concrete 
aid measures are still mostly undetermined, a senior MOFA official 
says that this is an amount that was "compiled frantically in time 
for the President's visit." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
indicated repeatedly at her meeting with Foreign Minister Katsuya 
Okada in Singapore on Nov. 11 that Japan's efforts are "very much 
appreciated." 
 
Slip of the tongue 
 
However, there is concern in the government that in his enthusiasm 
to speak "in his own words," the Prime Minister may make a slip of 
the tongue, which may cancel out all the preparations that have been 
made. 
 
Hatoyama astonished reporters again at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei) on the evening of Nov. 12. Even though it had 
just been agreed upon at the Japan-U.S. foreign ministerial meeting 
on Nov. 11 to "reach a conclusion as soon as possible" on the 
Futenma issue, Hatoyama said: "(The foreign minister) has not 
promised to resolve the issue quickly but merely conveyed his desire 
to work for an early solution." This statement could be taken to 
mean that the two foreign ministers did not reach an agreement. 
 
The Prime Minister's aides say that "he is 'studying independently' 
very hard even at his official residential quarters." However, a 
 
TOKYO 00002622  007 OF 009 
 
 
senior MOFA official seemed anxious when he said, "It's up to the 
Prime Minister to decide whether he will read from the notes we have 
prepared or say something different." 
 
Leaving the President behind? 
 
With the President's trip to Japan being delayed by one day, he will 
be in Japan until Nov. 14. This has given rise to unexpected 
complications. 
 
Hatoyama will fly to Singapore for the APEC Summit after the 
bilateral summit and the reception for the President on the evening 
of Nov. 13. Therefore, he will be leaving Japan ahead of the 
President, who has activities scheduled for Nov. 14. 
 
The concerned officials are particularly nervous about the 
President's luncheon with the Emperor at noon on Nov. 14. The Prime 
Minister will not be in Japan at that time. 
 
It is feared that the absence of the Prime Minister at the U.S. 
President's audience with the Emperor "may be a breach of protocol 
and may be unprecedented" (according to MOFA). This is another 
example of Hatoyama's unprecedented diplomacy. 
 
9) Ainu Association head invited to U.S. President Obama's speech on 
Nov. 14 
 
MAINICHI (Page 26) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Tadashi Kato, head of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, has been 
invited to a speech that will be delivered on Nov. 14 in Tokyo by 
U.S. President Barack Obama, who will visit Japan for the first 
time. Kato was delighted with the invitation, saying, "I am grateful 
to him for shedding light on the Ainu as the original inhabitants of 
Japan." The speech will be hosted by the U.S. side and 1,500 
Japanese and foreign guests will attend it. 
 
10) Hatoyama wants U.S. to join in East Asian Community initiative 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed hope for the United States 
to participate in the framework of his East Asian Community 
initiative. "The United States' security efforts deserve to be 
appreciated," Hatoyama told a Singaporean news organization in an 
interview yesterday before leaving Japan for the upcoming 
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. "I want the United 
States to join us in the security area," he added. 
 
11) Nagashima raises objection to budget screening 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
The Defense Ministry held a policy meeting yesterday, during which 
Akihisa Nagashima, one of the ministry's two parliamentary vice 
ministers, raised an objection to the Government Revitalization 
Unit's budget screening process since it includes defense-related 
spending. "Their budget screening includes a number of items that 
should not be concluded in a short period of time," Nagashima said. 
 
TOKYO 00002622  008 OF 009 
 
 
"They should discuss these items thoroughly from the perspective of 
defending the peace and security of Japan over a long period of 
time," he added. Nagashima specifically mentioned defense 
procurement and Japan's burden of sharing costs for the stationing 
of U.S. forces in Japan (omoiyari yosan or literally "sympathy 
budget"). 
 
12) Government panel calls for return of 700 billion yen in funds or 
reserves to state coffers 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
November 13, 2009 
 
The Government Revitalization Unit, chaired by Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama, continued work yesterday to screen fiscal 2010 budget 
requests with the aim of sorting out projects deemed to be a waste 
of taxpayers' money. In the screening process, the panel focused on 
24 items and 67 projects. For many of the funds of public 
foundations and reserves in special accounts, the panel judged that 
their full amounts be returned to state coffers. According to a 
simple calculation based on the balance at the end of fiscal 2008 of 
the funds and reserves that were judged to be returned, their total 
amount is approximately 700 billion yen. 
 
13) Japan, U.S., European countries to cooperate for faster 
screening of international patent applications 
 
NIKKEI (Page 7) (Lead para.) 
November 13, 2009 
 
The patent offices of Japan, the U.S. and European countries will 
strengthen cooperation for the screening of international patent 
applications. They will ease the conditions for the application of 
the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) system starting in January next 
year so that applicants can make patent applications in other 
countries before obtaining the patent in their own countries. Up 
until today, applicants could only use the system after obtaining 
patents in their own countries. This will help Japanese companies 
operating in Europe and the U.S., including automakers and consumer 
electronics makers, significantly reduce the time and cost taken to 
obtain patents. 
 
Japan, the U.S. and European countries are expected to reach an 
agreement to ease conditions for the use of the PPH at their patent 
agency directors general meeting to be held on Nov. 13 in Kyoto. 
 
14) Two American carriers scrambling for stakes in JAL: American Air 
Lines, Delta Air Lines in battle with eye on liberalization of 
Japan's national flag air carrier 
 
YOMIURI (Page 11) (Excerpts) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Hiroshi Ikematsu, New York 
 
American Airlines of the U.S., the world's second largest air 
carrier, has revealed its plan to propose investing in Japan 
Airlines jointly with TPJ, a leading U.S. investment fund, heating 
up competition with Delta Air Lines of the U.S., the largest carrier 
in the world, which is also exploring a business tie-up with JAL. 
They are approaching JAL because tying up with it is indispensable 
for them to secure a commanding lead in competition in the run-up to 
 
TOKYO 00002622  009 OF 009 
 
 
liberalization of the aviation industry likely to be realized 
between Japan and the U.S. However, since JAL is now under state-led 
reconstruction, a settlement is not yet in sight. 
 
Tug-of-war 
 
In an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun, Chief Financial Officer 
Thomas Horton of AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Air 
Lines, on Nov. 12 underscored that "firmly upholding strategic 
relations (with JAL) will produce the greatest value." He revealed 
his intention to help JAL remain a member of the oneworld alliance 
like American Air Lines, including cooperation in financial terms as 
well. 
 
Delta Air Lines' share of the Pacific Route connecting Japan and the 
U.S. is 32 percent. That of American Air Lines is 8 percent. JAL's 
share is 22 percent. If JAL ties up with Delta Air Lines, American 
Air Lines would suffer an overwhelming setback on the Japan-U.S. 
route. 
 
In the meantime, Delta Air Lines had already proposed investing 
billions of yen in JAL. It has also proposed shouldering the cost of 
JAL, if it ties up with it, becoming a member of its aviation 
alliance SkyTeam. Delta Air Lines have made those proposals to 
counter American Air Line's argument that switching the aviation 
alliance would impose a fiscal burden. 
 
American Air Lines and Delta Air Lines had basically agreed to stop 
fighting, when Transport Minister Maehara in late September came up 
with a policy of having the JAL Reconstruction Task Force, a group 
of experts, reformulate a reconstruction program. However, the 
battle has once again become active since the end of October, when 
JAL asked the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan 
(ETIC) for financial assistance. The two carriers have concluded 
contracts with consulting companies in order to strengthen their 
appeal to the government. They have also dispatched a number of 
executive-level officers to Japan. 
 
ROOS