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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002634 
 
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 11/16/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Obama's Tokyo speech: 
4) In speech Obama describes Japan-U.S. alliance as a cornerstone of 
security and prosperity  (Mainichi) 
5) Obama demands North Korea explain abductions  (Nikkei) 
6) Fukushima says Obama speech lacking substance  (Yomiuri) 
7) Obama speech wins high praise  (Nikkei) 
 
Hatoyama's Singapore speech: 
8) Hatoyama policy speech stresses Asian diplomacy anchored in 
Japan-U.S. alliance  (Yomiuri) 
9) Summary of Hatoyama's speech  (Asahi) 
10) In policy speech Hatoyama says U.S. involvement with Asia 
welcome  (Nikkei) 
 
Futenma relocation: 
11) Prime Minister says Futenma working group talks not premised on 
relocation to Nago  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
12) Futenma working group may meet as early as tomorrow  (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
13) Foreign Minister Okada calls for Futenma decision this year 
(Nikkei) 
 
Foreign relations: 
14) President Obama lunches with Imperial couple  (Sankei) 
15) Hatoyama apologizes to Obama for leaving for Singapore while 
President still in Japan  (Yomiuri) 
 
Politics: 
16) Ishiba criticizes Prime Minister's comments as betrayal of 
Obama's trust  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Defense & security: 
17) Fukushima calls for SOFA revision   (Nikkei) 
 
Opinion: 
18) Asahi poll: Slight drop in cabinet support to 62 PERCENT 
(Asahi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
Cabinet support rating drops slightly to 62 PERCENT , cutting 
wasteful spending lauded by 76 PERCENT 
 
Mainichi: 
Fire at shooting gallery in Busan: possibility of gunpowder catching 
fire 
 
Yomiuri: 
PM Hatoyama makes policy speech declaring Asia-centered diplomacy 
 
Nikkei: 
Manufacturers cut TV production: Hitachi reducing domestic 
production to one plant; Toshiba retreats from Vietnam 
 
TOKYO 00002634  002 OF 009 
 
 
 
Sankei: 
Japan-Russia summit meeting: no progress in Northern Territories 
issue 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Urban Renaissance Agency incurs 393 billion yen in deficits while 10 
affiliated corporations have surpluses 
 
Akahata: 
Tanaka reelected as Kiso town mayor in Nagano Prefecture 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Income subsidy for farming households: Avoid hasty measures, 
work toward comprehensive policies 
(2) Asian policy: Tough tasks ahead for Yokohama APEC Summit 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) 20 years of APEC: Determination for change put to test 
(2) Amakudari regulation suffers setback: Surreptitious regression 
is unacceptable 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) APEC: Scenario for post-crisis growth 
(2) Fire in Busan, South Korea: Tragedy brought about by casual 
shooting tours 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) How to achieve 25 PERCENT  cut in greenhouse gas emissions: 
Businesses put to test on "low carbon, affluent life" 
 
Sankei: 
(1) APEC: Basic policy of next chair unclear 
(2) Cervical cancer: Both vaccines and check-ups are important 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) To whom does the Japan-U.S. secret nuclear agreement belong? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Aim for "food sovereignty" 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, November 16, 2009 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 (local time) 
 
Morning Top-level breakfast meeting on climate change at Shangri-la 
Hotel in Singapore. 
a.m. Casual conversation with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak. 
APEC summit at the presidential palace. 
Noon APEC leaders statement released 
p.m. Met with Russian President Medvedev at the Regent Singapore in 
Singapore. Interview with various media organizations at Four 
Seasons Hotel. Left Singapore International Airport by government 
plane. 
 
November 16, 2009 (Japan time) 
 
 
TOKYO 00002634  003 OF 009 
 
 
00:28 Arrived at Haneda Airport. 
01:03 Arrived at the official residential quarters. 
 
4) President Obama delivers speech in Tokyo; U.S. to increase its 
involvement in Asia centering on alliance with Japan 
 
MAINICHI (Top play) (Excerpt) 
Evening, November 14, 2009 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a speech on the United States' 
policy toward Asia at Suntory Hall in Minato, Ward, Tokyo, on the 
morning of Nov. 14. The President made clear his stance of 
increasing the United States' commitment to Asia centered on the 
Japan-U.S. alliance, stating, "I will aim at restoring the United 
States' leadership in the Asia-Pacific region through a revitalized 
alliance between the United States and Japan." The Obama 
administration's comprehensive Asia policy has been announced for 
the first time through this "Tokyo speech." In that respect, it can 
be defined as an important speech on par with such speeches as the 
one delivered in Prague in April, in which the President called for 
a nuclear-free world. 
 
5) President Obama says in Tokyo speech he will demand explanation 
from North Korea on abductions, indicating support for Japan 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
Evening, November 14, 2009 
 
In a speech in Tokyo, U.S. President Barack Obama said that the 
normalization of diplomatic relations between North Korea and its 
neighbors is premised on a "full accounting" of the abduction of 
Japanese nationals. He also demanded that North Korea return to the 
Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue. 
 
This is the first time that the President has expressed an explicit 
opinion on the abduction issue and indicated his support for Japan's 
position. It appears that this statement was made out of 
consideration for Japan as U.S.-DPRK talks are about to begin 
shortly. 
 
Obama demanded North Korea's return to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation 
Treaty (NPT) regime and said that the DPRK's "full normalization of 
relations with its neighbors (Japan and South Korea) can only come 
if Japanese families receive a full accounting of the Japanese 
abductees." 
 
Shigeo Iizuka, chairman of the association of families of abduction 
victims, and Shigeru and Sakie Yokota applauded the President's 
statement. The abduction issue was not discussed at the summit 
meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 13. 
 
6) U.S. President Obama's speech "not entirely satisfactory," says 
Consumer Affairs Minister Fukushima 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 
 
Mizuho Fukushima, state minister for consumer affairs, attended U.S. 
President Barack Obama's speech delivered on Nov. 14. Fukushima said 
to reporters in reference to the President's speech: "There was no 
specific reference to such key issues as U.S. bases in Japan. 
Frankly speaking, the speech was not entirely satisfactory. What he 
 
TOKYO 00002634  004 OF 009 
 
 
said in his speech about U.S. service personnel maintaining peace in 
the region was understandable, but the speech included other aspects 
that were questionable." 
 
7) Obama speech wins high praise 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 
 
Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for National Policy Naoto 
Kan on Nov. 14 highly praised U.S. President Obama's speech, which 
gave the big picture of U.S. policy toward Asia, noting, "(President 
Obama), born in the Pacific region, has strong feelings toward Asia. 
I was deeply moved by his speech." Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 
pointed out, "He has repeated that the U.S. presence in Asia will 
remain unchanged, presumably from the desire to remove the tension 
with the Hatoyama administration." 
 
8) President Obama says in Tokyo speech he will demand explanation 
from North Korea on abductions, indicating support for Japan 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
Evening, November 14, 2009 
 
In a speech in Tokyo, U.S. President Barack Obama said that the 
normalization of diplomatic relations between North Korea and its 
neighbors is premised on a "full accounting" of the abduction of 
Japanese nationals. He also demanded that North Korea return to the 
Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue. 
 
This is the first time that the President has expressed an explicit 
opinion on the abduction issue and indicated his support for Japan's 
position. It appears that this statement was made out of 
consideration for Japan as U.S.-DPRK talks are about to begin 
shortly. 
 
Obama demanded North Korea's return to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation 
Treaty (NPT) regime and said that the DPRK's "full normalization of 
relations with its neighbors (Japan and South Korea) can only come 
if Japanese families receive a full accounting of the Japanese 
abductees." 
 
Shigeo Iizuka, chairman of the association of families of abduction 
victims, and Shigeru and Sakie Yokota applauded the President's 
statement. The abduction issue was not discussed at the summit 
meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 13. 
 
9) Gist of PM Hatoyama's speech on Asia policy in Singapore on 
November 15 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Today there is no doubt about the importance of Asia. The 
integration of the real economy is taking place in Asia. ASEAN, 
China, South Korea, and other nations have begun to play a 
constructive role for the region and for the international 
community. 
 
The United States' presence plays an important role for peace and 
prosperity in Asia. It will continue to do so in the future. This is 
the main reason the Japan-U.S. alliance is the linchpin of Japan's 
 
TOKYO 00002634  005 OF 009 
 
 
foreign policy. President Obama and I have agreed to further deepen 
the alliance relationship. I welcomed President Obama's speech in 
Tokyo in which he reaffirmed the United States' involvement in 
Asia. 
 
The new government in Japan declares an Asia-focused foreign policy. 
At the center of this policy is the concept of an East Asian 
Community. The experience of reconciliation and cooperation in 
Europe is the model for my concept. Under the principle of "open 
regional cooperation," various countries will promote cooperation in 
different areas and 
and spread through the region multilayered networks of functional 
communities. 
 
Next year, Japan will open Self-Defense Forces vessels to civilians 
as "yuai (fraternity) boats" for medical activities and cultural 
exchange. We will be able to offer cooperation in areas including 
nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, cultural exchange, social 
security, and urban development. Dialogue on political cooperation 
is possible in the future. All countries who share these ideals and 
dreams can become members of the community. 
 
"People" are the most important key to moving forward the concept of 
the East Asian Community. I call for active debate on the ideal 
framework for the community. 
 
10) Prime minister welcomes U.S. stance of involvement with Asia 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Shunsuke Oba, Singapore 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on November 15 delivered a speech on 
his Asia policy after the closure of the APEC summit. Referring to 
U.S. President Obama's speech on Asia, he said, "The U.S. stance of 
involvement with Asia has been reaffirmed. Along with all of you, I 
welcome this." Concerning his initiative for an East Asian 
Community, the prime minister indicated his intention to have 
civilians carry out medical activities and other operations aboard 
Self-Defense Force vessels in a "Fraternity Boat project' in 2010. 
 
11) Futenma working group discussions not premised upon relocation 
to Nago: Hatoyama 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) 
November 15, 2009 
 
Tetsuya Furuta 
 
SINGAPORE-Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama clarified yesterday that 
discussions by a ministerial working group of the Japanese and U.S. 
governments, which is to meet over the pending issue of relocating 
the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa 
Prefecture, will not necessarily be premised upon the current plan 
to relocate Futenma airfield to a coastal area of Camp Schwab in the 
prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago, which is based on an 
intergovernmental agreement reached between Japan and the United 
States in 2006. At the same time, Hatoyama also indicated that he 
would not adhere to the idea of trying to reach a conclusion within 
the year. He made these remarks here in Singapore at an informal 
meeting with accompanying reporters. 
 
TOKYO 00002634  006 OF 009 
 
 
 
U.S. President Obama, in his speech yesterday in Tokyo, touched on 
his talks with Hatoyama over the Futenma issue and indicated a 
stance of calling for the current plan to be translated into action 
at an early stage. "We've agreed to implement the intergovernmental 
agreement promptly through the working group," Obama said. 
 
Meanwhile, Hatoyama said, "I suppose President Obama would like to 
think that the bilateral agreement is the premise, but if the answer 
is given already, it's meaningless to set up such a working group." 
As seen from this remark, Hatoyama differs from Obama on the Futenma 
issue. 
 
Hatoyama agreed with Obama to resolve the Futenma issue at an early 
stage. However, Hatoyama said he did not promise to do so by the end 
of the year. Furthermore, he touched on Nago city's mayoral election 
scheduled for next January. "I wouldn't say I will not give any 
consideration to the mayoral election," he said. 
 
12) Futenma ministerial-level working group likely to hold first 
meeting tomorrow 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada stated at a press conference 
yesterday in Naha City that the first meeting of a ministerial-level 
working group on the issue of the relocation of the U.S. Marine 
Corps Air Station Futenma comprising foreign and defense officials 
of Japan and the United States will be held as early as this week. 
According to a senior defense ministry official, the first session 
will likely be held on Nov. 17. 
 
The foreign and defense ministers of the two countries will serve as 
the chief delegates. However, Ambassador John Roos is expected to 
participate in the first meeting on behalf of the secretaries of 
state and defense from the U.S. side. 
 
13) Foreign minister calls for conclusion to Futenma issue before 
year's end, exposing difference from view of PM 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpt) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada visited Okinawa on Nov. 15 for the 
first time since taking office. In Okinawa the foreign minister held 
a series of meetings with Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, prefectural 
assembly representatives, Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, and 
others to discuss the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' 
Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan). He also toured the coastal area of 
Camp Schwab (in Nago), the relocation site for Futenma under the 
existing plan. In his meeting with the Nago mayor, the foreign 
minister said, "In view of the budget request, I would like to reach 
a conclusion before the end of the year," expressing the view that a 
decision must be made before the Nago mayoral election next 
January. 
 
14) U.S. President Obama meets with Emperor, Empress over lunch 
 
SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 
 
 
TOKYO 00002634  007 OF 009 
 
 
The Emperor and the Empress hosted a luncheon for visiting U.S. 
President Obama at noon on Nov. 14 at the Imperial Residence in the 
Imperial Palace. This was the first time for the Emperor and the 
Empress to meet with the President. 
 
Upon arriving at the Imperial Residence by car, the President shook 
hands with the Emperor and said, "I am very pleased to meet you, 
Your Majesties. I am very honored." He then bowed many times. The 
Emperor and the Empress greeted the President with smiles. 
 
According to a source connected with the Imperial Household Agency, 
the luncheon was attended by the Emperor, the Empress, and the 
President alone with only one interpreter present. 
 
When top foreign leaders visit Japan, a meeting with the Emperor in 
the Imperial Palace is normally arranged. However, such a meeting 
was not arranged this time because the President's stay in Japan was 
short and the Imperial couple was engaged in various events marking 
the Emperor's 20th anniversary of his ascension to the Chrysanthemum 
Throne. 
 
15) Prime Minister Hatoyama apologizes to President Obama for 
leaving him behind in Japan 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Mieko Kawashima, Singapore 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama exchanged words with President Barack 
Obama during a dinner party for the Asia-Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) summit, held in Singapore on the night of Nov. 14 
(the same, Japan time). 
 
The Prime Minister apologized to the President leaving him behind in 
Japan when he departed for Singapore, saying, "I am sorry about 
that. I hope you are not tired." The President replied: "I am all 
right. I had the honor of having a lunch with the Emperor and the 
Empress, and my trip to Japan was terrific. I am grateful for the 
warm reception." 
 
16) LDP policy chief Ishiba criticizes Prime Minister Hatoyama 
comments as "betrayal of trust" 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated that a ministerial-level 
working group on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Air 
Station Futenma would not discuss the issue based on the premise 
that the Futenma base will be relocated to the coastal area of Camp 
Schwab. Referring to this comment, Shigeru Ishiba, chairman of the 
Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council, criticized 
Hatoyama, saying, "This is a betrayal of trust (against the United 
States). If this is the case, the Japan-U.S. summit should not have 
been held." He said this to reporters yesterday in Tokyo. He also 
pointed out: "Diverging opinions in a meeting between the two 
countries could damage national interests. A decision on the issue 
should be made before the compilation of a state budget (at the end 
of the year)." 
 
17) SDP head Fukushima says SOFA must be revised 
 
TOKYO 00002634  008 OF 009 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 14, 2009 
 
State Minister for Consumer Affairs and Declining Birthrate Mizuho 
Fukushima, who heads the Social Democratic Party (SDP), appeared on 
a TBS program on the morning of Nov. 14. During the program, 
Fukushima said, "It is a problem that Japan cannot take suspects 
into custody before indictment," bearing in mind the recent 
hit-and-run incident in the village of Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture, 
in which the involvement of a U.S. service member is suspected. 
 
Fukushima reiterated her party's view that the Japan-U.S. Status of 
Forces Agreement (SOFA) must be revised, saying that the tripartite 
agreement among the Democratic Party of Japan, the SDP, and the 
People's New Party stipulates a plan to propose a revision of the 
SOFA. 
 
18) Poll: Cabinet support slips to 62 PERCENT 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged) 
November 16, 2009 
 
The rate of public support for Prime Minister Hatoyama's cabinet was 
62 PERCENT  in a telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey 
conducted by the Asahi Shimbun on Nov. 14-15, down slightly from the 
65 PERCENT  rating in the last survey, conducted Oct. 11-12. The 
nonsupport rate for the Hatoyama cabinet was 21 PERCENT  (16 PERCENT 
 in the last survey). Ratings for the Hatoyama cabinet's specific 
policies are not all high. However, the cabinet's basic stance 
received high ratings, as more than 70 PERCENT  gave high marks to 
its efforts to reduce government waste. 
 
Among those who support the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, the 
Hatoyama cabinet's approval rating has been high, over 90 PERCENT , 
since the survey conducted right after its inauguration in September 
(the survey before last). Among those with no particular party 
affiliation, however, the Hatoyama cabinet's support rate has been 
declining, from 55 PERCENT  in the survey before last, to 50 PERCENT 
 in the last survey, to 39 PERCENT  in the latest one. 
 
Asked about the Hatoyama cabinet's efforts in specific areas, 48 
PERCENT  approved of its pension and healthcare policies, while 28 
PERCENT  did not. In the area of economic and job security measures, 
however, affirmative answers scored 37 PERCENT , while negative 
answers accounted for 38 PERCENT . In the area of foreign and 
defense policies as well, public opinion was split, with affirmative 
and negative answers accounting for 36 PERCENT  each. 
 
Meanwhile, when asked about the Hatoyama cabinet's efforts to reduce 
government waste, 76 PERCENT  were affirmative, with 14 PERCENT 
negative. The figures seem to reflect the Government Revitalization 
Unit's budget screening that is currently underway. The Hatoyama 
cabinet is also trying to change politics that has depended on 
bureaucrats. In this area, affirmative answers scored 69 PERCENT , 
with negative answers accounting for 18 PERCENT . 
 
In the survey, respondents were also asked about an 
intergovernmental agreement reached between Japan and the United 
States over the pending issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' 
Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. To this question, only 28 
PERCENT  answered that it would be better to honor the agreement 
 
TOKYO 00002634  009 OF 009 
 
 
between Japan and the U.S., with 54 PERCENT  saying it would be 
better to review the agreement and renegotiate with the United 
States. 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet has decided to extend 450 billion yen in 
civilian aid to Afghanistan in lieu of discontinuing the Maritime 
Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean. Asked 
about this, 41 PERCENT  were negative, with 38 PERCENT 
affirmative. 
 
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the DPJ 
stood at 46 PERCENT , with the opposition Liberal Democratic Party 
at 14 PERCENT . The DPJ's popularity remains high, scoring 46 
PERCENT  in the survey before last and 45 PERCENT  in the last 
survey. 
 
ROOS