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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002643 
 
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 11/16/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) In Singapore speech PM Hatoyama declares Asia-focused foreign 
policy based on Japan-U.S. alliance (Yomiuri) 
 
(2) Editorial: Obama speech: Japan-U.S. axis is the "foundation of 
stability" (Sankei) 
 
(3) Editorial: Obama speech - U.S.'s return to Asia welcomed (Asahi) 
 
 
(4) Editorial: U.S. President Obama's speech in Tokyo: We should 
view his Asia policy as weighty request (Mainichi) 
 
(5) Great variety of guests invited to Obama's speech on November 14 
(Asahi) 
 
(6) Former Foreign Ministry bureau chief says cost to remove nuclear 
weapons for reversion of Okinawa was set groundlessly (Asahi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) In Singapore speech PM Hatoyama declares Asia-focused foreign 
policy based on Japan-U.S. alliance 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Full) 
November 16, 2009 
 
Mieko Kawashima in Singapore 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama made a speech in English on Asian 
policy at a hotel in Singapore in the afternoon of Nov. 15. He 
expounded on the Hatoyama administration's basic policy of focusing 
on Asia and indicated that the concept of an East Asian Community, 
which he has long been advocating, will be the pillar of this 
policy. With regard to relations between Asia and the United States, 
he stressed that "the presence of the United States plays an 
important role." 
 
The Prime Minister cited the economy, global warming prevention, 
disaster prevention, public health, and anti-piracy as some of the 
areas for possible cooperation in Asia. In the economic field, he 
said that negotiations for economic partnership agreements (EPA) 
with South Korea, India, and Australia will be accelerated. As to 
the membership of the East Asian community, he said "I would like to 
see an active debate on the ideal framework of the community," 
indicating his desire to discuss this with other countries. 
 
With regard to the U.S., Hatoyama pointed out that "U.S. presence 
plays an important role for peace and prosperity in Asia." He 
explained that the Japan-U.S. summit on Nov. 13 agreed on further 
deepening the bilateral alliance and stressed that "the Japan-U.S. 
alliance continues to be the linchpin of Japan's foreign policy." 
 
As part of efforts to support disaster relief and such other 
activities, he announced the start of a "yuai (fraternity) boat" 
project next year, using Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to 
support medical and other activities of civilians and NGOs. 
Responding to a question from the audience after the speech, 
Hatoyama said: "We are not thinking of going into conflict areas to 
conduct activities. This will require legal procedures." He 
indicated that for the time being, the project will be limited to 
 
TOKYO 00002643  002 OF 008 
 
 
activities such as medical services in the aftermath of natural 
disasters. 
 
With regard to global warming, he called for developing countries to 
use Japanese companies' energy-saving technologies and to set 
concrete targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
(2) Editorial: Obama speech: Japan-U.S. axis is the "foundation of 
stability" 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama made his first comprehensive speech on 
policy toward Asia during his visit to Japan. He expressed his 
determination for the United States to play a leading role in Asia 
as a "Pacific nation" based on its "enduring alliance" with Japan. 
 
We welcome this as an indication of the U.S.'s determination to 
strengthen its involvement with Asia and tackle the issues of 
China's rise, North Korea, Myanmar (Burma), and so forth through the 
alliance. We also welcome his statement on the abduction of Japanese 
nationals that "there can be no normalization of (North Korea's) 
relations with the neighboring countries without resolving the 
abduction issue." Japan should respond positively to the Obama 
administration's efforts on Asian diplomacy and further reinforce 
unity in the bilateral alliance. 
 
Mr. Obama said that he is the "first Pacific president" since he was 
born in Hawaii and grew up in Indonesia. This was out of his 
awareness of concerns both at home and abroad about the "decline in 
U.S. presence and influence" in Asia. 
 
There is also growing concern in Southeast Asia about the rapid 
expansion of China's influence. The President spoke of strengthening 
U.S. involvement in Asia and giving importance to close cooperation 
with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and other countries in the 
region. He stressed once again that the Japan-U.S. alliance is the 
"foundation of stability in Asia." 
 
While making efforts toward realizing a "world without nuclear 
weapons," the President also promised a strong and effective nuclear 
umbrella (extended deterrence) for Japan and South Korea. On the 
North Korea issue, he said that "we will not be intimidated by 
threats" and called for the implementation of the UN resolutions and 
the Six-Party Talks agreements and for full and verifiable 
denuclearization. He also demanded a full accounting of the 
abduction issue from the DPRK. This is a most reasonable approach. 
 
On the military junta in Myanmar, the President said that the U.S. 
is communicating directly with the leadership but warned that the 
"unconditional release of political prisoners is essential." 
 
However, there is also cause for concern about U.S. policy toward 
China. Discussing relations between Japan, the U.S., and other 
countries on the one hand and China on the other, the President 
said: "We do not seek to contain China, nor does U.S.-China 
cooperation signify a weakening of our bilateral alliances," but he 
did not go into a discussion of the rapid expansion of China's 
military power and its lack of transparency. While pointing out the 
need for human rights and freedom, he did not touch on the Tibet 
issue. 
 
TOKYO 00002643  003 OF 008 
 
 
 
It goes without saying that China should play a responsible role in 
such issues as the economy, the environment, and North Korea, but 
human rights and the military and security aspects should not be 
overlooked. 
 
It is the role of Japan as an ally to fill in such gaps. Yet, the 
Yukio Hatoyama administration has aroused concerns about the 
exclusion of the United States with his concept of an East Asian 
community. It is looking at Asian diplomacy from a completely 
different vector. We reiterate that Prime Minister Hatoyama should 
realize that what is needed for Asia and the Pacific is leadership 
by the Japan-U.S. axis. 
 
(3) Editorial: Obama speech - U.S.'s return to Asia welcomed 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 
 
The United States has returned to Asia - that is what we felt when 
we listened to U.S. President Barack Obama's speech in Tokyo. 
 
We were surprised that President Obama described himself as 
America's first Pacific President. The expression seems to have 
pointed to the fact that he grew up in such places as Indonesia and 
Hawaii. At the same time, it can be taken as an indication of the 
United States' strong determination to become deeply involved in the 
Asia Pacific region. 
 
Following Japan, the President will visit China and South Korea 
after holding a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the sidelines of an annual summit 
of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Singapore. 
The Tokyo speech was intended to play up the new U.S. 
administration's basic stance during (President Obama's) first Asian 
tour. 
 
It was an important speech comparable to the one he delivered in 
April in Prague in which he outlined a vision of a nuclear-free 
world and the one he made in June in Cairo in which he urged the 
Islamic world to make efforts toward dialogue and reconciliation. 
 
This time around, the message was also clear: The United States as a 
Pacific nation wants to engage with discussions shaping the future 
of the region and to join an appropriate forum - specifically, it 
wants to engage more formally with the East Asia Summit composed of 
ASEAN and six countries, including Japan, China, South Korea, and 
India. 
 
During the era of President Clinton, the United States showed the 
stance of increasing its involvement in the Asia Pacific region, but 
during the Bush administration that followed, the main focus of the 
country's foreign policy shifted to the "war on terror," rapidly 
diminishing its presence in Asia as a result. The view is gaining 
ground in Asia that the unipolar dominance of the United States is 
ending due to the war in Iraq, the financial crisis, and other 
factors. 
 
The United States apparently wants to reverse such a trend. It is 
certain that such countries as China and India will grow into powers 
that drive the global economy of the 21st century. The view that the 
future of the U.S. economy hinges on this region is convincing. 
 
TOKYO 00002643  004 OF 008 
 
 
 
The United States still holds a predominant position in terms of 
politics and security, and expectations are high for Washington as a 
proponent of peace and democracy. 
 
The United States' deep involvement in Asia is something Japan 
should welcome. For the stability and prosperity of the region, it 
is essential for the United States to build cooperative relations 
with China not only in the economy but also in other areas, 
including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the 
battle against global warming. Asian countries are also expected to 
enjoy various benefits from (cooperative relations between the 
United States and China). 
 
The President conveyed his idea for the United States to advance its 
Asia policy centering on cooperative relations with Japan. His plan 
struck a chord with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who advocates the 
multilayered development of the Japan-U.S. alliance although he is 
tackling with the issue of bases in Okinawa. Japan should offer 
support for the United States' plan to join the East Asia Summit and 
other forums. 
 
The President expressed his eagerness to achieve breakthroughs in 
the North Korean nuclear and abduction issues and in the 
democratization of Myanmar (Burma) through direct dialogues. We 
support this direction. We hope to see the United States address 
these matters earnestly so that the relevant countries, including 
Japan, can make combined efforts. 
 
(4) Editorial: U.S. President Obama's speech in Tokyo: We should 
view his Asia policy as weighty request 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
November 15, 2009 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama started off his speech with his 
childhood memory of his mother bringing him to Kamakura, where he 
liked the matcha ice cream more than the giant statue of Buddha. His 
words of gratitude to the citizens of Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, 
who are like self-proclaimed supporters for Mr. Obama, created a 
warm laughter. It was a splendid speech that won the hearts and 
minds of the Japanese people. 
 
However, the speech was not light at all. It was a speech on a 
comprehensive Asia policy that carries weight similar to that of the 
Prague speech in April, in which the President called for building a 
world without nuclear weapons, and the Cairo speech in June, in 
which he advocated a new beginning in relations with the Muslim 
world. It is based on his thoughts. His requests included ones to 
Japan that will likely turn out to be burdens on it. We must be 
fully aware of this. 
 
Since it was delivered in Tokyo, the speech was full of 
consideration to Japan. It stressed the value of the Japan-U.S. 
alliance and praised Japan's international cooperation. He not only 
called for North Korea to abandon its nuclear development programs 
and return to the Six-Party talks but alto urged that country to 
settle the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea. 
 
However, the most important message is probably his resolve to have 
the U.S. approach Asia and strengthen its leadership. In the speech, 
he also mentioned that the U.S. as a nation in the Asia-Pacific 
 
TOKYO 00002643  005 OF 008 
 
 
region, will take part in discussions to set the future of this 
region as well as to participate in an organization to be set up. 
This could be taken to mean that the U.S. will not approve the 
initiative of an East Asian Community without the U.S. 
 
Regarding the economic field, the President indicated his view that 
exports of U.S. products to Asia will create jobs in the U.S., 
pointing out the limitation of the structure of Asian countries 
growing through exports of their products to the U.S. It is clear 
that he is attaching importance to national interests. This is 
nothing but a very heavy request to Asian countries, including 
Japan. It probably indicates that the U.S. is also in a difficult 
situation. 
 
A stance of positive engagement in Asia was never seen when the 
previous Bush administration was in office. The President made his 
debut at the summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 
(APEC) forum, which the former President used for his war on terror 
and political appeal on the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) issue. 
As a result, he was described as slighting Asia. 
 
On the other hand, President Obama is highly popular in Asia as well 
because of his background that he was born in Hawaii and spent his 
boyhood in Indonesia. If his engagement policy, including holding a 
direct dialogue with Myanmar's (Burma) military junta, which is 
already under way, comes to fruition, China's ever-increasing 
presence in this region might be staved off. 
 
The President indicated a policy of continuing to work together with 
China, because the nation will play a key role in pulling (the 
world) out of the economic doldrums and dealing with the North Korea 
issue, even though he noted that it has such issues as the human 
rights issue. The U.S. and China would inevitably deepen their 
relations. However, they must not decide the future of the region, 
based only on their own national interests and power struggle. This 
is what Japan should request. 
 
(5) Great variety of guests invited to Obama's speech on November 
14 
 
ASAHI (Page 13) (Full) 
Evening, November 14, 2009 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama made his first speech in Japan on Nov. 
¶14. The names of the guests invited to the speech had not been 
announced in advance. It turned out that among them were the mayor 
of atomic-bombed Nagasaki City, families of the abductees, 
entertainers, and so forth. There is an opinion that the variety of 
guests itself was part of the President's message. 
 
Fourteen Japanese and American flags stood in the background of the 
podium at the Suntory Hall in Minato Ward, Tokyo. 
 
Emerging from the hall, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Tanoue remarked 
that, "I was deeply moved." Hiroshima City Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba 
could not attend because he was occupied with official duties, so 
Taue came as the representative of the atomic-bombed cities. He 
said: "The history of nuclear weapons is a path created by distrust. 
The President talked clearly about building the future of mankind 
based on hope and trust and on human dignity, and not on distrust 
and fear." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002643  006 OF 008 
 
 
The relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station remains a 
pending issue (between Japan and the U.S.). The Japan-U.S. summit 
deferred a conclusion on this issue, but Mayor Yoichi Iha of Ginowan 
City, where the Futenma base is located, was invited to the speech. 
He came with the thought: "I might be able to send out a message on 
the Futenma issue from the standpoint of the people of Okinawa and 
of the citizens of Ginowan." He said: "The President asserted that 
respect for human rights leads to security. I hope he starts in 
Okinawa." 
 
Shigeo Iizuka, head of the association of families of the abductees 
and Mr. and Mrs. Shigeru and Sakie Yokota also attended the speech. 
Shigeru Yokota said: "North Korea is also suffering from poverty. 
The President said that the international community needs to make 
concessions. He also said that a solution to the abduction issue is 
important. I think this is a clear message to North Korea." Sakie 
Yokota commented, "He is a person with a strong commitment to human 
rights. I hope things will move in a positive direction (toward a 
solution to the abduction issue)." 
 
Mr. and Mrs. Yokota reportedly went to the U.S. Embassy on Sept. 30 
for a meeting with Ambassador John Roos, where they made a request 
to meet the President in person. 
 
Other guests invited to the speech included: 
 
Movie director Takeshi Kitano gave the President's speech a score of 
50 points because "it was predictable." However, he was impressed 
with the President's eloquence. (For Kitano) the attention grabber 
was Obama's memories of eating matcha ice cream when visiting the 
Great Buddha in Kamakura. "Compared to the Japanese prime minister, 
his presentation was brilliant, coming from America, the home of 
entertainment. If I were him, I would have had the national anthem 
played at the beginning to perk up the event. Well, he is admirable 
for doing all this despite his really busy schedule." 
 
Mayor Koji Matsuzaki of Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, who has 
supported the President because he has the same name as the city, 
said: "When he addressed the citizens of Obama at the beginning the 
speech, I raised my right hand in spite of myself. I really hope he 
can visit Obama City." 
 
Masaru Sato, former chief analyst of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
(MOFA) who was convicted of breach of trust and other offenses 
against MOFA-affiliated international organizations, said he had no 
idea why he was invited. An inquiry came from the U.S. Embassy four 
days ago. Sato said: "President Obama, who was elected through a 
democratic process, pins high hopes for change on Prime Minister 
Hatoyama, who was also elected democratically. Great changes, 
including the review of the Futenma issue, can be expected through 
Japan's response." 
 
Students and grade school pupils were also present. Eight female 
students of Tsuda College were given invitations to the speech as a 
"present" from officials of the college when they attended a 
briefing for overseas study programs a few days ago. Mana Takai, 11, 
a fifth grader at the Third Hino Elementary School in Shinagawa 
Ward, Tokyo, who lived in the U.S. for three years, attended the 
speech with her father. She listened to the speech without using the 
transceiver for simultaneous interpretation. 
 
Professor Yasuharu Ishizawa of Gakushuin Women's College, author of 
 
TOKYO 00002643  007 OF 008 
 
 
the book "The President and Media," was also invited. He said: "The 
Obama administration monitors media reporting in Japan constantly. 
The guests were no doubt invited for a purpose. He can boost his 
popularity yy inviting students and children, and the statements of 
former MOFA officials are more influential than those of the 
incumbent ones. They probably want to hear the comments of people 
from all walks of life and from different generations to gauge 
public opinion in Japan." 
 
(6) Former Foreign Ministry bureau chief says cost to remove nuclear 
weapons for reversion of Okinawa was set groundlessly 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
November 13, 2009 
 
Tokyo and Washington signed an agreement (in 1971) on returning 
Okinawa to Japan in 1972 specifying that Japan pay the United States 
320 million dollars, including 70 million dollars for the removal of 
nuclear weapons. Bunroku Yoshino, 91, a key negotiator with 
Washington in the 1972 transfer of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty, 
has indicated that the cost of removing the nuclear weapons was set 
at 70 million based solely on Japan's rough estimate without a clear 
basis for the calculation. Yoshino was serving as director-general 
of the Foreign Ministry's American Affairs Bureau at the time. The 
aim, according to Yoshino, was to play up the significance of the 
return of Okinawa to the public, which was calling for the removal 
of nuclear weapons, by giving the impression that the removal of 
nuclear weapons was a huge undertaking. 
 
Yoshino will be summoned as a witness to a trial on December 1 over 
information disclosure regarding the existence of "secret documents" 
on the reversion of Okinawa. The former Foreign Ministry official 
revealed the above information in an interview with the Asahi 
Shimbun ahead of his appearance before the court. 
 
The Hatoyama administration has been investigating four Japan-U.S. 
secret pacts, including one that says transit and port calls in 
Japan by U.S. warships carrying nuclear weapons do not constitute 
the "introduction of nuclear weapons" into Japan. Yoshino played a 
major role in concluding the secret pact designed Japan to pay the 
cost of restoring U.S. military sites to their original states, such 
as farmland. It has already become clear that the compensation of 4 
million dollars, which was supposed to be borne by the United 
States, was included in the cost of removing nuclear weapons. 
 
Placed under the control of the U.S. government, there were no 
restrictions on the introduction of nuclear weapons into Okinawa, 
and nuclear bombs, Mace B mid-range guided nuclear missiles, and 
other weapons, were deployed on the island. Given the situation, 
"returning Okinawa with all the nuclear weapons removed as on the 
mainland soil of Japan" was a long-cherished wish. According to 
Yoshino, he consulted with (then) vice-finance minister for 
international affairs Yusuke Kashiwagi on the breakdown of the total 
cost of 320 million dollars. Yoshino said: "We said to each other, 
'Why don't we compile the breakdown for the total cost exclusively 
by ourselves? We have to handle the matter tactfully to keep it just 
between ourselves. Let's drastically inflate the (cost of removing) 
the nuclear weapons. The opposition parties are making a great fuss 
about it.'" 
 
"We decided on the breakdown to ensure that the United States would 
remove its nuclear weapons from Okinawa. We did it as a Diet 
 
TOKYO 00002643  008 OF 008 
 
 
measure," Yoshino said, reflecting on those days. Although the 
actual removal cost remains unclear, Yoshino noted: "All (the U.S. 
military) had to do was to go to the port and load (the nuclear 
weapons) onto their vessels. By anybody's standards, it did not cost 
70 million dollars." 
 
In 2000, the Asahi Shimbun and other parties obtained U.S. 
government documents prepared for Congress that specified such items 
as the cost of acquisition of assets, such as the water supply and 
electricity systems built by the U.S. side, inflated labor costs due 
to the reversion of Okinawa, and the cost of restoring U.S. military 
sites to their original states, with no mention of the cost of 
removing the nuclear weapons. "(We knew) that the other side 
wouldn't care about (the breakdown)," Yoshino said. "(The removal) 
wouldn't cost the United States a thing. The entry of the 'cost of 
removal of the nuclear weapons' would make the United State smile 
and please Japan." 
 
University of the Ryukyus Professor Masaaki Gabe, who is well versed 
on the secret pacts on the reversion of Okinawa, commented: "There 
were no signs that Japan consulted with the U.S. side on the grounds 
for calculating the cost of the removal of the nuclear weapons, and 
I have been wondering all along about how this king of figure came 
about. The fact that (the government) has repeatedly offered a false 
explanation in the knowledge that it was not true is significant." 
 
ROOS