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RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8787
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8241

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002766 
 
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 12/03/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Interview with Ambassador Roos on Futenma relocation: U.S. sets 
no deadline (Okinawa Times) 
 
(2) Interview with Ambassador Roos: President Obama believes that 
the current plan is the best option (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(3) PM Hatoyama tells FM Okada, DM Kitazawa no Futenma decision 
before year's end (Yomiuri) 
 
(4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicates deferring 
Futenma decision to next year unavoidable (Nikkei) 
 
(5) Does postponement of Futenma decision reflect DPJ Secretary 
General Ozawa's wish to give priority to the coalition ahead of 
Upper House election? (Nikkei) 
 
(6) SDP leader hints at breaking away from ruling coalition if 
decision made to relocate Futenma base to Henoko (Yomiuri) 
 
(7) Editorial: Japan should reexamine alliance cooperation (Sankei) 
 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Interview with Ambassador Roos on Futenma relocation: U.S. sets 
no deadline 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 3) (Full) 
December 3, 2009 
 
In connection with the efforts being made by the ministries of 
defense and foreign affairs to arrive at a solution to the issue of 
the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, U.S. 
Ambassador to Japan John Roos stated on Dec. 2 that "the U.S. 
government has never set a deadline." On the other hand, he 
stressed: "The Japanese government is undertaking an examination 
process. It is important that it comes to a conclusion as 
expeditiously as possible." 
 
The Ambassador did not directly touch on the fact that Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama has not given up on relocation out of 
Okinawa or out of Japan, but he said: "The Obama administration has 
also undertaken an examination and confirmed that the current plan 
is the best and most viable option." 
 
To the question whether the Obama administration considered 
relocating the Futenma base out of Okinawa or out of Japan in its 
examination process, Roos would only say: "The realignment road map 
was agreed upon after spending more than 10 years. A decision was 
made based on this long history." 
 
Interview 
 
Interviewer: Shin Yoshida, political and economic reporter 
 
Q: This is your first visit to Okinawa. What do you think of the 
burden imposed by the U.S. forces on Okinawa? 
 
Roos: I visited the Peace Memorial Museum and came to know the 
history of the suffering brought about by war. This made a very 
 
TOKYO 00002766  002 OF 008 
 
 
powerful impression. I have renewed my belief that the maintenance 
of peace and regional stability is very important. 
 
Along with fulfilling our role under the Japan-U.S. security treaty, 
it is also important to reduce the burden on the people of Okinawa. 
The President has pledged to take measures without fail. The 
realignment road map was drawn up for this purpose. 
 
Q: As a member of the Japan-U.S. cabinet level working group, how do 
you assess the prospects of reaching a solution? 
 
Roos: The Ambassador to Japan is a member of the U.S. government. I 
think it is very important to come to a conclusion expeditiously 
about matters that have been agreed upon between the U.S. and Japan. 
We are still in the middle of this process, but I am optimistic 
about reaching a conclusion speedily. 
 
After the change of administration in the U.S., we also reached a 
conclusion through our own process that the implementation of the 
road map as soon as possible is the best and most viable option. I 
think the Japanese government will also reach a conclusion through 
the working group process. 
 
Q: Did the U.S. examination process include the options of 
relocation out of Okinawa or out of Japan? 
 
Roos: The road map is an agreement that was reached after spending 
more than 10 years. During the examination process a decision was 
made based on this long history. 
 
Q: Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has not given up on relocation out 
of Okinawa. 
 
Roos: The Prime Minister and the Japanese government are still going 
through the process. I am not in a position to comment. However, the 
most important thing is that the Japanese government is emphasizing 
the fact that the Japan-U.S. security treaty and the bilateral 
relationship are important as the linchpin of regional peace and 
stability. All parties agree that it is important to reach a 
conclusion expeditiously based on an equal relationship between the 
two countries. 
 
Q: The Prime Minister has not said that he will make a decision 
before the end of 2009. What do you think of the timing for making a 
decision? 
 
Roos: The U.S. government has never set a deadline. The important 
thing is that we move quickly to reach a conclusion. The Japanese 
government will make a decision at its own discretion through this 
process. 
 
Q: Ambassador, you visited Hiroshima and mentioned that President 
Obama may visit Hiroshima. Is there any possibility of a 
presidential visit to Okinawa? 
 
Roos: What I can say is that it would be an honor for the President 
to visit Hiroshima during his term of office. The same goes for 
Okinawa. This is a matter for the President to decide. He will be in 
Japan again for the APEC Summit next year. The White House makes the 
decisions on scheduling. 
 
(2) Interview with Ambassador Roos: President Obama believes that 
 
TOKYO 00002766  003 OF 008 
 
 
the current plan is the best option 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Pages 1, 2) (Full) 
December 3, 2009 
 
Michiyo Yonamine 
 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos gave an interview to Ryukyu 
Shimpo at the official residence of the U.S. Consul General in 
Ginowan City on the afternoon of Dec. 2. Discussing the relocation 
of the Futenma Air Station, the Ambassador said: "President Obama 
believes that the package we have discussed is the best option. He 
emphasized that when he came to Japan (in November)," relating that 
President Barack Obama favors the construction of a replacement 
facility in Henoko, Nago City, as agreed upon by the two countries. 
He attached importance to the examination process by the Japan-U.S. 
working group and said: "I am optimistic about reaching a conclusion 
expeditiously." 
 
Roos is known to be a close friend of President Obama. 
 
With regard to the U.S. position, Roos emphasized: "We have always 
thought from the very beginning that the current plan is the best 
and only viable option." He mentioned that the Obama administration 
examined the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment plans after its 
inauguration and reaffirmed their importance. He said: "The new 
administration in Japan is going through a similar process," showing 
his understanding of the new administration's decision. 
 
When asked if the conclusion of the cabinet-level working group is 
bound to be the current relocation plan, he said "no." 
 
Regarding the need to station U.S. forces in Okinawa, Roos stressed 
that "it is very important to have military bases in Okinawa for 
Japan's defense and for peace and stability in the Asian region." 
 
In relation to Futenma relocation, Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto has 
remarked that if presented with proposals from the national 
government, the utilization of the Kansai and Kobe airports should 
be considered and has indicated that he is amenable to the entire 
Kansai region debating this option. Commenting on this, Roos 
reiterated that "the road map is the only realistic option," 
negating options other than the current plan. 
 
Roos made his first visit to Okinawa on Nov. 30 and met with 
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and other Okinawan officials. He inspected 
the Futenma base, the Henoko area and Kadena Air Base aboard a 
helicopter and also visited the Cornerstone of Peace memorial, the 
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, and other sites. He 
returned to Tokyo on the evening of Dec. 2. 
 
Following is the interview with Ambassador Roos: 
 
Q: How is work at the Japan-U.S. working group going? 
 
Roos: The Obama administration examined the USFJ realignment plans 
after its inauguration and reaffirmed their importance. I understand 
that the new administration in Japan is undertaking a similar 
process. The working group is engaged in this examination process 
right now so I cannot reveal the details, but I am optimistic that 
it will reach a conclusion expeditiously. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002766  004 OF 008 
 
 
Q: What sort of solution would you like to see? 
 
Roos:The U.S. has always thought from the very beginning that the 
current plan is the best and most viable option. 
 
Q: If people who believe that the current plan is the best option 
are conducting the examination in the working group, the answer is 
predetermined, and there is criticism that this is an exercise in 
"fabricating an alibi." 
 
Roos: The Japanese and U.S. governments are working together under a 
good relationship. I don't agree with your assertion. 
 
Q: If a decision is made to relocate according to the existing plan, 
will you accept moving (the runways) farther offshore? 
 
Roos: I will refrain from speculating on minor modifications. The 
important thing is to resolve this issue through the examination 
process. I am confident that this will be done. 
 
Q: Why are the U.S. Marines concentrated in Okinawa? Is there any 
possibility of moving them elsewhere? 
 
Roos: Okinawa occupies a very important strategic position in Asia. 
Under the Japan-U.S. security treaty, Japan's defense is important, 
and the maintenance of peace and security in Asia is very 
important. 
 
Q: Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto has said that he is amenable to 
discussing the possibility of accepting the Futenma base and the 
exercises conducted there at Kansai Airport. 
 
Roos: The road map is the best and only viable option. 
 
Q: Have you discussed the Futenma issue with President Obama? Did he 
give you any instructions? 
 
Roos: He believes that the (USFJ realignment) package is the best 
option. He emphasized this point when he came to Japan. 
 
Q: What is your impression of Okinawa on your first visit? 
 
Roos: I would like to visit Okinawa frequently from now on. 
 
(Interviewer: Michiyo Yonamine) 
 
(3) PM Hatoyama tells FM Okada, DM Kitazawa no Futenma decision 
before year's end 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
Evening, December 3, 2009 
 
It was learned on Dec. 3 that in connection with the relocation of 
the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama 
told Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defense Minister Toshimi 
Kitazawa that "priority must be given to the coalition," informing 
them that he had, in effect, given up on making a decision before 
the end of the year. This is because the Social Democratic Party has 
begun to take a tougher stance in opposing the existing plan to 
relocate Futenma to the coastal area of Camp Schwab based on the 
Japan-U.S. agreement and has hinted at leaving the coalition. 
Hatoyama indicated that he is giving top priority to the stability 
 
TOKYO 00002766  005 OF 008 
 
 
of the coalition government. 
 
The U.S., which is demanding a solution based on the current 
relocation plan before the end of the year, is certain to react 
strongly to this, and this development will inevitably deal a 
serious blow to the Japan-U.S. relationship. 
 
According to an informed source, Hatoyama and Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano met Okada and Kitazawa at the Prime 
Minister's Official Residence to discuss the Futenma issue on Dec. 
¶1. Hatoyama said during the meeting: "Priority must be given to the 
coalition. Is it necessary to rush a decision before the end of the 
year?" 
 
Okada and Kitazawa explained that the foreign affairs and defense 
officials of both countries have been stepping up the coordination 
process to aim at a solution before the end of the year. They tried 
to persuade Hatoyama that "the Japan-U.S. relationship will be 
undermined if this is put off until next year." However, it appears 
that Okada and Kitazawa failed to convince the Prime Minister, 
although he did approve of earmarking relocation-related 
expenditures in the FY2010 budget bill. 
 
(4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicates deferring 
Futenma decision to next year unavoidable 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, December 3, 2009 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano discussed the timing for 
making a decision on the relocation site for the U.S. forces' 
Futenma Air Station and related issues at a news conference in the 
morning of Dec. 3. He said: "This is an important issue. The 
schedule is too tight (for making a decision before year end)." He 
also stated: "I have never said that a decision will be made before 
the end of 2009, although I did say as soon as possible. I 
understand that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama thinks the same way," 
indicating that deferring a solution to next year will be 
unavoidable. 
 
Hirano pointed out: "If we need time to arrive at a conclusion on 
measures to reduce the burden on Okinawa and to find a solution 
based on an agreement among the three ruling parties, then we will 
have to spend time on it." He also emphasized that "the Japan-U.S. 
relationship is not so flimsy that if we fail on this issue, 
everything will go up in smoke." At a meeting with a group of 
Democratic Party of Japan Diet members close to Hatoyama at noon on 
the same day, the Prime Minister's assistant Yoshikatsu Nakayama 
also explained that "it will be difficult to reach a conclusion by 
year end." 
 
Hatoyama told reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence 
in the morning that he had "thought all along that it would not be 
easy (to make a decision before year end). The Okinawan people want 
to see the early removal of the danger (affecting the residents in 
areas near the Futenma base)." He also said: "While the Okinawans 
think that a new military base is unacceptable, an agreement reached 
between Japan and the U.S. should also be taken seriously." 
 
(5) Does postponement of Futenma decision reflect DPJ Secretary 
General Ozawa's wish to give priority to the coalition ahead of 
Upper House election? 
 
TOKYO 00002766  006 OF 008 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 3, 2009 
 
The reason behind the likely postponement of a decision on the 
relocation site of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa 
is the growing gap between the U.S. side, which strongly demands an 
early solution based on the current relocation plan, and public 
opinion in Okinawa, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and other 
groups which have strong expectations for Futenma's relocation out 
of the prefecture. It is believed that the stance of Democratic 
Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who gives top 
priority to the House of Councillors election next summer, also 
plays a role. 
 
A bureaucratic level meeting of the working group on Futenma 
relocation is scheduled for Dec. 4. The Japanese side is amenable to 
upgrading this to the ministerial level depending on the progress 
made, but in reality, there is a wide gap with the U.S. position. 
 
The Japanese side is looking into the possibility of dispersing the 
U.S. forces' exercises and other ways to lighten the burden imposed 
by U.S. bases on the local communities, as well as the revision of 
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement every three years and 
other proposals. However, the U.S. side insists on giving top 
priority to settling the issue based on the Japan-U.S. agreement to 
relocate the Futenma base to the coastal area of Camp Schwab before 
the end of 2009. It is unlikely that a middle ground can be found. 
 
Meanwhile, with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama having hinted 
previously at the relocation of Futenma out of Okinawa, there has 
been a surge in expectations in the prefecture, thus raising higher 
the hurdle of the issue of the relocation site. The SDP, which 
consistently advocates relocation out of Okinawa, has also 
maneuvered in response to this situation. It is voicing strong 
criticism, saying, "the Prime Minister once asserted that (Futenma) 
should at least be relocated out of Okinawa." 
 
With the glaring gap in the positions of the two sides, there have 
been active moves in the government and the ruling parties to make a 
fresh start in the coordination process. It appears that Azuma 
Koshiishi, chair of the DPJ caucus in the Upper House, took the lead 
to lobby for deferring a decision because the SDP's opinion cannot 
be ignored in a situation where the DPJ does not control a majority 
in the Upper House. This is based on the judgment that a rift in the 
coalition framework is unacceptable at this point. 
 
A junior DPJ Upper House member points out that "Mr. Koshiishi 
probably conveyed Mr. Ozawa's stance to the defense minister." He 
thus explains that the trend toward reaching a solution on the 
Futenma issue before year end changed drastically at a certain 
point. There is an opinion that the turning point was a single 
sentence uttered by Ozawa: "Is the current Futenma relocation plan 
really appropriate?" 
 
Hatoyama told reporters on Dec. 2: "With regard to when (a decision 
will be made), I am saying as soon as possible. I am not in a 
position yet to say when." He added, "We are not at the stage where 
I have made serious consultations with the SDP. However, I would 
like to attach importance to the coalition government." 
 
(6) SDP leader hints at breaking away from ruling coalition if 
 
TOKYO 00002766  007 OF 008 
 
 
decision made to relocate Futenma base to Henoko 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, December 3, 2009 
 
(The following is the gist of Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader 
Mizuho Fukushima's remarks on the relocation of Futenma Air Station 
the at the party's executive meeting on the morning of Dec. 3.) 
 
The SDP is making every effort to prevent Futenma's relocation 
(within Okinawa) and to avert the construction of an offshore 
military base in the coastal area of Henoko (in Nago City, Okinawa) 
in particular. 
 
There are news reports that the Prime Minister will not make a 
decision (on the relocation issue) by the end of the year. The tide 
is changing gradually. The issue of peace, the Okinawa issues, and 
preventing the construction of an offshore military base in waters 
off Henoko are very important for the party. These are issues that 
bear on the very foundation of our party. If the cabinet makes a 
decision to construct an offshore base in Henoko, the party and I 
will have to make a grave decision. 
 
Let us work hard to realize the provision in the coalition agreement 
on dealing with the U.S. Forces Japan realignment plans for reducing 
the burden on the Okinawan people "in the direction of a review" 
that the party made vigorous efforts to have included in that 
agreement. 
 
(7) Editorial: Japan should reexamine alliance cooperation 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 3, 2009 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a new Afghan strategy 
centering on a plan to send about 30,000 additional troops to the 
country and an exit strategy. He also strongly called for the 
cooperation and unity of the international community, saying that 
the security of the United States, its allies, and the world is at 
stake. 
 
The success or failure of the new strategy is likely to affect the 
global war on terrorism as well. It must not be allowed to fail. 
Despite the critical situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama is trying to end the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean 
early next year and to make up for it by offering alternative 
assistance measures. This is not an appropriate step for a U.S. ally 
to take. The government must earnestly discuss once again how to 
participate in (the Afghan effort) on the occasion of the 
announcement of the new strategy. 
 
It is the United States' second decision to send additional troops 
since March. The President has decided for the first time to 
increase the size of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan to 100,000 
based on the assessment that the situation in the country is more 
serious than expected and it will be impossible to maintain the 
status quo. 
 
The new strategy is designed to expedite efforts to make densely 
populated areas safer and to train Afghanistan's security forces. In 
order to drive away the international terrorist group al Qaeda that 
carries out activities transcending the border tribal areas and the 
 
TOKYO 00002766  008 OF 008 
 
 
armed fundamentalist Islamic group Taliban, the strategy also 
specifies the need to work closely with Pakistan and to secure 
nuclear materials. A new support system aimed at performance and 
results will also be introduced to eliminate corruption. 
 
It can be said that the key to the new strategy consisting of three 
pillars -- the military, civilian support, and cooperation with 
Pakistan -- is speed and efficiency. The cost of sending troops is 
projected at 30 billion dollars (2.6 trillion yen) for the initial 
year alone. Given deep-seated war-weariness in the United States, 
the President had to present an exit strategy to begin withdrawing 
troops in a year and a half. 
 
To President Obama, the new strategy is also a gamble with the fate 
of the nation. It can be said that the cooperation of and 
participation by the international community, including U.S. allies, 
is indispensable for making this strategy a success and laying a 
foundation of stability and peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
 
Despite that, the Hatoyama administration has decided to terminate 
the refueling mission that has been conducted as part of the war 
against terrorism, disappointing the Afghan government, the United 
States and European countries. Last month, the government came up 
with a 5-billion-dollar alternative support package for Afghanistan 
and a 1-billion-dollar package for Pakistan. Although the figures 
are huge, a large portion of them is grand aid. There is a lack of 
security measures, which are essential in order to implement support 
measures and verify the level of achievement in the two countries. 
 
It is a problem that of all major U.S. allies, Japan alone has 
eliminated the Self-Defense Forces' participation from its options. 
Ahead of announcing his new strategy, President Obama called the top 
leaders of major powers, such as European countries and China, to 
inform them of the strategy in person. Japan was not included in the 
list of his telephone calls. This reflects the current state of the 
Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama should reexamine the modalities of alliance 
cooperation and joint international activities, including the 
continuation of the refueling mission. 
 
ROOS