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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 002769 
 
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 12/04/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Futenma flip-flop: 
4) Coalition takes priority over Japan-U.S. alliance in decision to 
delay Futenma solution  (Sankei) 
5) SDP hints it might leave coalition; Prime Minister directs 
ministers to consult with U.S.  (Sankei) 
6) Maehara welcomes suggestion for Futenma facility relocation to 
Kansai International Airport  (Sankei) 
7) PNP presents united front with SDP  (Yomiuri) 
8) Okinawa Governor placed in awkward position  (Yomiuri) 
9) Concern in defense and foreign ministries about effect on 
Japan-U.S. relationship  (Mainichi) 
10) Hatoyama orders defense minister to find new Futenma relocation 
site  (Yomiuri) 
11) Government to earmark U.S. military relocation costs in FY2010 
budget  (Nikkei) 
12) Okada cancels meeting with Okinawan residents  (Yomiuri) 
13) Defense Minister mulls meeting with Osaka Governor  (Nikkei) 
14) LDP and New Komeito call for Futenma decision this year 
(Nikkei) 
 
Economy: 
15) Open skies agreement spurs reorganization of industry  (Nikkei) 
 
16) Government to help companies secure rights to rare metals 
(Nikkei) 
 
Defense & security: 
17) Participants in preparatory meeting on Nuclear Security Summit 
agree to tighten controls on nuclear materials  (Nikkei) 
 
Foreign relations: 
18) Foreign Ministry establishes new unit on child custody 
(Mainichi) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: Nikkei: Tokyo Shimbun: 
Tax panel set to abolish income tax deductions both at national and 
local levels: Increase in burden of 33,000 yen per child 
 
Mainichi: 
Prime Minister Hatoyama to postpone decision on Futenma base 
relocation until next year, giving consideration to Social 
Democratic Party 
 
Yomiuri: 
Futenma relocation: Prime Minister orders defense minister to find 
new relocation site 
 
Sankei: 
Government puts off decision on Futenma base relocation until next 
year 
 
Akahata: 
 
TOKYO 00002769  002 OF 010 
 
 
Document disclosed in U.S. mentions that it had explained Japan that 
vessels carrying nuclear weapons are exempt from prior talks 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Government decision on Futenma base relocation put off to next 
year: Prime Minister Hatoyama should decide relocation policy on his 
own 
(2) Suspicions of a nuclear Iran: Settle the issue through 
diplomacy 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) Government put off decision on Futenma Air Station relocation to 
next year 
(2) Minor increase in tobacco tax: Has priority been given to 
boosting revenue rather than protecting people's health? 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Futenma relocation: Prime Minister should reconsider issue for 
settlement before the end of the year 
(2) Guilty verdict in flyer distribution case: Arrest of flyer 
distributors should be limited in scope 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Why is the government only rushing to abolish the provisional 
gas tax rate? 
(2) Environment technology driving industrial restructuring 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Political funds donations by Hatoyama family: Are they aware 
that they are committing tax evasion? Public prosecutors should 
conduct thorough investigation 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Freeze on public works: What is needed is a change in concept 
(2) Japanese Trade Union Confederation's policy for annual spring 
labor offensive 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Amended Money Lending Control Law: Watered down amendment 
unforgivable 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, December 3 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
10:15 Met State Minister for Government Revitalization Unit Sengoku 
and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsui at the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence. 
11:11 Met Foreign Minister Okada and Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka. 
Followed by Cabinet Office Senior Vice Minister Furukawa. 
13:30 Met Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. 
14:06 Met Okada, Defense Minister Kitazawa and Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirano. 
15:07 Met Japan Association of Bioindustries Executive President 
Katsuhiro Utada and others, with Lower House member Jojima. 
15:42 Met Upper House members Odachi and Kimata. 
16:03 Met the Finance Ministry's three executive parliamentary 
 
TOKYO 00002769  003 OF 010 
 
 
officials, including Foreign Minister Fujii, Vice Minister Tango, 
and Budget Bureau Director General Katsu. 
17:15 Met National Strategy Minister Kan, Hirano, Matsui, and 
Furukawa. Hirano, Matsui and Furukawa stayed behind. 
18:02 Met Hungarian President Solyom. Held a joint press 
conference. 
19:02 Hosted a dinner party for Solyom. 
20:17 Saw off Solyom. 
20:30 Arrived at his official residential quarters. 
 
4) Coalition takes priority over Japan-U.S. alliance in decision to 
delay Futenma solution to 2010 
 
SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) 
December 4, 2009 
 
As of Dec. 3, it had become difficult to settle the issue of the 
relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, 
Okinawa) before the end of the year, which the U.S. side is 
demanding. Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima 
(state minister for consumer affairs and declining birthrate) voiced 
strong objection to a decision based on the existing relocation plan 
under the previous Japan-U.S. agreement on the same day, threatening 
to bolt the coalition government. In reaction to this, Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated his stance of attaching importance 
to the coalition and his intention to respect the SDP's wishes. 
 
A solution to the Futenma relocation issue has been deferred to next 
year because Hatoyama gave higher priority to maintaining the 
coalition government for the time being than to an early solution to 
the Futenma issue, which is undermining the Japan-U.S. alliance 
relationship. 
 
If the Prime Minister makes a decision to respect the Japan-U.S. 
agreement to relocate the Futenma base to Henoko in Nago City, 
Okinawa, the SDP is certain to leave the coalition. Under the 
present situation where the Democratic Party of Japan parliamentary 
group alone does not control a majority in the House of Councillors, 
the SDP's departure will deal a serious blow to the administration. 
Furthermore, Hatoyama will be occupied with dealing with economic 
stimulus measures and the suspected false reporting of his political 
funds before year end. He will not have enough energy to work on the 
Futenma issue. 
 
5) SDP hints at leaving coalition; Hatoyama instructs ministers to 
explain Japan's circumstances to U.S. 
 
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) 
December 4, 2009 
 
"If the cabinet decides to construct a base in the waters off 
Henoko, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and I will have to make an 
important decision," SDF head Mizuho Fukushima said during a meeting 
of party executives yesterday. Under the current plan, an 
alternative facility to the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station 
would be constructed in a coastal area of U.S. Camp Schwab in the 
Henoko district of Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. 
 
Fukushima indicated, with the expression "an important decision," 
that the SDP would not hesitate to leave the coalition government. 
 
In response, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters last 
 
TOKYO 00002769  004 OF 010 
 
 
evening: "The SDP is a ruling coalition partner, so we must 
seriously consider its views." He also said: "We must reach a speedy 
conclusion so as not to allow any more accidents to occur at the 
Futenma base." But he does not necessarily have any specific plan in 
mind that would bring about a solution to the Futenma issue by the 
end of the year. 
 
Prior to this, Hatoyama met with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, and Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Hirofumi Hirano and instructed them to explain the Japanese side's 
circumstances to the U.S., saying: "I would like you to talk to the 
U.S. in a sincere manner." 
 
6) Transport minister welcomes Osaka governor's positive stance 
about accepting Futenma facility 
 
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto has indicated that he would consider a 
plan to move the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan 
City, Okinawa Prefecture, to Kansai International Airport. Speaking 
before reporters in Tokyo yesterday, Land, Infrastructure, Transport 
and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara (state minister for Okinawa, 
northern territories, and disaster prevention) welcomed this 
development. He said: "Although I have not heard anything concrete, 
I appreciate Mr. Hashimoto's exercising leadership in meetings of 
the National Governors' Association and encouraging them to offer a 
helping hand (to resolve the Futenma issue)." 
 
7) PNP, SDP strengthen cooperative ties 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
The People's New Party (PNP) is keeping step with the Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) regarding the issue of relocating the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. 
 
PNP leader Shizuka Kamei, state minister for financial affairs, 
categorically said in a speech yesterday in Tokyo, "If the SDP and 
PNP do not agree, the Okinawa base issue will not be resolved. Even 
if the United States and the Okinawa governor approve (of the 
relocation of the base within Okinawa), we will not give our 
approval." 
 
Yesterday Mikio Shimoji and Tomoko Abe, the policy chiefs of the two 
parties, called on Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and told him 
about their meeting on Dec. 2 with Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto, who 
had said that the burden on Okinawa should be shared by the whole 
nation. Kitazawa expressed his willingness to hold talks with 
Hashimoto. 
 
Shimoji had apparently intended to meet alone with Hashimoto 
initially, but he later asked Abe to attend the meeting. The purpose 
of the SDP and PNP stepping up their cooperation on the Futenma 
issue is to secure their political influence. All the more because 
the SDP is hinting at the possibility of leaving the coalition 
government, PNP members are saying things like, "This is a good 
chance for us to make special requests regarding other issues to the 
Democratic Party of Japan, which has been acting weak." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002769  005 OF 010 
 
 
8) Okinawa governor in hot seat; anti-relocation forces gaining 
momentum; Nago mayoral election may be affected 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
Now that the government has effectively given up on reaching a 
settlement on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station before year's end, Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, who 
has accepted the existing relocation plan based on a Japan-U.S. 
agreement, finds himself in a tighter spot than ever before. In 
Okinawa, anti-relocation forces calling for relocation out of the 
prefecture or even out of the country are gaining momentum. At the 
same time, the government's decision to postpone a conclusion has 
given rise to speculation that Futenma will never be returned to 
Japan. The decision is also likely to have an impact on next 
January's Nago mayoral election, for which the Futenma relocation is 
the major campaign issue. 
 
"Moving Futenma outside the prefecture is the best option, but as 
the person charged with administration, I think the matter will take 
a substantial amount of time," Nakaima said in response to a 
question about the relocation issue in a prefectural assembly 
question-and-answer session yesterday. "It would make things less 
complicated if I say 'outside the prefecture,' but I have not 
changed my basic policy." The Liberal Democratic Party Okinawa 
chapter, which has supported Nakaima, has also decided to call for 
moving Futenma outside the prefecture if the matter is not resolved 
before the end of the year. Nakaima expressed his personal struggle 
to the press corps: "The situation will push me further to deal with 
the matter in line with the prefectural people's desire to move 
Futenma outside Okinawa." 
 
In the Nago mayoral race, chances are that there will be a head-on 
clash between the incumbent supporting the existing plan and a 
newcomer opposing the relocation. "If the incumbent is defeated, 
chances of a solution to the Futenma issue will diminish," Nago City 
Council Chairman Kenyu Shimabukuro said angrily. On the other hand, 
Prefectural assembly deputy chairman Yoshikazu Tamashiro from Nago 
welcomed the government's step, saying, "If the government decided 
to accept the existing plan, the people in Okinawa would give a 
thumbs down. Coming this far, I want the government to take time to 
reach a conclusion." 
 
Meanwhile, residents of Ginowan, home to Futenma Air Station, do not 
conceal their dismay. Kamiojana community association chairperson 
Chieko Oshiro, 55, said: "I know that it will not be easy to move 
the base outside the prefecture. Whether within or outside the 
prefecture, I just want the danger of the air station moved as soon 
as possible." Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha said: "Although there is no 
need to insist on reaching a settlement on the existing plan before 
the end of the year, Futenma Air Station must be closed down at the 
earliest possible time." 
 
9) Concern widespread about impact on Japan-U.S. relations 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
"It is a matter for the ruling coalition to decide in the end, so 
it's meaningless for us to think about it," a senior Foreign 
Ministry official said with an air of resignation. "Unless the 
 
TOKYO 00002769  006 OF 010 
 
 
Futenma issue is settled, the bilateral alliance will not be 
deepened as was agreed on in the recent Japan-U.S. summit." Concerns 
about a possible impact on Japan-U.S. relations are rising in the 
foreign and defense ministries all the more because they have been 
making arrangements for a settlement within the year. 
 
A Japan-U.S. ministerial-level working group will meet today at the 
Foreign Ministry. The meeting is scheduled to be attended by Foreign 
Minister Katsuya Okada, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, U.S. 
Ambassador to Japan John Roos, U.S. Forces Japan Commander Edward 
Rice, and others. The Japanese side is expected to inform the U.S. 
side of its decision to give up on reaching a conclusion before 
year's end. The working group has been set up in line with Okada and 
Roos's eagerness "to reach a conclusion expeditiously." As such, 
Japan's decision is likely to draw a strong backlash from the U.S. 
side. 
 
The Defense Ministry plans to include Futenma relocation-related 
funds, such as an environmental impact assessment, in its fiscal 
2010 budget plan. "This is intended to demonstrate Japan's sincerity 
toward the United States. Once the stage is set for talks, they will 
be implemented immediately," a ministry official explained. 
 
Meanwhile, Okinawa's Nago City, the relocation site for Futenma 
under the existing relocation plan, will carry out a mayoral 
election next January, and the Democratic Party of Japan and the 
Social Democratic Party are backing an anti-relocation candidate. 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has hinted at reaching a decision 
after the Nago race, but Diet deliberations on the FY2010 budget 
will begin shortly after that. A settlement might be further delayed 
as a House of Councillors election will take place in the summer. 
Some foreign and defense ministry officials are concerned that a 
postponement due to domestic circumstances might result in distrust 
on the part of the U.S. 
 
10) PM Hatoyama orders DM Kitazawa to find new Futenma relocation 
site; decision postponed until next year 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) 
December 4, 2009 
 
It was learned on Dec. 3 that with regard to the relocation of the 
U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama 
asked Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa to "find a new site," 
ordering him to find a relocation site other than the coastal area 
of Camp Schwab (in Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa). The Prime Minister's 
instruction is regarded as a de facto order to consider a relocation 
site from scratch. It is believed that Hatoyama has decided to 
postpone a decision on the Futenma issue until next year because the 
search for a new relocation site will take time. 
 
Hatoyama told reporters on the evening of Dec. 3 that, "We are not 
discussing the issue on the premise that it has to be decided within 
the year," stating openly that the decision will be deferred to next 
year. 
 
Earlier, Hatoyama had met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi 
Hirano, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, and Defense Minister Toshimi 
Kitazawa at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in the late 
afternoon to discuss the meeting of the Japan-U.S. cabinet level 
working group of foreign and defense ministers to be held in Tokyo 
on Dec. 4. He said at the meeting that, "The coalition is important. 
 
TOKYO 00002769  007 OF 010 
 
 
I want you to talk to the U.S. in good faith," asking the ministers 
to seek the U.S. side's understanding. Hatoyama has been meeting 
with Hirano, Okada, and Kitazawa on a daily basis for the past few 
days, and his order to look for a new relocation site came out 
during these meetings. 
 
11) Gov't to earmark U.S. military relocation costs in FY2010 
budget 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
In connection with the planned relocation of the U.S. military's 
Futenma base in Okinawa Prefecture, the Defense Ministry will 
earmark costs relating to the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan in 
its budget for next fiscal year, a top-level official of the Defense 
Ministry said yesterday. The ministry is going to include the 
relocation costs in its budget request although the Futenma 
relocation issue is not expected to be settled before the year is 
out. "Our bilateral agreement between Japan and the United States 
has not collapsed," the official said. "If we don't include the 
relocation costs, we will lose the United States' faith," the 
official added. 
 
The Defense Ministry has already earmarked a total of approximately 
89 billion yen in its budget estimate relating to the U.S. force 
realignment, including about 35.3 billion yen for moving U.S. 
Marines from Okinawa to Guam and about 28.8 billion yen for 
relocating the Futenma base. 
 
12) Planned exchange of views between Okada and Okinawa residents 
cancelled 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan Okinawa chapter had planned to hold a 
session on Dec. 5 in Itoman City for the exchange of views between 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and residents of Okinawa Prefecture, 
but the planned session was suddenly cancelled. Although the DPJ 
Okinawa chapter planned to open the session to the public, the 
Foreign Minister's side objected. Therefore, arrangements for the 
plan hit a snag. 
 
13) Kitazawa mulls meeting Hashimoto 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa met yesterday in his Defense 
Ministry office with Tomoko Abe, chair of the policy board of the 
Social Democratic Party, one of the ruling Democratic Party of 
Japan's two coalition partners, and Mikio Shimoji, chair of the 
People's New Party, the DPJ's other coalition partner. In the 
meeting, Shimoji and Abe proposed using Kansai International Airport 
as a relocation site for some of U.S. fighter jets' training 
missions currently conducted at the Kadena base in Okinawa 
Prefecture. In this regard, they requested that Kitazawa meet with 
Osaka Gov. Tohru Hashimoto. Kitazawa said he will consider the 
request. 
 
14) LDP, Komeito call for gov't to settle Futenma issue within the 
 
TOKYO 00002769  008 OF 010 
 
 
year 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki and New Komeito 
President Natsuo Yamaguchi met yesterday evening at a Tokyo hotel 
and agreed to call for the government to settle the pending issue of 
relocating the U.S. military's Futenma base within the year. This 
was the first meeting of the two party leaders. 
 
15) ANA, two U.S. carriers to integrate flight routes: Envisaged 
open skies agreement spurs reorganization 
 
NIKKEI (Page 9) (Excerpts) 
December 4, 2009 
 
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and two leading U.S. air carriers, United 
Airlines and Continental Airlines, will basically integrate their 
passenger flight businesses in the fall of 2010. They will deepen 
their existing business tie-ups, triggered by the envisaged open 
skies agreement between Japan and the U.S., so as to be ready for 
competition between the two countries becoming increasingly fierce 
in the future. The next focus of attention will be on steps taken by 
Japan Air Lines, which also holds a major share of flights between 
the two countries. 
 
The governments of Japan and the U.S. will likely reach a consensus 
to conclude an open skies agreement next week and put it into 
practice next year. ANA and its partner carriers intend to apply for 
antitrust immunity (ATI) status with the Transport Ministry and the 
U.S. Department of Transportation. Approval will likely be granted 
in October 2010 at the earliest in both countries. The three 
carriers estimate an increase in revenues totaling several tens of 
billion yen as a result of increased income and cost reductions. 
 
The three carriers, members of the Star Alliance, will provide 
optimum numbers of seats based on demand by adjusting their flight 
routes and the number of flights. The three carriers also plan to 
improve efficiency by ANA taking over operations for its U.S. 
partners at airport counters and administrative duties for their 
business in Japan, and vice-versa in the U.S. 
 
Once the open skies agreement is materialized, access to Japan-U.S. 
routes will become, in principle, liberalized. How much market entry 
will occur is unclear because landing and departure slots available 
at Japanese airports are limited. However, there is a strong 
possibility that price competition will become more intense. 
 
16) Government to finance private companies' securing rare-metal 
rights 
 
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided to 
set up a new government-financed body to help private companies 
obtain rights related to rare metals. According to the plan, the 
government will invest in projects for joint production of rare 
metals by the private and public sectors to help companies smoothly 
obtain mining rights. Government investment will amount to several 
hundred million yen per project. The government will also support 
 
TOKYO 00002769  009 OF 010 
 
 
companies in securing rare metals, over which international 
competition is becoming fierce. 
 
METI will incorporate the measure into an additional economic 
stimulus package, which the government will formulate on Dec. 4. 
Since the weak-dollar trend is continuing on the foreign exchange 
market, METI plans to become proactively involved in projects to 
develop resources overseas. The measure is a pillar of the program 
designed to address the strong yen to be included in the economic 
pump-priming package. 
 
Under the plan, METI will enable the Japan Oil, Gas, Metals National 
Corporation (JOGMEC), an independent administrative agency, to newly 
finance private companies when they produce rare metals in Africa or 
South America. JOGMEC is allowed to finance petroleum or natural gas 
companies at the stage of production. However, there has been no 
system allowing it to assist private companies producing mineral 
resources. 
 
Government-guaranteed loans will also be made available to companies 
when they need funds at the development or production stage of rare 
metals. METI intends to set up a guarantee framework worth several 
hundred billion yen so that companies can secure funds flexibly in 
the event of a rise in the  yen or a fall in resource prices. METI 
will submit a bill amending the JOGMEC Establishment Law to the 
regular session of the Diet next year. 
 
17) Japan, U.S. agree to strengthen management of nuclear materials 
in preparatory meeting for Nuclear Security Summit 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 4, 2009 
 
The governments of Japan and the U.S. held a preparatory meeting for 
the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS). At the NSS, participants will 
discuss how to bring about a nuclear-free world, an initiative 
proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama. The meeting, chaired by 
Laura Holgate, who is responsible for antiterrorism at the U.S. 
National Security Council (NSC), brought together concerned vice 
ministers and bureau chiefs from 43 countries, including countries 
that possess nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. They affirmed 
the importance of strengthening the management system of nuclear 
weapons. 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters at the Prime Minister's 
Official Residence last night: "How to ensure the security of the 
world is a very important theme in discussions. Japan, as the only 
nation to have suffered nuclear bombing, must take the initiative in 
an effort to eliminate nuclear weapons." 
 
In his speech in Prague this April, President Obama reiterated the 
importance of major powers' nuclear arms reduction and called for 
countermeasures to the use of nuclear weapons by terrorists, 
focusing on the growing risk of nuclear proliferation. 
 
18) Foreign Ministry sets up new office on child custody 
 
MAINICHI (Page 12) (Excerpts) 
Evening, December 3, 2009 
 
Tetsu Kudo 
 
 
TOKYO 00002769  010 OF 010 
 
 
In response to recent troubles in connection with international 
parental child abduction, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up an 
office in charge of issues related to child custody in order to look 
into the possibility of Japan's joining the Hague Convention on the 
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which stipulates 
rules to solve disputes related to international marriages. Giving 
consideration to criticism by the United States and Europe that 
problems have occurred because Japan has not yet joined the 
Convention, MOFA has launched a consultative body of working-level 
officials on issues related to child custody with France, a leader 
in discussions on the issue. 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada stated at a press conference 
yesterday: "Various Issues, including how to deal with the existing 
issues and the propriety of Japan's participation in the Convention, 
will be discussed at the consultative body. We want to look into 
Japan's response as quickly as possible." 
 
Meanwhile, in the first talks with France held yesterday in MOFA, 
France reportedly presented 35 cases involving parental child 
abduction and called on Japan to take specific measures to deal with 
the cases. MOFA will soon set up a similar consultative framework 
with the United States. 
 
ROOS