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RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8879
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8329

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 002814 
 
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 12/09/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) PM Hatoyama stepping up coordination on Futenma relocation 
policy, to make final decision himself (Nikkei) 
 
(2) Talks with U.S. reach impasse: Gulf over Futenma airfield 
relocation remains wide open; Momentum toward holding bilateral 
alliance talks losing steam (Nikkei) 
 
(3) Hirano talks of possible delay in USFJ realignment road map, 
need to repair dilapidated facilities on Futenma base (Mainichi) 
 
(4) Former Vice Defense Minister: business interests one factor 
behind confusion over the Futenma issue (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) U.S. breaks its own promise to carry out U.S. force realignment; 
Relocation of I Corps to Camp Zama likely to be cancelled (Tokyo 
Shimbun) 
 
(6) Ceremony kicking off Japan-U.S. war game held in Chitose 
(Hokkaido Shimbun) 
 
(7) Nikkei-CSIS symposium: Strong Japan-U.S. alliance is cornerstone 
of international cooperation (Nikkei) 
 
(8) Dark clouds hanging over Japan-U.S. alliance (Part 2): DPJ has 
no policy toward U.S. (Yomiuri) 
 
(9) Secret Okinawa deal: Foreign Ministry told Finance Ministry 
Japan would shoulder costs that U.S. should have borne (Yomiuri) 
 
(10) I want Japan to teach U.S. "respect" (Yomiuri) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) PM Hatoyama stepping up coordination on Futenma relocation 
policy, to make final decision himself 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged) 
Evening, December 9, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters in front of his 
official residential quarters on the morning of Dec. 9 that with 
regard to the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in 
Okinawa, "since it is already mid-December, we will finalize our 
policy on the points for negotiation with the U.S.," indicating that 
coordination will be stepped up ahead of Dec. 18, which he has set 
as the deadline for deciding on the government's policy. Discussions 
among cabinet ministers have failed to reach a conclusion. Hatoyama 
stated that, "I am aware that the situation is very difficult, but I 
think there will be an answer and a solution. I will make the 
decision in the end." 
 
Replying to a question from reporters that the U.S. side has 
expressed concerns about the deterioration of the bilateral 
relationship, Hatoyama said: "The negotiation process is ongoing, so 
the other party might express such an opinion." He further stressed 
that, "This is not a statement they have made during the 
negotiations. Since this is a major issue affecting the livelihood 
of the people of Okinawa and Japan, we need to make a decision 
cautiously." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002814  002 OF 009 
 
 
(2) Talks with U.S. reach impasse: Gulf over Futenma airfield 
relocation remains wide open; Momentum toward holding bilateral 
alliance talks losing steam 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
December 9, 2009 
 
Now that the government has given up on the idea of reaching a 
settlement on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station, talks with the U.S. have come to an impasse. With the 
U.S. taking a tougher stance, the cabinet-level working group talks 
between the two countries have been suspended. The momentum to 
launch government-to-government talks designed to deepen the 
bilateral alliance in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the 
amendment to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty next year is losing 
steam. 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada 
held talks on the Futenma issue on the 8th. However, they put off 
making a decision for the second day in a row. The prime minister 
wants to press ahead with efforts to remove the danger the Futenma 
base is imposing on residents in the vicinity. The U.S. gives top 
priority to deciding to relocate the Futenma facilities to the 
coastal area of Camp Schwab in accordance with the bilateral 
agreement reached in 2006. Since the two countries are wide apart in 
their perceptions of the issue, they remain unable to find a 
settlement line. 
 
The Futenma issue has repercussions for Japan-U.S. relations as a 
whole. The foreign minister had no other choice but to announce at a 
press conference on the 8th that the ministerial-level working group 
meeting had been suspended for the time being. Regarding 
comprehensive talks to deepen the alliance, too, Okada said, "I do 
not feel like discussing the nature of the alliance myself, without 
settling the Futenma issue." He stressed that the Japan-U.S. 
alliance is now faltering. 
 
Deputy Chief of Mission Zumwalt of the American Embassy in Tokyo 
visited DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka on the 
same day in the Diet building. He asked for Yamaoka's cooperation in 
settling the Futenma issue before the end of the year. However, 
Yamaoka simply said, "Rushing to a conclusion will not result in a 
swift settlement." 
 
There are several factors behind the lack of progress in the talks 
with the U.S. One is the prime minister's view of the U.S. He has 
been advocating a Japan-U.S. security system without the permanent 
presence of U.S. forces. His proposal for relocating the Futenma 
facilities to Guam is viewed as being close to his own personal 
opinion rather than a public position. Some associate the prime 
minister, who openly claims that he has his grandfather's DNA, with 
his grandfather former Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama's argument 
calling for independent defense. Another factor for the lack of 
progress is that DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa and others are 
making no moves to coordinate with the SDP, which is opposed to the 
existing Futenma relocation plan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi 
Hirano set up a meeting on the 4th between the prime minister and 
Ozawa at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). However, 
Ozawa reportedly attended the meeting only briefly. 
 
Speaking of prospects for the Futenma issue to the press corps, the 
prime minister on the evening of the 8th said, "I think I am getting 
 
TOKYO 00002814  003 OF 009 
 
 
closer to making a decision." However, it is hard to imagine any 
bright idea that will be acceptable to the U.S., the SDP, and 
Okinawa. 
 
There is not much time left before the 15th session of the 
Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change (COP15) summit 
meeting on Dec. 18, which is the deadline for the prime minister to 
convey his government's decision to the U.S. 
 
(3) Hirano talks of possible delay in USFJ realignment road map, 
need to repair dilapidated facilities on Futenma base 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
Evening, December 9, 2009 
 
Ai Yokota 
 
At a news conference on the morning of Dec. 9, Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano commented on the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) 
realignment road map, including the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines 
in Okinawa to Guam in relation to the question of the relocation of 
the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa). He 
said: "If the Futenma issue requires more time to resolve and we are 
unable to proceed to the next action plan, there might be some 
changes in the timeline," mentioning the possibility of delays. 
 
Hirano had indicated at his news conference on Dec. 4 that the 
government intends to keep discussions on Futenma relocation and the 
Marines' relocation to Guam separate in order to avoid delays. His 
latest statement shows that this has become difficult due to the 
U.S. side's objection. 
 
With regard to the repair of dilapidated facilities on the Futenma 
base in case its relocation, which is scheduled to be completed in 
2014 under the road map, is delayed, Hirano said that, "We will have 
to think of remedial measures for the absolutely necessary 
repairs." 
 
(4) Former Vice Defense Minister: business interests one factor 
behind confusion over the Futenma issue 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
December 9, 2009 
 
In connection with the issue of the relocation of the U.S. forces' 
Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa), former Vice Minister 
of Defense Takemasa Moriya, who was involved with the 
decision-making process for the current plan to relocate the base to 
the coastal area of Camp Schwab (in Nago City), pointed out in the 
edition of the monthly magazine Chuo Koron that goes on sale on Dec. 
10 that business interests relating to land-reclamation work are a 
factor behind the confusion over the relocation issue. 
 
Moriya gave an interview to the magazine in which he criticized 
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and others who are insisting on 
moving the runways under the current plan farther offshore, which 
would require the reclamation of more land, saying: "To me, this is 
nothing but an attempt to delay the issue." With regard to the 
business interests, he stressed that "a credible rumor is 
circulating in Okinawa that powerful politicians, both from the 
ruling and the opposition parties, have been buying up mountains in 
anticipation of the demand for earth and sand." 
 
TOKYO 00002814  004 OF 009 
 
 
 
He also expressed the opinion that "the majority of the Okinawan 
people actually want the central government to be responsible for 
handling this issue." 
 
Moriya has been charged with taking bribes in relation to the 
procurement of defense supplies and for violating the Diet Testimony 
Law (perjury). He received a prison sentence in the first trial and 
is in the process of appealing the verdict. 
 
(5) U.S. breaks its own promise to carry out U.S. force realignment; 
Relocation of I Corps to Camp Zama likely to be cancelled 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) 
December 9, 2009 
 
Shigeru Handa, senior writer 
 
In May 2006 Japan and the United States reached an agreement on the 
realignment of U.S. forces, including the relocation of the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. It has become likely 
that the plan to relocate the U.S. Army's I Corps (from Fort Lewis, 
Washington) to Camp Zama (straddling Sagamihara and other cities in 
Kanagawa Prefecture) -- which must have proceeded smoothly -- will 
be derailed due to the circumstances in the United State. The U.S. 
side is pressuring Japan to implement the realignment of U.S. forces 
as part of the "package." But the U.S. might end up breaking the 
"package deal" by interpreting it to suit its own convenience. 
 
"A story from the past" 
 
& Reorganization of the U.S. Army 
 
On Dec. 7, the Japan-U.S. joint military exercise (code named 
Yamasakura) kicked off at snow-covered Ground Self-Defense Force 
Camp Higashi-Chitose in Hokkaido after participants had been 
instructed to emphasize "good Japan-U.S. relations." The 
computer-aided mock joint exercise is designed for Japan and the 
United States to jointly repel a hypothetical enemy that invaded 
Hokkaido. 
 
This year's joint exercise is the 57th of its kind. There has been a 
major change since the last one. The commander of I Corps, which is 
responsible for the security of the entire Asia-Pacific region, has 
been replaced by the commander of the Army Pacific (Honolulu, 
Hawaii), a regional army group, to serve as the operational maneuver 
director, who is in charge of the U.S. side. 
 
In the past exercises, the Army Pacific was responsible for logistic 
support in Hawaii. But with the deployment of I Corps to such 
countries as Iraq and Afghanistan, combat forces have disappeared 
from the continental United States. Around that time, the Department 
of Defense restructured the Army and empowered the Army Pacific 
Command to direct the exercise. 
 
Because the Army Pacific Command is allowed to direct a combatant 
command, the Navy and the Air Force are also taking part in this 
year's exercise. "Defense Secretary Gates's goal is to turn the U.S. 
forces into a unified command," a U.S. Army field officer said. "The 
realignment of U.S. forces promoted by former Defense Secretary 
Rumsfeld is a story of the past." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002814  005 OF 009 
 
 
& Contradictory explanations 
 
Such changes in the U.S. Army have also emerged at Camp Zama, where 
the U.S. Army Japan headquarters is located. 
 
According to (the October 2005 agreement) on the realignment of U.S. 
forces, Camp Zama was scheduled to be turned into a tactical 
operation center capable of carrying out joint tasks by the 2008 
U.S. fiscal year, and the relocation of U.S. Army I Corps was 
determined. Following this, the I Corps forward command was 
established at Camp Zama in December 2007. It became operational 
this March. 
 
But a large part of the 90 personnel are concurrently serving at the 
U.S. Army Japan headquarters and only three I Corps members are 
working at (the forward command) full time. This situation conflicts 
with the (now-defunct) Defense Facilities Administration Agency's 
explanation (back then) that some 300 personnel would be added as a 
result of the realignment of the headquarters. 
 
Further, the I Corps' main force, including Commander Lt. Gen. 
Jacoby, is now stationed in Iraq and they are expected to withdraw 
next year. But another field officer said, "They will return to the 
continental United States. They will not be posted to Camp Zama." 
 
Grounds for rejecting a review of Futenma shaky 
 
& Opportunism 
 
To begin with, it was the U.S. side that proposed the relocation of 
I Corps to Camp Zama. At the same time, plans were presented to: (1) 
relocate the Fifth Air Force headquarters form Yokota Air Base to 
Guam; and (2) shift the post of the commander of U.S. Army Japan to 
the I Corps command to be moved to Camp Zama. An agreement was 
reached only on the relocation of I Corps to Camp Zama. 
 
In the wake of this agreement, the Japanese side said that "it is 
unnecessary to have two ground-based forces (Army and Marines), so 
the Marine Corps should be moved from Okinawa to Guam," and the U.S. 
side accepted this request, according to a Japanese source connected 
with the matter. The reason to keep at least one ground force is to 
maintain the deterrent. 
 
During his stay in Japan this past October, Defense Secretary Gates 
pressed Tokyo hard to implement the Futenma relocation plan, as was 
agreed upon, saying that is part of the package, while indicating 
that the U.S. Marines Guam relocation plan is inseparable from the 
Futenma relocation. 
 
But if the planned relocation of I Corps is reviewed for 
cancellation, there will be no reason not to review the planned 
relocation of Futenma Air Station to the offing of the Henoko 
district in Nago. 
 
(6) Ceremony kicking off Japan-U.S. war game held in Chitose 
 
HOKKAIDO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Full) 
December 8, 2009 
 
Chitose - A ceremony marking the start of the "Yamasakura," a war 
game of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) and the U.S. forces 
conducted by the joint Japan-U.S. command post, was held at the 
 
TOKYO 00002814  006 OF 009 
 
 
Higashi-chitose base in Chitose City on Dec. 7. Commanding General 
Takeshi Sakai of the GSDF's Northern Army and Lieutenant General 
Benjamin Mixon, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific (in Hawaii) 
gave speeches and emphasized closer collaboration in preparation for 
the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. security 
treaty next year. 
 
At a news conference, Sakai pointed out that "the war game is of 
great significance for enhancing the reliability of the Japan-U.S. 
security arrangements." Regarding the downsizing of the SDF in 
Hokkaido, he said: "It is necessary to continue to maintain the 
current troop level in order not to create any vacuum in defense." 
 
The war game is being held on the assumption of a contingency in 
areas near Japan. Simulation exercises are conducted using maps and 
computers to check the command systems and information transmission 
for actual joint combat operations. 
 
This is the 13th time that the war game is being conducted in 
Hokkaido and the first in five years. There are 4,500 participants 
from the Japanese side and 1,200 from the U.S. forces. The war game 
is scheduled to end on Dec. 14. 
 
(7) Nikkei-CSIS symposium: Strong Japan-U.S. alliance is cornerstone 
of international cooperation 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) 
December 9, 2009 
 
The sixth joint symposium by Nihon Keizai Shimbun and the U.S. 
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on "The Obama 
Administration's Asia Policy and the Japan-U.S. Relationship in the 
New Era" was held at the Nikkei Hall in Otemachi, Tokyo on Dec. 8. 
Several participants from the U.S. side expressed the opinion that 
the bilateral alliance should be maintained and strengthened to 
coincide with the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. 
security treaty next year. John Podesta, former White House chief of 
staff, said that "a strong Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of 
cooperation in the international community." Many of them asked 
Japan to provide additional cooperation to Afghanistan. 
 
CSIS President John Hamre indicated his expectations, stating: "I am 
confident that Japan and the United States will work together as 
equal partners in resolving world issues." 
 
Meanwhile, Michael Green, former U.S. presidential assistant, 
expressed dismay at recent developments in bilateral relations. He 
said: "While Japan has become a trustworthy ally (in the past decade 
or so), a debate on whether Japan and the U.S. are equal or not 
suddenly emerged after the Democratic Party of Japan took power." 
 
Richard Armitage, former U.S. deputy secretary of state, made the 
remark that, "We do not have sufficient information on the new 
Japanese administration and do not quite understand what is meant by 
'equal'." He also cited the fact that the ratio of Japan's defense 
spending to its GDP is low compared to other countries and pointed 
out that, "Japan and the U.S. can become equal if Japan makes 
greater sacrifices (by increasing its defense budget)." 
 
(8) Dark clouds hanging over Japan-U.S. alliance (Part 2): DPJ has 
no policy toward U.S. 
 
 
TOKYO 00002814  007 OF 009 
 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
December 6, 2009 
 
Delivering a speech at a community center in Nago City, Okinawa 
Prefecture, on the afternoon of Dec. 5, Foreign Minister Katsuya 
Okada said with a distressed look on his face: "Since (the 
Democratic Party of Japan) assumed the reins of government more than 
two months ago, I as foreign minister have been seriously 
considering how to translate its campaign pledges into action." 
 
In Nago City, where Japan and the U.S. agreed in 2006 to relocate 
the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, Okada admitted it is 
actually impossible to deliver on the campaign pledge (related to 
the Futenma issue) made in the previous House of Representatives 
election. 
 
The DPJ manifesto noted: "The party will move in the direction of 
reviewing the planned realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and future 
options for the presence of U.S. military bases in Japan." But the 
U.S. repeatedly applied pressure on Okada, with one official saying: 
"It is impossible to change the agreed plan. Don't you value the 
Japan-U.S. alliance?" 
 
Whenever Okada mentioned "dilemma," about 90 local residents at the 
gathering in Nago booed him, with one shouting: "The issue will be 
settled if the U.S. stops (operating) the Futenma airfield," and 
another claiming: "Is the U.S. more important than the people in 
Okinawa?" Foreign Minister Okada experienced firsthand the harsh 
reality of violating the manifesto. 
 
Foreign Minister Okada was apparently aiming to make the visit to 
Okinawa this time an opportunity to make a policy switch in a bid to 
resolve the Futenma issue based on the existing relocation plan. For 
the past several days, he was apparently showing signs of 
impatience, grumbling: "Unless we take action quickly, the 
relationship of trust between Japan and the U.S. might be 
undermined." 
 
In actuality, in a meeting of the foreign affairs and defense 
ministerial-level Japan-U.S. working group on Dec. 4, there was a 
scene in which when a Japanese negotiator informed the U.S. side of 
Japan's policy of delaying a settlement, a U.S. negotiator 
criticized the Hatoyama administration as "insincere". 
 
Despite the intensifying situation, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama 
and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano continued to say: "We 
should not be scared even if the U.S. gets angry." The 
administration's posture, which can be taken as both tough and 
making light of the U.S., exposes a lack of coordination within the 
cabinet. 
 
In formulating its manifesto, the DPJ did not formulate its foreign 
and security policies or strategies, reasoning that the party is a 
hodge-podge group. Now, the party has been pressed to pay the price 
for this negligence. In particular, after the Social Democratic 
Party (SDP), which is against the existing plan, hinted at leaving 
the coalition, an increasing number of government officials, without 
carrying out full coordination, began to call for putting off a 
conclusion. Okada did not make efforts to lay the groundwork to 
bring about an early settlement to the Futenma issue, either, just 
saying: "The prime minister will make the final decision." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002814  008 OF 009 
 
 
Regarding the strained relations between Japan and the U.S. over the 
Futenma relocation issue, a cabinet minister said in a tone of 
self-mockery during a meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 5: "The DPJ has no 
policy toward the U.S. This is the main reason for the current 
situation, not the fact that the SDP is a member of in the 
coalition." 
 
(9) Secret Okinawa deal: Foreign Ministry told Finance Ministry 
Japan would shoulder costs that U.S. should have borne 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 9, 2009 
 
In connection with the issue that Japan paid costs for restoring 
returned U.S. military base land to its original state, which the 
United States was actually supposed to bear, 
in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun on Dec. 8 Hajime Morita, 
former transport minister, 75, revealed that the Foreign Ministry 
told him, "Japan will secretly shoulder the costs." 
 
At the time when Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972, Morita was 
assistant director of the Finance Ministry's Legal Division, which 
examines the legality of budget spending. According to Morita, he 
discussed with Foreign Ministry officials the cost of restoring land 
to its original state before the return of Okinawa. After visiting 
Okinawa he estimated more than 3 million dollars would be needed. 
The Finance Ministry's position was that the U.S. side should pay 
the cost. Morita met with Foreign Ministry officials seven or eight 
times to discuss the issue. A Foreign Ministry official told Morita, 
"Since the U.S. side said they won't be able to convince Congress, 
Japan will secretly pay the cost. My superiors have approved it." 
Morita said that he had accepted the Foreign Ministry's view that 
Japan should pay the cost, assuming that the foreign minister had 
already approved the idea. 
 
On Dec. 1 in a lawsuit filed by a former Mainichi Shimbun reporter 
and other plaintiffs asking the government to disclose documents on 
this secret deal, Bunroku Yoshino, former director general of the 
Foreign Ministry's American Affairs Bureau, who was responsible for 
the negotiations with the U.S. side over the return of Okinawa, 
acknowledged that Japan had paid 4 million dollars to cover the cost 
of restoring land used for U.S. military facilities to its original 
state. 
 
At the direction of Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, the Foreign 
Ministry has been examining internal documents on four secret 
agreements, including this secret Okinawa accord, and a committee of 
experts, set up in the ministry, is now pressing ahead with analysis 
on the results of the examination. 
 
(10) I want Japan to teach U.S. "respect" 
 
MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) 
December 5, 2009 
 
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Ambassador to Japan 
 
Since the Islamic revolution was accomplished in Iran in 1979, the 
United States has constantly imposed sanctions against Iran, viewing 
it as an enemy. Iran is a big country, however. It has the 
capability to produce whatever it needs. The sanctions have not 
weakened Iran; rather they have helped it strengthen its presence in 
 
TOKYO 00002814  009 OF 009 
 
 
the Middle East. 
 
President Barack Obama is the first American president who called my 
country by its formal name, the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has 
used comparatively favorable words toward Iran. Regrettably, 
however, the Obama administration has strengthened sanctions and 
pressure against Iran, and has strengthened its negative image. Iran 
has kept close watch on whether President Obama can translate his 
words into action. 
 
If the United States shows goodwill toward and respect for Iran, it 
will be possible for the two countries to reach a mutual 
understanding that can dispel the various concerns of the 
international community. The two countries will be able to achieve 
mutual understanding on such issues as nuclear nonproliferation, 
Middle East reconciliation, Iraq, and Afghanistan. 
 
Iran can definitely play an important role regarding the Afghan 
issue, which is the U.S.'s highest priority. Stability in the region 
would benefit Iran as well. The Afghan people have a strong allergy 
to foreign troops. History shows that Afghanistan drove out Britain 
and the former Soviet Union (which aimed to rule Afghanistan). 
Military power alone is insufficient to stabilize Afghanistan. Soon 
or later foreign troops will withdraw and the country will be 
required to establish its own military and administrative organs. 
 
To that end, priority should be given to assistance for Afghanistan. 
Aid measures for Afghanistan by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
government are the correct choice. Japan and Iran have a basis for 
cooperating to support Afghan reconstruction. Japanese companies 
lost rights and interests in Iran regarding the Azadegan oil field 
because the previous Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government 
imposed sanctions against Iran after America did. This was 
tantamount to the LDP's imposing sanctions on Japanese corporations. 
I hope that the DPJ administration will revise the previous 
government's Iran policy. 
 
If President Obama is wise, he will discard sanctions, the 
played-out way of dealing with Iran, and strike a path for 
constructive dialogue with it on an equal footing. I desperately 
want Japan and its people, who have a sense of propriety, to teach 
the U.S. the meaning and importance of holding with others a 
dialogue that shows them respect. 
 
ROOS