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INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0258
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RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8949
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8391

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 16 TOKYO 002860 
 
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 12/14/09-2 
 
INDEX: 
 
(22) DM Kitazawa: PM Hatoyama thinking of new Futenma relocation 
plan (Nikkei) 
 
(23) PNP policy chief Shimoji gets impression U.S. poised to make 
proposals to reduce Okinawa's burden significantly, urges early 
solution on Futenma relocation (Sankei) 
 
(24) Conclusion to Futenma relocation issue by Upper House election; 
three ruling parties making final adjustments to map out government 
policy by Dec. 15 (Okinawa Times) 
 
(25) U.S. government proposes to move part of Futenma training 
program to Higashi Fuji on condition of Japan agreeing to existing 
plan (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(26) Prime Minister: We have not received a formal request (Ryukyu 
Shimpo) 
 
(27) Proposal to postpone Futenma solution by five months emerges in 
the cabinet (Yomiuri) 
 
(28) U.S. proposals for reducing Okinawa's burden meant to put 
pressure on Japan on Futenma relocation negotiations (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
 
(29) Ozawa power: Largest-ever delegation consisting of 640 
participants, including about 140 DPJ lawmakers (Asahi) 
 
(30) PM Hatoyama requests making an exception for PRC Vice President 
Xi Jinping's audience with Emperor (Asahi) 
 
 (31) Editorial: The Emperor and China's vice president: Arbitrary 
setting of meeting could lead to future trouble (Sankei) 
 
(32) Ozawa apologizes for Japan's colonial rule of South Korea, 
calling it unfortunate period (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(33) Poll: 63 PERCENT  feel kinship with S. Korea (Yomiuri) 
 
(34) Prime Minister Hatoyama's words lack weight and put him into a 
difficult situation (Nikkei) 
 
(35) Japan, U.S. agree to liberalize aviation markets (Nikkei) 
 
(36) Japanese company acquires right to develop oil field in Iraq 
(Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(37) Editorial: President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance 
speech (Sankei) 
 
(38) Editorial: President Obama should produce actual results to 
live up to honor of Nobel Peace Prize (Mainichi) 
 
(39) Political Cartoons (Asahi, Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(22) DM Kitazawa: PM Hatoyama thinking of new Futenma relocation 
plan 
 
 
TOKYO 00002860  002 OF 016 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa stated at a party held on Dec. 12 
to celebrate his appointment as cabinet minister in Nagano City that 
with regard to the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air 
Station, "the Prime Minister is probably aiming at drawing up a new 
plan that will respect the Okinawan people's wish not to build (a 
military base) in Henoko as agreed upon between Japan and the U.S." 
This statement indicates that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is 
considering a new relocation site other than the coastal area of 
Camp Schwab. The above was revealed by a participant in the party. 
 
Kitazawa reportedly also indicated that the relocation of the 
Futenma base to the coastal area of Camp Schwab under the current 
plan will be difficult in light of the political situation in 
Okinawa. 
 
(23) PNP policy chief Shimoji gets impression U.S. poised to make 
proposals to reduce Okinawa's burden significantly, urges early 
solution on Futenma relocation 
 
SANKEI ONLINE (Full) 
14:01, December 14, 2009 
 
People's New Party (PNP) policy chief Mikio Shimoji met with Defense 
Minister Toshimi Kitazawa at the Ministry of Defense at noon on Dec. 
14 to report to him the discussions with the U.S. side on the 
relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, 
Okinawa) and other issues during his recent trip to the U.S. Shimoji 
conveyed his impression that "postponement (of the decision) will 
bring about a rift in the Japan-U.S. relationship of trust, so a 
decision should be made at an early date." Kitazawa reportedly 
responded with: "We will make various proposals and let Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama decide." 
 
After the meeting, Shimoji told reporters: "I had the impression 
that the U.S. is poised to make proposals to reduce the burden (on 
Okinawa) significantly." 
 
Shimoji met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State (for East Asian 
and Pacific Affairs) Kurt Campbell and other officials in 
Washington. The U.S. side indicated that if Japan agrees to the 
relocation of the Futenma base to the coastal area of Camp Schwab 
(in Nago City) under the existing Japan-U.S. agreement, it will take 
measures to reduce the burden on Okinawa. It is asking the Japanese 
government to make a decision by Dec. 18. 
 
(24) Conclusion to Futenma relocation issue by Upper House election; 
three ruling parties making final adjustments to map out government 
policy by Dec. 15 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
Naka Yoshida 
 
Tokyo 
 
The government/ruling coalition has began making final arrangements 
to hold on Dec. 15 a basic policy cabinet meeting at the level of 
the heads of the three ruling parties to map out the government's 
 
TOKYO 00002860  003 OF 016 
 
 
policy on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station, according to a government source on Dec. 12. The government 
will set up a study group (working team) composed of working-level 
members of the three parties to look into new possible relocation 
sites without determining a relocation site at present. The 
government will aim at an early conclusion - before the House of 
Councillors election next summer. With the team likely to reach an 
agreement to include funds connected with the Henoko relocation plan 
in the fiscal 2010 state budget, the government will not give up on 
the existing (Henoko relocation) plan. The three parties will study 
concrete amounts. 
 
In deference to the United States, the working team will not call 
off the ongoing environmental impact assessment that is premised on 
the existing relocation plan. 
 
Although the U.S. side is calling for the early implementation of 
the existing plan, the government will give up on making a decision 
before year's end in view of growing expectations in Okinawa for 
relocation out of the prefecture and of the likelihood that, if the 
government decides to implement the existing plan, the Social 
Democratic Party will leave the coalition government, making it 
difficult to run the administration. 
 
The government source also indicated that there is a possibility 
that Tokyo will return to the existing plan in the event the 
three-party working team tasked with studying new sites fails to 
reach a conclusion. 
 
Since Dec. 7, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has discussed the 
government's response with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, 
and Minister for Okinawa Seiji Maehara. 
 
Some in the government/ruling coalition are also looking into ways 
to disperse the functions of the Futenma base, such as building on 
the land portion of Camp Schwab helipads for relocating Futenma's 
helicopter unit there, and relocating fixed-wing aircraft- training 
to Kadena Air Base and Kansai Airport. 
 
(25) U.S. government proposes to move part of Futenma training 
program to Higashi Fuji on condition of Japan agreeing to existing 
plan 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
Tokyo 
 
The U.S. government has mapped out "measures to reduce the burden on 
Okinawa" including a plan to shift part of Futenma Air Station 
helicopter and ground units' exercises to the Higashi Fuji Training 
Area in the event the Hatoyama administration accepts the Japan-U.S. 
agreement to relocate Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago, it was 
learned on Dec. 12. Washington also presented a plan to include an 
environmental clause in the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement 
(SOFA) in compliance with Okinawa's request. Washington also urged 
Tokyo to decide its policy by Dec. 18, the deadline for submission 
of requests for the U.S. fiscal 2011 budget. Washington also 
suggested it might forgo earmarking spending for a Guam relocation 
plan in the fiscal 2011 budget if Tokyo does not agree to the 
existing plan. 
 
TOKYO 00002860  004 OF 016 
 
 
 
Japan urged to make decision by Dec. 18 
 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and others conveyed 
this policy to Mikio Shimoji, the policy research committee head of 
the People's New Party (PNP), who is visiting the United States. 
 
Shimoji will inform Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of the U.S. side's 
views early next week, saying that he visited the United States 
after making arrangements with the prime minister's office (Kantei). 
According to Shimoji, the U.S. side expressed at the Dec. 4 
Japan-U.S. ministerial-level working group meeting its readiness to 
move some training programs from Futenma to another U.S. base as a 
means to reduce the burden on Okinawa. 
 
The Japanese government plans to discuss the government's response 
at meetings of the Ministerial Council on Basic Policies of the 
three ruling parties starting nearly next week. "The time has come 
to decide whether to abandon the Henoko plan before making new 
proposals," Shimoji said after the talks. 
 
Specifically, the U.S. side presented a plan to move part of Futenma 
helicopter and Marines ground unit exercises from Okinawa to the 
Higashi Fuji Training Area, which is being jointly used by Japan and 
the United States. The U.S. side stopped short of presenting any 
timeline or the size of the relocation. 
 
Shimoji is exploring ways to move the fighter training program from 
Kadena Air Base to Kansai Airport in Osaka. Shimoji said that the 
U.S. side showed an interest in such an idea, saying, "If there is a 
concrete plan to use Kansai Airport, we will consider it 
positively." 
 
To the U.S. side, which calls for the early implementation of the 
existing plan, Shimoji explained the complex Japanese political 
situation, including the fact that the current coalition government 
is composed of the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic 
Party, and the PNP, and that the Okinawa gubernatorial election will 
be held next fall. 
 
The talks were held at the State Department attended by Principal 
Deputy Assistant of State Joseph Donovan and State Department Office 
of Japanese Affairs Director Kevin Maher, in addition to Campbell. 
 
(26) Prime Minister: We have not received a formal request 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
The U.S. government has reportedly urged Japan to make a decision by 
Dec. 18 on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station. Asked by the press about his view on such a report in 
Tokyo on Dec. 12, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated that the 
government will confirm the facts, saying, "We have not received 
such a request directly from the United States." On the Japanese 
government's policy, he also said: "We are finalizing our policy. We 
haven't received such a proposal formally from the U.S. government, 
so I cannot comment any further." 
 
The Prime Minister added: "The government has yet to be briefed on 
what Mr. (Mikio) Shimoji discussed. We will study the U.S. 
government's ideas conveyed via Mr. Shimoji, including the facts." 
 
TOKYO 00002860  005 OF 016 
 
 
 
(27) Proposal to postpone Futenma solution by five months emerges in 
the cabinet 
 
YOMIURI (Top play) (Full) 
Evening, December 14, 2009 
 
A proposal to postpone a solution to the issue of the relocation of 
the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) to 
after the FY2010 budget and other bills are enacted has emerged in 
the cabinet. 
 
People's New Party (PNP) leader Shizuka Kamei met with PNP policy 
chief Mikio Shimoji, who just returned from a trip to the U.S., on 
the Futenma issue at a hotel in Tokyo on the evening of Dec. 13. 
According to Shimoji, Kamei told him at the meeting that the prime 
minister's office (Kantei) is considering delaying the government's 
decision by around five months. The Prime Minister himself has 
mentioned making a decision sometime between the mayoral election in 
Nago, the location of the Futenma relocation site, Camp Schwab, 
under the current relocation plan, in January and the Okinawa 
gubernatorial election to be held before the incumbent governor's 
term expires in December 2010. There is also an opinion in the 
government and the ruling parties that making a decision after the 
FY10 budget and the related bills are enacted will minimize the 
impact on the steering of the administration. 
 
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary of Defense Akihisa Nagashima also 
stressed during a Fuji TV program on Dec. 13: "The two new 
administrations should first discuss the role of the Japan-U.S. 
security alliance in the East Asian strategic situation. They can 
move on to discuss specific bases in the end. This is not something 
that can be resolved in a week or two." 
 
However, other government and ruling party officials favor an early 
response because the U.S. government has asked at the meeting with 
Shimoji, for example, for a decision by Dec. 18. In this connection, 
Kamei invited Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Consumer Affairs 
Minister Mizuho Fukushima to meet on Dec. 14, but Fukushima is 
reluctant to meet since the SDP's policy of seeking Futenma's 
relocation out of Okinawa or out of Japan remains unchanged. 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to meet with Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Defense 
Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, and Okinawa Affairs Minister Seiji 
Maehara on Dec. 14. He told reporters in front of his official 
residential quarters in the morning that "the government will make a 
decision shortly. This will change depending on the U.S.'s response 
(at discussions with the U.S. side from now). Various solutions are 
conceivable." Hatoyama also met with Japanese Communist Party 
Chairman Kazuo Shii at the Diet in the morning. Shii demanded the 
immediate closure and unconditional withdrawal of the Futenma base. 
Hatoyama said: "The Japan-U.S. agreement is also important. I am 
agonizing over how to resolve this issue." 
 
(28) U.S. proposals for reducing Okinawa's burden meant to put 
pressure on Japan on Futenma relocation negotiations 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
Takumi Takimoto 
 
TOKYO 00002860  006 OF 016 
 
 
 
The U.S. government, having been forced into a corner in the 
negotiations on the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air 
Station, has made new proposals for reducing Okinawa's burden. 
Meanwhile, the Japanese side has agreed to hold renewed 
consultations among the three ruling parties, and the Ministerial 
Committee on Basic Policies will begin deliberations early next 
week. With the U.S. now making concessions, the focus of attention 
is on Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's decision. 
 
At a room in the U.S. State Department in Washington on Dec. 11, 
People's New Party (PNP) policy chief Mikio Shimoji told Assistant 
Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and other U.S. officials: "If the 
U.S. government is unable to take the responsibility (for the 
consequences), why is it saying 'relocate to Henoko'? The one who 
says 'do it' also bears responsibility." In a strong tone he pointed 
out how difficult it is to relocate the Futenma base to Henoko in 
Nago City, which the U.S. side is pushing for. 
 
The meeting between Shimoji and Campbell and other U.S. officials 
around lunch time lasted over two hours and 30 minutes. According to 
an informed source, Campbell had planned to cancel the meeting with 
Shimoji, but Kevin Maher, State Department Japan desk director, told 
him, "You should definitely meet him," so the meeting was set up. It 
is also evident that the U.S. side wanted to put pressure on the 
Japanese side through a channel other than the official Japan-U.S. 
working group. 
 
Normally, this would have been a meeting over lunch, but because 
there was "heated argument" throughout, not even coffee was served. 
Toward the end of the meeting, Shimoji even said sarcastically: "Has 
America run out of coffee?" 
 
The U.S. side asked that Japan come up with a conclusion by Dec. 18, 
when the U.S. budget request process for FY2010 is scheduled to be 
completed, saying: "It will be difficult to make budget allocations 
after Dec. 18." They also reiterated that "if Henoko relocation is 
not implemented, bases south of Kadena will not be returned and 
there will be no relocation (of Marines in Okinawa) to Guam." 
 
Even at this stage, the U.S. government was taking an "intimidating" 
stance. However, the construction of the military base in Guam is 
partly being undertaken to meet the U.S. forces' needs. It appears 
that the U.S. government, which needs to explain the budget requests 
for Guam to Congress, will be caught in a serious dilemma between 
Congress and uncompliant Hatoyama in Japan. 
 
About four hours before the meeting in Washington took place, the 
three leaders of the ruling coalition parties of the Hatoyama 
administration met at a Japanese restaurant in Roppongi, Tokyo. 
During the dinner that lasted about two hours and 30 minutes, Social 
Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima handed the documents 
she prepared to Hatoyama and PNP leader Shizuka Kamei. These 
documents, including reports on the dugong lawsuit in the U.S., were 
meant to show how unfeasible relocation to Henoko is. 
 
Fukushima appeared to be relieved after the meeting. She told 
reporters: "I am glad that the three of us agreed on pooling our 
wisdom and continuing discussions among the three parties." When 
asked if relocation sites other than Henoko will be considered, she 
was momentarily at a loss for a response before stating: "Well, we 
are looking at all the options," thus implying that Henoko has not 
 
TOKYO 00002860  007 OF 016 
 
 
been ruled out. 
 
The three party leaders' meeting confirmed that the solution to the 
Futenma relocation issue will not be decided by the cabinet alone 
and that the SDP and the PNP will be involved. The Hatoyama cabinet 
is back to the starting line at the time when the administration was 
launched. Discussions at the Ministerial Committee on Basic Policies 
early next week will hold the key to this issue. 
 
(29) Ozawa power: Largest-ever delegation consisting of 640 
participants, including about 140 DPJ lawmakers 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) 
December 10, 2009 
 
Shuichi Honda, Tetsuya Watanabe and Koichi Furuya (Beijing) 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa 
arrived in China along with some 140 DPJ lawmakers on Dec. 10. The 
number of delegation members, was the highest ever at 600, including 
private citizens. Domestic views of the influence-yielding Ozawa are 
split. However, China welcomed Ozawa with open arms. 
 
Ozawa told President Hu, "I am the commander": Critics say he's 
flaunting his influence 
 
The delegation includes 143 DPJ lawmakers, which is about one-third 
of all DPJ Diet members. Adding the supporters of each lawmaker that 
participated in the trip, there are 640 people in the delegation. 
The number of participants is about 200 more than that of the 
previous delegation. Participants flew to Beijing on five planes 
departing from Haneda, Narita, and Kansai. Seventeen buses were 
waiting for them. Participants, who paid about 200,000 yen in 
traveling expenses out of their own pockets, will, with the 
exception of a meeting with President Hu, will spend their time 
visiting places of historic interest and scenic beauty. 
 
The large delegation reflects Ozawa's great influence in the party. 
Of the 143 first-term lawmakers, 79, or about 40 percent, took part 
in the delegation. 
 
Before entering into talks with Hu, Ozawa introduced the lawmakers 
accompanying him: "More than half of them are first-term lawmakers. 
They have become legislators by securing around 100,000 votes each." 
Hu shook hands with every participant. 
 
Even with a grand delegation in tow, Ozawa still did not seem 
satisfied. During the talks he expressed his eagerness to fight in 
the Upper House election next summer, even saying: "I will recruit 
candidates and train them. I will aim for victory." He then said, "I 
will leave the administration to Prime Minister Hatoyama." Calling 
himself the commander in chief of the field army, Ozawa spoke of his 
aspiration: "I want to devote myself to that role (until the Upper 
House election is over)." 
 
As such, many lawmakers participated in the delegation not to 
participate in Japan-China exchange but to get to know Ozawa. One 
first-term lawmaker said: "I have never spoken with Mr. Ozawa. This 
is a good opportunity to get to know him as a person." A junior 
lawmaker who decided not to participate, giving priority to 
activities in his constituency, was teased by a lawmaker of other 
party, who said, "Are you all right? You've got guts." 
 
TOKYO 00002860  008 OF 016 
 
 
 
There are also more aloof attitudes circulating both inside and 
outside the party. The same junior lawmaker who did not participate 
lamented, "Mr. Ozawa never forced us to join the delegation, but 
there is still an atmosphere that makes us think that it would be 
unwise not to." 
 
China welcomes Ozawa with eye on his influence 
 
The Chinese side welcomed Ozawa. After President Hu met with him, 
First Secretary Lu Hao of the Chinese Communist Youth League, an 
organization that trains young elites, where Hu also served in the 
top post, met him. China also invited all the delegation 
participants to a welcome dinner party held at the Great Hall of the 
People. 
 
During the talks, Hu brought up the change in government in Japan. 
According to those at the meeting, Hu said: "China and Japan were 
able to deepen their relations even though the DPJ assumed power. 
The DPJ has survived the transition period after the change in the 
government." He thus declared that China will continue its present 
relations with Japan, despite the shift in power. 
 
China has promptly responded to the "political leadership" advocated 
by the Hatoyama administration. It thinks that under the new 
administration, it would be quicker to approach influential 
politicians directly instead of using the Foreign Ministry's 
diplomatic channel. It thinks that Ozawa is the most influential 
person. 
 
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who met with Ozawa in the Diet 
building while in Japan on Nov. 20, brought up a free trade 
agreement (FTA) between the two countries. 
 
Yang: "I would like Secretary General Ozawa to exercise his 
influence to have the Japanese government promote research on an 
FTA." 
 
Ozawa: "We must persuade people in various domestic industry 
circles." 
 
Shanghai Institute for International Studies Academic Committee 
Deputy Director Wu Jinan pointed out, "Mr. Ozawa's philosophies are 
the mainstay of the DPJ administration's foreign affairs and 
security policies." 
 
Ozawa might find such a stance of the Chinese side advantageous. His 
pet argument since 1993, the year when he published "Blueprint for 
Japan," is to serve as a bridge between the West and Asia." He 
stresses that relations between Japan and the U.S, and relations 
between Japan and China should be equal. This stance has also been 
expressed in a statement he made regarding the U.S., Japan's ally. 
He said that the Seventh Fleet will suffice as the U.S. presence in 
the Far East." 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet has complicated Japan's relations with the U.S. 
over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station. 
On the 10th, when Ozawa arrived in Beijing, Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama was in Bali, Indonesia. He remained indecisive over the 
Futenma issue, saying, "Before the end of the year I would like to 
decide on the policy I will take." The schism in Japan-U.S. 
relations is widening under the Hatoyama administration. Ozawa, who 
 
TOKYO 00002860  009 OF 016 
 
 
has launched party diplomacy by leading the delegation, sent a tacit 
message to audiences both at home and abroad, stressing that Japan 
and China are becoming closer. 
 
Emerging from the talks with Hu, Ozawa told reporters, "I am not 
here to discuss political issues." However, he did not forget to 
boast about the length and depth of Japan-China exchanges he has 
pursued. He said: "Chinese leaders and government officials have 
always responded to me in a serious and appropriate manner. That was 
true ever since I was an opposition party member even before joining 
the DPJ." 
 
(30) PM Hatoyama requests making an exception for PRC Vice President 
Xi Jinping's audience with Emperor 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) 
December 12, 2009 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada announced at a news conference on 
Dec. 11 that Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will meet with the 
Emperor on the morning of Dec. 15. The Imperial Household Agency 
(IHA) had asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to submit 
requests for audiences with foreign dignitaries at least one month 
in advance out of consideration for the burden on the Emperor's 
health and fairness among foreign countries, but MOFA first made its 
request on Nov. 26, less than one month before the proposed meeting. 
The prime minister's office (Kantei) reportedly made a strong 
request to the IHA again on Dec. 7 and 10, saying that this was "by 
the Prime Minister's order, in consideration of the importance of 
the Japan-China relationship." IHA Grand Steward Shingo Haketa 
assembled members of the media hastily on the afternoon of Dec. 11 
to explain what happened. He expressed concern, since this is an 
issue bearing on the Emperor's role as the symbol of the nation 
under the Constitution. 
 
(Commentary by reporter Hiroki Arima) 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet has broken the convention followed by the IHA 
on the Emperor's audience with foreign guests. This may not be a 
problem from the standpoint of "breaking away from reliance on 
bureaucrats," but changing a convention followed over the years to 
prevent "using the Emperor for political purposes" may lead to a 
serious degeneration of the Imperial System. Therefore, this issue 
needs to be handled more cautiously and rigorously. 
 
Since its inauguration, the Hatoyama cabinet has reviewed the 
postwar political rules in its attempt to promote political 
leadership. The "one-month rule" mentioned by Grand Steward Haketa, 
which is an agreement between MOFA and the IHA, will probably also 
become a subject of review. 
 
However, past administrations have exercised strict self-restraint 
with regard to Emperor's words and actions based on lessons learned 
from the prewar period. The one-month rule is part of such efforts. 
The deputy chief cabinet secretary, a former bureaucrat, 
traditionally mediates the coordination process between the Kantei 
and the IHA on scheduling, serving as a "filter." If Hatoyama 
intends to step into an area that has been entrusted to the IHA in 
the past, he has to explain the basis of this decision and formulate 
new transparent and fair rules. 
 
It is questionable why Hatoyama was late in making his request. If 
 
TOKYO 00002860  010 OF 016 
 
 
this was in consideration of Democratic Party of Japan Secretary 
General Ichiro Ozawa and other officials who were about to embark on 
a visit to China, it is an action that could embroil the Emperor in 
politics. Inasmuch as the cabinet takes responsibility for the 
Emperor's official acts, it has an obligation to give a clear 
explanation. 
 
(31) Editorial: The Emperor and China's vice president: Arbitrary 
setting of meeting could lead to future trouble 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 12, 2009 
 
The government has announced that Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping 
is arriving in Japan on Dec. 14 and will have an audience with the 
Emperor on Dec. 15. 
 
It was revealed that normal procedures were not followed in handling 
the Chinese side's request for an audience and the meeting was set 
up through an order from Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to the 
Imperial Household Agency to arrange for this meeting. This could be 
considered a case of using (the Emperor) for political purposes and 
may lead to trouble in the future. 
 
The existing rule is that written requests for the Emperor to meet 
with foreign dignitaries need to be submitted at least one month in 
advance. However, the Chinese side made its request in late 
November, which was less than one month before the proposed meeting. 
Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs first informed the 
Chinese side that its request for an audience with the Emperor had 
been rejected. This was the reasonable thing to do for a sovereign 
country. 
 
However, the Chinese side was not satisfied with the answer, so it 
repeated its request for an audience with the Emperor, on the ground 
that the meeting is "critical for the success of Vice President Xi's 
visit to Japan." Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro 
Ozawa urged Prime Minister Hatoyama to try to set up the meeting, so 
the Prime Minister ordered Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano 
to look into the possibility of arranging the meeting. 
 
Needless to say, the Chinese request was unreasonable. The mediation 
efforts by Mr. Ozawa and Prime Minister Hatoyama were also very 
questionable. 
 
The one-month rule is for the sake of smooth coordination of the 
Emperor's hectic schedule. So far, the rule has been followed 
strictly and exceptions have only been made for meetings with 
foreign ambassadors in Tokyo leaving Japan in haste. While Mr. Xi is 
considered a likely successor to President Hu Jintao, that should 
not be a reason for making an exception. 
 
The Emperor is the symbol of the state and the unity of the Japanese 
people under the Constitution. The government should strictly 
refrain from using him for political purposes. Yet, it is possible 
that the forthcoming meeting arranged for the Emperor and the 
Chinese vice president will be used for political purposes and 
one-sided propaganda. 
 
The Emperor visited China in October 1992, three years after the 
Tiananmen Incident. This was at a time when China was under harsh 
criticism from the Western countries. The Miyazawa cabinet at that 
 
TOKYO 00002860  011 OF 016 
 
 
time almost forcibly pushed for this visit despite the opposition of 
a majority of the people. 
 
Consequently, the Emperor's visit to China led to the relaxation of 
the Western countries' sanctions on China. It is clear from the 
memoirs of the Chinese foreign minister at that time that the visit 
was used for political purposes. 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet's disregard of existing rules in granting 
China's request sends out the message that "if you push hard, Japan 
will agree" to the Chinese side. This weakness may be taken 
advantage of in future negotiations with China. Blatant "dual 
diplomacy" is also questionable. We urge the Hatoyama cabinet to 
reconsider. 
 
(32) Ozawa apologizes for Japan's colonial rule of South Korea, 
calling it unfortunate period 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
Evening, December 12, 2009 
 
Eiji Tsukiyama, Seoul 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, now 
visiting South Korea, on the morning of Dec. 12 delivered a speech 
at Kookmin University in Seoul. During the speech to about 200 
students he apologized for Japan's colonial rule (of the Korean 
Peninsula) for 36 years. He told the audience that he wants young 
people to create a new age. 
 
Ozawa said: "There was an unfortunate period for our country and 
your country in modern history. It is a historical fact, for which 
Japan and the Japanese people must apologize." 
 
He continued: "However, if we just continue to say this, it will do 
the future of our two countries no good. I believe that you, young 
people, are aware that it is necessary to surmount past problems and 
work together for friendly and amicable bilateral relations." He 
also said, "Japan must proactively formulate a plan for peace and 
stabilization of Northeast Asia." 
 
Ozawa then referred to his visit to China, his previous stop. Noting 
that the Northeast Asian region, including the Korean Peninsula, is 
unstable, he said, "We must make the region stable and peaceful 
through a relationship of trust among Japan, China, and South 
Korea." 
 
(33) Poll: 63 PERCENT  feel kinship with S. Korea 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
The Cabinet Office yesterday released the results of its public 
opinion survey on foreign relations. In the survey, the proportion 
of those who answered that they feel friendly toward South Korea 
reached an all-time high of 63.1 PERCENT , up 6 percentage points 
from the last survey conducted in 2008. In addition, the proportion 
of those who think bilateral relations between Japan and South Korea 
are in good shape was also at an all-time high of 66.5 PERCENT . 
 
(34) Prime Minister Hatoyama's words lack weight and put him into a 
difficult situation 
 
TOKYO 00002860  012 OF 016 
 
 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
November 11, 2009 
 
Jun Iiyama, Bali 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has been suffering as a result of his 
own past remarks. He mentioned a plan to hold a Japan-U.S. summit 
meeting in connection with the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine 
Corps' Futenma Station in Okinawa, the most pressing issue between 
Japan and the Unites States, but the U.S. side has not paid any 
attention to Hatoyama's idea. Therefore, his plan has been put on 
hold. With regard to his alleged falsified donation scandal, as 
well, Hatoyama's explanations have become untenable. He has 
basically withdrawn the goal of capping the new issuance of 
government bonds in the fiscal 2010 budget at 44 trillion yen. The 
Prime Minister has been causing problems for himself with his own 
"reckless statements." 
 
Growing sense of distrust 
 
Yesterday in Bali, Indonesia, Hatoyama said, "Since considerable 
time will be spent on extensive discussions on climate change, it 
will be difficult to hold a meeting." He admitted that it would be 
difficult to realize his previous plan to meet with U.S. President 
Barack Obama on the sidelines of the summit meeting of the 15th 
Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate 
Change (COP15). Just three days ago he told the press corps about 
his intention to convey the government policy regarding the Futenma 
relocation base to the President. However, he later corrected his 
remarks, saying, "I will decide on a policy before the end of the 
year." The U.S. side has grown increasingly distrustful of Hatoyama. 
In the meeting in November, Hatoyama said to Obama, "I want you to 
trust me." But he keeps going back and forth. Even in the 
government, some people are voicing criticism, with one official 
remarking: "Anyone would wonder what that statement was supposed to 
mean." Also a ruling party lawmaker went so far as to say, "This 
means that (Hatoyama) compared the U.S. and the Social Democratic 
Party (SDP), and he chose the SDP." 
 
Hatoyama mentioned the summit meeting plan without carrying out 
coordination through diplomatic channels. The U.S. side, however, 
announced that discussion at the ministerial-level working group 
would be preferable, rejecting Hatoyama's plan. U.S. Ambassador John 
Roos, a member of the working group, called on Foreign Minister 
Katsuya Okada at the ministry on Dec. 7 and again on the 10th. Chief 
Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano has been desperately trying to put 
an end to speculation that Futenma relocation has gone back to the 
drawing board, presenting the outlook that the government will make 
a decision after COP15. 
 
Frequent discrepancies in the views voiced by cabinet ministers have 
also been noticeable. Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited 
Guam, which the SDP has proposed as a relocation site for Futenma. 
While he was there, he said, "(Guam) is not on the 
government-to-government negotiating table, and such a direction has 
not been decided in Japan either." Since his comment incited a 
backlash from the SDP, Hirano cautioned Kitazawa over the phone. 
 
(35) Japan, U.S. agree to liberalize aviation markets 
 
NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) 
 
TOKYO 00002860  013 OF 016 
 
 
Evening, December 12, 2009 
 
Masakuni Oshirabe, Washington 
 
The governments of Japan and the U.S. agreed in aviation talks in 
Washington on Dec. 11 to conclude an open skies accord to give their 
airlines freedom in setting routes and the number of flights in 
principle. Once this agreement takes effect, the civil aviation 
markets of the two countries will be revitalized, and more 
convenient services and lower airfares can be expected. The pact 
could also enable Japanese and U.S. airline companies to strengthen 
their partnerships. The pact is expected to come into effect by next 
fall. 
 
The meetings between Japan and the U.S. this time were working-level 
talks, and the agreement still needs to be finalized by the 
transport ministers of the two countries. At present, three airline 
companies, including Japan Airlines and United Airlines, from each 
of the two countries are allowed to set routes and other details 
without any restrictions in principle, but the new pact will give 
all airlines freedom. 
 
Key points in Japan-U.S. agreement on liberalizing civil aviation 
markets 
 
Q Japan and the U.S. agreed in effect to conclude an open skies 
accord to give their airlines freedom in setting routes and the 
number of flights in principle. 
Q Make it possible to initiate procedures to place (airline 
alliances) outside the reach of the U.S. Antimonopoly Act. 
Q Give Japanese and U.S. air carriers landing and departure slots 
for four round trips daily late at night and early in the morning 
between U.S. cities and Haneda airport, to which slots for more 
international flights will be added following the opening of the new 
runway. 
Q Reduce the 28 PERCENT  share U.S. carriers hold over the slots at 
Narita International Airport. 
 
(36) Japanese company acquires right to develop oil field in Iraq 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Excerpts) 
December 13, 2009 
 
Yasushi Uchida, Cairo 
 
The second round of open competitive bidding for the development of 
Iraq's huge oil fields and gas fields took place in Bagdad on Dec. 
12, following the first round held on the previous day. The 
consortium formed by Japan Petroleum Exploration (JAPEX) and 
Petronas, Malaysia's state-run oil company, successfully won the 
right to develop the Gharraf oil field in Southern Iraq. This is the 
first time for a Japanese company to win the right to develop an oil 
field in Iraq. 
 
Amid competition to secure natural resources becoming fierce due to 
the rise of emerging countries, such as China and India, Japan has 
won a bid to develop a valuable "rising sun oil field," in Iraq, 
which has 115 billion barrels of confirmed crude oil reserves - the 
third largest amount in the world. 
 
The Gharraf oil field, located about 300 kilometers southeast of 
Baghdad, has roughly 860 million barrels of confirmed oil reserves. 
 
TOKYO 00002860  014 OF 016 
 
 
 
According to the Japanese Embassy in Baghdad, the Japanese side's 
share of the development right is 40 percent, and that of Malaysia 
is 60 percent. The current production capacity of the Gharraf oil 
field is 140,000 barrels a day. The consortium plans to increase the 
capacity to 230,000 barrels a day in 13 years. According to the Iraq 
Oil Ministry, the contract period is 20 years and it can be 
extended. 
 
(37) Editorial: President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance 
speech 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 12, 2009 
 
We wondered whether U.S. President Obama, who received the Nobel 
Peace Prize, would be caught on the horns of dilemma between the 
reality that the U.S. is fighting two wars and his ideal of 
realizing a world free from nuclear weapons. No, that was not the 
case. The President, in delivering his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance 
speech, used the award ceremony as a venue for declaring his resolve 
to fight the war on terror. 
 
In the U.S., there has been widespread criticism over the fact that 
President Obama was awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize even though he 
has no track record since he has only been in office for a year. 
There has also been concern that his idealistic argument calling for 
a world free of nuclear weapons is detached from the reality that 
the U.S. is a nuclear super power. 
 
While being aware of that, the Nobel Committee has in a way tied the 
President down with the Peace Prize so that he will not deviate from 
his ideals. The President, in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 
brought the audience back to reality by saying, "I am the 
Commander-in-Chief of a nation in the midst of two wars." 
 
He then pointed out, "The belief that peace is desirable is rarely 
enough to achieve it" and "Peace requires responsibility. Peace 
entails sacrifice." He thus stressed the legitimacy of reinforcing 
30,000 troops in Afghanistan. 
 
In Japan, because of his speech delivered in Prague, President Obama 
has been considered as a priest of peace who aims at eliminating 
nuclear weapons. 
 
However, his diplomatic strategy that does not require the use of 
force includes three (strategic) elements: (1) battle of law; (2) 
battle of public opinion; and (3) battle of psychology - meaning 
enlightening the public after securing legal supremacy and turning 
it to benefit his own country.  We should realize that behind his 
idealism about eliminating nuclear weapons is the aim of preventing 
the proliferation of nuclear weapons or their falling into the hands 
of international terrorists. 
 
In addition, there was a careful calculation made with the national 
interest in mind as can be seen in his warning against China's 
nuclear buildup and declaring on maintaining the Nuclear 
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In that sense, there is no 
inconsistency between the Prague speech in April and the Oslo speech 
this time. The only differences were the terms used. 
 
In the speech delivered in Prague, the President tactfully gave the 
 
TOKYO 00002860  015 OF 016 
 
 
impression of his ethical supremacy by advocating the U.S.'s moral 
responsibility and pledging to seek a world free of nuclear weapons. 
However, his true intention can be found in the statements "As long 
as nuclear weapons exist, I will try to deter any enemies," and "I 
will create a system under which one who has broken the rules must 
face the consequences." 
 
People like Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who think that President 
Obama is the priest of pacifism because of his speech, are far too 
optimistic. What the prime minister should do is calculate the 
benefits that can be shared by Japan and the U.S. and the costs to 
be paid by both countries. 
 
(38) Editorial: President Obama should produce actual results to 
live up to honor of Nobel Peace Prize 
 
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) 
December 12, 2009 
 
In October 1962, when the Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in 
Cuba, (then) U.S. President John F. Kennedy referred to the 
possibility of a global nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet 
Union and spoke in public that even if such an event was 
unavoidable, the American people had no need to be seized with fear. 
Fortunately, the Soviet Union later took away the missiles, so a 
nuclear war did not take place. This resolute speech, linked to his 
tragic death (assassination), contributed to having Kennedy labeled 
as a great president. 
 
In a speech he delivered as he received the Nobel peace prize, U.S. 
President Barack Obama stressed the significance of the use of armed 
force, probably aiming to avoid giving the image that he is weak. He 
must also have calculated that it would be troublesome if his 
Afghanistan military strategy was undermined because of the Nobel 
peace prize. He lauded Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, 
preachers of nonviolent action, but he added: "A nonviolent movement 
could not have halted Hitler's armies." The President then laid out 
circumstances in which war is justified. 
 
Obama said in the speech: "Evil does exist in the world." This 
remark even reminded us of previous President George W Bush's 
description (of Iraq, Iran and North Korea) as an "axis of evil." Of 
course, we know that President Obama is not a leader who easily uses 
the superpower's military power and basically agree with his 
insistence on the need to depend on military power in some cases in 
order to preserve peace. 
 
The U.S. has so far carried out a number of military operations. 
Recent ones include the attack on Afghanistan and the Iraq war under 
the previous President Bush (Republican); several air strikes on 
Iraq and on Yugoslavia under former President Bill Clinton 
(Democrat); the invasion of Panama and the Gulf War under former 
President George H.W. Bush (Republican); and the invasion of Grenada 
under President Ronald Reagan (Republican). 
 
By chance or not, in many cases large-scale military action was 
taken just before presidential elections in which the incumbents 
were seeking reelection. A diplomatic approach depending on power is 
a distinguishing feature of the United States. President Obama might 
also be pressed to decide to use armed force against countries other 
than Afghanistan. It is also conceivable that the U.S. will be more 
deeply involved in the war against Afghanistan, which should be a 
 
TOKYO 00002860  016 OF 016 
 
 
"just war." 
 
On the other hand, in dealing with North Korea, the U.S. remains 
unable to take an approach depending on power. In the U.S., however, 
it is often said that although military power can be compared to 
hammer, all problems can't necessarily be compared to nails. There 
are various means to resolve problems. Japan renewed its call on the 
Obama administration to take a powerful diplomatic approach in 
dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, which pose a 
danger to its ally Japan. 
 
President Obama has so far delivered keynote speeches several times. 
In the speeches, he has fully expressed his vision. From now on, the 
president should demonstrate the ability to implement his vision. It 
is more constructive to place expectations on Obama's future 
activities, rather than criticizing that it is too early for him to 
receive the prize. 
 
ROOS