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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0280
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RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8435
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2302
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8967
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8408

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 002869 
 
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 12/15/09 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) U.S. Embassy deputy chief of mission says low-altitude flights 
of U.S. military aircraft in Kagoshima linked to reduction of 
Okinawa's burden (Minami Nihon Shimbun) 
 
(2) Ministerial Committee decides on Futenma policy without 
specifying deadline for selecting relocation site; GOJ to form 
working group of three ruling parties; FM Okada mulls U.S. visit on 
Dec. 16 (Asahi) 
 
(3) Naha District Court rules two protesters blocked helipad 
construction, but protests "allowable" (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(4) Yomitan Village rally protests fatal hit-an-run incident by U.S. 
Army staff sergeant (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(5) U.S. to hold talks with NATO members on reviewing its tactical 
nuclear forces, including making changes to in-place weapons 
(Mainichi) 
 
(6) Dwindling channels with China due to decrease in number of 
China's Japan hands (Asahi) 
 
(7) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano fails to coordinate policymaking 
(Nikkei) 
 
(8) U.S. President delivers Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, 
underscoring that war is necessary (Akahata) 
 
(9) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: Perception gap between Japanese, Americans 
on issues (Yomiuri) 
 
(10) Declining number of students going to U.S. to study; down by 
10,000 over 10 years (Asahi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) U.S. Embassy deputy chief of mission says low-altitude flights 
of U.S. military aircraft in Kagoshima linked to reduction of 
Okinawa's burden 
 
MINAMI NIHON SHIMBUN ONLINE (Full) 
10:17, December 15, 2009 
 
With regard to the frequent spotting of U.S. military aircraft 
stationed at U.S. bases in Okinawa flying at low altitude in 
Kagoshima Prefecture, James Zumwalt, deputy chief of mission of the 
U.S. Embassy in Japan, said, "This is part of the transfer of U.S. 
military exercises to the Japanese mainland in order to reduce the 
burden on the people of Okinawa." He thus revealed that low-altitude 
flight exercises are expected to take place on mainland Japan, 
including Kagoshima, under an agreement between the Japanese 
government and the U.S., which are seeking to relocate the 
exercises. 
 
Zumwalt made the above statement in answer to a question from Minami 
Nihon Shimbun at a seminar on defense issues in Fukuoka City 
(organized by the Ministry of Defense's Kyushu Defense Bureau). 
Zumwalt is the second-ranking official at the U.S. Embassy. He 
formerly served as vice consul at the Consulate General in Kobe and 
director of the State Department's Japan desk. 
 
TOKYO 00002869  002 OF 015 
 
 
 
Zumwalt revealed that he was informed by the Japanese Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs of the anxiety among the people of Kagoshima about 
the low-altitude flights of U.S. military planes and has inquired 
directly with U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ). He said: "The Navy and the 
Marines are conducting exercises in various places in Kyushu" in 
order to lighten the burden on Okinawa. 
 
Zumwalt further indicated that regular training in Japan, including 
low-altitude flights, is indispensable for the USFJ to maintain a 
certain level of deterrence in Japan and the surrounding areas. 
 
However, he emphasized that "we make efforts not to fly over densely 
populated areas, schools, and hospitals" in consideration of the 
burden imposed on the residents near the training space. He also 
said that Japan and the U.S. will promote the exchange of 
information and "make efforts to minimize the burden on the Japanese 
people." 
 
Since 2006, KC-130 air tankers and MC-130 special operations 
aircraft based in Futenma and Kadena in Okinawa have been spotted 
flying over the cities of Minami-satsuma and Hioki in Kagoshima 
Prefecture. Low-altitude flights by the MC-130s are considered to be 
indispensable for invasion operations to avoid detection by radar. 
Experts believe that such combat exercises are in preparation for a 
contingency on the Korean peninsula or ground operations in the 
Middle East. 
 
(2) Ministerial Committee decides on Futenma policy without 
specifying deadline for selecting relocation site; GOJ to form 
working group of three ruling parties; FM Okada mulls U.S. visit on 
Dec. 16 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
Evening, December 15, 2009 
 
Hiroshi Ito in Washington, Keiichi Kaneko 
 
The Hatoyama cabinet held a meeting of its Ministerial Committee on 
Basic Policies, which includes the leaders of the three ruling 
parties, on the morning of Dec. 15. With regard to the relocation of 
the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa), the 
Committee decided to create a working group of the three parties to 
reconsider the relocation site, with the designated relocation site 
under the current plan, the coastal area of Henoko, Nago City still 
being considered as one option. The government has given up on 
choosing a relocation site within this year. Foreign Minister 
Katsuya Okada and others are expected to convey this decision to 
U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence in the afternoon. 
 
Deputy Prime Minister and National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan of 
the Democratic Party of Japan, Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho 
Fukushima (state minister for consumer affairs, declining 
birthrate), People's New Party leader Shizuka Kamei (state minister 
for financial affairs, postal reform), and others attended the 
Ministerial Committee meeting. With regard to the deadline for 
selecting the relocation site, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi 
Hirano suggested May 2010, but Fukushima opposed the setting of any 
deadline, so this is not included in the three-party agreement 
reached at the Ministerial Committee meeting. It is believed that 
this deadline will be conveyed to the U.S. side in the negotiation 
 
TOKYO 00002869  003 OF 015 
 
 
process. 
 
The government also indicated at the Ministerial Committee that 
expenditures relating to Futenma relocation will be earmarked in the 
FY10 budget and that the environmental impact survey in Henoko will 
continue. Hirano will take charge of the details of the three-party 
working group. One participant in the meeting said that, "Rather 
than giving priority to the thinking of the U.S., Japan, Okinawa, or 
the three-party coalition, we talked about how to make sure that 
things will work out for all four parties involved." 
 
Meanwhile, it was learned that the U.S. side has been contacted for 
a possible visit by Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on Dec. 16 to 
meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to convey the Japanese 
government's policy to the U.S. side. However, coordination is still 
underway and it is unclear whether the U.S. side will consent to the 
visit. This was revealed by several sources on bilateral relations. 
 
The U.S. government plans to make a final decision after adjusting 
Clinton's schedule. Since the policy decided upon by the Japanese 
government is not in line with the U.S.'s wishes, it intends to send 
Okada to the U.S. to minimize the backlash from the U.S. side. 
 
Speaking about the government's policy to be conveyed to the U.S. on 
Dec. 15, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said: "After negotiations 
with the U.S. are complete, I will provide a full explanation to the 
people." He made this comment in response to a question from 
reporters in front of his official residential quarters. 
 
(3) Naha District Court rules two protesters blocked helipad 
construction, but protests "allowable" 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full) 
December 12, 2009 
 
In connection with the Okinawa Defense Bureau's provisional 
deposition against the obstruction of traffic by 14 residents in 
Takae, Higashi village, who have opposed the U.S. military's 
construction of a helipad in return for the reversion of part of its 
training field in northern Okinawa Prefecture, the Naha District 
Court (presiding judge Naoto Hirata) on Dec. 11 issued a ruling that 
the two men blocked (construction of the U.S. military helipad). The 
court pointed out that protests, including sit-ins, are allowed and 
respected to a certain extent. The court, however, turned down the 
Defense Bureau's claims against the remaining 12 residents. 
 
The court ruled that the protesters had repeatedly blocked by force 
the construction of the helipad by (1) parking cars, (2) standing 
before construction vehicles, and (3) crawling under construction 
vehicles. Examining the 14 protesters' acts, the court ordered the 
two protesters not to block the construction of the helipad, 
including sit-ins, at the construction site, pointing out that the 
two men tried to block the construction by force and that the 
probability that they will continue blocking the construction is 
recognized. 
 
Meanwhile, the court ruled that interpreting sit-ins, calls for 
halting construction, and protests as sabotage should be done with 
caution. It also pointed out that an act taken on the basis of one's 
political beliefs should be respected. 
 
A group of lawyers will discuss on Dec. 12 whether the residents 
 
TOKYO 00002869  004 OF 015 
 
 
should file a complaint, while giving a modicum of praise to the 
ruling this time around. 
 
(4) Yomitan Village rally protests fatal hit-an-run incident by U.S. 
Army staff sergeant 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 35) (Abridged) 
December 15, 2009 
 
A rally of the Yomitan Village people to protest the fatal 
hit-and-run incident by a U.S. soldier was held at the courtyard of 
the Yomitan Cultural Center on Dec. 13. The approximately 1,500 
participants expressed their anger and frustration at the fact that 
the suspect U.S. staff sergeant has not been arrested more than one 
month after the incident and has not made himself available for 
questioning by the prefectural police. 
 
After the rally, the participants marched to Torii Station, where 
the suspect is confined but is said to be performing his military 
duties as usual. The protesters cried out in anger through the fence 
in front of them: "Come out criminal!" and "Apologize to the 
victim!" 
 
Yomitan Mayor Keizo Yasuda shouted furiously in front of the fence: 
"If you evade the issue, it will be the end of our relationship." He 
voiced strong criticism, saying that: "So far, we have been able to 
build a certain degree of friendship (with the U.S. forces), but 
this incident is absolutely unforgivable. Hand the culprit over to 
the Japanese police." 
 
(5) U.S. to hold talks with NATO members on reviewing its tactical 
nuclear forces, including making changes to in-place weapons 
 
MAINICHI (Page 7) (Full) 
December 13, 2009 
 
Yoshinori Fukushima, Brussels 
 
The U.S. government has decided in principle to hold talks with 
other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members to discuss a 
review of the role of the U.S. tactical nuclear weapons deployed in 
Europe within the framework of the organization, a senior U.S. 
government official told the Mainichi Shimbun. The tactical nuclear 
forces cannot be reduced or removed without the agreement of the 28 
NATO members. The handling of the tactical nuclear forces is likely 
to be discussed in the process of reviewing NATO's strategy. 
 
The United States deployed several thousand tactical nuclear weapons 
in Europe during the Cold War for NATO to counter the Warsaw Pact, 
which was superior to NATO in terms of conventional forces. The 
number dramatically dropped after the end of the Cold War. But 
according to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), there are 
still an estimated 150-240 weapons in Europe, including 70-90 in 
Italy, 50-90 in Turkey, and 10-20 each in Belgium, Germany, and the 
Netherlands. 
 
In Europe there has been a political movement seeking the removal of 
tactical nuclear weapons since the inauguration in the United States 
of the Obama administration advocating a nuclear-free world. German 
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle requested in early November that 
the United States move its tactical nuclear weapons outside Germany, 
while urging Belgium and the Netherlands to fall in step with 
 
TOKYO 00002869  005 OF 015 
 
 
Germany. 
 
"The United States is ready to hold talks (with European countries) 
and welcomes discussions (with them)," the senior U.S. government 
official said. "The nuclear weapons deployed in Europe play the role 
of contributing to the strategy and deterrence of NATO." He also 
emphatically said that changes to the in-place tactical nuclear 
forces, including their reduction and removal, can occur only when 
the 28 NATO members reach an agreement. 
 
NATO's New Strategic Concept adopted in 1999 includes a policy of 
maintaining the tactical nuclear forces based in Europe at the 
minimum level. NATO has begun studying the next strategic concept to 
be adopted at the next summit in November 2010. There is a good 
chance that the subject of tactical nuclear arms will be taken up at 
next year's NATO summit, according to a NATO press officer. 
 
Differences in views among NATO members 
 
The Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), scheduled to be presented by the 
Obama administration to the U.S. Congress next February, and the 
future course of the U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction talks are 
likely to affect the trend of discussions. Serving as a 
comprehensive guideline for U.S. nuclear strategy, the NPR includes 
the positioning of its tactical nuclear forces. 
 
Among the NATO members, there are differences in views on the 
efficacy of the United States' tactical nuclear forces. In Germany 
and the three Benelux countries situated in the middle of Europe, 
there are strong calls for the removal of tactical nuclear forces, 
regarding them as a relic of the Cold War. In contrast, Eastern 
European countries, which are alarmed by Russia, are in favor of the 
continued deployment of tactical nuclear weapons as a symbol of 
America's defense of Europe. Turkey is also reportedly concerned 
about the impact of the removal of tactical nuclear weapons. It 
seems to take time to integrate views among NATO members. 
 
(6) Dwindling channels with China due to decrease in number of 
China's Japan hands 
 
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) 
December 15, 2009 
 
Upon arriving in Japan, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Dec. 14 
released a statement, which read, "I would like to meet the Emperor 
and Prime Minister Hatoyama and deepen our mutual trust and 
friendship." Chinese diplomatic sources are pinning high hopes on 
his meetings with Japan's key figures, with one saying, "Talks with 
a wide range of dignitaries have been set up. We want him to 
strengthen bilateral relations." 
 
Having long served in local regions, Xi does not necessarily have 
deep connections with Japan. He visited Nagasaki and Okinawa in 2001 
when he was serving as the head of the Fujian Province. However, he 
has few personal channels with Japan's political and business 
circles, according to a diplomatic source in Beijing. 
 
President Hu Jintao, the supreme leader, in 1984 was in charge of an 
exchange project in which 3,000 Japanese young people were invited 
to China under General Secretary Hu Yaobang at the time, who was 
said to be pro-Japanese. President Hu during a press conference in 
May last year before his Japan visit, enthusiastically said, "Among 
 
TOKYO 00002869  006 OF 015 
 
 
my foreign friends, the number who are Japanese is the highest." He 
chose Japan as the destination for his first foreign trip in 1998 
right after he took office as vice president. In comparison, Xi is 
said to have no special attachment to Japan, according to a Chinese 
Communist Party source. 
 
Former Vice President Ceng Qingjiang, who had a wide range of 
personnel networks in Japanese political circles, has retired, and 
former Vice Premier Huang Ju, who once underwent technical training 
in Japan, has passed away. A Japanese diplomatic source pointed out 
that the number of Japan hands in the Chinese leadership and the 
government has decreased and their successors have yet to be 
trained. 
 
The Japanese economy was robust in the 1980's, when President Hu was 
still among young top officials. Japan extended assistance and 
investment in China. Japan had a strong presence in China, which had 
just adopted a reform and open-door policy. Japanese films, TV 
dramas, and popular songs were widely accepted by Chinese people. 
Weak connections with Japan are apparently common to Post-Hu 
generation officials. 
 
The number of officials who are knowledgeable about Japan is 
dwindling even in the Chinese Foreign Ministry. When bilateral 
relations deteriorated due to former Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine, China's Japan experts had 
served as safety valves in the event of a contingency, as a Japanese 
diplomatic source put it, mending the deteriorated relations using 
their own Japan connections. 
 
However, Tang Jiaxuan (71), who served as foreign minister and state 
councilor (equivalent to vice premier), retired in March last year, 
and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei (63), the chairman of the 
Six-Party Talks, is expected to step down next year. Former 
Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi (56) has left the Foreign Ministry. He 
is now the top official responsible for Taiwan policy. 
 
The same Chinese Communist source stressed: "There is concern that 
China's Japan connections will further dwindle in the age of the 
post-Hu generation. We want Vice President Xi to build personal 
relationships of trust during his visit to Japan this time." 
 
(7) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano fails to coordinate policymaking 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
December 12, 2009 
 
It has become clearer that there is no coordinator in the 
policymaking process in the Hatoyama cabinet. The role of 
coordinating views among the ruling parties and cabinet ministers 
should be played by the chief cabinet secretary, but Hirofumi 
Hirano, who fills this post, has failed to exert his influence. In 
an effort to resolve conflicts among cabinet ministers over the next 
fiscal year's budget and other key issues, Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama yesterday met with the heads of the Social Democratic Party 
(SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP), junior partners of the 
coalition government led by the Democratic Party of Japan. 
 
Hatoyama invited SDP head Mizuho Fukushima and PNP head Shizuka 
Kamei to a Japanese restaurant in Roppongi last night. It was the 
first time for the three party heads to have dinner together since 
the coalition government was launched in September. 
 
TOKYO 00002869  007 OF 015 
 
 
 
Over dinner the three party leaders agreed to confer on the 
relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, 
over which the SDP has demonstrated its own policy. In response to a 
call from the PNP, which succeeded in persuading the government to 
boost its additional economic stimulus package by 100 billion yen, 
they also decided to make use of special accounts to finance 
measures in the fiscal 2010 budget on a priority basis. 
 
In policy coordination, however, the SDP and the PNP have placed 
importance on DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa. Some take the view 
that the ruling parties wield a veto 
in policymaking. And ministers continue to make contradictory 
remarks in the cabinet. 
 
"Mr. Hirano is a dam," a senior ruling party official said. The 
official thinks that Hirano is responsible for causing the current 
chaotic situation. The chief cabinet secretary should be in charge 
of dealing with Diet affairs and coordinating policies with the 
ruling parties through discussion, but pending issues don't get past 
Hirano. Bearing this situation in mind, the official likened Hirano 
to a "dam." 
 
Hirano himself has also made contradictory remarks. He said on Dec. 
10 that it is impossible to fix the total amount of government bond 
issuance in the fiscal 2010 budget under the current situation. But 
without batting an eyelash he withdrew the remark the next day, 
saying: "The prime minister told me to give a numerical figure 
without fail." 
 
On how to secure financial resources for child care allowances, 
views differ among Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Akira 
Nagatsuma, Internal Affairs Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and State 
Minister for Declining Birthrate Fukushima. In a speech yesterday, 
Kamei also proposed setting an income ceiling for a child allowance. 
On the Futenma issue, concerned cabinet ministers also met with the 
prime minister yesterday. As seen from the case in which the 
government decided to resurrect additional benefits for single 
parents on welfare in response to a direct request by the welfare 
minister to the prime minister, cabinet ministers might begin to 
bring policy tasks to the prime minister in seeking his policy 
decisions. 
 
(8) U.S. President delivers Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, 
underscoring that war is necessary 
 
SHIMBUN AKAHATA (Page 7) (Abridged slightly) 
December 12, 2009 
 
The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony took place in the Oslo 
City Hall on the afternoon of Dec. 10 (evening of the same day, 
Japan time). U.S. President Obama formally received the prize, 
earning high marks for his pursuit of a world free of nuclear 
weapons. However, the President dedicated a great deal of time in 
his acceptance speech to the legitimization of war, taking the use 
of force in situations such as the Afghanistan war for granted. 
 
He also flaunted the U.S.'s military presence in the post-war 
period, saying, "The U.S. has been taking charge of global security 
for over 60 years" or "The U.S. resolve to defend the global 
security will never be undermined." 
 
 
TOKYO 00002869  008 OF 015 
 
 
The speech was full of paradoxes with the President, a Nobel Peace 
Prize winner, expounding on war while at the same time acknowledging 
that his nation is at war. 
 
With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan war in mind, President Obama 
as the Commander-in-Chief of a state that is engaged in two wars 
stressed, "There is evil in the world. The use of force is sometimes 
necessary." 
 
He also called on U.S. allies to work together, saying, "The U.S. 
cannot act on its own." Citing the existence of the North Atlantic 
Treaties Organization (NATO), he said, "Peace entails sacrifice. 
That is why NATO is needed." 
 
He also underscored the urgency of pursing the realization of a 
world free of nuclear weapons and addressing the promotion of 
nuclear non-proliferation. He said that the U.S. will lead the 
nuclear disarmament process. He also called on the international 
community to prevent countries like Iran and North Korea from 
deceiving the world. 
 
President Obama underscored the rationalization of war on the 
occasion of the Peace Prize award ceremony. Japan's atomic-bomb 
survivors lodged a strong protest, saying that it is utterly wrong 
to justify war while pinning high hopes on a world free of nuclear 
weapons. 
 
(9) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: Perception gap between Japanese, Americans 
on issues 
 
YOMIURI (Page 12) (Full) 
December 11, 2009 
 
A recent joint public opinion survey of the Japanese and American 
public, conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Gallup 
Organization, a U.S. pollster, posted no substantial change in the 
relationship of mutual trust, which is the foundation of the 
bilateral alliance between Japan and the United States. However, the 
Japan-U.S. relationship is now invisible under the Hatoyama 
government and is clearly at a serious crossroads. 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: Do you trust any of the following organizations and public 
entities in particular in your country? If any, pick as many as you 
like. 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Prime minister 48 --- 
Diet 34 --- 
Police, prosecutors 54 --- 
Courts 66 --- 
Self-Defense Forces 58 --- 
Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, churches 46 --- 
Central government offices 25 --- 
Local governments 46 --- 
Schools 53 --- 
Hospitals 68 --- 
Newspapers 66 --- 
Television 46 --- 
Major corporations 30 --- 
 
TOKYO 00002869  009 OF 015 
 
 
Labor unions 32 --- 
Other answers (O/A) 2 --- 
Nothing in particular (NIP) 5 --- 
No answer (N/A) 0 --- 
 
 Japan U.S. 
President --- 56 
Congress --- 37 
Police, prosecutors --- 74 
Courts --- 60 
Armed services --- 89 
Churches --- 76 
Federal government offices --- 42 
Local governments --- 57 
Schools --- 69 
Hospitals --- 80 
Newspapers --- 50 
Television --- 45 
Major corporations --- 31 
Labor unions --- 36 
O/A --- 10 
NIP --- 0 
N/A --- --- 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-U.S. relations are currently in good shape, or 
do you think Japan-U.S. relations are in bad shape? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very good 2 8 
Good 46 43 
Can't say which 21 34 
Bad 24 6 
Very bad 2 2 
N/A 4 6 
 
Q: What do you think is the problem now between Japan and the U.S.? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Relationship of trust between the two countries' leaders 10 9 
Response to trade, economic issues 18 27 
U.S. force realignment in Japan 31 5 
Response to North Korea 13 19 
Cooperation in the war on terror 8 12 
Response to global warming 17 14 
O/A 0 0 
NIP 1 2 
N/A 3 12 
 
Q: Do you trust the U.S.? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 7 --- 
Yes, somewhat 42 --- 
No, not very much 34 --- 
No, not at all 7 --- 
N/A 11 --- 
 
Q: Do you trust Japan? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much --- 14 
Yes, somewhat --- 52 
 
TOKYO 00002869  010 OF 015 
 
 
No, not very much --- 20 
No, not at all --- 11 
N/A --- 3 
 
Q: This September, Democratic Party of Japan President Hatoyama was 
elected prime minister. Do you think Japan-U.S. relations will 
improve, worsen, or remain unchanged under his government? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Improve greatly 1 3 
Improve 16 27 
Remain unchanged 63 42 
Worsen 15 8 
Worsen greatly 1 4 
N/A 4 14 
 
Q: If there is a country or area that you think will become a 
military threat to your country, pick as many as you like from among 
those listed below. 
 
 Japan U.S. 
U.S. 23 --- 
Japan --- 20 
South Korea 16 25 
China 64 56 
ASEAN 12 28 
EU 10 14 
Russia 40 42 
Taiwan 6 12 
North Korea 81 75 
India 14 12 
Middle East 33 81 
Oceania 5 5 
Africa 4 15 
Central and South America 8 20 
O/A 0 19 
NIP 6 3 
N/A 3 1 
(Note) ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations; EU = European 
Union; Oceania = Australia, New Zealand, etc. 
 
Q: Do you think the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty contributes to 
security in the Asia-Pacific region? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 25 13 
Yes, somewhat 50 57 
No, not very much 12 13 
No, not at all 2 5 
N/A 12 11 
 
Q: The Hatoyama government is seeking to review the current plan to 
relocate the U.S. military's Futenma airfield in Okinawa Prefecture. 
Do you think it would be better to review it substantially, make 
only minor changes, or not change it at all? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Review it substantially 33 12 
Make minor changes 35 28 
Not change it at all 22 39 
N/A 10 20 
 
 
TOKYO 00002869  011 OF 015 
 
 
Q: Do you support President Obama's advocacy of a world without 
nuclear weapons? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 92 46 
Yes to a certain degree 4 17 
No to a certain degree 1 7 
No 2 28 
N/A 1 2 
 
Q: The Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to President Obama for his 
efforts to abolish all nuclear weapons. Do you think he deserves to 
be awarded? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 47 35 
No 44 62 
N/A 10 3 
 
Q: Japan has sent Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to the Indian 
Ocean, where they are refueling multinational force ships. The 
Hatoyama government will end this refueling mission by next January 
when the law expires. Do you approve of ending the refueling 
activities? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 56 20 
No 32 71 
N/A 12 9 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) The 
Hatoyama government plans to end the refueling mission and switch to 
civilian assistance in Afghanistan, such as agricultural guidance 
and vocational training. Do you approve of this switchover to 
civilian aid, or would you approve of it depending on the local 
security situation? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 32 26 
Yes, depending on the local security situation 56 34 
No 9 39 
O/A 0 --- 
N/A 4 1 
 
Q: What do you think the Japanese and U.S. governments should work 
together to address on a priority basis among issues over North 
Korea? If any, pick as many as you like from among those listed. 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons 96 92 
Stop North Korea from developing and launching missiles 94 89 
Resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea 93 
76 
Normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea 51 --- 
Normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and North Korea --- 
74 
Extend economic cooperation to North Korea 28 30 
Change North Korea's political, economic systems 57 63 
O/A 0 5 
NIP 0 3 
N/A 1 --- 
 
 
TOKYO 00002869  012 OF 015 
 
 
Q: Do you think North Korea will abandon its nuclear weapons and 
nuclear development programs at the Six-Party Talks among Japan, the 
U.S., South Korea, China, Russia, and North Korea? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes 11 2 
Yes to a certain degree 9 8 
No to a certain degree 16 22 
No 55 65 
N/A 9 3 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-China relations are currently in good shape? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very good 1 --- 
Good 42 --- 
Can't say which 21 --- 
Bad 29 --- 
Very bad 2 --- 
N/A 5 --- 
 
Q: Do you think U.S.-China relations are currently in good shape? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Very good --- 3 
Good --- 31 
Can't say which --- 50 
Bad --- 11 
Very bad --- 2 
N/A --- 2 
 
Q: Do you trust China? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 2 3 
Yes, somewhat 18 39 
No, not very much 47 30 
No, not at all 26 26 
N/A 7 2 
 
Q: Do you think the U.S. or China will be more important to Japan on 
the political front in the future? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
U.S. 52 --- 
China 36 --- 
Both countries 6 --- 
N/A 6 --- 
 
Q: Do you think Japan or China will be more important to the U.S. on 
the political front in the future? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Japan --- 36 
China --- 57 
Both countries --- 1 
N/A --- 6 
 
Q: Do you think the U.S. or will be more important to Japan on the 
economic front in the future? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
 
TOKYO 00002869  013 OF 015 
 
 
U.S. 18 --- 
China 73 --- 
Both countries 3 --- 
N/A 6 --- 
 
Q: Do you think Japan or China will be more important to the U.S. on 
the economic front in the future? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Japan --- 25 
China --- 69 
Both countries --- 1 
N/A --- 6 
 
Q: Prime Minister Hatoyama has advocated building an East Asian 
Community to step up multilateral cooperation in economic and other 
areas centering on Japan, China, and South Korea. Do you approve of 
this initiative? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 30 12 
Yes, somewhat 46 58 
No, not very much 10 15 
No, not at all 5 11 
N/A 9 4 
 
Q: Concerning greenhouse gases that cause global warming, Japan has 
set a high goal to reduce 25 PERCENT  of its greenhouse gas 
emissions from 1990 levels by 2020. Do you approve of this goal? 
 
 Japan U.S. 
Yes, very much 40 25 
Yes, somewhat 36 47 
No, not very much 13 12 
No, not at all 8 13 
N/A 3 4 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted over the telephone on 
a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis both in Japan and 
in the U.S. 
 
Japan 
Date of survey: Nov. 20-23. 
Subjects of survey: Voting population aged 20 and over. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,024 persons. 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-47 PERCENT , female-53 PERCENT . 
 
U.S. 
Date of survey: Nov. 14-20. 
Subjects of survey: Voting population aged 18 and over. 
Number of valid respondents: 1,044 persons. 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-48 PERCENT , female-52 PERCENT . 
 
(10) Declining number of students going to U.S. to study; down by 
10,000 over 10 years 
 
ASAHI (Top play) (Full) 
Evening, December 11, 2009 
 
Mariko Nakamura, Kozue Hayama 
 
It used to be that studying abroad meant going to the U.S. to study. 
 
TOKYO 00002869  014 OF 015 
 
 
The number of Japanese students going to the U.S. to study peaked at 
47,000 in 1997 and has continued to decline. The number dropped to 
34,000 in 2007. While the main factor is that internationalization 
has led students to develop an interest in other countries, there is 
an increasing number of the so-called "herbivorous" (soshokukei, a 
term for timid people, especially males) students who are 
intimidated by the image of America as a "country full of vitality" 
and who prefer countries where they can go at their own pace. 
 
The U.S. College and University Fair is held in Tokyo every autumn. 
It is an annual event organized by an American educational 
institution and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. However, the response 
of Japanese students has been lukewarm. There were over 1,000 
participants in 2007, but last year, less than 700 people showed up. 
The one held this year in Akihabara attracted only 450 
participants. 
 
The U.S. Embassy is also alarmed by the drop in the number of 
students from Japan. An event called the "America Study Abroad Expo" 
was held at the Akasaka Sacas, a popular spot in Akasaka, Tokyo, 
last May, featuring not only speeches by people who studied in the 
U.S. and information on U.S. universities but also stalls selling 
American food and concerts of blues and rock music. 
 
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Education and other 
organizations, the number of Japanese students going abroad to study 
is actually on the rise, totaling about 80,000 in 2005, which is 1.3 
times the number 10 years ago. The U.S. appears to be losing its 
relative popularity. Looking at the figures by country, while 75 
percent of the students went to the U.S. in 1997, less than 50 
percent did so in 2005. In contrast, the number of students going to 
the Asian countries is increasing. In particular, nearly 19,000 
students went to China in 2005, which is more than twice the number 
10 years ago. 
 
However, many officials of organizations involved with study-abroad 
programs note that behind the decline in students going to America 
is the change in the students' "disposition." 
 
According to Naomi Tagashira, an adviser at the Information Center 
for International Education of the Japan Student Services 
Organization, many students who want to study abroad to learn 
English have the impression that there is "fierce competition" in 
the U.S. and choose Canada or Australia where they can "study at 
leisure in a relaxed way." There are also many cases where students 
purposely choose the Scandinavian countries and elsewhere where 
English is not the native language because "they are not confident 
that they can follow rapidly spoken English." Tagashira says that 
many of them ask during the preparatory stage if it is possible to 
communicate in Japanese with the foreign university or if the 
university has Japanese staff. 
 
In its fourth report, issued last May, the government's Meeting on 
Education Rebuilding points out that "young people may have become 
reluctant to plunge into the outside world." 
 
The Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo), which 
serves as the contact organization for studying in the U.S., is 
holding various events to remove the "hurdles." One program for 
students who lack confidence is the "Complete Survival Seminars for 
Studying in the U.S." The program consists of mock classes conducted 
in English. Participants also experience simulated situations of 
 
TOKYO 00002869  015 OF 015 
 
 
culture shock and stress. 
 
David Satterwhite, executive director of the Japan-U.S. Educational 
Commission, says: "When you think of the Japan-U.S. relationship, I 
am concerned about the damage over a span of 20 or 30 years. I would 
like to tell Japanese students to have confidence." 
 
ROOS