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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 000149 
 
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 01/22/10 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Governor Nakaima: No Futenma relocation site in Okinawa other 
than Henoko (Mainichi) 
 
(2) Okinawa governor indicates he will still support current 
relocation plan even if opponent to Futenma's relocation wins in 
Nago mayoral election (Sankei) 
 
(3) 50th anniversary of revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty: Japan, 
U.S. facing turning point (Mainichi) 
 
(4)"News Navigator" column: Nago mayoral election a vote on Futenma 
relocation (Mainichi) 
 
(5) 50-year-old Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Part 2): Asian Community 
concept a pipe dream (Nikkei) 
 
(6) Two days until Nago mayoral election: Former U.S. marine laments 
that U.S. military is treated like a nuisance (Asahi) 
 
(7) Election in Nago City to determine fate of U.S. military base 
(Asahi) 
 
(8) Nago mayoral election on the 24th: Lavish subsidies undermine 
self-reliance of local industries (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
(9) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Governor Nakaima: No Futenma relocation site in Okinawa other 
than Henoko 
 
MAINICHI ONLINE (Full) 
13:00, January 22, 2010 
 
Teruhisa Mimori 
 
At a news conference on Jan. 22, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima 
discussed the alternative proposals in the government and the ruling 
parties for the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station, 
such as moving the Futenma base to Iejima (in Ie Village) or 
Shimojishima (in Miyakojima City) or integrating it with Kadena Air 
Base. He said: "By common sense, it will not be possible (for the 
Futenma base to be relocated) to such locations." He thus indicated 
for the first time that other than the coastal area of Camp Schwab 
(in Henoko, Nago City), Futenma's relocation within Okinawa is not 
possible. 
 
The Okinawa base issues examination committee of the government and 
the ruling parties is considering the relocation site for the 
Futenma base. The local communities in Iejima and Shimojishima are 
both opposed to the relocation. It is believed that the governor 
respected the opinion in the local communities. However, Nakaima 
also said: "I can't say for sure until I am briefed by the 
committee. I cannot possibly just ignore the proposals studied by 
the government and the ruling parties," thus indicating that he is 
willing to consider proposals from the committee. 
 
(2) Okinawa governor indicates he will still support current 
relocation plan even if opponent to Futenma's relocation wins in 
 
TOKYO 00000149  002 OF 013 
 
 
Nago mayoral election 
 
SANKEI ONLINE (Full) 
14:02, January 22, 2010 
 
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima indicated on Jan. 22 that even if 
the candidate opposed to the current plan to relocate the U.S. 
forces' Futenma Air Station to Henoko in Nago City wins in the Nago 
mayoral election, where Futenma's relocation is at issue, he will 
possibly maintain his position of "accepting the existing relocation 
plan with reluctance." 
 
The governor has regarded Nago City's approval of the relocation 
plan as one reason why he accepts it. He emphasized that even if the 
opposing candidate wins, "I don't think all the preconditions (for 
Henoko relocation) will cease to exist." He said that "Henoko has 
been considered since the Hashimoto administration, and the 
environmental impact assessment is almost complete," pointing out 
that early implementation of Futenma's relocation is highly 
feasible. 
 
An independent neophyte candidate who is opposed to the current 
relocation plan, former Education Board Chairman Susumu Inamine, 64, 
is engaged in a close contest with the incumbent mayor, Yoshikazu 
Shimabukuro, 63, who tolerates Futenma's relocation, in this mayoral 
election. 
 
(3) 50th anniversary of revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty: Japan, 
U.S. facing turning point 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
January 19, 2010 
 
Takashi Sudo 
 
Today marks 50 years since the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty 
was signed on Jan. 19, 1960. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told the 
press corps yesterday evening at the Prime Minister's Official 
Residence (Kantei): "Unless the Futenma issue is resolved, we won't 
be able to move forward with the Japan-U.S. security arrangements in 
a trust-based manner. Solving the issue by May will be an initial 
test and we will then move forward in that direction," indicating 
that the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) holds the key to deepening the 
bilateral alliance. 
 
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the revised security treaty, 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and President Barack Obama are 
expected to release separate statements today stressing their 
efforts toward deepening the bilateral alliance. The foreign and 
defense ministers of the two countries will also release a joint 
statement in their names. 
 
The revision of the security treaty, which sparked tremendous 
controversy, has been recognized as the foundation of the bilateral 
alliance. As symbolized by the Futenma issue, however, the bilateral 
alliance relationship is now facing a turning point. 
 
At an annual convention on Jan. 16 of the Democratic Party of Japan 
(DPJ), Hatoyama said that the Futenma issue will be an initial test 
for deepening the bilateral alliance relationship. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000149  003 OF 013 
 
 
However, one of the reasons for the deadlock in the Futenma issue is 
a gap in the perceptions of Tokyo and Washington on the balance 
between the mutual benefits and burdens of the alliance. 
 
There is also a discrepancy between the nuclear policies of the two 
countries. The Washington Times (electronic edition), a conservative 
U.S. newspaper, reported on Jan. 7 that the U.S. Nuclear Posture 
Review (NPR), which describes the U.S.'s basic nuclear policy, has 
been delayed by one month until March 1, and that a study on 
declaring "no first use" of nuclear weapons is the reason for the 
delay. It is believed that the "no first use" of nuclear weapons is 
the first step to reducing nuclear weapons, and it seems that 
President Obama's idea of creating a world without nuclear weapons 
is having an influence on the NPR. 
 
Meanwhile, nuclear deterrence is also an important topic in the NPR. 
Obama stressed in his speech in Tokyo last November that the United 
States would maintain a nuclear deterrent that guarantees the 
defense of its allies, including Japan. How will a world free of 
nuclear weapons and the nuclear umbrella fit together? 
 
The Foreign Ministry has put off issuing a report on its 
investigations into a secret nuclear pact until late February. If 
the ministry admits to the existence of the secret deal, which has 
supported the nuclear umbrella, Japan will then be faced with the 
issue of how to deal with the nuclear umbrella. 
 
(4)"News Navigator" column: Nago mayoral election a vote on Futenma 
relocation 
 
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) 
January 22, 2010 
 
Nakae Ueno, Shinichiro Nishida, Yoshichika Imoto 
 
It is now two days until the Jan. 24 mayor election in Nago City, 
Okinawa. This contest between the incumbent mayor, who accepts the 
relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, 
Okinawa) to Henoko in Nago City under certain conditions, and the 
neophyte candidate advocating Futenma's relocation out of Okinawa is 
likely to have a significant influence on the decision of Prime 
Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Futenma's relocation site, which he will 
make by May. 
 
In the early evening of Jan. 19, Yasuhide Miyagi, 54, chairman of 
the "association for the promotion of the replacement facility" 
stated in a relaxed mood at the association's office in Henoko, 
which is the relocation site under the current relocation plan: "We 
have no choice but to live with the bases. I think in Henoko, the 
ratio is 7 to 3 in favor of accepting the relocation." Green banners 
with the name of the incumbent mayor, Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, 63, 
fluttered outside the office. 
 
The association has cooperated with the acceptance of Futenma's 
relocation since the previous Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-New 
Komeito administration. "We are not inviting (the replacement 
facility) wholeheartedly. If we take a cooperative approach toward 
the government and set our conditions, there will be some gains for 
the local community." This group hopes for economic development 
measures in return for accepting the relocation and wants to 
establish a foothold for self-reliance with the spinoffs. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000149  004 OF 013 
 
 
The Henoko district is approximately 9 kilometers southeast of the 
city center. It has a population of 2,000. During the Vietnam War, 
there were more than 100 eating and drinking places in this area 
catering to U.S. soldiers from nearby Camp Schwab. However, only a 
handful of them are still in business today. The paint on the shop 
signs in English and on the wall has worn off and the whole place 
feels listless. 
 
On the morning of Jan. 21, Shimabukuro said in his speech in the 
city center: "Government requires continuity." He did not touch on 
the Futenma relocation issue at all and consistently emphasized his 
achievements in terms of economic development measures. He also told 
reporters that "the economic development measures for northern 
Okinawa have been moving forward considerably." Since 1997, when the 
proposal to relocate the Futenma base to Henoko came up, some 45 
billion yen has been spent on Nago as of FY09 as economic measures 
for northern Okinawa. However, the per capita income in the city 
remains below the average in Okinawa, never mind the national 
average in Japan. 
 
Ikuo Nishikawa, 65, owner of a hardware store who supports the 
neophyte candidate Susumu Inamine, 64, who opposes the relocation, 
said hopefully: "The citizens in this city have begun to realize 
that the economic development measures do not help regional 
development." Nishikawa has been a leader of the opponents to 
relocation since 1997, and he was feeling fed up with the movement 
and ready to give up on it after experiencing strife and conflict 
with close friends and relatives every time there was an election. 
 
But the sudden arrival of the Hatoyama administration has presented 
a "last chance." Nishikawa worked hard for Inamine to visit Henoko, 
and on the afternoon of Jan. 17, Inamine gave a speech in Henoko, 
calling for "reconciling the outcome of this election with the 
popular will expressed 13 years ago and restoring a peaceful and 
quiet Henoko." The "popular will of 13 years ago" refers to the 
referendum in December 1997 where a majority voted against the 
construction of an offshore heliport. Nishikawa said: "The citizens 
should express their honest feelings just like in 1997." 
 
However, despite their taking different sides in the mayoral 
election, Miyagi and Nishikawa both believe that "in the end, the 
relocation site will probably still be Henoko." This is because the 
government is reconsidering the relocation site from scratch, 
meaning Henoko remains one of the options, while relocation out of 
Okinawa or out of Japan remains unfeasible. Miyagi said: "Whatever 
the outcome of the election, the Futenma issue will drag on." 
 
When asked how the outcome of the Nago mayoral election will affect 
his decision at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on 
Jan. 21, Prime Minister Hatoyama said: "Ultimately, the national 
government will have to take the responsibility. The government will 
be responsible for reaching a conclusion from scratch." 
 
This is the fifth time that the popular will of the Nago citizens is 
being sought on Futenma's relocation. The first time was in December 
1997, when a referendum was held on the construction of an offshore 
heliport. A majority voted no. The next three times were during 
mayoral elections. All three elections were won by candidates who 
accepted Futenma's relocation to Henoko. 
 
If Inamine, who advocates relocation out of Okinawa and who has the 
endorsement of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Japanese 
 
TOKYO 00000149  005 OF 013 
 
 
Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New 
Party, wins, this will be the first time for an opponent to Futenma 
relocation to be elected as mayor. 
 
In contrast to Inamine's unequivocal opposition to Futenma's 
relocation, Shimabukuro, who has the support of the LDP and New 
Komeito, never mentions his longstanding position of conditional 
acceptance of the relocation and keeps stressing his "achievements." 
While the election campaign is heating up in Nago, the ruling and 
opposition parties in Tokyo have not been observed to be campaigning 
actively. 
 
Ministers of the Hatoyama cabinet and senior party officials have 
not come to campaign for Inamine. This is because while the DPJ 
Okinawa chapter has come out clearly against relocation to Henoko, 
the government has not eliminated Henoko as an option. The local 
chapter is facing the dilemma that "full-fledged campaigning may 
eliminate Henoko as an option." 
 
Although Shimabukuro obtained the "endorsement" of the LDP and New 
Komeito in the last election, he is getting only their "support" 
this time. With rising expectations among the Okinawans for 
relocation out of the prefecture, it is difficult to campaign on the 
LDP and New Komeito's platform of accepting the relocation openly. 
Behind the LDP and New Komeito's offering only "support" to 
Shimabukuro is the fact that the Okinawa chapters of these two 
parties have shifted their policy to demanding relocation out of 
Okinawa, based on the calculation that (supporting Henoko 
relocation) would not benefit them. 
 
Since Hatoyama has stated repeatedly that he will "respect the 
popular will of Okinawa," he will not be able to ignore the outcome 
of the Nago election. On the other hand, if he makes the outcome the 
basis of his decision on Futenma's relocation, he will be criticized 
for "irresponsibility." The Prime Minister will face a tough 
decision regardless of who wins in this election. 
 
(5) 50-year-old Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Part 2): Asian Community 
concept a pipe dream 
 
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) 
January 22, 2010 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Jan. 6 ordered State Minister for 
Government Revitalization Yoshito Sengoku to concurrently serve as 
state minister for national policy. Hatoyama also instructed Sengoku 
to draw a picture of the East Asian Community concept. Earlier, late 
last year, Hatoyama had also ordered administrative officials to 
come up with specific measures for the concept. 
 
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of the 
Korean Peninsula. In 1995, then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama 
released a statement expressing his feelings of remorse and an 
apology for Japan's past actions. According to a source versed in 
Japan-Korea relations, Prime Minister Hatoyama is considering 
issuing a new statement in August. Hatoyama is apparently planning 
to resolve the history issue to pave the way for the East Asian 
Community concept. 
 
There are already such frameworks as the East Asia Summit and the 
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Why is Hatoyama so 
obsessed with the East Asian Community concept? 
 
TOKYO 00000149  006 OF 013 
 
 
 
"Creating a new economic bloc is not the Prime Minister's goal," a 
Hatoyama aide said. "His goal is to turn Asia into a no-war zone, 
with the East Asia Community concept as a beginning." 
 
It is clear Hatoyama wants to build a multilateral security 
organization in Asia. Although he has sealed away his pet theory of 
a Japan-U.S. security alliance without the regular stationing of 
U.S. forces in Japan, he has not relinquished it. Hatoyama probably 
thinks that the establishment of a multilateral security system in 
Asia will help reduce Japan's dependence on U.S. forces in Japan. 
 
As if to coincide with that, the Hatoyama administration has 
accelerated what can be described as a multilateral foreign policy. 
For instance, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada made his international 
debut at the Japan-U.S.-Australia foreign ministers' meeting last 
September. Administrative-level talks are still continuing. The 
first-ever Japan-U.S.-Russia government-private security dialogue 
will also begin this spring. 
 
If such multilateral cooperation deepens, will it be able to take 
over the role of the Japan-U.S. alliance? Such a framework will 
probably help reduce tensions among member countries, but it could 
spark a leadership struggle at the same time. 
 
"Japan is advocating an East Asian Community, but China has no 
intention of joining it if it does not include the United States, so 
don't worry," a senior Chinese official said to U.S. Assistant 
Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. The Chinese official was visiting 
Washington after Premier Wen Jiabao expressed understanding for the 
East Asian Community concept during his talks with Hatoyama last 
October. Campbell later informed Tokyo of Beijing's intention to 
drive a wedge between Japan and the United States. Campbell also 
asked Japan, "China is taking advantage of the East Asian Community 
concept. Aren't you going to do something about it?" 
 
In the early 20th century, Japan managed to win the war with Russia 
by forming an alliance with Britain, a major power at the time. But 
the alliance ended after only about 20 years. This was followed by 
the establishment of security arrangements among, Japan, Britain, 
the United States, and France. Before long Japan became isolated and 
marched toward war. 
 
Given the war in Afghanistan and the long economic slump, the United 
States, too, wants to build a multilateral-security system in Asia 
to lessen its obligations to its allies. 
 
Japan has a bitter experience. In 2008, toward the end of the Bush 
administration, then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice proposed 
upgrading the Six-Party talks (on North Korea) to a 
foreign-minister-level forum and declaring the establishment of a 
Northeast Asia security framework. 
 
The Fukuda administration objected, saying that measures for 
security in Asia must be centered on the Japan-U.S. alliance. Rice 
then promised to keep the alliance intact, but the concept 
consequently fizzled out. 
 
The United States and European countries were able to strengthen the 
unity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the 
Cold War because they had a common hypothetical enemy: the Soviet 
Union. Can such a phenomenon occur in Asia? The theory of replacing 
 
TOKYO 00000149  007 OF 013 
 
 
the Japan-U.S. alliance with a multilateral security system has 
dangerous pitfalls. 
 
(6) Two days until Nago mayoral election: Former U.S. marine laments 
that U.S. military is treated like a nuisance 
 
ASAHI (Page 34) (Full) 
January 22, 2010 
 
Tetsuya Kumagai 
 
In the Henoko district, Nago City, few people pass through the town 
where about 2,000 people live. In the office of the council to 
promote the relocation of the Futenma air base, senior council 
members were holding a secret meeting on the afternoon of Jan. 21. 
They have been absorbed in analyzing the situation. There were only 
two old women in the office of a candidate running for the Jan. 24 
mayoral election. The candidate is opposed to the existing plan to 
relocate the Futenma base to Henoko. Only TV crews and reporters 
were passing through the area. In the town, no candidates have taken 
to the streets to campaign for the election after Jan. 17 when the 
official campaign for the election kicked off. 
 
Samuel Epperson, a former U.S. marine, 64, lives in this town, which 
has an ocean view. The residents call him Sam-san. He said, "It's 
unfortunate that the city is divided in two groups over the base 
issue." Although he has not been able to get out and about recently 
due to poor health, he has obtained information about the mayoral 
election and Futenma issue on English websites. 
 
He was assigned to Camp Schwab, which is adjacent to the town where 
he eventually settled down, and he married Katsuko, 64, who was a 
Japanese waitress at the cafeteria at the camp. The couple has been 
living in the Henoko district for about 30 years. He witnessed a 
referendum conducted in 1997 to put the relocation issue to a vote, 
and three mayoral elections. He said that he felt sad to see the 
U.S. military being treated like a nuisance. 
 
Around the middle of the 1980s, he worked at the Futenma base for 
about 18 months. The environment surrounding the Futenma base made 
pilots nervous. He thought that Futenma was dangerous, and it was 
difficult to carry out training under such a situation. 
 
He was once rushed to join troops to rescue Philippines President 
Marcos. During the Vietnam War, Okinawa was a relay point from the 
mainland. He thinks U.S. bases in Okinawa are necessary, but he 
said, "There are too many bases in Okinawa." 
 
After retiring from the service in 1990, he has taught English to 
the Nago residents and participated in almost all of the social 
events in the community. The local people now invite him to their 
golf competitions. Regardless of the results of the mayoral 
election, he thinks the choice of the residents should be respected. 
He has permanent resident status, but does not have the right to 
vote. Asked to which candidate he would vote for if he had the right 
to vote, he said, "I know both of the candidates very well. They are 
both gentlemen," making a gesture of tossing a coin. 
 
(7) Election in Nago City to determine fate of U.S. military base 
 
ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) 
January 18, 2010 
 
TOKYO 00000149  008 OF 013 
 
 
 
Should the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma airfield in Ginowan City, 
Okinawa Prefecture, be relocated to Henoko, Nago City as agreed upon 
between Japan and the U.S. four years ago? The Nago mayoral 
election, officially announced on Jan. 17, has turned out to be a 
one-on-one fight between a rookie candidate Susumu Inamine, who 
opposes the relocation of the Futenma facilities to Henoko, and the 
incumbent Yoshikazu Shimabukuro, who is in favor of accepting it. 
Nago residents are not necessarily interested in the base issue. 
Even so, the results of the election on the 24th will have a 
considerable impact on Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's decision. 
 
Visiting Henoko, which has been designated as the relocation site, 
Inamine told an audience of about 20: "Why don't we settle the 
relocation issue by matching the public opinion of 13 years ago with 
the results of this election. The sea of Henoko does not need a new 
military base." 
 
Inamine is characterizing the mayoral election this time as an 
occasion to once again demonstrate public opinion opposing the 
relocation of the military base, which won a majority in the 
referendum in 1997, and to put an end to the relocation issue. 
 
Shimabukuro, in the meantime, appealed to about 300 supporters in 
Sukuta, Nago City, his hometown, located on the western coast of the 
mainland of Okinawa opposite Henoko: "The national government, 
including the prime minister, remains indecisive. However, the 
people of Nago are not wavering." Shimabukuro as the incumbent mayor 
announced his acceptance of the Japan-U.S. agreement to relocate the 
Futenma facilities to Henoko, reached in May 2006. 
 
Inamine and Shimabukuro are diametrically opposed over the Futenma 
issue. However, the mayoral election does not present a simple 
pattern of pro-military base residents vs. anti-military base 
residents. 
 
As the city's general affairs department manager and controller, 
Inamine worked under three mayors in the past who announced their 
acceptance of the Futenma facilities. He underscored: "(My 
determination to oppose the relocation of the Futenma airfield to 
Henoko) will not change. I will stand firm in my belief." However, 
some people still have their doubts about Inamine. A former 
construction company operator in the city took the view, "He might 
eventually accept the Futenma facilities with some conditions, 
finding it impossible to continue to oppose the relocation when the 
government determines that there is no other construction site than 
Henoko." 
 
Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member Yoshikazu Tamagusuku, a senior 
member of Inamine's campaign headquarters on the 17th stressed 
Inamine's connection with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the 
party in power, saying, "Japan's politics has changed. Susumu 
Inamine is the one who can work together with the central 
government." However, the DPJ headquarters did not respond to a 
request by local people to send in a speaker to support Inamine. A 
senior member of the DPJ Okinawa Chapter said, "Some at the DPJ 
headquarters hope Mr. Shimabukuro will win, expecting a decision to 
relocate the Futenma facilities to Henoko to be made. These people 
cannot possibly come to Okinawa to support (Mr. Inamine)." 
 
In the meantime, senior members of Shimabukuro's campaign 
headquarters, who made street-corner campaign speeches on Jan. 17, 
 
TOKYO 00000149  009 OF 013 
 
 
declared, "The Futenma issue has been settled in the past three 
elections" and, "Futenma is not a point at issue. Don't be 
beguiled." 
 
The Shimabukuro camp does not want the Futenma issue, over which 
public opinion is split, to be brought to the forefront. It is also 
frantic about eliminating any party affiliation, which tends to be 
linked to the Futenma issue. It received an endorsement from the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito in the previous 
election. However, it turned down the offer this time. 
 
There is still a deep-rooted view mainly among construction 
companies and commercial or industrial sectors that the construction 
of a U.S. military base or economic development projects is the only 
way for the neighborhood to revitalize itself. 
 
Prime minister to take feelings of Nago residents into 
consideration 
 
The prime minister on the 17th told the press corps in Kobe City, 
"It's possible that the decision (on the Futenma relocation issue) 
will be determined by which candidate is elected." He also said on 
the 15th, "I would like to make efforts to reach a decision 
promptly, while taking the feelings of the residents of Nago into 
consideration." 
 
Some have cast doubts on the prime minister's stance, noting that 
the state's security policy should not be delegated to a decision by 
locals. Senior Vice Foreign Minister Tetsuro Fukuyama said, "It is 
questionable whether it is appropriate for the government to leave 
the Futenma relocation issue to the Nago mayoral election to work 
out." A senior official at the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) said 
cool-headedly, "To begin with, the Nago mayor has no authority (to 
decide on the relocation issue)." 
 
If Inamine, who opposes the relocation, wins the election, the path 
to the relocation of Futenma facilities to Henoko will become 
completely blocked. The U.S. is consistently seeking the early 
relocation of the Futenma airfield to Henoko. It would be difficult 
to reach a consensus with the U.S. on a relocation site other than 
Henoko. 
 
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), which is seeking relocation of 
the Futenma facilities outside the prefecture or the nation, is 
bound to gain momentum. Leader Mizuho Fukushima, state minister for 
consumer affairs and declining birthrate, on the 17th told reporters 
in Tokyo: "What decision will residents of Nago reach on the issue 
of building a new military base in Henoko? The SDP cannot afford to 
lose this election." 
 
In the meantime, if the incumbent Shimabukuro, who approves the 
relocation of the Futenma facilities to Henoko, wins the election, 
there would still be a slight possibility of relocating the 
facilities to Henoko. A certain state minister said, "(If Mr. 
Shimabukuro wins, the government's options will increase." 
 
However, the people of Okinawa have a harsh view of the Hatoyama 
cabinet, which continues to waver on the relocation issue. Some 
Defense Ministry officials take the view that the possibility of 
Henoko disappeared at the end of last year. They believe that it 
will be impossible to go back to the existing plan no matter which 
candidate wins the election. 
 
TOKYO 00000149  010 OF 013 
 
 
 
(8) Nago mayoral election on the 24th: Lavish subsidies undermine 
self-reliance of local industries 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Abridged slightly) 
January 22, 2010 
 
The Nago mayoral election will take place on Jan. 24 with the 
propriety of accepting the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma airfield 
(Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) functions as a campaign issue. It 
has been 13 years since Nago City was picked by the Special Actions 
Committee on Okinawa (SACO) as a relocation site for the Futenma 
airfield. Nearly 50 billion yen has been provided from state coffers 
as a measure to develop the city in reward for its hosting the 
military base during this period. What have massive amounts of 
public investment brought about in the city? 
 
Foundation work for the Machinaka municipal housing project, an 
eight-story building (56 households), is underway in the Ohigashi 
area in the downtown area. At the construction site there is a 
standing signboard protesting construction of the municipal 
apartment building. Residents protested to the city because the 
constructions work began without advance notice. Construction work 
was then suspended for a year until last fall. 
 
An official of the construction department of the city explained: 
"It is true we were slow in giving an explanation of the 
construction work. However, there were no prospects for constructing 
a municipal apartment building unless we took advantage of the 
state's northern area development promotion." The Defense Ministry 
will shoulder 90 percent of the project expense of 1.314 billion 
yen. 
 
There are many vacant apartments in the neighborhood. A housewife 
living in the area said: "I wonder why the city is squeezing private 
landlords. I am still opposed to construction of the municipal 
housing." Ward Mayor Higa said: "We cannot stop the work, even if we 
oppose it. The municipality has pledged to build a new city hall as 
compensation." The construction of the city hall will also be 
subsidized by the government. 
 
The Nago City Sports Rehabilitation Center was opened last May in a 
suburb of the city. The center is equipped with a sports facility 
and orthopedic surgery and internal medicine clinic. The Defense 
Ministry again shouldered 90 percent of the total construction cost 
of 1.8 billion yen. 
 
Users of the facility until November last year stood at 138 a day, 
which is far below the goal of 500, the minimum to turn a profit. 
Assembly member Nakamura, who pursued this issue during the 
municipal assembly, said: "The state paid the construction cost. 
However, it is Nago City that maintains and administers the 
facility. A short-sighted stance toward public works will 
inconvenience citizens." 
 
Public works are not the only area in which the state generously 
treats Nago. It is the only city in the nation that was designated 
as a special financial and information area, where companies that 
set up offices at the city's invitation can receive preferential tax 
treatment. Sixteen IT-related companies opened offices in the 
Multimedia Hall on the east coast, which hired 535 personnel. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000149  011 OF 013 
 
 
An official of the Special Financial and Information Area Promotion 
Office of the city said that the project had created jobs. However, 
most locally employed personnel are contract workers. 
 
If the relocation of the Futenma facilities to Camp Schwab is 
realized according to the Japan-U.S. agreement, the northern part of 
the east coast called the Futami No. 10 District would be under the 
flight path of helicopters. In response to a complaint that the city 
would be subjecting residents to noise, it consecutively built a 
fire station, a clinic, and a town hall. 
 
The city is saturated with public works. In the meantime, ten 
construction companies went belly up over the past five years. The 
vacancy rate of stores reached 23 percent, double the figure in 
¶1999. Nago City once ranked second in the prefecture in agricultural 
production. However, its yield dropped by half, from 9 billion yen 
to 5 billion yen, during the past 20 years. 
 
A woman who runs a restaurant said, "Money comes from the state, so 
nobody is trying to be resourceful." 
 
(9) Poll on Hatoyama cabinet, political parties 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
January 19, 2010 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures are percentages. Parentheses denote the results of the last 
survey conducted Jan. 10-11.) 
 
Q: Do you support the Hatoyama cabinet? 
 
Yes 41.5 (50.8) 
No 44.1 (33.2) 
Don't know (D/K) + no answer (N/A) 14.4 (16.0) 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the previous question) What 
is the primary reason for your approval of the Hatoyama cabinet? 
Pick only one from among those listed below. 
 
The prime minister is trustworthy 7.8 (6.5) 
Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Democratic Party of Japan, 
Social Democratic Party, and People's New Party 11.1 (11.7) 
The prime minister has leadership ability 1.1 (0.5) 
Something can be expected of its economic policies 10.3 (10.8) 
Something can be expected of its foreign policy 0.6 (0.8) 
Something can be expected of its political reforms 26.6 (24.6) 
Something can be expected of its tax reforms 4.0 (3.5) 
Something can be expected of its administrative reforms 12.6 (13.9) 
There's no other appropriate person (for prime minister) 24.5 
(25.5) 
Other answers (O/A) 0.2 (0.0) 
D/K+N/A 1.2 (2.2) 
 
 
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the first question) What is 
the primary reason for your disapproval of the Hatoyama cabinet? 
Pick only one from among those listed below. 
 
The prime minister is untrustworthy 16.7 (14.1) 
Because it's a coalition cabinet of the Democratic Party of Japan, 
Social Democratic Party, and People's New Party 10.5 (11.3) 
 
TOKYO 00000149  012 OF 013 
 
 
The prime minister lacks leadership ability 29.0 (22.1) 
Nothing can be expected of its economic policies 21.2 (28.0) 
Nothing can be expected of its foreign policy 3.5 (5.1) 
Nothing can be expected of its political reforms 6.8 (6.8) 
Nothing can be expected of its tax reforms 3.6 (4.7) 
Nothing can be expected of its administrative reforms 3.1 (1.7) 
Don't like the prime minister's personal character 3.6 (3.3) 
O/A 1.1 (1.4) 
D/K+N/A 0.9 (1.5) 
 
Q: Which political party do you support? 
 
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 32.1 (38.7) 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Jiminto) 22.7 (17.3) 
New Komeito (NK) 4.5 (3.4) 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3.6 (2.9) 
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 1.7 (3.0) 
Your Party (YP or Minna no To) 2.1 (2.7) 
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.5 (0.1) 
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) --- (---) 
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0.3 (0.4) 
Other political parties, groups 0.1 (0.1) 
None 31.7 (30.6) 
D/K+N/A 0.7 (0.8) 
 
Q: In connection with the purchase of land by DPJ Secretary General 
Ichiro Ozawa's fund-managing body, Tomohiro Ishikawa, who was a 
secretary of Mr. Ozawa and is now a DPJ lawmaker seated in the House 
of Representatives, and two other former secretaries, have been 
arrested. Mr. Ozawa criticized the prosecutors and asserted that 
there was nothing illicit about the money used for the land 
purchase, claiming that there was a mistake in the formalities and 
that their arrests are unacceptable. Do you approve of this 
explanation from Mr. Ozawa? 
 
Yes 6.3 
No 86.0 
D/K+N/A 7.7 
 
Q: Mr. Ozawa has said he will stay on as DPJ secretary general. What 
do you think? 
 
He should stay on as DPJ secretary general 20.3 
He should quit his party post 39.5 
He should quit the Diet 33.8 
D/K+N/A 6.4 
 
Q: The LDP and other opposition parties say the Diet should summon 
Mr. Ozawa as an unsworn witness for interpellations over this issue. 
Do you think the ruling parties, including the DPJ, should accept 
his Diet summons? 
 
Yes 80.7 
No 13.3 
D/K+N/A 6.0 
 
Q: A former secretary of Prime Minister Hatoyama has been indicted 
without arrest for his fund-managing body's falsification of reports 
on political donations. In this case as well, the opposition bench 
insists that the Diet should summon those involved as unsworn 
witnesses. Do you think the ruling coalition should accept their 
Diet summons? 
 
TOKYO 00000149  013 OF 013 
 
 
 
Yes 69.6 
No 23.8 
D/K+N/A 6.6 
 
Q: Do you think the politics-and-money problems of DPJ Secretary 
General Ozawa and Prime Minister Hatoyama will affect this summer's 
election for the House of Councillors? 
 
Yes 43.3 
Yes to a certain extent 46.2 
Not very much 5.6 
No 1.7 
D/K+N/A 3.2 
 
Q: There will be an election this summer for the House of 
Councillors. Which political party are you going to vote for in your 
proportional representation bloc? 
 
DPJ 28.4 
LDP 24.7 
NK 4.0 
JCP 4.3 
SDP 1.9 
YP 3.9 
PNP 0.4 
RC --- 
NPN 0.3 
Other political parties, groups --- 
D/N+N/A 32.1 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted across the nation on 
Jan. 17-18 by Kyodo News Service on a computer-aided random digit 
dialing (RDD) basis. Among randomly generated telephone numbers, 
those actually for household use with one or more eligible voters 
totaled 1,471. Answers were obtained from 1,026 persons. 
 
ZUMWALT