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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 000015 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT:  JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01/05/10 
 
INDEX: 
 
1) Top headlines 
2) Editorials 
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) 
 
Futenma relocation: 
4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano to visit Okinawa  (Nikkei) 
5) DPJ"s Yamaoka hints Futenma decision could come after May 
(Nikkei) 
6) Ishiba to visit Washington  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
7) Communist Party head Shii raps postponement of Futenma decision 
(Asahi) 
 
Foreign relations: 
8) Hatoyama says it's not yet the right time to visit North Korea 
(Nikkei) 
9) Japan, Turkey to cooperate in provision of aid to Afghanistan 
(Asahi) 
10) Imai named Taiwan representative; exchange association announced 
 (Mainichi) 
 
Secret accords: 
11) MOFA internal investigation fails to uncover more documents 
relating to secret Japan-U.S. accords  (Nikkei) 
 
Economy: 
12) JAL chooses Delta as partner with the aim of long-term growth 
(Yomiuri) 
13) New Tourism Minister sets goal of 10 million foreign visitors 
during his two-year term  (Nikkei) 
 
Politics: 
14) Regular Diet session to convene on Jan. 18; July 11 likely date 
for Upper House election  (Sankei) 
15) Tanigaki demands cabinet resign en masse  (Asahi) 
16) Hatoyama eager to thoroughly establish political leadership 
(Yomiuri) 
17) Police to begin questioning of major contractors about land 
purchase by Ozawa's fund management group  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
 
Defense & security: 
18) Police to build a case against service member involved in 
hit-and-run incident resulting in death  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
19) Yomitan residents demand SOFA revisions  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
20) Govt. examining donation of patrol boat to Yemen  (Yomiuri) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) TOP HEADLINES 
TOP HEADLINES 
 
Asahi: 
National health insurance association receives undisclosed state 
subsidies totaling 22.9 billion yen 
 
Mainichi: 
42 prefectures have no stockpiles of protective masks for asbestos 
 
Yomiuri: 
Government eyeing restrictions on parental rights to prevent child 
abuse 
 
TOKYO 00000015  002 OF 009 
 
 
 
Nikkei: 
Honda to use local steel for car production in India 
 
Sankei: 
Hatoyama's first speech of the year: Passing budgets top priority 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
Prosecutors to question concerned general contractors' executives 
over donation scandal involving Ozawa 
 
Akahata: 
In first party convention of year, Chairman Shii emphasizes need for 
JCP to make large gains in Upper House election 
 
2) EDITORIALS 
 
Asahi: 
(1) Rebuild system of political leadership 
(2) Add more substance to new growth strategy 
 
Mainichi: 
(1) 2010 as year of reconstruction - economy: Don't be defeated by 
mental deflation 
 
Yomiuri: 
(1) Global economy still facing challenges 
 
Nikkei: 
(1) Promote pension reform, with inauguration of new body as 
momentum 
(2) Security situation in Yemen deteriorating further 
 
Sankei: 
(1) Hatoyama's New Year's press conference: Demonstrate leadership 
(2) New pension body: Restore confidence with customer-friendly 
services 
 
Tokyo Shimbun: 
(1) Is dawn approaching for Japan? 
 
Akahata: 
(1) Japanese economy in 2010: Let's pave the way for sound 
development 
 
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) 
 
Prime Minister's schedule, January 4 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
09:02 Delivered New Year message at DPJ headquarters on first day of 
work; met Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, Diet Affairs Committee 
Chairman Kenji Yamaoka, DPJ Secretary General in the Upper House 
Yoshimitsu Takashima, and Administration Committee Chairman Tenzo 
Okumura 
10:00 Held New Year news conference at Prime Minister's Official 
Residence; met National Strategy Minister Naoto Kan, Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koji 
Matsui; joined by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno 
11:10 Left JR Tokyo Station on Nozomi-23 train, accompanied by State 
 
TOKYO 00000015  003 OF 009 
 
 
Minister for Abduction Issue Hiroshi Nakai, Administration Reform 
Minister Yoshito Sengoku, and Prime Minister's assistants Yoshikatsu 
Nakayama and Katsuya Ogawa 
12:51 Arrived at JR Nagoya Station; met by Nagoya Mayor Takashi 
Kawamura and JR Tokai Chairman Noriyuki Kasai 
12:57 Met Kawamura and others at VIP room of Kintetsu Nagoya 
Station 
13:10 Left Nagoya Station on Kintetsu limited express train 
14:34 Arrived at Kintetsu Ujiyamada Station; met by Mie Governor 
Akihiko Noro 
14:53 Arrived at Ise Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture; prayed at 
Outer Shrine of Ise 
15:34 Prayed at Inner Shrine of Ise 
16:22 Received flowers from 7th Corps of Ise, Boy Scout Association 
of Japan and 1st Corps of Mie Prefecture Girl Scout Association of 
Japan in front of the office of the Board of Ise Grand Shrines 
16:53 Left Ujiyamada Station on Kintetsu limited express train 
18:16 Arrived at Kintetsu Nagoya Station 
18:22 Met Kasai and others at VIP room of JR Nagoya Station 
18:39 Left Nagoya Station on Nozomi-382 train 
20:20 Arrived at JR Tokyo Station 
20:37 Had dinner with Hirano at Japanese restaurant Yamazato in 
Hotel Okura 
23:06 Arrived at his official residential quarters 
 
4) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano to visit Okinawa 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano will visit Okinawa 
Prefecture on Jan. 8-10 to discuss the Issue of relocating the U.S. 
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. He is expected to visit U.S. 
military bases and other places in the prefecture. At a Tokyo hotel 
last evening, he exchanged views with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama 
on the relocation of the Futenma base and other issues. He said to 
Hatoyama, "I would like you to let me handle" the Futenma issue. 
 
5) Futenma conclusion might be postponed beyond May: DPJ's Yamaoka 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has said that he expects to reach a 
conclusion on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma 
Air Station in May. With regard to this, Kenji Yamaoka, chairman of 
the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Diet Affairs Committee, said on 
a BS Asahi program yesterday, "Taking more time to think about it 
could also be a conclusion," indicating that there is a possibility 
that the conclusion will be postponed. 
 
6) Ishiba leaves for U.S. 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Ishiba will visit the U.S. from 
Jan. 5 to 8. In Washington he will discuss the issue of Futenma 
airfield relocation with the Obama administration's Assistant 
Secretary of State Campbell (East Asian and Pacific Affairs) and 
Assistant Secretary of Defense Gregson. In preparation for debate in 
the regular Diet session he will reconfirm the Obama 
 
TOKYO 00000015  004 OF 009 
 
 
administration's recognition of the contribution to security of the 
stationing of U.S. forces including Marines on Okinawa. He will be 
accompanied by Policy Research Council Deputy Chairman Yoshimasa 
Hayashi and Vice Deputy Chairman Yasutoshi Nishimura. 
 
7) JCP Chairman Shii criticizes postponement of Futenma conclusion 
 
AKAHATA (Page 4) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Chairman Kazuo Shii yesterday 
delivered a speech at the New Year's opening of the party's organ, 
Akahata, at party headquarters. During the speech, he said, "I would 
like to make this year into an epoch-making year for forming a 
majority group calling for abolishing the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty 
by giving rise to a great national debate questioning the 
appropriateness of the treaty. I also want to aim at removing the 
military bases from Okinawa and Japan." With the House of 
Councillors election this summer in mind, he clarified his party's 
stance of opposing the Japan-U.S. alliance. 
 
Shii criticized the Hatoyama administration for postponing a 
conclusion on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air 
Station in Okinawa Prefecture until May. He said, "(The government) 
keeps repeating its commotion and wavering. The people's anxiety 
will not change no matter where (the base) is relocated." 
 
8) Hatoyama: It is too early to visit North Korea 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday expressed his perception of 
the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals, by 
saying, "I will consider visiting North Korea when the time is ripe 
and when such a trip becomes truly necessary. The timing is not 
right yet." He made this comment in response to questions by 
reporters in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. 
 
9) Okada, Turkey FM agree on cooperation in Afghan aid 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Kurashige, Ankara 
 
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, now visiting Turkey, met with his 
Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on the afternoon of Jan. 4, 
local time. They agreed that the two countries should hold vice 
minister-level talks on aid for Afghanistan and also should 
cooperate in persuading Iran to discontinue its nuclear development 
program. 
 
Okada briefed Davutoglu on Japan's decision to extend up to 5 
billion dollars, or approximately 450 billion yen, mainly in 
civilian aid to Afghanistan over five years. He then suggested that 
Japan and Turkey should start discussing specific cooperative 
efforts. 
 
Dvautoglu praised Japan's aid package, remarking it was the right 
decision. He said that Turkey has dispatched 1,700 troops to the 
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. They 
 
TOKYO 00000015  005 OF 009 
 
 
affirmed the importance of assistance by the two countries in 
improving the security situation in Afghanistan. 
 
10) Imai appointed new de facto ambassador to Taiwan 
 
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
The Interchange Association, Japan, the body in charge of Japan's 
relations with Taiwan, appointed Tadashi Imai, 65, former Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) ambassador to Okinawa, as the new chief of 
its office in Taipei (with the rank of ambassador) on Jan. 4. Imai 
joined MOFA in 1969. He was formerly an ambassador to Malaysia and 
has served in other senior positions. His predecessor Masaki Saito's 
remark in a speech last May that "the international status of Taiwan 
is unresolved" became a political issue, forcing him to step down 
from his post. 
 
11) Documents on secret nuclear pact not found 
 
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
It was learned yesterday that the Foreign Ministry's internal 
investigation team has failed to find documents on the secret 
Japan-U.S. agreement on nuclear introduction. There is a possibility 
that the documents were discarded in the fear that they would be 
discovered. The ministry's handling of documents will likely be 
called into question. 
 
With regard to the handover of the documents, former Administrative 
Vice Minister Ryohei Murata clearly stated in an interview with the 
Nihon Keizai Shimbun that he handed over to his successor a piece of 
paper stipulating the contents of the secret pact. Also former 
Ambassador to the Netherlands Kazuhiko Tojo, who served as director 
general of the Treaties Bureau (currently the International Legal 
Affairs Bureau), testified that he handed over five volumes of 
documents regarding the secret pact to his successor when he was 
bureau chief. 
 
The ministry's internal investigation team has failed to find any of 
the documents on which Murata and Togo testified. 
 
The committee of experts, chaired by University of Tokyo Prof. 
Shinichi Kitaoka, that was set up by Foreign Ministry Katsuya Okada 
questioned Togo about the circumstances when the documents were 
prepared, but it is still unknown when the documents were lost. 
 
12) JAL to tie up with Delta Air Lines, attaching importance to mid- 
to long-term growth 
 
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Lead para.) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Japan Airlines (JAL) and the state-backed Enterprise Turnaround 
Initiative Corporation of Japan will likely decide that the air 
carrier will form a business and capital tie-up with Delta Air Lines 
of the U.S. This is because they attach importance to a mid- to 
long-term growth strategy in their envisioned scenario for 
rebuilding JAL. Switching airline alliances to the SkyTeam, to which 
Delta belongs, would enable the carrier to dramatically expand its 
international flight network. In the meantime, American Airlines 
 
TOKYO 00000015  006 OF 009 
 
 
will likely be pressed to take a second look at its strategy for the 
Japan-U.S. flight route, which could change the power distribution 
of air carriers in Asia. 
 
Once JAL and Delta Air Lines formally join hands, division of labor 
will become possible between them with Delta mainly operating on the 
Pacific route and Japan operating on the Asian routes. They will 
thus be able to prioritize the distribution of management 
resources. 
 
As a result, the efficiency of their flight operations will be 
enhanced. Flight routes from the U.S. to Asian destinations via 
Japan will also increase. A related source said that Asia-bound U.S. 
passengers as well as passengers from Japan will increase, offering 
the potential for improved seat occupancy on JAL flights. 
 
13) New Japan Tourism Agency commissioner in press conference: 
"Foreign visitors should be increased to 10 million annually" 
 
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Excerpt) 
January 5, 2010 
 
In his first press conference after assuming the post yesterday, 
Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Hiroshi Mizohata, 49, said: "I 
hope that the number of foreign visitors to Japan will increase to 
more than 10 million annually" during his term of office for two 
years. The number of foreign visitors is estimated to have dropped 
below 7 million in 2009. Focusing on the fact that 70 PERCENT  of 
foreign visitors visit major cities, the new commissioner indicated 
that the agency will focus on preparing major cities to receive 
foreign visitors. The agency will provide advice to municipal 
governments in order to enhance their capabilities for attracting 
foreign visitors. 
 
14) Regular Diet session to be convened on the 18th: Upper House 
election likely to be held on July 11 
 
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
The government and the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on Jan. 4 
decided to convene the regular Diet session on the 18th. The session 
will run for 150 days until June 16. Article 32 of the Public 
Offices Election Law stipulates that an Upper House election be held 
within 30 days after the Diet is adjourned. As such, it is now 
likely that the summer Upper House election will be officially 
announced on June 24 and held on July 11. 
 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on the morning of the 4th met with DPJ 
Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa and Diet Affairs Committee Chairman 
Kenji Yamaoka at the party headquarters and confirmed a policy of 
convening the Diet session on the 18th. Yamaoka on the same day met 
with Lower House Speaker Takahiro Yokomichi and Vice Speaker 
Seishiro Eto separately in the Diet building and conveyed this 
policy. The government and the DPJ plan to hold a meeting of the 
Diet Affairs Committee chairmen of the ruling and opposition parties 
on the 7th and decide on the timetable on the 8th, after obtaining 
consensus from each party. 
 
The government and the ruling parties during the upcoming regular 
Diet session intend to have the Diet pass the fiscal 2009 second 
extra budget in January and then do their utmost to realize the Diet 
 
TOKYO 00000015  007 OF 009 
 
 
passage of the fiscal 2010 budget bill within the current fiscal 
year. 
 
15) LDP President Tanigaki to call for resignation en masse or Diet 
dissolution 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sadakazu Tanigaki on Jan. 4 
visited Ise Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. He noted after the 
visit, "We must pursue the politics and money issue so as to seek 
the people's mandate through the resignation of the cabinet or the 
dissolution (of the Lower House)." He thus indicated a stance of 
pursuing the political funds issue involving Prime Minister Yukio 
Hatoyama and Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro 
Ozawa during the upcoming regular Diet session. 
 
He said that the Upper House election in the summer will be a 
crucial political battle. In the meantime, regarding the line 
between victory and defeat, he steered clear of making any 
categorical comment, by just saying, "We will do everything within 
our power to achieve victory." 
 
16) Hatoyama indicates resolve to establish system of political 
leadership in policy speech 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) 
January 5, 2010 
 
In his first press conference of the year yesterday, Prime Minister 
Yukio Hatoyama said that the government would submit a bill to 
establish a political leadership system to the upcoming ordinary 
Diet session, which is scheduled to be convened on Jan. 18. He thus 
indicated his eagerness to promulgate the policy of shifting 
policymaking responsibility from bureaucrats to politicians. 
Hatoyama hopes to display specific results prior to the House of 
Councillors election this summer. 
 
Gist of the bill to establish a political leadership system 
 
Q Upgrade the National Policy Unit to a national policy bureau and 
make it a legally endorsed organization. 
Q Increase the number of senior vice ministers and parliamentary 
secretaries. Establish the post of ministerial secretary. 
Q Set up a cabinet personnel bureau to consolidate personnel matters 
of senior officials at each government office under the leadership 
of the cabinet. 
Q Abolish the system of allowing bureaucrats to make Diet replies. 
Q Set up hearing commissions to listen to opinions from bureaucrats 
and experts in the Upper and Lower Houses. 
Q Remove the status of government special assistant from the Cabinet 
Legislation Bureau director general and prohibit the person in the 
post from making Diet replies. 
 
17) Public prosecutors to question general construction contractors 
over their political funds donation to DPJ Secretary General Ozawa 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (lead para.) 
January 5, 2010 
 
In connection with the purchase of land in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, by 
 
TOKYO 00000015  008 OF 009 
 
 
Rikuzan-kai, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General 
Ichiro Ozawa's fund-management organization, the Tokyo District 
Public Prosecutors Office appears to have decided to question 
sources connected with several general construction contractors, 
including a former executive of the Tohoku branch of Kajima 
Corporation, a leading general construction contractor located in 
Minato Ward, Tokyo, starting on Jan. 5. There are still unclear 
aspects about the flow of funds for the purchase of the land in 
question. Public prosecutors appear to have decided that it is 
necessary to question sources related to general construction 
contractors that have been donating political funds to Ozawa. 
 
18) Papers on U.S. Army staff sergeant, suspect in fatal hit-and-run 
incident in Yomitan, Okinawa, last November, sent to prosecutors 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 31) (Abridged) 
January 5, 2010 
 
In connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident in Yomitan 
Village, Okinawa, the Okinawa Prefectural Police sent papers on 
Clyde Gunn, 27, a member of the U.S. Army's special force Green 
Berets at the Torii Communication Station (in Yomitan) to the 
prosecutors on Jan. 4 on the charge of negligent driving resulting 
in death for hitting a man fatally in Yomitan. Investigators will 
continue to build a case against the suspect for violation of the 
Road Traffic Law (hit-and-run) and a charge will be filed when 
investigations are completed. 
 
It is believed that the Okinawa police went ahead to indict Gunn for 
negligent driving resulting in death, on which adequate evidences 
have been gathered, in order to facilitate filing a charge of 
hit-and-run at an early date. Investigations on the latter offense 
have been stuck due to Gunn's refusal to make himself available for 
questioning. With the first charge being filed, the deadlocked 
investigation will now move forward. Gunn is expected to be handed 
over to the Japanese authorities after indictment based on the 
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. 
 
In light of the indictment, Gunn's lawyer said: "He will present 
himself to the police as soon as Jan. 5, but we will continue to 
demand the interrogation be videotaped." There is a possibility that 
Gunn may refuse interrogation again. 
 
According to the Okinawa police, after the incident occurred on Nov. 
7, Gunn responded to questioning on a voluntary basis at first, but 
refused to appear for questioning after Nov. 14, demanding 
"videotaping" of the interrogation process. While he has told his 
lawyer "I think I hit the man," he denied the hit-and-run charge, 
saying: "I have been trained as an army medic and have the knowledge 
and skills of lifesaving. It is impossible that I would have fled." 
 
19) Okinawans demand SOFA revision in reaction to indictment of U.S. 
Army staff sergeant in fatal hit-and-run incident in Yomitan last 
November 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 31) (Full) 
January 5, 2010 
 
In light of the indictment without arrest of the U.S. Army staff 
sergeant, the suspect in the fatal hit-and-run incident in Yomitan 
Village, Okinawa, who had refused to appear for police questioning, 
people in Okinawa pointed out the problem with the Japan-U.S. Status 
 
TOKYO 00000015  009 OF 009 
 
 
of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on Jan. 4 and demanded the revision of 
the agreement. 
 
Morihide Nakasone, 53, a company employee who lives in Yomitan, 
observed that, "Both hair and blood were found on the staff 
sergeant's car. If he were a Japanese, he would have been arrested 
immediately, but he is able to get away because of SOFA." He pointed 
to the fact that even though the U.S. forces urged the staff 
sergeant to appear for questioning, he refused to do so, and 
stressed the need to revise SOFA, asserting that, "Both the Japanese 
and U.S. sides are fettered by SOFA." 
 
Hiroji Yamashiro, 57, Okinawa Peace Movement Center's secretary 
general, said: "The people of Okinawa constantly fear that if they 
get involved in an accident with U.S. military personnel and these 
people flee to the bases that will be the end of the matter. There 
have been cases where people have let a matter drop without 
receiving compensation. SOFA should be revised so that (U.S. 
military personnel) are subject to the same judicial procedures (as 
Japanese)." 
 
20) Japan mulling providing patrol boat to Yemen for anti-piracy 
operations 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) 
January 5, 2010 
 
The government has begun to consider providing a 30-meter-class 
patrol boat (costing approximately 1 billion yen) to Yemen, which is 
located across (the Gulf of Aden) from Somalia, for anti-piracy 
operations in waters off Somalia. It will use grants under official 
development assistance (ODA) funds for this purpose in order to 
enhance the law enforcement capability of the coast guard of Yemen, 
which has a coastline of some 2,500 kilometers along the Gulf of 
Aden and the Red Sea. Japan plans to hand over the patrol boat in 
2012 at the earliest. 
 
Since a patrol boat is classified as "weapon," the government will 
ask Yemen to sign an official document pledging: (1) to limit the 
use of the patrol boat to anti-piracy operations; and (2) not to 
transfer the patrol boat to a third party without the Japanese 
government's approval, in order to make this an exception to the 
"three principles on arms exports," which prohibit the export of 
weapons to a foreign country. 
 
ROOS