VZCZCXRO3737
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0209/01 0330803
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 020803Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9138
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0958
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8617
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2433
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5676
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9113
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2909
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9581
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8967

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 000209 
 
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 02/02/10 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Okinawan officials react strongly to FM Okada's remark on 
Futenma remaining where it is if no alternative relocation site can 
be found (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(2) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno also says continued use 
of Futenma base an option (Sankei) 
 
(3) Popular will in Nago - Washington taking wait-and-see attitude 
without making specific comments (Okinawa Times) 
 
(4) Public prosecutors question Ozawa again: Tension and dismay in 
DPJ (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Editorial: Japan-China joint study - Differences evident in 
historical views (Yomiuri) 
 
(6) Parents and children after divorce (Part 4): Parents should 
consider the emotional burden on the child before reaching a 
decision to divorce (Yomiuri) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Okinawan officials react strongly to FM Okada's remark on 
Futenma remaining where it is if no alternative relocation site can 
be found 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 29) (Excerpts) 
February 2, 2010 
 
"If no alternative site can be found, it is possible that Futenma 
may remain where it is." Officials of Ginowan City and others 
opposed to Futenma's relocation within Okinawa have questioned this 
statement of Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on the possibility of 
the Futenma Air Station remaining permanently, which contradicts 
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's position that "(the Futenma base) 
will not remain where it is," criticizing him for being 
"backward-looking and incomprehensible." There is also criticism 
that a minister's statement that contradicts the Prime Minister's 
"is much more serious than disagreement within the cabinet." 
 
Mayor Yoichi Iha (of Ginowan City) criticized Okada harshly: "Why 
did he say something like that? Since Prime Minister Hatoyama has 
said that Futenma will not remain where it is, such a 
backward-looking stance is incomprehensible." Iha pointed out that 
Okada's statements on Futenma relocation so far have often been 
received unfavorably among the Okinawan people. He voiced his 
objection, saying: "The Prime Minister's position is what counts, so 
if he wants to make statements, he should support the Prime 
Minister. He should be more careful with his words." 
 
Naha City Mayor Takeshi Onaga, who co-chaired the "Okinawan people's 
rally against the construction of a new military base in Henoko and 
relocation within the prefecture" held last year, pointed out: 
"Disagreement within the cabinet refers to differences in opinion 
about details, but when a minister contradicts the Prime Minister's 
statement, that is much more serious than disagreement within the 
cabinet. This is unthinkable. What's wrong with the Hatoyama 
cabinet?" 
 
(2) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno also says continued use 
 
TOKYO 00000209  002 OF 007 
 
 
of Futenma base an option 
 
SANKEI ONLINE (Full) 
February 2, 2010 
 
At a news conference on Feb. 2, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary 
Yorihisa Matsuno said with regard to the U.S. forces' Futenma Air 
Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa): "We are considering all options, 
including the continued use of the Futenma base, without setting any 
preconditions." He thus indicated that in case of failure to 
identify a relocation site, it is possible that the Futenma base 
will continue to be used. 
 
Regarding the inspection of the candidate relocation sites by the 
government and the ruling parties' Okinawa base issues examination 
committee, which is looking into alternative relocation sites, 
Matsuno said: "No formal decision has been made. However, I think it 
would be good to visit various locations. If we do decide to make 
inspection tours, they should take place as soon as possible." 
 
In connection with this question, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has 
denied the possibility of continuing to use the Futenma base, 
saying: "Basically, the Futenma base remaining in place is not an 
option," but Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada remarked at a news 
conference on Feb. 1: "If no alternative (relocation site) can be 
found, it is possible that Futenma may remain where it is." The 
Social Democratic Party and others have reacted strongly to this 
statement. 
 
(3) Popular will in Nago - Washington taking wait-and-see attitude 
without making specific comments 
 
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) 
February 2, 2010 
 
"A new element has surely been added now," Assistant Secretary of 
State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said in 
response to the announcement of the outcome of the Nago mayoral 
election on Jan. 25. All news agencies in Washington reported this 
remark. 
 
But a U.S. government official emphasized: "Our negotiating partner 
is the Japanese government." Washington appears to be judging it 
would be better not to aggressively refer to how the current plan to 
relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Henoko could 
be affected by the election of Susumu Inamine, who is opposed to the 
existing plan. 
 
In a regular press conference on Jan. 25, Assistant Secretary of 
State Philip Crowley said: "There is no change (in the U.S. 
government's policy). Prime Minister (Yukio) Hatoyama has officially 
stated he will make a decision by the end of May. Work is still 
under way." When asked," Aren't you really worried about the outcome 
of the mayoral election?" he said: "That is a matter involving the 
Japanese people." When asked the same thing again, he simply said: 
"I have already replied to this question." 
 
"It has become more difficult to make a prediction," a U.S. 
government source said upon receiving the first report of Inamine's 
victory. 
 
On the day of the mayoral election on Jan. 25, Chief Cabinet 
 
TOKYO 00000209  003 OF 007 
 
 
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said, "There is no reason why we have to 
take (the outcome of the election) into account." This remark was 
promptly reported to Washington. 
 
A U.S. government source commented: "Japanese government officials 
probably are taking the view that there is no need to persuade the 
Nago mayor," but the source reportedly added: "Although the existing 
plan is still on the table, we should not be optimistic." 
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama said: "The government will look for 
locations other than Henoko." Since then, U.S. officials have begun 
to use this expression: "We expect the prime minister will come up 
with an appropriate decision," while maintaining that the existing 
plan is the best and only feasible option." 
 
Campbell, who is currently visiting Japan to attend a high-level 
meeting of the Security Subcommittee (SSC) composed of Japanese and 
U.S. senior foreign and defense officials, said yesterday: "I would 
like to hear views from ranking officials of the Japanese government 
on what effect the outcome of the Nago mayoral election will have on 
the procedures for conducting the environmental impact assessment." 
 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Wallace Gregson emphasized in an 
interview on Jan. 31 at the U.S. Consulate General's Official 
Residence in Okinawa, located in Ginowan City: "I think attention 
tends to be focused only on the Futenma issue, but the overall U.S. 
force realignment plan includes a variety of elements." 
 
Delivering a speech at Waseda University on Jan. 29, U.S. Ambassador 
to Japan John Roos focused on the Marine Corps in Okinawa in 
explaining the significance of the presence of U.S. forces in Japan. 
According to informed sources, not only the State Department but 
even the Defense Department and the White House had approved the 
manuscript of the speech in advance. The Ambassador reiterated in 
the speech: "If the Marines are moved out of Japan, the mobility of 
the U.S. forces will be undermined." In this warning, the word 
"Okinawa" was not included. 
 
Ambassador Roos stressed: "Our efforts will not end with the return 
of the Futenma airfield to Japan. We would like to continue to 
grapple with the noise and environmental issues and cooperate in 
promoting Okinawa's economic development." His willingness to 
implement the existing plan even while expanding the range of 
options could also be seen in this speech. 
 
(4) Public prosecutors question Ozawa again: Tension and dismay in 
DPJ 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
February 2, 2010 
 
It was learned that Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary 
General Ozawa was questioned again by the special investigation 
squad of the Tokyo District over a case involving his political fund 
management organization. The revelation gave rise to tension and 
dismay in the government and the DPJ, with one member speculating, 
"Public prosecutors are determined to settle the case promptly." 
With Ozawa, the most influential figure in the ruling parties, 
hinting at a possibility of considering stepping down as secretary 
general in the event that public prosecutors press criminal charges 
against him, a sense of crisis that this case could rock the 
foundation of the administration is spreading. 
 
TOKYO 00000209  004 OF 007 
 
 
 
Many DPJ members are alarmed by the fact that Ozawa was questioned 
again by public prosecutors, with a senior member saying: "The 
investigation into the possible involvement of Mr. Ozawa in the case 
is in its final stage. The possibility of their building a case 
against him seems to be getting stronger." 
 
Ozawa on the afternoon of the 1st met with Muneo Suzuki, the head of 
the New Party Daichi, in the Diet building. According to Suzuki, 
Ozawa said that things will settle down in time and showed eagerness 
to work hard to prepare for the upcoming Upper House election this 
summer. 
 
Ozawa's reference to his resignation has caused major repercussions 
in the party. Foreign Minister Okada on the Feb. 1 apparently said 
with a puzzled look, "It is not necessarily clear what sort of 
situation (that Ozawa was talking about) he would be held criminally 
responsible for. I would like to refrain from commenting at this 
point." 
 
Many DPJ members are growing pessimistic, with one saying, "He 
should be reprimanded in some way, because he was questioned twice. 
Comparing with the time when he declared that he would fight against 
public prosecutors, his voice has now lost forcefulness and his face 
has lost its expression of resolve. He has been mentally driven into 
a corner. He has lost confidence." 
 
In the meantime, others take the view that Ozawa has taken a 
precaution against the possibility of Tomohiro Ishikawa, a suspect 
(in the case of the false political fund report by Rikuzan-kai) 
being indicted and voices calling for Ozawa's resignation growing, 
making it clear that even if Ishikawa is indicted, he will not 
resign unless he himself is indicted or arrested. 
 
Many are concerned about the possible impact of the scandal on the 
administration. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano stopped short of 
making any comment on Ozawa's statement. He simply said, "No 
comment." However, a government source was apparently concerned, 
noting, "If the question of whether or not Ozawa should resign comes 
under close scrutiny, the DPJ could split between the pro-Ozawa 
group and the anti-Ozawa group. If the secretary general actually 
steps down, the government and the ruling camp will lose their 
control tower. The management of the administration is bound to fall 
into chaos." 
 
(5) Editorial: Japan-China joint study - Differences evident in 
historical views 
 
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) 
February 2, 2010 
 
Each ethnic group or nation has its own views on history. 
 
It would be extremely difficult for Japan to share the same 
historical views as China, in which the interpretation of history is 
carried out under communist ideology and academic freedom is 
restricted. 
 
A report released by the Japan-China joint history research panel 
comprising academics from the two countries has revealed major 
differences in their views on history. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000209  005 OF 007 
 
 
The report covered ancient, medieval, and modern history and 
included the views of the Japanese and Chinese academics. 
 
For instance, with regard to the number of people killed in the 1937 
Nanjing Massacre, the Japanese side pointed out various estimates 
such as 40,000 and 20,000, with an upper limit of 200,000. 
 
However, the Chinese side insisted that 300,000 people were killed, 
which is the Chinese Communist Party's official view. Based on 
empirical research, this figure is unrealistic. 
 
In connection with the Sino-Japanese War, although the Japanese side 
pointed out that Japan did not plan an invasion, the Chinese side 
concluded that it was an all-out aggressive war. 
 
The Chinese side referred to the possibility that the Marco Polo 
Bridge Incident may have occurred accidentally. This is probably the 
only sign of change in the Chinese side. 
 
The postwar history section of the report, which attention was 
focused on, was not disclosed at the request of the Chinese side. 
This was because the Japanese side's assessment of the 1989 
Tiananmen Square incident could lead to criticism of the present 
Chinese government. 
 
In China, NHK overseas service, which reported on the joint study 
report, was suspended in the middle of the broadcast. Chinese 
authorities were apparently trying to prevent the footage of the 
Tiananmen Square incident from being broadcast. 
 
In light of this situation in which the freedom of the press is 
restricted, there were probably limits to flexible discussions on 
history. 
 
In 2006 then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Hu Jintao 
decided on the launch of the Japan-China joint history research 
panel. The aim was to leave discussion on the historical issue to 
academics, separate from the realm of politicians. 
 
Unfortunately the academics failed to deepen the empirical 
discussions as hoped for due to the Chinese government's 
restrictions. 
 
However, it can be said that it was meaningful to a certain extent 
that the academics representing the two counties discussed important 
issues and released the report. 
 
It has been decided that the panel members will be shuffled and new 
members will continue to carry out the second round of study of 
history. 
 
The fact that it is difficult for Japan and China to share the same 
views on history is understandable. In order to deepen the strategic 
reciprocal relationship between the two countries, Tokyo and Beijing 
will need to continue to hold calm and empirical discussions. 
 
(6) Parents and children after divorce (Part 4): Parents should 
consider the emotional burden on the child before reaching a 
decision to divorce 
 
YOMIURI (Page 19) (Full) 
January 29, 2010 
 
TOKYO 00000209  006 OF 007 
 
 
 
Yoshiko Kosaka 
 
Divorce has a tremendous impact on a child's mind. To what degree 
are the adults aware of that? 
 
The parents of Ayumu Mitsumoto, 21, who runs a cram school in 
Shizuoka Prefecture, divorced when she was in junior high school. 
Mitsumoto vividly remembers the day she abruptly left the house with 
her father. 
 
She was neither able to take part in the overnight school trip the 
following day nor say goodbye to her friends. "The divorce made me 
sad, but that made me even sadder," Mitsumoto said looking back on 
those days. She has kept such a feeling deep inside her heart. "I 
knew that my parents could not think of such a thing." 
 
A new life began with her father in a strange town, and she became 
not able to contact her mother. But when she was in high school, 
Mitsumoto abruptly heard from her mother. Mitsumoto, who was also 
worried about her future, got on a night bus to see her mother 
without telling her father. It was an eight-hour bus ride. "Our 
conversation was not exactly lively, but I was happy to see my 
mother. I had been tearful when I moved out of the house, but I was 
able to say goodbye to my mother with a smile." 
 
Becoming acquainted with Asuna Shinkawa, 22, whose parents also 
divorced, Mitsumoto has begun conveying "children's true feelings" 
to the public via her blog this year. 
 
Shinkawa is a director of "Wink," an NPO (in Tokyo) supporting 
mother-child families. Through her activities that involved contacts 
with many divorced parents, Shinkawa has become aware of the reality 
that children are at the mercy of the selfishness of the parents. 
She is now driven by an urge to let people know about the "feelings 
hidden deep inside the children's hearts." 
 
Shinkawa met Mitsumoto when she was searching an Internet community 
site for someone to work with her. The two separately conduct 
interviews with children of broken homes to publish them on their 
blog. 
 
There had been people with broken families among Mitsumoto's circle 
of acquaintances but she and they were always careful not to touch 
on their experiences. As she has begun talking about her experience 
after meeting Shinkawa, Mitsumoto has realized that she is now able 
to face up to her parents' divorce and that she is changing. She is 
also driven by a desire to convey children's real feelings to 
parents who do not know those feelings. 
 
"Divorce hurts the child, and the child keeps the feeling of hurt to 
themselves without telling of the pain to their parents," explained 
Kobe Shinwa Women's University Prof. Kazuyo Tanase, who is also a 
clinical psychotherapist. "For the sake of the child, the 
relationship with one parent must not be severed completely." 
 
Children who grew up with no contact with one parent tend to blame 
themselves, thinking they are responsible for their parents' 
divorce. "For the growth of the child," says Tanase, "it is 
significant to know what a parent who lives separately is like even 
if her or she is not a good parent." 
 
 
TOKYO 00000209  007 OF 007 
 
 
In Japan, a couple can get a divorce by just filing a divorce notice 
with the appropriate office without discussing the rearing of 
children. Tanase sounded a note of caution about the current 
situation: "Even if divorce is unavoidable, the parents must do so 
after fully discussing their children's future. 
 
Annually some 240,000 children experience the divorce of their 
parents. The government is required to think what is best for 
children in a weak position and to review the current child custody 
system and child visitations. (This concludes the series.) 
 
ROOS