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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2285/01 2732211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 302211Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6532
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE 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 9069
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6729
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0545
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4032
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7246
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1230
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7891
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7463
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 002285
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 09/30/09
INDEX:
(1) U.S. Consul General Greene enthusiastic about cultural exchanges
(Miyako Mainichi Shimbun)
(2) U.S. Consul General Greene visits Miyakojima Island, inspects
new energy project in the city (Miyako Shimpo)
(3) At prefectural assembly Okinawa governor stands by position of
accepting Futenma relocation within prefecture (Ryukyu Shimpo)
(4) More than 30 non-Okinawa-based aircraft stationed on Kadena Air
Base; 288 instances of noise over 70 decibels detected in a day
(Ryukyu Shimpo)
(5) Integration of policy-making mechanisms by government, ruling
parties: Ruling parties trying to ensure their presence be felt;
Committee chairmen underscoring their say through Diet management
(Nikkei)
(6) U.S. expert calls idea of East Asian Community "outdated"
(Sankei)
(7) Afghan governor expresses appreciation for Japan's aid (Yomiuri)
(Corrected copy) MOFA opens press conference to all media companies:
Foreign Ministry immediately put this decision into practice
(Mainichi)
ARTICLES:
(1) U.S. Consul General Greene enthusiastic about cultural
exchanges
MIYAKO SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full)
September 29, 2009
Raymond Greene, who arrived at the post of consul general of the
U.S. Consulate General in Okinawa on Aug. 25, called on Miyakojima
Mayor Toshihiko Shimoji at the city hall in Hirara on the 28th to
report on the assumption of his new post. The consul general and the
mayor exchanged their views on the environment and cultural
exchanges. Greene told Shimoji: "Miyakojima is a wonderful island. I
would like to hear the mayor's views on such matters as clean
technology and cultural exchanges."
Referring to environmental issues, Shimoji said:
"Miyakojima has been dealing with environmental issues at a top
level in the country. The United States and Japan have begun joint
research on storage butteries. We should promote technological
development. What we are now considering is to use wind-power
generation to charge batteries. We want to use those batteries for
electric cars."
He also added:
"We would be glad if we have a place to jointly research the
technologies of the United States and Japan or if we can join hands
on research in the form of conducting demonstration experiments to
verify what will come out."
TOKYO 00002285 002 OF 007
Greene responded: "The President has placed importance on
environment problems. I want to look into the role of research in
Okinawa in the future."
The consul general stated on cultural exchanges:
"I am going to carry out educational exchanges at Kagamihara Junior
High School on the 29th. I want to talks about the role of the
consulate general, the experiences of consul generals, and the
importance of the study of languages. We also want to strengthen
relations between educational and cultural exchanges. Personnel
exchanges are significant for Okinawa and the United States."
The mayor expressed his appreciation, saying: "I am grateful. If the
consul general becomes a bridge between Japan and the U.S., it will
become a good motivation."
Greene lived in Yokohama as a JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching
Program) member. He studied at International Christian University.
He also participated in a training program of the Foreign Ministry.
He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He speaks
Japanese and Chinese.
(2) U.S. Consul General Greene visits Miyakojima Island, inspects
new energy project in the city
MIYAKO MAINICHI SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Full)
September 29, 2009
U.S. Consul General in Okinawa Raymond F. Greene, and other
officials visited Miyakojima Island on Sept. 26 to inspect the
island's new energy project. They paid a courtesy call on Miyakojima
Mayor Toshihiko Shimoji on the 28th.
Greene arrived at his current post in August this year. It was the
first time for him to visit a remote island on official business.
The island where Okinawa Electric Power Co. has carried out the
verification experiment for large-scale solar power generation was
chosen as the place for the consul general to visit. Okinawa
Electric Power Co. has received subsidies from the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry for the project.
Greene visited the city administration building in Hirara, where he
said: "I would like to hear the mayor's views on how to expand
relations between Miyakojima and the consulate general in the areas
of clean technology and cultural exchanges." Shimoji introduced the
city's idea of using wind-power generation to charge storage
batteries and using them as power sources for electric cars. He told
the consul general: "We would appreciate if research to increase the
capability of storage batteries and verification tests are carried
out on Miyakojima."
After meeting with the mayor, Greene visited the Nanamata and
Minafuku district where Okinawa Electric Power plans to conduct
verification tests. He is going to exchange views with Kagamihara
Junior High School students on Sept. 29.
(3) At prefectural assembly Okinawa governor stands by position of
accepting Futenma relocation within prefecture
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Abridged)
September 30, 2009
TOKYO 00002285 003 OF 007
Representative interpellation took place for the first time after
the change of government following the House of Representatives
election at the September session of the Okinawa Prefectural
Assembly (chaired by Yoshinobu Takamine) on September 29.
In response to the suggestion that Okinawa should demand from the
Hatoyama administration a concrete timetable for the relocation of
the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station out of Okinawa, Governor
Hirokazu Nakaima said: "While relocation out of Okinawa is the best
option, relocation within the prefecture is unavoidable to remove
the danger as quickly as possible." He reiterated his longstanding
position and indicated that he will closely watch the government's
response. He was replying to a question from Isho Urasaki (Liberal
Democratic Party) and Shiko Sakiyama (Social Democratic Party-Goken
Network).
Concerning the preparatory documents for the environmental
assessment at the site of Futenma's replacement facility, the
governor indicated that he will submit his opinion on October 13,
based on the recommendations of the Okinawa Environmental Impact
Assessment Council to be compiled on October 2. With regard to the
impact of the lawsuit seeking a re-assessment, Cultural and
Environmental Affairs Department chief Kenji Chinen said: "Depending
on the court verdict, there might be a need to consider redoing the
assessment." This was in response to Urasaki's question. To the
question whether he intends to conduct a re-assessment because (the
preparatory documents) did not respond fully to the governor's
opinion on the assessment methodology report, Chinen said: "The
preparatory documents do not meet the requirements (for a
re-assessment under the laws and ordinances)."
(4) More than 30 non-Okinawa-based aircraft stationed on Kadena Air
Base; 288 instances of noise over 70 decibels detected in a day
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full)
September 30, 2009
Kadena - Six F-22 fighters from Guam arrived at Kadena Air Base
(KAB), where 12 of the United States' top-of-the-line F-22s are
already deployed temporarily, on the morning of September 29. The
reported reason was evacuation on account of the typhoon and the
length of time they will spend there is unclear. Since September,
more than 10 FA-18 fighters not based in Okinawa have arrived for
exercises, and the newly arrived F-22s bring the total of
non-Okinawa-based aircraft to 30. Local residents are increasingly
concerned about the intensification of noise.
According to the Kadena town office's survey, since September, FA-18
and AV-8 Harrier fighters based in the U.S. Marines' base in Iwakuni
have arrived in Kadena one after the other. Twelve FA-18s arrived on
September 1, and on September 29, 13 of this model aircraft, the
largest number during the period, were spotted. Four Harriers
arrived on September 1, six on September 10, and four on September
11. The town office's records show that there were 288 instances of
noise (over 70 decibels) on September 25.
The F-22s that arrived on September 29 are based at the Elemendorf
Air Base in Alaska. This is the fourth time that they have flown
from Guam, where they are deployed temporarily, to Kadena. Their
arrival brought the total number of F-22s on the Kadena base to 18.
The Okinawa and Kadena governments were not given advance notice of
TOKYO 00002285 004 OF 007
the F-22s' arrival. The Kadena town office was informed by the
Okinawa Defense Bureau at around 03:20 p.m. on September 29.
(5) Integration of policy-making mechanisms by government, ruling
parties: Ruling parties trying to ensure their presence be felt;
Committee chairmen underscoring their say through Diet management
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 30, 2009
While the government and the ruling parties are trying to integrate
their policy-making mechanisms, the ruling parties have begun taking
an approach of strengthening leverage. The Democratic Party of
Japan's Lower House standing committee chairmen and special chairmen
on September 29 confirmed a stance of strengthening their right to
speak through the management of the Diet. They thus made a
preemptive move in creating a new policy-making mechanism designed
to put an end to the current vague situation. The tug of war between
the government and the ruling parties will likely intensify over the
management of the Diet, which holds the key to the fate of bills.
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka of the DPJ at a
meeting with Lower House standing committee chairmen held in the
Diet on the 29th played up the importance of the Diet for the
realization of policies, noting, "It is the Diet that realizes the
expectations of the people.
Dissatisfaction with abolition of party policy research councils
The Hatoyama cabinet will scrap party policy research councils in
the run-up to integrating policy-making mechanisms and set up a
policy council at each ministry chaired by its senior vice minister.
However, at the meeting, many attendants voiced dissatisfaction,
with one noting, "Which government office will take responsibility
for drafting a manifesto?" Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa
Matsuno, who was representing the government, was at a loss for
words, later saying, "Could you raise that question at a policy
council meeting?"
The basic policy for the management of Lower House committees
compiled by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee Chairman
Nobutaka Tsutsui and others further surprised Matsuno. The package
included requests for the proactive use of administrative
investigation rights and approval for revisions of legislation at
Lower House committees. One participant complained, "These are like
requests filed by an opposition party."
Preemptive move in pursuit of committee leadership
Behind the ruling parties having taken a preemptive move in managing
Diet committees is a view that the importance of the management of
Lower House committees will increase as a result of the scrapping of
party research councils. That is because the chairman of each
committee attends policy meetings, which means that there is a
strong likelihood that not only deliberations on bills but also
policy debates between the government and the ruling parties will be
carried out by Lower House committees.
The party under the initiative of Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa
decides select committee chairmen, who have the right to hold
committee meetings, even before picking senior vice ministers. Many
committee chairmen are cabinet member-level persons who are in their
TOKYO 00002285 005 OF 007
fifth or sixth term. Many of them are ranked higher than those who
are picked for senior vice ministers. The emergence of a pattern of
senior vice minister vs. committee chairmen is conceivable. One
standing committee chairman sought to check, "The venue for the
government and the ruling parties to debate is committees."
SDP, PNP becoming increasingly active
After discussing with lawmakers who belong to the ruling parties the
moratorium of debt payment by small and medium, and very small
businesses, a measure sought by State Minister for Financial Affairs
Shizuka Kamei, the leader of the People's New Party, Senior Vice
Cabinet Office Minister Kohei Otsuka said emphatically, "My
understanding is that this is a policy meeting." Many DPJ members
are cautious about turning that policy step into law The meeting
that day was held at the request of the SDP and the PNP. This
pattern could give the SDP and the PNP an excuse to make inroads
into various government offices to increase their say. The
government and the ruling parties will likely continue a process of
trial and error in creating a framework for integrating their
policy-making mechanisms.
(6) U.S. expert calls idea of East Asian Community "outdated"
SANKEI (Page 3) (Slightly abridged)
September 30, 2009
Yoshihisa Komori, Washington
In an interview with the Sankei Shimbun on Sept. 28, Vice Chairman
Larry Wortzel of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review
Commission - a policy advisory panel in the U.S. Congress - spoke of
the concept of an East Asian Community advocated by the
administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. He said:
"The idea of forming an East Asia Community was initially proposed
by China as a diplomatic strategy to eliminate U.S. (influence) from
East Asia, and numerous Asian countries have rejected the idea.
Japan's proposal is outdated."
Wortzel, an expert on China's foreign policy and external strategy,
stated:
"The specifics of the new Japanese proposal have yet to be
disclosed, but I think it is basically a similar initiative to the
"East Asia Cooperative Community" advocated by China as a diplomatic
strategy starting around 2005 at meetings of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and on other occasions. With this
strategy, China tried to exclude (the influence of) the U.S. from
East Asia."
Wortzel also predicted that the Japanese proposal for an East Asian
Community "is unlikely to be widely accepted by many Asian countries
or to move significantly forward." He pointed out that it was
somewhat too late for Japan to make a proposal similar to the
Chinese concept, which met with disapproval by numerous Asian
countries and has almost been abandoned.
Wortzel further said that even if Japan's concept is taken as a mere
regional cooperation plan, it carries little weight because there
are a number of forums for talks and consultative organizations in
Asia, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference
TOKYO 00002285 006 OF 007
(APEC), ASEAN plus 3 (Japan, China, and South Korea), and the ASEAN
Regional Forum (ARF).
In reference to an expected response by the U.S. to the community
concept, Wortzel commented: "I think there is no need for the Obama
administration to immediately issue an official statement opposing
the concept, but strong objections are expected from Congress. I can
definitely say that the idea will not be widely accepted in the
U.S."
Wortzel began analyzing Asian military affairs for the U.S. Army
starting in the 1970s; served as a military attach at the U.S.
Embassy in Beijing for seven years starting in the latter half of
1980's; after serving in such posts as vice president of The
Heritage Foundation from 2000, has assumed the current post.
(7) Afghan governor expresses appreciation for Japan's aid
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full)
September 17, 2009
Michinobu Yanagisawa
Chagcharan, midwest Afghanistan - Governor Sayed Munib of Ghor
Province, Afghanistan, where Japan has dispatched officials to
participate in the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), gave an
interview to Yomiuri Shimbun, where he expressed his appreciation
and said that he "expresses his appreciation for Japan's
reconstruction aid." The governor also talked about the old ruling
Taliban forces and other insurgents and claimed that "the enemies'
malicious schemes have failed," indicating his confidence about the
security situation in his province.
The governor stated that the maintenance of security and economic
development are the two prerequisites for Afghanistan's stability.
He asked Japan and other members of the international community to
cooperate in such areas as improving the expertise of civil servants
and judicial officers, education, and construction.
Japan dispatched four Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials to the
PRT in Chagcharan, the capital of Ghor Province, where the
Lithuanian troops are in charge, last June. These officials are
involved with assistance for schools, the construction of clinics,
and other aid projects through the local NGOs.
(Corrected copy) MOFA opens press conference to all media companies:
Foreign Ministry immediately put this decision into practice
MAINICHI (Page 26) (Full)
September 30, 2009
At a press conference on Sept. 29 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada
said that he had decided in principle to open Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MOFA) press conferences to all media companies. He
translated this idea into action, starting with one held on the same
day. As a result, it was attended by some 30 foreign correspondents
who do not belong to the MOFA Press Club.
Okada had made a similar announcement at a press conference on the
18th. However, he has been putting off implementing the plan in
order to consult with the Press Club. He said, "It's been a while
since I held the previous conference (on the 18th). I have
TOKYO 00002285 007 OF 007
personally decided to open my press conferences to all media
companies." Eligible for this scheme are members of The Japan
Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association, The National Association
of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan, The Japan Magazine Publishers
Association, The Internet News Association of Japan, The Foreign
Correspondents' Club of Japan, and holders of a foreign
correspondents' registration certificate, free lancers and so on.
Those who want to attend MOFA press conferences need to register in
advance on the MOFA website.
ROOS