Cablegate: Japanese Morning Press Highlights 11/05/09

VZCZCXRO9532
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2549/01 3090704
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 050704Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7253
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 9601
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7246
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1065
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4474
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7757
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1698
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8356
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7865

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002549

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 11/05/09

INDEX:

1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)

Economy:
4) GDP growth in July-Sept 2.6 PERCENT . at annualized rate
(Nikkei)

Foreign relations:
5) --Okada forgoes U.S. trip; Kantei says Diet session more
important (Mainichi)
6) --Okada forgoes U.S. trip (Sankei)

Defense & security:
7) --Japan to postpone Futenma decision (Yomiuri)
8) --Hatoyama says dispatch of even a small SDF contingent to
Afghanistan would be undesirable (Asahi)

Politics:
9) Foreign Minister says stump speech comments don't constitute
election pledges (Sankei)
10) Haraguchi asks cabinet to work out issues on use of Internet for
election campaigns (Asahi)
11) Hirano: Cabinet will decide interpretation of Constitution
(Nikkei)
12) Prime Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary differ on
interpretation of constitution regarding collective self-defense
(Mainichi)

Special Diet session:
13) Main exchanges at Lower House Budget Committee meeting (Nikkei)

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
DPJ Secretary General Ozawa's political organization suspected of
having made false reports on donations

Mainichi:
Welfare ministry plans to ease floor space requirements for nursery
schools in urban areas to help reduce number of children on waiting
lists

Yomiuri:
Diet debate on amakudari (reemployment of retired bureaucrats)
practice between ruling, opposition camps; DPJ has shifted to
pragmatic policy approach

Nikkei:
Toyota plans to establish research and development center in China
as early as next year

Sankei:
Government Revitalization Unit likely to cut expenses for
achievement tests

Tokyo Shimbun:

TOKYO 00002549 002 OF 008

Tokyo government intends to carry out Tsukiji Market relocation
plan

Akahata:
JCP lawmaker Kasai urges Prime Minister Hatoyama to take Futenma
base issue seriously

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Hatoyama donation scandal: Prime Minister Hatoyama must abide by
law
(2) Reelection of President Karzai: Can he unite his country?

Mainichi:
(1) Karzai reelected: Priority should be placed on ethnic harmony
(2) Teachers with insufficient leadership: Education ministry must
delve deeper into the problem

Yomiuri:
(1) Measures to improve quality of teachers: Reform teacher training
system after examining its effects
(2) Karzai reelection: He must unite ethnic groups and fight
terrorism

Nikkei:
(1) Prime Minister Hatoyama must answer questions about false
reports on political donations
(2) Karzai must quickly take action to restore trust

Sankei:
(1) Cancellation of foreign minister's U.S. visit: "Crisis" between
Japan and U.S. must not be neglected
(2) Political reform: We support a year-round Diet session plan

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Hike in tobacco prices: Debate on tobacco tax hike should be
deepened
(2) Karzai reelected: Taliban insurgents must go home

Akahata:
(1) Declassified U.S. diplomatic documents: U.S. pressure on Japan
to execute "secret nuclear pact"

3) Prime Minister's schedule, November 4

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 5, 2009

07:17 Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei).
08:31 Attended a cabinet meeting in the Diet building. Chief Cabinet
Secretary Hirano and deputy chief cabinet secretaries Matsuno and
Takino stayed behind.
09:08 Attended a Lower House Budget Committee session.
12:05 Arrived at the Kantei.
13:01 Attended the Lower House Budget Committee session.
17:44 Met Foreign Minister Okada and Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka
at the Kantei.
18:03 Met China's Guangdong Province Communist Party Secretary Wang
Yang, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai, and others, with MOFA
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Saiki present.
19:12 Attended a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of the

TOKYO 00002549 003 OF 008

Japan National Press Club held in the Japan National Press Club
Building in Uchisaiwaicho.
19:50 Watched the Corteo circus show with wife, Miyuki, at the
National Yoyogi Stadium Olympic Plaza in Jinnan.
21:59 Arrived at his official residential quarters.

4) Private think tanks project 2.6 PERCENT growth in GDP for
July-September period

NIKKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts)
November 5, 2009

Twelve private-sector research institutes have projected that the
nation's real gross domestic product (GDP) for the July-September
quarter grew at an annualized rate of 2.6 PERCENT over the previous
period on average - registering a boost for the second straight
quarter following 2.3 PERCENT growth in the April-June period. The
institutes have released their respective forecasts prior to the
Cabinet Office's announcement of the GDP on Nov. 16. Exports and
consumer spending have increased on the back of economic stimulus
measures taken in Japan and abroad. Capital investment is also
expected to take an upward turn for the first time in six quarters.

According to their forecasts, the GDP for the July-September period
would grow 0.6 PERCENT in real terms over the previous period. The
economy has been on a recovery track, and this favorable trend is
likely to be reflected in the GDP. Even so, policies have greatly
contributed to boosting the economy, so there is still concern about
the continuity of the economic expansion.

5) Okada forgoes visit to U.S. because of Kantei's giving priority
to Diet business

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpt)
November 5, 2009

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has given up his plan to visit the
United States ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's arrival in
Japan on Nov. 12-13 due on account of Diet business. Highly alarmed
at confusion over the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps'
Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture), Okada sounded
out Washington on his plan to visit the United States without
coordinating views with the Prime Minister's office (Kantei). But
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who has said he would postpone a
decision on Futenma until after Obama's Japan visit, has not changed
his stance of giving Diet business priority over other matters. Thus
a difference in level of concern between the Kantei and Okada over
the Futenma issue has been brought into the open. The cancellation
of talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, requested by
Okada, owing to domestic circumstances is drawing criticism from
within the government.

6) Foreign Minister Okada gives up U.S. visit

SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 5, 2009

The governments of Japan and the United States decided yesterday to
call off a meeting between their foreign ministers. The governments
had been carrying out coordination with an eye to holding the
meeting on Nov. 6 (Nov. 7 Japan time). Chief Cabinet Secretary
Hirofumi Hirano announced the cancellation at a press conference on

TOKYO 00002549 004 OF 008

Nov. 4. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told reporters yesterday
evening: "Schedules for budget committee sessions (at the House of
Councillors) have not yet been decided. So I gave up the trip. I
couldn't cause (the U.S. side) to keep their schedule open
indefinitely."

7) Gov't to postpone Futenma decision

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
November 5, 2009

Ahead of U.S. President Obama's visit to Japan on Nov. 12, the
Japanese government's course of action for a scheduled summit
meeting of Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama was disclosed
yesterday. The summit meeting is expected to focus on the issue of
relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa
Prefecture. Hatoyama, however, will tell Obama at the summit meeting
that he will push back a conclusion on the Futenma issue, for the
reason that the Japanese government is still in the process of
verifying the circumstances leading to the decision to relocate the
Futenma airfield to a coastal area of Camp Schwab, a U.S. military
base in the island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago.

Hatoyama will meet at his office with Obama on Nov. 13. During the
summit meeting, the two leaders will focus their discussion mainly
on bilateral relations between Japan and the United States,
assistance to Afghanistan for its reconstruction, North Korea's
nuclear development programs, nuclear disarmament and
nonproliferation, and climate change. Bilateral relations have been
bumpy because of the pending issue of relocating the heliport
functions of Futenma airfield. Against this background, Hatoyama
will underscore the bilateral alliance between Japan and the United
States. In addition, he would like to confirm bilateral cooperation
on Afghan aid. When it comes to the Japan-U.S. alliance, next year
marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S.
Security Treaty, so Hatoyama will propose bilateral discussions to
"deepen the alliance in a multilayered way."

Concerning Japan's aid to Afghanistan, Hatoyama will clarify that
Japan will substantially increase financial assistance for such
projects as constructing social infrastructure in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Hatoyama will explain that he will "not simply extend"
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian
Ocean.

On the issue of nuclear disarmament, Hatoyama will express his
support for Obama's vow to seek "a world without nuclear weapons."
Hatoyama will tell Obama that Japan will also make proactive efforts
for nuclear disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation.

Obama will leave Japan on Nov. 13, so he is not expected to visit
the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

8) Hatoyama: Dispatching even a small group of SDF troops to
Afghanistan would be undesirable

ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
November 5, 2009

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday indicated a negative view
about the proposed dispatch of Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops to
join an international reconstruction mission in Afghanistan. He told

TOKYO 00002549 005 OF 008

reporters: "Dispatching even a small group of SDF personnel to
Afghanistan would be undesirable." The prime minister appears to be
in favor of centering Japan's aid for Afghanistan on civilian aid,
including livelihood support for residents. He also said: "I am
fully aware that each cabinet minister is mulling what Japan should
do for Afghanistan, but I think it is better for the cabinet to come
up with a unified (view) on the SDP dispatch."

The Hatoyama cabinet has decided to halt the Maritime Self-Defense
Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean when the refueling
mission special measures law expires in January. With an eye on U.S.
President Barack Obama's planned visit to Japan on Nov. 12, the
Defense Ministry has looked into such plans as sending SDF officials
to the headquarters of the U.S.-led International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) and Provisional Reconstruction Teams (PRT),
as well as dispatching SDF troops to mainland Afghanistan.

9) Remarks in stump speeches during Lower House campaign "are not
campaign pledges," Foreign Minister Okada says at Diet

SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 5, 2009

With regard to the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air
Station in Okinawa, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said yesterday
before the House of Representatives Budget Committee, "The campaign
platform (for the Lower House election) and remarks made (by senior
party members) during the election campaign are not equivalent. The
campaign platform is the manifesto (set of campaign pledges)." Okada
indicated his perception that policies stipulated in the manifesto
are campaign pledges, but remarks made on the hustings are not
campaign pledges. He was replying to a question by Akira Kasai of
the Japanese Communist Party about the discrepancy between Prime
Minister Yukio Hatoyama's comments during the Lower House campaign
that it would be desirable to relocate the Futenma base out of
Okinawa or out of Japan and the foreign minister's idea of
integrating the Futenma base with Kadena Air Base.

10) Issues on allowing use of Internet during election campaigns to
be summarized

ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
November 5, 2009

Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi
indicated at a news conference after a cabinet meeting on Nov. 4
that he has ordered his ministry to summarize the issues on allowing
the use of the Internet during election campaigns. The removal of a
ban on the use of the Internet during election campaigns was
specified in the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto (campaign
pledges). The government plans to make preparations for amending the
Public Offices Election Law.

There are strong concerns that the removal of the ban on the use of
the Internet might result in spoof candidates and slander. Haraguchi
stopped short of mentioning a clear timeline on amending the law.
"Parties and floor groups must first discuss the matter thoroughly
at the Diet," Haraguchi said, indicating that lawmakers will sponsor
a bill.

11) Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano leaves open option of revising
constitutional interpretation of right of collective self-defense

TOKYO 00002549 006 OF 008

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 5, 2009

At a news conference on Nov. 4, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi
Hirano said that with regard to the government's constitutional
interpretation banning the exercise of the right of collective
self-defense, "when the world situation changes drastically, when a
such a situation occurs, we will make a judgment at that point in
time," leaving open the door to responding to changing
circumstances. He added that "the cabinet consisting of the
ministers will make the interpretation according to a political
decision," emphasizing political leadership.

Previously, the Cabinet Legislation Bureau has, in effect, been
making the constitutional interpretations. On this point, Hirano
said: "I do not think that the director general of the Cabinet
Legislation Bureau should make this judgment. His opinion will not
become the government's opinion." He indicated that the director
general will only serve as an adviser to the cabinet, saying: "We
will tap the director general's knowledge of and opinion on legal
matters. The cabinet will make its judgment based on such
knowledge."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters at the Prime
Minister's office (Kantei) on the same day that "I have no intention
to change the interpretation of the right of collective
self-defense. We should act within the bounds of the government's
interpretation and the Constitution," reiterating his negation of
the revision of the interpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution.
He added, "While it is possible to change the interpretation, we
need to be extremely careful when doing so."

At a cabinet meeting on the same day the government decided on a
response to a written query from New Komeito House of Councillors
member Masayoshi Hamada: "The constitutional interpretation remains
unchanged at this point."

12) Hatoyama, Hirano have different views about government
interpretation of Constitution on collective self-defense

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
November 5, 2009

In replying to questions at a meeting of the House of
Representatives Budget Committee yesterday, Prime Minister Yukio
Hatoyama said in reference to the current government interpretation
of the Constitution, which prohibits the Self-Defense Force from
exercising the right to collective self-defense: "I understand that
Japan adopted the current interpretation based on its historical
background. I have no intention to change it under my
administration." Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano
expressed a different view from Hatoyama's in a press conference the
same day, saying: "When we see a change in the situation, the
cabinet will make a decision in a responsible manner." Hatoyama
later told reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence: "It
doesn't make sense that the view of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau
director general should be a golden rule," indicating that the
cabinet could change the interpretation based on its own judgment.
But he added: "It is also necessary to ascertain public opinion."

13) Gist of PM Hatoyama's and Foreign Minister Okada's responses to

TOKYO 00002549 007 OF 008

interpellation on foreign policy issues at Lower House Budget
Committee on November 4

NIKKEI (Page 4) (Full)
November 5, 2009

Right of collective self-defense

Shigeru Ishiba, chairman of Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research
Council: The Prime Minister used to say that providing bases and
logistic support (to the U.S.) constitutes exercising the right of
collective self-defense. Do you still take that position after
becoming prime minister?

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: The term "right of collective
self-defense" itself is ambiguous. It needs to be defined clearly
and Japan's basic stance on defense needs to be asserted sooner or
later. My cabinet has no intention to change the interpretation of
Article 9 of the Constitution.

Afghan aid

Ishiba: How effective has the refueling mission of the Maritime
Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean been?

Hatoyama: The number of logistical support operations has been
decreasing. Contribution to peace and economic rehabilitation in
Afghanistan will be much more effective.

Ishiba: Will the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) participate in Afghan
aid?

Hatoyama: Manpower contribution is also necessary, but this will be
aid involving mostly civilians. I am not thinking of dispatching the
SDF.

Ishiba: What is the essence of the war against terrorism?

Hatoyama: It is impossible to eradicate terrorism by armed force
alone. Our responsibility is to think seriously about poverty and
the religious aspects, and guide their lives.

Futenma issue

Ishiba: If the U.S. Marines are moved outside Okinawa or Japan, do
you think the same deterrence can be maintained?

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada: We are currently looking into this.
I do not think that deterrence will be lost completely if (the
Marines) are not in Okinawa. However, it will depend on the
situation and location.

East Asian community

Ishiba: Will the East Asian community include not only economic, but
also military aspects?

Okada: The East Asian community is a grand vision for the future. It
is unconceivable for a collective security framework like NATO to be
created immediately in a situation where there are countries with
different political systems. This concept does not include (military
elements).

TOKYO 00002549 008 OF 008

Japan-U.S. alliance

Ishiba: The Japan-U.S. alliance is unequal compared to what?

Okada: We are not talking about compared to something else; what we
are saying is that Japan should voice its opinions boldly.

Ishiba: Demanding that the U.S. make a commitment to no-first-use of
nuclear weapons will mean a serious decline in the United States'
nuclear deterrence.

Okada: I told U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates that
no-first-use of nuclear arms is the general direction for achieving
a world without nuclear weapons, but this cannot be done immediately
and that we would like to discuss in-depth what can be done right
now. I did not demand an immediate commitment to no-first-use.

ROOS

© Scoop Media