VZCZCXRO9075
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0335/01 0530139
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220139Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9505
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 1248
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8916
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2734
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5916
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9402
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3156
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9837
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9190
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000335
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 02/22/10
INDEX:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
Futenma relocation:
3) Japan to propose multiple plans (Asahi)
4) Japan unofficially sounds out U.S. about relocation to land area
of Schwab (Nikkei)
5) Hatoyama: No official approach to U.S. about relocation to land
area of Schwab (Sankei)
6) Kitazawa: Japan will begin negotiating Futenma relocation with
U.S. from March (Yomiuri)
Foreign relations:
7) Okada, Rudd agree to seek diplomatic solution to whaling issue
(Asahi)
8) Smith: Australia to propose abolition of research whaling at IWC
meeting (Asahi)
9) Japan, Australia to strengthen cooperation in nuclear arms
reduction, nonproliferation (Nikkei)
10) Nonpartisan lawmaker group deliver for President Obama letter
supporting his nuclear-free initiative (Tokyo Shimbun)
Defense & security:
11) Japan, NATO agree to conclude accord for safeguarding
intelligence (Nikkei)
12) Kitazawa: Carrier-based planes to move to Iwakuni as per roadmap
(Mainichi)
Politics:
13) DPJ candidate defeated in Nagasaki gubernatorial election
(Yomiuri)
Economy:
14) Toyota president: "I would be happy to appear at Congressional
hearing" (Sankei)
15) Toyota head visits U.S. (Asahi)
16) Japan may bring China before International Tribunal over
development of East China Sea gas fields (Mainichi)
17) Sea Shepherd harasses whaling vessel (Yomiuri)
Opinion:
18) Asahi poll: Cabinet approval rating still falling; hits 37
PERCENT (Asahi)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Tokyo Shimbun & Sankei:
LDP-New Komeito-backed Nakamura wins Nagasaki gubernatorial
election; politics-and-money scandals deal a blow to DPJ; Ozawa's
resignation issue could surface again
Nikkei:
Listed companies, including Toshiba, Honda, increasingly procuring
longer-term funding
Akahata:
DPJ administration to continue previous administration's policy of
abolishing hospital treatment for elderly patients receiving nursing
TOKYO 00000335 002 OF 011
care
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Japan should take responsibility for judging propriety of Iraq
war
Mainichi:
(1) Change in U.S. space development plan could provide opportunity
for Japan to define its space strategy
(2) Kan urged to show leadership in revitalizing Japan
Yomiuri:
(1) DPJ-backed candidate defeated in Nagasaki gubernatorial
election, with economy, money scandals as setbacks
(2) U.S., China must prevent bilateral spats from undermining
cooperative ties
Nikkei:
(1) Pour more energy into economic diplomacy to enable Japanese
firms to branch out into world
Sankei:
(1) Government urged to discuss measures to deal with increasing
threats from neighbors
(2) Japan must send message that Takeshima Islets are Japan's
territory
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Outcome of Nagasaki gubernatorial election should be taken as
manifestation of public distrust in government
(2) More drastic measures necessary for reform of public servant
system
Akahata:
(1) U.S. should resolve Iran issue through diplomatic efforts
3) Gov't to negotiate with U.S. on several plans for Futenma
relocation, including continued use of Futenma
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
February 21, 2010
Prime Minister Hatoyama and his administration decided yesterday to
summarize the possible options this month at the Okinawa Base Issues
Review Committee, a joint panel of the government and the ruling
parties, on the pending issue of relocating the U.S. military's
Futenma airfield facility from its current location in Okinawa
Prefecture's central city of Ginowan, and to present several plans
to the U.S. government. The government is now looking into the
possibility of building a land-based facility on the premises of
Camp Schwab, another U.S. military base located in the island
prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. The option of continuing
to use Futenma airfield will also be included in the plans.
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited the city of Iwakuni in
Yamaguchi Prefecture yesterday and met with Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko
Fukuda. In the meeting, Kitazawa told Fukuda: "We will work it (the
relocation plan) out by the end of February. The question is how to
negotiate with the United States. Depending on circumstances, we may
have to negotiate on several plans." Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet
TOKYO 00000335 003 OF 011
Secretary Hirofumi Hirano met with Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima in
the city of Naha yesterday, and Hirano also told Nakaima that he
will inform the governor (before negotiating with the U.S.
government) of whether the government will present only one plan or
more.
The People's New Party, one of the ruling Democratic Party of
Japan's two coalition partners, is considering building a
1,500-meter-long runway on the premises of Camp Schwab, and the
Hatoyama cabinet is mulling a 500-meter tarmac. However, there is
also an idea being floated within the Hatoyama administration to
close down Futenma airfield and allow the U.S. military to use the
airfield in the event of emergencies. Specifically, the Hatoyama
administration is believed to be exploring the possibility of
relocating the Futenma-based helicopters to a Kyushu-based facility
of the Self-Defense Forces or Iejima and other outlying islands in
Okinawa Prefecture. In the meantime, the Social Democratic Party,
the other coalition partner of the DPJ, has been insisting on
relocating Futenma airfield outside Okinawa Prefecture or outside
Japan. Out of consideration for the SDP, the Hatoyama
administration, in its negotiations with the U.S. government, will
likely present the SDP's proposal of Futenma relocation to Guam or
elsewhere (outside Japan).
4) Government sounds out U.S. unofficially on Futenma relocation to
inland area of Camp Schwab
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
February 20, 2010
In connection with the relocation of the U.S. forces' Futenma Air
Station in Okinawa, the government and the ruling parties began the
coordination process on Feb. 19 to make an inland area in Camp
Schwab (in Nago City) a top option. It intends to enter into
negotiations with the U.S. side after the Okinawa base issues
examination committee of the government and the ruling parties
discusses this plan and decides on concrete proposals.
Commenting on the Camp Schwab inland plan, Prime Minister Yukio
Hatoyama indicated on the same day that "we are taking all the
options into consideration and discussing them one by one." This was
in response to questions from reporters at the Prime Minister's
Official Residence. In connection with this, a government source
said that the U.S. side is being sounded out unofficially on this
proposal.
Two concrete proposals have emerged with regard to this plan to
build a new runway in an inland area of Camp Schwab: (1) build a
runway approximately 1,500 meters long required for the Futenma
base's replacement and (2) build a new runway (a few hundred meters
long) to be used as a helipad, while another location will be
identified for a runway for use by fixed-wing aircraft.
The reclamation of land to build a new runway in the coastal area of
Camp Schwab under the existing relocation plan will require the
Okinawa governor's permission. The proposed inland plan will not
require any reclamation, and since the new runway will be built
inside a U.S. military base, it is believed that the relocation
process can take place smoothly.
5) PM Hatoyama denies that U.S. was officially sounded out on Camp
Schwab inland plan
TOKYO 00000335 004 OF 011
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
February 20, 2010
With regard to the emergence of a proposal to relocate the U.S.
forces' Futenma Air Station (in Ginowan City, Okinawa) to an inland
area in Camp Schwab (in Henoko, Nago City), Prime Minister Yukio
Hatoyama stated in the late afternoon of Feb. 19: "We are at the
stage of taking all the options into consideration and discussing
them one by one. Therefore, we have not sounded out the U.S. through
official channels." This was in response to questions from reporters
at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
Hatoyama also said: "In the end, we will make a decision that keeps
the coalition government intact," stressing that the final decision
to be made by the end of May will be one that the Social Democratic
Party, which advocates the Futenma base's relocation out of Okinawa
or out of Japan, can agree to.
6) DM Kitazawa says talks with U.S. on Futenma relocation to start
in March
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
February 22, 2010
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa gave a speech at a gathering for
Parliamentary Secretary Daizo Kusuda in Onojo City, Fukuoka
Prefecture on Feb. 21. Discussing the selection of the relocation
site for the U.S. forces' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa by the
examination committee of the government and the ruling parties, he
said: "The most important thing is for us to narrow down the
proposals this month and start the coordination process with the
affected localities and the U.S. in March," indicating his intention
to begin negotiations with the U.S. and coordination with the local
governments in March.
In his speech, Kitazawa stressed the active operations of Chinese
submarines in waters surrounding Japan. He said that from this
standpoint, "the presence of U.S. Marines in Okinawa is very
important."
7) Okada, Rudd agree to seek diplomatic solution to whaling issue
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
February 21, 2010
Junko Takahashi, Sydney
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, who is visiting Australia, held
talks with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on February 20.
Although Rudd indicated on the 19th that his government would bring
Japan's research whaling in the Southern Ocean to the International
Court of Justice, the two leaders agreed to aim at a diplomatic
solution (in their talks on the 20th). In the talks, Okada urged
Australia to take a "resolute response" to port calls by protest
vessels of the anti-whaling Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. In
response, Rudd indicated that regulating port calls would be
difficult, citing a lack of legal grounds.
"There is a tendency to become emotional over the whaling issue, but
it is important to settle the matter through rational talks," Rudd
was quoted as saying by the Japanese side. Okada too said: "It is
TOKYO 00000335 005 OF 011
important to conduct talks carefully so as not to affect the overall
Japan-Australia relationship." The two leaders also confirmed that
they will display political leadership for the early conclusion of
an economic partnership agreement (EPA) to liberalize trade in goods
and services.
Okada also held talks with Defense Minister John Faulkner on Feb.
20. They agreed to begin launch official talks for the conclusion of
an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) to provide
supplies and services to each other during UN peacekeeping
operations and on other occasions. The two countries will hold a
(two-plus-two) foreign and defense ministerial meeting in Japan in
the first half of this year with the aim of reaching an agreement
there.
8) Australia to propose gradually abolishing Japan's whaling; if
agreement not reached, matter will be taken to court
ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
February 22, 2010
Junko Takahashi, Perth
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada held talks with Australian Foreign
Minister Stephen Smith in Perth on Feb. 21. Smith explicitly said at
a joint press conference after the talks that his country will
propose to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) that Japan
abolish its research whaling in the Southern Ocean in a phased
approach and that if an agreement is not reached, Australia will
take the matter to the International Court of Justice. Okada said:
"The reference to the Court is regrettable. If the matter is taken
to the Court, we will firmly assert the legitimacy (of Japan's
research whaling)."
Smith said that although Australia has made efforts to reach an
agreement over the last two years through bilateral talks and at the
IWC, "time is running out." Australia will officially propose the
IWC as early as Feb. 22 that Japan gradually abolish its whaling
after a certain period of time. Meanwhile, Okada emphasized the need
to aim at a solution through talks, saying: "We must act carefully
so that this issue will not affect the overall Japan-Australia
relationship. We must conduct talks in a level-headed manner."
9) Japan, Australia to work together for nuclear nonproliferation;
agreement reached to hold regular talks
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged)
February 22, 2010
Tomohiro Takasa, Perth
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, who is visiting Australia, held
talks with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in the country's
western city of Perth, and they released a joint statement saying
that the two countries will work together to achieve nuclear
disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation. Acknowledging the role
played by nuclear deterrence, the statement said that the two
countries will deepen their discussions on the idea of prohibiting
the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. The
statement set forth a policy direction for the two countries to work
closely in the run-up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
review conference to be held in May.
TOKYO 00000335 006 OF 011
The joint statement titled "Toward a Nuclear-Free World" clearly
defined the two countries' stance of supporting U.S. President
Barack Obama's vision. The two foreign ministers also decided to
hold regular meetings to confirm the progress of implementing a
report on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament that was produced
by an international panel in December.
The two leaders expressed their strong concern about nuclear
development by North Korea and Iran. They called on UN members to
implement sanctions against North Korea, while urging Pyongyang to
immediately return to the Six-Party Talks.
Okada and Smith also agreed to hold a (two-plus-two) foreign and
defense ministerial meeting in Tokyo during the first half of this
year and to begin administrative-level talks for concluding an
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) to provide food and
fuel to each other. They also confirmed a policy direction to deepen
dialogue among Japan, the United States, and Australia, maintaining
that the United States' involvement is indispensable for stability
and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
10) Japanese suprapartisan lawmakers deliver letter for U.S.
President to Ambassador Roos, in support of his vision of world
without nuclear weapons
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
February 20, 2010
A group of nonpartisan Japanese Diet members visited the U.S.
Embassy in Tokyo yesterday and delivered a letter addressed to U.S.
President Barack Obama to Ambassador John Roos, expressing their
support for the President's efforts to achieve a world free of
nuclear weapons. The group included Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
member Hideo Hiraoka, Liberal Democratic Party member Yasutoshi
Nishimura, and New Komeito member Masao Akamatsu.
The letter notes: "As lawmakers of the only country that has
suffered atomic bomb attacks, we assume 'the moral responsibility'
to back up the President's efforts with all our strength." The
letter specifies that the group (1) totally supports the President's
goal of moving toward translating his vision of a
nuclear-weapon-free world into concrete actions; and (2) asks the
U.S. to declare that its sole role regarding nuclear weapons is to
deter other countries from using nuclear weapons.
A total of 204 lawmakers from the DPJ, the Social Democratic Party,
the People's New Party, the LDP, the New Komeito, and the Your Party
signed the letter.
Ambassador Roos said: "Eliminating nuclear weapons is a very
important challenge," but he reportedly added: "The U.S would like
to take a pragmatic approach on this matter."
11) Japan to sign intelligence protection accord with NATO; plans to
use information for aid to Afghanistan
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
February 22, 2010
The Japanese government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) have agreed to sign an accord designed to protect
TOKYO 00000335 007 OF 011
confidential information, such as military secrets. Japan has
already concluded a similar pact with the U.S., so this will be the
second time for Japan to sign such a pact. The pact is aimed at
guaranteeing the strict management of the provided information and
will make it easier for Japan to obtain local security information
necessary for its reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan and other
activities. This development will also pave the way for cooperation
between both sides in the defense area, such as the joint
development of weapons.
The Japan-NATO information protection agreement includes measures to
require countries that receive confidential formation to manage the
information in the same way as the information providers. In the
event the information is leaked, the countries involved will be
punished based on their respective domestic laws. The two sides are
expected to sign the accord within this year.
Japan has joined the Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) in
Afghanistan, but the NATO force, which has participated in the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the PRT, is not
allowed to provide Japan with security intelligence because the two
parties have yet to sign an information protection accord.
Under the new pact, it will become possible for Japan to decide on
the scope of its activities based on confidential information such
as the degree of danger in certain regions. A senior Defense
Ministry official commented: "It will become possible for both sides
to jointly develop equipment and share information on weapons in the
future."
12) DM Kitazawa emphasizes relocation of carrier aircraft to Iwakuni
base to take place "as planned"
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
February 21, 2010
Yasushi Sengoku, Norio Oyama
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi
Prefecture on Feb. 20 and met Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda at the city
hall. In connection with the relocation of carrier-based aircraft
units from Atsugi base (straddling Ayase and Yamato in Kanagawa
Prefecture) to Iwakuni base under the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ)
realignment plan, Kitazawa said: "We have never asked for a change
of plan," indicating that he intends to proceed with the relocation
in accordance with the Japan-U.S. road map for the implementation of
USFJ realignment. Fukuda reminded him that he should fulfill his
responsibility to give an explanation to Iwakuni citizens.
13) DPJ candidate defeated in Nagasaki gubernatorial election:
LDP-New Komeito-backed Nakamura wins
YOMIURI (Top play) (Lead para)
February 22, 2010
Newcomer Hodo Nakamura (59), an independent and a former Nagasaki
Prefecture vice governor backed by the Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) and the New Komeito, was elected in the Nagasaki gubernatorial
election on Feb. 21, defeating by a wide margin six other newcomers,
including Tsuyoshi Hashimoto (40), an independent recommended by the
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party, and
the People's New Party. Hashimoto is a former chief of the reform
TOKYO 00000335 008 OF 011
promotion office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries. The opposition party-backed candidate won the election
amid declining public support ratings due to politics-and-money
scandals involving Prime Minister Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General
Ozawa. The election result could affect deliberations on the fiscal
2010 budget bill and the political situation leading up to the Upper
House election this summer. The voter turnout was 60.08 percent
(52.27 percent in the previous election).
14) "I will attend the U.S. hearing with pleasure": Exchange of
questions and answers with President Toyoda
SANKEI (Page 11) (Full)
February 20, 2010
The following is the exchange of questions and answers between
Toyota Motors President Akio Toyoda and the press corps in Nagoya
City on Feb. 19.
"I received a formal request to attend a hearing from (U.S. House
Oversight and Government Reform Committee) Chairman Towns. I have
decided to attend the hearing with willingness. I intend to explain
the situation in all sincerity."
-- You said at a press conference on the 17th that you would not
attend a hearing.
"Whether I will go or not is not a matter for us to decide. I am
supposed to go (to attend a hearing) if I am asked. If it had been
up to me to decide, I would have said (that I would attend a
hearing) at that press conference."
-- What would you most like to stress?
"First of all, I would like to stress to our customers that they
should feel safe in our vehicles because we are cooperating (with
U.S. authorities) in the investigation to determine the cause. I
will accept criticism of our response to problems. I would like to
make efforts to gain understanding of our thinking toward customers
and our thinking toward America by all means."
-- What is your schedule in the U.S.?
"I have not yet determined my schedule at all. It is still being
arranged."
-- Do you have a plan to hold a press conference or meet government
officials involved?
"I think I have. However, nothing has been decided yet."
Will you meet with Secretary of Transportation LaHood?
"I think I can meet him at the hearing."
-- Are you going to visit dealerships?
"I plan to do so. However, nothing is certain yet."
15) Toyota Motors president visits U.S.
ASAHI (Page 22) (Full)
TOKYO 00000335 009 OF 011
February 22, 2010
Hitoki Nakagawa, Washington
Toyota Motors President Akio Toyoda on Feb. 20 left for the U.S. to
attend the upcoming U.S. congressional hearing, which is to be held
by the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the
24th. Toyoda's schedule up to the hearing has not been disclosed. He
appears to be focused on preparations.
At the hearing Toyoda is expected to be asked whether Toyota
conducted recalls without delay and whether its electronic throttle
control system is the cause of the acceleration problem. Toyoda
explained his view of the series of recalls of Toyota vehicles
during press conferences held in Japan. However, he had delegated
technical explanations to Vice President Shinichi Sasaki
(responsible for quality assurance).
Since Toyoda represents Toyota Motors, he needs to reply to
questions on his own at the hearing, if requested. Since the hearing
will affect the fate of Toyota, as one company executive put it,
Toyoda is expected to hold detailed preliminary discussions with
executives of North America Toyota Motors.
16) Government informs China it may take case to International
Tribunal for the Law of the Sea if China goes ahead with gas field
development
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
February 22, 2010
Yudai Nakazawa
It was learned on Feb. 21 that the government has decided on a new
policy on dealing with the dispute between Japan and China over the
gas fields in East China Sea, including the option of filing a case
with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and China
has been notified of this new policy. The two governments decided in
June 2008 to shelve the issue of delineating a boundary and agreed
on joint development of the Shirakaba (Chunxiao in Chinese) gas
field. However, China had adopted a negative attitude on
negotiations to sign an agreement, and Japan reckoned that China
might renege on the 2008 agreement. However, China reacted strongly
to Japan's new policy, and the two sides failed to break the
stalemate.
According to a source on Japan-China diplomacy, Foreign Minister
Katsuya Okada notified Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of the
new policy at their talks on Jan. 17. Okada told Yang that if China
"violates the agreement," such as by starting production
unilaterally, Japan would not hesitate to take the case, including
the question of a boundary, to the international tribunal. Yang
expressed strong displeasure, arguing that "China has sovereign
rights over Chunxiao, so (the filing of a case) is unacceptable,"
thus cutting short the discussion.
17) Sea Shepherd flashes laser beams at Japanese whaling vessel
YOMIURI (Page 38) (Full)
February 22, 2010
The Fisheries Agency announced on Feb. 21 that the anti-whaling Sea
TOKYO 00000335 010 OF 011
Shepherd Conservation Society flashed its laser beams at the Nisshin
Maru, the mother ship of the Japanese research whaling fleet, in the
Southern Ocean on the evening of Feb. 21, Japan time. No Japanese
crewmembers were injured as a result.
The harassment was carried out by the Bob Barker, a protest boat of
the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and lasted for about 20
minutes. One of the Sea Shepherd members is being detained after he
intruded into a Japanese research whaling vessel on Feb. 15. The
group has been obstructing Japan's research whaling.
18) Poll: Cabinet support spirals down to 37 PERCENT
ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
February 22, 2010
The rate of public support for the cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio
Hatoyama fell below 40 PERCENT for the first time since its launch,
according to a telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey
conducted Feb. 20-21. In the survey, the Hatoyama cabinet's support
rate was 37 PERCENT , down from the 41 PERCENT rating in the
previous spot poll conducted Feb. 5-6. The nonsupport rate leveled
off at 46 PERCENT (45 PERCENT in the previous poll). A total of 81
PERCENT said ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary
General Ichiro Ozawa should explain the problem of his political
funds in the Diet. The figure shows that there are still deep-seated
calls for clarification of the matter.
Last December, the cabinet support rate plummeted to 48 PERCENT
from the 62 PERCENT rating in the preceding month and has continued
to fall.
The DPJ is aiming to win a single-party majority in this summer's
election for the House of Councillors. However, a total of 55
PERCENT answered that they would not like the DPJ to achieve a
single-party majority, with 31 PERCENT saying they would like the
DPJ to do so. Among those with no particular party affiliation, the
proportion of negative answers was even higher, reaching 62 PERCENT
.
Even among DPJ supporters, the proportion of those insisting that
Ozawa should explain the problem of his political funds in the Diet
was as high as 72 PERCENT . Among all respondents, the proportion
who believe that Ozawa should resign from his party post was 64
PERCENT (68 PERCENT in the previous poll), and a total of 69
PERCENT said they cannot approve of the DPJ's refusal to deliberate
on a resolution recommending Tomohiro Ishikawa, a lawmaker seated in
the House of Representatives, to resign from the Diet in connection
with his alleged involvement in the questionable purchase of land by
Ozawa's fund management organization. Prosecutors have now decided
to drop Ozawa's case, but the public is still strongly critical of
the DPJ.
On the pending issue of relocating the U.S. military's Futenma
airfield facility from its current location in Okinawa Prefecture's
central city of Ginowan, the Hatoyama cabinet is now looking for a
new relocation site "from scratch." Asked whether they approve of
the Hatoyama cabinet's way of handing the issue, 46 PERCENT were
negative and 38 PERCENT affirmative.
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the DPJ
stood at 32 PERCENT (34 PERCENT in the previous survey) and the
TOKYO 00000335 011 OF 011
leading opposition Liberal Democratic Party was at 18 PERCENT (18
PERCENT in the previous survey).
ROOS