Cablegate: Japanese Morning Press Highlights 09/17/09

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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA

SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/17/09

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

Hatoyama Administration
4) Gist of Prime Minister Hatoyama's inaugural press conference
(Asahi)
5) Pace of negotiations for realignment of U.S. forces to pick up;
Japan to request North Korea reinvestigate abduction issue (Nikkei)

6) The Hatoyama Cabinet (Yomiuri)
7) DPJ leaders (Nikkei)
8) Foreign Minister orders investigation of secret nuclear accord
(Asahi)
9) Gist of Hatoyama Cabinet's basic policies (Yomiuri)
10) Foreign Minister Okada says no to first use (Nikkei)

Foreign Relations
11) Foreign Minister Okada: I want to deepen Japan-U.S. ties
(Yomiuri)
12) Japan Council Against A & H Bombs requests start of talks for
the elimination of nuclear weapons (Akahata)
13) Hatoyama to emphasize mutual understanding with U.S. (Yomiuri)

Defense & Security
14) Foreign Minister Okada plans to take a flexible approach to the
Futenma issue (Mainichi)
15) Defense Minister Kitazawa's positions on security issues unknown
(Mainichi)

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun & Akahata

Hatoyama cabinet launched: Prime minister stresses his resolve to
break away from bureaucrat-led politics; Land Minister Maehara
announces suspension of Yamba Dam construction; Budget to be
compiled before year's end; First non-LDP administration in 16
years

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Request to Prime Minister Hatoyama: Send messages that give
people a real sense of change

Mainichi:
(1) Hatoyama administration launched: Resolutely stick to "change":
Administrative clean-up needed first

Yomiuri:
(1) Hatoyama cabinet launched: Press ahead with reform without
taking wrong policy course

Nikkei:
(1) Prime Minister Hatoyama should address expectations of people
who hoped for change of government

TOKYO 00002170 002 OF 012

Sankei:
(1) New Hatoyama cabinet: Give top priority to national interests:
Necessary to revise public pledges, face reality

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) New Hatoyama cabinet inaugurated: Fulfill responsibility to
convince public

Akahata:
(1) Inauguration of new Hatoyama cabinet ushers in new political
phase

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, September 16

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 16, 2009

Taro Aso
09:01 Attended a special cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Met Chief
Cabinet Secretary Kawamura.
10:00 Held a press conference. Later met Kawamura.
11:49 Met Kawamura and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma.
12:30 Received a bouquet of flowers from Kantei staff and left the
Kantei.
12:50 Attended a meeting of lawmakers in the Diet Building.
13:05 Attended a Lower House plenary session.
Yukio Hatoyama
13:05 Attended a Lower House plenary session.
14:51 Appointed as 93th prime minister. Went around making courtesy
visits in the Diet Building.
15:36 Met party executive office chief Hirano.
16:00 Met Social Democratic Party leader Fukushima and People's New
party leader Kamei, with Secretary General Ozawa and others present.
Set up an office for forming a cabinet. Called new cabinet members
into the office.
18:00 Held a press conference.
18:33 Met Yoshikatsu Nakayama and Katsuya Ogawa, advisors to the
prime minister.
18:59 Attended an attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace,
followed by a ceremony of prime minister-installation by the Emperor
and a formal presentation ceremony for the new cabinet ministers.
21:50 Met National Strategy Minister Kan at the Kantei.
22:02 Issued official appointments to the ministers. Attended a
cabinet meeting. Later, posed for photos with the cabinet ministers.
Then issued letters of appointment to the advisors to the prime
minister and others. Posed for photos with them.
Sept. 17
00:22 Returned to his private residence.

DPJ Hatoyama's schedule, Sept. 16

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)

08:44 Left home in Denenchofu.
09:23 Met Chairman Koshiishi of the DPJ Caucus in the Upper House in
the Diet Building. Later attended a meeting of party members of both
houses of the Diet.
10:02 Arrived at party headquarters.
11:20 Met Hirano, joined by Deputy President Kan.
12:14 Met Hirano and Upper House member Koji Matsui.

TOKYO 00002170 003 OF 012

11:34 Attended a meeting of lawmakers in the Diet Building.

4) Prime Minister Hatoyama's inaugural press conference

ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged)
September 17, 2009

The following is a gist of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's inaugural
press conference held on Sept. 16:

The moment I was elected prime minister in both houses of the Diet,
I trembled with emotion to think that the history of Japan will
change. I also felt a strong sense of responsibility to change this
country into a true people-oriented society and to spearhead that
endeavor.

We have yet to change the history (of this country). Making real
change happen is dependent on the work we do from now on. The people
are the real winners in the latest election. We will conduct the
kind of politics that make the people feel that they are the real
winners. We will build a people-oriented political system, and to
that end, we must break away from bureaucrat-controlled
policymaking.

Questions and answers

-- What is the immediate top-priority policy challenge for the
Hatoyama administration?

Prime Minister: Needless to say, it is our manifesto. As the
coalition government, we will implement the policies that were
agreed upon. As the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), we will first
of all implement measures to stimulate household finances, such as
the provision of child allowances and the abolition of provisional
tax rates, so that the people can sense that the financial situation
has improved and pin their hopes on this administration.

The question of funding will then emerge, and I want every
government office to make maximum efforts to eliminate wasteful
spending. I have confidence that we will be able to secure over 7
trillion yen for the initial year. We will also have to thoroughly
review the economic stimulus measures and the supplementary budget.
Those that have yet to be implemented require drastic review.

-- Specifically how are you going to shift power away from
bureaucrats?

Prime Minister: At each ministry, policy decisions will be made by
the minister, deputy minister, and parliamentary secretaries. We
will build a system under which lawmakers take leadership roles and
make decisions on projects. Now that the vice-ministers meetings
have been abolished, the resistance of bureaucrats will not have
such a strong influence.

-- Are you going to compile the budget before the end of the year
and aim to enact it by the end of the year?

Prime Minister: We will conduct a "zero-based review" of the current
approach. We will basically review the conventional way of producing
the budgetary request guidelines. Although (budget-compilation) will
start later than usual, we will follow a schedule that will enable
us to finish compiling the budget before the end of the year.

TOKYO 00002170 004 OF 012

-- In the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit, are you going to bring up the
issue of a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement?

Prime Minister: Building a relationship of trust with President
Obama is the top priority. I will focus on forging relations of
trust in the upcoming event. It is important to address a variety of
outstanding bilateral issues over time.

-- How is your government going to deal with the abduction issue?

Prime Minister: The most important thing is to prompt North Korea to
settle the abduction issue in a practical manner.

-- When you were serving as secretary general, you used the
expression "investigations at the behest of the state" in connection
with the Nishimatsu Construction illegal donation scandal. Do you
still have that opinion?

Prime Minister: I used the expression "investigations at the behest
of the state" only once, but not a second time. I feel some regret
over using the expression and have refrained from using it since
then.

-- Are you planning to offer a new explanation on the false donation
case in view of its possible impact on the new administration?

Prime Minister: It is a fact that the general public has not been
convinced by (my explanation). I will make efforts to offer further
explanation. I want to convey my thinking to the people as
accurately and honestly as possible to deepen their understanding
with an eye on future developments.

5) Okada to accelerate talks on U.S. force realignment, call on N.
Korea to reinvestigate abductions

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 17, 2009

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, meeting the press early today after
taking up his portfolio, indicated that he would seek revisions to
an intergovernmental agreement reached between Japan and the United
States on the planned realignment of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma
Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. "There's no change in our stance
of going for it (relocating Futenma airfield outside Okinawa
Prefecture)." He added, "Relocation to Henoko (in the prefecture's
northern coastal city of Nago) is now underway. If we leave this
matter as is, it will become a fait accompli. We will have to
discuss it soon."

However, Okada also clarified that he would negotiate with the U.S.
government in a flexible way, saying, "If we're shackled too much,
we could be bound hand and foot. We may consider some more
options."

On the North Korea problem, Okada stated: "To my way of thinking,
there will be no diplomatic normalization unless the abduction issue
is resolved as well as the nuclear and missile issue." He also
referred to the issue of reinvestigating the whereabouts of Japanese
nationals abducted to North Korea. "North Korea promised, so I want
them to fulfill their responsibility," he said.

TOKYO 00002170 005 OF 012

6) Hatoyama Cabinet Lineup

YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
September 17, 2009

Prime Minister

Yukio Hatoyama (62)
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), 8th term in Lower House, Hokkaido
No. 9 district, DPJ secretary general and president, Stanford
University Graduate School (first cabinet post)

Deputy Prime Minister and National Strategy Minister

Naoto Kan (61)
DPJ, 10th term in Lower House, Tokyo No. 18 district, health and
welfare minister, DPJ president, and deputy president; Tokyo
Institute of Technology

Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications

Kazuhiro Haraguchi (50)
DPJ, 5th term in Lower House, Saga No. 1 district, general affairs
committee member and responsible for internal affairs, University of
Tokyo (first cabinet post)

Minister of Justice

Keiko Chiba (61)
DPJ, 4th term in Upper House, Kanagawa Prefecture, lawyer, DPJ vice
president, and responsible for justice affairs, Chuo University
(first cabinet post)

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Katsuya Okada (56)
DPJ, 7th term in Lower House, Mie No. 3 district, DPJ policy chief,
president, and secretary general; University of Tokyo (first cabinet
post)

Minister of Finance

Hirohisa Fujii (77)
DPJ, 7th term in Lower House (two terms in Upper House),
proportional representation Minami Kanto bloc, finance minister and
DPJ secretary general, University of Tokyo

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Tatsuo Kawabata (64)
DPJ, 8th term in Lower House, Shiga No. 1 district, DPJ Diet affairs
committee chair and secretary general, Kyoto University Graduate
School (first cabinet post)

Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare

Akira Nagatsuma (49)
DPJ, 4th term in Lower House, Tokyo No. 7 district, DPJ policy
deputy chief and responsible for pension affairs, Keio University
(first cabinet post)

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

TOKYO 00002170 006 OF 012

Hirotaka Akamatsu (61)
DPJ, 7th term in Lower House, Aichi No. 5 district, DPJ Diet affairs
committee chair and election campaign committee chair, Waseda
University (first cabinet post)

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

Masayuki Naoshima (63)
DPJ, 3rd term in Upper House, proportional representation, DPJ Upper
House secretary general and DPJ policy chief, Kobe University (first
cabinet post)

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, State Minister for
Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs

Seiji Maehara (47)
DPJ, 6th term in Lower House, Kyoto No. 2 district, DPJ deputy
secretary general, president, and vice president; Kyoto University
(first cabinet post)

Minister of Environment

Sakihito Ozawa (55)
DPJ, 6th in Lower House, Yamanashi No. 1 district, DPJ deputy
secretary general and national rallying and canvassing committee
chair, University of Tokyo (first cabinet post)

Minister of Defense

Toshimi Kitazawa (71)
DPJ, 3rd term in Upper House, Nagano Prefecture, DPJ Upper House
secretary general and foreign affairs and defense committee
chairman, Waseda University (first cabinet post)

Chief Cabinet Secretary

Hirofumi Hirano (60)
DPJ, 5th term in Lower House, Osaka No. 11 district, DPJ deputy
secretary general and executive office head, Chuo University (first
cabinet post)

National Public Safety Commission Chairman, State Minister for
Abduction Issue

Hiroshi Nakai (67)
DPJ, 11th term in Lower House, Mie No. 1 district, justice minister,
DPJ standing officers council chair, Keio University

State Minister for Financial Affairs, Postal Reform

Shizuka Kamei (72)
People's New Party (PNP), 11th term in Lower House, Hiroshima No. 6
district, transport minister, construction minister, and PNP
representative, University of Tokyo

State Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety, Declining
Birthrate, Gender Equality

Mizuho Fukushima (53)
Social Democratic Party (SDP), 2nd term in Upper House, proportional
representation, lawyer, SDP public relations committee chair,

TOKYO 00002170 007 OF 012

secretary general, and chairperson, University of Tokyo (first
cabinet post)

State Minister for Administrative Reform Council, Public Servant
System Reform

Yoshito Sengoku (63)
DPJ, 6th term in Lower House, Tokushima No. 1 district, DPJ
constitution research council committee chair and policy chief, left
University of Tokyo in mid-course (first cabinet post)

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries

Yorihisa Matsuno, 48 (for state affairs)
Koji Matsui, 49 (for state affairs)
Kinya Takino, 62 (for administrative affairs)

Cabinet Legislative Bureau Director General

Reiichi Miyazaki, 64 (reappointed)

7) New DPJ Executive Lineup

NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full)
September 17, 2009

President Yukio Hatoyama

Secretary General

Ichiro Ozawa (67)
Former Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) deputy president and
president (Keio University; 14th term in the House of
Representatives; Iwate No. 4 district), Ozawa group

Chairman of DPJ Caucus in the House of Councillors (reappointment)

Azuma Koshiishi (73)
Former DPJ Upper House secretary general (Tsuru University; 2nd term
in Upper House; Yamanashi Prefecture; served two terms in the House
of Representatives), DPJ group affiliated with the former Japan
Socialist Party

Diet Affairs Committee Chairman (reappointment)

Kenji Yamaoka (66)
Former DPJ Diet affairs committee chair and financial affairs
committee chair (Keio University; 5th term in Lower House; Tochigi
No. 4 district; served two terms in the Upper House), Ozawa group

8) Foreign Minister Okada orders investigation into secret accords
between Japan, U.S.

ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
September 17, 2009

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada instructed Administrative Foreign
Vice Minister Mitoji Yabunaka before dawn of Sept. 17 to examine
documents concerning secret accords signed between Japan and the
U.S., including one allowing the entry into Japan of U.S. ships and
aircraft carrying nuclear weapons and another over the return of
Okinawa to Japan. He also ordered Yabunaka to report the results of

TOKYO 00002170 008 OF 012

the investigation to him by late November.

In a press conference Okada held before giving the instruction, he
said about the purported secretive aspects of Japan-U.S. security
cooperation:

"This is an extremely serious problem. It is my responsibility to
uncover the details of this issue at an early date. I will issue a
ministerial order and instruct (Foreign Ministry officials) to
thoroughly investigate the issue, setting a time limit."

Okada listed four purported secret accords for investigation: a pact
in 1960 allowing stopovers in Japan's territory by U.S. military
aircraft and vessels carrying nuclear weapons; a pact on combat
action in times of emergency on the Korean Peninsula; a pact
allowing the U.S. military to bring nuclear weapons into Japan in
possible emergencies on the occasion of Okinawa's reversion to Japan
in 1972; and a pact concerning Japan's payment of fees for restoring
to their original state sites vacated by the U.S. military.

9) Gist of Hatoyama cabinet's basic policies

YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full)
September 17, 2009

The Hatoyama cabinet will move to create a new nation, based on two
policy pillars - materializing real popular sovereignty and
increasing substantive autonomy of local regions. Starting today,
our country will aim to end patronage politics and a political
system that is dependent on the bureaucracy, which has undergirded
such politics. We are not aiming to create politics intended to bash
bureaucrats. We will urge bureaucrats to strive for a change in
awareness and tackle reforms together with us. We want them to
regain their pride as the nerve center that supports the nation.

The Hatoyama cabinet will set up in each government agency a policy
affairs executive council led by the minister, the senior vice
minister and the parliamentary secretary. The panel will map out
policies and coordinate them from the peoples' perspective. We will
fundamentally reform the political climate, under which politicians
will confirm policies decided by bureaucrats.

A national strategy office will be established in the Cabinet
Secretariat as an organ directly reporting to the prime minister. A
framework for tax finances and basic policies on the management of
the economy will be decided under the leadership of the Kantei.
Administrative reform meetings will be held to review all of the
government's budgets and project programs and thoroughly eliminate
wasteful spending of tax revenues. Amakudari (brokering the
re-employment of retired national government employees) and watari
(practice of retired officials jumping from one easy job to another
many times, receiving pensions and pay along the way) for government
employees will be totally banned.

The Hatoyama cabinet will promote a bold transfer of state
authorities and financial resources to local governments. It will
reduce direct burdens on people's livelihood, such as highway
(tolls) and the gas tax, with the aim of creating local communities
full of vitality. It will also drastically review the nature of
postal services. It will materialize economic growth led by domestic
demand, by boosting personal consumption through an increase in
actual disposal income of household budgets.

TOKYO 00002170 009 OF 012

The Hatoyama cabinet will rebuild the Japan-U.S. alliance into a
close and equal one. Concerning the North Korea issue, too, it will
explore ways to settle it, using every possible means - both
hard-line and soft-line approaches.

The Hatoyama cabinet will make efforts toward the development of a
"yuai" (friendship and love) society composed of the central and
local governments as well as the people, where all people mutually
feel that the existence of the others is indispensable.

10) Foreign Minister Okada: Preemptive use of nuclear weapons must
not be allowed

NIKKEI (Page 4) (Full)
September 17, 2009

-- How are you going to deal with the question of a secret pact
allowing the United States to introduce nuclear weapons into Japan?

Okada: Foreign policy must be underpinned by public trust and
understanding. The question of the secret agreement is an extremely
grave matter. It must be resolved at an early time. I will order the
vice-foreign minister to conduct a thorough investigation by a
certain date.

-- What is your view about the preemptive use of nuclear weapons?

Okada: I wonder if a country that has declared it will use nuclear
weapons preemptively is entitled to advocate nuclear disarmament. I
have repeatedly said that the preemptive use of nuclear weapons must
not be allowed. Is there any conclusion other than that? I do not
think (abandonment of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons) will
weaken nuclear deterrence.

-- Are you going to ask North Korea for a reinvestigation of the
abduction issue?

Okada: North Korea has promised it. I want that country to deliver
on its promise in a responsible manner. There will be no
normalization of diplomatic ties (with North Korea) unless the
abduction, nuclear, and missile issues are settled properly.

11) Okada: I want to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance

YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full)
September 17, 2009

The following is the gist of Foreign Minister Okada's press
remarks.

Diplomacy must be backed by public understanding and trust. We must
investigate the secret agreement (on nuclear introduction) at an
early stage to find out whether it is true or not. I will order the
vice foreign minister to investigate this problem thoroughly within
a set timeframe.

We should tackle such issues as the realignment of U.S. forces in
Japan and the presence of U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture
within the year. I will find time to visit Okinawa, and then I'd
like to push ahead. The question is how to deepen the bilateral
alliance between Japan and the United States. I want to further

TOKYO 00002170 010 OF 012

deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance so it is sustainable in the medium
and long term.

12) Gensuikyo asks U.S. Embassy for nuclear abolition talks

AKAHATA (Page 1) (Full)
September 17, 2009

Representatives from the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen
Bombs (Gensuikyo) visited the American Embassy in Tokyo's Minato
Ward yesterday and requested the United States make its utmost
effort to pursue an agreement on the total prohibition and
elimination of nuclear weapons and start talks in the run-up to the
nuclear nonproliferation conference scheduled for 2010.

Hiroshi Takakusaki, chief of the secretariat to Gensuikyo, met with
U.S. Embassy Secretary Jerome Ryan to deliver a special resolution,
"A letter to the Governments of All Countries for a Nuclear-Free
World," adopted at a world conference against atomic and hydrogen
bombs held in August and his own letter addressed to U.S. President
Obama.

In his letter Takakusaki refers to discussions at the United Nations
Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly. The letter says, in
part, "It's impossible to prevent the proliferation of nuclear
weapons as long as the existing nuclear powers justify their nuclear
weapons for 'deterrence' and 'security' reasons." His letter calls
on the five nuclear powers, especially the U.S. government, to take
the initiative for the total prohibition of nuclear weapons.

In making his request Takakusaki indicated his "heartfelt reception"
of Obama's Prague and Cairo speeches. "We'd like to work together
for the chance to eliminate nuclear weapons," he stressed. "In order
to realize this project, we will need to mobilize public opinion
around the world." At the same time, he noted that "countries with
nuclear weapons must eliminate them; otherwise other countries will
want to possess them. All countries should be equally prohibited by
law from possessing nuclear weapons." He further said, "I request
you make concrete efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons."

Ryan said, "I will send the letter to my home government as soon as
possible." He added, "It's really good to see you today." Thus he
expressed his gratitude for the request.

13) Prime Minister Hatoyama at press conference: We will place
importance on mutual understanding with U.S.

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
September 17, 2009

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday held his first press
conference as prime minister at the Prime Minister's Official
Residence (Kantei). Referring to the new administration's policy
toward the United States, Hatoyama said, "I think building relations
of trust with the United States is crucial," indicating that he will
make an effort to build a relationship of mutual trust with the
U.S., including personal ties with President Barack Obama. When
asked by reporters about a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces
Agreement, as well as of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan,
which were included in an agreement to form a coalition government,
Hatoyama
said, "It is important to take our time with discussions." He

TOKYO 00002170 011 OF 012

indicated that his administration would undertake the review in a
cautious manner, demonstrating consideration for the U.S.

Hatoyama stated: "I have no intention to change the basic policy (of
the agreement on the coalition government). Regarding a variety of
pending issues between Japan and the United States and security
issues, he said, "It is important to take time for a comprehensive
review." As to how his government will go along with Washington, he
said, "I would like to build a situation under which we can frankly
discuss issues."

14) Foreign Minister Okada says he will deal with Futenma issue
flexibly, indicating emphasis on relations with U.S.

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
September 17, 2009

In the new cabinet formed by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama
yesterday, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defense Minister
Toshimi Kitazawa, both of whom have assumed cabinet posts for the
first time, are in charge of the nation's foreign and defense
policies, respectively. There are numerous pending key challenges
the new administration has to tackle through negotiations with the
U.S. If they fail to make proper judgments, the foundation of the
new administration could immediately deteriorate.

In his first press conference after assuming the post, Foreign
Minister Okada emphasized: "I am determined to make efforts to
continue deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance." On the issue of
relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, he
indicated he would work on the issue in a flexible manner, saying:
"We will try to resolve the issue through negotiations, so the issue
will never be resolved if our side only asserts what it wants." As
"issues that must be resolved within 100 days," Okada cited the
relocation of U.S. military bases in Okinawa and support for
Afghanistan, in addition to issues related to North Korea and global
warming. He thus indicated he would give top priority to Japan-U.S.
relations.

Important events for the new administration to establish a solid
relationship with the U.S. have been arranged in succession, such as
the first meeting between Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S.
President Barack Obama set for Sept. 23, U.S. Secretary of Defense
Robert Gates' visit to Japan in mid-October, and in mid-November
President Obama's first visit to Japan since coming into office. The
government will be pressed to take a specific approach in
negotiations on such sticky issues as Futenma relocation, whether
the Maritime Self-Defense Force should continue its refueling
mission in the Indian Ocean, and whether the Japan-U.S. Status of
Forces Agreement should be revised.

Stopping short of discussing these issues beyond what was written in
the party's policy manifesto for the last House of Representatives
election, Okada showed consideration for the U.S. when he as
secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan engaged in talks
on forming a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party
and the People's New Party. A senior Foreign Ministry official said:
"Mr. Okada is fully aware of the necessity of continuity in foreign
policy."

15) Approach by Defense Minister Kitazawa in dealing with refueling,
Futenma issues unknown

TOKYO 00002170 012 OF 012

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
September 17, 2009

Toshimi Kitazawa chaired the House of Councillors' Foreign Affairs
and Defense Committee from September 2007 through this January, but
officials of the Defense Ministry do not regard him as an expert on
security policy. It is uncertain whether he will be able to smoothly
deal with such sticky issues as revision of the National Defense
Program Outline at year's end.

The Defense Ministry has to deal with a number of key issues, such
as whether the Maritime Self-Defense Force should continue its
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean as part of assistance in the
war on terror and what to do about the planned transfer of the U.S.
Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

On his website Kitazawa severely criticizes Japan's dispatch of
Self-Defense Force troops to Iraq as "a reckless act that distorts
the Constitution and violates the Iraq special measures law." Some
Defense Ministry officials worry about what approach Kitazawa will
take to Japan's participation in UN peacekeeping operations (PKO)
now that Japan has a firm role in those operations.

ROOS

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