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Viewing cable 08TOKYO1620, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 06/13/08

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO1620 2008-06-13 07:55 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO8393
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1620/01 1650755
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130755Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5044
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 0722
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8346
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2053
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6622
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8932
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3893
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9892
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0312
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 001620 
 
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 06/13/08 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) No repercussions on realignment plan: Maher (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(2) Coordination underway for regional special committee on U.S. 
military base issues: Foreign Ministry official (Ryukyu Shimpo) 
 
(3) AWWA donates 700 million yen over 36 years: "We want to maintain 
good relationship of trust with Okinawa," chairperson says (Ryukyu 
Shimpo) 
 
(4) Time for change in U.S. foreign policy (Yomiuri) 
 
(5) Many difficult issues in next extra Diet session (Yomiuri) 
 
(Corrected copy) G-8 finance ministerial to start today (Mainichi) 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) No repercussions on realignment plan: Maher 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full) 
June 13, 2008 
 
U.S. Consul General in Okinawa Kevin Maher, meeting the press 
yesterday, laid emphasis again on the United States' stance of 
pushing for the agreement with Japan to relocate the U.S. Marine 
Corps' Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Henoko in the city 
of Nago, while referring to the fact that the opposition camp 
opposing Futenma airfield's relocation to Henoko won a majority of 
the seats in Okinawa Prefecture's assembly as a result of its recent 
election. "I don't think we will have a big problem for the U.S. 
military realignment plan," Maher said, adding: "The security 
arrangement is based on a policy at the national level. In terms of 
legal authority, an environmental impact assessment requires 
authorization from the governor, not from the prefectural assembly. 
I hope the prefectural assembly will also take a realistic view of 
things." 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) has indicated that it would 
aim to have Futenma airfield relocated to another prefecture in 
Japan or otherwise to an overseas site. "If there is a new proposal, 
there will be no change in the facts (about Futenma relocation 
within Okinawa Prefecture)," Maher said. "Even if we discuss this 
matter from scratch," he added, "I believe we will have the same 
result," 
 
In connection with a potential impact on the planned realignment of 
U.S. forces in Okinawa, Maher also indicated that an 
intergovernmental agreement should not be affected by the outcome of 
an election. "If we need to review it whenever there is an election, 
we cannot mitigate the burden at all," he said. 
 
Meanwhile, the United States will elect its new president in time. 
Asked about its potential impact on the U.S. military realignment, 
Maher answered: "I don't think it will be affected even if there is 
a change of administration under the Republican Party or the 
Democratic Party." Meanwhile, Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has been 
calling for the planned Futenma replacement facility to be moved to 
an offshore location. "The runway location is not a strategic matter 
at the presidential level but is a technical matter, so there will 
be no change," Maher said. 
 
TOKYO 00001620  002 OF 006 
 
 
 
(2) Coordination underway for regional special committee on U.S. 
military base issues: Foreign Ministry official 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full) 
June 12, 2008 
 
Japan and the United States have launched a working team, which is 
made up of representatives from U.S. forces in Okinawa Prefecture, 
Japanese government organizations, and base-hosting local 
governments to discuss how to prevent incidents involving U.S. 
military personnel. The Foreign Ministry held a meeting of the 
working team's core group yesterday at its Okinawa Liaison Office, 
inviting local officials from Okinawa City, Chatan Town, and Kin 
Town, which have been involved in such incidents. In the core group 
meeting, Osamu Izawa, director of the Status of U.S. Forces 
Agreement Division at the Foreign Ministry, referred to the fact 
that the governors of prefectures hosting U.S. military bases have 
called on the Japanese government to set up a regional special 
committee of representatives from U.S. forces and base-hosting local 
governments under its intergovernmental joint committee with the 
United States. In this regard, Izawa reported that the Japanese and 
U.S. governments are currently in coordination so its meeting can be 
held. The regional special committee is now highly likely to be set 
up. 
 
In the meeting, Izawa referred to community patrol (CP) and other 
preventive steps already announced by the U.S. military. In 
addition, he also explained the progress of the Japanese 
government's ongoing study of measures. 
 
Meanwhile, base-hosting local communities are concerned about U.S. 
military personnel living outside their bases. However, Izawa did 
not touch on anything about how to deal with their case. One local 
official therefore noted the need for a further explanation. "This 
matter is not discussed from the perspective of recurrence 
prevention but is discussed from the perspective of administrative 
services, so it's inappropriate to take up this matter in a meeting 
of the working group," Hideaki Kuramitsu, deputy chief of the 
Foreign Ministry's Okinawa Liaison Office, told reporters after the 
meeting. According to Izawa, the U.S. military will shortly announce 
the number of off-base U.S. military residents as of April this 
year. 
 
Mark Franklin, chief of the office of the regional coordinator of 
U.S. forces in Okinawa, reported the U.S. military's efforts, noting 
that the U.S. military has set up a sexual assault response 
committee (SARC), which is made up of U.S. military officials to 
prevent sexual crimes. He also explained that the U.S. military 
would inform the Japanese government of deserters. 
 
(3) AWWA donates 700 million yen over 36 years: "We want to maintain 
good relationship of trust with Okinawa," chairperson says 
 
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 22) (Full) 
June 13, 2008 
 
The American Women's Welfare Association (AWWA, chaired by Tamala 
Smith) has continued exchanges with local residents through 
donations to welfare institutions in Okinawa since the foundation of 
the association in 1972. Their activities are appreciated by many 
people at those institutions. The AWWA donated approximately 15 
 
TOKYO 00001620  003 OF 006 
 
 
million yen in fiscal 2007, bringing the total amount of donations 
made over 36 years to approximately 700 million yen. 
 
More than 500 members, mainly the wives of U.S. servicemen, run a 
gift shop and a secondhand store on U.S. military bases and use the 
proceeds to help local communities. The areas of their activities 
include such isolated islands as Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island and 
Nishiomote Island. They have so far donated vehicles, washing 
machines, and Braille printers to welfare institutions. 
 
Joy Burns (30), a board member for this fiscal year, looked happy 
when she explained, "If you actually visit welfare facilities and 
see people pleased about our donations, you would learn how they 
appreciate them." Cathleen Leonard (42) showed her gratification, 
noting that they were able to know the lives of local residents 
through their activities. She said, "We can see the Yuimaru spirit 
(mutual aid) of Okinawa through contacts with physically challenged 
persons and children." 
 
Ryoko Murata (55), head of the Support, Employment, Living and 
Participation Center (SELP) in Urasoe City, who has had contacts 
with the AWWA for more than 10 years, expressed gratitude to the 
AWWA, saying: "I am so grateful to the AWWA. They make follow-up 
visits even after they donate various welfare goods. They say that 
being disabled is nothing unusual. They find something nice in 
handicapped persons and praise it. Their understanding of physically 
handicapped persons is deep. We have learned from them that people 
can help each other regardless of country or race." 
 
The U.S. military imposed a curfew following a series of crimes 
involving U.S. servicemen in February, coinciding with the time when 
AWWA members were to visit facilities in isolated islands. Special 
permission to leave the base was reportedly given to AWWA members, 
because the AWWA has won confidence for their past activities, and 
the purpose of their activities was understood. 
 
Chairperson Smith (30) told us that the AWWA has built a good 
relationship of trust with people in Okinawa, which the AWWA wants 
to maintain, by helping local communities through its activities. 
 
(4) Time for change in U.S. foreign policy 
 
YOMIURI (Page 13) (Excerpts) 
June 13, 2008 
 
University of Tokyo Law Dept. Professor Fumiaki Kubo -- Japan-U.S. 
alliance as bedrock of America's Asia policy 
 
In U.S. presidential races in the past, black candidates tended to 
represent only black interests. Senator Barack Obama, on the other 
hand, has spoken of issues common to whites and blacks. 
 
Young people, people with high academic backgrounds and high income, 
and unaffiliated voters reacted strongly to Obama's speech that 
went: "If America becomes one, we can accomplish matters that were 
thought to be impossible." To those who voted for Obama, making him 
president in itself is their objective. 
 
The Democratic Party has been ahead of the Republican Party in 
opinion polls asking, "Which party do you want to see in power?" 
Nevertheless, voters tend to judge presidential candidates as 
individuals. John McCain is highly popular as an individual, so the 
 
TOKYO 00001620  004 OF 006 
 
 
chance (of Obama winning the race) is 50-50. 
 
If a Democratic administration comes into office, substantial 
changes are expected to occur. Even if another Republican 
administration under McCain is launched, there would be change in 
the United States' Iraq policy and the administration would also 
take policy that is more flexible than that of the Bush 
administration toward the global environment issue. The basic 
diplomatic tone would also be less unilateral than the Bush 
administration's. 
 
As for policy toward Japan, a McCain administration would 
considerably follow the Bush administration's policy course and deal 
with Japan as an ally. In the event Japan's level of cooperation 
falls short of America's expectation, the administration might feel 
disappointed. 
 
I believe the Obama camp, too, regards the Japan-U.S. alliance as 
the bedrock of America's policy toward Asia. Many Japanese 
government and business leaders are alarmed at a Democratic 
administration because they still remember that the United States 
shifted its focus to China amid heated trade conflicts with Japan 
during the Clinton administration. Their view is also based on 
Japan's "honeymoon relations" with the Bush administration (that 
followed the Clinton administration). 
 
China has drastically changed over the last decade, and even a 
Democratic administration would find it difficult to pursue China 
policy unconditionally by defining it as its strategic partner. 
Japan-U.S. relations are already on a supra-partisan base in the 
United States, but some groups in both the Democratic and Republican 
parties have harsh views on China. The Democratic Party's foreign 
policy that multilaterally tackles development aid is not out of 
line with Japan's foreign policy. Japan and the United States will 
be able to cooperate even under a Democratic administration. 
 
National Defense Academy President Makoto Iokibe -- Japan needs 
bargaining power in dealing with U.S. and China 
 
Criticism of the Iraq war is growing inside and outside the United 
States. Japanese people like stability and continuity, while the 
United States is a society where starting a revolution is regarded 
as a civil right, so to speak. The U.S. system requires revolution 
in every eight years (the President is allowed to serve up to two 
four-year terms). 
 
When deadlocked, American people seeking change would look back and 
pursue new possibilities. In view of the economic situation as well, 
it seems politically reasonable for the Democratic Party to wrest 
power from the Republican Party. Needless to say, accidents cannot 
be ignored. Anything can turn around the trend. 
 
Personality and leadership are also vital factors in a race. The 
trend can shift with how one presents himself, his policy, and 
strategy, and what he says and does at a moment of truth. 
 
The United States has often made mistakes, such as the Vietnam War 
and the Iraq war. But in the United States, a society of diversity 
and freedom, mistakes draw criticism and criticism results in a new 
horizon. I would like to see the presidential race turn into a new 
historic drama, overcoming the past. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001620  005 OF 006 
 
 
China's Hu Jintao administration puts high priority on relations 
with the United States. But the United States would probably 
continue putting efforts into the Middle East. For the stability of 
East Asia, it is critically important for Japan and South Korea to 
encourage and urge the United States as its allies. Sooner or later, 
China would experience economic difficulties. It would inevitably 
bounce back and restore stability, however. Japan and the United 
States would have to get China engage in the international community 
so that it will not throw the world into turmoil by doing something 
strange with its power projection. 
 
A superpower acts on its own will. Once it makes up its mind, no one 
can change it. Dealing with two superpowers at a time is not easy, 
but Japan has to have the capability to do so. Cherishing the 
alliance with the United States and pursuing cooperation with China 
so that it can advance as a healthy major power are an extremely 
important challenge for Japan in the 21st century. I hope to see 
that this presidential race will serve as a good turning point for 
the Asia-Pacific community. 
 
(5) Many difficult issues in next extra Diet session 
 
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) 
June 13, 2008 
 
The opposition parties, excluding the Japanese Communist Party 
(JCP), yesterday began boycotting Diet deliberations after approving 
a censure motion against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on June 11. To 
counter the passage of the non-binding censure motion, the ruling 
parties yesterday adopted a resolution of confidence in the Fukuda 
cabinet based on Article 69 of the Constitution. Given that, 
deliberations in the current Diet session have now wrapped up in 
effect. The ruling and opposition parties are eyeing the next 
extraordinary session, and the government and ruling coalition will 
likely continue to find it difficult to manage Diet affairs in the 
extra session as well. 
 
The question of whether to retain the new Antiterrorism Special 
Measures Law, which will expire on January 15, 2009, will be the 
biggest issue in the next Diet session. The reason is that the 
measure was voted down in the opposition-controlled House of 
Councillors during the previous extra session, and the main 
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is certain to oppose a 
bill revising the legislation. The handling of bills such as one 
amending the government health insurance subsidy special measures 
law that are expected to be carried over to the next extra session 
for deliberations in the Lower House will be an issue. 
 
Referring to a bill scrapping the new health insurance system for 
people aged 75 or older, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Diet Affairs 
Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima clearly stated: "The bill will be 
carried over to the next session for deliberations." It will become 
a source of contention in the next extra session. 
 
With an eye to the constitutional rule that allows the Lower House 
to revote on a bill 60 days after it has been sent to the Upper 
House, the government and ruling camp aim at an early submission of 
important bills, including one amending the new Antiterrorism 
Special Measures Law. If they set a term for the session and a 
timetable for deliberations with that in mind, the opposition is 
certain to react negatively. Many take the view that the government 
will have to walk a tightrope in managing Diet affairs before the 
 
TOKYO 00001620  006 OF 006 
 
 
compilation in December of a state budget. A senior LDP member 
yesterday said that even if the extra session is convened in late 
August in order to wrap it up in November, it would take time before 
starting deliberations due to a clash with the opposition camp. 
 
DPJ Upper House Chairman Azuma Koshiishi told the press yesterday: 
"We will not ignore humanitarian and urgent issues, or issues that 
affect people's daily lives." He indicated that the DPJ might 
cooperate with the ruling coalition. However, there is smoldering 
discontent among ruling coalition members that they cannot trust the 
DPJ's outwardly cooperative stance. 
 
The government has submitted 80 bills to the current Diet session, a 
figure smaller than that of most Diet sessions. The number of bills 
enacted by June 12 is 63 or 78.8 PERCENT , a major decline from the 
91.8 PERCENT  in last year's regular session. 
 
(Corrected copy) G-8 finance ministerial to start today 
 
MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) 
June 13, 2008 
 
The two-day Group of Eight nations finance ministerial, joined by 
Japan, the U.S. European countries and Russia, will start in Osaka 
on June 13. The focus of the meeting will be to what extent 
participants can agree to cooperate over measures on a growing 
concern about global inflation due to the rise in crude oil prices 
linked to the weak dollar, the steep rise in grain prices, and the 
global warming issue. 
 
The G-8 finance ministerial will start on the evening of the 13th at 
a dinner meeting joined by finance ministers and officials from 
Australia, Thailand, China, South Korea Brazil and South Africa as 
well as the G-8 member nations. Japan, the host nation, will aim at 
strengthening cooperation with Brazil and China for the prevention 
of global warming in the run-up to the G-8 Summit to be held in 
Hokkaido in July. 
 
Discussions at the plenary meeting on the 14th will focus on the 
movements of the global economy and the turmoil in the financial 
market following the subprime mortgage crisis. The meeting will 
close on the 14th, after releasing a joint statement on the 
afternoon. 
 
Talks between Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga and U.S. Treasury 
Secretary Paulson will take place on the afternoon of the 13th prior 
to the G-8 finance ministerial. The stance of the U.S., which has 
recently repeatedly issued statements checking the weak-dollar 
trend, will be watched with attention. 
 
SCHIEFFER