Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1608
2006-03-28 06:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS
VZCZCXRO3717 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #1608 0870639 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 280639Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0198 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5347 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8498 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1357 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0946 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7540 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9491 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 001608
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS
- TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the
decision made Monday by the Tokyo High Court to reject an
appeal from Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara that he
is too mentally ill to stand trial and take
responsibility for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.
The papers suggested that the court decision would make
the finalization of his death sentence likely.
UNCLAS TOKYO 001608
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS
- TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the
decision made Monday by the Tokyo High Court to reject an
appeal from Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara that he
is too mentally ill to stand trial and take
responsibility for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.
The papers suggested that the court decision would make
the finalization of his death sentence likely.
1. "With No Anti-Japanese Demonstrations This Year, China
Looking to Improve Ties with Post-Koizumi Japan" The
conservative Sankei's Beijing correspondent Ito wrote
(3/28): "It has been nearly one year since anti-Japanese
demonstrations were held all across China. Although Japan-
China relations have actually worsened since then, there
are no signs of an anti-Japanese movement recurring.
While this is in part due to the authorities in Beijing
clamping down, it goes beyond the fear of public disorder
on their part and reflects hopes for improved bilateral
relations.... Japan-China relations have deteriorated
since last spring because of PM Koizumi's visits to
Yasukuni Shrine, natural gas development in the East
China Sea, and issues relating to Taiwan and security.
2. "Nevertheless, there is zero chance of a recurrence
this year of what the Chinese government at the time
defended as 'spontaneous demonstrations of citizens
dissatisfied with the Japanese authorities.' Last year's
demonstrations could never have occurred without
government approval. Beijing has started laying the
groundwork for repairing relations with 'post-Koizumi'
Japan. In a recent press conference, Premier Wen Jiabao
made three proposals for improving ties. Around that same
time, China also invited Japanese cabinet ministers and
influential ruling party members to Beijing, and Chinese
President Hu Jintao plans to meet with leaders from
several Japan-China friendship organizations at the end
of this month. A diplomatic source in Beijing said that
the recent Chinese moves are connected with Hu's visit to
the US planned for next month, saying that China is
playing up its efforts to improve relations with Japan in
the hope that Washington will press Tokyo to resolve the
standoff over Yasukuni Shrine."
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS
- TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the
decision made Monday by the Tokyo High Court to reject an
appeal from Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara that he
is too mentally ill to stand trial and take
responsibility for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.
The papers suggested that the court decision would make
the finalization of his death sentence likely.
1. "With No Anti-Japanese Demonstrations This Year, China
Looking to Improve Ties with Post-Koizumi Japan" The
conservative Sankei's Beijing correspondent Ito wrote
(3/28): "It has been nearly one year since anti-Japanese
demonstrations were held all across China. Although Japan-
China relations have actually worsened since then, there
are no signs of an anti-Japanese movement recurring.
While this is in part due to the authorities in Beijing
clamping down, it goes beyond the fear of public disorder
on their part and reflects hopes for improved bilateral
relations.... Japan-China relations have deteriorated
since last spring because of PM Koizumi's visits to
Yasukuni Shrine, natural gas development in the East
China Sea, and issues relating to Taiwan and security.
2. "Nevertheless, there is zero chance of a recurrence
this year of what the Chinese government at the time
defended as 'spontaneous demonstrations of citizens
dissatisfied with the Japanese authorities.' Last year's
demonstrations could never have occurred without
government approval. Beijing has started laying the
groundwork for repairing relations with 'post-Koizumi'
Japan. In a recent press conference, Premier Wen Jiabao
made three proposals for improving ties. Around that same
time, China also invited Japanese cabinet ministers and
influential ruling party members to Beijing, and Chinese
President Hu Jintao plans to meet with leaders from
several Japan-China friendship organizations at the end
of this month. A diplomatic source in Beijing said that
the recent Chinese moves are connected with Hu's visit to
the US planned for next month, saying that China is
playing up its efforts to improve relations with Japan in
the hope that Washington will press Tokyo to resolve the
standoff over Yasukuni Shrine."
SCHIEFFER