Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2416
2006-05-02 02:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION US-JAPAN ACCORD ON US FORCE
how-toVZCZCXRO0155 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #2416 1220247 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 020247Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1642 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 6012 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9207 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2068 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1005 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8247 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0092 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 002416
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 US-JAPAN ACCORD ON US FORCE
REALIGNMENT - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: All Tuesday morning dailies led with the
"final" report compiled in Washington by the foreign and
defense ministers of the US and Japan regarding the
realignment of US forces in Japan.
1."Premier Must Explain New Shape of Alliance with US" An
editorial in the liberal Mainichi wrote (5/2): "With the
compilation of the final report on the US force
transformation, the US-Japan alliance has entered a new
phase.... From the Japanese viewpoint, the transformation
will promote and strengthen coordination between the US
military and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). There is a
possibility that the transformation will greatly alter
the nature of the security alliance.... There is growing
concern among the Japanese public that greater
coordination between the US military and SDF could lead
to Japan being dragged into a US war. The government has
a responsibility to provide an adequate explanation so as
to dispel such fears.... The prime minister also has a
duty to explain the vision of the future US-Japan
alliance to both the nation and Japan's neighbors in
order to allay their concerns."
¶2. "Bumpy Road Ahead for Realignment" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun wrote (5/2): "A look at the newly released US-
Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation reveals that
the road ahead could be bumpy. One worrying initiative
involves strengthening Camp Zama, as the facility will
come to house both US and Japanese commands.... The
roadmap does not make clear whether there will be any
geographical or operational restrictions on the commands
there.... The Japanese side is also being asked to make a
huge financial contribution to implement realignment....
As the Japanese government has failed to offer its own
estimate, work will be needed to decide on an appropriate
amount and where the funds will come from."
DONOVAN