MEDIA REACTION Q PM KOIZUMI IN THE US - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 003638 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 Q PM KOIZUMI IN THE US - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: All six Friday morning papers gave top play to the summit between President Bush and PM Koizumi at the White House Thursday. ¶1. There were no immediate editorials concerning the Bush- Koizumi meeting. ¶2. "Bush, Koizumi Play up Strong Relations" Washington correspondents Yoshiyama and Igarashi of the top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (6/30): "Thursday's summit between President Bush and PM Koizumi became an occasion to play up the close working relationship of the two leaders. Because of the likelihood that this will be their last formal summit, they used the occasion to wrap up the five-year 'honeymoon' in US-Japan relations. Nevertheless, uncertainties are looming after PM Koizumi steps down in September.... For example, Japan, which holds a stake in the development of Iran's Azadegan oil field, is at odds with the US over Tehran's nuclear development. Former NSC Senior Asia Director Michael Green, meanwhile, voices strong expectations that Japan will improve ties with China and South Korea." ¶3. "President Bush Calls Koizumi 'My Friend'" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai's Washington correspondent Marutani observed (6/30): "At a welcome ceremony Thursday at the White House, President Bush greeted PM Koizumi by saying, 'Welcome back to America, my friend.' During the ceremony held under a blue sky after five days of heavy rain, the prime minister replied, 'The weather has also welcomed me,' while expressing his full confidence in the president. The president concluded his remarks by joking that the 'true purpose of Koizumi's visit to the US is to see Graceland.' In contrast with the friendly banter between the two, there were no friendly words exchanged between President Bush and Chinese President Hu when he visited the US in April." ¶4. "US-Japan Military Cooperation Deepening" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun's Washington correspondents Toyoda and Oguri commented (6/30): "...The new US-Japan alliance for the 21st Century is designed to expand US-Japan military cooperation globally. The intent to do so was declared in a joint statement issued Thursday. PM Koizumi, attending a joint press conference with the president, stated that Japan prioritized the US-Japan alliance and international cooperation in the past, prioritizes them at present, and will continue to do so in the future. It is likely, however, that the future will bring US demands for Japan's participation in collective defense and the expanded use of US military bases in Japan for missions beyond the Far East. Japan cannot go along due to restrictions under Article 9 of the Constitution. If the US-Japan alliance is to further deepen, Japan will have no choice but to amend the Constitution. Will the people agree to this?" DONOVAN