Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO3683
2006-07-03 03:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION Q BUSH-KOIZUMI TALKS/G-8 FOREIGN

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003683 

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 BUSH-KOIZUMI TALKS/G-8 FOREIGN
MINISTERIAL - TOKYO


LEAD STORIES: Monday's liberal Mainichi front-paged a
nationwide telephone survey showing that 42 percent of
respondents said GOJ apologies and remorse for WWII were
insufficient, while 24 percent disapproved of the
nation's "light-armed, economy-oriented" policy over the
past 60 years.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003683

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 BUSH-KOIZUMI TALKS/G-8 FOREIGN
MINISTERIAL - TOKYO


LEAD STORIES: Monday's liberal Mainichi front-paged a
nationwide telephone survey showing that 42 percent of
respondents said GOJ apologies and remorse for WWII were
insufficient, while 24 percent disapproved of the
nation's "light-armed, economy-oriented" policy over the
past 60 years.


1. "The Finale of the US-Japan Honeymoon" The business
daily Nihon Keizai editorialized (7/1): "Was there any
red carpet treatment greater than the one President Bush
rolled out for visiting Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi?
It was not just because both the president and the prime
minister personally hit it off. During the Bush-Koizumi
honeymoon of the past five years, the GOJ sent MSDF ships
to the Indian Ocean and GSDF troops to Iraq respectively
to strengthen the US-Japan alliance. A joint statement at
the end of the Bush-Koizumi summit disclosed that the two
leaders declared the formation of a new US-Japan alliance
to cooperate in the global context in the 21st century,
thus confirming the expansion of the functions of the
alliance....


2. "Although the US and Japan are not necessarily at one
on matters related to India and Myanmar, the two allies
are in agreement over most other issues, suggesting that
bilateral ties are approaching a mature relationship. It
is pointed out, however, that US-Japan relations at
working levels have become somewhat hollow.... The 'Bush-
Koizumi honeymoon' will come to an end with PM Koizumi
expected to resign in September. Is this current point
the pinnacle of US-Japan relations? Are bilateral ties
still continuing to grow? These are the issues to be
discussed together with Japan's post-Koizumi politics."


3. "US-Japan Alliance and Danger" An editorial in the
liberal Asahi commented (7/1): "Both President Bush and
PM Koizumi praised the US-Japan relationship as being
historically one of the most mature bilateral ties. It
was necessary for PM Koizumi to maintain Japan's close
relations with the US in order to sustain his government
for more than five years. The prime minister has been a
'dependable friend' for President Bush, who stumbled
during the Iraq war. The prime minister's visit to
Washington was the finale of the five-year Bush-Koizumi
honeymoon....


4. "Although it is naturally important for Japan to
maintain close relations with the US, bilateral ties
would become even stronger if they were utilized as a
basis for Japan's multilateral diplomatic strategy. We
are concerned that PM Koizumi's strengthening of Japan's
alliance with only the US will narrow down the width of
Japan's diplomacy. It is regrettable that the prime
minister is ignorant of this fact."


5. "Neither Iran Nor North Korea Should be Allowed to Buy
Time" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized
(7/3): "The international community should not allow
either Iran or North Korea to buy any more time. The
world needs to apply further pressures on these nations
to suspend their nuclear development programs. A
chairman's statement at the end of a G-8 foreign
ministerial held in Moscow urged Iran to respond to a
comprehensive collateral plan in return for Iran's
suspension of uranium enrichment during a meeting
Wednesday with EU representatives.... Iran remains
adamant on its position of responding to the collateral

TOKYO 00003683 002 OF 002


plan by August 22. If Tehran is allowed to prolong its
response, it is will also have more time to improve its
technology to enrich uranium.


6. "Calls are rising in the US for imposing sanctions on
Iran in the event it turns down the comprehensive
plan.... North Korea's moves to launch a Taepodong long-
range ballistic missile are also seen as brinkmanship
aimed at bringing the US to a bilateral summit and having
Washington lift its financial sanctions imposed on
Pyongyang.... Japan should work more closely with the US
and other G-8 nations in order to tighten an iron ring
around the North over nuclear and missile issues. It is
also necessary for the G-8 nations to create a system at
the coming St. Petersburg summit to address the
abductions by North Korea of foreign nationals."

SCHIEFFER