MEDIA REACTION Q LAUNCHING OF NORTH KOREAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 003726 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 LAUNCHING OF NORTH KOREAN MISSILES - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: All six Wednesday morning TV broadcasters gave top play to the hastily-arranged press conference by Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe at approximately 6 a.m. (Japan time) following the launch by North Korea of several "projectiles" into the Sea of Japan. ¶1. Most broadcasters hastily arranged special morning news programs with panels of defense and diplomatic experts expressing grave concern over the impact of Pyongyang's launch on regional security. Some experts wondered whether the North, unable to "lift" US financial sanctions, finally fired the missiles in desperation. ¶2. "Is Kim Jong Il No Longer in Control of the Military?" Most commentators in commercially-run TV Asahi's "Super Morning" show called North Korea's launch of several missiles a totally desperate and incomprehensible act, with some experts assuming that Kim Jong Il is no longer in full control of the North Korean military. They also suspected that an unsettling situation might be developing in the military. ¶3. While diplomat-turned-Takushoku University Prof. Morimoto stressed the need for an early deployment of missile defense systems in Japan, former MOFA official Koike expressed concern over South Korea's "quiet" reaction to the North's firing of "projectiles," saying that the South's "non-cooperation" with Japan and the US would pose a "new threat" to regional security. Koike also called North Korea's missile launches an act of provocation and defiance against the US, which not only celebrated the Fourth of July but also launched the space shuttle Discovery. Anchor Watanabe suggested the need to tighten Japan's economic sanctions against the North. ¶4. "Puzzling Motives for North Korea's 'Projectile' Launch" Former Chairman of the SDF Joint Staff Council Gen. Nishimoto predicted that North KoreaQs firing of QprojectilesQ would draw strong criticism from the international community, while military affairs analyst Kamiura said that he is confused about North KoreaQs motives for the launch. He called the NorthQs action an act of Qdesperate provocationQ that could only harden WashingtonQs stance toward Pyongyang. Lower House lawmaker Eda considered whether a power struggle could be taking place between the communist leadership and the military. ¶5. QLaunches Likely to Make Abduction Settlement More DifficultQ: Appearing live, Korean affairs expert Pyon Jin Il called North KoreaQs missile launches an Qaggravated act of desperationQ on the part of Kim Jong Il and his military. He predicted the launches would likely become one of the most controversial international issues for some time to come, making a settlement of the abduction issue even more difficult. Anchor Ogura warned against public overreaction to North KoreaQs Qmissile threatQ and possible moves in Japan to further strengthen the SDF. SCHIEFFER