MEDIA REACTION STATE OF THE UNION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000561

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 STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS/IRAN'S NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT - TOKYO


LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged
follow-up articles on the bid-rigging scandal engulfing
the Japan Defense Facilities Administration Agency
(JDFAA),with a liberal Asahi story on "amakudari"
(golden parachute) practices involving a large number of
JDFAA retirees and construction companies. The noon news
programs of most national broadcasters reported on
President Bush's State of the Union address.


1. "'Democratization' at the core of US diplomacy" The
top-circulation, centrist Yomiuri's Washington-based
reporter observed: "President Bush stressed the
importance of promoting liberty and democracy by setting
an end to tyranny as the goal of US diplomacy. Given that
democratic elections have been held in Iraq and the
Palestinian territories recently, the US leader appeared
anxious to trumpet these accomplishments. His remarks
that US national security relies upon democratization
across the world signal that the promotion of democracy
will continue to be the foremost US diplomatic
principle."


2. "US to Place More Emphasis on International
Cooperation" The liberal Mainichi's Washington
correspondent argued: "By referring to the need to seek
cooperation from friends and allies in waging the war on
terrorism, President Bush revealed the basic stance of
abandoning a unilateral approach in favor of a more
'internationalist' diplomacy. He also called for
solidarity with the Iranian people by declaring that the
US would be a partner that would help people around the
world attain better lives. The remarks highlighted
Washington's readiness to help spread democracy.... It
seems that the Bush administration's foreign policy is
becoming more favorably disposed to coordination with
other nations under the stewardship of Secretary Rice,
who has proposed 'realistic idealism' and
'transformational diplomacy.'"


3. "Narrow Path Ahead on Domestic and Diplomatic Fronts"
The liberal Asahi's Washington correspondent wrote:
"President Bush's State of the Union address focused on
the economy and his domestic agenda, as voters appear to
be paying closer attention to domestic policy prior to
the off-year congressional elections in November.
However, he appears to have little leeway in this area
because of the spiraling cost of the Iraq war and the
ballooning budget deficit brought on by major tax cuts.
While stressing diplomatic accomplishments in the first
half of the speech, Bush failed to offer a clear-cut
vision for US diplomacy. It seems the speech illustrates
the tough problems the Bush administration is facing on
both the domestic and diplomatic fronts."


4. "Bush Stresses the Importance of US War on Terrorism"
Quasi-governmental broadcaster NHK-TV's Washington
correspondent Yui observed: "Speaking at a joint session
of Congress, President Bush said the US could protect the
safety of Americans by demonstrating strong world
leadership. The president also showed his firm
determination to fight terrorism and sought national
understanding concerning the prolonged deployment of US
soldiers in Iraq. He criticized Syria, Burma, Zimbabwe,
North Korea, and Iran as undemocratic nations, saying
that the US would continue to work hard to establish
democratic values and principles in the world in order to

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get rid of oppressive governments. With mid-term
elections scheduled for this fall, the president, who is
concerned about his declining public support, aimed to
rebound by emphasizing the US war on terrorism."


5. "President Portrays Himself as Strong Leader to Boost
Popularity" TBS-TV's Hino said: "President Bush's annual
policy speech came at a time when his approval ratings
have barely recovered from a record low. The president
sought to boost his popularity by portraying himself as a
strong leader. He promised victory in the war on terror
and vowed to spread freedom and democracy throughout the
world."


6. "Bush Tones Down His Criticism of DPRK" TV-Asahi's
Tabata said: "The president touted his idea of a strong
America and used the word 'offense' six times in his
assurance of victory in the war on terror. Departing from
his criticism of North Korea, the US leader referred to
the North only once. The brief mention of Pyongyang
illustrated a shift in US interest from North Korea to
Iran."


7. "Bush Refers to China, India as Economic Rivals" TV-
Tokyo's Shimada noticed: "President Bush referred to
China and India as economic rivals with the US. The Bush
administration has sought to pursue domestic issues such
as tax cuts and Social Security reform by trying to scare
Americans into thinking that the US will not be able to
maintain its competitiveness without them. The president
also encouraged research and development concerning new
sources of energy so that the US will become less
dependent on foreign oil."


8. "P5 Agree on IAEA's Referral of Iranian Nuclear Issue
to UNSC" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri's London
correspondent Iizuka commented (2/1): "The five permanent
members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and Germany
agreed Monday in London that the IAEA should report the
issue of Iran's nuclear development to the UNSC. Though
the move has left Tehran isolated, it is not clear how
Russia and China will react to this issue during UNSC
deliberations. A senior State Department official praised
the six-nation agreement as epochal and decisive. The
official's remarks were also indicative of the US
interpretation that winning concessions from Russia and
China, which had taken a cautious stance on referring the
matter to the UNSC, represented major progress on the
issue."


9. "Iran Driven into Tight Corner" Yomiuri's Tehran
correspondent Kudo observed (2/1): "Tehran has been in a
tight corner following the agreement by the foreign
ministers of the P5 and Germany in London that the IAEA
should refer the issue of Iran's nuclear program to the
UNSC. Attention is now shifting to whether Iran will
harden its stance and go ahead with uranium enrichment or
become more conciliatory before the regular meeting of
IAEA board members scheduled for early March."

SCHIEFFER