MEDIA REACTION Q PM ABE'S VISIT TO CHINA AND

UNCLAS TOKYO 005802 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 ABE'S VISIT TO CHINA AND SOUTH KOREA - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Yomiuri front-paged a GOJ plan to expand Japan's ban on port calls by North Korean ships if the North conducts a nuclear test. ¶1. "Abe's Visit to Beijing and Seoul: First Step in His Diplomatic Strategy?" Top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (10/5): "PM Abe's planned visits to China and South Korea suggest that Japan and its Asian neighbors agree that dialogues between the Japanese leader and his counterparts in Beijing and Seoul are indispensable for regional peace and prosperity. The prime minister will visit Beijing on Sunday and Seoul on Monday.... The US and ASEAN nations have expressed concern that strained relations between Japan and China are having a negative effect on regional stability. ¶2. "North Korea's announcement that it will conduct a nuclear test will be high on the agenda at PM Abe's meetings with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts. The prime minister intends to cooperate with the US, South Korea, and China in tightening the noose around North Korea. Abe's stance is that if Pyongyang goes ahead with the nuclear test, additional sanctions against the North will be needed. Although Japan and the US will seek the adoption of a UNSC statement calling on the North to exercise restraint, China is reluctant to take such a step. In fact, China and South Korea have been cautious about imposing sanctions on the North. In this respect, PM Abe's diplomatic ability will be tested at the forthcoming summit meetings." DONOVAN