MEDIA REACTION Q NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 005925 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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers front-paged the GOJ decision Wednesday to sever trade ties with North Korea. ¶1. "US and China Should Join Hands to Deal With North Korea's Nuclear Ambitions" An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (10/12): "It is likely that the UN Security Council (UNSC) will adopt a resolution by the end of this week calling for punitive measures against North Korea, which has announced it conducted a nuclear test. The expected resolution is a manifestation of the anger and protest of the international community. As long as Pyongyang clings to its nuclear ambitions, it remains isolated from the world community, unable to get its tattered economy back on track. The UNSC resolution should bring this home to North Korea. It is noteworthy that China is showing a flexible stance.... Acting in concert to deal with this nuclear crisis is a major achievement for the international community. The solidarity between the US and China will serve as strong pressure on North Korea.... Every measure possible must be taken to avoid the use of force against North Korea and Pyongyang's resort to arms. We propose that China come up with a way to persuade the DPRK to abandon its nuclear ambitions without using force." SCHIEFFER