Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO1438
2007-04-03 02:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
how-toVZCZCXRO2447 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #1438 0930256 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 030256Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2291 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RUALSFJ/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0525 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4040 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6434 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1592 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2510 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3809 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 001438
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 FTA - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the
free trade agreement reached Monday between the US and
South Korea.
UNCLAS TOKYO 001438
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 FTA - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the
free trade agreement reached Monday between the US and
South Korea.
1. "US-ROK FTA: Japan's Turn Now" The liberal Asahi
editorialized (4/3): "South Korea and the US have
concluded a free trade agreement (FTA). Although the
sensitive issue of opening the South Korean rice market
was shelved, the conclusion of these drawn-out and
difficult negotiations will jolt Japan's conspicuously
inward-looking trade strategy. After the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect in 1994,
the US concluded FTAs with Singapore and other small
countries, so the birth of a US-ROK FTA is the first such
major achievement in a long time for Washington. This is
also the largest such agreement that South Korea has ever
made.... South Korean President Roh made the decision to
conclude the FTA in the face of strong opposition from
South Korean farmers in the hope that the nation's
industries will become more competitive over the long
term. With his Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) set to
expire on July 1, President Bush's trade policy would
have been at a dead end if the US failed to reach an
agreement with South Korea.... Some say that the US,
after having opened the South Korean market, might now
take action to conclude an FTA with Japan. While things
are still at the stage of economic leaders in the US and
Japan proposing a start to negotiations, it is highly
likely that Washington, which attaches importance to its
relations with a growing Asia, will strengthen its trade
strategy toward Japan."
SCHIEFFER
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 FTA - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the
free trade agreement reached Monday between the US and
South Korea.
1. "US-ROK FTA: Japan's Turn Now" The liberal Asahi
editorialized (4/3): "South Korea and the US have
concluded a free trade agreement (FTA). Although the
sensitive issue of opening the South Korean rice market
was shelved, the conclusion of these drawn-out and
difficult negotiations will jolt Japan's conspicuously
inward-looking trade strategy. After the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect in 1994,
the US concluded FTAs with Singapore and other small
countries, so the birth of a US-ROK FTA is the first such
major achievement in a long time for Washington. This is
also the largest such agreement that South Korea has ever
made.... South Korean President Roh made the decision to
conclude the FTA in the face of strong opposition from
South Korean farmers in the hope that the nation's
industries will become more competitive over the long
term. With his Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) set to
expire on July 1, President Bush's trade policy would
have been at a dead end if the US failed to reach an
agreement with South Korea.... Some say that the US,
after having opened the South Korean market, might now
take action to conclude an FTA with Japan. While things
are still at the stage of economic leaders in the US and
Japan proposing a start to negotiations, it is highly
likely that Washington, which attaches importance to its
relations with a growing Asia, will strengthen its trade
strategy toward Japan."
SCHIEFFER