MEDIA REACTION Q IRAQ - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 001563 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 IRAQ - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Mainichi front-paged Prime Minister Abe's meeting Monday with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. Asahi gave front-page play to a meeting between Assistant Secretary of State Hill and MOFA Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau chief Sasae. ¶1. "Japan Should Promote Strategic Relations with Iraq" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (4/10): "During their meeting on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Abe and visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki agreed to build a long-term strategic partnership between the two countries.... Maliki expressed appreciation for Japan's extension of the special measures law by another two years to allow for continued airlift operations in Iraq by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) unit. The ASDF operations are symbolic of Japan's support for Iraq's reconstruction as a member of the international community, given that there are limitations to what Japan can do to help Iraq out of its difficult security situation.... Iraq's oil deposit is the world's third largest. If and when Iraq's domestic situation normalizes, with its reconstruction work back on track, the nation's production of crude oil will likely grow by leaps and bounds. The stabilization of Iraq and strengthening of ties will serve the national interests of Japan, which is dependent on the Middle East for about 90 percent of its crude imports.... Like Japan, the US and EU nations also have strong interests in Iraq's oil deposits. Japan need not to be left behind in mapping out its own oil strategy.... Moves are afoot to create a framework for promoting regional talks aimed at the stabilization of Iraq. One of these talks is an international conference on Iraq's stabilization held recently by 16 nations, including Iraq, neighboring nations and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Japan should positively commit itself to such a framework of dialogue. PM Abe plans to tour five Middle East nations after visiting Washington in late April. Japan should promote an international dialogue for the stabilization of Iraq." SCHIEFFER