Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO333
2007-01-24 06:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS/ARMS
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000333
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/ARMS
BUILDUP IN SPACE - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday noon's broadcasters gave
prominent coverage to President Bush's State of the Union
Address.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000333
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/ARMS
BUILDUP IN SPACE - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday noon's broadcasters gave
prominent coverage to President Bush's State of the Union
Address.
1. There were no immediate editorials or commentaries
regarding the State of the Union Address.
2. "Bush Calls for Support for New Iraq Policy" Quasi-
governmental NHK-TV's Washington bureau chief Nishikawa
stated (1/23): "In his first State of the Union Address
to a Democratic Congress, the president sought support
for his new Iraq policy, casting implementation of the
new plan, including an increase in troops, as
indispensable for success in Iraq and the war on
terrorism. On North Korea, he said the US seeks a
diplomatic solution the nuclear issue through the six-
party talks. He also reiterated the US position of not
allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Although the
president offered new proposals on immigration and energy
issues, he remained firm on his Iraq policy."
3. "Bush Calls for Unity" TBS-TV's Washington
correspondent Hino reported (1/23): "The president began
his annual speech by calling for unity in Congress and
unveiled a new energy plan stipulating a 20 PERCENT cut
in domestic gasoline consumption over the next 10 years.
On his new Iraq policy, the president said the deployment
of an additional 20,000 US troops represents the best
chance for success in the country. In order to win the
war on terrorism, the president also called for
bolstering the US ARMY and Marine Corps by 92,000 troops.
In addition, he spoke of his intention to realize
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through vigorous
diplomacy with countries like Japan and China."
4. "Iraq Issue Takes a Back Seat" Fuji-TV's Washington
correspondent Sano commented (1/23): "As if to avoid
Democratic resistance to his new Iraq policy, President
Bush began his annual speech by focusing on his domestic
agenda, which included a new energy policy. At a time
when his approval rating is hovering around a record low
30 PERCENT , he must have sought to boost his popularity
by raising issues that could resonate with the Democrats
and the US public."
5. "Bush Standing Alone" TV-Asahi's Washington
correspondent Ii stated (1/23): "President Bush began his
address by praising America's first female speaker of the
House, Nancy Pelosi, but his speech this year drew few
standing ovations and little applause. At a time when his
new Iraq policy is facing criticism even from lawmakers
within his own party, the president spent much of the
time addressing domestic issues, such as energy and
medical care, in an attempt to gain support from the
American public. The 2008 presidential race appears to
have already begun, with Senators Clinton and Obama
expressing their eagerness to run, and the president
appeared to be a 'lame duck.'"
6. "Framework Needed to Halt Space-Related Arms Race" The
business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (1/24):
"China announced that it has succeeded in carrying out an
anti-satellite weapons test using a ballistic missile.
International concerns have deepened over the Chinese
test, with some fearing a replay of the US-Soviet space
race from the 1980s. Today, however, the threat from anti-
satellite weapons goes far beyond what it was in the
TOKYO 00000333 002 OF 002
1980s given that technology that governs all facets of
our lives, not just military applications, is reliant on
satellites. An international framework is, therefore,
needed to apply the brakes to any arms race.... On
Tuesday, chief Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu
formally acknowledged the test, saying that China
informed the US and Japan of it days after its
completion. Questions have been raised regarding the
extent to which President Hu and other members of the
leadership were informed about the test in advance."
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 - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS/ARMS
BUILDUP IN SPACE - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday noon's broadcasters gave
prominent coverage to President Bush's State of the Union
Address.
1. There were no immediate editorials or commentaries
regarding the State of the Union Address.
2. "Bush Calls for Support for New Iraq Policy" Quasi-
governmental NHK-TV's Washington bureau chief Nishikawa
stated (1/23): "In his first State of the Union Address
to a Democratic Congress, the president sought support
for his new Iraq policy, casting implementation of the
new plan, including an increase in troops, as
indispensable for success in Iraq and the war on
terrorism. On North Korea, he said the US seeks a
diplomatic solution the nuclear issue through the six-
party talks. He also reiterated the US position of not
allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Although the
president offered new proposals on immigration and energy
issues, he remained firm on his Iraq policy."
3. "Bush Calls for Unity" TBS-TV's Washington
correspondent Hino reported (1/23): "The president began
his annual speech by calling for unity in Congress and
unveiled a new energy plan stipulating a 20 PERCENT cut
in domestic gasoline consumption over the next 10 years.
On his new Iraq policy, the president said the deployment
of an additional 20,000 US troops represents the best
chance for success in the country. In order to win the
war on terrorism, the president also called for
bolstering the US ARMY and Marine Corps by 92,000 troops.
In addition, he spoke of his intention to realize
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through vigorous
diplomacy with countries like Japan and China."
4. "Iraq Issue Takes a Back Seat" Fuji-TV's Washington
correspondent Sano commented (1/23): "As if to avoid
Democratic resistance to his new Iraq policy, President
Bush began his annual speech by focusing on his domestic
agenda, which included a new energy policy. At a time
when his approval rating is hovering around a record low
30 PERCENT , he must have sought to boost his popularity
by raising issues that could resonate with the Democrats
and the US public."
5. "Bush Standing Alone" TV-Asahi's Washington
correspondent Ii stated (1/23): "President Bush began his
address by praising America's first female speaker of the
House, Nancy Pelosi, but his speech this year drew few
standing ovations and little applause. At a time when his
new Iraq policy is facing criticism even from lawmakers
within his own party, the president spent much of the
time addressing domestic issues, such as energy and
medical care, in an attempt to gain support from the
American public. The 2008 presidential race appears to
have already begun, with Senators Clinton and Obama
expressing their eagerness to run, and the president
appeared to be a 'lame duck.'"
6. "Framework Needed to Halt Space-Related Arms Race" The
business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (1/24):
"China announced that it has succeeded in carrying out an
anti-satellite weapons test using a ballistic missile.
International concerns have deepened over the Chinese
test, with some fearing a replay of the US-Soviet space
race from the 1980s. Today, however, the threat from anti-
satellite weapons goes far beyond what it was in the
TOKYO 00000333 002 OF 002
1980s given that technology that governs all facets of
our lives, not just military applications, is reliant on
satellites. An international framework is, therefore,
needed to apply the brakes to any arms race.... On
Tuesday, chief Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu
formally acknowledged the test, saying that China
informed the US and Japan of it days after its
completion. Questions have been raised regarding the
extent to which President Hu and other members of the
leadership were informed about the test in advance."
SCHIEFFER