TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - HOUSE ADOPTION OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003557 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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - HOUSE ADOPTION OF "COMFORT WOMEN" RESOLUTION LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged the results of their post-Upper House election opinion polls, which showed the public split over PM Abe's decision to stay on. ¶1. "House Adoption of 'Comfort Women' Resolution Could Damage US-Japan Relations" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (8/1): "The adoption by the US House of Representatives of a resolution calling for the GOJ to formally apologize for the 'comfort women' issue could damage US-Japan relations. This is a worrisome situation.... Moves that lower the image of Japan in the US or lead to the rise of anti-American sentiment in Japan would harm both countries. Aside from the 'comfort women' issue, there have been other negative factors in both countries. In Japan, there is strong dissatisfaction with the Bush administration's conciliatory policy toward North Korea. Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),which won a plurality in Sunday's Upper House election, expressed opposition to an extension of Japan's Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. The US would be disappointed if Japan were to suspend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operations in the Indian Ocean for US-led coalition ships engaged in the antiterrorism campaign in and around Afghanistan." ¶2. "Concern over Misunderstandings of Historical Facts" An editorial in the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (8/1): "The US House adopted the 'comfort women' resolution, apparently based on misunderstandings of historical facts. We can hardly overlook the resolution, even if it is nonbinding.... As a matter of course, the US-Japan alliance is extremely important to Japan's national interest. In addition to their close military and economic ties, the US and Japan share the values of democracy and human rights. Nevertheless, the GOJ must clearly refute any mistaken facts. Should mistaken historical facts prevail, this will only form the basis for future trouble in the bilateral relationship." ¶3. "PM Abe Should Issue New Statement Accepting House Resolution" The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/1): "The US House of Representatives adopted a resolution urging the GOJ to formally apologize for the 'comfort women' issue. The resolution stated: 'The brutality and scale of the pre-WWII comfort women system of forced military prostitution by the GOJ was unprecedented and one of the the largest cases of human trafficking in the 20th century.'... There are concerns in the US that Japan still harbors prewar values, prompting a group of influential US lawmakers to send a letter to the Japanese ambassador in Washington expressing concern over former PM Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Moreover, the ascension of PM Abe as Koizumi's successor heightened the US sense of foreboding.... The TOKYO 00003557 002 OF 002 resolution seeks a formal apology from PM Abe. Silence on his part will only aggravate the situation.... The best course he can take at present is to issue a statement of apology at home and abroad." SCHIEFFER