Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO362
2007-01-26 04:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - CHINA'S MISSILE TEST - TOKYO
how-toVZCZCXRO9024 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #0362 0260445 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 260445Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0122 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 RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 9674 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 3140 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5617 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1479 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1703 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3118 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000362
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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 - CHINA'S MISSILE TEST - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Friday morning's Yomiuri front-paged Ford
Motor's record deficit of 12.7 billion USD for 2006 due
to slumping sales in North America and huge restructuring
costs.
1."China's Missile Test: The Challenge of a Space-Related
Arms Race" An editorial in the top-circulation, moderate
Yomiuri commented (1/26): "China's successful destruction
of a satellite in orbit with a ballistic missile could
trigger a space-related arms race. It is believed that
China conducted the anti-satellite missile test to
demonstrate its ability to hit US spy satellites. This
test could not only change the US-China military balance
but could also have a negative impact on security in East
Asia, including Japan.... One of the concerns the
international community has about China is its continuing
secretiveness regarding military information. On January
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12, the US military confirmed China's anti-satellite
missile test. Nonetheless, the Chinese government waited
more than 10 days to formally acknowledge it. In recent
years, China has successfully launched manned spaceships
and rapidly improved its space-related technology. The
recent missile test has further deepened concerns about
the conversion of such technology for military
purposes.... USG officials have a growing sense of alarm
that the test represents the first step in a Chinese
challenge to the US."
SCHIEFFER