TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - JAPAN-CHINA DEFENSE

UNCLAS TOKYO 004051 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 - JAPAN-CHINA DEFENSE DIALOGUE LEAD STORIES: Yomiuri gave front-page play to an interview with President Bush, during which he reportedly expressed hope for an extension of Japan's Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. ¶1. "China Needs to Increase Military Transparency" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (8/31): "Although progress was made on defense exchanges between Japan and China during the meeting this week between the Japanese and Chinese defense ministers, the bilateral talks failed to dispel concern over China's military buildup... Japanese Defense Minister Komura urged his counterpart to disclose information about Beijing's plans for its military buildup and force deployments. However, the Chinese defense chief did not give a clear answer and only said that his nation is making efforts to increase transparency. China's defense spending has shown double-digit increases for each of the last 19 years. In addition, its real spending is believed to be two or three times greater than the reported amount. Although China conducted a test in January in which it destroyed an orbiting satellite with a missile, it has yet to disclose details of that test... It is natural for Japan and other members of the international community to be concerned about China's military moves... It is critical for China to increase transparency about its military in order to maintain stable relations with other countries." DONOVAN