TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - ASEAN SUMMIT AND OPEC

UNCLAS TOKYO 005295 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 - ASEAN SUMMIT AND OPEC LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning include Tokyo prosecutors' request for US authorities to help investigate a slush fund maintained by the US branch of the scandal-hit defense hardware trading firm Yamada Corp. ¶1. "First Step Toward East Asia Community" The liberal Asahi editorialized (11/20): "The long-held dream of creating an 'East Asian Community' is finally coming into focus as a realistic goal for the future. Japan's decision to forge an economic partnership agreement with ASEAN will have significant relevance to this initiative in the long run.... ASEAN marks its 40th anniversary this year. It has been steadily transformed from the tragic battlefield of the Vietnam War into a common market. Its economy has expanded and overcome the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The fact that ASEAN is close to the formation of such a community is profoundly impressive. In its summit today, ASEAN is to adopt a charter that sets forth the foundation of a community. Japan should offer support in order to help ASEAN follow in the path of the EU." ¶2. "OPEC Supports Measures to Fight Global Warming" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (11/20): "OPEC leaders apparently do not want to be portrayed as the world's 'villains.' The Riyadh Declaration issued at the OPEC summit mentions 'shared concerns' about global warming and pledges long-term stability of oil supplies.... The declaration expresses support for international efforts to protect the global environment and offers cooperation in tree-planting initiatives, making it clear the organization's endorsement of measures to combat global warming.... The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions has become a global issue following the conclusion by the International Panel on Climate Change that human-made factors are primarily responsible for global warming. OPEC appears to have determined that the continuation of a negative stance on global warming would not be wise." SCHIEFFER