TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA AND ANTI-

UNCLAS TOKYO 001102 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 - NORTH KOREA AND ANTI- WESTERN SENTIMENT IN CHINA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning include alleged insider trading by a Nomura Securities employee and Monday's rocket attack on a Japanese tanker by a small unidentified vessel off Yemen. ¶2. "Japan-ROK Summit Should Be Start of New Ties" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri argued (4/22): "The issue of North Korea's nuclear development is now at a critical juncture. With this in mind, Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed to enhance trilateral coordination with the U.S. and to call for North Korea to provide a complete and correct nuclear declaration.... As an accurate declaration of the volume of plutonium Pyongyang has produced is at the core of the problem, an easy compromise cannot be permitted. Accepting a false declaration would allow North Korea to secretly maintain its nuclear capability in the future." ¶3. "Fresh Start Needed" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun contended (4/22): "Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. bear heavy responsibility for ensuring stability in Northeast Asia. Any schism among the three would prevent them from fulfilling their international roles. Reaffirmation of enhanced coordination is welcomed.... An easy compromise on the part of the Bush administration meant to create a 'legacy' before the President steps down would create problems for the future. In order to prevent loopholes, close communications among the three partners are imperative." ¶4. "Use Tripartite Coordination to Prod North Korea" The liberal Asahi contended (4/22): "There used to be a venue for dialogue on the North Korean nuclear issue among senior U.S., Japanese, and South Korea officials. The venue went into disuse in the face of disarray among the three nations during the tenure of former ROK President Roh. The three nations should swiftly revive such a consultative framework. Ensuring progress on the nuclear front would give Japan greater leeway to realize progress on the abduction issue." ¶5. "World Concerned about Rising Nationalism in China" The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (4/22): "(The recent attack on a French supermarket in China by a mob) serves as a reminder of the volatility of the Chinese market, as whenever China confronts a diplomatic challenge, protests and demonstrations against specific foreign enterprises flare up.... Following the recent unrest in Tibet, the Chinese government has refused to accept international monitors and has continued to denounce the Dalai Lama. In order to prevent the spread of unchecked nationalism, the Chinese government should allow the entrance of international monitors and free reporting by domestic and foreign media regarding the situation in Tibet." SCHIEFFER