TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - JAPAN-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 001649 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-TAIWAN RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning included the aftermath of the major earthquake that hit northern Japan on Saturday. ¶2. "Taiwan Should Act Responsibly" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (6/17): "A protest ship carrying Taiwanese activists claiming territorial rights on Monday entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands, which are effectively controlled by Japan. Three Taiwanese patrol ships also entered the area to protect the protest ship. In the past, there have been cases of protest boats from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China approaching the islands and protesters landing there. However, only private citizens were involved. The participation this time by Taiwanese patrol vessels could disturb relations between Japan and Taiwan. We urge the Taiwanese authorities to exercise self-restraint." ¶3. "Japan Should React Firmly and Calmly" The conservative Sankei's editorial stated (6/17): "A Taiwanese protest boat and accompanying patrol ships briefly entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands, which are Japanese territory. It was the first time for official Taiwanese ships to do so. Although Taipei claimed that the patrol ships accompanied the protest boat in order to guard against any contingency, their act was truly regrettable, given that they ignored repeated warnings and violated Japanese territorial waters. The Japanese government should not make an easy compromise but should instead maintain a firm position, as the incident involves a territorial dispute between Tokyo and Taipei." ¶4. "Senkaku Issue Should Not Be Reignited" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (6/17): "...Among the nations and territories that once experienced Japanese colonial rule, Taiwan has been viewed as the friendliest to Japan. It is shocking that anti-Japanese sentiment is growing in Taiwan, given that Tokyo and Taipei have enjoyed active cultural and economic exchanges despite the absence of diplomatic relations. If the dispute over the Senkakus reignites between Japan and Taiwan, it might prompt China to restate its own claim to the islands.... The Japanese government should calm the situation as soon as possible by using its personal connections with Taiwanese leaders that have been nurtured for years." SCHIEFFER