TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - G8 SUMMIT

UNCLAS TOKYO 001901

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 - G8 SUMMIT


1. LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers gave top
play to Prime Minister Fukuda's press conference at the
close of the G8 summit on Wednesday.


2. "Numerical Target Disappeared Overnight" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (7/10): "...Unfortunately, major
emitters failed to set a goal that includes a numerical
target. During the 16-country leaders' meeting,
including the G8 nations, China, and India, developed
nations and emerging economies failed to agree on
concerted action.... We cannot say that any remarkable
results were obtained, as the nations present failed to
express their determination to fight global warming by
stating specific numbers. There is hope, however, that
change may come.... While being cautious from the fear
that they may have to bear the greater burden, both
developed nations and emerging economies appear to have
started to move in the same direction."


3. "From Sharing Sense of Crisis to Taking Action" The
liberal Mainichi's editorial argued (7/10): "...The G8
summit demonstrated that it is difficult for the G8
alone to resolve global issues.... The ambiguous G8
agreement, which gave consideration to the U.S., did
not lead to progress in the MEM.... The G8 is urged to
take positive action by making sure the U.S. is
involved."


4. "Dialogue Should Be Continued to Overcome Crisis"
The moderate Yomiuri's editorial stated (7/10): "In
order to overcome current global crises, we need to
continue patient dialogue and sow the seeds for policy
coordination. It was significant that the leaders of
the G8 and other participating nations shared a sense
of crisis and sent the message that they will move
toward policy coordination."


5. "Did G8 Show Ability to Settle Problems?" The
business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (7/10): "...It
will be difficult for the G8 on its own to cope with
soaring oil and food prices and global warming.
Recognizing the limits of their ability, the G8 nations
urged emerging economies to take part in the common
discussion and produced results."


6. "G8 Makes Step Forward, But Dissatisfaction Remains"
The conservative Sankei said in an editorial (7/10):
"The G8 agreement brought about important progress on
global warming, as both European nations, which are
proactive in fighting global warming, and the U.S.,
which is cautious about the issue, welcomed it as an
'achievement.'"


7. "We Need a Shared Sense of Crisis" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun editorialized (7/10): "...Although the MEM's
position of cooperating on the common problem of global
warming was made clear during the G8 summit, no
concrete progress was made. China and India remain
opposed to the G8 agreement proposing a common goal for
both industrialized nations and developing countries."

SCHIEFFER