TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CHINA OLYMPICS AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002164 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 - CHINA OLYMPICS AND PRESIDENT BUSH IN SOUTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers front-paged the likelihood that Japan has entered a recession. ¶2. "Make Olympics Step Toward Open China" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (8/7): "During the Olympic Games, Beijing will be the center of information distribution, with journalists around the world assembling there.... They will file vivid reports on things the Chinese government does not want outsiders to see.... China will have to be prepared to show its true situation to the world. The international community is paying close attention to whether China, which has often been criticized for being closed in terms of its policies toward ethnic minorities, will seize the opportunity of hosting the Olympics to become an 'open superpower.'" ¶3. "Meaning of China Hosting Olympics" In a front-page commentary, the business-oriented Nikkei's Asia news section chief wrote (8/7): "If the Beijing Olympics helps deepen China's engagement with the international community and prompts it to change, the event will be more than just a gateway to success by a developing country." ¶4. "Hosting Olympics Warrants Freedom at Home" The conservative Sankei argued in an editorial (8/7): "...The Olympics exposes the limits of China's one-party autocratic rule. These limits are demonstrated by the continued restrictions at the main press center on access to websites the authorities view as unfavorable.... Governing in a manner to protect civil rights and lives, to guarantee freedom of expression, and to preempt terrorist acts and riots is in line with the Olympic spirit. It is hoped that the Beijing Olympics will become an opportunity for Chinese people to learn about true international standards." ¶5. "Concerns about Excessive Precautions" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun's editorial asserted (8/7): "What the world will be paying attention to during the Olympics is not just the management of the events. The world is closely monitoring how the Chinese government treats civil liberties and freedom of the press. The Chinese government should be aware of this." ¶6. "Tasks Remaining for Enhanced Alliance" A Washington correspondent for the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported from Seoul (8/7): "The summit between President Bush and South Korean President Lee failed to set a specific roadmap toward the enhancement and development of the U.S.-ROK alliance, exposing the limits of a U.S. president whose term expires in less than six months. ¶7. "Repair of Bilateral Relations Put off" The liberal Asahi wrote from Seoul (8/7): "The U.S.-ROK summit appeared to put off dealing with all the outstanding bilateral issues, including the redefinition of the alliance, until at least next year. The reconstruction of bilateral relations that had started following the inauguration of the Lee administration has ground to a halt in view of the strong reaction by the South Korean TOKYO 00002164 002 OF 002 public to the resumption of U.S. beef imports. The summit failed to find a way to jumpstart the repair process." SCHIEFFER