TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CLOSING OF BEIJING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002326 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 - CLOSING OF BEIJING OLYMPICS AND GEORGIA-RUSSIA CRISIS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Sunday's closing of the Beijing Olympics dominated front-pages of most Japanese dailies on Monday. ¶2. "After Olympics Come Challenges" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (8/25): "China's gold-medal-first principle of the state taking the lead in athlete training and infrastructure investment may have borne fruit. However, the tricks staged at the opening ceremony exposed the problems with holding an Olympics in a totalitarian state.... Beijing's failure to ensure continued economic development, which is the basis for the legitimacy of Communist Party rule, would alienate China's people and exacerbate social anxieties. Controlling the rising nationalism unleashed by the Olympics and managing the economy will be daunting tasks for the Chinese leadership." ¶3. "China Should Embody Harmony" The liberal Mainichi argued in an editorial (8/25): "The word 'harmony' featured prominently in the closing ceremony, presented as the ideal of the 'harmonious society' that has been pursued by the Hu administration. China must rectify its internal disparities in wealth, nurture its middle class, and enhance domestic demand in order to maintain economic growth. Taking such steps would make harmony possible.... If China takes a step toward a harmonious society commensurate with its great power status, then the phrase 'China threat' will disappear from the lexicon of the international community." ¶4. "China Must Be More Open" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun asserted (8/25): "What concerns us is that ethnic minorities in Tibet and the Uygur Autonomous Region were effectively excluded from the Olympics due to the unrest in the former in March and a series of terrorist attacks in the latter just prior to the games.... If China toughens its repressive approach toward these minority groups, its heightened international reputation will be damaged." ¶5. "Beijing Olympics Show China at Turning Point" The business-oriented Nikkei claimed (8/25): "While authorities were reportedly ready to approve public demonstrations at three parks in Beijing during the Olympics, none was approved in the end, with those people who did file for protest permits being sent for 'reeducation.'... China's failure to respect human rights runs counter to the Olympic spirit and will prevent it from gaining the trust of the international community. China must take a bold step toward international cooperation by respecting human rights, freedom of association, speech, and press, and democratization." ¶6. "First Step toward Political Reform" The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/25): "The world supported and cooperated with China toward a successful Beijing Olympics in the hope that such issues as the crackdown on ethnic minorities and suppression of freedom of speech and press would be improved. Seven years have elapsed since the decision was made to give the games to China, and we must express our disappointment at the TOKYO 00002326 002 OF 002 current situation there. It is high time for the Communist Party and the Chinese government to take steps toward political reform." ¶7. "Russia Must Completely Withdraw" The liberal Asahi wrote (8/25): "Russian President Medvedev must not forget that distrust of and opposition to his country has spread globally due to its military action against Georgia.... In order to avoid further chaos, the Russian military must completely withdraw its troops from Georgian territory. The territorial integrity of Georgia must also be guaranteed. Russia must make concessions and forge an agreement on these matters at the UN Security Council." ZUMWALT