TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - FUKUDA RESIGNATION

UNCLAS TOKYO 002381 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 - FUKUDA RESIGNATION ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Prime Minister Fukuda's sudden resignation dominated Japanese newspaper coverage on Monday morning. ¶2. "Irresponsible Surrender of Premiership" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (9/2): "It is quite unusual that two Japanese prime ministers in a row, each of whom was in office only a short time, suddenly surrendered the post. This is an act that hurts Japan's national interest. It also raises doubts about whether the LDP is capable of governing." ¶3. "Early Dissolution of Lower House Needed to Rectify Unreasonable Political Situation" The liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (9/2): "The difficulty in formulating policy is a structural problem given the fact that the two chambers of the Diet are controlled by different parties. Regardless of who takes the helm of the LDP and becomes prime minister, policy management will hit a snag sooner or later. So long as this fundamental inconsistency remains unresolved, public support for the new premier will not rise. The task for the next prime minister is to dissolve the Lower House swiftly and seek the voters' judgment. Without this, strong policy management will be impossible." ¶4. "Strong Cabinet Needed to Implement Policies" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (9/2): "Japan is confronted with daunting tasks politically and economically at home and abroad. Such issues as the subprime loan crisis and soaring oil prices cannot be dealt with by Japan alone.... Given that New Komeito is cautious about using the ruling coalition's two-thirds majority in the Lower House to override decisions in the opposition-dominated Upper House, it is believed that an extension of the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law is far from assured. The next administration should rebuild the LDP's ties with New Komeito in order to enact an extension." ZUMWALT