TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - STATE OF UNION ADDRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000242 SIPDIS 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 - STATE OF UNION ADDRESS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave top play to the ruling coalition's submission to the Lower House of a bill to extend by two months the provisional gasoline tax. ¶2. "How to Deal with Remaining Fissures" The liberal Asahi editorialized (1/30): "...There were no sincere words in the President's State of the Union address about the fissures he created between the U.S. and the rest of the world.... It is undeniable that 9/11 was the biggest challenge for the Bush administration. The President enjoyed overwhelming support from the American people just after the attacks. However, his support rate has since declined to 30 percent. His weak support appears to indicate that the President's approach to the 'war on terrorism' has failed. President Bush expressed confidence that the surge in Iraq has achieved 'unimaginable success.' Sectarian conflict there has lessened, and the U.S. military is sustaining fewer casualties. However, no one can believe that the war on terrorism in general has been a success.... We agree with the criticism of a Democratic governor that the U.S. has fewer friends and more enemies." ¶3. "Bush Should Be Aware of the Danger of Self- Righteousness" The liberal Mainichi argued in its editorial (1/30): "...In his State of the Union address, President Bush focused on the economy and the war in Iraq. However, it is regrettable that the speech lacked new policy proposals or innovative vision.... It is the responsibility of the person who started the war in Iraq to show a clear path toward an end to the conflict during his remaining term in office.... The Bush administration advocated the idea of changing the world by U.S. power alone. We hope that the President will realize the danger of self-righteousness before his term comes to an end." ¶4. "Administration in Twilight Bears Heavy Responsibility" The moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (1/30): "President Bush's last State of the Union address illustrated the difficulties the U.S. is facing at home and abroad.... If the U.S. is slow to take action on the subprime loan issue, the delay will have an adverse effect on the global economy. The USG and Congress should quickly make a decision on economic stimulus measures and implement them to prevent the U.S. economy from further slowing.... The President failed to show a path toward a substantial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.... Even though his administration is nearing its end, we hope that President Bush, as the leader of a global power responsible for world peace and prosperity, will do his utmost to break the impasse in Iraq." ¶5. "Bush Facing Challenge over Economy during Last Days in Office" The economic-oriented Nikkei editorialized (1/30): "President Bush, who experienced 9/11 the year he took office, will go down in U.S. political history as a wartime president. Though he was once supported by a thriving economy, the economy has now gone off its upward track. Although public order in Iraq is improving, the future of the U.S. economy appears increasingly dim. Bush's last State of the Union TOKYO 00000242 002 OF 002 address illustrated the challenges the U.S. faces today." ¶6. "Bush Needs to Exercise Leadership for Next Generation" The conservative Sankei's editorial said (1/30): "...It is natural that the President put the major focus of his State of the Union address on the economy. Concern about the U.S. economic slowdown, which was triggered by the subprime loan crisis, is having a serious impact on the global economy... The speech was unsatisfactory, focusing as it did on domestic issues and the economy while ignoring East Asia and North Korea. However, there were some notable points in the address. First, the surge in Iraq, which was implemented despite opposition from Congress, is gradually working, and public security and governance there have improved. Second, the President took the initiative in international cooperation in fighting climate change, an area where the U.S. has been criticized for being negative.... Whoever the next president is, the U.S. cannot turn its back to such issues as the war on terrorism, the global environment, and the Middle East. We hope that President Bush will exercise his leadership until his last day in office for the sake of the next generation." ¶7. "Narrowing Gap Necessary" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun contended in an editorial (1/30): "President Bush delivered his last State of the Union address. The speech was businesslike, as no comments on religion or history was made. However, the address illustrated the deep gap in U.S. society over such issues as the economy and Iraq." SCHIEFFER