Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO3091
2008-11-06 08:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S. PRESIDENTIAL
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003091
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 - U.S. PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003091
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 - U.S. PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top
play to the victory speech made by President-elect
Obama on Tuesday evening.
2. "Strong Hope for Change in America" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (11/6): "It looks like the American
people's strong desire to change their nation emerged
in the election results.... The American people decided
to entrust their nation to a 47-year-old
African-American president at a time when the country
is facing such difficulties as the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan and the financial crisis. Their historic
choice appears to illustrate the American people's call
for two changes: the reconstruction of their society,
which was divided under the Bush administration, and an
end to unilateral domination on the part of the U.S.
Not only the U.S. itself but also its relations with
the international community will change and enter a new
era."
3. "We Hope for Change in America" The liberal
Mainichi's editorial stated (11/6): "Who could imagine
a year ago that the day (when an African-American is
elected president) would come? We are witnessing
American history, with an outstanding leader appearing
at a turning point. We hope the American people's
selection of Senator Obama in 2008 will be remembered
in world history as a wise decision.... We also hope
that Obama will rebuild the U.S., which foundered under
the eight years of the Bush administration, and
demonstrate his cooperation and leadership to the
world."
4. "Can U.S. Restore Its Credibility?" The moderate
Yomiuri's editorial stated (11/06): "...The U.S. is
experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis. Its
status as a military superpower has been questioned
since the war in Iraq. The reconstruction of America
was a major topic in the election.... Many voters seem
to have decided to entrust their future to President-
elect Obama."
5. "Obama Faced with Historic Economic Crisis" The
business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (11/06): "...The
biggest challenge for the Obama administration will be
to break free from the current financial crisis and
help the economy recover. The new administration will
be tested as to whether it will be able to take
effective measures to overcome the economic slowdown."
6. "U.S. Should Restore Confidence and Leadership" The
conservative Sankei stated in an editorial (11/6):
"...Obama needs to swiftly restore America's leadership
and the confidence of the international community in
order to spread such values as freedom and democracy by
listening to the opinions of the international
community and U.S. allies in Europe and Asia. The
international community needs to actively support U.S.
efforts to restore a 'strong America' through change."
7."Historic Choice by America" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun contended in an editorial (11/06): "The
American people selected Senator Obama as the first
African-American president after much hesitation. We
expect their historic choice, which indicates the birth
of a new leader in a new century, will be rewarding."
TOKYO 00003091 002 OF 002
SCHIEFFER
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 - U.S. PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top
play to the victory speech made by President-elect
Obama on Tuesday evening.
2. "Strong Hope for Change in America" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (11/6): "It looks like the American
people's strong desire to change their nation emerged
in the election results.... The American people decided
to entrust their nation to a 47-year-old
African-American president at a time when the country
is facing such difficulties as the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan and the financial crisis. Their historic
choice appears to illustrate the American people's call
for two changes: the reconstruction of their society,
which was divided under the Bush administration, and an
end to unilateral domination on the part of the U.S.
Not only the U.S. itself but also its relations with
the international community will change and enter a new
era."
3. "We Hope for Change in America" The liberal
Mainichi's editorial stated (11/6): "Who could imagine
a year ago that the day (when an African-American is
elected president) would come? We are witnessing
American history, with an outstanding leader appearing
at a turning point. We hope the American people's
selection of Senator Obama in 2008 will be remembered
in world history as a wise decision.... We also hope
that Obama will rebuild the U.S., which foundered under
the eight years of the Bush administration, and
demonstrate his cooperation and leadership to the
world."
4. "Can U.S. Restore Its Credibility?" The moderate
Yomiuri's editorial stated (11/06): "...The U.S. is
experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis. Its
status as a military superpower has been questioned
since the war in Iraq. The reconstruction of America
was a major topic in the election.... Many voters seem
to have decided to entrust their future to President-
elect Obama."
5. "Obama Faced with Historic Economic Crisis" The
business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (11/06): "...The
biggest challenge for the Obama administration will be
to break free from the current financial crisis and
help the economy recover. The new administration will
be tested as to whether it will be able to take
effective measures to overcome the economic slowdown."
6. "U.S. Should Restore Confidence and Leadership" The
conservative Sankei stated in an editorial (11/6):
"...Obama needs to swiftly restore America's leadership
and the confidence of the international community in
order to spread such values as freedom and democracy by
listening to the opinions of the international
community and U.S. allies in Europe and Asia. The
international community needs to actively support U.S.
efforts to restore a 'strong America' through change."
7."Historic Choice by America" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun contended in an editorial (11/06): "The
American people selected Senator Obama as the first
African-American president after much hesitation. We
expect their historic choice, which indicates the birth
of a new leader in a new century, will be rewarding."
TOKYO 00003091 002 OF 002
SCHIEFFER