TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CHRYSLER

UNCLAS TOKYO 001014 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 - PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CHRYSLER BANKRUPTCY ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers gave top play to the announcement by the Health Ministry that a high school student in Yokohama is likely to have contracted the new strain of Type A influenza. ¶2. "Has President Obama Taken Necessary First Steps toward Change?" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (5/1): "In his first 100 days in office, President Obama, while highlighting such noble causes as the 'abolition of nuclear weapons' and 'dialogue with Islam,' has been taking a realistic approach in that he gives priority to dialogue and moves cautiously in promoting specific policy items.... The President has been able to maintain a high support rate despite repeated policy errors at home and abroad. This is probably because the public is receptive to his approach of admitting to and rectifying mistakes at an early stage." ¶3. "President Obama Gives Up on 'Bipartisan Spirit'" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported (5/1): "President Obama, in view of his extensive public support, has effectively given up on the 'bipartisan' spirit with Republicans that he called for upon inauguration.... Whether he will be able to build a strong political standing depends solely on whether he can score policy accomplishments, such as putting the economy back on a recovery track. The patience of American people is likely to determine the fate of the Obama administration." ¶4. "Obama Popularity Continuing despite Difficult Situations" The liberal Asahi argued (5/1): "President Obama appears to be keen to win public support for his unpopular policy of rescuing major banks and auto giants by anticipating and echoing popular sentiment. He was also successful in launching a series of policy initiatives that leave the impression that he is departing from the policy line of former President Bush." ¶5. "Early Reconstruction Given Priority?" On Chrysler's filing of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the business-oriented Nikkei wrote from Washington (5/1): "President Obama decided on the bankruptcy protection in the belief that endless public support (for Chrysler) would end up delaying the reconstruction of the U.S. auto industry. He appeared to prioritize an early rebuilding of the auto industry while taking into account potential public backlash for the use of taxpayer money to rescue a giant enterprise on top of major financial institutions, as well as the effects (of a Chrysler bankruptcy) on the domestic economy." ZUMWALT