Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1014
2009-05-01 01:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CHRYSLER
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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
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
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