TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 001050 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.-JAPAN RELATIONS AND PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MEETING WITH LEADERS OF PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included a huge revenue loss posted by GM. ¶2. "Deeper Strategic Dialogue Necessary to Enhance Alliance" On a recent U.S.-Japan defense ministerial, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (5/8): "Japan plans to renew the 'National Defense Program Outline" later this year, while the U.S. on its part will conduct a 'quadrennial defense review' and a 'nuclear posture review.' These activities will provide a golden opportunity for the two nations to coordinate and adjust their defense policies and hardware procurement programs.... Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the revised Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. There is a plan to compile a new security document that will follow up on the 1996 joint security declaration. In order to make the new document more substantive, it is necessary for Japan and the U.S. to set common strategic goals with a vision of the security alliance in 2020. Commencing dialogue this year toward that end would not be premature. " ¶3. "U.S. Going to Great Pains to Form United Front against Terrorism" On President Obama's tripartite summit with the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the business-oriented Nikkei wrote (5/8): "The Obama administration has taken great pains to establish a unified front with Pakistan and Afghanistan to combat Islamic radicals. The security situation in both countries has deteriorated even after the Obama administration issued a 'comprehensive strategy' for the region in March. In view of the greater influence wielded by Islamic radicals, possibilities of terrorist acts, as well as security risks connected to nuclear control by Pakistan, have increased. Because greater U.S. involvement runs the risk of escalating anti-American sentiment in the region, the Obama administration is likely to be forced to do a balancing act." ¶4. "Ensuring Security Necessary to Prevent Outflow of Nuclear Weapons" The conservative Sankei editorialized (5/8): "Political instability and aggravated security in Pakistan could directly lead to the worst possible scenario of nuclear weapons ending up in the hands of terrorists.... It is imperative for Afghanistan to stamp out corruption among government officials. Pakistani leaders are called upon to be fully aware of the risk of the outflow of nuclear weapons, as well as of their international responsibilities in the war on terrorism." ZUMWALT