TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NUCLEAR TEST BY NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001178 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 - NUCLEAR TEST BY NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Tuesday morning Japanese national dailies led with statements of condemnation released by the U.S., Japan, Russia, and China of Monday's nuclear test by North Korea. ¶2. "U.S.-China Coordination Needed to Stop North Korea's Reckless March" The liberal Asahi editorialized (5/26): "On the same day that North Korea test-launched a ballistic missile in April, President Obama delivered a historic speech calling for the creation of a 'world free of nuclear weapons.' It seemed as though an environment conducive to the prevention of nuclear proliferation was being prepared. Then along came this DPRK nuclear test. We are enraged at this action by North Korea that threw cold water on the global trend [toward nuclear nonproliferation].... We want China to play a leading role in the thorough implementation of UN Security Council sanctions, as well as the adoption of additional punitive measures." ¶3. "Resolute Response by UNSC Essential" The liberal Mainichi argued in an editorial (5/26): "President Obama expressed his policy of creating a world free of nuclear weapons. In line with this policy, he must make efforts to accomplish the specific goal of completely removing the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. The issue involved here is not just the concern held by Japan, which is a U.S. ally. [Washington's] acceptance of North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, no matter how small scale, would run the risk of prompting other countries to similarly trample on international rules and rush toward nuclear development." ¶4. "DPRK Crosses the Rubicon" The conservative Sankei's Washington-based columnist Komori wrote in a front-page commentary (5/26): "The international community's diligent efforts thus far to limit and contain the danger and fear carried by nuclear weapons were completely ignored in North Korea's nuclear tests. The two detonations have effectively allowed North Korea to join the nuclear club, with the international order on nuclear nonproliferation being seriously undermined. Comparing this development to President Obama's rhetoric calling for the abolition of nuclear arsenals, one can understand the magnitude of the negative impact that North Korea's latest action has brought on." ¶5. "Severe UNSC Sanctions Needed" The business-oriented Nikkei argued (5/26): "North Korea probably wished to seek the Obama administration's attention in order to hold bilateral dialogue. It is necessary for the international community to make North Korea understand that its provocation and blackmail will no longer work.... There is no need to shut down communication channels with North Korea, including its return to the Six-Party Talks. However, the member states must not take a compromising attitude in exchange for North Korea's participation in the multinational talks. What is important is the unity of the international community, which will show North Korea that provocation will merely deepen its isolation." ¶6. "Weakened Pressure Will End up Deepening Crisis" A senior writer for the moderate Yomiuri stated (5/26): "North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, if left unchecked,.... would significantly undermine the security balance in the region near Japan.... and would upset the fragile political and military dynamics in East Asia, which have been maintained by interaction between the three nuclear powers of the U.S., China, and Russia. If calls mount in South Korea and Taiwan for going nuclear, Japan may not be able to hold onto its three non-nuclear principles. That would create an explosive situation in East Asia. In order to prevent such a nightmare from becoming a reality, it is imperative for the international community to unite and issue a strong message TOKYO 00001178 002 OF 002 against North Korea's nuclear test." ZUMWALT