Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1178
2009-05-26 01:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NUCLEAR TEST BY NORTH KOREA
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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
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
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