TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS TOKYO 001191 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 - NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page items on Wednesday morning included North Korea's additional launch of two short-range missiles off its coast in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. ¶2. "Strong Unity Imperative" On expected UN Security Council deliberations on a new resolution against North Korea's nuclear test, the liberal Asahi editorialized (5/27): "This is a serious situation that is testing the raison d'tre of the UNSC. The international community must unite and issue a strong message to North Korea.... North Korea has blackmailed the international community with its nuclear and missile programs and demonstrated its ambitions to become a nuclear power. The UNSC member states must overcome their differences and vigorously press North Korea to surrender its nuclear programs. What is important is the effectiveness of the new resolution and the unity of the member states to back it up. China holds the key in this regard. It is not desirable for China to have tensions rising in the region over the North Korean nuclear issue. Beijing should also be aware that as a major power, it is responsible for nuclear nonproliferation and peace." ¶3. "How to Ensure Effectiveness of Sanctions" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri argued in an editorial (5/27): "Even if a new resolution is adopted, North Korea is likely to ignore it and expedite its nuclear and ballistic missile development. It would be extremely difficult to force North Korea to give up on nuclear development unless the U.S., which has means to impose financial sanctions, and China, which is North Korea's largest donor, become serious about stopping it." ZUMWALT