Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO121
2009-01-21 05:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - INAUGURATION OF
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UNCLAS TOKYO 000121
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 - INAUGURATION OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA
UNCLAS TOKYO 000121
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 - INAUGURATION OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA
1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers focused
intense coverage on the inauguration of President
Obama.
2. "Obama Is Tasked with Rejuvenating America" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (1/21): "President Obama is
set to reconstruct the role of a federal government in
the belief that the establishment of a stable middle-
class forms the foundation of a democratic society.
However, it will not be an easy task for him to realize
a fair society without undermining 'freedom.' The world
is anxiously waiting President Obama to put forward
specific ideas of what a 'smart government' can do for
America."
3. "First 100 Days Hold Key" The liberal Mainichi wrote
(1/21): "President Obama, with the backing of an
overwhelming public support, will guide America into a
new era of responsibility. However, it will not be so
easy for the new President to overcome the aggravated
economic situation and to end the prolonged war on
terrorism.... If he fails to live up to the public
chorus of 'change' swiftly, he may run the risk of
losing public support, which forms the core of his
political foundation."
4. "New President Calls for National Unity to Overcome
Crisis" A Washington correspondent for the conservative
Sankei reported (1/21): "In his inaugural speech,
President Obama stressed the 'new era of
responsibility' apparently in the belief that the U.S.
will not be able to overcome such daunting challenges
as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economic
recession without unity between the government and
American people."
5. "After dream comes Heavy Realities" The Washington
bureau chief of the liberal Tokyo Shimbun stated in a
front-page column (1/21): "The entire U.S. is swept
with festivity. However, President Obama, as the only
commander in chief, is now tasked with dealing with
various challenges. He is now being asked to do more
than just laying out dreams and ideas.... Confronted
with plunging housing prices and the collapse of a
financial bubble, American people, who once fully
enjoyed a spending spree, are now grappling with its
consequences. Whether President Obama is able to
deliver his promised 'change' depends on whether
American people can change themselves."
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 - INAUGURATION OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA
1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers focused
intense coverage on the inauguration of President
Obama.
2. "Obama Is Tasked with Rejuvenating America" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (1/21): "President Obama is
set to reconstruct the role of a federal government in
the belief that the establishment of a stable middle-
class forms the foundation of a democratic society.
However, it will not be an easy task for him to realize
a fair society without undermining 'freedom.' The world
is anxiously waiting President Obama to put forward
specific ideas of what a 'smart government' can do for
America."
3. "First 100 Days Hold Key" The liberal Mainichi wrote
(1/21): "President Obama, with the backing of an
overwhelming public support, will guide America into a
new era of responsibility. However, it will not be so
easy for the new President to overcome the aggravated
economic situation and to end the prolonged war on
terrorism.... If he fails to live up to the public
chorus of 'change' swiftly, he may run the risk of
losing public support, which forms the core of his
political foundation."
4. "New President Calls for National Unity to Overcome
Crisis" A Washington correspondent for the conservative
Sankei reported (1/21): "In his inaugural speech,
President Obama stressed the 'new era of
responsibility' apparently in the belief that the U.S.
will not be able to overcome such daunting challenges
as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economic
recession without unity between the government and
American people."
5. "After dream comes Heavy Realities" The Washington
bureau chief of the liberal Tokyo Shimbun stated in a
front-page column (1/21): "The entire U.S. is swept
with festivity. However, President Obama, as the only
commander in chief, is now tasked with dealing with
various challenges. He is now being asked to do more
than just laying out dreams and ideas.... Confronted
with plunging housing prices and the collapse of a
financial bubble, American people, who once fully
enjoyed a spending spree, are now grappling with its
consequences. Whether President Obama is able to
deliver his promised 'change' depends on whether
American people can change themselves."
ZUMWALT