Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO131
2009-01-22 05:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENTIAL
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000131
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 - PRESIDENTIAL
INAUGURATION
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000131
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 - PRESIDENTIAL
INAUGURATION
1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top
play to the launch of the Obama administration on
Tuesday.
2. "President Obama to Take 'Soft but Sound' approach?"
The liberal Asahi wrote in an editorial (1/22): "...
President Obama expressed his willingness to establish
a new relationship with the Muslim world that will be
based on common interests and mutual trust by saying
that he will seek a new way forward with the Muslim
world... Although the longstanding confrontation in the
Middle East will not come to an end immediately, his
message should not be treated lightly... President
Obama also addressed such issues as poverty, the
environment, and natural resources. This demonstrated
his empathy towards others and his modesty."
3. "Journey to Change the World Begins" The liberal
Mainichi editorialized (1/22): "The new era has begun.
The American people always have a sense of a fresh
start with every new president. However, the
presidential inauguration this year demonstrated more
fundamental changes to the world. The spirit of the age
has changed following this inauguration. We share the
same feeling the American people may have that the door
to a new chapter of history has opened."
4. "U.S. Efforts to Remake Itself to Be Tested" The
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (1/22): "... A swift
move to implement the economic stimulus measures has
never been required so strongly before. It is important
to pass related legislation by mid-February to
implement the measures quickly... The U.S. needs to
create a rough plan for economic rehabilitation and
financial stabilization by the next G20 financial
summit in April... On the diplomatic and security
fronts, there are difficult issues that will not be
resolved without U.S. leadership, such as Afghanistan,
North Korea, and global warming."
5. "President Obama Needs to Reconstruct the U.S.
Economy with a Broad Perspective" The business-oriented
Nikkei argued in an editorial (1/22): "... The
reconstruction of the U.S. economy has great
significance not only for the U.S. but also for the
world... We welcome President Obama's $800 billion
stimulus package, as it proposes the greater use of
alternative energy, investment in education, and the
modernization of medical services... There is concern
that 'pork-barrel projects' could be prioritized over
projects that could produce long-term benefits. The
leadership of President Obama and the congressional
leaders will be tested."
6. "Be Prepare to Remake Strong America" The
conservative Sankei editorialized (1/22): "...
President Obama called on the American people to
recognize their duties to themselves, their nation, and
the world. He also called on them to unite to overcome
difficulties and to remake America... President Obama's
'grand design' for a new world order, including such
issues as the reduction of nuclear arms, nuclear
nonproliferation, global warming, and the international
economy, would change the global trend in the 21st
TOKYO 00000131 002 OF 002
century."
7. "From Division to Dialogue" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun said in an editorial (1/22):"President Obama
took office after a long period of preparation. He
should not lose the chance of making a historic
turnaround from division to dialogue, as the
international community faces global crises."
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 - PRESIDENTIAL
INAUGURATION
1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top
play to the launch of the Obama administration on
Tuesday.
2. "President Obama to Take 'Soft but Sound' approach?"
The liberal Asahi wrote in an editorial (1/22): "...
President Obama expressed his willingness to establish
a new relationship with the Muslim world that will be
based on common interests and mutual trust by saying
that he will seek a new way forward with the Muslim
world... Although the longstanding confrontation in the
Middle East will not come to an end immediately, his
message should not be treated lightly... President
Obama also addressed such issues as poverty, the
environment, and natural resources. This demonstrated
his empathy towards others and his modesty."
3. "Journey to Change the World Begins" The liberal
Mainichi editorialized (1/22): "The new era has begun.
The American people always have a sense of a fresh
start with every new president. However, the
presidential inauguration this year demonstrated more
fundamental changes to the world. The spirit of the age
has changed following this inauguration. We share the
same feeling the American people may have that the door
to a new chapter of history has opened."
4. "U.S. Efforts to Remake Itself to Be Tested" The
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (1/22): "... A swift
move to implement the economic stimulus measures has
never been required so strongly before. It is important
to pass related legislation by mid-February to
implement the measures quickly... The U.S. needs to
create a rough plan for economic rehabilitation and
financial stabilization by the next G20 financial
summit in April... On the diplomatic and security
fronts, there are difficult issues that will not be
resolved without U.S. leadership, such as Afghanistan,
North Korea, and global warming."
5. "President Obama Needs to Reconstruct the U.S.
Economy with a Broad Perspective" The business-oriented
Nikkei argued in an editorial (1/22): "... The
reconstruction of the U.S. economy has great
significance not only for the U.S. but also for the
world... We welcome President Obama's $800 billion
stimulus package, as it proposes the greater use of
alternative energy, investment in education, and the
modernization of medical services... There is concern
that 'pork-barrel projects' could be prioritized over
projects that could produce long-term benefits. The
leadership of President Obama and the congressional
leaders will be tested."
6. "Be Prepare to Remake Strong America" The
conservative Sankei editorialized (1/22): "...
President Obama called on the American people to
recognize their duties to themselves, their nation, and
the world. He also called on them to unite to overcome
difficulties and to remake America... President Obama's
'grand design' for a new world order, including such
issues as the reduction of nuclear arms, nuclear
nonproliferation, global warming, and the international
economy, would change the global trend in the 21st
TOKYO 00000131 002 OF 002
century."
7. "From Division to Dialogue" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun said in an editorial (1/22):"President Obama
took office after a long period of preparation. He
should not lose the chance of making a historic
turnaround from division to dialogue, as the
international community faces global crises."
ZUMWALT