TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-RUSSIA SUMMIT AND UNREST IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001553 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 - U.S.-RUSSIA SUMMIT AND UNREST IN UIGHUR ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning included consultations scheduled for later this month between the U.S. and Japan over the "nuclear umbrella." Other news included the revelation by a former Japanese ambassador to the U.S. that the GOJ in 1974 considered allowing port visits by U.S. warships carrying nuclear weapons in a move to revise the nation's "three non-nuclear principles." ¶2. "Expanded Deterrence Must Not Be Undermined" On the nuclear reduction agreement between President Obama and Russian President Medvedev, the conservative Sankei editorialized (7/8): "Everything will be lost if the U.S., in cutting back its nuclear arsenals, undermines the functions of expanded deterrence that it extends to its allies, including Japan, South Korea, and European countries. The U.S. should proceed with nuclear reduction while holding consultations with its allies and paying consideration to strategic stability." ¶3. "Other Nuclear Powers Must Also Be Engaged" The liberal Asahi contended in an editorial (7/8): "Future progress will determine whether [President Obama's initiative of creating a] 'world free of nuclear weapons' can be turned into a realistic goal. It may still be premature, but negotiations for a new treaty must be launched as soon as this treaty is established.... Stable U.S.-Russia relations are imperative in order to turn this accord into a treaty. The issue of deploying missile defense systems in Eastern Europe must be overcome. A major nuclear reduction will also serve Russia's long-term interests." ¶4. "U.S., Russia Should Exercise Leadership to Promote Global Nuclear Reduction" The business-oriented Nikkei argued (7/8): "An early conclusion and ratification of a new [arms reduction] treaty by the U.S. and Russia will set a precedent and provide additional momentum for worldwide nuclear arms reductions.... In order to halt nuclear development by North Korea and Iran, the five nations that are permitted to possess nuclear weapons under the NPR regime are called upon to actively promote nuclear arms reduction." ¶5. "U.S., Russia Should Fulfill Roles to Stop Nuclear Proliferation" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri insisted (7/8): "The U.S. and Russia, which are the world's two nuclear superpowers, are responsible for taking effective measures in the area of nuclear nonproliferation." ¶6. "China Should Adopt Ethnic Policy that Prevents Bloodshed" The business-oriented Nikkei argued (7/8): "If the political and social situation [in China] becomes unstable due to ethnic issues, it could harm the global economy. The international community is urging China to adopt an ethnic policy that matches the goal pledged by President Hu of [creating] a 'harmonized society.'" ¶7. "Not Oppression, But Measures to Address Disparities" The conservative Sankei claimed (7/8): "Ensuring fair distribution of wealth for ethnic minorities and rectifying disparities will lead to a resolution of the problem. While the Chinese government is unlikely to tolerate Uighur independence, it should recognize that the international community will never accept its continued armed oppression." ¶8. "China's Ethnic Policy Lacks Tolerance" The liberal Mainichi asserted in an editorial (7/8): "The world is paying close attention to China's growth potential. China's ability to maintain its economic growth depends on whether it can preserve social stability. The real power needed to ensure social stability is not force, but a tolerant political system." TOKYO 00001553 002 OF 002 ZUMWALT