TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S DECISION TO CANCEL

UNCLAS TOKYO 002186 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 - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S DECISION TO CANCEL MD DEPLOYMENT IN EASTERN EUROPE ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included the results of opinion surveys by various national dailies, all pointing to 70 percent or more support for the Hatoyama administration - the second highest approval rating ever for a new cabinet. ¶2. "Eastern Europe Could Become Concerned" On President Obama's decision to drop the missile defense deployment plan in Eastern Europe, the top circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported (9/18): "It is certain that there will be a strong reaction from U.S. hardliners, who consider Iran's nuclear program to be a serious threat. There is also a possibility that the decision could spread concern among Eastern European countries that the U.S. will abandon them." ¶3. "U.S. Uses 'Trump Card' to Improve Ties" The liberal Mainichi wrote from Washington (9/18): "By using a review [of the planned MD deployment] as a 'trump card,' President Obama placed top priority on the nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation that will result from improved ties with Russia." ¶4. "Russia Gives Positive Appraisal" The business-oriented Nikkei stated in a Moscow correspondent's report (9/18): "The Medvedev administration welcomed the U.S. decision to drop the MD plan for Eastern Europe. Because a concession was drawn from the U.S., it constitutes a 'diplomatic victory' domestically. The U.S. decision can also be regarded overseas as a reflection of Russia's solid presence in a multipolarized world." ¶5. "Russia Views Cancellation as Positive Sign" The conservative Sankei argued (9/18): "Russia is likely to call domestic and international attention to the U.S.'s major policy shift as a 'diplomatic victory' for Moscow. Russia is expected to bring up various issues and draw maximum concessions from the U.S." ¶6. "U.S. Tightens the Net on Iran over Nuclear Development" The liberal Asahi speculated (9/18): "President Obama apparently hopes to secure cooperation from Russia in order to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. His decision will also provide additional momentum to progress on nuclear disarmament talks and on overall bilateral relations with Russia. The U.S. played its trump card in order to make progress on the nonproliferation and arms reduction fronts with the goal of creating a 'world without nuclear weapons.'" ROOS