TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - UNSC RESOLUTION ON NUCLEAR

UNCLAS TOKYO 002256 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 - UNSC RESOLUTION ON NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION, G20 SUMMIT IN PITTSBURGH, AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD BURMA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Monday morning papers gave top or front-page play to press remarks on Sunday by Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Maehara, during which he revealed his plan to drastically review Japan's special budgetary account for airport construction. ¶2. "UNSC Resolution Shows Obama's Strong Commitment" The moderate Yomiuri stated in an editorial (9/26): "The UN Security Council summit meeting unanimously adopted a resolution seeking a 'world without nuclear weapons.' This reflected President Obama's strong belief that the entire international community must deal with the nuclear threat." ¶3. "Historic UNSC Resolution" The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (9/26): "President Obama proposed and chaired the UN Security Council summit meeting on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear reduction. This was the first such meeting that focused exclusively on the nuclear issue and adopted a resolution on the matter. This can be described as a historic event." ¶4. "G20 to Be Tested on Effectiveness in Correcting Economic Imbalance" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (9/28): "At the G20 summit, leaders expressed their intention to work toward correcting the imbalance in the global economy. This is a fundamental issue that has not been addressed for many years despite indications of the necessity of doing so. The effectiveness of the G20 will be tested." ¶5. "Measures beyond Preventing Crisis Required" The liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (9/27): "The agreement reached at the G20 summit to strengthen restrictions on financial institutions is a meaningful step in the right direction.... The participants also agreed to 'correct the imbalance in the global economy.'.... This is critically important not only to overcome the world crisis and prevent its recurrence but also to achieve sustainable world economic growth and bring about stable and better lives for the people." ¶6. "Concern about U.S. Policy toward Myanmar" The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (9/27): "The Obama administration will review the U.S.'s previous policy toward Myanmar, which focused only on sanctions, and launch direct talks with the military junta. This policy shift appears to be based on the experience that sanctions, which have been imposed since the 1990s, have not helped with the democratization of Myanmar or the improvement of human rights in the country. However, there is concern that the junta might consider the move to be a conciliatory approach." ROOS