TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAN AND "EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY"

UNCLAS TOKYO 002279 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 - IRAN AND "EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY" INITIATIVE ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page items on Wednesday morning included new LDP President Tanigaki's appointment of key party officials. ¶2. "U.S. to Apply Pressure on Iran in Coordination with China, Russia" Concerning planned talks tomorrow between Iran and the P5 plus Germany on Iran's uranium enrichment, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (9/30): "It is noteworthy that the Obama administration, which plans to deal with Iran directly for the first time, has been busy ensuring unity among the six members. Up until now, China and Russia have been sympathetic toward Iran and this was one reason for less than vigorous enforcement of sanctions in general. The Obama administration, however, has made progress in improving ties with China and Russia and built what White House Press Secretary Gibbs dubbed the 'strongest international coordination ever.' By using this unity as leverage, the U.S. is set to initiate additional sanctions that Secretary of State Clinton described at the UN Security Council as 'extremely harsh.' Strong measures, including a ban on gasoline exports to Iran, are likely to become a reality." ¶3. "Stronger Economic Coordination Needed to Lay Groundwork" Concerning a recent agreement among the foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea about enhanced cooperation for the creation of an 'East Asian Community,' the moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/30): "Foreign Minister Okada underscored his view of increasing regional economic coordination and cooperation in individual areas such as energy and environment based on the principle of 'open regionalism'.... Nonetheless, skepticism and doubts [about the 'East Asian Community' initiative] remain in the U.S. There is no doubt that these concerns were generated by Prime Minister Hatoyama's essay carried by a U.S. newspaper, in which he criticized U.S.-led globalism and called for the creation of an Asian-wide common currency. It does not make sense for Japan's proactive spearheading of a campaign to create such a community to end up damaging its alliance with the U.S. The prime minister and foreign minister should continue their utmost efforts to explain [the initiative] in order to dispel U.S. apprehensions." ¶3. "Outdated Concept Annoying" Conservative Sankei's Tokyo correspondent Yuasa argued (9/30): "From the Obama administration's standpoint, the way PM Hatoyama presented his [East Asian Community] initiative was rude. While the premier did not mention the idea in his summit with President Obama, he concluded his speech at the UN next day by saying 'Japan is hoping for the emergence of an East Asian Community.' Hatoyama audaciously did this while playing up [the importance of] creating a 'relationship of personal trust' with President Obama. No wonder that a high-ranking USG official relayed Washington's opposition to the initiative to the Japanese side right away." ROOS