UNCLAS TOKYO 002298

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 CHINA


1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included the planned
start later this month of H1N1 influenza vaccinations.


2. "Iran Should Stop Provoking World" The liberal Asahi
editorialized (10/2): "Of course Iran has the right to use nuclear
energy peacefully. However, this should be premised upon Iran's
faithful fulfillment of obligations under the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty, as well as the restoration of the
international community's trust in it. [Tehran's pursuit of nuclear
programs] cannot be accepted, given that it has trampled on a series
of UN Security Council resolutions.... A proposal by the U.S. and
Europe to provide technical know-how on industrial nuclear programs
in exchange for the suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment serves
Iran's interests. Why doesn't Iran accept the proposal and then
proceed openly with the peaceful use [of nuclear energy]?"


3. "China's Perilous March toward 'Rich Country, Strong Army'" On
the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on Thursday,
the liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (10/2): "The gap between
China's powerful display of its prowess for a foreign audience and
the uneasy sentiment at home is huge.... What China should
demonstrate at home and abroad is that it is a nation governed by
law and a harmonized society in which ordinary people are respected.
China's efforts toward that end would allow it to discuss [with
Japan] the dream of creating an East Asian Community."


4. "China's Arms Expansion Accelerating" On the massive military
parade held in Beijing yesterday, the top-circulation, moderate
Yomiuri wrote (10/2): "The event illustrated the accelerated buildup
of nuclear arsenals and air power by China. While the display of a
massive number of state-of-the-art weapons systems may help enhance
the Hu administration's grip on power, it also reminded the
international community of the threat of China's military
expansion."


5. "Military Parade Leaves Impression of China as 'Abnormal
Country'" A correspondent for the conservative Sankei stated from
Beijing (10/2): "The military parade that was held in China for the
first time in 10 years left the international community with the
impression that China is an 'abnormal country.'... While China
apparently hoped to draw international attention to its
'transparency' by displaying its high-tech weapons systems, it
cannot be denied that the event strongly reminded its neighbors of
the threat it poses. China's image abroad is bound to decline as a
result."

ROOS