TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS TOKYO 000265 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 - NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page items on Wednesday morning included a plan by 10 nations, including the U.S., Japan, Germany, and the UK to create a framework for a "world-wide" patent examination system. ¶2. "North Korea Trying to Shake U.S.?" The business- oriented Nikkei wrote from Seoul (2/4): "Signs of North Korea preparing the launch of a long-range ballistic missile Taepodong II, which is capable of reaching the U.S., were detected. North Korea's position of escalating its hard-line policy was made clear. The move appears to indicate North Korea's call on the Obama administration, which places importance on the situation in the Middle East, to swiftly hold direct talks with Pyongyang. North Korea apparently took a step to 'shake' the U.S. following its recent statement nullifying all of its agreements with South Korea. Although Japan, China, and other nations concerned have so far been observing the situation in a cautious manner, there is concern that the move to increase tension on the Korean Peninsula may continue." ZUMWALT