TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, BURMA, AND

UNCLAS TOKYO 002677 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 - U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, BURMA, AND FUTENMA RELOCATION ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning included a Tokyo Shimbun report claiming that it has learned from U.S.-Japan military sources that the U.S. military has developed plans for possible contingencies around Japan, under which the U.S. will deploy additional airplanes to Kadena AB and helicopters to MCAS Futenma. ¶2. "U.S.'s Acceptance of China's Military Expansion Regrettable" The conservative Sankei editorialized (11/19): "It is natural for the U.S. to place importance on Asia and promote its cooperation with China, which has grown into a gigantic power. However, there is a possibility that the two nations, which are now being referred to as the 'G2,' may seek only practical benefits and undermine the peace and security of the region and the world.... We are concerned about the fact that President Obama called for neither restraint nor transparency in military spending on the part of China, which is continuing its military buildup." ¶3. "Attention Focused on Timing of China's Approval of Higher Yuan" The business-oriented Nikkei wrote from Beijing (11/19): "During President Obama's meetings with President Hu on November 17 and Premier Wen on November 18, the U.S. and China confirmed their commitment to increasing cooperation. Attention will be focused on what concrete steps the two nations will take. Regarding measures to correct the trade imbalance, the area where a rift remains between the two nations, the timing of China's acceptance of a rise in the yuan's value will be a major issue. The 'strategic trust' the U.S. and China have agreed upon will soon be tested." ¶4. "Atmosphere of Dialogue Should Bear Fruit" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (11/19): "The U.S., which had taken a sanctions-only approach, launched direct talks with Myanmar's military junta. Although the U.S. apparently changed its policy out of concern for a rising China, this is also likely to be a good opportunity for the junta, which is becoming more isolated. We hope this atmosphere of dialogue will bear fruit." ¶5. "Working Group Should Not Postpone Decision on Futenma" The conservative Sankei insisted in an editorial (11/19): "The U.S.-Japan ministerial-level working group on Futenma relocation held its first meeting, but the two nations agreed only to seek an 'expeditious resolution.'... If a decision is delayed further, trust in the U.S.-Japan alliance will be lost, and the reduction of the burden on the people of Okinawa will become an even more distant goal. Prime Minister Hatoyama should immediately decide to implement the existing plan." ROOS