TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - "BUY AMERICAN"

UNCLAS TOKYO 000282 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 - "BUY AMERICAN" PROVISIONS AND IRAQ ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Lead stories on Friday morning included Prime Minister Aso's remarks in the Diet on Thursday hinting at a possible review of the current GOJ postal privatization program centering on the separation of postal corporation-related services into four separate corporate entities. ¶2. "U.S. Must Not Unleash Protectionism Domino" The business-oriented Nikkei's editorial stated (2/6): "The enactment of the 'Buy American' clause would prompt more countries to conclude that Washington is tilting toward protectionism and to follow the U.S. lead in raising their import tariffs. The provisions run the risk of triggering a protectionist domino effect across the world. President Obama is responsible for persuading those calling for trade protection at home into giving up on the article." ¶3. "Protectionist Sentiment Must Be Contained" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (2/6): "Trade protectionism is wrong in that it not only hurts trade partners but also weaken the very foundation of domestic industries in the long run. There is no question that the global economy would be pushed into a tight corner if the U.S. succumbs to mounting protectionism sentiment in the name of protecting American industries and jobs." ¶4. "Coalition Backing Prime Minister Triumphant" On the apparent victory of the coalition of parties supporting Prime Minister Maliki in the recent nationwide local elections in Iraq, a correspondent for the liberal Mainichi wrote from Cairo (2/6): "Given that the election results pointing to the apparent defeat of a Shiite party that dominated Iraq's local politics for years demonstrate a mounting anti-Iranian mood among Iraqi voters, Tehran must have been hit hard by the poll results. For the U.S., which has been wary about the growing Iranian clout in Iraq, the outcome appears to be a welcome development in view of President Obama's policy of swiftly withdrawing U.S. troops." ZUMWALT