TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - JAPAN-CHINA RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 002861 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 - JAPAN-CHINA RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning included Prime Minister Hatoyama's apparent decision on Monday to postpone a conclusion on the site for the Futenma replacement facility until next year and make a decision probably by May. ¶2. "Japan and China Should Establish Relationship of Trust" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (12/15): "Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited Tokyo and held a meeting with Prime Minister Hatoyama on Monday.... This is the first visit by a senior Chinese official since the DPJ took office. Prime Minister Hatoyama has expressed his position of attaching importance to Asia by advocating the idea of an East Asian Community. China is an important neighbor, which has a global influence on the political and economic fronts. Creating a good relationship with China through reciprocal visits between senior Japanese and Chinese officials will help form a foundation for Japan's diplomacy toward Asia. President Obama expressed his position of placing importance on China in his speeches in Tokyo and Shanghai, and the U.S. has been continuing its dialogue with Chinese leaders.... As the U.S. and China build closer relations, Japan must attach importance to its relations with both the U.S. and China.... Japan needs to further strengthen its relationship of trust with China through reciprocal leaders' visits between Tokyo and Beijing." ROOS