TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CLINTON'S VISIT TO

UNCLAS TOKYO 000366 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 - CLINTON'S VISIT TO JAPAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers led with Tuesday's resignation of Finance Minister Nakagawa to take responsibility for the "strange behavior" he had displayed during a press conference following the G7 financial ministerial in Rome last week. ¶2. "Summit Is Fine, But...." The liberal Asahi editorialized (2/18): "Secretary of State Clinton's selection of Japan as the first destination of her initial official overseas trip, as well as President Obama's invitation to Prime Minister Aso to visit the White House as his first foreign guest, signals that the Obama administration's attachment of importance to Japan is genuine.... The USG must be very interested in enlisting Japan's support to overcome the worldwide economic recession. Additionally, the U.S. and Japan need to jointly tackle a mountain of issues, such as the stabilization of Afghanistan, North Korea's nuclear and missile development, China's arms expansion, and global warming." ¶3. "USG Keen to Expand Scope of Bilateral Relations" On Secretary of State Clinton's meeting with opposition DPJ leader Ozawa, the business-oriented Nikkei argued (2/18): "The U.S.-Japan relationship is not just a tie between the two governments. It is more diverse. During her Tokyo visit, Secretary Clinton appeared to try to issue a message that bilateral relations need to be enhanced with supra-partisan spirit." ¶4. "Policy Coordination Needs to Be Deepened" The top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri asserted (2/18): "What is important is to deepen dialogue between the U.S. and Japan in order to conduct strategic diplomacy. North Korea will be the first testing case.... The two nations must deepen coordination with China and South Korea so as to press the DPRK to accept a stringent nuclear verification regime." ¶5. "Multi-layered Dialogue Imperative" The liberal Mainichi insisted (2/18): "Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Nakasone agreed on the importance of the two countries promoting dialogue at various levels and enhancing policy coordination. Japan should take advantage of the launch of the Obama administration to conduct more active diplomacy." ZUMWALT