TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S

UNCLAS TOKYO 000428 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 - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS AND THE U.S.-JAPAN SUMMIT ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave front-page play to Tuesday's summit between President Obama and Prime Minister Aso. ¶2. "President Calls for Patience" A Washington correspondent for the quasi-government broadcaster NHK stated (2/25): "President Obama's speech before the joint session of Congress was noteworthy in that he called for the American people, who are confronted with an unprecedented economic crisis, to squarely face the hard reality and take a long-term view in order to restore America. Calling the just-enacted stimulus package only a start for rejuvenation, the President also stressed the importance of making concentrated investments in energy and education in order to bring about a better future. Knowing that the American people would like to hear him calling for more than just patience on their part, the President apparently concluded his speech with a positive note that there is no question that the U.S. will overcome the current crisis.... On foreign policy, the President appeared to be keen to play up differences in his diplomacy from that of the Bush administration's unilateral line. He successfully left the impression that America under his leadership is changing." ¶3. "Aso Given Heavy Homework" The quasi-governmental broadcaster NHK's reporter accompanying Prime Minister Aso commented on the summit (2/25): "With President Obama's call for Japan to put forward a concrete contribution plan regarding the reconstruction of Afghanistan, PM Aso has been given a lot of homework. However, it will not be easy for the beleaguered prime minister to come up with ideas that are satisfactory to the U.S., especially at a time when public and LDP confidence in his leadership appears to be falling rapidly. The prime minister's ability to produce effective contribution plans on such global issues as climate change and Afghan reconstruction holds the key to whether he will be able to forge a relationship of trust with President Obama." ZUMWALT