Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO428
2009-02-25 06:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S
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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
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
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