Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO441
2009-02-26 06:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000441
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 - PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
AND U.S.-JAPAN SUMMIT
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000441
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 - PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
AND U.S.-JAPAN SUMMIT
1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning
included a Sankei report claiming that Japanese police
plan to raid a machinery trading firm in Tokyo on
suspicion of exporting materials that could be used for
military purposes to North Korea via a third country
without GOJ approval.
2. "Difficulties and Hopes for President Obama" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (2/26): "... President
Obama expressed his determination to shape the
future... More than just stimulus measures, what is
needed is the leadership to convey hope for the
future... The President seems to be trying to patiently
convince those who oppose his policies in order to
achieve bipartisan unity... Although decisions he will
make will be difficult, we hope that he will show the
way."
3. "We Expect Actions" The liberal Mainichi wrote in an
editorial (2/26): "... President Obama made a speech to
encourage the American people to share confidence and
hope... His message reached us too. We hope that he
will take actions in line with his words."
4. "Determination for Economic Recovery was Shown,
but..." The moderate Yomiuri's editorial contended
(2/26): "... President Obama expressed his resolve to
rebuild the U.S. economy. The recovery of a strong
America is indispensable when the world is overshadowed
by the economic slump. The key is whether the U.S. has
the ability to take actions to realize its policy."
5. "U.S. Leader 'Scolds' American People" The business-
oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/26): "The U.S. leader,
who expressed his determination to overcome the
economic crisis and showed the direction to realize his
policy, scolded the irresponsibility on the part of
businesses and people and stressed the importance of
responsibility and reform... We hope the President will
not take a populist approach but instead will tackle
the problems in a sincere manner."
6. "Strong Leadership Needed to Restore Economy" The
conservative Sankei's editorial wrote (2/26):
"President Obama called for the unity of the American
people... Rehabilitation of the U.S. economy is
essential not only for the American people but also for
Japan and the world. The President bears a heavy
responsibility. We hope that he will steadily implement
his policy he put forward in his address."
7. "Candid Speech Reflects Seriousness of Crisis" The
liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (2/26): "...
Although the enactment of the bill of stimulus measures
was a great achievement, it is only the first step, as
President Obama himself has said. He will be tested
whether he can maintain the current speed in
implementing his policy."
8. "Light Diplomacy by Weak Prime Minister" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (2/26): "...The first summit
between President Obama and Prime Minister Aso produced
some results despite the question why the U.S. invited
a weak prime minister to the White House... The U.S.
TOKYO 00000441 002 OF 002
side is well aware of the difficulties Aso faces.
However, it apparently arranged a summit with the
Japanese leader on the day when the President makes his
important policy speech in order to send the message to
the Japanese people that the U.S. attaches importance
to Japan regardless who the Japanese prime minister
is."
9. "Diplomacy by Weak Prime Minister" The liberal
Mainichi's editorial wrote (2/26): "... Prime Minister
Aso was the first foreign leader invited to President
Obama's White House. In addition to Secretary of State
Clinton's recent visit to Tokyo as the first stop of
her tour of Asia, the summit apparently showed the
importance the U.S. places on Japan. However, it is
unusual that neither a joint press conference nor a
luncheon was held. The U.S. side might have given Aso a
reception lacking any frills in view of his
administration's declining public support."
10. "Proactive Diplomacy Needed to Strengthen Alliance"
The moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (2/26):
"Continued multilayer cooperation in a wide range of
areas will help strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance...
As the Obama administration looks to multilateral
diplomacy, Japan needs to carry out more proactive
diplomacy."
11. "Action Should be Taken" The conservative Sankei
editorialized (2/26): "... Supporting U.S. efforts
through the alliance serves Japan's national interests.
Japan demonstrated to the world its clear position to
cooperate with the U.S., when Europeans are unable to
reach a consensus. We hope that the momentum to
cooperatively deal with global challenges with the
leadership of the U.S. and Japan will spread to Europe
and the rest of the world."
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 - PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
AND U.S.-JAPAN SUMMIT
1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning
included a Sankei report claiming that Japanese police
plan to raid a machinery trading firm in Tokyo on
suspicion of exporting materials that could be used for
military purposes to North Korea via a third country
without GOJ approval.
2. "Difficulties and Hopes for President Obama" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (2/26): "... President
Obama expressed his determination to shape the
future... More than just stimulus measures, what is
needed is the leadership to convey hope for the
future... The President seems to be trying to patiently
convince those who oppose his policies in order to
achieve bipartisan unity... Although decisions he will
make will be difficult, we hope that he will show the
way."
3. "We Expect Actions" The liberal Mainichi wrote in an
editorial (2/26): "... President Obama made a speech to
encourage the American people to share confidence and
hope... His message reached us too. We hope that he
will take actions in line with his words."
4. "Determination for Economic Recovery was Shown,
but..." The moderate Yomiuri's editorial contended
(2/26): "... President Obama expressed his resolve to
rebuild the U.S. economy. The recovery of a strong
America is indispensable when the world is overshadowed
by the economic slump. The key is whether the U.S. has
the ability to take actions to realize its policy."
5. "U.S. Leader 'Scolds' American People" The business-
oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/26): "The U.S. leader,
who expressed his determination to overcome the
economic crisis and showed the direction to realize his
policy, scolded the irresponsibility on the part of
businesses and people and stressed the importance of
responsibility and reform... We hope the President will
not take a populist approach but instead will tackle
the problems in a sincere manner."
6. "Strong Leadership Needed to Restore Economy" The
conservative Sankei's editorial wrote (2/26):
"President Obama called for the unity of the American
people... Rehabilitation of the U.S. economy is
essential not only for the American people but also for
Japan and the world. The President bears a heavy
responsibility. We hope that he will steadily implement
his policy he put forward in his address."
7. "Candid Speech Reflects Seriousness of Crisis" The
liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (2/26): "...
Although the enactment of the bill of stimulus measures
was a great achievement, it is only the first step, as
President Obama himself has said. He will be tested
whether he can maintain the current speed in
implementing his policy."
8. "Light Diplomacy by Weak Prime Minister" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (2/26): "...The first summit
between President Obama and Prime Minister Aso produced
some results despite the question why the U.S. invited
a weak prime minister to the White House... The U.S.
TOKYO 00000441 002 OF 002
side is well aware of the difficulties Aso faces.
However, it apparently arranged a summit with the
Japanese leader on the day when the President makes his
important policy speech in order to send the message to
the Japanese people that the U.S. attaches importance
to Japan regardless who the Japanese prime minister
is."
9. "Diplomacy by Weak Prime Minister" The liberal
Mainichi's editorial wrote (2/26): "... Prime Minister
Aso was the first foreign leader invited to President
Obama's White House. In addition to Secretary of State
Clinton's recent visit to Tokyo as the first stop of
her tour of Asia, the summit apparently showed the
importance the U.S. places on Japan. However, it is
unusual that neither a joint press conference nor a
luncheon was held. The U.S. side might have given Aso a
reception lacking any frills in view of his
administration's declining public support."
10. "Proactive Diplomacy Needed to Strengthen Alliance"
The moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (2/26):
"Continued multilayer cooperation in a wide range of
areas will help strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance...
As the Obama administration looks to multilateral
diplomacy, Japan needs to carry out more proactive
diplomacy."
11. "Action Should be Taken" The conservative Sankei
editorialized (2/26): "... Supporting U.S. efforts
through the alliance serves Japan's national interests.
Japan demonstrated to the world its clear position to
cooperate with the U.S., when Europeans are unable to
reach a consensus. We hope that the momentum to
cooperatively deal with global challenges with the
leadership of the U.S. and Japan will spread to Europe
and the rest of the world."
ZUMWALT