TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - ASEAN, JAPAN-CHINA

UNCLAS TOKYO 000464 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 - ASEAN, JAPAN-CHINA RELATIONS AND U.S. WITHDRAWAL PLAN FROM IRAQ ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page items on Monday morning included Foreign Minister Nakasone's remarks made during his meeting with Chinese Premier Wen on Sunday in Beijing that even a satellite launched by North Korea would constitute a violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolution. ¶2. "U.S. Pullout Plan from Iraq Reflects Reality" The business-oriented Nikkei wrote in an editorial (3/2): "President Obama revealed his troop withdrawal plan from Iraq. His administration at least showed an 'exit' from the war on Iraq, which split public opinion in the U.S. and the international community and created a number of casualties... Military power may be able to topple a government. However, military power alone cannot create stability in the region. The war on Iraq clearly shows such reality." ¶3. "Stability and Unity Indispensable for ASEAN" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (3/2): "An ASEAN leaders' meeting, which had been delayed due to political instability in Thailand, was finally held. Achieving the goal of establishing an ASEAN community by 2015 will not be easy. Stability in member nations and their unity will be indispensable." ¶4. "Senkaku Issue should not Create Political Friction between Japan and China" The liberal Mainichi argued in an editorial (3/2): "... Foreign Minister Nakasone and his Chinese counterpart Yang reportedly agreed that Japan and China will make efforts not to allow the issue of the Senkaku (Diaoyutai) Islands to affect the overall relationship between the two nations. This is a far-reaching decision. It is important that Japan and China avoid political frictions when their cooperation on such issues as North Korea, the global financial crisis, and climate change is necessary." ¶5. "Japan, China should also Discuss Economy" The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (3/2): "In overcoming the global economic crisis, Japan and China, the world's second and the third largest economies, bear heavy responsibilities. Although Foreign Minister Nakasone visited China for the first time since assuming his post, it is regrettable that he failed to hold a specific discussion on bilateral cooperation in dealing with the economic crisis... It is also regrettable if China is reluctant to work with Japan in dealing with the financial crisis. Japan and China, the largest and the second largest holders of U.S. Treasury bonds, should work together and play active roles in stabilizing the world economy." ZUMWALT