Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO516
2009-03-06 10:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CHINA AND NORTH KOREA
how-toVZCZCXRO1873 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #0516 0651038 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 061038Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1303 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 2822 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6613 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8121 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2734 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4143 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4064 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000516
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 - CHINA AND NORTH KOREA
UNCLAS TOKYO 000516
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 - CHINA AND NORTH KOREA
1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers continued
to give prominent front-page play to the ongoing
investigation by prosecutors of DPJ President Ozawa's
aide for allegedly receiving illegal corporate
contributions from a scandal-hit general contractor.
2. "Explanations on Surging Military Spending Should Be
Provided" On this year's annual session of the People's
National Congress in China, the conservative Sankei
editorialized (3/6): "In his keynote speech, Premier
Wen stressed peaceful development and played up
coordination with the international community. However,
China's rapid military buildup has stirred
international concern. Beijing must offer a clear
explanation why its defense expenditures have been
constantly increasing at a faster pace than its
economic growth, especially at a time when it needs to
take a concerted approach with its neighbors."
3. "China Must Enhance Military Transparency" The
business-oriented Nikkei asserted (3/6): "China's
double-digit increase in military spending in 21
consecutive years makes its neighbors nervous. Given
the lack of democracy in China, regional countries,
including Japan, have no options but to have some
doubts about the motives behind its robust defense
spending.... Speculation is mounting that Beijing has
initiated the construction of an aircraft carrier
without explaining how to finance such a massive
military program. China is called upon to swiftly
increase transparency in defense spending."
4. "Stronger Encirclement Needed to Deter Missile
Launch" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri claimed
in an editorial (3/6): "North Korea is pushing for
nuclear development in the face of continued economic
impoverishment. It is apparent that Pyongyang is
preparing for a launch in order to develop a nuclear
missile.... The U.S., Japan, and South Korea are set to
enhance sanctions against the DPRK if it goes ahead
with a launch. However, such measures would lack real
teeth without the participation of China. It is
necessary for regional powers to establish an enhanced
international encirclement of North Korea by having
China on their side."
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 - CHINA AND NORTH KOREA
1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers continued
to give prominent front-page play to the ongoing
investigation by prosecutors of DPJ President Ozawa's
aide for allegedly receiving illegal corporate
contributions from a scandal-hit general contractor.
2. "Explanations on Surging Military Spending Should Be
Provided" On this year's annual session of the People's
National Congress in China, the conservative Sankei
editorialized (3/6): "In his keynote speech, Premier
Wen stressed peaceful development and played up
coordination with the international community. However,
China's rapid military buildup has stirred
international concern. Beijing must offer a clear
explanation why its defense expenditures have been
constantly increasing at a faster pace than its
economic growth, especially at a time when it needs to
take a concerted approach with its neighbors."
3. "China Must Enhance Military Transparency" The
business-oriented Nikkei asserted (3/6): "China's
double-digit increase in military spending in 21
consecutive years makes its neighbors nervous. Given
the lack of democracy in China, regional countries,
including Japan, have no options but to have some
doubts about the motives behind its robust defense
spending.... Speculation is mounting that Beijing has
initiated the construction of an aircraft carrier
without explaining how to finance such a massive
military program. China is called upon to swiftly
increase transparency in defense spending."
4. "Stronger Encirclement Needed to Deter Missile
Launch" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri claimed
in an editorial (3/6): "North Korea is pushing for
nuclear development in the face of continued economic
impoverishment. It is apparent that Pyongyang is
preparing for a launch in order to develop a nuclear
missile.... The U.S., Japan, and South Korea are set to
enhance sanctions against the DPRK if it goes ahead
with a launch. However, such measures would lack real
teeth without the participation of China. It is
necessary for regional powers to establish an enhanced
international encirclement of North Korea by having
China on their side."
ZUMWALT