TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RUSSIA-UKRAINE GAS

UNCLAS TOKYO 000054 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 - RUSSIA-UKRAINE GAS ISSUE ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page stories this morning included President-elect Obama's reported intention to nominate Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye as Ambassador to Japan. ¶2. "Vulnerability of Europe Exposed" On Russia's decision to completely halt its natural gas exports to Europe through Ukraine, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (1/9): "Three years ago, Moscow similarly stopped gas exports to Ukraine over price negotiations, with Europe having been affected badly. The latest Russian decision illustrates that Moscow cannot be trusted as a stable energy supplier.... Europe needs to reduce its independence on Russia in order to ensure energy security." ¶3. "Early Settlement Imperative" The business-oriented Nikkei asserted in an editorial (1/9): "Russia is responsible for providing natural gas to Europe, while Ukraine must allow Russian natural gas to pass through toward Europe without any problems. Both nations must immediately normalize the gas supply for European customers. Any dispute between the two parties should be settled afterward." ¶4. "Russia Must Fulfill Its Responsibility" The conservative Sankei argued (1/9): "Russia's gas price negotiation tactics of using blackmail can be regarded as harassment against a former Soviet republic, which is not getting along with Moscow.... Russia's use of natural gas for political purposes is an act that runs counter to international norm and should be condemned as irresponsible at a time when the world is being swept by the economic crisis." SCHIEFFER