TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS TOKYO 000565 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 - NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top items on Friday morning included the GOJ announcement on Thursday that it has confirmed North Korea's notification to the International Maritime Organization of its plan to launch a satellite between April 4 and 8. ¶2. "Adoption of UNSC Resolution Appears Difficult" The liberal Asahi wrote (3/13): "... Japan plans to call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and urge other Security Council members to adopt a new sanction resolution on North Korea in the event of a missile launch by the DPRK. However, if North Korea insists that it has launched a satellite, other nations will unlikely support the position taken by the U.S., Japan, and South Korea that the move violates relevant UNSC resolutions. Adoption of a new resolution appears difficult, as China and Russia are said to have already told other nations in an informal manner that they are against a new resolution." ¶3. "Gap with China and Russia over Pressure on North Korea" The moderate Yomiuri's correspondent report from Washington stated (3/13): "The U.S. government has been calling on North Korea to exercise restraint. Although the U.S. plans to coordinate with Japan and South Korea to urge the international community to apply pressure on Pyongyang by claiming that the launch would violate the two UNSC resolutions adopted in 2006, Washington may face difficulties given the expected opposition from China and Russia." ¶4. "North Korea Trying to Press U.S. by Tough Action" The business-oriented Nikkei speculated (3/13): "North Korea's plan to forcibly conduct a missile launch by 'following' international rules was unveiled. The move appears to be aimed at further pressing the Obama administration to hold direct talks with Pyongyang. It may be also aimed at tightening the grip on control of the nation amid rumors about Kim Jong Il's health condition." ¶5. "North Korea Tries to Justify Its Claim to Launch Satellite" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun's correspondent report from Seoul said (3/13): "At the time of its previous launch of a long-range ballistic missile, North Korea failed to notify it to international organizations. Pyongyang made prior notification this time to demonstrate its shift of policy. The move appears to be aimed at deflecting international criticism and justifying its claim that it plans to launch a 'satellite.'" ZUMWALT