TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SECRETARY OF STATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000082 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 - SECRETARY OF STATE DESIGNATE SEN. CLINTON AND GAZA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning included plans by Tokyo prosecutors to launch a full investigation into general contractor Nishimatsu Construction for an alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Law. ¶2. "New Secretary Emphasizes Departure from Bush Diplomacy" On Secretary of State-designate Sen. Clinton's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, a Washington correspondent for the business-oriented Nikkei wrote (1/14): "By expressing plans by the new Obama administration to attach importance to international coordination, the Secretary-designate highlighted the launch of a new U.S. foreign policy, which will be completely different from that of the Bush administration. As the U.S. will continue to be confronted with such daunting tasks as the war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, however, a tough road lies ahead for what Sen. Clinton-termed 'rejuvenation of U.S. diplomacy.'... Given that the Senator appears to be more pro-Israel than President- elect Obama, close attention will be paid to whether the two will be able to take a united position on the ongoing conflict in Gaza." ¶3. "Sen. Clinton Stresses Coordination with President- elect" A Washington-based writer for the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported (1/14): "During Tuesday's confirmation hearing at the Senate, Sen. Clinton stressed the importance of resolving international conflicts through a multilateral framework. Given that policy coordination with the President-elect will be imperative for her to conduct effective diplomacy, Secretary-designate Clinton apparently emphasized her readiness to align herself with Obama." ¶4. "Inauguration Ceremony Can Turn around Situation in Gaza" The conservative Sankei wrote from Jerusalem (1/14): "Senior Hamas officials hinted at their positive position on a ceasefire in the judgment that they are losing ground in the face of the massive Israeli offensive. On the other hand, Israel is likely to ratchet up military pressure on Hamas for the time being in order to have the upper hand in negotiating a ceasefire arrangement while keeping in mind the inauguration ceremony for President-elect Obama on January 20 as an opportunity to temporarily halt its military operations." ¶5. "Israeli Military Went Too Far" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (1/14): "All states have a responsibility to protect their people. However, there are limits to what measures they can take to do so. The Israeli military's actions in Gaza appeared to be too extreme.... The incoming Obama administration's diplomacy will be tested over how it could restrain the Israeli army, which maintains overwhelming military superiority." TOKYO 00000082 002 OF 002 SCHIEFFER