TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 000113 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 - U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS AND EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave top coverage to JAL's filing for bankruptcy protection. ¶2. "'Advancement' Should Be Pursued in 'Deepening' Alliance" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (1/20): "The 'demerits' of the U.S.-Japan Security must not be overlooked. One of them is the fact that some 75 percent of U.S. installations in Japan are concentrated in Okinawa, which accounts for less than one percent of Japan's land area.... The alliance talks that will be launched between the two governments are intended to remove as many of the 'demerits' of the security treaty as possible, as well as to come up with additional roles for the alliance. The international community faces a wide range of threats, including nuclear proliferation, nuclear terrorism, global warming, energy and food shortages, diseases, and poverty. We would welcome a redefining of the bilateral alliance in order to deal with these threats. It is necessary for the two countries to not just deepen but also 'advance' the alliance, so as to make it more attuned to the new era." ¶3. "Natural Disaster Disrupts Nation's Recovery" A correspondent for the conservative Sankei wrote from Port-au-Prince (1/20): "The catastrophe came just before the Haitians were about to move toward self- reliance after launching the process of rebuilding the government's functions through UN peacekeeping operations. The international community is being pressed to expand its engagement in Haiti in lieu of the Haitian government, which has lost its ability to govern the nation." ¶4. "Mixed Reaction to U.S.-Led Relief Efforts" The business-oriented Nikkei stated (1/20): "Attention is being focused on whether the U.S., whose presence is growing due to its relief and reconstruction efforts, will be able to build a relationship of trust with Latin American countries through assistance for Haiti." ZUMWALT