TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FIRST YEAR IN

UNCLAS TOKYO 000128 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 - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top or front-page play to the ruling on Wednesday by the Supreme Court that it is unconstitutional for a municipal government to provide city-owned land at no charge for use as a Shinto shrine under the Constitution's principle of separation of state and religion. ¶2. "President Obama Needs to Implement His Ideas" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (1/21): "President Obama has changed the atmosphere around the world by giving a speech on a 'world without nuclear weapons' and achieving progress in the nuclear arms reduction talks with Russia. Concerning its measures to combat climate change, the U.S. has shifted its approach and moved toward international cooperation. President Obama's next challenge is to carry out the ideas advocated in his speeches in a consistent and robust manner. If the President fails to demonstrate his ability to do so, his popularity may drop rapidly." ¶3. "Concern about Weakening Leadership of President Obama" The liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (1/21): "There is mounting dissatisfaction among American voters about the lack of prospects for overcoming the current economic slump. The pressure on President Obama will likely grow as the midterm elections in November approach. We are concerned that the President's leadership in foreign policy issues might be undermined if his stance on domestic matters is weakened. It will be problematic if the President bends to the temptation of protectionism in order to secure jobs for American workers." ZUMWALT