TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - HAITI AND U.S.-JAPAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 000158 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 - HAITI AND U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Tuesday morning papers gave front- page coverage to the GOJ decision on Monday to send some 300 GSDF engineers to Haiti in order to engage in disaster relief operations. ¶2. "Long-Term Support Necessary for Reconstruction" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (1/26): "It is necessary for the international community to not just engage in earthquake relief operations [in Haiti] but also offer development assistance from the mid- to long-term perspective of enabling the Haitians to become self-reliant." ¶3. "Blueprint for Reconstruction Not Evident" On the opening of the international Haiti aid meeting in Montreal, the business-oriented Nikkei stated (1/26): "On top of disaster relief operations, the conference is likely to discuss mid- to long-term reconstruction assistance. Given that Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and its economic foundation was vulnerable even before the earthquake, donor nations are urged to engage in full-fledged nation building. However, a blueprint for reconstruction is still not evident." ¶4. "Election Results Reflect Opposition to Futenma Relocation to Other Locations in Okinawa" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (1/26): "Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano, who chairs the GOJ/ruling coalition working group on Futenma, expressed his view that the existing relocation plan should not be ruled out by saying: 'The most appropriate location will be pursued while not eliminating the Henoko option.' However, the expectations of the people of Okinawa, who have suffered due to the excessive base-hosting burden imposed on them, will feel betrayed if the current relocation plan is revived as the result of a review.... If MCAS Futenma is relocated to a location other than in Okinawa, it will be necessary for the GOJ to obtain the understanding of the U.S., which maintains that the current plan is the best option, on top of persuading the affected communities to accept the base. Failure to do that would result in the worst- case scenario of the Futenma base remaining in its current location. Since Prime Minister Hatoyama is the one who chose to take a difficult path, it is his responsibility to clear the way along that path." ROOS