TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - YEMEN

UNCLAS TOKYO 000017 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 - YEMEN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page stories on Tuesday morning included a Sankei piece concerning the upcoming release by the Pentagon of the quadrennial defense review and the nuclear posture review reports. ¶2. "Situation in Yemen Becoming Uncertain" The business- oriented Nikkei editorialized (1/5): "The aborted bombing attempt points to the reality that there are al- Qaeda safe havens not only in Afghanistan but also in Yemen and other countries. Anti-poverty measures, as well as mapping out terror organizations, are important in order to eradicate terrorism. However, the suspect comes from a wealthy family and studied engineering at a British university. It is necessary for the international community to coordinate and pool their knowledge in order to nip the sources of terrorism in the bud.... The U.S. is apparently considering stricter visa screening procedures in addition to enhancing security measures at airports and passenger inspections. It makes sense to step up safety measures in order to preempt terrorism. However, the balance between these measures and freedom to engage in economic activities should also be taken into consideration." ¶3. "Saudi Arabia Alarmed at Yemen Becoming Terror Stronghold" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (1/5): "Following the aborted bombing attempt, concerns are mounting in Saudi Arabia about possible terrorist acts originating in Yemen.... If there is an increase in the intensity and frequency of terrorist acts in Saudi Arabia, which is the U.S.'s most important ally in the Middle East and the world's largest oil producer, it could cause the situation in the region to become more unstable and would have an immeasurable negative impact on the recovery of the world economy. In this context, containing terrorism in Yemen is becoming a global challenge." ROOS