TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - AFGHANISTAN AND NORTH

UNCLAS TOKYO 000189 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 - AFGHANISTAN AND NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers gave top or front-page play to a joint report released on Sunday by Japanese and Chinese scholars that revealed "gaps" in the perceptions of Japanese and Chinese academics on several historical issues, including the number of victims in the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. ¶2. "We Support Self-Reliant Reconstruction by Afghanistan" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun argued in an editorial (1/30): "Moves to shift from settlement only by military means to reconciliation through dialogue have emerged. This is a major policy shift, and the U.S., which is searching for a 'way out,' appears to be supporting the moves behind the scenes.... Afghanistan will need to become independent soon. The nation must accelerate the reinforcement of its armed forces and police. In order to achieve that goal, the international community should alter its involvement in Afghanistan to provide support that is aimed at helping the nation to become more self-reliant." ¶3. "North Korea's Intimidating Demands Should Be Rejected" The conservative Sankei editorialized (2/1): "Since mid-January, North Korea has been proposing that the existing Korean War Armistice Agreement be upgraded to a peace treaty and demanding that the sanctions against its nuclear tests be lifted in return for its rejoining the Six-Party Talks. North Korea's recent firing of artillery shells into the Yellow Sea appears to be intended to intimidate relevant nations into accepting such demands. This is dangerous provocation, and Pyongyang's demands are unreasonable. The relevant nations must follow the example of the U.S., which has clearly demonstrated its rejection, and unite in flatly dismissing North Korea's demands." ROOS