TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - EU-CHINA RELATIONS AND

UNCLAS TOKYO 000233 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 - EU-CHINA RELATIONS AND NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Lead items on Friday morning papers included the decision by prosecutors not to indict DPJ Secretary General Ozawa in connection with a questionable land purchase made in 2004 by his political fund management organization. ¶2. "EU Moving to Lift Ban on Weapons Export to China" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from Brussels (2/5): "Movements are afoot again within the EU to remove its arms embargo on China, which has been in place since 1989. The EU is aiming at increasing its say toward China in view of the anticipated arrival of a 'G2' era in which the U.S. and China will lead the global community. However, there is concern that [lifting the arms export restriction] will be viewed as a tacit acknowledgement of China's military buildup." ¶3. "U.S. Decides against Re-Designating DPRK as Terror Sponsor" A Washington correspondent with the top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri stated (2/5): "Given the apparent absence of concrete measures to promote North Korea's denuclearization as well as a lack of public interest in North Korean issues, the prevailing mood in the Obama administration is that all Washington can do right now [vis-`-vis North Korea] is not allow it to take additional provocative actions. The decision not to put the DPRK back on the terror sponsor list was apparently meant to head off North Korea's opposition and keep it involved in negotiations on the resumption of the Six-Party Talks." ROOS