TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 000326 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 - U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS AND TOYOTA RECALLS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page stories on Friday morning included the announcement on Thursday by the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that it has formally asked the president of Toyota to testify at a hearing on February 24. ¶2. "China Appears Ready to Take Retaliatory Action" The business-oriented Nikkei wrote from Beijing (2/19): "China appears to be prepared to take retaliatory measures against President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama. Beijing announced in late January the suspension of military exchanges with the U.S. following the U.S. government's decision to sell arms to Taiwan. In addition, the nation is probably considering postponing its human rights dialogue with the U.S. that is scheduled for later this month. The cooperative relationship between the U.S. and China is facing a turning point because China has indicated the possibility that it will not cooperate with the U.S. on international issues, including the Iranian nuclear problem." ¶3. "Toyota President Must Provide Explanation in U.S." The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/19): "Criticism of Toyota has not died down in the U.S.... In order to satisfy the American public, Toyota needs to move quickly and offer a reasonable explanation.... This crisis is taking place in the U.S.... It is important for President Toyoda to go to the U.S. as soon as possible to directly provide an explanation to Toyota's American customers and listen to their opinions." ROOS