TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 000351 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 - IRAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers gave top or front-page play to Toyota's revelation on Monday that it has received a grand jury subpoena from the Southern District Court of New York concerning its recent recalls. ¶2. "Japan Must Make Maximum Efforts to Persuade Iran to Accept IAEA Proposal" The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/23): "The international community is becoming increasingly concerned about Iran's nuclear development.... The U.S. and European nations have launched moves to impose additional sanctions on Tehran. Russia, which has been hesitant to impose further sanctions, has also hardened its position on Tehran. Iran reacted strongly to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) recent report on Tehran's nuclear development by saying 'the nation has no intention to produce nuclear weapons.' However, if Iran intends to use nuclear energy only for peaceful purposes, it needs to demonstrate its intent through actions in order to dispel international concerns.... Iranian parliament leader Larijani, an influential politician who might be powerful enough to stand up to President Ahmadinejad, will be visiting Japan this week. In order to settle the Iranian nuclear issue based on the IAEA proposal made last September, Japan must do its utmost to persuade Larijani to accept the proposal." ROOS