TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-JAPAN FOREIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000082 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.-JAPAN FOREIGN MINISTERIAL IN HONOLULU ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave prominent top coverage to yesterday's search by prosecutors of the offices of DPJ Secretary General Ozawa over alleged accounting irregularities in connection with a questionable land purchase made in 2004 by Ozawa's fund management organization. ¶2. "Talks Should Reinforce Foundation of Alliance" On Secretary of State Clinton's meeting with Foreign Minister Okada, during which they affirmed the launch of a bilateral discussion process to enhance the security alliance, the liberal Asahi editorialized (1/14): "Shared perceptions [of the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region] will be helpful in carrying out bilateral efforts to reach a settlement of the Futenma stalemate. The planned alliance talks will also provide an opportunity to deepen the Japanese public's understanding of measures that have been taken to support the alliance, including U.S. military installations, the SOFA, and host nation support, and to consider the appropriateness of such measures under the new international environment.... It is true that the Futenma issue is just one element of the U.S.-Japan alliance. However, it will also be difficult for the two parties to discuss the future of the alliance without going through the difficult process of finding a solution [on Futenma] that is satisfactory to both sides." ¶3. "Futenma Issue Should Be Resolved First to Deepen Alliance" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri asserted in an editorial (1/14): "There is no question that the alliance talks should focus on security. If the Hatoyama administration does not share the U.S.'s view that the U.S. military presence has contributed to peace and security in Japan and Asia, the alliance talks will be meaningless." ¶4. "Settlement of Futenma by May Becomes Pledge" An editorial in the liberal Mainichi wrote (1/14): "Foreign Minister Okada told Secretary Clinton that the GOJ will make a final decision on Futenma by May. Therefore, the GOJ has made a formal commitment to the USG that it will come up with a resolution by May.... In order to move forward with the alliance talks, this commitment should be upheld." ¶5. "Deeper Alliance Should Go beyond Military Arena" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun stated (1/14): "It is desirable for the issue of Futenma relocation to be examined in the alliance talks, given that this issue clearly reflects the reality of the bilateral alliance.... The alliance talks should be started with the shared recognition between the U.S. and Japan that the bilateral security arrangement is based on the excessive burden imposed on Okinawa. The implementation of the present agreement to move MCAS Futenma to a different location in Okinawa will not result in a reduction of the burden on Okinawa. The residents' dissatisfaction will remain unresolved. The two governments should be aware that an alliance that fails to gain the understanding of the people will be vulnerable." TOKYO 00000082 002 OF 002 ¶6. "Foreign Ministers Seek Stability in Alliance" The business-oriented Nikkei argued (1/14): "The U.S. side agreed to hold a foreign ministerial meeting and even expressed the view that the U.S-Japan alliance is much larger than any one particular issue such as Futenma. It is naive for the Japanese side to view this U.S. position as a diplomatic accomplishment.... Bilateral relations will improve overnight if the 'thorn of the alliance,' the Futenma issue, is removed. Prime Minister Hatoyama is responsible for removing this thorn, as he is the one who pushed it deep down inside." ZUMWALT