Cablegate: Media Reaction Q New Pm Designate Abe - Tokyo

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UNCLAS TOKYO 005471

SIPDIS

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: MEDIA REACTION Q NEW PM DESIGNATE ABE - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the
finding by the Board of Audit that a Tokyo-based
consulting firm embezzled 100 million yen worth of ODA
funds through the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) from 2000 to 2004.

1. "Can Abe Use Overwhelming Victory in LDP Presidential
Election to Manage the Government?" The top-circulation,
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/21): "Chief Cabinet
Secretary Abe was elected president of the ruling Liberal

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Democratic Party (LDP) Wednesday by an overwhelming
majority. Abe will be elected prime minister at an
extraordinary Diet session to be convened Tuesday. He
will become the first prime minister born after the end
of World War II.... The biggest factor behind Abe's
victory was his public popularity, as shown by opinion
polls....

2. "Abe has served in only a handful of key posts,
including party secretary general and chief cabinet
secretary. One cause for concern is the fact that he has

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never directly managed the nation's economic policies. In
this regard, Abe will have to appoint talented people to
assist him in economic policy.... Abe needs a strong team
to deal with both the issues left over from the Koizumi
administration and those that will emerge in the future."

3. "The Launch of an Uncertain Government" An editorial
in the liberal Asahi commented (9/21): "...Tony Blair
became the British prime minister at the age of 43, while
Bill Clinton moved into the White House at 46. In this
respect, Abe, who turned 52 Thursday, is not a
particularly young leader.... In terms of his political
agenda, Abe has proposed breaking from the 'postwar'
system and revising the Constitution, an idea that was
held by his late grandfather, former PM Kishi.

4. "Although he was born after the war, Abe employs
rhetoric suggesting that he rejects the course that
postwar Japan has taken.... While his popularity with the
public is his biggest weapon, it is also a source of
concern. Abe's popularity began with his strong remarks
to North Korea and China over the Yasukuni and abduction
issues and then rode a wave of growing nationalism.... It
is true, however, that some people grow in office. We
hope that Abe will appoint talented people to his
administration and change our concern into hope."

5. "Abe Must Fulfill His Pledges" An editorial in the
business-oriented Nihon Keizai noted (9/21):
"...Diplomatically, it is imperative that Abe improve
Japan's relations with China and South Korea. Abe has
expressed his enthusiasm for an early summit with the
Chinese leader, suggesting that moves are already afoot
behind the scenes to make this happen.

6. "The change of premiership represents a golden
opportunity for Japan to rebuild its stagnant Asia
diplomacy. Former PM Nakasone visited Seoul immediately
after taking power in order to improve Japan's relations
with South Korea. It is important for Abe to move quickly
to realize his pledge to strengthen Japan's ties with
neighboring countries."

SCHIEFFER

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