Cablegate: Media Reaction Q North Korea - Tokyo

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UNCLAS TOKYO 005865

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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: There were no newspapers published Monday
morning because of a press holiday. The extra editions of
Yomiuri, Asahi, and other national dailies gave top
coverage to Monday's North Korean nuclear test. All
broadcasters gave top play to the international response,
including a telephone conversation between President Bush
and PM Abe.

1. "North Korea's Nuclear Test Deals Blow to
Nonproliferation Regime" The liberal Asahi wrote (10/10):
"It is inevitable that North Korea's announcement Monday
that it conducted a nuclear test will deal a serious blow
to the nonproliferation regime centered on the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). It is also expected to
have a major impact on negotiations with Iran and other
countries suspected of having nuclear ambitions....
Tehran is assuredly keeping a close watch on whether the
international community will be able to join hands to
deal with the current situation. If the international
community splinters and is unable to take a proper
response, this could demonstrate its powerlessness to
stop nuclear proliferation.

2. "Japan May Advance Missile Defense Deployment" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (10/10): "The GOJ has
a growing sense of crisis over Monday's North Korean
nuclear test as a threat to the nation's security.
Although it is believed that Pyongyang does not yet have
the ability to load nuclear warheads on its missiles, it
is certain that there will be rising calls in Japan for
the nation to review its defense setup.... Pyongyang has
already deployed some 200 intermediate-range Rodong
missiles that have most of Japan in their range.... It is
certain that the North will try to miniaturize nuclear
weapons. Should Pyongyang export nuclear technology
before then, it is possible that nuclear weapons could
fall into the hands of a third country or terrorists."

SCHIEFFER

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