Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Japan-China Defense

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #4051 2430546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 310546Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 2922
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UNCLAS TOKYO 004051

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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - JAPAN-CHINA DEFENSE
DIALOGUE

LEAD STORIES: Yomiuri gave front-page play to an
interview with President Bush, during which he
reportedly expressed hope for an extension of Japan's
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law.

1. "China Needs to Increase Military Transparency" The
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (8/31):
"Although progress was made on defense exchanges
between Japan and China during the meeting this week
between the Japanese and Chinese defense ministers, the
bilateral talks failed to dispel concern over China's
military buildup... Japanese Defense Minister Komura
urged his counterpart to disclose information about
Beijing's plans for its military buildup and force
deployments. However, the Chinese defense chief did not
give a clear answer and only said that his nation is
making efforts to increase transparency. China's
defense spending has shown double-digit increases for
each of the last 19 years. In addition, its real
spending is believed to be two or three times greater
than the reported amount. Although China conducted a
test in January in which it destroyed an orbiting
satellite with a missile, it has yet to disclose
details of that test... It is natural for Japan and
other members of the international community to be
concerned about China's military moves... It is
critical for China to increase transparency about its
military in order to maintain stable relations with
other countries."

DONOVAN

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