Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - U.S.-Japan Relations

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2043 2470502
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040502Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5983
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6301
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8638
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 3685
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6819
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0116
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0828
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3008
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7489
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7107
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 002043

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 RELATIONS

1. LEAD STORIES: All Friday morning Japanese papers gave top play to
DPJ President Hatoyama's decision to appoint Deputy President Ozawa
as DPJ Secretary General.

2. "Confidence Building Required" On growing concerns in the U.S.
about a recent essay by DPJ President Hatoyama carried by the New
York Times, the liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (9/4):
"President Obama's telephone talks with Hatoyama were a speedy
arrangement meant to tamp down [backlash against Hatoyama's essay]
and represented his position of attaching importance to Japan. It is
symbolic that the telephone talks were held shortly after the
arrival in Japan of Ambassador Roos, who has a strong personal
connection with the President.... [Establishing] a relationship of
trust is important in a diplomacy of 'agreeing to disagree.' It is
imperative [for Hatoyama] to use clear language that can be
understood worldwide. "

3. "'Importance of Alliance' Should be Demonstrated through Actions"
The conservative Sankei ran an editorial that stated (9/4): "Japan's
security environment is undergoing a drastic change in the face of
North Korean threats, China's pursuit of a blue-ocean navy, and
[U.S. calls for Japan's] contribution to the war on terrorism. It is
now more important than ever [for Tokyo] to enhance and develop its
alliance [with Washington]. How will Hatoyama respond to mounting
concerns in the U.S. [about his administration]? The basis of an
alliance is tested by the depth of mutual trust and specific
policies. We would like to see Hatoyama adopt a pragmatic approach
and demonstrate the importance of the bilateral alliance to the
people of the two countries through actions."

4. "Words and Deeds Critical to Establishing Trust" The
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri asserted (9/4): "It cannot be
denied that Hatoyama's essay contains criticism of the U.S. and left
readers with the impression that it is anti-American.... The
bilateral diplomatic calendar is full of important events, including
the first summit between Hatoyama and President Obama in late
September, Secretary of Defense Gates's visit to Japan in October,
and President Obama's trip to Japan in November. 'Verbal'
confirmation of the importance of the bilateral alliance alone is
not sufficient.... What President Hatoyama frequently refers to as a
'relationship of trust with President Obama' cannot be realized
without 'actions.'"

ROOS

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