Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - U.S.-Japan Summit, U.S.-Russia

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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7396
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 002241

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 SUMMIT, U.S.-RUSSIA
SUMMIT, AND UNSC ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON 'WORLD WITHOUT NUCLEAR
WEAPONS'

1. LEAD STORIES: All Friday morning papers led with Thursday's
unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council of a motion calling
for a 'world free of nuclear weapons.'

2. "Pending Issues Put on Backburner" On the summit between
President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama, the top-circulation,
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/25): "It is necessary for Japan to
keep in mind that President Obama is trying to maintain good
relations not only with Japan but also with the international
community as a whole. Japan should squarely address the pending
issues that were not taken up in the summit so as to enhance the
bilateral alliance and forge a genuine relationship of trust.
President Obama's visit to Japan in November will be a testing
ground for Hatoyama diplomacy. It is imperative for the
administration to set the stage for a settlement of the outstanding
issues."

3. "U.S.-Japan Alliance for the World" The liberal Asahi asserted in
an editorial (9/25): "The first encounter between the President and
the Prime Minister appeared to represent a historic connection.
President Obama's emphasis on nuclear reduction, nuclear abolition,
and global warming, as well as international coordination through
dialogue, is in sync with the basic policies of the Hatoyama
administration.... We want the Prime Minister to put forward a new
vision for the bilateral alliance that will be conducive to global
interests."

4. "First Coordination with Russia over Iran" On President Obama's
agreement with his Russian counterpart Medvedev on taking a
concerted approach regarding sanctions against Iran, the
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from New York (9/25): "With
this accord, additional progress was made on laying the groundwork
for putting pressure on Iran ahead of the planned talks on October 1
between Iran and the P5 plus Germany. However, it is still unclear
whether Russia, which has been negative about enhancing sanctions on
Iran, will maintain its coordination with the U.S."

5. "U.S. Exercises Leadership on Nuclear Nonproliferation" The
liberal Mainichi stated (9/25): "President Obama chaired the UNSC
meeting and brought about the adoption of a resolution calling for a
'world free of nuclear weapons.' This was aimed at turning the UN
into an 'Obama world' and allowing the U.S. to take the lead in
worldwide nuclear strategy.... President Obama's nuclear strategy is
to demonstrate U.S. readiness for nuclear reduction while engaging
other countries in nuclear nonproliferation in order to head off
'nuclear terrorism.' This approach coincides with the Obama
administration's diplomatic catchphrases of 'restoring U.S.
leadership through setting examples' and 'sharing international
responsibilities.'"

6. "U.S. Avoids Specifics in Order to Prioritize Unity" The liberal
Asahi speculated (9/25): "The Obama administration's foremost
priority was to pass the resolution unanimously. The draft that was
put forward did not use language that might undermine the rights of
other nuclear powers, and stopped short of naming North Korea and
Iran so as to head off opposition from China.... A 'world without
nuclear weapons' is a distant goal, as President Obama himself
admitted by saying, 'We have no illusions.' Nonetheless, the
President pursued this resolution with the goal of stepping up
international restrictions on nuclear development by North Korea and
Iran, which is Washington's top security concern."

ROOS

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