Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - President Obama's Visit

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002665

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 - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S VISIT
TO CHINA

TOKYO 00002665 001.2 OF 002

1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers
front-paged the summit between President Obama and
Chinese President Hu in Beijing on Tuesday.

2. "Can New Era Be Established through Prioritizing
Practical Benefits?" On yesterday's U.S.-China summit,
the top circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized
(11/18): "Almost 30 years have passed since the
normalization of diplomatic relations between the U.S.
and China. It can be said that under the Obama
administration, the two countries have entered into a
new era in which they prioritize practical benefits
while acknowledging the differences between their
systems. Placing the emphasis on practical benefits is
fine, but the U.S. should continue to press China to
respect principles such as liberty, democracy, and
human rights."

3. "The'G2 Era': Relations Deepening but with Limits:"
The liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (11/18):
"President Obama has spent more time in China than any
other country during his trip to Asia. The Chinese
greeted the President with all leaders assembled,
including President Hu. This episode symbolizes the
arrival of a 'G2 era' of the U.S. and China....
However, 'America's return to Asia,' as pronounced by
the President during his ongoing trip, naturally
contains a cautionary message to China, whose influence
and presence are growing in this region. The
partnership between the U.S. and China will not
necessarily deepen without encountering any
difficulties. Japan need not worry about being
sidelined by the 'G2.'"

4. "U.S. Responsible for Asking China to Shoulder More
Responsibility" The liberal Mainichi insisted (11/18):
"It is clear that the Obama administration has moved
toward attaching more importance to China. However, if
the intention is to build a system for coordination in
Asia that only involves the U.S. and China ... this
will not bring stability to Asia.... We welcome the
fact that U.S. diplomacy is placing more emphasis on
Asia. It is a matter of course for China to expand its
influence. However, if such moves turn into a
competition for hegemony or end up being a coordination
mechanism just between the two nations, they will run
the risk of undermining regional stability. The U.S.
bears a heavy responsibility."

5. "U.S., China Must Fulfill Responsibilities on
Environmental Front" The business-oriented Nikkei wrote
(11/18): "The U.S. and China announced a joint
statement aimed at ensuring 'sustainable and balanced
trade and growth.' They also pledged cooperation in
combating global warming.... What is regrettable is
that they have failed to come up with concrete goals
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a post Kyoto-
Protocol framework. While the two countries did an
excellent job of broadcasting their bilateral
cooperation in combating global warming, it's hard to
say that the two nations are fulfilling their
responsibilities as the world's two largest greenhouse
gas emitters."

TOKYO 00002665 002 OF 002

ROOS

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