Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Pakistan and North

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P 020704Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002752

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 - PAKISTAN AND NORTH
KOREA

1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page stories on Tuesday morning
included court testimony on Tuesday by a former senior
Japanese diplomat, who acknowledged the existence of
two "secret accords" with the U.S. regarding the 1972
reversion of Okinawa.

2. "Zardari Government Anxious to Hang on to Power" The
conservative Sankei stated (12/2): "The foundation of
the Pakistani government of President Zardari has been
shaken in view of an intensifying debate over the
legitimacy of immunity from prosecution given to
Zardari and others by the former Musharraf
administration. In a bid to hold on to power, President
Zardari is trying to deflect criticism by ceding
'control of nuclear arsenals' to Prime Minister Gilani.
However, dissatisfaction with and criticism of the
unpopular administration are on the rise."

3. "North Korean People Shaken by Denomination of
Currency" On the Kim Jong Il regime's decision to
sharply raise the value of its currency, the top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from Seoul (12/2):
"The sudden currency reform was implemented in order to
cope with rapid inflation as well to tighten the
government's grip by reinforcing its control of assets
concealed by the general public, illicit amassing of
fortunes by the wealthy, and the black market. However,
the North Korean people were greatly dismayed by the
decision, as it effectively means that their assets
will be taken away by the government. There is a
possibility that their discontent will escalate."

ROOS

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