Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Futenma Relocation And

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2784 3410625
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 070625Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002784

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 - FUTENMA RELOCATION AND
IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

1. LEAD STORIES: All Friday morning papers gave top or
front-page play to Prime Minister Hatoyama's apparent
decision on Thursday to postpone a conclusion on
Futenma relocation beyond the end of the year.

2. "Prime Minister Hatoyama Should Reconsider
Postponement of Decision on Futenma Relocation" The
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (12/4): "Prime Minister
Hatoyama has reportedly made up his mind to give up on
reaching a decision on Futenma relocation before the
end of the year.... The U.S., Okinawa, and Nago have
been earnestly calling for an early settlement of the
issue based on the existing plan. The prime minister
should reconsider his decision.... It is certain that
the U.S. government's distrust of the prime minister
and the Japanese government will further increase in
the future. Efforts at the U.S.-Japan working group on
Futenma to produce positive results will probably lose
momentum. This will have an immeasurable impact on the
U.S.-Japan relationship as a whole."

3. "Iran Should Return to Path toward Diplomatic
Solution" The liberal Asahi stated in an editorial
(12/4): "Iran, which is suspected of developing nuclear
weapons, announced its plans to build ten new uranium
enrichment facilities.... This decision is unacceptable
because it will discourage the international community
that is trying to strengthen its unity against nuclear
proliferation.... Both Iranian businesses and people
are suffering under UN sanctions. Iran should alter its
confrontational policy, which will only deepen its
isolation, and return to the path toward a diplomatic
solution."

ROOS

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