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Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - North Korea, U.S.-Japan

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PP RUEHFK
DE RUEHKO #2795 3422347
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 082347Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8021
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7773
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1584
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2175
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3109
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8841
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8291
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 002795

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 - NORTH KOREA, U.S.-JAPAN
RELATIONS, AND RUSSIA-INDIA RELATIONS

1. LEAD STORIES: All papers on Tuesday morning front-
paged the GOJ's move to arrange a summit between Prime
Minister Hatoyama and President Obama next week in
Copenhagen so that the premier can directly explain to
the President the Japanese administration's current
position on Futenma relocation.

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2. "Denuclearization Must Be Thoroughly Pursued" On the
planned visit to North Korea by a USG delegation led by
Special Representative Bosworth, the liberal Mainichi
editorialized (12/8): "The situation in which nuclear
threats by an abnormal autocratic state are continuing
must be resolved at all costs. The goal [of
denuclearizing North Korea] can only be achieved if the
U.S. shares and upholds this position with Japan and
South Korea. We would like to [Bosworth] to make
patient and uncompromising efforts.... Some in the U.S.
are openly saying: 'Complete denuclearization of North
Korea is impossible for the time being. It would be
better if the proliferation of nuclear weapons [by
North Korea] to terrorist organizations or rogue states
can be prevented.'" This means that North Korea's
possession of a small amount of nuclear weapons or
materials would be acceptable. If this 'for the time
being' is prolonged, Japan cannot accept it.
Denuclearization must be thoroughly pursued."

3. "Foreign Minister Should Risk His Post to Persuade
Prime Minister" The conservative Sankei asserted in an
editorial (12/7): "The time has come for Foreign
Minister Okada to put his job on the line and persuade
Prime Minister Hatoyama to settle the Futenma deadlock
swiftly. The delay in a conclusion is undermining the
foundation of Japan's national security and now runs
the risk of damaging national interests. Does PM
Hatoyama share the view stated by FM Okada that a
reduction in the security burden on Okinawa will move
forward only if a relationship of trust exists between
the U.S. and Japan? Okada must tackle this issue with
grave determination."

4. "Russia, India Enhance Ties" On Russian President
Medvedev's summit with Indian Prime Minister Singh in
Moscow on Monday, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri
wrote (12/8): "The two leaders agreed that Russia will
sell an aircraft carrier to India, and signed a
comprehensive cooperation pact concerning the peaceful
use of nuclear power. The two states, which are
enjoying a larger say in the international arena as
major emerging powers, have made it clear that they
will deepen their friendly ties in such strategic areas
as military and energy."

ROOS

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