Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - President Obama's First Year In
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UNCLAS TOKYO 000128
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 FIRST YEAR IN
OFFICE
1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top or front-page
play to the ruling on Wednesday by the Supreme Court that it is
unconstitutional for a municipal government to provide city-owned
land at no charge for use as a Shinto shrine under the
Constitution's principle of separation of state and religion.
2. "President Obama Needs to Implement His Ideas" The liberal
Mainichi editorialized (1/21): "President Obama has changed the
atmosphere around the world by giving a speech on a 'world without
nuclear weapons' and achieving progress in the nuclear arms
reduction talks with Russia. Concerning its measures to combat
climate change, the U.S. has shifted its approach and moved toward
international cooperation. President Obama's next challenge is to
carry out the ideas advocated in his speeches in a consistent and
robust manner. If the President fails to demonstrate his ability to
do so, his popularity may drop rapidly."
3. "Concern about Weakening Leadership of President Obama" The
liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (1/21): "There is mounting
dissatisfaction among American voters about the lack of prospects
for overcoming the current economic slump. The pressure on President
Obama will likely grow as the midterm elections in November
approach. We are concerned that the President's leadership in
foreign policy issues might be undermined if his stance on domestic
matters is weakened. It will be problematic if the President bends
to the temptation of protectionism in order to secure jobs for
American workers."
ZUMWALT