Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Yemen and U.S. Policy

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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 - YEMEN AND U.S. POLICY
TOWARD IRAN

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included
Thursday's press remarks by the new Finance Minister
Kan, who said that efforts will be made in coordination
with the Bank of Japan to bring the yen to a lower
level.

2. "Look at Realities of Terrorism" The conservative
Sankei editorialized (1/8): "One view holds that the
terrorists who have fled from Iraq and Afghanistan have
begun to reassemble in Yemen. It is necessary to
recognize that the front lines of the war on terrorism
are not only Afghanistan and Pakistan, but have
expanded to include a wider region."

3. "U.S. Approach to Iran Remains Passive" The liberal
Tokyo Shimbun wrote (1/8): "On the issue of Iran's
nuclear development, the U.S. has begun consultations
with relevant countries over additional economic
sanctions. While this signifies a shift from 'dialogue'
to 'pressure,' it remains to be seen whether additional
sanctions will achieve a breakthrough in the nuclear
standoff. The Obama administration failed to discern
the change in Iranian politics that occurred following
the presidential election last June. Washington was
also unable to grasp the scope of the anti-government
rallies organized by students. Criticism of the Obama
administration is mounting due to its failure to take
initiative [in dealing with Iran]."

ROOS

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