VZCZCXRO4337
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0020 0040043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040043Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0727
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 5279
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 7675
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 3974
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 5897
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8944
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0915
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2056
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 6983
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7647
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000020
SIPDIS
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 - IRAQ
1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers led with
reports saying that crude oil prices soared to $100 a
barrel on Wednesday for the first time.
2. "Signs of Decline in U.S. Power and Prestige as
Superpower Seen" The moderate-conservative Yomiuri
editorialized (1/4): "A sense of insecurity is growing
in the international community where globalization is
penetrating. The biggest factor behind this fear is the
decline in the U.S. position as a superpower based on
its overwhelming power. Although Washington's
inefficient handling of Iraq is one of the factors
behind the shaken status of the U.S, attempts by China
and Russia to expand their influence in the
international arena with the aim of becoming other
poles that can challenge the U.S. are additional
elements... Despite changes in world politics and
economy, there is no other nation but the U.S. that can
play a pivotal role in bringing peace and stability to
the world... The chaos in Iraq is a symbol of the
U.S.'s declining prestige. Stabilizing Iraq is the
highest priority for the U.S. in restoring its dignity
and power... If the U.S. fails to reconstruct and bring
peace to Afghanistan and Iraq, not only the Middle East
and Southwest Asia but also the entire global community
could be destabilized. The international community,
including Japan, needs to continue its support for
Afghanistan and Iraq with the cooperation with the
U.S."
DONOVAN