VZCZCXRO2388
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0794 0840436
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240436Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2813
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 6813
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9198
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5292
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7409
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0480
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2361
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2179
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8406
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8965
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000794
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 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
IN TAIWAN
1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included
an interview with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak,
during which he expressed interest in the idea of
concluding a regional free trade agreement in Northeast
Asia.
2. "Improvement Expected in Relations between China and
Taiwan" The liberal Asahi editorialized (3/23):
"...Taiwan's Nationalist Party has made a comeback....
The relationship between China and Taiwan is expected
to become more stable.... Improved cross-strait
relations also benefit the U.S. and Japan, both of whom
want to see stability in the region. We would like
China to make efforts to increase international
confidence by removing its missiles that face Taiwan
and reviewing its naval buildup."
3. "New President Should Resume Dialogue with China"
The business-oriented Nikkei's editorial stated (3/23):
"Former Nationalist Party President Ma's victory in
Sunday's presidential election in Taiwan will return
the party to power for the first time in eight years.
The result of the election may provide momentum for
Taiwan to change its relations with China. The future
of cross-strait relations will have a major impact on
U.S.-China relations and Japan's national security. We
hope President-elect Ma will resume dialogue with
Beijing and work to create stability between China and
Taiwan."
SCHIEFFER