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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
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P 030720Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 001515
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 - FAO CONFERENCE ON WORLD
FOOD SECURITY AND SURGING OIL PRICES
1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning
included a GOJ idea to convene an extraordinary Diet
session in late August to ensure passage of a series of
contentious bills, including one designed to extend the
MSDF refueling mission in the Indian Ocean beyond
January 2009.
2. "Link Food Conference to Successful G-8 Summit" On
the start of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) conference on world food security, the
conservative Sankei said in an editorial (6/3): "Behind
the worldwide rise in food prices lie a combination of
various factors, including a change in the
supply-demand mechanism, global warming, slow economic
development in Africa, the presence of speculative
money, increased production of biofuels, and food
export restrictions.... Together with the issue of
global warming, the food crisis is a global challenge
that requires international coordination to be
resolved. It is necessary for Japan to keep addressing
related issues in order to link the accomplishments of
the upcoming FAO meeting to the G-8 summit in Hokkaido.
As the chair of the summit, Japan bears a heavy
responsibility."
3. "Concerted Approach Needed to Confront Speculators"
The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (6/3): "An
increase in demand in China and other countries alone
cannot justify the ongoing surge in petroleum prices.
Oil prices since 2004 have not been affected by supply
and demand. In addition to political instability in
Iraq and other oil producers, the price rise can be
attributed to an influx of 'hot money' into the oil
market meant to offset losses from the dollar's
depreciation.... Speculative money has flowed into the
wheat market, as well, triggering a rush for food among
developing countries. Energy and food form the basis of
society and must not be subjected to money games.
European nations have considered asking fund operators
to disclose their investment portfolios. Relevant U.S.
authorities have reportedly launched an investigation
to check possible commodity market manipulation by
speculators. Curbing hot money so that it does not
disturb market discipline would be acceptable."
SCHIEFFER