VZCZCXRO5999
PP RUEHFK
DE RUEHKO #2178 2210142
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 080142Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6435
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 9286
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 3028
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4797
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2472
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0787
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1150
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 002178
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 - BEIJING OLYMPICS AND
PRESIDENT BUSH'S ASIAN TOUR
1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers led with
the official GOJ acknowledgement of the probability
that the Japanese economy is entering a recession.
2. "Festivities Reflect Difficulties Facing Neighbor"
The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/8): "Its history of
having been repeatedly invaded by Western powers and
Japan since the Opium War left China with a sense of
humiliation, a trauma that is said to still exist
within the Chinese psyche. Hosting the Olympics may
offer an opportunity for them to break free of this
complex. China's nationalism occasionally results in
the release of explosive energy.... How to control this
energy is the most difficult task confronting the
country."
3. "How to Balance Bilateral Coordination with Human
Rights" On President Bush's visit to China, Washington-
based columnist Komori of the conservative Sankei wrote
from Beijing (8/8): "While in China, President Bush is
likely to emphasize a bilateral relationship of
cooperation. At the same time, he is also being pressed
by a broad spectrum of U.S. political groups to clearly
criticize Chinese authorities for their suppression of
human rights, which is becoming more pronounced.... As
he plans to attend a church service in China, the
President will have no option but to speak not only on
U.S. policy toward China but also on such subjects as
religion and belief. As a result, he will inevitably
use language critical of China. This will force him to
strike a balance between tough words and his previous
rhetoric about U.S.-China coordination."
4. "Human Rights Issues Remain in a Growing Asia" The
business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (7/8): "In his
closing remarks in Thursday's speech on Asia policy in
Bangkok, President Bush stated that he has great
confidence that Asia will continue to grow in
opportunity, achievement, and influence. How will the
international community address the issue of improving
human rights, something that remains a challenge in
Asia? The situations in China and Burma will serve as a
test."
SCHIEFFER