VZCZCXRO5876
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #3389 3500250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150250Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9429
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 1427
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 3783
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9407
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1993
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 5218
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6824
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2651
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2827
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2927
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 003389
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 - SUMMIT AMONG JAPAN,
CHINA AND SOUTH KOREA
1. LEAD STORIES: There were no Monday morning papers
because of a press holiday.
2. "Make Tripartite Summit a Regional Stabilizer" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (12/15): "Holding frequent
leaders' meetings to exchange frank opinions is a
regular occurrence in Europe. An agreement among the
Japanese, Chinese and South Korean leaders to hold a
regular summit is a welcome development. However, such
a trilateral meeting should not be allowed to become a
mere ceremony.... Many outstanding issues remain
unaddressed by the three summiteers."
3. "Partners Next Door" The conservative Sankei
insisted (12/15): "Until now, Japan has not been able
to maintain a future-oriented relationship with either
China or South Korea, because these countries have used
'anti-Japanese sentiment' for domestic consumption....
Diplomatic talks by the leaders alone would not be
enough to generate mutual trust among the three
countries. China's robust military spending is a source
of concern for regional stability. Without addressing
this matter, the three nations will not be able to
forge a 'strong foundation for the promotion of future
tripartite cooperation,' as called for in the joint
statement."
4. "Regular Dialogue Needed to Promote 'Shared
Interest'" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote
(12/15): "Japan, China, and South Korea have enormous
potential for mutual cooperation. It is important for
the three parties to coordinate with other powers in
Asia to contribute to peace and prosperity in the
entire region. At the same time, the three partners
should strive for creating a mechanism for cooperation
that would serve 'shared interests.'... Taking a
concerted approach on issues of mutual concern will
have positive effects on bilateral relations between
Japan and China, Japan and South Korea, and China and
South Korea."
SCHIEFFER