Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Afghanistan and Burma

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UNCLAS TOKYO 002548

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 - AFGHANISTAN AND BURMA

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning included a Nikkei
report saying that Toyota Motors is planning to establish a research
and development center in China next year.

2. "Karzai Should Restore Domestic and International Confidence" The
business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (11/5): "Karzai stated after
his victory was confirmed that he will do his utmost to eliminate
corruption.... It is important for Karzai to start by making maximum
efforts to eliminate fraud and corruption in his government in order
to restore domestic and international trust."

3. "Priority Should be Placed on 'Ethnic Reconciliation'" The
liberal Mainichi argued in an editorial (11/5): "It is regrettable
that we have lost the chance to conduct a fair election and elicit
public opinion again.... However, we should respect the choice of
the nation despite various concerns.... Ethnic reconciliation is one
of the most important factors leading to the stabilization of
Afghanistan. We would like to support efforts to bring about
national reconciliation."

4. "U.S. Ready to Improve Ties with Burma" The liberal Asahi wrote
from Bangkok (11/5): "In September the Obama administration
announced a policy shift, from a sanctions-only approach to
promoting dialogue with the Burmese junta. Since Assistant Secretary
Campbell has expressed the U.S's willingness to improve its
relations with the nation, the U.S. will likely activate its
engagement policy in the future."

5. "U.S. Ready to Improve Ties with Burma" In a correspondent's
report from Bangkok, the liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote (11/5):
"Assistant Secretary of State Campbell made a statement before he
left Burma in which he said that the U.S. is prepared to improve its
relations with the nation. He also called on the junta to make
concrete efforts toward democratization. With Campbell's visit, the
U.S. took a step toward normalizing its ties with the country.
However, it is unclear to what extent the junta will respond to the
U.S.'s calls, including the call for the release of political
prisoners such as Aung San Suu Kyi."

ROOS

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