Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - State of the Union

VZCZCXRO0955
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0186 0290520
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 290520Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9078
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 8568
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0909
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5639
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9064
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2384
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2872
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3159
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9544
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8931
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 000186

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 - STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning
included a Justice Ministry draft proposal made on
Thursday that would abolish the statute of limitations
for murders.

2. "President Obama Should Not Be Inward-looking" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (1/29): "It was
disappointing that practically no new ideas regarding
foreign policy were presented in the State of the Union
address. Although President Obama stressed his efforts
to strengthen measures against terrorism and reduce the
number of nuclear weapons, he did not take up the issue
of a new international framework for climate change.
The President's policy of placing importance on
domestic issues is understandable in view of the
current economic difficulties. However, it will be
problematic if the U.S. becomes excessively inward-
looking. President Obama stated in his speech: 'We will
not quit.' We hope the President will not forget our
expectation that he will change America and the world."

3. "Speech Was Insufficient from Viewpoint of U.S.
Commitment to World Peace" The liberal Mainichi argued
in an editorial (1/29): "It is hard to say that the
President sent a strong message to North Korea and
Iran, which are challenging the international community
by developing nuclear weapons. His failure to refer to
Middle East peace could lead to distrust in the Muslim
community. Although reviving the economy is an
important issue, the speech was insufficient from the
viewpoint of the U.S. commitment to the peace and
stability of the world."

4. "President Obama's Leadership Will Be Tested" The
moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (1/29): "There
is concern that if the President's leadership over
domestic issues is undermined, his foreign and security
policies will be adversely affected. Will the President
be able to implement his policies by having Congress
work on those agendas? His political leadership will be
tested."

5. "Japan Must Respond Positively to Requests from U.S.
for Open Market" The business-oriented Nikkei
editorialized (1/29): "Businesses and governments will
have to prepare for the possibility of the U.S. taking
a more inward-looking approach. Japan should take a
firm position against possible moves on the part of the
U.S. to take a nationalistic approach or to allow an
excessively weak dollar. However, Japan will have no
choice but to respond positively to U.S. requests for
Japan to open its market if it hopes to maintain its
exports to the U.S."

ROOS

© Scoop Media