VZCZCXRO4783
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0213 0340511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030511Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9159
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 8637
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0978
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5693
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 9133
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2453
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2926
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3164
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9598
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8984
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000213
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 - QDR
1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning
included a plan by the Japanese government to start a
pilot study on a free expressway program.
2. "U.S. Must Strengthen International Cooperation
against Various Threats" The liberal Asahi
editorialized (2/3): "'International cooperation' is
the key word for the Obama administration's first
Quadrennial Defense Review Report.... The shift from
the Bush administration's unilateralism is clear. This
is a suitable approach that will be acceptable to the
U.S.'s major allies, including Japan and European
nations.... In the future, security rules should not be
decided only by the U.S. Coordination with Japan and
other allies and friends will become increasingly
necessary."
3. "Attention to Changing Situation in Asia Necessary"
The liberal Mainichi argued in an editorial (2/3): "One
of the most distinctive points about the recently
released QDR is its clear statement that a strategy to
'fight two conflicts in overlapping time frames' is
'outdated.' We basically agree with the U.S.'s new
strategy of placing importance on anti-terrorism
operations and aiming at winning 'today's wars' in
Afghanistan and Iraq.... It is appropriate that the
U.S. is focusing on Afghanistan and other nations. But
we hope the U.S. will also squarely face the reality
that Japan, its ally in Asia, is being exposed to North
Korea's nuclear and missile threats."
4. "Strengthening of U.S.-Japan Alliance Increasingly
Important" The moderate Yomiuri stated in an editorial
(2/3): "The expansion of threats in various forms could
undermine the U.S. military's forward deployment and
nuclear deterrence. They will also have a serious
impact on Japan's security. Close coordination between
the U.S. and Japan is necessary.... It is important for
the U.S. and Japan to share their views on the security
environment in Asia and the world and continue to hold
strategic dialogue on their roles and cooperation. In
order for the two nations to hold such dialogue, it is
crucial that the Futenma relocation issue be settled in
May."
ROOS