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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000333 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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: MEDIA REACTION - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS/ARMS 
BUILDUP IN SPACE - TOKYO 
 
 
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday noon's broadcasters gave 
prominent coverage to President Bush's State of the Union 
Address. 
 
¶1. There were no immediate editorials or commentaries 
regarding the State of the Union Address. 
 
¶2. "Bush Calls for Support for New Iraq Policy" Quasi- 
governmental NHK-TV's Washington bureau chief Nishikawa 
stated (1/23): "In his first State of the Union Address 
to a Democratic Congress, the president sought support 
for his new Iraq policy, casting implementation of the 
new plan, including an increase in troops, as 
indispensable for success in Iraq and the war on 
terrorism. On North Korea, he said the US seeks a 
diplomatic solution the nuclear issue through the six- 
party talks. He also reiterated the US position of not 
allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Although the 
president offered new proposals on immigration and energy 
issues, he remained firm on his Iraq policy." 
 
¶3. "Bush Calls for Unity" TBS-TV's Washington 
correspondent Hino reported (1/23): "The president began 
his annual speech by calling for unity in Congress and 
unveiled a new energy plan stipulating a 20 PERCENT  cut 
in domestic gasoline consumption over the next 10 years. 
On his new Iraq policy, the president said the deployment 
of an additional 20,000 US troops represents the best 
chance for success in the country. In order to win the 
war on terrorism, the president also called for 
bolstering the US Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 troops. 
In addition, he spoke of his intention to realize 
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through vigorous 
diplomacy with countries like Japan and China." 
 
¶4. "Iraq Issue Takes a Back Seat" Fuji-TV's Washington 
correspondent Sano commented (1/23): "As if to avoid 
Democratic resistance to his new Iraq policy, President 
Bush began his annual speech by focusing on his domestic 
agenda, which included a new energy policy. At a time 
when his approval rating is hovering around a record low 
30 PERCENT , he must have sought to boost his popularity 
by raising issues that could resonate with the Democrats 
and the US public." 
 
¶5. "Bush Standing Alone" TV-Asahi's Washington 
correspondent Ii stated (1/23): "President Bush began his 
address by praising America's first female speaker of the 
House, Nancy Pelosi, but his speech this year drew few 
standing ovations and little applause. At a time when his 
new Iraq policy is facing criticism even from lawmakers 
within his own party, the president spent much of the 
time addressing domestic issues, such as energy and 
medical care, in an attempt to gain support from the 
American public. The 2008 presidential race appears to 
have already begun, with Senators Clinton and Obama 
expressing their eagerness to run, and the president 
appeared to be a 'lame duck.'" 
 
¶6. "Framework Needed to Halt Space-Related Arms Race" The 
business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (1/24): 
"China announced that it has succeeded in carrying out an 
anti-satellite weapons test using a ballistic missile. 
International concerns have deepened over the Chinese 
test, with some fearing a replay of the US-Soviet space 
race from the 1980s. Today, however, the threat from anti- 
satellite weapons goes far beyond what it was in the 
 
TOKYO 00000333  002 OF 002 
 
 
1980s given that technology that governs all facets of 
our lives, not just military applications, is reliant on 
satellites. An international framework is, therefore, 
needed to apply the brakes to any arms race.... On 
Tuesday, chief Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu 
formally acknowledged the test, saying that China 
informed the US and Japan of it days after its 
completion. Questions have been raised regarding the 
extent to which President Hu and other members of the 
leadership were informed about the test in advance." 
 
SCHIEFFER