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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000441 
 
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 - PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 
AND U.S.-JAPAN SUMMIT 
 
¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning 
included a Sankei report claiming that Japanese police 
plan to raid a machinery trading firm in Tokyo on 
suspicion of exporting materials that could be used for 
military purposes to North Korea via a third country 
without GOJ approval. 
 
¶2. "Difficulties and Hopes for President Obama" The 
liberal Asahi editorialized (2/26): "... President 
Obama expressed his determination to shape the 
future... More than just stimulus measures, what is 
needed is the leadership to convey hope for the 
future... The President seems to be trying to patiently 
convince those who oppose his policies in order to 
achieve bipartisan unity... Although decisions he will 
make will be difficult, we hope that he will show the 
way." 
 
¶3. "We Expect Actions" The liberal Mainichi wrote in an 
editorial (2/26): "... President Obama made a speech to 
encourage the American people to share confidence and 
hope... His message reached us too. We hope that he 
will take actions in line with his words." 
 
¶4. "Determination for Economic Recovery was Shown, 
but..." The moderate Yomiuri's editorial contended 
(2/26): "... President Obama expressed his resolve to 
rebuild the U.S. economy. The recovery of a strong 
America is indispensable when the world is overshadowed 
by the economic slump. The key is whether the U.S. has 
the ability to take actions to realize its policy." 
 
¶5. "U.S. Leader 'Scolds' American People" The business- 
oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/26): "The U.S. leader, 
who expressed his determination to overcome the 
economic crisis and showed the direction to realize his 
policy, scolded the irresponsibility on the part of 
businesses and people and stressed the importance of 
responsibility and reform... We hope the President will 
not take a populist approach but instead will tackle 
the problems in a sincere manner." 
 
¶6. "Strong Leadership Needed to Restore Economy" The 
conservative Sankei's editorial wrote (2/26): 
"President Obama called for the unity of the American 
people... Rehabilitation of the U.S. economy is 
essential not only for the American people but also for 
Japan and the world. The President bears a heavy 
responsibility. We hope that he will steadily implement 
his policy he put forward in his address." 
 
¶7. "Candid Speech Reflects Seriousness of Crisis" The 
liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (2/26): "... 
Although the enactment of the bill of stimulus measures 
was a great achievement, it is only the first step, as 
President Obama himself has said. He will be tested 
whether he can maintain the current speed in 
implementing his policy." 
 
¶8. "Light Diplomacy by Weak Prime Minister" The liberal 
Asahi editorialized (2/26): "...The first summit 
between President Obama and Prime Minister Aso produced 
some results despite the question why the U.S. invited 
a weak prime minister to the White House... The U.S. 
 
TOKYO 00000441  002 OF 002 
 
 
side is well aware of the difficulties Aso faces. 
However, it apparently arranged a summit with the 
Japanese leader on the day when the President makes his 
important policy speech in order to send the message to 
the Japanese people that the U.S. attaches importance 
to Japan regardless who the Japanese prime minister 
is." 
 
¶9. "Diplomacy by Weak Prime Minister" The liberal 
Mainichi's editorial wrote (2/26): "... Prime Minister 
Aso was the first foreign leader invited to President 
Obama's White House. In addition to Secretary of State 
Clinton's recent visit to Tokyo as the first stop of 
her tour of Asia, the summit apparently showed the 
importance the U.S. places on Japan. However, it is 
unusual that neither a joint press conference nor a 
luncheon was held. The U.S. side might have given Aso a 
reception lacking any frills in view of his 
administration's declining public support." 
 
¶10. "Proactive Diplomacy Needed to Strengthen Alliance" 
The moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (2/26): 
"Continued multilayer cooperation in a wide range of 
areas will help strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance... 
As the Obama administration looks to multilateral 
diplomacy, Japan needs to carry out more proactive 
diplomacy." 
 
¶11. "Action Should be Taken" The conservative Sankei 
editorialized (2/26): "... Supporting U.S. efforts 
through the alliance serves Japan's national interests. 
Japan demonstrated to the world its clear position to 
cooperate with the U.S., when Europeans are unable to 
reach a consensus. We hope that the momentum to 
cooperatively deal with global challenges with the 
leadership of the U.S. and Japan will spread to Europe 
and the rest of the world." 
 
 
ZUMWALT