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P 310727Z AUG 09
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UNCLAS TOKYO 001999 
 
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 - GENERAL ELECTION IN JAPAN 
 
¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Monday morning papers were dominated by 
coverage of the DPJ's landslide victory in Sunday's general 
election. 
 
¶2. "DPJ Must Respond to People's Expectations" The top-circulation, 
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (8/31): "The election results should 
be considered a reflection of Japanese voters' deep-seated desire 
for a change of government despite their 'apprehension' about a DPJ 
administration. However, the DPJ's victory in garnering more than 
300 seats does not necessarily mean that voters have given the DPJ 
carte blanche.... On the diplomatic and security fronts, the new 
administration must not be allowed to trample on [Japan's] 
international commitments. It must uphold the U.S.-Japan alliance 
with diplomatic continuity in mind." 
 
¶3. "Political Parties Must Respond to Avalanche of People's Voices" 
The liberal Asahi insisted in an editorial (8/31): "The DPJ should 
have the courage to change its course if mistakes or shortcomings 
are found in implementing its policies.... 'Prime Minister' Hatoyama 
will attend the UN General Assembly session and the G20 financial 
summit in late September. He should swiftly reveal the party's basic 
policies - what aspects of Japan's diplomacy up until now will be 
maintained and what elements will be altered - in order to provide 
reassurance to the Japanese people and the international 
community." 
 
¶4. "DPJ Administration Must Protect National Interests by Taking 
Pragmatic Line" The conservative Sankei argued (8/31): "It is not 
desirable for major changes to occur in basic policies whenever a 
change of power takes place. [Japan's] credibility abroad will be 
lost if [the DPJ] wavers over basic diplomatic and security 
policies.... [The DPJ administration] must preserve the continuity 
of Japan's diplomatic and security policies based on the U.S.-Japan 
alliance." 
 
¶5. "Voters Place High Expectations on Hatoyama-led Administration in 
Demand for Change" The business-oriented Nikkei claimed (8/31): "The 
DPJ plans to forge a coalition government with the Social Democratic 
Party (SDP) and People's New Party. Large gaps exist between the DPJ 
and the SDP over foreign and security policies. The DPJ is urged not 
to make easy compromises on the policy front in an attempt to 
prioritize the formation of a coalition [with other parties]." 
 
ROOS