JAPAN WAITING FOR NEXT GOVERNMENT TO UPGRADE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 005399

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV JA PE CI
SUBJECT: JAPAN WAITING FOR NEXT GOVERNMENT TO UPGRADE
RELATIONS

REF: A. LIMA 4861


B. LIMA 4842

C. TOKYO 6181

Classified By: Political Counselor Alexander Margulies. Reason: 1.4(d)
.


1. (C) New Japanese Political Counselor Yasushi Noguchi,
during a lunch with Polcouns on 12/21, provided the following
read-out on the state of Peruvian-Japanese bilateral
relations following ex-President Alberto Fujimori's flight
from Japan to Chile:

-- The GOJ was astonished by the Peruvian Government's
forceful, vocal and negative reaction against Japan following
Fujimori's arrival in Chile.

-- Foreign Minister Oscar Maurtua's comment that he was,
"fed up with Japan," particularly surprised Tokyo, as this
was not/not the type of language normally used by an
experienced career diplomat.

-- Vice President David Waisman's recommendation that Peru
break off diplomatic relations received widespread media
coverage in Japan and caused a sensation within the Foreign
Ministry. The Japanese Embassy in Lima has sought to explain
to Tokyo that Waisman's comments are not taken seriously in
Peru (his nickname here is "the little clown"),but GOJ
officials focused on his position as Vice President and
treated his statements accordingly.

-- Consequently, Prime Minister Koizumi was somewhat taken
aback by President Alejandro Toledo's approach to him at the
APEC Summit, where Toledo expressed interest in improving
relations. "By all means," answered Koizumi in their short
exchange, "that is what we have been prepared to do."

-- The Japanese Embassy in Lima's guidance from Tokyo is to
do its best to minimize sparks from the Fujimori affair and
work towards a slow uptick in bilateral relations. The GOJ,
however, distrusts the Toledo Government and is waiting for a
successor administration to take office in July before it
looks to significantly improve ties.


2. (C) BIO NOTE: Noguchi's previous post was Washington.
He has a high regard for the United States and clearly misses
being involved in Japan's most important bilateral
relationship, viewing his assignment to Peru akin to exile in
a backwater. He also misses the suburban lifestyle in
Bethesda, as well as his family, which is back in Tokyo so
that his 11 year-old son can go to a Japanese school. END
BIO NOTE.
STRUBLE