Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSAKAKOBE496
2006-09-07 05:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Osaka Kobe
Cable title:
POLITICS SHAPE SHIP VISITS TO HIMEJI AND
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UNCLAS OSAKA KOBE 000496
SIPDIS
COMSEVENTHFLT PASS TO USS JOHN S. MCCAIN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL JA
SUBJECT: POLITICS SHAPE SHIP VISITS TO HIMEJI AND
SAKAIMINATO
UNCLAS OSAKA KOBE 000496
SIPDIS
COMSEVENTHFLT PASS TO USS JOHN S. MCCAIN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL JA
SUBJECT: POLITICS SHAPE SHIP VISITS TO HIMEJI AND
SAKAIMINATO
1. (SBU) Recent visits to Sakaiminato and Himeji by
the USS John S. McCain (JSM) in July and August
demonstrate the impact of the local political climate
on the success and ease of planning of U.S. Navy ship
visits in our district. The July 5th launches of
ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan by North
Korea added urgency to the Sakaiminato (located on the
Sea of Japan, or SOJ) visit and underscored for local
leaders and the media the importance of the U.S.-Japan
security alliance.
2. (SBU) Fueled by an extreme interpretation of the
City Assembly's 1975-vintage non-nuclear resolution,
interference by Kobe City and elements within the
Hyogo Prefecture port bureau increased the hesitancy
of Himeji City to cooperate with ConGen staff and
detracted from an otherwise excellent port visit by
the same crew only a month later. The professionalism
of the ship's officers and crew in handling the
onboard press conference and providing tours of the
ship for VIPs and local press encouraged positive
media coverage. Organized protestor opposition was
minimal for the USS McCain at both ports, and the
Consulate received only a handful of letters of
opposition to the visits. In past years the Consulate
has received close to 150 letters.
3. (SBU) In Sakaiminato, a greater threat perception
reduced protestor turnout and improved the cooperation
from the city government, police and port authorities.
The missile threat effectively neutralized mainstream
opposition to the visit arising from Sakaiminato's
high volume of trade with the DPRK (highest level of
North Korean trade in Japan). The lower threat
perception and location an ocean away from the SOJ
meant the JSM could not catch the DPRK missile PR
windfall in Himeji, and in its place was homegrown
opposition to the bilateral naval relationship. A
deft handling of the press during both visits by the
Commanding Officer (CO) underscored the Navy's
understanding of local sensitivities to port visits,
the importance of the U.S.-Japan security alliance,
and the role the U.S. Navy plays in defending Japan
from attack. There was a high level of press interest
in the CO's courtesy calls on the Mayor of
Sakaiminato, and media stories emphasized themes of
friendship and mutual defense.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: ConGen Osaka-Kobe has facilitated
17 ship visits in the last 10 years, 5 of which have
occurred in the last 3 months. Close coordination
among the Consulate, CNFJ, and the ship's CO has been
instrumental in averting problems and maximizing
success. Our experience during the two latest visits
to our district by the JSM underlines the importance
of paying close attention to how the domestic
political situation in a given city will affect
cooperation by local authorities. END COMMENT.
RUSSEL
UNCLASSIFIED 2
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
COMSEVENTHFLT PASS TO USS JOHN S. MCCAIN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL JA
SUBJECT: POLITICS SHAPE SHIP VISITS TO HIMEJI AND
SAKAIMINATO
1. (SBU) Recent visits to Sakaiminato and Himeji by
the USS John S. McCain (JSM) in July and August
demonstrate the impact of the local political climate
on the success and ease of planning of U.S. Navy ship
visits in our district. The July 5th launches of
ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan by North
Korea added urgency to the Sakaiminato (located on the
Sea of Japan, or SOJ) visit and underscored for local
leaders and the media the importance of the U.S.-Japan
security alliance.
2. (SBU) Fueled by an extreme interpretation of the
City Assembly's 1975-vintage non-nuclear resolution,
interference by Kobe City and elements within the
Hyogo Prefecture port bureau increased the hesitancy
of Himeji City to cooperate with ConGen staff and
detracted from an otherwise excellent port visit by
the same crew only a month later. The professionalism
of the ship's officers and crew in handling the
onboard press conference and providing tours of the
ship for VIPs and local press encouraged positive
media coverage. Organized protestor opposition was
minimal for the USS McCain at both ports, and the
Consulate received only a handful of letters of
opposition to the visits. In past years the Consulate
has received close to 150 letters.
3. (SBU) In Sakaiminato, a greater threat perception
reduced protestor turnout and improved the cooperation
from the city government, police and port authorities.
The missile threat effectively neutralized mainstream
opposition to the visit arising from Sakaiminato's
high volume of trade with the DPRK (highest level of
North Korean trade in Japan). The lower threat
perception and location an ocean away from the SOJ
meant the JSM could not catch the DPRK missile PR
windfall in Himeji, and in its place was homegrown
opposition to the bilateral naval relationship. A
deft handling of the press during both visits by the
Commanding Officer (CO) underscored the Navy's
understanding of local sensitivities to port visits,
the importance of the U.S.-Japan security alliance,
and the role the U.S. Navy plays in defending Japan
from attack. There was a high level of press interest
in the CO's courtesy calls on the Mayor of
Sakaiminato, and media stories emphasized themes of
friendship and mutual defense.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: ConGen Osaka-Kobe has facilitated
17 ship visits in the last 10 years, 5 of which have
occurred in the last 3 months. Close coordination
among the Consulate, CNFJ, and the ship's CO has been
instrumental in averting problems and maximizing
success. Our experience during the two latest visits
to our district by the JSM underlines the importance
of paying close attention to how the domestic
political situation in a given city will affect
cooperation by local authorities. END COMMENT.
RUSSEL
UNCLASSIFIED 2
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED