DCM MEETING WITH MOFA NORTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS DG

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001435 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS USDA FOR U/S PENN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2031 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON ETRD MARR CH JA SUBJECT: DCM MEETING WITH MOFA NORTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS DG KAWAI Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reasons:1.4(b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: MOFA North American Affairs DG Kawai told the DCM March 15 that he agreed a GOJ road map for resolving the beef import ban would be useful. While Agriculture Minister Nakagawa has taken helpful steps on the issue, Kawai would discreetly see what could be done to bring Health Minister Kawasaki on board. Kawai noted the importance of providing to the mayor of Yokosuka at the appropriate time U.S. information on nuclear carrier safety and emergency measures. On DPRI Kawai noted the difficulty of providing Japanese financing for Guam relocation expenses. He said a ministerial-level meeting would soon take up the matter. Kawai said that both Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Aso were looking forward to their Washington visits. End Summary. Beef Imports Ban -------------- ¶2. (C) During a March 15 meeting with MOFA North American Affairs Bureau DG Chikao Kawai, the DCM noted the increasingly recalcitrant role of Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kawasaki in the GOJ's ban on the import of U.S. beef. The United States believes it would be helpful if Japan could provide a road map on how the two sides might proceed toward a resolution. DG Kawai responded that an actual timeline would be difficult, but agreed that spelling out the steps to be taken would be useful. He observed that MAFF Minister Nakagawa had taken the lead on the beef issue, but said he would inquire discreetly on what might be done to bring HLW Minister Kawasaki on board. Kitty Hawk Replacement -------------- ¶3. (C) The process for replacing the USS Kitty Hawk was on track, DG Kawai stated. The Mayor of Yokosuka will be meeting with the Foreign Minister on March 23. For political reasons, he will ask whether a final decision had been made on retiring the USS JFK, but he will also ask about nuclear carrier safety issues. Kawai stated that the United States needs to prepare two papers on nuclear carriers: one on safety issues, the other on emergency measures. The paper on emergency measures should only be provided after the emergency drill in late April. It is important, Kawai stated, that the papers be provided to the Mayor at the appropriate time and not released to the media in advance. ¶4. (C) Yokosuka Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ozawa would be leading a delegation to San Diego in April for U.S. Navy briefings on nuclear safety, Kawai observed. MOFA had discussed the visit with both the Mayor and the U.S. Navy. The Prime Minister is comfortable with the visit, Kawai averred. He said MOFA would be discussing with the Navy what should be briefed to the group. Marine Relocation to Guam -------------- ¶5. (C) Providing Japanese financing for the move to Guam is a very difficult issue, Kawai asserted. He declined to comment further until the conclusion of a minister-level, inter-agency meeting in the Prime Minister's office to discuss the issue. Kawai noted that the Host Nation Support Special Measures Agreement had come under severe criticism in the Diet, making relocation funding even more difficult. The DCM stated that without Japanese government direct contributions to operational facilities, the move from Okinawa would not be possible. The move should be seen as reducing the burden on Okinawa as well as strengthening the alliance, he reminded. Washington Visits -------------- ¶6. (C) DG Kawai observed that the Prime Minister was very happy he had been invited to meet with the President in Washington. Asked about themes for the visit, Kawai said the many positive developments in strengthening the alliance during Koizumi's tenure should be noted, with some targets set for the future. He agreed with earlier suggestions that no specific economic initiatives should be undertaken, because they would depend on Koizumi's successor for implementation. Rather, broad objectives on investment or trade should be set. Kawai thought that agreeing on steps to encourage China to become a constructive player in economic and political/security fields would be helpful. ¶7. (C) Foreign Minister Aso will likely be visiting Washington from April 30 to May 3, taking advantage of Japan's "Golden Week" holiday in spite of the fact that the Diet will still be in session, Kawai reported. He confirmed that FM Aso hoped to meet with Secretary Rice during his visit. Kawai noted that the Foreign Minister wanted to participate in part of the program being prepared by CSIS for visiting Diet members that same week. SCHIEFFER