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