Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2375
2006-05-01 08:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TIMING OF ALLIANCE TRANSFORMATION LEGISLATION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002375
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA/AP - LAWLESS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2016
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: TIMING OF ALLIANCE TRANSFORMATION LEGISLATION
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JOE DONOVAN FOR REASON 1.4B/D
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002375
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA/AP - LAWLESS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2016
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: TIMING OF ALLIANCE TRANSFORMATION LEGISLATION
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JOE DONOVAN FOR REASON 1.4B/D
1. (C) BEGIN SUMMARY: Tokyo newspapers ran stories this
weekend quoting Prime Minister Koizumi as saying that it
might be difficult to include implementing legislation for
the alliance transformation agreement in the present Diet
session ending June 18. Koizumi, who leaves office in
September, was described saying that his government needed to
"study" and "discuss" realignment plans. A number of
interlocutors confirmed today that the legislation's timing
now seems likely to slip into the October Diet session, but
maintain that this should not affect the implementation of
bilateral agrements on alliance transformation. During
recent negotiations, Japanese officials have stressed the
need to finalize a Security Consultative Committee agreement
by the first week of May in order that it might be tabled
during the current Diet session. Koizumi's reported comments
seem to indicate he wants time to lobby Diet members for
approval. END SUMMARY
2. (SBU) With many key security policy decision makers in
Washington for the Defense Policy Review Initiative
implementation and Security Consultative Committee meetings
and Prime Minister Koizumi and his staff traveling to Africa
and Europe, Embassy Tokyo approached the Cabinet Office to
try and obtain an informed perspective. Cabinet Office
official Kanno confirmed that the legislation probably would
not be tabled soon as much work needed to be done before the
implementing legislation was ready could be taken to the
Diet. He assured us that a delay in tabling the legislation
should not, however, delay implementation of Security
Consultative Committee agreements on Alliance transformation.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futabashi, who is in charge of
putting the implementing legislation forward, told us the
reports of a possible delay were accurate. He repeated
Kanno's assurance that this would not delay implementation of
Security Consltative Committee agreements.
3. (C) Describing the issue as "rather subtle" JDA Policy
Bureau Assistant Director Kanno said it was now difficult to
predict when the implementing legislation might be submitted
to the Diet. Japan Defense Agency's "internal attitude is
very clear," that the legislation should be submitted
immediately, said Kanno. He indicated that although Japan
Defense Agency, which has had the lead role in transformation
discussions, would like to see the legislation immediately
brought forward, JDA officials realize that this might not
happen as not all in the Cabinet Office and other Ministries
share this view.
4. (SBU) Foreign Ministry interlocutors view the issue as
being the prerogative of legislative officials rather than
TOKYO 00002375 002 OF 002
bureaucrats. "Koizumi will decide" whether to submit the
legislation now, call a special Diet session or leave it to
his successor, said one interlocutor, characterizing it as a
"highly political" decision.
DONOVAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA/AP - LAWLESS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2016
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: TIMING OF ALLIANCE TRANSFORMATION LEGISLATION
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JOE DONOVAN FOR REASON 1.4B/D
1. (C) BEGIN SUMMARY: Tokyo newspapers ran stories this
weekend quoting Prime Minister Koizumi as saying that it
might be difficult to include implementing legislation for
the alliance transformation agreement in the present Diet
session ending June 18. Koizumi, who leaves office in
September, was described saying that his government needed to
"study" and "discuss" realignment plans. A number of
interlocutors confirmed today that the legislation's timing
now seems likely to slip into the October Diet session, but
maintain that this should not affect the implementation of
bilateral agrements on alliance transformation. During
recent negotiations, Japanese officials have stressed the
need to finalize a Security Consultative Committee agreement
by the first week of May in order that it might be tabled
during the current Diet session. Koizumi's reported comments
seem to indicate he wants time to lobby Diet members for
approval. END SUMMARY
2. (SBU) With many key security policy decision makers in
Washington for the Defense Policy Review Initiative
implementation and Security Consultative Committee meetings
and Prime Minister Koizumi and his staff traveling to Africa
and Europe, Embassy Tokyo approached the Cabinet Office to
try and obtain an informed perspective. Cabinet Office
official Kanno confirmed that the legislation probably would
not be tabled soon as much work needed to be done before the
implementing legislation was ready could be taken to the
Diet. He assured us that a delay in tabling the legislation
should not, however, delay implementation of Security
Consultative Committee agreements on Alliance transformation.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futabashi, who is in charge of
putting the implementing legislation forward, told us the
reports of a possible delay were accurate. He repeated
Kanno's assurance that this would not delay implementation of
Security Consltative Committee agreements.
3. (C) Describing the issue as "rather subtle" JDA Policy
Bureau Assistant Director Kanno said it was now difficult to
predict when the implementing legislation might be submitted
to the Diet. Japan Defense Agency's "internal attitude is
very clear," that the legislation should be submitted
immediately, said Kanno. He indicated that although Japan
Defense Agency, which has had the lead role in transformation
discussions, would like to see the legislation immediately
brought forward, JDA officials realize that this might not
happen as not all in the Cabinet Office and other Ministries
share this view.
4. (SBU) Foreign Ministry interlocutors view the issue as
being the prerogative of legislative officials rather than
TOKYO 00002375 002 OF 002
bureaucrats. "Koizumi will decide" whether to submit the
legislation now, call a special Diet session or leave it to
his successor, said one interlocutor, characterizing it as a
"highly political" decision.
DONOVAN