S/P KRASNER'S MAY 10 MEETING WITH MOFA DG KAWAI ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002638 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2026 TAGS: PREL MARR XF IN CH RS JA SUBJECT: S/P KRASNER'S MAY 10 MEETING WITH MOFA DG KAWAI ON U.S.-JAPAN COOPERATION ON GLOBAL CHALLENGES REF: A. TOKYO 2609 ¶B. TOKYO 2610 ¶C. TOKYO 2612 ¶D. TOKYO 2637 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d) . ¶1. (C) Summary. In a May 10 meeting between S/P Director Stephen D. Krasner and MOFA DG for North American Affairs Kawai, DG Kawai: -- expressed appreciation for the successful completion of 2 2 talks, and called for focusing U.S-Japan efforts now on implementation of the DPRI agreement; -- stated that Japan is ready to assume a greater role in world affairs, and that he hoped Japan's improving economic situation would make the Japanese people more comfortable about more activism and global engagement; -- cited India, Central Asia and the Middle East as areas where Japan could usefully pursue enhanced coordination with the United States; and -- said that MOFA has just begun planning for the June summit between President Bush and PM Koizumi, suggesting that because Koizumi's term would end in September, he would not likely be proposing new U.S.-Japan strategic initiatives during the visit. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In a May 10 meeting with visiting S/P Director Stephen ¶D. Krasner, MOFA Director General for North American Affairs Chikao Kawai began by expressing his appreciation for the successful 2 2 meeting and called for the U.S. and Japan to focus now on implementing the DPRI agreement, saying "paper is just paper; now is the time for implementation." ¶3. (C) Krasner suggested that the U.S. and Japan think more ambitiously and globally about policy coordination and joint action. He asked whether Japan sees itself playing a more ambitious global role in the future. Kawai said that, in general, Japan is increasingly ready to assume a greater global role. Budgetary constraints, however, brought on by years of a sluggish economy and an aging population have created an unfavorable atmosphere for a more ambitious Japanese foreign policy. Nonetheless, the economy now appears to be recovering, he said, adding that he hopes a stronger economy will make the Japanese people feel more comfortable about a more active role for their country. Kawai said that compared to 10-20 years ago, the Japanese realize that Japan should play a greater role globally, not just on security issues but also in areas such as economics and the environment. As an indication of changing attitudes, Kawai pointed to recent opinion polls showing that a majority of Japanese view favorably the Self-Defense Force mission in Iraq. Rather than merely sitting back and watching public sentiment swing from one direction to another, Kawai said he hopes Japan will develop a strategy for assuming a greater global role. ¶4. (C) When asked where Japan could become more engaged -- and where the U.S. and Japan might act jointly -- Kawai noted that Japan has been paying more attention to India, citing FM Aso's January strategic talks in New Delhi. Japan is also trying to become more involved in Central Asia, not only to help foster a strategic balance to China and Russia, but also to increase cooperation on areas of functional concern for Japan such as counter-terrorism. Kawai said Japan also pays close attention to the Middle East, but suggested Japan's interests in the region were primarily economic and less diverse than those of the United States. ¶5. (C) Asked whether Japan planned any new proposals or initiatives for nest month's summit between President Bush and PM Koizumi, Kawai remarked that MOFA had just begun preparations for PM Koizumi's trip. Kawai stated that he did not feel PM Koizumi would want to start any new agendas at the summit because of the short time he has remaining in office. Nonetheless, Japan wants to discuss regional architecture during the upcoming Trilateral Strategic Dialogue with Under Secretary Burns. Kawai said he believes U.S. involvement is indispensable to "everything in Asia." Participants -------------- ¶6. (U) Participants in the meeting included: United States -------------- Stephen D. Krasner, Director, Policy Planning Staff Joe Donovan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy Tokyo Evan Feigenbaum, S/P Member Joel Ehrendreich, Political Officer, Embassy Tokyo (notetaker) David Wolff, Political Officer, Embassy Tokyo Japan -------------- Chikao Kawai, MOFA Director General for North American Affairs Takuma Kajita, MOFA North American Affairs Division ¶7. (U) S/P Director Krasner cleared this message. DONOVAN