THE DCM'S MAY 26 MEETING WITH MOFA NORTH AMERICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002973

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDA FOR U/S PENN AND FAS/YOST

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2026
TAGS: PREL MARR SCUL EAGR UNSC AMGT AF ID IZ KN
CH, JA
SUBJECT: THE DCM'S MAY 26 MEETING WITH MOFA NORTH AMERICAN
AFFAIRS DG KAWAI

REF: STATE 83706

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d)
.


1. (C) Summary: In a May 26th luncheon, MOFA North America
Bureau Director General Chikao Kawai told the DCM that the
Japanese government would push DPRI implementation and urge
Yokosuka's mayor to proceed with the plan for Kitty Hawk
replacement. On beef, Kawai expected the risk communication
meetings to take about two weeks, after which the audit teams
will be sent to the United States. In discussing the
upcoming Japan-U.S. summit, Kawai suggested the joint
statement be kept short. The DCM urged Japan to consider
working with the United States to complete Japan's portion of
the Kandahar-Herat Road (reftel). On Iraq, Kawai said Japan
intends to coordinate closely with the United States, the
United Kingdom and Australia regarding the withdrawal of
Ground Self-Defense Forces. Kawai said Japan hopes to have
detailed consultations with the United States prior to the
upcoming summit on their "Plan D" for UNSC reform. Turning
to the DPRK, Kawai agreed that the United States and Japan
should consider a coordinated a public response in the event
of a Taepodong missile launch. Kawai reported that Foreign
Minister Aso and Chinese Foreign Minister Li had a positive
meeting in Qatar. End summary.

Cabinet Decision on DPRI and Kitty Hawk Replacement
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2. (C) During a May 26 meeting with DCM Joe Donovan, North
American Affairs Director General Chikao Kawai said that the
Cabinet would likely decide on May 30 to implement the
realignment initiatives agreed at the May 1 Security
Consultative Committee (SSC). Kawai admitted being
"confused" as to why the national and prefectural governments
are still at odds on the issue despite the fact that Minister
of Defense Nukaga and Okinawa Governor Inamine both signed
the letter of agreement. Kawai hopes the planned discussions
between the JDA, the Okinawan prefectural government and
local officials will push implementation forward.


3. (C) Yokosuka Mayor Kabaya had planned to officially accept
the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington to
replace the USS Kitty Hawk on May 30, Kawai related. He has
postponed this announcement until June 12, however, due to
public criticism that his first public session on the Kitty
Hawk replacement was not open to the public. Kabaya intends
to hold a public hearing the first week of June. According
to Kawai, Foreign Minister Aso will travel to Yokosuka around
June 12 to urge Kabaya to adhere to the new schedule so as to
avoid any further delays. Kawai believes that Kabaya is
"serious and sincere" about completing the carrier swap, but
believes that Kabaya should not be pushed too hard.

Beef Ban
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4. (C) Kawai expressed optimism about the Japan-U.S. expert
meetings on beef, pointing to the creation of a "road map" as
evidence of progress. The next round risk communication
meetings throughout Japan are scheduled to begin June 1 and
continue until June 14, after which Japanese audit teams will
be sent to the United States, Kawai commented. There is the
possibility of opening some facilities before Prime Minister
Koizumi's visit to the United States if the United States
agrees to open the facilities one by one. However, if the
United States insists on opening all the facilities
simultaneously, then opening the market would probably be
delayed until after PM Koizumi's trip, warned Kawai. In
response to the DCM's remark that opening the facilities one
by one would trigger resistance from those companies listed
last on the audit teams' schedule, Kawai commented that the
U.S. could prioritize the facilities and that "it is up to
your side." Kawai was noncommittal to the DCM's observation
that the similar South Korean audit will take only about two
weeks, noting to the limited number of Japanese experts
available to conduct the audit. Kawai agreed that Minister
of Health, Labor and Welfare Jiro Kawasaki does not share the

optimism of Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries
Shoichi Nakagawa on the opening of the market.

Exchanges with DODD Schools
--------------


5. (C) Kawai urged more contact between students at DODD
schools at U.S. bases and local Japanese students, pointing
to the model in Misawa where the spouses of American service
members are teaching English in the local schools. He
suggested both sides explore ways to increase exchanges.
While in agreement that further exchanges between American
and Japanese students would be beneficial, the DCM noted that
the permanent placement of Japanese students in DODD schools
would be problematic because there is limited space available
for additional students.

Chancery Land Discussion
--------------


6. (C) In response to the DCM's inquiry, Kawai said that
Japan would be ready to meet in July on the Chancery Land
issue. Kawai pointed to back rent and a lack of flexibility
as outstanding issues, but admitted that he was unsure of the
details and that it was best to "leave it for the experts."

Kandahar-Herat and Banda Aceh Roads
--------------


7. (C) In response to the DCM's delivery of reftel demarche
concerning the completion of the Kandahar-Herat portion of
the Rind Road in Afghanistan, Kawai explained that the
Japanese crews working on the Ring Road project ceased
activities on May 8 due to the deteriorating security
situation. The Japanese government has not reached a
decision on a date to resume activities, and since it does
not intend to keep the Japanese crews on site indefinitely,
it has considered hiring local contractors to continue the
project, stated Kawai. Kawai agreed to request an answer
from MOFA's Office of Developmental Assistance and the Middle
East Bureau.


8. (C) The DCM raised the issue of the 40-km stretch of road
between Calang and Port of Meulaboh in Indonesia, expressing
concern that the United States and Japan risk duplicating
efforts by building a parallel road. Kawai agreed that the
United States and Japan should coordinate on this issue.

Iraq and DPRK
--------------


8. (C) As Foreign Minister Aso reported to Secretary Rice,
NSC Advisor Stephen Hadley and Vice President Cheney, the Air
Self Defense Force believes it can establish additional
flights in Iraq and aid UN activities through airlifts, Kawai
reported. As for the withdrawal of the Ground Self Defense
Force, Kawai assured the DCM that Japan intends to continue
to coordinate closely with the United States, the United
Kingdom and Australia.


9. (C) Director General Kawai expressed his appreciation for
President Bush's meeting with Sakie Yokota during her recent
visit to Washington, commenting that it sends a strong signal
to the DPRK that the abduction issue is a global concern. He
added that Japan is maintaining close communication with USFJ
regarding a possible Taepodong missile launch. The DCM
suggested the United States and Japan should consider a
coordinated public responses in the event a missile is
launched. Japan has already begun discussing draftable
responses, Kawai responded, but hopes to keep the tone of its
message similar to that of the United States.

UNSC Reform
--------------


10. (C) After Foreign Minister Aso received the letter from
President Bush on May 2 stating that the United States could
not support "Option C" for UNSC reform, MOFA began to focus
on "Option D," Kawai reported. Kawai noted that language in

the letter indicated U.S. willingness to work with Japan
while continuing to support its bid for a permanent seat in
the Security Council. The DCM assured Kawai that the United
States remains supportive of Japan's permanent membership.
The question is how to achieve this without making the
Security Council less effective. Kawai hopes some discussion
on "Plan D" can take place before the summit.

China
--------------


11. (C) Kawai reported that Foreign Minister Taro Aso's
meetings in Qatar with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
were positive. Kawai expressed his pleasure that during the
May 22-23 Japan-U.S.-China trilateral meetings that included
separate meetings with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe and
Foreign Minister Aso, the Chinese delegation mentioned that
relations with Japan "were important." Kawai noted the
Chinese demonstrated restraint by not asking Abe if he
intended to visit Yasukuni Shrine. He believed the Chinese
failure to mention Yasukuni was "intentional" and that the
Chinese were trying to "send a message." FM Aso had been
pleased with his trilateral meeting, deeming the Chinese
"reasonable," relayed Kawai.
SCHIEFFER