2006 JAPAN DEFENSE AGENCY WHITE PAPER FOCUSES ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 004365 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016 TAGS: MARR PREL JA SUBJECT: 2006 JAPAN DEFENSE AGENCY WHITE PAPER FOCUSES ON ALLIANCE TRANSFORMATION TOKYO 00004365 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND ( D) ¶1. (C) Summary. Alliance Transformation, Chinese activities in the East China Sea, and the proposed upgrade of the Japan Defense Agency(JDA) to a ministry are highlighted in the 2006 White Paper released on August 1. JDA Defense Councilor Tokuchi, the editor of the volume, told the embassy that JDA sought to use the White Paper as a vehicle to improve its public image following a string of scandals. Tokuchi characterized the document as a clear signal of Japan's commitment to fulfilling its alliance commitments and urged the USG to provide a formal reaction to its contents. End Summary. Continuing Trends -------------- ¶2. (C) The annual JDA White Paper, "Defense of Japan 2006," was released on August 1 (Note: a preliminary English language version is set to be posted on the JDA website on August 2. End Note). This year's report focuses on International Peace Cooperation Activities, Alliance Transformation, and the proposal to upgrade the Japan Defense Agency (JDA) to a full ministry. JDA Defense Councilor Hideshi Tokuchi, the chief editor of the report, told the embassy during a pre-release briefing that regional relief efforts, the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) and more proactive roles for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were included in part to justify JDA's push to become a ministry. ¶3. (C) DPRI and bilateral Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) cooperation were afforded particular prominence in the 2006 report. The U.S.-Japan security alliance was given roughly twice as much space as in previous years with an entire chapter devoted to the bilateral relationship, a first in the annual report. Sidebar explanations highlight the importance of the Marine presence in Okinawa, the deployment of a nuclear-powered carrier to Yokosuka, and the placement of the new X-band radar in Shariki. Tokuchi drew attention to the introduction written by JDA Minister Nukaga Fukushiro, which includes a strong push for implementation of recent DPRI agreements. Tokuchi touted the minister's statement and the report's detailed coverage of the DPRI roadmap as clear markers of Japan's commitment to following through on its alliance commitments. Tokuchi invited the USG to provide feedback on the report. ¶4. (C) The SDF mission to Iraq and operations in the Indian Ocean are cited as examples of Japan's expanding international peacekeeping efforts. Disaster relief and assistance operations such as the October 2005 Pakistan Earthquake and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (SDF) involvement in the August 2005 rescue of Russian Submariners were also covered. ¶5. (C) Despite the prominence given to international cooperation, Tokuchi acknowledged that the paper's treatment of China will likely grab most of the headlines. In the China section, the most notable change from last year is text reporting on SDF reactions to Chinese reconnaissance flights in disputed waters in the East China Sea. The spike in intercepts is touted as evidence of Japan's growing response capabilities. Close attention is paid to acceleration in Chinese maritime activities, including the pursuit of modern submarine technology and the potential acquisition of aircraft carriers. There is also strong concern expressed in the report over PLA transparency. Other New Items: Image Making -------------- ¶6. (C) Tokuchi said that JDA sought to use the 2006 White Paper emphasize JDA committment to cleaning up its act after a recent string of negative news. Problems such as the recent bid-rigging scandal in the Defense Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA),drug use in the Maritime TOKYO 00004365 002.2 OF 002 Self-Defense Forces, and leaks of classified information though the Internet are addressed in detail in a section entitled "Efforts to Regain the Trust of the Public". Comment: A Strong Plug for the Alliance -------------- ¶7. (C) The prominent and detailed treatment of Alliance Transformation issues in the 2006 White Paper is a welcome development. JDA clearly put special effort into using this year's report as a vehicle to advance both implementation of the DPRI roadmap and the expansion of JDA's mandate. SCHIEFFER