ADMIRAL FALLON MEETINGS WITH SENIOR JDA OFFICIALS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 004861 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016 TAGS: MARR PREL CH JA SUBJECT: ADMIRAL FALLON MEETINGS WITH SENIOR JDA OFFICIALS Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Joseph R. Donovan for reasons 1 .4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (S) Summary: During Pacific Commander Admiral Fallon's August 23 meetings with Japan Defense Agency (JDA) senior officials, Joint Staff Office (JSO) Chief of Staff Admiral Saito urged the U.S. and Japan to quickly implement a number of "lessons learned" from the North Korea missile launches, including the establishment of encrypted phone lines between JSO and PACOM and improving Link-16 connectivity between U.S. and Japanese Aegis vessels. Senior Vice Minister Kimura raised concern over the lack of transparency in China's military growth, and inquired over the apparent acceleration of U.S.-China mil-mil contacts. Admiral Fallon stated that discussions of deploying a second X-Band radar to Japan are premature. End Summary. Adm. Saito on Lessons Learned -------------- ¶2. (S) Chief of Staff of Joint Staff Office (JSO) Admiral Takashi Saito told visiting PACOM Commander Admiral Fallon during an August 23 meeting that the United States and Japan should act immediately to implement "lessons learned" from the July 5 North Korea missile launches. Saito praised the existence of encrypted phone lines between JSO and U.S. Forces, Japan, but emphasized the urgency of establishing encrypted links with PACOM as well. In this context, Saito listed as a medium-term goal the need to identify correct counterparts for the JSO within the U.S. joint command structure. The two organizations need to connect the correct "Japanese buttons" with "U.S. button-holes." Saito also noted that the coordinated bilateral response to the missile launches revealed some problems that need to be addressed with the Link-16 systems connecting U.S. and Japanese Aegis vessels. The United States and Japan should continue to improve our bilateral cooperation, Admiral Fallon responded, especially since we do not know what North Korea will do next. JDA Vice Minister Kimura on China -------------- ¶3. (C) In a separate meeting on August 23, JDA Senior Vice Minister for Defense Taro Kimura questioned the recent expansion in U.S.-China mil-mil contacts, including Chinese observation of the recent Valiant Shield exercises. Kimura noted that Japan remains deeply concerned about China's growing military capabilities and the lack of transparency in the Peoples Liberation Army's (PLA) budget. ¶4. (S) Admiral Fallon emphasized that U.S.-China mil-mil contacts are starting from a near-zero base, with all mil-mil contacts virtually frozen since the 2001 EP3-F8 collision. While the United States has taken steps to improve this situation, widespread publicity about senior-level meetings masks the fact that actual substantive interaction remains limited. With PLA aircraft and ships expanding their range of operations, and intercepts of U.S. forces operating near China increasing, the lack of any bilateral protocols to avoid incidents presents real risk. ¶5. (C) Admiral Fallon emphasized that Chinese observation of Valiant Shield was intended to reduce suspicion and mistrust but also to demonstrate U.S. capabilities and continuing U.S. interest in the region. The experience, he continued, should help ensure that China does not miscalculate our capabilities or misjudge our intentions to maintain peace and stability in the western Pacific, including in the Taiwan Strait. And FBX-T -------------- ¶6. (C) Kimura, a member of the Japanese Diet, noted that the FBX radar recently installed in Japan was positioned in his electoral district. When asked by Kimura about press reports TOKYO 00004861 002 OF 002 of plans for a second X-Band radar in Kyushu, Admiral Fallon responded that his staff is studying whether this additional capability is necessary at this time. He emphasized that discussion about deploying a second radar is premature. ¶7. (U) Admiral Fallon has cleared this message. DONOVAN