Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO4861
2006-08-24 08:51:00
SECRET
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
ADMIRAL FALLON MEETINGS WITH SENIOR JDA OFFICIALS
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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)
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
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