SECNAV WINTER MEETINGS AT JDA

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 005213 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2016 TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV JA SUBJECT: SECNAV WINTER MEETINGS AT JDA Classified By: Ambassador J.Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The recent North Korean missile launches have heightened interest in ballistic missile defense cooperation, Japan Defense Agency (JDA) civilian and service chief counterparts told visiting Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter August 28. Self Defense Forces chiefs told Secretary Winter they are keen on using Guam for training, while DFAA leadership cast doubt on finding a permanent site for field carrier landing practice within 100 nautical miles of Iwakuni. Secretary Winter praised Japan's refueling operations in the Indian Ocean, and urged JDA to ensure the upkeep of Atsugi base until the air wing transfers to Iwakuni. He also pressed JDA to support a more robust Japanese role in the completion of the Kandahar ring-road. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter held meetings at JDA August 28 with: -- Hon. Tsuyoshi Takagi, Vice Minister for Defense -- Iwao Kitahara, Director-General, Defense Facilities Administration Agency; -- Admiral Takashi Saito, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Office; -- Admiral Eiji Yoshikawa, Chief of Staff, Maritime Staff Office; and -- General Tsutomu Mori, Chief of Staff, Ground Staff Office. JDA Takagi, DFAA Kitahara -------------- ¶3. (C) Japan Defense Agency Vice Minister Tsuyoshi Takagi told Secretary Winter that the North Korea missile launches had convinced the Japanese public of the importance of ballistic missile defense (BMD). Secretary Winter emphasized the need for interoperable systems, integrated command and control, and more combined training and exercises. On DPRI funding, Takagi said JDA is planning their JFY07 budget and that they plan to seek the needed funding for implementation of the "2 2" agreement "in a steady manner." ¶4. (C) Secretary Winter stated that U.S. realignment of forces in the Pacific was the focus of his trip and emphasized the importance of these moves. He expressed gratitude for Japan's refueling operations in the Indian Ocean, noting they had been instrumental in enabling certain coalition partners, like Pakistan, to participate. He added that the U.S. thinks the Afghanistan ring road is a critical project for the Afghan economy, and since the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are nearing completion of our sections of the road, we will require resolution from Japan on its role. Takagi replied that JDA would study what assistance they can provide within legal constraints. ¶5. (C) In a separate meeting, Defense Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA) Director General Kitahara assured Secretary Winter that the Japanese government would implement the "2 2" alliance agreement, including the move of the carrier air wing from Atsugi to Iwakuni. Civilian dual use would help persuade the Iwakuni City mayor to accept the air wing move, Kitahara suggested. Until the air wing actually transfers, said Secretary Winter, the capabilities of Atsugi base need to maintained. Dual use, he expected, could be implemented in a timely manner. ¶6. (C) On the search for a permanent site for Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP),Kitahara said the U.S. requirement that a site be within 100 nautical miles of Iwakuni drastically limited the options. Secretary Winter emphasized the importance of identifying an FCLP site and explained that the minimum distance was calculated based on aircraft fuel and safety considerations. He would examine, however, whether there could be minor flexibility on the distance. Kitahara added that JDA is seeking 6 million yen to start dredging work to prepare for the deployment to Yokosuka of the nuclear-powered carrier George Washington. TOKYO 00005213 002 OF 003 ¶7. (C) Concerning Okinawa, Secretary Winter expressed his desire to find a solution to the Futenma Replacement Facility. Kitahara agreed and stated that a new consultative committee on FRF construction that included local government representation was to be established the following day. ¶8. (C) On labor issues, Kitahara sought understanding to resolve a dispute with workers over U.S. plans to raise the retirement age to 65 years old. He added that USFJ HQ is now coordinating this request with the components. Kitahara expressed concern over recent crimes and accidents caused by U.S. military personnel in Japan. Secretary Winter assured him that we are working to select good ambassadors to Japan. Joint, Maritime and Ground Chiefs of Staff -------------- ¶9. (S) Praising the coordinated bilateral response to the recent North Korean missile launches, Admiral Takashi Saito, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Office, told Secretary Winter that he has instructed his staff to begin plans for an information exchange exercise between Japanese forces and the U.S. Navy. Secretary Winter welcomed the idea, and stressed the importance of ensuring interoperability with U.S ships -- in terms of command-and-control and radar - as Japan looked to procure new vessels. ¶10. (C) Turning to the Alliance Transformation and Realignment process, Saito indicated that the SDF was interested in shifting some of its exercises to Guam. He noted that the move of the Navy's carrier air wing from Atsugi to Iwakuni was a difficult but vital task. Secretary Winter agreed, but stressed that the air wing would need to continue to use Atsugi right up until the transfer took place. Saito expressed interest in staging SDF exercises on Guam. ¶11. (C) The recent North Korean missile launches underlined the importance of installing BMD capabilities on Japanese Aegis ships, said Admiral Eiji Yoshikawa, Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF) Chief of Staff, in a separate meeting. During the launches, some difficulties occurred in communications links between Japanese and U.S. Aegis ships, which would need to be resolved. Yoshikawa added that JMSDF is interested in the possible use of Guam for training and exercises. He expressed confidence that the deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington to Yokosuka in 2008 was on track. The main pending issue was to resolve local concerns over disaster planning. ¶12. (C) Secretary Winter responded that he was encouraged by a recent ballistic missile defense exercise in Hawaii where U.S. and Japanese ships worked together. He underlined the importance of ensuring compatibility between Navy and JMSDF command-and-control, as well as radar functions. As Japan develops its forces and capabilities, he said, interoperability should be optimized. Yoshikawa replied that this issue was being discussed at the staff level. On the nuclear carrier deployment, Secretary Winter emphasized keeping the deployment of the USS George Washington on track, that U.S. nuclear-powered carriers have an outstanding safety record, and that the Navy would work to assuage Japanese concerns. He also expressed thanks for Japanese refueling operations in the Indian Ocean and relayed a request to complete the Japanese portion of the Ring Road in Kandahar, Afghanistan. ¶13. (C) General Tsutomu Mori, Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (GSDF) Chief of Staff, told Secretary Winter that, to maintain the deterrence of the bilateral alliance, GSDF and Marine units should enhance joint training in conjuction with the planned move of 8,000 Marines to Guam. The GSDF wants to continue training with the Marines in Okinawa, and its existing training in the continental U.S., said Mori, and is keen to explore training opportunities in Guam. Secretary Winter responded positively, noting the Guam moves are very TOKYO 00005213 003 OF 003 important, and he would seek to ensure sites for such training are available in Guam and the Northern Marianas. ¶14. (U) Secretary of the Navy Winter cleared this message. SCHIEFFER