FMR DEFMIN NUKAGA ON SUMMIT, DPRI IMPLEMENTATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001647 SIPDIS SIPDIS COMUSJAPAN FOR J00/J01/J4/J5 E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV JA SUBJECT: FMR DEFMIN NUKAGA ON SUMMIT, DPRI IMPLEMENTATION Classified By: CDA Joseph R. Donovan, Reasons: 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Summary: The April 27 Summit meeting will be a critical opportunity to dispel public concerns over the health of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, according to former Defense Minister and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) heavyweight Fukushiro Nukaga. Nukaga told the Ambassador on April 10 that the flap over the "comfort women" issue, uncertainties over U.S. intentions in the Six-Party Talks, and politics surrounding base realignment have left the public with a general sense of unease over the health of the alliance. He recommended that the Summit meeting be used to emphasize the enduring relationship of trust that exists between the two countries and to renew momentum on implementation of the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI). End Summary. Alliance Adrift? -------------- ¶2. (C) Former Defense Minister and veteran LDP politician Fukushiro Nukaga met with the Ambassador on April 10 to preview a message he planned to deliver to Prime Minister Shinzo ABE and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki on themes for the April 27 Summit meeting. Nukaga expressed concern about growing speculation of problems in the bilateral relationship and said the April 27 Summit would offer a critical opportunity to set the record straight. ¶3. (C) Nukaga said the Summit should showcase the "relationship of trust" that exists between Washington and Tokyo. Nukaga said that the recent phone call from PM ABE to the President on the "comfort women" was an important gesture. If the Prime Minister can use the Summit to have a similarly frank discussion on North Korea, it will go a long way towards building public support in Japan for the Alliance. The Ambassador credited the Prime Minister's call to the President for calming speculation over the ABE administration's stance. Base Realignment -------------- ¶4. (C) Nukaga said it is also important that the President and Prime Minister use the Summit to reaffirm the two governments' commitment to implement the May 1, 2006 Alliance Transformation Roadmap. Personnel changes at the Department of Defense, including the change in Secretaries and pending departure of DUSD Lawless, have led to speculation over the commitment of the U.S. government to implement the Alliance Transformation agreement. On the Japanese side, attempts by politicians in Okinawa to revise the Roadmap have also given the impression of drift. The Ambassador replied that the U.S. is intent on implementing the May 1, 2006 Roadmap as drafted, adding that if Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma raises the possibility of changing the agreement during his upcoming meetings in Washington, he will be told that it is impossible. ¶5. (C) While not rising to Summit level, Nukaga voiced concern over progress on compiling a plan to consolidate U.S. bases in Okinawa south of Kadena. Nukaga said that it was his expectation at the time of the DPRI negotiations that the U.S. would return substantial portions (approximately 400 hectares) of the Marine base at Camp Foster. DONOVAN