PACOM COMMANDER MEETS WITH MOD LEADERSHIP

S E C R E T TOKYO 001693 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINR PRELJA JA SUBJECT: PACOM COMMANDER MEETS WITH MOD LEADERSHIP Classified By: AMB Thomas J. Schieffer, Reasons: 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Summary: The leadership of the Japanese Ministry of Defense affirmed their commitment to implement the May 1, 2006 base realignment agreement during meetings April 11-12 with visiting PACOM Commander ADM Timothy Keating. Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma and Administrative Vice Minister Tamkemasa Moriya welcomed Keating to his new position and reaffirmed the close working ties between PACOM and the Ministry of Defense. AVM Moriya pledged to address recent intelligence leaks and said he wished to work with the U.S. to select a next generation fighter. Kyuma and Moriya both noted that the Japanese people still look to the U.S. as the foundation of Japan's defense. End Summary. Kyuma on Relocation and the JMSDF -------------- ¶2. (C) During an April 11 meeting with visiting PACOM Commander Keating, Defense Minister Kyuma focused on the relocation of Futenma Marine Corps Air Station, and the overall state of the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI). Kyuma said that the Government of Japan wants to quickly implement the agreed-upon plan and that further delays would be unconstructive. Remaining differences on Okinawa base realignment are mostly "technical" in nature and Kyuma expressed confidence that such issues will not interfere with the implementation process. In response, ADM Keating made clear he would watch the implementation process closely and will help ensure there are no major obstacles to its completion. ¶3. (C) Turning to the Global War on Terror, ADM Keating affirmed that the Japanese contributions to Iraq and Afghanistan are meaningful and significant. In particular, the JMSDF presence in the Indian Ocean is critical to the denial of waterways to terrorists. Kyuma appreciated the comments and said he would share those thoughts with the Japanese people. Kyuma noted that explaining the usefulness of maritime interdiction to the public is difficult. Kyuma expressed his regret that the JMSDF's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean were only extended by a single year. He asserted that had the Japanese government had a bit more foresight, they would have made the extension longer. Regardless, the Japanese participation in the GWOT is expected to continue unabated, he said. Moriya on the Alliance, FX Fighter, Intel Leaks -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Administrative Vice Minister Moriya reaffirmed the Japanese government's stance that changes to DPRI would be costly. Specifically, reconsidering the plans for the relocation of Futenma MCAS would not solve any problems and instead simply delay the project. Moriya continued by noting that the Government of Japan has tried to accommodate Okinawan views multiple times over the last 11 years but each time new Okinawan complaints asserted themselves. Thus, Moriya is in no hurry to amend the project again with no assurances that further changes will settle all issues. ¶5. (C) Shifting gears, Moriya noted the Japanese people understood the importance of U.S. support. With North Korea an ever-present threat and increased Chinese military spending, he claimed the Japanese people need to be reassured that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains robust. Admiral Keating emphatically reaffirmed not only the U.S. government's commitment to the defense of Japan, but his own personal interest in Japan's security. Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD),Keating assured Moriya, will become more sophisticated and is an area that can highlight the cooperation between both countries. ¶6. (C) Continuing the list of challenges Japan and U.S. will face in the years to come, Moriya discussed the Japanese desire for a next generation fighter. While Moriya did not mention any specific fighter type, he emphasized repeatedly the need for Japan to have a capability that can match the improving power of the PLA Air Force. The Government of Japan will consider purchasing U.S. military equipment as a reflection of the closeness of the U.S.-Japan alliance. ¶7. (S) ADM Keating also raised the recent leak of AEGIS operational information. Moriya assured ADM Keating the Japanese understand the gravity of the situation and will provide the U.S. with a report on the event. He added that the Japanese are working on new countermeasures to prevent similar events. Moriya pledged to stay in communication with Keating on the matter. SCHIEFFER