AA/S MULL MEETING WITH MOFA DG FOR NORTH AMERICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001713 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR AS JA SUBJECT: AA/S MULL MEETING WITH MOFA DG FOR NORTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS SHINICHI NISHIMIYA Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Missile defense cooperation, radar and PAC-3 implementation, and the May 2006 Alliance Transformation Roadmap have strengthened our robust security partnership and it is important to keep marching forward, MOFA North American Affairs Director-General Shinichi Nishimiya told Acting Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Stephen Mull on April 11. Prime Minister Abe is committed to expanding security relations with new partners like Australia, but it may be slow going, due to unforeseen barriers and constraints on the Japanese side, Nishimiya cautioned. Stepping up information sharing, while preventing leaks, and boosting interoperability are important goals, agreed Nishimiya and Mull. Mull raised the possibility of renewing the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) next year, and expressed concern over the Oslo Process on cluster munitions. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Moving forward on ballistic missile cooperation, radar and PAC-3 deployment, and implementing the landmark May 2006 Alliance Transformation Roadmap demonstrate the increased strength of the alliance, MOFA DG for North American Affairs Shinichi Nishimiya told AA/S Mull on April ¶11. Prime Minister Abe is committed to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and is focused on expanding security relations with new partners like Australia, he added. Mull thanked Japan for its hard work in Iraq and Afghanistan, welcomed Tokyo's partnership with NATO, and noted that PM Koizumi and PM Abe worked very hard to accomplish things that would have been impossible ten years ago. ¶3. (C) Japan is committed to stepping up information sharing with the United States and is seeking to improve its ability to exploit and best utilize shared information, Nishimiya explained. He acknowledged the recent information leaks and said Mull should "feel free to bash MOD over the head" for leaking the information. MOFA has not been entirely free from compromising classified information, but has a long track record of protecting sensitive information, he added. However, the lack of legislative recourse undermines Japan's ability to protect sensitive information, he explained. The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) will be a major step forward in protecting classified information, Nishimiya noted. Introducing an NSC law will be the springboard for developing tough standards for all Japanese government agencies involved in the handling of classified information. After the July Upper House election, the Abe administration will begin moving forward on this, he explained. ¶4. (C) Deploying the Self-Defense Forces overseas for Southeast Asia tsunami relief efforts deepened their experience working with other partners, including Australia, Nishimiya noted. The SDF's participation marked the first time Japanese air, naval, and land forces cooperated together. Pursuing joint operations between U.S. and Japanese forces in an effort to enhance interoperability remain important objectives, agreed Mull and Nishimiya. Mull requested Japan participate in Pacific Global Air Mobility Seminars (PGMS) by sending a CH-47 helicopter and hoped Japan and Australia would participate in the upcoming Peleliu humanitarian operation. Nishimiya asked for U.S. patience on accelerating trilateral defense cooperation because Japan may face unforeseen barriers and constraints. Japan's lack of an official alliance with Australia will impede Tokyo's ability to significantly deepen cooperation, he cautioned. Mull acknowledged concern on all sides regarding agreements on sharing sensitive information and protecting classified information. The United States understands Japanese and Australian reluctance to participate in trilateral exercises as they seek to identify what information they are authorized to share with each other, but it is important to maintain momentum on this. ¶5. (C) Turning to the Special Measures Agreement (SMA),the United States hopes it will be renewed next year, for at least another three years, Mull emphasized. We understand Japanese domestic political pressure to cut SMA contributions is rising, but if SMA negotiations are reopened, there will be new demands from Washington due to the difficult atmosphere surrounding defense spending, Mull cautioned. Tokyo's official response on extending the agreement is "No chance" Nishimiya responded, though he privately admitted that he could not envision SMA disappearing. Realignment is TOKYO 00001713 002 OF 002 very unpopular since there is no immediate short-term "deliverable" for Okinawa. Consequently, it is important to maintain a low profile on any requests for an increase in Japanese contributions. The opposition parties in the Diet often attack the ruling coalition on SMA, and while no one seriously is considering eliminating SMA payments, it is becoming more difficult to provide the financial resources to pay for it, Nishimiya emphasized. Nishimiya joked that "we should enjoy our summer vacation, because the next time we meet, it will be to discuss SMA, and I won't be smiling." ¶6. (C) Mull raised cluster munitions and said Washington is concerned the Oslo Process will get in the way of the legitimate use of this weapon, which could affect NATO defense capabilities. A diplomatic military team will come to Japan at the end of April to begin discussions on this, he added. ¶7. (U) AA/S Mull has cleared this cable. SCHIEFFER