CNO MULLEN SPEAKS WITH FM ASO AND DEFMIN KYUMA

S E C R E T TOKYO 002948 SIPDIS SIPDIS TO COMUSJAPAN FOR J00 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2017 TAGS: PGOV JA MARR PGOV PINR SENV SUBJECT: CNO MULLEN SPEAKS WITH FM ASO AND DEFMIN KYUMA ABOUT INFORMATION SECURITY Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. On June 18, 2007 Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Mullen met with Foreign Minister Aso, Defense Minister Kyuma, and Ministry of Defense (MOD) Administrative Vice Minister Moriya. Admiral Mullen expressed appreciation for the close working relationship between the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force and the U.S. Navy, especially in the Indian Ocean. Mullen highlighted in each meeting the U.S. concerns about the AEGIS compromise and information security in general. All senior Japanese officials gave the consistent message that information security is an increasingly important mission for the Government of Japan. Regarding the Special Measures Agreement, the Foreign Minister and MOD leadership agreed that Japan's contributions are integral to the alliance and that negotiations should be concluded as quickly as possible. All agreed that the arrival of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) in August of 2008 will not be delayed. END SUMMARY. Information Security -------------- ¶2. (S) Discussions regarding AEGIS information security was central to Admiral Mullen's visit when he met Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, and Administrative Vice Minister (AVM) Takemasa Moriya. Admiral Mullen expressed the U.S. desire to see a comprehensive change in the way the government of Japan treats classified information. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force's (JMSDF) efforts to investigate and ascertain what information was leaked are commendable Admiral Mullen commented, but those efforts alone do not solve the larger problem, which is government-wide. Admiral Mullen told all three senior officials that the U.S. is now forced to work under the assumption that the Chinese had full access to the information compromise. ¶3. (C) In response, all three senior Japanese officials agreed that it is a serious problem and told Admiral Mullen that Japan understands the "deep implications" and is working to improve their handling of classified information. FM Aso told Admiral Mullen that Japan's culture and history have previously made it so information security was not a priority, but the current international political atmosphere and the fast pace of technological development is forcing Japan to make a comprehensive reevaluation of its information security practices. FM Aso reassured Admiral Mullen that Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet are fully aware of the seriousness of the information security issue. AVM Moriya apologized for the event and echoed FM Aso's remarks by stating that during the Cold War, Japan enjoyed a safe environment and didn't have to be concerned about information security. In the last decade the need to keep military information out of the public sphere has become very important. So now the government is forced to recognize the importance of information security. Japan is committed to making the maximum effort at the government level to strengthen information handling procedures. He added that a consensus on how to handle such efforts is still in the works. DefMin Kyuma reiterated that the MOD is taking action to tighten its security SMA and DPRI -------------- ¶4. (C) On the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI),FM Aso, DefMin Kyuma, and AVM Moriya agreed with Admiral Mullen that the last eighteen months have shown remarkable progress but significant work lies ahead. DefMin Kyuma and AVM Moriya emphasized the government of Japan's recent efforts to pass the DPRI realignment funding bill and the role of the JMSDF in ensuring the Futenma Relocation Facility (FRF)-related environmental study was not disrupted by protesters. AVM Moriya assured the CNO of Japan's commitment to implement the DPRI agreement within 5 years. FM Aso said that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has become more cognizant of Okinawa's role in realignment and now thinks of the governorship of the island as a "must win position." He said the new governor is a positive development and he is a very decent man. Admiral Mullen expressed his thanks for Japan's efforts and looked forward to future cooperation. ¶5. (C) Admiral Mullen urged that Japan ensure that the DPRI and Special Measures Agreement (SMA) budgets remain two separate entities and that SMA be renewed. DefMin Kyuma said he was of a common mind with the CNO and that he expects the government of Japan to renegotiate the SMA "as best we can" with negotiations taking place rapidly He cited the Ministry of Finance as putting up obstacles. AVM Moriya agreed that SMA remains important for the support of the alliance in that it provides for a continued U.S. presence in Japan. BMD and Collective Self Defense -------------- ¶6. (S) Admiral Mullen also discussed ballistic missile defense (BMD) in the larger collective self defense debate. AVM Moriya noted that recently there had been a lot of North Korean missile activity. Japan greatly appreciates the deployment of U.S. Aegis ships to this region; it greatly strengthens collective capabilities. FM Aso underscored the need to present the collective self defense issue in a way that the Japanese public will find acceptable. By continuing to highlight the Self Defense Force's role in the Global War on Terror and the continuing close working relationship between the JMSDF and the U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean, the Japanese public is warming to the idea of collective self defense and BMD. Even ten years ago, FM Aso said, the Japanese public would have been uncomfortable with the SM-3 refits to the Kongo class destroyers and the role they would play in BMD. However, the public today does not think twice about the refits, seeing them as a necessary and normal operation. FM Aso said he expects the same growing public acceptance in the collective self defense discussion. Admiral Mullen emphasized the fact that the short lead-times to make critical engagement decisions in a crisis about missile defense and collective self defense are very challenging. A full understanding of what role Japan will play in a crisis is essential to future cooperation. Arrival of the U.S.S. George Washington -------------- ¶7. (C) Admiral Mullen expressed appreciation for the work the government of Japan has done in preparation for the arrival of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) to Yokosuka (He later repeated this in a call on the Mayor of Yokosuka). In particular, DefMin Kyuma and AVM Moriya praised the leadership of Rear Admiral Jamie Kelly at the Yokosuka Naval Base as well as the surrounding community. FM Aso noted that the recent signing of an MOU for disaster preparedness by the U.S. was very beneficial. All of Admiral Mullen's interlocutors agreed that the forward deployment of the George Washington is essential to the security of the region and that there should be no delay to its arrival. Despite the good work already completed, Admiral Mullen emphasized the need to not take the carrier's arrival for granted. He encouraged FM Aso and DefMin Kyuma to continue to work towards a smooth outcome. ¶8. (U) Admiral Mullen has cleared this cable. schieffer