AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH VICE FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003682

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017
TAGS: PREL JA KS KN PGOV MOPS MARR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH VICE FOREIGN MINISTER
YACHI

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).


1. (C) Summary: Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi and
Ambassador Schieffer, in a meeting on August 9, discussed
extension of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law for the
JMSDF Indian Ocean mission, strengthening information
security, and Japan's next generation fighter aircraft. End
summary.

Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law
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2. (C) Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro assured Ambassador on
August 9 that, despite the ruling coalition's election
setback, the Government of Japan (GOJ) intended to extended
for "one or two years" the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures
Law authorizing the Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces
support mission in the Indian Ocean. Yachi said the GOJ was
asking other countries, citing Oman specifically, to help by
making positive public statements about Japan's role. The
Ambassador pointed out that in his meeting the previous day
with Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leader Ichiro Ozawa, he
had emphasized the importance of Japan's international
contribution, noting this was not just a bilateral issue. He
noted that Pakistan, the only Muslim country in the maritime
task force, was currently commanding the fleet and
particularly was in need of the kind of fuel Japanese ships
were able to provide.


3. (C) Ambassador Schieffer noted that in his breakfast
meeting earlier in the day, he had urged Chief Cabinet
Secretary Shiozaki to reach out for support to other

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Ambassadors representing countries in the Indian Ocean task
force. He added that the U.S. Embassy was willing to help
organize briefings for all members of the Diet, with a
special effort extended to the DPJ. He suggested conducting
the briefings around the second week in September. North
American Affairs Director General Nishimiya suggested that a
compilation of statistics showing how much the task FORCE had
achieved (e.g., amount of narcotics seized) would help make
the case for extending the mission. The Ambassador cautioned
him on that approach, observing that the very presence of the
task FORCE almost certainly had resulted in a decrease in
terrorist and criminal activity, making an analogy with the
use of metal detectors at airports that, by their very
presence, curtail terrorism.


4. (C) VFM Yachi assured the Ambassador that the Liberal
Democratic Party's (LDP) coalition partner, Komeito, would
remain solidly behind extension of the Special Measures law.
On the other hand, he continued, Komeito was likely to back
off on issues such as constitutional revision. Despite this,
Yachi said, Prime Minister Abe was determined to continue
working toward constitutional revision.


5. (C) VFM Yachi welcomed the inauguration of the Bilateral
Information Security Task FORCE (BISTF) to address the issue
of strengthening protection of sensitive information.
Ambassador Schieffer said that the U.S. was pleased as well,
noting in particular the breakthrough that had been achieved
with multi-agency participation on both sides. He observed
the BISTF was off to a very good start and that we now needed
to follow through. The Ambassador noted that, initially,
senior levels on both sides had recognized the value of the
BISTF process, but that lower levels apparently had been
worried about being blamed for existing shortcomings. He
emphasized that was not the U.S. objective; rather, we wanted
to work together to fix the problems. VFM Yachi also
mentioned the GSOMIA signing scheduled for August 10, which
the Ambassador noted he would sign with pleasure.


6. (C) VFM Yachi briefly noted that there had been some
recent "minor" problems on Okinawa involving military
vehicles and asked that U.S. forces be more "cautious."


7. (C) Yachi immediately turned to the issue of Japan's
next generation fighter, saying the government was still

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interested in the F-22, and asking for U.S. "cooperation."
The Ambassador responded that this acquisition was probably
going to be Japan's most important fighter purchase. He
observed that it was very important for U.S. and Japanese
forces to be complementary. Since it was inconceivable that
any war involving Japan would not involve the U.S. as well,
it was essential that our AIR forces be complementary, he
said. The Ambassador said it was difficult to imagine that
the Obey Amendment would be removed. He added that, although
we would not cite this publicly, Japan's recent failures to
protect sensitive information also were a negative influence.
He noted that if Japan were to acquire the F-22, then the
ROK would want the aircraft as well. The Ambassador pointed
out that Australia had opted for the F-35, which had even
more advanced technology than the F-22, having concluded the
F-22 would not be releasable for foreign sale. In sum, the
Ambassador said, it was difficult to envision any foreign
sales of the F-22.
SCHIEFFER