JAPAN,S FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS EASTERN EUROPE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000449

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2017
TAGS: PREL UNSC BU HU LO RO JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN,S FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS EASTERN EUROPE


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minster Taro Aso's January 9-14 trip
to Eastern Europe demonstrated Japan's increasing global
focus, said a MOFA official during a January 16 meeting. In
addition to promoting stability via economic development and
exchanges, Japan took advantage of the trip to build support
for addressing North Korean issues and obtaining a permanent
seat for Japan on the UN Security Council. End Summary.

Building the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity
--------------

2. (C) Japan is opening a new front in diplomacy, MOFA
Central and South Eastern Europe Division Deputy Director
Hiroki Takabayashi told Embassy Tokyo Political Officer on
January 16. Historically, Japan's diplomatic strategy has
focused on the U.S.-Japan alliance and Asia, but FM Aso's
November 2006 speech delineated Japan's new policy objective:
building an "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" around the
periphery of the Eurasian continent. The arc starts in
Europe, then passes through Southeast Europe, South and
Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and up into North Korea,
explained Takabayashi, admitting that it was more like a
"dotted line" at this point. FM Aso's January 9-14 trip to
Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia was intended to
"promote Japan's worldwide diplomacy," stated Takabayashi,
noting that all four countries were recent additions to
either NATO or the EU. This was the first cabinet-level
Japanese visitor to Romania and Bulgaria since 1983, when
then-FM Shintaro Abe (the current Prime Minister's father)
visited the region. The 2007 visit was the first ever by a
cabinet member to Slovakia, and the first to Hungary since

1995.


3. (C) FM Aso also used the East Europe tour to elicit
support for Japan's global agenda, Takabayashi continued.
Aso asked the four countries to help pressure the North Korea
to give up its nuclear weapons program and resolve the
abduction of Japanese citizens. Japan also recognizes that
support from European countries is critical to its bid for a
permanent UN Security Council seat, explained Takabayashi.
In addition, the Japanese Foreign Minister conveyed Japan's
intention to strengthen Japan-NATO cooperation, according to
Takabayashi.

Hungary and Slovakia
--------------

4. (C) In Budapest and Bratislava, Aso focused on further
developing economic relations and on expanding cultural
exchanges. Japan already has strong economic ties with
Hungary and The Slovak Republic, which have both encouraged
Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) since joining the
EU, according to Takabayashi. In addition, Japan made plans
with Hungary and The Slovak Republic to use the V4 Japan
framework as a basis for organizing a ministerial meeting in
the coming months (Visegrad 4 - The Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, and The Slovak Republic).


5. (C) Japan found common ground with Hungary and The Slovak
Republic on a variety of international issues. When the
Slovakian Prime Minister brought up Japan-China relations, FM
Aso used the opportunity to lobby against the EU lifting its
army embargo on China. The Slovak Republic stated its
agreement with Japan's position on EU arms embargo, and
Takabayashi reported that both The Slovak Republic and
Hungary expressed support for Japan's UNSC aspirations as
well.

Romania and Bulgaria: Graduation Day
--------------

6. (C) Romania and Bulgaria are still receiving Japanese
Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and used the Aso visit
to request additional loans. In both countries, Japan agreed
to one final "graduation" loan, but will expect the
relationship to transition from donor-recipient to "equal
partnership," said Takabayashi. In Bucharest and Sofia, Aso
also laid the groundwork for purchasing pollution credits
under the Kyoto Protocol framework. Both countries pledged
their support for Japan as a permanent UNSC member.


7. (C) Comment: Aso's visit to Eastern Europe marks a
significant step in Japan's foreign policy, particularly when
viewed together with Prime Minister Abe's almost simultaneous
visit to Western Europe. The Foreign Minster's call for
promotion of the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" has MOFA
officials looking for diplomatic and programatic
opportunities throughout Eurasia. By promoting itself as an
active participant in global issues, Japan hopes to be
recognized not just for its checkbook diplomacy, but as a
serious "player" worthy of a permanent UNSC seat.
SCHIEFFER