JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER YACHI ON POSSIBLE OEF

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004636 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR PM FOR PICHER, SECDEF FOR OSD/P/APSA SHINN, SEDNEY, HILL, BASALLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017 TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER YACHI ON POSSIBLE OEF EXTENSION Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JOSEPH DONOVAN, REASONS 1.4 B/D ¶1. (C) Embassy Tokyo and the US are working to provide Japan with the most accurate and up-to-date information on press speculation that Japanese oil contributions for Operation Enduring Freedom were used by the U.S. military for operations in Iraq, the Charge told MOFA Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi on October 2. The Embassy is working with Washington to develop press guidance to explain what transpired, and is consulting CENTCOM, PACOM, and other government sources to ensure we have the most accurate data possible. We will share this with the Japanese Government before making it public, the CDA emphasized. ¶2. (C) Most of the Japanese Government has a much better understanding than Democratic Party of Japan Ichiro Ozawa on the need for Japan to continue to support OEF by providing refueling in the Indian Ocean, Yachi stated. If Japanese OEF oil contributions were being used by the U.S. military for operations in Iraq, however, it would be "very problematic," and we need to show the Japanese public that this is not the case, he noted. The United States is committed to providing Japan accurate information on Japan's vital contribution to OEF and is moving forward with preparations to provide a Coalition briefing for Japanese Diet members during the week of October 15, Charge told Yachi. Yachi thanked Charge for Embassy Tokyo efforts on providing the information necessary to enable Japanese leaders to garner public support for continuing Japanese contributions to OEF. DONOVAN