Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO4884
2007-10-19 05:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

FINANCE MINISTER NUKAGA AGREES TO DISCUSS HOST

Tags:  EFIN JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #4884 2920509
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 190509Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8723
RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004884 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR IA/DOHNER, POGGI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: EFIN JA
SUBJECT: FINANCE MINISTER NUKAGA AGREES TO DISCUSS HOST
NATION SUPPORT WITH AMBASSADOR


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

(C)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004884

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR IA/DOHNER, POGGI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: EFIN JA
SUBJECT: FINANCE MINISTER NUKAGA AGREES TO DISCUSS HOST
NATION SUPPORT WITH AMBASSADOR


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

(C) 1. In his inaugural courtesy call on Finance Minister
Fukushiro Nukaga, Ambassador
Schieffer welcomed the warm relations that he had developed
with the Minister during Nukaga's
tenure as head of the Japan Defense Agency. The Ambassador
noted the importance of sharing the
truth even when it is difficult in building U.S.-Japan
relations, and expressed appreciation for
Nukaga's willingness to do that in the past. Ambassador
Schieffer suggested he and Minister Nukaga
should meet to discuss host nation support in a candid and
private way following the Minister's
October 18-20 trip to Washington. The Ambassador added frank
discussions were necessary to prevent
both sides from getting in a position where hard feelings
would arise from this issue.
Nukaga observed that Ministry of Defense Counsellor Terada
had recently traveled to Washington
to discuss host nation support, and stated the current
situation in Japan would not allow for
a simple three-year extension due to a lack of public
support. Nukaga agreed to meet with the
Ambassador for further discussions upon his return from
Washington.

(C) 2. During the meeting, the Ambassador also expressed the
hope that Minister Nukaga
and Treasury Secretary Paulson would develop a close and
trusting relationship, beginning
with their meeting in Washington on October 19. He reported
that Secretary Paulson, during his
visit to Tokyo in March, had said that people look at China
and see great economic opportunity,
but they overlook Japan. Paulson had expressed that Japan's
economy is so big and important
right now, it should not be overlooked, given the importance
of its health and strength
to the world economy. Nukaga responded that he had spoken
with Secretary Paulson the previous
evening regarding the Clean Energy Fund, and that Japan wants
to consult closely on this initiative.
Nukaga went on to say the Japanese economy is now in a
gradual recovery process, and acknowledged
the continuation of Japan's recovery is important for the
stability of Asia and the world.
He noted that the economic and political situation in China
is also very important for Asia,
and that Japan's economy has been aided by the expansion of
the U.S. and Chinese economies.
SCHIEFFER