USMARFORPAC COMMANDER GOODMAN AND MOFA SHARE DPRI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 005074 SIPDIS SIPDIS USFJ FOR J00, J01, J5 E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2022 TAGS: MARR PGOV PINR PREL JA CH KN SUBJECT: USMARFORPAC COMMANDER GOODMAN AND MOFA SHARE DPRI UPDATES Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The maturing U.S.-Japan security alliance is critical to peace and stability in the region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) senior officials told Lieutenant General John ¶F. Goodman, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and the Ambassador during October 30 office calls. MOFA Vice-Minister Shotaro Yachi, noting threats from China and North Korea, said he would like to see an increase in the joint deterrence capabilities of Japanese and U.S. forces. LtGen Goodman suggested bilateral discussions about Guam training facilities and invited Japan Ground Defense Force engineers to join the USNS Mercy humanitarian assistance mission next year. MOFA North American Affairs Director General Shinichi Nishimiya said that while the Alliance faces challenges, such as information management and incidents, the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan remains on-schedule. End summary. JAPAN SEES REGIONAL THREATS AND NEED FOR DETERRENCE -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) The U.S.-Japan Alliance is critical to maintaining peace and stability in the region, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi told LtGen John F. Goodman, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during an October 30 office call that included the Ambassador and LtGen Richard C. Zilmer, Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Forces. Japan faces two major problems in the region, VM Yachi stated. China is rapidly and opaquely strengthening its military capabilities, while North Korea is a grave threat that has stated it possesses nuclear weapons and has demonstrated missiles that can hit Japan. VM Yachi said he believes U.S. military deterrence capabilities will increase after restructuring its forces in the region and expressed hope to expand the joint deterrence capabilities of Japanese and U.S. forces. VM Yachi and LtGen Goodman agreed that like-minded nations in the region, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, need to understand that the U.S.-Japan Alliance remains as strong as ever. LtGen Goodman said the increasingly close U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces (SDF) relationship reinforces diplomatic efforts to solve the Korean peninsula nuclear issue. GROWTH IN ALLIANCE -------------- ¶3. (C) During a separate meeting the same day, MOFA North American Affairs Bureau Director General Shinichi Nishimiya said Japan appreciates the extended deterrence that U.S. military forces in Japan provide. He noted that the alliance has "graduated from a junior-senior relationship" to one of cooperation, information sharing and joint exercises. LtGen Goodman pointed out that it is necessary to look beyond single, narrowly-focused exercises and to explore training geared to building joint capabilities to meet long term operational needs. GOODMAN: DPRI PROCEEDING; NEED TO DISCUSS TRAINING ON GUAM -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) LtGen Goodman told VM Yachi that the master plans for restructuring U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) forces in Japan pursuant to the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) are complete. In the near future, the United States and Japan need to discuss enhancing the Guam training ranges and facilities to support increased bilateral mil-mil training. Noting that the USMC regional capabilities would be greater after DPRI restructuring, LtGen Goodman said that the USMC TOKYO 00005074 002 OF 003 could quickly reinforce its assets in Japan if required by regional circumstances. OKINAWA GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT REMAINS KEY CHALLENGE -------------- --- ¶5. (C) DG Nishimiya said the next big challenge regarding the Futenma Marine Corps Air Station relocation will come at the end of this year when Okinawa Governor Nakaima has the opportunity to indicate the level of his support. In the strictest legal sense, Governor Nakaima does not have the final say on the relocation, although in two years he will need to decide whether to give consent to the land reclamation project. The Governor wants to leave a legacy of getting land back from the United States, DG Nishiyama said, while noting that Prime Minister Fukuda's administration is "massaging" the situation. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IS CRITICAL -------------- ¶6. (C) DG Nishimiya emphasized two key areas going forward. First, it is important to play up the magnitude of the consolidation of U.S. forces on Okinawa, particularly south of Kadena Airbase, as this will provide Governor Nakaima the best ammunition to counter local groups that claim the burden of hosting U.S. forces is still too high. Second, management of information, especially regarding Guam, is critical. Guam is increasingly attracting the attention of Okinawa media and politicians, who may use a visit to Guam to convey unhelpful messages to the public. LtGen Goodman noted that while the Governor of Guam had invited Governor Nakaima to pay a visit, LtGen Goodman did not see anything good coming out of such a visit. IWAKUNI ALSO PROGRESSING, BUT INCIDENTS COULD DERAIL -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) DG Nishiyama said the process to relocate U.S. forces to Iwakuni is moving forward and is only slightly behind schedule. The Yamaguchi Prefecture Government has been supportive and is using civilian-military dual use at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station as the main public incentive to counter the popular Mayor of Iwakuni who continues to oppose the move. DG Nishiyama expects a positive conclusion by the end of the year. However, situations such as the recent rape accusations against four Marines in Iwakuni could easily negatively affect the negotiations. DG Nishiyama expressed appreciation for the U.S. military's fast action in this case. INCREASED COOPERATION WITH AUSTRALIA IN THE REGION -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) LtGen Goodman told DG Nishimiya that it is important for the United States, Japan and Australia to respond quickly and cooperatively to disasters in the region, particularly in Southeast Asia. Besides providing the necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, coordinated trilateral responses will remind terrorist groups of the combined capabilities of the three nations. DG Nishimiya agreed, noting that Japan's response to the Indonesian tsunami was the first time it sent overseas a combined response consisting of all three SDF components. OFFER TO HAVE GSDF FORCES ON-BOARD USNS MERCY -------------- -- ¶9. (C) LtGen Goodman said that besides responding to disasters there are also many opportunities to proactively provide humanitarian assistance and build a positive image in region. He invited Japan to send Ground Self Defense Force (GSDF) engineers aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS TOKYO 00005074 003 OF 003 Mercy when it visits the region next year to provide medical and engineering services. DG Nishimiya responded positively, although he noted he would need to check on the regulations and politics of dispatching GSDF engineers. There is a precedent as Japan had recently sent GSDF engineers to Cambodia and East Timor. It will still be necessary to sell the public on the idea of joining the USNS Mercy, DG Nishiyama said, noting that there would be opportunities for the United States and Japan to discuss this before next year. ¶10. (U) LtGen Goodman did not have an opportunity to clear this cable. SCHIEFFER