GOVERNMENT COUNCIL RECOMMENDS NEW NATIONAL

UNCLAS TOKYO 000827 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR ASEC PINS JA SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT COUNCIL RECOMMENDS NEW NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ¶1. (SBU) During a February 27 meeting with Deputy National Security Advisor J.D. Crouch, Japan's National Security Advisor Yuriko Koike provided Dr. Crouch with an advanced copy in Japanese of the "Report (draft) by the Council to Strengthen the National Security Function of the Prime Minister's Office," which was to be released to the public later that day. Below we summarize the main points of the report. Fuller translation and analysis will follow septel. Background -------------- ¶2. (SBU) "The Council to Strengthen the National Security Function of the Prime Minister's Office" was established in November 2006 to make recommendations on how best to reorganize and strengthen the Prime Minister's Office in order to meet new threats in a rapidly changing international environment. The Council met seven times to discuss various options before releasing its report on February 27. Function -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Council recommended the establishment of a new body, tentatively named the National Security Council (NSC). The NSC will have three primary roles: 1) establishing basic policy on important foreign policy and defense matters; 2) coordinating important foreign and security policy issues among the relevant ministries and agencies; and 3) establishing basic policy on how to deal with serious foreign policy and national security-related situations. Structure -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Council's report explained that, unlike the current security council, whose role is limited to responding to specific security-related situations and which lacks flexibility, the new NSC is intended to play the role of a "control center." Membership will include the Prime Minister (as chairman),Chief Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and, with approval of the chairman, other relevant ministers. The National Security Advisor is also to attend, along with other officials as needed. Final decision-making authority on policy matters will remain with the Cabinet. ¶5. (SBU) NSC members are to meet at least twice a month to discuss emergency situations and defense-related matters. Issues requiring outside expertise may be discussed in separate meetings held under the NSC's authority. The Council report also recommends that the NSC be called upon, if needed, in the event of an emergency such as a large-scale disaster, hijacking or terrorist attack, to complement the existing emergency response system. National Security Advisor -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Council recommends establishment of a permanent National Security Advisor (NSA). The National Security Advisor (NSA) will conduct regular briefings for the Prime Minister on matters of national security, and operate under the direct orders of the Prime Minister. The NSA will travel to foreign countries on behalf of the Prime Minister to promote Japan's foreign and security policy. Secretariat SIPDIS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In order to facilitate the NSC's operations, the Council recommends the creation of a permanent Secretariat composed of a small group of d experts under the direction of NSC chairman. The Secretariat, under the leadership a Secretary-General, will be composed of 10-20 full-time SIPDIS staffers. Secondment from the Japanese Self Defense Force will be encouraged. Leading experts on foreign and security issues may also be brought in as advisors. As envisioned by the Council, the Secretariat will play a pivotal role in producing comprehensive government policies on matters related to Japan's national security. Linkage with Intelligence Offices -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Council report calls for strengthening Japan's intelligence capabilities and establishing better linkages between the policy and intelligence elements of the government. The Director of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO) and other government intelligence offices are to provide the Council with regular, timely, and appropriate information. The NSA and the NSC Secretary-General will receive regular briefings by CIRO's SIPDIS Director and other government intelligence offices. Protection of Information -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Protection of sensitive information is a critical to securing Japan's national security, the Council's report underscores. It calls for new legislation that would allow the severe punishment of those who provide or receive sensitive information. NSC members and Secretariat staff should be held to higher standards of maintaining confidentiality than other government officials. The Council SIPDIS report also recognizes the need to create a new mechanism to fully protect sensitive information Relationship with Other Government Offices -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The Council report recommends that the NSC be placed within the Cabinet. The creation of the NSC will not alter the authority or jurisdiction of other government offices, namely the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry which oversee foreign and defense issues, respectively. The report concludes by calling on the government to submit a bill creating the NSC to the Diet and to seek its enactment during the current Diet session. DONOVAN