SEN. HAGEL'S MEETINGS WITH PM ASO AND OTHER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 002895 SIPDIS PACOM FOR J00/J01/J5/POLAD; NSC FOR WILDER; DOD FOR OSD/APSA/SHINN/SEDNEY/HILL/BASALLA; USFJ FOR J00/J01/J5 E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON MNUC OVIP JA SUBJECT: SEN. HAGEL'S MEETINGS WITH PM ASO AND OTHER JAPANESE POLITICIANS Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer; Reasons: 1.4 (b/d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) During an October 16 visit to Tokyo, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) exchanged views on his visits to China and South Korea, regional security, and the global financial crisis with Prime Minister Aso and other Japanese officials and Diet members. Aso and Finance Minister Nakagawa both stressed the sensitivity of the North Korean abduction issue in the Japanese context, but also stated that the need for progress in the Six-Party process is understandable. In contrast, opposition Diet member Maehara expressed support for the delisting, adding that denuclearizing North Korea takes precedence over domestic political issues. Senator Hagel assured his interlocutors that the United States is sensitive to the interests of the Japanese people and will work together with Japan in the Six-Party process. On the global financial turmoil, Hagel underscored that industrialized countries cannot resolve it by themselves and need to work with the emerging market and other major developing countries, such as China. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On October 16, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE),member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC),called on Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, Prime Minister Taro Aso, Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Seiji Maehara. The Ambassador and U.S. Forces in Japan Commander LTG Edwin Rice accompanied Senator Hagel to the meeting with Hamada. The Ambassador also attended the meetings with Aso and Nakagawa. The DCM participated in the meeting with Maehara. -------------- -------------- SENATOR HAGEL'S MEETING WITH DEFENSE MINISTER HAMADA -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Defense Minister Hamada warmly welcomed Senator Hagel, stating that the two countries have "inseparable ties" and that both countries should work together to resolve myriad issues facing them. He forewarned that the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister will, in meetings with the Senator later in the day, likely urge Congress to help Japan reach its objective of an early return of Japanese abductees from North Korea. Senator Hagel expressed appreciation for Hamada's contribution to the Alliance, asserting that both countries have clear common interests and that all issues can be resolved if both sides remain focused on common objectives. The Ambassador added praise for Hamada's role in the successful arrival of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, including his efforts to convince local residents of the need for timely completion of the dredging project in Yokosuka. LTG Rice also reflected on the strong Alliance relationship, particularly between U.S. Forces and the Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF). -------------- FM ASO: NEED FOR COOPERATION ON CHINA, RUSSIA -------------- ¶4. (C) In a 25-minute meeting at his Official Residence (the "Kantei"),Prime Minster Taro Aso noted that he is scheduled to have meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing from October 24-25 and asked Senator Hagel for his impressions of his visits to Beijing and Seoul en route to Tokyo. He asserted that China -- as a result of the current global financial turmoil -- needs to concentrate more on domestic consumption to lead economic growth despite continued emphasis on exports among some Chinese business leaders. He expressed concern that Japan, too, should focus more on increasing domestic consumption, given China's heavy reliance on imported Japanese machinery for producing its export products. A downturn in Chinese exports can directly affect Japan's economy, Aso argued. Russia has also been TOKYO 00002895 002 OF 003 affected by an ongoing global reorganization driven by global influences, evinced by a sharp fall in stock prices and growing dependence on energy exports. Discussion between the United States and Japan over how to deal with Russia is critical in this regard, Aso said. ¶5. (C) Senator Hagel responded that he was generally pleased with the progress achieved by both China and Korea, but that certain issues remained. He also remarked that interlocutors in both countries were concerned by the impact of the global financial crisis. He agreed that the United States and Japan need to discuss how to deal with Russia, stressing the need to work through NATO in light of Europe's growing dependence on Russian energy. -------------- --- DPRK: ABDUCTION ISSUE REMAINS SENSITIVE TO JAPAN -------------- --- ¶6. (C) Prime Minister Aso pointed out that Japan understands the need for progress on the DPRK nuclear issue, particularly since Japan is the nation most at risk from North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. That said, Japanese abductees to North Korea remains a potent emotional issue and one that Japanese leaders must continue to deal with. He bemoaned the perceived dearth of Japan experts in the U.S. Government and expressed hope that the next U.S. President would be firmly committed to the bilateral alliance, not only for the benefit of the two countries themselves, but for the stability of the entire Asia-Pacific region. ¶7. (C) Senator Hagel asserted that the DPRK is an issue that brings the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea together, but also emphasizes the importance of U.S.-Japan relations at the same time. He assured Aso that the American people and the U.S. Government are sensitive to the importance of the abduction issue and will not abandon Japan's interests as the two countries move together on North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles. -------------- NAKAGAWA: FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- ¶8. (C) Immediately following the meeting with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister Nakagawa met with Senator Hagel and raised two issues -- the current financial turmoil and delisting the DPRK from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. On the financial turmoil, Nakagawa said that the recent G-7 meeting was successful in that countries had acted in a coordinated fashion. The recent falls in the equity markets show, however, that the situation is moving to a new phase of impact on the real economy beyond the financial system or non-performing loans. Nakagawa recalled from Japan's financial crisis 10 years ago the use of public funds is necessary at times even though taxpayers are sensitive to it. He asked whether Congress would impede the remaining USD 350 billion of the USD 700 billion in the bail-out plan. He also queried on the possibility of additional fiscal stimulus. ¶9. (C) Senator Hagel replied that the situation originated in the United States from a number of causes in an insufficiently regulated environment. He said he did not think Congress would do anything that would inhibit the U.S. Treasury from using its authority or funds where it deems most appropriate or immediate in its impact on financial markets. Regarding additional fiscal stimulus, Congress may be able to support such plans if they are accountable, transparent, and relevant. On coordinated approaches for dealing with the global financial situation, Hagel stressed that industrialized countries need to show leadership, but countries such as China, Brazil, and South Korea must also play direct and significant roles. -------------- -------------- DELISTING WON'T HURT RELATIONS, BUT NEED TO SHOW CARE TOKYO 00002895 003 OF 003 -------------- -------------- ¶10. (C) Nakagawa pointed out that delisting the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism will not hurt U.S.-Japan relations, but the United States needs to understand that the decision was a great disappointment for the Japanese government and the families of the abductees. That the delisting announcement came after the Prime Minister had spoken directly with President Bush made it even more regrettable. Nakagawa added that, as Chairman of the Parliamentary League on the Abduction Issue, he, too, has a strong interest and appreciated the Ambassador's keen attention to the issue. Nakagawa underscored that terrorism, nuclear weapons, and abductions should be dealt with together. ¶11. (C) Hagel touched on his earlier conversation with Prime Minister Aso and assured Nakagawa that the United States recognizes that the abduction issue is important to the people of Japan and will continue to support Japanese efforts. The United States will do everything possible through the Six-Party Talks and other avenues to get all possible information on the abductees from the DPRK. He added that he had expressed this sentiment to the press after the meeting with Aso. -------------- - MAEHARA FAVORS DELISTING/URGES PROMPT RESPONSE TO FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- - ¶12. (C) In contrast to Aso and Nakagawa, DPJ Vice President Maehara expressed clear support for Washington's decision to delist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. He stated in frank terms that ridding the DPRK of its nuclear program is more important than addressing Japan's domestic -- albeit sensitive -- issue. The abduction issue was an emotional one, but had become excessively politicized. He commended the U.S. Government for its "courageous" decision and claimed that he gets relentless criticism -- including death threat letters -- for expressing such support publicly. Maehara added that the Japanese Government needs to start assuming responsibility for previous failures in the Six-Party Talks rather than criticize the United States. He assured Senator Hagel of the DPJ's support for the U.S.-Japan Alliance. ¶13. (C) Maehara highlighted the value in taking a lessons-learned approach to the global fiscal crisis. Drawing from Japan's own non-performing loan (NPL) crisis experience, he stressed the importance of closing the gap expeditiously between the advent of a crisis and its resolution, pointing out that the Japanese government had waited 14 years before infusing capital into failing banks. Full understanding of the crisis is critical before deciding to inject capital. Moreover, Maehara stated, strong leadership and accountability are absolutely necessary for resolving the current financial crisis. ¶14. (U) The delegation has cleared this message. SCHIEFFER