AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OKINAWA GOVERNOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003154

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OKINAWA GOVERNOR

Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER, REASONS 1.4(B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary: Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima made a
courtesy call November 12 on the Ambassador. Nakaima asked
for the Ambassador's assistance in prompt disclosure of the
results of the investigation into the October 24 crash of a
Kadena Aero Club-based Cessna, and called for prompt
settlement of compensation claims as well as for a revision
to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Nakaima further
asked for early return of two Okinawan islands currently used
as U.S. forces training ranges. The Ambassador said the
Cessna accident was unfortunate, but asked Nakaima for prompt
investigation into the delay of medical treatment to the
accident victims. He added that land return was a matter for
the Joint Committee to review and that Nakaima's assistance
in realignment implementation was essential. End Summary.
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Cessna Crash
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2. (C) Nakaima said the emergency landing of the Cessna in a
sugar cane field outside of Nago, Okinawa had caused a "great
deal of anxiety" to the Okinawan people. He asked the
Ambassador for assistance in ensuring a prompt conclusion to
the investigation into the cause of the incident and for
public release of the report as quickly as possible. Nakaima
hoped that compensation for the sugar cane field owners would
be made available soon and asked for the U.S. to consider
changes to the SOFA to ensure that "on-site investigations
proceed more smoothly."


3. (C) Noting that it is unfortunate that accidents happen
from time to time, the Ambassador said he understood the
anxiety of the Okinawan people and stressed that the U.S. is
investigating the accident thoroughly in order to ensure that
something similar does not happen again. The Ambassador
expressed concern, however, over the denial of immediate
medical treatment to the injured passengers by the Okinawa
Prefectural Police (OPP),emphasizing that in lieu of going
straight to the hospital for examination the accident victims
were taken away for police questioning. Nakaima was unaware
that this had occured and agreed that medical care should
have been the top priority. He said he would look into the
matter upon his return to Okinawa.

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Land Return
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4. (C) Stressing that the local fishing industry was
suffering and that erosion was causing the islands to slowly
disappear, Nakaima also asked the Ambassador for assistance
in return of Kume Jima and Tori Shima islands, which U.S.
forces currently use as training ranges. Kume Jima mayor
Chokou Taira, who accompanied Nakaima, added that the islands
were also potentially valuable as a tourism destination that
local residents and visitors could not access.


5. (C) Ambassador Schieffer said the U.S. had no intention of
being injurious to the fishing community in Okinawa and added
that Nakaima and Taira should raise land return requests
through the Joint Committee process. He stressed, however,
that the use of the islands by U.S. forces was essential in
maintaining readiness and that the U.S. forces' presence in
Okinawa was an important part of maintaining peace and
security in Asia. The Ambassador further emphasized that
U.S. force presence in Japan has decreased over the years and
land returns have been a part of this drawdown. To speed up
the process of land returns, the Ambassador noted it was
essential to have Nakaima's assistance to ensure smooth
implementation of all Okinawa-related realignment
initiatives.
SCHIEFFER