AMBASSADOR, DEFMIN DISCUSS NEW ADMINISTRATION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003255

SIPDIS

DOD FOR OSD/APSA SHINN, SEDNEY, HILL, BASALLA; PACOM FOR
J00, J01, J4, J5; USFJ FOR J00, J01, J4, J5, J7; NSC FOR
WILDER/FRASER; JOINT STAFF FOR J5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR JA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR, DEFMIN DISCUSS NEW ADMINISTRATION,
DPRI, AFGHANISTAN, INFORMATION SECURITY, AND BMD

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Reasons: 1.4 (b/d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) The Ambassador stressed that Alliance initiatives
should continue into the next U.S. administration without
substantial changes and urged the Japanese government to
appropriate significant amounts of money in 2009 to begin
construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) during
his November 26 courtesy call on Defense Minister Hamada. He
pointed out that Japan should go beyond OEF refueling
operations in its contributions to Afghanistan and
underscored the importance of continued bilateral efforts to
strengthen Japan's information security framework. Hamada
said he will do his best to ensure completion FRF by 2014
despite press reports stating the contrary. The Japanese
government will work toward passing the OEF renewal bill
before the end of the year and then discuss how Japan can
expand its contribution to Afghanistan. Hamada assured the
Ambassador that Japan remains committed to bilateral
ballistic missile defense (BMD) cooperation. End Summary.


2. (C) Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada warmly received the
Ambassador during his November 26 courtesy call at Hamada's
office. The Ambassador congratulated Hamada on his
appointment and offered his view that the efforts by both
countries in the past eight years to deepen and broaden our
security relationship will carry over into the next U.S.
administration. He stated that U.S. foreign policy is
nonpartisan, and that he does not believe the Alliance
relationship would change in any significant way under
President Obama.

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REALIGNMENT
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3. (C) The Ambassador underscored the importance of
maintaining momentum on the implementation of the Defense
Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) agreement as the U.S.
Government transitions into the new administration. In
particular, both governments need to secure and allocate a
sizeable amount of money in 2009 in order for both sides to
remain on track with the 2014 target completion date for the
construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF).
Budgetary problems exist for both governments, but they
should remain cognizant of the spirit of the agreement and
work together toward implementation. The agreement -- which
was reached following long and difficult negotiations --
requires sacrifices from all parties, the Ambassador said.


4. (C) Hamada responded that he is under instruction from
the Prime Minister to make strengthening the Alliance his top
priority and will "do his utmost" to ensure completion of FRF
by 2014 per agreement. He told the Ambassador that, despite
recent press reports portraying FRF completion by 2014 as

unlikely, he is working hard in his capacity as Defense
Minister to overcome the budgetary issues.

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AFGHANISTAN
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5. (C) Hamada stated that the Japanese government is
exploring ways to enhance its contribution to Afghanistan's
stability and reconstruction. However, most of its efforts
are focused on the passage of the new anti-terror special
measures law authorizing Japan's refueling operations in the
Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Although the bill is stuck in the Diet, the Japanese
government intends to reach resolution on the bill before the
end of the year.


6. (C) The Ambassador offered his advice -- as a friend of
Japan -- that the Japanese government should approach the new
administration with concrete plans on how it would increase
its contribution to Afghanistan. The refueling law is
important and should be passed as soon as possible, but more
should be done for Afghanistan. This step, the Ambassador
noted, would be the strongest possible gesture toward closer
relations with the United States and would be well-received
by the new administration and the international community.
Doing so would send a strong message to the international
community about Japan's willingness to step into a leadership
role commensurate with its global stature.

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INFORMATION SECURITY
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7. (C) The Ambassador urged the Japanese government to
continue to work toward passing an official secrets act to
help augment its information security regime and allow the
United States and Japan to expand their bilateral
relationship on intelligence matters. The Bilateral
Information Security Task Force (BISTF) is an important,
ongoing undertaking by both governments that has gone beyond
dealing with the 2007 leak on the Aegis weapons system to a
stage where both sides are making substantive progress toward
improving our ability to share and protect classified
information.


8. (C) Hamada said he understands the limits of the Japanese
government's information security capabilities in the absence
of a new legislation and will work closely with relevant
government officials and politicians to deepen their
understanding on the need to establish an effective legal
framework for information security. Hamada added that the
issue is being discussed in the ruling party's intelligence
committee.

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BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
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9. (C) The Ambassador offered his congratulations on the
performance of the crew of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense
Force (JMSDF) Aegis destroyer JS Chokai during the recent
ballistic missile defense (BMD) test off of Hawaii. The
interceptor's failure to hit the target ought not be
construed as a failure of the entire test itself, because
both sides learn more with each test on how we can improve
our BMD capabilities. The Ambassador emphasized that both
governments should continue BMD cooperation as it is an
important aspect of our overall security relationship.
Hamada assured the Ambassador that BMD is an essential part
of Japan' defense policy and the Japanese government will
continue BMD cooperation with the United States.
SCHIEFFER