MINISTRY OF DEFENSE DG TAKAMIZAWA ON FORCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000363 SIPDIS SIPDIS USFJ FOR J00/J01/J5/J7, OSD JAPAN DESK FOR SEDNEY/HILL/BASALLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2018 TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL JA SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE DG TAKAMIZAWA ON FORCE REALIGNMENT Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Joe Donovan per 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: MOD Defense Policy Bureau Director General Takamizawa reviewed the status of realignment with CDA Donovan during a lunch meeting on February 8. Takamizawa said that he was optimistic that the Japanese government would manage to avoid significant delays in the Futenma Relocation Facility (FRF) environmental impact study timeline. In regards to a recent informal Japanese suggestion of possibly delinking the FRF from the Marine relocation to Guam, Takamizawa stated that MOD seeks to ensure that each project can continue even if the other is delayed. Takamizawa also noted that the Japanese Cabinet Secretariat will remain involved in the realignment SIPDIS discussions in unhelpful ways. The Charge emphasized that the U.S. and Japanese governments must stay committed to moving ahead on all parts of the realignment package, especially FRF and Guam, or risk derailing the entire initiative. Takamizawa said that leasing Self Defense Force (SDF) helicopters for Operation Enduring Freedom is a "non-starter," however he agreed to look into possibly deploying SDF assets into Afghanistan and requested further information on operational requirements for helicopter lift. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In a February 8 lunch, Ministry of Defense (MOD) Bureau of Defense Policy Director General Nobushige Takamizawa, Senior Coordinator for Realignment Hiroshi Marui, Local Cooperation Planning Division Director Yukinari Hirose, Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Division Director Kiyoshi Serizawa, and Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Division Deputy Director Kyoskue Matsumoto met with CDA to review progress on realignment initiatives. A Double-edged Sword, Okinawa's Role -------------- ¶3. (C) DG Takamizawa opened the lunch by noting comments by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima at a February 7 Okinawa Consultative Committee underscored the shared desire by the Okinawan Government and the Japanese Central Government to implement the FRF plan. Okinawa Governor Nakaima's support for the environmental impact assessment at the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) is essential to avoiding any significant delays. However, Takamizawa tempered this enthusiasm by saying that Governor Nakaima continues to expect concessions on the runway location before approving the landfill permit. ¶4. (C) DG Takamizawa noted the Government of Japan's desire to be seen by the Okinawan people as listening to their concerns, especially since Governor Nakaima is essential to the final approval of FRF's environmental impact survey and landfill order. Despite Tokyo's softening approach towards Okinawa, Takamizawa asked for the U.S. to "remain tough" on statements regarding realignment. Cabinet Secretariat Unhelpful -------------- ¶5. (C) DG Takamizawa said that Chief Cabinet Secretary (CCS) Nobutaka Machimura is involved in the realignment process in an unhelpful manner. He noted his concern over statements that CCS Machimura made to hold another Okinawa Consultative Committee meeting around April 1. Takamizawa added that he does not believe Nago City will have enough time to make substantial realignment progress by April 1 to qualify for cooperation subsidies. Setting such an early date could raise unrealistic expectations that Nago City will be added to the list of cooperating municipalities without offering any significant concessions. Delinking the FRF and Guam? -------------- TOKYO 00000363 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) DG Takamizawa underscored the need by the Japanese Government, especially the Ministry of Finance, to have Guam funding remain a priority in both Japan and the U.S. despite any possible delays to the FRF or other projects. If the FRF is delayed, he said, Guam needs to take on "added emphasis" and continue as normal so that Japanese funding is not lost. Takamizawa also noted that the Japanese Government wants to see a full financial exam of both Guam and the FRF to lay clear markers for further planning. ¶7. (C) CDA expressed concerns over the idea to delink the development of the FRF with the movement of Marines to Guam. Delinking the two projects would undermine the entire DPRI process, he said. Takamizawa responded by saying that he expects the FRF and Guam projects to have "normal delays" in reaching their timelines. Takamizawa said that by suggesting delinking the FRF and Guam he hoped to create "insurance" for the two projects so that if one faces a delay, the other can stay on track. CDA said that the United States does not want to create the mistaken impression that moving Marines off of Okinawa is possible without finishing the FRF and emphasized the need to keep both projects on track. ¶8. (C) Because FRF is a "key trigger" to USG funding for Guam, significant delays could lead to that funding falling through or being sent elsewhere, especially with a U.S. change of administration coming, CDA said. He also noted if Japan seeks to reopen the FRF plan, some on the U.S. side may seek additional changes, thereby delaying the implementation even further. Opening discussions to modify the current plan could be "disastrous" in terms of delaying the project as both U.S. and Japanese parties are forced to renegotiate the entire plan. Takamizawa agreed that getting the project started as soon as possible will ensure its long-term success. Possible SDF Support in Afghanistan -------------- ¶9. (C) When asked about possible leasing of Japanese Self Defense Force (SDF) helicopters for Operation Enduring Freedom, Takamizawa made it clear that the Japanese Government is not interested. He said that leasing helicopters to the U.S. would be "too risky" and is ultimately a "non-starter." However, he added that deploying limited SDF helicopter assets into Afghanistan may be possible at some future time and requested clarification for the operational requirements. SCHIEFFER