VICE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH CDA AND USFJ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000367

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USFJ FOR J00/J01/J5/J7,
OSD JAPAN DESK FOR SEDNEY/HILL/BASALLA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: VICE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH CDA AND USFJ
DEPUTY COMMANDER ON OKINAWA SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary: On February 12 CDA Donovan and U.S. Forces
Japan (USFJ) Deputy Commander MajGen Flock were met by
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji
Yabunaka to receive a protest regarding an alleged sexual
assault by a Marine in Okinawa. Acting on instructions,
Yabunaka called for increased discipline of all U.S. military
personnel and for the U.S. prevent further occurrences.
Yabunaka said that the matter should remain a criminal issue
and not affect our alliance, the U.S. base presence in Japan,
or the future of U.S. forces realignment. The CDA replied
that the incident was regrettable, that the U.S. would
continue to cooperate fully with Japanese authorities, and
that our hearts went out to the victim and her family. End
Summary.


2. (C) On February 12, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka
met with CDA Donovan and USFJ Deputy Commander Major General
James Flock to deliver a protest regarding the alleged sexual
assault or rape of a 14 year old Japanese girl on February

11.


3. (C) Yabunaka conveyed senior Japanese leaders' shock and
regret over the incident and relayed a call by the Japanese
government to strengthen discipline of all U.S. military
personnel stationed in Japan. Yabunaka said that Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda has ordered all ministries to
"seriously handle" the issue and explain the situation to the
public. It is important for the Japanese public to believe
that the U.S. is sincerely addressing disciplinary concerns
and is working to prevent additional incidents. He further
underscored the need for the U.S. and Japanese Governments to
maintain close contact during the investigation.


4. (C) Yabunaka noted that the Japanese government does not
anticipate any "negative impact" on the alliance and that
MOFA will seek to detach the incident from other alliance
issues such as realignment. "This incident cannot be allowed
to undermine the alliance," he said. To continue to reassure
the Japanese and Okinawan public and press the point that the
alleged rape should not be connected to other alliance
issues, Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori
Onodera will travel to Okinawa in the next 48 hours. The
Japanese hope that Onodera will meet with Lt. General Richard
Zilmer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force during the
visit.


5. (C) In response, CDA noted that the U.S. takes the case
very seriously. Donovan said: 1) the incident is extremely
regrettable; 2) the U.S. will completely cooperate with the
investigation; 3) and the U.S. people's hearts go out to the
victim and her family. Major General Flock told the Vice
Minister that USFJ maintains a "zero tolerance" stance
towards sexual assault. Flock explained that there is
constant education across all services in Japan to reinforce
the need for unwavering disciple.


6. (C) After the meeting MOFA Director General for North
American Affairs Shinichi Nishimiya coordinated with the CDA
on public statements and promised to "echo" the points
delivered by the CDA. On leaving the meeting the CDA met

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with the press and reiterated the three points made to
Yabunaka.
SCHIEFFER