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 TOKYO 00000367 002 OF 002 with the press and reiterated the three points made to Yabunaka. SCHIEFFER