LDP PROTESTS OKINAWA ASSAULT CASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000390 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: LDP PROTESTS OKINAWA ASSAULT CASE REF: TOKYO 00367 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) On February 12, CDA Donovan met with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) International Bureau Director General Asahiko Mihara and Principal Deputy Secretary General Motoo Hayashi to receive a protest regarding the February 10 alleged rape by a Marine in Okinawa. The senior LDP officials noted that the party is encouraged by U.S. statements of its intention to fully cooperate with the investigation and that the U.S. is taking the matter very seriously. Mihara pointed out that the incident occurred on the same day as the Iwakuni mayoral elections. Had the incident come to light a single day earlier the pro-realignment LDP candidate in the Iwakuni Mayoral election may not have been elected. ¶2. (C) Mihara noted that he had talked with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura and noted that both do not believe that this "isolated" incident will adversely affect the alliance. Both Mihara and Hayashi echoed the sentiment that the incident should not lead to "awkwardness" between the two countries. ¶3. (C) CDA replied that the U.S. considers the case very seriously and reiterated points conveyed earlier in the day to MOFA Vice Minister Mitoji Yabunaka (reftel): the incident is extremely regrettable; the U.S. will continue to completely support the investigation; and that our hearts go out to the victim and her family. CDA also noted that U.S. Forces Japan Deputy Commander Maj. General James Flock told Yabunaka that USFJ maintains a "zero tolerance" stance on sexual assault. In response, Mihara said that the LDP is pleased that the U.S. will remain proactive in cooperating with Japanese authorities. SCHIEFFER