Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1595
2009-07-14 04:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
DPJ TO TAKE SOFTER LINE ON ALLIANCE ISSUES?
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001595
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: DPJ TO TAKE SOFTER LINE ON ALLIANCE ISSUES?
REF: TOKYO 1575
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission W. Mike Meserve, reasons
1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001595
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: DPJ TO TAKE SOFTER LINE ON ALLIANCE ISSUES?
REF: TOKYO 1575
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission W. Mike Meserve, reasons
1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may be
taking a softer line on U.S.-Japan Alliance matters,
according to recent statements in Japanese media reports. In
its October 2008 party manifesto, the DPJ called for a
"drastic review" of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
With a DPJ victory in the August 2009 general election
looking increasingly likely, however, party leaders appear to
be toning down their press rhetoric and, in the case of the
SOFA, are now only looking to "initiate" a review. Moreover,
the DPJ's draft manifesto for the next election omits a
previous pledge by former DPJ President Ozawa to halt Japan's
Indian Ocean refueling mission.
2. (C) Recent discussions with DPJ members (reftel) confirm
the media reports, with our DPJ contacts promising to
maintain the U.S.-Japan relationship as central to their
foreign policy, if and when they take over the reins of
government. DPJ security policy expert Seiji Maehara
remarked in a recent TV interview that it is "impossible" to
make rapid changes to the U.S.-Japan relationship, that any
changes would come over a "long period," and that our
bilateral relationship is "the basis" of Japan's foreign
policy.
3. (C) In spite of the DPJ taking what appears to be a more
realistic approach on core Alliance issues, however, contacts
in the Japanese government remain cautious. Japanese Foreign
Ministry security policy interlocutors say that they doubt
the DPJ's ability to revise its rhetoric so quickly, and they
note, as an example, that because of the wide range of
political viewpoints within the party, it will prove
difficult to achieve internal consensus to continue the
refueling mission. Despite what the DPJ is saying in the
media and in private to the Embassy, government officials
advise a wait-and-see approach, pointing out that even if the
DPJ is victorious in the election, they may need to
compromise on Alliance issues with left-wing and pacifist
coalition partners.
POST
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: DPJ TO TAKE SOFTER LINE ON ALLIANCE ISSUES?
REF: TOKYO 1575
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission W. Mike Meserve, reasons
1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may be
taking a softer line on U.S.-Japan Alliance matters,
according to recent statements in Japanese media reports. In
its October 2008 party manifesto, the DPJ called for a
"drastic review" of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
With a DPJ victory in the August 2009 general election
looking increasingly likely, however, party leaders appear to
be toning down their press rhetoric and, in the case of the
SOFA, are now only looking to "initiate" a review. Moreover,
the DPJ's draft manifesto for the next election omits a
previous pledge by former DPJ President Ozawa to halt Japan's
Indian Ocean refueling mission.
2. (C) Recent discussions with DPJ members (reftel) confirm
the media reports, with our DPJ contacts promising to
maintain the U.S.-Japan relationship as central to their
foreign policy, if and when they take over the reins of
government. DPJ security policy expert Seiji Maehara
remarked in a recent TV interview that it is "impossible" to
make rapid changes to the U.S.-Japan relationship, that any
changes would come over a "long period," and that our
bilateral relationship is "the basis" of Japan's foreign
policy.
3. (C) In spite of the DPJ taking what appears to be a more
realistic approach on core Alliance issues, however, contacts
in the Japanese government remain cautious. Japanese Foreign
Ministry security policy interlocutors say that they doubt
the DPJ's ability to revise its rhetoric so quickly, and they
note, as an example, that because of the wide range of
political viewpoints within the party, it will prove
difficult to achieve internal consensus to continue the
refueling mission. Despite what the DPJ is saying in the
media and in private to the Embassy, government officials
advise a wait-and-see approach, pointing out that even if the
DPJ is victorious in the election, they may need to
compromise on Alliance issues with left-wing and pacifist
coalition partners.
POST