A/S CAMPBELL MEETS DPJ SECRETARY GENERAL OKADA

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001644 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV JA SUBJECT: A/S CAMPBELL MEETS DPJ SECRETARY GENERAL OKADA Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., James P. Zumwalt per 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Opposition DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada told EAP A/S Kurt Campbell July 17 that, in the event of an opposition victory in the next election, his party will need a strong relationship with the United States to remain in power. That said, the DPJ will need to address issues frankly with the United States and, by overcoming ""obstacles"" in the relationship, the two countries can maintain a strong alliance for the next 30-50 years. Although the DPJ has made policy pronouncements on a number of important bilateral issues, such as Futenma replacement and SOFA revision, once in power it will approach these matters only after thorough dialogue with the USG. A/S Campbell pledged that the USG will remain neutral and respectful in the run-up to Japan's election, urged the DPJ not to espouse positions that make it seem anti-American and invited the party to continue to pursue close dialogue with the USG in both Tokyo and Washington. End Summary. ¶2. (C) EAP Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell met for 30 minutes July 17 with Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Katsuya Okada. Noting that this was their fifth meeting, A/S Campbell expressed gratitude for the opportunity to begin a dialogue with the DPJ. With a general election likely to take place on August 30 -- and most polls showing the DPJ in a strong position -- the USG will take care to be neutral and respectful, A/S Campbell said. To ensure that the USG and the DPJ fully understand each other and to encourage a constructive and respectful exchange of policy views, we must remain in close contact in the coming weeks. In the event that the DPJ takes power, the USG will do its utmost to be a reliable partner, and we are confident that we can maintain a strong relationship with a new government. In particular, we want to ensure that the new government's leadership is well aware of USG positions regarding regional and global issues, such as North Korea, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, A/S Campbell said. ¶3. (C) Okada replied that he and his party believe strongly in the U.S.-Japan relationship, in spite of what some in the media report. There are many issues for the DPJ and U.S. Government to discuss, and DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama -- who will ""undoubtedly"" be the DPJ's Prime Minister -- is looking forward to building a fruitful relationship with Secretary Clinton and President Obama. The DPJ's goal is to ""overcome obstacles"" in our bilateral relationship to ensure that our Alliance remains strong for the next 30 to 50 years. As the opposition, the DPJ has formulated many policies on issues important to the Alliance, such as Futenma replacement, SOFA revision and the refueling dispatch in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. That said, once in power, the DPJ does not plan to move forward at once on all these policies. Instead, the new government will endeavor to build a trusting relationship with the USG and, through dialogue, will decide on the proper order to discuss these issues. ¶4. (C) Noting the busy schedule of high-level events in the months ahead, A/S Campbell said that a new DPJ government would not have much time to prepare for interactions with senior USG leadership. To facilitate dialogue and a smooth exchange of views, A/S Campbell invited the DPJ to continue contacts with the USG in both Tokyo and Washington. ¶5. (C) A/S Campbell underlined that support in the United States for a strong Alliance is bipartisan, and that the DPJ must take the steps necessary to ensure that it is not perceived as being anti-American. Such a perception would send the wrong message to China and North Korea, raise doubts about the bilateral relationship among our two peoples and would probably undermine popular support for the DPJ. Okada countered that the DPJ will need a strong relationship with the United States to remain in power. That said, the DPJ also needs to discuss issues frankly with the United States. ZUMWALT