ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL MEETING WITH JAPANESE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001681 SIPDIS HONG KONG FOR J. DONOVAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA KN SUBJECT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL MEETING WITH JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER NAKASONE Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JAMES P. ZUMWALT, REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: During a July 17 meeting, EAP Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell told Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone that a strong, robust partnership with Japan was essential to meet the geopolitical challenges in East Asia. Secretary Clinton highly values the conversations she has had with the FM, and Campbell encouraged Nakasone to continue to share his views on Asia with her. Campbell and the FM discussed the DPRK and China's role in helping resolve the situation there. The U.S. is taking a two track approach in dealing with the DPRK, Campbell said, using sanctions but also showing willingness to re-engage in the Six-Party framework. Campbell told Nakasone the U.S. understood Japanese sensitivities on the abductee issue and promised to continue to coordinate with Japan on matters related to the DPRK. End summary. ¶2. (C) The situation in North Korea is the "most important issue" for Japan's security, Nakasone stressed, adding it was important for the United States and Japan to work closely and with a united front on the matter. Campbell and FM Nakasone agreed that China played an essential role in resolving the DPRK challenge, but added that tripartite talks between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea were critical as well. A/S Campbell believed China was taking steps towards implementing the UN Security Council Resolutions, but was struggling with what its next steps would be. ¶3. (C) A/S Campbell said the U.S. was taking a two-track approach in dealing with the DPRK to show the regime that there are serious consequences for provocative actions. The U.S. will continue to pursue robust sanctions against the DPRK, including pressuring countries to reject the entry of North Korean vessels as in the recent Kang Nam 1 case, while continuing to emphasize its willingness to return to the Six-Party framework if the DPRK were ready to do so. ¶4. (C) Turning to the abductee issue, A/S Campbell said the U.S. understands Japanese sensitivities on the matter and promised to coordinate with Japan on DPRK policy matters. Nakasone thanked Campbell for meeting with the abductee families later on July 17 and asked the U.S. for support to ensure that the DPRK implemented what it had agreed to with Japan. ZUMWALT