ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL MEETING WITH MOFA

S E C R E T TOKYO 001683 SIPDIS HONG KONG FOR J. DONOVAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA SUBJECT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL MEETING WITH MOFA DEPUTY VICE MINISTER BESSHO Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES a.i. JAMES P. ZUMWALT, REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D). ¶1. (S) Summary: Over a 17 July lunch, EAP Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Policy Koro Bessho engaged on Russian interests in Asia, discussed greater Indian involvement in East Asia, and reviewed China-Taiwan relations. End Summary. -------------- Russia -------------- ¶2. (S) Noting that the Northern Territories issue remained ""stuck,"" Bessho said that Japan did not see any real progress from Russia on the matter. He said, however, that Japan and Russia have had only ""occasional"" discussions on the islands and that detailed talks have not been held. Bessho said Japan may have to accept the status quo for now. Bessho further wondered about Russia's intentions in Asia, given recent interest in participating in multilateral fora such as ASEM and EAS. He noted, however, that U.S.-Japan-Russia trilateral discussions would be useful. A/S Campbell hoped Russia's interests in Asia extended beyond a simple desire for deeper ties with China. Rapprochement with Japan is essential, he added -------------- India -------------- ¶3. (S) A/S Campbell said it was necessary to have India more engaged in East Asia and indicated a willingness to discuss Bessho's suggestion for a possible Track 1 trilateral dialogue between the U.S., Japan, and India. Campbell proposed a possible policy planning staff-level discussion as another option. -------------- China/Taiwan -------------- ¶4. (S) On Taiwan, Embassy Tokyo Political Minister-Counselor said Taiwan's leadership was focused on expanding commercial and transportation links between Taiwan and the PRC. The PRC does not want to fight over the Taiwan situation and doubted there was much risk towards relationship problems in the next few years. POL M/C noted, however, that Taiwan would likely ask the U.S. to sell F-16s to Taiwan and that this could potentially impact cross-strait relations. In spite of this, though, a change to the status quo was unlikely, POL M/C added. -------------- Participants -------------- ¶5. (U) Japan: MOFA Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Policy Koro Bessho MOFA North American Affairs Bureau Director General Kazuyoshi Umemoto MOFA U.S.-Japan Security Treaty Division Director Takehiro Funakoshi Embassy of Japan (DC) Political Minister Takeo Akiba MOFA First North American Division Deputy Director Masahiro Tada (notes) U.S.: EAP Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell U.S. Embassy Tokyo Political Minister-Counselor Mike Meserve U.S. Embassy Tokyo Political Section Deputy Marc Knapper EAP Special Assistant Mark Tesone U.S. Embassy Tokyo Political Officer John Nylin (notes) ZUMWALT