EAP ASSISTANT SECRETARY KURT CAMPBELL'S MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 002198

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV JA PINR
SUBJECT: EAP ASSISTANT SECRETARY KURT CAMPBELL'S MEETING
WITH FOREIGN MINISTER KATSUYA OKADA

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Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt, Reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. New Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya
Okada promised there would be no surprises in Japan's foreign
policy. During his initial 100 days as Minister, he planned
to focus on U.S-Japan relations, force realignments and U.S.
bases in Okinawa; reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan
and Pakistan; and climate change policy. The ministry needs
to thoroughly investigate its records regarding secret
agreements with the U.S. on nuclear weapons introductions,
but this should not be detrimental to the U.S. side. Japan
would consult with the U.S., if desired, as this process
moves ahead. Okada said the DPJ had opposed the Futenma
relocation plan in several pre-election statements, noting
that all four successful Okinawan candidates in the recent
lower house election had opposed the plan. The SDP president
who opposes the Futenma relocation plan is a member of the
ruling coalition and worked to gain agreement to oppose the
plan during the coalition negotiations. Okada said he has
not yet made any decision, but wants to investigate whether
an alternative plan is possible. Some in the DPJ believe
that a consolidation of MCAS Futenma within Kadena Air Force
Base is possible, he said. He did not know whether such a
plan would be acceptable to the U.S. side or was realistic,
but hoped to consult with the U.S. END SUMMARY.

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USG Interaction with the New DPJ-Led Government
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2. (C) During an initial meeting with Japanese Foreign
Minister Katsuya Okada, A/S Kurt Campbell described the
principles on which the USG will base its interaction with
the new DPJ-led government. The U.S. will closely consult
and demonstrate its commitment to an equal partnership with
Japan. The U.S. will deal with difficult issues privately,
and maintain a positive, confident, forward looking posture
in public. The U.S. encourages an independent Japanese
foreign policy as supportive of a strong security alliance
with the U.S. This includes improved relations with China
and the ROK. In return, Campbell said, the U.S. asks that
there be no surprises from Japan and that the U.S. be treated
with the respect expected between close allies and not be
backed into a corner. He further said the U.S. would try not
to react to media reports and asked that the GOJ work quickly
to establish formal government channels to manage issues
rather than using informal DPJ intermediaries. He committed
to full efforts to ensure relations improved over this next
phase of our alliance.

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The DPJ-Led Government's Foreign Policy Priorities
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3. (C) FM Okada expressed broad agreement with these
sentiments, promising that there will be no surprises. He
said media reports should not receive undue attention and he
preferred government to government communication. At its
inauguration, the DPJ government affirmed policy making is
the function of the government not the party. During his
swearing in, Okada said he had identified three key issues to
focus on over his initial 100 days: U.S-Japan relations, in
particular force realignment and U.S. bases on Okinawa;
reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan and Pakistan; and
climate change policy in advance of the COP 15 meeting in
Copenhagen. At a different level, the Ministry will focus
its efforts on the investigation of "secret agreements"
reached with the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s. Okada said he
felt these agreements were detrimental to public trust in
Japan's diplomacy, so he had ordered Vice Foreign Minister
Mitoji Yabunaka to investigate materials within the ministry
related to the allegations emerging from the U.S.
declassification and release of historical documents and the

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accounts of former U.S. officials. He stated that this need
not have negative ramifications for the U.S., and promised,
if needed, to share information on this process with the U.S.
side. A/S Campbell hoped this would not influence U.S.-Japan
cooperation under the Nuclear Policy Review, damage extended
deterrence, or negatively affect the Obama administration's
goals on nuclear arms as outlined in the president's Prague
speech.

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Global Issues
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4. (C) A/S Campbell expressed admiration for Japan's
initiative on climate change, calling it a powerful statement
that has give the U.S. confidence in developing its own
policies. He expressed the hope that, as Japan considers
what it can and cannot do to support the U.S. in Afghanistan
and Pakistan, it consider committing to a major
reconstruction effort during President Obama's upcoming visit
to Japan, particularly if this were a Japanese initiative and
not seen as a U.S. demand.

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Okinawa
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5. (C) The A/S also asked for a sense of the GOJ's decision
making process on Okinawa, noting that the U.S. has strong
views on this, but cannot refuse to discuss such an important
subject with our key Asian ally. Okada said that although
these were not included in the DPJ election manifesto, the
party had made extensive comments on Okinawa base issues and
had opposed the Futenma relocation plan. All four successful
Okinawan candidates in the recent lower house elections in
the Okinawa (from the single seat constituency districts)
were DPJ or SDP members who had opposed the Futenma
relocation plan. The SDP president, who opposes the Futenma
relocation plan, is a member of the ruling coalition and
worked to gain agreement to oppose the plan during the
coalition negotiations. Many in Okinawa prefecture oppose
the plan. With this as background, we need to work together,
Okada said. A/S Campbell sought to clarify whether Okada
meant he would seek a new approach to Futenma relocation and
present that to the U.S. formally, or that he simply wanted
to study new approaches. He added that the U.S. would need
to know which is the case so we can formulate our approach
over the coming days. Okada replied that he has not yet made
any decisions, but wants to investigate whether an
alternative plan is possible. He said he did not know
whether such a plan would be acceptable to the U.S. side or
was realistic, but hoped to consult with the U.S. Okada said
some in the DPJ believe that a consolidation of MCAS Futenma
within Kadena Air Force Base was possible, but he had not yet
made up his mind on this.


6. (U) Participants:
FM Okada
DG Umemoto (North American Affairs)
Secretary to the FM Ishikawa
Director Yoshida (North AMERICA 1)
MOFA notetaker
MOFA interpreter

A/S Kurt Campbell
AMB John Roos
DOD PDAS Derek Mitchell
Tokyo DCM Jim Zumwalt
Japan Desk Director Kevin Maher
Tokyo POL M/C Rob Luke (notetaker)
Yumiko Miyazaki, Embassy Tokyo interpreter


7. (U) This cable has been cleared by Assistant Secretary
Campbell.

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ROOS