A/S CAMPBELL'S SEPTEMBER 18 MEETING WITH VICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 002277 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL JA SUBJECT: A/S CAMPBELL'S SEPTEMBER 18 MEETING WITH VICE FOREIGN MINISTER YABUNAKA TOKYO 00002277 001.2 OF 009 Classified By: DCM James P. Zumwalt per reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a September 18 meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka, Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell stressed the importance of close U.S.-Japan consultations as the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) settled into its role as the ruling party. Close high-level U.S.-Japan engagement during this time will ensure the success of both President Obama's November visit to Japan as well as next year's 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan security alliance. A/S Campbell stressed the U.S was committed to maintaining smooth U.S-Japan relations. ¶2. (C) Summary, cont'd: Touching on Foreign Minister Okada's plan to investigate the so-called ""secret"" nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Japan, A/S Campbell reiterated that the U.S. had released all relevant documents and did not plan to comment further. He cautioned that focusing on the issue could have operational implications for U.S. forces. Turning to regional issues, A/S Campbell said that the purpose of any U.S.-DPRK bilateral meeting would be to facilitate North Korea's return to the Six Party Talks. That said, the U.S. will continue to implement UNSCR 1874 and was encouraged by other countries' enforcement actions. The U.S. planned to begin a more active engagement with Burma and would look for Japan's support in maintaining pressure on the regime, A/S Campbell said. Keeping in mind the President's November visit, A/S Campbell said it was essential that Japan's new government be willing to make new commitments (e.g., cooperation on Iran, Afghanistan/Pakistan) even as the new government reconsiders past policies. Yabunaka agreed that the U.S. and Japan must remain focused on the bigger picture, suggesting that areas such as climate change would provide new opportunities for cooperation. End Summary. -------------- Managing Japan's Transition -------------- ¶3. (C) Focusing on Japan's political transition with new Prime Minister Hatoyama and the former opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) taking power, A/S Campbell said the U.S. would publicly demonstrate its confidence in the new government and express strong support during Japan's political transition. Publicly, the U.S. would express support for the tenets of the DPJ platform (e.g., a more independent Japanese foreign policy, strong relations with China). At the same time, the U.S. would be intensely focused on reading signals from the new administration. He added that over next several weeks, the U.S. would be engaged in a series of high-level interactions with Japan, including the President's meeting with PM Hatoyama on the margins of UNGA, and the upcoming visits to Japan by Deputy Secretary Steinberg, Secretary of Defense Gates, and Assistant Secretary of Defense Gregson. These sessions are aimed at listening to the views of the new administration and providing our own feedback. Above all, these intensive consultations during this time of unprecedented political change in Japan aim to ensure that President Obama's November visit to Japan is a success and that the stage is properly set for next year's 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan security alliance. ¶4. (C) A/S Campbell continued that during this transition period, the U.S. fully expected to hear a wide range of views expressed by different DPJ voices as well as the media on a host of bilateral and international issues. In addition, numerous DPJ visitors to Washington have presumed to speak for the DPJ. A/C Campbell said he had no doubt that the U.S-Japan relationship would be taxed by some of the proposals that the DPJ had put forth but that the burden of managing these challenges successfully would fall on career diplomats and that all must rise to the occasion. ¶5. (C) VFM Yabunaka agreed that the current transition was a critical moment that must be managed carefully. He observed that while Japan is unquestionably one of the leading economic and political powers in the world, domestically there is a sense in some quarters that Japan has not been treated equally and as such, the DPJ had found political traction on this issue. When President Obama and PM Hatoyama meet in New York, Yabunaka said it would be important that that the two leaders reaffirm the basic foundations of the U.S.-Japan relationship (e.g., Japan as the ""cornerstone"" of U.S. policy in Asia) while also being able to deal with potentially thorny bilateral issues. It was important, he added, to build the confidence of both the Prime Minister and TOKYO 00002277 002.2 OF 009 the Foreign Minister. -------------- Nuclear History -------------- ¶6. (C) Turning to Foreign Minister Okada's interest in investigating the so-called ""secret"" agreements between the U.S. and Japan, A/S Campbell said that the U.S. had already released the relevant documents through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and that there would be little the U.S. could add to what was already available publicly. While MOFA would conduct its own document search, A/S Campbell said it would be best if the U.S. did not comment. He stressed that the U.S. did not want this issue to create a situation that would require the U.S. to respond in a way unhelpful to the alliance. Yabunaka said that Okada had expressed confidence in MOFA by allowing it to conduct the document search rather than bring in a third party. Although an outside group would review the documents later, it was a positive sign that MOFA would be involved, he said. Reviewing the historical issues was simply a matter of analysis, Yabunaka said the true challenge would be the implications for the present and those would have to be carefully managed. -------------- North Korea -------------- ¶7. (C) A/S Campbell reviewed Ambassadors Bosworth and Kim's recent consultations with Japan, China, South Korea, and Russia regarding North Korea and the Six Party Talks, saying there was general consensus that any diplomacy with North Korea must be seen in the context of the Six Party Talks and reaffirm that a nuclear North Korea is unacceptable. That said, A/S Campbell noted interlocutors expressed concerns about what could be achieved with North Korea. If Ambassadors Bosworth and Kim would meet bilaterally with North Korean officials, these meetings would be focused on urging North Korea to return to the Six Party Talks. In addition, the U.S. remained committed to full and transparent implementation of UNSCR 1874, A/S Campbell said, noting that some countries were taking action to implement the resolution. Yabunaka expressed appreciation for continued close coordination on North Korea, particularly on UNSCR 1874, and expressed GOJ support for the U.S. approach. -------------- Burma -------------- ¶8. (C) On Burma, A/S Campbell said the U.S. would begin to engage more with the regime there, while also maintaining sanctions. In adopting this new approach, the U.S. had concluded that the previous isolation strategy had failed and that the U.S needed to ""get into the game."" Coincident with North Korea having recently lost some of its Middle East clients owing to the impact of UNSCR 1874, North Korea-Burma military cooperation had increased. In this regard, the U.S. needed Japan's assistance in maintaining pressure on Burma, he said. -------------- POTUS Visit -------------- ¶9. (C) A successful visit to Japan by President Obama this fall was essential, A/S Campbell stressed. The U.S. understood that the new government represented a departure from the previous government in many respects. Nimble diplomacy by both sides would be necessary. For example, the U.S. would be seeking further Japanese cooperation on Iran and a possible new commitment on development assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan. In this context, it was important that the GOJ be responsive and not simply be saying ""no."" ¶10. (C) Yabunaka agreed that the U.S. and Japan must stay focused on the ""big picture"" and not get too immersed in the minor details of individual bilateral issues. He noted that PM Hatoyama had proposed a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels and that policy presumably would move forward. Since U.S. and Japanese climate change technology was the most advanced in the world, this could present an opportunity for cooperation. With respect to Afghanistan, Yabunaka was non-committal, but said the GOJ TOKYO 00002277 003.2 OF 009 would do what it could. ¶11. (U) Assistant Secretary Campbell cleared this cable. ROOS TOKYO 00002277 004 OF 009 YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) September 30, 2009 Foreign Minister Okada, meeting the press yesterday, clarified his intention to prompt cabinet ministers to consult on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture. ""The question is how we should address this issue in the cabinet,"" Okada said. ""I will discuss this matter with the chief cabinet secretary, and then I'd like to reach a decision as early as possible."" 7) Defense Minister Kitazawa eyes review of Futenma and Marines ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) September 30, 2009 At a news conference yesterday, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa referred to the review of the plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. He also indicated the need to review the stationing of the U.S. Marines in Okinawa. ""We would like to thoroughly look into whether there were any other alternative options,"" he said, ""including the reasons why the U.S. Marines have hunkered down in Okinawa until now."" Meanwhile, in a news conference yesterday Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada described Kitazawa's plan to discuss the relocation issue with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and himself before the end of the week as ""too early."" Okada expressed a plan to discuss the matter with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano first. Okada also complained about Kitazawa's statement expressing difficulty moving (Futenma) out of the prefecture or outside the country. 8) Japan, ROK foreign ministers agree on strengthening cooperation in dealing with North Korea NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 30, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan at the Foreign Ministry's Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on the evening of September 29. The two ministers agreed on strengthening cooperation in dealing with North Korea's development of nuclear arms. They also affirmed that North Korea should be persuaded to return to the Six-Party Talks at an early date. This meeting was meant to lay the groundwork for the next Japan-ROK summit meeting. It is believed that they also fixed the schedule of the summit. Regarding the situation in North Korea, Okada said, ""We would like to ascertain if (North Korea) is indeed taking concrete action and move cautiously,"" indicating that Japan will closely watch the DPRK's next moves for the time being. Yu agreed with him. At an earlier news conference, Yu pointed out that ""there might be some developments in U.S.-DPRK talks,"" but added ""we have no intention to make the first move."" Yu said the purpose of his meeting with Okada was ""to build a personal relationship of trust."" The two ministers did not go into details of specific issues, but there were clearly several issues on which their governments' positions differ. TOKYO 00002277 005 OF 009 9) EU seeks MSDF protection of UN World Food Programme ships in Somalia, may become Japan's contribution after end of refueling mission TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged) September 30, 2009 Shigeru Handa, editorial staff member It was learned that the Ministry of Defense (MOD),which currently deploys escort ships in waters off Somalia for anti-piracy operations, received a request from the European Union (EU) in July for the protection of UN World Food Programme (WFP) ships. There is now a proposal to use escort ships to protect WFP ships after they are withdrawn from the Indian Ocean when the authorization of the refueling mission expires in January 2010. The Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) has been asked by the EU to cooperate in anti-piracy operations. A third contingent consisting of two escort ships will depart Japan in October. The MSDF is now increasingly seen as the mainstay in the anti-piracy mission. Before the recent House of Representatives election, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) had asserted that anti-piracy operations should be the duty of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). However, it eventually backed off from this position, stating in its election manifesto that anti-piracy operations ""will be implemented through appropriate procedures."" After taking office, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa voiced his support for the continuation of the MSDF's anti-piracy mission because ""this is being appreciated internationally."" While the EU request came before Kitazawa became defense minister, senior MSDF officers believe that ""it will be easy to obtain the new administration's approval"" on cooperation with the WFP humanitarian aid. Actually, the MSDF has drafted meticulous anti-piracy plans ""geared toward the new administration."" One of them makes use of the P-3C surveillance aircraft. It had anticipated that ""patrol planes will be acceptable to the DPJ administration since they merely spot pirate ships and provide information, and this does not involve the use of weapons,"" and so P-3Cs were dispatched under the previous administration. Germany, France, and Spain have dispatched one patrol plane each to Somalia. While the MSDF is the last to send such aircraft, it now has the highest number with two in operation. The P-3Cs also complement the operations of the U.S. forces, which have no aircraft to spare for reconnaissance in the inland areas of Africa for anti-piracy purposes. This actually serves the dual purpose of both supporting the U.S. and making international contributions. If anti-piracy plans are left in the hands of the SDF, they will obviously come up with proposals they favor. Unless policy is made across the vertical boundaries of the MOD and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT),it will not be possible to use the JCG for anti-piracy operations. Even the Liberal Democratic Party admitted that the JCG should be primarily responsible for this task. TOKYO 00002277 006 OF 009 10) Foreign minister: Introduction of unified currency in East Asian Community difficult NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 30, 2009 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada indicated yesterday that it would be difficult to introduce a unified currency in the envisioned East Asian Community, as the European Community (EU) has done. This concept is designed to promote economic cooperation and prepare a unified security system in the region. Okada said in a press conference: ""It is impossible for countries with different political systems to share a single currency and restrict their sovereignty."" 11) Iranian ambassador refutes Okada statement on new uranium enrichment plant NIKKEI (Page 8) (Full) September 30, 2009 Iranian Ambassador to Japan Seyed Abbas Araghchi yesterday released a report refuting Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada's earlier comment on Iran's new uranium enrichment facility. On Sept. 26, Okada expressed his regret over the revelation that Iran constructed a new facility to enrich uranium ""without reporting it to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."" In the report intended for the Japanese media, Araghchi emphasized that it is required under the IAEA Convention for a report to be made to the IAEA six months before nuclear-related materials are brought into the plant. He insisted that the construction of the new site does not constitute a breach of the Convention, noting that ""basically, no centrifuges or nuclear-related materials have been brought in"" to the facility. 12) Coordination underway for extra Diet session to run about one month NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 30, 2009 The government yesterday began coordination with the ruling parties on a plan to convene an extraordinary session of the Diet after Upper House by-elections on Oct. 25. The length of the term of the session will likely about one month until Dec. 4. The government intends to pass such bills as one to abolish the health insurance system for people aged 75 and older, as well as another to abolish the Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Law. Those bills were included in the manifestos (campaign pledges) of the three ruling parties - the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno on Sept. 29 sounded out DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka on when to convene the extra session. Taking Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's diplomatic schedule into consideration, the government is now coordinating a plan to convene the session after the Upper House by-elections. Placing priority on the compilation of the budget for fiscal 2010 by the end of the year, the government plans to minimize the number of bills to be enacted during the extra session. 13) Oshima picked as new LDP secretary general TOKYO 00002277 007 OF 009 ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) September 30, 2009 Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sadakazu Tanigaki, 64, appointed former LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima, 63, as the LDP's new secretary general; former Policy Research Council Deputy Chairman Ryotaro Tanose, 65, as chairman of the party's General Council; and former agriculture minister Shigeru Ishiba, 52, as chairman of the party's Policy Research Council. Tanigaki offered no executive post to the Machimura faction, the largest in the LDP, implying his stance of eliminating factional influence. His appointments reflected consideration for intraparty balance and dispersing rewards. Oshima served as chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee after the 2007 House of Councillors election in which the Upper House fell into then opposition hands, while the House of Representatives was controlled by the then ruling coalition. Although he belongs to the Koumura faction, he does not bear the stamp of factional politics. He has close relations with Nobutaka Machimura, Toshihiro Nikai, and Bunmei Ibuki, who head their own factions. Tanose, an aide to former LDP Secretary General Taku Yamasaki, was in charge of Tanigaki's campaign for the latest presidential election. Ishiba had announced his support for Tanigaki in the presidency. Tanigaki picked his confidant, former health minister Jiro Kawasaki, 61, as chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee. Upper House Chairman Hidehisa Otsuji, 68, will be retained in his post. The post of Election Strategy Council chairman, now vacant, will be downgraded to Election Strategy Bureau chief. Three new LDP executives Secretary General Tadamori Oshima (63) Lowe House Aomori No. 3 district, 9th term (Komura faction) General Council Chairman Ryotaro Tanose (65) Lower House Nara No. 4 district, 6th term (Yamasaki faction) Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba (52) Lower House Tottori No. 1 district, 8th term (Nukaga faction) 14) U.S. made contact with DPJ before the general election ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) September 30, 2009 Haruko Kagenishi Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada revealed in a news conference yesterday that the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) sent its staffers to the United States in mid-August, before the (Aug. 30) general election, and exchanged views (with the U.S. side) in response to an informal request from the U.S. government. Okada explained that he thinks the U.S. side made the request in anticipation of a change of government (in Japan). He expressed the view that the U.S. TOKYO 00002277 008 OF 009 government was in a hurry to make contact with the DPJ prior to the change of government. A Policy Research Committee executive responsible for foreign policy was dispatched to the United States. He was accompanied by Okada's policy secretary. They stayed in the United States for about one week. Okada stopped short of revealing whom they met in the United States. 15) Transport minister eyes development of Japan's own manned rocket YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 30, 2009 Land, Infrastructure, Transport, & Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara, who is also in charge of space development, indicated yesterday that the ministry would study plans to develop a manned rocket. He said: ""Japan also should develop its capability to launch manned spacecraft on its own."" It was the first time for a minister in charge of space development to refer to development of Japan's own manned spacecraft. When astronaut Koichi Wakata visited Maehara, he said: ""In order for Japan to contribute to the world, Japan should have the capability to launch manned spacecraft independently and have manned spacecraft."" In response, Maehara made the above remark. The transport minister further said: ""How can we launch a manned rocket? Now we have a major goal."" The government's panel on exploration of the moon plans to compile a report on the propriety of manned space activity probably by June of next year. 16) MOFA opens press conference to all media companies: Foreign Ministry immediately put this decision into practice MAINICHI (Page 26) (Full) September 30, 2009 At a press conference on Sept. 29 Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said that he had decided in principle to open Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) press conferences to all media companies. He translated this idea into action, starting with one held on the same day. As a result, it was attended by some 30 foreign correspondents who do not belong to the Japan National Press Club. Okada had made a similar announcement at a press conference on the 18th. However, he has been putting off implementing the plan in order to consult with the Press Club. He said, ""It's been a while since I held the previous conference (on the 18th). I have personally decided to open my press conferences to all media companies."" Eligible for this scheme are members of The Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association, The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan, The Japan Magazine Publishers Association, The Internet News Association of Japan, The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, and holders of a foreign correspondents' registration certificate, free lancers and so on. Those who want to attend MOFA press conferences need to register in advance on the MOFA website. 17) Internal affairs and communications minister to look into TOKYO 00002277 009 OF 009 telecommunications policy, including reorganization of NTT: Working committee to be set up next month YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) September 30, 2009 Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Haraguchi told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Sept. 29 that he would launch a working committee tasked with looking into the current information and telecommunications policies, including a possibility of reorganizing the NTT Group. The envisaged panel, to be launched in October, will directly report to the minister. It will consist of experts from the private sector. Key issues it will deal with will include the introduction of competition rules that cater to changes in the environment surrounding the information and telecommunications industry, including the dissemination of cell phones and the Internet, and how to strengthen Japan's international competitiveness. In June 2006 the government and ruling parties in power agreed to resume discussion on the reorganization of the NTT Group in 2010 or beyond. Haraguchi announced a policy of setting up a new venue for a revision of the issue, nullifying the previous government's agreement. Haraguchi on the 29th indicated his intention to look into the matter in a broad-based manner, including a revision of the organization of NTT and an overview of the competition policy before the power transfer, saying, ""I have no intention of designating any specific areas as sacred areas."" ROOS