SINGAPORE PM LEE EXPRESSES CAUTION TO PM HATOYAMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002379 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/J, EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2019 TAGS: PREL SNAR JA SUBJECT: SINGAPORE PM LEE EXPRESSES CAUTION TO PM HATOYAMA ON EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY CONCEPT TOKYO 00002379 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt for reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama exchanged views on overall bilateral ties, APEC, climate change, and his "East Asian Community" (EAC) vision during an October 6 meeting and lunch with visiting Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Lee underscored the importance of working closely with Japan in the run-up to the November APEC Summit in Singapore. The Singapore PM took a muted approach to Hatoyama's EAC concept, highlighting existing regional frameworks and stressing the need for cooperation and coordination with countries within and outside the region. Reportedly agreeing with Lee's view, Hatoyama said he is aiming for "open regional cooperation in a nonexclusive manner." END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) Japanese PM Hatoyama discussed bilateral ties, APEC, climate change, and his "East Asian Community" vision during an October 6 meeting and lunch with visiting Singapore Prime Minister Lee, according to a readout Singapore Embassy officials provided Embassy Tokyo. Hatoyama commended Lee's leadership and conveyed his desire to strengthen ties to Singapore, "an intellectual leader" and a "financial center" within ASEAN. Lee, in turn, expressed appreciation for Hatoyama's willingness to host his visit so soon after Japan's governmental changeover and considering the PM's busy diplomatic schedule. Hatoyama mentioned that he is well acquainted with Lee's father, Statesman and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, whom he had met during the 2001 Davos Forum. ¶3. (C) Hatoyama thanked Lee for his country's assistance in establishing the Japan Creative Center (JCC),a venue agreed upon by Tokyo and Singapore following their March and November 2007 summits and devoted to disseminating information about Japan to the people of Singapore and, more broadly, Southeast Asia. The JCC serves as a base for showcasing "Cool Japan"--Japanese innovations and traditions as expressed through "soft power" assets in pop-culture, art and architecture, high technology, design, gourmet, fashion, music, movies, manga, anime, and other realms. Lee said that the center will appeal to Asia-Pacific countries as a cultural and political information "hub" on Japan. -------------- Cooperation on APEC, G-20, and Climate Change -------------- ¶4. (C) Both leaders expounded on their responsibilities as consecutive APEC hosts. Lee underscored the importance of working closely with Japan in the run-up to the November Summit in Singapore. He mentioned that Singapore and Japan, as next year's host, must work together to enhance the region's "economic resilience" and cooperate in ensuring global economic stability and in maintaining Pittsburgh G20 Summit momentum. Lee added that he wants both sides to exhibit the same joint effort on ASEAN-related events as well. Hatoyama agreed on the importance of coordination and mentioned that, schedule allowing, he will attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) in October, APEC in November, and future events "whenever possible." The next three years--including 2011, the U.S. host year--are "crucial" for APEC, Hatoyama said. APEC will play a larger role in the future, the Japanese PM added. On the G20, Hatoyama highlighted the importance of using such venues to strengthen financial regulations and prevent a repeat of the current crisis. ¶5. (C) On climate change, PM Lee said that Hatoyama's 25 percent carbon emissions reduction target is attracting "world attention." Every country must address the issue, otherwise there is "no future," Hatoyama responded. Hatoyama also emphasized the need for people to set high goals and achieve them "with wisdom," according to Singapore's readout. Hatoyama praised Lee for his country's efforts to cultivate talent in the field of science and technology. -------------- Opinions on East Asian Community TOKYO 00002379 002.2 OF 002 -------------- ¶6. (C) Lee took a muted approach to Hatoyama's EAC concept. The Singapore PM highlighted the importance of existing regional frameworks, such as APEC, EAS, and ASEAN-Plus-Three, and stressed the need for cooperation and coordination with countries within and outside the region. In particular, Lee pointed out U.S. involvement as a way to maintain "overall balance in the region." (Note: Lee's statement mirrors previous commentary from our Singapore Embassy interlocutors. DCM Laurence Bay told us recently that his government is uncertain about Hatoyama's EAC vision and is encouraging the new Japanese administration to strengthen existing regional mechanisms rather than create new frameworks. End Note.) ¶7. (C) Hatoyama agreed with Lee's view, Embassy Singapore reported. The Japanese PM said that he envisions the EAC eventually becoming the "Asia-Pacific Community," and he stressed the importance of "open regional cooperation in a nonexclusive manner." ¶8. (C) Comment: Lee's visit is part of Japan's strategy to reach out to Southeast Asia in general, many Embassy counterparts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs note. They regularly point to the growing role the region plays in Japan's efforts to broaden foreign investment opportunities, diversify energy resources, and counter China's expanding political and economic influence. It is still unclear, however, whether PM Hatoyama envisioned the EAC with these factors in mind. End Comment. ROOS