Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO2381
2009-10-15 09:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY: TRANSPORT MINISTER
how-toVZCZCXRO0696 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #2381/01 2880940 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 150940Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6829 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1405 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 8066 RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH PRIORITY 0738 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY 4441 RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 1462 RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 4717 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 7417 RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 0006 RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE PRIORITY 1727 RUEHBD/AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN PRIORITY 0982 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 1980 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 9269 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 7426 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 0732 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 6914 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/USFJ PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002381
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2019
TAGS: PREL ETRD ELTN CH JA
SUBJECT: EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY: TRANSPORT MINISTER
REASSURES AMBASSADOR ON POSSIBLE U.S. INVOLVEMENT
REF: TOKYO 2329
TOKYO 00002381 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt,
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002381
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2019
TAGS: PREL ETRD ELTN CH JA
SUBJECT: EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY: TRANSPORT MINISTER
REASSURES AMBASSADOR ON POSSIBLE U.S. INVOLVEMENT
REF: TOKYO 2329
TOKYO 00002381 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt,
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: Participation by the United States is
crucial in any East Asian Community concept, Cabinet member
Seiji Maehara (Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism; State Minister for Okinawa, Northern Territories
and Disaster Prevention; and Space Minister) told the
Ambassador in an October 14 meeting. The Minister reiterated
the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance for stability in
the Asia-Pacific region. The Ambassador and Maehara
discussed opportunities for economic cooperation and a common
desire for increased development in Okinawa. End summary.
Importance of U.S.-Japan Alliance
--------------
2. (C) Minister Maehara told the Ambassador that in his
16-year career has an elected official, his "life's work" is
diplomacy and security. It is crucial that Japan and the
United States sustain and maintain the alliance; even with a
change in government, the two countries must share a close
relationship. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) member countries have deep trust and high
expectations for the U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific
region, and believe stability and security in Asia is due in
large part to a strong U.S.-Japan alliance, Maehara asserted.
East Asian Community
--------------
3. (C) The East Asian Community (EAC) concept announced by
Prime Minister Hatoyama during the UNGA in New York City
would be "impossible" to achieve if it excludes the United
States, a point he repeated several times during the meeting.
The Ambassador welcomed Maehara's statements as
"reassuring," and encouraged him to "continue on that path."
Minister Maehara added that press reporting from China and
Korea misrepresented statements by Prime Minister Hatoyama
and Foreign Minister Okada.
Economic Cooperation; Okinawa Issues
--------------
4. (C) With reference to the DPJ campaign manifesto that
called for a U.S.-Japan free trade agreement (FTA),Minister
Maehara said he supports strengthening economic ties between
the world's two largest economies. Close economic
cooperation will provide a "win-win" situation for both
countries, which would extend to Asia as well. The
Ambassador said that in addition to the security alliance, he
hopes the U.S. and Japan can create other opportunities for
cooperation, including on economic issues. Noting discussion
on Okinawa tend to focus on Futenma, the Ambassador expressed
his interest in helping strengthen the economy of Okinawa and
also in cooperating with Japan on technology and innovation
(e.g., a "mini-Silicon Valley" in Japan). Minister Maehara
thanked the Ambassador for his interest in Okinawa.
Observing that Okinawa has the nation's lowest average income
and highest unemployment rate, Maehara stated that while U.S.
bases could be hampering progress in Okinawa, at the same
time they offer stability and serve an important role
supporting the U.S.-Japan alliance.
TOKYO 00002381 002.2 OF 002
5. (SBU) The meeting also included brief discussion of
transport issues, reported septel.
ROOS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2019
TAGS: PREL ETRD ELTN CH JA
SUBJECT: EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY: TRANSPORT MINISTER
REASSURES AMBASSADOR ON POSSIBLE U.S. INVOLVEMENT
REF: TOKYO 2329
TOKYO 00002381 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt,
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: Participation by the United States is
crucial in any East Asian Community concept, Cabinet member
Seiji Maehara (Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism; State Minister for Okinawa, Northern Territories
and Disaster Prevention; and Space Minister) told the
Ambassador in an October 14 meeting. The Minister reiterated
the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance for stability in
the Asia-Pacific region. The Ambassador and Maehara
discussed opportunities for economic cooperation and a common
desire for increased development in Okinawa. End summary.
Importance of U.S.-Japan Alliance
--------------
2. (C) Minister Maehara told the Ambassador that in his
16-year career has an elected official, his "life's work" is
diplomacy and security. It is crucial that Japan and the
United States sustain and maintain the alliance; even with a
change in government, the two countries must share a close
relationship. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) member countries have deep trust and high
expectations for the U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific
region, and believe stability and security in Asia is due in
large part to a strong U.S.-Japan alliance, Maehara asserted.
East Asian Community
--------------
3. (C) The East Asian Community (EAC) concept announced by
Prime Minister Hatoyama during the UNGA in New York City
would be "impossible" to achieve if it excludes the United
States, a point he repeated several times during the meeting.
The Ambassador welcomed Maehara's statements as
"reassuring," and encouraged him to "continue on that path."
Minister Maehara added that press reporting from China and
Korea misrepresented statements by Prime Minister Hatoyama
and Foreign Minister Okada.
Economic Cooperation; Okinawa Issues
--------------
4. (C) With reference to the DPJ campaign manifesto that
called for a U.S.-Japan free trade agreement (FTA),Minister
Maehara said he supports strengthening economic ties between
the world's two largest economies. Close economic
cooperation will provide a "win-win" situation for both
countries, which would extend to Asia as well. The
Ambassador said that in addition to the security alliance, he
hopes the U.S. and Japan can create other opportunities for
cooperation, including on economic issues. Noting discussion
on Okinawa tend to focus on Futenma, the Ambassador expressed
his interest in helping strengthen the economy of Okinawa and
also in cooperating with Japan on technology and innovation
(e.g., a "mini-Silicon Valley" in Japan). Minister Maehara
thanked the Ambassador for his interest in Okinawa.
Observing that Okinawa has the nation's lowest average income
and highest unemployment rate, Maehara stated that while U.S.
bases could be hampering progress in Okinawa, at the same
time they offer stability and serve an important role
supporting the U.S.-Japan alliance.
TOKYO 00002381 002.2 OF 002
5. (SBU) The meeting also included brief discussion of
transport issues, reported septel.
ROOS