AMBASSADOR MEETS OZAWA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002441

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR PGOV JA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS OZAWA

TOKYO 00002441 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador John V. Roos per 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa stressed
several times to the Ambassador October 21 that his focus is
on politics and elections, and that he cannot discuss policy.
That said, he underlined the importance of the U.S.-Japan
relationship and assured the Ambassador that the Hatoyama
government would not deviate from this basic line. He also
urged the USG to speak "frankly and honestly" to the Japanese
Government, adding that regardless of the issue, the DPJ will
respond in good faith. Ozawa also noted the continued
importance of the DPJ's coalition with the Socialists and
PNP, but added that the party will nonetheless seek a
clear-cut majority in the Upper House next year to promote a
stronger government. Overall, Ozawa was warm and open during
the 40-minute meeting, and seemed genuinely pleased with the
Ambassador's invitation to meet again to continue their
conversation. End Summary.


2. (C) The Ambassador met ruling DPJ Secretary General Ichiro
Ozawa for the first time on October 21. Responding to the
Ambassador's offer of congratulations for the DPJ's recent
Lower House victory, Ozawa said that the party is currently
fighting an election campaign (the October 25 Upper House
by-elections in Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures) and would
fight the next Upper House election in July 2010. "Too many
elections are a headache," Ozawa said. Commenting on the
recent decision by a four-person political grouping in the
Upper House to join the DPJ, Ozawa noted that the DPJ still
lacked an Upper House majority and required the cooperation
of its coalition partners, the Socialists and the People's
New Party. Although the DPJ will continue to maintain its
coalition relationship, the party still needs to seek a
clear-cut majority in the Upper House in order to "strengthen
the government," Ozawa said.


3. (C) Ozawa emphasized that, within the Hatoyama government,
he is in charge of politics and the party, and the Prime
Minister and his government are in charge of policy. He
apologetically explained that, given this division of labor,
he cannot discuss policy issues with the Ambassador. "I have
to be extra careful because any perception of my involvement
in policy will cause misunderstandings and the press will
paint me in a bad light," he said. "I must focus only on
elections," Ozawa added.


4. (C) In response to the Ambassador's request for Ozawa's
general thoughts on the U.S.-Japan relationship, Ozawa said
that the bilateral relationship is the "most important one"
for Japan and that, personally, "I like Americans." He urged
the Ambassador to understand that the DPJ and Hatoyama
government will not deviate from this basic line regarding
the importance of U.S.-Japan ties. "Although I am not a
diplomat, I have some experience in resolving disputes
between the United States and Japan, including playing
eleventh-hour roles in the negotiations surrounding
construction, telecom, beef, oranges and the FSX," Ozawa
said. Part of the problem in these and other disputes was
the perception that the Japanese negotiators didn't mean what
they said. "This became clear when a former DUSTR told me
that Japanese are liars and can't be trusted," Ozawa
explained. The issue was often how Japanese was translated
into English, and Ozawa worked hard to dispel Japan's
"untrustworthy image," ensuring that "no" meant "no" and that
"yes" meant "yes," with Ozawa "prepared to stake my political
life on the matter."


5. (C) Acknowledging that Futenma and other issues are before
the United States and Japan, Ozawa said the Japanese side
will always speak "frankly and honestly," and he urged the
U.S. side to do the same. "Whatever the issue, the DPJ will
respond in a good faith manner," Ozawa assured the
Ambassador. Noting the significant political changes in both
Washington and Tokyo, the Ambassador stressed the need for
our leaders to communicate closely and openly during this
critical time. Ozawa responded by expressing regret that he
could not discuss "as much as I'd like with you," but it's a
sensitive time this early on in the Hatoyama government, and
"I'm in a subtle position." That said, Ozawa warmly accepted
the Ambassador's invitation to meet again to continue their
conversation on politics and other matters.


6. (C) Ozawa also discussed briefly his involvement in
promoting grassroots exchanges between the United States and

TOKYO 00002441 002.2 OF 002


Japan, including his support for an elementary school in
Chicago that teaches Japanese (he sponsors a student trip to
Japan every year). Ozawa also plays a leading role in the
John Manjiro Foundation -- named after the first Japanese to
be educated in the United States in the 19th century after
being rescued at sea by an American whaler -- which brings
together Americans and Japanese every year to promote mutual
understanding. Ozawa further noted his involvement in
Japan-PRC grassroots exchanges, and said that, because he is
known as a promoter of stronger ties with China, "I can say
anything I want to the Chinese and they won't get mad because
they know I'm well intentioned."
ROOS