C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000343

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON ETRD JA KA
SUBJECT: FM NAKASONE DISCUSSES AFGHANISTAN, DPRK, PIRACY IN
SEOUL

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Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4(b),(d).


1. (C) Summary: Bilateral cooperation on Afghanistan
reconstruction and better coordination on DPRK issues
dominated the discussion during FM Nakasone's meetings with
ROK President Lee and FM Yu in Seoul February 10-11. Other
key issues included efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of
Africa, ways to strengthen trade relations, and approaches to
the global economic crisis. Nakasone's visit was the latest
in a series of high-level reciprocal visits aimed at
fostering a more "future oriented and mature partnership"
between Japan and South Korea. Media speculate that this
most recent trip, however, may also have had something to do
with coordinating views in advance of the Secretary's trip to
the region. Preliminary indications from Nakasone's meetings
give some indication that the two countries continue to move
closer to one another on certain key policy issues, including
the DPRK. End Summary.

Relations Steadily Improving
--------------


2. (C) Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone traveled to Seoul
February 10-11, meeting with President Lee Myung-bak, Foreign
Minister Yu Myung-hwan, parliamentarians, business leaders,
and students. The visit followed on a Prime Minister Taro
Aso's trip to Seoul on January 12. Some Japanese media have
speculated that the real reason for the visit was to
coordinate policy views in advance of a visit to the region
by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. True or not,
this is merely the most recent in a series of high-level
bilateral discussions between the two neighbors since the
election of ROK President Lee Myung-bak last year. Leaders
on both sides have cited the need to pursue a more
"future-oriented and mature partnership," and point to
frequent reciprocal visits as one way to demonstrate a
continuing commitment to strengthening the bilateral
relationship and working more cooperatively on regional and
global issues. Lee and Yu pledged reciprocal visits at an
appropriate time.


3. (C) Media analysis noted that Tokyo and S

eoul have
continued to move gradually "from foes to partners," with a
focus on a more "future-oriented" partnership. They
attribute the improvement to recognition that there are
"common interests in boosting their global presence and
securing their alliances with the new U.S. administration."
In his statement to reporters, FM Yu emphasized "shared
values" and "deep cultural understanding," saying that the
two countries could "create synergy by cooperating and
capitalizing on our respective strong points." As with the
Aso-Lee meeting, the two foreign ministers mostly avoided
discussion of sensitive territorial and historical issues,
with only one question from Yu on the schedule for Japan's
annual review of textbook guidelines. "Of course there are
still difficult issues," a MOFA diplomat was quoted in one
press report, "but I think the two countries now recognize
each other as a very important partner in the international
arena."

Proceeding on Joint Assistance to Afghanistan
--------------


4. (C) Following up on the Aso-Lee meeting last month, FM
Nakasone and FM Yu ironed out additional details on plans to
provide joint assistance for Afghanistan reconstruction,
including the dispatch of Japanese experts to a South Korean
vocational training center in Kabul and joint support for an
NGO-sponsored soybean project. Japan and Korean have
promoted cooperation on agricultural development and
vocational training for Afghanistan as a first step on the
road to providing joint development assistance worldwide.
Reports noted that Japan had more to share in the way of
civilian expertise and financial resources, while Korea
enjoys an advantage in its ability to dispatch military
forces.

Moving Closer on DPRK Policy
--------------


5. (C) Referring to indications of a new missile test and

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heightened rhetoric from Pyongyang, the two foreign ministers
accused the DPRK of "intentional acts to heighten tensions,"
and called on the DPRK regime to "behave in a way that would
contribute to the region's stability." Yu reportedly
characterized the recent DPRK moves as intended to split the
United State, South Korea, and Japan. FM Nakasone and FM Yu
reportedly discussed ways to reinvigorate the Six-Party
Talks, and pledged continued cooperation with the United
States in support of the process. At the same time, media
noted that Japan, driven by the abductions issue, and South
Korea, driven by domestic political pressures, now share an
interest in making sure that the Obama Administration does
not move too quickly in pursuit of verification, without
taking a more comprehensive look at all of the related
issues.


6. (C) President Lee reiterated his support for resolution of
the abductions issue, and FM Yu promised FM Nakasone that a
meeting between Japanese abductee support groups and a former
DPRK agent would be arranged "before long." Media described
FM Yu's willingness to discuss openly Seoul's help in
organizing such a meeting as a significant departure from the
South's previous policy of avoiding confrontation with the
North. Some reports speculated that this could be a sign
that the two countries are moving closer in their positions
on the abductions issue.

Piracy, Trade, Environment, Exchanges Also Discussed
-------------- --------------


7. (C) FM Nakasone and FM Yu exchanged views on antipiracy
operations off the Horn of Africa, and discussed cooperation
in the form of coordinating escort operations and exchanging
information regarding their respective vessels. They also
promised to cooperate toward a successful outcome for the
next G-20 financial meeting, scheduled to take place on April
2, in London. In keeping with that goal, they agreed to
upgrade stalled negotiations on a free trade agreement to the
deputy director general level, emphasizing the need for
closer economic cooperation in the current troubled economic
climate. Closer to home, they vowed to increase cooperation
on environmental issues, such as a reduction in marine litter
and better management of fisheries resources in neighboring
waters. FM Yu also accepted FM Nakasone's proposal to extend
for 10 years a Japanese program that will allow 1,000 South
Korean students to study science and engineering at Japanese
universities.
ZUMWALT