PACOM COMMANDER KEATING'S FEB 19 MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000399

SIPDIS

PACOM FOR J00/J01/J5
DOD FOR OSD/APSA - SEDNEY/HILL/BASALLA
USFJ FOR J00/J01/J5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR JA
SUBJECT: PACOM COMMANDER KEATING'S FEB 19 MEETING WITH
DEFENSE MINISTER HAMADA

Classified By: James P. Zumwalt, Charge d'Affaires, a.i.; reasons 1.4 (
b/d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told visiting PACOM
Commander Timothy Keating on February 19 that realignment of
U.S. forces should move forward and that the signing of the
Guam International Agreement during Secretary Clinton's visit
was a major step in that direction. He stressed that being
cautious with public remarks in Japan's current political
climate is critical. He suggested that a Security
Consultative Committee ("2-plus-2") meeting should take place
as early as possible. ADM Keating praised the Japan Self
Defense Force's participation in the recent Cobra Gold
exercise and promised to convey Hamada's interest in an early
SCC meeting to Secretary Gates. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Visiting PACOM Commander Timothy Keating called on
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on February 19. ADM Keating
praised the Japan Self Defense Force's (JSDF) role in the
recent Cobra Gold exercise held in Thailand. The exercise
helped all participating forces gain valuable experience in
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR),
peacekeeping operations (PKO),and medical, dental, and
engineering civil assistance. Both the people of Thailand
and the participating troops benefited immensely from the
exercise. Keating also stated he is heartened by Secretary
Clinton's remarks during her visit to Japan stressing the
importance of the bilateral military-to-military relationship
and the overall strength of the Alliance. Hamada expressed
appreciation for the opportunity for the JSDF to participate
in Cobra Gold, adding that he also believed the Secretary's
visit helped steer the Alliance in the right direction.
This, in addition to Prime Minister Aso's February 24 visit
to the United States, would only help strengthen the Alliance
and resolve of a number of outstanding bilateral issues,
Hamada said.


3. (C) Hamada stressed that the signing of the Guam
International Agreement (GIA) during Secretary Clinton's
visit was a big step forward for the realignment of U.S.
forces, adding that the realignment roadmap must be
implemented without fail. He underscored the difficult
current political environment in Japan, pointing out that he
exercises caution with every public remark. No amount of
effort can turn the time back on misstatements by government
officials, Hamada said.


4. (C) Hamada told ADM Keating that he had suggested to
Secretary Clinton the two sides should convene a foreign and
defense "2-plus-2" Security Consultative Committee (SCC)
ministerial as soon as possible, given the numerous issues
both governments need to address. He said he feels
encouraged by the close relationship between ADM Keating and
Chief of Joint Staff ADM Takashi Saito and hopes to be able
to develop a similar relationship with Secretary Gates. In
this regard, he wants to meet Secretary Gates as soon as
possible, Hamada said. Keating offered to convey personally
to Secretary Gates Hamada's interest in an early meeting,
noting that Secretary Gates understands clearly Japan's
security issues, including BMD cooperation, anti-piracy, and
the realignment of U.S. forces. He also pointed out
Secretary Gates' interest in attending the Shangri-La
Conference, which could be a possible opportunity for them to
meet. Hamada responded that he would take advantage of any
occasion to meet with Secretary Gates.


5. (U) ADM Keating did not have a chance to clear this
message.
ZUMWALT