CODEL MCCAIN MEETS JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000859 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/J AND H E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2019 TAGS: PREL OVIP KNNP EAID MARR AF PK KN JA SUBJECT: CODEL MCCAIN MEETS JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER NAKASONE REF: TOKYO 822 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Senators John McCain (R-AZ),Lindsey Graham (R-SC),and Amy Kolbuchar (D-MN) met April 9 with Foreign Minister Hirofume Nakasone, who told them the United Nations Security Council must take firm, resolute action against North Korea following that country's launch of a missile that flew over Japan April 5. FM Nakasone also assured the senators that the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan is proceeding, and asked for their support in Congress when funding legislation is considered. He also asked for continued U.S. support for Japan's candidate to lead the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). END SUMMARY. -------------- U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶2. (C) FM Nakasone expressed his pleasure concerning the continuing strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, noting that Secretary Clinton had made her first overseas trip as Secretary to Tokyo, and that Prime Minister Aso had been the first foreign leader to meet with President Obama in the Oval Office. "We take these symbols very seriously, and want to work to advance the bilateral relationship." With regard to the realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan, Nakasone informed the senators that this process is advancing on the basis of an agreed upon roadmap; he asked for their support when it is time for the Congress to consider questions relating to the funding of this process. -------------- NORTH KOREA -------------- ¶3. (C) Turning to North Korea, FM Nakasone explained that Japan has a basic approach to North Korea that comprehensively addresses the issues of both denuclearization and the need to resolve the abductee question, and that Japan has high regard for the commitment of the United States to work toward a denuclearized Korean peninsula. Addressing the April 5 launch of a long-range rocket by North Korea, Nakasone noted that this was the second time a North Korean missile had flown over Japan. He said that even if one accepted that the payload was a satellite, each time the North prepares such a launch it requires Japan to mobilize its missile defense system. This is unacceptable, he said. He termed the launch a clear-cut violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and said, that while it might be difficult to achieve, Japan believes strongly in the need for the Security Council to issue a new resolution condemning this latest violation. He said he regretted hearing that Senator McCain's talks with the Chinese Defense and Foreign Ministers at the senator's prior stop in Beijing had not gone better. ¶4. (C) Asked by Senator McCain what steps might be taken to modify North Korean behavior, FM Nakasone replied he believes Russia and China are being too cautious with regard to the North. "They think that if they push too hard, the Six Party Talks will be damaged. I see this the other way around. If North Korean violations are not punished and met with strong messages of condemnation, the credibility of the Security Council will be damaged. In fact, it is already hard to resume the Six Party Talks process, so we must have a resolute attitude and take firm actions in the Security Council to pass a new resolution." ¶5. (C) Senator Graham asked what steps need to be taken to prepare for future contingencies involving North Korea, and also about Japanese public opinion toward the amendment of the constitution. FM Nakasone responded that perhaps 60% support amending the constitution, but this support is not geared solely toward Article 9 that proscribes military actions. Instead, many wish to amend other provisions of the constitution, for example, those having to do with climate change and issues concerning the powers of the Diet and the Cabinet. However, the North Korean missile launch, he affirmed, has focused the public's attention on the need for Japan to be able to better protect its own territory from outside aggression. "I believe the Japanese people have yet to really experience a crisis situation, but they are coming to recognize the need to protect themselves," the FM said. -------------- PIRACY, AF-PAK, IRAQ -------------- ¶6. (C) Turning to other issues, FM Nakasone outlined steps Japan is taking to help address the issue of piracy off the coast of Eastern Africa. He also reviewed the contributions Japan has made in Afghanistan and informed the senators that Japan will host later in the month a ministerial meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and a Pakistan Donors Conference. He pointed out that Japan cannot work with ISAF, but that it can make a number of contributions in the humanitarian field. Nakasone also acknowledged that Japan's contributions were limited in comparison to those of the United States, but "given our constraints, we are trying to do our best." Senator Graham thanked Japan for the steps it had taken and continues to take to help stabilize Iraq. He particularly singled out the work of the Air Self Defense Forces, a gesture that was greatly appreciated by the Foreign Minister. -------------- NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION -------------- ¶7. (C) On nuclear issues, FM Nakasone said Japan very much appreciated President Obama's remarks in Prague about the need to work toward a world free of the threat of nuclear weapons. He said that as the only country to have ever suffered a nuclear attack, Japan is very interested in working with the United States to achieve this goal. Nakasone also noted that despite U.S. support for the candidacy of Ambassador Amano to lead the IAEA, the Japanese candidate had fallen one vote short. Japan plans to renominate Amano, said FM Nakasone, and would appreciate continued U.S. support in the next round of voting (see Ref). ¶8. (U) CODEL McCain has not cleared this cable. ZUMWALT