Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO926
2009-04-22 05:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN: POSITIVE REACTIONS TO U.S. MILITARY REPORT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000926
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/J
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019
TAGS: PREL CH JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN: POSITIVE REACTIONS TO U.S. MILITARY REPORT
ON CHINA
REF: STATE 28316
Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000926
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/J
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019
TAGS: PREL CH JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN: POSITIVE REACTIONS TO U.S. MILITARY REPORT
ON CHINA
REF: STATE 28316
Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Japanese Government has responded
favorably to the Defense Department's recently released
Military Report on the People's Republic of China. Japanese
diplomats and defense officials share U.S. concerns about
China's military modernization and lack of transparency on
defense spending. EMBASSY Tokyo contacts stress the need for
closer cooperation between the United States and Japan on
China, while emphasizing Japan's own efforts to engage China
bilaterally. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) MOFA and MOD welcomed reftel points on the U.S.
Defense Department's Military Report on the People's Republic
of China. MOFA China Division Deputy Director Masaru Okada
and desk officer Shigemi Sugimura told EMBASSY Tokyo on April
10 that the report addresses Japanese concerns about China's
rapid military build-up and the lack of transparency in
Chinese military acquisitions, spending, and intentions.
They took note that the report was a product of the U.S.
Government interagency process. During separate discussions
with EMBASSY officer on April 16, MOD International Policy
Division Deputy Directors Mitsuko Hayashi and Shuichi Nishino
conveyed similar sentiments. They emphasized key concerns
raised in the report, such as the pace and scope of China's
military transformation and modernization, particularly
vis-a-vis Taiwan, China's double-digit defense budget
increases, and the strengthening of Chinese nuclear
capabilities.
3. (C) Japanese interlocutors underscored the importance of
maintaining close cooperation between the United States and
Japan on China. MOFA and MOD stressed that Washington and
Tokyo need to encourage Beijing to be more forthcoming in
explaining the details of its defense programs and to pursue
policies that build confidence in the Asia-Pacific region.
4. (C) The strength of U.S.-Japanese ties allows Washington
and Tokyo to pursue parallel tracks of engagement with China,
MOFA and MOD officials explained. Japan should not worry
about U.S. outreach to China and, likewise, the United States
should not worry about Japan's efforts to advance ties to
China. In this vein, Okada and Sugimura downplayed apparent
domestic media anxiety about Washington's plans to engage in
a new Strategic and Economic Dialogue with Beijing. They
said that Washington and Tokyo need to create an environment
where they can conduct frank bilateral discussions with the
Chinese on key concerns such as those raised in the Military
Report. Okada highlighted the high-level exchanges that have
taken place recently -- such as Prime Minister Aso's meeting
with Chinese leader Hu Jintao on the margins of the London
G-20 Summit, PM Aso's session with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
in Thailand one week later, Aso's scheduled trip to China on
April 29, and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone's trip to
Beijing in early March -- as examples of Japan's own efforts
to cultivate relations with China. MOD officials admitted,
however, that they are still searching for the appropriate
venue and level to engage the Chinese in more frank
discussions about the concerns raised in the Military Report.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/J
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019
TAGS: PREL CH JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN: POSITIVE REACTIONS TO U.S. MILITARY REPORT
ON CHINA
REF: STATE 28316
Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Japanese Government has responded
favorably to the Defense Department's recently released
Military Report on the People's Republic of China. Japanese
diplomats and defense officials share U.S. concerns about
China's military modernization and lack of transparency on
defense spending. EMBASSY Tokyo contacts stress the need for
closer cooperation between the United States and Japan on
China, while emphasizing Japan's own efforts to engage China
bilaterally. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) MOFA and MOD welcomed reftel points on the U.S.
Defense Department's Military Report on the People's Republic
of China. MOFA China Division Deputy Director Masaru Okada
and desk officer Shigemi Sugimura told EMBASSY Tokyo on April
10 that the report addresses Japanese concerns about China's
rapid military build-up and the lack of transparency in
Chinese military acquisitions, spending, and intentions.
They took note that the report was a product of the U.S.
Government interagency process. During separate discussions
with EMBASSY officer on April 16, MOD International Policy
Division Deputy Directors Mitsuko Hayashi and Shuichi Nishino
conveyed similar sentiments. They emphasized key concerns
raised in the report, such as the pace and scope of China's
military transformation and modernization, particularly
vis-a-vis Taiwan, China's double-digit defense budget
increases, and the strengthening of Chinese nuclear
capabilities.
3. (C) Japanese interlocutors underscored the importance of
maintaining close cooperation between the United States and
Japan on China. MOFA and MOD stressed that Washington and
Tokyo need to encourage Beijing to be more forthcoming in
explaining the details of its defense programs and to pursue
policies that build confidence in the Asia-Pacific region.
4. (C) The strength of U.S.-Japanese ties allows Washington
and Tokyo to pursue parallel tracks of engagement with China,
MOFA and MOD officials explained. Japan should not worry
about U.S. outreach to China and, likewise, the United States
should not worry about Japan's efforts to advance ties to
China. In this vein, Okada and Sugimura downplayed apparent
domestic media anxiety about Washington's plans to engage in
a new Strategic and Economic Dialogue with Beijing. They
said that Washington and Tokyo need to create an environment
where they can conduct frank bilateral discussions with the
Chinese on key concerns such as those raised in the Military
Report. Okada highlighted the high-level exchanges that have
taken place recently -- such as Prime Minister Aso's meeting
with Chinese leader Hu Jintao on the margins of the London
G-20 Summit, PM Aso's session with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
in Thailand one week later, Aso's scheduled trip to China on
April 29, and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone's trip to
Beijing in early March -- as examples of Japan's own efforts
to cultivate relations with China. MOD officials admitted,
however, that they are still searching for the appropriate
venue and level to engage the Chinese in more frank
discussions about the concerns raised in the Military Report.
ZUMWALT