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### Viewing cable 08TOKYO960, AMBASSADOR AND VFM YABUNAKA DISCUSS BILATERAL

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08TOKYO960 | 2008-04-08 09:52 | 2011-07-02 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tokyo

`

    VZCZCXRO6067
    OO RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNH
    DE RUEHKO #0960/01 0990952
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 080952Z APR 08
    FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3255
    INFO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 2204
    RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2702
    RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 8729
    RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 0821
    RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 7746
    RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 7152
    RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 9532
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHMFISS/USFJ  PRIORITY
    RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 TOKYO 000960

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
    TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR RU CH JA
    SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND VFM YABUNAKA DISCUSS BILATERAL
    RELATIONSHIP, REGIONAL ISSUES

    Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d)

    Summary
    -------

    ¶1. (C) Recent incidents involving U.S. servicemen have
    highlighted the need for the United States and Japan to make
    efforts to strengthen grassroots public support for and
    understanding of our alliance's strategic importance, the
    Ambassador told VFM Yabunaka on April 8.  While VFM Yabunaka
    agreed that such public diplomacy would be useful, he noted
    that public support is already very strong (above 70%);
    domestic politicking aside, even the opposition would not
    attempt to alter the alliance; and, for his part, VFM
    Yabunaka constantly stresses to the press and others that
    American servicemen are far from home and are in Japan to
    defend it.  VFM Yabunaka also briefed the Ambassador on the
    recent Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue, in which it was clear
    Russia has made a decision to pay more attention to Asia;
    noted that planning continues for Hu Jintao's early May
    visit, adding that an East China Sea deal may still be
    possible; offered his positive assessment of the PRC-proposed
    U.S.-Japan-PRC meeting framework; and, expressed his regret
    that the Host Nation Support legislation was delayed for
    political reasons, noting that it will be passed by May 3 at
    the latest.  End Summary.

    VFM Yabunaka Travel to Washington
    ---------------------------------

    ¶2. (C) Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka opened his April
    8 meeting with the Ambassador by noting his plans to travel
    the next day to Washington to meet with the Deputy Secretary.
     He expressed his hope that, as this will be his first visit
    to Washington as VFM, the Ambassador could provide some
    advice on the current mood in Washington towards Japan.  The
    VFM also plans a number of other meetings, including with the
    foreign policy advisors to the presidential candidates.  The
    VFM's hope for these is to brief these individuals on Japan's
    viewpoints and policy orientations in the Asia region.

    Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue
    -------------------------------

    ¶3. (C) VFM Yabunaka noted that on April 7 he met with Russian
    First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Denisov for the fourth
    Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue.  The two had a frank
    exchange of views, and Yabunaka noted that, although Denisov
    had been presumed to be in line to replace FM Lavrov, it
    appears that Lavrov will remain in his position, and thus so
    may Denisov.  Responding to the Ambassador's question about
    Vladimir Putin's rumored attendance at the G8 summit,
    Yabunaka said that Medvedev would attend, and that Foreign
    Minister Koumura would travel to Moscow April 14 and would
    deliver the G8 invitation to Medvedev.  Yabunaka acknowledged
    that the source of the Putin G8 rumor was former Prime
    Minister Yoshiro Mori, who met with Putin in December.
    However, Putin has made clear that Russia's foreign policy is
    in Medvedev's hands.

    ¶4. (C) It seems clear that Russia is restoking its economic
    and strategic interest in East Asia, Yabunaka continued.  One
    sign of this is the Russian Government's increased financial
    support for residents of the disputed Northern Territories.
    Another is the increased pace of high-level Russian visits to
    Japan; ""it seems they want to do something with us,"" Yabunaka
    said.  Japan has put forward its eight-point Eastern
    Siberia/Far East Initiative, which seeks to advance bilateral
    cooperation in the fields of energy, transportation,
    distribution, environmental protection and tourism.  The
    Russians are particularly interested in technology exchanges
    and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.  Each area is seeing
    follow-through, and a fiber optic cable was recently
    connected between Japan and Europe (through Russia) that will
    speed up data transfer times.

    ¶5. (C) The two sides also discussed regional issues such as
    China, and VFM Yabunaka explained to his Russian counterpart
    that all of Japan's relations in Asia, including with China,
    are grounded in the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship.  Japan
    wishes to improve its relations with China, Russia and India
    and the rise of China has necessitated that Japan ""talk about
    this with the other players in the region.""  Denisov
    expressed an interest in regional architecture, such as the
    Shanghai Cooperative Organization, APEC (which Russia will
    host in Vladivostok in 2012) and even the East Asia Summit,
    which Russia may seek to join someday.

    Complicated Japanese Political Situation
    ----------------------------------------

    ¶6. (C) VFM Yabunaka noted that PM Fukuda may try to visit
    Russia at the end of April, taking advantage of a Japanese
    holiday on April 29 to travel April 26-29.  Complicating this
    planning is a by-election in Yamaguchi prefecture on April 27
    that will be a bellwether of where public sentiment lies on
    renewing Japan's gasoline tax, which the ruling
    coalition-controlled Lower House could choose to re-vote on
    as early as April 29.  The political scene in Japan has been
    in disarray, the most recent example being the contretemps
    surrounding the selection of the next Bank of Japan Governor.
     The Ambassador noted that the failure of the ruling
    coalition and opposition party to agree on a suitable
    candidate sent a terrible message at a sensitive time for the
    global economy and financial system.

    Host Nation Support
    -------------------

    ¶7. (C) VFM Yabunaka expressed his regret that this kind of
    domestic political wrangling had delayed the passage of the
    legislation for Host Nation Support.  At the latest, this
    legislation will go into force on May 3, perhaps earlier if
    the opposition decides to vote it down in the Upper House,
    opening the way for the Lower House's previous passage to
    take precedence.  In response to VFM Yabunaka's question, the
    Ambassador noted that, while he did not think that the delay
    would have any practical implications on USFJ operations, it
    is nonetheless disappointing that the U.S.-Japan alliance has
    been allowed to become a political football.  VFM Yabunaka
    agreed, noting that the mass media is largely to blame for
    stirring up controversies where they do not exist, such as
    Japanese Government payments for bars and golf course
    attendants on U.S. facilities.  Many within the opposition
    Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) are also unhappy that things
    have come to this, and VFM Yabunaka expressed his hope that
    Washington understands the Japanese Government's desire that
    this delay not cause any practical problems.

    ¶8. (C) The Japanese public is firmly behind the bilateral
    alliance, and the political games currently taking place are
    no more than opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa's attempt to use
    any means at his disposal to gain the upper hand, VFM
    Yabunaka continued.  There is ""no way"" that Ozawa is opposed
    to the security alliance, Yabunaka stressed.

    Incidents
    ---------

    ¶9. (C) VFM Yabunaka expressed his appreciation for the
    Ambassador's and USFJ's quick reaction to the recent
    incidents on Okinawa and in Yokosuka.  In particular, the
    meeting with Yokosuka Mayor Kabaya went a long way.  The
    Ambassador agreed, noting that Kabaya has always tried to be
    helpful, and it was important to give him support after the
    recent taxi driver murder.  Unfortunately, some in the press
    have taken the line that somehow the SOFA did not work, the
    Ambassador noted.  That is not true.  In every aspect of this
    case, from when NCIS received word from the sailor about his
    whereabouts to during his questioning, the Japanese
    authorities were involved.  There was nothing stopping them
    from asking for anything at any step in the process.  It is
    regrettable that there is a public perception that we were in
    the way or the SOFA did not work.  Yabunaka agreed that the
    leaks and misreporting were annoying, and for its part MOFA
    tried to correct the record.  The opposition has asked for a
    revision of the SOFA, and MOFA's position is that, if there
    is a problem, show us.  But there are no problems; the system
    works, Yabunaka emphasized.

    Building Public Support for Alliance
    ------------------------------------

    ¶10. (C) On the issue of deserters, Yabunaka noted the utility
    of greater information sharing, and the Ambassador agreed
    there will always be areas in which we can make improvements.
     As the Kanagawa Governor recently suggested, perhaps there
    is a need to examine setting up a public committee or forum
    to ensure that the responsibility of managing our important
    relationship is not limited to our two governments, but
    instead extends into local communities, the Ambassador said.
    We need to find a way to get buy-in from all concerned on the
    importance of the alliance.  Yabunaka agreed on the need to
    build public understanding about the importance of the
    alliance for Japan's security and regional stability, but was
    unsure about the format of a public forum or committee.
    Responding to the Ambassador's expression of concern that
    incidents lead to a public outcry about the American
    occupation army, VFM Yabunaka was optimistic that there is
    solid support, with more than 70% of the Japanese people
    welcoming the alliance and U.S. forces.

    ¶11. (C) The Ambassador agreed that we have made progress in
    building understanding among the Japanese public about the
    strategic importance of the alliance, particularly with the
    rise of China and the ongoing North Korean threat.
    Nevertheless, we should try harder to connect with the
    Japanese public.  There is an unfortunate perception that
    American soldiers and sailors are animals that should be kept
    in cages, which is an attitude one would not find in the UK
    or Australia.  While we understand there is nothing the
    Japanese Government can do, we need to strengthen public
    understanding of why we are here.  Yabunaka replied that for
    the past several weeks he has met every morning with
    reporters at his home to explain the importance of the
    alliance; ""these young people are far from home to defend
    us,"" Yabunaka said he stresses.  While there may be some bad
    apples among the troops, for the most part they are good
    members of the community.  Yabunaka reiterated that the
    Japanese do not use these problems to think about the need to
    reexamine the broader bilateral relationship.

    ¶12. (C) Responding to North American Affairs Bureau DG
    Nishimiya's comment on the possible benefit of educating the
    sailors on the George Washington before its arrival in
    Yokosuka, the Ambassador said that this kind of point of view
    is part of the problem.  It is no more okay for U.S.
    servicemen and women to commit crimes in America or Europe
    than it is in Japan; just because they are in Japan does not
    increase the chance they will commit rape or murder unless
    they are instructed not to.  While we cannot promise that
    crimes will not happen, we nonetheless need to get away from
    the idea that U.S. servicemen are bad.  VFM Yabunaka
    suggested that as the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan
    security alliance approaches (2010), there will be many good
    opportunities to get the word out on the importance of the
    alliance and Japan's gratitude for it.

    Advice for Washington Trip
    --------------------------

    ¶13. (C) VFM Yabunaka sought the Ambassador's advice for his
    upcoming discussions in Washington.  The Ambassador observed
    that there is genuine interest in Washington about what is
    happening in Japan.  People are not sure what the political
    situation is and how long the current government will last.
    With the domestic political situation negatively impacting
    Japan's contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom, the BOJ
    Governor selection and Host Nation Support, there are signs
    that something is wrong, and VFM Yabunaka should try to
    explain what is right.  That is, the alliance is not in
    danger, but we are going through a time in which people are
    trying to work through the political situation.  People will
    also be interested in hearing about China and Tibet and about
    Japan's goals for the G8 summit.  Also, it would be useful to
    hear from VFM Yabunaka about DPRI, as there is increasing
    concern that it will go the way of SACO if it does not regain
    its momentum.  The Deputy Secretary may also wish to hear
    about BISTF and intelligence reform.  Under former Prime
    Minister Koizumi, it seemed that everyone was on the same
    page in Japan, but now things appear to be different, which
    is by no means a criticism of PM Fukuda, who made a good
    impression on the President.  People in Washington will want
    to know what is happening, and what are the short- and
    long-term problems, the Ambassador said.

    ¶14. (C) Returning to the issue of managing local relations in
    areas with U.S. facilities, the Ambassador noted that under
    Okinawa Governor Nakaima's leadership, ""things are better.""
    Previous Governor Inamine was difficult and never wanted to
    talk or move beyond confrontation.  It always seemed like the
    two sides were playing roles, and it is better on Okinawa and
    elsewhere when both sides can talk candidly and publicly
    acknowledge that it is in both side's interest to improve
    relations.

    China, Multilateral Meetings
    ----------------------------

    ¶15. (C) Responding to VFM Yabunaka's question about the mood
    in Washington towards China, the Ambassador noted that
    Senator Clinton had that morning called on President Bush to
    boycott the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.  While there is
    no Japan bashing these days, it seems that within our
    political process, China bashing is generated because of
    people's concerns about the economy and lost jobs.  The Bush
    Administration has sought to engage with China, and we have
    made clear to them that our relationship with Japan is not up
    for discussion.  China accepts this, and the U.S.-China
    relationship is better than ever, the Ambassador said.

    ¶16. (C) VFM Yabunaka noted that the Dalai Lama plans to
    transit Tokyo on April 14 on his way to the United States,
    where he has events scheduled in Seattle and Michigan.  It is
    unclear whether he will go to Washington, and the opposition
    DPJ has criticized the government for not traveling to Narita
    to meet with the Dalai Lama.  MOFA is continuing its plans
    for the May visit of Hu Jintao (likely to start on May 6),
    and Hu himself appears determined to have good relations with
    Japan.  The two sides will produce a joint paper that will be
    ""short and strong"" and will not refer to the past, but
    instead will focus on the future.  However, the Tibet and
    poisoned gyoza issues are ""unfortunate,"" Yabunaka said.

    ¶17. (C) Responding to the Ambassador's question about
    progress on joint natural resources development in the East
    China Sea, Yabunaka said he is considering travel to Beijing
    on April 14 to try to advance the issue.  It may still be
    possible to resolve before Hu's visit, Yabunaka said.  The
    Ambassador noted that the United States welcomes increased
    Japan-PRC engagement, and that working together, the United
    States and Japan can help to moderate China's behavior.
    Yabunaka said that planning is underway for a possible
    Japan-ROK-China summit later in the year, and that China has
    proposed a U.S.-Japan-China meeting framework.  VFM Yabunaka
    noted that he personally feels positively about this, but
    agreed with the Ambassador that the ROK has been the sticking
    point.  While understandable that South Korea would not want
    to be left out of multilateral meetings discussing Korean
    Peninsula issues, there are enough global and other issues to
    discuss among the United States, Japan and China -- such as
    the environment -- to make such a meeting worthwhile, VFM
    Yabunaka suggested.
    SCHIEFFER

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