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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 006056 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL UNDC JA
SUBJECT: A/S HILL REAFFIRMS FIRM U.S.-JAPAN TIES WITH 
JAPANESE MOFA DG KAWAI 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER.  Reason: 1.4 (b)(d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: During an October 17 meeting with EAP 
Assistant Secretary Chris Hill, MOFA North America Director 
General Kawai praised U.S.-Japan cooperation on North Korea 
but explained that Japan,s public is unsettled by the 
DPRK,s missile and nuclear tests.  Kawai suggested that 
additional U.S. steps against North Korea, even symbolic 
gestures, would have a calming effect in Japan.  DG Kawai 
believed that Japan,s media is focusing excessively on 
possible maritime interdiction efforts to implement UNSCR 
1718 and proposed that the U.S. and Japan use Secretary 
Rice,s upcoming visit to temper such expectations.  Turning 
to the stalled efforts to complete the Japanese portion of 
the Afghan ring road, Kawai was downbeat on any possible 
cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  In 
conclusion, Kawai suggested that the U.S. and Japan explore 
ways to spotlight our economic relationship during a possible 
meeting between the President and Prime Minister Abe at APEC. 
 End Summary. 
 
U.S.)Japan Relations 
-------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) During an October 17 breakfast meeting, MOFA North 
American Affairs Director General Kawai praised U.S. Japan 
cooperation during the North Korea missile and nuclear tests. 
 He said that Japan,s leaders and public appreciated U.S. 
statements reaffirming our commitment to the alliance, 
particularly those of the President and Secretary Rice, which 
were important at this time as the Japanese public is 
unsettled by North Korea,s actions.  Recent polls showed a 
heightened sense of insecurity and overwhelming support for 
UNSC 1718.  Kawai said he hoped that the U.S. Government will 
use the upcoming visit by Secretary Rice and other public 
forums to reiterate its commitment to Japan,s defense.  He 
noted that the current tense atmosphere in Japan would be 
very receptive to those statements and reaffirmed the current 
government,s support of U.S. military activities. Kawai 
singled out Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) cooperation, 
including the ongoing PAC-3 deployment to Okinawa as 
particularly reassuring to the Japanese people. 
 
DPRK 
---- 
 
¶3. (C) Director General Kawai and Assistant Secretary Hill 
agreed that the Japanese media is placing excessive attention 
on the possible inspection of ships under UNSC 1718, to the 
point of making it look like a full-scale blockade is 
imminent. Efforts need to be taken to calm the Japanese media 
in order for the public to get a more realistic picture of 
implementing UNSC 1718, Kawai suggested.  A/S Hill stressed 
that we did not contemplate a maritime interdiction 
operation, but rather Proliferation Security Initiative 
(PSI)-like activities more akin to &cargo inspections8 
where we have sufficient information to warrant an 
inspection. 
 
¶4. (C) Explaining that there are extensive and ongoing 
internal GOJ discussions on the appropriate way to implement 
UNSC 1718 Kawai stated that the Foreign Ministry believed 
that Japan could use relevant existing laws to support 
maritime inspection efforts.  Others, including Japan Defense 
Agency (JDA), believe that additional legislation is 
necessary.  Kawai suggested amendments to maritime 
interdiction legislation may be a possibility, but he ruled 
out Diet passage of a new law to govern UNSC 1718 
implementation. The Japanese Coast Guard is fully prepared to 
enforce UNSC 1718 in Japanese territorial waters Kawai 
stated.  He was unsure, however, if Japan could provide 
logistical support to any third-country forces under existing 
 
TOKYO 00006056  002 OF 002 
 
 
legislation. 
 
¶5. (C) A/S Hill agreed with Kawai when the Director expressed 
confidence that Japan's economic sanctions on the DPRK will 
have a real and meaningful impact.  He pointed out that the 
DPRK has been a ready importer of Japanese luxury items and 
the loss of Japanese markets for DPRK agricultural products 
is a significant blow to Pyongyang. A/S Hill explained and 
Kawai agreed that the best method to enforce sanctions 
against luxury goods exports would be to publicize such 
activities and insist that the exporting nation refrain from 
future sales. 
 
¶6. (C) A/S Hill noted favorably the unilateral sanctions that 
Japan took in the aftermath of the DPRK nuclear test, adding 
that he recognized the need for the USG to take additional 
steps as well, even if they were symbolic, in order to 
reassure the Japanese public.  Kawai concurred that symbolic 
actions by the USG are important at this point. 
 
Seoul Trilateral 
---------------- 
 
¶7. (C) A/S Hill expressed appreciation for Foreign Minister 
Aso,s willingness to participate in the upcoming trilateral 
meeting in Seoul.  Kawai explained that FM Aso was able to 
obtain approval to be absent during the current Diet session 
because of the importance that the GOJ attached to this 
event. 
 
Afghanistan 
----------- 
 
¶8. (C) Kawai acknowledged the difficulties Japan's failure to 
date to fulfill its commitments to completing its portion of 
the Afghan ring road is causing for overall reconstruction 
efforts.  He expressed frustration over the recent decision 
of an Indian contractor to back out of the project over 
security concerns. Kawai downplayed prospects for amending 
Japan,s laws so that it could utilize the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers resources. 
 
Economic Relations 
------------------ 
 
¶9. (C) Kawai describes Japan,s economic relationship with 
the U.S. as fundamental and a necessary balance to improving 
economic ties with the rest of Asia. The GOJ therefore hopes 
to spotlight U.S.-Japan economic relations during a possible 
meeting between the President and Prime Minister Abe at APEC. 
 Kawai suggested that the upcoming sub-cabinet meeting 
explore ways to do so. 
 
SCHIEFFER