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R 190401Z APR 07
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RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
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RHHMUNA/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHKO/USDAO TOKYO JA

S E C R E T TOKYO 001728 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PRELJA JA
SUBJECT: (RESEND) PACOM COMMANDER MEETS WITH MOD LEADERSHIP 
 
 
Classified By: AMB Thomas J. Schieffer, Reasons: 1.4 (B/D) 
 
¶1. (U) This is a resend of Tokyo 1693. 
 
¶2. (C) Summary: The leadership of the Japanese Ministry of 
Defense affirmed their commitment to implement the May 1, 
2006 base realignment agreement during meetings April 11-12 
with visiting PACOM Commander ADM Timothy Keating.  Defense 
Minister Fumio Kyuma and Administrative Vice Minister 
Tamkemasa Moriya welcomed Keating to his new position and 
reaffirmed the close working ties between PACOM and the 
Ministry of Defense.  AVM Moriya pledged to address recent 
intelligence leaks and said he wished to work with the U.S. 
to select a next generation fighter.  Kyuma and Moriya both 
noted that the Japanese people still look to the U.S. 
alliance as the foundation of Japan's defense.  End Summary. 
 
Kyuma on Relocation and the JMSDF 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) During an April 11 meeting with visiting PACOM 
Commander Keating, Defense Minister Kyuma focused on the 
implementation of the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) 
and, specifically, the relocation of Futenma Marine Corps Air 
Station.  Kyuma said that the Prime Minister Abe had directed 
him to quickly implement the agreed-upon force realignment 
plan.  Kyuma told Admiral Keating "not to worry," as the US 
and Japan have the same goal of proceeding according to 
schedule and without changes.  Any remaining differences on 
Okinawa base realignment are "technicalities" that would not 
interfere with the implementation process.  In response, ADM 
Keating made clear he would watch the implementation process 
closely and will instill discipline in the process to ensure 
there are no obstacles to its completion on the US side. 
 
¶4. (C) Turning to the Global War on Terror, ADM Keating 
affirmed that the Japanese contributions to Iraq and 
Afghanistan are significant and appreciated.  In particular, 
the JMSDF presence in the Indian Ocean is critical to 
coalition efforts to deny the maritime domain to terrorists. 
Kyuma appreciated the comments and but lamented that it was 
difficult for the Japanese people to understand the 
importance of maritime interdiction.  Although Kyuma 
expressed his regret that the JMSDF's refueling activities in 
the Indian Ocean were only extended by a single year, he said 
he expected that most recent extension bill would soon be 
passed by the Diet.  Admiral Keating also expressed his deep 
appreciation for Japan,s important contributions to an 
integrated ballistic missile defense. 
 
Moriya on the Alliance, FX Fighter, Intel Leaks 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶5. (C) In a subsequent meeting, Administrative Vice Minister 
Moriya reaffirmed the Japanese government's commitment to 
implement the DPRI, the product of more than three years of 
deliberation and negotiation and a shared assessment of the 
strategic environment.  Specifically, any reconsideration of 
the plan for the relocation of Futenma MCAS would not solve 
any problems and instead simply delay the project.  Moriya 
noted that the Government of Japan has tried to accommodate 
Okinawan views multiple times over the last 11 years (since 
the SACO agreement) but each time new Okinawan complaints 
asserted themselves.  Admiral Keating said that he had 
reached exactly the same conclusion.  The DPRI agreement, he 
said, was based on common strategic objectives and addressed 
both short and long term concerns.  It is important, he 
asserted, to hold on to what we have achieved. 
 
¶6. (C) Shifting gears, Moriya noted the Japanese people 
understood the importance the U.S. force presence.  With 
North Korea an ever-present threat and increased Chinese 
military capabilities, he claimed the Japanese people need to 
be reassured that the U.S.-Japan. alliance remains robust. 
Admiral Keating emphatically reaffirmed not only the U.S. 
government's commitment to the defense of Japan, but his own 
personal interest in Japan's security.  Japanese Ballistic 
Missile Defense (BMD), Keating assured Moriya, will become 
more sophisticated and cooperation in this area that serves 
both nations, strategic interests. 
¶7. (C) Continuing the list of challenges Japan and U.S. will 
face in the years to come, Moriya discussed the Japanese 
desire for a next generation fighter.  While Moriya did not 
mention any specific fighter type, he emphasized repeatedly 
the need for Japan to have a capability that can match the 
improving power of the PLA Air Force.  The Government of 
Japan will consider purchasing U.S. military equipment as a 
reflection of the closeness of the U.S.-Japan alliance. 
 
¶8. (S) Moriya also raised the recent possible compromise of 
AEGIS operational information.  Moriya assured ADM Keating 
the Japanese understand the importance of protecting 
classified information and will provide the U.S. with a 
report on the event as well as measures to prevent similar 
events.  Admiral Keating stressed that the U.S. will continue 
to share information with Japan as an ally but encouraged 
Moriya to improve the way information is controlled and 
protected. 
 
¶9. (U) Admiral Keating has cleared this message. 
SCHIEFFER