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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000291 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2020 
TAGS: PREL ECON KS KN JA
SUBJECT: FM OKADA VISIT TO ROK 
 
TOKYO 00000291  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: DCM James P. Zumwalt per 1.4 (b/d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  FM Okada's February 10-11 visit to Seoul 
highlighted the "great shape" that bilateral relations are 
in, with FM Okada using the opportunity to offer a 
forward-leaning -- and well-received -- statement on 
Japan-ROK historical issues.  MOFA Asia DG Saiki told us that 
this year, the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of 
Korea, will offer further opportunities for "sincere" 
Japanese statements on historical matters.  FM Okada and his 
ROK counterpart discussed a wide range of issues, including 
their shared views on North Korean denuclearization, the 
importance of bilateral cooperation to address global issues 
-- including Okada's proposal to "cooperate" with the ROK's 
PRT in Afghanistan -- and a possible Economic Partnership 
Agreement.  Notably, ROK FM Yu asked about the Futenma issue, 
to which Okada responded that PM Hatoyama had pledged a 
resolution by May.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Japan-ROK relations are in "great shape," Japanese FM 
Katsuya Okada and ROK FM Yu Myung-hwan agreed during Okada's 
February 10-11 visit to Seoul, MOFA Asia DG Akitaka Saiki 
told DCM February 15.  Citing poll numbers in both countries 
that show a majority of Japanese and Koreans favorably view 
bilateral relations, Okada urged both sides to continue their 
efforts to improve ties, particularly in this sensitive year 
that marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of 
Korea.  Okada met for 2 1/2 hours with FM Yu, and had a 
30-minute courtesy call with President Lee Myung-bak. 
Garnering the most press attention in Japan was FM Okada's 
press conference with FM Yu, in which his forward-leaning 
statements on the annexation were generally well received in 
Japan, "even by the conservative Sankei Shimbun," Saiki 
observed.  Okada acknowledged that the Japanese annexation of 
Korea "deeply hurt the pride of the Korean people.8  He 
added that the "pain of the victims should not be forgotten." 
 According to Saiki, the Korean side had pressed for Okada to 
refer to the Korean "victims," and were pleased that Okada 
had done so. 
 
North Korea 
----------- 
 
¶3. (C) On the DPRK and denuclearization, FM Okada and FM Yu 
agreed that there is no difference of views among Japan, the 
ROK and the United States, and Japan and South Korea continue 
to demand that North Korea return to the Six Party Talks 
without condition, Saiki said.  There will be no compromise 
on the denuclearization issue, and Okada and Yu agreed that 
China should play a more active role.  On conditions inside 
North Korea, FM Yu shared the ROK view that there is a 
one-million-ton food shortage, the DPRK's distribution system 
is not functioning, the recent currency re-denomination was a 
total failure, food prices are increasing, and there is the 
very high possibility of mass starvation. 
 
Relations with U.S. 
------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) In response to the DCM's question, Saiki said that 
Okada noted that U.S., Japanese and ROK forces are present in 
Haiti, and this offered an opportunity for trilateral 
military cooperation.  FM Yu had no substantive response.  FM 
Yu raised the issue of Futenma relocation, to which Okada 
responded that PM Hatoyama had pledged to resolve the matter 
by May. 
 
Bilateral Issues 
---------------- 
 
¶5. (C) In addition to exchanging high-level visits for the 
APEC and G20 meetings later in the year, President Lee agreed 
in his meeting with Okada that a bilateral visit to Japan -- 
perhaps before the summer -- will be an important part of 
Japan-ROK shuttle diplomacy, Saiki related.  The 
Japan-ROK-China trilateral summit on Jeju Island May 29 will 
also be an opportunity for PM Hatoyama to meet President Lee 
and to make a statement "consoling Korean feelings."  Saiki 
said the DPJ government recognizes the need to shape 
perceptions in advance of sensitive dates in August 2010 
related to the annexation anniversary, so political 
leadership is prepared to offer additional "sincere" 
statements on Japan-Korea historical issues.  The issue of a 
possible Imperial visit to Korea did not come up in any of 
 
TOKYO 00000291  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Okada's discussions.  FM Yu noted that a number of Korean 
NGOs are demanding the return of several Korean historical 
documents currently in the possession of Japan's Imperial 
Household Agency.  Okada responded that this matter requires 
careful examination, particularly in terms of the scope of 
cultural assets that might someday be returned to Korea. 
 
¶6. (C) On an Economic Partnership Agreement, FM Okada 
expressed his desire to resume negotiations as soon as 
possible, and proposed to FM Yu that they "show leadership" 
by persuading their reluctant domestic constituencies.  Saiki 
added that Okada is enthused about pursuing an EPA and is 
willing to take steps to address the doubts of fellow Cabinet 
members, such as Ag Minister Akamatsu, Saiki added.  Turning 
to the subject of voting rights in local elections for 
permanent residents -- the majority of whom are ethnic 
Koreans -- FM Yu expressed his hope for the early passage of 
relevant legislation.  FM Okada responded that views within 
his own ruling party, not to mention the coalition, remain 
divided and require "further coordination."  "We need to 
lower Korean expectations," Saiki told the DCM. 
 
Global Issues 
------------- 
 
¶7. (C) In light of the ROK's decision to send forces to a PRT 
in Afghanistan in July, FM Okada expressed Japan's intent to 
"cooperate," but Saiki said that it remained unclear when or 
how Japan would do this.  Okada and Yu also agreed to 
increase bilateral cooperation in development assistance, 
climate change, nuclear nonproliferation/disarmament, 
counterterrorism and anti-piracy. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8. (C) Okada's characterization of Japan-ROK relations as 
being in "great shape" is consistent with what our ROK 
Embassy interlocutors have also told us.  In a recent 
conversation with DCM, ROK Embassy DCM Lee Hyuck said that 
the new DPJ government represents an opportunity to 
strengthen Japan-ROK ties.  In fact, the only concern the 
ROKG has about the Hatoyama government is how it manages the 
U.S.-Japan relationship, Lee said. 
ROOS