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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000247 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2020 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR JA
SUBJECT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL'S FEBRUARY 2 MEETING 
WITH MINISTER OF STATE FOR OKINAWA MAEHARA 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt per reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Minister of State for Okinawa Seiji Maehara 
told EAP Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and Assistant 
Secretary of Defense Gregson on February 2 that the wide 
range of views within Japan,s ruling coalition had 
influenced the GOJ,s handling of the Futenma Replacement 
Facility (FRF) issue.  Stressing Prime Minister Hatoyama,s 
commitment to reach an FRF decision by May, Maehara said that 
no coalition partner had a veto.  He noted that Defense 
Minister Toshimi Kitazawa will play a key role as only the 
Ministry of Defense (MOD) has the expertise to evaluate the 
operational elements of various FRF options.  Maehara was 
unable to say when the GOJ might be able to engage with the 
United States on the details of the FRF proposals.  A/S 
Campbell urged that Japan to consult with the United States 
before publicly unveiling any options.  Previewing a later 
meeting with Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary 
General Ichiro Ozawa, Maehara cautioned that Ozawa often 
tailors his statements depending on his audience, saying that 
he would likely voice strong support for the U.S.-Japan 
alliance.  A/S Campbell asked for more frequent public 
statements of support for the alliance.  Maehara was not 
optimistic that the FRF issue would fade soon, saying that 
expectations in Okinawa were very high.  The November Okinawa 
Governor race could be another flashpoint should the 
anti-base Ginowan Mayor decide to run.  End Summary. 
 
Coalition Dynamics on FRF 
------------------------- 
¶2. (C) In a February 2 meeting with Ambassador Roos, A/S 
Campbell and ASD Gregson, Minister of State for Okinawa 
(concurrently Minister of Transportation) Maehara said that 
the disparate views on FRF plans among the three parties in 
Japan,s ruling coalition has shaped the Hatoyama 
government,s management of the issue.  Although both the 
Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People,s New Party 
(PNP) maintain the need for an alternative to the current FRF 
plan, the SDP has not suggested a specific alternative site, 
while PNP Coalition working group representative Mikio 
Shimoji has voiced his personal preference for integrating 
Futenma,s operations into Kadena Air Base.  DPJ Secretary 
General Ozawa has suggested Shimoji-jima and Ie-jima as 
possible sites.  In addition, the Hatoyama government itself 
is engaged in an internal debate over FRF alternatives, he 
said. 
 
¶3. (C) Noting that the GOJ has committed to a decision on FRF 
by May, Maehara said he told SDP President Mizuho Fukushima 
not to assume that the SPD had a veto on alternatives and 
that the SDP is obligated as a coalition member to propose 
viable options.  Cabinet members involved in the FRF issue, 
including the Prime Minister, have publicly declared that the 
current FRF plan remains an option, he said.  Whether another 
workable option exists remains to be seen, Maehara said. 
 
¶4. (C) Defense Minister Kitazawa and MOD will play a central 
role in internal GOJ evaluation of FRF alternatives as only 
MOD can engage in detailed operational analysis of Marine 
Corps Operations, Maehara said.  MOD is currently studying 
possible sites, with operational needs in mind, he said.  At 
the same time, Maehara said he had asked trusted Self Defense 
Forces (SDF) colleagues to consider carefully various 
options. 
 
Engaging with the U.S. on Options 
--------------------------------- 
¶5. (C) Responding to Maehara,s admonition that time was 
short, A/S Campbell sought more clarity on when the GOJ might 
be ready to engage with the United States on the potential 
FRF alternatives, particularly on operational issues. 
Maehara said it was not clear to him at what stage the GOJ 
would engage on the details of possible alternatives. 
Reiterating the U.S. view that the current FRF plan is the 
best option, A/S Campbell stressed that U.S.-Japan management 
of the next phase of this process was critically important to 
a successful resolution.  He urged that the GOJ consult with 
the U.S. privately before publicly unveiling any proposal. 
 
 
TOKYO 00000247  002 OF 002 
 
 
Assessment of Ozawa 
------------------- 
¶6. (C) Noting that A/S Campbell and ASD Gregson would meet 
later in the day with DPJ Secretary General Ozawa, Maehara 
cautioned that Ozawa can tailor his comments to suit those 
with whom he meets.  For example, he said that in meeting 
with ruling coalition party leaders, Ozawa has stressed 
maintaining the coalition; while in Okinawa, he has 
emphasized reducing the burden on Okinawa.  In this light, 
Maehara suggested that Ozawa likely would stress to A/S 
Campbell and ASD Gregson the importance of the U.S.-Japan 
alliance and the need to reach an FRF resolution by May. 
 
Voice Support for Alliance 
-------------------------- 
¶7. (C) A/S Campbell said the United States would appreciate 
more public GOJ statements of support for the alliance, 
particularly the role U.S. plays in regional security.  He 
noted that more key government players speaking out would 
create a strong foundation for the next steps in managing the 
FRF process.  Maehara replied that he voiced his support for 
the alliance at every opportunity, adding that the notion of 
a U.S.-Japan-China "equilateral triangle," a concept 
suggested by DPJ Diet Affair Chief Kenji Yamaoka, was 
"ridiculous." 
 
Expectations High in Okinawa 
---------------------------- 
¶8. (C) In response to a query from the Ambassador on how long 
the current political uncertainty in Okinawa might last, 
Maehara was not optimistic that the situation would improve 
soon, noting that suggestions that FRF could be relocated out 
of Okinawa entirely has raised high expectations.  The 
results of the January Nago mayoral election, won by an 
anti-base candidate, reflected this sentiment, he said.  In 
addition, Maehara suggested the situation could be further 
complicated, depending on whether anti-base Ginowan Mayor 
Yoichi Iha runs for Governor, such a development could 
further complicate a resolution. 
 
¶9. (C) The Ambassador also raised possible economic 
incentives that the U.S. might pursue to assist Okinawa. 
Maehara suggested that the United States might consider how 
it could support the soon-to-open Okinawa Institute of 
Science and Technology.  He suggested that U.S. scientific 
expertise and attracting top U.S. scientific talent to the 
University could help attract talented students. 
 
¶10. (SBU) USG Participants: 
 
Ambassador Roos 
A/S Campbell 
ASD Gregson 
PACOM BG William Uhle 
EAP Special Advisor Nirav Patel 
EAP/J Director Kevin Maher 
Embassy Tokyo Political Minister-Counselor Robert Luke 
OSD Senior Country Director for Japan Suzanne Basalla 
Embassy Notetaker 
Interpreter 
 
GOJ Participants: 
 
Minister Seiji Maehara 
Secretary to the Minister Nakahara 
Secretary to the Minister Nakajima 
 
11 (C) Assistant Secretary Campbell cleared this cable. 
 
 
ROOS