[Australia]: Message to Japan [SEC=SECRET]

[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: SECRET ​

1 May 2008

Dear Minister Aso, I am currently in Korea at the moment, visiting my Korean counterpart. I would like it if after my visit to Korea I make my way across to Japan and begin a series of talks with the your Government. Australia seeks to have a strong economic and defence partnership with Japan. Likewise with this visit to Korea, I am attempting to shore up the relationships that Australia has with likeminded nations across the Asia-Pacific. This is increasingly necessary with the ever present regional security challenges. Eventually it is our hope that we can move to more multilateral frameworks with likeminded democracies across the Asia-Pacific. The non-governmental relationships between our nations remain strong, with high levels of two-way tourism and a nearly 80% positive view of Japan by Australians and the views of Australia being one of the highest amongst the Japanese population. We also have over 100 sister city agreements between towns and cities in Australia and Japan, which is an astonishing amount. I hope to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely, Kevin Rudd.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

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Akira

 

[Akira]

Classified​

Your Excellency,

Thank you for your kind invitation. The relationship between Japan and Australia is indeed a senior one, with a chain of cooperation dating back to the end of the Second World War. In line with this my government would gladly engage in talks with Australia. However, it would be reckless of me not to inform you that there will be elections for the House of Representatives one month from now. Based on the results of those elections a completely different government with their own foreign policy priorities may be in power following these elections. As such I cannot guarantee that any agreement we discuss will also be supported by such a government. As such, it may be advisable to postpone holding a meeting until after the elections so either my own party will remain in power or you may be able to discuss relations instead with my successor. Especially as all treaties negotiated by my Ministry must be ratified by the National Diet before they can enter into effect.

Should you be willing to dismiss the potential uncertainty, I would however be happy to welcome you in Tokyo immediately. I will leave this decision entirely up to you.

Yours sincerely,
Tarō Asō, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Owen