WELCOME FOR USS JOHN S. MCCAIN, AUGUST 24th-AUGUST 28th

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OSAKA KOBE 000470

SIPDIS

COMSEVENTHFLT PASS TO USS JOHN S. MCCAIN

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL JA
SUBJECT: WELCOME FOR USS JOHN S. MCCAIN, AUGUST 24th-AUGUST 28th
VISIT TO HIMEJI


1. (U) Consulate General Osaka-Kobe welcomes the visit of the USS
John S. McCain, scheduled for August 24 to August 28. We look
forward to assisting the McCain again in any way we can to make this
visit successful and enjoyable for all involved.

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Security Background Information
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2. (SBU) Consulate General Osaka-Kobe has assisted with 12 ship
visits in the last 6 years, most recently with the visit of the
McCain to Sakaiminato. Our past ship visits have been successful in
contributing to an improved atmosphere for naval exchanges in the
Kansai region, and the recent Sakaiminato visit of the McCain drew
wide support from the community, including City Hall and the Chamber
of Commerce.


3. (SBU) The Consulate has made every effort to ensure the best
possible berth for this visit, and has arranged for the McCain to
dock at the Shikama berth of Himeji Port,which offers access to the
city center.


4. (SBU) As of yet, no organizations have applied for demonstration
permits to protest the McCain's arrival. The Consulate will provide
additional information on scheduled demonstrations as it becomes
available.


5. (SBU) In the past, the Consulate has received as many as 100
protest letters from organizations and individuals opposed to
proposed visits. For the upcoming visit of the USS John S. McCain,
the Consulate has received 7 protest letters to date. Port, Coast
Guard and Police officials have been responsive to all security
concerns raised by the Consulate.


6. (U) Himeji Port extends for 18 kilometers east to west, and
serves as the pivotal port for the Harima Coastal Industrial Zone.
Its primary industries are steel, oil, chemical and electrical
energy and Himeji port activity is valuable to the economy of Japan
as a whole.

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Regional Background
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7. (U) Located on the southerwestern side of Hyogo Prefecture, the
seaport of Himeji is the hub port for the Harima Coastal Industrial
Zone. Himeji was founded in 1889 and is home to approximately
460,000 residents. The city rests between mountains (Mt. Masui, Mt.
Hiromine and Mt. Shosha) to the north, and the Seto Inland Sea to
the south. Himeji has flourished as a transportation and industrial
center since its founding, assisted by its proximity to other larger
economic and cultural centers, such as the cities of Kyoto, Osaka and
Kobe.

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Access Information
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8. (U) Himeji is internationally famous for its stunning castle, but
for crew on liberty, Himeji Port also acts as the main gate to the
Seto Inland Sea, to Ieshima Island, and to Shodoshima Island,
popular with local tourists. At each of these locations, one can
enjoy onsen (hot springs),hiking, kayaking and ample water sports.
Additionally, Himeji is in the heart of vibrant Hyogo prefecture,
approximately an hour from the port city of Kobe, and two hours from
the metropolitan hub of Osaka, with connections to the tourist
destinations in western and central Japan such as Kyoto, Nara,
Wakayama, Nagoya, etc.


9. (U) The Consulate has requested Himeji City provide English
language tourist materials for the crew's reference.

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Schedule
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10. (SBU) The current draft schedule for the USS John S. McCain's
visit is as follows; we anticipate that detailed updates and changes
will be necessary. They will be communicated via email and telephone

OSAKA KOBE 00000470 002 OF 002


by Consulate and CNFJ.

Day 1 (Thursday, August 24, 2006)

0900 Ship arrival alongside berth
0930-0945 Ship Welcome Ceremony
1000-1045 VIP ship tour
1030-1100 Press ship tour
1045-1100 Pre-press conference meeting
1100-1130 Press Event with CO, CG, PAO in Ward Room
1315-1335 Courtesy Call to Mr. Shunsuke Taniguchi
President, Himeji Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
1400-1420 Courtesy Call to Vice Mayor Toru Saga
Himeji City Government
1320 Crew departs for comrel
1400-1530 Comrel at Taiyo Nursing Home in Himeji
1500 ACCJ Tour with 15 ACCJ Members
1800-2000 Onboard Reception

Day 2 (Friday, August 25, 2006)

1300 30 crew departs for comrel
1400-1600 Comrel at Enkyoji Temple (Last Samurai Temple)

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Points of Contact
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11. (U) POCs at Consulate General Osaka-Kobe are as follows:

Political-Economic Officer Philip Cummings (Control Officer)
Office: (06) 6315-5908
Mobile: (090) 1487-2550
Email: cummingspm@state.gov

Consul General Danny Russel
Office: (06) 6315-5902
Mobile: (090) 9622-0019
Email: russeldr@state.gov

Public Affairs Officer Chris Laycock
Office: (06) 6315-5964
Mobile: (090) 4492-0727
Email: Laycockjc@state.gov

Political-Economic Intern Emma Tsuchida
Office: (06) 6315-5989
Mobile: (080) 6422-5056
Email: tsuchidaex@state.gov

RUSSEL