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. -------------- Security Background Information -------------- ¶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. -------------- Regional Background -------------- ¶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. -------------- Access Information -------------- ¶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. -------------- Schedule -------------- ¶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) -------------- Points of Contact -------------- ¶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