Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO3734
2006-07-05 08:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN PLANNING STRONG DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE TO NORTH
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003734
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NK JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PLANNING STRONG DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE TO NORTH
KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003734
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NK JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PLANNING STRONG DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE TO NORTH
KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (C) Summary: Japan is seeking early diplomatic action in
response to the July 5 series of North Korean missile
launches. Within hours of the first launch, the government
convened a Cabinet national security meeting which agreed to
seek immediate UNSC action and review options for additional
sanctions on North Korea. Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe told
the Ambassador on July 5 (Septel) that Japan wants to work
closely with the United States ahead of UNSC discussions on
North Korea's actions scheduled for 10:00 am (EST) July 5.
Japan has requested a coordinated public statement ahead of
the UNSC referral. On July 5, Japan also revoked the North
Korean ferry Mangyongbong-92's permission to enter Japan just
minutes before the ship was scheduled to arrive in Niigata.
Additional sanctions are under consideration, but many
measures on the table may require Diet action. In a series
of press conferences, Abe, Foreign Minister Aso, and Defense
Minister Nukaga lauded close U.S.-Japan cooperation following
the North Korean missile launches. End Summary.
Quick Reaction
--------------
2. (C) Japan reacted quickly to the series of North Korean
missile launches on July 5. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo
Abe made a brief press statement at 6:15 am, within three
hours of receiving reports of the first missile launch. The
Ambassador was invited to a meeting with Abe, Foreign
Minister Taro Aso, and Japan Defense Agency (JDA) Minister
Fukushiro Nukaga at 6:45 am to discuss developments (Septel)
before cabinet members convened in a formal national security
meeting at 7:00 am. Following the cabinet meeting, Abe held
a second press conference, during which he warned of "stern
actions" in response to the North Korean missile launches.
Immediate UNSC Action Sought
--------------
3. (C) Ministers attending the morning cabinet meeting
endorsed a proposal to place the North Korean missile launch
issue on the agenda of an informal UNSC meeting scheduled for
10:00 am (EST) on July 5. MOFA Asian Affairs DG Kenichiro
Sasae told the DCM that Japan would like to coordinate
closely with the United States on a UNSC referral before the
meeting convenes in New York. MOFA officials confirmed that
France, current UNSC Chair, has agreed to Japan's request to
place North Korea's missile activities on the July 5 UNSC
agenda.
4. (C) The Japanese government also decided early morning
July 5 to deny entry to the North Korean ferry
Mangyongbong-92, which was scheduled to arrive in Niigata at
8:00 am the same day. MOFA Deputy Vice Minister Masaharu
Kono told the DCM that Japan is reviewing options for
additional sanctions, but Kono added that most options under
consideration will require Diet approval.
Bilateral Coordination Lauded
--------------
5. (C) Foreign Minister Aso and JDA Minister Nukaga held
separate press conferences later in the morning to update the
media on developments and highlight the close ongoing
cooperation between the United States and Japan (Note: data
on the North Korean launches were coordinated in real time
through the recently established Bilateral Joint Operations
Coordination Center (BJOCC) at Yokota Air Base. End Note).
The Japanese media also reported that the Secretary and FM
Aso confirmed by telcon their commitment to a coordinated
responses to North Korean actions.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NK JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PLANNING STRONG DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE TO NORTH
KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (C) Summary: Japan is seeking early diplomatic action in
response to the July 5 series of North Korean missile
launches. Within hours of the first launch, the government
convened a Cabinet national security meeting which agreed to
seek immediate UNSC action and review options for additional
sanctions on North Korea. Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe told
the Ambassador on July 5 (Septel) that Japan wants to work
closely with the United States ahead of UNSC discussions on
North Korea's actions scheduled for 10:00 am (EST) July 5.
Japan has requested a coordinated public statement ahead of
the UNSC referral. On July 5, Japan also revoked the North
Korean ferry Mangyongbong-92's permission to enter Japan just
minutes before the ship was scheduled to arrive in Niigata.
Additional sanctions are under consideration, but many
measures on the table may require Diet action. In a series
of press conferences, Abe, Foreign Minister Aso, and Defense
Minister Nukaga lauded close U.S.-Japan cooperation following
the North Korean missile launches. End Summary.
Quick Reaction
--------------
2. (C) Japan reacted quickly to the series of North Korean
missile launches on July 5. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo
Abe made a brief press statement at 6:15 am, within three
hours of receiving reports of the first missile launch. The
Ambassador was invited to a meeting with Abe, Foreign
Minister Taro Aso, and Japan Defense Agency (JDA) Minister
Fukushiro Nukaga at 6:45 am to discuss developments (Septel)
before cabinet members convened in a formal national security
meeting at 7:00 am. Following the cabinet meeting, Abe held
a second press conference, during which he warned of "stern
actions" in response to the North Korean missile launches.
Immediate UNSC Action Sought
--------------
3. (C) Ministers attending the morning cabinet meeting
endorsed a proposal to place the North Korean missile launch
issue on the agenda of an informal UNSC meeting scheduled for
10:00 am (EST) on July 5. MOFA Asian Affairs DG Kenichiro
Sasae told the DCM that Japan would like to coordinate
closely with the United States on a UNSC referral before the
meeting convenes in New York. MOFA officials confirmed that
France, current UNSC Chair, has agreed to Japan's request to
place North Korea's missile activities on the July 5 UNSC
agenda.
4. (C) The Japanese government also decided early morning
July 5 to deny entry to the North Korean ferry
Mangyongbong-92, which was scheduled to arrive in Niigata at
8:00 am the same day. MOFA Deputy Vice Minister Masaharu
Kono told the DCM that Japan is reviewing options for
additional sanctions, but Kono added that most options under
consideration will require Diet approval.
Bilateral Coordination Lauded
--------------
5. (C) Foreign Minister Aso and JDA Minister Nukaga held
separate press conferences later in the morning to update the
media on developments and highlight the close ongoing
cooperation between the United States and Japan (Note: data
on the North Korean launches were coordinated in real time
through the recently established Bilateral Joint Operations
Coordination Center (BJOCC) at Yokota Air Base. End Note).
The Japanese media also reported that the Secretary and FM
Aso confirmed by telcon their commitment to a coordinated
responses to North Korean actions.
SCHIEFFER