GOJ WELCOMES U.S. VIEWS ON UNSC RESOLUTION 1695

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004804 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2026 TAGS: PARM JA KN KNNP MNUC PARM PREL PTER SUBJECT: GOJ WELCOMES U.S. VIEWS ON UNSC RESOLUTION 1695 REF: STATE 136495 Classified By: A/DCM W. Michael Meserve. Reasons: 1.4(B/D) ¶1. (C) The GOJ "truly welcomes this U.S. initiative," MOFA Asian and Oceanian Affairs Acting Director General Kunio Umeda said in response to reftel points conveyed by A/DCM Meserve on August 21. Japan was exemplary, A/DCM observed, in having already instituted strict controls and vigilance on both financial transactions and movement of goods to NORTH Korea. Umeda said that thorough implementation of UNSCR 1695 was very important for maintaining the UN's credibility; and not to do so would send the wrong message to Pyongyang. He informed us that Japan had done its own soundings on implementing UNSCR 1695 and concluded that all developed countries had in place strict export control measures, including catch-all provisions, to prevent transfers of goods to DPRK WMD programs. ¶2. (C) In regard to financial measures, Umeda said, European countries were studying the matter, but with the exception of the UK, there appeared to be little enthusiasm to adopt new and stricter practices. Umeda noted that Japan also had consulted with the ROK on this matter, but the ROK response, "without explanation" he observed, was that the ROK had already taken steps in line with UNSCR 1695 and that further action was unnecessary. Umeda continued that the U.S. was the only country so far to institute new financial measures, but Japan was now considering when to introduce similar measures. To do so would require cabinet approval, and in order to speed that process, MOFA would soon direct its embassy to ask the Treasury Department for further details on the 12 NORTH Korean organizations and one individual designated by Treasury. ¶3. (C) Turning to international transit, Umeda singled out strict vigilance on transit and overflight of aircraft to and from NORTH KOREA as a particularly important point, citing China and Russia specifically in this regard. ¶4. (C) Umeda also mentioned that DG Sasae had spoken with A/S Hill last week about the need to take additional sanctions measures against the DPRK in the near term, emphasizing the importance of the U.S. and Japan working in a coordinated manner. Japan, Umeda observed, had already taken nine actions, and the U.S. had adopted its own measures. It was important now for others to follow suit, and in that respect Umeda reiterated, the U.S. initiative was particularly welcome. DONOVAN