AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT AUGUST 31

UNCLAS TOKYO 005039 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE DEPT FOR OES/IHA SINGER AND FENDRICK DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER, BHAT AND ELVANDER DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN DENNIS CARROLL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI JA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT AUGUST 31 REF: A. 05 STATE 153802 ¶B. TOKYO 4853 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. There were no significant avian influenza (AI) developments in Japan during the period August 24 to August ¶31. No human or animal outbreaks of H5N1 AI were reported in Japan during the above period. -- Japan's Cooperation with China -- ¶1. On August 27, Japanese Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and Chinese Minister of Health agreed in Beijing about the need to strengthen cooperation between Japan and China to fight against AI. Jiro Kakawaki, Japanese MHLW Minister said at a press conference on August 28 that both governments already started discussing specific plans. Kawasaki also emphasized that it is important to disclose information from both governments, even cases that happen in local areas in China. SCHIEFFER