RESPONSE TO JAPAN'S E.O. 13382 QUESTIONS

S E C R E T TOKYO 005212

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/K AND ISN/CPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: UPON KOREAN REUNIFICATION
TAGS: PARM KNNP PREL PGOV KN CH JA
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO JAPAN'S E.O. 13382 QUESTIONS

REF: A. TOKYO 5211

B. STATE 149071

Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)


1. THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST: See paragraph 8.


2. (S) SUMMARY: MOFA Asian Bureau DG Sasae told the DCM
September 11 that Japan was already aware of the information
contained in reftel through its Embassy in Washington, and
that most of the information was previously known to his
government. He reiterated Tokyo's urgent request for
specific instances in which the entities in question had
trafficked in weapons of mass destruction in order to justify
sanctions or legal actions by the Government of Japan. He
also noted Assistant Secretary Hill's recent statement that
the United States would take action "soon" in response to
UNSCR 1695. He underscored that Japan urgently requests
information on what those U.S. steps will be prior to the
final cabinet meeting of the Koizumi administration on
September 19, when Japan's own steps will be discussed. Vice
Foreign Minister Yachi called Ambassador Schieffer at close
of business and repeated Sasae's request for information
(reftel A). END SUMMARY.


3. (S) DCM called on MOFA Asia Bureau DG Kenichiro Sasae on
September 11 to convey points contained in reftel B. Sasae
thanked the DCM for the information and informed him that the
Japanese Embassy in Washington had already received the same
from the Department. In addition, he noted that most of the
information contained in the non-paper was previously known
to his government.


4. (S) Sasae stressed Japan's urgent need for specific
information linking the named entities to acts of trafficking
or other prescribed activities. This information is critical
and will be required by both the Ministry of Finance and the
National Police Agency if sanctions or other legal actions
are to be taken.


5. (S) Coordination between the United States and Japan on
this issue was critically important, Sasae emphasized. He
noted that during Assistant Secretary Hill's visit to Japan
on September 4-5, Hill told him that the United States would
take action pursuant to UNSCR 1695 "soon." Japan is urgently
requesting additional details on what the United States will
do and when, as the Japanese Cabinet will discuss Japan's
response on September 19, which will be the last cabinet
meeting of Prime Minster Koizumi's administration. Both the
Prime Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe are "keenly
interested" in this; Vice Foreign Minister Yachi would call
the Ambassador later on September 11 to again deliver this
message, he added. (NOTE: VFM Yachi did, indeed, call
Ambassador Schieffer at close of business to reiterate the
request for information made by Sasae. Details reported
reftel A. END NOTE.)


6. (S) Japan appreciates the delicate nature of this issue,
Sasae observed, given the timing of ROK President Roh's visit
to the United States. However, Japan firmly believes that
now is the time to move forward with sanctions and that it is
critical to avoid sending any misleading messages.


7. (S) Per reftel B, Embassy Financial Attache delivered the
non-paper to Ministry of Finance officials on September 11,
who also reported being previously aware of the information.


8. (S) ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy requests information to
enable a response to the Government of Japan's request for
specific examples of proscribed activities by the named
entities.
SCHIEFFER