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