Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO6227
2006-10-26 00:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
DEMARCHE ON FREEDOM BROADCASTING FROM JAPAN TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #6227 2990009 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 260009Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7787 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4662 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0779 RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR 0404 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 6168
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 006227
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: BBG PHUM PGOV PREL KS KN JA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON FREEDOM BROADCASTING FROM JAPAN TO
NORTH KOREA
REF: STATE 166931
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION JOSEPH R. DONOVAN FOR REASONS
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 006227
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: BBG PHUM PGOV PREL KS KN JA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON FREEDOM BROADCASTING FROM JAPAN TO
NORTH KOREA
REF: STATE 166931
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION JOSEPH R. DONOVAN FOR REASONS 1.
4(B),(D)
1. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Deputy October 25 met with
MOFA Northeast Asia Division Director Shigeo Yamada to
deliver reftel message regarding broadcasting into North
Korea from Japan. Yamada responded that the determination of
whether Japan can permit, participate in, and/or finance such
broadcasts involves technical, legal, and regulatory
questions that he can not answer without consulting with
other ministries and experts. He undertook to share our
requests with the appropriate authorities and promised to
respond.
2. (C) In response to Political Deputy's questions, Yamada
confirmed that a Japanese private organization, "Sukuukai"
(National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by
North Korea -- NARKN),has been making its own broadcasts
known as "Shiokaze" ("sea breeze") into North Korea. These
shortwave broadcasts do not originate in Japan or from ships,
but come from "somewhere else" that he claimed is unknown to
him. These broadcasts are privately financed and do not
receive assistance from the Japanese government.
3. (C) Yamada concurred that the idea of broadcasting into
North Korea has merit and should be further explored. He
said that despite the difficulties of receiving radio
transmissions inside the North, many defectors have reported
that they listened to and were influenced by shortwave
broadcasts.
4. (C) On a separate matter, Yamada reported that the Diet
has adopted a new North Korea Human Rights Law that, among
other things, designates one week in December as "North Korea
Human Rights Week." He believes that Japanese Ambassador in
charge of Human Rights Fumiko Saiga will be in Tokyo during
that week and wondered whether Special Envoy for Human Rights
in North Korea Jay Lefkowitz would be able to visit Tokyo at
the same time. He said that it would be very beneficial if
Special Envoy Lefkowitz could meet with Ambassador Saiga and
others at MOFA to discuss the North Korea situation.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: BBG PHUM PGOV PREL KS KN JA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON FREEDOM BROADCASTING FROM JAPAN TO
NORTH KOREA
REF: STATE 166931
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION JOSEPH R. DONOVAN FOR REASONS 1.
4(B),(D)
1. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Deputy October 25 met with
MOFA Northeast Asia Division Director Shigeo Yamada to
deliver reftel message regarding broadcasting into North
Korea from Japan. Yamada responded that the determination of
whether Japan can permit, participate in, and/or finance such
broadcasts involves technical, legal, and regulatory
questions that he can not answer without consulting with
other ministries and experts. He undertook to share our
requests with the appropriate authorities and promised to
respond.
2. (C) In response to Political Deputy's questions, Yamada
confirmed that a Japanese private organization, "Sukuukai"
(National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by
North Korea -- NARKN),has been making its own broadcasts
known as "Shiokaze" ("sea breeze") into North Korea. These
shortwave broadcasts do not originate in Japan or from ships,
but come from "somewhere else" that he claimed is unknown to
him. These broadcasts are privately financed and do not
receive assistance from the Japanese government.
3. (C) Yamada concurred that the idea of broadcasting into
North Korea has merit and should be further explored. He
said that despite the difficulties of receiving radio
transmissions inside the North, many defectors have reported
that they listened to and were influenced by shortwave
broadcasts.
4. (C) On a separate matter, Yamada reported that the Diet
has adopted a new North Korea Human Rights Law that, among
other things, designates one week in December as "North Korea
Human Rights Week." He believes that Japanese Ambassador in
charge of Human Rights Fumiko Saiga will be in Tokyo during
that week and wondered whether Special Envoy for Human Rights
in North Korea Jay Lefkowitz would be able to visit Tokyo at
the same time. He said that it would be very beneficial if
Special Envoy Lefkowitz could meet with Ambassador Saiga and
others at MOFA to discuss the North Korea situation.
SCHIEFFER