Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO2315
2007-05-23 08:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
DEPUTY VICE MINISTER PROTESTS TIP RANKING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #2315 1430836 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 230836Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3850
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002315
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/J, EAP/RSP, G/TIP, L/LEI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY VICE MINISTER PROTESTS TIP RANKING
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph R. Donovan for reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002315
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/J, EAP/RSP, G/TIP, L/LEI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY VICE MINISTER PROTESTS TIP RANKING
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph R. Donovan for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Deputy Vice Minister Chikao Kawai called the Deputy
Chief of Mission May 23 to reiterate Japan's unhappiness with
being listed as a Tier Two country in the Trafficking in
Persons (TIP) Report. After earlier TIP Reports criticized
the lack of specific legislation in Japan, the Diet made
significant changes to its Penal Code and other laws,
explained DVM Kawai. Japan has made its best efforts to meet
the U.S. conditions for moving to Tier One since last year's
report, he said, pointing out that MOFA had been very
cooperative in helping the U.S. EMBASSY prepare its submisson
for the report.
2. (C) The U.S. position that Japan's revised laws are not
comprehensive enough for Japan to become Tier One would be
"moving the goalposts," asserted DVM Kawai. If Japan
continues to be listed as a Tier Two country, MOFA may
reconsider future cooperation in preparing the TIP Report, he
added. Japan wants to resolve the issue quietly and does not
want to have a public dispute with the United States,
emphasized DVM Kawai, who noted that this same message had
been delivered in Washington by Japanese Ambassador Kato and
DCM Saiki. The DCM promised that he would convey Kawai's
comments to Washington and highlighted the importance of
continued cooperation between the U.S. EMBASSY and the
Japanese government on human trafficking issues.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/J, EAP/RSP, G/TIP, L/LEI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY VICE MINISTER PROTESTS TIP RANKING
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph R. Donovan for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Deputy Vice Minister Chikao Kawai called the Deputy
Chief of Mission May 23 to reiterate Japan's unhappiness with
being listed as a Tier Two country in the Trafficking in
Persons (TIP) Report. After earlier TIP Reports criticized
the lack of specific legislation in Japan, the Diet made
significant changes to its Penal Code and other laws,
explained DVM Kawai. Japan has made its best efforts to meet
the U.S. conditions for moving to Tier One since last year's
report, he said, pointing out that MOFA had been very
cooperative in helping the U.S. EMBASSY prepare its submisson
for the report.
2. (C) The U.S. position that Japan's revised laws are not
comprehensive enough for Japan to become Tier One would be
"moving the goalposts," asserted DVM Kawai. If Japan
continues to be listed as a Tier Two country, MOFA may
reconsider future cooperation in preparing the TIP Report, he
added. Japan wants to resolve the issue quietly and does not
want to have a public dispute with the United States,
emphasized DVM Kawai, who noted that this same message had
been delivered in Washington by Japanese Ambassador Kato and
DCM Saiki. The DCM promised that he would convey Kawai's
comments to Washington and highlighted the importance of
continued cooperation between the U.S. EMBASSY and the
Japanese government on human trafficking issues.
SCHIEFFER