DEPUTY VICE MINISTER PROTESTS TIP RANKING

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