JAPAN OPPOSING TAIWAN UN BID

S E C R E T TOKYO 003360 SIPDIS SIPDIS EAP/TC ANDREW NGUYEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2017 TAGS: PREL CH TW JA SUBJECT: JAPAN OPPOSING TAIWAN UN BID REF: EMAIL FROM ANDREW NGUYEN DATED JULY 17 Classified By: DCM Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4 (B)/(D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request; see paragraph 5. ¶2. (S) Japanese officials in Taiwan informed the Taiwan Authority on July 20, 2007 that Tokyo will not support Taiwan membership in international organizations, including the United Nations, when statehood is a prerequisite, MOFA contacts told Tokyo Embassy political officer on July 23. Tokyo will continue to oppose actions that push Taiwan independence forward and is concerned that Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations could destabilize cross-strait relations, explained MOFA China and Mongolia Division Principal Deputy Director Kazuya Endo. Japanese leaders will caution Taiwan to act more prudently in the future, Endo noted. Japan, at this time, is not planning to issue a public statement opposing Taiwan's UN bid. Japan, however, will explain its formal policy if questioned by the media, explained Endo. ¶3. (S) Japan's policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, Endo emphasized. As outlined in the 1972 Joint Communiqu, Japan acknowledges the PRC view that Taiwan is part of the PRC, and Japan "fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the PRC, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation." Tokyo's position will not change in the foreseeable future and Japan will oppose unilateral moves to change the status quo, Endo stated. He noted that Japan is concerned about the recent increase in cross-strait tensions and will advise Taiwan to be more cautious. ¶4. (S) Regarding recent changes in international organizations requiring member states to use terminology for Taiwan that is in keeping with China's claim of sovereignty, such as "Taiwan, Province of China," or "Taiwan, China," Japan will study such requirements on a case-by-case basis. It is important to avoid politicizing titles, while responding in line with APEC, Endo added. ¶5. (C) Action request: Endo asked if we could provide dates when the USG recently approached secretariats of international organizations to reiterate the terms of our one China policy. Please advise. SCHIEFFER