JAPAN GEARED TO RATIFY THE INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS TOKYO 003376 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP PTER MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL JA SUBJECT: JAPAN GEARED TO RATIFY THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF ACTS OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM REF: SECSTATE 102149 1) On June 24, 2007, ESToff spoke to MOFA's Toshio Kaneko, Nuclear Officer, International Nuclear Energy Cooperation Division about ratifying the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (NTC). Mr. Kaneko announced that the Japanese government set a target date of August 2007 for ratifying the NTC. He added that, if for some reason, Japan should miss its self-imposed deadline, then he would inform Embassy Tokyo. 2) Mr. Kaneko asked when the U.S. would ratify the NTC. ESToff delivered the points in the reftel, explaining that the Administration intends to press for rapid Senate action in an effort to ratify the convention. SCHIEFFER