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