JAPAN,S RESPONSE TO ENCOURAGING BROAD SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 004800

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EAP/MLS FOR AARON COPE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN,S RESPONSE TO ENCOURAGING BROAD SUPPORT FOR
DEMOCRACY IN BURMA

REF: TOKYO 04699

Classified By: Charge D' Affairs Joseph R. Donovan for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

Summary
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1. (C) Japan seeks a larger role in efforts to bring about
democracy and respect for human rights in Burma, but realizes
it lacks the leverage and influence necessary to bring about
change, MOFA International Cooperation Division Deputy
Director General Reiichiro Takahashi told Embassy Tokyo Aid
Counselor and Political Officer on October 12. Increased
Japanese efforts are unlikely to counter China and India,s
influence, and even though the Japanese media and politicians
are calling for change, there is no substance to Japan,s
&special relationship8 with Burma, he said. DDG Takahashi
said that MOFA will not exclude the possibility of canceling
aid projects to Burma, but at this time will only halt the
Japan-Myanmar Human Resources Promotion Facility project,
curtail police training, and increase scrutiny of selective
trainees and scholars. While MOFA is currently reviewing all
aid programs to Burma, Japan has no plans to expand
assistance, and will continue technical cooperation via
JICA. During an October 12 meeting with Foreign Minister
Komura, the International Cooperation Bureau senior officials
will recommend Japan cancel plans to build the Japan-Burma
Human Resources Promotion Facility building (i.e. Japan-Burma
Cultural Center at Rangoon University, and following cabinet
approval early next week, Japan will publicly announce its
decision to cancel the project, Takahashi shared.

Burma Aid Already &Extremely Limited8
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2. (C) According to MOFA International Cooperation Division
Deputy Director General Reiichiro Takahashi, Japan
significantly reduced aid to Burma in 1998 following a series
of events, and with the 2003 arrest of Aung Sang Suu Kyi,
further limited cooperation. Since then its aid has remained
extremely limited. In 2005, DDG Takahashi explained, there
were 1200 interventions of JICA experts in Burma, whereas
there are only currently only 25 JICA long-term experts
residing there now. The majority of Japanese grant aid
assistance, including polio vaccinations and the reproductive
health project, is already channeled through UNICEF. Japan,
in a bid to promote social and economic change, will continue
efforts to provide technical cooperation, i.e., experts, and
has no plan to halt this technical assistance. MOFA is
currently reviewing all Japanese assistance to Burma, and
will not exclude the possibility of stopping future grant aid
and technical assistance projects, but at this point only
plans to cancel the Human Resources Development Center at the
University of Rangoon.


3. (C) Rather than halt projects, DDG Takahashi stated that
Japan will be more selective when scrutinizing potential
Burmese recipients of scholarships and training programs in a
bid to ensure training will not directly benefit the regime.
For example, police training will be curtailed. Since
Japanese ODA aid requires government-to-government
discussions, some future aid projects may have indirect ties
to the Burmese regime, he cautioned. If the two governments
cannot agree on which Burmese officials will participate,
Japan will cancel or indefinitely postpone the project, he
said. MOFA is currently reviewing all aid programs to Burma,
and has no plans to expand grant aid, but will continue
technical cooperation via the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA).


4. (C) DDG Takahashi told Aid Counselor and Political Officer
that during the October 12 meeting with Foreign Minister
Komura, senior MOFA officials will recommend Japan cancel
plans to build an additional Japan-Burma Human Resources
Promotion Facility building, and following a cabinet approval
early next week, will publicly announce the decision to
cancel the project. DDG Takahashi said that grant aid for
current projects such as the Project for the Afforestation in
the Dry Zone; the Eradication of Opium Poppy Cultivation and
Poverty Reduction Project in Kokang Special Region; the
Ayayawady Delta Integrated Mangrove Rehabilitation and
Management Project; the Joint Research Project on Traditional
Medicines; Project on ICT Human Resource Development at the
ICT Training Institute; and the Rural Water Supply in the
Central Dry Zone will continue.

TOKYO 00004800 002 OF 002




5. (C) Japan,s grass roots grants administered by the
Japanese Embassy consisted in 2007 of 28 small-scale
projects, such as the rehabilitation of village schools and
hospitals, Takahashi noted. Japan channels its aid through
Japanese, local and international NGOs, to provide grass
roots grants addressing humanitarian needs. In 2007, there
are only four Japanese NGOs operating in Burma. Reducing
these small grants directed toward humanitarian assistance
will not positively impact the Burmese regime, he stated.

Japan,s &Special Relationship8 With Burma A Mere Memory
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6. (C) DDG Takahashi affirmed that Japan is committed to
working with the United States on donor cooperation to avoid
duplicating efforts, will continue to use aid to promote
democracy and respect for human rights, and agrees on the
need to strengthen dialogue on aid issues. However, frankly
speaking, Japan has little influence on the Burmese regime,
Takahashi shared. The days of Japan,s &special
relationship are over8 and rather than substance, only fond
memories remain, he asserted. For example, Japanese
Ambassador to Burma Nogawa arrived on September 9 but still
has not presented his credentials to the Burmese Government,
due to &lack of enthusiasm8 on the part of the Burmese.
Takahashi said he was &personally disappointed8 Burma is
wasting the opportunity for economic development. Japan will
continue to scrutinize its Burma aid closely, but DDG
Takahashi opined that frankly Japan lacks the necessary
leverage to influence Burma. Japan would like to play a
larger role, but due to Chinese and Indian influence, there
is slim possibility Japan can influence Burma to promote
democracy and human rights.
DONOVAN