JAPAN'S STRATEGY FOR THE THRID COMMITTEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004970

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND SYLVIA HAMMOND, IO/RHS AMY
OSTERMEIER OR DEEPA GHOSH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN KTIA JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S STRATEGY FOR THE THRID COMMITTEE

REF: STATE 145641

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (U) This cable contains an action request. Please see
paragraph 4.


2. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
demarche October 21 and followed up October 22 with MOFA
Human Rights Division Pricipal Deputy Director Takako Ito.
Ito gave the following outline of Japan's strategy for the
upcoming UN Third Committee session:

"No-Action Motions:" Japan takes a principled stance against
"No-Action" motions, and the United States "can count on
Japan" to oppose any that are filed.

Country-specific resolutions: Japan is "cautious about the
developing world's reaction" to country-specific resolutions,
but supports their adoption in the Third Committee.

Iran: Japan will support a resolution on Iran, but is not
planning to co-sponsor.

Belarus: Japan plans to support a resolution, but hopes that
"if there is any positive information about human rights in
Belarus," that it be included "to enhance the credibility of
the drafter."

Burma: Japan is expecting the EU to table a resolution on
Burma, and intends to support it, with the same hopes that
any potential positive information be included in the
language of the resolution. Ito requested that the United
States provide draft language as soon as possible.

DPRK: Japan has drafted a resolution, and is "counting on
the United States to co-sponsor."

Rape as an Instrument of State Policy: Japan is "very
grateful for the State Department's leadership" in addressing
its concerns that the comfort women issue not be ensnared by
the language of the resolution. "Assuming the discussion
proceeds in the current direction," Japan will support the
resolution.

Elections: Japan supports and may be willing to co-sponsor
the resolution, but is waiting to see the draft language.

Defamation of Religion: Japan must see the draft language
before deciding its policy, but "will probably abstain or
oppose" the resolution.

Death Penalty: Japan has heard that the EU will propose two
resolutions, one calling for a moratorium on the use of the
death penalty, and another calling for the abolition of the
death penalty. Japan will oppose both, and expects the
United States to do the same.


3. (C) Japan has heard that some members of the Human Rights
Council may call for a reopening of the Council Chairman's
Statement, adopted in the Human Rights Council by consensus
in June, during the Third Committee session. Japan strongly
opposes reopening the statement, which would "make the Human
Rights Council meaningless," and would be grateful for any
information the United States might have about this
possibility.


4. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests guidance on how to
respond to Japan's request for information about a possible
reopening of the Human Rights Council Chairman's statement.
SCHIEFFER