JAPAN WILL OPPOSE AMENDMENTS TO RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 005224

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR IO: LINDA LUM AND AMY OSTERMEIER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2017
TAGS: AORC KWMN SOCI UNGA PHUM JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN WILL OPPOSE AMENDMENTS TO RESOLUTION
CONDEMNING RAPE

REF: A. TOKYO 4696

B. STATE 155063

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


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


2. (C) Japan is "ready to fight" against any additional
amendments to the resolution condemning rape as a tool for
political or military objectives, MOFA Human Rights Division
Principal Deputy Director Takako Ito told Embassy Tokyo
November 13. Noting that Japan is a co-sponsor of the
resolution, Ito said that additional changes to the language
are unacceptable.


3. (C) Japan's support assumes that the language of the
resolution focuses on the "ongoing use of rape." Per Ref A,
Japan remains concerned that the resolution could be used as
a tool to criticize the government's handling of the "comfort
women" issue. MOFA officials have heard rumors that
Japan-proposed changes to the language of the resolution have
been dropped from the most current version.


4. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Please provide Post with the most
current version of the resolution for provision to the
Japanese government.
DONOVAN