EXCHANGE OF TELECOM MRA LETTERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 005321 SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS USTR MBEEMAN AND JMCHALE DOC PLEASE PASS CDICKSON DEPT FOR EAP/J ABRYAN AND L KGHAFFARKHAN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ECON PREL JA SUBJECT: EXCHANGE OF TELECOM MRA LETTERS REF: State 154603 ¶1. On November 21, 2007, and per instructions in ref, Embassy and GOJ effected the exchange of letters required to bring the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures between Japan and the United States of America into force on January 1, 2008. The Embassy received a letter signed by Nobutaka Machimura, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim of Japan. The Embassy provided a letter signed by Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. The letter informed each side that each had completed the necessary steps to bring the agreement into force. The original copies will be forwarded to Washington (EAP/J) by registered pouch. ¶2. The following is the translation of the Japanese letter and also the text of the U.S. letter signed by the Ambassador. Begin Text: Tokyo, November 21, 2007 Excellency, I have the honor to refer to Article 15 of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures between Japan and the United States of America done at Washington on February 16, 2007, which provides that the Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties exchange diplomatic notes informing each other that they have completed their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement. I have further the honor to inform Your Excellency that the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement in respect of Japan have been fulfilled. The Agreement will accordingly enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of Your Excellency's Note informing me that the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement in respect of the United States of America have been fulfilled. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration. Nobutaka MACHIMURA Minister of State Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim of Japan His Excellency Mr. John Thomas Schieffer Ambassador of the United States of America in Japan End text. ¶3. Begin text of U.S. letter: [Embassy of the United States of America] Tokyo, November 21, 2007 Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's Note of today's date, which reads as follows: "I have the honor to refer to Article 15 of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures between Japan and the United States of America done at Washington on February 16, 2007, which provides that the Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties exchange diplomatic notes informing each other that they have completed their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement. I have further the honor to inform Your Excellency that the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement in respect of Japan have been fulfilled. The Agreement will accordingly enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of Your Excellency's Note informing me that the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement in respect of the United States of America have been fulfilled." I also have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the internal TOKYO 00005321 002 OF 002 procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement in respect of the United States of America have been fulfilled. The Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures between the United States of America and Japan done at Washington on February 16, 2007, will, therefore, enter into force on January 1, 2008, in accordance with Article 15 of the Agreement. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration. John Thomas Schieffer Ambassador of the United States of America in Japan Nobutaka MACHIMURA Minister of State Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim of Japan End text.