HHS DEPUTY SECRETARY AZAR'S MEETING WITH JAPANESE HEALTH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000008 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE DEPT FOR OES/IHA SINGER AND FENDRICK DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER, BHAT AND ELVANDER DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN DENNIS CARROLL SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI EAGR JA SUBJECT: HHS DEPUTY SECRETARY AZAR'S MEETING WITH JAPANESE HEALTH MINISTER YANAGISAWA ON DECEMBER 7 TOKYO 00000008 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: On December 7, Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Alex M. Azar II met in Tokyo with Japanese Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare, Hakuo Yanagisawa. Meeting just prior to the Global Health Security Initiative Ministerial, they discussed the recent World Health Organization election, the U.S. position on revised International Health Regulations, pandemic influenza preparedness, and a range of food safety issues. End summary. Message from Secretary Leavitt -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On December 7, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Alex Azar met with Japanese Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) Hakuo Yanagisawa just prior to the Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) Ministerial meeting. Yanagisawa began the discussion by saying that he was delighted to be able to host the GHSI. He described his first months in oQce, and identified Japan's aging population as the biggest challenge he faces in reforming his nation's healthcare system. D/S Azar thanked the Minister for his hospitality, and conveyed HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt's sincere regret that he could not attend in person. He explained that the Secretary had to stay in Washington to help President Bush resolve some urgent financing issues related to U.S. health care. D/S Azar added that Secretary Leavitt wanted to be sure that Yanagisawa knew how much the Secretary values his close relations with MHLW and with the Government of Japan (GOJ). D/S Azar noted that the U.S. and Japan collaborate on a host of bilateral issues and face many similar challenges. D/S Azar also emphasized that, on the international front, the U.S. and Japan are strong allies on regional issues such as pandemic influenza preparedness. WHO Director General Election -------------- ¶3. (SBU) D/S Azar turned to the recent election of Dr. Margaret Chan as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), noting that the Japanese candidate, Dr. Shigeru Omi, ran a good campaign, and that the USG looks forward to continuing to work with Dr. Omi in his present capacity as director of WHO's regional office for the Western Pacific. Yanagisawa replied that Japan was disappointed that Omi was not chosen to lead the WHO, and opined that he would have done an excellent job. He added that Dr. Omi met with Dr. Chan soon after her election, and that she also said that she looked forward to working cooperatively with Dr. Omi. International Health Regulations -------------- ¶4. (SBU) D/S Azar informed Yanagisawa that Secretary Leavitt was about to announce the USG's position on the revised International Health Regulations (IHRs),and that the U.S. would file one reservation and make three statements of understanding. The reservation would state that the U.S. will implement the IHRs in accordance with its federal system. The statements of understanding would comprise 1) an affirmative statement that the IHRs cover chemical, biological and radiological events; 2) a statement that the U.S. will report public-health incidents in foreign countries as far as practicable; and 3) a stipulation that the IHRs do not create a separate private right of action in U.S. courts. Yanagisawa said the U.S. position sounded appropriate to him, but added that experts at the working level would have to examine the issue. Yanagisawa indicated that Japan is still considering its position on the IHRs, and would announce its conclusions some time in the future. Avian Influenza -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Yanagisawa raised the subject of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and mentioned that it was one of his top concerns. He reported that the GOJ had conducted a number of table-top exercises over the last year, and intended to conduct additional exercises in ¶2007. In his view, working closely with local and provincial authorities will be critical in the event of an outbreak. Yanagisawa addQ that U.S.-Japan cooperation will also be important, and he expressed his desire to continue to work closely with the USG on pandemic influenza preparedness. D/S Azar agreed, and mentioned TOKYO 00000008 002.2 OF 002 the particular importance of coordinating the Japanese and U.S. anti-viral stockpiles in the region. Beef Imports and Food Safety -------------- ¶6. (SBU) D/S Azar thanked Yanagisawa for Japan's decision to open its market to American beef imports. He reported that a final regulation was forthcoming from the HHS Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of December 2006 on the use of animal parts in medical products. D/S Azar noted that the USG has banned animal products in ruminant feed for the past eight years, and is assessing the implications of extending the ban to all animal feed. He added that a final HHS/FDA regulation on specified risk material in animal feed is likely in calendar year 2007, but emphasized that, under U.S. law, regulation on such matters must be evidence-based and cost-justified. He offered to keep MHLW and Japan's Food Safety Commission (FSC) informed during this process. ¶7. (SBU) In closing, D/S Azar reiterated the importance of close cooperation and consultation on healthcare reform in both countries. He asked Yanagisawa to keep innovation in mind during the process, and to take into account the advantages of advanced technology on both the long-term costs and the effectiveness of health care. ¶8. (U) This message has been cleared by HHS. DONOVAN