DEMARCHE REQUEST: U.S. GRAIN EXPORTS TO JAPAN

UNCLAS STATE 101209 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD JA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: U.S. GRAIN EXPORTS TO JAPAN ¶1. This is an action request. Please see para 2. ¶2. In response to developments in Japan on the tainted rice scandal and subsequent cancellations of tenders for rice and wheat, Embassy Tokyo is requested to deliver a demarche to relevant Japanese ministries emphasizing the following points and report back the results by September 23, 2008: -- Incumbent on Japan to ensure that illegal resale of "incident rice" should not be allowed to affect imports of U.S. rice and other grains. The USG therefore looks to Japan to take all necessary measures to prevent imports from the United States from being impeded, including by: -- 1) Proactively making clear in its public statements and through other opportunities that this issue is in no way caused by U.S. rice producers; emphasize the safety of U.S. rice and other grains. -- 2) Restarting rice and other grain tenders in the very near-term, remaining mindful of Japan's obligations to meet its WTO minimum market access obligations for FY2008. ¶3. (U) Please include the SIPDIS caption in all replies and slug for STATE: ALEXANDER T. BRYAN AND ANN RYAN; USDA: JESS PAULSON, and USTR: ERIC HOLLOWAY. Please contact Alexander ¶T. Bryan (202-736-7233; BryanAT@state.sgov.gov) with any questions. RICE