KUDOS FOR JAPANESE MISSION REPORTING

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 002712 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2018 TAGS: EAGR EAIR ECON EINV ETRD PGOV PREL JA SUBJECT: KUDOS FOR JAPANESE MISSION REPORTING REF: A. 08 TOKYO 0067 ¶B. 08 TOKYO 0024 ¶C. 07 TOKYO 5680 ¶D. 07 TOKYO 5679 ¶E. 07 TOKYO 5610 ¶F. 07 TOKYO 5608 ¶G. 07 TOKYO 5625 ¶H. 07 TOKYO 5569 ¶I. 07 TOKYO 5482 ¶J. 07 TOKYO 5457 ¶K. 07 TOKYO 5378 ¶L. 07 TOKYO 5236 ¶M. 07 TOKYO 5196 ¶N. 07 TOKYO 5219 ¶O. 07 TOKYO 5192 ¶P. 07 TOKYO 4797 ¶Q. 07 TOKYO 2716 ¶R. 07 NAGOYA 59 ¶S. 07 OSAKA 256 ¶T. 07 FUKUOKA 64 Classified By: EAP/J Jim Zumwalt, Reasons: 1.4(b, d) ¶1. (U) We in Washington once again wish to take this opportunity to recognize the consistently outstanding reporting produced by Embassy Tokyo and the consulates in Japan. Your insightful and timely analyses really do influence the way that U.S. policy is made. We would like to call special attention to the following reporting cables and documents: (SBU) Tokyo 0067 provided a timely and insightful spot report on the shifting dynamics in Japanese labor politics, and was personally selected by EAP/J Director Jim Zumwalt as deserving special recognition. (SBU) Tokyo 0024 -- on recent developments in aviation liberalization -- was, in the words of EEB DAS John Byerly, "one of the best cables on civil aviation that I've seen from ANY of our embassies in recent years. It pulls together a number of disparate developments -- each interesting in itself -- into a balanced, 'big picture' analysis. What's happening in Japan's thinking will matter enormously to the United States as we prepare to go back to the negotiating table later this year. Tokyo 3377 gives us a huge head-start with its detailed and policy-focused analysis. Bravo to the team that prepared it!" We will note that the Department of Commerce's Office of Japan, independent of DAS Byerly's identification of this cable as praise-worthy, also ranked Tokyo 3377 "at the top of (their) list" in terms of recent economic reporting cables that they felt deserved special recognition. (SBU) Tokyo 5680 is another excellent example of sound analysis and insight on local politics that affect long-term US strategic interests in Japan and allow policymakers in Washington to adjust and calibrate their message and gameplan accordingly. 
 (C) Tokyo 5679 continued the trend we have seen in recent Embassy reporting on the beef dispute: it was honest, well-researched, and timely. In fact, word has it that this cable -- with its frank characterizations of the state of play of the beef debate in Japan -- generated a spirited discussion in other agencies about U.S. strategy on beef. The interagency community in Washington respects and appreciates your continuing advocacy in this area. (SBU) It can be all-too-easy for those of us working on U.S.-Japan economic issues to overlook the positive and spend the brunt of our time focused on the problems, on the areas for improvement. Tokyo 5610 overcomes this temptation by forcing us to step back and look at the gains we have made in a key sector -- the insurance industry -- where we have been working for years to make progress. This cable was extensively discussed in the EAP front office and here in EAP/J. We have used and will continue to pull information from this cable for use in a variety of products, both for USG and public dissemination. (S//NF) Ambassador Haslach, our Senior Official for APEC, flagged Tokyo 5608 for the attention of EAP/J, EAP/EP, and the NSC as an "excellent reporting cable on the meeting between Bob (Cekuda) and the new METI SOM." The report's conclusions about Ambassador Hato's cautious enthusiasm for STATE 00002712 002 OF 003 moving our bilateral trade agenda forward encouraged Ambassador Haslach to schedule a meeting with Ambassador Hato when she traveled to Jakarta. It also played a key role in convincing our colleagues in the CIA to begin working on a bio on Ambassador Hato. (C) Your report on NATO Secretary-General de Hoop Scheffer's visit to Tokyo (Tokyo 5625) provided an excellent summary of discussions on closer NATO-Japan cooperation and Japanese planning regarding Afghanistan. The report was especially timely since USNATO was preparing for multilateral discussions in Brussels with the Japanese immediately afterward (and before de Hoop Scheffer's return to Brussels). Your summary and analysis enabled us to brief key USNATO personnel in advance of these important meetings and informed U.S. strategy during the talks. One result was a commitment from the GOJ for increased contributions to projects in Afghanistan. (C) The OEF Refueling bill has attracted significant attention from senior policymakers at State, DoD, NSC, and throughout the interagency community. Tokyo 5569 provided an outstanding and thorough summary of where the process stood written in accessible style that was useful to both Japan-watchers and those with more general interest. (C) The timely and cogent analysis of the GOJ's views on the Annapolis conference found in Tokyo 5482 helped USG officials recognize that Japan's comparatively low-ranking representation at Annapolis was due to internal political constraints and belied the GOJ's commitment to the initiative and recognition of its importance. The cable also included an excellent description of the internal debate in the GOJ leading up to their participation at the Paris Donor's Conference. (S//NF) Tokyo 5457 provided a very useful look at how political pressure and LDP infighting can impact a concrete policy issue from a bureaucrat's perspective. It provided great background on how politicians can use the media for their own goals and purposes. It contributed greatly to an assessment analysts in INR are drafting on the rise of the conservative wing within the LDP. (C) Tokyo 5378 provided excellent context for participants in the Sub-Cabinet meeting and, by running through the logic of economic reform once again, proved helpful to keeping the U.S. on message during the meetings. We commend Tokyo on the very good planning the cable's timing and content reflect. USTR in particular praised this cable as "insightful," a "perfect portrayal of the situation," and "right on the mark" in its preparation of senior USG officials for the Subcabinet meetings in Tokyo. (C) Your thorough coverage of alliance and security issues in the DAR and other reports has been invaluable. There is high-level interest in these issues in the Department and elsewhere, and your timely summaries and updates allow the desk to stay on top of the often fluid developments in DPRI, SMA, OEF and related issues, and brief relevant information to key 6th and 7th floor interlocutors. Several POLADs have also advised that your updates are extremely useful for their respective commands. (C) We appreciate Tokyo's continued diligent tracking of the legislation authorizing the resumption of Japan's refueling operation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and its prospects for passage. Ruling and opposition parties dynamics were complicated not only by arcane Diet rules but also by fast-breaking internal politics in the wake of PM Fukuda and DJP Leader Ozawa's discussion of a "grand coalition." Tokyo 5236 succinctly outlined and analyzed the different possible scenarios that eluded even the experts in Washington. (S//NF) Tokyo 5196 was extremely helpful as background to the joint PDB on how Fukuda's administration is backing away from reform and starting to focus more on regaining rural support. Our analysts in INR also appreciated the commentary on the consumption tax debate within Tokyo and on Fukuda's personal policy stance. (C) Tokyo 5219 provided a useful analysis of how PM Fukuda can be expected to manage the Diet session from the perspective of a senior, experienced New Komeito politician. There was also insightful information on Ozawa's personal background, New Komeito's loyalty to Fukuda, and New Komeito's view of the scotched "grand coalition" idea. STATE 00002712 003 OF 003 (C) The crisis in Burma has attracted attention from the highest levels of the USG. As Washington decision makers continue to review steps we can take to maintain the international spotlight and pressure on the military junta in Burma, Tokyo 5192 and 4797 explained how the death of a Japanese videographer has galvanized Japanese public opinion against the Burmese regime. Tokyo 5192 outlined specific actions the GOJ has taken in arranging for the travel to Japan of the videographer's Burmese interpreter and Tokyo 4797 explained clearly further actions Japan can take on the political and economic fronts. (U) Nagoya 59 "Mergers and Acquisitions and Vinegar" is not about vinegar, of course, or really about M and A's. It is about how Japanese companies are adapting to macroeconomic and demographic conditions in Japan. It also provides a good example of how even traditional Japanese companies are leveraging globalization and using mergers and acquisitions to transform their operations. Please compliment Nagoya on its timely case study that enriches the more theoretical and policy level discussions that we have with Japan on the value of openness to foreign direct investment. (S//NF) Osaka 256 provided an invaluable summary of on-the-ground politicking in a vital electoral area in terms of explaining a major win by the opposition. The cable also provided useful foreshadowing of how the grassroots battle between the LDP, New Komeito and DPJ will take place when there is a general election. It was useful not only for background, but also for a joint PDB our analysts in INR put together with CIA ahead of PM Fukuda's trip to Washington. (SBU) Fukuoka 64 ("Postal Privatization May Spur Another Round of Kyushu Bank Realignments") was particularly useful in pointing out some of the challenges Japan will face in making postal privatization successful and, more broadly, illustrating how policy and regulatory decisions shape conditions for business and consumers. USG officials are more effective and credible in discussing key reforms, like postal privatization, when prepared with a full and accurate picture of the context. (SBU) We also appreciate the frequent and detailed e-mailed reporting on the local politics of DPRI implementation from ConGen Naha. (C) Even though it is outside of the date range of reporting we were considering in this cable, the Department of Commerce's Office of Japan nonetheless asked that we call attention to Tokyo 2716. In their words, this cable "provided a thorough background to the process, status, and consequences of the privatization of Japan post." Tokyo 2716 was only one of two cables they selected for particular praise. (SBU) INR and others have praised the Embassy press translations which often provide us the first insights into Japanese political and economic developments. (U) Finally, a broad range of interagency contacts have praised the Japan Economic Scocpe for its weekly review of economic developments in Japan. ¶2. (U) Once again, congratulations on a job well done. We encourage you to keep up the good work. RICE