DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF JAPAN ENGAGES EMBASSY ON

UNCLAS TOKYO 001010 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMB LANGE AND EAP/J HEATHER DRESSER HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY HHS FOR CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU TBIO PREL PARM PGOV JA SUBJECT: DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF JAPAN ENGAGES EMBASSY ON PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS Sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) The Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) Pandemic Influenza Project Team invited econoff to brief them April 10 on the U.S. National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan. The Team, chaired by Lower House Diet Member Masahiko Yamada and including staffers as well as parliamentarians, asked a number of questions, in particular about USG plans for pandemic vaccine development and antiviral stockpiling. ¶2. (SBU) Following econoff's presentation on the U.S. Plan, participants inquired about USG efforts to develop cell-based vaccine production and vaccines that can be administered nasally. In addition, they inquired about USG views on studies indicating possible side-effects of cell-based vaccines. Noting 54 billion yen worth of Japan's antiviral drug stockpile is due to expire in 2008, ONE participant asked how the USG plans to address expiration of antiviral drugs in its stockpiles. Participants also showed interest in ways the U.S. is developing guidance on prioritizing groups for vaccination and the sources of U.S. estimates of pandemic morbidity and mortality. ¶3. (SBU) Noting positively USG efforts to expand public education and risk communication on pandemic flu, Yamada asked Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases Control Division Director Akira Miyake to comment on related GOJ activities. Miyake mentioned several recent GOJ risk communication exercises held with local governments and cited GOJ plans to hold pandemic flu symposia to raise public awareness. He said unlike the USG, the GOJ has not embarked on a television or radio public service announcement campaign. ¶4. (SBU) Note: The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has also requested a briefing this month from Embassy officers on U.S. pandemic preparedness plans. Diet members in both the ruling and opposition parties are likely gathering information ahead of a review of the GOJ's pandemic influenza action plan. According to recent press reports, the review is due to be completed by the end of July 2008. End Note. MESERVE