DEPUTY VICE MINISTER OBJECTS TO TIP REPORT RANKING

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001350 SIPDIS FOR G/TIP, EAP/J, EAP/RSP, L/LEI E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN JA SUBJECT: DEPUTY VICE MINISTER OBJECTS TO TIP REPORT RANKING Classified By: Political Minister Counselor W. Michael Meserve for reas ons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Deputy Vice Minister Chikao Kawai called the Charge d'Affairs May 16 to sharply object to Japan's Tier 2 ranking in the 2008 TIP Report. Saying that Japanese officials had "learned from Washington" about the ranking, Kawai told the Charge that Japan is "very unhappy with this result." According to Kawai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has exerted great pressure on other government agencies to cooperate with the United States during the past year, but these efforts have come to naught. Many countries that have not cooperated as closely with the United States -- such as Canada and South Korea -- will be ranked Tier 1, Kawai complained. Japan has made progress in all areas that the United States has identified, and has merited a Tier 1 ranking, he finished. ¶2. (C) Noting that Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka raised this issue with Deputy Secretary Negroponte last week, Charge promised to report Kawai's concerns back to Washington. DONOVAN