Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO1448
2008-05-27 22:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
PRESIDENT'S GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND TRADE
how-toVZCZCXRO4412 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #1448 1482248 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 272248Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4561 INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 8016 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 0395 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 1697 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 8607
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001448
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTA CVOLTMER
STATE ALSO FOR EEB/TPP/ABT GCLEMENTS AND EEB/TPP MLURIE
USDA FOR FAS CRIKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO EAID PREL JA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND TRADE
INITIATIVE
REF: A. STATE 52628
B. STATE 53346
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001448
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTA CVOLTMER
STATE ALSO FOR EEB/TPP/ABT GCLEMENTS AND EEB/TPP MLURIE
USDA FOR FAS CRIKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO EAID PREL JA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND TRADE
INITIATIVE
REF: A. STATE 52628
B. STATE 53346
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) As requested in refs, EMIN met with Japanese Foreign
Ministry Director General Yoichi Otabe May 22 and delivered
the points reinforcing those made in the President's food
policy security address and also regarding the important role
agbiotech needs to be allowed to play in increasing
agricultural productivity. Given Otabe's role as Japan's
Foreign Affairs Sous Sherpa, he also noted DNSA Price's May
19 letter to Japan's Sherpa, Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs Kohno.
2. (C) Otabe appreciated receiving the points and inquired
about which other governments the USG is approaching in
following up on the initiative. Regarding the points on the
need to conclude the Doha Development Agenda, Otabe
reiterated that Japan remains committed to completing the
DDA. He noted governments have said Japan needs to do more
on agricultural market access to help bring the Doha talks to
a successful conclusion, but he added that the U.S. needs to
act further on ag subsidy questions. EMIN reminded Otabe of
the United States 2005 initiative on agricultural subsidies
and reiterated the point contained in ref A. On biotech,
Otabe said the issue had proven difficult in the Genoa and
Kananaskis G-8 Summits and while discussions remain underway
among those preparing for the Lake Toya G-8, he was not
certain how far they would be able to go.
3. (C) As requested in ref B, AgAttache met with Tadashi
Sato of the Ministry of Agriculture's Staple Food Department
on May 21. The Food Department is responsible for
administering imports and managing stocks of rice and other
grains imported under Japan's Uruguay Round commitments.
Sato was particularly interested in the United States
position relative to export restrictions as Japan has been a
key proponent of limiting export restrictions under the WTO.
He was aware of the scope and type of U.S. aid offered and is
interested to learn more about the launch of an international
effort to address the systemic causes of the global food
crisis.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTA CVOLTMER
STATE ALSO FOR EEB/TPP/ABT GCLEMENTS AND EEB/TPP MLURIE
USDA FOR FAS CRIKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO EAID PREL JA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND TRADE
INITIATIVE
REF: A. STATE 52628
B. STATE 53346
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) As requested in refs, EMIN met with Japanese Foreign
Ministry Director General Yoichi Otabe May 22 and delivered
the points reinforcing those made in the President's food
policy security address and also regarding the important role
agbiotech needs to be allowed to play in increasing
agricultural productivity. Given Otabe's role as Japan's
Foreign Affairs Sous Sherpa, he also noted DNSA Price's May
19 letter to Japan's Sherpa, Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs Kohno.
2. (C) Otabe appreciated receiving the points and inquired
about which other governments the USG is approaching in
following up on the initiative. Regarding the points on the
need to conclude the Doha Development Agenda, Otabe
reiterated that Japan remains committed to completing the
DDA. He noted governments have said Japan needs to do more
on agricultural market access to help bring the Doha talks to
a successful conclusion, but he added that the U.S. needs to
act further on ag subsidy questions. EMIN reminded Otabe of
the United States 2005 initiative on agricultural subsidies
and reiterated the point contained in ref A. On biotech,
Otabe said the issue had proven difficult in the Genoa and
Kananaskis G-8 Summits and while discussions remain underway
among those preparing for the Lake Toya G-8, he was not
certain how far they would be able to go.
3. (C) As requested in ref B, AgAttache met with Tadashi
Sato of the Ministry of Agriculture's Staple Food Department
on May 21. The Food Department is responsible for
administering imports and managing stocks of rice and other
grains imported under Japan's Uruguay Round commitments.
Sato was particularly interested in the United States
position relative to export restrictions as Japan has been a
key proponent of limiting export restrictions under the WTO.
He was aware of the scope and type of U.S. aid offered and is
interested to learn more about the launch of an international
effort to address the systemic causes of the global food
crisis.
SCHIEFFER