CLIMATE CHANGE: FOREIGN MINISTRY WORKING LEVELS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001470 SIPDIS STATE FOR G, OES, EEB CEQ FOR JAMES CONNAUGHTON NSC FOR PAUL BROWN AND JONATHAN SHRIER EPA FOR JAMES MORANT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018 TAGS: SENV KGHG SENV ENRG AADP JA SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE: FOREIGN MINISTRY WORKING LEVELS ON KOBE AND MEM Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Japan remains "definitely committed to the success of the MEM" and to the Sherpas' role in dealing with climate change and other aspects of the preparations for this year's G8 Summit, MOFA Climate Change Office Director Naoto Hisajima told EST Unit Chief May 27. Hisajima said the Chair's Summary, released by Japan's Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita following the May 24-26 G8 Environment Ministers' meeting, would not set the agenda on climate change for the G8 Summit. He argued that while language similar to that included in the Chair's Summary might come up in papers for the G8 leaders, the Sherpa process, not outcomes from the various G8 ministers' meetings, would determine the agenda of the Summit in July. He added that "looking at the Kobe statement," Japan "does not intend to copy and paste" it into papers for the Summit. Hisajima said Japan agreed negotiation on such issues as a long-term emissions reduction goal should take place in the MEM. ¶2. (C) Hisajima added MOFA Global Environment Ambassador Komachi attended Kobe, but was only there for the first two days. (NOTE: Komachi covers environmental issues other than climate change. The Foreign Ministry had previously argued having Komachi present rather than MOFA officials responsible for climate was designed to prevent the Environment Ministerial from getting into climate change. END NOTE.) Hisajima also said MOFA does not intend to send anyone to the G8 Energy Ministerial -- which METI will run -- even though issues that can be linked to climate change such as energy efficiency will be on the agenda. SCHIEFFER