DEMARCHE DELIVERED: JAPAN'S PLANS TO EXPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001490 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS USDA FOR TERPSTRA AND USDA FAS RRIEMENSCHNEIDER USTR FOR BEEMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018 TAGS: EAGR ETRD WTRO JA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: JAPAN'S PLANS TO EXPORT IMPORTED RICE REF: STATE 56852 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) The Ambassador delivered demarche points in ref regarding Japan's release of imported rice stocks during a May 30 meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura. CCS Machimura acknowledged the message and stated he would convey it to Minister of Agriculture, Forests, and Fisheries Masatoshi Wakabayashi. ¶2. (C) Regarding disposition of Japan's imported rice, CCS Machimura told the Ambassador Japan has already agreed to sell 200,000 tons to the Philippines. Machimura added "other amounts concerned" would be provided as aid. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador urged Japan to conduct any sales at the same price at which the rice was purchased and noted selling the rice at a profit, at a time when people are in need, would create a negative impression. CCS Machimura stated Japan "was not thinking of making a profit." ¶4. (SBU) CCS Machimura was accompanied by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Economic Affairs Bureau Deputy Director General Sumio Kusaka and Second North American Division Director Noriyuki Shikata. Econoff accompanied the Ambassador as notetaker. SCHIEFFER