JAPANESE PARTICIPATION AT 63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002091

SIPDIS

IO/UNP FOR SUN
P FOR REINEMEYER
EAP/RSP FOR TIKVART
NSC FOR MCDONALD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2018
TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA JP
SUBJECT: JAPANESE PARTICIPATION AT 63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

REF: STATE 72078

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) a
nd (d)


1. (C) Japanese participants at the 63rd UN General Assembly
are undecided due to the unsettled domestic political
situation in Tokyo, according to MOFA United Nations Policy
Division Director Shigeki Takizaki. However, Takizaki said
it is hopeful that both Prime Minister Fukuda and Foreign
Minister Koumura will attend, if circumstances permit. He
pointed out that as chair of this year's G8 process and as
the host of the Tokyo International Conference on African
Development IV (TICAD IV),PM Fukuda should attend. In a
similar vein, FM Koumura should be present to chair the G8
Foreign Ministers meeting that will take place on the margins
of UNGA. (COMMENT: As noted by Takizaki, whether Fukuda
and/or Koumura can attend UNGA will depend upon political
developments in Tokyo at the time. In the past, contentious
Diet debates taking place at the same time as UNGA have
precluded participation in New York by ministerial-level
Japanese leaders, who are required to remain in Tokyo while
the Diet is in session. Accordingly, it may not be possible
to pin down Japanese participation at UNGA until nearly the
last moment. END COMMENT.)


2. (C) Following, per reftel, is our interim report on
possible attendance by Japanese officials:


A. Attendance of the Head of State: No plans, unlikely to
attend.


B. Attendance of the Head of Government: Uncertain, but
hoped for.

-- Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda;

-- Arrival and departure dates uncertain;

-- Unlikely that spouse would accompany;

-- Interpretation would be required. The Prime Minister
normally travels with his own interpreter;


C. Attendance of the Foreign Minister: Uncertain, but hoped
for.

-- Minister of Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura;

-- Arrival and departure dates uncertain;

-- Unlikely that spouse would accompany;

-- Interpretation would be required. The Foreign Minister
normally travels with his own interpreter.


D. Attendance of other VIPs: Uncertain.


E. Attendance of the Foreign Ministry Official responsible
for IO affairs: Uncertain but hoped for. He will participate
if the Foreign Minister attends.

-- Foreign Policy Bureau Director General Koro Bessho;

-- Arrival and departure dates uncertain;

-- Unlikely that spouse would accompany;

-- Interpretation not needed.


SCHIEFFER