Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO2143
2008-08-05 07:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
FURTHER VIEWS ON CSC AND NUCLEAR LIABILITY
how-toVZCZCXRO3353 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #2143 2180744 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 050744Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6342 INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 9227 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 1601 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 2965 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 9809 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0488 RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002143
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN AND EAP/J
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM JA
SUBJECT: FURTHER VIEWS ON CSC AND NUCLEAR LIABILITY
REF: TOKYO 01702
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002143
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN AND EAP/J
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM JA
SUBJECT: FURTHER VIEWS ON CSC AND NUCLEAR LIABILITY
REF: TOKYO 01702
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Econoff met July 30 with incoming Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
Atomic Energy Division Deputy Director Taro Hokugo. MEXT's
Atomic Energy Division is revising Japan's nuclear liability
law and plans to submit a draft to the Diet by February 2009,
according to Hokugo. MEXT expects to incorporate
recommendations from a panel of outside experts before
releasing the draft law for public comment in October 2008.
Hokugo said MEXT is considering several changes to the draft
law, including doubling the required liability insurance for
large nuclear operators from $600 million to $1.2 billion.
2. (C) Hokugo said it was unlikely the Convention on
Supplementary Compensation (CSC) would be included in the
February 2009 revised draft law, although he noted Secretary
Bodman and then METI Minister Amari's discussions during the
June G8 Energy ministerial meetings in Aomori highlighted the
issue for the GOJ. Hokugo also noted MEXT remains the key
agency for the CSC, although METI will be involved in some
aspects. Hokugo said he believes Japan will eventually sign
the CSC. However, he said having the Ambassador or a Cabinet
member raise the CSC at the Minister or Prime Minster level
would help make the issue more of a priority for the GOJ. He
noted such a message could be particularly useful if it came
before MEXT releases the draft law for public comment in
October.
3. (C) Hokugo highlighted two of MEXT,s concerns regarding
the CSC. First, MEXT is concerned the roughly $50 million
required for the nuclear liability fund would have to come
out of the Ministry's nuclear R&D budget. Second, MEXT is
concerned how CSC requirements would affect smaller companies
currently required to have $20 million to $120 million in
liability insurance. Hokugo said MEXT would be interested in
hearing U.S. views on having the U.S. nuclear industry pay
for its nuclear liability fund contribution.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN AND EAP/J
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM JA
SUBJECT: FURTHER VIEWS ON CSC AND NUCLEAR LIABILITY
REF: TOKYO 01702
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Econoff met July 30 with incoming Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
Atomic Energy Division Deputy Director Taro Hokugo. MEXT's
Atomic Energy Division is revising Japan's nuclear liability
law and plans to submit a draft to the Diet by February 2009,
according to Hokugo. MEXT expects to incorporate
recommendations from a panel of outside experts before
releasing the draft law for public comment in October 2008.
Hokugo said MEXT is considering several changes to the draft
law, including doubling the required liability insurance for
large nuclear operators from $600 million to $1.2 billion.
2. (C) Hokugo said it was unlikely the Convention on
Supplementary Compensation (CSC) would be included in the
February 2009 revised draft law, although he noted Secretary
Bodman and then METI Minister Amari's discussions during the
June G8 Energy ministerial meetings in Aomori highlighted the
issue for the GOJ. Hokugo also noted MEXT remains the key
agency for the CSC, although METI will be involved in some
aspects. Hokugo said he believes Japan will eventually sign
the CSC. However, he said having the Ambassador or a Cabinet
member raise the CSC at the Minister or Prime Minster level
would help make the issue more of a priority for the GOJ. He
noted such a message could be particularly useful if it came
before MEXT releases the draft law for public comment in
October.
3. (C) Hokugo highlighted two of MEXT,s concerns regarding
the CSC. First, MEXT is concerned the roughly $50 million
required for the nuclear liability fund would have to come
out of the Ministry's nuclear R&D budget. Second, MEXT is
concerned how CSC requirements would affect smaller companies
currently required to have $20 million to $120 million in
liability insurance. Hokugo said MEXT would be interested in
hearing U.S. views on having the U.S. nuclear industry pay
for its nuclear liability fund contribution.
SCHIEFFER