GOJ RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN: PRE-LICENSE END-USE

UNCLAS TOKYO 002509 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC ETRD JA SUBJECT: GOJ RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK 050113111 REF: A. STATE 84504 ¶B. TOKYO 1996 ¶1. (SBU) Ministry of Defense officials confirmed the details of the Global Gate contract with us August 22. Equipment Policy Deputy Director Takeshi Kawamura said the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Kawasaki Heavy Industries in JFY 2005 for P-X patrol aircraft accessories. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries signed a subcontract to manufacture parts for the project. ¶2. (SBU) Kawamura said the P-X patrol aircraft is not yet in the Japanese Self Defense Force inventory because the aircraft is still in the development phase. The second prototype is now in testing. ¶3. (SBU) Mitsubshi Heavy Industry told us they contract with Global Gate to order parts. When asked about their on-site security, Global Gate President S. Fred Kawashima told us September 10 that his company will "never see the parts." He said once processed through Customs in Japan, they will go directly to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It remains unclear why Global Gate President has repeatedly assured EmbOffs he and his company have been involved in defense procurement for years, but the company's name is not on previous licenses. As part of this check, he reiterated that he and his staff are professional, seasoned and well informed with regard to ITAR, Wassenaar and other export controls regulations. ZUMWALT