DEMARCHE DELIVERD: U.S. PROPOSAL ON ITU-R STUDY

UNCLAS TOKYO 003044 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EEB/CIP/MA FZICHY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS ECON JA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERD: U.S. PROPOSAL ON ITU-R STUDY GROUP REF: STATE 113818 (NOTAL) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Econoff presented reftel compromise proposal to Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Mr. Yasushi Sakanaka October 30. Sakanaka responded Japan disagrees with the U.S. assessment that the proposal would be an improvement and feels the Study Group 5 structure should remain as it is. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Sakanaka listened thoughtfully to ref points, said he understands the new U.S. proposal and appreciates the U.S. desire to push for improvements. Japan, however, does not agree with the proposed restructuring and feels the current structure is still appropriate. He added this position is consistent with other APT countries' views such as China, Korea, and Singapore. ¶3. (SBU) Sakanaka noted technical differences between the issues covered in the different groups, particularly on international mobile telecommunications, and also noted the different ways the working parties operate. He suggested transferring tasks from WP 5D to WP 5A would require WP 5A to be expanded, making it larger and more unwieldy, and more difficult to get things done in that group. He then provide additional detail to ref background on the SG 5 debate and Japan,s position. ¶4. (SBU) Sakanaka is the new MIC Director for Land Mobile Communications, Radio Department, Telecommuncations Bureau, and will lead the Japanese delegation to the upcoming meetings. He explained Mr. Mori has been reassigned, and Dr. Hashimoto of NTT DoCoMo is currently in Geneva for SG 5 meetings. Sakanaka also shared he had served in the late 90s at the Japanese Consulate General in Sydney, Australia. SCHIEFFER