MISSION JAPAN INPUT FOR CONGRESSIONAL ENERGY REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TOKYO 000558

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GRIFFIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG APER ABUD JA SENV
SUBJECT: MISSION JAPAN INPUT FOR CONGRESSIONAL ENERGY REPORT

REF: STATE 10743


1. (U) The following, keyed to the specific queries contained
in ref, is in response to the Department's request for input
in preparing the report to Congress mandated in the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007. It should be noted
throughout, that while the Embassy's Economic Section,
particulary its Economic Policy and ESTH Units, has
responsibility for overall energy policy matters -- including
advocacy and reporting, it works closely with the Mission's
Department of Energy (DOE) attache in building Japanese
support for U.S. programs and policies.


2. (U) Among the DOS employees in the Mission, in Embassy
Tokyo's Economic Section (ECON),a total of ten staff,
including the Economic Minister Counselor, five officers, one
eligible family member (EFM),and three locally engaged staff
(LES) spend a portion of their time on energy. The Embassy's
Public Affairs Section (PAS),which includes the Cultural
Affairs Office, the Press Office, the Information Resources
Center and the Media Analysis and Translation Team (MATT),
executes energy-related public outreach programming and media
events and translates energy- and climate-related documents
for Mission and USG use. The Public Affairs Section consists
of five officers, one civil servant position, and 24 LES
employees. In addition to these DOS-based staff, Embassy
Tokyo includes a DOE office consisting of one direct hire
attache and two LES employees who work full-time on energy
issues. The Ambassador in January approved a DOE NSDD 38
request to add a second direct hire position.


3. (SBU) Japan imports approximately 85% of its energy needs
and, as the world's second largest economy, is one of the top
energy consumers. The country has long had a sense of
vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on imported energy
supplies, with most of its petroleum needs coming from
Persian Gulf states, including Iran. One result of this
reality is Japan shares our interest in peace and stability
in the Middle East, although it can also mean a need to guard
against divergences in certain aspects of policies towards
some of the countries in that region. It is important as
well to note Japan has one of the world's most advanced
civilian nuclear energy programs and nuclear energy safety
and physical protection issues are an area of mutual concern.
The U.S. and Japan are also leaders in addressing climate
change and again share many common views on the
energy-related aspects of dealing with climate and the
environment. Finally, China's economic growth and its impact
on world energy markets is, and will continue to be, of
interest to the U.S. and Japan with both governments looking
at ways to engage China.


4. (U) Following is a detailed list of State Department
Mission employees who work on energy matters, the percentage
of time they devote to those issues, and a brief narrative of
their activities.

Embassy Tokyo Economic Section
--------------
Economic Minister Counselor (10%) -- Engages with Japanese
and U.S. government officials and representatives from the
private sector on numerous energy-related policy questions
including global and regional energy security, development
and utilization of biofuels and alternative energy sources,
and increased energy demand/production in China, India and
other emerging market economies - including the climate
change and other environmental impacts of those developments.
Energy efficiency and development of new technologies to
boost energy efficiency or otherwise improve energy security
are also core focus areas. The Economic Minister Counselor
conducts public outreach including speeches on energy/climate
issues and participation in Japanese-organized panel
discussions and seminars.

Environment, Science and Technology Unit Chief (30%) -- Works
with Mission Japan action officers, Department of Energy
Attache, and National Science Foundation Attache, the GOJ,
NGOs, and the private sector on energy issues including
renewable energy research, development and deployment of
climate change mitigation energy technology; Global Nuclear
Energy Partnership (GNEP),and next generation nuclear
technology. Activities include reporting, public outreach,
and supporting high-level USG visitors engaging Japan on
these issues.

Economic Policy Unit Chief (5%) -- Supervises collection and
reporting of energy-related information including editing

TOKYO 00000558 002 OF 004


reporting cables, weekly Japan Economic Scope newsletter
articles and other products. Supports visits by USG
officials dealing with energy matters.

EST Economic Officer (40%) -- Advocates USG positions and
monitors Japan's evolving position on and plans for climate
change policy, participates in conferences, and meets with
Japanese officials. Reports on energy security and clean
energy technology and tracks likely Japanese positions in
international energy negotiations. Engages GOJ officials to
win support for USG initiatives/thinking. Point person
within ECON for working with Public Affairs on developing
overall approaches for building Japanese
understanding/support for U.S. positions on climate and other
energy-related matters.

EST Economic Officer (50%) -- Tracks nuclear energy
developments in Japan and advocates with the GOJ for U.S.
positions in GNEP, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG),and the
International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA). Encourages
Japan to participate in renewable energy fora. Coordinates
energy-related USG visits.

Economic Policy Unit Economic Officer (30%) --
Monitors/reports on Japan's energy security policy, noting
especially developments in Japan's overseas energy projects
in the East China Sea, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle
East. Engages GOJ officials, Japanese business figures,
academics, and NGOs to inform about/advocate for USG
positions on these matters. Serves as control officer for
working level and senior USG visitors dealing with these
issues. Works with DOE Attache to facilitate U.S.
participation in G8 Energy Ministerial-related meetings.

Economic Policy Unit Economic Assistant (EFM) (30%) --
Follows articles in the Japanese press relating to energy
issues and reports them to Mission and Washington-based
staff. Arranges and participates in meetings with GOJ and
industry contacts. Reports on energy-related issues in the
weekly Japan Economic Scope newsletter. Supports visits by
U.S. officials dealing with energy-related matters.

EST Economic Assistant (LES) (40%) -- Follows articles in the
Japanese press relating to climate change and renewable
energy issues and reports them to Mission and
Washington-based staff. Arranges meetings for officers with
GOJ and industry contacts and participates in those meetings,
including with members of the Japanese Diet. Reports on
energy-related issues in the Japan Economic Scope. Supports
visits by members of Congress and other U.S. officials
dealing with energy-related concerns.

EST Economic Assistant (LES) (10%) -- Supports officers
across a range of issues including renewable energy, energy
security and nuclear energy.

EST Economic Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Provides administrative
support on nuclear energy-related diplomatic correspondence
and energy-related visitors.


Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section
--------------
Information Officer (3%) -- Supervises energy-related
activities of the press office, moderates conferences, and
other media events devoted to energy.

Assistant Information Officer (4%) -- Plans and executes
energy-related media events for USG officials. Writes,
reviews, and edits content for media reports and Embassy
website. Responds to local media queries on USG policy
issues.

Assistant Information Officer (1%) -- Plans and executes
programming in relation to the G-8 Energy Ministerial and
leaders summit.

Assistant Information Officer (8%) -- Selects, translates and
edits energy-related documents for Mission and other USG use;
plans and executes media events. Publishes content to
Embassy website.

MATT Chief (15%) -- Selects, analyzes and translates media
articles and commentaries, including on global warming and
other climate-change themes; supervises the team of
translators who monitor press and translate relevant press
reports.

TOKYO 00000558 003 OF 004



Twenty-four locally employed staff (various) -- Assist
officers and MATT Chief as outlined above.

Cultural Affairs -- Executed, for example, a speaker program
featuring a representative from the Department of Energy who
traveled to five cities in Japan to speak on energy issues.
The Embassy staff to support the speaker included one officer
(40% of one week),and two LES (75% of two weeks and 75% of
one week respectively).

Information Resource Center - Locally employed staff spent
approximately 112 hours total over the year arranging local
speakers, working with reference material, placing
information on the Embassy's website and sending out energy
articles to email newsletter subscribers.

Embassy Tokyo Fund Outlays
--------------

5. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Embassy Tokyo on
energy-related issues is:
Personnel - $1,155,320
Programming - $13,916

Congen Sapporo
--------------

6. (SBU) Consul General (5%) -- Discusses policy and
commercial issues with contacts, speaks to local business
community, and does interviews with print and broadcast media.

Economic Officer (25%) -- Reports on energy sector
developments including renewable energies, new technologies,
and hybrid/biomass research. Arranges visits for DOE staff
and CODELs.

Economic Assistant (LES) (20%) -- Reports on energy sector
including renewable energies, new technologies and
hybrid/biomass research. Arranges visits for DOE staff and
CODELs.

Three Public Affairs Assistants (LES) (5%) -- Arrange
programs for Embassy officers and IIP Bureau speakers on
environmental issues; answer questions, and distribute via
e-mail information related to U.S. policies and technology
advancements. Analyze/monitor local media stories.

Senior Political Advisor (LES) (1%) -- Assists ECON staff
with trade promotions and contacts energy companies on behalf
of CG.


7. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Congen Sapporo on
energy-related issues is:
Personnel - $207,200
Programming - $400

Congen Osaka-Kobe
--------------

8. (SBU) The Political-Economic section, consisting of one
FSO and two LES employees, handles energy issues.

Pol-Econ Officer (5%) -- Maintains contacts with power
companies, energy and climate technology companies, and
research facilities. Visits and reports on nuclear power
facilities in the district and facilitates visits to nuclear
power facilities by Embassy staff and Washington-based USG
visitors.

Economic Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Maintains contacts with
power companies, energy and climate technology companies, and
research facilities. Reports on energy-related developments
and facilitates visits to nuclear power facilities by Embassy
staff and USG visitors.


9. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Congen Osaka-Kobe
on energy-related issues is:
Personnel - $29,300
Programming - $2,450

Consulate Fukuoka
--------------

10. (SBU) The Political-Economic section handles energy
issues.

Economic Officer (20%) -- Directs post's reporting on energy
and climate issues. Attends seminars and meets with Japanese
government officials, private sector representatives, and
U.S. and Japanese researchers in the energy and climate

TOKYO 00000558 004 OF 004


fields.

Economic Assistant (LES) (25%) -- Responsible for
environmental and energy issues, and in particular
alternative energy, including reporting, establishing and
maintaining contacts. Organizes commercial events and
identifies potential business opportunities for U.S.
companies.


11. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Consulate
Fukuoka on energy-related issues is:
Personnel - $121,700

Congen Naha
--------------

12. (SBU) Economic Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Monitors and
reports on energy and climate change issues and supports
visits by Embassy and Washington-based USG visitors.


13. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Congen Naha on
energy-related issues is:
Personnel - $4,300

Consulate Nagoya
--------------

14. (SBU) The Political-Economic Section is responsible for
energy issues.

Principal Officer (5%) -- Maintains contacts and visits with
automotive, aerospace, and firms using new technologies to
promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Supports
visits by Embassy and Washington-based USG officials.
Recently wrote Japanese language op-ed column on American
climate change policy which was published in regional
newspaper with 2.8 million circulation.

Public Affairs and Information Resource staff (3 LES, 5%) --
Follow media reporting on energy and climate change issues;
support programming.

Pol-Econ Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Researches and reports on
energy and climate change issues, with a particular focus on
automotive, aerospace and rail technologies developed in the
district.


15. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Consulate Nagoya
on energy-related issues is:
Personnel - $42,300
Programming - $900

Overall Totals
--------------

16. (SBU) Total estimated funds for the Japan Mission:
Personnel - $1,555,120
Programming - $17,666
SCHIEFFER