Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1216
2009-05-29 07:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
WHALING: JAPAN UNLIKELY TO COMPROMISE IN UPCOMING
VZCZCXRO5636 OO RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHMJ RUEHNAG RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #1216 1490749 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 290749Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3331 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 9545 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA IMMEDIATE 3195 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 2436 RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO IMMEDIATE 0093 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 1285 RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK IMMEDIATE 0214 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 5566 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 0737 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE 1105 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON IMMEDIATE 1192 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA IMMEDIATE 4282 RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA IMMEDIATE 1882 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA IMMEDIATE 6617 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE IMMEDIATE 8083 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO IMMEDIATE 4811 RUCPDC/NOAA NMFS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS TOKYO 001216
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D, OES/OA AND EAP/J
STATE PASS CEQ
NOAA/NMFS - CMCCARTY AND RWULFF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA IWC ETRD JA
SUBJECT: WHALING: JAPAN UNLIKELY TO COMPROMISE IN UPCOMING
IWC MEETING
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS TOKYO 001216
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D, OES/OA AND EAP/J
STATE PASS CEQ
NOAA/NMFS - CMCCARTY AND RWULFF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA IWC ETRD JA
SUBJECT: WHALING: JAPAN UNLIKELY TO COMPROMISE IN UPCOMING
IWC MEETING
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) While the Japanese public does not oppose whaling -
in fact most support continued whaling - interest groups here
are divided over whether to accept a compromise in the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) that would allow Japan
limited coastal whaling in exchange for a
reduction/elimination of Japan's research whaling. Japanese
policymakers, however, seem to be coalescing around opposing
any compromise on the issue that appears to stem from foreign
pressure, according to a senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs
official. This official also recently told EMIN politicians
in all Japanese parties support continued whaling in some
form and that there would be no progress on whaling this
year.
2. (SBU) The MOFA senior official's comments are similar to
responses from working level GOJ officials and Japanese media
contacts Post has spoken with recently. All say Japan is
unlikely to compromise and they do not expect progress at the
IWC's annual meeting in Madeira in June. While there is an
expectation the negotiations on finding a compromise will
continue until the 2010 IWC annual meeting, many in the GOJ,
according to a reporter for a Japanese fisheries trade daily,
are wondering about future U.S. policies and who may replace
Dr. Hogarth, and the impact these decision might have on the
negotiations.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D, OES/OA AND EAP/J
STATE PASS CEQ
NOAA/NMFS - CMCCARTY AND RWULFF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA IWC ETRD JA
SUBJECT: WHALING: JAPAN UNLIKELY TO COMPROMISE IN UPCOMING
IWC MEETING
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) While the Japanese public does not oppose whaling -
in fact most support continued whaling - interest groups here
are divided over whether to accept a compromise in the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) that would allow Japan
limited coastal whaling in exchange for a
reduction/elimination of Japan's research whaling. Japanese
policymakers, however, seem to be coalescing around opposing
any compromise on the issue that appears to stem from foreign
pressure, according to a senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs
official. This official also recently told EMIN politicians
in all Japanese parties support continued whaling in some
form and that there would be no progress on whaling this
year.
2. (SBU) The MOFA senior official's comments are similar to
responses from working level GOJ officials and Japanese media
contacts Post has spoken with recently. All say Japan is
unlikely to compromise and they do not expect progress at the
IWC's annual meeting in Madeira in June. While there is an
expectation the negotiations on finding a compromise will
continue until the 2010 IWC annual meeting, many in the GOJ,
according to a reporter for a Japanese fisheries trade daily,
are wondering about future U.S. policies and who may replace
Dr. Hogarth, and the impact these decision might have on the
negotiations.
ZUMWALT