JAPANESE RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE URGING ASEAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001413 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, ISN, IO, USUN, T E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC KN JA ASEAN SUBJECT: JAPANESE RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE URGING ASEAN IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1874 REF: A. STATE 64133 ¶B. STATE 64631 Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Japan is committed to enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1874 and to encouraging ASEAN member states to do the same, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae told the Charge on June 23, in response to Ref A demarche. "Japan is listening and is ready to help," Sasae noted, and is already taking action. The Japanese Government has been discussing the resolution with ASEAN capitals and has inquired about third country plans to implement ship inspection measures. Sasae said Japan will make sure to relay any pertinent information to Embassy Tokyo and to Washington. ¶2. (C) MOFA had already called in Burma's Ambassador on June 22 to convey similar demarche points and to warn against allowing transit and bunkering of North Korean ships suspected of carrying prohibited cargo, Sasae said in response to Charge's request for Japan's support in urging Burma to implement the sanctions regime. For Burma to ignore the resolution would be a grave mistake and would have a "serious impact" on Japanese-Burmese relations, Sasae reiterated. ¶3. (C) The Charge emphasized the importance of joint coordination on public messaging immediately following a North Korean provocation, per Ref B. Sasae agreed on the need for enhanced information sharing and coordination among the United States, Japan, and South Korea, and stressed that all parties need to provide North Korea stern warnings and direct reminders about consequences in advance of a nuclear or missile test. ¶4. (SBU) DFM Sasae concluded the meeting by extending his sympathies to Secretary Clinton and said he hoped she would recover quickly. ZUMWALT