Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1414
2009-06-23 08:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN PREPARING SPECIAL MEASURES BILL ON DPRK
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001414
SIPDIS
STATE PM FOR RUGGIERO AND DELAWIE
STATE PM/PPA FOR HOPKINS
STATE PM/ISO FOR FREDERICK
STATE EEB/TRA FOR JOHN BYERLY AND STEPHEN MILLER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2019
TAGS: ELTN EWWT MOPS PBTS PGOV PHSA PINR PREL PTER
JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PREPARING SPECIAL MEASURES BILL ON DPRK
CARGO INSPECTION
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4(b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001414
SIPDIS
STATE PM FOR RUGGIERO AND DELAWIE
STATE PM/PPA FOR HOPKINS
STATE PM/ISO FOR FREDERICK
STATE EEB/TRA FOR JOHN BYERLY AND STEPHEN MILLER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2019
TAGS: ELTN EWWT MOPS PBTS PGOV PHSA PINR PREL PTER
JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PREPARING SPECIAL MEASURES BILL ON DPRK
CARGO INSPECTION
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4(b) and
(d).
1. (C) Summary: The Japanese government is preparing a
special measures bill that would authorize Japan to inspect
cargo on DPRK ships beyond the limits of Japan's territorial
waters. The government plans to submit the bill to the Diet
in the current session, which ends 28 July. Key aspects of
the bill remain under debate, however. One contentious issue
is whether the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) or the Japan Maritime
Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) should have the lead role in
inspections. Conservative politicians argue that the JMSDF
would show a stronger response, while others insist Japan
should rely on the interdiction expertise of the Coast Guard.
Japanese government contacts note that given concerns
surrounding the DPRK's nuclear program, bureaucrats are under
extreme pressure to finish the draft legislation within the
next 7-10 days. End summary.
2. (C) In contrast to anti-piracy operations far from Japan's
shores, the Coast Guard should be the logical choice as the
lead agency to interdict suspect DPRK vessels, according to
MOFA National Security Division Principal Deputy Director
Shingo Miyamoto. The Coast Guard performs thousands of
vessels inspections and boardings each year, and has
expertise and experience that the JMSDF lacks. (Note: In the
current anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa, several
Coast Guard personnel are embarked on JMSDF destroyers for
the purpose of leading any boarding operations that may
occur. End note.) Japanese government officials who work on
interdiction issues understand that the Coast Guard is the
"appropriate choice," according to Miyamoto, but conservative
political leaders are arguing the JMSDF should take the lead.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leaders like Taku Yamasaki
argue that sending the JMSDF to intercept and board suspect
vessels will "show a stronger posture" to the DPRK.
3. (C) MOFA, the Ministry of Defense (MOD),and the Cabinet
Office are under pressure to complete work on the draft
legislation so it can be considered and completed prior to
the 28 July end of the current Diet session. Given the
growing concern in Japan over the DPRK's nuclear program and
generally good support for a strong response, MOFA
interlocutors don't expect the opposition Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ) to attempt to stall the bill's passage. However,
some on the left of the DPJ, along with the Japan Communist
Party and Social Democratic Party are expected to sharply
criticize any expansion of the SDF role into cargo
inspection, citing constitutional restrictions on any use of
force by the SDF.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
STATE PM FOR RUGGIERO AND DELAWIE
STATE PM/PPA FOR HOPKINS
STATE PM/ISO FOR FREDERICK
STATE EEB/TRA FOR JOHN BYERLY AND STEPHEN MILLER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2019
TAGS: ELTN EWWT MOPS PBTS PGOV PHSA PINR PREL PTER
JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PREPARING SPECIAL MEASURES BILL ON DPRK
CARGO INSPECTION
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4(b) and
(d).
1. (C) Summary: The Japanese government is preparing a
special measures bill that would authorize Japan to inspect
cargo on DPRK ships beyond the limits of Japan's territorial
waters. The government plans to submit the bill to the Diet
in the current session, which ends 28 July. Key aspects of
the bill remain under debate, however. One contentious issue
is whether the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) or the Japan Maritime
Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) should have the lead role in
inspections. Conservative politicians argue that the JMSDF
would show a stronger response, while others insist Japan
should rely on the interdiction expertise of the Coast Guard.
Japanese government contacts note that given concerns
surrounding the DPRK's nuclear program, bureaucrats are under
extreme pressure to finish the draft legislation within the
next 7-10 days. End summary.
2. (C) In contrast to anti-piracy operations far from Japan's
shores, the Coast Guard should be the logical choice as the
lead agency to interdict suspect DPRK vessels, according to
MOFA National Security Division Principal Deputy Director
Shingo Miyamoto. The Coast Guard performs thousands of
vessels inspections and boardings each year, and has
expertise and experience that the JMSDF lacks. (Note: In the
current anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa, several
Coast Guard personnel are embarked on JMSDF destroyers for
the purpose of leading any boarding operations that may
occur. End note.) Japanese government officials who work on
interdiction issues understand that the Coast Guard is the
"appropriate choice," according to Miyamoto, but conservative
political leaders are arguing the JMSDF should take the lead.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leaders like Taku Yamasaki
argue that sending the JMSDF to intercept and board suspect
vessels will "show a stronger posture" to the DPRK.
3. (C) MOFA, the Ministry of Defense (MOD),and the Cabinet
Office are under pressure to complete work on the draft
legislation so it can be considered and completed prior to
the 28 July end of the current Diet session. Given the
growing concern in Japan over the DPRK's nuclear program and
generally good support for a strong response, MOFA
interlocutors don't expect the opposition Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ) to attempt to stall the bill's passage. However,
some on the left of the DPJ, along with the Japan Communist
Party and Social Democratic Party are expected to sharply
criticize any expansion of the SDF role into cargo
inspection, citing constitutional restrictions on any use of
force by the SDF.
ZUMWALT