INFORMATION GATHERING SYSTEM: JAPAN POSTPONES

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002283 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2019 TAGS: KSCA KSTC ETTC PINR PREL TSPA JA SUBJECT: INFORMATION GATHERING SYSTEM: JAPAN POSTPONES SIGNING AMENDMENT TO 1999 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REF: SECSTATE 100467 Classified By: A/EMIN Paul Horowitz; reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) Officials at the Japan Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center (CSIC) informed Post late Monday, September 28 that the Government of Japan would need to postpone signing the amendment extending the 1999 Memorandum of Understanding for the Information Gathering System (reftel). Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano requested an in depth briefing on the issue when CSIC Director Mitani informed him of the signing early that same day, according to CSIC officer Masahiro Nishida. Hirano has a background in engineering and questioned why Japan must import components for its information gathering satellites. Nishida said he would contact Econoff in the next few days to arrange signing of the amendment after his office has fully briefed Hirano. ROOS