JAPAN TO LAUNCH MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE PILOT PROJECT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000231 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/J STATE PASS DOE FOR D. CHONG CBP CONTAINER SECURITY INITIATIVE DIVISION FOR D. STAJCAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC EWWT ENRG ELTN ETRD JA SUBJECT: JAPAN TO LAUNCH MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE PILOT PROJECT REF: A. 1/9/09 CHERRY-CHONG E-MAIL ¶B. 1/29/09 WALCOTT-CHONG E-MAIL ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 9. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: The GOJ recently announced it will commence a Megaports Initiative pilot project at the Port of Yokohama March 2. After five years of USG-GOJ discussions, and despite differences between the GOJ's particular implementation compared to Megaports projects elsewhere, this week's equipment installation marks a significant step forward. Nucsafe, the U.S. equipment supplier, is working with the GOJ on equipment specifications and told us the GOJ plans to test the equipment for six months to up to three years. The GOJ continues to press the USG on the need for reciprocity, suggesting radiation detection equipment be installed at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to screen select Japan-bound containers. The GOJ requests a response to its proposed information-sharing parameters for Megaports-Yokohama and also for Long Beach and Los Angeles by February 6 (also see action request in paragraph 8). End Summary. Pilot Project Nearly Ready To Go Live -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The GOJ will launch a Megaports Initiative pilot project March 2 at the Port of Yokohama Minami Honmoku Terminal. The GOJ announced its plan in a joint press statement released January 26 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA),Ministry of Finance (MOF),and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The full text of the press release, as well as supplemental documentation, can be found at: www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2009/1/1186857 1150.html. ¶4. (SBU) Implementation of the Megaports Initiative in Japan differs from other ports around the world primarily in that Japan purchased its radiation portal monitors (RPM) independently rather than accepting USG-provided equipment. Nucsafe, a U.S. company, won the contract and completed installation of the radiation portal monitors (RPM) January ¶26. Equipment Installed and Ready for Testing -------------- ¶5. (SBU) A Nucsafe representative told Emboffs January 28 the company installed 44 panels in 11 systems. However, due to the project's lower than expected $2 million budget, only nine systems are currently operative. (Note: The GOJ previously estimated the procurement would cost $3 million. Post has no further information about the reasons for the shortfall. End note.) Nucsafe plans to turn over the equipment to the GOJ February 1. ¶6. (SBU) Nucsafe confirmed the GOJ's repeatedly expressed goals for Megaports, i.e., balancing the need for minimal disruption to the flow of commerce with compliance of USG Megaports detection standards and requirements. Despite DOE concerns about continuous movement of containers through the RPMs, Nucsafe's representative said he does not anticipate any problems with the placement of the panels next to the port's gate. Nucsafe installed a motion sensor such that the RPM only measures radiation levels when a truck is moving through the detection portals. ¶7. (SBU) The GOJ anticipates undertaking between six months and up to three years of equipment operation testing, according to Nucsafe. The GOJ asked Nucsafe to utilize a "hybrid" set of specifications for the Yokohama Port equipment, including a mixture of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) specifications. The company has offered to assist the GOJ with equipment testing and will endeavor to ensure the RPMs comply with Megaports detection standards, according to TOKYO 00000231 002 OF 002 the Nucsafe representative. Nucsafe requests DOE test its RPMs to ensure equipment compliance with Megaports detection standards and also seeks USG support in urging the GOJ to complete Yokohama's RPM testing more quickly. (Note: The GOJ currently is also testing the RPM's radiation detection settings. The MOFA told us January 29 they expect to finalize these settings before the March 2 go-live date. End note.) Information-Sharing and Reciprocity -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The GOJ continues to press us on the issue of reciprocity, suggesting the USG (Customs and Border Protection) install comparable radiation detection equipment at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to screen Japan-bound Container Security Initiative (CSI) cargo. A MOFA official has suggested previously even a "symbolic" demonstration of reciprocity would be sufficient. During a January 9 Megaports update for Emboffs, MOFA requested a USG response to its proposed information-sharing mechanism for both Megaports-Yokohama and possible RPMs at Long Beach and Los Angeles. The Ministry would like to receive by February ¶6. We have reiterated with the GOJ on several occasions that a reciprocal project at Long Beach and Los Angeles should take place on a separate track from Megaports implementation. Action Request -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Post appreciates Department's assistance in providing a response by February 6 to the GOJ's information-sharing proposal, as well as Nucsafe's request for equipment testing assistance. If Washington agencies have other questions for the GOJ related to Megaports, Post would appreciate receiving talking points via front channel cable. ZUMWALT