AMBASSADOR COURTESY CALL ON MIC MINISTER HARAGUCHI

UNCLAS TOKYO 002438 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/J, EEB/CIP/BA SFLYNN PLEASE PASS TO USTR WCUTLER, DLEE, JMCHALE PASS TO FCC ADEY PASS TO DOC/NTIA AHEINEMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINT JA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR COURTESY CALL ON MIC MINISTER HARAGUCHI ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi told Ambassador Roos he sees an important role for information and communications technologies (ICT) to contribute to solving both domestic and global problems. He said he discussed prospective exchanges with the U.S. when he met FCC Chairman Genachowski recently. He also expressed interest in information society issues such as freedom of speech and freedom of access to broadcasting. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In an October 19 courtesy call by Ambassador Roos, MIC Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi expressed interest in the Ambassador's experience with new technologies and the business culture in Silicon Valley. Haraguchi noted the relevance of the Ambassador's experience with cutting-edge economic issues on which both countries should focus. The Ambassador observed his nomination was a reflection that the President shared this view. Haraguchi agreed with the Ambassador's emphasis on the importance of innovation, suggesting we encourage exchanges where possible. He mentioned Oracle CEO Larry Ellison soon will visit Japan and meet with the Prime Minister, and added he knows individual Japanese who are reaching out to make new contacts in Silicon Valley. ¶3. (SBU) Haraguchi briefly related his meeting with FCC Chairman Genachowski, saying they had discussed the green ICT economy and user protection issues such as privacy, cyber-security, and intellectual property. The Ambassador noted Genachowski's key role in the Internet strategy of the President's election campaign, and suggested Genachowski should be a good leader on Internet issues. Haraguchi did not elaborate any further on his public statements about creating a FCC-like independent regulatory body, or concerning his ideas for bilateral exchanges. ¶4. (SBU) Haraguchi then mentioned his interest in information society issues, saying he had created a task force on human rights and governance, and another on freedom of speech. He commented on how important he considers freedom of speech and freedom of access to broadcasting. ROOS