SENIOR MOFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES UPCOMING

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000120

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/J, ISN/SRNN SUSAN BURKE, L/NPV MEHA SHAH,
ISN/MNSA SCOTT DAVIS AND WILLIAM MENOLD
DEPT PASS NSC FOR GARY SAMORE, JOYCE CONNERY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2020
TAGS: PARM CDG ENRG KNNP MNUC PREL IAEA NPT JA
SUBJECT: SENIOR MOFA OFFICIAL DISCUSSES UPCOMING
NONPROLIFERATION MEETINGS

REF: A. TOKYO 86

B. STATE 2574

C. STATE 126209

Classified By: Economic Minister Counselor Marc Wall, reasons 1.4 b and
d


1. (C) Summary. MOFA Director General for Disarmament,
Non-proliferation and Science Toshio Sano discussed
non-proliferation and disarmament topics with EMIN January

19. Sano said Japan is not planning on any deliverables
regarding physical protection of nuclear facilities at the
April Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, adding that the
Summit is not a "pledging conference." He added that Japan's
upgrades to security following the 9/11 attacks are adequate
to safeguard the mixed oxide fuel now being introduced at
some Japanese reactors. Sano said he has not had time to
review in detail the U.S. paper for the NPT Revcon on
strenghtening the withdrawal provision, but he believes it
will be a non-starter for the NAM. Sano also previewed a
proposal on reaching out to Egypt that Japan's sherpa will
present at the G8 Political Directors meeting January 21.
End summary.


2. (C) EMIN asked Sano if there are any developments in the
physical protection of nuclear facilities in Japan that could
serve as deliverables for the April Nuclear Security Summit
in Washington. Sano said the GOJ increased security at
Japanese nuclear sites following the 9/11 attacks, including
the deployment of armed police and Japan Coast Guard patrols
at the facilities. As for a deliverable for the Summit, Sano
said that while the Leaders Communique should cover a wide
range of subjects including physical protection, the Summit
is not a "pledging conference." He said the Summit provides
a good chance to review the international non-proliferation
system and rather than make new pledges, it is more important
to affirm implementation of agreements made at the numerous
non-proliferation bodies. He added that the upgrades to
security made after 9/11 are adequate for the introduction of
mixed oxide fuel for reactors in Japan.


3. (C) Regarding the NPT Revcon, Sano said the GOJ position
is centered on addressing the North-South divide, which has
been apparent in many nuclear issues over the last decade.
To overcome this divide, Sano said developed countries must
assure developing nations that the three Ss - security,
safety, and safeguards - will not be a limiting factor in
their aquisition of civilian nuclear technology. Developed
countries must follow these assurances with funds for nuclear
infrastrucure capacity-building in the developing world.


4. (C) Sano said he has not had time to examine in detail
the U.S. paper on strengthening the withdrawal provisions in
the NPT but he considers the issue will probably be a
non-starter for the non-aligned movement (NAM). He said we
must find a middle way on the withdrawal issue and advises
discussing the issue among NPT members as opposed to taking
the issue to the UN Security Council, which would displease
the NAM.


5. (C) On Iran, Sano said it is natural to shift from
dialogue to pressure in the face of Iranian intransigence.
He quoted Foreign Minister Okada's remark that Japan "will
not hesitate to participate in international sanctions" on
Iran. However, he added that Japan has a unique channel to
the Iranian government in Foreign Minister Mottaki, who
served as Iranian Ambassador to Japan 1994-1999. He said
Japan imports about 500,000 barrels of oil per day from Iran,
or about 12 percent of its total consumption. The Japanese
firm Showa Shell has a particularly profitable business
importing heavy crude from Iran, which he said provides a
good net back to the company because Iran offers the crude at
a low price.


6. (C) Sano also previewed a proposal on enlisting Egyptian
support for the NPT process, which he said Japan's Sherpa
Sasae will present at the G8 Political Directors' meeting
January 21. Egypt is interested in showing progress on the

1995 NPT Middle East Resolution, and a gesture to them on
this issue could bring them on board and keep them from
blocking progress in the NPT. He said Sasae will propose
some type of gesture to show progress on the ME Resolution,
perhaps a regional conference on Israel. While Israel would
strongly object to this, Sano said the gesture itself would
send a positive message to Egypt.
ZUMWALT