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