JAPANESE COMMENTS ON NUCLEAR ENERGY ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000344 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/NESS, EAP/J DOE FOR OFFICE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2020 TAGS: PREL ENRG VM JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE COMMENTS ON NUCLEAR ENERGY ENGAGEMENT WITH VIETNAM Classified By: Acting DCM Marc M. Wall, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is in the pre-negotiation stages for a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Vietnam, according to MOFA First Southeast Asia Division Principal Deputy Director Takatoshi Mori. Mori, who had called a meeting on February 17 to ask about the United States' progress on the same issue, provided a run-down of Japan's nuclear engagement with Vietnam and the GOJ's outlook for the future. ¶2. (SBU) According to Mori, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam that will expire in March, and which the GOJ intends to renew. This MOU, which he described as a non-binding, three-page document, lists potential areas for GOJ-GVN nuclear cooperation. Mori described the current relationship as one of capacity building, with the GOJ trying to help Vietnam develop human resources, legal framework, and other support elements that would be necessary to support a nuclear power program. ¶3. (SBU) Mori reported that the GVN has asked Japan to conclude a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, and the GOJ intends to proceed with negotiations, beginning soon. The governments have already held one pre-negotiation meeting. ¶4. (C) Mori also discussed the status of Vietnam's plan to develop four commercial power reactors. Japanese press had reported earlier in the week that Russia will be awarded the first two reactors as part of a broader deal in which Vietnam gets military aid. Mori told Econoff that according to "confidential sources," the GOJ has learned that the GVN has in fact decided to award the first two reactors to Russia. Mori noted that the GVN position was not public, and if the GOJ were to ask about the status of the reactors, the GVN would say nothing had been decided. Mori stressed the sensitive nature of his information and requested that the USG not reference having received it from the GOJ. ¶5. (SBU) Mori agreed to keep Econoff informed of developments in Japan's negotiations with Vietnam on the nuclear issue, and welcomed future exchanges with the USG on this subject. ROOS