Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07TOKYO4052, The Japan Economic Scope--August 30, 2007
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07TOKYO4052.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07TOKYO4052 | 2007-08-31 05:51 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO5214
RR RUEHFK RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #4052/01 2430551
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310551Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7132
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 5719
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 2923
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 1918
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5350
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6549
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 004052
SIPDIS
PARIS PLEASE PASS TO USOECD
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON JA ZO EAGR
SUBJECT: The Japan Economic Scope--August 30, 2007
¶1. (U) This cable contains the Japan Economic Scope from August
30, 2007.
2.(SBU) Table of Contents
Political Moves
¶3. Abe Reshuffles Cabinet
¶4. New Appointees and Postal Privatization
¶5. ACCJ T&L Committee Meets with CPRR on Aviation Policy
Money Matters
¶6. Minimum Wage Non-Compliance 6.4 Percent
¶7. MHLW Survey: Japan's Income Disparities Widened to Record
Level
¶8. FDI: American Investment Firm to Finance Construction of
Hokkaido's Largest Distribution Center
¶9. Japan's First PFI Port Project under SZSR a Failure in
Kitakyushu
Agriculture and Trade
¶10. Japan's New WTO Tandem from Same Faction
¶11. Stay the Course on Agriculture Reform?
¶12. Another Food Safety Scandal Rocks Hokkaido
¶13. Japan-EU FTA on Horizon?
¶14. Beef on Back Burner
Cars
¶15. Nissan Kyushu Expects to Return to 400,000-Car Production in
JFY2007
¶16. Japan's First Privatized H-IIA Launch Vehicle Set for Launch
¶17. NTSB Chairman Visits Tokyo
Security Updates
¶18. U.S.-Japan Bilateral Talks on Cyber-Security
¶19. Japan Customs Focuses on Illicit Guns and Drugs
¶20. Japanese Immigrations to Implement Fingerprint Scanning on
Nov. 20
¶21. Japan Works on Pilot Program for Radiological Screening at
Yokohama
Japan's Foreign Relations
¶22. Update on Western Japan-Korea Ties
¶23. Japan - India Model Coal Plant Progressing
Sports
24.Tokyo Heat Strains Electricity Grid but Nothing More Important
than High School Baseball
---------------
POLITICAL MOVES
---------------
¶3. (SBU) Abe Reshuffles Cabinet
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Prime Minister Abe reshuffled his cabinet August 27, bringing in
veteran lawmakers and party heavyweights. The reshuffle
immediately improved Abe's support rate, though that rate
continues to trail in the non-support rate in most polls.
Business leaders and commentators have praised the new cabinet's
stability and expertise while lamenting that it promises few new
directions or bold policy proposals.
Key appointees include Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano,
Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, Finance Minister Fukushiro
Nukaga, Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare Yoichi Masuzoe,
Agriculture Minister Takehiko Endo, and Minister of Internal
Affairs and Communications Hiroya Masuda. Minister of Economy,
Trade, and Industry Amari, Transportation Minister Fuyushiba, and
Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ota retained their portfolios.
Further reporting can be found in Tokyo 3968 (overall assessment),
3970 (biographies), 4013 (business reaction), and 4044 (polling
bounce). (ECON: Marc Dillard)
¶4. (SBU) New Appointees and Postal Privatization
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Subsequent to Prime Minister Abe's August 27 cabinet reshuffle,
four former "postal rebels," who opposed former Prime Minister
Koizumi's 2005 postal privatization bills, were appointed as
senior vice ministers. Some press reports have speculated that
the Abe cabinet's reform credibility will be set back by these
appointments.
Responding in the press, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano said
"(the problems associated with) postal privatization seem to be
something that happened a long time ago. Postal privatization is
TOKYO 00004052 002 OF 010
fully embedded as a prescribed course, and should not affect
personnel appointments."
We note that former Iwate governor and Postal Services
Privatization Committee member Hiroya Masuda was appointed
Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, where he will
wield direct influence on the privatization process. Masuda's
appointment has been taken as a positive sign in the business
community, and we will be watching what, if any, conflict arises
between Masuda and the "postal rebels."
The four "postal rebels" are: Hiroshi Moriyama, Senior Vice-
Minister (SVM) for Finance; Masahiro Imamura, SVM for Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries; Yoshio Nakagawa, SVM for the Cabinet
Office; and Hiromi Iwanaga, SVM for Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries. (ECON: Ai Kaneko/Marc Dillard)
¶5. (SBU) ACCJ T&L Committee Meets with CPRR on Aviation Policy
--------------------------------------------- ---------
The ACCJ's Transportation and Logistics (T&L) Committee testified
before the Council for the Promotion for Regulatory Reform (CPRR)
on aviation matters in early August.
U.S. airlines expressed their concerns about Haneda
internationalization. They found the committee members to be
focused on passenger carriers and unaware of the issues
surrounding cargo carrier operations.
The ACCJ reports it was worrisome that the CPRR remained fixed on
pursuing a slot auction idea as a way to allocate slots at
Japanese airports. That the foreign airlines were allowed to
testify was a small victory for transparency as they were not
given the opportunity to do so in front of several Kantei and
MLIT aviation policy panels examining aviation reform this spring.
The ACCJ plans to continue its efforts to educate the academic
and private sector specialists on the CPRR and that populate
other government policy committees. (ECON: Josh Handler)
-------------
MONEY MATTERS
-------------
¶6. (SBU) Minimum Wage Non-Compliance 6.4 Percent
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Over six percent of businesses nationwide violate minimum wage
laws, according to an investigation conducted by the Ministry of
Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), the results of which were
released on August 22.
Violations were particularly high in the following industries:
clothes and fabric goods, manufacturing, dry cleaners, food
manufacturing, restaurants, barbers and hairdressers, and taxis.
Officials at MHLW's Labor Standards Bureau told us the number of
investigations done this year has already doubled that of last
year, and that the non-compliance rate has declined slightly
(from 6.8 percent). MHLW officials told us they are determined
to strengthen education efforts along with the investigations.
The minimum wage remains a sensitive political topic and will
likely be revisited during the fall Diet session. (ECON: Ai
Kaneko/Marc Dillard)
¶7. (U) MHLW Survey: Japan's Income Disparities Widened to Record
Level
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Long-awaited survey results on Japan's household income
disparities showed that initial, pre-redistribution household
inequality widened to a record level in 2005, as measured by the
Gini coefficient, due mainly to the aging population.
The Survey on the Redistribution of Income, conducted every three
years by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and
released on August 24, provides the Gini coefficient for both
initial income of households, and their "redistributed income"
which reflects household income levels after taking accounts of
taxes and social security payments/receipts.
Although the pre-redistribution income inequality is widening,
TOKYO 00004052 003 OF 010
after inter-generational transfers and income redistribution the
Gini coefficient remains unchanged from the 1990s. (FINATT:
Shuya Sakurai)
¶8. (U) FDI: American Investment Firm to Finance Construction of
Hokkaido's Largest Distribution Center
--------------------------------------------- ---------
In early August, Chicago-based LaSalle Investment Management
(LSIM) announced it will invest five billion yen ($42 million)
toward the construction of a multi-use distribution center in
Hokkaido.
Slated to open in 2008 at an industrial park in the Sapporo
suburb of Ebetsu, the facility will be Hokkaido's largest
distribution center. With 300 employees, it will have the
capacity to service local food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic
companies as well as government offices in need of document
storage.
The Hokkaido distribution center will be the fifth distribution
center LSIM has financed in Japan. It also marks the second major
investment in Hokkaido for LSIM following the American-style
outlet mall "Rera" near the New Chitose Airport.
Due to cheaper land and lower labor costs, Hokkaido has lagged
behind the rest of Japan in developing a consolidated logistical
system for local companies. However, LSIM sees a business
opportunity as locally operating companies are forced to decrease
logistical costs in the peaked-out consumption goods market due
to the ever-decreasing population. (Sapporo: Ian Hillman/Yumi
Baba)
¶9. (SBU) Japan's First PFI Port Project under SZSR a Failure in
Kitakyushu
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Hibiki Container Terminal (HCT), Kitakyushu City's 100 billion
yen ($860 million) project under the GOJ's Special Zones for
Structural Reform (SZSR) initiative looks like it may have turned
into another expensive public works white elephant.
Kitakyushu City recently announced that it would buy all terminal
facilities owned by Singapore's PSA International-led consortium
for four billion yen ($34 million) in October 2007. The city
plans to contract PSA to continue the maintenance work at the
terminal for the remainder of this FY for 500 million yen ($4.3
million).
Kitakyushu's hub port project was one of the original projects
that inspired the GOJ's SZSR initiative and was the first
Japanese port project to use PFI (private finance initiative)
teamed up with a foreign port operator. However, the project has
barely stayed afloat since its April 2005 inception.
While PSA will remain the leading shareholder in the consortium,
post contacts said that the firm's representatives left
Kitakyushu over a year ago and speculated that PSA would
eventually end its involvement with the project. For detailed
information on HCT, please see the attached. (Fukuoka: Yuko
Nagatomo/Jim Crow)
---------------------
AGRICULTURE AND TRADE
---------------------
¶10. (SBU) Japan's New WTO Tandem from Same Faction
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Japan's cabinet reshuffle does not figure to shake up its WTO
team. Trade Minister Akira Amari remains in place while Japan's
new Agriculture Minister, Takehiko Endo, is cut from the same
policy mold as previous Agriculture Ministers.
Japan's current posture in the Doha Round, most observers agree,
will likely remain familiar -- official professions of support for
the round complemented by insistence that a deal on agriculture
not be too ambitious.
According to press reports, PM Abe had enormous difficulty in
identifying somebody to move over to the Agriculture Ministry
(MAFF). MAFF's two previous ministers were undone by financial
TOKYO 00004052 004 OF 010
scandal, with Toshikatsu Matsuoka's tenure ending in suicide in
late May.
Endo, 68, is a crusty veteran familiar with agriculture affairs,
including a stint as MAFF's senior vice minister. He reportedly
enjoys the support of the LDP agriculture caucus in the Diet.
A senior official at the Trade Ministry (METI) involved in the
Doha talks told us he was optimistic that Endo would do well in
his new job. Endo comes from the same political faction in the
LDP as Amari.
Junior to Amari in length of service in the Diet -- eight terms
versus six -- Endo figures to work well with the Trade Minister.
Separately, a MAFF official confirmed to us that Endo would not
be traveling to the APEC Senior Leaders meetings in Australia.
(ECON: Nicholas Hill)
¶11. (SBU) Stay the Course on Agriculture Reform?
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Will the new Agriculture Minister do an about face on necessary
reforms in the farm sector after PM Abe and his government
suffered a drubbing in last month's elections in the rural parts
of Japan?
The ruling coalition's hold on single-seat constituencies in
rural areas plunged from 29 to six in the Upper House. Takehiko
Endo, the new Agriculture Minister, has been an outspoken voice
for a long time underscoring the urgency of helping these
depressed regions.
At his inaugural press conference, however, which began before
midnight on August 27 and continued into the early morning, Endo
said in essence that the government must stay the course on
agriculture reform.
When asked about the opposition Democratic Party of Japan's
criticism of the government's policy of focusing direct payments
on bigger farms, Endo said existing policies were consistent with
the need to restructure the farm sector.
The DPJ's proposals, he said, to give payments to all farmers
effectively would derail structural reforms, stimulate production,
go against WTO principles, and disadvantage Japan in the Doha
talks.
Endo added that such broad subsidies would be an increased burden
on Japanese taxpayers. There was a serious income divide, he said,
between rural and urban areas, but revitalizing these areas would
not only come out of policies to help farmers.
The complete transcript of Endo's press conference (in Japanese)
appears on MAFF's website. (ECON: Nicholas Hill/Ryoko Nakano)
¶12. (U) Another Food Safety Scandal Rocks Hokkaido
--------------------------------------------- ---------
In a mid-August news conference, Sapporo-based confectionary
giant Ishiya Company publicly admitted to several food safety
violations. Infractions included intentionally extending
expiration dates for an additional 1-2 months on its popular
Shiroi Koibito (White Sweetheart) white chocolate cookies over a
ten-year period and failing to disclose the recent discovery of
dangerous bacteria in some of the company's cake and ice cream
products.
The scandal received nationwide coverage because the Shiroi
Koibito cookie, with more that 7 billon yen ($60 million) in
sales annually, was one of the most popular souvenirs for
tourists visiting Hokkaido. Furthermore, the Ishiya Co. is well
known as the number one sponsor of the Sapporo-based professional
soccer team Consadore Sapporo.
Concerned about Hokkaido's reputation, government officials
scrambled to implement damage control. Public health inspectors
are scouring Ishiya's manufacturing facilities. They are expected
to announce several punitive measures against the company by the
end of the month.
This marks the second food safety scandal for Hokkaido this
summer following the revelations in June that the Meat Hope Co.
had deliberately mislabeled meat products. (Sapporo: Ian
TOKYO 00004052 005 OF 010
Hillman/Yumi Baba)
¶13. (SBU) Japan-EU FTA on Horizon?
--------------------------------------------- ---------
The Japan-EU Business Dialogue Roundtable will convene next month
to lay the ground work for a Japan-EU FTA negotiation, according
to a front page story in the August 29 Asahi Shimbun.
A contact at the European Commission office in Tokyo told us
August 30 that the European and Japanese business communities
have driven this process so far and there have been no government
to government discussions as of yet.
Korea's aggressive FTA strategy has contributed to a renewed
sense of urgency in Japan's business community to engage the
Europeans in talks.
As the Scope has reported previously, an FTA with the United
States is not as important a priority to Japan's business
community because U.S. tariffs and other barriers are already
very low.
In contrast, Japanese business leaders became very concerned when
Korea set its sights on signing a free trade agreement with the
EU.
Barriers to the European market are formidable and, if Korea
signs a deal, Japanese business -- in contrast to the perception
about a U.S.-Korea deal -- would be disadvantaged.
Echoing this sentiment, Trade Minister Amari told reporters this
week that free trade agreements with the United States and
European Union were "inevitable" for Japan, and noted that any
deal that Korea works out with the EU would hurt Japanese exports.
Japan's Agriculture Ministry has viewed with suspicion
negotiating a bilateral agreement with the European Union.
When asked, however, by reporters this week about the Business
Dialogue Roundtable study group to be formed, new Agriculture
Minister Endo said such a deal would have some positive effects
in some sectors. He added that he would have to consider the
merits of any deal in a broader context.
According to the Asahi story, the study group aims to have a
proposal ready in time for the G-8 Summit in Hokkaido, when the
EU and Japan can take it up in a bilateral. (ECON: Nicholas
Hill)
¶14. (SBU) Beef on Back Burner
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Authorities at the Agriculture and Health Ministries have
accepted USDA's offer to participate in joint unannounced audits
of U.S. slaughter houses beginning September 17. This fulfills
an earlier commitment by USDA and will have little bearing on
Japan's current age restrictions on U.S. cattle.
Meanwhile, with new Agriculture Minister Endo arriving on the job
this week, there has been very little movement on the beef issue.
When cornered on the subject during his inaugural press
conference on August 27, Endo said he planned to defer to the
experts on his staff.
Endo is from Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture, famous for its
Japanese-style wagyuu beef. As Vice Agriculture Minister in 2001,
Endo took the lead in introducing blanket testing of beef.
Although a scientifically ineffective measure for identifying the
existence of BSE-causing prions, blanket testing was an
enormously effective measure politically in deflecting public
criticism from authorities for their mishandling of Japan's
domestic BSE problem. (ECON: Nicholas Hill)
----
CARS
----
¶15. (U) Nissan Kyushu Expects to Return to 400,000-Car
Production in JFY2007
TOKYO 00004052 006 OF 010
--------------------------------------------- ---------
On August 22, Nissan Motor's Kyushu Plant (Fukuoka), the firm's
largest and most advanced domestic production base, held a "line-
off" ceremony for its second-generation X-Trail sport utility
vehicle (SUV) -- the plant's first new model in three years.
At the press conference, Plant Manager Kenzo Kawase announced
plans to introduce three other new models in 2007, including the
"Rogue" SUV geared for the North American market. Kawase
projected that as new models come on line, production should rise
to over 400,000 units in the fiscal year compared to 350,000
units in 2006, rebounding after three consecutive years of
decline.
In the spring of 2009, Nissan Shatai Kyushu, a group company of
Nissan Motor, will begin operations at its new production
facility located inside the Nissan Kyushu Plant site and take
over the assembly of models from other Nissan plants in Kanagawa
Prefecture and Canton, Mississippi.
The total production capacity at the Kyushu plant is expected to
increase to 650,000 units per annum from the current 530,000
units a year. With Daihatsu's second plant due to be operational
late this year, Kyushu's car manufacturing capacity by Nissan,
Toyota, and Daihatsu combined will reach 1.54 million by 2009.
(Fukuoka: Yuko Nagatomo/Jim Crow)
¶16. (U) Japan's First Privatized H-IIA Launch Vehicle Set for
Launch
--------------------------------------------- ---------
On April 1, 2007, the Government of Japan awarded a contract to
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for full development and launch
of Japan's H-IIA space launch vehicle system.
Previously, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had
been responsible for H-IIA program management, including research
and development, launch operations, and management of the MHI
development contract. JAXA is now responsible for basic launch
vehicle research and development, including development of the H-
IIB series, as well as reliability improvement and safety
monitoring of the H-IIA system.
The intent of this privatization effort is to reduce launch costs
and increase H-IIA launch service competitiveness on the
international market. The current H-IIA launch cost is about 10-
12 billion yen ($88-105 million USD).
In recent press coverage, JAXA stated that H-IIA development has
reached a stage of maturity where it can be transferred to the
private sector.
MHI has not publicly released its target cost reductions but
press reports indicate costs should be reduced to approximately 8
billion yen ($69 million USD) to be internationally competitive.
The first MHI-managed H-IIA launch (H-IIA F13) is scheduled to
launch JAXA's Kaguya (SELENE) lunar satellite mission from
Tanegashima Space Center on September 13. For the first time,
the MHI logo will appear above the JAXA logo on the H-IIA vehicle.
(NASA: Justin Tilman/Sumiko Mito)
¶17. (SBU) NTSB Chairman Visits Tokyo
--------------------------------------------- ---------
National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Mark Rosenker had
informative courtesy calls with his counterparts in the Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's (MLIT) Aircraft and
Railway Accidents Investigation Commission (ARAIC) and Japan
Marine Accident Inquiry Agency (JMAIA) as well as MLIT
Transportation Affairs Vice Minister Ken Haruta on August 24.
Both sides took away some useful perspectives on how their
respective organizations approach accident investigations.
Rosenker had an extensive impromptu discussion on aviation safety
matters with ARAIC sparked by a video viewing of the China
Airlines fire in Naha, Okinawa, and NTSB's well-respected
programs on outreach to the families' of accident victims, which
was particularly interesting to the ARAIC.
JMAIA thanked the chairman for help on the U.S.-sub-Japanese
tanker collision. ARAIC has 54 people and JMAIA 227 though there
are plans to merge the two organizations. VM Haruta expressed
TOKYO 00004052 007 OF 010
his appreciation for the NTSB's help on accident investigations
and hosting Japanese accident investigators for training at
NTSB's academy. In all three meetings, there were strong
expressions for continued close cooperation.
Rosenker had planned to be in Japan a week and visit Toyota,
Honda and Nissan's R&D facilities to learn about the cutting edge
automotive active safety measures being developed here, before
going onto a conference in Singapore.
Rosenker's visit was cut short after the President asked for a
briefing in Minneapolis on the bridge accident in mid-week, but
Rosenker plans to return to Japan next year to look into the auto
safety technologies. (ECON: Josh Handler)
----------------
SECURITY UPDATES
----------------
¶18. (U) U.S.-Japan Bilateral Talks on Cyber-Security
--------------------------------------------- ---------
With the number and sophistication of internet malware attacks
increasing dramatically, with the global cyber-crime industry now
valued at $100 billion annually, surpassing the drug trade, US
and Japanese officials and experts met on 28-29 August for two
days of bilateral talks on cyber-security.
These talks were the third such US-Japan bilateral meeting on the
subject, but the first time the two sides have met since 2005.
Both sides brought multi-agency and joint public-private sector
delegations, and engaged in two days of intensive information
exchange.
Each side described its governance structures and procedures for
cyber-security, including policy and planning, operational
responses, and coordination with the private sector and other
partners. They shared assessments of current threats and
vulnerabilities, and discussed information security trends and
technology. They examined the cyber-attack against Estonia
earlier this year. (ECON: Scott Smith/Kaoru Nakata)
¶19. (SBU) Japan Customs Focuses on Illicit Guns and Drugs
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Highly public fatal shootings including the Nagasaki Mayor Itcho
Ito in April and a riot police officer in Aichi Prefecture in May
have put new pressure on Japanese Customs officials.
In a meeting at the Ministry of Finance on Aug. 28, officials
explained that Japan's security concerns differ from the US focus
on international terrorism. Local political pressure has
required customs officials and leadership at customs to put more
emphasis on gun control.
Despite the fact that in the past five years, Japanese customs
have confiscated an average of less than 10 weapons a year, the
public and the politicians are demanding renewed efforts to keep
guns out of Japan.
Earlier this month law enforcement officials arrested four
Chinese attempted to smuggle drugs into Osaka. Officials
explained that the predominately Chinese trade in amphetamines
and synthetic drugs dominates their efforts. (ECON: Charlie
Crouch)
¶20. (SBU) Japanese Immigrations to Implement Fingerprint
Scanning on Nov. 20
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Transportation Committee met with Immigrations officials in Japan
to learn about the fingerprinting requirements which will take
effect November 20. According to ACCJ members, Japanese
Immigration changed its earlier indication that the law would
allow crew members and re-entry permit holders to move through
smoothly. All crew members will be fingerprinted and all re-
entry permit holders will be required to cue with all foreigners.
"To protect Japan from terrorists," Immigrations officials said,
all fingerprints will be compared against a database of known
terrorists. Officials said they do not intend to employ any
additional personnel. They have a self-ascribed goal that no
TOKYO 00004052 008 OF 010
customer should wait more than 20 minutes to process through
immigrations.
However, ACCJ members said that recently the wait had been as
long as 50 minutes. (ECON: Charlie Crouch)
¶21. (SBU) Japan Works on Pilot Program for Radiological
Screening at Yokohama
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told us that they asked the
GOJ to modify the budget for next fiscal year to include funding
for the purchase of radiological screening equipment. Japan would
like to participate in the U.S. proposed screening for
radioactive materials. On August 3, President Bush signed into
law the 9/11 Bill (H.R. 1) requiring that 100 percent of all
inbound U.S. containers be scanned for radioactive content no
later than July 1, 2012.
In addition to buying radiological equipment, the MOFA official
said Japan is also concerned about the construction, preparations
and planning required before the equipment can be installed.
Some members of the exporting community have voiced concern to
Japanese ministries about the viability of screening 100 percent
of shipped goods without considerable reduction in the movement
of the supply chain.
A major ocean-going cargo shipping firm's chief executive for
North East Asia said as private citizen, I'm glad. He said it
will be difficult and will take time to determine exactly how the
port scanning program will work. He pointed out that the US
clearly wouldn't stop its own inbound trade. In the post 9/11
world, he views the program as a necessity. (ECON: Charlie
Crouch)
-------------------------
JAPAN'S FOREIGN RELATIONS
-------------------------
¶22. (SBU) Update on Western Japan-Korea Ties
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Last year the number of South Korean passengers outnumbered
Japanese ones on the high-speed ferry between Busan and Hakata
Port in Fukuoka, making Fukuoka Japan's gateway to Asia according
to a recent Nikkei article. Some 240,000 people enter Japan
through Fukuoka port each year, making it the busiest harbor in
Japan.
South Korean visitors are having an economic impact, filling
hotel rooms, freely spending at local department stores and using
Fukuoka as a base to visit other tourist destinations in Kyushu.
Fukuoka is also trying to deepen ties with Asian companies.
At a Tokyo conference in late June on Japan-Korea relations,
former governor of Tottori Prefecture Yoshihiro Katayama spoke
movingly of his efforts during his tenure to encourage people-to-
people exchanges between Tottori and South Korea and partner with
regional Korean governments and legislatures.
He noted Japanese people were unaware that the two countries
enjoyed good relations for some 200 years from the 1600s to 1800s
during which 12 Korean royal missions visited Japan to solidify
ties. He felt this history could be a helpful guide to the
future of the relationship.
Kazuyuki Matsubara, President of Taishuu Shipping Company on
Tsushima Island and Chair of "Enchiren," an organization of
SIPDIS
Japanese towns with historical ties to royal missions from Korea,
enthusiastically outlined the island's historical role as a
bridge between Korea and Japan and its role in supporting these
missions.
When Korean President Roh Tae Woo visited Japan in 1990,
Matsubara said, he talked about Amenomori Hoshu, an 18th century
scholar and advisor to the lords of Tsushima, who helped further
Korean-Japan relations in his speech to the Diet. This renewed
interest in Tsushima about the island's unique position in
supporting the Korean missions. This year is the 400th
anniversary of the first mission, and Matsubara said his group
was working actively with other cities on the missions' route
through western Japan to Tokyo to arrange commemorative
celebrations. (ECON: Josh Handler)
TOKYO 00004052 009 OF 010
¶23. (U) Japan - India Model Coal Plant Progressing
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Japan and India continue to make good progress toward the joint
development of a model power plant using clean coal technologies
and expect to begin construction next year, a Trade Ministry
(METI) official told us.
India's coal contains 40 to 50 percent ash content causing
excessive pollution. The model plant, which will cost about $13
million, will use technology to extract much of this ash content
to reduce polluting emissions.
The relatively low cost of the project is due to the fact that it
is meant to be a model only and will have little commercial use.
The two governments have not yet determined where the plant will
be located, but it will likely be in the eastern part of India.
According to METI, the model coal plant is one of twenty the GOJ
has developed around the world, including 15 plants in China.
Unlike the Indian plant, however, the Chinese plants were 100
percent financed by the GOJ through its "Green Aid Plan." Going
forward, Japan intends to require that the Chinese government
finance 50 percent of all future projects.
While seeing the necessity in helping China reduce its carbon
emissions through encouraging the use of clean coal technology,
the METI official lamented the fact that the Japanese-provided
technologies tended to be "absorbed" by the Chinese and therefore
provided limited ongoing business opportunities for Japanese
companies. (ECON: Sally Behrhorst/Eriko Marks)
------
SPORTS
------
¶24. (U) Tokyo Heat Strains Electricity Grid but Nothing More
Important than High School Baseball
--------------------------------------------- ---------
August in Japan this year has been unusually hot and humid with
an attendant spike in demand for electric power. Late August in
Japan also means the annual National High School Baseball
tournament, probably the most revered sporting event in the
country.
This year, the tournament's final was set for August 22 and
featured underdog Saga Kita High School of Saga Prefecture, a
rare public school contender making its first appearance at the
fabled grounds of Kansai's Koshien Stadium, against long-time
powerhouse Koryo High of Hiroshima.
As the day of the big game dawned, Tokyo Electric Power Co.
executives were already on edge. The summer's long heat wave was
straining the utility's power grid that was already under
pressure since a July 16 earthquake shut down the Kashiwazaki-
Kariwa nuclear power plant. (See JES Volume 3 Issue #29 -- July
26, 2007).
By 7 a.m. temperatures in downtown Tokyo were already above 85
degrees. Power demand was starting to surge. By 11:30 a.m.,
total demand on TEPCO's system surpassed 60 million kilowatts and
the utility was down to its last 1.6 percent of supply capacity.
Executive Vice President Takashi Fujimoto decided to take
emergency measures, asking 23 major industrial to cut back
consumption between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. in accordance with their
supply contracts, and reactivating the Shiobara hydroelectric
power plant in Tochigi Prefecture.
Shortly before noon, TEPCO briefed the Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry on the situation and the ministry held an urgent
press conference asking people to cut back on power use. In
buildings across the country, lights were turned off and air
conditioner settings raised to 85 degrees.
The Saga-Koryo game began at 1 p.m. and shortly after 2 p.m.
total electricity demand spiked at 61.47 kilowatts. But once the
game ended just after 3 p.m., total demand fell sharply and
failed to reach hit TEPCO's revised forecast of 61.5 million
kilowatts. A crisis averted, TEPCO top brass breathed an audible
sigh of relief.
TOKYO 00004052 010 OF 010
And at Koshien? Well, Saga Kita, on the back of a five-run
eighth inning including a grand-slam home run, came from behind
to beat Koryo, 5-4. (ECON: David DiGiovanna)
¶25. (U) This SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED e-newsletter from U.S.
Embassy Tokyo's Economic Section, with contributions from the
consulates, is for internal USG use only. Please do not forward
in whole or in part outside of the government. The Scope is
edited this week by Charlie Crouch (CrouchCA@state.gov) and Joy
Progar (ProgarJ@state.gov).
¶26. (U) Please visit the Tokyo Econ Intranet webpage for back
issues of the Scope. Apologies, this option is only available to
State users. Please contact Joy Progar if you are from a
different agency and are interested in a back issue.
DONOVAN