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 07TOKYO4184, The Japan Economic Scope--September 6, 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. #07TOKYO4184.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07TOKYO4184 | 2007-09-07 07:56 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO0640
RR RUEHFK RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #4184/01 2500756
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 070756Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7368
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 5734
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3046
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 2022
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5469
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6682
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 004184
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--September 6, 2007
¶1. (U) This cable contains the Japan Economic Scope from August 6,
¶2007.
¶2. (SBU) Table of Contents
Farming and Agriculture
¶3. Fukuoka Farmers Protest Free Trade
¶4. A New Agriculture Minister -- Financial Scandals Continue
¶5. Recent Agriculture Ministers
Climate Concerns
¶6. Clean Coal Conference Calls for Incentives, Investment to
Combat Carbon Emissions
Transportation
¶7. Honda Officials Worry about 100% NII Screening, Okay with
Megaports
¶8. UPS and FedEx Disadvantaged by Postal Privatization
¶9. Osaka Prefecture Angry Over Changes to GOJ Airport Management
Policy
¶10. KIX Welcomes MLIT's Estimated Budget Request for Cargo
Facility Construction; Faces Likely Opposition by MOF
Around the Regions
¶11. Citigroup to open "Okinawa Citigroup Center" in 2009
¶12. Revitalization of Local Economy: Miyazaki Gov.
Higashikokubaru Effect
¶13. Kansai Businesses Worried about Yen Appreciation's Impact on
Economy
Trade
¶14. Trade: Australia-Japan Foundation Chairman Visits Hokkaido
¶15. Japan and Chile Implement Economic Partnership Agreement
Money Matters
¶16. Unemployment Down, Starting Pay Up
Political Moves
¶17. Postal Rebels Again Roiling the LDP
¶18. GOJ Candidate for WTO Appellate Body
Sports
¶19. A First in Sumo History - Yokozuna Suspended for Behavior
Unbecoming
-----------------------
FARMING AND AGRICULTURE
-----------------------
¶3. (U) Fukuoka Farmers Protest Free Trade
--------------------------------------------- -------
In an effort to raise awareness of the adverse impact free trade
would have on Japanese farmers, the Fukuoka Prefecture JA Youth
Council staged a demonstration in central Fukuoka on August 23.
More than 200 "young farmers" and 22 tractors made their way
three kilometers through Fukuoka protesting the proposed EPA with
Australia. The group's representative, Nobutaka Kuratomi,
asserted that once tariff rates on foreign agricultural products
were reduced or eliminated, Japanese agriculture would disappear
and that it is important for consumers to recognize how dire the
situation is.
Unaccustomed to seeing such a sight, onlookers watched as the red
and blue tractors (possibly representing the Australian flag
according to post's JA contact) drove down city streets carrying
banners stating "Beautiful Japan, let's protect our food supply"
and "40 percent self-sufficiency rate, do you want to depend on
imported food?"
The Consulate's JA contact said that while this protest was
mainly targeted at Australia, the group is also concerned about
the competitiveness and safety of Chinese agricultural products.
He stressed that this demonstration was not about American
agricultural products. (Fukuoka: Mariko Mizumachi/Jim Crow)
¶4. (SBU) A New Agriculture Minister -- Financial Scandals
Continue
--------------------------------------------- -------
The epicenter of the political storm in Japan after recent Upper
House elections appears to be at the Agriculture Ministry.
TOKYO 00004184 002 OF 007
Takehiko Endo resigned on September 3 after less than a week as
PM Abe's Agriculture Minister, replaced by Masatoshi Wakabayashi.
A murky financial scandal undid Endo, whose reluctance to become
minister seems to have been justified by events.
For his part, Wakabayashi is a known quantity -- this will be his
third stint as either interim Agriculture Minister or Minister
since the end of May, when he replaced Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who
hanged himself over his own set of financial scandals.
Wakabayashi is very familiar with agricultural issues and enjoys
credibility with the ruling coalition's Ag caucus in the Diet. A
GOJ source told us that PM Abe is keen to keep the Agriculture
Ministry in the hands of somebody who knows the issues,
particularly at what is an important juncture in the Doha talks.
The source predicted that the new Agriculture Minister will play
a "very active role" if the Doha talks pick up steam. He added,
however, that Wakabayashi's finances will be scrutinized. The
press seems to have a "double standard" and is looking for
scandals, he said.
He noted he had just heard reports in the media that Wakabayashi
had made mistakes in filing some financial documents.
Wakabayashi's biography is attached. (ECON: Nicholas Hill)
¶5. (U) Recent Agriculture Ministers
--------------------------------------------- -------
Yoshinobu SHIMAMURA 07/19/2004
*Juinichiro KOIZUMI 08/08/2005 *Concurrently Prime Minister
Mineichi IWANAGA 08/11/2005
Shoichi NAKAGAWA 10/31/2005
Toshikatsu MATSUOKA 09/26/2006
*Masatoshi WAKABAYASHI 05/28/2007 *Acting MAFF Minister following
Matsuoka suicide
Norihiko AKAGI 06/01/2007
*Masatoshi WAKABAYASHI 08/01/2007 *Concurrently Environment
Minister
Takehiko ENDO 08/27/2007
Masatoshi WAKABAYASHI 09/03/2007 - Present
(List provided by FAS)
----------------
CLIMATE CONCERNS
----------------
¶6. (U) Clean Coal Conference Calls for Incentives, Investment to
Combat Carbon Emissions
--------------------------------------------- -------
The Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) and the Japanese Committee
for Pacific Coal Flow (JAPAC) co-hosted "Clean Coal Day in Japan"
on September 5-6. This year was the forum's seventeenth
anniversary and the event included attendees from ten countries.
The group focused on United Nations' International Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) findings of "a global mean loss of one to
five percent of GDP by a warming of four degrees Celsius."
Energy security was also a prominent discussion topic, with many
developing country representatives expressing concern about being
able to maintain a sufficient supply of energy.
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), an arm of
Japan's official development assistance and promoter of
sustainable development, presented the financial perspective on
energy security and investment. Viable projects are steadily
underway in anticipation of the upcoming G-8 conference in
Hokkaido next year. (ECON: Antonio Gonzalez/David DiGiovanna)
--------------
TRANSPORTATION
--------------
¶7. (SBU) Honda Officials Worry about 100% NII Screening, Okay
with Megaports
--------------------------------------------- -------
Honda executives told us that 100 percent x-ray scanning (Non-
Intrusive Imaging) would cause significant economic damage to the
company's bottom line. Honda ships 10,000 containers a year and
they noted even a relatively short delay of minutes would slow
TOKYO 00004184 003 OF 007
down their supply chain and boost costs.
At an informal meeting September 5, Honda officials expressed
their concerns to us but also indicated that they were cautiously
optimistic about the potential for 100 percent radiological
screening.
As long as it does not slow down the movement of goods,
radiological screening sounds like a good idea, one executive
said. Illustrating the need for more outreach on the issue, one
official asked about what sort of damage radiological screening
could have on the company's shipments, making a parallel to x-ray
damage to camera film.
The executives pitched the value of risk-based analysis as a more
resource-effective security plan, pointing to successes in
programs such as the Container Security Initiative and Customs-
Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. (ECON: Charlie Crouch)
¶8. (SBU) UPS and FedEx Disadvantaged by Postal Privatization
--------------------------------------------- -------
UPS and FedEx regional directors told the EMIN that they recently
met with counterparts from other express mail carriers to
coordinate on postal privatization issues.
The meetings in Tokyo with representatives from TNT (Express Mail
Service from Netherlands) and DHL (Express Mail Service from
Germany) focused on developing a lobbying strategy to counteract
Japan Post's insistence that its Express Mail Service does not
need to comply with the same regulatory requirements as other
similar private services.
During the meeting FedEx and UPS representatives agreed to
provide data on other comparable countries' reforms and
interpretations of Japan's legal obligations. The regional CEOs
from the four companies plan to come to Japan again in late
October to lobby the relevant organizations on the issue.
One of the issues express mail services face is unequal customs
procedures. If Japan EMS customers do not declare an item high
value, they pay no taxes on it. Nor, reportedly, does anyone
check the value of shipped items, which effectively creates a "no
tax" avenue for shippers who do not scrupulously self-declare.
It also creates a potential conduit for those seeking to ship
illicit items, an issue of continued interest to the USG. (ECON:
Charlie Crouch)
¶9. (SBU) Osaka Prefecture Angry Over Changes to GOJ Airport
Management Policy
--------------------------------------------- -------
The Osaka edition of Asahi Shimbun reported last week that MLIT
is considering changes to the Japanese government's system of
airport management, including a shift of the financial burden
from the central to local governments.
The changes would be introduced in legislation next year.
Needless to say, Osaka Prefecture is up in arms about the
proposed revisions affecting its bottom line. Debt-ridden Osaka
and local municipalities would become responsible for half of
Itami Airport's operating expenses if the law is changed.
Osaka complained to polecon officer that it was not consulted by
MLIT prior to publishing the proposal. Osaka-Kobe: Philip
Cummings/Naomi Shibui)
¶10. (SBU) KIX Welcomes MLIT's Estimated Budget Request for Cargo
Facility Construction; Faces Likely Opposition by MOF
--------------------------------------------- -------
MLIT released its estimated budget request for fiscal 2008 this
week and included 4.5 billion yen for the construction of cargo
facilities to service KIX's new runway.
According to a KIAC official, several airlines are going to
increase cargo flights at KIX, which will fill up the airport's
current cargo facilities soon. The GOJ has imposed conditions on
the airport for receiving public funds, but this year is the
first time that demand for cargo service is clearly increasing,
making it easier to request funds.
TOKYO 00004184 004 OF 007
However, MOF will be sure to oppose the request, a 75 percent
increase from the 2007 budget. KIX will likely face a large
bureaucratic hurdle in receiving the cargo construction funds it
needs to improve the airport's profitability. Osaka-Kobe:
Philip Cummings/Naomi Shibui)
------------------
AROUND THE REGIONS
------------------
¶11. (U) Citigroup to open "Okinawa Citigroup Center" in 2009
--------------------------------------------- -------
Citigroup has purchased land close to Naha International Airport
and plans to invest $43 million to build a new management center
in Okinawa. Construction is expected to take approximately 18
months and operations are set up begin between April and June,
¶2009.
This center will have same functions as, and serve as back up to,
the Citigroup Tokyo Center, controlling financial affairs,
accounting and compliance issues.
It will also function as a call center. The Okinawa Citigroup
Center plans to hire 700 new employees, 490 of whom will full-
time workers. (Naha: Akinori Hayashi)
¶12. (SBU) Revitalization of Local Economy: Miyazaki Gov.
Higashikokubaru Effect
--------------------------------------------- -------
Miyazaki Prefecture, with its palm tree-lined roads, manicured
beaches, sunny weather, and once called the "Honeymoon Mecca" and
"Vacation Paradise" of Japan appears to be reviving again as one
of the hottest tourist destinations in Japan, thanks to Gov.
Hideo Higashikokubaru. The governor, who took office in January
2007, has seen his approval rating rise to over 90 percent,
making him the most popular governor in Japan, according to a
national newspaper poll in July.
By the end of August, over 100,000 tourists had visited the
prefectural office and sales in the prefecture's specialty shop
shot up 1,000 percent over the previous year. In addition, major
hotels have seen a steady increase in the number of guests since
April.
While Higashikokubaru may not be a panacea for putting the
prefecture's economic house in order, post's recent trip to
Miyazaki confirmed the positive effects of the Governor's
leadership on the morale of prefectural officials and local
business people, wiping out his initial "another-comedian-turned
politician" image.
His initiative in public procurement reform has already born
fruit. The ratio of "winning bid-to-estimated contract price" (a
typical indicator of bid-rigging) declined from almost 97 percent
to just over 80 percent between 2005 and 2007. (Fukuoka: Yuko
Nagatomo/Jim Crow)
¶13. (SBU) Kansai Businesses Worried about Yen Appreciation's
Impact on Economy
--------------------------------------------- -------
With the yen appreciating since mid-August, many Kansai exporters
are getting more concerned about the negative impact on their
businesses. According to a Sankei Shimbun report this week,
exporters of manufactured goods earned record profits from the
yen's depreciation in the first half of 2007.
Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) officials told us
that Kansai manufacturers may have built up a comfortable level
of savings over the first six months, but that if the exchange
rate stays at 115 yen to the dollar for more than several months,
exporters are going to start hurting, especially Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are already reeling from the rising
prices of raw materials, especially metal and oil.
A sales manager of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. also
commented that profit margins from sales of flat TVs, the
company's most competitive product, is already starting to shrink.
He is concerned that continued exchange rate pressure will lead
TOKYO 00004184 005 OF 007
the company to miss its sales targets in the next quarter.
(Osaka-Kobe: Philip Cummings/Naomi Shibui)
-----
TRADE
-----
¶14. (U) Trade: Australia-Japan Foundation Chairman Visits
Hokkaido
--------------------------------------------- -------
Peter Corish, chairman of the Australia-Japan Foundation, made a
late August trip to Sapporo, Hokkaido, on a self-described
mission to "activate bilateral trade." Corish, former president
of Australia's National Farmers Federation and also current chair
of the Cairns Group Farm Leaders, met with Hokkaido's Vice
Governor Mitsuo Kondo on August 29. According to media reports,
the atmosphere of the meeting was tense as Hokkaido officials
interpreted Corish's visit as an attempt to push for support on
the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between
Australia and Japan.
Hokkaido government officials, local farmers, and agricultural-
related entities continue to express strong opposition to an EPA
with Australia. Local analysts predict economic losses as large
as $11.6 billion if existing tariffs are lifted through an EPA on
Hokkaido-produced wheat, dairy products, sugar beets and beef.
(Sapporo: Ian Hillman/Yumi Baba)
¶15. (SBU) Japan and Chile Implement Economic Partnership
Agreement
--------------------------------------------- -------
PM Abe and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed a free
trade agreement September 3, the first such trade deal Japan has
signed with a South American country. According to press reports,
the agreement is expected to make Chile Japan's largest South
American trading partner. According to 2006 figures provided by
MOFA, Chile runs a trade surplus with Japan -- with exports of
$6.59 billion and imports of $1.15 billion.
Prior to her arrival in Tokyo, Chilean President Bachelet told
Japanese reporters that the deal represented a "great
opportunity" for Japanese business to gain ground in the Latin
American market. Also, according to an August 29 Kyodo wire
service story, the deal would "greatly benefit Chile in the
agricultural area."
The Foreign Ministry has a number of items concerning the
agreement on its website. To read the joint statement, click
here, and click here for more information.
In a joint press statement on September 3, the two leaders also
signed an agreement to boost cooperation on climate change, clean
energy, and anti-pollution measures. (ECON: Nicholas Hill)
-------------
MONEY MATTERS
-------------
¶16. (SBU) Unemployment Down, Starting Pay Up
--------------------------------------------- -------
Seasonally adjusted unemployment dropped 0.1 percent in July to
3.6 percent, the lowest rate since February 1998, according to
government statistics. The job openings-to-applicants ratio
remained steady at 1.07.
A Japan Business Federation survey also found that average
starting pay for graduates joining companies in April rose 0.66
percent, the largest year-on-year increase in a decade.
As one analyst put it, current trends are likely to increase
expectations a more general wage recovery. (ECON: Marc Dillard)
---------------
POLITICAL MOVES
---------------
¶17. (SBU) Postal Rebels Again Roiling the LDP
--------------------------------------------- -------
In what is being read as a setback for pro-reformers in the
TOKYO 00004184 006 OF 007
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano
and Secretary General Taro Aso are laying the groundwork for
former trade minister and "postal rebel" Takeo Hiranuma to rejoin
the party, according to media reports. Unlike the other
reinstated "postal rebels," Hiranuma would not be required to
sign a pledge supporting postal privatization.
While no one is arguing that Hiranuma's reinstatement will change
the path of postal reform itself, LDP members have groused to us
that the party leadership is out of touch with the electorate,
which sees reinstatement as a return to old ways of the LDP and a
rejection of the voters' wishes as expressed in the 2005 Lower
House election. (ECON: Marc Dillard)
¶18. (SBU) GOJ Candidate for WTO Appellate Body
--------------------------------------------- -------
Japan announced on August 30 that Shotaro Oshima will be its
candidate to the WTO Appellate Body in Geneva. A MOFA official
told us that, by their count, some eight people are vying for
four open positions on the dispute body.
Oshima is currently Japan's ambassador to South Korea. The same
MOFA official told us that Oshima will likely be interviewed by
WTO Director General Pascal Lamy sometime in the end of September
or early October. A decision on the candidacy should come within
three months of the August 30 announcement.
For Oshima's biography, please see attachment. (ECON: Nicholas
Hill)
------
SPORTS
------
¶19. (U) A First in Sumo History - Yokozuna Suspended for
Behavior Unbecoming
--------------------------------------------- -------
For the first time in the sport's ancient history, a yokozuna
has been suspended from two upcoming sumo tournaments for
behavior unbecoming a grand champion. The Japan Sumo Association
(JSA) suspended champion Asashoryu on August 1 after he declined
to compete in the summer bashyo citing injury but was later
caught participating in a charity soccer tournament in his home-
country of Mongolia. The JSA also cut the salaries of Asashoryu
and Takasago, his stable master, by 30 percent for the next four
months.
Subsequent to his suspension, Asashoryu (given name Dolgorsuren
Dagvadorj) reportedly suffers from insomnia and a poor appetite.
The JSA-ordered psychiatric evaluation confirmed this diagnosis
and recommended the wrestler be allowed to return home to his
native Mongolia to recuperate. The JSA convened a special
hearing during which they acquiesced to this request stipulating,
however, that Asashoryu would be confined to his home except to
go out for to meet with his psychiatrist or to attend practice.
The suspension has now become an international incident with
Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar himself criticizing the
wrestler, stating Asashoryu should study Japanese tradition and
culture more diligently as befitting a Yokozuna's stature. The
President further opined that the truly great sumo wrestlers
combine physical power with mental power and stated he hoped
Asashoryu would strive to become that type of athlete.
To add salt to the wound, the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau
announced August 28 that the beleaguered Yokozuna failed to
report approximately 100 million yen in income over three years
and would be slapped with 30 million yen in penalties and back
taxes. Conspiracy or merely bad luck?
Rumors now abound that Asashoryu will retire from the sport
rather than return to face his critics in Japan. Stay tuned for
further reporting on the saga. (ECON: Sally Behrhorst)
¶20. (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)
TOKYO 00004184 007 OF 007
¶21. (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