VZCZCXRO2760
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0558/01 0630821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030821Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2183
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 6418
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA PRIORITY 4965
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 8812
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 0086
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 7023

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TOKYO 000558 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GRIFFIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG APER ABUD JA SENV
SUBJECT: MISSION JAPAN INPUT FOR CONGRESSIONAL ENERGY REPORT 
 
REF: STATE 10743 
 
¶1. (U) The following, keyed to the specific queries contained 
in ref, is in response to the Department's request for input 
in preparing the report to Congress mandated in the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007.  It should be noted 
throughout, that while the Embassy's Economic Section, 
particulary its Economic Policy and ESTH Units, has 
responsibility for overall energy policy matters -- including 
advocacy and reporting, it works closely with the Mission's 
Department of Energy (DOE) attache in building Japanese 
support for U.S. programs and policies. 
 
¶2. (U) Among the DOS employees in the Mission, in Embassy 
Tokyo's Economic Section (ECON), a total of ten staff, 
including the Economic Minister Counselor, five officers, one 
eligible family member (EFM), and three locally engaged staff 
(LES) spend a portion of their time on energy.  The Embassy's 
Public Affairs Section (PAS), which includes the Cultural 
Affairs Office, the Press Office, the Information Resources 
Center and the Media Analysis and Translation Team (MATT), 
executes energy-related public outreach programming and media 
events and translates energy- and climate-related documents 
for Mission and USG use.  The Public Affairs Section consists 
of five officers, one civil servant position, and 24 LES 
employees.  In addition to these DOS-based staff, Embassy 
Tokyo includes a DOE office consisting of one direct hire 
attache and two LES employees who work full-time on energy 
issues.  The Ambassador in January approved a DOE NSDD 38 
request to add a second direct hire position. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Japan imports approximately 85% of its energy needs 
and, as the world's second largest economy, is one of the top 
energy consumers.  The country has long had a sense of 
vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on imported energy 
supplies, with most of its petroleum needs coming from 
Persian Gulf states, including Iran.  One result of this 
reality is Japan shares our interest in peace and stability 
in the Middle East, although it can also mean a need to guard 
against divergences in certain aspects of policies towards 
some of the countries in that region.  It is important as 
well to note Japan has one of the world's most advanced 
civilian nuclear energy programs and nuclear energy safety 
and physical protection issues are an area of mutual concern. 
 The U.S. and Japan are also leaders in addressing climate 
change and again share many common views on the 
energy-related aspects of dealing with climate and the 
environment.  Finally, China's economic growth and its impact 
on world energy markets is, and will continue to be, of 
interest to the U.S. and Japan with both governments looking 
at ways to engage China. 
 
¶4. (U) Following is a detailed list of State Department 
Mission employees who work on energy matters, the percentage 
of time they devote to those issues, and a brief narrative of 
their activities. 
 
Embassy Tokyo Economic Section 
------------------------------ 
Economic Minister Counselor (10%) -- Engages with Japanese 
and U.S. government officials and representatives from the 
private sector on numerous energy-related policy questions 
including global and regional energy security, development 
and utilization of biofuels and alternative energy sources, 
and increased energy demand/production in China, India and 
other emerging market economies - including the climate 
change and other environmental impacts of those developments. 
  Energy efficiency and development of new technologies to 
boost energy efficiency or otherwise improve energy security 
are also core focus areas.  The Economic Minister Counselor 
conducts public outreach including speeches on energy/climate 
issues and participation in Japanese-organized panel 
discussions and seminars. 
 
Environment, Science and Technology Unit Chief (30%) -- Works 
with Mission Japan action officers, Department of Energy 
Attache, and National Science Foundation Attache, the GOJ, 
NGOs, and the private sector on energy issues including 
renewable energy research, development and deployment of 
climate change mitigation energy technology; Global Nuclear 
Energy Partnership (GNEP), and next generation nuclear 
technology.  Activities include reporting, public outreach, 
and supporting high-level USG visitors engaging Japan on 
these issues. 
 
Economic Policy Unit Chief (5%) -- Supervises collection and 
reporting of energy-related information including editing 
 
TOKYO 00000558  002 OF 004 
 
 
reporting cables, weekly Japan Economic Scope newsletter 
articles and other products.  Supports visits by USG 
officials dealing with energy matters. 
 
EST Economic Officer (40%) -- Advocates USG positions and 
monitors Japan's evolving position on and plans for climate 
change policy, participates in conferences, and meets with 
Japanese officials.  Reports on energy security and clean 
energy technology and tracks likely Japanese positions in 
international energy negotiations.  Engages GOJ officials to 
win support for USG initiatives/thinking.  Point person 
within ECON for working with Public Affairs on developing 
overall approaches for building Japanese 
understanding/support for U.S. positions on climate and other 
energy-related matters. 
 
EST Economic Officer (50%) -- Tracks nuclear energy 
developments in Japan and advocates with the GOJ for U.S. 
positions in GNEP, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), and the 
International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA).  Encourages 
Japan to participate in renewable energy fora.  Coordinates 
energy-related USG visits. 
 
Economic Policy Unit Economic Officer (30%) -- 
Monitors/reports on Japan's energy security policy, noting 
especially developments in Japan's overseas energy projects 
in the East China Sea, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle 
East.  Engages GOJ officials, Japanese business figures, 
academics, and NGOs to inform about/advocate for USG 
positions on these matters.  Serves as control officer for 
working level and senior USG visitors dealing with these 
issues.  Works with DOE Attache to facilitate U.S. 
participation in G8 Energy Ministerial-related meetings. 
 
Economic Policy Unit Economic Assistant (EFM) (30%) -- 
Follows articles in the Japanese press relating to energy 
issues and reports them to Mission and Washington-based 
staff.  Arranges and participates in meetings with GOJ and 
industry contacts.  Reports on energy-related issues in the 
weekly Japan Economic Scope newsletter.  Supports visits by 
U.S. officials dealing with energy-related matters. 
 
EST Economic Assistant (LES) (40%) -- Follows articles in the 
Japanese press relating to climate change and renewable 
energy issues and reports them to Mission and 
Washington-based staff.  Arranges meetings for officers with 
GOJ and industry contacts and participates in those meetings, 
including with members of the Japanese Diet. Reports on 
energy-related issues in the Japan Economic Scope.  Supports 
visits by members of Congress and other U.S. officials 
dealing with energy-related concerns. 
 
EST Economic Assistant (LES) (10%) -- Supports officers 
across a range of issues including renewable energy, energy 
security and nuclear energy. 
 
EST Economic Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Provides administrative 
support on nuclear energy-related diplomatic correspondence 
and energy-related visitors. 
 
 
Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section 
------------------------------------- 
Information Officer (3%) -- Supervises energy-related 
activities of the press office, moderates conferences, and 
other media events devoted to energy. 
 
Assistant Information Officer (4%) -- Plans and executes 
energy-related media events for USG officials.  Writes, 
reviews, and edits content for media reports and Embassy 
website.  Responds to local media queries on USG policy 
issues. 
 
Assistant Information Officer (1%) -- Plans and executes 
programming in relation to the G-8 Energy Ministerial and 
leaders summit. 
 
Assistant Information Officer (8%) -- Selects, translates and 
edits energy-related documents for Mission and other USG use; 
plans and executes media events.  Publishes content to 
Embassy website. 
 
MATT Chief (15%) -- Selects, analyzes and translates media 
articles and commentaries, including on global warming and 
other climate-change themes; supervises the team of 
translators who monitor press and translate relevant press 
reports. 
 
TOKYO 00000558  003 OF 004 
 
 
 
Twenty-four locally employed staff (various) -- Assist 
officers and MATT Chief as outlined above. 
 
Cultural Affairs -- Executed, for example, a speaker program 
featuring a representative from the Department of Energy who 
traveled to five cities in Japan to speak on energy issues. 
The Embassy staff to support the speaker included one officer 
(40% of one week), and two LES (75% of two weeks and 75% of 
one week respectively). 
 
Information Resource Center - Locally employed staff spent 
approximately 112 hours total over the year arranging local 
speakers, working with reference material, placing 
information on the Embassy's website and sending out energy 
articles to email newsletter subscribers. 
 
Embassy Tokyo Fund Outlays 
-------------------------- 
¶5. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Embassy Tokyo on 
energy-related issues is: 
Personnel - $1,155,320 
Programming - $13,916 
 
Congen Sapporo 
--------------- 
¶6. (SBU)  Consul General (5%) -- Discusses policy and 
commercial issues with contacts, speaks to local business 
community, and does interviews with print and broadcast media. 
 
Economic Officer (25%) -- Reports on energy sector 
developments including renewable energies, new technologies, 
and hybrid/biomass research.  Arranges visits for DOE staff 
and CODELs. 
 
Economic Assistant (LES) (20%) -- Reports on energy sector 
including renewable energies, new technologies and 
hybrid/biomass research.  Arranges visits for DOE staff and 
CODELs. 
 
Three Public Affairs Assistants (LES) (5%) -- Arrange 
programs for Embassy officers and IIP Bureau speakers on 
environmental issues; answer questions, and distribute via 
e-mail information related to U.S. policies and technology 
advancements.  Analyze/monitor local media stories. 
 
Senior Political Advisor (LES) (1%) -- Assists ECON staff 
with trade promotions and contacts energy companies on behalf 
of CG. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Congen Sapporo on 
energy-related issues is: 
Personnel - $207,200 
Programming - $400 
 
Congen Osaka-Kobe 
------------------ 
¶8. (SBU) The Political-Economic section, consisting of one 
FSO and two LES employees, handles energy issues. 
 
Pol-Econ Officer (5%) -- Maintains contacts with power 
companies, energy and climate technology companies, and 
research facilities.  Visits and reports on nuclear power 
facilities in the district and facilitates visits to nuclear 
power facilities by Embassy staff and Washington-based USG 
visitors. 
 
Economic Assistant (LES) (5%) --  Maintains contacts with 
power companies, energy and climate technology companies, and 
research facilities.  Reports on energy-related developments 
and facilitates visits to nuclear power facilities by Embassy 
staff and USG visitors. 
 
¶9. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Congen Osaka-Kobe 
on energy-related issues is: 
Personnel - $29,300 
Programming - $2,450 
 
Consulate Fukuoka 
--------------- 
¶10. (SBU) The Political-Economic section handles energy 
issues. 
 
Economic Officer (20%) -- Directs post's reporting on energy 
and climate issues.  Attends seminars and meets with Japanese 
government officials, private sector representatives, and 
U.S. and Japanese researchers in the energy and climate 
 
TOKYO 00000558  004 OF 004 
 
 
fields. 
 
Economic Assistant (LES) (25%) -- Responsible for 
environmental and energy issues, and in particular 
alternative energy, including reporting, establishing and 
maintaining contacts.  Organizes commercial events and 
identifies potential business opportunities for U.S. 
companies. 
 
¶11. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Consulate 
Fukuoka on energy-related issues is: 
Personnel - $121,700 
 
Congen Naha 
----------- 
¶12. (SBU) Economic Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Monitors and 
reports on energy and climate change issues and supports 
visits by Embassy and Washington-based USG visitors. 
 
¶13. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Congen Naha on 
energy-related issues is: 
Personnel - $4,300 
 
Consulate Nagoya 
------------- 
¶14. (SBU) The Political-Economic Section is responsible for 
energy issues. 
 
Principal Officer (5%) -- Maintains contacts and visits with 
automotive, aerospace, and firms using new technologies to 
promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions.  Supports 
visits by Embassy and Washington-based USG officials. 
Recently wrote Japanese language op-ed column on American 
climate change policy which was published in regional 
newspaper with 2.8 million circulation. 
 
Public Affairs and Information Resource staff (3 LES, 5%) -- 
Follow media reporting on energy and climate change issues; 
support programming. 
 
Pol-Econ Assistant (LES) (5%) -- Researches and reports on 
energy and climate change issues, with a particular focus on 
automotive, aerospace and rail technologies developed in the 
district. 
 
¶15. (SBU) The total estimated funds spent by Consulate Nagoya 
on energy-related issues is: 
Personnel - $42,300 
Programming - $900 
 
Overall Totals 
-------------- 
¶16. (SBU) Total estimated funds for the Japan Mission: 
Personnel - $1,555,120 
Programming - $17,666 
SCHIEFFER