VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #1010 1020846
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110846Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3406
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3293
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS TOKYO 001010 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AIAG AMB LANGE AND EAP/J HEATHER DRESSER 
HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY 
HHS FOR CDC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU TBIO PREL PARM PGOV JA
SUBJECT: DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF JAPAN ENGAGES EMBASSY ON 
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS 
 
 
Sensitive but unclassified.  Please handle accordingly. 
 
¶1.  (SBU)   The Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) Pandemic 
Influenza Project Team invited econoff to brief them April 10 
on the U.S. National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza 
Implementation Plan.  The Team, chaired by Lower House Diet 
Member Masahiko Yamada and including staffers as well as 
parliamentarians, asked a number of questions, in particular 
about USG plans for pandemic vaccine development and 
antiviral stockpiling. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Following econoff's presentation on the U.S. Plan, 
participants inquired about USG efforts to develop cell-based 
vaccine production and vaccines that can be administered 
nasally.  In addition, they inquired about USG views on 
studies indicating possible side-effects of cell-based 
vaccines.  Noting 54 billion yen worth of Japan's antiviral 
drug stockpile is due to expire in 2008, one participant 
asked how the USG plans to address expiration of antiviral 
drugs in its stockpiles.  Participants also showed interest 
in ways the U.S. is developing guidance on prioritizing 
groups for vaccination and the sources of U.S. estimates of 
pandemic morbidity and mortality. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Noting positively USG efforts to expand public 
education and risk communication on pandemic flu, Yamada 
asked Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) 
Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases Control Division 
Director Akira Miyake to comment on related GOJ activities. 
Miyake mentioned several recent GOJ risk communication 
exercises held with local governments and cited GOJ plans to 
hold pandemic flu symposia to raise public awareness.  He 
said unlike the USG, the GOJ has not embarked on a television 
or radio public service announcement campaign. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Note: The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 
has also requested a briefing this month from Embassy 
officers on U.S. pandemic preparedness plans.  Diet members 
in both the ruling and opposition parties are likely 
gathering information ahead of a review of the GOJ's pandemic 
influenza action plan.  According to recent press reports, 
the review is due to be completed by the end of July 2008. 
End Note. 
MESERVE