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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5261

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001199 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
 
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/28/09 
 
Index: 
North Korea problem - Japan's response: 
1) Prime Minister Aso wants a full ban on exports to North Korea in 
the wake of its nuclear test  (Yomiuri) 
2) Government and LDP not lined up internally on response to North 
Korea for its nuclear test  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
3) Aso in one-on-one Diet debate confirms that U.S. provided 
intelligence on latest DPRK nuclear test but does not go into 
specifics  (Asahi) 
4) Foreign Ministry is expecting North Korea to soon launch another 
ICBM and test another nuclear weapon  (Asahi) 
 
North Korea problem - international response: 
5) Japan proposes new UNSC resolution against North Korea for its 
nuclear test  (Tokyo Shimbun) 
6) U.S., Japan draft proposals for new UNSC resolution against North 
Korea with tougher measures, such as ship cargo searches  (Asahi) 
7) U.S. proposes five measures for inclusion in draft UNSC 
resolution against North Korea  (Yomiuri) 
8) Criticism emerges in U.S. of administration's policy of "dialogue 
with North Korea," in view of latest nuclear testing  (Yomiuri) 
 
Defense and security affairs: 
9) Defense chiefs of U.S., Japan, and South Korea to meet in 
Singapore  (Yomiuri) 
10) Japan, South Korea to propose international conference on piracy 
 (Yomiuri) 
11) Japan's anti-piracy bill is now before the Upper House for 
deliberation and revision  (Asahi) 
 
Diet affairs: 
12) Aso, Democratic Party of Japan President Hatoyama have first 
one-on-one debate in the Diet  (Yomiuri) 
13) Supplementary budget expected to be passed by the Diet tomorrow 
(Mainichi) 
 
14) METI report on unfair trade practices shows strong alarm about 
growing protectionism in the world  (Yomiuri) 
 
15) Government to ease domestic BSE inspections and then possibly 
expand U.S. beef-import framework  (Nikkei) 
 
Articles: 
 
1) Government considering blanket export ban against North Korea 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The government on May 27 started looking into a blanket ban on 
exports to North Korea as Japan's original additional sanctions 
measure, following that nation's nuclear test. It will reach a final 
decision, based on the UN Security Council's sanctions debate. The 
government is continuing its original sanctions in the wake of North 
Korea's ballistic missile launches and nuclear test in 2006. A 
blanket ban is placed on imports from the North. Exports of articles 
of luxury and materials related to weapons of mass destructions are 
also prohibited. 
 
According to the Finance Ministry's trade statistics, Japan's 
exports to North Korea stood at roughly 800 million yen in 2008. 
Some take the view that the efficacy of a blanket export ban is 
 
TOKYO 00001199  002 OF 010 
 
 
limited. The government's judgment is, however, that it is necessary 
to indicate Japan's attitude to the North's rash act." It will look 
into both independently strengthening sanctions and tighten the 
figurative noose around that nation. 
 
2) Japan's response to North Korea's nuclear test: Discord emerges 
between government, which wants to wait for UN resolution, and LDP, 
which is eager to take speedy steps 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Shoichi Takayama 
 
When should Japan impose additional sanctions on North Korea that 
conducted its second nuclear test? The view is prevalent in the 
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that Japan should first demonstrate 
its attitude, while the government is set to wait for the UN 
Security Council's new resolution. Discord has emerged between the 
two sides. 
 
Possible additional sanctions being mentioned today include: (1) a 
total ban on exports to North Korea, (2) lowering the cap on the 
amount of money allowed to be remitted to North Korea without 
notification (currently set at 10 million yen), (3) lowering the cap 
on the amount of cash travelers to North Korea are allowed to carry 
without notification (currently set at 300,000 yen), and (4) 
prohibiting in principle foreigners living in Japan from reentering 
Japan after visiting North Korea. 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso has indicated that he would make a decision 
based on the content of the new UNSC resolution that is expected to 
be adopted this week, at the earliest. 
 
A senior Foreign Ministry official explained that the prime minister 
thinks Japan's response measure should be linked to the envisaged 
UNSC resolution. Japan wants to block exports and funds transfers to 
North Korea, but there exists a loophole of using a third country. 
The logic is that the envisaged UNSC resolution would allow Japan to 
ask a third country to crack down on such acts. 
 
The LDP attaches importance on swiftness. 
 
LDP departments and likeminded groups met after the nuclear test in 
which many voiced the need to speedily transmit a message internally 
and externally and to reinforce (Japan's) sanctions immediately. 
 
Such views perhaps reflect concerns that Japan's unilateral economic 
sanctions lack effectiveness. 
 
The government's policy course is likely to materialize in the end. 
A mid-level LDP lawmaker said disapprovingly, "I cannot understand 
why the government remains so cautious." 
 
Aso: UNSC resolution, including additional sanctions, important 
 
With respect to a new UNSC resolution on North Korea, Prime Minister 
Aso said last night: "It is extremely important that (the new 
resolution) includes additional sanctions. A step must be taken in a 
way that will let the country know that (conducting a nuclear test) 
is impermissible." The prime minister was responding to a question 
from the press corps. The prime minister also expressed his hope 
 
TOKYO 00001199  003 OF 010 
 
 
that the United States will put the North back on its list of state 
sponsors of terrorism, saying, "I would like to see an appropriate 
step taken." 
 
3) Aso implies info from U.S. on N. Korea's nuke test 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Aso yesterday sat in on a parliamentary one-on-one 
debate with Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Hatoyama. 
In the debate, Hatoyama asked whether there was information in 
advance from the United States to the Japanese government about 
North Korea's recent nuclear test. In response to this question, Aso 
stated, "It's true that information was conveyed (to Japan) at quite 
an early stage." He did not reveal anything specific about when 
there was such information. 
 
"You're asking when, but that's the kind of thing we've promised not 
to say on both sides" Aso stated. A senior Foreign Ministry official 
yesterday confirmed that there had been no information from North 
Korea. However, the official implied that there was a certain kind 
of information from the United States, saying: "Japan and the United 
States are always communicating with each other at various levels. 
All I can say is just guess from that." 
 
4) Foreign Ministry official: ICBM launch in mind 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
A senior official of the Foreign Ministry indicated yesterday that 
North Korea might conduct a third nuclear test. "We'd better bear it 
in mind that North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic 
missile," the official said. Concerning the idea of strengthening 
Japan's sanctions on its own against North Korea, the official 
indicated that it would be desirable to take steps in the form of 
being linked to a United Nations Security Council resolution. 
 
Meanwhile, the leading Liberal Democratic Party yesterday held a 
meeting of its committee on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted 
to North Korea. At the meeting, the committee decided to adopt a 
resolution calling for three additional sanctions, such as placing a 
total ban on exports, and also decided to propose this to the 
government today. Two other sanctions were proposed: (1) foreign 
seafarers should not be allowed in principle to land in Japan if 
they violate economic sanctions on North Korea, and foreign 
nationals with permanent resident status in Japan should not be 
allowed in principle to reenter Japan after traveling to North 
Korea; and 2) local governments should be advised not to provide 
property tax breaks or exemptions for the pro-Pyongyang General 
Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), etc. 
 
5) Japan drafts new resolution against DPRK calling for tougher 
sanctions, requiring ship inspections 
 
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Miki Kato, New York 
 
Japan is seeking the adoption of a sanction resolution at the UN 
 
TOKYO 00001199  004 OF 010 
 
 
Security Council (UNSC) against North Korea's second nuclear test. 
It will present to an ambassadorial-level meeting of the five 
permanent UNSC members on the afternoon of May 27 (morning of May 
28, Japan time) a draft resolution seeking such additional sanctions 
as stricter cargo inspections onboard ships and expansion of the 
scope of the embargo on imports and exports. 
 
According to a UN diplomatic source, the draft resolution Japan will 
be presenting mostly calls for strengthening Resolution 1718 adopted 
after the DPRK's first nuclear test in October 2006. It reportedly 
includes such measures as requiring (UN members) to inspect North 
Korean ships, a freezing of DPRK assets, and expanding the scope of 
the travel ban. 
 
Japanese ambassador to the UN Yukio Takasu said: "It is not a 
question of increasing the number of sanctions. The important thing 
is effectiveness." The U.S. and Europe agree. 
 
UNSC permanent members China and Russia, which hold veto power, also 
agree that a new resolution needs to be adopted regarding North 
Korea. But China and Russia are not keen on additional sanctions 
that would force the DPRK into a corner. China fiercely resisted the 
requirement to conduct ship inspections during the adoption of the 
2006 resolution, which resulted in the inspections being left to the 
discretion of UN member states, thereby weakening its legal force. 
 
It is uncertain whether China and Russia will accept the draft 
resolution at the meeting to be held possibly on May 27. If they do, 
a resolution is likely to be passed at an early date within this 
week. 
 
6) Japan, U.S. to propose strengthening cargo inspections 
 
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Kayo Matsushita, New York 
 
Japan and the United States have worked out a draft resolution of 
the United Nations Security Council over North Korea's recent 
nuclear test, incorporating such measures as strengthening cargo 
inspections, prohibiting arms exports, and restricting overseas bank 
transactions, diplomatic sources have revealed. The two countries 
are expected to present the draft resolution to the other four UNSC 
permanent members and South Korea. 
 
Japan and the United States want to hold an ambassadorial meeting of 
the seven countries at an early stage for concurrence on the draft 
resolution. Coordination is now at the final stage for adopting the 
draft resolution within the week. 
 
According to the diplomatic sources, the draft resolution to be 
presented by Japan and the United States strengthens and expands the 
sanctions resolution adopted at the time of the last nuclear test in 
¶2006. It features no additional sanctions. 
 
The draft resolution, in its revised wording, strengthens cargo 
inspections, which were voluntary in the previous resolution. Japan 
and the United States are aiming to mandate cargo inspections. 
However, it requires inspections for all overland, maritime, and air 
cargoes to and from North Korea, and China, which borders on North 
Korea, is reluctant. As it stands, Japan and the United States will 
 
TOKYO 00001199  005 OF 010 
 
 
consult with China to finalize the draft resolution's wording. 
 
In addition, the newly planned resolution is expected to include 
shoring up the international arms embargo, not only on full-fledged 
weaponry but also on conventional weapons, and taking such financial 
sanctions as restricting specific individuals' overseas bank 
transactions as well as specific organizations' transactions. The 
new resolution, within 30 days after its adoption, will require U.N. 
member nations to report their actions. 
 
7) Ban on bank transactions with North Korea: U.S. makes five 
proposals for new UN resolution 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Yoshikazu Shirakawa, New York 
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun learned on May 27 that the U.S. had proposed 
that the UN Security Council's new resolution on sanctions against 
North Korea's nuclear test include bans on bank transactions with, 
financial assistance and aid to that nation. 
 
According to a diplomatic source, the U.S. has proposed at an 
ambassador-level meeting of seven countries with Japan and South 
Korea as well as with the UNSC permanent member nations five items 
to be included in the envisaged resolution: (1) embargo on arms 
trade; (2) mandatory inspection of cargoes being carried by North 
Korean ships; (3) reporting on the implementation of cargo 
inspections; (4) a ban on bank transactions with North Korea; and 
(5) a ban on financial assistance and grant aid. 
 
The Japanese government has also drafted its original resolution on 
North Korean sanctions. According to a related source, the draft is 
based on the specifics of Resolution 1718 adopted after the North's 
first nuclear test conducted in 2006. Individuals and organizations 
subject to the freeze of financial assets have been expanded. A 
proposal for strengthening inspections of ships that enter or leave 
North Korea with strict conditions attached is also included. The 
Japanese government is reportedly taking a more cautious stance than 
that of the U.S., since it must consolidate the legal basis for 
using the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) for such a purpose and 
there is concern that strict sanctions could lead to a rash act by 
North Korea. 
 
According to the same diplomatic source, France on the 27th also 
drafted its own set of proposals, including strict sanctions. 
 
The Japanese government will enter talks with UNSC permanent member 
nations other than the U.S., after making adjustments with the U.S. 
and South Korea. It will aim to have the resolution passed early 
next year. However, it will likely take still more time for 
adjustments. 
 
8) "Dialogue with DPRK" criticized in U.S. 
 
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Keiichi Honma, Washington 
 
As the nuclear strategy of the Obama administration faces a 
 
TOKYO 00001199  006 OF 010 
 
 
difficult phase, criticism against the United States' policy toward 
North Korea has intensified in the country. This is because it is 
becoming increasingly clear that the U.S. is unable to come up with 
effective policies in response to the series of provocations by the 
DPRK. 
 
The May 26 issue of the U.S. newspaper Wall Street Journal commented 
sarcastically on the Obama administration's dialogue policy: "No 
wonder General Secretary Kim Jong Il has concluded that violations 
yield rewards and not punishment." 
 
The Heritage Foundation's Bruce Klingner also published an article 
on the same day saying: "The Obama administration's actions fall 
short of its firm rhetoric." Since the Obama administration has had 
little interest in policy toward North Korea, the media and experts 
are voicing their criticism after the nuclear test. 
 
There has been a series of crises involving the DPRK since March, 
including the detention of American reporters, the launching of a 
ballistic missile, and the nuclear test. The Obama administration 
has criticized North Korea each time, but maintained its posture of 
calling for dialogue. This is perceived as weakness, and in a sense, 
has aggravated the DPRK's intimidation. Michael Green, former 
director for Asia of the National Security Council, recently told a 
U.S. newspaper that, "The Obama administration is now realizing that 
the lack of pressure is the problem." 
 
Furthermore, while the Obama administration views North Korea's 
provocation as a card to strengthen its hand in negotiations, there 
is also a growing opinion that the latest nuclear and missile crisis 
shows that "Pyongyang is now focused on realizing strategic 
technological achievements rather than gaining tactical negotiating 
leverage" (Klingner). In which case, the Obama administration may 
have misconstrued the DPRK's real intent in rushing to become a 
"nuclear power." 
 
For now, the focus of attention is whether President Barack Obama 
can shift gear from "dialogue" to "pressure" - whether a strong 
sanction resolution can be adopted at the UN Security Council (UNSC) 
with the involvement of China and Russia, or whether stricter ship 
inspections abhorred by North Korea can be implemented. 
 
9) Japan, U.S., ROK to hold first defense ministers' meeting on May 
30 
 
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Yoshinari Kurose, Washington 
 
A U.S. Department of Defense official told reporters on May 26 that 
Secretary Robert Gates will meet Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu 
Hamada and South Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Sang-hee in 
Singapore on May 30 to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue. This 
will be the first trilateral talks among the defense ministers of 
Japan, the U.S., and the ROK. 
 
The meeting will take place at the "Asian Security Conference," a 
gathering of defense ministers and military experts from the Asian 
and Pacific nations. The conference had been planned before North 
Korea's nuclear test, but according to this official, the conference 
will "concentrate on discussing the North Korean issue." 
 
TOKYO 00001199  007 OF 010 
 
 
 
10) Japan, South Korea to jointly host international antipiracy 
conference 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The Japanese and South Korean governments will jointly host an 
international conference on June 9-10 in Seoul to discuss such 
measures as helping neighboring countries improve their maritime 
policing capabilities as part of antipiracy efforts in waters off 
Somalia, Africa, according to informed sources yesterday. The two 
countries plan to invite high-ranking government officials, 
representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 
and fishing industry representatives operating in waters off Somalia 
from about 25 countries. The Japanese government has decided to 
announce support measures to prevent local citizens from becoming 
pirates. 
 
11) Deliberations on antipiracy bill begin in Upper House 
 
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Deliberations on an antipiracy bill started in a plenary session of 
the House of Councillors yesterday. The bill would enable the 
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to protect the ships of any 
nation from possible attacks by pirates in the Gulf of Aden off 
Somalia. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which controls the 
Upper House, has been calling for amendments to the bill, including 
requiring prior Diet approval for any MSDF dispatch on an antipiracy 
mission. Attention is now being focused on how negotiations on 
amendments will develop between the ruling and opposition parties. 
 
Prime Minister Aso said in the plenary session: "It is necessary to 
quickly enact the bill, which would enable the MSDF to take 
appropriate measures against pirate acts to protect vessels 
regardless of nationality." 
 
The bill would allow the MSDF to protect the ships of any nation, an 
act that is prohibited under the provisions of the existing SDF Law 
for maritime patrols. The bill also includes such measures as: (1) 
Establishing charges of piracy; (2) allowing troops to fire shots at 
ships that ignore an order to stop; and (3) requiring the prime 
minister to provide an outline of the antipiracy mission to the Diet 
when the mission is approved and completed. 
 
The DPJ has insisted on the need for prior Diet approval. In 
deliberations at the House of Representatives, the ruling side 
presented a comprise proposal to enable a planned dispatch to be 
cancelled if resolutions are adopted by both Houses of the Diet. But 
the main opposition party declined the proposal. The bill was 
approved in the Lower House by a majority from the ruling parties. 
 
Dispatched MSDF destroyers have taken measures against unidentified 
ships in five cases, based on reports from foreign-registered 
vessels, since late March. The government is eager to enact the bill 
at an early date to enable the MSDF to properly protect ships 
regardless of nationality from possible attacks by pirates. As the 
DPJ has decided not to prolong deliberations in the Upper House, the 
bill is expected to pass the Diet (which is set to close June 3) by 
June 21, the 60th day after it cleared the Lower House. 
 
TOKYO 00001199  008 OF 010 
 
 
 
12) Party-head debate: Aso - DPJ policies create unease; Hatoyama -- 
Bureaucrat-led government must come to an end 
 
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
Prime Minister Taro Aso and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 
President Yukio Hatoyama held their first party-head debate at the 
Diet yesterday. In the session, Aso took up a violation of the 
Political Funds Control Law over a fund-management organization of 
former DPJ president Ichiro Ozawa as "a matter of great concern to 
the public." Aso also harshly criticized the fact that Hatoyama has 
appointed Ozawa to be deputy president, the party's No. 2 post, 
saying, "It doesn't make sense to the public." 
 
In response, Hatoyama indicated that a DPJ third-party committee 
composed of experts had questioned Ozawa and that a report would be 
made public before long. Hatoyama also rebutted, "The people pin 
great hopes (on the party's new system)," by citing the fact that 
the candidate backed by the DPJ prefectural federation won the May 
24 Saitama mayoral race. 
 
Hatoyama also revealed a plan to submit to the Diet in the current 
session a bill amending the Political Funds Control Law to totally 
prohibit in three years' time corporations and organizations from 
making political donations and purchasing party tickets. Hatoyama 
asked the ruling parties for their support for the bill. But Aso 
refused the request, saying, "Blaming the system because of a 
violation of the law by a secretary is switching the focus of the 
argument." 
 
Aso also posed a question about the DPJ's ability to run the 
government, remarking: "A change of government is a means, not a 
goal. The DPJ's social security and national security policies 
create great uneasiness." Hatoyama, on the other hand, underlined 
the need for a change of government, arguing, "The current LDP-New 
Komeito coalition government has been led by bureaucrats. This must 
come to an end." 
 
The prime minister and the DPJ head carried out their one-on-one 
Diet debate for the first time in six months since the last one held 
last November between Aso and then DPJ President Ozawa. 
 
13) Extra budget bill likely to be enacted tomorrow 
 
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) decided yesterday to agree to a 
call by the ruling camp for a vote to be taken tomorrow on a fiscal 
2009 supplementary budget bill, which is now under deliberations in 
the House of Councillors. The main opposition party intends to 
inform the Liberal Democratic Party of this decision during a 
meeting of the Upper House Diet Affairs Committee chairmen this 
afternoon. The extra budget bill is now expected to pass the Diet 
tomorrow. The bill is likely to be rejected by a majority from 
opposition parties during an Upper House plenary session tomorrow. 
In a joint meeting of party members of both Houses, both sides are 
expected to remain divided. But the bill will be enacted, based on a 
provision in the Constitution stipulating the House of 
Representatives' superiority. 
 
TOKYO 00001199  009 OF 010 
 
 
 
DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka said in a party 
meeting yesterday: "As long as there is no commotion, we are 
planning to take a vote in the Upper House later this week." This 
stance is considered to be reflecting the judgment that protracted 
deliberations should be avoided, given the current severe economic 
situation, in addition to the party leadership's policy that the 
party should not give the ruling camp a good cause for extending the 
current Diet session. 
 
14) METI expresses strong concern about protectionism in trade 
report 
 
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released its 
unfair trade report for fiscal 2009 yesterday. The report examines 
industrialized countries' trade policies in view of the World Trade 
Organization's international rules and other regulations. Taking up 
for the first time the system the Chinese government plans to 
introduce to force foreign manufacturers to disclose 
security-related data about their information technology products, 
the report urged China to review this system. 
 
The report said that "countries have taken measures to tighten 
regulations and raise tariffs under the severe global economic 
situation" since the outbreak of the financial crisis last fall. It 
then indicated a strong sense of alarm about protectionist moves 
rearing up in countries aimed at giving top priority to protecting 
domestic industries. The report also referred for the first time to 
a "Buy American" provision designed to require only U.S.-made 
products to be used in public works projects. 
 
China plans to introduce the IT information disclosure system in May 
2010 and is likely to force countries to disclose security-related 
data, such as source codes. METI indicated yesterday that it would 
address 15 cases, including the Chinese system, on a priority 
basis. 
 
The report also cited Russia's increased tariffs on autos and other 
products, as well as India's standard-enforcement system for iron 
and steel products. 
 
15) Welfare and labor ministry, agriculture ministry looking into 
easing BSE inspection guidelines 
 
NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) 
May 28, 2009 
 
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHL) and the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) on May 27 started looking 
into easing guidelines for inspections of domestic cattle, a measure 
that is being carried out to prevent BSE. Their plan is to east the 
age of cattle subject to such an inspection from those aged 21 
months or older to those aged 30 months or older. They will also 
take a second look at inspections of dead cattle aged 24 months or 
older. Japan is currently restricting imports of U.S. beef, based on 
strict domestic guidelines. Chances are, however, talks to expand 
cattle eligible for imports will speed up, following the easing of 
the inspection standards. 
 
 
TOKYO 00001199  010 OF 010 
 
 
A BSE-infected cow was for the first time discovered in Japan in 
September 2001. Following the discovery, the MHLW started 
implementing BSE inspections on all cattle in October the same year. 
Since August 2005, the inspection has been targeting cattle aged 21 
months or older. 
 
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE headquartered in 
Paris) on the 26th decided to recognize Japan as a country with 
controlled risk of BSE, giving high marks to the safety of 
Japanese-produced beef. Following such a decision, the government 
will look into easing the age of cattle subject to the BSE 
inspection to those aged 30 months or older. It means that 
approximately 60 PERCENT  of cattle will not have to undergo the 
inspection. Concerning dead cows, the blanket cattle inspection is 
being carried out if they are aged 24 months or older. The plan is 
to switch to a sample inspection, instead of lowering the age of 
cattle subject to the inspection or carrying out blanket testing. 
 
Easing the domestic cattle inspection guidelines will likely affect 
adjustments of views with the U.S. government, as Japan sets an age 
restriction on imports of U.S. beef. The Japanese government has 
been restricting U.S. beef eligible for imports to beef from cattle 
aged up to 20 months since the occurrence of BSE in that nation. The 
U.S. has been seeking the scrapping of such a restriction. However, 
Japan has remained cautious, because Japanese consumers are highly 
interested in food safety and peace of mind. 
 
The U.S. has already been given controlled BSE risk status by the 
OEC, though its inspection method differs from that of Japan. Japan 
has been restricting imports of U.S. beef, based on its strict 
domestic guidelines. Some government officials have begun taking the 
view that the envisaged revision to the inspection standards will 
lead to speeding up Japan-U.S. talks to scrap the restriction. 
 
Following the OIE's certification, the Japanese government intends 
to ask importers of Japanese beef not to set an age restriction. 
This is due in part to the fact that it would become difficult for 
Japan to strictly restrict imports of U.S. beef, while calling on 
other countries to ease their restrictions. 
 
ZUMWALT