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