VZCZCXRO5923
RR RUEHMJ
DE RUEHKO #0958/01 0990741
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080741Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3242
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0500
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2006
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1022
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2579
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK 0165
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 1181
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0653
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 4432
RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO 0080
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 1074
RHMFIUU/USFJ
RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000958
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D, G and OES/OA - MHAYES/JFIELD AND EAP/J
USDOC FOR NOAA/NMFS - US IWC COMMISSIONER HOGARTH AND McCARTY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA IWC ETRD JA
SUBJECT: WHALING: JAPANESE RESOLUTION CALLS ON U.S. TO ACT AGAINST
VIOLENT PROTESTORS
First Diet Resolution on the Issue
----------------------------------
1. Japan's House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries unanimously adopted a resolution (No.169-4)
condemning the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and other
anti-whaling NGOs' interference with Japan's research whaling April
2. The resolution, submitted to Foreign Minister Koumura, requested
the GOJ take measures to prevent such "terrorist and criminal
activities" by demanding Australia, the Netherlands and the U.S.
take stringent measures based on each country's law. It was the
first time a Diet resolution was adopted regarding obstruction
activities of research whaling. The resolution also called for
continuation of Japan's research whaling in the Southern Ocean.
MAFF Minister Notifies Australian Counterpart
---------------------------------------------
2. During a Q session at the Committee meeting, Hiroyoshi Nishi
(New Komeito Party), Nobutaka Tsutsui (Democratic Party of Japan)
and other Diet members from both ruling and opposition parties
complained the GOJ's measures against the protestors have been
insufficient thus far, according to the April 4 fisheries trade
newspaper Suisan Keizai Shimbun. The paper also noted Minister for
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Masatoshi Wakabayashi informed
Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony
Burke of the resolution during an April 2 meeting. Burke, according
to press reports confirmed by Australian Embassy contacts, responded
that his nation will firmly deal with pirate activities that cause
human and physical damage.
3. MOFA's only action to date in response to the resolution has
been to instruct Japanese Embassies in Australia, the Netherlands,
and the U.S. to seek their host governments' continued cooperation
on the issue of violent protests, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Fisheries Division Director Ryotaro Suzuki told Emboffs April 7.
4. The following is an informal summary translation of the
resolution:
- The Committee strongly condemns repeated interference with Japan's
research whaling by anti-whaling NGOs such as the Sea Shepherd
Conservation Society. The interference is malicious and can be
regarded as terrorist/criminal activity. Japan's research whaling
has been carried out based on Article VIII of the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) and therefore is
perfectly legal.
- The series of terrorist/criminal activities were illegal invasions
onto Japanese-flagged vessels. The anti-whaling activists injured
Japanese crew members including Coast Guard officers and seriously
damaged Japan's research whaling. The activists clearly violated
Japan's sovereign rights.
- The Government of Japan, through inter-agency efforts, must take
strict actions, particularly taking account of the following
points:
A. The government should enhance security measures by the Coast
Guard. If further terrorist/criminal activities occur, the
government should take strict actions. The government should
clearly demonstrate this intention both domestically and
internationally.
B. To prevent further terrorist/criminal activities, the government
should take all possible actions, including calling on foreign
governments concerned, in particular those of Australia, the
Netherlands, and the U.S., to take strict actions based on their
domestic law.
C. Japan's research whaling activities in the Southern Ocean, which
have played a significant role in expanding knowledge of whale
biology, should be continued using every available means. For this
purpose, the government should improve relevant conditions,
including disseminating correct information domestically and
TOKYO 00000958 002 OF 002
internationally, and providing necessary financial assistance.
End summary translation.
SCHIEFFER