Cablegate: Ambassador Courtesy Call On Mic Minister Haraguchi

VZCZCXRO6767
PP RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB
DE RUEHKO #2438 2950655
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220655Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6983
INFO RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION PRIORITY
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 7030
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA PRIORITY 4297
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 9385
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 0848
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 7542

UNCLAS TOKYO 002438

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/J, EEB/CIP/BA SFLYNN
PLEASE PASS TO USTR WCUTLER, DLEE, JMCHALE
PASS TO FCC ADEY
PASS TO DOC/NTIA AHEINEMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINT JA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR COURTESY CALL ON MIC MINISTER HARAGUCHI

1. (SBU) Summary: Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications (MIC) Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi told
Ambassador Roos he sees an important role for information and
communications technologies (ICT) to contribute to solving
both domestic and global problems. He said he discussed
prospective exchanges with the U.S. when he met FCC Chairman
Genachowski recently. He also expressed interest in
information society issues such as freedom of speech and
freedom of access to broadcasting. End summary.

2. (SBU) In an October 19 courtesy call by Ambassador Roos,
MIC Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi expressed interest in the
Ambassador's experience with new technologies and the
business culture in Silicon Valley. Haraguchi noted the
relevance of the Ambassador's experience with cutting-edge
economic issues on which both countries should focus. The
Ambassador observed his nomination was a reflection that the
President shared this view. Haraguchi agreed with the
Ambassador's emphasis on the importance of innovation,
suggesting we encourage exchanges where possible. He
mentioned Oracle CEO Larry Ellison soon will visit Japan and
meet with the Prime Minister, and added he knows individual
Japanese who are reaching out to make new contacts in Silicon
Valley.

3. (SBU) Haraguchi briefly related his meeting with FCC
Chairman Genachowski, saying they had discussed the green ICT
economy and user protection issues such as privacy,
cyber-security, and intellectual property. The Ambassador
noted Genachowski's key role in the Internet strategy of the
President's election campaign, and suggested Genachowski
should be a good leader on Internet issues. Haraguchi did
not elaborate any further on his public statements about
creating a FCC-like independent regulatory body, or
concerning his ideas for bilateral exchanges.

4. (SBU) Haraguchi then mentioned his interest in information
society issues, saying he had created a task force on human
rights and governance, and another on freedom of speech. He
commented on how important he considers freedom of speech and
freedom of access to broadcasting.
ROOS

© Scoop Media