Target Tokyo -- US Spying on Japan

[TaiShang]

NSA high priority targets for Japan

This is an NSA database extract of significant Japanese political and economic telephone interception targets.

See here for an explanation of what the column names mean.

TOPI Selector Subscriber_ID Information_Need TOPI_Add_Date Priority IN_Explainer
S2C41 +8135253XXXX JA MISC CAB OFF SWBD V 2011-206* 110320 2 Unknown IN: Related to monitoring of Japanese leaders

S2C41 +8135532XXXX JA MISC EXEC SCY TO CHIEF CAB SCY V 2011-206* 110329 2 Unknown IN: Related to monitoring of Japanese leaders

S2C41 +8133502XXXX JPN GOVERNMENT VIP LINE 2011-206* 110331 2 Unknown IN: Related to monitoring of Japanese leaders

S2C53 +8133210XXXX MITSUBISHI NATURAL GAS DIV 2003-3913? 101214 2 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C53 +8133285XXXX MITSUI AND CO PETROLEUM DIV 2003-3913? 101215 2 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C41 +8133244XXXX JAPANESE MINISTER OF ECONOMY TRADE AND INDUSTRY 2003-2622* 110314 3 Japan: Political Affairs

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101215 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN 2003-3913? 110202 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133279XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101215 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133510XXXX JPFIN 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8135201XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101215 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8135205XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8135255XXXX JPFIN 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8135255XXXX JPFIN 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8135255XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101215 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8135255XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8135695XXXX JPFIN 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN ADV TO GOV 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +632818XXXX JPFIN ASIA PRES ADV 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN ASSISTANT GOVERNOR 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8135423XXXX JPFIN ASST GOV 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN DEP GOV 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133245XXXX JPFIN FAX 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN FIN SYS BANK EXAMINATION DEPT 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8135203XXXX JPFIN FINANCIAL MKTS DEPT 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133497XXXX JPFIN HIDESHIMA HOME 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN INTERNATIONAL DEPT 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN INTERNATIONAL DEPT 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN INTL DEPT 2003-2777* 101214 3 Multi-country: International Finance Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN INTL DEPT 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN MONETARY AFFAIRS DEPT 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN MONETARY AFFAIRS DEPT 2003-3913? 110202 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8135201XXXX JPFIN MONETARY AFFAIRS DEPT 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN MONETARY AFFS DEPT 2003-3913? 101215 3 Japan: Economic Developments

S2C51 +8133277XXXX JPFIN POLICY BOARD SECRETARIAT 2003-3913? 101214 3 Japan: Economic Developments

***

Selected extracts of "top" NSA intercepts of Japanese leadership and chief officials, taken from various editions of the National Security Agency's Top Secret Global SIGINT Highlights executive briefings.

• US Intercepts Abe's Secret Plan on Carbon Emissions
• US Bugged Japan's Confidential G-8 Proposals on Climate Change
• US Spies as Japan Doubles Down on Carbon Emissions
• US Spied On Japan's Secret WTO Plan
• US Sets NSA on Japan over Cherry Feud

US Intercepts Abe's Secret Plan on Carbon Emissions
Date 2007
Classification SECRET//COMINT//NOFORN
WikiLeaks Synopsis
Intercepted communication reveals the intention of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to announce a measure to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2050 as part of what the Japanese called the "Abe initiative". Additionally, the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not intend to inform the U.S. government about such measure in advance, concerned that given previous reactions by the U.S. on climate change issues, it might oppose such initiative.

Japanese to State Goal of Reducing Carbon Emissions by Half by 2050 (S//SI//NF)

(S//NF) In preparing for the 26 to 27 April visit to Washington by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) apparently wanted to come up with a simple message regarding climate change with which the U.S. can agree. Accordingly, METI has pushed three principles: technical development, energy conservation and nuclear energy, and participation of all countries in the future framework. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) apparently wants Abe to mention at the bilateral summit Japan's goal of reducing carbon emissions by half by 2050 as part of the "Abe initiative," which will be announced in late May. The MFA was considering not informing the U.S. in advance of its intention, because the ministry did not expect Washington to approve of such a goal, based on the U.S. reaction to climate change issues so far. It was apparently decided at a briefing at the Prime Minister's official residence that Abe will clearly state the goal at the bilateral summit, with advance notification to the United States. Japan anticipates no major harm to the Japanese-U.S. relationship as a result.


Unconventional

Japanese leadership

Z-3/OO/8432-07, 181733Z

US Bugged Japan's Confidential G-8 Proposals on Climate Change
Date 2008
Classification TOP SECRET//COMIT//REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, GBR, NZL
WikiLeaks Synopsis
Intercepted communication reveals that Japanese Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Finance, and of Environment briefed Chief Cabiner Secretary Nobutaka Machimura on a set of objectives regarding climage change to address in time for the G-8 summit, believing they would picture Japan as a leader on environmental issues.

Japanese Leadership Working to Narrow Down Climate Change Goals for G-8 Summit (TS//SI)

(TS//SI//REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, GBR, NZL) Japanese officials from the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Environment briefed Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura on 20 February on the environmental goals they believe Japan should work toward achieving at the G-8 Summit at Lake Toya, Japan, in July. Obtaining an agreement to use a sector-based cumulative approach for medium-term emissions reduction targets for individual countries was mentioned as one of the key objectives. Japan is also seeking to demonstrate its leadership in the environmental sector at the Summit and may announce its domestic emissions reduction goals prior to the meeting.


Unconventional

International commercial

3/OO/1447-08, 252149Z

US Spies as Japan Doubles Down on Carbon Emissions
Date 2008
Classification TOP SECRET//COMINT//NOFORN
WikiLeaks Synopsis
Intercepted communication reveals Japan's intent to push the "sectoral approach" as a solution to reduce carbon emissions, despite concerns and criticism from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and European Union officials.
Download PDF

Tokyo's Climate Change Officials to Continue Promoting Sectoral Approach (TS//SI//NF)

(TS//SI//NF) Japanese climate change officials apparently plan to continue promoting the sectoral approach despite criticism from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and some European Union officials. Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the IEA, reportedly warned the Japanese in mid-May that they are pushing too hard to promote the sectoral approach and may be perceived as offering this approach as the only option for reducing carbon emissions. He also cautioned that the sectoral approach is not yet understood and that Tokyo must clarify the concept and promote understanding and trust among the nations concerned. Masakazu Toyoda of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry expressed frustration at this criticism then laid out three advantages of the sectoral approach: first, the approach is designed to get China, India, and the U.S. on board; second, this approach allows developed countries to avoid expending unnecessary efforts to reduce carbon emissions in areas covered by the sectoral approach; and third, the sectoral approach will, in Toyoda's estimation, not result in any economic or industrial loss for developed or developing nations. One Japanese official thinks that it may be difficult for the Europeans to implement the sectoral approach in sectors such as electricity, which is already subject to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). He suggested that the ultimate solution is dependent upon the EU accepting a method of determining a figure for total carbon emissions reductions that includes the electricity sector. Toyoda claimed that businesses from several sectors--including steel, aluminum, cement, and petroleum--are threatening to cease their European operations if the ETS continues as is.


Unconventional

Japanese leadership

Z-3/OO/4448-08, 041359Z

US Spied On Japan's Secret WTO Plan
Date 2009
Classification TOP SECRET//COMINT//NOFORN
WikiLeaks Synopsis
Intercepted communication reveals drafted talking points for Japanese Ministry Shigeru Ishiba to address issues related to World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Such talking points would cover food import, "fisheries subsidaries", and "tariffs on forestry and fishery products".
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Japanese Agriculture Minister to Address WTO Issues With USTR on Margins of OECD Talks (TS//SI//NF)

(TS//SI//NF) The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries drafted talking points on 20 June for Minister Shigeru Ishiba's use at a meeting to address issues related to the Doha Round with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which is to take place in Paris on the margins of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) trade ministerial. (According to press, Ishiba said that he will visit Paris for 4 days, beginning tomorrow, where he will explain Tokyo's position as a major food importer, referring to the stance it takes in the Doha round of multilateral trade-liberalization talks. During his visit, Ishiba plans to hold separate talks with WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and the USTR.) Among the points that may be addressed with the USTR are U.S. commitment to concluding the Doha Round negotiations by mid-2010. Regarding the implementation of outcome testing, Ishiba may ask how the USTR will counter developing countries' opposition to holding consultations on special products. The Minister could also address the need to ensure that the results of the WTO agriculture negotiations do not curtail agriculture in the member countries, and Japan's anticipation of an early appointment by the USTR of a chief agricultural negotiator. Other topics that may be broached are fisheries subsidies, the need for bilateral consultations on individual products, and tariffs on forestry and fishery products.


Unidentified

Japanese leadership

Z-3/OO/515664-09, 221902Z

US Sets NSA on Japan over Cherry Feud
Date 2009
Classification TOP SECRET//COMINT//ORCON/NOFORN
WikiLeaks Synopsis
Intercepted communication reveals concern of officials from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) after Japan delay on the importation of cherries of U.S. origin. Afraid of potential damage as a result of such delay, the officials are intercepted discussing the possibility to diplomatically resolve the tension through back channels.

Japanese Strive to Avoid Damage to U.S. Relations Over Cherry Imports (TS//SI//OC/NF)

(TS//SI//OC/NF) Officials in the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) appeared recently to be seeking ways to prevent damage to relations with the U.S. over the ministry's decision to delay the importation of U.S.-origin cherries, a decision driven by Japanese politicians and growers. MAFF was alarmed by the very strong reaction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Tokyo's ruling that imports could not commence until the end of this month, when a pilot program involving inspections in the U.S. Pacific Northwest by a MAFF inspector is expected to be concluded satisfactorily. One approach under consideration is to have the ministry admit to Washington, through back channels, that the decision had been the product of political pressure. Also, it was recommended that the U.S. be notified that--unlike in the beef dispute--imports could begin as soon as the result of on-site inspection is confirmed, rather than after the inspector had returned to Japan and more tests conducted. The principal fear among the Japanese is that the issue will become similarly politicized, possibly at senior levels, in Washington.


Unconventional

Japanese governmental

Z-3/OO/515570-09, 221708Z

 

[XiaoYaoZi]

Long live! US-Japan alliance!

 

[TheTheoryOfMilitaryLogistics]

When a father spy on a son,that means he loves his son too much, I think the son shouldn't feel angry.

 

[opruh]

Shocking, seems like Japan is not trusted enough by their master the US.

 

[jammersat]

it must be japan's unpacifist ambitions that are making the US warry

 

[TaiShang]

Japan-U.S: The WikiLeaks Blow Beyond TPP
U.S. spying endangers expanded security engagements and trade with Japan.

Shihoko Goto, August 6, 2015

Credit: Augusto CabralShutterstock.com

Takeaways

• Tapping into various channels goes to the very heart of sovereignty, democracy and mutual trust.
  
  
• The fallout from WikiLeaks may manifest itself in security relations between Tokyo and Washington.
  
  
• Leading Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun argued that it was as if the US saw Japan as an enemy.

If friendships are based on trust and respect, then relations between the United States and Japan are facing one of their rockiest moments at a time when solid ties are critical.

First, negotiators from the 12 member nations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact acknowledged they weren’t able to reach a conclusion at their Maui meeting after all. Followed by that, the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks released information alleging the the United States was tapping phone calls from senior Japanese government officials and corporate executives.

While successful conclusion to the TPP negotiations remains shaky, the WikiLeaks revelations may have a lasting impact on trade talks between the United States and its key Asian ally.

A matter of trust and mutual respect
What’s more, allegations of the United States betraying the trust of Japan could have repercussions far beyond the domain of trade negotiations, highly sensitive though they are.

According to the WikiLeaks documents, the United States started spying on Japanese officials in 2006. It targeted cabinet members as well as the governor of the Bank of Japan and senior finance ministry officials.

In a replay of similar transgressions by the U.S. government in Europe, executives from major companies (including Mitsubishi and Mitsui) were also targeted by the NSA over the years.

Tapping into these various channels for information about Japan’s negotiation tactics to reach a consensus in the TPP is a touchy matter, to put it mildly. After all, these issues go to the very heart of sovereignty and democracy – and mutual trust (or the lack thereof).

If the WikiLeaks revelations are accurate, then they imply that the NSA’s interests in tapping into 35 targets was not just undertaken in the interest of U.S. security but was of broader economic interest.

The anti-secrecy group specifically stated that the NSA gathered information on Japanese deliberation regarding agricultural imports, negotiating positions in the Doha round of the WTO, energy policy and technical development plans.

Moreover, WikiLeaks reported that one of the intercepted top-secret classified reports was formally authorized to release to its five intelligence partners, namely Australia, Canada, Britain and New Zealand.

Questioned about the leaks during a parliamentary debate, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, “If true, it is deeply regrettable.” His tepid public response, however, could backfire against the premier down the line.

Escalation of existing resentment

TPP negotiations are still ongoing. While there are high expectations of bringing together all member countries, the U.S. spying allegations certainly provides valuable ammunition for opponents of a deal, including farming groups.

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In a broader context, these revelations will also add to resentment about Japan’s readiness to make concessions to the United States on key issues, like the prospect of raising the ceiling for U.S. rice imports.

Japanese carmakers, too, have cause for bitterness. The TPP is expected to have a provision that would allow the United States to impose tariffs on Japanese cars if U.S. auto sales fall noticeably after tariffs are repealed.

The biggest fallout from WikiLeaks, though, may actually manifest itself in security relations between Tokyo and Washington.

The Japanese media have called for the Abe administration to demand an explanation from the White House, as France and Germany did when it was discovered that they, too, were being spied upon.

An oped in the leading Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun argued, “It is as if the United States is viewing Japan as an enemy.”

There have already been growing concerns about Japan being in lockstep with the United States on issues concerning national defense, regardless of the will of Japanese voters. Indeed, 60% of Japanese voters oppose the reinterpretation of the country’s pacifist constitution, according to a Kyodo News poll in July.

Only 32% support Shinzo Abe’s push to allow Japan the right to collective self-defense in such a manner that it would expand the boundaries of Japan’s military engagements overseas.

Bleak future of joint ventures

The Wikileaks revelations therefore do not just hinder the conclusion of a possible trade deal but also — which is bad from both Prime Minister Abe’s and the U.S. government’s vantage point — endanger their joint pursuit of a more expansive Japanese military.

No wonder that the debate over the constitution has been cited as one of the biggest reasons for the premier’s public support level to tumbling to 38% (and that was the data point before the news from Wikileaks).

While U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has called Abe to apologize for “causing trouble” as a result of the WikiLeaks allegations, that alone won’t do.

Among democratic nations that are supposedly close allies, further clarification on the alleged spying activities will be critical to ensure stability of relations between the United States and Japan in future.