I am most grateful for your kind words and delighted to be back in Japan for my fourth visit as Prime Minister. It is always a great pleasure to come, and every time I marvel at your achievements.
May I also take this opportunity to congratulate Toshiki Kaifuyou on your appointment as Prime Minister. Of course I was not at all surprised, [end p1] since you had already been Minister of Education—indeed twice—and everyone knows there is no better preparation for being Prime Minister than a spell in charge of Education!
We are also very pleased because of your close connections with the United Kingdom. You have been a very active participant in the work of the UK-Japan 2,000 Group, for [end p2] which we are very grateful. You were also awarded an honorary Knighthood at the time of The Queen's State Visit to Japan in 1975. You will not, therefore, be surprised to know that we feel that we have a friend and champion in you, and that feeling has been reinforced by the talks we have had today. [end p3]
We have very much admired the way you have got off to a flying start as Prime Minister with your very successful visits to the United States, Canada and Mexico, all of which you managed with the greatest skill and distinction. We look forward to seeing you at the next Economic Summit.
Of course none of us should be surprised by [end p4] your success since your constituency of Aichi was the home of the three great war lords who unified Japan. I cannot pronounce their names. But I do know that one was famous for being ruthless, one for being strong-willed and one for being infinitely patient—a quality for which I am widely noted myself. With all that behind you, you are [end p5] obviously destined to be a truly formidable leader for Japan.
Prime Minister, we have had a very good session of talks and we have done a television broadcast together, and on Friday we shall both be at the meeting of the IDU. I think I can say we understand each other well. You have adopted as the watchwords for [end p6] your Government “dialogue and reform” , two admirable aims. I would only add one thing: dialogue is always valuable provided it leads on to action—and I have indicated in our talks and in my speech to the economic organisations today a number of areas where we believe there is still scope for action. And you have told me where you would like [end p7] to see Britain and the European Community act.
We are very conscious of the great and increasing role which Japan plays in the world. I would particularly mention the very generous and valuable economic assistance which you are providing to developing countries and commend in particular your [end p8] recent help to Nigeria, which we hope will be continued. We found a very great deal in common in our discussions: our strong commitment to democracy under a rule of law, our belief in open markets and free trade, our commitment to strong defence—the United Kingdom through NATO and Japan through its Treaty with the United States. I know that your personal mottos are [end p9] “politics begins with sincerity” and “perserverance leads to success” . I would like to think they characterise also the relations between Britain and Japan: the sincerity which comes with plain speaking, and perserverance in seeking ever better relations.
I hope that as a result of my visit the relations between Britain and Japan will [end p10] be even closer than before—and I believe that they will.
May I once again thank you for your hospitality and propose a toast to Emperor AkihitoHis Majesty The Emperor.