Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto met Chinese Minister of National Defense Mr. Chi Haotian at his official residence in Tokyo. The visitor expressed his opinion that "bilateral defense talks should be promoted in keeping with the steadily developing political and economic ties between the two countries."
Hashimoto agreed to a broader range of exchange programs and, referring to President Jiang Zemin's planned visit to Japan in the coming autumn, expressed his expectation that "the two countries' reciprocity will continue to grow."

"Games from the Heart Together with Love" --- With this slogan the 18th Winter Olympics in Nagano were officially opened at 11 a.m. at a public athletic ground in the host city. The Opening Ceremony was simply rendered with some symbolic rites of Japanese culture --- the "ceremonial raising of pillars" (of Suwa district) and a parade of qualified sumo wrestlers. Those wrestlers, accompanied by children, also led the Parade of Athletes.
After a welcome speech by Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee, the Emperor declared the 16-day Games featuring 2,340 athletes from 72 countries and regions open.
Following the Opening Ceremony, Prime Minister and Mrs. Hashimoto hosted a reception party for visiting foreign celebrities in Nagano.

The Prime Minister's Office and many other supporting organizations together held their annual "Ceremony for the Nation to Celebrate the National Foundation Day" in Hibiya Park, central Tokyo, with about 1,700 people attending. Prime Minister Hashimoto as a guest delivered a speech:
"All the systems that have taken root in postwar Japan we now need to improve as ages go by. At the moment, it behooves us to rebuild our economic strength and implement my Administration's 6-point reform programs."

Prime Minister Hashimoto met visiting President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski, at his official residence in Tokyo.
The two leaders agreed on mutual visa exemption for non-working tourists staying less than 3 months. This will be put into effect in early May, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hashimoto and Kwasniewski also decided to hold a vice ministerial conference by the end of March in Warsaw to develop the two countries' relationships.

Over the issue of Iraqi resistance to UN inspection of Iraq's suspected locations of weapons of mass destruction, Premier Hashimoto talked with US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson.
While requesting that the US make further efforts to earn the international community's understanding, Hashimoto said to Richardson: "Iraqi refusal to unconditional UN inspection poses a threat to peace and security of the world and is unacceptable."

At the Lower and Upper House Joint Session on the afternoon of Feb. 16, Prime Minister Hashimoto covered current issues of the country in his policy speech.
While stressing the necessity of "restoring a stable financial system and a healthy economy," he reiterated that "there has been no change in the need for fiscal structural reform."
Hashimoto then expressed his serious concern over the frequent reports of juvenile delinquency, such as the case of a junior high schooler who knifed his teacher to death, and pledged his strong will to push for educational reform.
Referring to foreign policies, Hashimoto said his administration closely watches the fast changing world and will respond flexibly in its own way.

The Prime Minister's citation of successful Japanese Olympians at Nagano was held at his official residence.
Prime Minister Hashimoto said to them: "You all did so well. The way you played impressed the nation and gave the younger generation big dreams, hopes and vigor."
Hiroyasu Shimizu, a gold medal winner, replied, "We achieved good results thanks to many people's encouragement. We will try to do even better."
The seven gold medalists were each presented with a silver cup, and the other high-ranked and personal record makers were given a memorial token.

Mr. Heydar Alirza Oglu Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was a guest at the Prime Minister's official residence on Feb. 26. Hashimoto strongly voiced his hopes for closer ties between the two countries, such as establishing an Embassy in each other's capital, saying, "The progress of Azerbaijan should lead that of Eurasia as a whole. The Japanese will make every effort to help your people and their advance towards a market economy."
Before they talked, Aliyev and Hashimoto signed two joint announcements concerning mutual cooperation in addition to the announcement in which Japan promises its first loan in Yen currency to Azerbaijan.