Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto met the press at his official residence and disclosed his "New Year's resolutions."
Referring to the financial and business uncertainties in and around Japan, he said these are now his top priority agenda.
"Drastic measures we have taken should bring a synergy effect to recover our economic health. This year, the Government will do all it can to first stabilize the financial systems and stimulate business activities, and then, again, strive for our Six-Point Reform," he said.

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto took part in the year's first practice among ex-members of the Kendo club of his alma mater, Keio University. Long qualified as a "senior instructor" of Kendo, he swung and wielded his bamboo sword.
In a Yew Year's party of the club held immediately thereafter, Hashimoto recalled that the practice this season last year coincided with the terrorists' seizure of the Japanese Embassy in Peru. "(For that pressure) I lost 6 kg of my weight then," he said.

Ryutaro Hashimoto paid his second visit as Prime Minister to the Grand Shrine of Ise to worship. For some time now, it has been customary for the Japanese prime minister to do so during the New Year's holidays.
He arrived there at noon and toured the outer and inner sanctuaries with a high Shinto priest, accompanied by 11 Cabinet ministers including Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka.

The Government started its "headquarters" at the Prime Minister's official residence (headed by Ryutaro Hashimoto) to lead the nation in cutting green-house gas emissions. The special organ's agenda also included afforestation to absorb CO2 and technical aid to developing countries with energy-saving technologies.
Hashimoto implored the participating Cabinet ministers to "do everything we can although the mission is not an easy one."

In the 142nd Upper and Lower Houses Joint Plenary Session called on January 12, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto made a speech on "measures to stabilize the financial system and invigorate industries." He voiced his strong opinion:
"Faced with national and international apprehension about our current financial system, the Government shall take every possible measure to safeguard it."
The Parliament was asked to understand and support the Government's supplementary budget bill for fiscal 1997 (ending March 31, 1998) which includes financial incentives and special tax cuts.

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto met at his official residence his UK counterpart, Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, M.P., Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The two later announced a "Japan-UK Common Vision Beyond Year 2000" in which the two countries would cooperate on the promotion of social security and the like.
"The reform process may cause pain in the short run but in the long run should help build vigorous open economies," the announcement reads.
The two leaders also confirmed their common bids to bring Asia and Europe closer together, particularly in the economy, and to cooperate in coping with the environment, terrorism and other global issues.

Full 3 years have passed since the "Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake" wreaked havoc and killed 6,430 people. At various ceremonies held in the area, mourners gathered to pray for the victims and vowed anew to restore themselves.
Hyogo Prefectural Government officiated its ceremony at its civic hall from 11:00 a.m. It was attended by Governor Toshitami Kaihara, their Imperial Highness Prince and Princess Akishino, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and about 400 of the bereaved.
Giving his speech of condolence, Hashimoto expressed his determination to "do all the Government can to realize a safer homeland for the nation." Next spoke Atsushi Shimokobe, ex-chairman of a restoration aid committee, reading a "January 17 Declaration" essentially to the same effect.

Premier Hashimoto at his official residence met US Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen and, referring to the new "guidelines" for defense cooperation now under bilateral consideration, pledged to "promote the joint review work seriously."
As for the issues of possible relocation/reduction of US military bases in Okinawa, Hashimoto explained the present state of affairs.

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto at his official residence gave a citation to Takao Doi, the first Japanese astronaut who worked in space outside the space ship (Columbia). Doi became the 3rd Japanese astronaut thus cited --- in succession to Mamoru Mori (1992) and Ms. Chiaki Mukai (1994).
After the formalities, Doi presented the Prime Minister with an "official flight kit" containing a Japanese flag carried in Columbia, flight crew's photographs, and other items.

Guests at the official residence of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto on January 27 were two foreign prime ministers --- Mr. Sultanov Utkur Tukhtamuradovich from the Republic of Uzbekistan (top) and Mr. Rasizade Artur from the Republic of Azerbaijan (bottom).
Hashimoto met one first, then the other, discussing with both on Asian currency crises and their reactions to IMF recommendations.
Sultanov spoke of his own country and noted the "difficulty of accomplishing IMF prerequisites within a short period of time."
Well aware, Hashimoto said: "Countries' conditions vary. There may be limitations to the IMF's uniform rules," suggesting that international aid should conform to the particular condition and need of each country.
In talks with Mr. Rasizade, Hashimoto explained Japanese preparedness to give Japanese yen loans, to which the guest expressed a note of gratitude.

Japanese athletes competing in the Winter Olympic Games (Feb.7~22) and Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) held a delegation organizing party with a toast at a Tokyo hotel and 214 of the 313 Japanese athletes and Games organizers attending.
In a cheers party that followed, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto showed up and encouraged the team to retain their best physical and mental conditions and perform in a manner for which they will always feel proud.

In the wake of UNDOF's decision to stay longer in the Golan Heights to keep opposing forces apart, some of Japanese UNDOF troopers will be replaced.
Fourteen of the replacement force constituents (headed by Masanori Satoh) visited Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to report that they were leaving.
Satoh, representing land, sea and air divisions, vowed to do their best in the Golan PKO zone, and Hashimoto promised an all-out support.