Monday, July 9, 2001
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New US Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. With regard to the case of alleged rape of a Japanese woman in Chatan, Okinawa, by a US serviceman, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his regret and asked for tightening of discipline by the US military to ensure that this kind of case would never happen again. In response, Ambassador Baker conveyed President George W. Bush's regret and stated, "This kind of incident must never occur again." With regard to the importance of Japan-US relationship, Ambassador Baker noted, "I would like to point out that the Japan-US relationship is a foundation for peace, not only of the Asia Pacific region, but of the entire world," and added, "I would like to visit Okinawa in the near future." |