Top �� Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister

(Provisional Translation)

Japan - U.K. Joint Press Conference

Saturday, 19 July 2003 I. Remarks by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi It is my great honour to welcome Prime Minister Blair and Mrs. Blair, here in Hakone, with the wonderful nature and greenery. I have enjoyed a highly significant talk with Prime Minister Blair within a very Japan-like atmosphere. We discussed international situations as well as the enhancement of the bilateral relationship. With regard to international affairs, we talked about such issues as North Korea, Iraq and the Middle East peace process. I believe we, Prime Minister Blair and I, have shared our evaluation on international situations and values, and that, we have decided to further cooperate not only in the bilateral, but also in the international spheres. Considering Japan's future role in the international society, the close Japan-UK and the Japan-US relationships have been and will continue to play important roles. In the bilateral relations, we agreed that we should strengthen our cooperation in the three particular areas, information and communication technology (ICT), science and technology and environment, and announced joint statements in these areas. I believe both the United Kingdom and Japan play leading roles in these areas and can contribute to the further development of the international community. Just today Prime Minister Blair has announced that the United Kingdom will participate in the 2005 International Exposition in Aichi. The theme of the Expo is co-existence with nature and the environment. Therefore the participation of the United Kingdom is going to have a significant meaning for the success of this Expo, because the United Kingdom is one of the most advanced countries in the area of environmental conservation and in science and technology. I am grateful for their participation and looking forward to the active participation in the exhibitions by the British parties. In the area of tourism and investment promotion, we have also decided to continue our cooperation. This evening Prime Minister Blair and Mrs. Cherie Blair will spend the night on a tatami floor mat. Probably it will be their first time to stay on a futon in a tatami room instead of on a bed. They may be exhausted by jetlag after travelling from the US, and I hope that they will enjoy the traditional Japanese atmosphere, though a short stay. On Iraqi issue, I believe, Prime Minister Blair has made a difficult but a courageous and right decision. As a politician, I deeply respect Prime Minister Blair. I expect that he shall continue his determined attitude and stance in international affairs, as well as play a leading role in the development of our nations. Based on our mutual trust as politicians, I shall also do my best in all the areas to further our bilateral cooperation in various areas by closely exchanging views and information, while recognising the importance of our bilateral relations in the international community. II. Remarks by Prime Minister Tony Blair First of all, can I thank Prime Minister Koizumi for his kindness in welcoming myself and my wife here, and to say how pleased I am to be back in Japan for what is the first full bilateral visit that I have made for several years. Can I also say how great an importance I attach to the strengthening of our bilateral relations, and there are three joint statements that we have signed today, in the fields of science and technology, information technology and climate change. And Japan, as the country that hosted the Kyoto Summit and has played such an important part in developing the international response to climate change, Japan has much leadership still to give in this area, and I am delighted that Britain is going to play a part with Japan in trying to develop the technologies for the future, which is the only way we are going to be able to reduce this threat to our environment. Can I say too how pleased I was to be able to have the exchange of views with Japanese business people, many of whom are big investors in the United Kingdom. And it is worth just pointing out that there are literally tens of thousands of UK jobs dependent on Japanese investment decisions, and I found the exchange with the Japanese business community this morning very worthwhile indeed. The discussion that we have just had, I think has been a very important discussion, both in our bilateral relations and in terms of the security of the wider world. We discussed of course the situation in North Korea, we discussed the situation in Iraq and in the Middle East, and I think one very important development is happening under Prime Minister Koizumi's leadership. Japan is playing its full part in the international community, and we badly need Japan to do so. It is very clear to me that the problems to do not just with this region, but the wider world, cannot be resolved without Japan's participation. It is one reason why we believe so strongly in the reform of the UN Security Council that it includes the position of Japan. And Prime Minister Koizumi, both in the decisions he has taken in respect of this region, but also in the decisions that are before the Diet now in respect of the self-defence forces and Iraq, those decisions I think are of tremendous importance, and I know they are difficult but I also do say to people in Japan, they are immensely important I believe for the security and competence of the international community. And so I think one very important development out of our meeting today has been the clear recognition that the relations between our two countries of course are strong economic relations, but they are, and must continue to be now, equally strong in the political field. We share the same basic values, we share the same perspective on many of the issues in our world today, and the cooperation between our two countries, between our two countries and the United States and other key partners, I think all of that augurs very well for the future. And I was particularly interested to get first-hand from Prime Minister Koizumi his reflections on these issues, where he shows I believe great wisdom and leadership. So thank you once again for welcoming us here today. And in conclusion let me say again how pleased I am at the strength of British and Japanese relations, and I hope that strength is yet further exemplified by our decision to participate fully in the 2005 Aichi Exposition. Thank you.