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Prime Minister Obuchi to Meet President Clinton in Washington Japan Information and Culture Center, EMBASSY OF JAPAN PRIME MINISTER OBUCHI TO MEET PRESIDENT CLINTON IN WASHINGTON Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi is scheduled to visit the United States later this month on an invitation extended by U.S. P President Bill Clinton during Mr. Clintons visit to Japan in November 1998. The Prime Minister will have talks with President Clinton on May 3. The visit is the first official visit of a Japanese prime minister to the United States in 12 years. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide-range of international, regional and bilateral issues, including the NATO campaign in the former Yugoslavia, which Japan supports. Japan has been contributing emergency assistance to refugees in the Kosovo crisis. The talks will cover measures to strengthen the Japan-U.S. security alliance, the Asian financial meltdown and North Koreas nuclear APR. 1999 program, including a suspected underground nuclear facility. The 4 Prime Minister will inform the President of the progress in his widespread reform efforts to boost Japans recession-gripped CONTENTS economy. Other topics will include trade issues and the Japan-U.S. Strong collaboration Common Agenda. They are also expected to confirm the cooperative The two nations are working together relationship between our two countries into the 21st century, which on their Common Agenda. 2 will enable Japan and the United States to play leading roles in dealing with emerging global issues. Response to Kosovo 2 Structural reforms The Action Plan, brings dramatic changes to many economic sectors. 3 Trends in Japan Ecomoney, encourages volunteerism; seniors adopt a more active lifestyle. 4 Viewpoint Japan and the U.S. can learn from each other amidst the challenges of globalization. 5 Science Watch Japans state-of-the-art telescope in Hawaii opens a new door to the universe. 6 Beyond Differences Basketmakers in rural Japan developed a very special craft. 7 The Art of Bonsai The ancient practice of raising trees in miniature is thriving in the U.S. 8 Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, center, talks to speed skating star Tomomi Okazaki, left, and former Olympic swimming team member Yasuko Tajima, right, under blooming cherry blossoms during an annual reception to view the blossoms hosted by the Prime Minister at Shinjuku Gyoen Park in Tokyo, April 17th. STRONG BILATERAL COOPERATION HUMANITARIAN RELIEF On April 19, the Japanese Government announced assistance of $15 million through the UNHCR and other organizations to respond quickly to the deterioration of the humanitarian THE COMMON AGENDA situation in Kosovo. In addition, the Japanese In advance of Prime Minister Obuchi's Cabinet decided April 6 to provide the office of T planned visit to the U.S. next month, the the United Nations High Commissioner for ninth high level plenary meeting of the Refugees (UNHCR) with 1,000 tents as Japan-U.S. Common Agenda was held at the State assistance in kind for Kosovo refugees on the Department in Washington on April 8. basis of the International Peace Cooperation Law. The plenary was co-chaired by Under- Each tent will be able to accommodate ten Secretary of State for Global Affairs Frank Loy and people, so shelter should be available for 10,000 Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kouichi refugees. There are nearly 400,000 refugees since Haraguchi, included various government agencies the beginning of the air raids. In light of this represented on both sides. The consultations have critical situation, the UNHCR has requested been held annually, and the Ninth reviewed the Japan to provide the 1,000 tents which will cost progress of the various activities under the Common about 130 million yen. Japan also dispatched a Agenda in 1998, and discussed the possible future fact finding mission to the Former Yugoslav direction of Japan-U.S. cooperation. Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of The Common Agenda has four main pillars, Albania to look into the situation on the ground to promoting health and human development, identify the needs for further assistance. Director responding to challenges to global stability, Yoshitaka Akimoto of the Central and East Europe protecting the global environment and advancing Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed science and technology. Under the four headings, the mission which arrived in Macedonia April 8 18 specific areas of cooperation were envisaged. and returned to Tokyo April 14. As a result of this The Washington session reviewed the new assistance, Japans assistance to the refugees activities in all these areas and, in discussing future and displaced persons in and around Kosovo cooperation, decided to promote several new comes to a total of about $25 million including projects. For example, the two governments will that extended last year. cooperate in promoting such programs as Ocean Drilling and Ocean Observations, both of which will contribute to deepening our understanding of the talks on Kosovo because of the uncompromising mechanisms of climate change. The two sides also attitude of the government of the Federal Republic discussed how to deal with the economic and social of Yugoslavia. It is extremely regrettable that it has problems that have arisen in Asia, triggered by the led to the current situation. financial and economic crisis in the region. 2. The government of the Federal Republic of The results of the consultation will be reported to Yugoslavia adamantly refuses to accept the the Prime Minister and President Clinton, and the proposed peace agreement while at the same time whole area of cooperation under the Common continuing to take actions in violation of the Agenda is expected to be among the areas that the relevant United Nations Security Council two leaders will discuss in their Washington Resolutions. Japan understands NATOs use of summit. force as measures that had to be taken to prevent the humanitarian catastrophe of a further increase RESPONSE TO KOSOVO in victims. Japan is presently following the development of the situation with great concern. The Government of Japan issued the 3. It is essential to have a peace agreement between R following statement on March 25, in the two parties, the government of the Federal JJAPAN response to the use of force by NATO Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanians, NOW in the Kosovo situation. to ultimately resolve this issue. Japan strongly urges 1. Despite the tireless diplomatic efforts by the the government of the Federal Republic of 2 United States and various European countries, an Yugoslavia to immediately accept the peace agreement could not be reached at the Paris peace agreement proposed by the Contact Group. STRUCTURAL REFORMS TOUCH MANY SECTORS In May 1997, the Japanese Government adopted a comprehensive Action Plan for Economic Structural Reform, designed to A silver koro (incense-burner), circa 1890, on display in Splendors of Meiji: bring about dramatic changes and I Treasures of Imperial Japan, an art exhibition running through September 6th at improvements throughout Japans domestic the First USA Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington, Delaware. For more economy by the year 2001. The structural reforms are information, call toll free at 1-888-395-0005 or visit the website www.splendorsofmeiji.com. (courtesy Kibo Foundation) needed to restore Japans economic competitiveness in response to global economic trends, the maturation of Japans industrial structure and the progressive aging effects of global warming, legislation will be of its population. implemented in April 1999, requiring factories and One of the key components of the plan is the offices to conserve energy and preserve the Developing an Environment Favorable to New environment through stringent standards. Business Activities, initiative to promote the growth Business Support-Related Services: Research has of new business enterprises and stimulate activity in been undertaken to facilitate the development of 15 sectors, projected to deliver high growth and model contracts and other measures to encourage employment in the 21st century. Measures include a outsourcing. wide range of initiatives facilitating deregulation, Ocean and Maritime: During FY 1997, technologies improving the development of new technologies, and were developed to allow the design and construction of maximizing human resources, rational capital land extensions along shorelines. allocation and efficient, competitive markets. Some of Biotechnology: Japan's approval process for the highlights achieved so far: biotechnology-related patents has been computerized. Information and Telecommunications: In June 1998, a Urban Renewal: On December 25, 1997, the Ministry report prepared by the Prime Minister's task force on of Construction required local governments to adopt Information and Telecommunications was released, special construction and zoning regulations to leading to a review of Japan's electronic commerce facilitate urban renewal. policies. The report includes measures to address Aviation and Space: In FY 1999, regulations issues pertaining to privacy, consumer protection, requiring domestic airlines to serve uneconomical electronic certification and other changes by 2001. locations will be abolished, allowing routes to be Medical Care and Welfare: Import monitoring of determined through a greater reliance on market cosmetic products has been relaxed and private forces of supply and demand. companies are now allowed to exhibit cosmetics that New Energy and Conservation: Government are in the process of being approved
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