Statement by the Press Secretary
on the Meeting between
Vice-President Al Gore of the United States
and Prime Minister Hashimoto
March 24, 1997
This visit of Vice President Al Gore was a vital step to build comprehensive and cooperative relations with the second Clinton Administration in the context of close high-level talks such as visits of Secretary of State Madeliene Albright in February, Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin and Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April, as well as the visit of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to the United States in late April. The Government of Japan believes that this visit has produced the following results to further promote the balanced and cooperative relationship between Japan and the United States under the second Clinton Administration:
With regard to our bilateral relations, the Vice President reaffirmed that Japan is a key ally of the United States and its closest partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
In particular, in regard to the Japan-US Security Arrangements, the Prime Minister and the Vice President agreed to encourage cooperation such as close consultations on the review of the Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation and on US military structure, in line with the "Japan-US Joint Declaration on Security." Furthermore, in regard to military bases in Okinawa, it was reaffirmed that this issue will continue to be addressed earnestly as one of the most important issues while respecting the feelings of the people of Okinawa.
In addition to affirming that economic relations between Japan and the United States are good ones, Vice President Gore stated that the Unites States supports and has high hopes for growth led by domestic demand as well as for the economic structural reforms being advanced by the Hashimoto Administration.
Vice President Gore's visit to Japan preceded visits to China and Republic of Korea. There was an exchange of opinions about major issues of the Asia Pacific region and it was reaffirmed that there would be close cooperation between Japan and the United States.
The Prime Minister and the Vice President agreed to further develop cooperation, beginning with the "Common Agenda," for an even better global society toward the 21st century. They also agreed to positively address the areas of environment, research and forecasting on global change, children's health, and the clean-up of oil spills, and declared future bilateral cooperation in these fields.
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