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Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi to Visit Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore

April 28, 1998

1. Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi will visit Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore from May 1 (Fri) to 5 (Tue).

2. During his visits, Mr. Obuchi will meet with the prime ministers, foreign ministers, and other important persons of the three countries to exchange views on such issues as bilateral relations, the Asian econimic crisis and the regional situation.

3. In Singapore, Mr. Obuchi will deliver a policy speech on the prospects of Japan and East Asia in the 21st century.

1. Contribution for the East Asian Economic Crisis
     Mr. Obuchi is the first Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Southeast Asia since the econimic crisis spread throughout East Asia. His visit will demonstrate Japan's willingness to share the pain as an Asian country and tide over the crisis together.
     Mr. Obuchi will explain to the three countries which are ASEAN's opinion leaders Japan's assistance measures for the East Asian economic crisis and will express Japan's firm resolution to restore its own economy, as shown by the Comprehensive Economic Measures, the largest in history, that could help the Asian economy to recover. (The two leaders of Japan and Indonesia have already had close cousultations.)

2. Importance of Japan's relations with the U.S. and European Countries including the G8 Summit
     It is important for Japan, in its dealings with the U.S. and European countries, that it should take up a position of sincerely tackling the restoration of the Asian economy immediately before the G8 summit meeting and gain the understanding of countries in Asia.
     It is significant for strengthening Japan's position as the only participant from Asia, that it should, through an exchange of views with the leaders of the three countries, gain a clear-cut understanding of the realities of the Asian economy and of the requests for its restoration.

3. Establishment of Japan-East Asia Relations for the 21st century
     Mr. Obuchi will make a policy speech in Singapore, the last leg of his tour, presenting his view of East Asia in the 21st century, taking account of the expansion and deepening mutually-dependent relations between Japan and the East Asia.
     Reflecting his views, Mr. Obuchi will make a proposal on the coutrubution that Japan ant the East Asia should make in concert toward an ideal 21st century.