Press Conference by Spokesman
Ken Shimanouchi on the Visit of
Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to Brunei

Brunei
7 January 1997

Transcript

1. Japan's view of the current situation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
2. Significance of the visit of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to Brunei

I. Japan's view of the current situation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Spokesman for the Government of Japan Ken Shimanouchi: In about five minutes, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto will be received in audience by H.M. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. This will be followed by a one-hour Summit Meeting. After that, there will be a dinner hosted by H.M. Sultan Bolkiah in honor of Prime Minister Hashimoto. I would like to explain the significance that we attach to this visit. Before doing that, let me explain how we view the current situation in the ASEAN countries, and how we view Japan's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). I would like to discuss three aspects in this context. The first aspect is the close traditional ties we have with ASEAN countries. The ASEAN countries are our neighbors. But more than that, the ASEAN countries are our close friends. We have long-standing close ties with ASEAN, which is a major trading partner for Japan. ASEAN accounts for approximately 16 percent of Japan's total trade, and is also a supplier of energy for Japan. We import ten percent of our petroleum from ASEAN countries, and 80 percent of our natural gas imports come from ASEAN. From the viewpoint of ASEAN, Japan is an important partner in terms of trade and investment, and also official development assistance (ODA). Over the years, Japan has contributed to the nation-building efforts of all ASEAN countries. That is the first aspect. The second aspect is ASEAN's spectacular development in recent years, and its increasing role in the international community. In 1997, ASEAN will mark its 30th anniversary. Since achieving accelerated growth and dramatic development, particularly since the latter half of the 1980s, ASEAN has moved forward with regional economic cooperation. A good example of that is the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). Furthermore, through the intensification of dialogue at various levels, ASEAN has achieved greater unity. In this context, ASEAN is continuing efforts to bring about even greater economic development. Against the backdrop of dramatic economic development in recent years, ASEAN has also been pursuing very active foreign policies. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the holding of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) are good examples of this. Moreover, with the end of the Cold War, and with the realization of peace in Cambodia, the division in Southeast Asia has disappeared. So, the Heads of State of ASEAN have confirmed their intent to encompass all the countries of Southeast Asia to continue securing stable development in the region. That is the second aspect. The third aspect is the deepening of ties between Japan and the countries of ASEAN. Together with such dramatic growth and development in the countries of ASEAN, there has been a tremendous deepening in the relationship between Japan and these countries, not only in terms of ODA, but in terms of trade and investment. This has resulted in a deepening of mutual competitiveness between Japan and ASEAN. However, Japan's relations with countries of the ASEAN does not stop here. Our relations have matured beyond the bilateral dimension, and now cover a broad spectrum including cooperation in the international community. This is a very important aspect that I would like to underscore.

II. Significance of the visit of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to Brunei

Spokesman for the Government of Japan Ken Shimanouchi: Next, I would like to go on to the significance of this visit. This is the first visit to the ASEAN countries by the Hashimoto Administration. Since becoming prime minister, Prime Minister Hashimoto visited Bangkok for the ASEM Meeting. More recently he was in the Philippines for the APEC Leaders Meeting. However, this is the first official visit by Prime Minister Hashimoto to the ASEAN countries. During this visit, Prime Minister Hashimoto will once again underscore the importance of ASEAN in Japan's foreign policy. Prime Minister Hashimoto will also seek to deepen understanding of the basic policies of the Hashimoto Government in his meetings with the leaders of the ASEAN countries. He will also seek to engage in a thorough exchange of views on the future state of Japan-ASEAN relations, as well as compare notes on the international situation. Another important objective of this visit is to strengthen individual relations of trust with the ASEAN leaders, as well as to forge a strong personal rapport with the leaders. The other key objective of this visit is the strengthening of relations between Japan and the ASEAN countries. In recent years, ASEAN has been making impressive efforts to enhance regional political stability, and to make its economies even stronger. ASEAN has also been pursuing active diplomatic policies. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Hashimoto plans to confirm the importance of ASEAN in both economic and political terms for Japan. He will be discussing ways and means to further improve trade and investment relations between Japan and ASEAN, and to enhance dialogue with the ASEAN countries. Secondly, he will reaffirm Japan's intention to enhance cooperation in the international community with the ASEAN countries, e.g., ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and ARF. Thirdly, he will confirm Japan's intent to work with ASEAN countries in addressing issues facing the @international community, in order to make the world a better place to live. For example, he will probably be discussing cooperation in regard to environmental issues, and perhaps welfare, as well. This is of particular importance since ASEAN is a model for the rest of the developing world. We attach a great deal of importance to this aspect. Furthermore, ASEAN has developed policies from its own perspective, and has long since developed traditional relationships of friendship and cooperation with our country. This visit will serve to further deepen the relations of trust and cooperation between Japan and the nations of Asia. In his meeting with H.M. the Sultan Bolkiah, Prime Minister Hashimoto will be having discussions with these issues in mind. Brunei is the first leg of this historic visit. In the meeting with H.M. the Sultan Bolkiah, Prime Minister Hashimoto hopes to discuss the future of Japan's ties with the ASEAN countries. They will probably be exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest to the two sides. They will be talking about the bilateral relations between Japan and Brunei, which we believe are of excellent standing. As you know, this is the first trip by a Japanese prime minister since then-Prime Minister Miyazawa visited Brunei in 1992. Brunei is a stable supplier of energy resources to Japan, a role which the Japanese greatly appreciate. Particularly, Brunei is a supplier of natural gas to Japan, accounting for about 13 percent of Japanese gas imports. Almost all of Brunei's natural gas exports go to Japan. Brunei's natural gas provides a clean source of energy to the Japanese people, particularly the residents of Tokyo and the Osaka area. This is something Japan greatly appreciates. In addition, we understand that Brunei is now making great efforts to diversify its economy. We are well aware of these efforts, and we support them, as well. This will be another aspect which may be discussed by the two leaders a short time from now. I should not be speculating on what the two leaders will be discussing, but it is highly likely that this is one of the major points that will be discussed. We are confident that this visit will contribute to further strengthening of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and that this visit, in practical terms, will lead to intensification of high-level dialogue between the two countries. That is the significance of this visit from the Japanese point of view. Thank you very much.