ADDRESS BY HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR AT THE STATE DINNER IN HONOR OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND MRS. RODHAM CLINTON

APRIL 17, 1996

I wish to extend a heartfelt welcome to Your Excellency President Clinton of the United States of America on this occasion of your visit to our country as a state guest, together with Mrs. Clinton, notwithstanding your heavy official schedule at home and abroad. It is a great pleasure indeed to spend this evening with you here.

The year before last, I visited the United States, with the Empress, at the kind invitation of you, Mr. President, and Mrs. Clinton. We received heartwarming hospitality from you both in Washington, D.C. and were welcomed with genuine goodwill by so many Americans everywhere we visited in the course of our two-week trip across the United States continent and on to Hawaii. Throughout the visit, I was reminded once again of the strong bond of friendship between our two countries. I was also deeply impressed by the way your country continues to move forward, embracing a wide diversity of people and constantly refreshing the ideals of democracy.

In January last year, in the wake of the great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, we received warm sympathy and generous support not only from the government but from many citizens of the United States. I am deeply grateful for the goodwill and friendship extended to us by your government and people.

I pay my respects to you, Mr. President, for your energetic endeavor to bring about various reforms at home, as well as for your ceaseless efforts to maintain peace and promote development in many places in the world, as President of the country which plays the leading role in international society which is at present in a state of flux. At the same time, it is reassuring, Mr. President, that you give your personal attention to the promotion of friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States.

During the more than fifty years since the end of the last world war, the people of Japan and the United States have built up an unprecedented relationship of close cooperation through their shared wisdom and untiring mutual efforts. As the peoples of the world are still groping towards a new order in the international sphere, it is my fervent wish that the people of Japan and the United States, looking back on their past experiences and deepening their understanding of history, culture and society, will combine their efforts to resolve the various problems they confront as they diligently pursue their common goal of world peace and prosperity.

Taking place during the season of cherry blossom, which has come to symbolize the friendship between our two countries, I sincerely hope that your present visit will bear much fruit and contribute to furthering the friendship between our two peoples and their happiness.

I now wish to raise my glass in a toast to the health of His Excellency the President and Mrs. Clinton as well as to the happiness of the American people.