CHAPTER THREE:
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS
MADE BY JAPAN
Section 1. Promotion of Relations with Other Countries
I. Asia
1. General View
Geographically proximate and having close historical ties with Japan, the Asia region is of special importance for Japan, and the fulfilling of political and economic roles for this region's peace and development is an important pillar of Japan's foreign policy. In 1980 Asia witnessed various positive moves toward stability and prosperity, such as the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the further advance in Japan-China friendship. On the other hand, the Cambodian problem and the Indochinese refugee problem remained unsolved. The flow of Afghan refugees into the neighboring countries, following the occurrence of new tensions in Afghanistan, constituted another unstable factor in Asia. In these circumstances surrounding Asia, Foreign Minister Ito visited Thailand, Burma, India, Pakistan, and China during the months of August and September, soon after his appointment as Foreign Minister. In January 1981, Prime Minister Suzuki paid official visits to the five ASEAN countries as his first overseas tour after becoming Prime Minister. Thus Japan made an active diplomatic efforts in order to bring about peace and prosperity in the whole region of Asia.
2. Korean Peninsula
(a) The maintenance of peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula is important to the peace and security of East Asia, including Japan. Japan continues its effort to contribute to the creation of an international climate conducive to the realization of peace and the relaxation of tension in this area. As part of its effort, Japan had active dialogues with China, the United States, and other countries which share deep interest in the Korean Peninsula. The exchange of views Japan made from 1980 to the early part of 1981 includes the Ohira-Carter talks, the Ohira-Hua talks, and the Ito-Haig talks. Japan takes the view that, basically, the future of the Korean Peninsula should be left to the decision of the Koreans themselves. However, the preparatory talks for a meeting of the North and South Korean Prime Ministers, which began at Panmunjom in February 1980, have been suspended since August, and the proposal made by ROK President Chun Doo Hwan in January 1981 for mutual visits by the highest leaders of the North and the South has met with a negative reaction from North Korea. Japan regards President Chun's proposal as constructive and, hoping for a fruitful North-South dialogue to resume soon, Japan will continue to watch further developments with great interest.
(b) Japan continues to attach importance to the promotion of friendly relations with the ROK, and is striving to maintain and develop cooperative ties between the two countries. The necessity to maintain Japan-ROK friendship was confirmed in March 1981 when Foreign Minister Ito visited Seoul to attend the inaugural ceremonies of President Chun Doo Hwan. In the latter part of 1980, when the Kim Dae Jung trial was being held in South Korea, Japan, while fully recognizing that the trial was a domestic affair of the ROK, conveyed to the Korean government Japan's interest in the matter. In view of such past developments, Japan appreciated the commutation of his sentence announced in January 1981, as an action conducive to the promption of friendly relations between the two countries.
(c) As regards the relations with North Korea, Japan maintains the policy of developing trading, economic, and cultural exchange step by step.
3. China
(a) The maintenance of friendly and stable relations between Japan and China is not only important to both countries but also necessary for the peace of Asia and the world as well. From such a viewpoint, Japan has been endeavoring to develop good neighborly relations with China.
(b) Following the visit of Prime Minister Ohira to China in December 1979, Premier Hua Guofeng made an official visit to Japan in May 1980 and held talks twice with Japanese leaders on the international situation and bilateral issues. The first Japan-China ministerial meeting was held in Beijing in December 1980, and was attended by six Japanese cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Ito, and Chinese leaders, including Deputy Premier Gu Mu. Frank views were exchanged at that meeting on a wide range of topics, including Japan-China relations and economic and financial matters. Japan-China relations, which have been smoothly developing since the normalization of diplomatic ties in 1972, have now entered an era when the two countries are to build the relationship in more concrete terms.
(c) In the cultural and scientific areas, efforts have been made to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. In May 1980, Japan and China signed a cooperative agreement on science and technology. An agreement on the protection of migratory birds was signed in March 1981. Personnel exchange has been steadily expanding since the normalization of relations. Particularly since the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, visits of ministerial-level officials have also become frequent between the two countries.
4. ASEAN Countries and Burma
Strengthening the mounting spirit of independence and solidarity shown by the ASEAN countries proves to be an important stabilizing factor in Southeast Asia. Japan holds it important to strengthen cooperative relations with the ASEAN countries, give positive support to their self-reliant efforts for socio-economic development, and thus contribute to the strengthening of their resilience. Japan is also making efforts to promote friendly, cooperative ties and mutual understanding with Burma. Of particular note is the fact that in 1980, while Vietnam's invasion of Thailand took place in June of the year, causing a strained international climate in the Indochinese peninsula, the ASEAN countries bolstered their political unity. In support of ASEAN's stand, Japan made the following diplomatic efforts to promote cooperative ties with them:
(a) In the strained situation immediately after Vietnam's invasion of Thailand, Foreign Minister Okita attended the ASEANE Enlarged Foreign Ministers' Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in June, together with the foreign ministers of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. At the Japan-ASEAN foreign ministers' conference, Foreign Minister Okita expressed Japan's regret over Vietnam's invasion of Thailand and called for immediate withdrawal of the Vietnamese troops and prevention of the recurrence of such an incident. He also proposed the establishment of Demilitarized Peace Zone (DPZ) designed to ensure the safe and effective distribution of international aid goods in Cambodia. Thus Japan made various constructive contributions to peace and stability in this area.
(b) In August, immediately after the formation of the Suzuki Cabinet, Foreign Minister Ito visited Thailand and Burma as part of his Asian tour and talked with the leaders of these countries on the Asian situation, including the Cambodian issue, and the promotion of bilateral relations. In Thailand, Foreign Minister Ito visited Cambodian refugee camps and the villages of affected Thai people, and expressed Japan's support for the stance of Thailand and other ASEAN members with regard to the Cambodian problem and the Indochinese refugee problem. He also announced "Japan's Southeast Asia Policy" to clarify this country's positive stance toward the solution of these problems. International Trade and Industry Minister Tanaka also visited the ASEAN countries and Burma in the course of two journeys in September and December for the purpose of promoting economic relations with these countries.
(c) Of particular note is Prime Minister Suzuki's official visit to the five ASEAN countries in January 1981 as his first overseas tour after assuming the office of Prime Minister. Prime Minister Suzuki, while endeavoring to foster personal relations of trust with leaders of the ASEAN countries, sought the establishment of a firm, friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and ASEAN. Through the candid exchange of views with these leaders, Prime Minister Suzuki reached a common goal and recognition concerning the Southeast Asian situation and the future of Japan-ASEAN relations. In Bangkok, Thailand, which was the last stop of his ASEAN tour, Prime Minister Suzuki summed up the achievement of his tour and made a policy speech (called the Bangkok speech) to clarify Japan's basic diplomatic stance, laying stress on the relations with the ASEAN. The speech stressed the following four points:
(I) Japan will not try to become a military power but will endeavor to contribute to Asian peace and stability in a manner commensurate with its national strength and international status.
(II) Japan will strive to establish mature relations with the ASEAN in the spirit of "thinking together and working together."
(III) In economic cooperation with ASEAN, priority will be placed on rural development and the promotion of agriculture, energy sources, human resources, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
(IV) Japan will work together with the ASEAN countries toward the settlement of the Cambodian problem, and once peace has been restored in Indochina, Japan will cooperate in the reconstruction of this area.
(d) In addition, in 1980 and early 1981, notable progress was made in Japan-ASEAN cooperation, including the initiation of new projects promised by Prime Minister Suzuki during his ASEAN tour. Among them were the extension of financial cooperation to the ASEAN industrial projects; the signing of the agreement establishing the ASEAN Promotion Center on Trade, Investment, and Tourism; and the moves to implement ASEAN human resources development projects and an ASEAN regional study promotion program.
5. Indochina
In Indochina, armed conflicts continued following Vietnam's military intervention in Cambodia. For peace and stability not only in Indochina but also in the whole of Southeast Asia, Japan sought the earliest possible peaceful settlement of the Cambodian question, expressed its support for ASEAN's stand, and made clear its policy of striving to restore peace in this area in cooperation with the ASEAN countries. In this connection, Japan made the following diplomatic efforts:
At the Japan-ASEAN foreign ministers' conference, Japan made the afore-mentioned constructive proposals. In compliance with the request made by the ASEAN countries during Foreign Minister Ito's visit to Thailand, Japan called on Latin American and African countries to support Democratic Cambodia's seat at the United Nations from the standpoint of non-recognition of Vietnamese armed intervention in Cambodia. At the U.N. General Assembly in the autumn, Japan co-sponsored an ASEAN resolution that contained guidelines for an international conference on Cambodia which Japan had long been advocating. This resolution was adopted with the support of an overwhelming majority at the General Assembly.
Through his tour of the ASEAN countries, Prime Minister Suzuki reaffirmed his belief that in order to restore peace in Cambodia there was no other way but to bring about a settlement through talks at an international conference based on the U.N. resolution, and called on the U.N. Secretary General to take appropriate action to implement the resolution.
6. The Indochinese Refugee Problem
Thanks to the relief activities for Indochinese refugees and the promotion of their settlement in third countries, which started extensively following the 1979 Geneva Conference and were stepped up considerably throughout 1980, the refugee situation has been eased to some extent.
As of the end of March 1981, however, there are still as many as some 300,000 refugees, mostly in ASEAN countries, and the outflow of refugees is continuing. The Indocbinese refugee problem, therefore, still remains a serious problem, affecting the peace and stability of the Asian and Pacific regions. Specially noteworthy is the fact that approximately 250,000 refugees are staying in Thailand, imposing a heavy burden on that country.
Japan is determined to do its utmost to solve the problem. Besides extending financial relief aids amounting to more than $100 million during fiscal year 1980, the Government of Japan has been trying its best to accept refugees into Japan.
7. Southwest Asia
(a) The countries of Southwest Asia, with their populations totalling more than 800 million, are seriously endeavoring to achieve internal development for economic independence. In the belief that the stability of these countries has a vital bearing on the stability of Asia and the whole world, Japan is striving to promote friendly relations with them through various means, including the extension of economic and technical cooperation. Thus Japan has made its own contribution to the stability of this area.
In particular, Japan doubled its economic aid to Pakistan to support its economic stability in view of various difficulties faced by Pakistan, including the inflow of more than 1,700,000 Afghan refugees triggered by the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan. Japan also conducted active political consultations with the countries of this area to expand the scope of its Asian diplomacy and also to solve the problems in this area, including the Afghan issue.
(b) From August to September, Foreign Minister Ito made an official visit to India and Pakistan during his first tour abroad since his appointment as Foreign Minister, and expressed Japan's constructive interest in the development of this area. In his talks with the leaders of India and Pakistan, Foreign Minister Ito discussed ways and means to strengthen relations between Japan and these nations, as well as the international situation of this part of the world.
(c) In December 1980, Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Aichi made an official tour of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and friendship with these countries.
(d) In March 1981, Their Imperial Highnesses The Crown Prince and Princess of Japan made an official visit to Sri Lanka and received an enthusiastic welcome from the government and people there. Their visit further strengthened the friendly and cooperative ties between the two nations.
II. Oceania
(1) Together with Japan, Australia and New Zealand are advanced democracies in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan and these two countries have mutually complementary economic relations, with Japan buying their mineral and agricultural resources and the two countries importing Japan's industrial products. Besides, Japanese fishing fleets operate in waters off their coasts. On such a basis, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have maintained and developed close political and economic ties.
In full awareness of the importance of commercial and economic relations with Australia and New Zealand, Japan has been promoting close and diverse bilateral contacts with them. From the viewpoint that cooperation with them is essential for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan maintains the policy of developing close cooperative ties with them.
The late Prime Minister Ohira made an official visit to Australia in January 1980. Through talks with Australian Prime Minister Fraser, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two nations were further strengthened and expanded. Further, when Mr. Fraser visited Japan in July to attend the funeral of Prime Minister Ohira, he held talks with Acting Prime Minister Ito, where the necessity of developing bilateral relations in political, economic, cultural, and other areas was reemphasized.
With regard to New Zealand, the late Prime Minister Ohira officially visited New Zealand in January 1980, and conferred with Prime Minister Muldoon, whereby the relations between the two countries were further strengthened. An air route between Japan and New Zealand was opened in July under the agreement signed during this visit, and, as a result, mutual understanding has been further deepened between the two countries through enhanced personnel exchange.
(2) In the South Pacific area, Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides, jointly ruled by Britain and France) became independent in July. As a result, the number of independent countries in this area has increased to nine. The other independent countries are Papua New Guinea, Western Samoa, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Kiribati.
The island countries are striving for nation-building by self-help efforts and also promoting regional cooperation through the South Pacific Forum (SPF) and other means. They are eagerly expecting Japan to extend economic aid.
In response to their self-help efforts for economic and social development, Japan has positively extended economic cooperation so as to bring stability and prosperity to this area. At the same time, Japan has endeavored to expand personnel exchange and enhance mutual understanding with these countries.
In 1980 Japan promoted economic cooperation to these island countries mainly through technical cooperation and grant aid. The late Prime Minister Ohira visited Papua New Guinea in January 1980 on his way home from Australia and New Zealand. Prime Minister Mara of Fiji and Prime Minister Tupuola of Western Samoa visited Japan in May and September respectively. The friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and these countries were strengthened through such personnel exchange.
(3) On the occasion of the above-mentioned visit of Mr. Ohira to Australia, the leaders of the two countries discussed the concept of the Pacific Basin Cooperation and expressed their "intention to further explore it on the basis of a broad regional consensus." As a result, interest in regional cooperation in the Pacific area was heightened, and there were active moves toward this objective, mainly in the private sectors of the countries concerned, including a seminar held by the Australian National University in September 1980.
III. North America
1. The United States
(a) Japan's relationship with the United States has been the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Likewise, the United States has placed relations with Japan in the center of its Asia policy. Thus the two countries have established a very close and cooperative relationship through their constant mutual efforts.
Japan and the United States, standing on the common ground of freedom and democracy, share vital interests in the areas of politics, economy, national security, and others. Only when there is world peace and prosperity can the peace and prosperity of the two countries be achieved. Japan and the United States strongly share the conviction that the two nations must cooperate with each other, fulfil each responsibility and mission for world peace and prosperity.
Based on this shared recognition, Japan and the United States endeavored throughout 1980 to further strengthen their cooperative relations. At the same time, the two countries made efforts in the direction of expanding and bolstering such ties in dealing with bilateral and international issues.
(b) From this perspective, Prime Minister Ohira's visit to Washington in May, particularly his talks with President Carter, were highly significant. The two leaders exchanged views on international and bilateral matters in a frank and friendly atmosphere. Through their talks, the two leaders deepened their personal trust in each other and reconfirmed the "fruitful partnership" between the two countries.
On the questions of the hostage-taking in Iran and the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan, President Carter expressed his gratitude for Japan's support ahead of other allied nations for the American positions on these questions. Prime Minister Ohira praised the United States for its patience and self-restraint in dealing with the Iranian question and stressed his hope that the question would be settled through peaceful means. The President agreed completely with the Prime Minister's view.
The two leaders appraised the setting of a ceiling on oil imports which was agreed upon at the 1979 Tokyo Summit. They explained to each other their domestic situations regarding oil conservation with a view that the oil conservation and the development of alternative energy sources would be the important topics of discussion at the 1980 Venice Summit. They also discussed the North-South problem, the second Panama Canal question, the Korean question, the refugee question, and others.
As for bilateral issues, there were discussions on Japan's defense efforts and some economic issues (particularly, the automobile issue). President Carter stated that while he appreciated Japan's efforts to expand its defense capabilities and to increase its share of the costs of maintaining U.S. troops stationed in Japan despite various domestic restrictions, Japan's further efforts would be helpful for peace and stability in Asia. Prime Minister Ohira replied that Japan would continue its own efforts on the defense issue and would seriously study what it should do as an American ally.
In his remarks following his talks with the President, Prime Minister Ohira stated that "freedom, democracy, justice and peace which we so dearly share among us can be seriously harmed for long years to come if we now fail to stand together." President Carter stated that "the bond which binds together the people of Japan and the United States provides the central core of the global policy of the United States." These statements indicated the firm determination of the two leaders to further promote the cooperative relations between Japan and the United States at a very difficult time, when the world faced challenges, including the Iranian and Afghan questions.
2. Canada
There has been remarkable progress in Japan-Canada relations during 1980, particularly in the political aspect. In view of the importance of Japan-Canada relations, Prime Minister Ohira visited Ottawa in May and exchanged frank views with Prime Minister Trudeau on a wide range of bilateral as well as international issues. They welcomed the increasing diversity and richness of Japan-Canada relations and agreed on close consultation and cooperation between the two countries on international questions of mutual concern. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together for greater stability in international affairs.
It should be noted as the concrete fruit of the Prime Minister's visit to Canada that two leaders cited the importance of more regular and in-depth consultation at political levels, and agreed to initiate a process of annual meetings between Foreign Ministers. Upon this agreement, the first regular consultation meeting was held between Foreign Secretary MacGuigan and Foreign Minister Okita, who had been accompanying Prime Minister Ohira on his trip to Canada.
After Prime Minister Suzuki took office, meetings were held between Foreign Minister Ito and Foreign Secretary MacGuigan in September and December.
Thus the contacts between the two countries at the highest diplomatic level have become increasingly close.
Another noticeable development in Japan-Canada relations in 1980 was the active interchange of Parliamentary members of the two countries. The Japan-Canada Parliamentary Union was formed by members of the Japanese Parliament. The Canada-Japan Parliamentarians' League was formed by members of both houses of the Canadian Parliament in March 1981. Thus the interchange of Japan-Canada Parliamentary members has entered an age of expansion.
Japan-Canada relations have developed in recent years mainly in the trade and economic areas. The establishment of closer relations at the political level, as mentioned earlier, is expected to promote interchange in the cultural, scientific, and technological areas, thereby helping Japan-Canada relations develop on a comprehensive and balanced basis.
IV. Latin America
(1) Latin America comprises 30 independent countries in which about 340 million people live. Blessed with abundant natural resources on the vast expanse of land and containing a number of newly industrializing countries, this area has a great deal of development potential and has increased its influence on international politics and economy in recent years. Latin America and Japan share mutually complementary economic relations in the field of natural resources, commerce, and investment. More than 900,000 Japanese emigrants and their descendants live in this area.
(2) Japan continued to make active diplomatic efforts to promote, on the basis of mutually complementary economic relations, a wide range of mutually cooperative relations with Latin America in politics, cultural exchange, and other fields.
In 1980, Prime Minister Ohira made an official visit to Mexico from May 1-4, and had fruitful talks on a wide range of topics, including economic cooperation between the two countries and Mexico's supply of oil to Japan.
President Royo of Panama visited Japan in March as a state guest, and agreement was reached on the promotion of technical cooperation between the countries. The Assembly of the City of Panama in July 1980 made a resolution to name the city's 53-B street the "Ohira Street" in honor of the late Prime Minister Ohira. Later, in April 1981, a bust of Mr. Ohira was erected in the City of Panama.
To promote mutual understanding between Japan and Latin America, it is important to expand the interchange of young people in addition to that of political leaders. A program called "Japan Study Project for Young People from Latin America" started in 1980 for this purpose, and 20 young people visited Japan during the year.
(3) Japan has been endeavoring to develop closer ties and diversification in the field of economy and economic cooperation with due consideration to the balance among Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the Andean countries, and the Caribbean and Central American countries. In 1980, of particular note were the following developments. The import of crude oil was realized from four Latin American countries, namely, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru. A Japanese trade promotion mission made a successful tour to Brazil. Comprehensive consultations on technical cooperation were conducted for the first time with both Mexico and Brazil.
Furthermore, provisional agreement was reached between Japan and Argentina in March 1981 on the implementation of various projects, including the expansion of a steel mill, as a result of dialogue and negotiations on the government and private levels. This issue had been pending since Argentine President Videla visited Japan in October 1979. The agreement has opened the way for the realization of these projects.
Japan also extended various forms of economic cooperation to Latin America, including yen loans or outright grants to Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and others, as well as disaster relief aid to Haiti and St. Lucia.
Japan's trade with Latin America in 1980 totalled $8,900 million in exports, and $5,700 million in imports, an increase of 36% and 26% respectively over the previous year.
V. Western Europe
(1) Japan has been endeavoring to strengthen its ties with West European countries with which this country shares basic political and social values. In the recent difficult world situation, Japan and the West European countries are increasingly aware of the necessity to intensify their dialogue and further develop their cooperative relations. In 1980, Japan-Europe cooperation was demonstrated in the following concrete steps: following the seizure of the American Embassy in Iran, the Ambassadors of Japan and the EC countries in Tehran filed a joint protest to the Iranian President (April). When the Foreign Ministers of the EC countries met in Luxembourg, Japanese Foreign Minister Okita visited Iran (April). As part of the Japan-Europe dialogue, Foreign Minister Ito visited Europe in December and conferred with the leaders of five EC countries, namely, France, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany, and also the EC Commission, on various problems of mutual concern. Thus the consultative and cooperative ties between Japan and Europe have been further solidified.
(2) To maintain closer Japan-Europe cooperative relations, it is imperative that while promoting cooperative ties in the political and other fields, personnel exchanges on various levels should be expanded. Particularly important are the exchanges of young people, to which too little attention has been paid so far, although they are to shoulder the future of Japan-Europe relations. For this purpose, the second study program for European youth was carried out from mid-August through late September. Fifty young people from the EC countries were selected through an essay contest and invited to Japan for two weeks. This program is designed to give them a chance to see firsthand Japan's political, economic, social and cultural situation. The program has done a great deal in expanding Japan-Europe personnel exchanges to the grass-roots level.
(3) Japan-EC economic relations were relatively calm during 1979. But in 1980, Japan's trade surplus with the EC countries rose sharply ($8.8 billion, an increase of 73% over the previous year). At the same time, the exports of Japanese automobiles, color television sets, and machine tools to the EC countries increased sharply. The EC Foreign Ministers' Council expressed serious concern over Japan-EC trade relations in November. The background to this problem was the fact that the EC countries faced increased economic difficulties, including inflation, unemployment, and slow growth rate.
The EC countries account for only 12.8% of Japan's exports, and 5.6% of its imports. However their total exports and imports account for about 40% of world trade, and the EC is bound to have a strong impact on the world economy. Should protectionist pressure rise in this area, therefore, it would have a great effect on world trade as a whole. It is important to solve trade problems on the basis of mutual understanding through talks adhering to the principle of free trade. Japan had active dialogue with the EC side, particularly in the latter half of 1980, in an effort to elucidate its position. The Government Representative, Dr. Okita, visited the EC Commission in October. Foreign Minister Ito's statement on Japan-EC economic relations was announced in November. Foreign Minister Ito visited the EC countries and the EC Commission in December. In January 1981, high-level consultation was held between Japan and the EC. Thus Japan made efforts to reach mutual understanding with the EC side on various occasions.
VI. The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
1. The Soviet Union
(a) Japan's diplomacy toward the Soviet Union is to promote relations on the principle of mutual interest and to establish stable and friendly relations based on true mutual understanding and trust. To establish such relations between Japan and the Soviet Union is also important for the peace and stability of Asia.
(b) Japan-Soviet relations, however, continue to face a difficult situation as a result of such Soviet actions as the military buildup in the Northern Territories and the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan.
(c) The difficult situation in Japan-Soviet relations is caused by the above-mentioned Soviet actions, and the Government of Japan keeps claiming whatever is necessary to claim and insisting on whatever is necessary to insist on in its relations with the Soviet Union, by urging the Soviet Union to show its sincerity by concrete action so as to improve the present Japan-Soviet relations. But unfortunately the Soviet Union has shown no sincere specific reaction to date.
(d) As regards the problem of the Northern Territories, which remains the largest pending issue between Japan and the Soviet Union, the Japanese side raised this issue again when Foreign Minister Ito met with Foreign Minister Gromyko in New York in September 1980, and when Foreign Minister Ito met with the Soviet Ambassador to Tokyo, Mr. Polyanskii, in March 1981. The Japanese side insisted on these occasions that the problem of the Northern Territories was a matter which could not be bypassed to improve the relations between the two countries, and that a peace treaty be concluded at an early date by solving the territorial issue. The Japanese side also stressed that the Soviet military buildup in the Northern Territories ran counter to the spirit of friendship between the two countries. The Soviet side, however, did not show any sincere attitude to expedite the settlement of this issue.
With a view to publicizing internationally Japan's position regarding the Northern Territories issue, Foreign Minister Ito touched directly on this problem, while referring to the Soviet military buildup in the Northern Territories, in his speech at the 35th session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 1980.
(e) Japan continues to pursue the policy of concluding a peace treaty with the Soviet Union by solving the territorial issue to develop the Japan-Soviet relationship on the solid foundation of true mutual understanding. Japan is determined to continue negotiating patiently in order to solve this problem with the support of public opinion in the country, as demonstrated by the designation of "Northern Territories Day" on February 7, 1981.
(f) As regards the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan which occurred toward the end of 1979, the Government made a clear response to the Soviet action based on the position that any problem should be solved not by use or threat of force but through peaceful talks. Japan's position was made clear through the Foreign Minister's statement (December 29, 1979), the diplomatic demarche to the Soviet Union (December 29, 1979 and February 8, 1980) and various activities at the United Nations.
Recognizing the necessity to demonstrate Japan's position by concrete actions in cooperation with the friendly nations of the West, Japan joined in such actions as the boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games, the strengthening of COCOM export restrictions, and cautious steps in extending official credit, as well as in high-level personnel exchange.
(g) The relationship with the Soviet Union constitutes one of the most important aspects in Japan's external relations. What is necessary in the relations with a country like the Soviet Union, which practices diplomacy with a consistent policy from a long-term perspective, is a firm, coherent stance and a cool, patient attitude. In order to break the present impasse in Japan-Soviet relations, it is strongly hoped that the Soviet Union will show, not merely by words but by concrete action, the spirit of good-neighborliness and friendship which the Soviet Union itself has been insisting upon.
2. Eastern Europe
(a) With the rise in Japan's national power, interest in this country has grown among East European countries in recent years. Although their political and social systems are different from Japan's, this country maintains the policy of promoting mutual understanding and friendly relations with East European nations. Diplomatic efforts were made in line with this policy during 1980.
(b) It was feared that the situation in and around Poland after the summer of 1980 depending on its development, might possibly cause serious effects on the peace and stability not only of Europe but of the whole world. Keeping such recognition in mind, Japan insisted in the Foreign Minister's statement on December 6, 1980, that the Polish problem should be solved by the Poles themselves without any external interference. Japan also expressed its concern in the Polish situation on other occasions. Japan believes that as economic stagnation is one of the reasons for the present situation in Poland, it is necessary for foreign countries to extend some form of economic cooperation to Warsaw. From such a viewpoint, Japan studied what kind of cooperation could be extended to that country in harmony with other European nations and the United States.
(c) In Yugoslavia, which has been pursuing an independent, non-alignment policy, President Tito passed away in May. Prime Minister Ohira, on his tour of Canada at that time, cancelled the rest of his schedule in that country and flew to Belgrade to attend President Tito's funeral. This was undoubtedly of high significance in encouraging the government and people of Yugoslavia in their determination to follow the late President's internal and external policies.
Agreement was reached on the establishment of diplomatic relations with Albania, which pursues its own domestic and foreign policies. Consequently, diplomatic relations with that country were opened in March 1981. Thus Japan's diplomatic area was further expanded.
(d) Hungarian Foreign Minister Puja made an official visit to Japan in February 1980. In addition to this and other visits made by political VIPs, interchange with East European countries was heightened in the economic, trade, and cultural fields.
VII. The Middle East
(1) In view of the Middle East's international position as a vital strategic area and a major supply source of energy, this area has sharply increased its importance in world politics and economy in recent years. The peace and stability of this area is bound to exert a great influence not only on the lives of the people in this area but also on world peace and stability, including the economic life of Japan.
Mindful of this state of affairs, Japan has been extending economic and technical cooperation to Middle East countries, for their nation-building and development of human resources, striving to promote mutual understanding through personnel and cultural exchanges, and endeavoring to strengthen friendly and cooperative ties with them so as to contribute to their stability and development.
Giving due consideration to the gravity of the problems this area faces, and in full awareness of Japan's international influence and responsibilities, Japan has contributed to the peaceful solution of these problems in accordance with its national power.
(2) Although the incident of the American Embassy in Tehran, which had lasted since November 1979, was finally settled in January 1981, the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan (December 1979) remained unsolved. Moreover, skirmishes on the Iran-Iraq border developed into an all-out armed conflict between the two countries in September 1980. Concerning the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran, Japan, considering it an act defying the basic norm of the international society, repeatedly called on the Iranian government to release the American hostages as early as possible. At the same time, as a responsible member of the international community, Japan took a series of measures against Iran in cooperation with the EC countries to attain settlement as soon as possible. With the aid of the measures taken by the respective countries and the mediation of the Algerian government, the hostage incident was settled in January 1981. Accordingly Japan withdrew the measures against Iran in the same month.
Regarding the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, Japan, taking it as an act posing a grave threat to world peace and stability, strongly urged the Soviet Union to withdraw its troops from that country. While taking a series of measures against the U.S.S.R., Japan increased economic aid to Pakistan, as the Soviet action posed a threat directly to that country. Japan also extended aid to Afghan refugees. With respect to the Iran-Iraq conflict, Japan, recognizing the importance of preventing further spread of the military action and ensuring non-intervention by a third country, appealed to the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. for non-intervention, and at the same time called on Iran and Iraq for early and peaceful settlement of the dispute. Japan has been supporting the mediation efforts rendered by the U.N., the Islamic countries and the non-aligned countries.
(3) Relations between Egypt and Israel have been normalized steadily in accordance with the peace treaty, and the two countries exchanged ambassadors in February 1980. However, Egypt-Israel negotiations on Palestinian autonomy on the West Bank of the River Jordan and in the Gaza Strip made no substantial progress, because of the basic differences of viewpoint between the two countries. At the end of July, the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) enacted the Basic Law proclaiming Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel. This act enraged the Egyptians, and the negotiations were virtually suspended. Subsequently little progress was made in Egypt-Israel relations, since the United States was reviewing its Middle East policy following the election of a new President, and a general election was scheduled for late June 1981 in Israel itself.
(4) In these circumstances, Japan dispatched Mr. Sonoda as the Prime Minister's special envoy to seven nations in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, from February to March 1980, to find out what role this country should play to contribute to the peace and stability of these regions. Foreign Minister Okita visited Jordan in May 1980. Foreign Minister Ito met with the Israeli Foreign Minister at the U.N. in September and visited Egypt in December 1980 to expand Japan's dialogue with the leaders of the countries involved in the Middle East dispute. Economic aid was extended to Turkey, Egypt and other countries to contribute to the stability of this region.
VIII. Africa
(1) African countries south of the Sahara now number 45. Independent states have expanded their influence in the international community in recent years. Today Africa also plays an increasingly important role in the world economy as a major supplier of natural resources. With the rise of Japan's status in the international community, African countries' expectation of Japan has been steadily growing. As a result, the number of visits of VIPs of African countries to Japan, including top government leaders, has sharply increased in recent years. African countries are expecting Japan to further expand its economic cooperation to Africa.
Japan is of the view that it will ultimately contribute to Japan's own security for her to extend as much and as wide economic cooperation as possible to black African countries with a view to helping their nation-building efforts.
(2) Japan invited such influential leaders of Africa as Zambia's President Kaunda and Tanzania's President Nyerere to visit this country as state guests in September 1980 and March 1981 respectively, in an effort to promote mutual understanding and friendship with these African countries. The number of ministerial-level African VIPs who visited Japan during 1980 totaled 32.
(3) The problems in southern Africa (the attainment of independence by Rhodesia and Namibia and an end to South Africa's racial discrimination policy), solutions to which were desired by all black African countries, were partly solved by the independence of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980. The Namibia question, however, did not make as much progress as expected, because of the failure of the pre-implementation conference held in Geneva in January 1981. Japan maintains the basic position of strongly opposing any form of racial discrimination and extending as much cooperation as possible so that the remaining problems in southern Africa will be solved in a fair and peaceful manner. For this reason, Japan places various restrictions upon her relations with South Africa.
(4) Japan's economic and technical cooperation to Africa continued to expand substantially during 1980. Bilateral official development assistance (in terms of net disbursement) increased from $186.7 million in 1979 to $222.91 million in 1980, among which figures, grant aid increased from $46.3 million in 1979 to $54.43 million in 1980.