Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's Speech in Los Angeles

April 29, 1999

Mr. R. Thomas Decker, Chairman of Japan-America Society,

Thank you very much for your heartfelt introduction.

When I assumed this position nine months ago, I was bluntly introduced as "Cold Pizza" by a major American newspaper, though that was, of course, an East Coast newspaper. Today, however, I am touched to find people who really understand me here on the West Coast, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you all.

From the bios, I have learned that Mr. Decker, Mr. George Takei, who is kindly serving as the master of ceremonies today, and I, were all born in 1937. Politicians who were born in the 1937 are all NICE, I must say, and I have formed the "Society of Politicians Who Were Born in 1937" with Secretary of State Albright, French Prime Minister Jospin, and Philippine President Estrada. I would like to ask Mr. Decker and Mr. Takei to join us as honorary members. There is one person to whom we would flatly deny membership though, and that is Saddam Hussein of Iraq.

The Hon. Thomas Levyn, Mayor of the City of Beverly Hills, Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, County of Los Angeles, Distinguished organizers of the dinner, Distinguished guests from the great city of Los Angeles and the beautiful state of California, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening, I am Keizo Obuchi.

It is my great pleasure, both personally and from the viewpoint of Japan-US relations, to begin my six-day tour to the United States here in Los Angeles. At this critical juncture immediately prior to the new millennium, I am making the first official visit of a Japanese Prime Minister to the US in twelve years. I am impressed by the warm welcome we have received from the people of Los Angeles since we arrived here this morning. On behalf of my wife, daughter, and the delegation of the Government of Japan, I would like to express our most sincere gratitude.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please allow me to begin with my personal story. I have been excited about visiting California and meeting my sweetheart of 36 years ago. Actually too noble a queen to call my sweetheart - the Queen Mary.

Upon arriving here this morning, I directly headed for Long Beach from the airport, to meet the Queen Mary for the first time since the summer of 1963. The Queen Mary is the luxury ocean liner I boarded from Southampton, UK, when I first visited the United States. I was a student, and to broaden my knowledge, I embarked upon a trip around the world, which was still rare back then. Wishing to board this ship, I worked hard in many places around Europe, to save enough money to purchase the ticket, which cost $ 250 then. I didn't have the fortune of meeting someone like Kate Winslet, the beautiful heroine of the movie "Titanic", but without crushing into icebergs thankfully, the ship arrived at her destination safely after a week. I can still vividly recall my feelings when I saw the dazzling skyscrapers from the deck as the ship entered New York Harbor in the morning mist.

The ship compartment I had stayed in was exactly as it had been. I felt like I had been reacquainted with myself as a 25-year old man fueled with dreams and ambition. Upon returning to Japan from this round-the-world trip, I ran in the national election and was elected as the youngest member of the Diet at the age of 26. Since then, I won 12 elections in a row over the last 36 years. Therefore, I became emotional and feel a heavy responsibility to think that I am now visiting the United States to further strengthen the ties between Japan and the U.S. in my capacity as the highest ranking officer responsible for the course of Japan.

It goes without saying that California has played a remarkable role in the history of Japan-US relations. Since our two countries established an official relationship 140 years ago, numerous government missions and immigrants from Japan traversed the Pacific Ocean and arrived at this gateway to the Asia Pacific.

The Japanese-Americans who have gathered here today, have overcome difficulties through diligence and effort in spite of the agonizing experiences of the past. The Japanese Americans have not only contributed to developments in American society through their prominent activity in many fields, but also served as a bridge to the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and the United States. I visited the Japanese American National Museum earlier, and I saw the hardship they experienced. I would like to express my most profound gratitude to all Japanese-Americans for their great achievements. We will never forget the kind assistance and encouragement we received from Japanese-Americans and other American citizens in times of need, such as when Japan was suffering from lack of food and other necessities of life after World War II and in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, that claimed more than 6,000 lives, four years ago. On this opportunity, I would like to reiterate our deepest appreciation.

I heard that more than 70 thousand Japanese people, many of them gathering here today, live in the state of California and are active in many fields. I would like to express my gratitude for their valuable contributions to the promotion of Japan-US friendship and cooperation as good citizens of the local American society.

Even today the strength of the ties between Japan and California remains exceptional. For example, Japan is California's largest export destination. Currently, imported wine is very popular in Japan, which imports $ 500 million worth of wine a year. I heard that especially popular these days is California wine. In addition, Japan's direct investment constitutes 40% of all foreign direct investment in the state, creating employment for 150,000 Californians. Almost 1.3 million people travel from Japan to California every year, contributing to the State's prosperity of service and other industries.

California also plays an important role as a link between Japanese and American companies as we head toward the new century. Today, California powerfully leads the economy of the United States with its cutting-edge high-tech and information industries. Against the background of close cooperation between academia and industry, young entrepreneurs with creative ideas are successively initiating new businesses without fearing risks, leading the technological innovation and growth. I feel that Japan could learn from the entrepreneurship and energy of the young generation of the U.S. I also feel that the chance is expanding for young, capable people in the two countries to construct a new relationship of cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One of the reasons many Japanese feel close to American culture is California's cultural diversity and openness and its willingness to embrace new ideas. Whether here in Los Angeles or in Silicon Valley, people with varied cultural and historical backgrounds thoroughly demonstrate their abilities in their respective fields, playing important roles in the development of industry and society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

California, Los Angeles in particular, is the center of America's great film industry. The fact that the U.S. film industry continuously introduces mega-hit products to the world testifies to the mightiness of U.S. cultural power. I hear that Ms. Keiko Ibi, a Japanese film director who has received the Academy Award for Documentary / Short Subject, and Mr. Chris Tashima, a film director and leading actor who received the Academy Award for Live Action / Short Film are also joining us tonight. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both of them and wish for their further success.

You may not know this, but as an avid fan of film, I act as Chairman of the Parliamentarians' Film League. And I must confess that the work as Chairman is a lot more exciting than that of Prime Minister. I therefore feel pleased and proud to hear that the film director Akira Kurosawa, for whom I have the utmost respect, receives high praise in Hollywood. For example, the director George Lucas donated a studio named after Kurosawa, to his alma mater, the University of Southern California. Furthermore, I am delighted that as a form of Japan-US cultural exchange, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Steven Spielberg and other film-related people are preserving the films of Akira Kurosawa. I highly commend these efforts, and the Government of Japan would like to extend some assistance in the future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On this auspicious occasion here in Los Angeles, the largest city in California, I want to fix my eyes toward the Pacific Ocean and beyond Asia, and share with you some brief thoughts about what Japan and the United States can do and should do hand in hand for the sake of peace and prosperity in this region.

For example, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) comprises as many as 21 economies, which contains 42% of the world's population, produces 58% of the world's GDP, and deals with 48% of the world's trade. As these figures show, the importance of this region is all too obvious. The prospect for the development and prosperity of this region in the twenty-first century remains exceptional.

We must remember the lessons of lightness and darkness brought to this region by the twentieth century, -- development and prosperity on the one hand, and confrontation and war on the other. At the same time, we must cooperate to make the twenty-first century "a century of peace and prosperity" in the true sense of the word. What is particularly required for this effort is that Japan and the United States work as closely together as if we were in a three-legged race.

Ladies and gentlemen,

What is indispensable for the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region? It is for Japan and the US to maintain their firm security alliance. Based upon this foundation, partnerships should be built with other countries to share great responsibilities and roles, and further, a system for confidence building should be reinforced through dialogues. For example, President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea and I have made a big step forward last autumn by constructing a forward-looking relationship toward the twenty-first century. I think this shows that the two countries have entered into a relationship of mature democracies.

On the economic front, Japan and the United States can join hands to further contribute to the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. As you know, Asian countries faced a major currency and economic crisis nearly two years ago. Although these countries' earnest reform efforts are continuing, the real economy is still suffering from severe conditions.

In the past, people said, "If the US sneezes, Japan catches a cold." At present, the US is like a youngster who never even sneezes, which makes us indeed envious. These days, the Japanese economy has become so large that people say, "If Japan catches a cold, Asia catches pneumonia." Despite its own sneeze, cough, and fever, Japan is diligently implementing assistance measures totaling over US $ 80 billion so that our Asian friends may not catch pneumonia. I appreciate that the United States also endeavors to maintain imports from its Asian friends and thus prevents them from tumbling into another recession.

The economic difficulties in Asia have also had a direct impact on the socially vulnerable in Asian countries, such as the poor, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children. Protecting the lives, well-being, and dignity of these people, or in other words, responding to human security-related issues, is a pressing task, for which further cooperation between Japan and the US is necessary and possible.

I think that Japan and the US should definitely collaborate to bring genuine peace, prosperity, security, and relief to the Asia-Pacific region in the twenty-first century. In order to do so, Japan must be economically steady.

Since assuming the office of Prime Minister, I have boldly implemented every kind of measures aimed at achieving Japan's economic recovery. Supported by the effect of these measures, our economy is showing an emerging sign of change for the better. At the same time, the nation's businesses and industries, which until last year suffered from an overhanging stagnant mood, have begun to demonstrate a forward-looking and positive outlook and attitude. I am determined to ensure a successful revitalization of the Japanese economy through overcoming, with unwavering resolve, any obstacle we may encounter in the process.

Some of you may have seen me on the front cover of last week's Time magazine Asia edition delivering a pizza. My job is not to deliver pizzas, but to deliver the necessary policy measures speedily.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Ever since I assumed the post of Prime Minister, I have been inquiring how Japan and its people should be in the twenty-first century. Human beings have limited life spans, while nations do not. Therefore, a nation can both prosper and decline, depending upon the torch we pass on to the next generation.

At a time when many Japanese have lost confidence because of economic difficulties, I have called on the Japanese people to build bridges toward the twenty-first century based on the spirit of constructive optimism. These five bridges are 1) a bridge to the world, 2) a bridge to prosperity, 3) a bridge to safety, 4) a bridge to security, and 5) a bridge to the future.

Beyond these bridges lies the Japan of the twenty-first century. I hope that the future Japan is a country with bright aspirations, which is considerate of others, high-minded, and dignified -- a Japan which contributes to the world. My job is to devote myself to building those bridges with the help of the brightest minds.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Only 146 years have passed since Japan and the United States began their association, when four US "black ships" appeared off the coast of Uraga in 1853. During this period, the relations between the two countries have seen both sunny days and stormy days. I can affirm with confidence, however, that the bilateral relationship is indeed in the best shape ever. Of course, as even the closest couple may quarrel from time to time, our two countries have differences in issues like trade now and then. My belief, however, is that any difficulties between our two countries can be overcome.

Our two countries are the world's number one and number two economies, as well as cultural powers. If we learn from each other what should be learnt with due consideration to each other's situation and if we join hands by bringing together our respective wonderful abilities, I believe that the partnership between Japan and the United States can be the best and strongest in history.

Before closing, I have brought something for you as a token of my appreciation, a pair of Dhama tumbling dolls, for which my home prefecture, Gunma is known. The Dharma doll symbolizes patience as well as good-luck. And this has been proven by the fact that a small constituency, my own constituency in Gunma prefecture, has produced as many as 3 Prime Ministers within the short span of 25 years - Prime Minister Fukuda, Prime Minister Nakasone, and now myself. I pray form the bottom of my heart that the Dharma dolls will bring great luck to you all.

Thank you very much.