His Excellency Keizo Obuchi
Prime Minister of Japan

"Japan: America's Partner in Asia"

It is my great pleasure, both personally and from the viewpoint of Japan-U.S. relations to begin my 6-day tour to the United States here in Los Angeles. At this critical juncture, immediately prior to the new millennium, I’m making the first official visit of the Japanese prime minister to the U.S. in 12 years. I’m impressed by the warm welcome we’ve 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. Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to begin with my personal story. I’ve been excited about visiting California and meeting my sweetheart of 36 years ago. Actually, she’s too noble a queen to call my sweetheart, the Queen Mary. Upon arriving here this morning I headed directly for Long Beach from the airport to meet the Queen Mary for the first time since the summer of 1963. The Queen Mary was the luxury ocean liner I boarded from Southhampton in the United Kingdom 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, if I remember correctly, cost $250 then. I didn’t have the good fortune of meeting someone like Kate Winslett, the beautiful heroine of the movie Titanic, but I can still vividly recall my feelings when after one week at sea without hitting any icebergs I saw the dazzling skyscrapers from the deck as the Queen Mary entered New York Harbor in the morning mist.

The ship compartment I stayed in was exactly as it had been. I felt like I had been reacquainted with myself as a 25-year old man filled with dreams and ambition. Upon returning to Japan from this round-the-world trip I ran in the next election and was elected as the youngest member of the Diet at the age of 26. Since then, I’ve won twelve elections in a row over the last 36 years, therefore, I’ve become emotional and feel a hidden responsibility to think that I’m 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, ladies and gentlemen, that California has played a remarkable role in the history of Japan-U.S. 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 the development of American society through their prominent activities in many fields but also served as a bridge to the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and the United States.

I earlier visited the Japanese-American National Museum and observed very carefully all your experiences, and I would like to express my most profound respect and appreciation to all Japanese-Americans for their great achievements. We will never forget the kind assistance and encouragement we received from the 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 earthquake that claimed far more than 6,000 lives four years ago. I’d like to take this opportunity to once again express our deepest appreciation.

Now, I heard that more than 70,000 Japanese people, many of them gathered 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-U.S. friendship and cooperation as good citizens of local American society. Even today, the strength of the ties between Japan and California remain exceptional. For example, Japan is California’s largest export-to-export destination. Currently, imported wine is very popular in Japan and Japan imports half a billion dollars worth of wine each year. I’ve heard that what’s especially popular these days is California wine. In addition, Japan’s direct investment constitutes 40% of all foreign direct investment in this state, creating employment for 150,000 Californians. Almost 1.3 million Japanese travel to California every year, contributing to the prosperity of the tourism and service and other industries in this state. Ties between Japan and California are further strengthened by as many as 19 sister cities relations as well.

California also plays an important role as a link between Japanese and American companies as we head towards 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 successfully initiating new businesses without fear of risks, leading the technological innovations and growth. I feel that Japan could learn from the entrepreneurship and energy of the young generation of the United States. I also feel that the chances are 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 because of California’s cultural diversity and openness and its willingness to embrace new ideas whether here in Los Angeles or in Silicon Valley. The people with varied culture and historical background thoroughly demonstrate their abilities in their respective fields playing important roles in the development of industry and society. California, and 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 heard that Miss Keiko Ibi, the Japanese film director who has received an Academy Award for a documentary, Short Subject, and Mr. Chris Pashima, the film director and leading actor who received the Academy Award for a Live Action, Short Film, last year are also joining us tonight. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both of them and wish them further success.

You may not know this, but as an avid fan of film, I happen to be the chairman of the Parliamentarians’ Film League. Perhaps very few of you know this, but this is t,e and I tell you that this job is much more fun than the work of a prime minister. I therefore feel pleased and proud to hear that the film director, Akira Kurosawa, for whom I have the utmost respect received 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’m delighted that as a form of Japan-U.S. culture exchange, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Steven Speilberg, and a total of 34 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, I believe this is a valuable opportunity for me to set my eyes from here, the City of Los Angeles, the largest city in California on the Pacific Ocean and beyond, on 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, Asia Pacific’s economic cooperation, better known by the acronym APEC, comprises as many as twenty-one economies with 42% of the world’s population, 58% of the world’s GDP and 48% of the world’s trade. As these figures show, the importance of this region is all too obvious. From the prospect of the development and prosperity of this region in the 21st century it remains exceptional. We must remember the lessons of the light and the dark brought to this region by the 20th 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 21st century a century of peace and prosperity in the true sense of the word. This would require, in particular, that Japan and the United States work closely together as if we were in a dog race.

Ladies and gentlemen, what is indispensable for the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region? That is for Japan and United States to maintain their firm security alliance. Based on this foundation, partnerships should be built with other countries to share great responsibilities and roles. Furthermore, a system for confidence-building should be reenforced through dialogues. For example, President Kim Dae Jung of Korea and I made a big step forward last autumn by constructing a forward-looking relationship towards the 21st 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 under harsh conditions. In the past, people said "If the U.S. sneezes, Japan catches a cold." At present, the U.S. 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." I appreciate that, despite its own sneeze-coughing-fever, Japan is diligently implementing assistance measures totaling over $80 billion U.S. dollars so that our Asian friends may not catch pneumonia. I appreciate that the United States is also endeavoring to maintain imports from its Asian friends and thus preventing them from tumbling into further recessions. The economic difficulties in Asia have also had a direct impact on the socially vulnerable Asian countries such as the poor persons with disabilities the elderly, and the children. Protecting the lives, well-being and dignity of these people, in other words, responding to human security-related issues, is a pressing task over which further cooperation between Japan and the United States is necessary and possible.

I think that Japan and the U.S. should definitely collaborate to bring peace, prosperity, security and a sense of reassurance to the Asia Pacific region in the 21st 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 measure aimed at achieving Japan’s economic recovery. Supported by the effect of these measures, our economy is showing emerging signs of change for the better. At the same time, the nation’s businesses and industries, which until last year, were mired in a stagnant mood, have begun to demonstrate a forward-looking and positive outlook and attitude. I’m determined to insure a successful revitalization of the Japanese economy through overcoming with unwavering results any obstacle we may encounter in the process.

Now, some of you may have seen me on the front cover of last week’s TIME magazine, the Asian edition, delivering a pizza, but I know that 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 21st 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 towards the 21st century based on the spirit of constructive optimism. These five bridges are: a bridge to the world, a bridge to prosperity, a bridge to a sense of reassurance, a bridge to security and a bridge to the future. Beyond these bridges lie the Japan of the 21st century. I hope that the future Japan is a country with some bright aspirations, which is consideration 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 U.S. ships appeared off the coast of Japan in 1853. During this period, the relations between the two countries have seen both sunny days and stormy days. I can say 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 in alliance have differences and 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 1 and number 2 economies, as well as cultural powers. If we learn from each other what should be learned with due consideration to each other’s situation and if we join hands by bringing together our respective wonderful abilities, I believe that a partnership between Japan and the United States can be the best and strongest in history.

Before closing, I brought something for you, a token of my gratitude, a pair of dharma, tumbling dolls for which my home state of Gunma is known. This doll is a symbol of patience as well as good luck and this has been proven by the fact that a small constituency, that is my own constituency, has produced as many as three prime ministers within a short span of 25 years: Prime Minister Fukuda, Prime Minister Nakasone and, now, myself. So I pray they will bring this wonderful good luck to all of you, too. Once again, I really pray from the bottom of my heart that you will be able to share this good luck with us.

Thank you very much.