U.S. REPLY TO JAPAN

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27632, 13 April 1955, Page 8

U.S. REPLY TO JAPAN

NOTE ON SHARING DEFENCE COSTS VITAL PROBLEM FOR NEW GOVERNMENT (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) TOKYO, April 11. The United States Ambassador to Tokyo (Mr John Allison) today handed over Washington’s reply to the •Japanese request for a reduction in Japan’s share in the costs in maintaining the American security . forces here. The contents of the Note are not immediately known. The issue of Japan’s contribution to the joint defence costs has become a leading problem in Japanese-United States relations. It could also decide the fate of the minority Government of the Prime Minister (Mr Ichiro Hatoyama). Mr Allison handed over the reply during an 80-minute conference with the Foreign Minister (Mr Mamoru Shigemitsu) and the Finance Minister (Mr Hisato Ichimada).

The only announcement after the conference’ was that the talks on defence costs will continue “on a technical level.”

The Hatoyama Government is seeking a reduction in the share of the defence costs to pay for social services promised in the recent General Election.

The Government also says that Japan cannot afford to increase her own armed forces while she is paying the present contribution to the joint defence costs.

The date for presenting the Budget is drawing near. While the issue is still unsolved Mr Hatoyama’s Government has no ready answer to the critical Opposition which, united, could vote him out of power.