JAPAN’S PRIME MINISTER

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27858, 5 January 1956, Page 9

JAPAN’S PRIME MINISTER

VISITS TO U.S. AND RUSSIA PLANNED

(Rec. 11 p.m.) TOKYO, January 4. Japan's Prime Minister 'Mr Ichiro Hatoyama) has visits to the Soviet Union, the United States and Canada, as well as Communist China, under consideration.

He said in a report yesterday that he would visit Peking if the occasion arose. Today Mr Hatoyama said he had been “advised” to visit the United States and Canada and he would like to go if his health permitted. He said it had been suggested that he go to the Soviet Union in the hope that the visit would accelerate a successful conclusion of the Japan-Soviet peace talks.

.Mr Hatoyama today, for the first bine, hinted that he might give up his Position as Prime Minister soon. He said he w-as beginning to believe that one year was long enough in the position. It might be good for a younger statesman to have the job. Mr Hatoyama has. until now. been making it appear that he intended to continue ® office.

Late last night the new figure in French politics. Mr Pierre Poujade. who is 34. said that he was not averse to working with the next government, if its aims were acceptable.

. The statement was felt .to be reassuring in some quarters, but others feared that it was only tactical, and that France was on the verge of big changes which might affect her most vital interests, including her present links with the Atlantic Pact Powers.

Today the Communist newspaper “L’Humanite” cried loudly for a Popular Front Government. The Moderate press has called on the leaders of the rival middle factions, Mr Pierre Mendes-France and Mr Edgar Faure, to sink their differences in the common interest of themselves and the nation.

However, the dominant impression is that, even if they do, they are no longer sure of being able to keep the affairs of state in their hands.

The country will now have a breathing space until the end of January. The outgoing government headed by Mr Faure will remain in office until the new Assembly meets on January 19. A few days will then be taken up by formalities, and after this the Government will resign and Mr Rene Coty, the President of the Republic, will call upon one of the party leaders to try to form the next government.