U.S. assurance for Japan

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32941, 13 June 1972, Page 17

U.S. assurance for Japan

(N.Z. Press TOKYO, June 12. President Nixon’s adviser on foreign policy and national security, Dr Henry Kissinger, assured Japanese leaders yesterday that the United States looked upon Japan as an equal partner in world affairs. Dr Kissinger gave this assurance during a 31-hour breakfast meeting with the Foreign Minister (Mr Takeo Fukuda), and at a traditional Japanese dinner with four former Foreign Ministers. He also told them that the United States would negotiate a settlement of the Vietnam war, but would not abandon her allies in the process. Between the breakfast and dinner meetings, Dr Kissinger talked with members of

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, with a group of editors, and with three leaders of the Socialist Party, • Japan’s largest Opposition r faction. On Saturday night, Dr Kis- ’ singer talked for four hours ’ with the Prime Minister (Mr i Sato), who is expected to an- > nounce his retirement soon. | Mr Fukuda seems likely to [succeed him. American sources say that ■ Dr Kissinger emphasised at all his meetings that the . United States would keep ' Japan fully informed on ■ American foreign policy—a i sore point with the Japanese [ since Mr Nixon announced ' his visit to China last summer without advance notice : to Japan’s leaders. Dr Kis- . singer told the Japanese leaders that the United States had been “inconsiderate” in not consulting their Government. Mr Fukuda told a press conference after his long meeting with Dr Kissinger

that the two countries had agreed to maintain their security treaty, regardless of any change in the world situation. According to Mr Fukuda, Dr Kissinger supported Japan’s intention not to become a military super-Power, "although there are some opinions in the world that Japan might, or should, become one.” Japanese correspondents report that Dr Kissinger told their editors that the United States would maintain her troops in South Korea as long as the Government of President Park Chung-hee wanted them there. Dr Kissinger announced today that he had conveyed an invitation from Mr Nixon to Emperor Hirohito to visit the United States "at an appropriate time.” There has been no immediate response to the invitation from the Imperial Household Agency. Dr Kissinger’s visit to

1 Tokyo has been described as - a “fence-mending” mission f designed to ease Japanese - unrest since Mr Nixon’s visit to China and the American , economic measures that have - had an adverse affect on the ; Japanese economy. The visit was made in tight - security in an effort to prei vent anti-American demon- : strators from creating an incident. With the exception of s a brief skirmish on Saturday, i when two students hurled I leaflets at Dr Kissinger, the r security was effective. ; During the dinner talks, - several vans containing riot I policemen were parked outside the exclusive restaurant .on the fringes of Tokyo’s i Ginza district. Only pool > photographers were allowed ■ inside the restaurant, and, • then only for Dr Kissinger’s arrival. Before leaving for home i today, Dr Kissinger met Mr I Kakuei Tanaka, Japan’s Minister of International Trade > and Industry.