Japan change ‘unlikely*

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 10

Japan change ‘unlikely*

PA Wellington The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) doubts that there will be any significant change in relations between Japan and New Zealand because of the ousting of the Japanese Prime Minister (Mr Takeo Fukuda). But he said in an interview that much would depend on who Prime Minister-designate (Mr Masayoshi Ohira) named as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

“I don’t think there will be any significant change in our relations,” Mr Muldoon said. He knew Mr

Ohira and would not. expect his Government’s policies towards New Zealand to differ greatly from the Fukuda Government’s. “But naturally we will look forward with great interest to the composition of his Cabinet,” Mr Muldoon said. “It may have some significance for us.”

Mr Muldoon said that the Prime Minister-desig-nate had considerable international experience and understood the international implications of Japanese policies.

“But even understanding it does not suggest that he would move any more than the Fukuda Government did.

“We have an agreement with them, after applying a good deal of pressure, and I would think there would not be a great deal of change,” Mr Muldoon said.

Sources in Wellington suggest that the present Japanese Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (Mr Ichiro Nakagawa), who worked out the Japan-New Zealand agreement with Mr Muldoon, mav lose his job under Mr Ohira. But the sources agree the good relationship built up between Mr Nakagawa and Mr Muldoon will most likely continue through to the new Japanese cabinet.