Japanese worried

Press, 26 March 1981, Page 6

Japanese worried

NZPA-Reuter Washington The Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Masayoshi Ito) said that the ■ Soviet Union was attempting to change the military balance in Asia and called on the United States to remain vigilant. “The stability in Asia ultimately rests upon a strong United States military presence and I sincerely hope that the United States will' continue to maintain its strong concern about this region,” Mr Ito told the Japan Society.

His remarks followed two days of extensive discussions with President . Ronald Reagan and his senior advisers. “One of the elements of instability in the Asian scene is the Soviet military buildup, and we need to be vigilant on Soviet moves to change the status quo in Asia in its favour,” Mr Ito said. .Mr Ito praised the Reagan Administration’s economic plan aimed at bringing inflation under control while stepping up American military

' spending to meet the Soviet challenge. .. He said that Japan was also aware of its own responsibilities in defence and he had emphasised this in talks with the Administration officials. Mr Ito made only a passing reference to American attempts to restrict Japanese car exports to the United States. He said only that Japan wished to extend as much cooperation as possible for the revitalisation of the American car industry.'