Japan expects N.Z. trade to increase

Press, 23 October 1984, Page 4

Japan expects N.Z. trade to increase

From ROY VAUGHAN in Kyoto The Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Nakasone, said yesterday that recent increases in the volume of trade between Japan and New Zealand had been remarkable and it was clearly going to continue to expand. The two-way trade between the countries is now valued at over $3 billion making Japan New Zealand’s most important trading partner. Japan now takes 12.7 per cent of all New Zealand’s exports, according to the latest trade, figures. In an address to the Japan New Zealand Business Council Conference in Kyoto, Mr Nakasone said, “Human exchange is indispensable for deepening the mu£jal understanding be-

tween our two countries, and on this level as well there has been visible activity.” “Thirty-five thousand tourists from Japan visited New Zealand last year and the number has been increasing annually. Such strengthening of bilateral ties works not only to the advantage of Japan and New Zealand but even more to promote prosperity throughout the entire Pacific region, an area which is said to be the most vigorous one in the world today.” Mr Nakasone described New Zealand as one of the leading nations of the region and hoped relations between the two countries would deepen even more in years to come. In his message to the conference the Prime Minis-

ter, Mr Lange, said there had been a growing realisation among Pacific rim countries that their future prosperity depended on looking to resources in the region. “New Zealand is first and foremost a Pacific nation and we will be doing our utmost to develop our links with this region in the years to come,” he said. The two Prime Ministers are likely to meet in New Zealand in January, if Mr Nakasone is re-elected next month. Diplomatic sources in Tokyo say Mr Lange is likely to visit Japan about September or October next year. There are also plans to establish a New Zealand consulate in Osaka to cater for the huge surrounding industrial area.