FOR PRESS: 30OCT 1967
L I BR P. M. No. lC16
VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
The Prim-e Minister of Japjan, Mr Eisaku Sato, will
this week begin an official visit to Australia. Mr Eisaku Sato, accompanied
by Mrs Sato and by an official party of 26 persons, will arrive at Canberra at
8. 10G p. m. on Wednesday, October 11.
Mr Sato is paying a gcodwill1 and courtesy visit to Australia
which will further the ve--y good relations that already exist between the two
countries, not only in their growing trade and commerce but through their
increasing co-operation at the political level. Mr Sato will be able to
exchange views with leaders of the Australian Government on matters
affecting the common interests of each country, particularly the situation in
South-East Asia, whose stability and peaceful development are of fundamental
importance to both countries. He wil 1 have as well an opportunity to see for
himself at first hand something of Australia's economic, social and cultural:
development. SUMMARY OF PROGRAMME The Prime Minister and Mr Sato will be welcomed at the
RAAF Base, Fairbai. rn by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt and Mrs Holt,
and by representatives of government departments and the Japanese Embassy.
Mr Sato is eXpected to make a short statement at the
airport but will not hold a press conference there.
On Thursday, October 12.1, MAr Sato will lay a wreath at
the Australian War Memorial at C.. 30 a. m. and will then call on the Governor-
General, Lord Casey at Government House at 10. 30 a. m.
At 12-. 4--5 a. in., Mr Sato calls on the Prime Minister, Mr
Holt and at 11. a. m. will begin talks with Cabinet Ministers.
A~ t 12. 4 p. in., Mr Sato will attend a Government Luncheon
at ' Parliament House. Mrs Sato will be entertained to lunch at The Lodge by
Mrs Zara Holt. In the afternoon, the Japanese Prime Minister will visit the
Australian National University where he will1 be met by the Vice -Chancellor,
Sir Leonard Huxley, the Deputy Vice -Chancellor, 2. ir John Crawford, and other
members of the professorial staff.
At 31' in., Mr Sato will give a Press Conference at
the Hotel Canberra, after which he will attend reception given by the
Ja, anese Ambassador to Australia, Mr Fumihiko Kai.
At night, Mr and Mrs Sato will dine at Government House
as the guests of the Governor-General and The Lady Casey. ./ 2
-2-
The following day, Friday, October 13, the Prime
Minister and Mrs Sato and party will leave Fairbairn for Melbourne at
3C a. m. Their stay in Victoria will be for about five hours during
which time Mr and Mrs Sato will be greeted by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne,
Councillor R. T. A. Talbot, call on the Governor Sir Rohan Delacombe,
attend a luncheon given by the State Government and meet members of the
Japanese community. On Friday afternoon at 3.45 Mr and Mrs Sato and
party will fly to Sydney where in the evening they will attend a dinner given
by the State Government. Saturday October 14, the final day of the visit, begins
with a meeting with members of the Japanese community at the Wentworth
Hotel at 9. 30 a. m. Following a call on the Governor, Sir Roden Cutler,
Mr and Mrs Sato will leave for Sydney airport.
The Japanese Prime Minister and his party will leave for
New Zealand at 11. 0 a. m.
CANBERRA Sth October, 1967.