NO DATE
M/ 140 2 November 1974
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT
The attached is the text of the Joint
Press Statement issued after the talks between
the Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, and the visiting
Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Kakuei Tanaka.
I VISIT TO AUSTRALIA OF THE PRIME MINISTER OP JAPAIN
31 OCTOBER 6 NOVEMBER 1974
JOINT PRESS STATE. I: T
The PrimeMinister of Japan,. Mr. Kakuei Tanaka, is paying
an official visit to Australia from 31 October to 6 November 1974,
at the invitation of the Australian Government. While in
Canberra, Mr Tanaka held discussions with the Australian Prime
Minister, Mr Whitlam, and other Ministers. Mr Tanaka will visit.
Sydney and Perth and also the north-western part of Western
Australia. 2. The Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with
the development of broad exchanges between the two countries in
a spirit of close friendship and goodwill. They agreed that
Japan and Australia should further strengthen their efforts to
deepen and diversify their cooperative relations.
3. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promote
world peace, security and progress in accordance with the
principles of the United Nations Charter and to strengthen the rule
of law in the conduct of international relations. They noted in
particular the inadmissibilñ ity of the threat or use of force in
international relations and the necessity for the peaceful
settlement of international disputes.
4. The Prime Ministers reviewed developments in the Asian
and Pacific region. They agreed that the last fevw years had given
rise to better prospects for the development cf peace ar4 progress
in the region, but that there were still some elements of
uncertainty. They agreed to promote regional cooperation in
accordance with the needs and interests of the countries in the
region and to work for a deeper understanding by all countries of
each other's interests and objectives. They welcomed the. work
of such bodies as the Ministerial Conference for the Economic
Development of South East Asia and the South Pacific Forum in
achieving greater regional cooperation,
The Prime Ministers also discussed the situation in
Indochina. They agreed on the urgent need for the full
establishment of peace in the area, and full implementation of
the Paris Accords on Viet Nam by the parties concerned, in order
to promote the social and economic well-being of the people of
the region. The Prime Ministers deplored the continuing war in
a
Cambodia and urged the parties concerned to seek an early end to
the conflict through peaceful negotiations.
6. In discussing developments in North East Asia, the
Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance they attached to the
preservation of peace in the Korean peninsula and expressed
their hope that the South-North dialogue would be further
promoted with a view to reducing tensions in that area.
7. The Prime Ministers also had an exchange of views on
the situation in the Indian Ocean. They expressed their support
for the concept that the Indian Ocean should be a zone of peace.
8. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their opposition to all
nuclear testing and expressed their profound concern at the
effect which recent developments in the nuclear field were having
on the nuclear non-proliferation. regime. The Prime Ministers
confirmed the determination of their Governments not to become
nuclear-weapon states. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their
conviction that all nations should make dedicated efforts to
promote disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament, under
effective international control, and to prevent nuclear
proliferation. In this context the Prime Ministers underlined
the high responsibility of nuclear-weapon states in such efforts.
They expressed their hope for further progress by the nuclearweapon
states in the field of arms control. They agreed to
cooperate in the United Nations for the purpose of maintaining
and strengthening the existing non-proliferation regime and
bringing about a comprehensive test ban.
9. The Prime Ministers gave close attention to the current
world economic situation and expressed the conviction that it was
essential for all countries to cooperate closely in dealing with
such problems as inflation, raw material supply, foodand energy.
They agreed that Australia and Japan should strengthen such
cooperation, both on a bilateral and multilateral basis, to
ensure constructive and appropriate solutions to these problems.
While acknowledging that the period ahead would be a
difficult one, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed their determination
to avoid measures such as unilateral restrictions in trade and
other current account transactions in the spirit of the Declaration
adopted in May this year by the Governments of member countries
of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development at
its Ministerial Council.
11. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed that they attach great
importance to a successful completion of work already under way
in the fields of trade and international finance within a
multilateral framework with a view to establishing improved
international economic relations. They confirmed the intention
of Australia and Japan to participate fully in the GATT
multilateral trade negotiations, which had been initiated. at the
Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo in September last year. They
considered that given the present international economic
circumstances it was more important than ever to press ahead
with the negotiations, and thus stressd the need for an early
commencement of substantive negotiations. On monetary matters,
the Prime Ministers noted the steps being taken in the framework
of the IMF, the W'orld Bank and other forums towards the solution
of the complex problems involved.
12. The Prime Ministers expressed their concern at the
particular problems facing the developing countries in the
present international economic situation. They referred to the
need for. urgent and sympathetic consideration of these problems
by all. countries, particularly in view of the serious difficulties
faced by non-oil producing developing countries. The Prime
Ministers agreed that assistance in the field of agricultural
development was important in this respect, and that there was
a need for forums such as the World Pood Conference to take a
constructive attitude to the problem of world food supply.
13. Recognising the close economic interdependence between
the two countries, the Prime Ministers agreed to cooperate in
further strengthening and developing trade relations between the
two countries. The Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that
the discussions which had taken place in recent years at all
levels on trade and related matters had been extremely valuable
and agreed that these dialogues should be continued and
strengthened. The Prime iMinisters discussed the importance
of improving the conditions of trade and providing a greater
degree of stability in the trade between the two countries.
They also discussed -a number of issues currently of particular
importance, including the trade in beef, wool, sugar and motor
vehicles. 14. The Prime Ministers discussed trade in minerals. and
energy resources and the effects of the recent energy situation
and endorsed the need for the continuirJ cooperation in this
field both between the two countries and within the multilateral
framework. They also noted with satisfaction the continuing
exchange of views and information on developments in this field
between the two countries.
Mr Tanaka described Japan's increasing coal requirements
from Australia for steel making and for power generation and
Japan's intentions to plan a larger amount of electrical
generation by coal and nuclear sources.
t Mlr Whitlam reaffirmed the assurances of Australia's
fullest possible cooperation in energy supplies and Australia's
intention to plan the progressive expansi6n of coal production
to meet Japan's requirements.
The Prime Ministers agreed to commence cooperation in
the field of coal hydrogenation research through mutual visits
of'experts and exchanges of technical information.
Mr Tanaka expressed his appreciation of the confirmation
of supply by Australia to Japan of the contracted 9,000 short tons
of uranium and the possibility of larger supplies to Japan between
1976 and 1986. He also stated that over the period 1986-2000
Japan would require to import much more uranium from Australia.
Mr V'hitlam replied that Australia would be prepared to consider
meeting these Japanese requirements.
Responding to the Australian proposal already made
concerning the enrichment of uranium, . Ir Tanaka said that Japan
would cooperate with Australia in studying the possibility of
uranium enrichment in Australia which, in principle, Japan would
favour. Mr Tanaka said that the study would be extended to
capital, the selection of appropriate technology from third
countries and other related matters.
Mr hitlam expressed readiness to provide for Japan's
expanded requirements from enrichment in Australia.
The Prime Ministers agreed that the joint studios should
be initiated as early as practicable,
The Prime Ministers discussed foreign investr. ent and
agreed that within their respective pclicies there was
considerable scope for mutual cooperation in continuing the flow
of capital b'etwveen the two count. i2s
16. The Prime Ministers agreed h: at in order to develop
mutual understanding and trust which would constitute a firm
basis for enduring friendly relations between the two countries,
it was essential that Australia and Japan should increase the
opportunities for the people of each country to come to know
6.
each other better and to understand more deeply the
importance of each country to the other.
17. The Prime Ministers welcomed the signature of the
Cultural Agreement between the Government of Japan and the
Government of Australia and expressed their common expectation
that the agreement would serve as a valuable framework for the
further expansion of cultural exchanges and promotion of mutual
understanding between the two countries.
18. The necessity of assuring the implementation of the
broad range of activities provided for in the Cultural Agreement
was recognised and the Prime Llinisters expressed the intention of
their Governments' making matching expenditures of approximately
$ A1 million each to encourage such activities. They also agreed
that there should be further consultations on the arrangements
needed in each country, and between them, to advance a wider
spectrum of relations . between the two peoples.
19. The Prime Ministers expressed their joint wish for
extended cooperation in the fields of science and technology.
They considered that mutual benefits would flow from increased
exchange of scientific information and personnel in areas of
mutual interest. The Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress
which had been made towards the conclusion of a treaty of friendship
and cooperation ( the treaty of Nara), which would express in a
formal way the community of interests, the friendship and the.
interdependence which exist between the two countries.
21. The Prime Miinisters reaffirmed the importance they attach
to the Australia-Japan Ministerial Committee and expressed their
belief that the Committee would play an even greater role in the
future for the development of mutual uenderstanding and trust between
the two countries. They looked forward to the holding of the third
meeting of the Ministerial Committee in Canberra in the first
half of 1975.
220 Rr Tanaka expressed his deep appreciation to the
Government oand people of Australia for the friendship and
gracious hospitality extended to him and to-the members of
his party on the occasion of their visit to Australia.