PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER 38/ 95
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
VISIT TO JAPAN
I am pleased to announce that I will make my first official visit to Japan from 24 to 28
May. I will meet their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, and renew my productive
working relationship with Prime Minister Murayama and other senior members of the
Japanese Government. I will also have discussions with key Japanese business leaders.
This important anniversary year of the end of World War 11 provides an opportunity to
reflect on the unique partnership we have forged together over the past fifty years and
where we might take it in the 21 st century.
Japan is by far our largest trading partner as well as a major source of technology and
investment. In 1994 two-way trade between us was worth $ 28 billion. Through years
of human contact at all levels, our two countries have developed a genuine spirit of
friendship. Our relationship has become a significant and positive force in regional
and global affairs.
With Prime Minister Murayama I will be discussing ways of ensuring the relationship
between Australia and Japan maintains its vitality. We will also discuss our important
common interests in the region, particularly AiPEC which Japan chairs this year. Both
our governments are strongly committed to a substantive outcome at the Osaka
Leaders' meeting in November.
During my visit I will open an Australian Business Centre, bringing representative and
tourist offices of the Australian states together with Austrade into one commercial hub.
In the spirit of the Australia Remembers commemorative year, I will attend a special
ceremony at Hodogaya Cemetery and pay tribute to those Australian and other
Commonwealth servicemen and women who are buried there.
CANBERRA
28 April 1995