PM Transcripts

lijUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 6 MARCH 1986
At the invitation of Prime Minister Nakasone, I shall make a
working visit to Japan on 15-18 may. This follows my official
visit to Japan in early 1984 and Prime Minister Nakasone's visit
to Australia in January 1985.
my visit to Japan will provide an opportunity to exchange
perspectives on regional and international developments and to
develop further our dialogue on the Australia-Japan relationship.
Japan is important to us not only because it is our major trading
partner. It plays an important role in wider international
trading and financial relations and has an increasingly
significant voice on international political issues. Australia
and Japan share a fundamental interest in the stability and
prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.
my visit will provide a timely opportunity to hear, first hand,
the outcome of the Tokyo Economic Summit on 4-6 May.
I expect that my discussions with Mr Nakasone and his ministers
will assist a further strengthening of our dynamic economic
relationship with Japan.
In our bilateral dealings Australia is concerned to ensure that
our trade with Japan proceeds on a commercial basis, with each
country recognising the other's capacity in those areas where it
is a competitive and reliable supplier. During my discussions in
Tokyo I shall stress the Australian Government's commitment to
develop a more efficient and dynamic industrial base one able
to take full advantage of Japan's market Opening Measures.
my discussions in Tokyo will also provide an opportunity to
review the joint efforts of Japan and Australia to promote a
successful launching of the forthcoming multilateral trade
negotiations. The consultative process established through the
Regional Trade initiative provides an important basis on which
countries in the region, including Australia and Japan, can
further develop shared perceptions and positions in the lead up
to a new round.
I shall be paying an official visit to China following my visit
to Japan.