CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH MR SONODA, 22 MAY
CONSOLIDATED SPEAKING NOTES
Anglo-Japanese Relations
1. The new Government attaches great importance to
maintaining a constructive and close relationship with
Japan. Grateful for this early opportunity to establish
personal contact, particularly just before the Tokyo Summit.
Sorry that the Prime Minister is unable to stay on in Japan
after the Summit. But we look forward to frequent political
and economic exchanges between British and Japanese Ministers
thereafter. Mr Esaki will have an opportunity to discuss
bilateral economic relations later in the week. (For
background see Annex C.)
Prospects for the Tokyo Summit
2. World economic prospects are uncertain: we therefore
look forward to working with the Japanese at the Tokyo Summit. A good deal of responsibility devolves on Western
leaders to work out policies for combating inflation and
unemployment, reducing excessive surpluses and deficits and
accommodating higher oil prices and energy shortages.
3.
Problems of this magnitude can only be faced jointly.
But the surplus countries, including Japan, have a
particular responsibility both towards their trading
Partners and towards the non-oil developing countries who
are hardest hit by oil price rises.
Rhodesia
4. Last month's elections have brought about a fundamental
change. Bishop Muzorewa clearly has substantial popular
support. He will shortly become Rhodesia's first black
Prime Minister, at the head of a predominantly African
administration.
CONFIDENTIAL
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