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democratic process.
22. He had also urged China to play a constructive role on the
Korean peninsula, and elsewhere. China had said that she would
accede to the NPT. The Japanese had also sought understanding of
Japan's role in the international community, bearing in mind China's
expressed concern about deployment of self defence forces abroad.
The Japanese had been happy that Mr Kaifu's visit had been followed
by that of the Prime Minister: they did not want to be alone on this
issue. He had originally intended to make a local tour, but had
been dissuaded by the MFA, who had argued that his visit should be
confined to substantive discussions in the capital. Instead, he had
gone on to Mongolia, the first Western Prime Minister ever to do so,
and had greatly enjoyed the experience.
23. Sir John Coles paid tribute to the useful exchange of views on
China between British and Japanese officials, and the exchanges of
messages between Prime Ministers. The Prime Minister wanted the international community to go on applying steady,
non-confrontational pressure on human rights. Mr Tanino said that
Japan would continue to do so quietly.
Distribution
Those present
Mr Burns
Mr Cooper, Planners
Mr Smith, NPDD
Chanceries: Tokyo
Peking
Hanoi
Seoul
Political Adviser, Hong Kong
UKRep JLG Hong Kong
BTC Hong Kong
B11AJT
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