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passage in the draft, but Sir John Whitehead told me that what Mr. Kaifu then went on to say about Japan's position on rice was pretty standard and unforthcoming.)
The Prime Minister said he would look carefully at the point Mr. Kaifu had raised. The main problem would be with the French on agriculture. He was reasonably optimistic that we could find suitable language. He had valued and enjoyed this opportunity for discussion with Mr. Kaifu. The G7 process gave us an opportunity to share with Japan views on issues of wide interest. That was a very attractive opportunity and he hoped we could build on it. Mr. Kaifu said it was very important for Japan to be a participant in the G7 process. Japan was not involved in any other forum of that magnitude. He emphasised the political as well as economic importance of G7 and hoped that G7 would promote political discussions among the participating countries. The London Summit would be seen as a touchstone for future political discussion.
I am copying this letter to Jeremy Heywood and Nigel Wickes (HM Treasury), David Rossington (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), Martin Stanley (Department of Trade and Industry) and Sonia Phippard (Cabinet Office).
Jans Stephen
Richard Gozney, Esq.,
Foreign and Commonwealth office
J.S. WALL
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