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the heart of Europe and so our continuing suitability as a location for Japanese inward investment.
(v) To carry our commercial message to the Japanese, ie the
importance of the success of the Priority Japan campaign, the
promotion of the purchase of "big-ticket" items by the Japanese,
continued market opening, focusing on structural reform,
liberalisation of the financial services sector and open
purchasing by the Japanese public sector. To give support to the British business community in Japan. The objectives will be
particularly important now that Mr Heseltine has apparently
decided not to visit Japan during the Whitsun recess as
previously planned.
3.
Korea
(i) To establish early contact with leading figures in the new
administration of President Kim Young-sam, whose inauguration
takes place on 25 February.
(ii) To update himself on developments in South Korea on
North/South relations and prospects for reunification of the
peninsula, and Korean perceptions of the Asia-Pacific.
(iii) To help maintain an enhanced perception of Britain as an
important international player, including in the EC, helping to
maintain momentum brought about by the visit of TRH The Prince
and Princess of Wales to Korea last November.
(iv) To blaze a trail for the group of British businessmen, MPs
and others who will be in Korea for the first meeting of the
UK-Korea Forum for the Future in Seoul 22-24 April. (On the
lines of the UK-Japan 2000 Group.) To give support to British
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