TNAG-0239-FCO40-275-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalised-tariffs-preferences--1970 — Page 72

CONFIDENTIAL

Possibility of a Return Visit

28. The possibility of a return visit by the Emperor of

Japan has also been considered. We wore given to under-

stend in 1968 that, for reasons of age and health, it was

unlikely that the Emperor would travel cutside Japan.

There is some reason to think that the Japanese including

the Emperor himself - have been reconsidering this, but

nothing more has been heard.

Ministerial Visits

29. Mr. Sato has on several occasions in recent years

expressed the hope that a British Prime Minister would

visit Japan. If he asks Mr. Heath to go to Japan, the

Prime Minister may wish to give an encouraging reply.

30. There have been three official visits by Japanese

Prime Ministers since the war but none by a British

Prime Minister, although Kr. KacMillan would have gone

in 1961 but for the Berlin crisis.

31. Following Lord Home's visit to Japan as Foreign

Secretary in 1963, regular consultations have taken place

at Ministerial level, alternately in London and Tokyo,

at roughly annual intervals. It will be the Japanese

Foreign Minister's turn to come to London in the Spring

of 1971.

32. Mr. Anthony Royle visited Tokyo from 7 to 9 October

1970. The Japanese Minister of Education (Mr. Sakata)

visited Britain in carly October 1970 as the official

guest of the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

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CONFIDENTIAL