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5) in answer to your question Mr Kubota said that there was no group of Japanese politicians who took a special interest in Hong Kong, although there were many with an interest in China. He was interested in your idea that it might be worth trying to develop such a group.
4. You made the point that Japan needed politicians who could be more articulate in explaining Japanese policies. Japan did have views to put forward. There were good contacts and exchanges at official level but these did not always reach the public arena. Unless Japanese policies could be presented effectively there was a risk that the western press and other commentators not familiar with Japan would judge Japan by the standards and viewpoints prevailing in their own countries. Both guests took the point. Mr Otsuka said that he thought younger Japanese politicians were more aware of the need to explain Japanese policies.
5.
Mr Kubota struck one as sensible and well informed. He was not, however, very forthcoming: one had to coax views from him. Given time his points were worth listening to.
But without patience one might conclude that he had little to say. Maybe he will gain confidence. If not he may be compared unfavourably with his predecessor when he reaches Hong Kong.
Heald
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E J Field
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