TNAG-2910-FCO40-4185-International-support-from-Asia-regarding-the-future-of-Hong-1993 — Page 25

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Sir James Eberle referred to a Japanese proposal for a major UK-Japan Conference later this year. The Prime Minister enquired about sponsorship. Sir James Eberle said that it would be under the Japan Foundation. He also referred to hopes for a next generation forum, which was stuck over a suitable Japanese organising committee. The Prime Minister offered help either through our Embassy or the FCO. He asked about the British Council in Japan. Mr. Wolfers said that the Council were very effective. He referred to the working holiday visa scheme which like the next generation forum was equally stuck. When the background had been explained, the Foreign Secretary said that he might need to talk to the Home Secretary. The Prime Minister said that the Home Office would be concerned about precedents. He agreed that the matter should be looked at again. Would the individuals be sponsored by companies? Lord Jenkins said that this could be looked at, but was not the only option. He confirmed that the Japanese were happy to make reciprocal arrangements once we had ours in place. Mr. Wolfers said that some two thousand young people had been working in Japan under the Japanese English Teachers Scheme (JET) over the last 15 years - some 350 a year. Sir Hugh Cortazzi said that a related question involved Japanese companies. Some had problems with immigration in getting their staff in. Mr. Wolfers said that this was also a constraint on the development of Japanese language studies since we needed more teachers on short term contracts from Japan. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary commented that immigration questions were a constant problem.

The Prime Minister enquired about the role the Prince of Wales might play in the 10th Anniversary of the Group. Mr. Howell said that he hoped that Prince Charles would participate in the Seminar next year, perhaps to attend a dinner or address one of the sessions. Details were still not clear. His particular interest was business in the community. Mr. Howell had talked the matter through with the Prince of Wales including at a dinner. He and Sir James Eberle said that details of what they would like of HRH would be clearer after the coming Conference. The Prime Minister said that it was important to be clear about what the Group wanted the Prince of Wales to do. He would be willing to pass on their ideas once they had clarified.

The Prime Minister said that political contacts with Japan this year would be substantial. The Foreign Secretary would be going to Tokyo soon. He himself hoped to go twice, once for the G7 Summit and once possibly for a bilateral visit in September. Mr. Howell welcomed this. He referred to ideas