Albright Accuses Japan of Extreme E

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Albright Accuses Japan of Extreme Export Offensive.
Itar-Tass
23-NOV-97

TOKYO, November 23 (Itar-Tass) - U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
accused Tokyo of pursuing a wrong policy in many areas, ranging from
encouraging an export offensive to contacts with military regime of Myanmar. 

She expressed concern at a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Keizo
Obuchi in the Canadian city of Vancouver that a sharp rise in Japanese
revenues in trade with the United States "has negative influence" on
relations between the two nations. 

Albright also pointed to the need for broader access of American companies
to the Japanese market of civil planes. In this connection, the state
secretary demanded that Tokyo should take further steps to boost domestic
demand in the country and beat down, thereby, the attack on the U.S. market. 

In October, Japan's balance of trade with the U.S. jumped up by 55 percent
as against the corresponding month last year. 

Obuchi promised to take efforts in this field, but did not promise rapid
success.  According to the Japanese minister, the growth in Japanese export
to the United States is largely explained by the fact that the economic
situation there improved, and Americans are now ready to buy more goods
from abroad. 

Albright also expressed concern over Japan's economic cooperation with the
military regime of Myanmar (Burma), which is accused by Washington of
violating human rights. According to the state secretary, Tokyo sends,
thereby, "a wrong signal" to that country, instead of promoting a dialogue
between the authorities and the opposition there. 

Obuchi explained in his reply that Japanese aid, for instance in
modernising the airport in the Myanmar capital Yangwon was prompted by the
need to ensure safety of flights. 

He promised to think over the U.S. advice but ducked a specific obligation
to cut economic contacts with that country in South East Asia.