    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 30, 1998]
    [Page 149]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Japan-United States Civil Aviation Agreement
    January 30, 1998

        I am pleased that the United States has reached a landmark agreement
    with Japan that will dramatically increase air service between our
    countries. This agreement will expand a $10 billion market that services
    nearly 12 million passengers and carries well over 1 billion pounds of
    cargo each year. It will allow more U.S. cities to have direct service
    to Japan and give U.S. airlines extensive new rights to fly into and
    beyond Japan. This increased competition means more choices for American
    business travelers and tourists alike.
        Like our agreements on telecommunications and financial services,
    this aviation agreement reflects my policy of opening the world's
    markets in areas where American companies are most competitive. In
    aviation alone, we have already concluded far-reaching agreements with
    Germany, Canada, and 20 other nations. Along with today's agreement,
    these pacts are moving international aviation into a 21st* century where
    consumer needs, not governments, will determine where and how often
    passenger and cargo planes travel.
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        *White House correction.
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        I want to thank Secretaries Albright and Slater and the
    negotiators at the Departments of State and Transportation for their
    sustained efforts in reaching this historic agreement.