    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 3, 1999]
    [Pages 681-682]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner Honoring Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi of Japan
    May 3, 1999

        Ladies and gentlemen, Prime Minister and Mrs. Obuchi, members of the Japanese delegation, and all our
    distinguished guests. It's a great pleasure for Hillary and for me to
    return the hospitality that the Prime Minister extended to me when I
    visited Japan last November.
        In 1963, as a high school student, I first came to this house. There
    I heard President Kennedy

    [[Page 682]]

    challenge a group of us to make the world a better place. A year earlier
    a young Japanese graduate student walked straight into the office of
    Attorney General Robert Kennedy and asked for a meeting. He left a
    letter saying he was deeply impressed by a speech Kennedy had given at
    Waseda University.
        Keizo Obuchi apparently made his own impression, because a week
    later he got his meeting with Robert Kennedy. He has said often since
    then that that meeting helped kindle within him a desire for public
    service. I understand, Mr. Prime Minister, that the Attorney General's
    graciousness also impressed you. We see it today reflected in your own
    decency and generosity.
        I treasure the bonsai tree you gave me last year, a tree you tended
    yourself. I was honored when you presented me with sake that came from
    His Majesty, the Emperor. And you were kind
    enough to write this warning: Be careful, because overall, sake will
    result in dancing and singing. [Laughter]
        Well, many people were dancing and singing, with or without sake,
    when this year the young Japanese filmmaker Keiko Ibi won an Academy Award for her film on the lives of
    elderly New Yorkers. Her acceptance speech pointed to the possibilities
    for understanding and friendship between people of different cultures.
        That spirit is more important than ever today, as the world
    community works to end the ethnic and religious cleansing in Kosovo. I
    am grateful to Japan for supporting NATO's efforts and for its aid to
    refugees in frontline states--part of Japan's broader commitment to
    relieve human suffering and support peace and freedom around the world.
    You have helped survivors of Central America's hurricanes, supported the
    peace process in the Middle East, promoted democracy in Indonesia and
    stability on the Korean Peninsula. Ratifying the Nuclear Test Ban
    Treaty, fighting deadly disease in Africa, protecting endangered forests
    and oceans--Japan truly is a world leader for all that is best in
    humanity.
        The whole world looks to Japan--and to you, Mr. Prime Minister--for
    that kind of leadership. And we are pulling for you and working with you
    for economic policies to lift the lives of Japan's citizens, as well as
    the people in your region.
        We share the same dreams for a better future. We are united in an
    alliance of fundamental importance to peace and freedom. As I said to
    you in Tokyo, all is possible when our countries join hands.
        I ask all of you to join me in a toast to the Prime Minister, to
    Mrs. Obuchi, and to the people of Japan.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:05 p.m. in a pavilion on the South Lawn
    at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister
    Obuchi's wife, Chizuko; and Emperor Akihito of Japan. The transcript
    released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks
    of Prime Minister Obuchi.