    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 8, 2005]
    [Pages 1681-1683]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Interview With Japan's NHK Television
    November 8, 2005

    Japan-U.S. Relations

        Yoshio Nishikawa. Thank you very much. My question is on U.S.-Japan
    alliance coming up to your meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi next
    week. How would you define its significance?
        The President. First, I would define the relationship as a close
    relationship. I think people who follow my statements here in America
    about foreign policy know that I admire Prime Minister Koizumi a lot and consider him a close friend. And that's
    an important part of having good relations.
        Secondly, the relationship between Japan and the United States is an
    important relationship. It is important for peace, and it's important
    for prosperity. We're significant trading partners, and the more we
    trade together in a fair way, the more it's likely that there will be
    prosperity. And we're working together to maintain the peace. And I
    appreciate very much the Japanese commitment to democracy and freedom
    around the world.

    Japan's Role in Iraq

        Mr. Nishikawa. Especially the deployment of the Japanese Self-
    Defense Force in Iraq is, I think, a symbol of U.S.-Japan relationship.
    And will you be urging Prime Minister Koizumi to prolong its deployment
    period as the mandate expires next month?
        The President. Well, I'm aware the mandate does expire. First, I do
    want to thank the Government and the people of Japan for supporting the
    democratic aspirations of the people of Iraq. That's noble, and it's
    important for spreading peace, because democracies don't fight. After
    all, look at the relationship between the United States and Japan: We're
    democracies, and we coexist peacefully, and we work together to keep the
    peace.
        Secondly, I will--I think what's important is that we get past these
    elections in Iraq, and then coalition allies can discuss with a new
    Iraqi Government how to proceed forward. I have always said that as the
    Iraqis stand up--in other words, as the Iraqis get more trained to
    secure the peace, then coalition forces and the U.S. forces will stand
    down.

    Security and Defense Cooperation

        Mr. Nishikawa. So would we allow to return to the alliance again,
    and in the recent two-plus-two meeting, there was important agreement
    for increasing cooperation on security and on defense front, such as the
    showing of base facilities. But within Japan there is a concern that
    Japan might be engulfed by the international--the United States'
    international strategy, and how would you respond to this concern?
        The President. Well, first of all, Japan makes the decisions that
    the government thinks is necessary. Japan is, of course, a sovereign
    nation. And we work closely to work out our defense posture in concert
    with what's in the best interests of not only America but with Japan.
        Secondly, as you know, we've worked very closely on an arrangement
    to realign troops on Okinawa. That's what allies and friends do; they
    work through difficult problems in a way that satisfies the needs of
    both parties as well as what is good for regional stability, and that we
    would always consult with our friends, the Japanese. We would never put
    them in a position that ran contrary to their national interests.

    China-Japan Relations

        Mr. Nishikawa. Then I'd like to move on. Regional issues?
        The President. Sure.
        Mr. Nishikawa. First, China, which is growing dramatically----
        The President. Yes. [Laughter]

    [[Page 1682]]

        Mr. Nishikawa. ----in economics and military power. I see in many
    aspects Japan and the United States is cooperating. But Japanese
    relationship with China is aggravating because of Prime Minister's visit
    to Yasukuni Shrine. How--what do you--how do you view this visit?
        The President. Well, first of all, I think the relationship between
    China and Japan is more complicated than just a visit to a shrine. In
    other words, there's a lot of Japanese capital investing in China, which
    is one indication of the relationship, and of course, there's the
    political side, which I understand is strained right now.
        And so it seems like a proper role for me is to remind our friends
    in the region that it takes work to overcome the past. But overcoming
    the past is going to be necessary to have a bright future. I remind
    people that the United States and Japan were sworn enemies at one time.
    And we worked--we've worked to overcome that, and now we're close
    allies. And the same is possible with other countries in the region,
    between Japan and those affected by World War II.
        Mr. Nishikawa. And do you intend to address what you told me in your
    meeting with the Prime Minister?
        The President. Well, if he wants to
    talk about it, I'd be glad to talk about it. But what's interesting
    about this interview is I just addressed the issue, so he probably will
    hear this. But the Prime Minister is a savvy man, and he is a smart man.
    And he knows very well that it requires work to get past old grievances.
    And he's--I think--I find him to be a very skilled diplomat as well.

    North Korea

        Mr. Nishikawa. And with regards to North Korea, Japan is
    continuously working for a long-desired solution to Japanese abductees.
        The President. Yes.
        Mr. Nishikawa. And so how does the United States aim to support
    Japan on this issue?
        The President. Well, of course, we abhor abductions. And we can
    understand the heartbreak of the Japanese families that--who lost a
    loved one, and therefore support Japan in its desire to resolve this
    issue. However, the main focus of our discussions--our six-party talks
    is to make sure that the Korean Peninsula does not have a nuclear
    weapon. And that's in Japan's interest as well as in the interest of the
    United States and, for that matter, everybody else in the region, that
    we succeed in these talks to get--make sure that the North Koreans hear
    with one voice, a voice spoken by China, South Korea, Japan, the United
    States, and Russia, that it is in the interest of world peace and
    harmony that all--that North Korea and South Korea, for that matter,
    does not have a nuclear weapon.

    Beef Exports to Japan

        Mr. Nishikawa. Lastly, it has been 2 years since Japan has banned
    imports of beef.
        The President. Yes. [Laughter]
        Mr. Nishikawa. What do you expect?
        The President. Well, I understand this is a very--that the--this is
    a difficult issue. I'm also pleased to see that the Food Safety
    Commission--I think that's what it's called----
        Mr. Nishikawa. Yes.
        The President. ----has ruled that U.S. beef is safe. Of course, our
    cattlemen here believe the beef is safe. I'm more than willing to eat
    U.S. beef, and do--eat a lot of it. And my point is, is that I hope that
    the government follows through with the recommendations of the safety
    commission--or just decides about opening the market and listens to the
    safety commission, because we feel like not only our beef is safe, but
    it's an important part of our cattle industry to be able to sell to the
    Japanese consumer.

    [[Page 1683]]

        Mr. Nishikawa. So I thank you again, Mr. President----
        The President. Thank you, sir.
        Mr. Nishikawa. ----for giving us such a kind opportunity to
    interview you.
        The President. Well, thank you very much.

    Note: The interview was taped at 1:18 p.m. in the Map Room at the White
    House for later broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred to
    Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of this interview.