[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.