[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 18 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
[Pages 785-786]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi of Japan

May 3, 1999

    Prime Minister Obuchi, Mrs. Obuchi, members of the Japanese 
delegation, my fellow Americans. Mr. Prime Minister, we welcome you to 
America and to the White House, and to greet you in the spring when the 
cherry blossoms every year remind us of the generosity and friendship of 
the Japanese people.
    The cherry blossoms--or in Japanese, sakura--have made it through 
changing times, environmental challenges, and even most recently, the 
attention of our local population of beavers. [Laughter] They have 
endured, as our friendship has endured and will continue to endure 
forever.

[[Page 786]]

    For a half-century, our friendship has been a bedrock of security in 
Asia. It remains so. But now it is proving itself in the face of new 
challenges, as well--from protecting the environment to fighting AIDS, 
to stopping the spread of deadly weapons. We are allies today, because 
we share common values and a common vision of the future, rooted in 
democracy, human rights, and political pluralism.
    Mr. Prime Minister, you have been in office less than a year, but 
already you have taken important steps in meeting the challenges that 
face you and reaching the goals that unite us. Our nations are proud to 
reaffirm our partnership for the new century. We value our security 
relationship, what it does to build peace in northeast Asia, our common 
efforts in Indonesia, and Japan's consistent contributions to relief 
efforts so far from your shores, from Central America to the Middle East 
and, now, to Kosovo.
    The economic difficulties of recent years have been a challenge to 
many people in Japan and throughout Asia. But with the right choices, 
Japan--and Asia--will emerge stronger, more open, more democratic, 
better adapted to meet the 21st century.
    In just a few years, we will mark the 150th anniversary of our 
relationship. The Japanese and the American people have come a great 
distance in that time together. We work together; our children study 
together; our Armed Forces have served together. We even share a 
national pastime. In fact, just last Saturday, at a time when American 
Major League Baseball teams all across the country are competing for 
Japanese pitching talent, a new pitcher from across the Pacific threw 
out the first ball at Wrigley Field. Mr. Prime Minister, you did a fine 
job. [Laughter]
    Mr. Prime Minister, the Japanese-American friendship is testament to 
the basic truth that with trust and understanding and genuine 
partnership, we can meet the challenges of the new century and give our 
children a more peaceful and prosperous future.
    Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Obuchi, you honor us with your visit and, 
again, we welcome you to the United States.

Note: The President spoke at 9:55 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House, where Prime Minister Obuchi was accorded a formal welcome with 
full military honors. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister 
Obuchi's wife, Chizuko. The transcript made available by the Office of 
the Press Secretary also included the remarks of the Prime Minister.