U.S. President Speaks to Japanese Diet

Bush Expresses Confidence in Japanese Economy


President Bush, speaking to the Japanese Diet February 18 during a
visit to Tokyo in which he discussed how the Japanese economy can be
revived, said he is confident the country's greatest era lies ahead,
and it will maintain its leadership in the world.

"Japan has some of the most competitive corporations, and some of the
most educated and motivated workers in the world," Bush said, as well
as a leader, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, "who embodies the
energy and determination of his country."

Bush noted that the United States has faced its own share of economic
challenges over the years. The United States learned that "it is
better to move forward boldly with reform and restructuring than to
wait, hoping that old practices will somehow work again," he said.
"Through bold action, we emerged a better and stronger economy -- and
so will you."

Discussing the power balance in the Pacific, Bush noted that the
United States, like Japan, is a Pacific nation, and is "drawn by trade
and values and history to be a part of Asia's future. We stand more
committed than ever to a forward presence in this region."

Japan and the United States, he said, "seek a peaceful region where no
power, or coalition of powers, endangers the security or freedom of
other nations; where military force is not used to resolve political
disputes. We seek a peaceful region where the proliferation of
missiles and weapons of mass destruction do not threaten humanity."

Following is the transcript of the president's speech to the Diet:

(begin transcript)

Office of the Press Secretary
February 18, 2002

Remarks by the President to the Diet
The Diet
Tokyo, Japan

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister,
distinguished members of the Diet, Ambassador and Mrs. Baker,
Secretary Colin Powell and the American delegation, Japanese
delegation, distinguished representatives of the great people of
Japan: Laura and I are honored to be here. And thank you so very much
for your invitation. And thank you very much for the generous
reception. (Applause.) Thank you so very much for the kind and
generous reception that we have been shown by the Japanese people.

We look forward to the great honor of meeting Their Imperial
Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, later on today. And we bring to
you the respect and good wishes of the American people.

A century ago, our two countries were beginning to learn from, and
about, one another after a long period of suspicion and mistrust. The
great Japanese scholar and statesman, Inazo Nitobe -- a man who
understood both our peoples, envisioned a future of friendship as he
wrote, "I want to become a bridge across the Pacific." That bridge has
been built -- not by one man, but by millions of Americans and
Japanese. (Applause.)

My trip to Asia begins here in Japan for an important reason.
(Applause.) It begins here because for a century and a half now,
America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances
of modern times. From that alliance has come an era of peace in the
Pacific. And in that peace, the world has witnessed the broad advance
of prosperity and democracy throughout East Asia.

From its very birth, our alliance has been based on common interests,
common responsibilities and common values. The bonds of friendship and
trust between our two people were never more evident than in the days
and months after September the 11th. We were grateful, so very
grateful, for the condolences and compassion of the Japanese people
and the Japanese government. We were especially touched -- especially
touched that the people of Ehime Prefecture sent a donation to the
families of victims, showing empathy for loss, even when their own was
so recent. This is a gesture of friendship my nation will never
forget. (Applause.)

Last fall in Shanghai, the Prime Minister gave me a special gift -- a
samurai arrow in a box in which the Prime Minister had written, "The
arrow to defeat the evil and bring peace to the Earth." He also said,
"This is a fight we have to win to ensure the survival of freedom."
(Applause.)

I assured him then, and I assure you today, freedom will prevail.
(Applause.) Civilization and terrorism cannot coexist. By defeating
terror, we will defend the peace of the world. (Applause.)

Japan and America are working to find and disrupt terrorist cells.
Your diplomats helped build a worldwide coalition to defend freedom.
(Applause.) Your Self Defense forces are providing important
logistical support. And your generosity is helping to rebuild a
liberated Afghanistan. (Applause.)

Your response to the terrorist threat has demonstrated the strength of
our alliance, and the indispensable role of Japan that is global, and
that begins in Asia. The success of this region is essential to the
entire world, and I'm convinced the 21st century will be the Pacific
century. (Applause.)

Japan and America share a vision for the future of the Asia Pacific
region as a fellowship of free Pacific nations. We seek a peaceful
region where no power, or coalition of powers, endangers the security
or freedom of other nations; where military force is not used to
resolve political disputes. We seek a peaceful region where the
proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass destruction do not
threaten humanity.

We seek a region with strong institutions of economic and political
cooperation that is open to trade and investment on a global scale. A
region in which people and capital and information can move freely,
breaking down barriers and creating bonds of progress, ties of culture
and momentum toward democracy. We seek a region in which demilitarized
zones and missile batteries no longer separate people with a common
heritage, and a common future.

Realizing this vision -- a fellowship of free Pacific nations -- will
require Japan and America to work more closely together than ever.
(Applause.) Our responsibilities are clear. Fortunately, our alliance
has never been stronger. (Applause.)

America, like Japan, is a Pacific nation, drawn by trade and values
and history to be a part of Asia's future. We stand more committed
than ever to a forward presence in this region. We will continue to
show American power and purpose in support of the Philippines,
Australia and Thailand. We will deter aggression against the Republic
of Korea. Together, Japan and the United States will strengthen our
ties of security. America will remember our commitments to the people
on Taiwan. (Applause.) And to help protect the people of this region,
and our friends and allies in every region, we will press on with an
effective program of missile defenses.

In a few days, I'll visit China. America, like Japan, welcomes a China
that is stable and prosperous and at peace with its neighbors. We're
grateful for China's cooperation in the war against terror. We both
supported China's entry into the World Trade Organization. And we will
work with China in the great task of building a prosperous and stable
Asia for our children and for our grandchildren.

In the United States, China will find a partner in trade. China will
find the respect it deserves as a great nation. And America will find
-- and China will find that America speaks for the universal values
that gave our nation birth: the rule of law, the freedom of conscience
and religion, and the rights and dignity of every life. (Applause.)
Those are the values of my country, and those are the values of our
alliance.

America and Japan have joined to oppose danger and aggression. We have
also joined to bring aid and hope to those who struggle throughout the
developing world. We are the world's two largest economies, and the
two most generous contributors of economic and humanitarian aid.
Japan's commitment to development is known and honored throughout the
world. So is Japan's leading role in great international institutions
-- the United Nations, the World Bank and the G-8, among others.

The challenges of development are often deep and difficult --
persistent poverty, widespread illiteracy, terrible disease. Money is
necessary. Yet money alone will not solve these problems. Lasting help
will come as we help to build honest government and effective law
enforcement, quality schools and quality hospitals, and growing
economies. Progress will require a long-term commitment, and we both
must provide it.

In the months ahead, our nations will take part in two world summits
focused on development. Japan and the United States should work to
expand our partnerships with the private sectors, to reform
international financial institutions, to improve access to education
for boys and girls in Asia, and Africa, and in the Middle East. In all
our efforts we must put resources where they do the most good -- with
the people and the communities we are trying to help.

Our two countries have unique strengths, and a unique opportunity to
combine them for the benefit of the world. In science, we're exploring
new technologies to produce energy while protecting the environment.
In medicine, we're exploring the human genome and nearing treatments
and cures to extend lives and relieve suffering.

Japan is making these great contributions even in a time of economic
uncertainty and transition that has caused some to question whether
your nation can maintain these commitments and your leadership in the
world. I have no such questions, and I'm confident that Japan's
greatest era lies ahead. (Applause.)

Japan has some of the most competitive corporations, and some of the
most educated and motivated workers in the world. And Japan, thanks to
my friend, the Prime Minister, is on the path to reform. I value my
relationship with the Prime Minister. (Applause.) He is a leader who
embodies the energy and determination of his country. He and I have
had very good visits. I trust him. I enjoy his sense of humor
(Laughter.) I consider him a close friend. (Applause.) He reminds me
of a new American star, Ichiro. (Laughter and applause.) The Prime
Minister can hit anything you throw at him. (Laughter and applause.)

Over the years we Americans have seen our share of economic
challenges. In the late '70s and early '80s, our competitiveness was
weak, our banks were in trouble, high taxes and needless regulation
discouraged risk-taking and strangled innovation. America overcame
these difficulties by reducing taxes and by reducing regulations. We
moved non-performing loans to market, making way for new investment.
As we made reforms, foreign investors regained faith in us, especially
investors from Japan.

We learned that in times of crisis and stagnation, it is better to
move forward boldly with reform and restructuring than to wait, hoping
that old practices will somehow work again. Through bold action, we
emerged a better and stronger economy -- and so will you. (Applause.)

Over the past few years, Americans have increased our investments in
Japan, further binding our nations and showing confidence in your
future. Japan has a proud history of moving forward -- not through
revolutions, but through restorations.

One of the heroes of the Meiji Restoration, Yukichi Fukuzawa --
(applause) -- was a student of the economic ideas that transformed the
Western world. He saw these ideas spark prosperity and lift millions
out of poverty, and he sought to introduce them to his people. As he
translated an influential economics textbook into Japanese, he came
across an English word with no Japanese equivalent: competition. So he
coined a new word, "kyoso," and forever enriched the Japanese
language.

But kyoso is more than just a word. It is a spirit and an ethic. It is
an engine that drives innovation and unleashes the potential of free
people. More than a century ago, competition helped propel Japanese
economy into the modern era. A half-century ago, it accelerated the
Japanese postwar economic miracle admired by the world. Now Japan has
embarked on a new restoration. A restoration of prosperity and
economic growth through fundamental reform and the full embrace of
competition.

In all the work that lies ahead, in the defense of freedom, in the
advance of development, in the work of reform, you'll have a firm ally
in the American government. And you'll have a constant friend in the
American people.

Thank you very much.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)