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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Foley Arrives In Japan As U.S. Ambassador Trade Disputes Linger, But Security Pact Signed Recently Amid Economic Slide

Kevin Sullivan Washington Post

Former U.S. House Speaker Thomas S. Foley arrived here Saturday as the new U.S. ambassador to Japan, following the longest vacancy in that job since World War II.

Foley, 68, replaces former ambassador Walter F. Mondale, who left Japan 11 months ago.

Foley arrives at a time of relative harmony in U.S.-Japan relations. While many trade disputes in areas such as aviation continue to strain relations, the two nations recently completed a successful renegotiation of their bilateral security agreement. That pact, pressed by President Clinton and Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, expands Japan’s responsibilities to assist the United States in the event of military conflicts in East Asia.

Things are less harmonious in Japan’s economy. Economic crises that have plagued many Asian nations in recent months have taken their toll on Japan, which saw its stock market plunge Friday to its lowest point in two years. Japanese banks are burdened with bad debt, and corporate bankruptcies are at record levels.

While Foley will not have to grapple with those issues, he will be pressing the United States’ interests while the Japanese government is preoccupied with domestic problems.

Foley, who has visited Japan many times, has been criticized by some, especially those in the U.S. business community here, as an apologist for Japan. Critics note that Foley was recently given one of Japan’s highest awards, one given to few foreigners. They argue that he is the wrong person to be pushing Japan on prickly trade matters.

However, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan issued a statement recently welcoming Foley. It said the group is confident that Foley will display “a strong commitment to support the efforts of American business … in the dynamic Japanese market.”

Arriving at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, Foley addressed a large gathering of Japanese reporters.

“Whatever field we consider - trade, security, research and technology, the sciences, the environment, education or economic development - there is, indeed, no cooperative bilateral partnership more important than that between the United States and Japan,” he said. “Our partnership is the key to a peaceful and prosperous 21st century in Asia and the rest of the world.”