§ 23. Mr. Robert BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom/Japanese relations.
§ Mr. GoodladAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs confirmed during his visit to Japan on 6 to 7 April, relations between the United Kingdom and Japan are excellent. We are maintaining a high level of ministerial contact so as to develop our co-operation in all fields including political dialogue, trade, investment, science and technology and broader cultural and educational exchanges.
§ 30. Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Japanese Foreign Minister to discuss bilateral relations.
§ Mr. GoodladMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the new Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Kabun Muto, on 7 April during his visit to Tokyo. He had also met on 6 April the acting Foreign Minister, Mr. Yohei Kono, and had with him a fruitful discussion on how to develop further the excellent bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Japan.