§ 18. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister for Trade what recent contacts have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Japan with the aim of reducing the United Kingdom crude balance of visible trade deficit with Japan.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThis year there have been visits to Japan by my right hon. Friend the then Lord Privy Seal in January, by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade in February, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Industry in June, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development in346W November, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited Tokyo in September and made it very clear that Japan must make far greater efforts to increase imports of manufactured goods as well as to moderate exports in sensitive sectors.
Officials from the Departments of Trade and Industry have been following up a number of specific issues in Tokyo, emphasising the Government's concern about trade relations with Japan.