When I came to office, in terms of diplomacy and national security, as well as the economy, Japan was in a very severe situation.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
During this period, Japan's peaceful commercial relations were successively obstructed, primarily by the American rupture of commercial relations, and this was a grave threat to the survival of Japan.
I can't tell you how important it was for us to be successful in japan.
It was also during my tenure of office that the Japanese Government agreed to the conclusion of a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and signed it, pursuing a policy in harmony with the avowed desire of the people.
During the lifetime of Japan I became very neurotic, very paranoid.
So, Japan as a country has lost its vigor; it feels very much closed in for various reasons.
The greatest problem in Japanese politics over the last two decades is that we put off what needed to be done. We have to overcome that.
Japan and China are isolated and without intercourse with other countries; hence the President directed me to attend to or watch the state of affairs in China also.
As the treaty made with the United States was the first treaty entered into by your country with other countries, therefore the President regards Japan with peculiar friendliness.
When I was a young guy, when I first started with G.E., Jack Welch sent us all to Japan because in those days Japan was gonna crush us. And we learned a lot about Japan when we were there. But over the subsequent 30 years, the Japanese companies all fell behind. And the reason why they fell behind is because they didn't globalize.
It was not my intention whatsoever for the Japanese government to try to get me out of trouble. And I really appreciate the Japanese government for all they have done for me.