FOREIGN OFFICE FILES FOR JAPAN AND THE FAR EAST
Series Two: British Foreign Office Files for Post-War Japan, 1952-1980
(Public Record Office Classes FO 371 and FCO 21)

Part 6: Complete Files for 1966-1968
(PRO Classes FO 371/187076-187142 & FCO 21/238-299)

The FO 371 and FCO 21 files for these 3 years are dominated by economic issues and relations with the United States, China, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Soviet Union.

The material reflects the continued high growth rate of the Japanese economy with GNP eclipsing the four leading West European nations.

• Many files cover the cultural changes in Japan during these years. The influence of the Beatles is discussed along with changes in education, student violence, the Crown Prince's tour of South America and the visit of
  Princess Chichibu to the UK.
• There are the first impressions of Sir John Pilcher, the new British ambassador, as well as the debriefing notes and valedictory speech of the outgoing Sir Francis Rundall.
• There is lots of material on the importance of exports - steel, ships, motor vehicles, machinery and technical instruments.
• Other files cover improvements in productivity, the growth in electronic products and the sharp rise in the value of Japan's direct foreign investments.