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FOREIGN OFFICE FILES FOR JAPAN AND THE FAR EAST

Series Two: British Foreign Office Files for Post-War Japan

(Public Record Office Class FO 371 & FCO 21)

Part 6: Complete files for 1966-1968

(PRO Class FO 371/187076-187142 & FCO 21/238-299)

Part 7: Complete files for 1969-1971

(PRO Class FCO 21/555-593, 636-639, 720-769, 798-800 & 877-926)

BRIEF CHRONOLOGY, 1965-1970

(Based on Foreign Office Calendars of Events)

January 1965

10-15 The Minister of State for Shipping, Mr Roy Mason, visited Japan.

10-17 The Prime Minister, Mr Sato, visited the United States and the United Nations.

14-19 The Foreign Minister, Mr Shiina, visited London for the third round of the Regular Anglo-Japanese Ministers Consultations.

The ILO Fact Finding Mission left Japan.

February 1965

A draft Japan-Korea basic agreement was initialled in Seoul.

March 1965

The Sanyo Special Steel Company declared itself insolvent.

April 1965

10-14 The Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Foreign Office, Lord Walston, visited Tokyo.

Agreement reached in Anglo-Japanese Air negotiations.

18-19 Mr Kawashima, Vice-President of the Liberal Democratic Party, represented Japan at the Tenth Anniversary Celebrations of the Bandung Conference.

The Lower House ratified ILO Convention 87.

May 1965

1-10 Tunku Abdul Rahman visited Japan.

The Japan Socialist Party elected Mr Sasaki as Chairman in place of Mr Kawakami.

The Lower House passed the Farmland Compensation Bill.

Dr Subandrio arrived for talks.

June 1965

The 48th (Regular) Diet ended.

2-3 The cabinet and senior Liberal Democratic Party posts were reshuffled.

The Foreign Ministers of Japan and South Korea signed a treaty and four agreements normalising relations.

July 1965

Elections for the Upper House were held.

Mr Ichiro Kono died.

The Liberal Democratic Party was heavily defeated in elections for the Tokyo Assembly. The 49th (Extraordinary) Diet began sitting. This lasted until 11 August.

August 1965

The Diet ratified the Anglo-Japanese Consular Convention.

The former Prime Minister, Mr Ikeda, died.

19-21 The Prime Minister, Mr Sato, visited Okinawa.

September 1965

15-19 The President of the Board of Trade, Mr Jay, visited Japan.

Start of the British Exhibition. It lasted through to 3 October.

20-30 Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra visited Japan.

October 1965

2-5 The Minister of Aviation, Mr Jenkins, visited Tokyo.

The 50th (Extraordinary) Diet was convened to ratify the agreements with Korea.

17-20 The Secretary of State visited Japan for the fourth round of Regular Anglo-Japanese Consultations.

Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi visited the United Kingdom. The visit lasted through to 9 November.

November 1965

The Japan Socialist Party and Japan Communist Party held joint demonstrations against the agreements with Korea.

The All-Japan Seamen’s Union went on strike.

December 1965

8-12 The Minister of State for Disarmament, Lord Chalfont, visited Japan for talks.

Japan was elected to the Security Council.

The Diet ratified the Agreements with South Korea.

The 50th (Extraordinary) Diet ended.

The American Vice-President, Mr Humphrey, visited Tokyo.

A revised air agreement between Japan and the

United States was signed in Tokyo.

January 1966

5-13 Mr Wedgwood Benn, the Postmaster-General, visited Japan to study Japanese Posts and Telecommunications.

15-17 A Japan/Soviet Air Agreement and a Five-year Trade and Payments Agreement were initialled in Tokyo.

16-22 Mr Shiina, the Foreign Minister, visited the Soviet Union.

A Bill for the flotation of long-term national bonds became law.

19-22 Japan Socialist Party Convention. Mr Kozo Sasaki defeated Mr Saburo Eda in the election for the chairmanship.

Opening of the 51st Regular Diet.

The seamen’s strike ended in compromise.

March 1966

A BOAC Boeing 707 crashed on Mount Fuji killing all 124 persons aboard.

April 1966

The Budget for fiscal 1966 was passed.

6-7 The Ministerial Conference for the Economic Development of South-East Asia was held in Tokyo.

May 1966

1-7 The British Commander-in-Chief, Far East,

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Grandy visited Japan.

The Government protested against the third Chinese nuclear test.

June 1966

13-17 The Foreign Minister, Mr Etsusaburo Shiina attended the Ministerial Conference for Asian and Pacific Co-operation in Seoul.

Japanese accession to the ILO Convention No 87 took effect; all save one of the necessary amendments to internal legislation were enforced by Government ordinance.

19-29 Mr Ishkov, the Soviet Minister of Fisheries, visited Japan.

The 51st Diet ended.

July 1966

5-7 The Japan-United States Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs held its fifth meeting in Kyoto.

Mr Dean Rusk attended.

The producers rice price was raised by 9.2 per cent.

The 52nd (Extraordinary) Diet opened.

24-30 Mr Gromyko, the Soviet Foreign Minister, visited Japan.

Dr Reischauer resigned his post as American Ambassador to Japan.

The 12th World Conference against Atomic and

Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) opened in Tokyo.

The 52nd (Extraordinary) Diet ended.

Mr Sato formed his second Cabinet.

Sohyo Convention started. It continued through to 4 August.

Mr Toshikatsu Horii succeeded Mr Kaoru Ohta as Chairman.

August 1966

Mr Shoji Tanaka, Chairman of the Lower House Audit Committee, was arrested on charges of extortion.

The Japan Communist Party adopted a line “Independent” of Peking.

September 1966

17 Four North Korean mutineers brought their fishing vessel to Japan after murdering their officers on the high seas.

19-20 The first meeting of Indonesia’s major Western creditors was held in Tokyo.

19-27 General Ne Win of Burma paid a State visit to Japan.

The Japanese Government refused to issue passports to 639 applicants wishing to travel to China for a youth rally in Peking.

President Marcos of the Philippines starts a State visit to Japan. This concludes on 3 October.

October 1966

3-11 Mr Kawashima, Vice-President of the Liberal Democratic party, visited three East European States.

Mr Arafune, Minister of Transport, was dismissed for misbehaviour.

7-12 Mr Malik, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, visited Tokyo.

Mr Shiina, the Foreign Minister, started his visit to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. He later visited Britain and

France for regular ministerial consultations, and also Spain. The trip ended on 11 November.

24-30 The Japan Communist Party (JCP) held its 10th Convention and formally adopted its new independent line.

November 1966

Mr Fujiyama resigned his post as Director-General of the Economic Planning Agency.

A new Japan China "L-T" trade agreement was concluded in Peking.

24-26 Inauguration of the Asian Development Bank in Tokyo,

Mr Bottomley, Minister for Overseas Development, and

Lord Walston, Minister of State in the Foreign Office, represented the United Kingdom.

28 Chief Leabua Jonathan, Prime Minister of Lesotho, started his visit to Japan which was concluded on 4 December.

30 The 53rd (Extraordinary) Diet opened.

December 1966

The Liberal Democratic Party held its 18th Convention.

Mr Sato was re-elected President of the party.

Mr Sato formed his third Cabinet, Mr Takeo Miki became Foreign Minister.

6-9 The Japan Socialist Party held its 28th Regular Convention. Mr Kozo Sasaki was re-elected chairman.

6-8 A conference on Agricultural Development in

South-East Asia was held in Tokyo.

The 53rd (Extraordinary) Session of the Diet closed.

The 54th (Regular) Session of the Diet opened.

The House of Representatives was dissolved.

January 1967

First direct live television link between Japan and the

United Kingdom.

13-19 The Brazilian President-elect General Costa e Silva visited Japan.

The Lower House elections. The Liberal Democratic Party gained an overall majority of 277 seats out of 486.

31 Anglo-Japanese Civil Aviation Talks started in London.

These were concluded on 11 February.

February 1967

It was announced that Japan's two-way trade with Communist China in 1966 had reached the record figure of US$620 million.

National Foundation Day celebrated for the first time since the end of World War II.

Mr Yoshikatsu Takeiri elected Chairman of the Komeito.

55th Special Diet convened.

27 Anglo-Japanese Commercial Negotiations started in London. These finished on 3 March.

March 1967

Japan Air Lines inaugurated a round-the-world service.

13-17 Mr Eban, Israeli Foreign Minister, visited Japan.

Construction work began for the 1970 World Exposition at Osaka.

19 Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore, started his visit to Japan. This ended on 2 April.

28 Mr. Hasluck, Australian Foreign Minister, started his visit to

Japan. This ended on 10 April.

April 1967

3-17 23rd General Session of ECAFE held in Tokyo.

Mr R H Belcher, Ministry of Overseas Development led the British Delegation.

9-12 Mission from the Leicester Chamber of Commerce visited Japan.

Dr Ryokichi Minobe elected Governor of Tokyo with support form the Japan Socialist Party and Japan Communist Party.

Moscow-Tokyo air service inaugurated.

29 First Communist mayor in Japan elected at Shiojiri.

May 1967

7-21 British Pharmaceutical mission in Japan.

9-19 Herr Willi Brandt, West German Foreign Minister, visited Japan.

13-31 Crown Prince and Princess toured South America.

15-20 Mr Pirzada, the Pakistan Foreign Minister, visited Japan.

It was announced that 203 members of the Diet had made false income tax returns in 1966.

31 Mr Manescu, Rumanian Foreign Minister started his visit to

Japan. This concluded on 7 June.

June 1967

Mr Eiichi Nishimura was elected Chairman of the Democratic Socialist Party in succession to

Mr Suehiro Nishio.

Mr Senanayake, Prime Minister of Ceylon, started his visit to Japan. This continued until 1 July.

30 Prime Minister Sato visited Seoul for the inauguration of President Park. Visit concluded on 2 July.

July 1967

Special Diet session ended.

56th (Extraordinary) Diet session convened.

August 1967

Resignation of Mr Sasaki and Mr Narita as Chairman and Secretary-General of the Japan Socialist Party.

9-11 First Japan-South Korea Ministerial Conference held.

14-22 Mr Desai, Indian Deputy Prime Minister, visited Japan.

It was announced that Japan's GNP in the financial year 1965-66 had become the third largest in the world.

19-25 Seventh International Conference on Biochemistry held in Tokyo.

Mr Seiichi Katsumata elected Chairman of the Japan Socialist Party.

World University Games opened in Tokyo.

28-30 Japan found "guilty" at a session of the

"Viet-Nam War Crimes Tribunal" in Tokyo.

29 Over 100 people died in floods.

September 1967

Bank rate increased to 5.84 per cent.

7-9 Mr Sato visited Taiwan.

The Cabinet formally approved the "blood debt" agreement with Malaysia and Singapore.

20 Mr Sato started his tour of five South-East Asian countries. The tour lasted until 1 October.

21-23 Electronics Symposium in Kyoto.

October 1967

3-19 Visit of the Scottish trade mission.

6-18 British trade promotions at Tokyo department stores.

8-12 Mr Sato visited Philippines, Indonesia, Australia,

New Zealand and South Vietnam. Riots at Tokyo Airport.

A Japan Communist Party announcement denounced

Mao Tse-tung for the first time.

10-22 British trade promotions at Tokyo department stores.

Former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida died.

London Chamber of Commerce Mission arrived. Visit lasts until 4 November.

26 Store promotions in Osaka, Sapporo and Nagoya. These continue until 3 November.

27-31 Mr Nyamweya, Kenya Foreign Minister, visited Japan.

31 The Right Hon. Arthur Bottomley attended Mr Yoshida’s State funeral.

November 1967

5-11 13th World Road Congress held in Tokyo.

9-18 Representatives of the British aerospace industry visited Japan.

10-17 Successful Anglo-Japanese Civil Aviation talks were held; the British delegation was led by Mr R R Goodison, CB.

The unofficial "Repatriation Agreement" with North Korea was terminated.

14-16 Mr Sato visited Washington for talks with President Johnson and it was announced that the United States would return the Bonin Islands to Japan.

Secretary of State's visit to Japan was postponed.

Anglo-Japanese talks at the official level opened, the British side being led by Mr Murray, CMG.

Mr Sato reshuffled his Cabinet.

A former Foreign Ministry official was charged with passing classified documents to a North Korean agent.

December 1967

1-2 M Couve de Murville, French Foreign Minister, in Tokyo for Franco-Japanese ministerial consultations.

The 57th (Extraordinary) Diet was convened.

8 Record year-end bonuses were paid.

January 1968

Bank rate raised by 0.365 per cent to 6.205 per cent.

8-9 Sixth Anglo-Japanese Ministerial Consultations held in Tokyo between the Foreign Secretary, Mr George Brown, and Mr Miki.

16 Visit of Soviet Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Baibakov, starts. This lasts until 1 February.

19-23 USS Enterprise, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, calls at Sasebo: violent demonstrations.

Official announcement of British Week, 1969.

30 Japan declared support for United States position on Pueblo incident.

February 1968

Talks between officials of the Soviet Communist Party, including Mr Suslov, and the Japan Communist Party end in agreement to "normalise relations".

Visit of Sr de Magalhaes Pinto, Foreign Minister of Brazil.

Forced resignation of Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kuraishi, breaks 17-day deadlock in Diet proceedings.

Students and farmers riot at projected site for new Tokyo International Airport at Narita.

28-30 Private visit by Mr Harold Macmillan.

March 1968

Colonel in Air Self-Defence Force arrested on a charge of giving secrets to a commercial firm: his superior subsequently commits suicide "to take responsibility".

Agreement with China to renew private "memorandum trade" for 1968.

Agreement signed between Japan and the United Kingdom for co-operation over peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Appointment of Mr Morio Yukawa as Japanese Ambassador in London agreed.

28 Visit of President Suharto of Indonesia. Continues to 1 April.

29 Mr. Nakasone, Minister of Transport, makes repeated appeals for the scrapping of the Yoshida Letter on trade with China and the normalisation of relations. This process continues through to 10 April.

April 1968

8-15 Visit of President Tito of Yugoslavia.

11-26 Visit of HMS Devonshire and other ships and of the Commander-in Chief, Far East Fleet.

Budget for 1968-69 finally approved in Diet, two and a half months after its first introduction.

18-24 Visit of Chancellor of Austria, Dr Klaus.

23 Agreement on replacement of sterling by French francs for settlement of Japan-China trade.

May 1968

2-11 USS Swordfish, nuclear-powered submarine, calls at Sasebo: Japanese allegations of an abnormal increase in radioactivity in the port.

14-20 Visit of Prime Minister of Thailand, Thanom Kittikachorn.

Tokachioki earthquakes cause widespread damage in northern Japan.

27-30 First conference of Commissioners-General for the Osaka Expo ’70.

June 1968

Partial liberalisation of technical assistance agreements.

1-7 Visit of HMS Intrepid and other ships and of the Commander, Far East Air Force.

USAF jet fighter crashes on to a building of Kyushu University at Fukuoka.

Opening of Anglo/Japanese trade talks.

Visit of Commander, Far East Land Forces.

Mr Ikeda, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and former Cabinet Minister, resigns form the party on being charged with accepting a 3 million yen bribe from a private firm.

26 The Bonin (Ogasawara) islands are formally returned to Japan after 23 years of American Administration.

July 1968

Upper House elections: Liberal Democratic Party wins over half the seats up for election and retains its overall majority; the Japan Socialist Party loses eight seats; the other parties gain.

14-15 Foreign Minister, Mr. Miki, visits London for informal talks.

Japan Communist Party sends a telegram of support to the Czechoslovakian Communist Party.

August 1968

59th (Extraordinary) Diet convened.

Bank rate reduced by 0.365 per cent to 5.84 per cent.

First Japanese heart transplant operation performed in Sapporo.

12-18 Visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland,

Mr Lynch.

Resignation of Mr Yamamoto, Secretary-General of the Japan Socialist Party.

Japan Communist Party condemns Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia.

27-29 Mr Miki and other Ministers attended

2nd Japan-South Korea Ministerial Conference in Seoul.

September 1968

Mr Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai, proposes direct meetings between the Governments of Japan and China aimed at establishing normal relations.

8-14 Visit of Sr Antonio Carillo, Foreign Minister of Mexico.

11-14 Japan Socialist Party convention fails to agree on the new party leadership.

October 1968

Bank of Japan eases restrictions on city bank lending.

Tokyo stock exchange index recorded highest ever level on Dow Jones Index: 1,851.49 yen.

Mr Narita and Mr Eda elected Chairman and Secretary-General of the Japan Socialist Party.

4-11 Keio Department Store's Scottish promotion.

14-18 Visit of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore.

Mr Yasunari Kawabata awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

20-25 Visit of Commander-in-Chief, Far East, Sir Michael Carver.

Riots in Tokyo and the provinces on the occasion of "anti-war day".

Official celebration of the centenary of the Meiji Restoration.

Resignation of Foreign Minister, Mr. Miki, to stand as candidate for the Presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party.

30 Announcement of award of KBE to Mr Katsumi Ohno.

November 1968

1-12 Isetan Department Store's British brand fair.

Election of Chobyo Yara as Chief Executive of Okinawa.

11-16 Visit of Dr Borg Olivier, prime minister of Malta.

Ground-breaking ceremony for the British pavilion at Expo ’70 in Osaka.

B-52 bomber explodes on take-off in Okinawa.

Mr Sato re-elected President of the Liberal Democratic Party.

30 Mr Sato announces his new Cabinet.

December 1968

60th (Extraordinary) Diet convened.

Cabinet approves policy statement on liberalisation of imports within two or three years.

27 61st (Regular) Diet convened.

January 1969

Japan decides to buy 104 Phantom F-4E jet fighters from the United States.

13-18 Visit of Ihsan Sabri Caglayangil, Foreign Minister of Turkey.

18-19 Siege of Tokyo University; police capture Yasuda Auditorium after a long battle with left-wing students. Entrance examinations for 1969 cancelled by Government order.

February 1969

General strike on Okinawa averted at last moment; day of protest against B-52 bombers.

Japan-Soviet civil aviation talks in Tokyo end with signing of a new agreement, providing for Japan Air Lines to operate a direct route to Moscow from 1970, and increasing direct services.

Fair Trade Commission notifies Yawata and Fuji Iron and Steel Companies that it will allow their merger if certain conditions are met.

March 1969

Ministry of Finance announce that Japan's foreign exchange reserves have exceeded $3,000 million for the first time in history, having grown by over $1,000 million in a year.

Prime Minister states in Diet for the first time that Japan will press for the reversion of Okinawa without United States nuclear arms.

Ichiro Kato elected President of Tokyo University by a large majority, after acting temporarily as President during the disputes.

First "forced vote" of the current Diet session, over the Government Bill to raise national railway fares by

15 per cent. DSP ready to compromise with LDP; JSP and Komeito promise bitter opposition.

April 1969

Budget for 1969-70 finally approved in Diet at

Y6,739,500 million, of 15.8 per cent over the preceding year.

Communiqué issued in Peking, recording agreement that "memorandum trade" should continue during 1969, sharply attacks Japanese Government; Japan decides not to react strongly.

9-15 State Visit of King and Queen of Afghanistan.

United States reconnaissance aircraft based near Tokyo shot down by North Koreans.

17-18 Japan-Canada Ministerial consultations held in Tokyo.

Birth of Princess Nori, third child of Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

21-22 Ministry of Education publish series of directives to tighten Government control of the universities.

23-30 Visit of Ardeshir Zahedi, Foreign Minister of Iran.

Okinawa Day; 5,000 students fight police in central Tokyo.

29 Japan-Soviet fisheries talks end in agreement, but are described by Japanese as the toughest ever.

May 1969

Japanese dog-owners march in protest against allegations in British newspapers of Japanese cruelty to imported British dogs.

4-13 Visit of British Parliamentary delegation, led by

Mr John Cronin, MP.

12-13 United States Secretary of Commerce Stans holds discussions with Japanese Ministers about Japanese textile exports to the United States.

17-21 Visit of Federal German Chancellor, Dr Kiesinger.

Vice-President of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announces agreement with Chrysler Corporation for joint car manufacture in Japan after liberalisation.

23-25 Visit of Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, Dr Stevens, and other Ministers.

Opening of Tomei Expressway linking Tokyo and Nagoya.

31 Foreign Minister departs for talks in Washington DC.

June 1969

9-11 Fourth Ministerial meeting of ASPAC held at Ito.

Launching of the Mutsu, Japan's first nuclear-powered ship.

Peaceful demonstrations in Tokyo by a union of Left-wing extremist groups to commemorate anniversary of 1960 Security Treaty struggles.

18-25 Visit of Poul Hartling, Foreign Minister of Denmark.

23-28 Visit of Mrs Indira Ghandi, Prime Minister of India.

July 1969

Japan takes up seat for first time as member of

United Nations Disarmament Committee.

Tokyo District Court gives opinion that existing Japanese law does not authorise application of COCOM restrictions.

Japan Socialist Party loses heavily in Tokyo Metropolitan elections, where LDP regain first position and Komeito and JCP register striking successes.

Speaker and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives resign because of opposition criticism of their handling of the Health Insurance Bill. Takechiyo Matsuda elected as new Speaker.

News breaks in United States that a leakage of toxic gas affected 24 United States personnel on an Okinawan base.

29-31 Seventh meeting of Japan-United States Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs held in Tokyo at Ministerial level.

August 1969

61st regular Session of Diet closes in confusion, passing Government Bill to control university disputes, but failing to pass 50 other Bills. President of House of Councillors offers his resignation, but it is refused.

New universities control law comes into effect, and most national university presidents declare their opposition to it.

26-28 Third Japan-South Korea Ministerial Conference held in Tokyo.

September 1969

Bank rate raised from 5.84 to 6.25 per cent.

Treaty of commerce and navigation signed between Japan and Rumania in Tokyo.

Foreign Minister departs for talks in Moscow and Washington DC.

British pavilion for Osaka Expo ’70 completed, dedicated and handed over.

Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, arrive in Tokyo for British Week.

26 Start of British Week attended by Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, the President of the Board of Trade, the Lord Mayor of London, HMS Fearless and others. Visit continues through to 5 October.

October 1969

Opening of 16th University Postal Union Congress in Tokyo. This runs until 14 November.

Visit of Gabriel Valdes, Foreign Minister of Chile.

Government announce that 50 per cent foreign investment in the Japanese motor car industry will be permitted as from 1 October, 1971.

Anti-War Day marked by violent student demonstrations in Tokyo, signalling the start of the "1970 struggle".

22-26 Visit of Maurice Schumann, Foreign Minister of France.

30 Fair Trade Commission approved Yawata-Fuji merger.

November 1969

Five detainees arrive back from Peking.

Sato leaves for talks with Nixon. 1,500 persons arrested during riots.

December 1969

Dissolution of Diet; elections called for 27 December.

8 IAEA technical meeting in Tokyo considers effectiveness of verification procedures stipulated in the non-proliferation treaty.

Foreign minister Aichi, conferring with Soviet Ambassador, restates Japan's intention to claim return of the "Northern Territories".

Aichi and Sato express desire to hold official talks with China.

United States military authorities announce withdrawal of Mace-B missiles form Okinawa.

Japan-China Memorandum Trade Office announces that China is to release Samejima, Peking correspondent of

Nihon Keizal Shimbun after 18 months' detention.

China agrees to a 6-month extension of the unofficial Japan-China Fishery Agreement.

27 General election gives LDP convincing victory; JSP lose heavily.

January 1970

The International Monetary Fund announces the distribution of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) totalling $3,410m. Japan's share is set at $120m.

It is announced that, at US $141,900 million, the Gross National Product of Japan had comfortably exceeded that of West Germany, thus becoming the second largest in the free world.

9-31 Visit of Royal Shakespeare Company.

Major changes in the Cabinet and important

Liberal Democratic Party posts are announced following the victory of the LDP in the General Election of

27 December 1969.

Bank of Japan announces an increase of 4.1% in the wholesale price index in 1969: the highest since 1959.

The 63rd regular session of the Diet begins; the LDP announce an undertaking to avoid the presentation of controversial bills in the interests of smooth Diet proceedings.

19-24 Military Base-workers' Union in Okinawa (Zengunro) carries out a five day strike in protest against the beginning of consultation between the governments of the United States and Japan in connection with the reversion of the administrative rights of Okinawa.

Japan's balance of payments surplus for 1969 is announced as $2,280 million. This is the first occasion on which the surplus exceeded $2,000 million.

February 1970

Japan signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Launching of Japan's first satellite Osumi No.1 (by her own rocket).

Major speeches in the Diet by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister draw criticisms for failing to show any intention of changing Government policy toward China.

4th Meting of Joint Soviet-Japan Economic Committee ends in Moscow without significant agreement on mutual co-operation for the development of Siberian natural resources.

19-28 Crown Prince and Crown Princess pay an official visit to Malaysia and Singapore.

28 Japan agrees to extend a loan of US $25.4 million to India.

March 1970

6-7 Sohyo (General Council of Trade Unions in Japan) Convention draws up plans for spring wage offensive which lead to highest (18.3%) average wage increases in history.

10 Japan/China Memorandum Trade talks begin; it is announced that total Sino/Japanese trade had increased by 20% to US $625 million in 1969.

An opinion poll published by the Prime Minister's Office shows that 75% of those polled recognise the need for the Self Defence Forces.

1970 World Exhibition (Expo ’70) opens near Osaka with the slogan "progress and harmony for Mankind".

A record seventy-nine countries take part.

17-31 Visit of Royal Society mission.

A public outcry follows the announcement by the Government that it has learnt unofficially of Russia's intention to carry out bombing practices on the high seas in four places near Japan.

Soviet Union cancels its planned bombing practices after protests from the Japanese Government and the fishing industry.

Members of the extreme left-wing Red Army Faction hi-jack a Japan Airlines domestic flight to Seoul and later Pyongyang.

April 1970

Amalgamation of the Fuji Steel Company and the

Yawata Steel Company into the

New Japan Steel Corporation, the biggest single steel company in the world.

President Podgorny cancels his visit to Japan and Expo ’70 owing to illness; Mr Novikov, a deputy Prime Minister, comes instead.

9-14 Visit of HRH The Prince of Wales to Japan.

The Japanese Government announces the Economic and Social Development Plan for the five years 1970-75, which envisaged an annual growth rate of 10.6%.

Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone, Director-General of the Defence Agency declares in the Diet that Japan will not possess nuclear weapons.

Mr Torazo Ninagawa wins a sixth term as Governor of Kyoto backed by the Japan Socialist Party (JSP) and the Japan Communist Party (JCP).

15-17 The Foreign Minister, Mr Aichi, visits Bangkok for a meeting of ECAFE.

The budget for fiscal 1970 is published, with an overall increase in Government spending of 17.9%.

19-23 Visit of HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Michael Stewart CH, MP, accompanied by

Mr Michael Wellbeloved, MP.

20-22 The Secretary of State attends the regular annual

Anglo-Japanese Ministerial Consultations.

The Secretary of State represents HM The Queen at the British National Day at Expo. Band of Scots Guards and Cardiff Polyphonic Choir give special performances.

The Chinese Government agree to continue trade under the Memorandum Trade Agreement but only after the Japanese delegation accept a joint communiqué fiercly criticising the Sato Government. Chou En-lai outlines the "four principles" to which Japanese firms must adhere to trade with China.

20-22 The Japan Socialist Party hold their 33rd regular convention; the delegates are besieged in the convention hall for 2 ½ days.

US forces invade Cambodia; a cautious attitude of support from the Government, an outcry form the Opposition.

May 1970

Mr Daisaku Ikeda, President of the Sokagakkai announces the separation of the religious activities of the Sokagakkai and the political functions of the Komeito (Clean Government Party) following fierce controversy over Komeito's alleged suppression of a book critical of their activities.

13 63rd Diet session ends. It is marked by an absence of confusion and the passing of a record 90% of the bills presented by the Government.

Mr Aichi leaves Tokyo to attend Djakarta Conference on Cambodia on 16 and 17 May.

24-26 Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hogen visits London under the auspices of the Djakarta Conference on Cambodia.

June 1970

12-27 Foreign Minister Mr Aichi visits New Zealand for a meeting of ASPAC and, with Minister for Trade and Industry,

 Mr Miyazawa, visits Washington for talks on textiles, Okinawa and preparations for Mr Sato's visit in November.

 The US/Japan Security Treaty is allowed to continue in force after the expiry of the initial ten year period of validity. Nearly one million people turn out in peaceful protest rallies under tight security.

US/Japan talks on textiles break down.

July 1970

1-7 11 Party Congress of the Japan Communist Party.

The Congress is "opened" to the press for the first time in an attempt to publicise the JCP's apparent change to more moderate policies.

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