PM: Strong relationship with Japan will benefit wider world
Prime Minister Tony Blair has spoken of the strong political and economic ties between Britain and Japan. "It is a good
relationship that we have," he said, "I want to make it a great one." The Prime Minister said:
"I have no doubt at all that our two countries, that share so many of the same perspectives, that want for example a
strong relationship with the United States, but want that set within a series of global relationships that bring the
world closer together, that recognise the value of the economics and the politics going together, I am sure that our two
countries can play an enormous part in helping our world to greater prosperity and greater stability.
"In particular I hope that my visit here to Japan allows the bilateral ties, politically as well as economically,
between Britain and Japan to be strengthened still further. It is a good relationship that we have. I want to make it a
great one. And I believe that if we do that it will be to the benefit not just of Japan or Britain, but the wider
world."