Rudd annoyed on question of Japan visits
Updated
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reacted angrily to suggestions he's downplayed Australia's bilateral relationship with Japan.
Asked by Japanese journalists why he'd taken six months to visit Japan -- after trips to the U-K, the U-S, China and Indonesia -- Mr Rudd countered by saying that he'd taken almost exactly the same amount of time to visit Tokyo as his predecessor, John Howard.
Presenter: Shane McLeod
Speakers: Members Of Japan's National Press Club; Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
SHANE MCLEOD: The members of Japan's National Press Club were particularly keen to hear from Kevin Rudd on one particular topic.
(Japanese reporter speaking)
"The Japanese Government is interested in reinforcing the relationship with Australia as a counterbalance against China," says the reporter from the Mainichi newspaper. "So will Australia agree to this sort of role - as a counterbalance against China?"
(Second Japanese reporter speaking)
"You say you will strengthen security cooperation with Japan and the United States," asks the reporter from NHK. "Do you think this might invoke a feeling of being threatened by China, and did you talk about this when you visited Beijing in April?"
Mr Rudd's answers might not have been quite what the reporters were looking for because the questions kept coming. The Prime Minister fended off suggestions he'd pointedly snubbed Japan by not visiting until now.
KEVIN RUDD: It's worth reflecting on how long it was before Mr Howard came to Tokyo - it was six months.
SHANE MCLEOD: Mr Rudd said that more than seven Australian ministers have visited Japan this year and added a pointed retort of his own.
KEVIN RUDD: How many Japanese Government ministers have been able to visit Australia in the same time? Perhaps you could tell me the answer to that. I don't think there are any. I may be wrong but, I'm looking to my officials here - (pause) - one? None.
SHANE MCLEOD: Mr Rudd did outline how he sees Australian foreign policy fitting in in the region - a big focus on multilateralism, the pan-Asia union Mr Rudd surprised foreign policy thinkers with last week, and a concurrent focus on strong bilateral ties. That means no to new regional groupings unless they include all the key players.
KEVIN RUDD: We want the United States and China and Japan and India and Australia to be in one body where we discuss the common security challenges of our region.
SHANE MCLEOD: Mr Rudd also received the anticipated question on whaling and he responded with the anticipated reply - that he hopes there can be a diplomatic solution. But he says that doesn't mean Australia has taken the threat of international legal action off the table.
KEVIN RUDD: Into the future of course let's hope that diplomacy works, but you are wrong to characterise our policy as having changed on the earlier matter you referred to in terms of abandoning any possible legal course of action.
SHANE MCLEOD: It is an issue he expects to raise on the final day of his Japan visit in a meeting with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.
