ARTS ??? TAXIIS IN: KISSINGER IN STENS ??? WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OHIRA: INTO CAR AND ??? OHIRA




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Background: Continuing his round the world tour, United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport from Peking on Wednesday (14th November) to begin a two-day official visit.

He was met at the airport by Japanese Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira during a brief welcoming ceremony before driving directly to the city centre.

At 1530 hours in the afternoon - only one and a half hours after his aircraft touched down - Dr. Kissinger me with Mr. Ohira again for talks. Details have not yet been released, but it was expected that the talks would be concerned primarily with Japan's position in the current 'oil war'.

Japan has been defined as a 'neutral country' by the oil-producing Arab nations, and as such has received the full blow of the 25 percent oil reduction. The Arab nations have indicated that Japan must sever all relations with Israel in order to gain the status of 'friendly country' and receive full oil supplies.

Although Japan relies on the Arab world for 80 percent of her imported oil needs, the Japanese Government is not prepared to cut off Israeli contacts -- mainly due to the close relationship between Israel's primary supporter the United states. The government hopes that the visiting Dr. Kissinger will help to clarify Japan's position.