This is the transcript of President Bush's remarks to the Japanese Diet:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Prime
Minister, distinguished members of the Diet, Ambassador and Mrs.
Baker, Secretary Colin Powell and the American delegation,
Japanese delegation, distinguished representatives of the great
people of Japan: Laura and I are honored to be here. And thank
you so very much for your invitation. And thank you very much
for the generous reception. (Applause.) Thank you so very much
for the kind and generous reception that we have been shown by
the Japanese people.
We look forward to the great honor of meeting Their Imperial
Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, later on today. And we bring
to you the respect and good wishes of the American people.
A century ago, our two countries were beginning to learn
from, and about, one another after a long period of suspicion
and mistrust. The great Japanese scholar and statesman, Inazo
Nitobe -- a man who understood both our peoples, envisioned a
future of friendship as he wrote, "I want to become a bridge
across the Pacific." That bridge has been built -- not by one
man, but by millions of Americans and Japanese. (Applause.)
My trip to Asia begins here in Japan for an important
reason. (Applause.) It begins here because for a century and a
half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and
enduring alliances of modern times. From that alliance has come
an era of peace in the Pacific. And in that peace, the world has
witnessed the broad advance of prosperity and democracy
throughout East Asia.
From its very birth, our alliance has been based on common
interests, common responsibilities and common values. The bonds
of friendship and trust between our two people were never more
evident than in the days and months after September the 11th. We
were grateful, so very grateful, for the condolences and
compassion of the Japanese people and the Japanese government.
We were especially touched -- especially touched that the people
of Ehime Prefecture sent a donation to the families of victims,
showing empathy for loss, even when their own was so recent.
This is a gesture of friendship my nation will never forget.
(Applause.)
Last fall in Shanghai, the Prime Minister gave me a special
gift -- a samurai arrow in a box in which the Prime Minister had
written, "The arrow to defeat the evil and bring peace to the
Earth." He also said, "This is a fight we have to win to ensure
the survival of freedom." (Applause.)
I assured him then, and I assure you today, freedom will
prevail. (Applause.) Civilization and terrorism cannot coexist.
By defeating terror, we will defend the peace of the world.
(Applause.)
Japan and America are working to find and disrupt terrorist
cells. Your diplomats helped build a worldwide coalition to
defend freedom. (Applause.) Your Self Defense forces are
providing important logistical support. And your generosity is
helping to rebuild a liberated Afghanistan. (Applause.)
Your response to the terrorist threat has demonstrated the
strength of our alliance, and the indispensable role of Japan
that is global, and that begins in Asia. The success of this
region is essential to the entire world, and I'm convinced the
21st century will be the Pacific century. (Applause.)
Japan and America share a vision for the future of the Asia
Pacific region as a fellowship of free Pacific nations. We seek
a peaceful region where no power, or coalition of powers,
endangers the security or freedom of other nations; where
military force is not used to resolve political disputes. We
seek a peaceful region where the proliferation of missiles and
weapons of mass destruction do not threaten humanity.
We seek a region with strong institutions of economic and
political cooperation that is open to trade and investment on a
global scale. A region in which people and capital and
information can move freely, breaking down barriers and creating
bonds of progress, ties of culture and momentum toward
democracy. We seek a region in which demilitarized zones and
missile batteries no longer separate people with a common
heritage, and a common future.
Realizing this vision -- a fellowship of free Pacific
nations -- will require Japan and America to work more closely
together than ever. (Applause.) Our responsibilities are clear.
Fortunately, our alliance has never been stronger. (Applause.)
America, like Japan, is a Pacific nation, drawn by trade and
values and history to be a part of Asia's future. We stand more
committed than ever to a forward presence in this region. We
will continue to show American power and purpose in support of
the Philippines, Australia and Thailand. We will deter
aggression against the Republic of Korea. Together, Japan and
the United States will strengthen our ties of security. America
will remember our commitments to the people on Taiwan.
(Applause.) And to help protect the people of this region, and
our friends and allies in every region, we will press on with an
effective program of missile defenses.
In a few days, I'll visit China. America, like Japan,
welcomes a China that is stable and prosperous and at peace with
its neighbors. We're grateful for China's cooperation in the war
against terror. We both supported China's entry into the World
Trade Organization. And we will work with China in the great
task of building a prosperous and stable Asia for our children
and for our grandchildren.
In the United States, China will find a partner in trade.
China will find the respect it deserves as a great nation. And
America will find -- and China will find that America speaks for
the universal values that gave our nation birth: the rule of
law, the freedom of conscience and religion, and the rights and
dignity of every life. (Applause.) Those are the values of my
country, and those are the values of our alliance.
America and Japan have joined to oppose danger and
aggression. We have also joined to bring aid and hope to those
who struggle throughout the developing world. We are the world's
two largest economies, and the two most generous contributors of
economic and humanitarian aid. Japan's commitment to development
is known and honored throughout the world. So is Japan's leading
role in great international institutions -- the United Nations,
the World Bank and the G-8, among others.
The challenges of development are often deep and difficult
-- persistent poverty, widespread illiteracy, terrible
disease. Money is necessary. Yet money alone will not solve
these problems. Lasting help will come as we help to build
honest government and effective law enforcement, quality schools
and quality hospitals, and growing economies. Progress will
require a long-term commitment, and we both must provide it.
In the months ahead, our nations will take part in two world
summits focused on development. Japan and the United States
should work to expand our partnerships with the private sectors,
to reform international financial institutions, to improve
access to education for boys and girls in Asia, and Africa, and
in the Middle East. In all our efforts we must put resources
where they do the most good -- with the people and the
communities we are trying to help.
Our two countries have unique strengths, and a unique
opportunity to combine them for the benefit of the world. In
science, we're exploring new technologies to produce energy
while protecting the environment. In medicine, we're exploring
the human genome and nearing treatments and cures to extend
lives and relieve suffering.
Japan is making these great contributions even in a time of
economic uncertainty and transition that has caused some to
question whether your nation can maintain these commitments and
your leadership in the world. I have no such questions, and I'm
confident that Japan's greatest era lies ahead. (Applause.)
Japan has some of the most competitive corporations, and
some of the most educated and motivated workers in the world.
And Japan, thanks to my friend, the Prime Minister, is on the
path to reform. I value my relationship with the Prime Minister.
(Applause.) He is a leader who embodies the energy and
determination of his country. He and I have had very good
visits. I trust him. I enjoy his sense of humor (Laughter.) I
consider him a close friend. (Applause.) He reminds me of a new
American star, Ichiro. (Laughter and applause.) The Prime
Minister can hit anything you throw at him. (Laughter and
applause.)
Over the years we Americans have seen our share of economic
challenges. In the late '70s and early '80s, our competitiveness
was weak, our banks were in trouble, high taxes and needless
regulation discouraged risk-taking and strangled innovation.
America overcame these difficulties by reducing taxes and by
reducing regulations. We moved non-performing loans to market,
making way for new investment. As we made reforms, foreign
investors regained faith in us, especially investors from Japan.
We learned that in times of crisis and stagnation, it is
better to move forward boldly with reform and restructuring than
to wait, hoping that old practices will somehow work again.
Through bold action, we emerged a better and stronger economy --
and so will you. (Applause.)
Over the past few years, Americans have increased our
investments in Japan, further binding our nations and showing
confidence in your future. Japan has a proud history of moving
forward -- not through revolutions, but through restorations.
One of the heroes of the Meiji Restoration, Yukichi Fukuzawa
-- (applause) -- was a student of the economic ideas that
transformed the Western world. He saw these ideas spark
prosperity and lift millions out of poverty, and he sought to
introduce them to his people. As he translated an influential
economics textbook into Japanese, he came across an English word
with no Japanese equivalent: competition. So he coined a new
word, "kyoso," and forever enriched the Japanese language.
But kyoso is more than just a word. It is a spirit and an
ethic. It is an engine that drives innovation and unleashes the
potential of free people. More than a century ago, competition
helped propel Japanese economy into the modern era. A
half-century ago, it accelerated the Japanese postwar economic
miracle admired by the world. Now Japan has embarked on a new
restoration. A restoration of prosperity and economic growth
through fundamental reform and the full embrace of competition.
In all the work that lies ahead, in the defense of freedom,
in the advance of development, in the work of reform, you'll
have a firm ally in the American government. And you'll have a
constant friend in the American people.
Thank you very much.
In a speech to the Japanese Parliament, the Diet, President George W. Bush has committed the United States to a "forward presence" in the Pacific region. He said the US "will continue to show American power and purpose in support of the Philippines, Australia and Thailand."