Back to The Diederich Journal, Winter 1996-97.The following story appeared in the Dec. 10, 1996, edition of The Daily Yomiuri.
Although he will no longer be U.S. ambassador to Japan this time next week, Walter Mondale intends to continue his quest to strengthen ties between the two countries by "looking down the road 10 to 20 years."
Speaking at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Dec. 9, Mondale said that despite recent successes and failures regarding thorny issues such as those related to trade and security, the key to lasting Japan-U.S. ties lies with children in the form of student exchanges.
"(The Japan-U.S. alliance) is the most important relationship on Earth, and if we get along and work well together, the chances for the world are greatly improved," Mondale said.
"Education is magic--it never disappoints. And this is where we all need to work in the future," he said. "Old politicians like me, old ambassadors like me, all we can do is kind of move the chairs around on the deck. We work with what is here. But these young people coming up can turn the ship in the direction of even better things...this is the kind of thing that will make a difference."
Mondale, who leaves for the United States on Sunday with his wife, Joan, will turn 69 next month. He will be replaced by Charge d'Affaires Rust Deming.
Speaking to the Japanese press for what he said would be the last time as ambassador, Mondale vowed to press educational institutions in the United States to become more involved in encouraging the next generation of Americans to understand and respect the "remarkable dynamism of Japan and this region."
In the area of foreign policy, he said it was crucial for both countries to help China integrate smoothly into the Asia-Pacific region as well as the international community.
"As (U.S. Defense) Secretary Perry said here last week, it is a 'plus sum' game. Good U.S.-China ties reinforce regional stability, just as good Japan-China ties do," Mondale said. "At the same time, a strong U.S.-Japan alliance and political partnership is in no way directed at China--indeed, it is critical to maintaining the stable environment China needs in order to develop and prosper."
He reiterated his view that Japan must try harder to "deregulate its overregulated economy" and said both countries needed to strengthen multilateral and bilateral mechanisms for resolving trade disputes.
"When (former U.S. President Jimmy) Carter and myself were in office, we deregulated finances ... we deregulated airlines and the railroads ... we deregulated several things and people screamed that it was the end of the world," Mondale said. "But every one of those industries is now far better off than they were when they were regulated."
Mondale also stressed that strengthening the international trading system did not mean an end to the "age of bilateralism." He said both countries stand ready to resolve bilateral trade problems whenever they arise.
"The WTO (World Trade Organization) is off to an encouraging start, but we must keep the momentum going to open markets further--which is why it is so important to conclude the Information Technology Agreement (meeting) this week at the WTO trade ministerial in Singapore."
On a lighter note, the ambassador said the best part of his 3.5-year stint in Japan has been watching his wife "enjoy herself."
"She loves pottery and the arts. She has met every potter in Japan."
Asked about the worst part, Mondale paused for several seconds and responded: "I'm still the ambassador. I'll tell you Monday."