

                         THE WHITE HOUSE

                The Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                               April 8, 1994



                 Statement by the Press Secretary


     The President spoke with Prime Minister Hosokawa of Japan 
today at 9:40 AM(EDT) for approximately 12 minutes.  The 
President conveyed his regret at the Prime Minister's decision to 
resign and commended him for his commitment to political and 
economic reform in Japan.  The President expressed his hope that 
the process of reform would continue in Japan.  The President 
stated that he is confident that our strong bilateral relations 
with Japan will continue.

     The President told Prime Minister Hosokawa, "I am confident 
that you will always be viewed as an historic Prime Minister who 
made great strides in helping Japan in a period of transition.  
You gave your people the courage to change."

       The President intends to work closely with the new Prime 
Minister to improve the economic relationship with Japan and to 
implement fully the Framework agreement, which remains a high 
priority and is very much in the interests of both countries.

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