Nakasone Vows Cultural Changes to Cut Trade Gap

President Reagan and Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone agreed today that the Japanese government is committed to a fundamental restructuring of Japanese society to satisfy the nation’s Western trading partners.

After talks between the two leaders at Camp David on Sunday and a brief White House meeting today, Reagan acknowledged that setting a new course involving drastic changes in the Japanese life style and culture “will take time, vigorous effort and patience.”

But he said Nakasone “is determined to implement fundamental policy changes, and I applauded the prime minister’s commitment to leading his nation toward an economic future more in harmony with the needs of the global economy.”

“There are no quick or easy fixes, but we do know protectionism is not the answer,” Reagan said.

Nakasone said he told the President that “Japan must effect an historic turn, and I am determined to accept the challenge. The President wholeheartedly welcomed this approach.”

After the closing session, a U.S. official speaking on condition he not be quoted by name, said Nakasone had promised “a work schedule” to implement the vast changes contemplated.

“We accept the prime minister and his government’s commitment to move ahead on this,” the official said. But he said the United States will wait “to see what they come up with” regarding a timetable for change.