A look at noteworthy addresses in...

A look at noteworthy addresses in the Southland.

Takakazu Kuriyama, Japanese ambassador to the United States, spoke Monday night at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on “The U.S. and Japan: Partnership Opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region.” His speech was co-sponsored by the Japan America Society and Town Hall of California. From his speech:

On U.S.-Japan Cooperation and Regional Security “What is the common agenda for U.S.-Japan partnership in the Asia-Pacific region? I would like to highlight four areas of cooperation: strengthening international peace and security; strengthening the international trading system; assisting the emerging democracies and market economies, and coping with transnational issues such as the environment and drugs.

U.S. forces in the Far East contribute significantly to the security and stability of the (Asia-Pacific) region. If they withdrew, a vacuum of power would ensue, and the region would almost certainly destabilize. . . . While Japan will play a more active political role in the region, we remain determined never to pursue military dominance in Asia and never to have nuclear weapons. Japan cannot overlook the sensitivity of its neighbors to its past history of military aggression.

The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty enjoys the strong support of the Japanese, even after the Cold War. (Thus) Japan has stepped up its already sizable contribution to Japan-U.S. security arrangements. For example, to support U.S. activities in Asia and the Pacific, $4 billion, or $82,000 per U.S. personnel, was provided in 1991 to support U.S. bases in Japan. This covers nearly 50% of the operating expenses incurred by the U.S. forces based in Japan.”

On International Trade “The economic dynamism of the (Asia-Pacific) region was only achievable under the free, open and multilateral trading system, as we have had in the postwar years. Maintaining this global trading system is absolutely indispensable for the continued growth of the region. We must be careful not to fall into a narrow and inward-looking regionalism that can lead to closed and protectionist trading blocs.”

Looking Ahead Monday: Film critic Michael Medved, on “Hollywood’s Three Big Lies About Media and Society,” 6:45 p.m., Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, Claremont McKenna College, 385 East 8th St., Claremont. Free; open to the public.

Wednesday: John Slaughter, president of Occidental College, on the “Moral Virtue of Athletics,” 6:45 p.m., Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, Claremont McKenna College. Free; open to the public.

Announcements concerning prominent speakers in Los Angeles should be sent to Speaking Up, c/o Times researcher Nona Yates, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053