Ambassador Hatano (then serving as Japan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations) informs the Foreign Minister of the results of the talks between Prime Minister Hosokawa and President Clinton held on September 27, 1993. Summaries of the different aspects of the talks were sent in several subsequent cables.
September 28, 1993
Cable No. 5522, Ambassador Hatano to the Foreign Minister, 'Japan-United States Summit Meeting (Separate Telegram 9)'
Number: [TN: blacked out]
Primary: North American Affairs Bureau Director-General
Sent: United Nations, September 28, 1993, [TN: time blacked out]
Received: MOFA, September28, 1993, [TN: time blacked out]
To: The Foreign Minister
From: Ambassador Hatano
Japan-United States Summit Meeting (Separate Telegram 9)
No. 5522 Secret Top Urgent
(Limited Distribution)
Outgoing Cable No. 5513 Separate Telegram 9: Other (Small Talk)
After the meeting ended, and before the joint press conference began, there was the following small talk.
1. Appointment of Ambassador Mondale, Other Topics
(Prime Minister) (As he was leaving the room, standing by Ambassador Mondale) Thank you for sending us former Vice President Mondale, this fine person, as ambassador to Japan, as proof of the importance that the President attaches to relations with Japan. Going forward, I would like to discuss anything and everything with Ambassador Mondale.
(President) Thank you. Ambassador Mondale is someone who can call me directly on the telephone and talk. I would like to ask you for your kind cooperation.
(To the Foreign Minister) By the way, how is Advisor Owada?
(Foreign Minister) He is fine. He is now often visiting the Foreign Ministry.
(President) Please give him my best regards.
(Foreign Minister) I will tell him. Advisor Owada will be pleased.
2. Golf
(In the elevator on the way to the press conference)
(Prime Minister) Mr. President, how much do you play golf?
(President) Once a week. The next time that you visit the United States, how about going golfing together?
(Prime Minister) I would be happy to go golfing with you.
(President) I use a driver made in Japan. People around me asked how I could play with a driver made in Japan while saying that correcting the US-Japan trade imbalance was important, but I can drive straight and farther with a Japanese club. My golf game is more important (laughs).
(Prime Minister) I use a driver made in the USA, so I will bring that driver with me when I play with you.
(After entering the room for the press conference)
(President) Actually, sometime around June would be good, but November in Seattle may also be possible.
(Prime Minister) I think that is good.
3. In addition, at the joint press conference, there was a moment when the Prime Minister introduced his wife to the President.
Passed to all [Japanese] diplomatic missions in the United States (except for Agana and Detroit), Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Canada. (End)
Hosokawa and Clinton make small talk concerning the appointment of Walter Mondale as U.S. Ambassador to Japan and a potential golf outing together.
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Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, File No. 2014-00539. Translated by Stephen Mercado.
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