比較対照

THE PRESIDENT: What I can do is to urge the leaders of not only China and Japan to dialogue, and to try to get the past behind them as we move forward, but also to do the same with the South Korean leader. I think the issue that you described goes beyond just Japanese-Chinese relationships, it's probably Japanese-South Korean relationships, as well. And my point to not only the Prime Minister of Japan but to the respective Presidents is that, look, I understand that there is great tension as a result of some events that took place in the past. But the United States and China -- I mean, the United States and Japan at one time were sworn enemies. And now here we are sitting down as friends. In other words, it's possible to forget the past -- it's difficult, but it is possible.
So I think a useful role for me will be to paint a -- talk about the future and talk about how optimistic the future can be, particularly as nations are able to work out past differences and focus on what's -- and focus on the future. No question that there's tension. On the other hand, if you look at capital flows between Japan and China, there is a significant amount of investment taking place, which indicates to me that there is a possibility for the relations to improve over time. In other words, not all aspects of the relationship is negative. (Roundtable Interview of the President with Foreign Print Media)

Q -- in economics and military power. I see in many aspects Japan and the United States is cooperating. But Japanese relationship with China is aggravating because of Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. How -- what do you -- how do you view this visit?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I think the relationship between China and Japan is more complicated than just a visit to a shrine. In other words, there's a lot of Japanese capital investing in China, which is one indication of the relationship, and, of course, there's the political side which I understand is strained right now.
And so it seems like a proper role for me is to remind our friends in the region that it takes work to overcome the past. But overcoming the past is going to be necessary to have a bright future. I remind people that the United States and Japan were sworn enemies at one time. And we worked -- we've worked to overcome that. And now we're close allies. And the same is possible with other countries in the region between Japan and those affected by World War II.

Q And do you intend to address what you told me in your meeting with the Prime Minister?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, if he wants to talk about it, I'd be glad to talk about it. But what's interesting about this interview is I just addressed the issue, so he probably will hear this. But the Prime Minister is a savvy man, and he is a smart man. And he knows very well that it requires work to get past old grievances. And he's -- I think -- I find him to be a very skilled diplomat, as well. (Interview of the President by NHK Television, Japan)