So we discussed a number of issues. It is always my great pleasure to be in her company and exchange such issues, and I would invite the Minister to say a word or two.

It is also a great pleasure to have the Minister from the Japanese Defense Agency, Mr. Nakatani and it is a great pleasure to have you as well. And joining me, if he is here somewhere, is Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, who also participated in our conversations.

FOREIGN MINISTER TANAKA: (In Japanese.) Myself and Mr. Nakatani was -- that is, we learned about this security treaty and this peace treaty in textbooks, and we are in that generation, so it is a great honor for us to be able to participate as a delegate in this very memorable 50th Anniversary of these two treaties, and to attend the meeting also in the afternoon. And I feel the honor; at the same time, the heaviness of the responsibility that I bear.

MINISTER NAKATANI: (In Japanese.) At the entrance of this hall we see a picture of 50 years ago (inaudible) and we also face different kind of difficulties and challenges these days, but with friendship and trust due to the efforts by the mutual people of two countries, we hope that we will be able to clear those challenges and move to another 50 years.

I feel that in East Asia, after the signing of this treaty, there are no longer armed conflicts in the region, and we feel that that is a testimony of the great success and how effective this treaty was. And we have revised this treaty twice in the past. They are having so much debate in the country, and also some people were hurt and some blood was shed, but through those toils and efforts made by the predecessors of our time, we were able to form the structure of the 21st century. And I look forward to further cooperation between Japan and the United States in this regard and to secure the peace and prosperity in East Asia, as well as in the Pacific and in the region.

We look forward for furthering the strategic dialogue between the two countries and to cooperate in this regard, and I think that both countries will do their best and will look forward to such cooperation.

Changing the subject, I am from the (inaudible) prefecture. I am elected from the prefecture, and the Prime Minister Yoshida who signed the peace treaty happens to be from the same prefecture. It is a great honor for me to be here and to witness the 50th Anniversary and to celebrate it. I am only 43 but in the next 50 years I will always look forward for the chance to see our ancestors to be able to participate in such kind of meetings.

SECRETARY POWELL: Secretary Wolfowitz, would you like to say a quick word?

DEPUTY SECRETARY WOLFOWITZ: I was seven years old when the treaty was signed. I hope that makes me still a member of the younger generation. And I would just like to say that I think as a member of that generation we owe a great debt to the visionaries who signed this treaty. It has done so much to bring about a more peaceful Pacific region. And it rests not only on the strength of our two great countries, but on our common commitment to democracy and our commitment to peace. And I think on that basis, and working together, we can continue to solve the problems that lie in the next 50 years. And I salute those visionaries who got this all started. Thank you.

SECRETARY POWELL: We have time just for one or two questions.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, at the conference in San Francisco on Thursday former Japanese Prime Minister Miyazawa (inaudible) Japanese delegation to the peace conference (inaudible) reports that the (inaudible) find a way to correct itself in order to make the alliance more effective. Would you welcome the proposal and are you willing to discuss it further as part of the strategic dialogue with Japan?

SECRETARY POWELL: We would certainly be willing to discuss that with Japan, but I think it is up to Japan to define what its collective self-defense responsibilities are in accordance with its constitution and its obligations.

QUESTION: Secretary Powell, there are those who believe that the original treaty was not a just treaty because it didn't include compensation for its victims. What is the US position on those measures?

SECRETARY POWELL: Well, we know there are many Americans who feel that they haven't been adequately compensated for the suffering they endured during that period, and our hearts go out to them and we recognize the depth of their feeling. But at the same time, 50 years ago, six years after the war, and looking at the entire situation and doing everything that could be done for people at that time, it was judged here in San Francisco that it was time to bring this period to an end.

And the treaty that was signed that day dealt with all future claims and obligations that might come before courts with respect to the Japanese Government or Japanese companies and interests; that, as well, established an international law as our continuing obligation.

And so, recognizing the suffering, recognizing the pain that these individuals feel, it is nevertheless our position that the treaty dealt with this matter 50 years ago, and that is the position we are taking before the courts. The courts have upheld this position and we are also working with the Congress, that expressed quite a bit of interest in this matter.

QUESTION: (In Japanese.) And the question was how does the Japanese Government view the issue even though it might be central legally, not in order to advance for another 50 years, what the Japanese Government cannot be able to think or respond to such issues once raised?

FOREIGN MINISTER TANAKA: (In Japanese.) He has realized that there is a demonstration in the City of San Francisco today, but I would like to -- and also various meetings held in (inaudible). But I would like to point out that 50 years ago under the base of this treaty, the entire issue, to resolve such -- resolve the post-war issue was settled. We have taken necessary measures in that regard. And to be more specific, Japanese assets overseas were seized by (inaudible) and they have paid the compensation for the prisoners of war. And thus the entire issue was settled.