61663    Prime Minister Murayama, on his own accord, told the president, "the Japan-US security alliance is necessary for stability and order in the Asia-Pacific."

61664    He stressed this issue in a similar manner during the press conference.

61665    The prime minister must have known that the officials in charge had been reviewing the definition of the Japan-US security treaty.

61666    In that case, how does our redefining the security treaty relate to the "stability and order in the Asia-Pacific?"

61667    Article 6 of the treaty stipulates that the purpose of US military bases in Japan is limited to keeping the peace and security in Japan and the Far East.

61668    This is the so-called Far East clause.

61669    Until recently the Social Democratic Party, of which the prime minister is a member, had challenged the government in the Diet over the interpretation of this clause.

61670    If he is not fully aware of this Far East clause, it does not make sense for the prime minister to mention the security treaty in connection with the stability and order of the Asia-Pacific.

61671    Are they trying to change the Far East clause to the "Asia-Pacific clause?"

61672    Or, are they making an attempt to somehow chip away at the clause, which the authorities seem to be keen on doing.

61673    According to some news reports, the formulation of a new declaration to supplement the security treaty has begun.

61674    To what extent the prime minister consciously made that statement is anyone's guess.

61675    However, this is a question that has bearings on the fundamental character of Japan.

61676    This cannot be the "creative partnership" that the prime minister talks about, or can it?

61677    Preliminary horse-trading for the spring labor offensive negotiations has kicked off.