CANBERRA

The Department of External Affairs presents its compliments to the
Embassy of Japan and has the honour to state that the Australian
Government is willing to enter into negotiations with the
Government of Japan looking towards a trade agreement between
Japan and Australia.

For its part the Australian Government expects to be in a position
within a few weeks to supply written requests regarding those
matters which it desires to include in the agreement in respect of
Australian exports to Japan and would be pleased to receive the
requests of the Japanese Government.

However, because of the pending absence abroad of the Minister for
Trade, it is expected that it will be some time before the
Australian Government will be able to carry the negotiations to a
point of decision. It is proposed under these circumstances that
the substantive negotiations might open in Canberra not later than
31st August next.

The Department would appreciate advice whether the Japanese
Government concurs in these proposals.

The Australian Government contemplates making a brief public
announcement on Monday 28th May regarding these trade
negotiations. The text of the announcement is attached, since the
Japanese Government may wish itself to make an announcement in
Tokyo at the same time.