Luncheon hosted by Mr. Reiji Suzuki, Governor of Aichi

I am honoured to have the opportunity to speak to such a distinguished group today.

I have had the pleasure of visiting your country many times before, but this is my first official bilateral visit as Prime Minister of Canada.

During this trip, I wanted to make a point of showing that Canada understands that Japan is more than just Tokyo. Because our government recognized some time ago that the regions outside of Tokyo were becoming more and more dynamic.

The region surrounding Nagoya is a perfect example. There are many sectors here of tremendous interest to Canada. Incredibly, your regional economy is larger than that of important national economies such as Korea or Australia.

Canada opened a Consulate in Nagoya in the early 1990s. Since then, our Consul, Bob Mason, and his team have worked very hard to expand the interests of Canada here.

Their hard work is paying off -- they have put Canada on the local map. Today I will talk about trade between our two countries. I do so because I believe that a strong economy is the essence of a strong society. Through increased trade, we provide jobs and income for our citizens. And that gives us the tools to achieve social, cultural and environmental objectives to which we all aspire. I will be talking about some of those values at Meiji University tomorrow.

Our trade efforts in this region are focused on selected sectors of an Action Plan for Japan. We selected seven sectors, then developed business strategies for each one.

The Plan is working: Canadian businesses are more aware of the Japanese market, are adapting their products to suit Japanese tastes, and are systematically seeking new business opportunities here, including in the Chubu region.

Japan is our second most important trading partner, after the United States. We export to Japan almost as much as to the rest of Asia combined.

The Chubu region has become a major export market for Canada. Our direct exports to the region increased by 77% between 1992 and 1995, reaching $2.21 billion.

Two-way trade between Canada and the Chubu region now exceeds $5.7 billion.

A key success story for Canada in this region is in the building products sector. Since 1993, well over 30 Canadian builders and building materials suppliers have entered into business connections with more than 50 local builders.

Some 300 Canadian packaged homes were built here last year, with products supplied from companies from various provinces in Canada.

The construction of "Canada House Nagoya", where Bob Mason and his wife Janette live, marked the beginning of our aggressive approach to the local building products market. This home features over 40 products from Canadian suppliers.

In the two-and-a-half years since Bob and Janette started living in Canada House Nagoya, over 6,300 business visitors have dropped by. That is a lot of shoes taken off at the "genkan" [front foyer]!

The JETRO Import Housing Park, which I will visit later today, houses model homes from the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, and an office building from Alberta.

Canada and Japan are also collaborating in the important automotive and aerospace sectors.

This region is justifiably proud to be the home of Toyota. Canada too is proud to be home to a world-scale Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ontario. The Cambridge plant has repeatedly won awards for excellence in quality and has an outstanding export record.

Toyota has given an additional vote of confidence in Canada by expanding its presence, not only in Cambridge, but also in its CAPTIN aluminum wheel facility in Delta, British Columbia.

Other investors from this region have recently expanded their activities in Canada. These companies recognize that Canada is blessed with enormous natural resources, an educated and highly-skilled workforce, and a high technology sector that is at the cutting edge in many industries.

This morning, I also visited another example of collaboration between our two countries -- the partnership between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Bombardier.

This collaboration ranges from sales promotion of the CL-415 water bomber to joint production of the Dash 8-400 aircraft and the Global Express business jet.

In the case of the Global Express business jet, these two companies are cooperating to build what is considered to be the best aircraft of its kind in the world.

Tourism is another important growth area. Ten per cent of all Japanese tourists to Canada come from this region.

Among those who have visited Canada recently was the Keidanren business mission of Japanese business leaders. I had the honour to meet with the group in Tokyo yesterday. I have been very pleased to hear their positive comments on the renewal of the Canadian economy.

Canada's economy is healthy and vigourous. The deficit has been reduced dramatically. Interest rates are at their lowest level in over four decades. We have virtually no inflation.

Canada offers a receptive and inviting climate for foreign investors.

The Canadian entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. At an unprecedented rate, Canadians are creating new companies, developing new products, and finding new markets at home and abroad.

Investors from Japan can take advantage of the NAFTA agreement, which provides businesses established in Canada with more secure access to a market of over 360 million consumers.

NAFTA strengthens an already convincing case for investing in Canada. We are pleased to see that this message is being heard by investors from this region.

Being able to "deliver the goods" is crucial to demanding customers like the people here in Japan. We have shown this region that we can deliver the goods. The people of Canada and of the Chubu region are more prosperous because of our continued economic cooperation.

I am very excited by the growing relationship between our two countries. Japan is Canada's most important partner across the Pacific. I see the Canada-Japan relationship as a model for our relations with other partners. And I am convinced that there are many more opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

We live in an increasingly inter-connected world. As we stand on the threshold of the 21st century, it is clear that no nation can move forward on its own. We will move forward together.

It has been an honour to speak with you today. Thank you.