NATION : Reagan Fills In Bush on Japan

WASHINGTON —  Former President Ronald Reagan telephoned President Bush on Sunday to report on his $2-million trip to Japan and his talks with high-ranking leaders, a White House spokesman said today.

Press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said Reagan also discussed his observations on his weeklong trip with Secretary of State James A. Baker III.

Fitzwater was unable to say whether Bush and Reagan had discussed the controversial aspects of Reagan’s journey to Japan. The former President was criticized in some quarters for accepting $2 million for two 20-minute speeches in Japan. But Nancy Reagan earlier defended the commitment, claiming that Japanese business groups sponsoring the trip were getting “two-fers,” which included appearances by both Reagans.

The former President also was criticized for praising Sony’s takeover of Columbia Pictures, claiming the Japanese firm would make more moral and decent films than Hollywood. He also apparently will receive $1 million from Sony for his presidential library.