Quayle Seeks More U.S. Sales in Japan; Tokyo May Ease Ban on Rice Imports

TOKYO —  Vice President Dan Quayle reportedly pressed Japanese officials Monday to buy more U.S. cars and auto parts and was told that Japan might be willing to ease its ban on rice imports.

Japanese officials said that Quayle, during a meeting with Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu, also expressed thanks for Japan’s financial aid to the allies during the war against Iraq.

After a delay caused by a technical problem with his plane, Quayle arrived in Japan nearly a day late Monday to start a weeklong Asian tour. In Japan, he is standing in for President Bush, who canceled a spring visit because of the Gulf War.

According to a Foreign Ministry official, Kaifu told Quayle that Japan would be willing to negotiate its ban on rice imports if other countries also worked out their “difficult issues” in the talks.

The trade talks broke down in Brussels last December over agricultural issues.

Japanese law bans rice imports on the premise that Japan must be self-sufficient in its staple food. Japan’s powerful, heavily subsidized farm lobby says it cannot compete with cheaper rice imports.

Quayle also thanked Japan for sending four minesweepers to the Persian Gulf to help clear Iraqi mines left after the war, Japanese officials said. It is the first mission overseas by the Japanese military since World War II.

Kaifu said he hopes relations do not suffer from a dispute over a financial Gulf War contribution, according to officials. Exchange rate fluctuations reduced that $9 billion donation by $500 million.

Japan said last week that it will not make up the shortfall but will consider giving additional aid to postwar efforts in the Middle East, such as environmental repairs or refugee assistance.

Meeting with Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama, Quayle praised Japan for exporting cars to Israel despite an Arab boycott, according to Japanese officials quoted by Kyodo News Service. Nakayama said he will push for more Japan-Israel dialogue when he visits Israel in early June.

The vice president leaves today for Singapore and Indonesia and is to return to Washington on Friday.