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output for export. And Japan must
export in order to pay for ever cost–
lier Middle East oil imports. Japan
expects to pay an extra $2 billion to
cover the higher price of oil by the
close of the fiscal year, ending
March 3 1.
Caught in the Middle
Japan is caught
in
the middle of a
political, economic and military
crossfire reverberating over the
Middle East. Oil has placed a new
emphasis on international "power"
politics.
Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ah–
med Zaki al-Yamani announced
from the Vienna headquarters of
the Organization of Petroleum Ex–
porting Countries (OPEC) that
"countries which are affected by oil
reductions will be exempted on con–
dition that they assist the Arabs in a
very significant way in forcing the
Israelis to withdraw from Arab terri–
tory." While Japan's leaders are not
anti-Israel, they are of necessíty very
pro-oil.
,
Japan responded in November
with declarations indicating a tilt in
policy more favorable to the Arabs.
This gained Japan exemption from
the next 5 percent cut as planned
under the oil embargo policy.
It
still
left her supplies subject to review
month by month and without any
guarantee against further cuts.
The initial oil squeeze caught Ja–
pan in the untenable position of
trying to satisfy her Arab suppliers
of energy on the one hand, and the
United States, her biggest customer,
chief trade partner and military ally
on the other.
The result is forcing Japan to
adopt a new world role. She no
longer can afford to be Uncle Sam's
smiling Asian shadow. Japan will
now have to decide just what
changes in foreign policy will do the
most to insure continuous move–
ment of vital raw materials to her
shores!
The task facing her is nearly in–
surmountable. The United States
can offer little more than con-
PLAIN TRUTH February 1974
Eiji Miyazawa - Bfack Star
JAPAN'S PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY
has grown to an enormous size from its
inception in 1957. About 3,000 diverse items are now derived from oil products.
dolences. Resorting to a military
arms buildup to protect her far–
tlung commercial enterprises, even
if attempted, will not resolve her
problems.
Yet to survive as an industrial na–
tion, Japan must solve this dilemma.
A realistic evaluation brings us
face to face with the reality that the
energetic, ingenious Japanese -
even with the most carefully devised
national diplomacy - cannot solve
this problem alone.
Japan needs a deliverer. And tbe
ironic thing is, she needs the
same
deliverer that the Jews and Arabs
need. And will have!
That Deliverer has promised to
set up world government and to de–
cide national boundaries. He has
promised to ensure prosperity for
all. That Deliverer and bis an–
nouncement of the coming world–
ruling kingdom or government of
God has been proclaimed in the
pages of this magazine for forty
years !
You may already possess his
unique government handbook. It's
called the Bible. Request our book–
let describing
it,
entitled
Read the
Book.
It will be sent free of charge
upon request.
- Rodney Repp
39