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GV Aircraft taxiing
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SV Japanese officials wait (2 shots)
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SV East German delegation down stops and welcomed (2 shots)
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SV Delegation enter airport building (2 shots)
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SV Leader of delegation into car and away
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: An East German political mission arrived in Tokyo on Monday (8 May) for talks with Japanese political leaders with a view to discussing possibilities for establishing diplomatic relations and increasing trade. The four members of the Socialist Unity Party were invited to Japan by the opposing Japan Socialist Party, as the first East German political mission allowed into Japan.

The East German were greeted at Tokyo airport by officials of the Japan Socialist Party, including Mr. Kawasaki, chief of the party's International Division.

On Tuesday (9 May), the delegation made it clear that East Germany hoped to establish diplomatic relations with Japan under the present international situation. Speaking at a press conference, a member of the delegation said he would appeal for normalisation of relation as he met Japanese political officials, including representatives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

It was also said that East Germany wanted to increase trade with Japan, and if poetical relations were established, commerce between the two countries would grow.

Japan last your imported some 4 million Pounds Sterling worth of goods from East German and sold over three times as much in return.