The Japanese-French Indo-China Economic Conference, which was opened in Tokyo in December last for the purpose of establishing on a new basis the economic relations between Japan and French Indo-China, has since been held daily in an amicable spirit of mutual understanding. Despite the wide scope and complexity of the matters under negotiation, a complete agreement of views has been reached on various questions thanks to the earnest and laborious discussions between the countries' delegations headed, respectively, by the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Hajime Matsumiya, and the French Governor of the Colonies, M. René Robin, resulting in the signature today of the Convention of Establishment and Navigation and the Agreement concerning the Customs Tariff, Trade and Method of Payment by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, and the Ambassador, Mr. Hajime Matsumiya, for Japan and the Ambassador, Mr. Arsène-Henry, and the Governor, M. René Robin, for France.
The conclusion of the said Convention and Agreement will contribute greatly toward making closer the Japanese-French Indo-China economic relations, thereby ushering in a new phase of collaboration between Japan and France in East Asia—a fact which is a matter for mutual congratulations.