Japan's Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda warned if China failed to uphold 'one country two systems', the Japanese business community could lose faith in the SAR.
Speaking after Mr Ikeda's meeting with Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, press secretary Hiroshi Hashimoto said: 'Japan regards the maintenance of the present system as very important not only for the development of China, but for the development of the Asia Pacific region including Japan.
'If this is not achieved . . . Japanese businessmen may lose confidence in the future of Hong Kong.
'Therefore, we hope that the present open and free society will be maintained.
'Japan wholeheartedly welcomes the reversion of Hong Kong to China and the Japanese Government has decided to send Mr Ikeda to fully participate in both ceremonies.
'Japan is not worried about the future of Hong Kong. The most important thing is that we will keep sending the same signal and the Chinese side will continue to abide by their commitments contained in the UK-PRC Joint Declaration and Basic Law.' On the PLA's arrival, Mr Hashimoto said: 'We hope the people concerned can show mutual restraint so the Hong Kong people will not be worried about the future of Hong Kong.' Japan's Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto will visit China in September.
