Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks visiting Nissan plant

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Zama, Japan
Source: The Times, 16 April 1977
Journalist: Peter Hazelhurst, The Times, reporting
Editorial comments: 1500-1550 local time. The report ends with a very brief account of a question and answer with British journalists after the speeches at the official dinner that evening.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 342
Themes: Industry, Foreign policy (Asia)

Mrs Thatcher praises Japanese efficiency

Mrs Thatcher, the Conservative leader, toured the Nissan car factory on the outskirts of Tokyo today and was provided with an apt example of how the Japanese have built up their competitive power and cut into Britain's car market through hard work and modern production techniques.

After touring the plant and hearing that the individual productivity of Nissan's work force exceeds Leyland's output by 400 per cent, Mrs Thatcher told Mr Katsuji Kawamata, the president of the company: “It was so refreshing to see everyone working. No one was standing around doing nothing.”

According to recent EEC statistics, the productivity of Nissan Motors has risen to 41 cars a worker a year, compared with the average European worker's output of 11 vehicles a year.

A spokesman for the Nissan Corporation said later today: “We hope that Mrs Thatcher now understands how Japan can market its cars at cheaper prices in Britain and other international markets.

“Japan's wage level is no longer low on international scales. The hourly wage rate for the manufacturing industry is slightly higher than the rates in Britain. The fact is that we can compete on the free market because we have invested in modern plants and the industry is not threatened by continual strikes.”

There can be little doubt that her first personal glimpse of Japanese industry, providing a vivid comparison for the situation at home, has more than impressed the Conservative leader and her entourage.

Accompanied by Sir Michael Wilford, the British Ambassador, Mrs. Thatcher attended a lavish reception tonight and told her Japanese conservative hosts, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, that she will promote closer ties between the two countries.

Asked by journalists after the speeches to make a specific comment on Japan's successful approach to economic progress, Mrs Thatcher raised her eyebrows in apparent despair and said: “It reflects the state of British industry today; just look at the figures.”