Reagan Lauds Recovery From War by Japan

WASHINGTON — President Reagan, noting this week’s 40th anniversary of the American victory over Japan in World War II, paid tribute Saturday to the vanquished nation that created an “economic miracle” from the ashes of defeat.

In his weekly radio address, Reagan called Japan “a close and reliable friend and one of our most important allies. In these last 40 years, the Japanese have transformed bombed-out ruins into a great industrial nation.”

“The Japanese are today in so many ways our partners in peace and enterprise,” he said. “Our economic ties are a great boon to both our peoples.

War Unthinkable

“As free peoples, it is unthinkable that the Japanese and Americans will ever again go to war. While there are differences, as there are in relations in any two great nations, they can be settled in the spirit of good will.”

In the Democrats’ equal-time response, Sen. George J. Mitchell of Maine criticized the President’s tax overhaul plan as unfair. “It favors the rich,” he said. “It does little or nothing for the middle class. It adds to the federal budget deficit.”

Mitchell said Reagan’s proposal would help families in which only the husband works while the wife stays home, at the expense of families in which both spouses work or in which there is a single parent.

“Democrats in Congress will be working to see that you get the tax reform that is fair, that won’t add to the national debt,” he said. “We want a tax system where everyone pays a fair share, not one that makes many Americans pay more so a few can pay less.”

Tribute to Veterans

In his speech, the President also paid tribute to America’s war veterans as the nation prepared for Thursday’s 40th anniversary of V-J Day, when Japan surrendered.

Reagan noted that Vice President George Bush was shot down in the Pacific as a young fighter pilot and “came perilously close to losing his life.”

Bush, who won the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals, is scheduled to participate Thursday in a commemoration of V-J Day aboard the aircraft carrier Enterprise in San Francisco Bay.

“The Americans went through this ordeal of storm and sacrifice just as their counterparts who battled our enemies in Europe deserve a special place in the hearts of all those who love liberty,” Reagan said, urging Americans to “take the time” Thursday to thank World War II veterans.

The President delivered his speech from the Oval Office. Today, Reagan and his wife, Nancy, leave Washington to begin a three-week vacation at his Santa Barbara ranch.