US Vice-President Dick Cheney has arrived in Tokyo at the start of a trip officials say is designed to bolster America's strategic alliances in Asia.
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has held talks with Japanese leaders that focused on the North Korean nuclear issue and the Iraq war.
Mr Cheney is to hold separate talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Foreign Minister, Taro Aso.
Mr Cheney also visited US troops based in Japan and praised the country as "one of America's closest allies".
The North Korean nuclear issue, ties with China and Japanese support for the US-led coalition in Iraq are expected to figure high on the agenda.
He said Japan and the US shared the same values and said it was an alliance for "Asia and for the world".
Mr Cheney will also visit US troops in Tokyo before flying on to Australia.
Mr Cheney also affirmed US commitment to the Iraq war and discussed Tokyo's position on the North Korea talks.
Japan and Australia are close friends of the United States - "probably two of the best allies we have anywhere in the world" - according to a senior official from the US administration.
The US vice-president came to thank the Japanese government for its staunch support and to seek to reinforce the two nations' security ties, the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says.
Japan sent troops to help with reconstruction efforts in Iraq and its self defence forces provide logistical support for the coalition in Afghanistan.
Japan sent troops to help with reconstruction efforts in Iraq and its self defence forces provide logistical support for the Nato-led coalition in Afghanistan.
Middle East role
Abductee issue
Both sides say the talks in Tokyo will focus on security, not economic ties, with North Korea likely to be high on the agenda.
Mr Cheney used a meeting with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to thank Japan for its contributions for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Japan backed last week's six-party deal with North Korea under which Pyongyang agreed to start disarming in return for economic and energy aid.
He also reiterated Washington's determination to keep US troops in both countries to prevent them becoming terrorist bases, Japanese officials said.
But Foreign Minister Taro Aso has linked the provision of aid to progress on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 80s.
Missile defence and the realignment of US troops based in Japan were on the agenda in talks with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki.
And according to a poll by Japanese newspaper Asahi, more than 80% of respondents back Mr Abe's stance towards Pyongyang.
Mr Shiozaki said he also explained to the US vice-president Japan's decision not to fund a deal agreed last week, under which North Korea would end its nuclear programme in exchange for economic and energy aid.
The US has key bases on the Japanese island of Okinawa
Earlier in the week, Foreign Minister Taro Aso - who was also meeting Mr Cheney - linked the provision of aid to progress on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 80s to train North Korean spies.
There will also be the question of Japan's continued support for US efforts in the Middle East and what kind of help will be needed in the coming months, the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was set to dine with Mr Cheney in the evening, said he planned to set out Japan's position on the sensitive issue.
Mr Cheney will brief Mr Abe on the decision to raise US troops numbers in Iraq by 21,500 for a security "surge", reports say.
Mr Cheney is due to meet the family of an abductee before he leaves Japan for the US Pacific island of Guam and Australia, his final stop.
Japan's relations with its near-neighbour China are likely to be covered too.
The Americans believe ties with Tokyo are stronger than ever, our correspondent says. Japan relies on the US to guarantee its security.
But analysts say Mr Abe will be seeking reassurances that setbacks in Iraq and elsewhere will not mean the US loses interest in trying to resolve the difficult issues in East Asia.
Mr Cheney leaves Japan early on Thursday for Australia, where he will hold talks with Prime Minister John Howard.
