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Japanese PM set for Bush summit Japan PM makes Afghanistan pledge
(about 12 hours later)
Japan's new prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, has arrived in the United States for talks with US President George W Bush. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has said he will push to resume his country's naval support for US-led operations in Afghanistan.
It is Mr Fukuda's first overseas visit since taking office in September. Mr Fukuda gave the assurance to US President George W Bush during talks held in the White House on Friday.
Talks are expected to focus on a controversial Japanese naval mission in the Indian Ocean and the issue of North Korea. It is Mr Fukuda's first US visit since taking office in September.
Japan is America's key ally in Asia but a number of issues have strained ties in recent months, correspondents say. Japan is America's key ally in Asia but the end of its refuelling mission in the Indian Ocean and the issue of North Korea have recently strained ties.
At a news conference after their meeting, both leaders pledged to throw their personal weight behind issues that have creating an unusual amount of friction in relations, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington.
Afghan missionAfghan mission
Ahead of the two-day visit, Mr Fukuda stressed the need for strong ties with the US.
''It is important to make efforts to enhance and develop the Japan-US relationship, as well as to hold a wide range of exchanges,'' he said.
But there are differences over a Japanese mission to support US-led operations in Afghanistan.
Japanese warships have been refuelling US and other military vessels in the Indian Ocean since 2001, but were forced to withdraw earlier this month after opposition lawmakers blocked an extension of their mandate.Japanese warships have been refuelling US and other military vessels in the Indian Ocean since 2001, but were forced to withdraw earlier this month after opposition lawmakers blocked an extension of their mandate.
The US is keen for the mission to resume but opposition control of Japan's upper house means that Mr Fukuda will struggle to pass legislation allowing the ships back in. I told President Bush that I will make the utmost effort for an early enactment of legislation Yasuo FukudaJapanese Prime Minister
There are also differences over North Korea. The US is keen for the mission to resume and at Friday's meeting Mr Fukuda vowed to do all he could to make this happen.
Abduction issue "I told President Bush that I will make the utmost efforts for an early enactment of a legislation so that Japan's naval refuelling mission in the Indian Ocean will resume as soon as possible," he told reporters.
Opposition control of Japan's upper house means that Mr Fukuda may struggle to get the legislation passed.
North Korea
There have also been differences over North Korea.
I will tell the Japanese people, once again, we will not forget the Japanese abductees nor their families George W BushUS President
The US is considering removing the communist nation from its list of state sponsors of terrorism - a response to recent moves by North Korea towards ending its nuclear programme.The US is considering removing the communist nation from its list of state sponsors of terrorism - a response to recent moves by North Korea towards ending its nuclear programme.
But Japan wants progress on the abduction issue. Pyongyang kidnapped several Japanese nationals in the late 1970s and early 1980s to train as spies. It has returned some but Tokyo believes that more remain.But Japan wants progress on the abduction issue. Pyongyang kidnapped several Japanese nationals in the late 1970s and early 1980s to train as spies. It has returned some but Tokyo believes that more remain.
The BBC's Chris Hogg, in Tokyo, says that Mr Fukuda will be hoping his first face-to-face summit talks with Mr Bush will help to improve the situation. Mr Bush told reporters that he understood how important the issue was to Japanese people and that he had assured Mr Fukuda the US would not forget the abductees.
Officials from both countries insist that the US-Japan alliance is strong enough to withstand such difficulties, our correspondent adds. "I reminded the prime minister of one of the most moving moments of my presidency, when the mother of a young girl who had been abducted by the North Koreans came to visit me. I told her, and I will tell the Japanese people, we will not forget this issue," he said.
Beef
During talks Mr Bush also urged Mr Fukuda to lift restrictions on imports of US beef. Japan has limited US beef imports since 2003 amid fears of the threat from mad cow disease.
"We hope we are able to have the Japanese market fully open to all US beef and beef products, consistent with international guidelines," Mr Bush said, adding that the White House would be serving beef to Mr Fukuda for lunch.
Mr Fukuda took office two months ago, after Shinzo Abe stepped down following the ruling party's crushing defeat in upper house elections in July.Mr Fukuda took office two months ago, after Shinzo Abe stepped down following the ruling party's crushing defeat in upper house elections in July.
Ahead of the two-day visit, Mr Fukuda stressed the need for strong ties with the US. ''It is important to make efforts to enhance and develop the Japan-US relationship, as well as to hold a wide range of exchanges,'' he said.
He is continuing a family tradition with a White House visit - his father, Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, met President Jimmy Carter there in 1977.He is continuing a family tradition with a White House visit - his father, Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, met President Jimmy Carter there in 1977.