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Japanese PM Leaves for Summit Talks With US President
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left here Monday for a summit meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington that is expected to focus on the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States.
During the meeting, to be held Tuesday, Koizumi plans to pledge his full support for the U.S. battle against the terrorists behind the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Japanese government officials said.
The Japanese prime minister is expected to explain Japan's seven-point plan on its response to the attacks that was announced on Wednesday. The plan includes taking steps to allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to provide logistical support to any U.S. military retaliation.
Support activities envisioned by Koizumi also include providing medical services and shipping supplies. New legislation is being considered to make those actions possible.
Other steps in the seven-point plan include emergency economic aid to Pakistan to solicit its cooperation. Japan said last Friday it will give 40 million dollars in such aid to Pakistan, which is believed to hold the key in efforts to track down Saudi Arabian exile Osama bin Laden who Washington says is the prime suspect for the attacks.
Koizumi is also keen to hear Bush's plans on the U.S. response to the terror attacks in person, the officials said.
On economic issues, Koizumi is expected to repeat his determination to revive Japan's long-struggling economy through his aggressive structural reform plans, the officials said.
Koizumi's whirlwind visit was arranged after a sense grew in the government that Japan was being left out of the circle of key players in the expected U.S.-led retaliation for the terror attacks.
Koizumi will stop in New York, where he is expected to visit the remains of the World Trade Center, before flying to Washington. He is scheduled to return to Tokyo on Wednesday afternoon.
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