Bush Meets Japan's PM

President Bush embraced Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's economic reform package on Saturday even though it forces tough choices for the world's second-largest economy.

Meeting at the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, both leaders reported they narrowed their differences on the environment and missile defense.

“I have no reservations about the economic reform package the prime minister is advancing,” Bush said, Koizumi at his side in a joint news conference. “He talks about tackling some difficult issues that some leaders in the past refused to address.”

Wearing open-collared shirts and no sport coats, the pair was relaxed and playful. The news conference began with the prime minister tossing a baseball underhand with Bush, who snagged it with one hand and winked at the U.S. press corps.

“I want to praise the prime minister for his vision of reform,” Bush said.

Bush said he was not worried, as some in the United States are, that the prime minister's tough approach to deficit reduction would slow Japan's economy and create a ripple effect that could hurt U.S. businesses.

“The prime minister recognizes that there needs to be deep and meaningful reforms,” Bush said. “I strongly support the prime minister's reform agenda.”

Bush and Koizumi announced an initiative called the U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth, which they said was aimed at improving cooperation on trade and economic issues.

Koizumi flew to Camp David by helicopter where he was met by Bush and former Sen. Howard Baker, the new U.S. ambassador to Japan. Two rows of Marine and Navy honor guards stood at attention as the leaders shook hands and got into a golf cart to ride to a nearby lodge. Bush drove with Koizumi next to him in the front seat.

In a joint statement, the two leaders agreed their governments should continue to consult about missile defenses — an issue that has drawn opposition from American allies in Europe. Koizumi has declined comment on the issue except to express understanding for the U.S. position.

“The prime minister reiterated Japan's understanding regarding the president's call for exploring a new approach to transforming deterrence,” the statement said. “The president and prime minister also reiterated the importance of cooperative research on ballistic missile defense technologies.”

On global warming, the leaders expressed “their shared understanding of the seriousness of the challenge posed by climate change.”

The Japanese leader, who has been in office for two months, has urged the United States to adhere to the Kyoto climate treaty, which calls for reduced emissions of heat-trapping gases believed to be warming Earth's atmosphere.

He underscored the importance of the Kyoto treaty. “The president and prime minister recognize that climate change is a pressing global problem requiring a global appoach,” their statement said.

Bush has rejected the Kyoto pact, saying it is flawed and unfair to U.S. companies.

The statement said Bush welcomed Koizumi's offer to initiate high level U.S-Japan to explore common ground and areas for common action on climate change

Overhanging the mood of Saturday's meeting was a rape case in Okinawa on Friday that a witness said could have involved an American serviceman. Koizumi declined to discuss the crime until the investigation was complete.

There has been strong local resentment on the Japanese island over the American military presence, partly because of past misbehavior, including rapes, by American military personnel.

The choice of Camp David as the venue for the summit was a signal to the Japanese of the importance the United States attaches to its ties with Japan.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Thursday that selection was “very noteworthy.” He said it was the first time a Japanese prime minister had been invited to the mountain retreat since the Reagan administration.

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