Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama received a courtesy call from Mr. Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank, at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the talks, Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed his wish to provide assistance to developing countries through the World Bank, based on Japan's experience of receiving assistance from the World Bank in the process of reconstruction and growth after the war. The Prime Minister also stated that he expected the World Bank to play a significant role for the resolution of major global issues, in particular climate change and food security, in addition to providing assistance to poor countries.

In response, President Zoellick stated that Japan was an important partner of the World Bank and that the World Bank wished to advance coordination with Japan, while taking Japan's views fully into account, in areas such as measures to address climate change, assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and assistance to Asia and Africa. He also indicated his hope to further deepen collaboration with Japan's aid agencies.

Prime Minister Hatoyama and President Zoellick confirmed their intention to further strengthen partnership between the Japanese government and the World Bank Group.