Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� June, 2004

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left Haneda Airport to attend the G8 Summit meeting and arrived in Sea Island, Georgia in the United States of America on the morning of June 8 (local time). Prime Minister Koizumi was greeted by local elementary school students holding small Japanese and US flags in their hands. Prime Minister Koizumi then arrived at the hotel, the venue for the Summit meeting, and held a meeting with the leader of the host country Mr. George W. Bush, the President of the United States of America. At the Japan-US summit meeting, on the issue of reconstruction of Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi stated his intention to endeavor for its reconstruction through the continued dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in a manner welcomed by the Iraqi Interim Government together with provision of financial assistance through the government's official development assistance (ODA). To this, President Bush stated that he highly values the contribution of Japan. As for the issue of North Korea, Prime Minister Koizumi conveyed to President Bush that during his latest visit to North Korea and meeting with Mr. Kim Jong-Il, the Chairman of the National Defense Committee of North Korea, Chairman Kim expressed his wish to hold a dialogue with the US. To this, President Bush stated his intention to work for a resolution of the outstanding issues through the Six-Party Talks. The two leaders also agreed to keep in contact concerning the matter of Mr. Charles R. Jenkins, husband of Mrs. Hitomi Soga, one of the returned abductees. As for the economy issue, President Bush welcomed the current situation of the Japanese economy that is showing signs of recovery. Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush also exchanged opinions on such issues as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), nuclear development of Iran, United Nations (UN) reform. In the afternoon, Prime Minister Koizumi held a meeting individually with Mr. Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and with Mr. Jacques Chirac, the President of the French Republic. At these meetings, Prime Minister Koizumi elaborated on the position of Japan aiming to comprehensively resolve the nuclear and abduction issues of North Korea, and gained the understanding and support of both leaders. At the meeting, Prime Minister Blair expressed that he highly values Prime Minister Koizumi keeping with conviction to his firm resolve to continue with Japan's reconstruction assistance for Iraq despite such hard times as the hostage incidents. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi stated his wish for an early visit by President Chirac to Japan and President Chirac expressed his eagerness for such a visit. The Sea Island Summit began with a welcome dinner party that night hosted by President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.