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Japan-US Summit Meeting Wednesday, November 16, 2005 JAPANESE Click photographs to enlarge On the morning of November 16, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, together with Mr. George W. Bush, the President of the United States of America and Mrs. Laura Bush, took a walking tour of the grounds of the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto prior to the Japan-US Summit Meeting. Prime Minister Koizumi greeted the President and Mrs. Bush in front of the main gate of the Temple, and the three were then given a tour by the chief priest. They strolled around the gold-leaf inlaid Golden Pavilion and Kyoko Pond, during which the Prime Minister pointed out the trees in autumn colors while making explanations with body and hand gestures. The President and Mrs. Bush followed attentively. Afterwards, Prime Minister Koizumi held a meeting with President Bush at the Kyoto State Guest House which lasted for approximately one and a half hours. This was President Bush's first visit to Japan in approximately two years. After the meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference. At the start of the conference, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Before our meeting today, we strolled through the Kinkaku-ji Temple. Within this favorable environment, we were able to have a frank exchange of opinions with due consideration to the importance of Japan-US relations. The stronger and closer the Japan-US relations are, the more likely we are able to forge better relations with countries around the world, starting with China, the Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries. Whether in the past, present, or future, I believe that the importance of Japan-US relations will remain unchanged. Regarding the reform of the United Nations (UN), the United States strongly supports Japan's efforts to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. I would also like to advance our cooperation in the reform of the UN. Furthermore, although we have to be prepared for a long and difficult fight against terrorism, Japan must make great efforts toward the establishment of stable and democratic governments in cooperation with the international community." In response, President Bush congratulated Prime Minister Koizumi on his victory in the House of Representatives election and praised the Prime Minister's reforms, saying, "It's no secret in my country that you and I have got a good relationship. We've got a good friend in Japan. I appreciate the contributions of the Japanese people in both Iraq and Afghanistan." In addition, the two leaders agreed to continue to cooperate on such areas as US base realignment, reduction of the burden placed on Okinawa, reconstruction assistance to Iraq, BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis), and avian influenza. View Video (Available only in Japanese) Real(Narrowband) / Real(Broadband) Windows Media(Narrowband) / Windows Media(Broadband)