US-Japan talks bear little fruit

The two leaders swapped personal compliments

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and US President George W Bush have made a show of unity during informal talks at Camp David, but there is little sign of progress on key issues.

"There were hardly any discussions on specific issues ... What we wanted to do first was for the leaders to establish a strong relationship," a senior Japanese official said after the talks on Saturday.

There's no question in my mind our relationship will never be stronger than under our leadership

George W Bush

Mr Bush and Mr Koizumi failed to make substantive progress on security issues and the environment.

But the summit in Maryland - the leaders' first meeting - did establish "a strong relationship of trust," said Mr Koizumi. The occasion did not appear to be marred by the recent alleged rape of a Japanese woman by US servicemen on the island of Okinawa.

Playing ball

There are deep differences between Japan and the US over defence and the environment.

But as President Bush backed Japan's tough economic reform programme, Mr Koizumi stepped back from tough criticism of the US president's stance on the Kyoto treaty on climate change.

I did not ... believe that I would be able to establish such a strong relationship of trust with the president in my first meeting

Junichiro Koizumi

Speaking after the talks, Mr Koizumi said he still hoped for discussion of the issue despite the US refusal to push for ratification of Kyoto, which Japan supports.

"I am not disappointed at the president's position," he said. "There is still time to discuss the issue."

Just a week ago, Mr Koizumi described Mr Bush's position - that the treaty is flawed and unfair to US companies - as "deplorable".

Support for reform

The two leaders also agreed to "consult closely" on another contentious issue - missile defence.

And Mr Bush offered his support for Japan's economic reform programme, saying there was no danger of it hurting the US economy.

Koizumi visited Arlington military cemetery before the summit

"I want to praise the prime minister for his vision of reform," he said. "He is willing to make difficult choices.

The summit had risked being overshadowed by the alleged rape of a woman by US servicemen in Okinawa, but Mr Koizumi declined to discuss the incident until the police investigation was completed.

A US serviceman is being questioned by Japanese police. He denies raping the woman.

Okinawa is home to most of the 50,000 US servicemen based in Japan. Their presence has become increasingly controversial, with a series of highly publicised crimes in recent years.

International newcomer

There are fears that the case could trigger still more anti-American sentiment if US military personnel are found to be involved.

Mr Bush expressed "deep regret" over the Okinawa incident. But he said it was difficult to accept a Japanese demand to set a 15-year time limit on the use of a planned military airport which will partly replace an existing air base.

The BBC's correspondent in Tokyo, Charles Scanlon, says the Japanese are likely to be impressed with Mr Koizumi's international debut.

It was an assured, self-confident performance, our correspondent says, during which Mr Koizumi was prepared to state his differences with the US.

The summit is the first leg of a three-stop tour by Mr Koizumi. He will head on to London and Paris on Sunday.