President George W. Bush will meet visiting Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan on June 29 for talks on global cooperation and regional issues, the White House announced last night. Saying the U.S.-Japan relationship “is an alliance based on common values and a common agenda,” the White House said the two leaders will discuss “the war on terror, defending freedom and democracy, promoting regional security and prosperity in Asia, and enhancing closer cooperation on global economic issues.” Koizumi, who Bush has described as one of his best friends in the international community, is set to step down in September. One topic likely to be raised by Bush is Washington's aim of restarting beef exports to Japan, which along with many Asian countries, closed its borders to U.S. beef when the United States found its first case of mad cow disease in late 2003.
