Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki thanked the Japanese defense minister on Monday for Japan's support in rebuilding his country and urged Japanese companies to return and do business there. «I have come here to express my thanks for Japan's support of Iraqi reconstruction and for helping to develop the political process,» al-Maliki said at the start of a meeting with Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma. Al-Maliki also said during their 20-minute conversation that he expected Japanese companies to come back to Iraq, adding that his government was making efforts to maintain public safety and stabilize the economy, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on condition of anonymity in accordance with ministry policy. Earlier Monday, al-Maliki met with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to start his four-day visit, according to a report of the Associated Press. Al-Maliki, who met briefly with the imperial couple, also was to meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day.
