Free Republic

President Bush and Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a press conference (text and video here) at the White House to discuss the war on terror, defending freedom and democracy, promoting regional security and prosperity in Asia (including North Korea), and enhancing closer cooperation on global economic issues (including Japan now agreeing to open its markets to US beef). This is Koizumi's farewell visit, as he steps down from his position as Prime Minister in September. President and Mrs. Bush will host an official dinner tonight for the Prime Minister. Secretary of State Rice continues her G8 Foreign Minister Summit...

KYOTO: In the latest sign of their chummy ties, US President George W Bush gave Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a surprise gift of a Segway electric scooter and urged him to take a spin. Bush, who often refers to his warm friendship with Koizumi, gave the Japanese leader the upright two-wheeler ahead of a summit at which they reaffirmed their close diplomatic ties. Bush was riding the vehicle when he met Koizumi outside the Kyoto State Guest House in the ancient Japanese capital, a Japanese pool report said. Urged by Bush to give it a whirl, Koizumi took a...

Political and business attention in the U.S. is focused on China's rapid and spectacular emergence as a global economic player. But the unfolding political drama surrounding Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's attempt to reform his country's antiquated financial system also contains some important lessons for the global economy.It's easy to see why interest in Japan has been eclipsed by that in China. With its economy growing by about 9% over the past year, China is galloping relative to Japan's slower growth of less than 2.5%. And many economists believe China's annual growth in gross domestic product could be 8% for...

TOKYO (Reuters) - In a bid to paint itself as the true party of reform, Japan's main opposition unveiled a plan on Saturday to cut down the influence of powerful bureaucrats if it took power following next month's general election. Japan's bureaucracy has been credited for putting the country back on its feet from the ashes of World War Two, but it has also been blamed for representing vested interests and stalling structural reforms. In its 500-day plan for transfer of power, the Democratic Party said it would only appoint bureaucrats who pledge to follow the party's policy agenda to...

TOKYO - With a contentious vote to privatize Japan's postal system hanging in limbo for lack of support, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday tried to rally lawmakers around the bill by indicating again his intent to disband Parliament and call a general election if lawmakers reject the plan. Privatizing Japan Post, with $2.9 trillion in savings and insurance deposits, would create the world's largest bank. Koizumi, which has made the bill a centerpiece of his economic policy, had hoped for a vote on privatization by Friday, but his ruling Liberal Democratic Party is now shooting for Monday amid resistance...

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji recently cracked a joke about the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Zhu told the joke to a captive audience of Asian executives during the April Bao business conference held on Hainan Island. Zhu's remarks came during a question-and-answer session with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. According to Zhu, "Japan bought many huge buildings in New York, but luckily they didn't buy the World Trade Center. If they had bought them, now the Japanese would be sadder than the Americans." Zhu's joke was quickly followed by a long round of laughter and applause...