Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori agreed Wednesday in a telephone conversation with U.S. President George W. Bush to hold a bilateral summit as soon as possible.
"To strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, I would like to meet you at the earliest possible date and exchange opinions in various fields," government officials quoted Mori as telling Bush from his official residence.
Bush, who initiated the conversation, replied that he wants to meet Mori to exchange opinions on matters of common concern for the peace and prosperity of the world, the officials said.
Bush indicated that he would instruct Secretary of State Colin Powell to make preparations for the bilateral summit, they said. Powell is expected to meet Foreign Minister Yohei Kono in the United States on Friday.
At the start of the five-minute chat, Mori congratulated Bush on becoming president, to which Bush responded that he wants to focus on further strengthening the already close Japan-U.S. relationship.