Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S. President George W. Bush are expected to issue a joint statement mainly on bilateral cooperation regarding macroeconomic policies when they meet in Washington on Monday, in an attempt to quell concerns over recent steep falls in stock markets in both countries.
Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said discussions on the countries' economies will be "one of the main issues" at the meeting.
Taro Aso, minister of economic and fiscal policy, will accompany Mori to explain measures considered by the government and the ruling bloc to bolster the stock market and keep Japan's economy afloat.