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President Bush starts Japanese visit with praise for Prime Minister

U-S President, George W. Bush has started a visit to Japan by praising the country's Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi saying he's a great reformer.

Mark Simkin reports the comments came at a start of a meeting between the leaders of the world's two biggest economies.

Japan has been in and out of recession for a decade and most observers believe it needs drastic restructuring before it can grow again. Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi has vowed to do just that but has been stymied by the hardliners within his own party. In recent weeks his popularity has started to slide and doubts have been raised about his ability to deliver change. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Mr Koizumi George W Bush praised the Japanese leader as a great reformer and said he has great confidence in Mr Koizumi's ability to lead the country. Mark Simkin, Tokyo.

19/02/2002 06:04:29 | ABC Radio Australia News

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