Washington: US President Barack Obama would meet the newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who ended more than half a century rule of the Liberal Democratic Party, in New York next week.
The two leaders, who will be in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session, will meet on its sidelines on September 23, the White House said today.
Noting that Japan is a close friend and a key ally of the US, the White House said Obama looks forward to his first meeting with Hatoyama and exploring ways in which the two nations can deepen their partnership.
Hatoyama`s Democratic Party of Japan have already signalled they want a "more equal" relationship with the US.
The DPJ, which criticised the LDP-led past Japanese government for supporting "US wars," has vowed not to renew a naval refuelling mission that supports NATO operations in Afghanistan after it expires in January next year.
At the same time, Hatoyama`s new coalition government is seeking to strike a balance between the demands of some of its own left-leaning and pacifist members, and the desire to maintain the traditionally strong alliance with the US.
Bureau Report
