This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21528834

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Japan PM Shinzo Abe in US for talks with Obama Japan PM Shinzo Abe set for Washington talks with Obama
(about 4 hours later)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived in the US for talks to fortify a key security alliance between the two nations. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington, in a visit aimed at fortifying their key security alliance.
Mr Abe, who was elected in December, will meet US President Barack Obama later on Friday in Washington. Economic ties, tensions with Beijing over a territorial dispute and North Korea's recent nuclear test are expected to top the agenda.
Both tensions with Beijing over a territorial dispute and North Korea's recent nuclear test are expected to top the agenda. Mr Abe, who was elected in December, has said US support is "critical" in Japan's dispute with China.
Economic ties, including an Asian trade deal, will also be discussed. China has fiercely criticised Mr Abe for comments made before his departure.
Mr Abe is the fifth Japanese prime minister that Mr Obama has met in office. Mr Abe is serving as Japan's top leader for a second time, after a brief period in power in 2006-7. He had told href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/fred-hiatt-with-shinzo-abe-japan-takes-a-pragmatic-turn/2013/02/20/77c0c2aa-7ad3-11e2-82e8-61a46c2cde3d_story.html" >Washington Post newspaper that China had a "deeply ingrained" need for conflict with Japan and other countries in the region, using disputes to bolster nationalism and support for its authorities.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing was "astonished" by the report, saying it was rare for a country's leader to insult its neighbour, China's Xinhua news agency reports.
Mr Abe is serving as Japan's top leader for a second time, after a brief period in power in 2006-7. He is the fifth Japanese prime minister that Mr Obama has met in office.
His visit is seen as a bid to shore up a security alliance between the two countries that goes back decades.His visit is seen as a bid to shore up a security alliance between the two countries that goes back decades.
Ties were strained somewhat under the previous Democratic Party (DPJ) administration amid a row over the relocation of a US military base in Okinawa.Ties were strained somewhat under the previous Democratic Party (DPJ) administration amid a row over the relocation of a US military base in Okinawa.
But Mr Abe, who heads a Liberal Democratic Party administration, has spoken out about the need to prioritise the Japan-US alliance amid a changing regional dynamic.But Mr Abe, who heads a Liberal Democratic Party administration, has spoken out about the need to prioritise the Japan-US alliance amid a changing regional dynamic.
As soon as he came to power, Mr Abe went on the offensive. In just three months, from January to April, he said that his government would spend an extra $114bn (£75.04bn)... It all sounds wonderful, but will it work?As soon as he came to power, Mr Abe went on the offensive. In just three months, from January to April, he said that his government would spend an extra $114bn (£75.04bn)... It all sounds wonderful, but will it work?
'Critical' 'Critical'
Ahead of his visit Mr Abe gave an interview to the href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/fred-hiatt-with-shinzo-abe-japan-takes-a-pragmatic-turn/2013/02/20/77c0c2aa-7ad3-11e2-82e8-61a46c2cde3d_story.html" >Washington Post newspaper, saying that improved ties with Washington were top of his agenda. In his Washington Post interview, Mr Abe said improved ties with Washington were top of his agenda in the US.
On the bitter row with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea, he said US support was key.On the bitter row with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea, he said US support was key.
Both Beijing and Tokyo have ships in waters around the islands - known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China - leading to fears of a clash. Japan controls the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan.
"It is important for us to have them recognise that it is impossible to try to get their way by coercion or intimidation," Mr Abe said, referring to China."It is important for us to have them recognise that it is impossible to try to get their way by coercion or intimidation," Mr Abe said, referring to China.
"In that regard, the Japan-US alliance, as well as the US presence, would be critical.""In that regard, the Japan-US alliance, as well as the US presence, would be critical."
Both Beijing and Tokyo have ships in waters around the islands - known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China - leading to fears of a clash. Japan controls the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan. The US has urged restraint from both sides, while Chinese state media has warned the US against taking sides.
The US has urged restraint from both sides, while Chinese state media has warned the US against taking sides in the dispute.
Mr Obama's top Asia advisor, Danny Russel, said on Thursday that the president "remains supportive of the peaceful efforts to find diplomatic resolution to outstanding issues of territorial claims", AFP reports.Mr Obama's top Asia advisor, Danny Russel, said on Thursday that the president "remains supportive of the peaceful efforts to find diplomatic resolution to outstanding issues of territorial claims", AFP reports.
He added that Mr Obama has "been clear in the United States' opposition to coercive actions or unilateral steps that threaten the stability of the region".He added that Mr Obama has "been clear in the United States' opposition to coercive actions or unilateral steps that threaten the stability of the region".
On North Korea, both sides back action against Pyongyang in the UN Security Council in the wake of its third nuclear test, on 12 February. On North Korea, both the US and Japan support action being taken against Pyongyang in the UN Security Council in the wake of its third nuclear test, on 12 February.
Economic ties are also expected to be on the agenda for the meeting.Economic ties are also expected to be on the agenda for the meeting.
The two leaders are expected to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposal for a free-trade agreement between countries in North America, Asia and South America.The two leaders are expected to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposal for a free-trade agreement between countries in North America, Asia and South America.
Japan has discussed becoming part of the TPP over the years. But this has been met with opposition from farmers, who say that tariff removals will have an a negative impact on their industry.Japan has discussed becoming part of the TPP over the years. But this has been met with opposition from farmers, who say that tariff removals will have an a negative impact on their industry.