Aso, Obama Agree on Stronger Cooperation on N. Korea Issues

Tokyo, April 24 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and
U.S. President Barack Obama agreed Friday to enhance the two countries'
cooperation to tackle the issues of North Korea's nuclear and missile
programs.
In their telephone conversation which lasted for about 15 minutes,
Obama gave high marks to the strong cooperation between the United States
and Japan over North Korea's launch of what is believed to be a long-range
missile over Japan in early April.
The two countries cooperated very closely during the whole process
before and after the launch, including at the U.N. Security Council, Obama
said.
Aso said he is happy that the U.N. panel reached an agreement
swiftly and issued a strong presidential statement condemning the North
Korea's action.
The two leaders also agreed to strive together for the early
resumption of six-party talks aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons from
North Korea.
Aso threw his support behind Obama's goal of realizing a world
without nuclear weapons, unveiled at a speech in Prague in early April.
Japan is a leader in nuclear disarmament and the United States
hopes to work together with Japan in the field, Obama said.
In the telephone talks, held at the request of the U.S. side, Obama
also said he is looking forward to visiting Japan later this year.