On an annual basis the growth of the Japan reached 3

Before leaving his chair of President of party and Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi could fade from public view without making a last visit to his great friend George w. Bush. The head of the Japanese Government flew yesterday to America where, after a step Canada to meet with his counterpart Stephen Harper, recently elected, he must go to Washington where it expects the US President.

George w. Bush flowing praise for this "principal bold and friend expensive" whose economic successes are undeniable. The tenant of the White House will have wide latitude to congratulate its host for the success of its economic reforms after a decade of recession. On an annual basis, the growth of the Japan reached 3.1 in the first quarter, against an initial figure of 1.9. Of course, trade issues remain sensitive because, schematically, the United States buy twice that they sell to the Japan. In 2005, the deficit thus amounted to 82.5 billion.

Unfailing support

The American tribute to the Japanese leader is justified primarily for the unfailing support that Junichiro Koizumi has always shown for the policy of the United States. To the point of greatly extend its relations with China nearby. Of course, annual visits by the Japanese in the the Yasukuni Shrine, which is honoured the memory of Veterans of the second world war, including several war criminals, are sufficient to sour relations between the two rivals.

A point which also begins to worry about the White House and which will be discussed Thursday at the Japan-US Summit. It will take place in a particular context since the two friendly countries, which are also the two main economic world powers, were careful to eliminate any roughness in their relationship before this trip. The Japan just to resume its imports of us beef, suspended for two years and a half.

Prior to this date, the Japan was the first North American beef market. From a politico-military point of view, the delicate issue of the partial withdrawal and the redeployment of US troops based in the archipelago, not always well accepted by the local population, it was settled early May. Finally, the Japan, who had supported the American intervention in Iraq by sending troops, is to begin their withdrawal. By supporting this US policy point, Junichiro Koizumi took a considerable risk to the public but he has never wavered in his support to his friend Bush. Identical risks, it had come some time earlier by sending tanker buildings help US troops in Afghanistan.

If the two men have always developed a common vision of the fight against terrorism, they came even close with the North Korean nuclear risk. Tokyo has already warned Pyongyang of "strong" retaliation in case the North Korea would proceed to the test of a long-range ballistic missile. Although officially pacifist, Tokyo has, for the occasion, support from its allies, including the United States. The North Korean threat, Washington plans to deploy Patriot missiles to intercept in the archipelago and should test a new radar in the coming days.