Japan sounds out U.S. on Aso-Obama meeting before APEC summit in Peru

Thursday 13th November, 05:52 AM JST

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10 Comments

TokyoVP at 08:15 AM JST - 13th November

Note to MOFA:

One President at a time.
moonbeams at 09:14 AM JST - 13th November

The meeting is Nov 20th. Bush is President until Jan 20th. Someone please inform the LDP.
timorborder at 11:12 AM JST - 13th November

Get in on the ground floor. Once Obama becomes President, there will be a rush of world leaders wanting to meet him (I think this has already started). Japan just wants to beat the crowds to make sure they talk to Obama before everyone else.

I just wish Japan's foreign policy was so proactive normally.
Gravitybrakes at 12:32 PM JST - 13th November

can everyone say take a number. :P
fatloser at 02:45 PM JST - 13th November

Gosh, I hope he can meet Obama! Funny, i you asked the Japanese to do the same sort of thing they'd scratch their heads and wonder how to explain that "In Japan we don't do this kind of thing, please wait"!!
Osakadaz at 03:02 PM JST - 13th November

Aso-Obama try saying it five times fast. :)
CaptDingleheimer at 03:14 PM JST - 13th November

I think this is a good move. It's best that Aso first ask Obama in private if he can use Japanese chopsticks, eat Japanese sushi, and like play sex before putting him on the spot in front of all those important world leaders.
ptolemy at 08:10 PM JST - 13th November

When did world leaders have to beg a meeting with each other, oh thats right, its Aso - Manga Man. I guess his colleagues in leadership take him seriously.
pathat at 08:14 PM JST - 13th November

Obama does not take office for two more months.

Aso will not be prime minister for much of 2009.

I bet the MOF is fantasizing about getting Obama to watch the Megumi Yokota movie and pushing him to focus on North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens as the world's most important issue.
scap at 11:08 PM JST - 13th November

I guess Aso fears giving 12,000 yen to every Japanese will not up his low popularity enough, so they are groping at straws, hoping a visit with President-elect--with all the resulting publicity--might help. How pathetic.