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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bush's Asian Tour Starts With Japanese Solidarity

Aired February 18, 2002 - 06:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Signs of solidarity are evident in Tokyo today as President Bush meets with the Japanese prime minister.

CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King is traveling with the president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: One test of any alliance is how the leaders deal in public with issues that are known to divide them or at least be the source of tension in their private discussions. Plenty of examples of that today as Mr. Bush emerged from his first day of official business here in Asia meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The president has been criticized around the world for using the term "axis of evil" to describe Iran, Iraq and North Korea, many European allies among those voicing skepticism.

The phrase caused great concern here in Japan and in South Korea because of course North Korea is in the neighborhood. Many view the president's statement as too provocative backing the North Korea leadership into a corner, but at their news conference today the Japanese prime minister said he understood what the president meant.

JUNICHIRO KOIZUMI, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The expression "axis of evil," I believe, reflects the firm resolve of President Bush and the United States against terrorism. President Bush, I believe, has been a very calm and cautious vis-a-vis Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

KING: Mr. Bush returned the favor when the issue turned to the Japanese economy. It is no secret back in Washington the administration would like the Japanese government to move much more quickly when it comes to implementing structural reforms blamed for the Japanese economy being in and out of recession for most of the past decade. But in public Mr. Bush called the prime minister a bold reformer and said he was not here to lecture.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not here to give advice. I'm here to lend support. And I -- when he -- when he looked me in the eye and told me that he is going to take measures necessary to improve in all three regions, I believe him. I believe that's his intent. KING: And the Japanese prime minister turned a bit testy at one point when a U.S. reporter suggested that Washington must be frustrated by the slow pace of economic progress here. Mr. Koizumi said he was moving as quickly as he could and that he was implementing some reforms that he was not getting credit for. He also made note of his recent decline in public opinion polls saying that would not deter him from pressing ahead with the reforms he has promised.

John King, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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