President Bush today called Japanese Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi a "great reformer" in giving support to the Japanese leader in the battle to reform a recession-bound economy.
But in a sign of US concern about Japan's deep-seated economic problems, Mr Bush told Mr Koizumi a strong Japanese economy was important for the world, it was reported.
In return, Mr Koizumi vowed to forge ahead with painful changes he says are vital to get the economy moving, the reports said.
"I'm planning on talking about what a great reformer he is . . . how we've got great confidence in his ability to lead this country," Mr Bush said ahead of his meeting with Mr Koizumi. The president was expected to avoid publicly lecturing Mr Koizumi and to show the Japanese leader he had US support.
Mr Bush also wants Japan's support for US efforts to contain North Korea, Iraq and Iran - his "axis of evil," whose pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, he says, must be neutralised.
Japan has concerns over Mr Bush's harsh rhetoric and the possible expansion of military operations beyond Afghanistan, a move it would find politically tough to support.
But Mr Bush has dismissed uneasiness among US allies over his efforts to expand the US-led war on terrorism to "axis of evil" states Iraq, Iran and North Korea. "They understand our position," Mr Bush said when asked about concern among some allies over his stance.
Mr Bush and Mr Koizumi were to hold a joint news conference after their talks today, and the US president is scheduled to address the Japanese parliament tomorrow.