Obama Meets Japan's PM Taro Aso

AP: The Japanese leader was the first foreign leader to visit Obama at the White House, and the president said that was a testament to the importance both countries place in their mutual ties.
"It's a testimony to the strong partnership between the United States and Japan," Obama said, sitting at Aso's side in the Oval Office.
The Japanese leader said only that the United States and Japan enjoyed sufficient economic strength to effect changes in the global economic recession.
The two leaders face starkly different political fortunes: While Obama enjoys worldwide popularity, Aso is struggling to stay in power.
In selecting Aso as the first foreign leader to visit the Obama White House, however, the new administration is interested less in giving him a boost than in sending a message, to Tokyo and to the world, that Japan, a sometimes-neglected ally, remains a vital partner in addressing global economic and security crises

Japan's Prime Minister Arrives For Meeting With Obama

Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Taro Aso Visiting Obama

Obama will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso Feb. 24, the same day he speaks to a joint session of congress, and he'll meet PM Gordon Brown March 3.

BBC: The leaders are expected to discuss the global financial crisis and strategy in Afghanistan, among other issues.
These include an economic summit in London to be held in April and the upcoming 60th anniversary NATO summit in Strasbourg-Kehl.
Mr Brown will not be the first serving leader visit the new president in Washington.
Mr Obama is due to host Japanese prime minister Taro Aso on Tuesday.

BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said Mr Brown's visit was important because many people would be monitoring the personal relationship that might develop between the two leaders.
She said that there had been no reaction from Downing Street earlier this year when former prime minister Tony Blair visited Mr Obama in Washington.
Mr Obama and Mr Brown last met in person when the then presidential candidate visited London last July.
Then, Mr Obama said he shared a desire with Mr Brown to strengthen the trans-Atlantic relationship to solve problems that could not be tackled by countries acting on their own.
He also spoke of a "deep and abiding affection for the British people in America and a fascination with all things British".