Japan's economic troubles may be pushing the country toward free-trade negotiations with the United States, a goal long-sought by officials in Washington who see it as a potential boon to two of the world's industrial giants and to the U.S. presence in Asia.

New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was to meet with President Barack Obama later Friday for their first official talks since Abe took office in December and embarked on an ambitious program to revive the country's stalled economy.

Much about Abe's plan remains undefined, but it is already controversial. Further anticipated monetary easing has prompted major nations to warn Tokyo against any moves aimed at devaluing the yen, though details are also pending on his nominee as the new governor of the Bank of Japan.