Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S President-elect George W. Bush confirmed over the telephone Friday that the two nation's partnership should be further strengthened, Japanese officials said.
Mori phoned Bush in the morning -- their first-ever exchange of words -- to deliver his congratulatory message. Bush replied by stressing the importance of bilateral ties and promising to closely cooperate with Mori.
As Mori said he expects Bush to act not only as America's leader but as the world's leader, Bush said he is fully aware of what he must do, they said. Mori added that he hopes to meet Bush as soon as possible after his inauguration Jan. 20, they said.
Bush answered by saying that he will soon be appointing as the new secretary of state someone whom Mori would easily "recognize." He said the appointee is duly aware of the importance of Washington's job to maintain a close relationship with Tokyo. He was apparently referring to former Gen. Colin Powell.