Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed Thursday morning to make arrangements through diplomatic channels to hold a summit soon, Foreign Ministry officials said.
In a 10-minute telephone call, Aso and Obama agreed to coordinate closely in tackling the U.S.-triggered global financial crisis and North Korea-related issues, including the abductions, the officials said.
In their first conversation since Obama took office Jan. 20, they also touched on continued cooperation in other areas, including the fight against terrorism, climate change, African development and improving the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Aso and Obama held telephone talks in November following the U.S. presidential election.
Since becoming president, Obama has held telephone talks with leaders of more than 10 countries, including Israel, Egypt, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Brazil and Australia.
Aso to attend Davos
Prime Minister Taro Aso will make a three-day visit to Switzerland from Friday to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in the resort town of Davos, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said Thursday.
Aso is scheduled to deliver an address Saturday on Japan's responses to the global economic crisis and climate change, and hold talks on the sidelines with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Kawamura told a news conference.
The prime minister is also expected to exchange views on economic issues with business leaders from around the world, the top government spokesman added.
"We have determined that it is necessary for the prime minister himself to deliver a message because issues of economic crisis and climate change are very important," Kawamura said.