Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama were expected to underscore the bilateral alliance during their meeting Tuesday to coordinate a response to the global economic crisis, climate change and challenges such as Afghanistan and North Korea.
Aso is the first foreign leader invited by Obama to the White House, but uncertainties remain over what concrete results can be achieved. The prime minister's support rate has fallen so low at home that many believe he may not be able to remain in office much longer.
Aso was expected to announce fresh aid for Pakistan, including low-interest loans, to demonstrate Tokyo's support for the United States in fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, one of Obama's foreign policy priorities.