Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama broadly agreed to cooperate further on stabilizing Afghanistan in their first meeting Tuesday in Washington, but the visit gave experts the impression the United States isn't investing much in what is widely regarded to be a lame-duck Cabinet
Although Obama invited Aso to be the first foreign leader to visit him at the White House, few of the usual hospitalities, including the joint press conference and lunch, were arranged for the unpopular prime minister.
Some analysts said the hidden message from Washington was that, while it recognizes the importance of maintaining the strong alliance with Japan to rebuild the global economy and deal with Afghanistan and North Korea, it is also fully aware that mounting pressures may force Aso out of power soon.