WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Japanese and U.S. business leaders agree their governments should strengthen economic relations with each other and with Asia through such efforts as pursuing bilateral and regional economic integration.
"Given Asia's current growth and integration trends and the vital security interests that are at stake in the region, there is arguably no area of the world more important to long-term global prosperity and stability," the leaders said in a joint statement released Tuesday after a two-day annual meeting in Washington.
"In this context, and as the United States and Japan look for ways to promote economic recovery and increase their competitiveness amid the economic challenges of the 21st century, closer U.S.-Japan economic integration and cooperation in Asia makes sense," the leaders said.