Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda plans to visit the United States for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama from April 29 to May 2, sources said Thursday.
The two leaders are expected to issue a joint statement saying the United States and Japan will deepen their alliance in a comprehensive range of fields including security and the economy, taking into account the situation in North Korea and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, the sources said.
If North Korea goes ahead with its planned rocket launch, how to respond to the reclusive nation, including whether to strengthen sanctions, could become a major agenda item, they said.