The joint statement issued in Washington Monday by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S. President George W. Bush is the first political declaration issued by Japan and a Republican administration in the United States in eight years. It marked a starting point for redefining terms of the Japan-U.S. security alliance that will be valid at least for the next four years.
The Washington summit was clouded by the following problems:
* The unpopular Mori is likely to be forced to resign in the near future. The lame-duck prime minister lacks leadership and the implementation of any agreements reached in the summit will be delayed until after his replacement takes over.