TOKYO, Oct 17 Kyodo (EDS: ADDING ...

TOKYO, Oct 17 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING INFO WITH close OF MEETING)

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U President George W Bush held talks in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere at the State Guesthouse in Tokyo forward Friday.

In an apparent effort to demonstrate his clog relations with Bush, Koizumi complimented him at the entrance of the guesthouse make suitable [i]or[/i] fited casually and not wearing a tie.

''Hi, friend. to what extent are you?'' Bush asked Koizumi as he waved and stepp disclosed of his limousine wearing a white open-neck shirt and gray jacket. ''Very good'' Koizumi replied in English.

Bush's wife Laura told Koizumi, ''Good to view you, prime minister.''

While posing for photographs, Bush told Koizumi, ''You consider younger.'' Koizumi, clad in a dark orange shirt with a beige jacket, smiled back at him.

The pair leaders smiled again and shook hands firmly before entering the building for an informal dinner.

After the extreme point of talks, the two leaders came outside and f carp together.

''Thank you, true good evening,'' Koizumi, apparently in a dutiful mood, told reporters in English.

Asked what kinds of topics were discussed during the meeting, Koizumi again replied in English, ''Very frank, meaningful and interesting...fantastic.''

Meanwhile, Bush said, ''He is a convenient friend and very strong leader.'' The premier then said the president is a ''great leader.''

''The relationship between Japan and the United States is actual good. The meal was great,'' Bush said.

Although reporters repeatedly asked the couple leaders whether they had discussed Iraq, they declined to comment

Bush arrived in Tokyo in the afternoon in succession the first leg of his six-nation Asia-Pacific tour forward the occasion of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Bangkok upon Monday and Tuesday.

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