WASHINGTON, April 9 Kyodo U Vice ...

WASHINGTON, April 9 Kyodo

U Vice President Dick Cheney left Washington for Japan forward Friday, kicking off a weeklong three-nation Asian tour to discuss the Iraqi situation, North Korea's nuclear ambitions and other issues with regional leaders.

Cheney will arrive in Tokyo onward Saturday evening via Alaska forward the first leg of the Asian tour that will also take him to China and Seoul This marks Cheney's first visit to the three countries since he took office in January 2001

onward Monday, he will meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other senior Japanese officials, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.

The newly come kidnapping of three Japanese civilians by way of a militant group in Iraq is reckon uponed to top the agenda at talks between Cheney and Koizumi.

The militants have threatened to kill the three hostages unles Japan withdraws its Self-Defense Forces partys from Iraq. Japan has sent 550 surface of land troops to Iraq on a noncombat mission to help in reconstruction of the country

Koizumi has vowed not to chance the SDF troops out of Iraq, while the United States has said it will make most remote efforts to help Japan win the release of the hostages.

Cheney and Koizumi are also anticipateed to discuss North Korea's nuclear arms program, fight against terrorism and Japan's continued ban forward U.S. beef imports because of the discovery of the first U case of mad overawe disease.

On Tuesday, Cheney will appropriate with Emperor Akihito and Empres Michiko and deliver a tongue at a symposium to mark the 150th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity.

In Beijing onward Wednesday, he will hold talks with Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao, forward issues including North Korea's nuclear arms program and Taiwan.

Cheney will arrive in Seoul forward Thursday after making a brief stop in Shanghai.

forward April 16, he will shut up talks with South Korean Prime Minister Goh Kun who is generally serving as acting president, forward the North Korean and Iraqi issues before departing for Washington.

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