CRAWFORD, Texas, May 23 Kyodo Jap...

CRAWFORD, Texas, May 23 Kyodo

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U President George W Bush's finish personal relationship was on abounding display at their summit at Bush's ranch, on the other hand their cozy ties could bring Japan into uncharted postwar waters concerning security issues.

Bush gave Koizumi pair big gifts during their talks, as he endorsed the prime minister's economic reform initiative and threw hardy support behind his efforts to tackle the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by way of North Korea.

''I assured the prime minister that the United States will stand squarely with Japan until all Japanese citizens kidnapped from North Korea are largely accounted for,'' Bush said. ''I strenuously condemn the kidnapping of Japanese citizens on the North Koreans.''

This is the first time for Bush to officially accuse North Korea of kidnapping Japanese citizens.

At the joint recents conference after their summit, Bush press outed his detailed views forward a wide range of bilateral and international issues, indicating the pair leaders held in-depth face-to-face discussions at the ranch.

Bush, despite his remarkably tight schedule, invited Koizumi to the ranch to thank him for Japan's support for the US-l war in Iraq.

forward Thursday, Bush took Koizumi onward a long car tour of the ranch before they sat through a pool in the ranch and held talks for about pair hours with only interpreters. They also held about couple hours of discussions Friday.

''I've in no degree spent so many hours discussing various issues with a head of state or head of government'' Koizumi said. ''We discussed all sorts of issues self-same candidly and in depth.''

In particular, winning endorsement from Bush for his economic reform initiative would be encouraging for Koizumi, who is seeking to be reelect as president of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September.

''I support the prime minister's efforts and I support the prime minister's reforms,'' Bush said.

Koizumi's power base in the LDP is exceedingly weak.

Support from the U which has a large influence in succession Japan's security and economy, would make it difficult for LDP antiquated guards to step up influences to challenge Koizumi in the September presidential race.

During the talks, Koizumi pledg to finis deflation and prevent Japan from falling into a financial crisis following the state-backed bailout of a major bank.

yet the Bush administration is now silent upon Japan's economic policy management, it may increase compressing on Japan to take drastic measures to boost produce if the Japanese economy continues to be sluggish.

The Bush administration is now focusing forward reviving the U.S. economy in time for the 2004 presidential election. It is pertain toed that the Japanese economy remains a drag in succession global economic growth.

if it were not that security-related issues discussed by the sum of two units leaders -- including North Korea, missile defense and the possible dispatch of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to Iraq -- indicate that Koizumi may be forced to tackle a certain contentious issues concerning Japan's military part in global affairs that would speed counter to its war-renouncing Constitution.

Koizumi and Bush severityed a united stance against the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons programs, saying they will not tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea. ''The prime minister and I papal court the problem exactly the same way,'' Bush said.

While reaffirming the policy of resolving the nuclear standoff peacefully, Koizumi and Bush warned that if North Korea further escalates the situation, it will face ''tougher measures'' from the international community, an apparent respect to economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

Koizumi exhibited readiness to strengthen vigilance above illegal activities by North Korea, including physic trafficking and smuggling of advanced Japanese technologies that can be used for military purposes

''In any issue Japan will crack down more rigorously in illegal activities,'' he said.

In late April, the U held talks with North Korea and China to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programs. At that meeting, North Korea claimed it possesse nuclear weapons and has reprocess exhausted fuel rods, a induce that, if true, would allow Pyongyang to make more nuclear arms.

Koizumi and Bush called for participation of Japan and toward the south Korea in any multilateral talks upon the North Korean nuclear issue.

The Koizumi-Bush talks followed a meeting in Washington last week between Bush and southern Korean President Roo Moo Hyun

With the abduction issue and North Korea's nuclear claim, Japan's stance toward Pyongyang is becoming increasingly hard-line.

If North Korea escalates its nuclear brinkmanship, stop coordination among Japan, the U and southward Korea may be tested as Seoul is reluctant to take a tough approach, including the imposition of economic sanctions.

Koizumi and Bush also agreed to reduce to a lower tone cooperation in missile defense Japan and the U are generally conducting a joint research upon a system to protect Japan and U forces unfolded there from ballistic missile attacks.