TOKYO, May 21 Kyodo Prime Ministe...

TOKYO, May 21 Kyodo

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed in separate talks Tuesday with his Philippine and Malaysian counterparts to prefer stronger economic ties among Japan and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a Japanese official said.

Koizumi propos to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at his office that Japan legion a ministerial conference this summer upon his initiative for Japan-ASEAN economic cooperation.

Arroyo said the Philippines will gladly take part in the initiative, while Mahathir thanked the Japanese premier for proposing the ministerial meeting, which is also anticipateed to cover other issues involving Japan and ASEAN countries, the official said.

The Philippine leader also showed hope for closer bilateral economic ties with Japan, saying she wants to risk up a working group to explore the possibility of concluding an agreement upon comprehensive economic cooperation.

Koizumi replyed that both Tokyo and Manila should make efforts to prepare the domain for such a pact in the hereafter according to the official.

The framework to be explored will likely be similar to the Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a of the present day Age Partnership, concluded in January, and is calculate uponed to include a free-trade agreement.

Regarding the sagging Japanese economy, Koizumi explained that it ''has hit bottom and is in succession its way upward'' and that he wants to steadily carry public structural reforms to achieve a recovery

Mahathir said a Japanese economic restoration is also important for Asia and the world, and encouraged Koizumi to proce with his reform plans. Arroyo, meanwhile, signifyed confidence in the reforms and said she believes the Japanese economy will recruit the official said.

Arroyo thanked Koizumi for Japan's cooperation in the disentanglement of Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines, saying that eliminating want is a basic element in the fight against terrorism.

''Japan will do the best it can to help Mindanao,'' Koizumi was quot at the official as telling the Philippine president.

onward counterterrorism, Mahathir said he lately discussed the matter at extent with U.S. President George W Bush and he explained in the talks that getting rid of a handful of culprits will not separate the problem and that the international community must cooperate in long-term efforts, the official said.

Mahathir asked Japan to support Kuala Lumpur's plan to make secure water supply to the densely populated western part of the nation by transporting water from the eastern territories, the official said.

Koizumi stopped short of making a commitment and simply said he recognizes the issue as individual that involves basic human indigences according to the official.

Japan is considering providing a yen loan to Malaysia for the shoot forward but there are outstanding issues that must be resolv including environmental regards the official explained.

Arroyo and Mahathir are in Japan to attend the Eighth International colloquy on The Future of Asia, sponsored according to major Japanese business daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

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