PM holds meetings with senior Japanese ministers

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Tokyo, Dec 14 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today held a series of meetings with senior Japanese ministers at the start of a three-day visit to Japan aimed at strengthening the strategic and economic content of the relationship between the two countries.

Both countries are working towards upgrading this relationship to a global partnership.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari and Land Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba were among those who called on Dr Singh at the Four Seasons Hotel at Chinzan-so where he is staying.

Later, Dr Singh was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Kantei, the official residence of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Dr Singh was received by Mr Abe as a group of about 40 Japanese and Indian children waved flags of the two countries.

The national anthems of the two countries were played and Dr Singh inspected a guard of honour, after which he was introduced to the guests present at the ceremony.

The Prime Minister also mingled for some time with the children who had turned up to greet him.

A local English-language newspaper, The Daily Yomuri, brought out a supplement today to mark the Prime Minister's visit to this country.

Later today, Dr Singh and his wife, Mrs Gursharan Kaur, will be received in an audience by the Emperor and Empress of Japan. After that, the Prime Minister will address a joint session of the Diet, the Japanese Parliament.

In the evening, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Festival of India in Japan at the Chinzan-so Complex. The two Prime Ministers will also unveil the Joint Logo of the India-Japan Friendship Year 2007.

Dr Singh will hold official talks with Mr Abe tomorrow, after which the two leaders will address a joint press conference. The two sides will also issue a Joint Statement.

The Prime Minister is also due to meet some Japanese dignitaries, including former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, tomorrow. He will also interact with Japanese and Indian businessmen at a luncheon hosted by the apex chambers of the two countries.

UNI SA LL RS1128

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