    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [June 29, 2006]
    [Pages 1231-1233]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for Prime Minister Junichiro
    Koizumi of Japan
    June 29, 2006

        President Bush. Good morning. Laura and I are
    welcome--are proud to welcome and honored to welcome our friend Prime
    Minister Koizumi back to the White House. Japan and the United States
    have built a strong alliance and a close friendship. Decades ago, our
    two fathers looked across the Pacific and
    saw adversaries, uncertainty, and war. Today, their sons look across
    that same ocean and see friends and opportunity and peace.
        The friendship between our two nations is based on common values.
    These values include democracy, free enterprise, and a deep and abiding
    respect for human rights. These values have created a better life for
    both our peoples, a firm alliance between our two nations, and a common
    approach to our engagement with the world.
        These values are under attack by terrorist networks that bring death
    and destruction to all who oppose their hateful ideology, so the United
    States and Japan are working together to defend our shared values and
    win the war on terror.
        Japanese naval vessels have refueled hundreds of coalition ships as
    part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Japan is now the third largest donor
    nation for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. In Iraq, Japanese
    Self-Defense Forces have helped improve the lives of citizens in a key
    Iraqi Province that will soon return to Iraqi control. And Japan
    continues to provide critical airlift support to coalition forces in
    Iraq. The people of Japan can be proud of the contribution their Self-
    Defense Forces have made in the war on terror, and Americans are proud
    to serve alongside such courageous allies.
        Japan and the United States are cooperating to address other threats
    to our security. Our two nations are working together through the six-
    party talks, insisting that North Korea meet its pledge to abandon all
    nuclear weapons and its existing nuclear programs. Japan and the United
    States are

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    also founding members of the Proliferation Security Initiative that is
    working to keep dangerous weapons from rogue states and terrorist
    groups. And our two nations are repositioning our forces to counter the
    emerging threats of the 21st century.
        As we meet threats to our security, we're also working together to
    improve the lives of our people and address common challenges. Our two
    economies are the largest in the world, and we are working to expand
    trade and investment opportunities for both our peoples. Japan and the
    United States are working together for a successful conclusion to the
    Doha negotiations, which would add to the prosperity of our nations and
    help lift millions in the developing world out of poverty.
        With prosperity comes responsibility. So our two nations helped
    build the Asian-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, so
    we can make the latest energy technologies more widely available, reduce
    pollution, and increase energy efficiency.
        Americans cherish our friendship with the Japanese people and value
    our alliance with the nation of Japan. And we honor the leadership of
    Japan's Prime Minister Koizumi. He's a man of vision; he's a man of
    integrity. And I'm proud to call him my friend. I thank the Prime
    Minister for coming to the White House. And I'm looking forward to
    joining him tomorrow at Graceland. [Laughter] Officially, he's here to
    see the President, but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying
    his respects to ``the King.'' [Laughter]
        Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your leadership, and welcome back
    to America.
        Prime Minister Koizumi. Good morning.
        Audience Member. Good morning.
        Prime Minister Koizumi. Our Japan children very good. [Laughter] You
    can learn both Japanese and English. In the future, it's useful to you
    all.
    First of all, allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to President
    Bush, the Government, and the people of the United States for putting on
    such a splendid welcome ceremony for me.
        In Japan, I am known as ``Lucky Man.'' And I feel that I am lucky in
    the United States as well. Look at this fine weather; I feel that this
    weather is also welcoming me.
        I believe it is no exaggeration to say that over the past 5 years,
    there has been no world leader, alongside Mr. Bush--President Bush,
    among the world leaders with whom I have felt so much heart to heart,
    felt so deep a friendship and trust, and have cooperated with.
        And I believe having personal and good relations between the two
    leaders is good not just for the two friends, the two of us. From now
    on, I'll engage in the discussions with President Bush on--as Japan and
    the United States are allies on various matters, not simply of bilateral
    relations but on the questions of how best we, our two countries, could
    cooperate together as allies in addressing various international issues.
        I sincerely hope that my visit this time will enable our two
    countries to continue to cooperate and develop together and, as allies
    in the international community, make even greater contributions to the
    numerous challenges in the world community.
        And in concluding, I would like to express my heartfelt wishes for
    further prosperity of the Government and the people of the United States
    of America.
        Thank you again. Such a wonderful hospitality. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:11 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, where Prime Minister Koizumi was accorded a formal welcome with
    full military honors. Prime Minister Koizumi spoke partly in Japanese,
    and those portions of his remarks were translated by an interpreter.

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