http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031114/ap_on_re_as/rumsfeld_asia&cid=516&ncid=716<snip>
Rumsfeld was whisked directly from the airport to an evening meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose government announced a day earlier while Rumsfeld was visiting Guam that it almost certainly will delay sending a contingent of non-combat troops until sometime next year.
Japan is one of America's most steadfast allies — arguably the most important in Asia — and it has pledged billions of dollars in financial aid for Iraq's reconstruction. The Bush administration had hoped the Japanese also would send troops before the end of the year. But after Wednesday's deadly attack on the Italian compound in south-central Iraq, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda backed off, saying the security situation in Iraq is not yet stable enough.
After Rumsfeld's 45-minute meeting with Koizumi, a Rumsfeld aide who briefed reporters on condition he not be identified said the subject of Japanese troops in Iraq was raised by neither man.
The aide said Koizumi told Rumsfeld he admired the Bush administration's determination to stay the course in Iraq and that Japan will remain a strong supporter. Rumsfeld thanked the Tokyo government for its pledge of $1.5 billion in grants for 2004 and an additional $3.5 billion in loans over the following three years. Koizumi did not mention plans for further steps to help.