Obama: US and Japan must find ways to renew and refresh alliance for the new century

Associated Press

Last update: November 13, 2009 - 5:57 AM

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TOKYO - President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama pledged Friday to renew their nations' alliance to keep pace with a fast-changing world.

Opening a weeklong trip to Asia, Obama said the United States and Japan must "find ways to renew and refresh the alliance for the 21st century."

Hatoyama noted that Japan will no longer refuel ships that supply Afghanistan, but he promised aid for Afghan civilian needs such as schools, agriculture and police. He also vowed to cooperate with the United States on combatting climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Obama arrived in Tokyo on Friday for the start of a weeklong trip to east Asia.

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