Japan celebrates 150 years of U.S. ties

YOKOHAMA, Japan, April 3 (UPI) -- Japanese leaders gathered in Yokohama Saturday to celebrate their nation's alliance with the United States and reaffirm future solidarity.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of the first treaty between the two nations -- Japan's first treaty with a Western nation, the Kyodo news agency reported.

Koizumi described the cooperative relationship as "profound and strong" in dealing with issues such as Iraq's reconstruction and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

In a video message President George W. Bush said the alliance "brings peace, stability and hope for a better future" to people of the two countries and around the world.