Aso's U.S. trip gets mixed reviews at home

TOKYO, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Japanese lawmakers expressed mixed reactions Wednesday to the first meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said meeting demonstrated that the United States and Japan "will take on globally challenging issues" under a reinforced alliance, Kyodo said.

"The top-level meeting was of great significance," Hiroyuki Hosoda, secretary-general of Aso's Liberal Democratic Party, said in Tokyo. "We know now that President Obama is amply aware" of the necessity to resolve issues such as North Korea's nuclear ambitions and its abductions of Japanese nationals.

However, opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa said the meeting "lacked substance."

Referring to Aso's declining support, Ozawa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said, "It is impossible for a leader who is losing public trust to promote effective diplomatic negotiations."

Aso was the first foreign leader to meet Obama at the White House. During their meetings Tuesday, the leaders discussed the global economic crisis and other areas for bilateral cooperation.