Japanese PM concerned about double-dip

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiro Noda, meeting in New York Wednesday with U.S. President Obama, hinted at worries about a double-dip recession.

Obama and Noda appeared outside the U.N. General Assembly for a 10-minute media availability.

"One worry I have is that there is an emerging concern that once a recovering economy might be moving back into another recession," Noda said through an interpreter, stressing the concern was vital to the United States and Japan.

The prime minister did not elaborate, and Obama did not address the topic.

"As all of you are aware we have an extraordinary alliance with Japan -- they are one of our closest friends, our closest allies," Obama said. "The bonds of friendship between our peoples are equally strong."

Though he and Noda had spoken by phone, Obama said it was the first time they had met "face to face."

"I know [Noda] like all of us has some extraordinary challenges we have to address," Obama said. "I know that at the top of his list is rebuilding Japan in the aftermath of the horrific tsunami that occurred. I renew the pledge that America will do everything we can to make sure [that Japan's recovery] is a success."

Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March and is suffering the effects of a powerful typhoon this week.

But besides tsunami recovery, Obama said, "obviously we have other important work to do together as the two largest economies in the world. We have to continue to promote growth to help put our people to work and improve standards of living."

Through his interpreter, Noda said, "Even before the earthquake took place in Japan we had a lot of challenges. ... Our top priority is reconstruction from the disaster, the earthquake." He thanked the United States for tsunami aid.