U.S., Japan strengthen alliance

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Days after a joint announcement by the U.S. and Japan about the revised plan to realign troops in Japan, President Barack Obama today welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to Washington.  The two leaders have reaffirmed their alliance which is the core of the president's expanded engagement in Asia.

Obama said, "I'm told that over the past year many Japanese have found strength in what they call kizuna, the bonds of solidarity between friends and neighbors, bonds which cannot be broken. The same could be said for the bonds between the U.S. and Japan, and today we welcome you in that spirit."

Noda's visit is the first by a Japanese leader to the white house in three years.