Nation : Bush Invites Japan’s Prime Minister

President Bush has invited Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita to make an official “working visit” to Washington on Feb. 2 “to demonstrate the importance of the relationship with Japan,” the White House spokesman announced today.

Press secretary Marlin Fitzwater told reporters he had no details on the visit. White House officials are planning Bush’s journey to Tokyo to attend memorial services for Emperor Hirohito on Feb. 24. Fitzwater said Bush was considering expanding his trip to include other countries in Asia, but no decisions have been made. There has been speculation that Bush plans to visit South Korea and China.