Japan's Fukuda Will Visit U.S. This Week

TOKYO — Prime Minister Fukuda of Japan will visit America between November 15 and 17 to meet President Bush, Japan's chief Cabinet secretary, Nobutaka Machimura, said yesterday.

The visit will be Mr. Fukuda's first official overseas trip since he took office in September. He will meet with Mr. Bush on November 16, Mr. Machimura said.

"Japan is one of America's closest friends and allies, and the president looks forward to a productive exchange on ways to further enhance our strong partnership," the White House press secretary, Dana Perino, said in a statement announcing the meeting.

Mr. Fukuda will explain to Mr. Bush that he will try to pass legislation as soon as possible authorizing Japanese naval ships to resume support for the American-led war in Afghanistan, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on October 21.