Obama, Japanese PM Discuss Economy, Security
奧巴馬會晤日首相談經濟安全問題

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has become the first foreign leader to visit U.S. President Barack Obama. The leaders of the world's two biggest economies discussed the global financial crisis, among other issues.

日本首相麻生太郎成為訪問美國總統奧巴馬的第一位外國領導人。世界上這兩個最大經濟體的領導人討論了全球金融危機等問題。

President Obama says the fact that Prime Minister Aso is the first foreign leader to meet with him in the Oval Office is a testimony to the strong partnership between the United States and Japan.

奧巴馬總統說，麻生首相是在橢圓形辦公室跟他會談的第一位外國領導人，這一事實表明了美國和日本之間牢固的合作伙伴關系。

"We think that we have an opportunity to work together, not only on issues related to the Pacific Rim, but throughout the world," he said.

奧巴馬說：“我認為，我們之間存在合作的機會，不僅在有關太平洋沿岸地區的問題上，而且在關系到整個世界的問題上都有可能進行合作?！?/P>

Japan has the world's second largest economy, and holds more U.S. Treasury bonds than any country but China. Mr. Aso says only the U.S. and Japan have economies that are strong enough to bring changes in the global recession.

日本是世界第二大經濟體，所持有的美國政府債券超過任何國家，僅次于中國。麻生說，只有美國和日本的經濟實力才足以改變全球經濟衰退的局面。

"We are the number one and second biggest economies of the world," he said. "We will have to work together, hand in hand."

麻生太郎說：“我們是世界第一和第二大經濟體。我們將攜手共同努力。”

Security issues were also expected to play a big part in the meeting. Japan is working with the United States and three other countries to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. In addition, about 50,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan. Mr. Obama says the U.S. security relationship with Japan is crucial, and must be made even stronger.

預計，在奧巴馬跟麻生太郎的會談中安全問題也會占重要份量。日本正在跟美國以及另外三個國家勸說北韓放棄它的核武器計劃。除此之外，目前有大約5萬名美國軍事人員駐扎在日本。奧巴馬說，美國跟日本的安全合作關系非常重要，必須使之更加牢固。

"The alliance that we have is the cornerstone of security in East Asia," he said. "It is one that my administration wants to strengthen."

奧巴馬說：“兩國現有的同盟關系是東亞安全的基石，也是本屆美國政府希望加強的?！?/P>

Other issues on the agenda were global warming, terrorism, and the kidnapping of Japanese citizens by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

The two leaders' political fortunes are very different. After about one month in office, Mr. Obama has the support of almost 70 percent of Americans polled. A Japanese newspaper says Prime Minister Aso's approval rating is 11 percent.

兩位領導人的政治前程迥然不同。奧巴馬上任大約一個月之后，民調顯示他得到的美國民眾支持率幾乎是70%。而日本一份報紙說，日本首相麻生太郎在國內的支持率是11%。

Japan must hold parliamentary elections by the end of September, and many people believe Mr. Aso's Liberal Democratic party will lose control of parliament.

日本必須在9月底之前舉行議會選舉，許多日本人認為，麻生所在的自民黨會失去對日本國會的控制權。

Prime Minister Aso's early White House visit, as well as Hillary Clinton's decision to make Japan the destination of her first overseas trip as secretary of state, are sending important signals to Japan. Some in Tokyo have been concerned about increasing U.S. cooperation with China on diplomatic, economic and military issues.　

日本首相麻生太郎在外國領導人中率先訪問白宮，以及國務卿希拉里.克林頓決定把日本做為她上任后首次出訪的第一站都是向日本發出的重要信號。東京有些人對美國跟中國在外交、經濟和軍事等問題上不斷加強合作非常關切。