Japanese PM May Visit U.S.

Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi may visit the U.S. as early as Thursday over the deadly terrorist attacks in the U.S. last week, Kyodo News reported.

Koizumi may leave Japan on Thursday afternoon, Kyodo reported, quoting government sources.

He may meet Bush in the evening and fly back for Japan by the end of the day to join a gathering in Tokyo early Sunday afternoon to mourn the victims of the terrorist attacks, it reported.

On Wednesday night, Koizumi said only that he would consider the possibility of visiting the U.S. for talks with Bush, depending on developments following the terrorist attacks.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda also said, "If there is a need for it and if the situation allows, the prime minister's visit to the U.S. is possible."

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/