KYOTO, Nov. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting US President George W. Bush hailed Wednesday their decades-old ally relationship.

    Emerging from an one hour and 15 minutes meeting, Koizumi told reporter that the Japan-US alliance in the global context was the "overriding" contents of their talks, describing the relationship with the United States was "indispensable" to Japan.

    "We emphasized and confirmed the importance of closer consultation between the two. The United States remains the most indispensable ally to Japan," he said.

    Koizumi rejected critics that the two countries are too close and Japan should pay more attention to other issues and strengthen relationship with other countries.

    He said if the relationship with US remains close and intimate as it will be easier for Japan to establish better relationship with Asian neighbors and countries in other parts of the world.

    Bush said he valued Koizumi as a close friend, and the US-Japan relationship as "vital" and "strong."

    "The strong relationship enables us to work together to keep the peace," Bush said.

    Bush also poured congratulatory words on Koizumi's achievements in winning the general election and pressing forward the structural reforms.

    The president also thanked Japan for its contributions to reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    This is the third time for Bush to visit Japan since he took power in 2001. The last visit was in October, 2003.

    Bush will leave for South Korea Wednesday evening to attend the summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and to meet with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. Then, he will visit China and Mongolia. Enditem