Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. Aso was set Tuesday to be President Barack Obama's first foreign guest as the leaders of the world's two largest economies plot action on the global financial crisis. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso arrived in Washington on Monday night, set to become the first foreign leader to meet U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House.

    At their meeting on Tuesday, the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation on the financial crisis, climate change, operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

    Aso's visit comes a week after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Japan, where she said the alliance between the United States and Japan is "a cornerstone" of U.S. foreign policy.

Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009.  (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Working together to deal with the multitude of issues that affect not only Asia, but the entire world, is a high priority of the Obama administration," said Clinton.

    The so-called cornerstone alliance, however, has to face a political instability in Japan, where Aso has become one of the most unpopular post-war leaders.

    According to the latest nationwide poll conducted by the Asahi Shimbun, 71 percent of respondents want Aso to resign as soon as possible.

    Another survey conducted on Saturday and Sunday by the Mainichi Shimbun showed Aso's support rate dropped 8 percentage points from the January poll to 11 percent. The survey also found 39 percent think Aso should step down immediately. The disapproval rate for the Aso Cabinet stood at 73 percent.