(19 Jan 1996) Jap/Eng/Nat Japan's Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda, continuing his first official visit to America, has met U-S Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Defence Secretary William Perry. Ikeda's choice of the U-S as the destination for his first overseas trip as foreign minister is being seen as a symbol of the importance of the relationship between the two countries. Japan's Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda's decision to make Washington his first destination in his new job was being viewed as a good sign by U-S officials. It served to emphasize the importance of the relationship of the two countries. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) "We are going to discuss a wide variety of issues, including the importance of U.S.-Japan security arrangements in the new international situation. Of course we are going to touch upon economic issues, since both Japan and the United States are the two largest powers.....account for 40 per cent of the world G-N-P. We are going to discuss cooperation in that aspect as well." SUPER CAPTION: Yukihiko Ikeda, Japanese Foreign Minister Secretary of State Christopher underlined how important relations with Japan are to the U-S: SOUNDBITE: (English) "The foreign minister and I will be discussing the prominent role that Japan is playing in connection with Bosnia, as well as in connection with the Middle East, with their role in connection with the Palestinians being of particular note." SUPER CAPTION: Warren Christopher, U.S. Secretary of State Christopher praised Japan's role in the East Asian region. SOUNDBITE: "We're working together to ensure we stem the North Korean nuclear threat, and to also provide support for KEDO (Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization) as it implements the light water reactor project which is so crucial to ensuring the continuation of the freeze on the nuclear program in North Korea." SUPER CAPTION: Warren Christopher, U.S. Secretary of State After the State Department Ikeda went on to visit the Department of Defence. Outside the front door he was met by Defence Secretary William Perry. Amongst the many issues under discussion will be the future of the U-S military bases in Japan -- particularly the base in Okinawa following the rape of a twelve year old girl allegedly by three U-S marines. Despite some ups and downs, the underlying state of relations between the two countries seems as strong as ever. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/291b8372c1b56959245b8488e5b3ad75