According to the following report Japan's government today denied declaring its support for President Bush in the upcoming U.S. election, despite the
fact that Japanese leader Koizumi suggested he preferred the Republican incumbent to Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry on Thursday...
ABCNEWS.com Full Article
TOKYO Oct. 15, 2004 — Japan's government on Friday denied declaring its support for President Bush in the U.S. election, despite the prime
minister's comment that he hopes Bush will "do well" in the vote.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has forged a close relationship with Bush and has been a steadfast supporter of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. His
government has deployed some 550 troops to southern Iraq.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda denied on Friday that Koizumi meant to voice an opinion about who he hoped would win the U.S. election.
"It's not that the prime minister is saying who should win," Hosoda told reporters. "No matter what the results of the election may be, the ties
between the United States and Japan are solid."
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Does it matter what Japan has to say about the U.S. election?
I am sure it does to the Japanese American community.
Rather this was meant to endorse Bush or not it does reflect a bond between Bush and Koizumi that may be more friendship than political leaning.
Do other nations somehow through actions such as this have some power over U.S. elections, through a sanctioned endorsment or not?
Japanese anyone?
