Japan, Germany to discuss cooperation in tackling Fukushima nuke crisis

TOKYO (Kyodo) - The Japanese and German foreign ministers on Saturday will discuss bilateral cooperation in tackling the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant crippled by the March 11 quake and tsunami, Japanese officials said Friday.
German Foreign Minister and Deputy Chancellor Guido Westerwelle is expected to express support to and solidarity with the disaster-stricken nation when he meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto during a one-day visit to Tokyo, the officials said.
Matsumoto told a press conference that he will fully explain the developments at the radiation-leaking plant to his German counterpart.
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised Prime Minister Naoto Kan over the phone that Germany supports Japan in every way in coping with the nuclear emergency and reconstruction efforts in quake-hit areas.
Merkel told Kan at that time that Germany will provide Japan with remote-controlled robots that can engage in repair work for the nuclear reactors, according to German officials.
Following the twin disasters that ravaged eastern and northeastern Japan, Germany dispatched a rescue team to the town of Minamisanriku in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the hardest-hit coastal municipalities.
Matsumoto also said he hopes to discuss with Westerwelle ways to further deepen bilateral ties, as this year marks the 150th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Germany.
Bilateral relations began in 1861, when Japan and the then state of Prussia signed a treaty of amity and commerce.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Friday that Jeremy Browne, British state minister for foreign and commonwealth affairs, will make a two-day visit to Japan from Saturday.
Browne will hold talks with Japanese State Foreign Secretary Yutaka Banno over responses to the quake, tsunami and nuclear contingency, according to the ministry.