Paris - Japan's new Prime Minister, Mr Junichiro Koizumi, met President Jacques Chirac yesterday as France tried to prevent Tokyo siding with the US over changes to the Kyoto climate change treaty.
Japanese officials said that on the last stage of his first diplomatic tour, Mr Koizumi had found Chirac in a determined mood and had been urged not to agree to water down Kyoto's provisions to appease Washington.
According to a Japanese official Mr Chirac said: "France and the EU have a very strong intention of ratifying the Kyoto treaty and cannot change our stance instantly for the convenience of the United States." - The remark could be interpreted as a slap in the face for Japan, which has been trying to bridge gaps between US and European positions.