It is Mr Fukuda's first overseas visit since taking office in September.

Talks are expected to focus on a controversial Japanese naval mission in the Indian Ocean and the issue of North Korea.

Japan is America's key ally in Asia but a number of issues have strained ties in recent months, correspondents say.

Terrorism list

Ahead of the two-day visit, Mr Fukuda stressed the need for strong ties with the US.

''It China condemns Dalai Lama US trip ...
Laura Bush urges UN over Burma ...
Bush to announce sub-prime plan ...
S Korea lifts its ban on US beef ... is important to make efforts to enhance and develop the Japan-US relationship, as well as to hold a wide range of exchanges,'' he said.

But there are differences over a Japanese mission to support US-led operations in Afghanistan.

Japanese warships have been refuelling US and other military vessels in the Indian Ocean since 2001, but were forced to withdraw earlier this month after opposition lawmakers blocked an extension of their mandate.

The US is keen for the mission to resume but opposition control of Japan's upper house means that Mr Fukuda will struggle to pass legislation allowing the ships back in.

There are also differences over North Korea.

Abduction issue
The US is considering removing the communist nation from its list of state sponsors of terrorism - a response to recent moves by North Korea towards ending its nuclear programme.

But Japan wants progress on the abduction issue. Pyongyang kidnapped several Japanese nationals in the late 1970s and early 1980s to train as spies. It has returned some but Tokyo believes that more remain.

The BBC's Chris Hogg, in Tokyo, says that Mr Fukuda will be hoping his first face-to-face summit talks with Mr Bush will help to improve the situation.

Officials from both countries insist that the US-Japan alliance is strong enough to withstand such difficulties, our correspondent adds.

Mr Fukuda took office two months ago, after Shinzo Abe stepped down following the ruling party's crushing defeat in upper house elections in July.

He is continuing a family tradition with a White House visit - his father, Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, met President Jimmy Carter there in 1977.

(BBC)

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