Charles, Aso agree to cooperate in fighting climate change

Japan: Britain's Prince Charles and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed here Wednesday that their countries should cooperate in fighting climate change, Japanese officials said.

Charles stressed the importance of forest conservation in stopping global warming during a 40-minute meeting with the prime minister at a hotel here, the officials said.

"We wish to join Britain in exercising leadership in the field of climate change," Aso was quoted as telling the heir to the British throne, who has long championed environmental causes. The meeting was also attended by Charles' wife Camilla and Aso's wife Chikako.

The prince is in Japan to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a treaty of amity and commerce between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, the royal couple were greeted by hundreds of people waving Japanese and British flags when they visited the ancient capital city of Nara in the west.

They offered incense before the Great Buddha, a giant bronze statue, at the eighth century Todai-ji temple, and signed their names on traditional ceramic plates at a local craft centre.

The prince last visited Japan in 1990 with his late wife Princess Diana for the enthronement of Emperor Akihito. Camilla, the duchess of Cornwall, is on her first official trip to Japan.

Tokyo, Thursday, AFP