Obama to meet Japanese PM on Feb 22

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama is due to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on February 22, the White House announced on Friday.

Obama will hold "in-depth" discussions with Abe on a range of "bilateral, regional and global issues, including the US-Japan Security Alliance, economic and trade issues, and deepening bilateral cooperation," the White House said in a statement.

Abe's visit to Washington comes after a fresh nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Tuesday.

During a phone conversation with Abe on Wednesday, Obama reaffirmed the US commitment to Japan's security, including defending Japan with the US nuclear umbrella.

After taking office in December, Abe had planned to visit the United States as early as January for talks with Obama. However, the trip had to be postponed due to Obama's busy schedule including his January 21 inauguration ceremony, Japanese government sources said.