WASHINGTON (TIP): Japanese Prime MinisterShinzo Abe has arrived in the United States for a WhiteHouse meeting with President Barack Obama.Abe, who was elected in December, is seeking toreinforce the longstanding U.S.-Japan alliance at a timeof high tension stoked by a Japan-China territorialdispute and a North Korean nuclear test.He arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outsideWashington on Thursday.

He meets Obama at the WhiteHouse on Friday.They will also discuss economic ties. Theadministration will be gauging Japan’s intent to join atrans-Pacific trade agreement under negotiation.Abe is a nationalist and wants to rebuild Japan’sglobal standing, diminished by years of economicmalaise.He is the fifth Japanese prime minister duringObama’s time in office.