Japanese police questioned a US soldier for a third day yesterday over the rape of young woman on southern Okinawa island, after the leaders of the two nations did not agree at a weekend summit to reducing troop numbers there.
The crime occurred just hours before the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Junichiro Koizumi, left for the US to meet President Bush at a getting-to-know-you summit at Camp David.
While Mr Koizumi said the two leaders had "heart-to-heart" talks, there was little sign that Mr Bush was ready to agree to a reduction in the 26,000 US troops to which a reluctant Okinawa has played host since the second World War.
Friday's rape could trigger further anti-forces sentiment in Okinawa, already angry over a string of crimes, including several sexual attacks, by US servicemen since the 1995 gangrape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl.
At their first summit on Saturday at the Camp David retreat, Mr Bush lauded Mr Koizumi's "courageous" reform drive, and his aides said Mr Bush succeeded in forging a warm personal "bond" with Mr Koizumi.
"I have no reservations about the economic reform agenda that the prime minister is advancing," Mr Bush said, after a stroll through the oak-shaded compound where presidents have kicked back their heels for 60 years.
Both men have much to gain from projecting an instant friendship. Pictures of Mr Koizumi striding the world stage are invaluable as he tries to stockpile political capital for a potentially revolutionary reform program.
And Mr Bush has a huge stake in Mr Koizumi's success. His endorsement of his visitor's reform programme reflects the US hope that he will revive the economy and take more of a role in Asian security.
But signs of what Bush aides said was an instant "bond" between the two leaders could not disguise some disagreements, as the two sides were forced to paper over obvious gaps on the environment.
Japan was dismayed when Mr Bush ruptured the Kyoto treaty, designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions, by refusing to push for congressional ratification.
To avoid embarrassing his host, Mr Koizumi said he would not for now seek to rebuild momentum behind a global drive to combat climate change without first obtaining US support.
Mr Koizumi left Washington yesterday morning bound for Europe. On his European agenda are meetings with the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, his French counterpart Mr Lionel Jospin, as well as the French President, Mr Jacques Chirac.