Japanese PM, U.S. president to discuss Afghanistan, environment issues in Tokyo: top gov't spokesman

TOKYO, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama agreed to discuss such issues of common concern as Afghanistan and the environment during Obama's visit to Japan later this week.

Hirano said that during their telephone talks, the Japanese prime minister also voiced hope of further cementing bilateral ties.

Separately, during an interview with Japan's public broadcaster NHK in Washington on Monday, Obama said he is willing to visit Japan's two atom-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while he is in office, local media reported Tuesday.