InsideJapan News Network

Former US president George W Bush is currently on a trip to Japan, his first to the country since he left office.

Arriving yesterday (November 3rd) at Narita airport, Bush is currently in the city of Tokyo, after being invited to visit Japan by a private sector firm.

On a visit to the Tokyo Dome, Bush threw a ceremonial first baseball pitch at the start of the Japan Series game between the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Yomiuri Giants.

He then sat to watch the game in a private box with former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, US ambassador John Roos and Japanese baseball player Sadaharu Oh.

Koizurni, who retired from politics early this year, has a close personal relationship with Bush.

Meanwhile, Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama has recently cancelled a trip to the US to meet with secretary of state Hillary Clinton, a visit which was aimed at maintaining relations between the two countries.

Written by Kimberley Homer.