Obama pitches trade deal, deeper cooperation with Japan

MANILA, Philippines — President Barack Obama is using a meeting with Japan's prime minister to pitch a free-trade deal among Pacific Rim countries and emphasize a close partnership between the U.S. and Japan.

Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Obama says they talked about where the two countries can deepen their cooperation. He describes their alliance as "one of the linchpins for our security as well as Japan's."

Obama notes the U.S. is realigning its military forces in the region, including the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam, lessening the base's impact on local communities.

The U.S. and Japan are among the nations considering ratifying a trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Obama calls the deal's features the wave of the future.