Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso talked Tuesday with US President George W. Bush over the telephone on the ongoing global financial crisis, said Japan's chief government spokesman.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to cooperate closely in a bid to ensure the success of a proposed conference of the Group of Eight (G8) powers and major emerging economies on the global financial crisis, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura.

And the Japanese prime minister, who was advised by the US president to attend the meeting, voiced his readiness as well as hopes to exercise its leadership as the chair of the G-8 countries, said Kawamura.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2008)