Koizumi peace gift for Bush

Bush and Koizumi exchange gifts

By CNN's Alex Frew McMillan
in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China (CNN) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has presented U.S. President George W. Bush with a gift that he says is a symbolic weapon in the U.S. fight against terrorism.

Koizumi presented Bush with a bow and arrows -- one of which was contained in a wooden box that had been hand-painted with calligraphy by the Japanese leader.

"To defeat evil and bring peace on earth," Koizumi's inscription read.

In return, Bush gave Koizumi a baseball glove signed by Baltimore Orioles stalwart Cal Ripken.

With the U.S. Major League baseball playoffs in full swing Koizumi professed his love of the game.

The Japanese leader is a fan of American culture, and earlier this year released a CD of his favorite Elvis Presley songs.

RESOURCES Key economic information on APEC members  • APEC preview  • War on terror reactions

Speaking ahead of a short session of bilateral talks Bush noted that Japan has been a very good friend in the U.S.-led fight against terrorism.

The two leaders met Saturday on the sidelines of this weekend's leader's meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group.

Bush praised Koizumi for supporting the military campaign in Afghanistan and Koizumi in turn praised Bush's "strong leadership to fight terrorism."

The U.S. president has been doing the rounds at the leader's summit, soliciting support from APEC's 21 members.

He said he is looking forward to Sunday's session with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Bush has already met with the leaders of China and South Korea and the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, who raised his concerns about civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Mahathir has criticized the U.S. action in Afghanistan, along with Indonesian leader Megawati Sukarnoputri. Both are leaders of Muslim nations.

Bush is scheduled to meet later Saturday with the Sultan of Brunei, head of the third Muslim APEC nation.