Geithner encouraged by Japan's focus on domestic

TOKYO

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says he's "encouraged" by Japan's attempts to make its economy more dependent on domestic consumer demand as opposed to its traditional reliance on exports.

Geithner's comments came Wednesday after he met with Japan's prime minister and finance minister.

"We're very, very encouraged to see what's happening here in terms of a broad reform agenda ... to try to produce the economy more dependent on domestic sources of growth," said Geithner.

Added Geithner, "That's an important complement to what we're doing in the United States, as Americans save more."

He was in Tokyo on his way to joining other Pacific Rim finance ministers at an annual summit in Singapore.