Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's last visit to the United States as prime minister set a new standard for intimacy on the diplomatic circuit. It was a fitting farewell to a remarkable five years in US-Japan relations and a well-earned reward for Mr Koizumi.
Yes, Mr Koizumi benefited from a decade of preparation. The evolution of Japanese security policy began in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf war. But the friendship he built with George W. Bush was instrumental and helped elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights. The 'George-Jun relationship' will be the standard by which all others will be judged.
At their June 29 White House meeting, the two leaders 'together heralded a new US-Japan alliance of global co-operation for the 21st century', according to a US government communique. This document identifies shared values and interests, and reaffirms the two countries' intentions to work together to combat problems ranging from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to energy security and climate change.
Critics - and I confess to being one - have worried that there is a risk of a backlash. Thus far, the critics have been wrong.
It looks, then, as if the 'best relations ever' will survive the Koizumi era. The pieces are all there: the vision exists, the plan to strengthen the military dimension of the alliance is in place, nettlesome economic issues (such as a dispute over beef) have been dealt with, and both governments appear ready to explore new possibilities for economic relations.
Still, there are reasons to be concerned. The immediate worry is the agreement to realign US forces in Japan. Communities are upset about hosting military forces, and afflicted areas enjoy widespread sympathy. Japanese politicians will have to spend political capital to get the plan implemented, something they - including Mr Koizumi - have been extremely slow to do.