Another Visa Waiver Program question

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formalizingBiz

Registered Users (C)
I am a Japanese citizen and I entered US using Visa Waiver Program several times in the past. I entered US four times for the last 2 years.

10/12/2004 Stayed for 2 weeks or so
11/27/2004 Stayed for 3 months
06/11/2005 Stayed for 3 months
10/29/2005 Stayed for 3 months

(I never stayed in US for longer than a week using Visa Waiver Program before 10/12/2004.)

I was stopped by an immigration officer at the airport (LAX) last time (10/29/2005), and she asked me a couple of questions; she seemed a big agitated. She asked me to obtain a Visa next time, so I applied for it back in February; I applied for B1/B2 at US consulate in Osaka, Japan. However, the application was denied and I received a letter. The letter has a box checked, and it says

"You appear to be eligible to travel without a visa using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If, after reading the attached information sheet, you still wish to apply for a visa, please submit your application with an explanatory letter."

I'd like to go to US next month and spend 2 months or so; I'd like to meet a couple of people. Do I need to apply for a visa in this case? Can I just use Visa Waiver Program because that's what the officer at US Consulate in Japan essentially suggested?
 
Usually, those who are eligible to VWP are most likely denied with B visa unless they provide the reason.
Did you tell consulate officer why you were applying for B visa ?
 
It's been several months, so I can't remember details, but I don't think I ever got to explain why I was applying for visa in the first place; I was asked to apply for one at Customs last time I entered US, and this is why I was applying for one. I briefly explained that I work for myself in Japan and I do IT stuff. I have a client in US, so I'd like to have visa to enter US officially; it's not that VWP is unofficial though. I think that's basically what I said ...
 
Say that you might have to make a trip to Canada during your stay in the US. For that, you would need a visa.
 
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