Japan’s Prime Minister Scheduled to Meet with President Trump in Washington DC
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington for the first time, confirmed Japanese officials on Tuesday. Ishiba’s visit is expected to take place between Thursday and Saturday, with a meeting scheduled in Washington, as announced by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi at a press conference.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan stated that Ishiba aims to establish a relationship of trust and cooperation with the Trump administration and enhance the Japan-U.S. Alliance to new levels. The MOFA detailed Ishiba’s itinerary, indicating his travel from Tokyo to Washington on Thursday, departure on Friday, and return to Tokyo on Saturday.
As Japan’s sole treaty ally, Ishiba has been actively engaging with President Trump since his election in November, in an effort to maintain a robust U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific region amidst escalating Chinese aggression and North Korea’s missile tests.
During a speech to Parliament last month, Ishiba emphasized the urgent need to strengthen defense capabilities, elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance, and deepen ties with other partners, citing the complex security environment faced by Japan since World War II.
Trump, acknowledging Ishiba’s upcoming visit, expressed condolences for Japan’s late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, praising him as a close friend. Trump also expressed anticipation for his meeting with Ishiba. Notably, during his first term, Trump revived the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, involving Japan, India, and Australia to counter Chinese influence in the region.
Highlighting the U.S. administration’s Indo-Pacific focus, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently hosted Quad counterparts to reaffirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that upholds democratic values and opposes unilateral actions that aim to alter the status quo by force or coercion.
Rubio’s conversations also included discussions with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong regarding their security pact with the UK, known as AUKUS, geared towards enhancing technological capabilities and armament efforts, including the provision of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
