US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Japan for three days from Monday for his first in-person talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.Trump is slated to visit Japan for the first time in about six years. Takaichi, who won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election on October 4, became Japan’s first female prime minister on Tuesday, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba.Kihara, Japan’s top government spokesman, said at a regular press conference on Wednesday that Trump is also set to meet Emperor Naruhito during his stay.
“President Trump’s visit is an extremely meaningful opportunity to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance,” Kihara said, adding that Takaichi’s government “sincerely welcomes” the trip.
Kihara also said he hopes the two leaders will build a personal relationship of trust and reaffirm that Tokyo and Washington will work together to realise a “free and open Indo-Pacific”, where China’s clout is growing.
Trump’s meeting with the emperor and summit talks with Takaichi are being arranged for Monday and Tuesday, respectively, while he is also likely to visit a US naval base in Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo, sources familiar with the matter said.
AloJapan.com