Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and US President Donald Trump have agreed to meet this spring and to deepen ties.
The two leaders spoke by phone for more than 20 minutes on Friday night, Japan time. It was their first telephone conversation since November last year.
The prime minister later told reporters that she extended her congratulations on the United States’ 250th anniversary of its founding this year.
Noting that 2026 should be a year that opens a new chapter in the Japan-US alliance, Takaichi said she and Trump agreed that the two countries will enhance cooperation widely, including on the economy and security.
The Japanese leader said the two affirmed their commitment to working with like-minded nations, including through trilateral ties with South Korea, while boosting cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Takaichi did not mention whether she and Trump discussed China’s recent moves. She said they exchanged views on international affairs with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region and confirmed close bilateral coordination.
The prime minister also said Trump invited her to visit the US, and they agreed to coordinate on details of such a trip.
Takaichi described the call as extremely meaningful, saying the two talked directly at the beginning of the year and reaffirmed the solid Japan-US alliance.
She added that she hopes to continue to closely communicate with Trump.
AloJapan.com