Japanese and US sources say arrangements are underway for US President Donald Trump to visit Japan in late October.
The Japanese and US governments have been examining whether Trump can travel to Japan ahead of his scheduled trip to South Korea, where an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will take place.
The sources say arrangements are focused on Trump making a three-day visit to Japan from October 27. They say Trump would likely hold talks with the successor to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
The sources say preparations are also being made for Trump to inspect the US naval base in Yokosuka near Tokyo on October 28 and deliver a speech to military personnel.
When Trump traveled to Japan in May 2019 during his first term, he also visited the naval base and made an address on an amphibious assault ship that was anchored there.
Observers say Trump is apparently hoping to stress the importance of the Japan-US alliance through inspecting the base, with China’s increasing maritime activities and the situation in North Korea in mind.
AloJapan.com