Japan-U.S. Summit Expected for Oct. 28

Tokyo, Oct. 7 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese and U.S. governments are preparing to hold a summit between their leaders on Oct. 28, during President Donald Trump’s anticipated visit to Japan late this month, diplomatic sources said Tuesday. If Sanae Takaichi, who was elected new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday, is appointed prime minister by the Diet, the country’s parliament, this will be her first official meeting with Trump. Trump’s envisaged trip to Japan will be the first since his second administration was launched in January. He is most likely to be in Japan from Oct. 27 to 29, after attending a meeting related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Malaysia. During his stay, the U.S. president is expected to meet with Emperor Naruhito, inspect the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, and hold talks with families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago. Trump met with abductees’ families during his first term in office and has raised the issue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At their summit meeting, the Japanese and U.S. leaders are expected to confirm a policy of deepening the bilateral alliance under the new Japanese administration. They are also expected to discuss measures to deal with China, which has been ramping up military pressure. The focus is on whether the new prime minister can build rapport with Trump. The two leaders are set to travel to South Korea after their meeting to attend a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held from late this month. Trump is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping there. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]