Takaichi, Trump Discuss U.S.-China Ties, Affirm Cooperation

Tokyo, Nov. 25 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held telephone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, with topics including relations between the United States and China. Trump explained recent developments in his country’s relations with China, such as his phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. “We were able to confirm close cooperation between Japan and the United States,” Takaichi told reporters after the phone talks. The Takaichi-Trump phone talks were arranged at the request of Trump, at a time when Japan is increasingly concerned about the United States and China apparently coming close to each other. The prime minister is believed to have explained Japan’s position on its relations with China, which have been strained since her recent parliamentary remarks about a potential contingency over Taiwan. At a parliamentary meeting earlier this month, Takaichi said China’s possible use of force against Taiwan could constitute a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. Trump said to Takaichi that they are very close friends. The president also told Takaichi to call him whenever she wants. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]