Trump to Kick Off 3-Day Visit to Japan Mon.

Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)–U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive in Japan on Monday for a three-day visit, with his first in-person meeting with the country’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, set for Tuesday. This will be Trump’s first visit to Japan since the launch of his second administration in January. At a time when the security environment surrounding Japan is increasingly severe, Trump and Takaichi, who took office Tuesday, are expected to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, aiming to build a relationship of trust between them. Trump, now on a three-nation Asian tour, held a summit with leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on Sunday and will leave for Japan on Monday morning. In Japan, Trump is slated to hold a meeting with Japanese Emperor Naruhito, in addition to the bilateral summit with Takaichi. Trump and Takaichi are expected to confirm their intentions to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, with in mind China, which is increasing hegemonic behavior, and moves by Russia and North Korea to deepen military cooperation. The president is seen asking Japan to increase its defense spending and reinforce its defense capabilities, citing the need to address the deteriorating security environment. The Japanese side is expected to emphasize the importance of its relations with the United States by showing a stance to steadily implement its tariff agreement with the United States struck earlier this year. Takaichi may inform Trump of progress in Japan’s purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas, soybeans and automobiles. The biggest focus is whether the two leaders will be able to build a relationship of trust. Trump and Takaichi held phone talks for the first time Saturday, agreeing to strengthen the bilateral alliance. Trump noted that the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom he had a good relationship, was a close friend of Takaichi, and told Takaichi that he looks forward to meeting her. Trump last visited Japan in June 2019, during his first tenure as U.S. president. Following his upcoming trip to Japan, Trump is slated to travel to South Korea on Wednesday. In the country, he will hold meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The U.S. president is also eager to hold direct dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]