Takaichi Seeks to Build Japan-U.S. Alliance’s “Golden Age” with Trump

Tokyo, Oct. 28 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, called for creating a “new golden age” of the Japan-U.S. alliance together. Speaking to Trump in their summit in Tokyo, Takaichi, who took office last week, said that the two nations share the “greatest alliance in the world.” “I highly value your unwavering commitment to world peace and stability,” the prime minister told Trump, seeking to further promote cooperation with the United States over a free and open Indo-Pacific. Welcoming Trump to Japan, Takaichi said that she had been “very much looking forward” to meeting the U.S. leader in person. She also thanked Trump for his years of friendship with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Trump said that the alliance between the two nations is at “the strongest level.” Saying that he has a “great respect for Japan,” Trump expressed hopes to further strengthen bilateral ties. The president thanked Japan for its purchases of defense equipment from the United States and welcomed Japanese companies engaging in economic activities within the United States. Congratulating Takaichi for becoming the first female prime minister of Japan, Trump said that the United States “will be there” for Japan if there is anything that the Asian nation needs. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]