U.S. President Donald Trump, on an Asia tour, held his first summit with Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the 27th at the State Guest House in Motoakasaka, Tokyo.
This is the first time President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi have officially faced each other.
According to Kyodo News and Reuters, President Trump said in his opening remarks, "The United States and Japan are allies at the strongest level," adding, "The U.S.-Japan relationship will become more solid than ever."
Trump also said, "The U.S.-Japan trade deal is very fair," and noted, "We will sign a new agreement soon."
In response, Takaichi said, "The U.S.-Japan alliance will become the greatest alliance in the world," adding, "Japan will contribute to world peace and prosperity together with the United States."
Takaichi emphasized stronger cooperation, saying, "With this meeting as an opportunity, we will open a new golden age of the U.S.-Japan alliance together."
In the talks, the two leaders focused on the situations in North Korea and China, international issues, defense cost sharing, investment in the United States, and implementation of the tariff agreement.
In particular, a key agenda item was Japan's push to invest about $550 billion (about 787 trillion won) in the United States and the U.S. side's request to increase defense costs.
A senior U.S. government official said the two leaders are "highly likely to sign a document symbolizing strengthened U.S.-Japan cooperation."
After the summit, the two leaders continued informal talks over lunch. Afterward, they were to board the Marine One helicopter and move to the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka to embark together on the U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington.