New Japan PM tells Trump that US alliance is paramount in first phone call
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US President Donald Trump will visit Japan from Oct 27, and hold a summit with Japan's new prime minister Sanae Takaichi on Oct 28.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO – Japan’s new prime minister, Ms Sanae Takaichi, told US President Donald Trump that strengthening their countries’ alliance is her government’s “top priority”, in their first phone call on Oct 25.
She also told Mr Trump that Japan is “an indispensable partner” in terms of the US’ strategies towards China and the Indo-Pacific, according to comments posted on the premier’s official website.
“I conveyed to him that strengthening the Japan-US Alliance is the top priority for my administration’s foreign and security policy,” she said, according to the post.
“We confirmed our shared commitment to further elevating the Alliance to new heights.”
Ms Takaichi spoke to Mr Trump from Malaysia, where she is attending a regional forum, which began on Oct 26. Mr Trump spoke from Air Force One while on his way to Malaysia.
He will visit Japan from Oct 27, and hold a summit with Ms Takaichi on Oct 28.
He began their phone call by congratulating her on her appointment on Oct 21 as prime minister
She added that her impression of Mr Trump was that “he is a very cheerful and engaging person”. REUTERS
