TOKYO, Oct 26 (Reuters) – Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told U.S. President Donald Trump that strengthening the Japan–U.S. alliance is her government’s top foreign-policy priority. The two leaders spoke by phone on Saturday in their first official conversation since Takaichi took office.
Focus on alliance and Indo-Pacific cooperation
According to a statement on the Japanese premier’s official website, Takaichi called Japan an “indispensable partner” in U.S. strategies toward China and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
“I conveyed to him that strengthening the Japan–U.S. alliance is the top priority for my administration’s foreign and security policy,” she said. “We confirmed our shared commitment to further elevating the alliance to new heights.”
The prime minister spoke to Trump from Malaysia, where she is attending a regional forum that began on Sunday. Trump joined the call from Air Force One while en route to Malaysia.
Upcoming summit in Tokyo
Trump is scheduled to visit Japan on Monday and hold a bilateral summit with Takaichi on Tuesday. The meeting will mark the first in-person discussion between the two leaders and is expected to cover security, trade, and regional stability.
During their conversation, Trump congratulated Takaichi on her appointment last Tuesday as Japan’s first female prime minister. The two also reflected on the legacy of late former premier Shinzo Abe, who was Takaichi’s political mentor.
Takaichi described Trump as “a very cheerful and engaging person,” according to her website statement.
The report was originally published by Reuters.