Trump invites PM Sanae Takaichi for US visit: Japan

Japan’s foreign ministry said President Donald Trump invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit the United States this year.

However, the White House has not yet confirmed the call and invitation.

This comes at a time when ties between Japan and China are strained and tensions in the region are rising.

Japan’s close ally, the United States, is seeking to strengthen ties with Tokyo as well as stabilize relations with Beijing ahead of Trump’s possible trip to China in April.

Beijing this week held two-day military exercises in waters off Taiwan. Takaichi infuriated China late last year by saying China’s military action against Taiwan could set the stage for a Japanese military response, distracting from former Japanese leaders’ strategic uncertainty on the highly sensitive issue.

Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Takaichi and Trump agreed to coordinate for the visit, which will take place in the northern spring.

Japan’s news agency Kyodo News suggested that Takaichi’s trip could coincide with the annual cherry blossom festival in Washington.

The foreign ministry said the two leaders confirmed that they would “open a new page in the history of the Japan-US alliance” in a year when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding.

Takaichi and Trump also agreed on commitments to promote cooperation among like-minded partners, including the Japan-US-South Korea partnership, and a free and open Indo-Pacific, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the two exchanged views “mainly on the Indo-Pacific region” but did not provide details, including whether the two discussed Beijing’s recent actions in the region.

Trump met Takaichi in Tokyo shortly after taking office in October. The two exchanged warm words, and Trump took her with him as he spoke to US soldiers aboard an aircraft carrier in Japan.