Japan's New PM Takaichi Prioritizes US Alliance in First Call with President Trump

Trump will visit Japan from Monday, and hold a summit with Takaichi on Tuesday.

Tokyo:

Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi conveyed to US President Donald Trump during their initial telephone conversation on Saturday that reinforcing the alliance between their nations is her administration's "top priority".

During their call, Takaichi emphasized to Trump that Japan represents "an indispensable partner" in America's strategic approach toward China and the broader Indo-Pacific region, according to statements published on the Japanese premier's official website.

"I communicated to him that strengthening the Japan-US Alliance is the highest priority for my administration's foreign and security policy," she stated in the official post.

"We affirmed our mutual commitment to advancing the Alliance to unprecedented levels."

Takaichi spoke with Trump while in Malaysia attending a regional forum that commenced on Sunday. President Trump participated in the call from Air Force One during his journey to Malaysia.

Following this exchange, Trump is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Monday and engage in summit discussions with Takaichi on Tuesday.

Trump initiated the telephone conversation by offering congratulations to Takaichi on her appointment as prime minister last Tuesday. The leaders also shared memories about the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who served as Takaichi's political mentor.

After their conversation, Takaichi remarked that her impression of Trump was that "he is a very cheerful and engaging person."