Ishiba-Trump Statement to Vow Golden Age of Japan-U.S. Ties
Washington, Feb. 7 (Jiji Press)--Japan and the United States are coordinating to release a joint statement vowing to create a golden age of bilateral relations, as their current leaders hold their first summit at the White House on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump used the phrase "golden age" in his inaugural address last month, saying "the golden age of America begins right now."
"(The use of the phrase in the joint statement) reflects hopes for the future of Japan-U.S. ties and our eagerness to make them better," a Japanese government official said.
At the upcoming summit, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hopes to build personal rapport with Trump through a frank exchange of views.
After the summit in the morning, Ishiba and Trump will have a working lunch before announcing the results of their talks at a joint press conference.
Ishiba arrived in Washington on Thursday evening and is scheduled to return to Japan on Saturday afternoon. He is accompanied on the U.S. trip by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
Ishiba and Trump are expected to confirm that they will strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including security and the economy. To demonstrate their strong bilateral alliance to the international community, Ishiba plans to ask Trump to visit Japan at an early date.
In the security field, the two leaders will confirm that Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. security treaty, which stipulates that the United States is obligated to defend Japan, applies to the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, southernmost Japan, which are administered by Tokyo and also claimed by Beijing. They will also reaffirm their countries' cooperation for a "free and open Indo-Pacific."
Their joint statement is also expected to emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Elsewhere in the summit, Ishiba and Trump are seen discussing regional issues such as China's hegemonic moves in the East and South China seas and Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine, as well as North Korea's nuclear and missile development and past abductions of Japanese nationals.
Regarding economic matters, Ishiba will tell Trump that Japan plans to expand imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas to diversify its energy sources. The prime minister will explain Japanese companies' track record of investments in the United States and seek Trump's understanding.
Also on the agenda is cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other advanced technologies.
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