Countries & Regions

On September 21, commencing at 12:20 p.m. (local time) for approximately one hour, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting in a lunch meeting format with the Honorable Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, and H.E. Mr. Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The overview of the meeting is as follows. 

1. At the beginning, President Trump expressed the view that amid the growing threat of North Korea threat, coordination among the United States, Japan and the ROK is definitely deepening. President Trump stated that the United States’ alliances with Japan and the ROK are rock-solid, and he will call on countries to fully implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions in order to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. President Trump also explained that he has signed a new executive order imposing sanctions on companies and other entities that do business with North Korea. President Moon explained that it will be necessary for all countries to fully implement the UNSC resolutions, and he hopes the ROK, Japan and the United States will continue to work closely together. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe appreciated that he could meet the two leaders again, and explained that amid the unprecedented and real crisis the world is facing, he hopes that Japan, the United States and the ROK will once again discuss strategies for making North Korea abandon its nuclear program. Prime Minister Abe stated that he welcomes and supports the United States’ new measure from the standpoint of applying a new level of pressure. 
2. The three countries’ leaders shared the view that they will deepen collaboration under the unity of the three countries, such as by increasing efforts to encourage the international community, including China and Russia. Furthermore, they shared the recognition that it will be necessary to apply greater pressure in order to bring about a change in North Korea’s policies. On that basis they appreciated the unanimous adoption of UNSC Resolution 2375 as an extremely important step, along with sharing the view that it will be important to ensure the resolution is fully　implemented. In addition, the leaders of the three countries also discussed Japan-U.S.-ROK security and defense cooperation from the standpoint of protecting the safety and peace of the three countries’ citizens, and shared the view that they advance their cooperation. 
3. Prime Minister Abe once again highly appreciated that President Trump expressed strong resolve with regard to the North Korea problem in his address, and that President Trump is repeatedly asserting his position that all options are on the table. 
4. Prime Minister Abe appealed for understanding and cooperation with promptly resolving the abductions issue, which President Trump mentioned in his address, for the first time as a U.S. President, and Prime Minister Abe confirmed that he will continue to work closely with President Trump and President Moon.