Japan-United States of America Relations

On July 8, commencing at 2:48 p.m. local time for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting Hamburg, the Federal Republic of Germany, to attend the G20 Hamburg Summit, held a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting with the Honorable Donald Trump, President of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows.  

1. At the beginning, President Trump stated that he held various discussions in Hamburg, and his discussion with Prime Minister Abe had centered on the issue of North Korea. He claimed that North Korea's nuclear and missile development is a major threat and that he intends to continue to hold discussions in this regard. In response, Prime Minister Abe stated that he was happy to be able to meet President Trump individually, mentioned that the regional security environment including North Korea is becoming increasingly severe, and explained that he hopes to discuss the challenges the international community faces and once again show the world the ironclad bond of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.  
2. With regard to North Korea, Prime Minister Abe emphasized the need to further increase pressure on North Korea, and stated that it is meaningful that the leaders of Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) affirmed a shared position at the Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting. The two sides shared the view that they will continue to work together closely.   
3. The two leaders exchanged views on the situation of the region based on the meetings they held in Hamburg, together and respectively, with partners of the region. Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan-China relationship is moving back to the right track, and President Trump welcomed a stable Japan-China relationship as it contributes to the peace and prosperity of the region.  
4. Based upon the exchange of views above, both leaders shared the view that robust Japan-US Alliance as well as the ironclad bond between them provide the basis for improving and strengthening respective relations of the US and Japan with their neighboring countries, and drawing positive engagements from those countries. Thus the Alliance and the bond will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region and the world.
5. With regard to economic relations, Prime Minister Abe stated that he hopes that constructive discussions on future Japan-U.S. economic relations will take place at the second Japan-U.S. Economic Dialogue scheduled to be held this year, and explained that Japanese companies such as Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Daikin Industries, Ltd. are actively undertaking new investment. President Trump mentioned the issue of trade deficits with Japan and the importance of reciprocal market access, and Prime Minister Abe stated that he hopes that Deputy Prime Minister Aso and Vice President Pence will have thorough discussions to further deepen their win-win economic relationship.
6. Prime Minister Abe explained that he is looking forward to President Trump's visit to Japan, and President Trump replied that he is also looking forward to visiting Japan soon.