Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting
June 7, 2018
On June 7 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was visiting Washington D.C., the United States of America, held a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting with the Honorable Donald Trump, President of the United States. The overview of the meeting is as follows. (A one-on-one meeting commencing at around 12:10 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes with the Honorable Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States, and Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs present; and a working lunch commencing at around 12:55 p.m. for approximately 55 minutes).
- The two leaders closely coordinated the future policy with regard to the issue on North Korea , including responses to the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting that was scheduled for June 12, and shared the view that Japan and the United States, as well as Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), would coordinate closely to ensure that the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting would be a historic meeting marking progress on the issues of concern, including the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues.
- The two leaders shared the view that they will demand North Korea to fully implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and elicit concrete actions from North Korea by continuing existing measures.
- Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude toward President Trump for meeting with the families of abductees when he visited Japan in November last year, and he explained once again the background of the abductions issue and the earnest feelings of the families of abductees. In response, President Trump once again made a strong remark indicating that he will raise the abductions issue during the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting. The two leaders reconfirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to work closely together in order to promptly resolve the abductions issue.
- Prime Minister Abe explained that at the G7 Charlevoix Summit that will be held from the following day, June 8, he hopes to unify the G7 leaders in conveying a powerful message of support for President Trump in the run-up to the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting. Prime Minister Abe and President Trump shared the view that they will also work closely together at the G7 Summit.
- The two leaders confirmed that following the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting, Japan and the United States, as well as Japan, the United States, and the ROK, will promptly share information and coordinate policy.
- The two leaders also discussed economy and trade. Prime Minister Abe explained to President Trump that the exports by Japanese companies operating in the United States exceed the United States' trade deficit with Japan, as well as their contribution to employment in the U.S. through investment and increase in the purchase of defense equipment and U.S. energy by Japanese companies. President Trump expressed his appreciation. The two leaders confirmed that both sides would continue discussion in the talks for free, fair and reciprocal trade deals (FFR) and would coordinate to hold the first FFR meeting in July between Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, and the Honorable Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative.