Japan-United States of America Relations

On April 26, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was visiting Washington, D.C., held a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows. (The leaders held the meetings for 105 minutes in total; the one-on-one meeting commencing from around 4:35 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes; the small group meeting for approximately 25 minutes; and the extended meeting for approximately 35 minutes.)

1. In light of the recent developments surrounding North Korea, including the second U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting and the Russia-North Korea Summit Meeting, the two leaders closely coordinated their policies with regard to the issue of North Korea, and confirmed that Japan and the U.S., as well as Japan, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea, will continue to coordinate closely toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
2. In addition, Prime Minister Abe once again conveyed his gratitude to President Trump for raising the abductions issue to Chairman Kim Jong-Un twice during the second U.S.-North Korea Summit, and the two leaders reaffirmed that Japan and the U.S. will continue to cooperate closely toward the early resolution of the abductions issue. President Trump made a powerful remark indicating that the U.S. will continue to fully cooperate with Japan.
3. The Leaders welcomed the outcome of the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC) (Japan-U.S. “2+2”), which was held on April 19, and concurred on continuing to develop measures to enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan- U.S. Alliance. The Leaders also reaffirmed that they would continue further cooperation towards the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
4. The Leaders welcomed the commencement of talks between Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization, and Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative, in accordance with the Japan-U.S. Joint Statement of September 2018. The Leaders reaffirmed that they would further accelerate discussion based on the relation of trust between Japan and the U.S. in order to realize rapid accomplishment of goals.
5. In addition, the Leaders welcomed economic development based on fair rules to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
6. The Leaders reaffirmed close cooperation between Japan and the U.S., for the success of the G20 Osaka Summit, for building a consensus on main agendas including trade, data governance, marine plastic litter, infrastructure investment, and empowerment of women.
7. Prime Minister Abe said that the visit of the President and First Lady to Japan in May, as the first State Guests after the enthronement of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito, symbolizes the unwavering bond of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and that Japan would like to show to the world that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is more solid than ever thorough this State Visit. In response, President Trump said that he looked forward to visiting japan, and the Leaders shared the view that Japan and the U.S. would continue to deepen the bilateral relationship through high-level visits between the two countries.