Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk
March 25, 2020
On March 25, commencing at around 10 a.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America. The overview of the talk is as follows.
- Regarding the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Prime Minister Abe explained that, in his telephone talk on the previous day with H.E. Mr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he and President Bach had agreed to postpone the Games for approximately one year, until the summer of 2021 at the latest, so as to ensure that all the world’s athletes can compete in the best condition, and to make the Games a safe and secure event for all spectators. President Trump repeatedly said that postponing the Games is a great and wise decision, asking that his views be shared with the Japanese people, and said that he supported Prime Minister Abe’s position 100%. Both leaders confirmed that they would work closely together to hold the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in a complete form, as a proof of mankind’s victory over COVID-19.
- Regarding COVID-19, the two leaders agreed to continue close coordination on bilateral cooperation and information sharing, including in developing cures and vaccines.
- Both leaders also reaffirmed Japan-U.S. coordination towards the G20 summit video conference to be held on March 26, as well as future G7 summit video conferences.
- In addition, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation regarding North Korea.