Ishiba, Trump hold phone call, agree to meet early

By AJP Posted : November 8, 2024, 09:52 Updated : November 8, 2024, 09:52
Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party LDP Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference a day after Japans lower house election at the partys headquarters in Tokyo Oct 28 2024 Reuters-Yonhap
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap
 
SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump agreed Thursday to hold an early meeting during their phone talks. 

The five-minute call focused on strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance, with both leaders confirming their commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region amid China's growing influence.

Ishiba told reporters he got the impression that Trump is friendly and a person who he can speak honestly with.

Japanese officials said they are working to arrange an in-person meeting between the two leaders, following the precedent set by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who met Trump in New York shortly after his 2016 election victory.

The conversation notably excluded discussions about Japan's defense spending or cost-sharing for U.S. military installations in Japan, topics that had been contentious during Trump's previous presidency from 2017 to 2021, according to officials.
 
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