Trump "I Like Japan"... First US-Japan Summit at the White House Earlier This Month

Japanese Media Predicts February 7 Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru will hold a U.S.-Japan summit at the White House next week.

On January 31 (local time), President Trump met with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House and stated, "He (Prime Minister Ishiba) is scheduled to come to the U.S. next week to talk with me, and I am looking forward to it."

President Trump continued, "I have great respect for Japan. I like Japan," referring to the late Abe Shinzo, the Japanese Prime Minister with whom he was close during his first term in office, saying, "He was a very close friend, and what happened to him (the assassination by a homemade gun) was one of the saddest things."

President Trump did not specify the exact date and time of the U.S.-Japan summit. However, Kyodo News, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that it could take place on February 7.

Japanese media have reported that since President Trump may demand tariffs or increased defense spending, Prime Minister Ishiba is expected to explain plans for Japanese companies to create jobs in the U.S. and for increasing defense costs.

Also, issues such as the acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel, which former President Joe Biden disapproved and President Trump also clearly opposed, and the expansion of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports are expected to be raised by Prime Minister Ishiba.

Japanese media also anticipate that the U.S. and Japan leaders will discuss issues such as China, a global rival to U.S. hegemony, and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile threats.