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Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds press conference in Tokyo
FILE PHOTO: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, on December 24, 2024. YUICHI YAMAZAKI/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Image: Reuters/YUICHI YAMAZAKI
politics

Japan, U.S. eye meeting between Ishiba and Trump on Feb 7

14 Comments

Japan and the United States are in the final stage of planning for a meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb 7, the Asahi newspaper said on Thursday, citing sources from both nations.

The leaders will discuss strengthening cooperation in the areas of security and the economy, the report said. Ishiba wants to build a personal relationship with Trump and agree to further deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, according to the report.

A spokesperson at Japan's foreign ministry told Reuters that "nothing has been decided about the specific timing" for a meeting between the leaders and a schedule is being coordinated.

Ishiba also plans to explain job creation in the U.S. by Japanese companies and an increase in Japan's defense budget at a meeting with Trump, the report said.

© Thomson Reuters 2025.

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14 Comments
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In the meeting, PM Ishiba will be certain to bring up issues such as an unequal SOFA and the excessive U.S. military presence in Japan, Okinawa in particular. And so, the meeting will be something that should be paid special attention to.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Bit like your appointment for root canal treatment ....scary, but glad when it is over.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Don't bend against the USA

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Ishiba don,t shake his hand. It look like he been smearing baby faeces all over his face.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Japan needs much continued support from the US.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Big test for Ishibasan but all the signs point to Trump having him for breakfast, and onigiris thankfully won’t be on the menu. All bets are on though, it’s a clean slate, so let’s see what the Japanese PM can do in the name of Japans strategic interests in the new paradigm. One things sure, no one can claim that it’s boring!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Ishiba also plans to explain job creation in the U.S. by Japanese companies and an increase in Japan's defense budget at a meeting with Trump, the report said.

Good things to discuss.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Japan needs much continued support from the US.

For what? The US need Japan's money, that it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Trump will surely ask again for the green light for that casino in Osaka that former Prime Minister Abe kind of promised him last time around.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Ricky...it is all boring and predictable with Trump.

His reality TV show as POTUS had steam the first time around....now its like reruns of Star Trek

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Brown-nosing is the best way to get anywhere with Trump. Ishiba will have to prostrate himself to beg for kind treatment.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Meeting up with a convicted felon.

What fun.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The POTUS doesn't like losers. Ishiba will have to make some concessions. How about giving him Okinawa as a present in case the Greenland thing doesn't work out?

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

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