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 defence budget at a meeting with Trump, the report said.
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Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Donald Trump will discuss the Indo-Pacific region and bilateral support between Japan and the United States on Feb. 7.
The meeting would take place in Washington, D.C., at the urging of Ishiba, who has sought a meeting with Trump at "the earliest possible timing," Kyodo News reported.
The summit date is tentative and ultimately would address what Ishiba says is the need for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" region.
Ishiba and Trump likely would discuss strengthening mutual security amid aggressive moves by China and North Korea and potential conflict between China and Taiwan, among other regional concerns.