TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering visiting the United States to meet the president-elect ahead of the official inauguration in January, according to a report by the Yomiuri newspaper on Sunday.
In an interview, Ishiba emphasized the importance of establishing a relationship with the incoming U.S. president. “As the prime minister of Japan, an ally of the U.S., it is necessary for me to have a relationship with the president-elect before officially taking office in January next year,” the Yomiuri quoted him as saying.
The prime minister did not rule out the possibility of scheduling this U.S. visit either before or after his planned tour of South America in mid-November, which includes attending the APEC summit in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil.
The U.S. presidential election, scheduled for Nov. 5, features a contest between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. If Ishiba’s visit materializes, it will mark his first trip to the U.S. since assuming the role of prime minister.
The potential visit underscores Japan’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with its key ally, the United States, regardless of the election outcome.