TOKYO (JAPAN) – A Japanese government spokesperson said on Monday that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had conveyed to his US counterpart President Donald Trump that the strong ties between the two countries would remain even after Abe steps down.
The prime minister announced on Friday he was stepping down citing poor health, thus bringing to an end his tenure as the longest-serving PM. Abe has been battling ulcerative colitis for years.
“He wants President Trump to rest assured because the policy of bolstering the Japan-US alliance will remain unchanged,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Akihiro Nishimura said.
Abe and Trump had a 30-minute phone conversation early on Monday. Trump termed Abe the “greatest prime minister in Japan’s history”, said a White House spokesman.
In the wake of Japan coming up with a new missile defence strategy, the country would like to closely cooperate with the US, Abe told Trump.
Last month, Japan moved a step forward towards acquiring weapons that can strike North Korea. This came after a ruling party committee gave the green signal for proposals to acquire strike capability to block ballistic missiles.
According to a statement issued by White House spokesman Judd Deere, the president told Abe that he had done a “fantastic job” and that the ties between both nations were stronger than ever.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.