ISTANBUL
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi discussed bilateral relations during an "extremely meaningful" phone call on Friday.
"We confirmed the close cooperation between Japan and the United States under the current international situation," Takaichi said in a statement on US social media company X, calling Washington an "important ally."
"At President Trump's invitation, we also concurred to coordinate in detail to realize my visit to the United States this spring," she added.
Takaichi described the call as "highly meaningful" as they reaffirmed the "close coordination of the Japan-US Alliance at the beginning of the new year."
"I look forward to working with President Trump to make 2026 a year in which we carve out a new chapter in the history of the Japan-U.S. Alliance," she added.
"We exchanged views primarily on the Indo-Pacific region and affirmed close Japan-US cooperation under the current global situation," Takaichi told reporters, according to Kyodo News.
Takaichi, who met Trump for the first time when he visited Japan in October, had earlier said she was exploring a summit with Trump in early 2026.