Takaichi Keen to Meet with Trump Soon amid Chinese Pressure
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday (December 10) that she hopes to meet with US President Donald Trump "as soon as possible" amid growing pressure from China.
- Sanae Takaichi expressed her eagerness to meet with Donald Trump, suggesting she is open to meeting in Davos, Washington, or elsewhere.
- The desire for a meeting comes amid increasing pressure on Japan from China.
- The Chinese pressure is a response to Takaichi's statement that China's potential use of force against Taiwan could be a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan.
She remarked at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting in response to Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, who called for stronger Japan-US cooperation.
Noting that Trump is expected to attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Tamaki suggested that this could be an opportunity for a Takaichi-Trump meeting.
Takaichi indicated her willingness to consider the proposal, saying, "It's not limited to Davos.
I can visit Washington. It could also be when President Trump travels abroad."
China is increasing its pressure on Japan after Takaichi said in parliament in November that China's possible use of force against Taiwan could constitute a so-called survival-threatening situation for Japan, in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defence.
Trump has not clarified his stance on the Chinese pressure on Japan.
Meanwhile, he unveiled on Monday a plan to permit exports of US chip giant Nvidia Corp.'s advanced semiconductors to China.
He plans to visit the country in April next year.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
