Japanese PM touts 'golden age' for relations with U.S. under Trump

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday pronounced the start of a "golden age" for American relations with his country after meeting with President Donald Trump.

"I look forward to working together with President Trump, who I respect immensely, to usher in a new golden age of Japan-US relations the I look forward to welcoming you to Japan, and I'm very excited about that prospect," he said.

"We were able to openly and frankly exchange views, and our meeting turned out to be very productive and meaningful," Ishiba added.

He further indicated that the pair had discussed North Korea and its denuclearization, as well as the prospect of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

"The United States is totally committed to the security of Japan," Trump insisted. "We will extend the full strength of American deterrence capabilities and defense of our friend and ally, 100%."

Trump previously enjoyed a close relationship with the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his first term. Abe was assassinated in 2022.