President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe reaffirm the close bonds between their two countries on defense and trade and they agree that North Korea must permanently and verifiably denuclearize.
The president, who will meet soon with North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, said on April 18 after talks with Abe that it “will be a great day for the world” if North Korea achieves complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization.
Abe, who called a nuclear-armed North Korea “absolutely intolerable,” said the situation on the peninsula “is at a historical turning point.” But while North Korea is now willing to talk, Abe said, “there should be no reward. Maximum pressure should be maintained.” He also thanked Trump for promising “to do everything possible” to get North Korea to return abducted Japanese citizens.
The two leaders agreed to intensify discussions on free, fair and reciprocal trade and investment between Japan and the United States. Trump also praised Japan’s efforts to bolster its defense capabilities and said he is exploring ways to expedite sales of military equipment to Japan.
“The friendship between Japan and the United States has never been closer,” said Trump, who visited Tokyo last year.
