After becoming the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga held his first talks with US President Donald Trump in a clear sign of the importance the island nation attaches to its relations with the lone superpower. Earlier Suga was designated at the top post last Wednesday following the resignation of Shinzo Abe. Abe, a staunch American ally, was in the helm for eight years since 2012 and had to resign because of ill health.
After having conversation with Trump on the phone, Suga told reporters,“I told him that the Japan-US alliance is the foundation of regional peace and stability, and we agreed to continue to coordinate closely.”
According to Suga, a consensus was reached between the two leaders in combating the Corona Virus as well as on North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs. It should be noted that North Korea is geographically very close to Japan and therefore the latter is concerned over the former’s nuclear ambitions.
Though Yoshihide Suga has hardly travelled overseas and has been mostly a domestic player in the politics of the country, he is expected to follow his predecessor’s policies on international issues. He is likely to take a balanced approach over the confrontation between the United States and China over trade and other issues.
Suga noted that he expected to hold similar conversations with other global leaders to explain Japan’s position on major international and regional matters and deepen cooperation.
Suga had earlier on Sunday talked to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and agreed to continue the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
