Abe Leaves for Talks with Trump in Washington

June 6, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe departed on a government airplane on Wednesday for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington ahead of the Singapore summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.

"Prior to the first-ever summit between the United States and North Korea, I hope to ensure coordination with President Trump, for progress on the issue of Japanese abductees (in North Korea), as well as the nuclear and missile issues," Abe told reporters at the prime minister's office before heading for Tokyo International Airport.

Abe and Trump are due to have a bilateral meeting on Thursday afternoon local time, before leaving the U.S. capital to attend the annual Group of Seven summit in Charlevoix, Canada, for two days from Friday.

"I hope that the G-7 will send a message backing President Trump in the run-up to the U.S.-North Korea summit," the prime minister said.

Abe aims to confirm with Trump that the two allies will continue to press North Korea to realize its denuclearization, as the U.S. leader now appears to be shifting his priority to dialogue with the authoritarian state.

The prime minister is set to remind the president of Japan's position of seeking a comprehensive solution to the nuclear, missile and abduction issues.

During the Charlevoix summit, meanwhile, the G-7 leaders are likely to focus on trade issues, as the United States is leaning toward protectionism under Trump's presidency.

"No country can benefit from exchanges of trade-restriction measures," Abe said. "I will highlight the need for the G-7 to work for stability in the global economy." Jiji Press