Trump mulling 1st visit to Japan in Nov.

September 13, 2017

TOKYO- US President Donald Trump is considering visiting Japan in early November to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, informed sources said Wednesday.

Tokyo and Washington are arranging Trump's visit to Japan, a Japanese government source said. It would be the first time for Trump to visit the Asian country since he took office in January.

In their envisaged talks, Trump and Abe are seen discussing how to deal with North Korea, which carried out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3.

The two leaders are also likely to talk about trade issues, including how to reduce the US trade deficit with Japan.

On Nov. 10, a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum will start in Vietnam.

Trump is considering stopping at Japan before visiting Vietnam for the APEC summit, informed sources said, adding that the US leader is also planning to travel to China and South Korea.

When Abe made a trip to the United States in February, he asked Trump to visit Japan at an early date.

The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a fresh sanctions resolution against North Korea following the nuclear test, drawing angry responses from the reclusive state.

Abe aims to highlight the solid Japan-US bilateral alliance through the meeting with Trump, in a bid to increase pressure on North Korea, the sources said.

Abe and Trump are also expected to discuss China's increasing unilateral moves in the East and South China seas. Jiji Press