Japan’s Takaichi: US-China ties should contribute to international stability

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on September 23 that she had a “timely” discussion about China with US President Donald Trump ahead of his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24.

“Japan considers it important that US-China relations contribute to the stability of the international community, including Japan,” Takaichi said at a press conference in New York after meeting Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Reuters reports.

Takaichi did not provide details of her discussion with Trump regarding China.

Japan and other US allies in Asia have expressed concern that Trump could soften Washington’s support for Taiwan in exchange for an economic agreement with Xi. Takaichi’s meeting with Trump came ahead of his talks with the Chinese president.

Xi is expected to press Trump to halt US arms sales to Taiwan when the two leaders meet, sources told Reuters. Beijing considers the democratically governed island part of its territory and has increased military activity around Taiwan.

Taiwan is also located close to Japan. Takaichi angered China last year after saying Japan could deploy its defence forces if military action against Taiwan also threatened Japanese territory.

By Sabina Mammadli