US President Donald Trump pledged close security and economic cooperation with Japan in his first summit with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, currently visiting Washington.

    At a joint news conference with Abe, Trump affirmed that the US is committed to the security of Japan and all areas under its administrative control and to further strengthening our very crucial alliance. "The bond between our two nations and the friendship between our two peoples runs very, very deep. This administration is committed to bringing those ties even closer," he said. 

    A joint US-Japanese statement said the US commitment to defend Japan through nuclear and conventional military capabilities is unwavering. The statement said the two leaders affirmed that Article 5 of the US-Japan security treaty covered the islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China. 

    The statement calls the Japan-US alliance the cornerstone of peace, prosperity, and freedom in the Asia-Pacific region. It said that Abe and Trump instructed their foreign and defense ministers to hold early talks on ways to further strengthen the alliance. This includes a review of the two countries' roles, missions, and capabilities. 

    The leaders noted the importance of maintaining a maritime order based on international law, and said they oppose any attempt to assert maritime claims through intimidation, coercion, or force.

    On the economy, the statement said that Trump and Abe remain fully committed to strengthening bilateral and regional economic relationships based on rules for free and fair trade. This includes setting high trade and investment standards, reducing market barriers, and enhancing opportunities for economic and job growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Abe invited Trump for an official visit to Japan this year and welcomed an early visit by Vice President Mike Pence to Tokyo. The statement said that President Trump accepted these invitations.

Source: QNA