Japan seeks to reassure alliance after US-China summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is working to address concerns regarding the strength of the Japan-US alliance following a recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.

During the summit, President Trump highlighted the shared interests between the US and China, referencing their historical roles as allies during World War II. President Xi emphasized that the two nations fought together against fascist aggression and specifically noted their shared history of fighting against Japanese militarist invaders.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Takaichi held a phone call with President Trump to mitigate fears that Beijing might attempt to drive a wedge between Washington and Tokyo. Relations between Japan and China have been strained since Takaichi's comments regarding Taiwan in the Japanese Diet last November. The White House stated that the US and China are focused on building a constructive and stable strategic relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity.